JP4874943B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing method and an image processing apparatus for constructing formed image information for causing an image forming unit to form an image based on an original image. The present invention also relates to a machine-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as such an image processing apparatus is recorded.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a color material such as toner or ink, when performing test output for the purpose of confirming the layout of the output image, the image quality of the output image is not so limited. There are many. Rather, in such a case, it is desirable to save the use of the color material by forming an image under the condition that the use amount of the color material is reduced to some extent. For example, in a general document image, even if the amount of color material used is reduced by about 10 to 20% relative to the amount of color material necessary for output of the original document image by thinning out dots, etc. This will not interfere with the readability of the characters in the output image. Further, even for images including graphics such as figures and graphs, if the color material is reduced by about 10 to 20%, it is rare to cause image quality deterioration that makes them difficult to read.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that executes a color material saving mode as necessary to form an image under conditions where color materials are saved more than usual. According to this configuration, the color material usage amount can be saved by executing the color material saving mode in response to a user request.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-314783

  However, in such a configuration, there is a possibility that a person who views the output image may misunderstand that the image is handled by a low-performance device. Specifically, various methods such as a method of thinning out dots by a dither method or the like, a method of reducing the toner adhesion amount per dot by pulse width modulation, writing light amount control, or the like are conceivable as methods for saving the coloring material. It is done. Regardless of which method is employed, an image in which the amount of color material is reduced by the method is lower than that of the original image. If a person who has not recognized that the color material saving mode has been formed sees such an image, there is a risk of being misunderstood as described above due to the low quality of the image. For example, in an office, an administrator who has the authority to change the condition setting of the image forming apparatus sets a color material saving mode, and a user other than the administrator performs output without recognizing the setting. Also, for example, even if the material output in the color material saving mode is distributed to multiple people at a meeting etc., the person does not recognize that the distributed material was formed in the color material saving mode Most of them. Further, for example, in a facsimile, when original image information is converted into image information for color material saving and transmitted, an image output from the facsimile on the receiver side has a low image quality. Since the receiver does not recognize that the image is based on the image information converted for color material saving, there is a risk of misunderstanding that the facsimile on the sender side has low performance.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object thereof is to provide the following image processing apparatus, image processing method, and recording medium. In other words, it is an image handled by a low-performance device for a person who viewed an image output based on the color material saving image information that can save the amount of color material used than the original image. An image processing apparatus or the like that can avoid misunderstanding.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 obtains original image information which is information of an original image, and saving presence / absence information which is information indicating whether or not to save on a color material used for image formation. As the formation image information for forming the image on the information acquisition means and the image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium, if the saving presence / absence information is information to save the color material, the color Image information construction means for constructing image information for normal use when constructing image information for color material saving that can save the amount of material used, while the information indicating whether or not the color saving is information that does not save the color material In the image processing apparatus having the above, it is determined whether or not a specific type of image is included in the plurality of types of images included in the original image, and if included, as the color material saving image information, Above Among a plurality of types of images contained in Zinal image, the only specific type of image, the image saving color material, and forming an image for notifying a call and is formed under conditions to save color material for If the image of the specific type is not included in the original image while the information of the image for notification is added under the saving conditions , the saving presence / absence information is information indicating that the color material is saved. Even if the image information for color material saving is constructed without adding the information of the image for notification under the saving conditions, or the image for normal use is used instead of the image information for color material saving as the formed image information. The image information construction means is configured so as to perform processing for constructing information .
Further, the invention of claim 2 is an information acquisition means for acquiring original image information which is information of an original image, and saving presence / absence information which is information indicating whether or not to save a color material used for image formation, As formation image information for forming an image on an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, when the saving information is information indicating that the color material is saved, the amount of use of the color material is saved. An image processing apparatus having image information construction means for constructing normal image information when the information on whether or not the color material is saved is constructed while constructing possible color material saving image information In this case, the color material saving image information is a condition in which only a specific type of images among a plurality of types of images included in the original image is saved as a color material and the color material is saved for the image. Under Characterized in that the image information construction means is configured so as to construct an information to which a notification image is superimposed and formed under a saving condition for notifying that it has been created. It is.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus of the second aspect, as the color material saving image information, the notification image under the saving condition and the specific type of information for the specific type of image. The image information construction means is constructed so as to construct an image added with information formed by superimposing a type notification image for notifying the image.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the image information constructing means is configured to add character image information as information of the notification image under the saving condition. It is characterized by that.
The invention of claim 5, in any of the image processing apparatus according to claim 1 to 3, so as to add the information of symbols image as the information of the saving conditions notification image, constituting the image information constructing unit It is characterized by that.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the image information construction is performed such that halftone density image information is added as information of the notification image under the saving condition. It is characterized by comprising means.
The invention according to claim 7 is information indicating how much color material is saved with respect to the amount of color material necessary for forming the original image in the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The information acquisition means is configured to acquire saving amount information, and the color material saving image information is information on an image that can be formed with the color material saving amount indicated by the saving amount information, and The image information construction means is configured to construct information to which a saving amount notification image for notifying the saving amount information is constructed.

  In these inventions, an image forming means such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or the like is made to output an original image with an image for notification under saving conditions as a color material saving image. Then, for those who saw the color material saving image output from the image forming means, by recognizing the saving condition notification image, it is recognized that the image is formed under the condition for saving the color material, It is possible to avoid giving a misunderstanding that the image is handled by a low-performance device.

Hereinafter, as an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, a copying machine according to a reference form that is helpful in understanding the present invention will be described before describing an embodiment of a copying machine that forms an image by an electrophotographic method. .
First, the basic configuration of the copying machine according to the reference embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a copying machine according to a reference embodiment. The copying machine includes a printer unit 1 as image forming means, a blank paper supply device 200, and a document conveyance reading unit 150.

  The document conveyance reading unit 150 includes a scanner 160 as a document reading device fixed on the printer unit 1 and an ADF 170 as a document conveyance device supported by the scanner 160.

  The blank paper supply apparatus 200 has two paper feed cassettes 202 and 203 arranged in multiple stages in the paper bank 201, two pairs of separation rollers 204 and 205, a paper feed path 206, a plurality of transport roller pairs 207, and the like. is doing. Each of the two paper feed cassettes 202 and 203 is housed in the form of a paper bundle in which a plurality of recording papers (not shown) as recording bodies are stacked. Based on the control signal from the printer unit 1, the sending rollers 202 a and 203 a are driven to rotate, and the uppermost recording paper in the paper bundle is sent out toward the paper feed path 206. The fed recording paper is separated into one sheet by the pair of separation rollers 204 and 205 and then reaches the inside of the paper feed path 206. Then, the paper is fed to the first receiving branch path 30 of the printer unit 1 through the conveyance nips of the plurality of conveyance roller pairs 207 provided in the paper supply path 206.

  The printer unit 1 includes four process units 2C, M, Y, and K for forming yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images. Also, the first receiving branch path 30, the receiving conveyance roller pair 31, the manual feed tray 32, the manual separation roller pair 33, the second receiving branch path 34, the manual conveyance roller pair 35, the pre-transfer conveyance path 36, the registration roller pair 37, the conveyance A belt unit 39, a fixing unit 43, a switchback device 46, a discharge roller pair 47, a discharge tray 48, a switching claw 49, an optical writing unit 50, a transfer unit 60, and the like are also provided. The process units 2C, M, Y, and K have drum-shaped photoreceptors 3C, M, Y, and K that are latent image carriers.

  A pre-transfer conveyance path 36 for conveying a recording sheet immediately before a secondary transfer nip, which will be described later, is branched into a first reception branch path 30 and a second reception branch path 34 on the upstream side in the paper conveyance direction. After the recording paper fed out from the paper feed path 206 of the blank paper supply device 200 is received by the first receiving branch path 30, the recording paper passes through the transport nip of the receiving transport roller pair 31 disposed in the first receiving branch path 30. Then, it is sent to the pre-transfer conveyance path 36.

  A manual feed tray 32 is disposed on the side surface of the housing of the printer unit 1 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the housing. The uppermost recording paper in the manually fed paper bundle is sent out toward the second receiving / branching path 34 by the feed roller 32 a of the manual feed tray 32. After being separated into one sheet by the manual feed separation roller pair 33 and sent to the second receiving branch path 34, it passes through the transport nip of the manual feed roller pair 35 disposed in the second receiving branch path 34. Then, it is sent to the pre-transfer conveyance path 36.

  The optical writing unit 50 includes a laser diode, a polygon mirror, various lenses (not shown), etc., and is based on image information read by a scanner 160 described later or image information sent from an external personal computer. Drive the laser diode. Then, the photoconductors 3C, M, Y, and K of the process units 2C, M, Y, and K are optically scanned. Specifically, the photosensitive members 3C, M, Y, and K of the process units 2C, M, Y, and K are respectively driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing by a driving unit (not shown). The optical writing unit 50 performs optical scanning processing by irradiating the driven photosensitive members 3C, 3M, 3Y, and 3K while deflecting laser light in the direction of the rotation axis. Thereby, electrostatic latent images based on the C, M, Y, and K image information are formed on the photoreceptors 3C, M, Y, and K.

  FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged configuration diagram illustrating a part of the internal configuration of the printer unit 1 in an enlarged manner. The process units 3K, Y, M, and C for the respective colors support the photosensitive member as a latent image carrier and various devices arranged around it on a common support as a unit. It is detachable from the printer unit main body. The configuration is the same except that the colors of the toners used are different. Taking the process unit 2Y for Y as an example, this has a developing device 4Y for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 3Y into a Y toner image in addition to the photoreceptor 3Y. Further, it also includes a drum cleaning device 18Y that cleans transfer residual toner adhering to the surface of the photoreceptor 3Y after passing through a Y primary transfer nip described later. The copying machine has a so-called tandem configuration in which four process units 2C, M, Y, and K are arranged along an endless movement direction with respect to an intermediate transfer belt 61 described later.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing the Y process unit 2Y. As shown in the figure, the process unit 2Y includes a developing device 4Y, a drum cleaning device 18Y, a charge eliminating lamp 17Y, a charging roller 16Y, and the like around the photoreceptor 3Y.

  As the photoreceptor 3 </ b> Y, a drum-like member is used in which a photosensitive layer is formed by applying a photosensitive organic photosensitive material to a base tube made of aluminum or the like. However, an endless belt may be used.

  The developing device 4Y develops a latent image using a two-component developer (hereinafter simply referred to as developer) containing a magnetic carrier (not shown) and non-magnetic Y toner. And it has the stirring part 5Y which conveys the developer accommodated in the inside while stirring, and the developing part 9Y which develops the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 3Y. The developing device 4Y may be of a type that performs development with a one-component developer that does not include a magnetic carrier, instead of the two-component developer.

  The agitating unit 5Y is provided at a position lower than the developing unit 9Y. The first conveying screw 6Y and the second conveying screw 7Y are arranged in parallel to each other, a partition plate provided between these screws, and the bottom surface of the casing. The toner density sensor 8Y and the like provided in the printer.

  The developing unit 9Y includes a developing roll 10Y that faces the photoreceptor 3Y through the opening of the casing, a doctor blade 13Y that makes its tip close to the developing roll 10Y, and the like. The developing roll 10Y includes a cylindrical developing sleeve 11Y made of a nonmagnetic material, and a magnet roller 12Y provided inside the developing roll 11Y so as not to rotate. The magnet roller 12Y has a plurality of magnetic poles arranged in the circumferential direction. Each of these magnetic poles applies a magnetic force to the developer on the sleeve at a predetermined position in the rotational direction. As a result, the developer sent from the stirring unit 5Y is attracted and carried on the surface of the developing sleeve 11Y, and a magnetic brush along the magnetic field lines is formed on the sleeve surface.

  The magnetic brush is transported to a developing region facing the photoreceptor 3Y after being regulated to an appropriate layer thickness when passing through a position facing the doctor blade 13Y as the developing sleeve 11Y rotates. Then, Y toner is transferred onto the electrostatic latent image by the potential difference between the developing bias applied to the developing sleeve 11Y and the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 3Y, thereby contributing to development. Further, as the developing sleeve 11Y rotates, the developing sleeve 9Y returns to the developing portion 9Y again, and after the release from the sleeve surface due to the influence of the repulsive magnetic field formed between the magnetic poles of the magnet roller 12Y, the developing sleeve 11Y returns to the stirring portion 5Y. An appropriate amount of toner is supplied to the developer in the stirring unit 5Y based on the detection result of the toner density sensor 8Y.

  As the drum cleaning device 18Y, a system that presses the cleaning blade 20Y made of polyurethane rubber against the photoreceptor 3Y is used, but another system may be used. For the purpose of improving the cleaning property, this copying machine employs a system having a fur brush 19Y whose outer peripheral surface is in contact with the photoreceptor 3Y so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The fur brush 19Y also serves to apply the lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor 3Y while scraping the lubricant from a solid lubricant (not shown) into a fine powder.

  The toner attached to the fur brush 19Y is transferred to the electric field roller 21Y to which a bias is applied while rotating in contact with the fur brush 19Y in the counter direction. And after scraping off from the electric field roller 21Y by the scraper 22Y, it falls on the collection | recovery screw 23Y.

  The collection screw 23Y conveys the collected toner toward the end of the drum cleaning device 18Y in the direction perpendicular to the drawing surface, and delivers it to an external recycling conveyance device. A recycle conveyance device (not shown) sends the delivered toner to the developing device 4Y for recycling.

  The neutralization lamp 17Y neutralizes the photoreceptor 3Y by light irradiation. The surface of the photoreceptor 3Y that has been neutralized is uniformly charged by the charging roller 16Y, and then subjected to optical scanning by the optical writing unit described above. The charging roller 16Y is rotationally driven while receiving a charging bias from a power source (not shown). Instead of the charging method using the charging roller 16Y, a scorotron charger method in which charging processing is performed in a non-contact manner on the photoreceptor 3Y may be employed.

  In FIG. 2 described above, C, M, Y, and K toner images are formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive members 3C, M, Y, and K of the four process units 2C, M, Y, and K by the processes described above. Is formed.

  Below the four process units 2C, M, Y, and K, a transfer unit 60 is disposed. This transfer unit 60 is a timepiece shown in the drawing by rotating one of the rollers while contacting an endless intermediate transfer belt stretched by a plurality of rollers against the photoreceptors 3C, M, Y, and K. Move endlessly in the direction of rotation. As a result, primary transfer nips for C, M, Y, and K in which the photoreceptors 3C, M, Y, and K contact the intermediate transfer belt 61 are formed.

  In the vicinity of the primary transfer nips for C, M, Y, and K, the intermediate transfer belt 61 is moved to the photoreceptors 3YC, M, Y, and K by primary transfer rollers 62C, M, Y, and K disposed inside the belt loop. Pressing toward K. A primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer rollers 62C, M, Y, and K by a power source (not shown). As a result, a primary transfer electric field for electrostatically moving the toner images on the photoreceptors 3C, M, Y, and K toward the intermediate transfer belt 61 is formed in the primary transfer nips for C, M, Y, and K. Has been.

  In the drawing, a toner image is formed on each of the primary transfer nips on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 61 that sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips for C, M, Y, and K along with the endless movement in the clockwise direction. Are sequentially superimposed and primarily transferred. By this primary transfer of superposition, a four-color superposed toner image (hereinafter referred to as a four-color toner image) is formed on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 61.

  A secondary transfer roller 72 is disposed below the intermediate transfer belt 61 in the drawing. The secondary transfer roller 72 contacts the secondary transfer backup roller 68 on the intermediate transfer belt 61 from the belt front surface. A secondary transfer nip is formed. As a result, a secondary transfer nip where the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 61 and the secondary transfer roller 72 abut is formed.

  A secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 72 by a power source (not shown). On the other hand, the secondary transfer backup roller 68 in the belt loop is grounded. Thereby, a secondary transfer electric field is formed in the secondary transfer nip.

  A pair of registration rollers (37 in FIG. 1) is disposed on the right side of the secondary transfer nip in the drawing, and the recording paper sandwiched between the rollers can be synchronized with the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 61. It is sent out to the secondary transfer nip at the timing. In the secondary transfer nip, the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 61 is secondarily transferred onto the recording paper under the influence of the secondary transfer electric field and the nip pressure, and becomes a full color image combined with the white color of the recording paper.

  The transfer residual toner that has not been transferred to the recording paper at the secondary transfer nip adheres to the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 61 that has passed through the secondary transfer nip. This transfer residual toner is cleaned by a belt cleaning device 75 in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 61.

  In FIG. 1 described above, the recording paper that has passed through the secondary transfer nip is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 61 and transferred to the transport belt unit 39. The transport belt unit 39 moves the endless transport belt 40 endlessly in the counterclockwise direction in the figure by the rotational drive of the drive roller 41 while being stretched by the drive roller 41 and the driven roller 42. The recording paper delivered from the secondary transfer nip is conveyed along with the endless movement of the belt while being held on the belt upper tension surface, and delivered to the fixing unit 43.

  In the fixing unit 43, a fixing belt stretched by a driving roller and a heating roller containing a heat generation source is moved endlessly in the clockwise direction in the drawing as the driving roller is driven to rotate. The pressure roller 45 disposed below the fixing belt is brought into contact with the lower tension surface of the fixing belt to form a fixing nip. The recording paper received by the fixing unit 43 is pressed or heated in the fixing nip, whereby the full-color image on the surface is fixed. Then, it is sent out from the fixing unit 43 toward the switching claw 49.

  The switching claw 49 is swung by a solenoid (not shown), and the recording paper conveyance path is switched between the paper discharge path and the reversing path with the swing. When the paper discharge path is selected by the switching claw 49, the recording paper fed out from the fixing unit 43 passes through the paper discharge path and the paper discharge roller pair 47 and is then discharged to the outside of the apparatus and discharged to the paper discharge tray. 48 is stacked.

  A switchback device 46 is disposed below the fixing unit 43 and the conveyor belt unit 39. When the switchback path is selected by the switching claw 49, the recording paper fed out from the fixing unit 43 is turned upside down via the reversing path and then sent to the switchback device 46. Then, the image enters the secondary transfer transfer nip again, and the secondary transfer processing and fixing processing of the image are performed on the other surface.

  The scanner 160 fixed on the printer unit 1 has a fixed reading unit 161 and a moving reading unit 162 as reading means for reading an image of a document (not shown). A fixed reading unit 161 having a light source, a reflection mirror, an image reading sensor such as a CCD, and the like is disposed immediately below a first contact glass (not shown) fixed to the upper wall of the casing of the scanner 160 so as to contact the document. . Then, when the document conveyed by the ADF 170 passes over the first contact glass, the light emitted from the light source is sequentially reflected by the document surface and is received by the image reading sensor via the plurality of reflection mirrors. Thus, the original is scanned without moving the optical system including the light source and the reflecting mirror.

  On the other hand, the moving reading unit 162 is disposed directly below a second contact glass (not shown) fixed to the upper wall of the casing of the scanner 160 so as to come into contact with the document, and an optical system including a light source, a reflection mirror, and the like. It can be moved in the left-right direction in the figure. Then, in the process of moving the optical system from the left side to the right side in the figure, the light emitted from the light source is reflected by a document (not shown) placed on the second contact glass and then passed through a plurality of reflecting mirrors. The image is received by an image reading sensor fixed to the scanner body. Accordingly, the original is scanned while moving the optical system.

  This copying machine has a function as a copying machine and a function as a printer and a facsimile in addition to a function as a copying machine that forms an image based on image information of an original read by a scanner 160 on a recording sheet. Specifically, the printer unit 1 includes a LAN (Local Area Network) connector (not shown), and a LAN cable is connected to the printer unit 1 to enable communication with a personal computer (not shown). Then, an image based on image information sent from a personal computer via a LAN cable and a LAN connector can be formed on a recording sheet by the printer unit 1 (printer function). In addition, the printer unit 1 includes a modem (not shown), and a telephone line is connected thereto, so that an image based on image information transmitted via the telephone line can be output to a destination facsimile ( Facsimile function). At this time, the image information that is the source of the image to be transmitted to the transmission destination can be acquired by reading the document with the scanner 160 as information acquisition means. It is also possible to acquire image information that is the source of an image to be transmitted by receiving image information sent from a personal computer through a LAN connector as information acquisition means.

Next, a characteristic configuration of the copying machine will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the image processing apparatus 100 and the like provided in the printer unit of the copier, together with the scanner 160 of the copier and a personal computer 500 outside the copier. In addition to the various devices shown in FIG. 1, the printer unit (1 in FIG. 1) of the copying machine includes an operation display unit 80, a parameter storage unit 81, an image processing apparatus 100, a print control shown in FIG. A unit 140, a transmission circuit 141, a modem 142, and the like are provided.

  Image information read by the scanner 160 and PDL (page description language) as image information sent from the personal computer 500 to the copying machine via the LAN cable are processed by the image processing apparatus 100. After that, it is used for image formation by the printing unit, or sent to a destination facsimile via a transmission circuit 141, a modem 142, and a telephone line.

  The operation display unit 80 includes various key buttons, a liquid crystal display, and the like. Based on information on various key buttons performed by the user based on information displayed on the liquid crystal display, control parameters corresponding to the operation are stored in an IC memory or the like. Is stored in the parameter storage unit 81. In this copying machine, as one of the control parameters, it is possible to set saving information for setting ON / OFF of the color material saving mode (toner saving mode). When copying or FAX is performed, the content of the saving / non-existing information stored in the parameter storage unit 81 is confirmed. If the content is information indicating that toner is to be saved, the original image is saved as a color material. The image is converted into a work image and output by the printer unit, or is faxed to the destination. On the other hand, when the content is information indicating that toner is not saved, the original image is output by the printer unit as a normal image that can be faithfully reproduced, or is transmitted by FAX to the transmission destination.

  As is well known, the personal computer 500 converts information constructed by various application software into PDL as image information by a printer driver or the like, and outputs it to an image forming apparatus such as a printer. When a print command is issued on the application software, the printer driver displays a dialog box as shown in FIG. 5 on the display. This dialog box is for the user to select whether or not to save the toner as the color material used in the printer unit of the copying machine. In the state shown in the figure, among the “ON” and “OFF” check boxes related to the color material save mode, the “ON” check box is checked. When the “Print” button in the dialog box is clicked in this state, a saving ON command, which is information indicating whether or not to save toner, is added to the PDL for printing, and then the copying machine It is sent to the printer unit. Also, unlike the state shown in the figure, if the “OFF” check box is checked and the “Print” button in the dialog box is clicked, whether or not to save toner in the PDL for printing. After a saving OFF command, which is information, is added, it is transmitted to the printer unit of the copying machine.

  The image processing apparatus 100 includes an image information construction unit 110, a PDL construction unit 111, and the like. Further, the image information construction unit 110 includes a command analysis unit 101, a color conversion unit 102, a black generation / under color removal unit 103, a color material save processing unit 104, a γ correction unit 105, a bitmap conversion unit 106, and a pseudo halftone process. It comprises means 107, bitmap memory 108, notification image insertion means 109, and the like.

  The PDL sent from the personal computer 500 to the copying machine via a LAN cable or the like is input to the command analysis unit 101 of the image processing apparatus 100 of the printer unit. In such a configuration, the command analysis unit 101 functions as an information acquisition unit that acquires PDL including original image information that is information of an original image and saving presence / absence information. The image processing apparatus 100 to which the PDL from the personal computer 500 is input uses the image information construction unit 110 to construct information on the color material saving image or the normal image based on the PDL.

  Specifically, the image information construction unit 110 first analyzes various commands in the PDL by the command analysis unit 101. Then, based on the drawing command included therein, the object type information (character image information / graphic image information / image image information), the position and size of the object, color information whether color or monochrome, color Signal values (K, R, G, B values), character font information, and the like are acquired.

  Next, when the object to be drawn is to be drawn in color, the image information construction unit 110 uses the color conversion unit 102 or the black ink generation / under color removal unit 103 to perform R (corresponding to the three primary colors of light). The color signals of red, G (green), and B (blue) are converted into color signals of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) corresponding to the three primary colors of the color material. Specifically, the RGB color signal is converted into a C′M′Y ′ color signal by the color conversion unit 102, and then converted into a CMYK color signal by the black ink generation / under color removal unit 103.

  The color material saving processing unit 104 of the image information construction unit 110 sets the CMYK color information values in the drawing commands respectively corresponding to the various objects output from the black generation / under color removal unit 103, the saving presence / absence information, and the data Conversion is performed based on the input / output characteristics (FIG. 6) stored in advance in the storage means. Specifically, when the saving presence / absence information is the above-described saving OFF command, the value of the CMYK color information in the drawing command is converted based on the characteristic indicated as normal γ in FIG. On the other hand, when the saving presence / absence information is the above-described saving ON command, the value of the CMYK color information is converted based on the characteristic shown as the color material save γ in FIG. Here, the characteristic of the color material save γ is that the slope of the output value with respect to the input value is smaller than that of the normal γ. Therefore, in the color material save mode, each color of CMYK is expressed lighter than in the normal mode. This saves the amount of C, M, Y, and K toner used. The slope of the color material save γ is usually obtained by multiplying the slope of γ by a count less than “1”.

  The γ correction unit 105 of the image information construction unit 110 converts the CMYK color information values in the drawing commands corresponding to the various objects output from the color material saving processing unit 104 into the input / output characteristics shown in FIG. Convert based on. By this conversion, so-called gamma correction is performed, and CMYK color information in various objects becomes a value suitable for the printer unit of the copying machine.

  Based on the drawing command after the gamma correction sent from the γ correction unit 105, the bitmap conversion unit 106 of the image information construction unit 110 puts the image in the drawing memory area of the data storage unit (not shown) of the image processing apparatus 100. Expand in bitmap format.

  The pseudo halftone processing unit 107 of the image information construction unit 110 performs pseudo halftone processing for reducing the number of bits of the image developed in the bitmap format and expressing the halftone of the image by the number of dots per unit area. Do. Specifically, pseudo intermediate processing is realized by dither processing that can express gradations for CMYK with a 2-bit capacity for an image that requires an 8-bit capacity for gradation expression. The bitmap image after dither processing is stored in the bitmap memory 108 for each page.

  When the above-described saving presence / absence information is a saving ON command, a color material saving image which is an image having a color tone lighter than that of the original image, that is, an image in which the amount of color material used is reduced more than usual by the processing so far. The image is stored in the bitmap memory 108 in the bitmap format. On the other hand, when the above-described saving presence / absence information is a saving OFF command, a normal method image faithfully reproducing the original image as shown in FIG. 8 is stored in the bitmap memory 108 in the bitmap format. It will be.

  The notification image insertion unit 109 of the image information construction unit 110 stores data of a predetermined notification image such as an image for notification under a saving condition in a bitmap format in a data storage unit such as an IC memory chip (not shown). . For example, as the notification image 600 under the saving condition, a character image “output in the color material save mode” as shown in FIG. 9 is stored. When the above-described saving presence / absence information is a saving ON command, that is, when the color material saving mode is set to ON, the notification image 600 for saving conditions is added to the above bitmap image to save the coloring material. Build an image. At this time, the notice image 600 under the saving condition is added to the header area in the layout for one page on the recording paper that is the output destination of the image. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the main image portion including a character image based on the original image, a graphic image, an image image, etc. is provided in an area excluding the header area and footer area in the layout of one page portion, In addition, a color material saving image having a notification image 600 for saving conditions in the header area is constructed. Note that the position where the notification image is added under the saving condition may be a footer area or other area in the layout for one page. A graphic image is an image in which colors and shapes are represented by commands, such as graphics and graphs. An image is an image expressed by color information in units of pixels such as a bitmap format, a GIF format, and a JPEG format.

  On the other hand, when the above-described saving presence / absence information is a saving OFF command, that is, when the setting of the color material saving mode is OFF, the notification image inserting unit 109 notifies the above-described bitmap 600 of the notification image 600 under the saving condition. The bitmap image is output as it is as a normal image to the next process without being added.

  PDL sent from a personal computer or the like includes a print command and a FAX command. In the case of a FAX command, information such as a FAX command command and a FAX number is sent from the personal computer 500 in addition to the PDL command. When the constructed color material saving image or normal image is based on a print command, the notification image inserting unit 109 outputs information on the color material saving image or normal image to the print control unit 140. To do. The print control unit 140 controls each device in the printer unit (1) and the blank paper supply device (200). Based on the information sent from the notification image insertion unit 109, a color material is applied to the recording paper. Processing for forming a saving image and a normal image is performed. As a result, the printer unit outputs a printout sheet of the normal image shown in FIG. 8 and the color material saving image shown in FIG.

  When the constructed color material saving image or normal image is based on the FAX command, the notification image inserting means 109 sends information on the color material saving image or normal image to the transmission circuit 141. The transmission circuit 141 transmits the transmitted bitmap image information to the FAX of the transmission destination via the modem 142 and the telephone line while converting the image information to the PDL format. As a result, the printout sheet of the normal image shown in FIG. 8 and the color material saving image shown in FIG. 10 is output from the destination FAX.

  As described above, the copier has a function of printing an image read by the scanner 160 and transmitting the image read by the scanner 160 by FAX. When these functions are used, the following processing is executed. That is, when the copy start button in the operation display unit 80 is pressed and the original is read by the scanner 160, the image information in the RGB format is sent to the PDL construction unit 111 of the image processing apparatus 100. The PDL construction unit 111 constructs a PDL based on image information sent from the scanner 160. At this time, it is determined whether the color material save mode is ON or OFF with respect to the saving presence / absence information stored in the parameter storage unit 81. If ON, the saving ON command is added to the PDL. . In the case of a read image based on a FAX command, information such as a FAX command command and a FAX number is added. In this configuration, the PDL construction unit 111 also functions as an information acquisition unit that acquires the PDL including the original image information that is information of the original image and the saving presence / absence information, like the command analysis unit 101.

  The PDL construction unit 111 sends the constructed PDL to the command analysis unit 101 of the image information construction unit 110. Thereafter, the same processing as when the PDL from the personal computer 500 is processed is performed.

  In the copying machine configured as described above, as a color material saving image to be output to the printer unit (1) or the FAX of the transmission destination, as shown in FIG. An image to which a notification image 600 is added under a saving condition for notifying that the image is formed below is output. Then, for a person who has seen the color material saving image output from the printer unit or the destination FAX, it is determined that the image is formed under the conditions for saving the color material by the saving image notification image 600. By making it recognize, it can avoid giving the misunderstanding that it is the image handled by the apparatus with low performance.

  In the case of continuous printing over a plurality of pages, the color material save mode may be set all at once or may be set individually for each page. Further, when all pages are set at once, it is desirable to add an image for notification under a saving condition to the header of only the first page. This is because the feeling of persistence can be alleviated as compared with the case where each page is inserted into the header.

  In a conventional facsimile apparatus, there is known a technique in which information (such as a sender name and a device registration number) that can specify a communication date and time and a sender is inserted into a transmission header of a document. In such a configuration, the certainty of the information of the received document can be ensured, but when the color material save mode is executed, the recipient is misunderstood that the image is handled by a low-performance device. There was a risk of it. On the other hand, in this copying machine, it is possible to avoid giving such misunderstanding to the manufacturer and distributor of the apparatus to the user of the copying machine and the person who distributes the color material saving image. it can. Furthermore, it is possible to actively appeal that it contributes to environmental conservation by executing the color material save mode.

  As described above, in the present copying machine, the image information construction unit 110 is configured to add character image information as information of the notification image 600 under the saving conditions. In such a configuration, a person who can read characters can surely recognize that the color material saving image is an image formed under the condition of saving the color material.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a notification image 601 under saving conditions in a modification of the copying machine according to the reference embodiment. The image information construction unit 110 of the copying machine according to this modification adds a symbol image including a symbol such as a logo or a mark to the original image as the notification image 601 under the saving condition. In such a configuration, it is possible to recognize at a glance that the color material saving image 601 is formed under the conditions for saving the color material by the notification image 601 under the saving condition.

Then, the copying machine according to the reference embodiment will be described more characteristic each reference example of the copying machine by adding a configuration. Unless otherwise specified, the configuration of the copying machine according to each reference example is the same as that of the reference embodiment.
[First Reference Example]
If a notification image (600 or 601) is added to a predetermined position (for example, a header area) of the page layout in the original image, the consumption of toner as a coloring material is increased by the amount necessary for the formation. It will be. If the image for notification under saving conditions is added with a frequently used character size (up to 11 pt) and a single color, the toner consumption will not increase so much, but a mode that saves the use of color materials is still executed. However, savings will be reduced.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a notification image 600 for saving conditions added to the original image by the image information construction unit 110 of the copying machine according to the first reference example. Similar to the reference form, a character image is added as the notification image 600 under the saving condition. However, this character image is different from the reference embodiment in that the character image is formed with halftone density by K toner. The portion of the character “−” in the illustrated character image is enlarged and shown in FIG. 13, but is not a high-density image portion constituted by dots arranged without gaps, but constituted by dots arranged at a predetermined interval. It can be seen that the image area has an intermediate density. The data of the notification image 600 under such halftone density saving conditions is stored in the data storage means of the notification image insertion means 109 described above.

  In such a configuration, an increase in toner consumption due to the addition of the notification image 600 under the saving condition can be suppressed as compared with a case where a high density image is added as the notification image 600 under the saving condition.

  It is also possible to add an image for notification under saving conditions to the original image without using a color material such as toner. For example, if an image for notification is added under saving conditions by embossing or punching, it is possible to avoid the use of a color material. In this case, embossing means and punch red processing means may be provided.

[Second Reference Example]
In the copying machine according to the second reference example, it is possible to set a color material saving amount when the color material save mode is executed.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a dialog box displayed on the display of a personal computer in which the printer driver attached to the copier according to the second reference example is installed. When a print command is issued on the application software, the printer driver displays a dialog box as shown in FIG. This dialog box is for allowing the user to input information on whether or not to implement the color material saving mode and information on the color material saving amount (color material saving rate) in the color material saving mode. The role of the ON and OFF check boxes in the dialog box is the same as in the reference form.

  The dialog box is provided with a combo box for inputting a color material saving rate in addition to a check box for setting ON / OFF of the color material save mode. By clicking the up arrow or down arrow of this combo box, it is possible to select any of 20 [%], 50 [%], and 80 [%] as the color material saving rate. In the illustrated state, the color material saving rate is set to 20 [%]. In this state, when the “print” button in the dialog box is clicked, the personal computer prints a saving ON command that is information indicating whether or not toner is saved and color material saving rate information as saving amount information. Added to the PDL. Then, the PDL including the information is transmitted to the command analysis unit 101 of the image processing apparatus 100 of the copying machine. In other words, in the present copying machine, the command analysis unit 101 obtains information for obtaining color material saving rate information as saving amount information indicating how much color material is saved with respect to the amount of color material necessary for forming the original image. It functions as a means.

  In this copying machine, the color material saving rate when printing an image read by the scanner 160 or sending the image read by the scanner 160 by FAX is set by a key operation on the operation display unit 80. ing. The color material saving rate input by key operation is stored in the parameter storage unit 81 of the printer unit. When the copy start button in the operation display unit 80 is pressed and the document is read by the scanner 160, the RGB image information is sent to the PDL construction unit 111 of the image processing apparatus 100. The PDL construction unit 111 constructs a PDL based on image information sent from the scanner 160. At this time, in the case where the saving presence / absence information stored in the parameter storage unit 81 is the content indicating the color material saving mode ON, after reading the color material saving rate information stored in the parameter storage unit 81, The saving ON command and the color material saving rate information are added to the PDL. In such a configuration, the PDL construction unit 111, like the command analysis unit 101, also saves color material saving rate information as saving amount information indicating how much color material is saved with respect to the amount of color material necessary for forming the original image. It functions as information acquisition means for acquiring.

  The color material saving processing unit 104 of the image information construction unit 110 sets the CMYK color information values in the drawing commands respectively corresponding to the various objects output from the black generation / under color removal unit 103, the saving presence / absence information, and the data Conversion is performed based on the input / output characteristics (FIG. 15) stored in advance in the storage means. Specifically, when the saving presence / absence information is a saving OFF command, the value of the color information of CMYK in the drawing command is converted based on the characteristic indicated as normal γ in FIG. On the other hand, if the saving presence / absence information is a saving ON command and the color material saving rate information is 20 [%], the value of CMYK color information is shown as color material save γ_20% in FIG. Convert based on characteristics. Further, when the saving presence / absence information is a saving ON command and the color material saving rate information is 20 [%], the value of the color information of CMYK has a characteristic shown as color material save γ_20% in FIG. Convert based on. Further, when the saving presence / absence information is a saving ON command and the color material saving rate information is 50 [%], the value of the color information of CMYK has a characteristic shown as color material save γ_50% in FIG. Convert based on. Further, when the saving presence / absence information is a saving ON command and the color material saving rate information is 80 [%], the value of the color information of CMYK has a characteristic shown as color material save γ_80% in FIG. Convert based on. The slope of the color material save γ is usually obtained by multiplying the slope of γ by a count less than “1”. The slopes of color material save γ_20%, color material save γ_50%, and color material save γ_80% are usually multiplied by the counts of “0.8”, “0.5”, and “0.2” with respect to the slope of γ. It was obtained by doing. As a result, when the color material saving rate is 20, 50, 80 [%], the amount of toner used is reduced by about 20, 50, 80 [%] compared to the normal amount.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a notification image 602 added to the original image by the image information construction unit 110 of the copying machine according to the second reference example. This notification image 602 is a notification image for saving conditions for notifying that the image is formed in the color material saving mode, and a saving amount notification for notifying information on the color material saving rate as saving amount information. Image for use. Specifically, it includes an image for saving conditions consisting of character images of “coloring material save mode” and “output in” and a saving amount notification image consisting of character images of “20% reduction”. Yes. That is, the notification image 602 shown in the figure is added to the original image when the color material saving rate is set to 20 [%], and is stored in advance in the data storage means of the notification image insertion means 109. ing. In addition to the notification image data, the notification image insertion means 109 also provides notification image data to be added to the original image when the color material saving rate is set to 50 and 80 [%], respectively. Are stored in the data storage means.

  In such a configuration, the color material saved by outputting the color material saving image by the saving amount notification image to the person who saw the color material saving image output from the printer unit of the copying machine or the destination FAX. It can be recognized whether it is a business image.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a notification image (coloring material saving rate 50%) 603 in the first modification of the copying machine according to the second reference example. The image information construction unit 110 of the copying machine according to the first modification includes, as the notification image 603, an image including a notification condition notification image made up of a design image and a saving amount notification image made up of a design image. The image is added to the original image. In the figure, an example of the notification image 603 when the color material saving rate is set to 50 [%] is shown. The notification image 603 is a notification image under the saving condition for notifying that the color material saving image is formed in the color material saving mode with respect to the color material saving image, based on the overall shape of the mark having the shape of “Toner”. Is expressed. The saving amount notification image is represented by the area of the shaded portion of the mark. Specifically, the mark includes a hatched portion where white portions that are clearly visible to the naked eye are provided at a predetermined interval and a normal portion where white portions are not provided. The area ratio of the shaded portion with respect to the entire area of the mark is the same as the color material saving rate. In the example shown in the figure, the area ratio is approximately 50 [%], so that the color material saved under the condition of the color material saving ratio of 50 [%] for those who have seen the color material saving image. It can be recognized that it is a business image. When the color material saving rate is set to 80 [%], a notification image 603 shown in FIG. 18 is added to the original image instead of the notification image 603 shown in the figure. In such a configuration, the color material saving rate can be recognized at a glance by the saving amount notification image.

Next, a second modification of the copying machine according to the second reference example will be described. In the copying machine according to the second embodiment, the color material saving image information with the color material saving rates of 20, 50, and 80 [%] is constructed based on the input / output characteristics shown in FIG. A slight error occurs between the actual color material saving rate of the color material saving image formed thereby and the set color material saving rate. This is because a slight error occurs in the reduction rate of the slope of the color material save γ with respect to the normal γ and the toner saving rate.

Therefore, in the copying machine according to the second reference example, an actual color material saving rate is calculated, and a saving amount notification image according to the calculation result is added to the original image.
FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 of the copying machine according to the second reference example. The image information construction unit 110 of the image processing apparatus 100 includes a saving degree calculation unit 112 for calculating an actual color material saving rate. In the bitmap memory 108, a normal image that does not pass through the color material save processing unit 104 and a color material saving image that passes through the color material save processing unit 104 are developed in a pit map format. The saving degree calculation unit 112 calculates the consumption amount in the normal image and the consumption amount in the color material saving image for each of the C, M, Y, and K color toners.

  In the 2-bit dither processing in the pseudo halftone processing unit 107, any one of the following is performed: no dot is output for one pixel, small dots are output, medium dots are output, or large dots are output. It has become.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the saving degree calculation means 112. FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the color material consumption calculation circuits 113 (C, M, Y, K) to 114 (C, M, Y, K) of each color in the saving degree calculation means 112. . As shown in FIG. 20, the saving degree calculation means 112 includes eight color material consumption calculation circuits 113C, M, Y, K, 114C, M, Y, K, a saving total circuit 122, and a normal total circuit 123. And a color material saving rate calculation circuit 124. Of the eight eight color material consumption calculation circuits 113C, M, Y, K, 114C, M, Y, and K, four (113C, M, Y, and K) are C and M in the color material saving image. , Y, K To calculate consumption of toner. The remaining four (114C, M, Y, K) are used to calculate consumption amounts of C, M, Y, K toner in the normal image.

  Each of the color material consumption calculation circuits 113C, M, Y, K, 114C, M, Y, K includes various circuits shown in FIG. Specifically, small dot count circuits 115C, M, Y, K, medium dot count circuits 116C, M, Y, K, large dot count circuits 117C, M, Y, K, small count multiplication circuits 118C, M, Y , K, medium coefficient multiplier circuits 119C, M, Y, K, large coefficient multiplier circuits 120C, M, Y, K, subtotal circuits 121C, M, Y, K, and the like.

  The small dot count circuits 115C, M, Y, and K count the number of small dots of C, M, Y, and K in the color material saving image or the normal image, and the count result is a small coefficient multiplication circuit. 118C, M, Y, K. The small coefficient multiplication circuits 118C, M, Y, and K multiply the count results sent from the small dot count circuits 115C, M, Y, and K by a predetermined coefficient, thereby reducing the C, M, Y, and K small values. The dot count number is converted into C, M, Y, K toner consumption by small dot output.

  The medium dot count circuits 116C, M, Y, and K count the number of medium dots of C, M, Y, and K in the color material saving image or the normal image, and the count result is a medium coefficient multiplication circuit. 119C, M, Y, K sent. The medium coefficient multiplication circuits 119C, M, Y, and K multiply the count results sent from the medium dot count circuits 116C, M, Y, and K by a predetermined coefficient, so that the medium coefficients C, M, Y, and K The dot count number is converted into C, M, Y, K toner consumption by medium dot output.

  The large dot count circuits 117C, M, Y, and K count the number of large dots of C, M, Y, and K in the color material saving image or the normal image, and the count result is a large coefficient multiplication circuit. 120C, M, Y, and K are sent. The large coefficient multiplication circuits 120C, M, Y, and K multiply the count result sent from the large dot count circuits 117C, M, Y, and K by a predetermined coefficient, thereby increasing the large C, M, Y, and K values. The dot count number is converted into C, M, Y, K toner consumption by large dot output.

  C, M, Y, K toner consumption by small dot output, C, M, Y, K toner consumption by medium dot output, and C, M, Y, K toner consumption by large dot output are subtotal circuits The sum is added to 121 and output to the saving sum circuit 122 or the normal sum circuit 123 shown in FIG. The saving total circuit 122 adds the subtotal values sent from the four color material consumption calculation circuits 113C, M, Y, and K for calculating the toner consumption in the color material saving image, thereby saving the color material. The toner consumption amount a in the image for use is calculated. Further, the normal summing circuit 123 sums the subtotal values sent from the four color material consumption amount calculation circuits 114C, M, Y, and K for calculating the toner consumption amount in the normal image, thereby obtaining the normal image. The toner consumption amount b is calculated. Then, the color material saving rate calculation circuit 124 calculates the color material saving rate by executing the arithmetic expression “(b−a) / b × 100”, and outputs the result to the notification image insertion unit 109. .

  The notification image insertion unit 109 receives, from the data storage unit, the one corresponding to the color material saving rate sent from the color material saving rate calculation circuit 124 among the plurality of notification images stored in the data storage unit. Read and add to the original image.

  In such a configuration, how much color material is saved and output by the saving amount notification image for a person who has seen the color material saving image output from the FAX of the transmission destination. Can be recognized accurately.

Next, an embodiment of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied will be described. Copier according to the embodiment, the copying machine according to the second reference example is obtained by adding a more characteristic configuration. Incidentally, unless otherwise noted below, the configuration of a copying machine according to the embodiment is similar to the second embodiment.
In the copying machine according to the embodiment , when the color material saving mode is ON, the processing for color material saving is not performed for all types of object images included in the PDL, but only for specific types of object images. It is supposed to be implemented. Table 1 shows the relationship between the type of object image and the color material saving process.

  As shown in Table 1, three types of object images are distinguished: character images, graphic images, and image images. When the color material saving mode is OFF, naturally, the processing for saving the color material is omitted for all three types, and the above-mentioned color material saving processing means (104) normally uses input / output characteristics. γ is selected. On the other hand, when the color material save mode is ON, the color material save γ is selected for only two types of graphic images and image images, and processing for color material save is performed. For character images, normally γ is selected and the color material saving process is omitted. By removing the character image from the color material saving target, it is possible to output a color material saving image having excellent character readability.

  In such a configuration, when only one character image is included in an image for one page, the image quality and image density of the main image portion corresponding to the original image are exactly the same when the color material save mode is ON and when it is OFF. become. This is because when only one character image is included in the image for one page, even if the color material saving mode is set to ON, the character image is not processed for the color material saving. Nevertheless, adding an image for notification under saving conditions gives a misunderstanding to the person who saw the output image that the same high image quality as when not saving even when saving color material was obtained. There is a risk that.

  Therefore, the image information construction unit 110 of this copying machine notifies even if the color material saving mode is ON if the image for one page does not include an image to be saved. The information of the normal image without adding the image for use is constructed. Specifically, the command analysis unit 101 of the image information construction unit 110 determines whether or not a graphic image or an image image that is a color material saving target is included in one page of PDL. If one of them is included, an insertion execution signal is transmitted to the notification image insertion unit 109. On the other hand, if none of them is included, an insertion stop signal is transmitted to the notification image insertion means 109.

  When the insertion execution signal is inserted from the command analysis unit 101, the notification image insertion unit 109 constructs information on the color material saving image in which the notification image is added to the header area in the page layout. On the other hand, when an insertion stop signal is inserted from the command analysis means 101, the addition of the notification image to the header area is stopped. Thereby, the information of the normal image to which the notification image is not added is constructed.

  FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing an example of printout paper based on image information constructed by the image information construction unit 110 in a state where the color material save mode is OFF. FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing an example of printout paper based on the image information constructed by the image information construction unit 110 when the color material save mode is ON. As can be seen from these figures, the images on both printout papers are exactly the same. This is because, as shown in the figure, the image for one page does not include a graphic image or an image, so that the normal image is output even when the color material save mode is ON.

  In such a configuration, since the image for one page does not include the type of object image to be saved, no color material is saved even when the color material save mode is ON. To avoid misleading the viewer of the output image when the image quality is the same as when the color material is saved but not saved even though the image is output Can do.

  In the present invention, the relationship between the type of object image and the color material saving execution is not limited to the relationship shown in Table 1. For example, emphasizing the reproducibility of an image image, only a character image and a graphic image may be targeted for color material saving. In this case, it is determined whether or not a character image or graphic image exists in the page, and if it does not exist, the addition of the notification image may be stopped even if the color material save mode is ON. . Further, for example, emphasis is placed on the reproducibility of graphic images, and only character images and image images may be targeted for color material saving.

  In addition, when outputting over a plurality of pages, if any of the pages includes a specific type of object image that is a color material saving target, the notification image is added only to the first page. May be.

Then, the copying machine according to the embodiment, the copying machine was added a further characteristic configuration examples will be described. Incidentally, unless otherwise noted below, the configuration of a copying machine which is an embodiment, which is similar to the embodiment.
[Example]
The color material save processing means 104 of the image information construction means 110 of the copying machine according to the embodiment includes the normal γ, the color material save γ_20%, the color material save γ_50%, and the input / output characteristics shown in FIG. In addition to the color material save γ_80%, the color material save γ_100% characteristic is used. Further, it is possible to select 100% as the color material saving rate by the input operation on the dialog box and the operation display unit 80 described above. When the color material saving rate is 100 [%], image formation with toner is not performed, but only for a specific type of object image (graphic image or image image), and for a character image, the color material is used. It is formed with a saving rate of 0 [%].

  When the color material saving rate is set to 100 [%] and the color material save mode is ON, the graphic image and the image image included in the original image are not output at all. It becomes difficult to have people recognize that these images were included. Therefore, the image information construction unit 110 of the copying machine according to the detailed example superimposes a notification image on a graphic image or an image that is a specific type of image that is a color material saving target as information on the color material saving image. Is supposed to build things. Further, as the notification image, an image including a notification image under the saving condition and a type notification image for notifying the type of the color material saving target image on which the image is superimposed is used.

  FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of printout paper when the color material saving rate is set to 50 [%] and the color material save mode is ON. There are three types of character images, graphic images G, and image images I in the area of one page on the printout paper. Among these, the graphic image G and the image image I are subjected to the color material saving process with a color material saving rate of 50%, but the document image is not subjected to the color material saving process. A graphic notification image 606 is superimposed on the graphic image G on which the color material saving process has been performed. Also, an image notification image 607 is superimposed on the image image I subjected to the color material saving process.

  FIG. 25 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing a graphic notification image 606 superimposed on the graphic image G. FIG. The notification image 606 includes an image for notification under a saving condition made up of a character image “Coloring material is being saved” and a type notification image made up of a character image “<Graphic>”.

  FIG. 26 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing an image notification image 607 to be superimposed on the image image I. The notification image 607 includes a notification image that includes a character image “Saving color material” under a saving condition, and a type notification image that includes a character image “<image>”.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the graphic notification image 606 and the image notification image 607 are overlaid on the image to be the color material save target with the background color white. . As a result, the notification images (606, 607) can be easily read even on the color material saving target image. It should be noted that the background color of the notification image may be made semitransparent and the color material saving target image may be displayed lightly on the background.

  FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of printout paper when the color material saving rate is set to 100 [%] and the color material save mode is ON. Only a character image exists in the area of one page on the printout paper. Of these, what is indicated by the reference numeral 606 is the graphic notification image shown in FIG. Also, what is indicated by reference numeral 607 is the notification image for image shown in FIG. The other character images correspond to the original images. A dotted line surrounding the graphic notification image 606 and the image notification image 607 is shown, but this is shown in the figure in order to clarify the shape of the graphic image or image image that should have existed. The dotted line is not printed on the actual printout paper.

  Since the color material saving rate is set to 100 [%], the graphic image G and the image image I are not output at all. However, the graphic notification image 606 and the image image 606 are overlapped with the image areas. An image notification image 607 for image is output.

  In such a configuration, although the color material saving rate is not 100 [%], since it is set to a relatively high value, even if it is difficult to interpret the type of a specific type of image, it is notified. The type can be easily recognized by the user by the type notification image included in the image (606 or 607). Furthermore, since the color material saving rate is set to 100 [%], the position where the image should exist and the type of the image are determined even when the specific type of image is not output at all. Users can easily recognize it.

  Up to this point, an example of a copying machine that forms a multicolor image by superimposing color materials of respective colors has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus that forms only a single color image or an image processing apparatus mounted on the image forming apparatus. The invention can be applied.

  In addition, an example of a copying machine that uses toner as a color material and forms an image by an electrophotographic process has been described. However, an image forming apparatus that forms an image using toner by a method different from the electrophotographic process, and an image forming apparatus mounted thereon The present invention can also be applied to an image processing apparatus. For example, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image by a direct recording method. The direct recording method is a method of forming a pixel image by directly adhering a toner group that has been ejected in a dot shape from a toner flying device to a recording medium or an intermediate recording medium, regardless of the latent image carrier. In this method, a toner image is directly formed on a recording medium. It is employed in the image forming apparatus described in JP-A No. 2002-307737.

  The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a color material different from toner and an image processing apparatus mounted on the image forming apparatus. For example, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus that forms an image by an ink jet method using ink as a color material.

  In addition to the image forming apparatus and the image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment and the like is not limited to a machine-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a flash memory in which a program for causing a computer to function is recorded. The application of the present invention is possible.

As described above, in the copying machine according to the reference embodiment and the embodiment , the image information construction unit 110 is configured to add the character image information as the information 600 of the notification image 600 under the saving condition. In this configuration, as described above, a person who can read characters can surely recognize that the color material saving image is an image formed under the condition of saving the color material.

In the modification of the copying machine according to the reference mode, the image information construction unit 110 is configured to add the information of the symbol image as the information of the notification image 601 under the saving condition. In such a configuration, as already described, it is possible to recognize at a glance that the color material saving image 601 is formed under the conditions for saving the color material, based on the saving condition notification image 601. it can.

Further, in the copying machine according to the first reference example, the image information construction unit 110 is configured to add the information of the halftone density image as the information of the notification image 600 under the saving condition. In this configuration, as described above, an increase in toner consumption due to the addition of the notification image 600 under the saving condition can be suppressed as compared with the case where the high-density image is added as the notification image 600 under the saving condition. it can.

Further, in the copying machine according to the second reference example, information on the color material saving rate as saving amount information which is information indicating how much the color material is saved with respect to the color material amount necessary for forming the original image. The command analysis unit 101 and the PDL construction unit 111 that are information acquisition units are configured so as to acquire. Further, as information on the color material saving image, the information on the image that can be formed with the color material saving rate indicated by the information on the color material saving rate, and for the saving amount notification for notifying the color material saving rate The image information construction unit 110 is configured to construct information with the added image. In this configuration, as described above, the color material saved by the saving amount notification image is output to the person who has seen the color material saving image output from the printer unit or the destination FAX. It can be recognized whether it is a material saving image.

In the copying machine according to the embodiment , as the color material saving image, an image that saves the color material only for a specific type of image (graphic image and image image) in a plurality of types of images included in the original image is employed. As described above, the image information construction unit 110 is configured. With this configuration, as described above, it is possible to output a color material saving image that is excellent in legibility of a specific type of image.

Further, in the copying machine according to the embodiment , it is determined whether or not a specific type of image (object image or image image) is included in the original image. The image information construction unit 110 is configured to construct a saving ON command indicating that the information for the color material saving is not added as the color material saving image information. In such a configuration, as described above, since a specific type of image is not included, even if the color material is saved, the image is saved even though the color material is not saved at all. If the same high image quality as in the case of not performing is obtained, it is possible to avoid misunderstanding the person who viewed the output image.

In the copying machine according to the embodiment , as the color material saving image information, information that forms a specific type of image (object image or image image) and an image for notification under the saving condition is constructed. As described above, the image information construction unit 110 is configured. In such a configuration, although the color material saving rate is not 100 [%], since it is set to a relatively high value, even when it is difficult to see a specific type of image, the position of the image is easily recognized. I can have you.

Further, in the copying machine according to the reference example, as the color material saving image information, for a specific type of image, an image for notification of saving conditions and an image for type notification for notifying the specific type of information are provided. The image information constructing unit 110 is configured to construct an image to which information to be formed in an overlapping manner is added. In such a configuration, as described above, although the color material saving rate is not 100 [%], since it is set to a relatively high value, even if the type interpretation becomes difficult, The type notification image allows the user to easily recognize the type. Furthermore, since the color material saving rate is set to 100 [%], the position where the image should exist and the type of the image are determined even when the specific type of image is not output at all. Users can easily recognize it.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a copying machine according to a reference embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged configuration diagram illustrating an enlarged part of an internal configuration in a printer unit of the copier. FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing a process unit for Y of the printer unit. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an image processing apparatus and the like provided in the printer unit together with a scanner of the copier and a personal computer outside the copier. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a dialog box displayed on a display by a printer driver for causing the copier to perform a printing operation. 6 is a graph showing input / output characteristics employed by color material saving processing means provided in the image processing apparatus of the printer unit. 6 is a graph showing input / output characteristics employed by γ correction means provided in the image processing apparatus of the printer unit. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a normal image printout sheet based on normal image information constructed by the image processing apparatus when the color material save mode is set to OFF. The expansion schematic diagram which shows an example of the image for notification under saving conditions. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a printout sheet of a color material saving image based on color material saving image information constructed by the image processing apparatus when the color material saving mode is set to ON. The schematic diagram which shows the image for notification of saving conditions in the modification of the copying machine which concerns on a reference form. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an image for notification under a saving condition added to an original image by an image information construction unit of a copying machine according to a first reference example. The enlarged schematic diagram which shows a part of notification image under the same saving conditions. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a dialog box displayed on a display of a personal computer in which a printer driver attached to a copier according to a second reference example is installed. 6 is a graph showing input / output characteristics employed by color material saving processing means provided in the image processing apparatus of the printer unit. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a notification image 602 added to an original image by image information construction means of a copying machine according to a second reference example. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a notification image (coloring material saving rate of 50%) in a first modification of the copying machine according to the second reference example. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the image for notification (coloring material saving rate 80%) in the 1st modification. The block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the image processing apparatus of the copying machine which concerns on a 2nd modification. The block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the saving degree calculation means of the image processing apparatus. The block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the coloring material consumption calculation circuit of each color in the saving degree calculation means. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of printout paper based on image information constructed by image information construction means in a state where the color material save mode is OFF in the copying machine according to the embodiment . FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of printout paper based on image information constructed by image information construction means in a state where a color material save mode is ON in the copier. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of printout paper when the color material saving rate is set to 50 [%] and the color material save mode is ON in the copying machine according to the embodiment . FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing a graphic notification image superimposed on a graphic image in the copier. In the same copying machine, an enlarged schematic diagram showing an image for image notification superimposed on an image image. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of printout paper when the color material saving rate is set to 100 [%] and the color material save mode is ON in the copier.

Explanation of symbols

1: Printer section (image forming means)
101: Command analysis means (information acquisition means)
110: Image information construction means 111: PDL construction means (information acquisition means)
600: An image for notification under saving conditions 601: An image for notification under saving conditions 602: An image for notification (an image for notification under saving conditions and an image for saving amount notification)
603: Image for notification (image for notification under saving conditions and image for saving amount notification)
606: Graphic notification image (conservation image and type notification image)
607: An image for image notification (an image for notification and an image for type notification under saving conditions)

Claims (7)

Information acquisition means for acquiring original image information, which is information of an original image, and saving information, which is information indicating whether or not to save color materials used for image formation, and image formation for forming an image on a recording medium As formation image information for forming an image on the means, color material saving image information that can save the amount of color material used when the saving information is information that saves the color material. On the other hand, in the image processing apparatus having the image information construction means for constructing the normal image information when the information on whether or not the saving is information that does not save the color material,
It is determined whether or not a plurality of types of images included in the original image include a specific type of image. If included, a plurality of types included in the original image are used as the color material saving image information. in the image, the only specific type of image, the image saving color material, and forms an image saving conditions notification image for notifying a call and is formed under conditions to save color material for When the original image does not include the specific type of image, the color material is saved even if the saving presence / absence information is information indicating that the color material is saved. A process of constructing the image information for saving that does not add the information of the image for notification under the condition of saving, or constructing the normal image information instead of the color material saving image information as the formed image information To implement the image processing apparatus being characterized in that constitute the image information constructing means.   Information acquisition means for acquiring original image information, which is information of an original image, and saving information, which is information indicating whether or not to save color materials used for image formation, and image formation for forming an image on a recording medium As formation image information for forming an image on the means, color material saving image information that can save the amount of color material used when the saving information is information that saves the color material. On the other hand, in the image processing apparatus having the image information construction means for constructing the normal image information when the information on whether or not the saving is information that does not save the color material,
As the color material saving image information, a specific type of image among a plurality of types of images included in the original image is made into an image in which the color material is saved, and the color material is saved with respect to the image. An image characterized in that the image information construction means is configured so as to construct an image to which information for forming a notification image in a superimposed manner is added under a saving condition for notifying that the image has been formed. Processing equipment. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 .
As the color material saving image information, information that is formed by superimposing the notification image under the saving condition and the type notification image for notifying the specific type of information is added to the specific type of image. An image processing apparatus characterized in that the image information construction means is constructed so as to construct an image. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
An image processing apparatus characterized in that the image information construction means is configured to add character image information as information of a notification image under the saving condition. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
An image processing apparatus characterized in that the image information constructing means is configured to add symbol image information as information of a notification image under the saving condition. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
An image processing apparatus, wherein the image information constructing means is configured to add halftone image information as information of the notice image under the saving condition. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
The information acquisition means is configured to acquire saving amount information that is information indicating how much color material is saved with respect to the amount of color material necessary for forming the original image, and
As the color material saving image information, an information of an image that can be formed with the color material saving amount indicated by the saving amount information, and a saving amount notification image for notifying the saving amount information is added. An image processing apparatus comprising the image information construction means configured to construct information.

Images