JP5598666B2 - Information processing apparatus, information output apparatus, information processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information output device, and an information processing program.

  In some cases, an output from a target image output device (target image output device) is also output from another image output device (actual image output device). In the image output device, an image is drawn in accordance with the given output instruction data, and after various processing, the image is output in accordance with each output method. The processing performed in these processes may be different for each image output device, and the output characteristics of the image output device may be different. Accordingly, there may be a difference in the results output by a plurality of image output devices.

  As a technique for preventing a difference in output result between the case where the target image output apparatus is used and the case where the actual image output apparatus is used, for example, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the image is processed by drawing in advance. The developed image is output by an image output device. With the technique described in Patent Document 1, the difference in each image output apparatus due to the drawing processing or the like is eliminated.

  Further, for example, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, a difference between a color output from each image output device and a color output from a reference image output device is calculated as a relative color difference to output each image. The image output apparatus corrects the color based on the relative color difference. As a result, a difference in colors output by a plurality of image output devices is prevented.

JP-A-9-91104 JP 2006-19911 A

  In the present invention, there is no difference in the output results from the respective image output devices for both the difference in the output results due to the drawing processing in the plurality of image output devices and the difference in the output results due to the output characteristics. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing program, and an image output apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first test information is generated based on the given output instruction data, and the second test information when the first test information is drawn and developed by an actual image output device. And a first output result obtained by giving the first test information to the target image output device and a second output obtained by giving the second test information to the target image output device. When there is a difference other than the output characteristics including line width and color from the comparison result by the comparison means and the comparison result by the comparison means, the drawing result in the actual image output device is the target image output. If there is a difference in output characteristics including line width and color, and drawing change information for changing an instruction to the drawing process so as to obtain a drawing result in the apparatus, the output characteristic in the actual image output apparatus is The target image An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising generating means for generating characteristic change information for changing the output characteristics such that the output characteristics of the power device.

  In the invention according to claim 2 of the present application, the test information generating means in the invention of claim 1 further generates third test information drawn by changing a plurality of parameters with different outputs depending on output characteristics. The comparing means compares the third output result obtained by giving the third test information to the real image output device and the second output result, and the generating means includes the third test result. The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the characteristic change information is generated also using a comparison result between an output result and the second output result.

  The invention according to claim 3 of the present application is a change information storage means for storing drawing change information and characteristic change information generated by the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 of the present invention, and given output instruction data Is changed according to the drawing change information and an output setting is set according to the characteristic change information, a drawing means for performing drawing processing according to the output instruction data changed by the change setting means, and a setting by the change setting means An information output apparatus comprising: a processing unit that performs processing on an image drawn according to the output characteristics that are output; and an output unit that outputs an image processed by the processing unit.

  An invention according to claim 4 of the present application is an information processing program for causing a computer to execute the function of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 of the present application.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, both the difference in the output result due to the rendering process between the target image output device and the actual image output device and the difference in the output result due to the output characteristics are determined. And change information for preventing a difference between the output results of the real image output apparatus.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the difference in the output result due to the output characteristics can be reduced as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, both the difference in the output result due to the rendering process between the target image output device and the actual image output device and the difference in the output result due to the output characteristics are determined. An output result that does not differ from the output result of can be obtained from the actual image output apparatus.

  According to the invention described in claim 4 of the present application, the effect of the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2 of the present application can be obtained.

It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one specific example of the system containing one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the image quality instruction | indication contained in output instruction data. It is explanatory drawing of the specific example of the given output instruction data, the 1st, 2nd test information, and the 1st, 2nd output result. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the drawing content in a drawing process. It is explanatory drawing of a specific example of 3rd test information and a 3rd output result. It is explanatory drawing of an example of drawing change information and characteristic change information. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an output operation in the real image output device 3. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a computer program, a storage medium storing the computer program, and a computer when the function described in the embodiment of the present invention is realized by a computer program.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an information processing device, 2 is a target image output device, 3 is a real image output device, 11 is a test information generation unit, 12 is an output result comparison unit, and 13 is a change information generation unit. The information processing apparatus 1, the target image output apparatus 2 and the actual image output apparatus 3 that are a plurality of image output apparatuses exchange various data through, for example, a communication path. For example, the information processing apparatus 1 and the actual image output apparatus 3 may be integrated. The actual image output device 3 is a device that actually gives output instruction data and outputs an image. The target device of the output result is the target image output device 2. That is, an image is output from the actual image output device 3 so that the output result of the actual image output device 3 does not differ from the output result of the target image output device 2.

  The information processing apparatus 1 has at least a function of generating drawing change information and characteristic change information for obtaining an output result that does not differ from the output result of the target image output apparatus by the actual image output apparatus 3. As a configuration for this, the test information generation unit 11, the output result comparison unit 12, and the change information generation unit 13 are included.

  The test information generation unit 11 generates first test information based on the given output instruction data, and generates second test information when the first test information is drawn and developed by the real image output device 3. To do. Furthermore, the third test information drawn by changing to a plurality of parameters with different outputs depending on the output characteristics may be generated. The first test information and the second test information are transferred to the target image output device 2. Further, the third test information is transferred to the real image output device 3.

  The output result comparison unit 12 outputs the first output result obtained by giving the first test information to the target image output device 2 and the second result obtained by giving the second test information to the target image output device 2. Compare the output result of. Further, the third output result obtained by giving the third test information to the real image output device 3 is compared with the second output result. Then, each comparison result is passed to the change information generation unit 13.

  From the comparison result between the first output result and the second output result by the output result comparison unit 12, the change information generation unit 13 uses the drawing result in the actual image output device 3 as the drawing result in the target image output device 2. Thus, the drawing change information for changing the instruction for the drawing process is generated. At the same time, characteristic change information for changing the output characteristic is generated so that the output characteristic in the actual image output apparatus 3 becomes the output characteristic in the target image output apparatus. When generating the characteristic change information, a comparison result between the third output result and the second output result may be used.

  The drawing change information and the characteristic change information generated in this way are used to change the output instruction data given to the real image output device 3 when the output result of the real image output device 3 is matched with the output result of the target image output device 2. And used to change the setting of each part of the actual image output device 3.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation in the embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that output instruction data is given in advance. The output instruction data is given to the actual image output device 3 and is output. The output instruction data is required to match the output result of the actual image output device 3 with the output result of the target image output device 2.

  First, in S101, the test information generation unit 11 receives the given output instruction data. Then, information related to the drawing content based on the output instruction data is extracted, and first test information corresponding to the information related to the drawing content is generated in S102. The information related to the drawing content includes information about various drawing objects including information such as characters (fonts) and graphic lines, or color information. In order to test how the drawing object in the output instruction data is output in the target image output device 2, first test information in which drawing objects to be drawn are abstracted and arranged is generated. The first test information is information in the format of output instruction data including a drawing command and various instruction information. Specific examples will be described later.

  Further, in S103, the test information generation unit 11 performs drawing processing on the first test information and generates second test information. By the drawing process, the second test information becomes an image. The drawing process may be performed as described in the first test information, but the drawing process in the actual image output device 3 may be performed in a pseudo manner.

  Furthermore, in S104, the test information generation unit 11 may generate third test information. The third test information is an image drawn by changing a plurality of parameters with different outputs depending on output characteristics. For example, the line width may be different depending on the image output device or the reproduced color may be different. These line widths, colors, and the like are one of the parameters whose output differs depending on the output characteristics. If it is a line width, the image obtained by changing the line width and drawing some patterns may be used as the third test information.

  In S105, the first test information generated in S102 and the second test information generated in S103 are output to the target image output device 2, and the output result comparison unit 12 outputs the output result as the first output result and Received as a second output result. The output result may be read by, for example, an image reading device. When the third test information is generated in S104, the third test information is passed to the real image output device 3 for output, and the output result comparison unit 12 outputs the third test information as the third output result. receive. Also in this case, the output result may be read by, for example, an image reading device or the like.

  In S106, the output result comparison unit 12 compares the first output result and the second output result, and associates the drawing objects in each output result. With this association, what kind of output result is obtained when the first test information is given to the target image output device 2, and an image in which the first test information is drawn in advance is given to the target image output device 2. In this case, the output results are associated with each other.

  Further, when the third output result is obtained, the output result comparison unit 12 compares the second output result with the third output result, and among the drawing objects changed into a plurality in the third test information The one closest to the second output result is associated.

  In S107, it is determined whether or not the association is completed. If the association is not completed, the process returns to S106 and the association is repeated.

  When the association is completed, in S108, the change information generation unit 13 determines that the drawing result in the actual image output device 3 is the target from the comparison result between the first output result and the second output result in the output result comparison unit 12. Drawing change information for changing an instruction for the drawing process so as to obtain a drawing result in the image output apparatus 2 is generated. When the output result comparison unit 12 compares the first output result with the second output result, and there is a difference other than output characteristics including, for example, line width and color, the first test information is output as the target image. It is considered that there is a difference in processing contents when drawing with the apparatus 2. Therefore, in order to obtain the result of the drawing process in the target image output device 2 even in the drawing process in the real image output device 3, drawing change information for changing the output instruction data is generated.

  Further, when the output result comparison unit 12 compares the first output result and the second output result, and there is a difference in output characteristics including, for example, line width and color, the difference caused by the drawing process In this case, characteristic change information for changing the output characteristic is generated so that the output characteristic in the actual image output apparatus 3 becomes the output characteristic in the target image output apparatus 2. The output characteristics may be changed with respect to the output instruction data, or various values set in other processing units or apparatuses may be changed. When generating the characteristic change information, it is preferable to use a comparison result between the third output result from the output result comparison unit 12 and the second output result. Since the third test information is generated by changing a parameter whose output differs depending on the output characteristics, the third test information is also actualized in the third output result obtained by outputting the third test information by the real image output device 3. Since the output characteristics of the image output device 3 are reflected, the comparison result using the third output result may be reflected in the characteristic change information.

  In step S109, drawing change information and characteristic change information are output. For example, the drawing change information and the characteristic change information may be stored, and the processing may be performed on the given output instruction data using these, and the processed data may be passed to the actual image output device 3 for output. Alternatively, the drawing change information and the characteristic change information are passed to the real image output device 3, and the output instruction data is also passed to the real image output device 3, and the real image output device 3 outputs an instruction according to the drawing change information and the characteristic change information. Data may be changed and each part may be set and output.

  Note that the third test information generated in S104 may be generated based on, for example, the first output result or the second output result received from the target image output apparatus 2 in S105. For example, the third test information may be generated by performing a plurality of drawing processes so that the output characteristics are different using a drawing object in which the first output result and the second output result are not different.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific example of a system including an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 4 is a communication path, 14 is an application, 15 is a device driver, 16 is an information operation unit, 17 is a drawing object storage unit, 18 is an output instruction unit, 19 is an output result receiving unit, and 21 and 31 are image processing units. 22 and 32 are output instruction data receiving units, 23 and 33 are drawing processing units, 24 and 34 are color reproduction processing units, 25 and 35 are halftone processing units, 26 and 36 are output units, and 27 and 37 are image reading units. , 41 is an instruction change setting unit, 42 is an instruction determination unit, 43 is a drawing determination unit, 44 is a target device determination unit, 45 is a change information storage unit, and 46 is a parameter storage unit.

  In the specific example shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 1 is configured as a computer device that transmits output instruction data to the target image output device 2 and the actual image output device 3, and the target image output device 2 and An example in which communication is performed with the real image output device 3 is shown. Of course, it goes without saying that the information processing apparatus 1 may be realized in other forms such as being configured integrally with the actual image output apparatus 3.

  The communication path 4 is used for information communication between the information processing apparatus 1, the target image output apparatus 2, and the actual image output apparatus 3. As the communication path 4, various interfaces such as a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, and USB and SCSI may be used.

  First, a specific example of the configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described. In this specific example, the information processing apparatus 1 includes an application 14, a device driver 15, and an information operation unit 16. The information operation unit 16 includes the test information generation unit 11, the output result comparison unit 12, and the change information generation unit illustrated in FIG. 13, a drawing object storage unit 17, an output instruction unit 18, and an output result reception unit 19 are included. The application 14 has a function of creating document data and the like to be output to at least the actual image output device 3 in accordance with the operation of the operator.

  When there is a request for outputting document data or the like from the application 14, the device driver 15 transmits output instruction data to the target image output device 2 or the actual image output device 3 to control the output in these devices. A specific example of the output instruction data may be PDL data described in PDL (Page Description Language). The output instruction data includes an image quality instruction that is an instruction related 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.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an image quality instruction included in the output instruction data. In this example, an example having items of output instruction, resolution, gradation information, screen, color, special processing 1 and special processing 2 is shown. Of course, items set as image quality instructions are not limited to these, color reproduction for color values (for example, CMYK, RGB, etc.), thin line reproduction for line width designation (for example, mm, pixel), image processing policy for each object ( OOR / OOH), screen angle, object drawing method (raster or vector), and the like.

  For example, when five examples of image quality instructions shown in FIG. 4 are registered, any one of them may be selected by indicating an item number or the name of an output instruction, for example. Alternatively, these items may be instructed in the output instruction data. In the example of the image quality instruction shown in the figure, “high image quality” is set as the name of the output instruction in the example shown in item number 4, and “custom 1” is set as the name of the output instruction in the example shown in item number 5. If it is set and an instruction to select these is given, processing is performed assuming that the corresponding image quality instruction has been given. For example, even when the actual image output device 3 obtains an output result that matches the output result of the target image output device 2, it is designated as an image quality instruction after drawing change information and characteristic change information are generated. For example, “custom 1” is one of them. Of course, it is needless to say that the image quality instruction may be specified by other methods, such as designating a file name in which drawing change information and characteristic change information are stored.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the information operation unit 16 renders drawing change information for making the image quality characteristic of the image output from the actual image output device 3 different from the image quality characteristic of the image output from the target image output device 2. Generate characteristic change information. In this example, the information operation unit 16 is illustrated as being included in the information processing apparatus 1, but may be included in the actual image output apparatus 3, or may be realized as an independent configuration, for example. In addition, about the test information generation part 11, the output result comparison part 12, and the change information generation part 13 which are contained in the information operation part 16, the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  When the test information generation unit 11 generates the first test information from the given output instruction data, the drawing object storage unit 17 obtains the drawing object extracted from the output instruction data and what test information about the drawing object. It is memorized whether to generate.

  The output instruction unit 18 delivers each test information generated by the test information generation unit 11 to the device driver 15 and instructs the device driver 15 to output each test information.

  The output result receiving unit 19 receives the results output by the target image output device 2 and the actual image output device 3 for each test information through the communication path 4. The output result may be received, for example, as an image obtained by reading the image formation output by the target image output device 2 and the actual image output device 3 by the image reading units 27 and 37. The received output result is passed to the output result comparison unit 12.

  The target image output apparatus 2 has at least a function of outputting an image. In this example, the target image output apparatus 2 has an image forming function of forming an image on a medium such as paper. This example further has an image reading function for reading an image drawn on a medium such as paper. The target image output device 2 includes an image processing unit 21, an output unit 26, and an image reading unit 27 here.

  The output unit 26 forms an image on a medium such as paper based on the image data processed by the image processing unit 21 and outputs the image. Of course, the image output method such as display output is not limited to this. The image reading unit 27 reads an image drawn on the document and transmits the read image through the communication path 4. For example, an image based on each test information output from the output unit 26 is read by the image reading unit 27 and sent to the output result receiving unit 19 of the information operation unit 16. The image reading unit 27 may be a built-in reading device that reads an image output from the output unit 26 without human intervention.

  The image processing unit 21 performs image processing based on output instruction data transmitted from the device driver 15 of the information processing apparatus 1 through the communication path 4, and passes the image data to the output unit 26. In this example, the image processing apparatus 21 includes an output instruction data receiving unit 22, a drawing processing unit 23, a color reproduction processing unit 24, and a halftone processing unit 25. The output instruction data receiving unit 22 receives the output instruction data passed from the device driver 15 through the communication path 4 and passes it to the drawing processing unit 23. The drawing processing unit 23 performs drawing processing according to the output instruction data passed from the output instruction data receiving unit 22 to generate image data. The color reproduction processing unit 24 performs various color reproduction processes on the image data drawn by the drawing processing unit 23. Here, as the color reproduction process, a process of converting a color signal of a specific color space in the drawing command into a color signal of another color space whose elements are color components used for output by the output unit 26, color There are a process for converting a signal into another color signal within the color reproduction range, a process for correcting the gradation of the color signal, and the like. The halftone processing unit 25 generates a pseudo halftone image by screen processing or the like.

  The actual image output device 3 has at least a function of outputting an image. In this example, the image forming function for forming an image on a medium such as paper, and the output image is output to another output device, here a target image output It has a function to match the output of the device 2. This example further has an image reading function for reading an image drawn on a medium such as paper. The real image output device 3 includes an image processing unit 31, an output unit 36, an image reading unit 37, and an instruction change setting unit 41 here.

  The output unit 36 forms an image on a medium such as paper based on the image data processed by the image processing unit 31 and outputs the image. Of course, the image output method such as display output is not limited to this. The image reading unit 37 reads an image drawn on the document and transmits the read image through the communication path 4. For example, an image based on the third test information output by the output unit 36 is read by the image reading unit 37 and sent to the output result receiving unit 19 of the information operation unit 16. The image reading unit 37 may be a built-in scanner that reads the image output from the output unit 36 without human intervention.

  The image processing unit 31 performs image processing based on output instruction data transmitted from the device driver 15 of the information processing apparatus 1 through the communication path 4, and passes the image data to the output unit 36. In this example, the image processing apparatus 31 includes an output instruction data receiving unit 32, a drawing processing unit 33, a color reproduction processing unit 34, and a halftone processing unit 35. The output instruction data receiving unit 32 receives the output instruction data passed from the device driver 15 through the communication path 4 and passes it to the drawing processing unit 33 and the instruction change setting unit 41. The drawing processing unit 33 performs drawing processing according to the output instruction data passed from the output instruction data receiving unit 32 and generates image data. At that time, a drawing process is performed based on the instruction from the instruction change setting unit 41 and the changed image data.

  The color reproduction processing unit 34 performs various color reproduction processes on the image data drawn by the drawing processing unit 33. Here, as the color reproduction process, 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 a color component used for output by the output unit 36 as an element, There are a process for converting a signal into another color signal within the color reproduction range, a process for correcting the gradation of the color signal, and the like. At that time, color reproduction processing is performed according to an instruction from the instruction change setting unit 41. The halftone processing unit 35 generates a pseudo halftone image by screen processing or the like. At that time, halftone processing is performed in accordance with an instruction from the instruction change setting unit 41.

  The instruction change setting unit 41 performs processing for outputting an image with an image quality that is not different from that when the target image output device 2 outputs an image using the actual image output device 3. In this example, the instruction change setting unit 41 includes an instruction determination unit 42, a drawing determination unit 43, a target device determination unit 44, a change information storage unit 45, a parameter storage unit 46, and the like.

  The instruction determination unit 42 determines the content of the image quality instruction included in the output instruction data received by the output instruction data reception unit 32. The drawing determination unit 43 determines the content of the drawing command included in the output instruction data received by the output instruction data reception unit 32.

  The target device determination unit 44 differs from the output result of the target image output device according to the content of the image quality instruction determined by the instruction determination unit 42 and the drawing change information and characteristic change information stored in the change information storage unit 45. Changes to the characteristics and drawing commands of each part for obtaining the output that should not be determined are notified and set to each part.

  The change information storage unit 45 stores drawing change information and characteristic change information generated by the change information generation unit 13 of the information operation unit 16. Further, the parameter storage unit 46 stores parameters to be set for each unit determined by the target device determination unit 44.

  The target image output device 2 and the actual image output device 3 have the same configuration for outputting an image in this example, but, of course, each output device may have a different configuration.

  A specific example of the operation in the embodiment of the present invention will be described using the configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of specific examples of given output instruction data, first and second test information, and first and second output results. Here, the image shown in FIG. 5A is created by the application 14, and output instruction data for outputting the image is passed to the device driver 15, and the instruction content is different from the output in the target image output apparatus 2. It is assumed that the actual image output apparatus 3 is instructed to perform the output not to be performed. In the image shown in FIG. 5A, a character string “XXXX” in font a, a character string “Taro Tokkyo” in font b, a character string “YYY Corporation” in font c, and the like are drawn. In this example, in order to simplify the description, the output from the target image output device 2 is different from the output from the actual image output device 3 with respect to differences in drawing processing for characters and device characteristics such as the line width of the characters. In the following, the case of generating the drawing change information and the characteristic change information will be described.

  In the device driver 15, first, the information operation unit 16 is instructed to generate drawing change information and characteristic change information for performing output that is not different from the output in the target image output device 2 in the actual image output device 3.

  The information operation unit 16 generates drawing change information and characteristic change information by the process shown in FIG. First, the test information generation unit 11 extracts, from the image output instruction data shown in FIG. 5A, an object used in the image, that is, a character object drawn in three types of fonts in this example. Then, first test information corresponding to these is generated. At this time, it is preferable to generate the first test information corresponding to the used object by referring to the drawing object storage unit 17.

  In this specific example, the first test information shown in FIG. 5B is generated. That is, output instruction data for drawing “Aiueo ABCDE” using each font is generated as first test information corresponding to each character object of font a, font b, and font c. In FIG. 5B, for the sake of illustration, it is shown as an image after drawing, but the first test information is output instruction data before drawing.

  Subsequently, the test information generation unit 11 generates, as second test information, an image when rendered by the actual image output device 3 based on the first test information. The second test information generated from the first test information shown in FIG. 5B is shown in FIG. Note that when the real image output device 3 performs the drawing process according to the output instruction data, FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C should not differ, but the drawing of the real image output device 3 Depending on the process, it may be different.

  The first test information and the second test information generated in this way by the test information generation unit 11 are passed to the device driver 15. The device driver 15 instructs the target image output apparatus 2 to output the first test information and the second test information. Alternatively, an instruction for returning the output result may be given.

  In the target image output device 2, the output instruction data receiving unit 22 of the image processing unit 21 receives the output instruction data of the first test information and the second test information through the communication path 4. Then, after the drawing processing unit 23 performs drawing processing according to the output instruction data of the first test information and the second test information, color processing by the color reproduction processing unit 24, screen processing by the halftone processing unit 25, and the like are performed. And output from the output unit 26. The output image of the first test information and the image of the second test information are read by the image reading unit 27 and become an output result corresponding to the first test information and an output result corresponding to the second test information. . The output result corresponding to the first test information (first output result) is shown in FIG. 5D, and the output result corresponding to the second test information (second output result) is shown in FIG. , Respectively. These output results are returned to the information operation unit 16 through the communication path 4.

  Note that reading by the image reading unit 27 may be performed automatically or manually by an operator. Further, it is preferable to set a reading condition in accordance with the device characteristics acquired from the output result and read the output result by the image reading unit 27.

  The first output result and the second output result are received by the output result receiving unit 19 and passed to the output result comparing unit 12. The output result comparison unit 12 compares the first output result with the second output result. Then, there is no difference between the character string indicated as a1 ′ and the character string indicated as a2 ′, and there is no difference whether the font a is output by the actual image output device 3 or the target image output device 2. Conceivable. For the character string indicated as b1 ′ and the character string indicated as b2 ′, and the character string indicated as c1 ′ and the character string indicated as c2 ′, the output result by the actual image output device 3 and the target image output device 2 It can be seen that the output results by are different. These differences are caused by drawing with different fonts when drawing, and the difference in drawing processing between the target image output device 2 and the actual image output device 3 is extracted. Further, by comparing the image shown in FIG. 5C as the second test information with the second output result shown in FIG. 5E as the output result, the difference due to the output characteristics is found. can get. In FIG. 5, it is illustrated that there is no difference.

  The change information generation unit 13 receives the comparison result of the output result by the output result comparison unit 12, and for example, for a character object using the font b, the character string shown as b1 ′ in FIG. The drawing change information to be changed so as to become the font of is generated. Also, the drawing change information for changing the font c so as to be the font of the character string shown as c1 'in FIG. 5D is generated. Furthermore, although there is no difference in this example, if there is a difference due to the output characteristic, characteristic change information that is changed so as to obtain the output result shown in FIG. 5E is generated. The generated drawing change information and characteristic change information are sent to the real image output device 3 through the communication path 4 and changed information storage unit 45 of the real image output device 3 as change information when matching the output result of the target image output device 2. Is remembered.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the drawing contents in the drawing process. In the specific example described above, a case where there is a difference in fonts when a character object is drawn has been described. In addition to this, the example shown in FIG. 6 can be cited as an example of the difference in drawing processing performed by each image output device. For example, drawing of a character object may be processed as outline data (character outline data) or may be processed as bitmap data in addition to font differences. Also, when drawing a graphic, there is a difference between when drawing a graphic by filling a rectangular area, when drawing as a line, and when performing gradation processing. Furthermore, when an image is drawn, there is a difference between when image data is pasted and when a rectangular area of an image is filled.

  In addition to this, for example, when drawing a line, each image output device includes processing and connection processing according to line types such as dotted lines and broken lines, overlay processing of transparent portions, processing for each object attribute, processing for color, etc. There may be a difference in output in various drawing processes. Differences that may occur in each drawing object are stored in the drawing object storage unit 17. When the test information generating unit 11 generates the first test information, the drawing object is used so that if there is a drawing difference, the drawing object used in the output instruction data appears in the output. The first test information may be generated using the information in the storage unit 17. If there is a difference in drawing processing, a difference appears in each drawing object by comparing the first output result and the second output result, and the drawing change information may be created by extracting the difference. .

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of the third test information and the third output result. Even if the image of the second test information shown in FIG. 5C and the image of the second output result shown in FIG. 5E are compared, a difference in output characteristics can be obtained. When acquiring a difference in output characteristics in detail, it is preferable to further generate third test information and output it by an actual image output device, obtain a third output result, and compare it with the second output result.

  FIG. 7A shows an image output by the output instruction data shown in FIG. Among these, from the result of using the first test information and the second test information, there was no clear difference between the output of the target image output device 2 and the actual image output device 3 in the case of font a. The third test information is generated using the font a. In this example, the third test information shown in FIG. 7B is generated by paying attention to the thickness of the line and arranging three types of character strings having different line widths.

  The third test information generated by the test information generation unit 11 in this way is passed to the device driver 15. The device driver 15 instructs the real image output device 3 to output the third test information. Alternatively, an instruction for returning the output result may be given.

  In the real image output device 3, the output instruction data receiving unit 32 of the image processing unit 31 receives the output instruction data of the third test information through the communication path 4. Then, the drawing processing unit 33 performs drawing processing according to the output instruction data of the third test information, performs color processing by the color reproduction processing unit 34, screen processing by the halftone processing unit 35, and the like, and then outputs from the output unit 36. To do. The output image of the third test information is read by the image reading unit 37 and becomes an output result (third output result) corresponding to the third test information. The third output result is shown in FIG. The third output result is returned to the information operation unit 16 through the communication path 4.

  Note that reading by the image reading unit 37 may be performed automatically or manually by an operator. In addition, it is preferable to set a reading condition according to the device characteristics acquired from the output result and read the output result by the image reading unit 37.

  The third output result is received by the output result receiving unit 19 and passed to the output result comparing unit 12. The output result comparison unit 12 compares the second output result with the third output result. Then, each comparison result is passed to the change information generation unit 13.

  In the example of the third output result shown in FIG. 7C, for example, a character having a thickness of a1-1 ′ is indicated as a2 ′ in the second output result shown in FIG. Suppose that it is the thickness of the indicated character. This information is transferred from the output result comparison unit 12 to the change information generation unit 13, and the change information generation unit 13 sets the thickness of the line to the thickness when the character string a1-1 is generated with the third test information. The characteristic change information to be generated is generated. The generated characteristic change information is stored in the change information storage unit 45 of the actual image output device 3 through the communication path 4.

  In this specific example, the thickness of the line has been described as an example of the device characteristics. However, there are cases where differences due to various device characteristics in each image output device such as color reproducibility may occur. When the test information generating unit 11 generates the third test information, the drawing object used in the given output instruction data includes some information whose parameters are changed according to the device characteristics. Third test information may be generated. What is necessary is just to produce | generate characteristic change information using the parameter selected according to the comparison result among some changed according to the apparatus characteristic.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of drawing change information and characteristic change information. In the example shown in FIG. 8, drawing change information and characteristic change information are shown together. In the specific example described above, the font of the character object is different as a difference in the drawing processing between the target image output device 2 and the actual image output device 3. As the font drawing change information, “font b → font d” and “font c → font e” are set. In addition, line width information was obtained as device characteristics. “W4” is set as the characteristic change information regarding the line width. The drawing change information and the characteristic change information are generated by the change information generation unit 13, sent to the actual image output device 3, and stored in the change information storage unit 45.

  Other drawing change information and characteristic change information are also set when changes are required. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the drawing change information and the characteristic change information are collected, but it goes without saying that the information may be different from each other. Further, the drawing change information and the characteristic change information may be shared by a plurality of image output devices.

  After the drawing change information and the characteristic change information are stored in the change information storage unit 45 in the real image output device 3 in this way, the real image output device 3 outputs the drawing change information and the characteristic change information so as not to differ from the output of the target image output device 2. The device driver 15 of the information processing apparatus 1 sends the output instruction data passed from the application 14 to the real image output apparatus 3 through the communication path 4 to instruct output. At this time, it is notified that the drawing change information and the characteristic change information stored in the change information storage unit 45 are to be used. For example, “custom 1” or the like may be designated by the image quality instruction shown in FIG.

  The operation of the actual image output device 3 that has received the output instruction data will be described. Prior to outputting the image, it is preferable to present a necessary preliminary work instruction to the user and finish the preliminary work. For example, maintenance on the apparatus side such as gradation correction, registration correction, and multiple sheet running can be considered.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of an output operation in the real image output device 3. In S111, the output instruction data receiving unit 32 of the image processing unit 31 receives the output instruction data sent thereto.

  In S <b> 112, the instruction determination unit 42 determines the content of the image quality instruction included in the output instruction data received by the output instruction data reception unit 32. The drawing determination unit 43 determines the content of the drawing command included in the output instruction data received by the output instruction data reception unit 32. These determination results are transmitted to the target device determination unit 44. Here, the image quality instruction includes information specifying drawing change information and characteristic change information.

  In step S <b> 113, the target device determination unit 44 determines whether the image quality instruction includes information specifying drawing change information and characteristic change information, based on the determination result of the image quality instruction transmitted from the instruction determination unit 42. When information specifying drawing change information and characteristic change information is included as the image quality instruction, the drawing change information and characteristic change information already stored in the change information storage unit 45 are specified in S114. Drawing change information and characteristic change information are selected. In S117, the target device determination unit 44 outputs an output that is not different from the output of the target image output device 2 based on the selected drawing change information and characteristic change information and the output parameters stored in the parameter storage unit 46. Determine the characteristics of each part to get and the changes to the drawing command. Changes to the determined characteristics and drawing commands of each part are supplied to each part in S119.

  If it is determined in S113 that the image quality instruction does not include information specifying drawing change information and characteristic change information, in this example, the drawing change information and characteristic change information are attached to the output instruction data in S115. It is assumed that this is also the case, and it is determined whether drawing change information and characteristic change information are attached. If the drawing change information and the characteristic change information are attached, in S116, the drawing change information and the characteristic change information for temporarily applying the attached drawing change information and the characteristic change information to the output instruction data. Get as. In S117, the target device determination unit 44 outputs an output that is not different from the output of the target image output device 2 based on the acquired drawing change information and characteristic change information and the output parameters stored in the parameter storage unit 46. Determine the characteristics of each part to get and the changes to the drawing command. Changes to the determined characteristics and drawing commands of each part are supplied to each part in S119.

  Further, when it is determined in S115 that the drawing change information and the characteristic change information are not attached to the image quality instruction, the target device determination unit 44 uses the output parameter stored in the parameter storage unit 46 in S118. In step S119, output parameters are supplied to each unit.

  In step S120, an image is output according to the output instruction data sent. More specifically, the output instruction data received by the output instruction data receiving unit 32 is transferred to the drawing processing unit 33, and a drawing process is performed according to a drawing command in the output instruction data. At this time, when an instruction to change the drawing command is received from the target device determination unit 44, a drawing process in which the drawing command is changed according to the instruction is performed. For example, in the above-described specific example, a drawing command for drawing a character instructed by the font b or the font c is changed to the font d or the font e according to the drawing change information and characteristic change information shown in FIG. The width is drawn with the set line width.

  The rendered image is subjected to color processing in the color reproduction processing unit 34. Also in this case, color processing is performed in accordance with the settings instructed from the target device determination unit 44 based on the drawing change information and the characteristic change information. Further, the halftone processing unit 35 performs screen processing on the image subjected to color processing. Also in this case, it is performed in accordance with an instruction from the target device determination unit 44.

  Then, the image subjected to these processes by the image processing unit 31 is transferred to the output unit 36, and an image is output. The output unit 36 also outputs an image according to the setting from the target device determination unit 44. When drawing change information and characteristic change information are specified in the output instruction data, or when drawing change information and characteristic change information are attached, image processing is performed according to the drawing change information and characteristic change information. An output result that is not different from the output result of the target image output device 2 is obtained from the output unit 36.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a computer program, a storage medium storing the computer program, and a computer when the functions described in the embodiment of the present invention are realized by a computer program. In the figure, 51 is a program, 52 is a computer, 61 is a magneto-optical disk, 62 is an optical disk, 63 is a magnetic disk, 64 is a memory, 71 is a CPU, 72 is an internal memory, 73 is a reading unit, 74 is a hard disk, and 75 is An interface 76 is a communication unit.

  The functions of each unit described in the above-described embodiment of the present invention may be realized in whole or in part by a program 51 that can be executed by a computer. For example, the functions of the information processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3 and the functions of the support change setting unit 41 of the actual image output apparatus 3 may be realized in whole or in part by a program 51 that can be executed by a computer. In that case, the program 51 and the data used by the program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium is a signal of a corresponding signal that causes a change state of energy such as magnetism, light, electricity, etc. according to the description content of the program to the reading unit 73 provided in the hardware resource of the computer. In this format, the description content of the program is transmitted to the reading unit 73. For example, there are a magneto-optical disk 61, an optical disk 62 (including a CD and a DVD), a magnetic disk 63, a memory 64 (including an IC card, a memory card, a flash memory, and the like). Of course, these storage media are not limited to portable types.

  The program 51 is stored in these storage media, and the program 51 is read from the computer by, for example, mounting these storage media on the reading unit 73 or the interface 75 of the computer 52, and the internal memory 72 or the hard disk 74 (magnetic disk) And the program 51 is executed by the CPU 71, the functions described in the above-described embodiment of the present invention are realized in whole or in part. Alternatively, the program 51 is transferred to the computer 52 via the communication path, and the computer 52 receives the program 51 by the communication unit 76 and stores it in the internal memory 72 or the hard disk 74, and the program 51 is executed by the CPU 71. May be.

  In addition, the computer 52 may be connected to various devices via an interface 75. For example, when the information processing apparatus 1 is realized by the computer 52, the actual image output apparatus 3 may be connected via the interface 75. In addition, display means for displaying information, reception means for receiving information from the user, and the like may be connected.

  Of course, it may be partially configured by hardware, or all may be configured by hardware. Or you may comprise as a program which included all or one part of the function demonstrated by one Embodiment of this invention with the other structure. Of course, when applied to other purposes, it may be integrated with the program for that purpose.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing apparatus, 2 ... Target image output apparatus, 3 ... Real image output apparatus, 4 ... Communication path, 11 ... Test information generation part, 12 ... Output result comparison part, 13 ... Change information generation part, 14 ... Application, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Device driver, 16 ... Information operation part, 17 ... Drawing object memory | storage part, 18 ... Output instruction | indication part, 19 ... Output result reception part, 21, 31 ... Image processing part, 22, 32 ... Output instruction data reception part, 23 , 33 ... Drawing processing unit, 24, 34 ... Color reproduction processing unit, 25, 35 ... Halftone processing unit, 26, 36 ... Output unit, 27, 37 ... Image reading unit, 41 ... Instruction change setting unit, 42 ... Instruction Determining unit, 43 ... Drawing determining unit, 44 ... Target device determining unit, 45 ... Change information storage unit, 46 ... Parameter storage unit, 51 ... Program, 52 ... Computer, 61 ... Magneto-optical disk, 62 ... Optical disk, 63 ... Magnetic Disc, 64 ... memory, 71 ... CPU, 72 ... internal memory, 73 ... reading unit, 74 ... hard disk, 75 ... interface, 76 ... communication unit.

Claims (4)

  Test information generating means for generating first test information based on given output instruction data and generating second test information when the first test information is drawn and developed by a real image output device; Comparing means for comparing the first output result obtained by giving the first test information to the target image output device and the second output result obtained by giving the second test information to the target image output device. If there is a difference other than the output characteristics including line width and color from the comparison result by the comparison means, the drawing process is performed so that the drawing result in the actual image output device becomes the drawing result in the target image output device. When there is a difference in output characteristics including line width and color, and drawing change information for changing the instruction to the output characteristic, the output characteristic in the actual image output apparatus becomes the output characteristic in the target image output apparatus. The information processing apparatus characterized by comprising generating means for generating characteristic change information for changing the output characteristics such.   The test information generation unit further generates third test information drawn by changing a plurality of parameters with different outputs depending on output characteristics, and the comparison unit generates the third test information as the real image output device. The third output result obtained by applying to the second output result is compared with the second output result, and the generating means also uses the comparison result between the third output result and the second output result to change the characteristic. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus generates information.   A change information storage unit that stores drawing change information and characteristic change information generated by the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, and changes the given output instruction data according to the drawing change information and the characteristic Change setting means for setting output characteristics according to change information, drawing means for performing drawing processing according to the output instruction data changed by the change setting means, and processing for an image drawn according to the output characteristics set by the change setting means An information output apparatus comprising: processing means for performing the processing; and output means for outputting an image processed by the processing means.   An information processing program for causing a computer to execute the function of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

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