JP5454259B2 - Information processing apparatus, image processing system, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a program.

  A technique for uniformly adjusting the image quality of images output from a plurality of printers connected to a network is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, test patterns are printed out from a plurality of printers connected to a network, and a target image set as a preferred one and other test patterns are read out and output from all printers. Image correction parameters to approximate the target image to the target image. If the test pattern is a character image, the parameter is recorded for character document output. If the test pattern is a photographic image, the parameter is recorded for photographic document output. If the test pattern is a pure color image, the parameters are stored for business manuscript output.

  In addition, a technique for correcting color matching between a plurality of printers (devices) using an inexpensive scanner without a special environment is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In the technique of Patent Document 2, a host computer receives color chart data obtained by a scanner reading color charts output from a plurality of printers, and calculates a relative color difference from the color chart data of a reference device and the color chart data of another printer. Are calculated, the calculated relative color difference data is sent to each printer, and each printer calculates the LUT correction amount based on the relative color difference transmitted from the host computer and corrects the LUT based on this. .

  Furthermore, a technique for performing image processing and printing processing with an appropriate printing function while simplifying the setting of the printing function at the client terminal is also known (for example, see Patent Document 3). In the technique of Patent Document 3, when a print server receives a print job, the application name used in the client terminal is specified from the print job drawing command, and the print function standard setting and printing provided for each application are specified. When the print function settings of the job are compared, if they are different, warning processing is performed, then print function settings are performed based on the standard settings, and image processing and print processing are executed based on the set print functions. .

JP 2001-277668 A JP 2006-19911 A JP 2003-5931 A

  An object of the present invention is to bring characteristics in one image forming apparatus closer to characteristics in another image forming apparatus without actually outputting an image.

The invention described in claim 1 is included in the print instruction information for instructing the printing of the electronic document in the first image forming apparatus, and shows the image quality characteristic set in the first image forming apparatus in the printing. It is included in the first image quality characteristic information and the print instruction information for instructing the printing of the electronic document in the second image forming apparatus, and indicates the image quality characteristic set in the second image forming apparatus in the printing. Formed by the first image forming apparatus using the acquisition means for acquiring the second image quality characteristic information, and the first image quality characteristic information and the second image quality characteristic information acquired by the acquisition means. An information processing apparatus comprising: a generation unit configured to generate image quality characteristic change information for bringing an image quality characteristic of an image to be processed close to an image quality characteristic of an image formed by the second image forming apparatus .
According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the image quality characteristic indicated by the second image quality characteristic information is predetermined as settable in the first image forming apparatus, the generating unit The image quality characteristic change information indicating that the second image quality characteristic information is included in the print instruction information for instructing the printing of the electronic document in the first image forming apparatus instead of the first image quality characteristic information is generated. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the image quality characteristic indicated by the second image quality characteristic information is not predetermined as settable in the first image forming apparatus, the generation unit The first image formation is performed by replacing image quality characteristic information indicating one image quality characteristic among a plurality of image quality characteristics predetermined as settable in the first image forming apparatus with the first image quality characteristic information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image quality characteristic change information indicating inclusion in print instruction information for instructing printing of an electronic document in the apparatus is generated.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the one image quality characteristic is an image quality characteristic predetermined as the closest to the image quality characteristic indicated by the second image quality characteristic information among the plurality of image quality characteristics. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.
The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the one image quality characteristic is an image quality characteristic selected by an operator according to the presentation of the plurality of image quality characteristics among the plurality of image quality characteristics. Item 4. The information processing device according to Item 3.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the generation means predetermines an image quality characteristic that can be set in the first image forming apparatus with respect to an image quality item to which the image quality characteristic indicated by the second image quality characteristic information belongs. If there is no image quality characteristic information indicating a new image quality characteristic obtained by changing the image quality characteristic belonging to another image quality item associated with the image quality item, the electronic document is printed in the first image forming apparatus. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image quality characteristic change information indicating inclusion in print instruction information for instructing is generated.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first characteristic that is included in the print instruction information for instructing the printing of the electronic document in the first image forming apparatus, and indicates characteristics set in the first image forming apparatus in the printing. The second characteristic information and the second instruction information included in the print instruction information for instructing printing of the electronic document in the second image forming apparatus and indicating the characteristics set in the second image forming apparatus in the printing. Using the acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information, the first characteristic information acquired by the acquisition means and the second characteristic information, and the characteristics set in the first image forming apparatus and the first An information processing apparatus comprising: a generation unit configured to generate characteristic change information for bringing characteristics set in the second image forming apparatus close to each other.
The invention according to claim 8 forms an image on a medium based on the information transmitting apparatus for transmitting print instruction information for instructing printing of an electronic document and the print instruction information transmitted by the information transmitting apparatus. The information transmission device is print instruction information for instructing printing of the electronic document in the image forming device, and indicates an image quality characteristic set in the image forming device in the printing. First print instruction information, which is print instruction information including one image quality characteristic information, and print instruction information for instructing printing of the electronic document in another image forming apparatus different from the image forming apparatus, Instruction information generating means for generating second print instruction information which is print instruction information including second image quality characteristic information indicating image quality characteristics set in the other image forming apparatus in the printing The first image quality characteristic information is extracted from the first print instruction information generated by the instruction information generation means, and the second print instruction information generated by the instruction information generation means is used to extract the second image quality characteristic information. An image quality characteristic of an image formed by the image forming apparatus using the extraction means for extracting image quality characteristic information, and the first image quality characteristic information and the second image quality characteristic information extracted by the extraction means; An image processing system comprising: change information generating means for generating image quality characteristic change information for bringing the image quality characteristics of an image formed by the other image forming apparatus closer to each other.
The invention according to claim 9 forms an image on a medium based on the information transmitting apparatus for transmitting print instruction information for instructing printing of an electronic document and the print instruction information transmitted by the information transmitting apparatus. A first image forming apparatus; and a second image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium based on the print instruction information transmitted by the information transmitting apparatus, wherein the information transmitting apparatus includes the first image forming apparatus. Print instruction information for instructing printing of an electronic document in the forming apparatus, and print instruction information including first image quality characteristic information indicating image quality characteristics set in the first image forming apparatus in the printing. First print instruction information and print instruction information for instructing printing of the electronic document in the second image forming apparatus, and an image set in the second image forming apparatus in the printing From the first print instruction information generated by the instruction information generating means, instruction information generating means for generating second print instruction information that is print instruction information including second image quality characteristic information indicating characteristics, and Extracting means for extracting first image quality characteristic information, extracting the second image quality characteristic information from the second print instruction information generated by the instruction information generating means, and extracting the second image quality characteristic information by the extracting means. The image quality characteristics of the image formed by the first image forming apparatus and the image quality characteristics of the image formed by the second image forming apparatus using the image quality characteristic information of 1 and the second image quality characteristic information. An image processing system comprising change information generation means for generating image quality characteristic change information for bringing
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the image quality included in the print instruction information for instructing the computer to print the electronic document in the first image forming apparatus, and set in the first image forming apparatus in the printing. The image quality that is included in the first image quality characteristic information indicating the characteristics and the print instruction information for instructing printing of the electronic document in the second image forming apparatus, and is set in the second image forming apparatus in the printing Formed by the first image forming apparatus using the function of acquiring the second image quality characteristic information indicating the characteristics, and the acquired first image quality characteristic information and the second image quality characteristic information. A program for realizing a function of generating image quality characteristic change information for bringing an image quality characteristic of an image close to an image quality characteristic of an image formed by the second image forming apparatus.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image quality characteristic in one image forming apparatus can be brought close to the image quality characteristic in another image forming apparatus without actually outputting an image.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus can realize the same image quality characteristics as another image forming apparatus.
According to the invention of claim 3, even if an image forming apparatus cannot realize the same image quality characteristic as that of another image forming apparatus, the image quality characteristic of one image forming apparatus is brought close to the image quality characteristic of another image forming apparatus. Can do.
According to the invention of claim 4, even if an image forming apparatus cannot realize the same image quality characteristic as that of another image forming apparatus, the image quality characteristic of one image forming apparatus is closest to the image quality characteristic of another image forming apparatus. It can be.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, even if an image forming apparatus cannot realize the same image quality characteristic as that of another image forming apparatus, the image quality characteristic of the image forming apparatus can be set to an image quality characteristic desired by the operator. .
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to cope with a case where there is no image quality characteristic that can be realized for an image quality item to which an image quality characteristic that can be realized by another image forming apparatus belongs in one image forming apparatus.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the characteristics of one image forming apparatus can be brought close to the characteristics of another image forming apparatus without actually outputting an image.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the image quality characteristic in one image forming apparatus can be brought close to the image quality characteristic in another image forming apparatus without actually outputting an image.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the image quality characteristic in one image forming apparatus can be brought close to the image quality characteristic in another image forming apparatus without actually outputting an image.
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the image quality characteristic in one image forming apparatus can be brought close to the image quality characteristic in another image forming apparatus without actually outputting an image.

1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image handling system in an embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the function structural example of each apparatus in the image handling system of embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the image handling utility in the image handling system of embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the image quality instruction | indication transmitted with the image handling system in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the drawing command transmitted with the image handling system in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the print instruction data transmitted with the image handling system in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the item list hold | maintained with the image handling system in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the image quality characteristic extracted with the image handling system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing an example of image quality characteristics selected as what should be set to print instruction data in an image handling system in an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of image quality characteristics that are finally determined to be set in print instruction data in the image handling system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the image quality target information produced | generated with the image handling system in embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the image handling part in the image handling system of embodiment of this invention. It is a hardware block diagram of the terminal device in the image handling system of embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the structural example of the image processing apparatus in the image handling system of embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an image handling system to which the present embodiment is applied.
As shown in the figure, this image handling system includes a terminal device 10, a target image processing device (hereinafter referred to as “target device”) 30a, and a handling image processing device (hereinafter referred to as “handling device”) 30b. It is comprised by connecting via.

  The terminal device 10 is a computer device that transmits data for instructing printing to the target device 30a and the handling device 30b (hereinafter referred to as “print instruction data”). Here, as the terminal device 10, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) may be used. In this case, the PC may operate as a client PC or a server PC. In the present embodiment, a terminal device 10 is provided as an example of an information processing device and an information transmission device.

The target device 30a has an image reading function for reading an image from a medium such as paper, an image forming function for forming an image on a medium such as paper, and the like. This is an image processing apparatus. Here, the image quality characteristic means a characteristic for each item (image quality item) relating to image quality such as color reproducibility and line reproducibility, and a characteristic related to drawing contents such as a color and an object. In the present embodiment, the characteristics are described as such image quality characteristics, but the characteristics may be unrelated to the image quality. As the characteristics not related to the image quality, for example, characteristics relating to the binding position by the stapler, the output paper size, color / monochrome settings, and the like can be considered.
The handling device 30b has an image reading function for reading an image from a medium such as paper, an image forming function for forming an image on a medium such as paper, and the like, and the image quality characteristic of the output image approaches the image quality characteristic of the target device 30a. Thus, the image processing apparatus is a target to be changed.

  The network 80 is a communication line network used for information communication between the terminal device 10 and the target device 30a and the handling device 30b. Here, a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet may be used as the network 80.

Next, the functional configuration of each device in the image handling system of FIG. 1 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of each device in the image handling system.
First, the functional configuration of the terminal device 10 will be described.
As illustrated, in the terminal device 10, an application program (hereinafter referred to as “application”) 18, a printer driver 19, and an image handling utility 20 operate.
Among these, the application 18 is a program for creating document data and taking in the created document data in accordance with a user operation.
The printer driver 19 is a program that controls output of a document in these apparatuses by transmitting print instruction data to the target device 30a or the handling device 30b when a print request based on the document data is received from the application 18. Here, the print instruction data is PDL data described in, for example, PDL (Page Description Language). Also, the print instruction data includes an image quality instruction that is an instruction relating to image quality such as resolution, gradation information, and a screen, and a drawing command that is a drawing instruction for characters, figures, images, and the like. In the present embodiment, document data is used as an example of an electronic document, and print instruction data is used as an example of print instruction information for instructing printing of the electronic document. Here, the print instruction information is information prepared for instructing the printing of the electronic document to the last, and is not limited to the information instructing until the final printing of the electronic document. In addition, a printer driver 19 is provided as an example of instruction information generation means for generating first print instruction information and second print instruction information.

  The image handling utility 20 performs processing (hereinafter referred to as “target matching processing”) for generating information for bringing the image quality characteristic of the image output from the handling device 30b closer to the image quality characteristic of the image output from the target device 30a. It is a utility program. In the present embodiment, the image handling utility 20 is described as being realized by the terminal device 10, but may be realized by, for example, the handling device 30b or by an independent device. It may be a thing. In this embodiment, an example in which the image quality characteristic of the handling device 30b is approximated to the image quality characteristic of the target device 30a will be described. However, the image quality characteristic between the image quality characteristic of the target device 30a and the image quality characteristic of the handling device 30b is described. These image quality characteristics may be brought closer by adopting.

  The terminal device 10 functions as the image handling utility 20 as an image quality characteristic extraction unit 21, an abstract document generation unit 22, a drawing object storage unit 23, an output instruction unit 24, and an image quality characteristic comparison unit 26. And an image quality target information generating unit 28.

  The image quality characteristic extraction unit 21 receives print instruction data from the printer driver 19 and extracts image quality characteristics from the print instruction data. At this time, print instruction data (hereinafter referred to as “target print instruction data”) for instructing printing that can be performed by the target apparatus 30a and print instruction data (hereinafter, “handling print instruction data”) for instructing printing that can be performed by the handling apparatus 30b. The image quality characteristics are extracted from each of the above. Further, the target print instruction data and the handling print instruction data may instruct to print the abstract document data generated by the abstract document generation unit 22 as will be described later. In this embodiment, handling print instruction data is used as an example of print instruction information for instructing printing of an electronic document in the first image forming apparatus, and is set in the first image forming apparatus in printing. As an example of the first image quality characteristic information indicating the image quality characteristic and the first characteristic information indicating the characteristic set in the first image forming apparatus in printing, information indicating the image quality characteristic in the handling print instruction data is used. The target print instruction data is used as an example of the print instruction information for instructing the printing of the electronic document in the second image forming apparatus, and indicates the image quality characteristic set in the second image forming apparatus in printing. As an example of the second image quality characteristic information and the second characteristic information indicating the characteristic set in the second image forming apparatus in printing, information indicating the image quality characteristic in the target print instruction data is used. Also, an acquisition means for acquiring the first image quality characteristic information and the second image quality characteristic information, an acquisition means for acquiring the first characteristic information and the second characteristic information, and further, the first image quality characteristic information and the second image quality characteristic information An image quality characteristic extraction unit 21 is provided as an example of an extraction unit that extracts image quality characteristic information.

The abstract manuscript generation unit 22 generates abstract manuscript data (abstract manuscript data) based on the characteristics related to the drawing contents among the image quality characteristics extracted by the image quality characteristic extraction unit 21. Specifically, the abstract document data focusing on the image quality characteristic is generated so that the target matching process regarding the image quality characteristic extracted by the image quality characteristic extraction unit 21 can be easily performed.
The drawing object storage unit 23 is a database that stores drawing objects necessary for generating abstract manuscript data in the form of drawing commands.
The output instruction unit 24 instructs the printer driver 19 to output an abstract document by passing the abstract document data to the printer driver 19.

The image quality characteristic comparison unit 26 extracts the image quality characteristics extracted from the image quality characteristic extraction unit 21 from the print instruction data instructing printing to the target device 30a and the print instruction data instructing printing to the handling device 30b. The image quality characteristics extracted by the unit 21 are compared, and these image quality characteristics are associated with each other.
The image quality target information generation unit 28 makes the image quality characteristic of the image output from the handling device 30b closer to the image quality characteristic of the image output from the target device 30a based on the comparison result of the image quality characteristics by the image quality characteristic comparison unit 26. Information (hereinafter referred to as “image quality target information”) is generated. In the present embodiment, image quality target information is used as an example of image quality characteristic change information. Further, an image quality target information generation unit 28 is provided as an example of a generation unit that generates image quality characteristic change information, and further, an example of a change information generation unit that generates image quality characteristic change information.

Next, the functional configuration of the target device 30a will be described.
As illustrated, the target device 30a includes an image processing unit 40a and an image forming unit 50a.
Among these, the image processing unit 40a performs image processing based on print instruction data transmitted from the printer driver 19 via the network 80, and outputs image data.
The image forming unit 50a forms an image on a medium such as paper based on the image data output by the image processing unit 40a, and outputs a document. In the present embodiment, an image forming unit 50a is provided as an example of another image forming apparatus or a second image forming apparatus.

Here, the image processing unit 40a will be described in more detail. The image processing unit 40a includes an input information notification unit 41a, a drawing processing unit 42a, a color reproduction processing unit 43a, and a halftone processing unit 44a.
The input information notification unit 41a notifies the drawing processing unit 42a of print instruction data input from the printer driver 19 through the network 80.
The drawing processing unit 42a draws image data based on a drawing command included in the print instruction data notified from the input information notification unit 41a.
The color reproduction processing unit 43a performs various color reproduction processes on the image data drawn by the drawing processing unit 42a. Here, the color reproduction process includes a process of converting a color signal of a specific color space in the drawing command into a color signal of another color space having the toner color as a component, and the color signal is converted to another color within the color reproduction range. There are a process of converting to a signal, a process of correcting the gradation of a color signal, and the like.
The halftone processing unit 44a generates a pseudo halftone image by screen processing or the like.

Next, the functional configuration of the handling device 30b will be described.
As illustrated, the handling device 30b includes an image processing unit 40b, an image forming unit 50b, and an image handling unit 70.
Among these, the image processing unit 40b performs image processing based on print instruction data transmitted from the printer driver 19 through the network 80, and outputs image data.
The image forming unit 50b forms an image on a medium such as paper based on the image data output by the image processing unit 40b, and outputs a document. In the present embodiment, an image forming unit 50b is provided as an example of the image forming apparatus and the first image forming apparatus.
The image handling unit 70 performs processing (hereinafter referred to as “image handling processing”) for outputting an image with image quality characteristics close to the image quality characteristics of the image output from the target device 30a.

Here, the image processing unit 40b will be described in more detail. The image processing unit 40b includes an input information notification unit 41b, a drawing processing unit 42b, a color reproduction processing unit 43b, and a halftone processing unit 44b.
The input information notifying unit 41b notifies the drawing processing unit 42b and the image handling unit 70 of the print instruction data input from the printer driver 19 through the network 80.
The drawing processing unit 42b draws image data based on a drawing command included in the print instruction data notified from the input information notification unit 41b. At that time, a drawing process based on the determination by the image handling unit 70 is performed.
The color reproduction processing unit 43b performs various color reproduction processes on the image data drawn by the drawing processing unit 42b. Here, the color reproduction process includes a process of converting a color signal of a specific color space in the drawing command into a color signal of another color space having the toner color as a component, and the color signal is converted to another color within the color reproduction range. There are a process of converting to a signal, a process of correcting the gradation of a color signal, and the like. At that time, color reproduction processing based on the determination by the image handling unit 70 is performed.
The halftone processing unit 44b generates a pseudo halftone image by screen processing or the like. At that time, halftone processing based on the determination by the image handling unit 70 is performed.

The image handling unit 70 will be described in more detail. The image handling unit 70 includes an instruction determination unit 71, a drawing determination unit 72, an image handling target determination unit 73, an image quality target information storage unit 74, and an image handling parameter storage. Part 75.
The instruction determination unit 71 determines the content of the image quality instruction included in the print instruction data notified from the input information notification unit 41b.
The drawing determination unit 72 determines the contents of the drawing command included in the print instruction data notified from the input information notification unit 41b.
The image handling target determining unit 73 determines an image quality characteristic that is a target of the image handling process based on the image quality instruction determined by the instruction determining unit 71 and the image quality target information stored in the image quality target information storage unit 74. To do.
The image quality target information storage unit 74 stores the image quality target information generated by the image quality target information generation unit 28 of the image handling utility 20.
The image handling parameter storage unit 75 stores image handling parameters used in an image handling process for outputting an image with image quality characteristics determined by the image handling target determination unit 73.

Next, the operation of the image handling system in the present embodiment will be described.
First, the operation at the time of target matching processing in the image handling system will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the image handling utility 20 at this time.
On the application 18, the user designates document data to be matched with image quality characteristics, a target device 30a that is a target for matching the image quality characteristics, and a handling device 30b that is a target for matching the image quality characteristics to the target. As a result, the printer driver 19 generates print instruction data for instructing printing based on the document data. At this time, based on the model information of the target device 30a or the handling device 30b, the printer driver 19 performs target printing instruction data that instructs printing that can be performed by the target device 30a, and handling printing that instructs printing that can be performed by the handling device 30b. Instruction data is generated. Here, the model information of the target device 30a or the handling device 30b may be held in advance by the printer driver 19, or may be received from the corresponding device via the network 80. When the printer driver 19 generates the target print instruction data and the handling print instruction data in this way, the operation of the image handling utility 20 starts.

  In the image handling utility 20, first, the image quality characteristic extraction unit 21 acquires print instruction data for instructing printing based on the designated document data from the printer driver 19 (step 201). At this time, since the printer driver 19 has generated the target print instruction data and the handling print instruction data as described above, the image quality characteristic extraction unit 21 acquires these two types of print instruction data. Then, image quality characteristics are extracted from these two types of print instruction data (step 202). Specifically, characteristics relating to drawing contents such as characters, images, and graphics are extracted from the drawing command in the print instruction data. For example, when the document data is a business card, the name portion is extracted as characters, the face photograph portion is extracted as an image, and the corporate logo portion is extracted as a figure.

  Further, the image quality characteristic extraction unit 21 analyzes the image quality characteristics extracted from the target print instruction data and the handling print instruction data in step 202, and determines the characteristics for each image quality item for each of the target print instruction data and the handling print instruction data. Extract (step 203). Specifically, characteristics for each image quality item such as resolution and gradation information are extracted from the image quality instruction associated with the drawing command, and are associated with characteristics relating to the drawing content extracted from the drawing command. At this time, image quality items not associated with the drawing command are extracted from the common image quality instruction and associated with the drawing command.

Next, for each characteristic relating to the drawing content extracted by the image quality characteristic extraction unit 21 in step 202, the image quality characteristic comparison unit 26 performs characteristics for each image quality item for the target print instruction data extracted by the image quality characteristic extraction unit 21 in step 203. And the difference between the characteristics for each image quality item in the handling print instruction data (step 204).
Then, based on this difference, the image quality characteristic comparison unit 26 compares the image quality characteristic in the target print instruction data with the image quality characteristic in the handling print instruction data. Specifically, the characteristics for each image quality item in the target print instruction data extracted by the image quality characteristic extraction unit 21 and the handling extracted by the image quality characteristic extraction unit 21 with respect to the characteristics related to the drawing content extracted by the image quality characteristic extraction unit 21 Correspondence with characteristics for each image quality item in the print instruction data is performed (step 206).

Then, the image quality characteristic comparison unit 26 determines whether or not the association has been completed for all the image quality characteristics (characteristics relating to the drawing contents) (step 207).
As a result, if it is determined that the association has not been completed for all the image quality characteristics, the image quality characteristics comparison unit 26 returns to step 206, and the characteristics for each image quality item in the target print instruction data with respect to the characteristics related to the drawing contents. Are repeatedly associated with the characteristics for each image quality item in the handling print instruction data.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the association has been completed for all image quality characteristics, the image quality characteristic comparison unit 26 passes the result of the association to the image quality target information generation unit 28, and the image quality target information generation unit 28 outputs the image quality target information. Generate and save the file (step 208). Then, the image quality target information is transmitted to the image handling unit 70 of the handling apparatus 30b through the network 80 (step 209). As a result, the image handling unit 70 stores the image quality target information in the image quality target information storage unit 74.

Here, the print instruction data acquired from the printer driver 19 in step 201 of FIG. 3 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing image quality instructions included in the print instruction data.
After the image quality target information is generated, the image quality instruction may include information specifying the image quality target information and a file storing the image quality target information. Here, the image quality on the printer driver 19 is included. Only the print settings for are shown. Specifically, print settings for each image quality item such as resolution, gradation information, screen, and color are shown, and a set of print settings can be identified by “Index”.
The image quality items shown here are merely examples. Besides these, color reproduction for input color signals (for example, CMYK, RGB), fine line reproduction for input line width designation (for example, mm, pixel), for each object Image processing policy (OOR / OOH), screen angle, object drawing method (raster or vector), and the like.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing drawing commands included in the print instruction data.
In the figure, the actual drawing contents by the drawing command are shown for the drawing command. Here, for example, as in character drawing 1 and character drawing 2, the actual drawing content may differ for the same document data. In such a case, it may be difficult to match the image quality characteristic of the handling device 30b with the image quality characteristic of the target device 30a. Therefore, the drawing contents in the target device 30a are predicted from the output result, and this is reflected in the handling device 30b, thereby bringing the output result closer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing PDL data which is an example of print instruction data including the image quality instruction of FIG. 4 and the drawing command of FIG.
Among these, (a) is an example including “image drawing 1” in FIG. 5 as the drawing command 191 for drawing the drawing object of interest.
FIG. 5B is an example including “graphic drawing 1” in FIG. 5 as the drawing command 192 for drawing the drawing object of interest.
Although the image quality instruction is not shown, it is described in a portion associated with the drawing command (for example, the header portion of the drawing command) or in a portion common to the drawing command (for example, the entire header portion). May be.
Also, (a) and (b) are only examples of PDL data including different types of drawing commands. Although not shown, in this embodiment, PDL data based on the model information of the target device 30a and PDL data based on the model information of the handling device 30b are generated for each of (a) and (b).

Next, the operation example shown in FIG. 3 will be described using a specific example.
First, as a premise of the operation, it is assumed that the image quality characteristic comparison unit 26 holds an item list indicating characteristic values that can be reproduced by the target device 30a or the handling device 30b for each image quality item. In this specification, the term “characteristic value” is used for the sake of convenience, but the characteristic for each image quality item may include a value that cannot be quantified, such as color. Here, for example, such an item list is created in accordance with a standard, or a candidate of a characteristic value for each image quality item is known in advance, such as when the target device 30a and the handling device 30b are in-house machines. In some cases, it may be created in advance using the characteristic value candidates. Alternatively, it may be generated based on the model information of the target device 30a or handling device 30b held by the printer driver 19.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of such an item list.
Among these, (a) is a target item list showing characteristic values reproducible by the target device 30a, and (b) is a handling item list showing characteristic values reproducible by the handling device 30b. As shown in the figure, the resolution can be reproduced from 200 dpi × 200 dpi to 1200 dpi × 1200 dpi in the target device 30a, but can be reproduced only up to 600 dpi × 600 dpi in the handling device 30b. As for the gradation, the target device 30a and the handling device 30b can reproduce the 1-bit gradation, the 4-bit gradation, and the 8-bit gradation. Regarding the screen line number, the target apparatus 30a can reproduce from a low line number to a high line number, but the handling apparatus 30b cannot reproduce the high line number. With respect to the color, the target device 30a and the handling device 30b can reproduce the color for photographs, characters, and line drawings.

  In these item lists, the characteristic values are arranged such that the closer the numerical values are, the closer the “Index” values are. Therefore, for image quality items whose characteristic values are expressed numerically, such as resolution, the characteristic value itself may be used as an index. On the other hand, for colors, special processing, etc. that cannot be expressed numerically, an index list determined according to the purpose of color conversion is prepared in advance, and each characteristic such as color, special processing, etc. is prepared based on this index list. What is necessary is just to produce | generate the item list which matched the value with the index.

Next, characteristics for each image quality item extracted by the image quality characteristics extraction unit 21 in step 203 of FIG. 3 will be described. In FIG. 3, it is assumed that the characteristic for each image quality item is extracted for each characteristic relating to the drawing content. However, in this specific example, it is not assumed that the characteristic is extracted for each characteristic relating to the drawing content.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of characteristics for each image quality item extracted in step 203.
Among these, (a) shows the characteristics for each image quality item extracted from the target print instruction data. Here, the characteristic value enclosed by the thick frame on the target item list indicates that the characteristic value is extracted from the target print instruction data. (B) shows the characteristics for each image quality item extracted from the handling print instruction data. Here, the characteristic value enclosed in a thick frame on the handling item list indicates that the characteristic value is extracted from the handling print instruction data.

Next, an operation when the image quality characteristic comparison unit 26 associates the image quality characteristic in the target print instruction data with the image quality characteristic in the handling print instruction data will be described.
First, in step 204 in FIG. 3, the image quality characteristic comparison unit 26 compares the image quality characteristic in the target print instruction data in FIG. 8A with the image quality characteristic in the handling print instruction data in FIG. The resolution is 1200 dpi × 1200 dpi in the target print instruction data, whereas the resolution is 600 dpi × 600 dpi in the handling print instruction data, and the gradation print information is the handling print instruction data in the target print instruction data. However, the information indicating that the gradation is 1 bit, the screen has a high line number in the target print instruction data, whereas the handling print instruction data has a low line number, and the color is Information indicating that the target print instruction data is a line drawing color while the handling print instruction data is a photograph color is acquired as a difference.

Next, in step 206 in FIG. 3, the image quality characteristic comparison unit 26 selects an image quality characteristic to be set in the handling print instruction data from image quality characteristics that are close to the image quality characteristic in the target print instruction data and can be reproduced by the handling device 30b. To do.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing image quality characteristics to be set in the handling print instruction data selected in this way. Here, the characteristic value enclosed in a thick frame on the handling item list indicates the image quality characteristic to be set in the handling print instruction data.
For example, regarding the resolution, the image quality characteristic index in the handling print instruction data is 3, and the image quality characteristic index in the target print instruction data is 5, which are different. The resolutions of the indexes 4 and 5 cannot be reproduced by the handling device 30b. Therefore, as the resolution to be set in the handling print instruction data, the resolution of index 3 having the smallest difference from the resolution in the target print instruction data is selected from among the resolutions that can be reproduced by the handling apparatus 30b.
Regarding the gradation information, the image quality characteristic index in the handling print instruction data and the image quality characteristic index in the target print instruction data are both 1, and they match. Accordingly, the gradation information of index 1 is selected as it is as gradation information to be set in the handling print instruction data.

For the screen, the image quality characteristic index in the handling print instruction data is 3, and the image quality characteristic index in the target print instruction data is 1, which are different. The screen of index 3 cannot be reproduced by the handling device 30b. Therefore, as the screen to be set in the handling print instruction data, the screen of index 2 having the smallest difference from the screen in the target print instruction data among the screens that can be reproduced by the handling apparatus 30b is selected.
Regarding the color tone, the image quality characteristic index in the handling print instruction data is 1, and the image quality characteristic index in the target print instruction data is 3, which are different. However, the color of index 3 can also be reproduced by the handling device 30b. Therefore, the color of index 3 similar to the target print instruction data is selected as the color to be set in the handling print instruction data.

Here, when the image quality characteristic in the target print instruction data cannot be reproduced by the handling device 30b, the closest image quality characteristic reproducible by the handling device 30b is selected, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, an image quality characteristic reproducible by the handling device 30b may be selected according to some rule.
In addition, a list of image quality characteristics that can be reproduced by the handling device 30b may be presented to the user, and the user may specify a list designated by the user.
Alternatively, when the image quality characteristic in the target print instruction data cannot be reproduced by the handling device 30b, the fact that the image quality characteristic cannot be selected is notified to the outside without selecting the image quality characteristic reproducible by the handling device 30b. Good.

Although not shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, special processing may be provided as an image quality item. In this case, if the special process is extracted from the target print instruction data, it is ideal to set the special process also in the handling print instruction data. However, in practice, the special processing may not be applied in the handling device 30b. In such a case, in the present embodiment, the special process is assigned to the image quality item corresponding thereto.
As an example, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a change in association in a case where the target device 30a can implement the gray guarantee but the handling device 30b cannot implement the gray guarantee. That is, in FIG. 9, the color is the color for line drawing with index 3, but in FIG. 10, this is forcibly changed to the color for text with index 2.

  In this case, the special processing is an example of the image quality item to which the image quality characteristic indicated by the second image quality characteristic information belongs, the gray guarantee is an example of the image quality characteristic indicated by the second image quality characteristic information, and the color tone is The line image is an example of an image quality characteristic belonging to the other image quality item, and the text is an example of a new image quality characteristic obtained by changing.

  By the way, in general, to print a document suitable for a character / line image, a high resolution, low gradation, and a high screen line number are used. To print a photo-oriented document, a low resolution, a high gradation, and a low screen line number are used. A setting method is preferred. The image quality characteristic in the target print instruction data in FIG. 8A is in accordance with such a preferable setting method. Further, the image quality characteristics to be set in the handling print instruction data are finally in accordance with such a preferable setting method as shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, in step 208 in FIG. 3, the image quality target information generation unit 28 sets the resolution to 600 dpi × 600 dpi, the gradation information to 1 bit gradation, and the screen to the number of middle lines based on the result shown in FIG. Then, information indicating that the color is the character color is generated as the image quality target information.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific example of image quality target information.
In the figure, a target characteristic value in the image quality item is associated with the image quality item. Although not shown, if the image quality target information is generated based on the result shown in FIG. 10, the target “600 dpi × 600 dpi” is associated with the image quality item “resolution” and the image quality item “gradation information” is associated. On the other hand, the target “1 bit” is associated, the target “number of middle lines” is associated with the image quality item “screen”, and the target “character” is associated with the image quality item “color”. It will be a thing. As described above, in the examples of FIGS. 7 to 10, the target is uniformly applied to the image quality item regardless of the type of the drawing command. However, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the target is applied to the image quality item. It may be managed together with a range of image quality items to be performed (such as a drawing command). For example, the first line indicates that (R, G, B) = (255, 0, 0) is replaced with Lab = (XXX, XXX, XXX) for the drawing command “graphic drawing 1”.
Here, the image quality target information is shown in a table format, but this is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.
Such image quality target information may be shared by a plurality of image handling systems.

Next, an operation at the time of image handling processing in the image handling system will be described.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the image handling unit 70 at this time.
On the application 18, the user designates document data to be matched with image quality characteristics and a handling device 30b to which the document is to be output. As a result, the printer driver 19 generates print instruction data for instructing printing based on the document data and transmits the print instruction data to the input information notification unit 41b. When the input information notification unit 41b receives the print instruction data, the operation of the image handling unit 70 starts. To do. In this operation example, the first case in which the image quality target information stored in the handling device 30b in step 209 in FIG. 3 is read and used, and the image quality target information stored in the terminal device 10 in step 208 in FIG. A second case in which the image quality target information is attached and a third case in which the image quality target information is not used are assumed.

In the image handling unit 70, first, the instruction determination unit 71 and the drawing determination unit 72 acquire print instruction data for instructing printing based on the designated document data from the input information notification unit 41b (step 701).
Then, the instruction determination unit 71 determines the content of the image quality instruction included in the print instruction data, the drawing determination unit 72 determines the content of the drawing command included in the print instruction data, and uses these determination results as the image handling target. This is transmitted to the determination unit 73 (step 702). Here, the image quality instruction includes information specifying the image quality target information and print settings related to the image quality in the first case, and in the second case, the file storing the image quality target information and the print settings related to the image quality. In the third case, only print settings relating to image quality are included. Therefore, in determining the content of the image quality instruction, it is also determined which of the image quality instructions corresponds to these.

  Next, the image handling target determination unit 73 determines whether or not the determination result transmitted from the instruction determination unit 71 indicates that the image quality instruction includes information specifying the image quality target information (step 703). As a result, if it is indicated that the image quality instruction includes information designating the image quality target information, the designated image quality target information is selected from the image quality target information already stored in the image quality target information storage unit 74. (Step 704). Then, an image handling target is determined based on the image quality target information and the print settings (step 707).

  If it is not indicated that the image quality instruction includes information specifying the image quality target information, the image handling target determination unit 73 stores the image quality target information according to the determination result transmitted from the instruction determination unit 71. It is determined whether or not it is indicated that the received file is included (step 705). If the result indicates that the image quality instruction includes a file storing the image quality target information, the image quality target information stored in the file is temporarily acquired as image quality target information to be applied only to the print instruction data. (Step 706). Then, an image handling target is determined based on the image quality target information and the print settings (step 707).

Further, if it is not indicated that the image quality instruction includes a file storing the image quality target information, the image handling target determination unit 73 determines an image handling target based only on the print settings (step 708).
Thereafter, the image handling target determination unit 73 sets data for bringing the image quality characteristic of the image output from the handling device 30b closer to the target determined in step 707 or step 708, the drawing processing unit 42b, the color reproduction processing unit 43b, It supplies to each processing part of the halftone processing part 44b (step 709). In this case, if it is necessary to rewrite the drawing command in order to bring the image quality characteristic of the image output from the handling device 30b closer to the target, the drawing command whose contents are determined by the drawing determination unit 72 is rewritten. This is supplied to the drawing processing unit 42b. When the image handling target determination unit 73 generates data to be supplied to each processing unit, the image handling parameter stored in the image handling parameter storage unit 75 is also used.

Next, the hardware configuration of the terminal device 10 will be described.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the terminal device 10.
As shown in the figure, the terminal device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that is a calculation means, a main memory 12 that is a storage means, and a magnetic disk device (HDD: Hard Disk Drive) 13. Here, the CPU 11 executes various software such as an OS (Operating System) and an application, and realizes each function described above. The main memory 12 is a storage area for storing various software and data used for execution thereof, and the magnetic disk device 13 is a storage area for storing input data for various software, output data from various software, and the like. .
Furthermore, the terminal device 10 includes a communication I / F 14 for performing communication with the outside, a display mechanism 15 including a video memory and a display, and an input device 16 such as a keyboard and a mouse.

Finally, the mechanism of the image processing device 30 that functions as the target device 30a and the handling device 30b will be described.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image processing apparatus 30. The image processing device 30 is a so-called tandem color printer, and includes an image forming unit 50 that forms an image based on image data, and a main control unit 31 that controls the operation of the entire image processing device 30. Furthermore, for example, a communication unit 32 that receives print instruction data by communicating with a PC or the like, an image reading unit 60 that reads an image from a document and generates a read image, and print instruction data received by the communication unit 32 An image processing unit 40 that acquires image data by performing predetermined image processing on a read image generated by the image reading unit 60 and transfers the image data to the image forming unit 50; And a user interface (UI) unit 33 that displays various kinds of information.

The image forming unit 50 is a component that forms an image by, for example, electrophotography, and includes four image forming units 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K (hereinafter referred to as “image forming unit 51”) arranged in parallel. It has. Each of the image forming units 51 has, as functional members, for example, a photosensitive drum 52 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed while rotating in the direction of arrow A, and then a toner image is formed, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 52 in advance. A charger 53 that is charged at a predetermined potential, an exposure device 54 that exposes the photosensitive drum 52 charged by the charger 53 based on image data, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 52. A developing unit 55 that develops with each color toner and a drum cleaner 56 that cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum 52 after transfer are provided.
Each of the image forming units 51 is configured in substantially the same manner except for the toner stored in the developing device 55, and each forms a toner image of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). To do.

  In addition, the image forming unit 50 includes an intermediate transfer belt 61 onto which each color toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 52 of each image forming unit 51 is transferred, and each color toner image formed on each image forming unit 51. And a primary transfer roll 62 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) to the intermediate transfer belt 61. Furthermore, a secondary transfer roll 63 that batch-transfers (secondary transfer) each color toner image superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 61 to a sheet P that is a recording medium (recording paper), and each color that is secondarily transferred. And a fixing device 65 for fixing the toner image on the paper P.

  Each of the image forming units 51 of the image forming unit 50 forms toner images of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) by an electrophotographic process using the above functional members. Each color toner image formed by each image forming unit 51 is sequentially electrostatically transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 61 by the primary transfer roll 62 to form a composite toner image on which the respective color toners are superimposed. The synthetic toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 61 is transported to the secondary transfer region Tr where the secondary transfer roll 63 is disposed as the intermediate transfer belt 61 moves (in the direction of arrow B), and is supplied from the paper container 35. Electrostatically transferred onto a sheet of paper P. Thereafter, the synthetic toner image electrostatically transferred onto the paper P is subjected to a fixing process by the fixing device 65 and is fixed onto the paper P. Then, the paper P on which the fixed image is formed is transported and accumulated on the paper stacking unit 36 provided in the discharge unit of the image processing apparatus 30.

On the other hand, the toner attached to the photosensitive drum 52 after the primary transfer (primary transfer residual toner) and the toner attached to the intermediate transfer belt 61 after the secondary transfer (secondary transfer residual toner) are respectively drum cleaners. 56 and belt cleaner 64.
In this way, the image forming process in the image processing apparatus 30 is repeatedly executed for the number of printed sheets.

  Here, in the image processing apparatus 30, it is desirable that the image forming unit 50 is calibrated so as to approach the characteristics of the reference.

  The program for realizing the present embodiment can be provided not only by communication means but also by storing it in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Terminal device, 18 ... Application, 19 ... Printer driver, 20 ... Image handling utility, 21 ... Image quality characteristic extraction part, 22 ... Abstraction original production | generation part, 23 ... Drawing object memory | storage part, 24 ... Output instruction | indication part, 26 ... Image quality characteristic comparison unit 28 ... Image quality target information generation unit 30a ... Target device 30b ... Handling device 40a, 40b ... Image processing unit 50a, 50b ... Image forming unit 70 ... Image handling unit 71 ... Instruction determination unit 72 ... Drawing determination unit, 73 ... Image handling target determination unit, 74 ... Image quality target information storage unit, 75 ... Image handling parameter storage unit

Claims (10)

First image quality characteristic information included in print instruction information for instructing printing of an electronic document in the first image forming apparatus, and indicating image quality characteristics set in the first image forming apparatus in the printing; And second image quality characteristic information that is included in the print instruction information for instructing printing of the electronic document in the second image forming apparatus and that indicates the image quality characteristic set in the second image forming apparatus in the printing. Acquisition means to
Using the first image quality characteristic information and the second image quality characteristic information acquired by the acquisition means, the image quality characteristic of the image formed by the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus An information processing apparatus comprising: generation means for generating image quality characteristic change information for bringing the image quality characteristics of the image formed by   When the image quality characteristic indicated by the second image quality characteristic information is predetermined to be settable in the first image forming apparatus, the generating means is an electronic document in the first image forming apparatus. 2. The image quality characteristic change information indicating that the second image quality characteristic information is included instead of the first image quality characteristic information in the print instruction information for instructing printing of the image is generated. The information processing apparatus described.   The generation unit can be set in the first image forming apparatus when the image quality characteristic indicated by the second image quality characteristic information is not predetermined as settable in the first image forming apparatus. The first image forming apparatus is instructed to print an electronic document by replacing the first image quality characteristic information with image quality characteristic information indicating one image quality characteristic among a plurality of predetermined image quality characteristics. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image quality characteristic change information indicating inclusion in the print instruction information is generated.   4. The image quality characteristic according to claim 3, wherein the one image quality characteristic is an image quality characteristic predetermined as the closest to the image quality characteristic indicated by the second image quality characteristic information among the plurality of image quality characteristics. Information processing device.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the one image quality characteristic is an image quality characteristic selected by an operator according to presentation of the plurality of image quality characteristics among the plurality of image quality characteristics.   The generation unit associates an image quality item to which the image quality characteristic indicated by the second image quality characteristic information belongs to the image quality item if there is no image quality characteristic predetermined as settable in the first image forming apparatus. The image quality characteristic information indicating the new image quality characteristic obtained by changing the image quality characteristic belonging to the other image quality item is included in the print instruction information for instructing the printing of the electronic document in the first image forming apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image quality characteristic change information indicating that is generated. First characteristic information included in the print instruction information for instructing printing of the electronic document in the first image forming apparatus and indicating characteristics set in the first image forming apparatus in the printing; Obtaining means for obtaining second characteristic information included in print instruction information for instructing printing of the electronic document in the image forming apparatus and indicating characteristics set in the second image forming apparatus in the printing; ,
Using the first characteristic information and the second characteristic information acquired by the acquisition unit, characteristics set in the first image forming apparatus and characteristics set in the second image forming apparatus An information processing apparatus comprising: generating means for generating characteristic change information for bringing An information transmitting device for transmitting print instruction information for instructing printing of an electronic document;
An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium based on the print instruction information transmitted by the information transmitting apparatus;
The information transmitting device includes:
Print instruction information for instructing printing of an electronic document in the image forming apparatus, and print instruction information including first image quality characteristic information indicating image quality characteristics set in the image forming apparatus in the printing. Print instruction information for instructing printing of the electronic document in another image forming apparatus different from the image forming apparatus, and set in the other image forming apparatus in the printing Instruction information generating means for generating second print instruction information which is print instruction information including second image quality characteristic information indicating image quality characteristics;
The first image quality characteristic information is extracted from the first print instruction information generated by the instruction information generation unit, and the second image quality is extracted from the second print instruction information generated by the instruction information generation unit. Extraction means for extracting characteristic information;
Using the first image quality characteristic information and the second image quality characteristic information extracted by the extraction unit, the image quality characteristic of the image formed by the image forming apparatus and the other image forming apparatus are formed. An image processing system comprising: change information generating means for generating image quality characteristic change information for bringing image quality characteristics of an image closer. An information transmitting device for transmitting print instruction information for instructing printing of an electronic document;
A first image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium based on the print instruction information transmitted by the information transmitting apparatus;
A second image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium based on the print instruction information transmitted by the information transmitting apparatus;
The information transmitting device includes:
Print instruction information for instructing printing of an electronic document in the first image forming apparatus, and includes first image quality characteristic information indicating an image quality characteristic set in the first image forming apparatus in the printing. First print instruction information which is print instruction information and print instruction information for instructing printing of the electronic document in the second image forming apparatus, which is set in the second image forming apparatus in the printing Instruction information generating means for generating second print instruction information which is print instruction information including second image quality characteristic information indicating the image quality characteristics to be performed;
The first image quality characteristic information is extracted from the first print instruction information generated by the instruction information generation unit, and the second image quality is extracted from the second print instruction information generated by the instruction information generation unit. Extraction means for extracting characteristic information;
Using the first image quality characteristic information and the second image quality characteristic information extracted by the extraction unit, the image quality characteristic of the image formed by the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus An image processing system comprising: change information generating means for generating image quality characteristic change information for bringing the image quality characteristic of the image formed by On the computer,
First image quality characteristic information included in print instruction information for instructing printing of an electronic document in the first image forming apparatus, and indicating image quality characteristics set in the first image forming apparatus in the printing; And second image quality characteristic information that is included in the print instruction information for instructing printing of the electronic document in the second image forming apparatus and that indicates the image quality characteristic set in the second image forming apparatus in the printing. Function to
Using the acquired first image quality characteristic information and second image quality characteristic information, the image quality characteristic of the image formed by the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus are formed. A program for realizing a function of generating image quality characteristic change information for bringing image quality characteristics of an image closer.

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