JP5365755B2 - Print production method and print - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a production method and printed material printed matter.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been an image forming apparatus equipped with clear toner, which is a colorless toner containing no color material, in addition to toners of four colors C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). Exists. The toner image formed with such a clear toner is fixed on a recording medium such as transfer paper on which an image is formed with CMYK toner, and as a result, a visual effect or a tactile effect on the surface of the recording medium ( Hereinafter, the “surface effect” is realized.

  The surface effect to be realized differs depending on what kind of toner image is formed on the clear toner and what kind of fixing is performed. There are surface effects that simply give gloss, and surface effects that suppress gloss. There is also a demand for a surface effect that not only gives a surface effect to the entire surface, but also gives a surface effect to only a part, or adds a texture or a watermark with a clear toner. Also, surface protection may be required.

  Normally, when an image is formed with four color toners of CYMK, if the amount of toner used is too large, the toner will scatter and the characters will blur and fixing irregularities will occur, resulting in degradation of image quality during printing. For this reason, it is already known to perform a total amount restriction process for limiting the total amount of toner to be used to a certain threshold value or less.

  Even in a five-color image forming apparatus in which clear toner is further added to a four-color toner image forming apparatus, the maximum value of the total amount of toner used is generally fixed. The total amount regulations on

  For example, in Patent Document 1, the size of the restriction target area is changed according to the size of the area for each type of image such as a character area and a photograph area, and the total data value of the restriction target area is set to There is disclosed a technique that can relax and limit the amount of regulation to a more suitable amount for an image and further improve the image quality. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for forming an image using particles larger than toner particles having a standard tactile sensation in order to enhance the tactile sensation of the printed matter.

  Here, there is a case where it is desired to realize a tactile effect on the surface of the paper on which the image is formed. However, in the above-described conventional technology, when the total amount is regulated, the thickness (height) of the paper on which the toner is attached is determined. Is almost uniform, so that it is difficult to realize a tactile effect on the surface of the paper. Further, there is a method of roughening clear toner particles in order to effectively express unevenness for a tactile effect. However, since the size of the particles is different, there is a problem that it is not suitable for a mirror effect or processing such as a watermark.

The present invention was made in view of the above, while improving image quality, and to provide a production method and a printed matter printed matter can realize tactile effects.

To solve the above problems and achieve the object, production method of a printed matter according to the present invention, specifying an area on the recording medium of tactile pattern causing tactile effect on the recording medium by the colorless clear toner For each of the pixels of the image formed on the recording medium, a predetermined total amount regulation value is assigned to a pixel corresponding to the area where the tactile pattern is not specified, and the area where the tactile pattern is specified. For the pixel corresponding to the above, a total amount regulation value of 2 or more, clear toner image data having a density value for causing the clear toner to form an image, and color toner having a density value for causing the colored toner to form an image determining a regulation value of the sum of the concentration values of the image data, based on the determined regulated value, the field of the clear toner image data Clear toner image data and color data in which the density value is corrected for each pixel so that the sum of the density value of the prime and the density value of the corresponding pixel of the color toner image data is equal to or less than the determined regulation value. Generating a printed material based on the image data for images.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve a tactile effect while improving image quality.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of color plane image data. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating types of surface effects relating to the presence or absence of gloss. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the image data of the gloss control plane as an image. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of clear plane image data. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the density value selection table. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between a drawing object, coordinates, and density values in the gloss control plane image data of FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration example of print data. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of DFE. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of clear processing. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of the surface effect selection table. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the realization of the tactile sensation pattern by the clear toner plane generation unit 563. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the realization of the tactile sensation pattern by the clear toner plane generation unit 563. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the total amount regulating unit 562 of the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining total amount restriction processing using a plurality of total amount restriction values. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the determination process of the total amount regulation value. FIG. 17 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the configuration of the MIC and the printing apparatus. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a gloss control process performed by the image forming system. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the total amount restriction process. FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the total amount regulation value used in the modification. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a tactile sensation pattern according to a modification. FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a process of determining the total amount restriction value when restricting the total amount to the tactile sensation pattern of the first modification. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of another tactile sensation pattern using a total amount restriction value and a total amount restriction table. FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the total amount regulating unit 562 of the second modification. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a limit amount input screen. FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the total amount restricting unit of the third modification. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of an adhesion amount input screen. FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 29 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the server apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the DFE according to the second embodiment. FIG. 31 is a sequence diagram illustrating an overall flow of the clear toner plane generation process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 32 is a network configuration diagram in which two servers are provided on the cloud. FIG. 33 is a hardware configuration diagram of the host device, the DFE, and the server device. FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining a conventional total amount restriction process.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of the production method and printed material printed matter according to the present invention in detail.

(Embodiment 1)
First, the configuration of the image forming system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the image forming system includes a printer control device (DFE: Digital Front End) 50 (hereinafter referred to as “DFE 50”) and an interface controller (MIC: Mechanism I / F Controller) 60 (hereinafter referred to as “DFE 50”). MIC 60 ”), a printer 70, and a glosser 80 and a low-temperature fixing device 90 as post-processing devices. The DFE 50 communicates with the printer 70 via the MIC 60 and controls image formation on the printer 70. The DFE 50 is connected to a host device 10 such as a PC (Personal Computer). The DFE 50 receives image data from the host device 10 and uses the image data to allow the printer 70 to use the CMYK toner and the toner. Image data for forming a toner image corresponding to the clear toner is generated and transmitted to the printer 70 via the MIC 60. The printer 70 is equipped with at least CMYK toners and clear toners, and an image forming unit, an exposure unit, and a fixing unit including a photoreceptor, a charger, a developing unit, and a photoreceptor cleaner for each toner. Each is installed.

  The printer device 70, the glosser 80, and the low-temperature fixing device 90 constitute the printing apparatus 30.

  Here, the clear toner is a transparent (colorless) toner that does not contain a color material. In addition, transparent (colorless) shows that the transmittance | permeability is 70% or more, for example.

  In response to the image data transmitted from the DFE 50 via the MIC 60, the printer 70 irradiates a light beam from the exposure device to form a toner image corresponding to each toner on the photoreceptor, and uses this as a recording medium. The sheet is transferred to a sheet of paper and fixed by heating and pressing at a temperature within a predetermined range (normal temperature) by a fixing machine. As a result, an image is formed on the sheet. Since the configuration of the printer 70 is well known, detailed description thereof is omitted here. The paper is an example of a recording medium, and the recording medium is not limited to this. For example, synthetic paper or vinyl paper can be used as the recording medium.

  The glosser 80 is controlled to be turned on or off by the on / off information specified by the DFE 50. When the glosser 80 is turned on, the image formed on the paper is pressed at a high temperature and high pressure by the printer 70, and then cooled to cool the main body. The paper on which the image is formed is peeled off. As a result, the total amount of toner adhered to each pixel to which a predetermined amount or more of toner has adhered in the entire image formed on the paper is uniformly compressed. The low-temperature fixing device 90 is equipped with an image forming unit including a photosensitive member for clear toner, a charger, a developing device, and a photosensitive cleaner, an exposure device, and a fixing device for fixing the clear toner. The clear toner plane image data (hereinafter also referred to as “clear toner plane data”) generated by the DFE 50 to use the machine 90 is input. When the DFE 50 generates clear toner plane data (clear toner plane data) to be used by the low temperature fixing unit 90, the low temperature fixing unit 90 forms a toner image using the clear toner using the clear toner plane data. The toner image is superimposed on the pressurized paper, and fixed on the paper by a fixing device with heating or pressure lower than usual.

  Here, image data (original data) input from the host device 10 will be described. In the host device 10, image data is generated by an image processing application (an image processing unit 120, a plate data generation unit 122, a print data generation unit 123, which will be described later) installed in advance, and is transmitted to the DFE 50. In such an image processing application, it is possible to handle the image data of the special color version with respect to the image data in which the density value (referred to as the density value) of each color in each color version such as the RGB version or the CMYK version is defined for each pixel. It is. The special color plate is image data for attaching special toners and inks such as white, gold, and silver in addition to basic colors such as CMYK and RGB, and is equipped with such special toners and inks. Data for printers. In the special color plate, R may be added to the basic colors of CMYK or Y may be added to the basic colors of RGB in order to improve color reproducibility. Usually, clear toner is also handled as one of the special colors.

  In the present embodiment, the clear toner as the special color is used to form a surface effect that is a visual or tactile effect applied to the paper, and on the paper, such as a watermark or texture other than the surface effect. Used to form a transparent image.

  For this reason, the image processing application of the host device 10 applies to the input image data as color image data (hereinafter also referred to as “color data”), as well as special color image data. Gloss control plane image data (hereinafter also referred to as “gloss control plane data”) and / or clear plane image data (hereinafter also referred to as “clear plane data”) as specified by the user. Generate.

  Here, the color plane data is image data that defines color density values such as RGB and CMYK for each pixel. In this color plane data, one pixel is expressed by 8 bits according to the color designation by the user. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the color plane data. In FIG. 2, a density value corresponding to the color designated by the user in the image processing application is assigned to each drawing object such as “A”, “B”, and “C”.

  Further, the gloss control plane data is used to control the adhesion of the clear toner according to the surface effect that is a visual or tactile effect to be applied to the paper. This is image data that identifies

  This gloss control plane is represented by a density value in the range of “0” to “255” with 8 bits for each pixel as in the color version such as RGB or CMYK, and the type of surface effect is associated with this density value. (The density value may be 16 bits, 32 bits, or 0-100%). In addition, since the same value is set in the range where the same surface effect is to be applied regardless of the density of the clear toner that is actually attached, the area can be easily determined from the image data as needed even if there is no data indicating the area. Can be identified. That is, the type of surface effect and the area to which the surface effect is applied are represented by the gloss control plate (data representing the area may be separately provided).

  Here, the host device 10 sets the type of surface effect for the drawing object designated by the user using the image processing application as a density value as a gloss control value for each drawing object, and generates vector format gloss control plane data. .

  Each pixel constituting the gloss control plane data corresponds to a pixel of the color plane data. In each image data, the density value represented by each pixel is a pixel value. Both the color plane data and the gloss control plane data are configured in units of pages.

  The types of surface effects are roughly classified into those relating to the presence or absence of gloss, surface protection, watermarks in which information is embedded, and textures such as tactile patterns. As illustrated in FIG. 3, there are roughly five types of surface effects related to the presence or absence of gloss, and the specular gloss (PG: Premium Gloss) and solid gloss (G: Gloss) are in descending order of the degree of gloss (glossiness). ), Halftone dot mat (M: Matt), matte (PM: Premium Matt), and touch pattern. Hereinafter, the specular gloss may be referred to as “PG”, the solid gloss as “G”, the halftone dot mat as “M”, and the matte as “PM”.

  Specular gloss and solid gloss are highly glossy.On the other hand, halftone mats and matte are for reducing glossiness.In particular, matte has a glossiness lower than that of normal paper. It is realized. In the figure, the specular gloss has a gloss Gs of 80 or more, the solid gloss is a solid gloss of a primary color or a secondary color, the halftone dot is a primary color and a gloss of 30%, and the matte is gloss. Degree of 10 or less. Further, the deviation of the glossiness is represented by ΔGs and is 10 or less. For each type of surface effect, a high density value is associated with a surface effect having a high degree of glossiness, and a low density value is associated with a surface effect that suppresses gloss. The intermediate density value is associated with a surface effect such as a watermark or texture. As the watermark, for example, a character or a background pattern is used. The texture represents a character or a pattern and includes a tactile sensation pattern that gives a tactile effect in addition to a visual effect. For example, a stained glass pattern can be realized with clear toner. For surface protection, mirror gloss or solid gloss is substituted. It should be noted that which region of the image represented by the image data to be processed is given a surface effect and what kind of surface effect is given to that region is specified by the user via the image processing application. In the host device 10 that executes the image processing application, the gloss control plane data is generated by setting the density value corresponding to the surface effect specified by the user for the drawing object constituting the area specified by the user. . The correspondence between the density value and the type of surface effect will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of gloss control plane data. In the example of the gloss control version of FIG. 4, the surface effect “PG (mirror gloss)” is given to the drawing object “ABC” by the user, and the surface effect “G (solid) is added to the drawing object“ (horizontally long rectangular figure) ”. Glossy) ”is added, the surface effect“ M (halftone matte) ”is applied to the drawing object“ (circular figure) ”, and the surface effect“ tactile pattern ”is applied to the drawing object“ (vertically long rectangular figure) ”. An example of “given” is shown. Note that the density value set for each surface effect is a density value determined according to the type of surface effect in a density value selection table (see FIG. 6) described later.

  The clear plane data is image data specifying a transparent image such as a watermark or texture other than the surface effect. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of clear plane data. In the example of FIG. 5, the watermark “Sale” is designated by the user.

  As described above, the gloss control plane data and the clear plane data, which are the image data of the special color plane, are generated in a plane different from the color plane data by the image processing application of the host device 10. In addition, each format of the color plane data, gloss control plane data, and clear plane data is a PDF (Portable Document Format) format, but the image data of each version of PDF is integrated and generated as document data. Note that the data format of each version of the image data is not limited to PDF, and any format can be used.

  Here, the image processing application of the host device 10 converts the surface effect type designated by the user into a density value, and generates gloss control plane data. Such conversion is performed with reference to a density value selection table stored in advance in the storage unit of the host device 10. The density value selection table is table data in which the type of surface effect is associated with the density value of the gloss control plate corresponding to the type of surface effect. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the density value selection table. In the example of FIG. 6, the density value of the gloss control plane corresponding to the area designated by the user as “PG” (specular gloss) is a pixel value corresponding to “98%”, and “G” (solid gloss) is The density value of the gloss control plane corresponding to the designated area is a pixel value corresponding to “90%”. In addition, “the density value of the gloss control plane corresponding to the area where the tactile sensation pattern is designated is a pixel value corresponding to“ 24% ”. Further, the density value of the gloss control plane corresponding to the area designated “M” (halftone matte) is a pixel value corresponding to “16%”, and corresponds to the area designated “PM” (matte). The density value of the gloss control plane is a pixel value corresponding to “6%”. Here, the pixel value corresponding to the density value “nn%” means a pixel value set to a density in a surface effect selection table (see FIG. 11) stored in the DFE 50, which will be described later.

  This density value selection table is the same data as the surface effect selection table (described later) stored in the DFE 50, and the control unit of the host device 10 acquires the surface effect selection table at a predetermined timing and acquires the surface. Generated (copied) from the effect selection table and stored in the storage unit. Here, in FIG. 6, an example of the density value selection table is shown in a simplified manner, but actually, the density value selection table is the same table as the surface effect selection table in FIG. 11. The surface effect selection table is stored in a storage server (cloud) on a network such as the Internet, and the control unit 15 acquires the surface effect selection table from the server and generates (copies) the acquired surface effect selection table. ) May be configured. However, the surface effect selection table stored in the DFE 50 and the surface effect selection table stored in the storage unit of the host device need to be the same data.

  Specifically, the image processing application of the host device 10 refers to the density value selection table shown in FIG. 6 and determines the density value (gloss control value) of the drawing object for which a predetermined surface effect is designated by the user. Gloss control plane data is generated by setting the value according to the type of surface effect. For example, the user gives “PG” to the area where “ABC” is displayed, “G” to the rectangular area, and “M” to the circular area of the target image which is the color plane data shown in FIG. Assume that is specified. In this case, the host device 10 refers to the density value selection table, sets the density value of the drawing object (“ABC”) for which “PG” is designated by the user to a pixel value corresponding to “98%”, and The density value of the drawing object designated by “G” (“rectangle”) is set to a pixel value corresponding to “90%”, and the density value of the drawing object designated by “tactile pattern” (“rectangle”) is set. By setting the pixel value corresponding to “24%” and setting the density value of the drawing object (“circular”) for which “M” is designated to the pixel value corresponding to “16%”, the gloss control plane data is set. Is generated. The gloss control plane data generated by the host device 10 is data in a vector format expressed as a set of drawing objects indicating the coordinates of the points, the parameters of the lines and planes connecting the points, and the filling and special effects. It is. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the gloss control plane data as an image, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between a drawing object, coordinates, and density values in the gloss control plane data of FIG.

  The host device 10 generates document data in which gloss control plane data, image data (color plane data) of the target image, and clear plane data are integrated.

  The host device 10 generates print data based on the document data. The print data includes image data (colored plane data) of the target image, gloss control plane data, clear plane data, a job command for specifying, for example, printer settings, aggregation settings, duplex settings, and the like for the printer. It is comprised including. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration example of print data. In the example of FIG. 8, JDF (Job Definition Format) is used as the job command, but the job command is not limited to this. The JDF shown in FIG. 8 is a command for designating “single-sided printing / stapling” as the aggregation setting. Further, the print data may be converted into a page description language (PDL) such as PostScript, or may be in the PDF format as long as the DFE 50 supports it.

  Next, the functional configuration of the DFE 50 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the DFE 50 includes a rendering engine 51, a CMM (Color Management Module) 61, a si1 unit 52, a TRC (Tone Reproduction Curve) 53, a si2 unit 54, and a halftone engine 55. , Clear processing 56, si3 unit 57, input unit 58, and display unit 59. The rendering engine 51, the CMM 61, the si1 unit 52, the TRC (Tone Reproduction Curve) 53, the si2 unit 54, the halftone engine 55, the clear processing 56, and the si3 unit 57 are mainly controlled by the DFE 50. This is realized by executing various programs stored in the storage unit or the auxiliary storage unit. Each of the si1 unit 52, the si2 unit 54, and the si3 unit 57 has a function of separating image data (separate) and a function of integrating image data (integrate).

  The input unit 58 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The display unit 59 is a display device such as a display device.

  The rendering engine 51 receives print data transmitted from the host device 10 (print data shown in FIG. 8). The rendering engine 51 interprets input image data in a language and converts image data expressed in a vector format into a raster format.

  The CMM 61 converts the color space expressed in the RGB format or the like into the color space of the CMYK format in the input image data, and outputs CMYK 8-bit color plane data and 8-bit gloss control plane data. .

  The si1 unit 52 outputs CMYK 8-bit color plane data to the TRC 53 and outputs 8-bit gloss control plane data to the clear processing 56. Here, the DFE 50 converts the gloss control plane data in the vector format output from the host device 10 into the gloss control plane data in the raster format. As a result, the DFE 50 detects the surface of the drawing object specified by the image processing application by the user. The type of effect is set as a density value in units of pixels, and gloss control plane data is output.

  CMYK 8-bit image data is input to the TRC 53 via the si1 unit 52. The TRC 53 performs gamma correction on the input image data using a 1D_LUT gamma curve generated by calibration. As image processing, there are various types of image processing in addition to gamma correction. In the present embodiment, only related gamma correction is described.

  The si2 unit 54 outputs the CMYK 8-bit color plane data subjected to gamma correction by the TRC 53 to the clear processing 56 as data for generating an inverse mask (described later). The halftone engine 55 receives 8-bit color data of CMYK after gamma correction via the si2 unit 54. The halftone engine 55 performs a halftone process for converting the input image data into a color format data format such as 2 bits of CMYK for output to the printer 70, and the CMYK after the halftone process. Colored data such as 2 bits is output. Note that 2 bits are an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  The clear processing 56 receives the 8-bit gloss control plane data converted by the rendering engine 51 via the si1 section 52, and the CMYK 8-bit color plane data for which the TRC 53 performs gamma correction. 54 is input.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the clear processing 56. As shown in FIG. 10, the clear processing 56 includes a surface effect selection table storage unit 561, a pattern storage unit 245, a total amount restriction table storage unit 246, a clear toner plate generation unit 563, a paper information acquisition unit 565, A total amount regulating unit 562 is mainly provided.

  The surface effect selection table storage unit 561 is a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a memory that stores a surface effect selection table described later. The pattern storage unit 245 is a storage medium such as an HDD or a memory that stores image patterns of various tactile patterns. The total amount restriction table storage unit 246 is a storage medium such as an HDD or a memory that stores a total amount restriction table in which the total amount restriction value is registered.

  The clear toner plane generation unit 563 uses the gloss control plane data input from the si1 unit 52 to refer to the surface effect selection table stored in the surface effect selection table storage unit 561 and configures gloss control plane data. The surface effect on the density value (pixel value) represented by each pixel is determined. Then, the clear toner plane generation unit 563 determines whether the glosser 80 is turned on or off according to the determination, and appropriately generates an inverse mask or a solid mask using the input 8-bit color plane data of CMYK. As a result, clear toner plane data as 2-bit image data for attaching the clear toner is appropriately generated. Then, the clear toner plate generation unit 563 appropriately generates clear toner plate data used by the printer device 70 and clear toner plate data used by the low temperature fixing device 90 according to the determination result of the surface effect, and outputs these. At the same time, ON / OFF information indicating ON / OFF of the glosser 80 is output.

  Here, the inverse mask is for uniformizing the total adhesion amount of the CMYK toner and the clear toner on each pixel constituting the region to which the surface effect is applied. Specifically, image data obtained by adding all density values represented by pixels constituting the target area in the CMYK version image data and subtracting the added value from a predetermined value is an inverse mask. For example, the above-described inverse mask 1 is represented by the following formula 1.

Clr = 100− (C + M + Y + K) However, when Clr <0, Clr = 0
... (Formula 1)

  In Expression 1, Clr, C, M, Y, and K represent density ratios converted from density values in the respective pixels for the clear toner and the C, M, Y, and K toners, respectively. That is, according to Equation 1, the total adhesion amount obtained by adding the adhesion amount of the clear toner to the total adhesion amount of the C, M, Y, and K toners is set to 100% for all the pixels constituting the target area to be given the surface effect. To. When the total adhesion amount of C, M, Y, and K toners is 100% or more, the clear toner is not adhered, and the density ratio is set to 0%. This is because the portion where the total adhesion amount of each toner of C, M, Y, and K exceeds 100% is smoothed by the fixing process. In this way, by making the total adhesion amount on all the pixels constituting the target area to which the surface effect is given to be 100% or more, there is no surface unevenness due to the difference in the total toner adhesion quantity in the target area. As a result, gloss due to regular reflection of light occurs. However, some inverse masks are obtained by other than Equation 1, and there can be a plurality of types of inverse masks.

For example, the inverse mask may be one in which clear toner is uniformly attached to each pixel. The inverse mask in this case is also referred to as a solid mask, and is represented by the following Expression 2.
Clr = 100 (Formula 2)

  Note that among the pixels to which the surface effect is applied, there may be a pixel associated with a density ratio other than 100%, and there may be a plurality of solid mask patterns.

For example, the inverse mask may be obtained by multiplying the background exposure rate of each color. The inverse mask in this case is expressed by the following Expression 3, for example.
Clr = 100 × {(100−C) / 100} × {(100−M) / 100} × {(100−Y) / 100} × {(100−K) / 100} (Equation 3)
In the above formula 3, (100-C) / 100 represents the background exposure rate of C, (100-M) / 100 represents the background exposure rate of M, and (100-Y) / 100 represents Y The background exposure rate is indicated, and (100−K) / 100 indicates the background exposure rate of K.

Further, for example, the inverse mask may be obtained by a method that assumes that the halftone dot of the maximum area ratio regulates smoothness. The inverse mask in this case is expressed by the following formula 4, for example.
Clr = 100−max (C, M, Y, K) (Formula 4)
In the above equation 4, max (C, M, Y, K) indicates that the density value of the color indicating the maximum density value among CMYK is a representative value.

  In short, the inverse mask only needs to be expressed by any one of the above formulas 1 to 4.

  The surface effect selection table stored in the surface effect selection table storage unit 561 will be described. The surface effect selection table shows a correspondence relationship between the density value, which is a gloss control value indicating the surface effect, and the type of the surface effect, and control information regarding the post-processing device according to the configuration of the image forming system, a printer 7 is a table showing a correspondence relationship between clear toner plane data used in the machine 70 and clear toner plane data used in the post-processing machine.

  Although the configuration of the image forming system may be variously different, in the present embodiment, the glosser 80 and the low-temperature fixing device 90 are connected to the printer device 70 as a post-processing device. For this reason, the control information related to the post-processor according to the configuration of the image forming system is on / off information indicating whether the glosser 80 is on or off. The clear toner plane data used in the post-processing machine includes clear toner plane data used in the low-temperature fixing machine 90.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of the surface effect selection table. Note that the surface effect selection table includes control information regarding the post-processing device, image data of the clear toner plate 1 used in the printer device 70, and image data of the clear toner plate 2 used in the post-processing device for each configuration of different image forming systems. 11 to 13 exemplify a data configuration corresponding to the configuration of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. In the correspondence relationship between the types of surface effects and density values shown in the figure, each type of surface effect is associated with each range of density values. Further, each type of surface effect is associated with the ratio (density ratio) of the density converted from the representative value (representative value) of the density value range in units of 2%. Specifically, a surface effect (mirror effect and solid effect) that gives gloss is associated with a density value range (“212” to “255”) in which the density rate is 84% or more, and the density rate A surface effect (halftone matte and matte) that suppresses gloss is associated with a range of density values (“1” to “43”) that is 16% or less. In addition, surface effects such as texture and background pattern watermark are associated with a range of density values in which the density ratio is 20% to 80%.

  The surface effect selection table in FIG. 11 will be described in more detail as an example. For example, for the pixel values of “238” to “255” (corresponding to the density of 94% to 98%), the specular gloss is used as the surface effect. (PM: Premium Gross) are associated, and among these, pixel values “238” to “242” (corresponding to density 94%) and pixel values “243” to “247” (corresponding to density 96%) ) And three ranges of pixel values of “248” to “255” (corresponding to a density of 98%) are associated with different types of specular gloss.

  Also, pixel values “212” to “232” (corresponding to densities of 84% to 90%) are associated with solid gloss (G: Gross), and among these, “212” to “216”. ”(Equivalent to a density of 84%),“ 217 ”to“ 221 ”(equivalent to a density of 86%),“ 222 ”to“ 227 ”(equivalent to a density of 88%), and“ 228 ” ”To“ 232 ”, different types of solid glossiness are associated with four ranges of pixel values (corresponding to a density of 90%).

  Further, tactile sensation patterns are associated with pixel values of “49” to “63” (corresponding to densities of 20% to 24%), and among these, pixel values of “49” to “53” ( Each of three ranges of pixel values “54” to “58” (corresponding to a density of 22%) and “59” to “63” (corresponding to a density of 24%). Different roughness tactile patterns are associated. Specifically, in the case of pixel values of “49” to “53” corresponding to a density of 20%, the tactile pattern type is fine, and in the case of pixel values of “54” to “58” corresponding to a density of 22%, The tactile sensation pattern type is medium, and in the case of pixel values “59” to “63” corresponding to a density of 24%, the tactile sensation pattern type is rough.

  The image data of the three types of tactile patterns is stored in the pattern storage unit 245. FIG. 13A shows examples of tactile patterns of three types (rough, medium, and thin) stored in the pattern storage unit 245.

  Returning to FIG. 11, pixel values “23” to “43” (corresponding to densities of 10% to 16%) are associated with a halftone dot mat (M: Matt). ”To“ 28 ”(corresponding to a density of 10%),“ 29 ”to“ 33 ”(corresponding to a density of 12%), and“ 34 ”to“ 38 ”(corresponding to a density of 14%) ) And four ranges of pixel values “39” to “43” (corresponding to a density of 16%) are associated with different types of halftone mats.

  Further, the pixel values of “1” to “17” (corresponding to the density of 2% to 6%) are associated with matte (PM: Premium Matt), and among these, “1” to “7” ”(Corresponding to 2% density),“ 8 ”to“ 12 ”pixel values (corresponding to 4% density), and“ 13 ”to“ 17 ”pixel values (corresponding to 6% density). Different types of matte are associated with ranges. These different types of the same surface effect have different formulas for obtaining the clear toner plane data used in the printer 70 and the low-temperature fixing device 90, and the operations of the printer main body and the post-processing device are the same. Incidentally, the density value of “0” is associated with not giving a surface effect.

  Further, FIG. 11 shows on / off information indicating whether the glosser 80 is turned on or off, the image data of the clear toner plate 1 used in the printer 70 (Clr-1 in FIG. 1), and the pixel value and the surface effect. The image data contents of the clear toner plate 2 used in the low-temperature fixing device 90 are shown. For example, when the surface effect is specular gloss, it is indicated that the glosser 80 is turned on, and the image data of the clear toner plate 1 used in the printer 70 represents an inverse mask. It is shown that there is no image data (Clr-2 in FIG. 1) of the clear toner plate 2 to be used. The inverse mask is obtained by, for example, Equation 1 described above. Note that the example shown in FIG. 11 is an example in which the region in which the specular effect is specified as the surface effect corresponds to the entire region defined by the image data. An example of the case where the region in which the mirror effect is designated as the surface effect corresponds to a part of the region defined by the image data will be described later.

  Further, when the density value is “228” to “232” and the surface effect is solid gloss, it is indicated that the glosser 80 is turned off, and the image data of the clear toner plate 1 used in the printer 70 is It is shown that there is no image data of the clear toner plate 2 which is the inverse mask 1 and used in the low-temperature fixing device 90.

  The inverse mask 1 may be any one represented by any one of the above formulas 1 to 4. This is because the glosser 80 is off and the total amount of toner to be smoothed differs, so that the surface unevenness increases due to the specular gloss, and as a result, a solid gloss with low glossiness is obtained due to the specular gloss. Further, when the surface effect is a halftone dot mat, it is indicated that the glosser 80 is turned off, and the image data of the clear toner plate 1 used in the printer 70 represents a halftone (halftone dot). It is indicated that there is no image data of the clear toner plate 2 used in the low-temperature fixing device 90. Further, when the surface effect is matte, it is indicated that the glosser 80 may be turned on or off, and there is no image data of the clear toner plate 1 used in the printer 70, and the low-temperature fixing device 90. It is shown that the image data of the clear toner plate 2 used in 1 represents a solid mask. The solid mask is obtained by, for example, the above equation 2.

  The clear toner plane generation unit 563 of the clear processing 56 refers to the surface effect selection table, determines the surface effect associated with each pixel value indicated by the gloss control plane data, and turns the glosser 80 on or off. The clear toner plane data to be used by the printer 70 and the low-temperature fixing device 90 is determined. The clear toner plane generation unit 563 determines whether the glosser 80 is on or off for each page. As described above, the clear toner plane generation unit 563 appropriately generates and outputs clear toner plane data according to the determination result, and outputs on / off information for the glosser 80. As a result, clear toner plane data having a gloss effect intended by the user according to the type of paper is generated.

  Here, the realization of the tactile sensation pattern by the clear toner plane generation unit 563 will be described. 12 and 13 are diagrams for explaining the realization of the tactile sensation pattern by the clear toner plane generation unit 563. FIG. For example, in the gloss control plane data, it is assumed that there is a rectangular area in which the density Clr = 28% is specified. Here, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12A, no surface effect is set for the density 28% in the surface effect table. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 12B, the clear toner plate generation unit 563, no surface effect is given to this rectangular area. As a result, the printing apparatus 30 places clear toner having a density of 28% on the rectangular area.

  On the other hand, it is assumed that there is a rectangular area in which the density Clr = 20% is specified in the gloss control plane data. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12A, “tactile sensation pattern type 1 (thin)” is assigned to the surface effect in the density 20% of the surface effect table. For this reason, the clear toner plate generation unit 563 generates clear toner plate data in which the surface effect of “tactile sensation pattern type 1 (thin)” is applied to the rectangular region having the density of 20%.

  The tactile sensation pattern shown in FIG. 13A is composed of pixels having a width u and a height v. When the paper origin is at the upper left, as shown in FIG. 13B, the clear toner plane generation unit 563 divides the image data corresponding to the paper into tiles by u * v. Since the origin of the specific area 2431 is O ′ and the size is known, the clear toner plane generation unit 563 writes “tactile pattern type 1 (thin)” in the AND position with the specific area 2431. Clear toner plane data is generated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13C, the printing apparatus 30 prints a sheet with a tactile sensation pattern.

  Returning to FIG. 10, the total amount regulating unit 562 calculates the sum of the density values of all the pixels of the color plane data and the clear toner plane data for the color plane data and the clear toner plane data generated as described above. A total amount restriction process is performed to correct the amount to be equal to or less than a certain restriction value. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the total amount regulating unit 562 of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the total amount regulating unit 562 includes a tactile sensation total amount regulating value determining unit 243 and a toner amount converting unit 244.

  Here, conventional toner total amount restriction processing will be described. The total toner amount sum is the total amount of toner that can be placed per pixel, and is expressed by equation (5).

sum = C + M + Y + K (5)
Here, C, M, Y, and K are density values of C, M, Y, and K, respectively, and have values of 0 to 100 (%).

  This maximum value Limit has a specific value depending on the model, and the toner amounts of the four colors CMYK are calculated so as not to exceed the maximum value. One example is a method of storing K toner, and the converted toner amounts C ′, M ′, Y ′, and K ′ (= K) are obtained by Expression (6). When sum is equal to or lower than Limit, the data of CMYK is sent to the subsequent stage as it is.

If sum exceeds Limit,
C ′ = C * (Limit−K) / (C + M + Y)
M ′ = M * (Limit−K) / (C + M + Y) (6)
Y ′ = Y * (Limit−K) / (C + M + Y)

  However, even in such a four-color toner image forming apparatus and a five-color image forming apparatus to which clear toner is added, the maximum value Limit of the total toner amount is generally fixed. As the number increases, the total amount regulations on each color material become more severe.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 34 (a), it is assumed that there is a patch image painted with a uniform density of colored toner having a width X, a depth Y, and a total toner sum on a sheet. In this case, as shown in FIG. 34B, it is assumed that two lines are to be printed with clear toner. In the conventional total amount regulation processing expressed by the equation (6), for example, when the maximum value of the total toner amount is Limit = 260 (%) and the clear toner amount Clr is 100 (%) and the clear toner amount is stored, the color is The total toner sum of the color material is 160 (%). A shown in FIG. 14C is a portion where the total toner sum is 160 (%). However, if the color toner color reproduced at 260 (%) is reproduced at 160 (%), the density is extremely lowered, and a printed matter satisfying the user cannot be obtained.

  In addition, if you want to add a tactile sensation that preserves the unevenness as much as possible by drawing two lines using clear toner, the height on the paper will be the same for A and B with clear toner, and the tactile effect will be improved. There is a problem that cannot be obtained.

  Further, there is a method of roughening the clear toner particles in order to effectively express the unevenness. However, since the particle size is different, it is not suitable for processing such as a mirror effect or a watermark.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C, a tactile sensation pattern is configured by using a plurality of total amount regulation values (LIMIT1, LIMIT2) for the tactile sensation pattern. The total amount restriction value is switched according to the density value (pixel value) of the pixel and the total amount restriction processing is performed, thereby realizing a tactile effect while improving the image quality.

  The tactile sensation total amount restriction value determining unit 243 determines a plurality of restriction values according to the pixel values of the pixels constituting the tactile sensation pattern. In the present embodiment, the total amount restriction table storage unit 246 stores a total amount restriction table (see FIG. 16B) in which the total amount restriction value is determined in association with the pixel value, that is, the density value of the pixel. The tactile sensation total amount restriction value determining unit 243 refers to the total amount restriction table of the total amount restriction table storage unit 246 and determines two total amount restriction values according to the density values (pixel values) of the pixels constituting the tactile sensation pattern. More specifically, the tactile sensation total amount regulation value determining unit 243 refers to the total amount regulation table, and determines the first regulation value LIMIT1 when the density value of the pixels constituting the tactile sensation pattern is 0, and the tactile sensation pattern In the case where the density value of the pixels constituting the pixel is 255 other than 0, the second restriction value LIMIT2 is determined.

  The toner amount conversion unit performs the total amount restriction process on the color plane data and the clear toner plane data using the density value (pixel value) of the pixel and the total amount restriction values LIMIT1 and LIMIT2 determined according to the density value. .

Hereinafter, the total amount restriction process of the present embodiment will be described in detail. As described above, the clear toner plane generating unit 563, when the concentration of the tactile pattern Clr is set in clear toner plane data, tactile total amount for restricting value determination unit 243, total amount control of the total amount control table storage unit 246 The total amount regulation value corresponding to the density value of the pixels constituting the tactile sensation pattern is acquired from the table and transmitted to the toner amount conversion unit 244.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the determination process of the total amount regulation value. FIG. 16B is a diagram illustrating an example of the total amount restriction table. As shown in FIG. 16B, in the total amount restriction table, the total amount restriction value LIMT1 is associated with the concentration 0, and the total amount restriction value LIMT2 is associated with the concentration 255.

  Then, the tactile sensation total amount restriction value determination unit 243 acquires the two total amount restriction values LIMIT1 and LIMIT2 from the total amount restriction table, and the density of the pixels constituting the tactile sensation pattern is 0 as shown in FIG. Is determined to use the total amount restriction value LIMT1, and the pixel having a density of 255 constituting the tactile sensation pattern is to use the total amount restriction value LIMT2 for a pixel having a density of 255 (a pixel causing a tactile sensation effect). To decide.

  Here, LIMT1 <LIMIT2. The total amount restriction value LIMIT1 is also used as the total amount restriction value in the total amount restriction when the pixel corresponding to the tactile sensation pattern is not designated in the pixel density Clr of the clear toner plane data.

  The toner amount conversion unit 244 performs total amount restriction processing for the density of C, M, Y, K, and Clr pixels input using the total amount restriction value sent from the tactile feel total amount restriction value determination unit 243. Here, C, M, Y, and K are the density values of each color of C, M, Y, and K, and Clr is the density value of the pixel of the clear toner plane data. C, M, Y, K, and Clr all have a value of 0 to 100 (%).

  More specifically, for example, a calculation example of the total amount restriction in the case where the Kr pixel is stored and the tactile sensation effect is not designated in the Clr pixel will be described.

  When the tactile sensation effect is not designated by Clr, the toner amount conversion unit 244 performs printing by a normal method. Equations (7-1) to (7-3) are examples of the total amount regulation calculation when Clr is stored. First, the toner amount conversion unit 244 sets the limit to LIMIT1 in equation (7-1), and calculates the total amount of toner according to equation (7-2). Here, C, M, Y, and K are the density values of each color of C, M, Y, and K, and Clr is the density value of the pixel of the clear toner plane data. C, M, Y, K, and Clr all have a value of 0 to 100 (%).

Limit = LIMIT1 (7-1)
sum = C + M + Y + K + Clr (7-2)

However, when the sum exceeds the total amount regulation value Limit, the toner amount conversion unit 244 corrects the densities C, M, Y, K, and Clr as shown in the following equation (7-3), and then performs the correction. Concentration C, M, Y, K, and Clr are obtained.
C ′ = C * (Limit−Clr) / (C + M + Y + K)
M ′ = M * (Limit-Clr) / (C + M + Y + K)
Y ′ = Y * (Limit-Clr) / (C + M + Y + K)
K ′ = K * (Limit-Clr) / (C + M + Y + K)
Clr ′ = Clr
... (7-3)

  On the other hand, when the tactile sensation effect is designated by Clr, the toner amount conversion unit 244 first sets the CMYK standard total amount restriction value Limit_CMYL to LIMIT1 using equation (8-1), and uses equation (8-2). The tactile sensation total amount regulation value LIMIT2 acquired by the tactile sensation total amount regulation value determining unit 243 is defined as Limit_Clr. Then, the toner amount conversion unit 244 calculates the toner amount by the equation (8-3).

Limit_CMYK = LIMIT1 (8-1)
Limit_Clr = LIMIT2 (8-2)
sumCMYK = C + M + Y + K (8-3)

  Then, when sumCMYK exceeds Limit_CMYK, the toner amount conversion unit 244 corrects the density C, M, Y, K, and Clr as shown in the following equation (8-4), and corrects the density C, M, Y, K, and Clr are obtained.

C ′ = C * (Limit_CMYK−K) / (C + M + Y)
M ′ = M * (Limit_CMYK−K) / (C + M + Y)
Y ′ = Y * (Limit_CMYK−K) / (C + M + Y)
Clr ′ = Limit_Clr-sumCMYK
... (8-4)

  However, since Clr 'takes a value up to 100%, the portion exceeding 100% is cut off.

  As described above, the corrected densities C ′, M ′, Y ′, K ′ obtained by the equations (7-1) to (7-3) or (8-1) to (8-4), Clr ′ becomes the output data of the total amount regulating unit 562.

  Returning to FIG. 9, the i3 unit 57 integrates the CMYK 2-bit color plane data after halftone processing and the 2-bit clear toner plane data generated by the clear processing 56, and the integrated image data is integrated into the MIC 60. Output to. Since the clear processing 56 may not generate at least one of the clear toner plane data used in the printer 70 and the clear toner plane data used in the low-temperature fixing device 90, the clear toner plane generated by the clear processing 56 may not be generated. When the data is integrated in the si3 unit 57 and the clear toner plane data is not generated by the clear processing 56, the si3 unit 57 outputs image data in which CMYK 2-bit image data is integrated. The As a result, 4 to 6 image data each having 2 bits are sent from the DFE 50 to the MIC 60. The si3 unit 57 also outputs on / off information for the glosser 80 output from the clear processing 56 to the MIC 60.

  The MIC 60 is connected to the DFE 50 and the printer 70. The MIC 60 outputs device configuration information indicating a device configuration mounted as a post-processing device to the DEF 50. The MIC 60 receives the color plane image data and the clear toner plane image data from the DFE 50, distributes the image data to the corresponding devices, and controls the post-processor. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the MIC 60 outputs the CMYK color image data of the image data output from the DFE 50 to the printer device 70, and uses the clear toner plate used in the printer device 70. Is output to the printer 70, and the glosser 80 is turned on or off using the on / off information output from the DFE 50, and the clear toner plane image data used in the low-temperature fixing device 90 is obtained. In some cases, this is output to the low-temperature fixing device 90. The glosser 80 may switch between a path for fixing and a path for not fixing according to the on / off information. The low-temperature fixing device 90 may switch on or off or switch the route similar to the glosser 80 depending on the presence or absence of clear toner plane image data.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the printing apparatus 30 including the printer 70, the glosser 80, and the low-temperature fixing device 90 includes a conveyance path for conveying the recording medium. Specifically, the printer device 70 transfers a plurality of electrophotographic photosensitive drums, a transfer belt to which a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred, and a toner image on the transfer belt to a recording medium. A transfer device and a fixing device for fixing the toner image on the recording medium to the recording medium are provided. The recording medium is transported along a transport path by a transport member (not shown), so that the position where the printer 70, the glosser 80, and the low temperature landing machine are provided is transported in this order. Then, after processing is sequentially performed by these devices to form an image and a surface effect, the transport path is transported by a transport mechanism (not shown) and is discharged to the outside of the printing apparatus.

  Next, a gloss control process performed by the image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the DFE 50 receives print data from the host device 10 (step S11), the rendering engine 51 interprets the language and converts the image data expressed in vector format into raster format, and the CMM 61 expresses in RGB format. The converted color space is converted to a CMYK format color space to obtain CMYK 8-bit color plane data and 8-bit gloss control plane data (step S12).

  In this gloss control plane data conversion process, the gloss control plane data shown in FIG. 4, that is, the gloss control plane data in which the density value specifying the surface effect for each drawing object is designated as shown in FIG. It is converted into gloss control plane data in which a density value is designated for each pixel constituting the object.

  That is, the rendering engine 51 assigns the density value set for the drawing object to the pixels in the coordinate range corresponding to the drawing object of the gloss control plane data shown in FIG. Convert the data. As a result, the gloss control plane data is converted into gloss control plane data in which the surface effect is set for each pixel.

  Next, when the 8-bit gloss control plane data is output, the TRC 53 of the DFE 50 performs gamma correction on the CMYK 8-bit color plane data with the 1D_LUT gamma curve generated by calibration (step S13). .

  Next, the clear toner plane generation unit 563 of the clear processing 56 is designated for each density value indicated by the gloss control plane data by referring to the surface effect selection table using the 8-bit gloss control plane data. Judge the surface effect. Then, the clear toner plane generation unit 563 makes such a determination for all the pixels constituting the gloss control plane data. In the gloss control plane data, the density values in the same range are basically expressed for all the pixels constituting the area to which each surface effect is applied. For this reason, for the neighboring pixels that are determined to have the same surface effect, the clear toner plane generation unit 563 determines that they are included in the region that provides the same surface effect. In this way, the clear toner plane generation unit 563 of the clear processing 56 determines the area to which the surface effect is applied and the type of surface effect to be applied to the area. Then, the clear toner plane generating unit 563 determines whether the glosser 80 is turned on or off according to the determination (step S15).

  Next, the clear toner plane generating unit 563 appropriately generates 8-bit clear toner plane data for adhering the clear toner using the CMYK 8-bit color plane data after gamma correction as appropriate (step S16). ).

  Next, the total amount restriction unit 562 performs a total amount restriction process on the CMYK 8-bit color plane data and the 8-bit clear toner plane data after the gamma correction (step S17). Details of the total amount restriction process will be described later.

  Then, the halftone engine 55 converts the 8-bit clear toner plane data using the 8-bit image data after the total amount restriction into 2-bit clear toner plane image data by halftone processing (step S18).

  Further, the halftone engine 55 converts the CMYK 8-bit color plane data after the total amount restriction into a data format of CMYK 2-bit color plane data to be output to the printer 70. The CMYK 2-bit color plane data after halftone processing is obtained (step S19).

  Next, the Si3 part 57 of the DFE 50 integrates the CMYK 2-bit color plane data after halftone processing obtained in step S19 and the 2-bit clear toner plane data generated in step S18. The image data and on / off information indicating the on / off of the glosser 80 determined in step S15 are output to the MIC 60 (step S20).

  If the clear toner plane generation unit 563 has not generated the clear toner plane data in step S16, in step S20, the CMYK 2-bit color plane data after halftone processing obtained in step S13 is obtained. Are integrated and output to the MIC 60.

  Next, the details of the total amount restriction process in step S17 will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the total amount restriction process according to the first embodiment. The tactile sensation total amount restriction value determination unit 243 acquires the total amount restriction value from the total amount restriction table stored in the total amount restriction table storage unit 246 (step S1901).

  The toner amount conversion unit 244 reads the color plane data and the clear toner plane data for one line (step S1902). At this time, one line of the clear toner plane data is also read by the tactile sensation total amount regulation value determination unit 243.

  Next, the tactile sensation total amount regulation value determination unit 243 determines whether or not a density value (see FIG. 11) corresponding to the tactile pattern is designated by the density Clr of the target pixel of the clear toner plane data (step S1903). .

  When the density value corresponding to the tactile sensation pattern (see FIG. 11) is designated by the density Clr of the target pixel of the clear toner plane data (step S1903: Yes), the tactile sensation total amount regulation value determining unit 243 It is determined to use the total amount restriction values LIMIT1 and LIMIT2 acquired from the total amount restriction table (step S1904). More specifically, the tactile sensation total amount regulation value determination unit 243 determines that the total amount regulation value LIMT1 is used for pixels whose density of the pixels constituting the tactile sensation pattern is 0, and the pixels constituting the tactile sensation pattern It is determined that the total amount regulation value LIMT2 is used for a pixel whose density is 255.

  Then, the toner amount conversion unit 244 uses the total amount restriction values LIMIT1 and LIMIT2 for the target pixels of the color plane data and the clear toner plane data read in step S1902 (8-1) to (8- According to the equation (4), the total amount restriction process is performed to obtain corrected concentrations C ′, M ′, Y ′, K, and Clr ′ (step S1905).

  On the other hand, when the density value (see FIG. 11) corresponding to the tactile sensation pattern is not specified by the density Clr of the target pixel of the clear toner plane data in step S1903 (step S1903: No), the tactile sensation total amount regulation value determining unit In step S1906, it is determined that the total amount restriction value LIMIT1 acquired from the total amount restriction table is used.

  Then, the toner amount conversion unit 244 uses the total amount restriction value LIMIT1 for the target pixels of the color plane data and the clear toner plane data read in step S1902 (7-1) to (7-3). A total amount regulation process is performed using the equation to obtain corrected concentrations C ′, M ′, Y ′, K, and Clr ′ (step S1907).

  Then, the processing from step S1903 to S1907 is repeated for all pixels in one line (step S1908), and the processing from step S1902 to S1908 is repeated for all lines of the color plane data and the clear toner plane data. Repeat for. Thereby, the total amount regulation process is completed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the total amount restriction processing is performed using the two total amount restriction values in accordance with the density of the pixels constituting the tactile feeling pattern in the region where the tactile feeling pattern is designated, the image quality is improved. A tactile effect can be realized while aiming at.

(Modification 1)
In the first embodiment, by using by switching the two total regulation value according to the density of the pixels constituting the tactile pattern it has been performed total amount control process, the total amount control process using three or more of the total amount regulation value May be performed.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the total amount restriction value used in the modification of the first embodiment. 20A to 20C show three or more total amount regulation values in order to further emphasize the tactile sensation effect by the tactile sensation pattern. For example, in FIG. 20A, the tactile sensation effect by the tactile sensation pattern is further emphasized by using the total amount regulation value LIMIT3 different from LIMIT1 and LIMIT2 for the pixels constituting the edge of the tactile sensation pattern.

  Further, in the example of FIG. 20B, a relative height difference is provided in the tactile sensation pattern, and the total amount regulation value LIMIT4 different from LIMIT1 and LIMIT2 is used for the pixels constituting the outside of the tactile sensation designation region. Emphasizes the tactile effect.

  Further, in the example of FIG. 20C, in the tactile sensation pattern obtained by combining FIGS. 20A and 20B, the LIMIT1 and LIMIT2 are defined on the pixels constituting the outside of the tactile sensation designated area and the edge portion, respectively. Using different total amount regulation values LIMIT4 and LIMIT3, the tactile sensation effect by the tactile sensation pattern is further emphasized. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of such a tactile sensation pattern.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the process of determining the total amount restriction value when the total amount restriction is performed on the tactile sensation patterns shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 22B, different total amount restriction values LIMIT1 to LIMIT4 are set in the total amount restriction table according to the density indicating each part of the tactile sensation pattern. The tactile sensation total amount restriction value determining unit 243 determines the total amount restriction values LIMIT1 to LIMIT4 according to the density of each part of the tactile sensation pattern. FIG. 23 shows an example of another tactile sensation pattern using four total amount restriction values and a total amount restriction table.

  The toner amount conversion unit 244 performs total amount restriction processing using these four total amount restriction values LIMIT1 to LIMIT4. Here, when LIMIT 3 and LIMIT 4 are used, the toner amount conversion unit 244 applies the LIMIT 3 and LIMIT 4 to the equations (8-1) to (8-4) and performs the total amount restriction process.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the total amount restriction process is performed using a plurality of total amount restriction values of three or more according to the density of the pixels constituting the tactile feeling pattern in the region where the tactile feeling pattern is designated. It is possible to realize a tactile effect more clearly while improving the image quality.

(Modification 2)
In the second modification, clear toner is loaded to obtain a tactile sensation effect, but the discharge amount of the clear toner can be changed by the user. FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the total amount regulating unit 562 of the second modification.

  The DFE 50 displays a limit amount input screen shown in FIG. 25 on the display unit 58, and the user changes and inputs the limit amount of the clear toner discharge amount from the input unit 59 via the limit amount display screen. Here, the discharge amount of the clear toner is input in units of%. The input clear toner limit amount is input to the toner amount conversion unit 244. Then, the toner amount conversion unit 244 calculates the density Clr ′ (that is, the amount of clear toner) by the equation (8-4), and when the calculated Clr ′ exceeds the limit amount Clr_MAX, Clr ′ is The limit amount Clr_MAX is set, and Clr ′ is limited to be within a range of Clr_MAX or less.

(Modification 3)
For example, when a clear toner is loaded, the toner amount is 100%. For this reason, it is not possible to stack toner of an amount of 100% or more. In order to solve such a problem, in this modification, the user can change the toner adhesion amount.

  FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the total amount regulating unit 562 of the third modification. The DFE 50 displays an adhesion amount input screen shown in FIG. 27 on the display unit 58, and the user changes and inputs the toner adhesion amount from the input unit 59 via the adhesion amount input screen.

  For example, when the user designates 100% as the limit amount Clr_Max of the clear toner according to the second modification and designates twice the normal amount of the clear toner adhesion amount, the toner amount of the double clear toner may be loaded. It becomes possible.

  The tactile sensation total amount regulation value determination unit 243 can determine whether the print job is a job for which a tactile sensation pattern is designated by referring to the density value of the clear toner plane data. Can be notified to the MIC 60 of the input toner adhesion amount. The MIC 60 sets the toner adhesion amount received from the DFE 50 to the printing machine 70, and the printing machine 70 controls the toner adhesion amount.

  Thereby, in this modification, the toner loading amount can be increased, and the tactile sensation effect can be realized more effectively.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the DFE 50 is provided with the clear processing 56, and the DFE 50 performs the leaf surface effect selection table determination process and the clear toner plane data generation process. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  That is, any one of a plurality of processes performed by one apparatus may be performed by one or more other apparatuses connected to the one apparatus via a network.

  As an example, in the image forming system of the second embodiment, a part of the DFE function is mounted on a server device on the network.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 28, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes a host device 3010, a DFE 3050, an MIC 60, a printer device 70, a glosser 80, a low-temperature fixing device 90, and a server device 3060 on the cloud. It has. Post-processing devices such as the glosser 80 and the low-temperature fixing device 90 are not limited to these.

  In this embodiment, the host device 3010 and the DFE 60 are connected to the server device 3060 via a network such as the Internet. In the present embodiment, the server device 3060 is provided with a module for generating each version data of the host device 10 according to the first embodiment and the clear processing 56 of the DFE 50 according to the first embodiment. Yes.

  Here, the connection configuration of the host device 3010, the DFE 3050, the MIC 60, the printer 70, the glosser 80, and the low-temperature fixing device 90 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  Specifically, in the second embodiment, the host device 3010 and the DFE 3050 are connected to a single server device 3060 via a network (cloud) such as the Internet, and the server device 3060 has a version data generation unit 3062. A print data generation unit 3063 and a clear processing 3066, and the server device 3060 generates color plane data, clear plane data and gloss control plane data, print data generation process, clear toner plane data The generation process and the total amount regulation process are performed.

  First, the server device 3060 will be described. FIG. 29 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the server device 3060 according to the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 29, the server device 3060 mainly includes a storage unit 3070, a plate data generation unit 3062, a print data generation unit 3-63, a clear processing 3066, and a communication unit 3065.

  The storage unit 3070 is a storage medium such as an HDD or a memory, and stores a density value selection table 3069. The density value selection table 3069 is the same as the density value selection table of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.

  The communication unit 3065 transmits / receives various data and requests to / from the host device 3010 and the DFE 3050. More specifically, the communication unit 3065 receives image designation information, designation information, and a print data generation request from the host apparatus 3010, and transmits the generated print data to the host apparatus 301. The communication unit 3065 receives the 8-bit gloss control plane image data, the 8-bit color plane image data, and the clear toner plane generation request from the DFE 3050, and generates the generated clear toner plane image. Data and on / off information are transmitted to the DFE 3050.

  The plane data generation unit 3062 generates color plane data, gloss control plane data, and clear plane data as in the host device 10 of the first embodiment.

  The print data generation unit 123 according to the present embodiment generates the print data illustrated in FIG. 8 as with the host apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.

  The clear processing 3066 has the same function as the clear processing in the DFE 50 of the first embodiment, and the functional configuration is the same as the functional configuration shown in FIG.

  Next, the DFE 3050 will be described. FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the DFE 3050 according to the second embodiment. The DFE 3050 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a rendering engine 51, a CMM 61, an si1 unit 52, a TRC 53, an si2 unit 3054, a halftone engine 55, and an si3 unit 57. Here, the functions and configurations of the rendering engine 51, the CMM 61, the si1 unit 52, the TRC 53, the halftone engine 55, and the si3 unit 57 are the same as those of the DFE 50 of the first embodiment.

  The si2 unit 3054 according to the present embodiment transmits the 8-bit gloss control plane data after the gamma correction by the TRC 53, the CMYK 8-bit color plane data, and the clear toner plane generation request to the server apparatus 3060. The clear toner plane data and the on / off information are received from the server device 3060.

  Next, a clear toner plane generation process necessary for the printing process by the image forming system according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 31 is a sequence diagram illustrating an overall flow of the clear toner plane generation process according to the second embodiment.

  First, the host device 3010 inputs image designation information and designation information from the user (step S3201), and transmits a print data generation request together with the image designation information and designation information to the server device 3060 (step S3202).

  The server device 3060 receives the print data generation request together with the image specification information and the specification information, and generates color plane image data, gloss control plane image data, and clear plane image data (step S3203). The server device 3060 generates print data from these image data (step S3204), and transmits the generated print data to the host device 301 (step S3205).

  Upon receiving the print data, the host device 3010 transmits this print data to the DFE 3050 (step S3206).

  When the print data is received from the host device 3010, the DFE 3050 analyzes the print data, obtains color plane image data, gloss control plane image data, and clear plane image data, and converts or corrects these image data. Etc. are performed (step S3207). The DFE 3050 transmits the color plane image data, the gloss control plane image data, the clear plane image data, and the clear toner plane generation request to the server device 3060 (step S3208).

  Next, when the server apparatus 3060 receives the color plane data, gloss control plane data, clear plane data, and clear toner plane generation request, the server apparatus 3060 determines on / off information (step S3210), and clear toner plane. Image data is generated (step S3211).

  Next, the total amount restriction unit 562 of the clear processing 3066 performs a total amount restriction process on the color plane data and the clear toner plane data (step S3212). Here, the details of the total amount restriction processing are performed in the same manner as the total amount restriction processing according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.

  Then, the server device 3060 transmits the generated clear toner plane image data to the DFE 3050 (step S3213).

  Subsequent processing in the MIC 60, the printer 70, the glosser 80, and the low-temperature fixing device 90 is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the color plane data, the gloss control plane data, the clear plane data, the print data, the clear toner plane data generation, and the total amount regulation processing are performed by the server device 3060 on the cloud. In addition to the effect of the first embodiment, even when there are a plurality of host devices 3010 and DFE 3050, the density value selection table, the surface effect selection table, and the like can be changed in a batch, which is convenient for the administrator.

  In this embodiment, a single server device 3060 on the cloud is provided with a plate data generation unit 3062, a print data generation unit 3063, and a clear processing 3066, and the server device 3060 performs color plate data, clear plate data, and Although the plate data generation process for generating the gloss control plane data, the print data generation process, the clear toner plane data generation process, and the total amount restriction process are performed, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, two or more server devices may be provided on the cloud, and each of the above processes may be distributed and executed by two or more server devices. FIG. 32 is a network configuration diagram in which two servers (a first server device 3860 and a second server device 3861) are provided on the cloud. In the example of FIG. 32, the first server device 3860 and the second server device 3861 generate color plate data, clear plate data, and gloss control plate data, print data generation processing, clear toner plate, and the like. The data generation process and the total amount restriction process are performed in a distributed manner.

  For example, the first server device 3860 is provided with a plate data generation unit 3062 and a print data generation unit 3063, and the first server device 3869 is configured to perform plate data generation processing and print data generation processing. A clear processing 3066 can be provided, and the second server device 3861 can be configured to execute clear toner plane data generation processing and total amount regulation processing. In addition, the form of distribution of each process to each server apparatus is not limited to this, and can be arbitrarily performed.

  That is, if a minimum configuration is provided in the host device 10 or the DFE 50, a part or all of the plate data generation unit 3062, the print data generation unit 3063, and the clear processing 3066 are provided in one server device on the cloud. Or distributed in a plurality of server devices can be arbitrarily performed.

  In other words, as in the above-described example, any one of a plurality of processes performed by one device can be performed by one or more other devices connected to the one device via a network.

  In addition, in the case of the above-mentioned “configuration performed by one or more other devices connected to one device via a network”, data (information) generated by processing performed by one device is transferred from one device to another. The configuration includes data input / output processing performed between one device and another device, such as processing to output to the device, processing to input the data to another device, and between other devices. .

  That is, in the case where there is one other device, the configuration includes data input / output processing performed between the one device and the other device. When there are two or more other devices, the one device and the other device Data input / output processing is included between other devices, such as between the devices and between the first other device and the second other device.

  In the second embodiment, a plurality of server devices such as the server device 3060 or the first server device 3860 and the second server device 3861 are provided on the cloud. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the server device 3060 or a plurality of server devices such as the first server device 3860 and the second server device 3861 may be provided on any network such as an intranet.

  The hardware configurations of the host devices 10 and 3010, the DFEs 50 and 3050, the server device 3060, the first server device 3860, and the second server device 3861 according to the above-described embodiment will be described. FIG. 33 is a hardware configuration diagram of the host devices 10 and 3010, the DFEs 50 and 3050, and the server device 3060. The host devices 10, 3010, DFE 50, 3050, server device 3060, first server device 3860, and second server device 3861 have a hardware configuration such as a control device 2901 such as a CPU for controlling the entire device, various data and various programs. A main storage device 2902 such as a ROM or RAM that stores data, an auxiliary storage device 2903 such as an HDD that stores various data and various programs, an input device 2905 such as a keyboard or a mouse, and a display device 2904 such as a display device. It is mainly equipped and has a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

  An image processing program (including an image processing application; the same applies hereinafter) executed by the host devices 10 and 3010 of the above-described embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM or a flexible disk (FD). ), A CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and the like, recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and provided as a computer program product.

  Further, the image processing program executed by the host devices 10 and 3010 of the above-described embodiment may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. good. Further, the image processing program executed by the host device 10 according to the above embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  Further, the image processing program executed by the host devices 10 and 3010 according to the above-described embodiments may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The image processing program executed by the host devices 10 and 3010 of the above embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described units (a plate data generation unit, a print data generation unit, an input control unit, and a display control unit). As actual hardware, a CPU (processor) reads out and executes an image processing program from the storage medium, whereby the above-described units are loaded on the main storage device, and a plate data generation unit, a print data generation unit, an input control unit, A display control unit is generated on the main storage device.

  Further, the print control processing executed by the DFEs 50 and 3050 of the above-described embodiment may be realized by a print control program as software in addition to hardware. In this case, the print control program executed by the DFEs 50 and 3050 of the above embodiment is provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The print control program executed by the DFE 50 or 3050 of the above-described embodiment is a file in an installable or executable format, such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or the like. Alternatively, the program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and provided as a computer program product.

  Furthermore, the print control program executed by the DFEs 50 and 3050 of the above embodiments may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Further, the print control program executed by the DFE 50 according to the above embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The print control program executed by the DFE 50, 3050 in the above embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described units (rendering engine, halftone engine, TRC, si1, si2, si3, clear processing). As actual hardware, a CPU (processor) reads out the print control program from the ROM and executes it, so that the above-described units are loaded onto the main storage device, and the rendering engine, halftone engine, TRC, si1 unit, si2 unit , Si3 part, which is generated on the main memory as clear processing.

  In addition, the data generation processing executed by the server device 3060 according to the above-described embodiment may be realized by a generation program as software in addition to being realized by hardware. In this case, the generation program executed by the server device 3060 of the above embodiment is provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  Each data generation processing program executed by the server device 3060 according to the above embodiment is a file in an installable or executable format, and is a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile). The program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a disk and provided as a computer program product.

  Furthermore, each data generation processing program executed by the server device 3060 of the above embodiment is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Also good. In addition, each data generation processing program executed by the server device 3060 according to the above embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  Each data generation processing program executed by the server device 3060 has a module configuration including the above-described units (a plate data generation unit, a print data generation unit, and clear processing). As actual hardware, a CPU ( When the processor) reads out the generation program from the ROM and executes it, the above-described units are loaded onto the main storage device, and are generated on the main storage device as a plate data generation unit, a print data generation unit, and clear processing. ing.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined. Further, various modifications as exemplified below are possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming system is configured to include the host devices 10 and 3010, the DFE 50 and 3050, the MIC 60, the printer 70, the glosser 80, and the low-temperature fixing device 90, but is not limited thereto. For example, the DFE 50, 3050, the MIC 60, and the printer device 70 may be integrally formed to constitute a single image forming apparatus, or may be formed as an image forming apparatus including the glosser 80 and the low-temperature fixing device 90. You may make it do.

  In the image forming system of the above-described embodiment, an image is formed using a plurality of CMYK toners, but an image may be formed using one color toner.

  The printer system according to the above-described embodiment is configured to include the MIC 60, but is not limited to this. The processing and functions performed by the MIC 60 described above may be provided to other devices such as the DFE 50, and the MIC 60 may not be provided.

10, 3010 Host device 50, 3050 DFE
51 Rendering engine 52 si1 part 53 TRC
54, 3054 si2 part 55 Halftone engine 56, 3066 Clear processing 57 si3 part 60 MIC
61 CMM
70 Printer 80 Glosser 90 Low-temperature Fixing Machine 100 Normal Fixing Machine 124 Input Control Unit 3011 I / F Unit 3015 Control Unit 3060 Server Device 3062 Plate Data Generation Unit 3063 Print Data Generation Unit 3860 First Server Device 3861 Second Server Device

JP 2005-311558 A Special table 2010-515103 gazette

Claims (4)

Receiving information specifying a region on the recording medium of a tactile pattern that produces a tactile effect on the recording medium with colorless clear toner;
For each pixel of the image formed on the recording medium, a predetermined total amount restriction value is assigned to a pixel corresponding to an area where no tactile sensation pattern is specified, and 2 is set to a pixel corresponding to an area where a tactile sensation pattern is specified. more total amount control value, concentration value of the color toner image data having a density value for forming an image on a clear toner image data and the color toner having a density value for forming an image on the clear toner Determining as a regulation value for the sum of
Based on the determined regulation value , the sum of the density value of the pixel of the clear toner image data and the density value of the corresponding pixel of the color toner image data is less than or equal to the determined regulation value. Generating a printed material based on the clear toner image data and the color image image data whose density value is corrected for each pixel ;
Production method of printed material, including. A step of receiving information specifying a region to be subjected to the processing on the recording medium with respect to the processing including a tactile sensation pattern that causes a tactile sensation effect applied to the recording medium by the colorless clear toner;
For each pixel of the image formed on the recording medium, a predetermined total amount restriction value is set for a pixel for which no tactile sensation pattern is specified, and a total amount restriction value of two or more for a pixel for which a tactile sensation pattern is specified. determining a regulation value of the sum of the concentration values of the color toner image data having a density value for forming an image on a clear toner image data and the color toner having a density value for forming an image on a clear toner Steps,
Based on the determined regulation value , the sum of the density value of the pixel of the clear toner image data and the density value of the corresponding pixel of the color toner image data is less than or equal to the determined regulation value. to, for each pixel, and changing the density value of the image data for the clear toner image data and the color image,
Forming an image of the clear toner and the color toner on the recording medium based on the clear toner image data and the color image image data whose density values are corrected; and
If the processing included in the information requires fixing with a predetermined low-temperature fixing device, fixing the recording medium on which the image is formed with the predetermined low-temperature fixing device; and
Production method of printed material, including.   3. The method for producing a printed matter according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined low-temperature fixing device fixes the clear toner at a lower temperature than a fixing device that fixes the colored toner to a recording medium.   A printed matter generated by the production method according to claim 1.

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