JP5304594B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing method and program thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program for using an achromatic toner.

  Conventionally, a method has been proposed in which achromatic toner is used to add value such as full gloss and watermark. Among these added values, as a surface protection of printed matter, in order to improve the strength of scratches, dirt, fraying and the like, the non-image portion is filled with achromatic toner to prevent the background from being exposed. In addition, it is already known to reinforce the binding margin portion by forming a reinforcing image around the binding margin of the printed matter.

  As an example, in Patent Document 1, for the purpose of reinforcing the binding margin portion, an image of the original is formed on the paper to be output, and at the same time, an additional image is formed in the binding margin portion punched by the punch holes or staples. Thus, a technique of an image forming apparatus that can reinforce a binding margin portion of output paper is disclosed.

  However, in the method for reinforcing the binding margin portion of Patent Document 1, the toner used for the binding margin portion is limited to only use for reinforcing the binding margin portion. Therefore, the total amount regulation value for the toner amount used for the binding margin portion and the toner amount used for the image forming portion is not linked, and if the binding margin portion and the image forming portion are close or overlap, There is a problem in that a difference in total toner amount occurs between the margin portion and the image forming portion, and the glossiness and surface properties are uncomfortable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is based on the total amount regulation value of the toner amount used for the binding margin portion and the toner amount used for the image forming portion, and the strength of the binding margin portion. When the achromatic toner is further used for the binding margin portion and the image forming portion (image area), the glossiness and surface properties of the toner are different due to the difference in the total amount of toner near the boundary between the binding margin portion and the image forming portion. The purpose is to be able to suppress the occurrence of discomfort.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus that executes image processing when an image is formed on a recording medium, and each pixel in an image area in which an image to be printed is formed. Image area total amount regulating means for regulating the total toner amount, and binding for regulating the total toner amount of each pixel of the binding substitute image when forming a binding substitute image using toner around the binding margin perforated in the recording medium Substitution area total amount regulating means, and the image area total amount regulating means and the binding margin area total amount regulating means make the total toner amount of the pixels of the binding substitute image larger than the total toner amount of the pixels of the image area. It is characterized by being regulated by.

  The present invention also relates to an image processing method in an image processing apparatus that executes image processing when an image is formed on a recording medium, wherein the image area total amount regulating means includes each image area in which an image to be printed is formed. A step of regulating the total toner amount of the pixels, and a binding margin area total amount regulating means, when the binding substitution image using toner is formed around the binding margin perforated in the recording medium, the toner of each pixel of the binding substitution image The total amount regulating step, and the image region total amount regulating unit and the binding margin region total amount regulating unit regulate the total toner amount of the pixels of the binding substitute image to be larger than the total toner amount of the pixels of the image region. And a process.

  The present invention also relates to an image processing program for forming an image on a recording medium, which is executed in an image processing apparatus, wherein the image area total amount regulating unit is configured to determine an image area in which an image to be printed is formed. The step of regulating the total toner amount of each pixel and the binding margin area total amount regulating means form a binding substitute image using toner around the binding margin perforated in the recording medium. The step of regulating the total amount of toner, and the total amount of toner of the pixels of the binding substitute image are regulated to be larger than the total amount of toner of the pixels of the image region by the total amount of image region regulating unit and the total amount of binding margin region regulating unit. And a step of performing.

  According to the present invention, since the binding substitute image is formed thicker than the image area in the binding margin portion, the strength of the binding margin portion can be further improved. Also, when achromatic toner is used in the binding margin area and the image area, it is generated near the boundary when the binding margin area and the image area are close or overlapped by eliminating the difference in the total toner amount at the boundary area. It is possible to suppress an uncomfortable feeling about glossiness and surface properties that can be achieved.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus which is an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating density adjustment when using achromatic toner during image formation. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the total amount restriction condition regarding the image area and the binding margin area shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the outline of adjustment of the toner amount in the binding margin area when using the achromatic color toner, regarding the total amount regulation regarding the image area and the binding margin area. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a shape related to a binding margin (binding substitute image). FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the PC and the image forming apparatus. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the total amount regulating unit shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing flow by the total amount regulating unit. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus which is an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  The recording sheets 1 are separated and called one by one by the sheet feeding roller 2 and are conveyed to the conveying roller pair 3. Further, the transport roller pair 3 transports the recording paper 1 and transports it to the registration roller pair 4. The registration roller pair 4 has a configuration in which the rotation and stop of the roller can be freely controlled by a registration clutch (not shown), and the recording paper 1 is once stopped by the registration roller pair 4 in order to wait for a series of image forming processes to be described later. .

  A portion surrounded by a dotted line 36 is a black image forming station. A charging charger 12, an exposure beam 13, a developing device 14, a cleaning blade 15, and a primary transfer charger 16 are disposed around the photoconductor 11, and perform a series of image forming operations. The surface of the photoconductor 11 uniformly charged by the charging charger 12 is irradiated with an exposure beam 13 from a writing unit (not shown) to form a latent image on the photoconductor. Then, the developing device 14 develops black toner on the latent image formed on the photoreceptor 11 and visualizes it as a toner image.

  Next, the toner image on the photoconductor 11 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 40 by the primary transfer charger 16, and the toner remaining on the photoconductor 11 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 15. Thereafter, the photoconductor 11 is charged again by the charging charger 12, and thereafter, the above-described image forming operation is repeated.

  The portions surrounded by dotted lines 37, 38 and 39 are image forming stations for cyan plate, magenta plate and yellow plate, respectively, and the toner image of each plate is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 40 by the same operation as the above black plate. To do. A portion surrounded by a dotted line 35 is an achromatic toner plate image forming station, and its operation is the same as that of other color plate stations.

  After all the toner images of the plates are transferred to the transfer belt 40, the recording paper 1 that has been temporarily stopped by the registration roller pair 4 is re-conveyed in accordance with the timing, and the toner is transferred onto the recording paper by the secondary transfer charger 41. Transfer the image.

  Next, the recording paper on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 43, and the unfixed toner is fixed on the recording paper by heat and pressure and output. On the other hand, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 40 is scraped off by bringing the intermediate transfer cleaner 42 into contact with the belt, and the intermediate transfer belt 40 is cleaned.

  In the above image forming process, since the achromatic toner is located on the lowermost layer (the transfer belt side) on the transfer belt 40, when transferring the toner image to the recording paper 1, a color plate toner other than the achromatic toner is used. Hardly remains on the transfer belt 40. Therefore, an image with a good color reproduction range can be formed. Further, when fixing is performed by the fixing device 43, since the achromatic toner is on the uppermost layer on the recording paper 1, the dots of the color plate other than the achromatic toner can be crushed and deformed when pressure is applied. The deterioration of graininess can be suppressed.

  The present embodiment has the following characteristics when an achromatic toner is used when an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1000 configured as described above.

(1) When performing image formation, a binding margin area regulation value that defines an upper limit (total quantity regulation value) of the total toner amount of each pixel in the binding margin area and an upper limit (total quantity regulation value) of the total toner amount of each pixel in the image area The image area regulation value that defines the image area is selectively switched so that the total toner amount used for each pixel in the binding margin area and the total toner amount used for each pixel in the image area become a toner amount suitable for each area. To control.

(2) Further, the total toner amount of each pixel in the binding margin region is changed in stages, and the total toner amount of the pixels in each region is made to coincide at the boundary portion between the binding margin region and the image region when they are close or overlapped. .

  Hereinafter, the above features will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating density adjustment when using achromatic toner during image formation. Normally, in the recording medium 100 such as recording paper on which copying or printing is performed, it is assumed that an image to be output is formed in the image area 102, but punching or stapling is performed by an attached function. In this case, a binding margin area 101 is further set. The binding margin region 101, particularly the peripheral portion where perforation is performed, is in a situation where it is easily torn because mechanical stress is applied. However, it is possible to prevent the recording medium 100 from being easily broken by selectively increasing the thickness of the portion.

  For example, the strength of the recording medium 100 can be improved by increasing the thickness of the binding margin area 101 using toner. However, when an image is formed using toner, if toner is excessively adhered, problems such as transfer failure and fixing failure occur. For this reason, there is usually a limit on the total amount of toner to be deposited. The limit of the total toner amount (total amount regulation value) is about 200% to 250%. When the total amount of toner exceeds this regulation value, the amount of toner attached to the recording medium 100 is controlled by the total quantity regulation process to fall within the regulation value.

  When achromatic toner is used for the image area 102 and the binding margin area 101, the total amount of toner that can be used for the binding margin area 101 is limited by the total amount regulation value of the image area 102 when the toner amount is uniformly regulated. Therefore, the strength of the binding margin portion cannot be sufficiently improved. Specifically, it is desirable to place achromatic toner for the total amount regulation value (maximum value: for example, 250%) in the binding margin area 101 as shown in the sectional view 103. On the other hand, the amount of achromatic toner when the achromatic toner is placed on the image area 102 for the purpose of giving the image area 102 a glossy needs to be placed up to the total toner amount limit (total amount regulation value) as in 103. 100% or less is sufficient (104). The amount of achromatic toner is in a trade-off relationship with the amount of toner used for image formation for each color plate, and the amount of toner that can be used for image formation for each color plate when a large amount of achromatic toner is used (especially in high-density areas). The amount of color used) is limited, and color reproduction may be affected. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the total amount regulation value of each region in consideration of this point.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the total amount restriction condition regarding the image area 102 and the binding margin area 101 illustrated in FIG. 2. When the same achromatic toner is used for both the image area 102 and the binding margin area 101, the total amount of toner that can be transferred is set in advance to the upper limit (total amount regulation value). However, as shown in the figure, two restriction values, an image area restriction value 106 and a binding margin area restriction value 105, are provided, and the restriction value is determined by mode information indicating whether or not achromatic toner is used in the image area. Use properly. For the image area 102, the amount of toner actually used for image formation is adjusted with the image area regulation value 106 set to MAX.

  With respect to these regulation values, it is only necessary to set an upper limit that can improve the glossiness of the image area 102, and the distribution of the achromatic toner and the toner that is actually used to form the image to be printed is adjusted in advance. It ’s fine. For the binding margin area 101, it is only necessary to set an upper limit that does not cause transfer failure or fixing failure. For example, the upper limit may be set by adjusting the total amount of toner that can be transferred without any problem. In this embodiment, in order to further improve the strength of the binding margin portion of the recording medium 100, the binding margin area regulation value 105 is set larger than the image area regulation value 106 as shown in FIG.

  Next, the total amount restriction on the image area and the binding margin area will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the outline of adjustment of the toner amount in the binding margin area when using the achromatic color toner, regarding the total amount regulation regarding the image area and the binding margin area.

  In the above description, the case where the image area (102) and the binding margin area (101) are separated from each other has been described. However, the image area 202 and the binding margin area 201 actually overlap as shown in FIG. Can be considered. In such a case, when the total amount regulation value is different between the binding margin area 201 and the image area 202, the toner adhesion amount varies depending on the area, so that the surface unevenness and glossiness are uncomfortable. This discomfort is caused by the total toner amount of the pixels on the binding margin area 201 side and the total toner amount of the pixels on the image area 202 side at the boundary or overlapping portion between the binding margin area 201 and the image area 202 (the upper limit is the image area regulation value 205). By matching the total toner amount on the binding margin area 201 side (the upper limit is the binding margin area regulation value 204), the difference in toner adhesion amount at the boundary or overlapping portion between the binding margin area 201 and the image area 202 is eliminated. Can be resolved. It should be noted that here, in the binding margin area 201, achromatic toner that is the total amount of toner corresponding to the regulation value (upper limit is the binding margin area regulation value 204) is used, and in the image area 202, the image area regulation value 205 minutes. Achromatic toner and toner of each color are used so that the total amount of toner is obtained.

  However, the total amount regulation value 204 (= total toner amount of each pixel in the binding margin area 201), which is simply the total amount regulation value of the entire binding margin area 201, is set to the total toner amount (upper limit is the maximum amount of toner) of each pixel on the image area 202 side. Since the strength of the perforated part is reduced when the image area regulation value 205 is smaller than the binding margin area regulation value 204 of the binding margin area, it is at least the binding side of the perforated portion (the side opposite to the image area 202). Is set to the original binding margin area regulation value 204. In short, the regulation value on the boundary side with the image area 202 in the binding margin area 201 matches the regulation value 205 for the image area in the image area 202, and the original binding margin area regulation value 204 on the binding side of the binding margin area 201. The restriction value is inclined from the image area 202 side to the binding side, and gradually from the image area 202 side to the binding side, the image area restriction value 205 of the image area 202 to the binding substitution restriction value 204 To be. Specifically, in FIG. 4, by placing achromatic toner on the binding margin area 201 as shown in the sectional view 203, the surface irregularities are alleviated and the strength can be maintained. . For the image area 202, as in the previous example, the image area regulation value 205 is set to MAX, and the toner actually used for image formation is adjusted.

  As for how to hold the toner adhesion amount of the achromatic color toner on the binding margin side, the inclination should be such that the perforated part is held (207) or the outermost part on the binding side is inclined (206). Although there is a method, the sorting is adjusted by the amount of overlap between the binding margin area 201 and the image area 202. For example, if the binding margin area is entirely included in the image area, it may be inclined to the outermost part on the binding side in order to reduce a sense of incongruity. You should have.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a shape related to a binding margin (binding substitute image). As a shape generally seen as a binding margin, a circular shape as shown in FIG. 210 is often used. However, when the recording paper is actually bound, the portion that is likely to be loaded is on the binding side. In FIG. 5, the left side is shown as the binding side. In such a case, since the strength is improved by increasing the area on the binding side of the binding substitute image, for example, the binding side image has an elliptical shape as indicated by 211 in FIG. Thus, it is preferable to increase the binding side area.

  The present embodiment is a part of an example in which the shape on the binding side is increased, and there is no problem as long as the strength is improved by changing the shape to the left and right with respect to the perforated portion as shown in the figure. In this way, the binding substitute image is formed by changing the shape between the binding side and the opposite side of the binding margin perforated portion so as to improve the strength. Although not shown in the present embodiment, in the case of performing stapling as well, the strength is improved by increasing the binding margin area on the side where the perforation is easily applied to the side where stress is easily applied. can do. The binding margin area 101 shown in FIG. 2 and the binding margin area 201 shown in FIG. 4 are shown as rectangular areas, but in this embodiment, the binding margin portion (part of the binding substitution image) is the binding margin area. 101 or binding margin area 201.

  As another embodiment, the binding substitute image is formed on a predetermined surface of the recording medium (formed on the front surface, the back surface, or both surfaces) regardless of whether the image area is formed on one surface or both surfaces of the recording medium. May be. In addition, when the binding substitute image is formed on both sides of the recording medium, the shape may be changed (in a shape that is not the same) on both sides of the recording medium.

  Next, the image processing unit 52 included in the image forming apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the flow of image processing in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the PC and the image forming apparatus. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the total amount regulating unit 57 shown in FIG.

  When the user instructs printing from an application on the PC 51, a printer command expressed in PDL (Printer Description Language) is output to the image forming apparatus 1000 via the printer driver. This printer command is composed of drawing commands for three types of objects of character / graphic / image.

  When instructing printing on the PC 51, the user can instruct whether or not to use achromatic toner in the binding margin area and the image area from the print setting screen of the printer driver, and the instruction information (mode information) is also included. Output.

  The command interpreter 54 interprets the drawing command for each object in response to the sent printer command. Then, the expansion unit 55 expands the image as RGB data on a drawing memory (not shown) in FIG. Further, for the binding margin area image formed around the image to be printed, after passing through the command interpretation section 54, the achromatic toner binding margin area data generation section 62 (FIG. 7) in the total amount regulation section 57. An image (binding substitute image) is developed (details of the total amount regulating unit 57 will be described later). Further, the command interpreter 54 outputs object information (information belonging to any one of characters / graphics / images) and mode information indicating whether or not achromatic toner is used.

  The color correction unit 56 converts the RGB data from the development unit 55 into CMYK data. The color correction unit 56 also receives object information and mode information. The amount of black (K) used is controlled by these two pieces of information. For example, for a photographic object, K is increased in a mode using transparent toner, and K is decreased in a mode not using transparent toner. Further, K is increased for character objects and graphic objects.

  The image area color plate total amount restriction unit 61 (FIG. 7) in the total amount restriction unit 57 performs total amount restriction on the CMYK data by the following equation (1).

if ((C + M + Y + K)> total amount regulation value) {
C ′ = C × (total amount regulation value × 255 / 100−K) / (C + M + Y);
M ′ = M × (total amount regulation value × 255 / 100−K) / (C + M + Y);
Y ′ = Y × (total amount regulation value × 255 / 100−K) / (C + M + Y)} Expression (1)

  However, each data of CMYK takes a value of 0-255. C ′, M ′, and Y ′ are values after the total amount restriction, and the total amount restriction value is, for example, a value of 250 (%). K is not changed by the total amount regulation.

  Note that the total amount regulation value is, for example, 250%, but when using achromatic toner, it is necessary to lower the total amount regulation value for the image area color plate by the amount of achromatic toner used. For example, when achromatic toner is formed with a layer thickness of 100%, the total amount regulation value for the image area color plate is set to 150%.

  The halftone processing unit 58 performs halftone processing such as dither processing and error diffusion processing on the C′M′Y′K data, and sends the processing result to the printer 53.

  Next, details of the total amount regulating unit 57 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the total amount regulating unit 57 shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing flow by the total amount regulating unit 57. The following is a processing flow when using achromatic toner. When achromatic toner is not used, normal image formation is performed by the image forming apparatus 1000.

  First, the achromatic color toner image area data generation unit 60 generates achromatic color toner image area data Ti, which is achromatic toner plane data for the image area (step S801). Note that, for example, the achromatic color toner image area data Ti may be generated only for the area of the photographic object according to the object information instead of the entire image area.

  Next, the total amount restriction is performed in the image area color plate total amount restriction unit 61 as described above (step S802). The C′M′Y′K data after the total amount restriction process is sent to the halftone processing unit 58.

  Next, in the achromatic color toner binding margin area data generation unit 62, when the mode information indicates the use of achromatic color toner and punch or staple is used (Yes in step S803), the achromatic color toner image area data is displayed. In consideration of the achromatic color toner image area data Ti generated by the generation unit 60 and the information of the C′M′Y′K data after the total amount restriction processing by the image area color plate total amount restriction unit 61, the binding margin The restriction value of the area is set as described above with reference to FIG. 4 and the like (at this time, the restriction value may be changed according to the number of recording media to be bound, and thus its thickness), and the binding margin area is achromatic. Achromatic color toner plate data in the binding margin area for image formation with toner, that is, achromatic toner binding margin area data Tb is generated (step S804). The shape of the binding margin formed by the achromatic toner according to the achromatic toner binding margin area data Tb is as described above with reference to FIG.

  Then, while switching the data of each pixel of the achromatic color toner plate composed of the generated achromatic color toner image area data Ti and the achromatic color toner binding margin area data Tb with the selector 63, the image area and the binding margin area are switched for each area. The corresponding achromatic toner is output to the printer 53 for each of the image area and the binding margin area (step S805). The printer 53 performs image formation according to the data of each plate received from the image processing unit 52.

  Note that depending on the number of recording media, the thickness of the binding substitute image in the binding margin is adversely affected (there is a problem that the binding side becomes thick when the number is large). Therefore, for example, when the number of sheets is large, the binding margin side strength also increases as a whole. Therefore, when setting the binding margin area regulation value as described above, the binding margin is set so that the total amount of toner in the binding margin area pixels is reduced. It is preferable to control the area regulation value to reduce the influence.

  As described above in detail, in the present embodiment, since the binding substitute image is formed thicker than the image area in the binding margin portion, the strength of the binding margin portion can be improved. Further, when the mode information indicates the use of achromatic toner in the image area and punch or staple is used, the image of the binding margin area is formed as described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Occurrence of discomfort in glossiness and surface properties due to the difference in total toner amount between the area and the binding margin area can be suppressed.

(Electric hardware configuration of image forming apparatus 1000)
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1000 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 1000 has a configuration in which a controller 1010 and an engine unit (Engine) 1060 are connected by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interface) bus. A controller 1010 is a controller that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1000 and controls input from the drawing, communication, operation display unit 1020, and the like. The engine unit 1060 is a printer engine that can be connected to a PCI bus, and is, for example, a monochrome plotter, a one-drum color plotter, a four-drum color plotter, a scanner, or a fax unit. The engine unit 1060 includes an image processing part such as error diffusion and gamma conversion in addition to a so-called engine part such as a plotter.

  The controller 1010 includes a CPU 1011, a north bridge (NB) 1013, a system memory (MEM-P) 1012, a south bridge (SB) 1014, a local memory (MEM-C) 1017, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). 1016 and a hard disk drive (HDD) 1018, and the north bridge (NB) 1013 and the ASIC 1016 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 1015. The MEM-P 1012 further includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1012a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1012b.

  The CPU 1011 has a chip set including the NB 1013, the MEM-P 1012, and the SB 1014. The CPU 1011 is connected to other devices via the chip set and performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1000.

  The NB 1013 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 1011 and the MEM-P 1012, SB 1014, and AGP 1015, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 1012, a PCI master, and an AGP target.

  The MEM-P 1012 is a system memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for developing programs and data, a memory for drawing printers, and the like, and includes a ROM 1012a and a RAM 1012b. The ROM 1012a is a read-only memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, and the RAM 1012b is a writable and readable memory used as a program / data development memory, a printer drawing memory, and the like.

  The SB 1014 is a bridge for connecting the NB 1013 to a PCI device and peripheral devices. The SB 1014 is connected to the NB 1013 via a PCI bus, and a network interface (I / F) unit and the like are also connected to the PCI bus.

  The ASIC 1016 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge for connecting the AGP 1015, the PCI bus, the HDD 1018, and the MEM-C 1017. The ASIC 1016 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 1016, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 1017, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory) that perform image data rotation and the like using hardware logic. (Access Controller) and a PCI unit that performs data transfer between the engine unit 1060 via the PCI bus. The ASIC 1016 is connected to an FCU (Facile Control Unit) 1030, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 1040, and an IEEE 1394 (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics 94) via a PCI bus. The operation display unit 1020 is directly connected to the ASIC 1016.

  A MEM-C 1017 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1018 is a storage for storing image data, programs, font data, and forms. It is.

  The AGP 1015 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed for speeding up graphics processing. The AGP 1015 speeds up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 1012 with high throughput. .

  The function of the image processing unit 52 or the total amount regulating unit 57 described above is realized by the controller 1010. Specifically, it may be realized by software processing by the CPU 1011 of the controller 1010, or the function may be incorporated into a device such as the ASIC 1016 as hardware logic.

  When implemented by software processing, the program is provided by being incorporated in advance in the ROM 1012a or the like. In this case, the function of the image processing unit 52 or the total amount regulating unit 57 is realized by a CPU (processor) reading a program from the ROM 1012a, loading it on the main storage device, and executing it.

  The above program is recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), etc. in an installable or executable format file. It may be configured to be provided.

  Further, the program may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network.

  Further, as a specific example of the image forming apparatus 1000 described above, a multifunction machine having at least two functions among a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and the like, a single function copying machine, a printer, a facsimile apparatus, and the like. An image forming apparatus can be mentioned.

51 PC
52 Image Processing Unit 53 Printer 54 Command Interpretation Unit 55 Development Unit 56 Color Correction Unit 57 Total Amount Control Unit 58 Halftone Processing Unit 60 Achromatic Toner Image Area Data Generation Unit 61 Image Area Color Plate Total Amount Control Unit (Image Area Total Amount Control Unit)
62 Achromatic toner binding margin area data generation unit (binding margin total amount regulating means)
63 selector

Japanese Patent No. 4097609

Claims (9)

In an image processing apparatus that executes image processing when an image is formed on a recording medium,
Image area total amount regulating means for regulating the total toner amount of each pixel in the image area in which the image to be printed is formed;
Binding margin area total amount regulating means for regulating the total toner amount of each pixel of the binding substitution image when forming a binding substitution image using toner around the binding margin perforated in the recording medium,
The image is characterized in that the total toner amount of the pixels of the binding substitute image is restricted by the image region total amount regulating unit and the binding margin region total amount regulating unit to be larger than the total toner amount of the pixels of the image region. Processing equipment.   When achromatic toner is used for the binding margin area and the image area, the binding margin area total amount regulating means gradually increases the total quantity regulation value that defines the upper limit of the total toner amount of each pixel in the binding margin area from the maximum value. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the total amount of toner at a specific position of a boundary or overlapping portion with the image region is made to match.   The amount of toner when forming an image with achromatic toner is individually controlled for each of the binding margin area and the image area by each total amount regulating unit. Image processing device.   4. The binding substitute image according to claim 1, wherein the binding substitute image is formed such that a binding side shape of a binding margin perforation portion has a larger area than a shape on the opposite side. 5. The image processing apparatus described.   5. The binding substitute image according to claim 1, wherein the binding substitute image is formed on a predetermined surface regardless of whether the image area is formed on one side or both sides of the recording medium. Image processing device.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the binding substitute image is formed on the front and back sides of a recording medium, the binding substitute image is formed by changing the shape of the front and back sides.   The binding amount total amount regulating unit changes the regulation of the total amount of toner for the pixels of the binding substitution image according to the number of recording media to be bound. The image processing apparatus described. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus that executes image processing when an image is formed on a recording medium,
A step of restricting the total amount of toner in each pixel of the image region in which the image to be printed is formed;
A binding margin area total amount regulating unit regulating a total toner amount of each pixel of the binding substitution image when forming a binding substitution image using toner around the binding margin perforated in the recording medium;
Regulating the total toner amount of pixels of the binding substitute image to be larger than the total toner amount of pixels of the image region by the image region total amount regulating unit and the binding margin region total amount regulating unit. An image processing method. An image processing program for forming an image on a recording medium, executed in an image processing apparatus,
A step of restricting the total amount of toner in each pixel of the image region in which the image to be printed is formed;
A binding margin area total amount regulating unit regulating a total toner amount of each pixel of the binding substitution image when forming a binding substitution image using toner around the binding margin perforated in the recording medium;
Regulating the total toner amount of pixels of the binding substitute image to be larger than the total toner amount of pixels of the image region by the image region total amount regulating unit and the binding margin region total amount regulating unit. A featured program.

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