JP5440188B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique preferably applied to an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a transparent toner in addition to a color toner.

  One of various added value providing functions provided in an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) is a printing function. This is a function for printing a simple image registered in advance in the MFP on the original image to be output. The images to be printed include stamp images such as “Mal secret / copying ban / collection”, character images such as “date / page”, copy-forgery-inhibited pattern images such as “security numbering”, and user stamp images individually set by the user There is. Since these print images are simple images and have at least the number of colors that can be used at the time of addition, and have acceptable characteristics even if the color cannot be adjusted, they are registered as raster images inside the MFP and consist of CMYK of the original image When a raster image is output to a plot, a print image is synthesized. However, with conventional MFPs, if the print function is enabled during output using transparent toner, uneven glossiness and differences in texture will occur between the printed part and the other parts. There was a problem (dissatisfaction) that an output image was output.

  On the other hand, for example, in Patent Document 1, CMYK toner for each unit area is processed in the middle of processing RGB data from an input device such as a scanner into CMYK data for the purpose of making the gloss of the output image substantially constant. A configuration is disclosed in which the amount of transparent toner is determined from the total amount, and the pile height of the toner is substantially constant. Further, in Patent Document 2, for the purpose of improving the color reproducibility of an output image using transparent toner, the total amount of color toner in the image forming mode using the transparent toner is larger than that in the image forming mode not using the transparent toner. A configuration that reduces the amount of the image is disclosed. Further, in Patent Document 3, the toner amount per unit area of the transparent image is set corresponding to the image forming mode in which the glossiness can be specified for the purpose of changing the glossy visibility of the transparent image with a simple configuration. The structure to perform is disclosed.

  The inventions disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 control the toner amount per unit area in order to improve the glossiness of the output image. However, when a simple image is printed on the original image to be output, gloss unevenness or texture difference occurs between the printed part and the other part, and as a result, an output image that is uncomfortable for the user is output. This problem has not been solved.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, when a simple image is printed on an original image to be output in an MFP that forms an image on a recording sheet using transparent toner, the gloss is adjusted between the added portion and the other portion. The purpose is to break down.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a print output unit that forms an image on a recording sheet using colored toner and a transparent toner having a toner amount calculated in accordance with the image data of the color toner; Image reading means for generating image data, synthesized image data storage means for storing synthesized image data used for synthesis with the image data, total toner quantity regulating means for regulating the total amount of toner used for image formation in units of pixels, and total toner quantity regulation in front of the toner total amount control by means, the first image synthesizing means for performing image data and the synthesis of the composite image data, the composite image data and the image data Ri is the total amount of toner regulated by the total toner amount regulating means and a second image synthesizing means for synthesizing, wherein the total toner amount regulating means, to the area where an image of the composite image data is formed, the image Calculate the total toner amount per unit area of the color toner by forming, it is what determines the total amount of toner of the transparent toner depending on the total toner amount of the color toners per unit area issued the calculated.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the first image synthesizing unit or the second image synthesizing unit is switched according to the value of the synthesized image data. There may be.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus described above, the first image synthesizing unit or the second image synthesizing unit is switched for each of the plurality of synthesized image data. May be.

  According to the present invention, in the above image forming apparatus, the total toner amount regulating unit holds the parameters used for regulating the total toner amount separately for inside and outside of the synthesis area, and the parameter in the synthesis area for each of the plurality of synthesized image data. May be switched.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above image forming apparatus, the total toner amount regulating unit includes a total toner amount unit that calculates the total toner amount of the transparent toner from the total toner amount of the colored toner, and the total toner amount of the transparent toner in the synthesis area is calculated. On the other hand, for each of a plurality of the composite image data, a value calculated by the total toner amount calculating means and a fixed value not depending on the total toner amount calculating means may be switched.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus described above, the total toner amount regulating unit holds a parameter for regulating the lower limit of the total toner amount of the transparent toner, inside and outside the synthesis area, and for each of the plurality of synthesized image data, the synthesis area It is also possible to switch the parameters inside.

  In the image forming apparatus described above, the image forming apparatus may include an image density adjustment unit that adjusts the density of an image based on the composite image data.

  In the present invention, in the above image forming apparatus, after the first image composition unit performs composition, the second image composition unit performs composition.

  According to the present invention, the printed portion is determined by calculating the transparent toner amount after calculating the variation of the total amount of CMYK toner due to the addition of the printing for each unit area with respect to the region to which the printing is added. The pile height of the toner can be individually controlled, and it is possible to prevent and adjust the portion where the print is added and the other uneven gloss.

1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic of the plotter apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram in the image data processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a relationship diagram between a total amount of CMYK toners and a superposed amount of transparent toner in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a relationship diagram between toner amount and gloss at a C monochrome dot in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating original image data, composition image data, and a finished image in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram in the plotter I / F which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  The present invention has the following characteristics when an image forming apparatus that forms an image on recording paper using transparent toner adds and outputs print data held in the apparatus. In short, a means for determining the transparent toner amount after calculating the change in the total amount of CMYK toner due to the addition of printing for each unit area with respect to the region to which the printing is added, and the printing data before and after the means. And means for selecting them, so that the gloss of the printed portion can be individually adjusted. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an MFP as an embodiment of the present invention. The MFP of this embodiment includes a reading device 1, an image data correction device 2, a bus control device 3, an image data processing device 5, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 6, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 7, a memory 8, a plotter I / F device 9, plotter device 10, operation display device 11, line I / F (Interface) device 12, external I / F device 13, S.F. B. (South Bridge) 14 and ROM (Read Only Memory) 15.

  The reading device 1 includes a line sensor composed of a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) photoelectric conversion element, an A / D (Analog to Digital) converter, and a driving circuit thereof, and the density of the original obtained by scanning the set original. From the information, RGB 8-bit digital image data is generated and output. In addition, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) device is provided, and a set document can be read while being sequentially conveyed while being fixed to the traveling body. In this case, since the trailing edge of the document is detected while the document is conveyed, the size of the document is determined after the document is scanned.

  The image data correction device 2 corrects various video characteristics for the digital image data from the reading device 1 and outputs the corrected data. In the present embodiment, illumination unevenness and sensitivity unevenness for each pixel of the CCD are corrected by shading correction, deterioration of MTF characteristics is corrected by MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) correction, and standard correction from the device-specific RGB color space is performed by color correction. The digital image data of 8 bits for each of RGB corrected to the sRGB color space is output.

  The bus control device 3 is a data bus control device that exchanges various data such as image data and control commands required in the MFP, and has a bridge function between a plurality of types of bus standards. In the present embodiment, the bus control device 3 is connected to the image data correction device 2, the image data processing device 5, and the CPU 7 by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) -Express bus, and the HDD 6 is an ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) bus. They are connected to form an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

  The image data processing device 5 performs image processing suitable for the output destination designated by the user on the image data input through the image data correction device 2. Details thereof will be described later.

  The HDD 6 is a large-sized storage device for storing electronic data that is also used in a desktop personal computer, and mainly stores digital image data and accompanying information of the digital image data. In this embodiment, an ATA bus-connected hard disk that is standardized by expanding IDE (Integrated Device Electronics) is used.

  The CPU 7 is a microprocessor that controls the entire MFP. In the present embodiment, an integrated CPU is used in which a + α function is added to a CPU core that has been widespread in recent years. In the present embodiment, a CPU in which connection functions with various general-purpose buses are integrated using a crossbar switch, such as PCM RM11100, is used.

  The memory 8 stores data to be temporarily exchanged and absorbs programs and intermediate processes when the CPU 7 controls the MFP in order to absorb a difference in processing speed when bridging between a plurality of types of bus standards. It is a volatile memory that temporarily stores image data. The CPU 7 can freely read and write image data stored in the memory 8. In this embodiment, a DRAM (DIMM) (Dynamic Random Access Memory (Dual In-line Memory Module)) that is standardized and used in a personal computer is used.

  The plotter I / F device 9 receives the image data for CMYK toner, the image data for transparent toner, and the image data for print composition sent from the memory 8 via the bus control device 3, and is also sent to the plotter device 10. A process for transferring the data is performed. Details thereof will be described later.

  Upon receiving digital image data for CMYK and transparent toner, the plotter device 10 forms and outputs the received image data on a recording paper using an electrophotographic process using a laser beam.

  S. B. Reference numeral 14 denotes a chip set used in a personal computer, which is a general-purpose electronic device called South Bridge. A bridge function of a bus (PCI-Express, ISA (Industry Standard Architecture), etc.) often used when constructing a CPU system is formed as a general-purpose circuit. In the present embodiment, the ROM 15 is bridged.

  The ROM 15 is a non-volatile memory that stores programs and data (such as setting and image data for print composition) when controlling the MFP. The CPU 7 reads out these data in the ROM 15 when the power is turned on and develops it in the memory 8 to start the operation (boot process). As for image data for printing, in order to save many kinds of memory while saving a memory amount, a monochrome binary image is converted into MH (Modified Huffman) / MR (Modified READ (Relative Element Address Designate)) / MRR ( Compressed and stored with Modified MR), etc., and decompressed to memory 8 when power is turned on. Thereafter, the composite image data is read from the memory 8 as necessary, and details thereof will be described later. In addition, since the ROM 15 uses an electrically readable / writable device (EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM)), various settings and data for the MFP can be registered.

  The operation display device 11 is a device that performs an interface between the MFP and the user. The operation display device 11 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a key switch. The operation display device 11 displays various states and operation methods of the device on the LCD and detects a key switch input from the user. To do. In the present embodiment, the CPU 7 is connected via a PCI-Express bus.

  The line I / F device 12 is a device that connects a PCI-Express bus and a telephone line. With this apparatus, the MFP can exchange various data with an external device (such as FAX 16) via the telephone line. . The FAX 16 is a normal facsimile, and exchanges data with the MFP via a telephone line.

  The external I / F device 13 is a device that connects a PCI-Express bus and an external device. This device enables the MFP to exchange data with an external device (such as the PC 17). In this embodiment, a network (Ethernet (registered trademark)) and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) are used for the connection I / F. That is, the MFP is connected to a network and external media (such as the SD card 18) via the external I / F device 13. The PC 17 is a so-called personal computer, and the user performs various controls and input / output of image data to and from the MFP via application software and drivers installed in the personal computer. Examples of the external medium include a memory device such as a compact flash (registered trademark) card and a memory stick in addition to the SD card 18. The SD card 18 records various electronic data including image data, and the user inputs / outputs data to / from the MFP.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the plotter device 10. The recording paper 101 is separated and called one by one by the paper feed roller 102 and is conveyed to the conveyance roller pair 103. Further, the conveyance roller pair 103 conveys the recording paper 101 and conveys it to the registration roller pair 104. The registration roller 104 employs a configuration in which the rotation and stop of the roller can be freely controlled by a registration clutch (not shown). In order to wait for the completion of a series of image forming processes described later, the registration roller pair 104 temporarily holds the recording paper 101. Stop.

  A portion surrounded by a dotted line 135 is a black image forming station. A charging charger 106, an exposure beam 107, a developing device 108, a cleaning blade 109, and a primary transfer charger 110 are arranged around the photosensitive member 105, and perform a series of image forming operations. An exposure beam 107 according to black image data sent from a writing unit (not shown) via a plotter I / F device 9 is irradiated on the surface of the photoconductor 105 uniformly charged by the charging charger 106. As a result, a latent image is formed on the photoreceptor.

  The developing device 108 develops black toner on the latent image and visualizes it as a toner image. The toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 140 by the primary transfer charger 110. Further, the toner remaining on the photosensitive member is scraped off by the cleaning blade 109. Further, it is charged again by the charging charger 106, and thereafter the same operation is repeated.

  Portions surrounded by dotted lines 136, 137, and 138 are cyan, magenta, and yellow plate image forming stations, respectively, and the toner images of the respective plates are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 140 by the same operation as that of the black plate. Further, a portion surrounded by a dotted line 139 is an image forming station for a transparent toner plate, and its operation is the same as other color plates.

  After all the toner images of the plates are transferred to the transfer belt 140, the recording paper 101 that has been temporarily stopped by the registration roller pair 104 is re-conveyed in accordance with the timing, and the toner is transferred onto the recording paper by the secondary transfer charger 141. Transfer the image. Next, the toner is conveyed to the fixing device 143, and the unfixed toner is fixed on the recording paper by heat and pressure, and is output. The toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 140 is scraped off by bringing the intermediate transfer cleaner 142 into contact with the belt, and the intermediate transfer belt 140 is cleaned.

  FIG. 3 shows a block diagram in the image data processing apparatus 5. For the RGB 8-bit image data processed by the image data correction apparatus 2, the filter processing 301 performs a spatial frequency correction process on the image data in accordance with the image quality mode setting from the output user. For example, when “character mode” is designated, sharpening processing is performed to clearly reproduce characters, and when “photo mode” is designated, smoothing processing is performed to smoothly represent a picture.

  The next scaling process 302 performs a scaling process (density conversion) according to the user's designation. In this embodiment, when the scanning density of the reading device 1 is 600 dpi (dot per inch), the scanning density of the plotter device 10 is 600 dpi, and the same-size copy is designated, the scaling process (density conversion) is not performed. For example, when 50% reduced copy is designated, density conversion is performed to “600 dpi → 300 dpi equivalent” (the number of pixels is halved), and the plotter device 10 plots the data at a scanning density of 600 dpi to form a 50% reduced image. Will be.

  The next color conversion processing 303 performs conversion from RGB to CMYK according to the setting from the user. For example, when “Character mode” is specified, the character recognition is improved by converting from RGB to CMYK with the saturation enhanced while reducing the gamut, and “Photo mode” is specified. If it is, the original is faithfully reproduced by performing CMYK conversion from RGB holding gamut.

  The next combining process 306 performs a combining process of the original image data and the combined image data, details of which will be described later.

  The next total amount regulation 304 is a process for limiting the total amount of toner in units of pixels, because in an electrophotographic printer, if there is a large amount of toner and there is a large image area, transfer failure and fixing failure are likely to occur. The limit of the total amount of toner (total amount regulation value) is generally about 200 to 250%, and if this value is exceeded, the toner amount is reduced in this processing to fall within the total amount regulation value. Since the total toner amount increases in the high density portion of the image, this total amount restriction process is likely to be applied, and the color reproduction range of the image formed is slightly narrowed by reducing the CMYK toner amount, but the high density (dark) portion is There is no sense of incongruity because the sensitivity of the human eye is dull. Further, in this processing, in the output mode using the transparent toner, the output data (T ′) for the transparent toner is calculated and generated so that the pile height of the toner is substantially constant from the color toner amount. By making the pile height of the toner substantially constant, it is possible to provide a high-quality output image in which uneven glossiness, edge steps, or differences in texture and texture due to unevenness of the pile height are solved. The calculation formulas for the total amount regulation when transparent toner is not used and when it is used are shown below.

(When transparent toner is not used)
if ((C + M + Y + K)> (total amount regulation value × 255/100))
C ′ = C × (total amount regulation value × 255 / 100−K) / (C + M + Y)
M ′ = M × (total amount regulation value × 255 / 100−K) / (C + M + Y)
Y ′ = Y × (total amount regulation value × 255 / 100−K) / (C + M + Y)
K '= K
T '= 0
else
C ′ = C, M ′ = M, Y ′ = Y, K ′ = K, T ′ = 0

(When using transparent toner)
if ((C + M + Y + K)> ((total amount regulation value−transparent toner lower limit value) × 255/100))
C ′ = C × ((total amount regulation value−transparent toner lower limit value) × 255 / 100−K) / (C + M + Y)
M ′ = M × ((total amount regulation value−transparent toner lower limit value) × 255 / 100−K) / (C + M + Y)
Y ′ = Y × ((total amount regulation value−transparent toner lower limit value) × 255 / 100−K) / (C + M + Y)
K '= K
T ′ = transparent toner lower limit value × 255/100
else
C ′ = C, M ′ = M, Y ′ = Y, K ′ = K,
T ′ = transparent toner lower limit value × 255/100 + ((total amount regulation value−transparent toner lower limit value) × 255/100) − (C + M + Y + K))

  However, C, M, Y, K and C ′, M ′, Y ′, K ′, and T ′ all take values of 0 to 255 (outside the range is clipped). Further, C, M, Y, and K are input data to the present process, and C ′, M ′, Y ′, K ′, and T ′ are output image data subjected to the total amount restriction process in the present process.

  FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the total amount of CMYK toner and the amount of transparent toner superimposed when the total amount regulation value (200%) and the lower limit value of transparent toner (10%) are used. Thus, the amount of transparent toner superimposed is calculated based on the total amount of color toner per unit area, and a color image on which the transparent toner is superimposed based on this amount of superimposed toner is formed. That is, the pile height of the toner for each unit area is made substantially constant, and the gloss on the formed recording paper is made substantially uniform. And, from the so-called highlight part where the color toner is not present and the paper is exposed and matte to the halftone, the gloss is compensated by the presence of a large amount of transparent toner, and the color toners are overlapped. Originally, the shadow portion, which is highly glossy, reduces the amount of transparent toner, thereby suppressing the occurrence of excessive glare.

  FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the toner amount and the gloss at a halftone dot in C (cyan) single color, L1 shows the gloss characteristics when transparent toner is used, and L2 is the gloss when transparent toner is not used. It represents a characteristic. As is apparent from this graph, even when the C (cyan) toner has a low density, the glossiness is increased by superimposing the transparent toner, and the gloss is almost uniform on the recording paper.

  The total amount regulation value and the lower limit value of the transparent toner are parameterized and can be set by the CPU 7. For example, when “Character mode” is specified, the importance for the color gamut and gradation is reduced. Therefore, the toner consumption is suppressed by setting the total amount regulation value to 200%, and “Photo mode” is specified. In such a case, the total amount regulation value is set to 250% in order to reproduce a wide color gamut and gradation. For example, when “character mode” is designated, the importance of gloss is reduced. Therefore, by setting the lower limit value of the transparent toner to 0%, the sharpness of characters with high density is improved and the transparent toner is set. If the “photo mode” is specified, the importance of gloss is increased. Therefore, the lower limit value of the transparent toner is set to 15% to ensure the gloss of the high density portion. .

  When the next halftone processing 305 receives CMYKT image data of 8 bits / pixel from the total amount regulation 304, the halftone processing is performed in order to obtain gradation expression by area gradation according to the number of gradations written in the plotter device. Do. In the present embodiment, conversion from 8 bits / pixel to 2 bits / pixel is performed. The writing unit of the plotter device controls the adhesion amount of the toner latent image on the photosensitive member in four stages by switching the intensity of the exposure beam at 2 bits / pixel, that is, expresses it with 4 gradations per dot. In addition, the halftone processing method is switched according to a designated mode. For example, when “character mode” is designated, an error diffusion method is used to clearly reproduce characters, and when “photo mode” is designated, a dither method is used to smoothly reproduce a picture. In addition, the transparent toner portion uses a dither method capable of making the dot forming direction constant for the purpose of uniform reflection on the recording paper and stability of gloss. The image data for CMYK and transparent toner processed by the halftone processing 305 is stored in the memory 8 via the bus control device 3 and the CPU 7.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the original image data, the composition image data, and the finished image on the memory 8. The original image is CMYK and transparent toner image data processed by the image data processing device 5 described above for copy output. The image data for composition is binary image data developed from the ROM 15 as described above, and it is necessary to automatically add necessary information at the time of copy output such as “page” or data that imitates stamp imprint such as “temporary”. There is imaged data. The CPU 7 appropriately selects these images according to the designation from the user, sends them out from the memory 8 to the plotter device 10, and an image as shown in the finished image is formed on the recording paper.

  FIG. 7 shows a block diagram in the plotter I / F 9. The original image data and the composition image data sent from the memory 8 are processed for each channel for CMYK and transparent toner. In addition, as the composition image data, necessary CMYK channels are selected and input according to the output color setting from the user. For example, when “black” is set, data is input only to the K version channel, and when “red” is set, data is input only to the M and Y version channels. That is, seven colors of “black / red / green / blue / cyan / magenta / yellow” can be set. The format conversion 401/411/421/431 performs conversion processing corresponding to the number of gradations (2 bits / pixel) of the original image described above because the image data for synthesis is binary (1 bit / pixel). That is, it is converted into “0b → 00b / 1b → 11b”.

  The composition processing 402/412/422/432 performs composition processing of the original image and the composite image for each channel. In this embodiment, the original image data is validated when the image to be synthesized is “00b”, and the image data for synthesis is validated when the image to be synthesized is “other than 00b”. The bus control 403/413/423/433/443 performs processing for bridging the image data transmitted from the memory 8 to a dedicated bus for sending to the plotter device 10. Since the total amount of toner in the combined portion of the image changes and collapses, unevenness occurs in the pile height, resulting in differences in gloss unevenness, edge step, texture, and texture. In addition, the total amount of toner in the combined portion may exceed the above-mentioned total amount regulation value, but since it is a spot-like small area with respect to the overall size of the output image, transfer defects and fixing defects become a problem. There is no.

  Next, a process for making the unevenness of the pile height of the synthesized portion uniform will be described. In the image data processing apparatus 5 of FIG. 3, when the user designates image composition, the CPU 7 reads the composition image data from the memory 8 and sends it to the composition process 306. The synthesis process 306 performs the synthesis process on the CMYK image data sent from the color conversion process 303 for the channels that require CMYK according to the output color setting from the user. Further, since the image data for synthesis is binary (1 bit / pixel), if the image to be synthesized is “0” after conversion from “0b → 0 / 1b → 255”, the color conversion processing 303 side The image data is validated, and if the image to be synthesized is “other than 0”, the image for synthesis is validated. In addition, a synthesis processing identification signal for identifying which pixel is synthesized with respect to the CMYK image data after the synthesis processing is output.

  When the next total amount restriction 304 receives CMYK image data and the composition processing identification signal, the calculation of the total amount restriction described above is performed regardless of the composition processing identification signal. Since the subsequent processing is the same as the normal copy output operation, description thereof is omitted.

  Since the pile height of the area where the composition is performed can be made uniform in the same manner as the other areas, even when the composition is performed, uneven glossiness, uneven edges or texture of the composition area and other areas It is possible to provide a high-quality output image in which the difference in texture and texture is solved.

  By switching between the synthesis process 306 and the synthesis process 402/412/422/432, the pile height of the synthesized area can be made uniform / disintegrated in the same manner as other areas. That is, it is possible to switch the gloss unevenness, the edge level difference, or the difference in texture and texture for the composite image area.

  In the above configuration, the image data processing device 5 or the plotter I / F 9 performs combining processing for each combining image data in the memory 8 having a plurality of combining image data on the memory 8. The simultaneous plotting process may be performed while switching between. For example, the “provisional” mark in FIG. 6 is synthesized by the plotter I / F 9, and “page” is implemented by the image data processing device 5. Further, via the operation display device 11, the user can specify which of the image data processing device 5 and the plotter I / F 9 is to process the composite image data on the memory 8.

  The temporary mark is intended to imitate the finish of stamping the recording paper later and to emphasize that the output is in the “temporary” state. The mark can be emphasized even more. In addition, because the page information is treated as equivalent information added to the information on the document for the copy output, it is possible to provide an output that does not cause a difference in texture by making the unevenness of the pile height uniform. Become. That is, according to the meaning of each composite image, it is possible to simultaneously achieve a high-quality output image with a texture combined on one recording sheet.

  Further, in the above configuration, the total amount regulation 304 can individually set the total amount regulation value A / B outside / inside the synthesis area based on the above-described synthesis processing identification signal, and the CPU 7 can synthesize image data for synthesis in the memory 8. The total amount regulation value may be switched every time. For example, the total amount restriction value A outside the composition area is set to “200%”, the total amount restriction value B within the composition area is set to “250%” when “tentatively marked”, and “200” when “page” is marked. % ”.

  It is possible to make the unevenness of the pile height in the area where synthesis is performed and the area other than that uniform for each image for synthesis, and to further enhance the mark with different textures. .

  In the above configuration, when the total amount regulation 304 of the image data processing device 5 outputs the output value T ′ of the transparent toner, whether the calculated value according to the above-described calculation formula is used or not Instead, it is possible to switch between values that can be arbitrarily set (fixed values), and the CPU 7 may switch between the values for each image data for synthesis in the memory 8. For example, a fixed value (a set value such as 255, 0) is selected for “provisional mark”, and the calculated value described above is selected for “page” mark.

  It is possible to make the unevenness of the pile height in the area where the image has been combined and the other area uniform or broken for each image to be combined using transparent toner. Can be emphasized.

  Further, in the above configuration, the total amount regulation 304 can individually set the transparent toner lower limit value A / B outside / inside the synthesis area, and the CPU 7 switches the transparent toner lower limit value for each image data for synthesis in the memory 8. You may do it. For example, the transparent toner lower limit A outside the composition area is set to “10%”, the total amount regulation value B in the composition area is set to “0%” when “page” is marked, and other marks (logo etc.) are set. ) Is set to “10%”.

  Since the “page” mark is character information, the amount of clear toner used is reduced and the amount of color used is increased to improve the sharpness of characters with high density. Other marks (logos, etc.) Sometimes it is possible to provide an output similar to that outside the synthesis area. That is, it is possible to provide a high-quality output image with the mark reproducibility switched according to the meaning of each composite image.

  Further, in the above-described configuration, it is also possible to have a composite image density adjustment means and to adjust the density of the composite image by the setting. In the present embodiment, there are three stages of dark / medium / light, and when the plotter I / F 9 performs synthesis processing, the binary conversion of the composite image data is performed by the format conversion 401/411/421/431 in FIG. When converting (1 bit / pixel) to the number of gradations of the original image (2 bits / pixel), this is achieved by converting from “1b → 11b / 10b / 01b”, and the image data processing device 5 performs a composition process. The case is achieved by converting “1b → 255/170/85” in the total amount regulation 304 of FIG. By doing so, the same effect can be provided even when the density of the composite image is adjusted.

  In the above-described configuration, the composition processing may be performed again in the format conversion 401/411/421/431 of the plotter I / F 9 after the composition processing is performed in the total amount regulation 304 of the image data processing apparatus 5. When the composition processing is performed according to the total amount regulation 304 in FIG. 3, the composite image area is also subjected to gradation processing by the halftone processing 305, so that the image tone changes from when the composition processing is performed by the plotter I / F 9. There is a case. As described above, since the gradation conversion method is switched according to the image quality mode in the halftone processing 305, if the change in the image tone of the composite area is not preferred, the format conversion 401/411/421/431 of the plotter I / F9 is performed. By performing the composition process again in step, it is possible to switch between uneven glossiness, a step difference in edge, or a difference in texture and texture while preventing a change in image tone.

  According to the above-described embodiment, when a simple image is printed and added to the original image to be output, it is possible to prevent / adjust gloss unevenness and texture difference between the printed portion and the other portions. As a result, it is possible to prevent / adjust an output that is uncomfortable for the user with respect to an output image to which printing has been added.

  For example, when copying and outputting a date on a photo document, it is desirable that the gloss of the photo output is uniform throughout, but by preventing uneven glossiness between the printed portion and the other portions. Thus, it is possible to provide an output that does not feel uncomfortable for the user.

  Also, for example, when performing simple galley printing of catalogs using the MFP function, when page information or a company logo is printed, the occurrence of uneven glossiness is prevented between the printed portion and other portions. As a result, it is possible to provide an output that does not feel uncomfortable for the user.

  Also, for example, when distributing provisional materials with gloss using transparent toner at a meeting, etc., when adding the “Maru provisional” mark, uneven glossiness occurs between the printed part and other parts. This makes it uncomfortable for the user and emphasizes that the distributed material is “provisional”.

  The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment alone, and various modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Implementation is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reading apparatus 2 Image data correction apparatus 3 Bus control apparatus 5 Image data processing apparatus 6 HDD
7 CPU
8 Memory 9 Plotter I / F device 10 Plotter device 11 Operation display device 12 Line I / F device 13 External I / F device 14 B.
15 ROM
16 FAX
17 PC
18 SD

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-55089 JP 2007-155963 A JP 2009-58941 A

Claims (8)

Print output means for forming an image on a recording paper using a color toner and a transparent toner having a toner amount calculated according to the image data of the color toner ;
An image reading means for generating the image data by reading an original,
Combined image data storage means for storing combined image data used for combining with the image data;
Toner total amount regulating means for regulating the total amount of toner used for image formation in units of pixels;
A first image synthesizing unit that synthesizes the image data and the synthesized image data before the total toner amount regulation by the total toner amount regulating unit;
A second image synthesizing means for performing the composite image synthesis data and the image data Ri is the total amount of toner regulated by said toner amount regulating means,
Have
The total toner amount regulating means, for a region where the image of the composite image data are formed, to calculate the total toner amount per unit area of the color toner by the image formation, the color toner per unit area was issued the calculated An image forming apparatus, comprising: determining a total toner amount of transparent toner according to a total toner amount .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first image synthesizing unit or the second image synthesizing unit switches between performing synthesis processing according to the value of the synthesized image data.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first image synthesizing unit and the second image synthesizing unit are switched for each of the plurality of synthesized image data. .   4. The parameter according to claim 1, wherein the toner total amount regulating unit holds parameters used for regulating the total amount of toner separately for inside and outside the synthesis area, and switches the parameter in the synthesis area for each of the plurality of synthesized image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The total toner amount regulating means has a total toner amount means for calculating the total toner amount of the transparent toner from the total toner amount of the color toner, and the total toner amount amount of the transparent toner in the synthesis area for each of a plurality of the composite image data. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculated value by the total toner amount calculating unit and the fixed value not by the total toner amount calculating unit are switched.   The total toner amount regulating means holds a parameter for regulating the lower limit of the total toner amount of the transparent toner separately for inside and outside the synthesis area, and switches the parameter in the synthesis area for each of the plurality of synthesized image data. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 5.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image density adjustment unit that adjusts the density of the image based on the composite image data.   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the composition by the first image composition unit, the composition is performed by the second image composition unit. 9.

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