JP5712613B2 - Image forming apparatus, image processing control method, and image processing control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image processing control method, and an image processing control program having image processing control means for receiving an image data output instruction and performing image processing using the image data as an output image.

  In recent years, multifunctionalization of image forming apparatuses has progressed. For example, recent image forming apparatuses have functions such as a double-sided simultaneous reading function, an operation in an energy saving mode, and image processing corresponding to more than four colors of CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black). When such image processing is executed, the image processing control software is divided into a plurality of tasks, and the processing is switched according to a predetermined time or priority for each task.

  Since this image processing includes processing that requires an enormous number of calculations, the arithmetic processing device executes processing while switching the processing assigned every few seconds. In order to execute one process, it is more efficient to divide the process into units of several seconds and execute it for each unit than to occupy the arithmetic processor for a long time. Can be speeded up.

Further, as a method for further speeding up image processing, there is known difference management in which various parameters for image processing are compared with parameters used for the previous processing, and recalculation is performed only when there is a difference. For example, Patent Document 1, and the child realize high-speed processing for a plurality of configuration request is described.

  However, in the above-described conventional difference management, since all required image processing is performed when a difference occurs, the degree of contribution to increasing the speed of image processing when a difference occurs is low. Further, the image processing required here needs to be executed before the recording paper reaches the image forming unit from the paper feed tray by an instruction such as copying or printing. If the execution of the image processing is not completed during this time, there is a problem that a delay accumulates and a jam occurs in printing a plurality of sheets.

  The present invention has been made to solve this problem in view of the above circumstances, and can reduce the processing amount in image processing and contribute to speeding up of image processing, an image forming control apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and The object is to provide an image processing control program.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following configuration.

The present invention is an image forming apparatus having an image processing control unit that receives an image data output instruction and performs image processing using the image data as an output image. The image processing control unit is formed by the image forming apparatus. Γ composition processing means for performing composition processing of a plurality of γ data for correcting the image data for each color plate to be processed, and the γ composition processing means when the output instruction is received Calculation determining means for determining whether or not to perform γ data combining processing for all color plates formed by the image forming apparatus based on the setting state of the image, and an update request for parameters used in the combining processing receiving, holding the intermediate data obtained by synthesizing a portion of the γ data, have a, a calculating means for performing synthesis processing of γ data using the intermediate data based on the determination result by the calculation determination means That.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the calculation determination unit is a change in which the setting is changed from the setting at the time when the previous output instruction is received, and the change affects all color plates. In this case, it is determined that the plurality of γ data is to be combined with respect to all the color plates, the setting is changed from the setting when the previous output instruction is received, and the change is specified. If the change affects only the color plate, it is determined that the plurality of γ data are combined with the specific color plate.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention further includes a setting storage unit that stores a calculation result of the calculation unit in a storage area, and a parameter setting unit that sets an address of the storage area where the calculation result is stored in the γ composition processing unit. And having.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, when the calculation determination unit determines that the setting has not been changed from the setting at the time of receiving the previous output instruction, the setting storage unit stores the setting in the storage area. A value indicating the determination result by the calculation determination means is stored.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, when the calculation unit receives an update request for the plurality of γ data due to the change in the setting, a part of the γ data among the plurality of γ data based on the change in the setting. Is executed for each color plate, and the calculation result is held.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, when the calculation unit performs the synthesis process of the γ data, the calculation result holds the γ data other than the partial γ data in the plurality of γ data. Perform the synthesis process.

The present invention is an image processing control method by an image forming apparatus having an image processing control means for receiving an image data output instruction and performing image processing using the image data as an output image. The image forming apparatus is formed by the image forming apparatus. A γ composition processing procedure for synthesizing a plurality of γ data for correcting the image data for each color plate, and setting of the image forming apparatus when receiving the output instruction in the γ composition processing procedure And a calculation determination procedure for determining whether or not to perform γ data composition processing for all color plates formed by the image forming apparatus, and an update request for parameters used in the composition processing. Te, a calculation procedure for holding the intermediate data, executes a synthesis process of the γ data using the intermediate data based on the determination result by the calculation determination procedure combining a portion of the γ data, A.

The present invention is an image processing control program that is executed in an image forming apparatus having an image processing control unit that receives an image data output instruction and performs image processing using the image data as an output image. In addition, a γ composition processing step for performing a composition process of a plurality of γ data for correcting the image data for each color plate formed by the image forming apparatus is executed, and the γ composition processing step outputs the output instruction. on the basis of the setting state of the received time of the image forming apparatus, a calculation determining step of determining whether to perform composition processing of the γ data for all color image components are formed by the image forming apparatus, the synthetic receiving a parameter update request used for processing, the hold intermediate data obtained by synthesizing the part of the γ data, the in based on a result of determination by the calculation determination step And a computer step for executing a synthesis process of γ data using the inter-time data .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the amount of processing executed in image processing and contribute to speeding up of image processing.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the image processing in the image forming apparatus of 1st embodiment. It is a figure explaining the division of the factor which changes the value of a synthetic element. It is a figure explaining the adaptive (gamma) process part of 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the adaptive (gamma) process part of 1st embodiment. It is a figure explaining the adaptive (gamma) process part of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure explaining calculation of the intermediate data by the parameter calculation part of a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a γ composition process when an image formation request is received when intermediate data is held. It is a flowchart explaining the calculation process of (gamma) composition when a parameter update request is received. It is a figure which shows an example of the intermediate data pre-gamma-combined. It is a figure explaining the optimization of the intermediate data in 2nd embodiment. It is a 1st figure explaining operation | movement of the adaptive (gamma) process part of 2nd embodiment. It is a 2nd figure explaining operation | movement of the adaptive (gamma) process part of 2nd embodiment.

  The present invention contributes to speeding up image processing by reducing the amount of processing related to γ synthesis processing in image processing during color printing.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a scanning device 11, a plotter device 12, a driver 13, an HDD (Hard disk drive) 14, a memory device 15, an arithmetic processing device (Central Processing Unit) 16, and an interface, which are mutually connected by a bus B. It comprises a device 17 and an operation panel 18.

  The scanning device 11 includes a scanner, a scanner engine, an engine control unit, and the like, and is used for scanning a document to obtain document data. The plotter device 12 includes a plotter, a plotter engine, an engine control unit, and the like, and is used for printing document data. The operation panel 18 is realized by a touch panel or the like having a display function, and displays an operation screen for operating the image forming apparatus 100. The operation panel 18 displays a guidance screen for the progress of processing by the image forming apparatus 100.

  The interface device 17 includes a modem, a LAN (Local Area Network) card, and the like, and is used to connect to a network.

  The image processing control program of the present invention is at least a part of various programs that control the image forming apparatus 100. The image processing control program is provided, for example, by distributing the recording medium 19 or downloading from a network. The recording medium 19 on which the image processing control program is recorded is a recording medium for recording information optically, electrically or magnetically, such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, etc., ROM Various types of recording media such as (Read Only Memory), a semiconductor memory that electrically records information such as a flash memory, and the like can be used.

  When the recording medium 19 on which the image processing control program is recorded is set in the driver 13, the image processing control program is installed from the recording medium 19 to the HDD 14 via the driver 13. The image processing control program downloaded from the network is installed in the HDD 14 via the interface device 17.

  The HDD 14 stores the installed image processing control program and stores necessary files, data, and the like. The memory device 15 reads and stores the image processing control program from the HDD 14 when the computer is activated. The arithmetic processing unit 16 implements various processes as described later in accordance with an image processing control program stored in the memory device 15.

  Prior to the description of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, image processing executed by the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the processing amount of the γ data synthesis process included in the image processing is reduced. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining image processing in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is a diagram for explaining the image processing control unit, and FIG. 2B is a diagram for explaining the γ synthesis processing.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, for example, image data is read from the memory device 15 in which image data and the like are stored, and transferred to the image processing control unit 200. The image processing control unit 200 performs image processing on the image data and passes it to the plotter device 12. The plotter device 12 outputs an image based on the image data that has been subjected to image processing.

  The image processing control unit 200 of this embodiment includes an adaptive γ processing unit 210 and a gradation processing unit 220. The adaptive γ processing unit 210 according to the present embodiment performs γ composition processing and post-processing on image data. The post-processing in this embodiment is processing performed on, for example, γ data created as a result of γ synthesis processing, and includes background removal, monotonic increase, smoothing processing, and the like. The gradation processing unit 220 performs gradation processing on the image data output from the adaptive γ processing unit 210.

  The adaptive γ process according to this embodiment will be described below.

  In the adaptive γ processing, a plurality of synthesis elements (γ data) that are parameters used in the γ synthesis processing are synthesized and post-processing is performed. In FIG. 2B, composite elements A to G are shown as an example of a plurality of composite elements. A plurality of composite elements A to G are provided for each color plate that can be supported by the image forming apparatus 100, one corresponding to normal character printing, and one corresponding to photo printing. For example, when the image forming apparatus 100 is an apparatus corresponding to four colors of CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), the image data for each color for forming the C plate, the M plate, the Y plate, and the K plate is used. On the other hand, adaptive γ processing is performed.

  Among the composite elements A to G, the composite elements A to E and G are stored in the ROM area of the memory device 15, and the composite element F is stored in the RAM area of the memory device 15. The values of the composite elements A to G change depending on various settings of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the values of the composite elements A and B change depending on user settings. The combination elements C, D, E, and G are designated as SP in the administrator mode of the image forming apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to as “specific user setting”. In the following drawings, “specific user setting”). ) Changes the value. The value of the composite element F changes depending on whether or not ACC (auto color calibration) automatic adjustment is set. That is, in the adaptive γ process, changes in various settings are factors that change the value of the composite element. In the present embodiment, a change in setting that causes a change in the value of a composite element is referred to as a difference.

  In this embodiment, the factors that change the value of the composite element are classified, and it is determined whether or not there is a difference for each section. If there is a difference, a γ composition process corresponding to the difference is performed, so that It is possible to avoid constantly performing the γ synthesis process, and to reduce the processing amount of the adaptive γ processing unit 210.

  In the following, with reference to FIG. 3, the categories of factors that change the value of the composite element will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining classification of factors that change the value of the composite element.

  In the present embodiment, there are two types: a factor that affects all color plates when there is a change and a factor that affects only a specific color plate when there is a change.

  For example, factors that affect all color plates are the presence or absence of execution of ACC automatic adjustment and the change of specific user settings. The change of the specific user setting is, for example, a setting change for determining the arrangement order of the composite elements. Even when the user setting is changed, for example, when the output setting is changed from the normal print mode to the photo mode or the monochrome mode is changed to the color mode, all color plates are affected.

  Factors that affect only a specific color plate include, for example, a change in composition element variation included in a specific user setting.

  In the image processing control unit 200 of the present embodiment, the adaptive γ processing unit 210 determines which color plate is to be recalculated for γ composition based on the classification of factors. Therefore, the adaptive γ processing unit 210 according to the present embodiment can reduce items to be recalculated even when there is a difference compared to the previous setting when performing image processing.

  Details of the adaptive γ processing unit 210 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the adaptive γ processing unit of the first embodiment.

  The adaptive γ processing unit 210 according to the present embodiment includes a calculation determination unit 211, a parameter calculation unit 212, a setting storage unit 213, and a parameter setting unit 214.

  The calculation determination unit 211 determines whether it is necessary to recalculate γ synthesis based on a factor that changes the value of the synthesis element. In addition, the calculation determination unit 211 of this embodiment determines a color plate that requires recalculation of γ composition. The parameter calculation unit 212 calculates γ synthesis. The setting storage unit 213 stores the calculation result obtained by the parameter calculation unit 212. The parameter setting unit 214 sets the calculation result saved by the setting saving unit 213 to the adaptive γ processing unit 210.

  Hereinafter, processing by the adaptive γ processing unit 210 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the adaptive γ processing unit of the first embodiment.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when image processing is started, the adaptive γ processing unit 210 determines whether or not the ACC automatic adjustment is performed by the calculation determination unit 211 (step S501). When the ACC automatic adjustment is executed, all color plates are affected. Accordingly, the calculation determining unit 211 determines that the γ composition is recalculated for all color planes, and the process proceeds to step S503 described later.

  When the ACC automatic adjustment is not executed in step S501, the calculation determination unit 211 determines whether there is a difference in other factors that affect all color plates (step S502). That is, the calculation determination unit 211 determines whether or not a setting change that affects all the color plates has been made.

  If there is a difference in the factors affecting all the color plates in step S502, the parameter calculation unit 212 recalculates γ composition for all color plates (step S503). Subsequently, the setting storage unit 213 stores the calculation result by the parameter calculation unit 212 (step S504). Note that the adaptive γ processing unit 210 of this embodiment is provided with a heap area for storing the calculation results.

  Subsequently, the parameter setting unit 214 sets the address of the heap area where the calculation result is stored by the setting storage unit 213 (step S505). In the present embodiment, when the parameter is calculated, it is necessary to set the parameter in the image processing control unit 200. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the address of the area where the calculation result is stored is set for the pointer that is referred to when setting in the image processing control unit 200.

  Subsequently, the calculation determination unit 211 stores the difference management information in the storage area of the adaptive γ processing unit 210 (step S506), and ends the process. The difference management information is information obtained by updating the setting information of the user of the image forming apparatus 100 and the setting information of the specific user to the contents set this time. The execution of the ACC automatic adjustment included in the difference management information is updated as “none”.

  In step S502, when there is no difference in the factors that affect all the color plates, that is, when there is no change in the setting that affects all the color plates, the calculation determination unit 211 performs steps S508 to S514 described later. It is determined whether or not the above processes have been performed for all color plates (step S507).

  If the process for all color plates has been completed in step S507, the process proceeds to step S506 and the process is terminated.

  If the processing for all the color plates has not been completed in step S507, the calculation determining unit 211 determines whether there is a difference in the factors that affect only the specific color plate (step S508). That is, the calculation determination unit 211 determines whether there has been a change in setting that affects only a specific color plate.

  If there is a difference in step S508, the parameter calculation unit 212 recalculates the γ composition of the color plate in which the difference exists (step S509). Step S510 and step S511 are the same as the processing of step S504 and step S505, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  If there is no difference in step S508, recalculation is not necessary. Therefore, the parameter setting unit 214 determines whether or not the address of the area where the calculation result is stored is set (step S512).

  If the address is set in step S512, there is no difference and recalculation is not necessary. Therefore, NULL (= 0) is set in the area indicated by the address (step S513), and the process returns to step S507. In this embodiment, by setting NULL instead of the calculation result in the area indicated by the address, when the image processing control unit 200 refers to a predetermined address, the image processing control unit 200 determines that recalculation is not necessary.

  If no address is set in step S512, the parameter setting unit 214 sets the address of the area for storing the calculation result (step S514), and the process returns to step S507. The case where there is no difference and the address is not set is, for example, a case where the image forming apparatus 100 unexpectedly stops operation due to a jam or the like before saving the calculation result.

  In this embodiment, the parameter setting unit 214 may notify the calculation determination unit 211 after setting the address. The calculation determination unit 211 may use the notification result to determine whether to perform recalculation after the next time.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the setting at the time of the previous image processing is changed, only necessary color plates are recalculated according to the content of the change. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the amount of processing in image processing and contribute to speeding up of image processing.

(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that a composite element with little change is pre-gamma-combined and the calculation result is held as intermediate data. In the following description of the second embodiment, only differences from the first embodiment will be described, and those having the same functional configuration as the first embodiment are used in the description of the first embodiment. The same reference numerals as the reference numerals are assigned, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the adaptive γ processing unit according to the second embodiment. In the image processing control unit 200 according to the present embodiment, when receiving an update request for parameters, the adaptive γ processing unit 210 performs γ synthesis in advance and holds the result as intermediate data. In this embodiment, when a difference occurs due to a factor that hardly causes a difference in normal use, only γ composition is performed in advance for only a composite element whose value is changed by the difference, and the calculation result is held as intermediate data. . Factors that rarely cause differences include, for example, differences caused by execution of ACC automatic adjustment, differences caused by changes in specific user settings, and the like. In the present embodiment, the difference caused by the change in the user setting may occur every time an image formation request is made, and thus is not used as a synthesis element for γ synthesis in advance.

  In this embodiment, with this configuration, it is possible to reduce the processing amount of the γ composition processing to be executed between the time when an image formation request is made and the time when image formation is started, and the processing time can be shortened.

  The calculation of the intermediate data 60 by the parameter calculation unit 212 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining calculation of intermediate data by the parameter calculation unit of the second embodiment. In FIG. 7, the C version at the time of character printing is taken as an example.

  In the C version shown in FIG. 7, composite elements A to G are provided. Among the composite elements A to F, the composite element changed by the execution of ACC automatic adjustment is the composite element F, and the composite elements changed by the specific user setting are the composite elements C to E and G.

  The parameter calculation unit 212 of this embodiment receives a parameter update request when, for example, ACC automatic adjustment is executed or when a specific user setting is changed. The parameter calculation unit 212 synthesizes the synthesis element F and the synthesis elements C to E and G in advance to obtain a synthesis element CDEFG, and holds the synthesis element CDEFG as intermediate data. The ACC automatic adjustment and the change of the specific user setting may be performed at an arbitrary timing. The composite element CDEFG is preferably stored in a RAM area included in the memory device 15, for example.

  In FIG. 7, the C version at the time of character printing is taken as an example, but upon receiving a parameter update request, the parameter calculation unit 212 of this embodiment executes γ composition for each color plate at the time of character printing. Is stored as intermediate data. The parameter calculation unit 212 similarly performs γ composition for each color plate at the time of photo printing, and holds the result as intermediate data 60.

  In the present embodiment, if the intermediate data 60 is held by previously synthesizing some of the synthesis elements, the processing amount of the γ synthesis processing when an image formation request is received can be reduced. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining γ composition processing when an image formation request is received when intermediate data is held.

  In the example of FIG. 8, the composite element CDEFG is held as the intermediate data 60. When receiving an image formation request such as copying or printing while the intermediate data 60 is held, the adaptive γ processing unit 210 γ-combines the composite element A, the composite element B, and the composite element CDEFG that is the intermediate data 60. It ’s fine. Therefore, the processing amount of the γ composition processing in the adaptive γ processing unit 210 is reduced. The adaptive γ processing unit 210 according to the present embodiment may hold a result obtained by performing post-processing on the result of γ synthesis processing as a synthesis result. By holding the composite result, the composite result can be used from the second image formation.

  In the following, with reference to FIG. 9, the calculation process of γ synthesis when the parameter calculation unit 212 receives a parameter update request will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the calculation process of γ synthesis when a parameter update request is received. FIG. 9 shows processing when a parameter update request is received due to execution of ACC automatic adjustment.

  In the present embodiment, a composite element that is adjacent to a composite element F whose value is changed by execution of ACC automatic adjustment and whose value is changed by a change in a specific user setting is combined with the composite element F in advance.

  When the ACC automatic adjustment is executed in the present embodiment, the parameter calculation unit 211 generates a composite element F ′ (step S901). Subsequently, the parameter calculation unit 211 refers to the specific user setting that specifies the arrangement order of the composite elements (step S902). Subsequently, the parameter calculation unit 212 determines whether or not there are composite elements whose values are changed by the change of the specific user setting before and after the composite element F ′ based on the arrangement order of the composite elements (step S903). In the present embodiment, in this embodiment, for example, reference is made in the order of the composite elements E, D, C, B, A, and G to determine whether or not there is a composite element whose value is changed by a change in the specific user setting. .

  In step S903, when the corresponding composite element exists, the parameter calculation unit 212 refers to the specific user setting that is a factor for changing the value of the corresponding composite element (step S904). Subsequently, the parameter calculation unit 212 identifies the γ data of the corresponding synthesis element from the specific user setting that is the factor, performs γ synthesis with the synthesis element F (step S905), and returns to step S903. If no corresponding composite element exists in step S903, the parameter calculation unit 212 ends the process.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of intermediate data that is pre-gamma-combined. In FIG. 10, the composite element E and the composite element G are adjacent to the composite element F ′ changed by executing the ACC automatic adjustment. Since the composite element E is a composite element that is changed by a specific user setting, it is pre-combined with the composite element F ′. Subsequently, the composite element D is also adjacent to the composite element E combined with the composite element F ′, and the value is changed by a specific user setting. Therefore, the synthesis element D is also synthesized in advance. Similarly, the composite element C and the composite element G are previously combined with the composite element F ′.

  In the parameter calculation unit 212 of this embodiment, a composite element CDEF′G obtained by combining the composite elements C, D, E, F ′, and G can be held as intermediate data.

  In the present embodiment, if the intermediate data is held in this way, in the γ synthesis before image formation, the synthesis process of the three synthesis elements of the synthesis element A, the synthesis element B, and the synthesis element CDEF′G can be performed. It is possible to reduce the processing amount and processing time related to γ synthesis.

  Furthermore, the parameter calculation unit 212 of the present embodiment can generate optimized intermediate data when combining a part of a plurality of synthesis elements in advance to obtain intermediate data.

  Hereinafter, the optimization of intermediate data will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining optimization of intermediate data in the second embodiment.

  The parameter calculation unit 212 of the present embodiment selects a synthesis element to be synthesized in advance so as to synthesize more synthesis elements when generating intermediate data. If the intermediate data is a value obtained by synthesizing more synthesis elements, the amount of γ synthesis processing before image formation can be reduced.

  In the example of FIG. 11, composite elements are arranged in the order of composite elements A, C, D, B, E, F, and G, and values of composite elements A and composite elements B are changed by a user setting change. The values of the composite elements C, D, E, and G are changed by changing the specific user setting, and the values of the composite element F are changed by executing the ACC automatic adjustment.

  In the present embodiment, the composite element F whose value is changed by executing the ACC automatic adjustment and the composite elements C to E and G whose value is changed by the change of the specific user setting is a composite element synthesized beforehand.

  Therefore, for example, when the composite element F is changed by executing ACC automatic adjustment, the values obtained by combining the composite elements E and G that are adjacent to the composite element F and whose values are changed by a specific user setting are combined with the composite element F are intermediate. It becomes data. In this case, the intermediate data is the composite element EFG.

  Here, consider a case where the value of the composite element D is changed due to a change in the specific user setting. In this case, a composite element that is adjacent to the composite element D and whose value is changed by changing a specific user setting or executing ACC automatic adjustment is a composite element that is combined with the composite element D in advance. In the case of FIG. 11, the corresponding composite element is only the composite element C. Therefore, in this case, the intermediate data is a combination of the composite element C and the composite element D. In this case, the intermediate data is the composite element CD.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, a composite element EFG having a large number of composite elements is held as intermediate data. By holding the intermediate data obtained by synthesizing the three synthesis elements, the number of γ synthesis processes before image formation can be reduced by one as compared to using the synthesis of the two synthesis elements as the intermediate data.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by efficiently storing the intermediate data, it is possible to reduce the processing amount of the γ composition processing immediately before the image formation and to shorten the processing time.

  Next, the operation of the adaptive γ processing unit 210 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a first diagram illustrating the operation of the adaptive γ processing unit of the second embodiment. FIG. 12 shows the operation of the adaptive γ processing unit 210 when the calculation determining unit 211 determines that recalculation is necessary.

  When an image formation request such as copying or printing is made in the image forming apparatus 100 (step S1201), the calculation determination unit 211 performs a difference comparison process (step S1202). When the calculation determining unit 211 determines that recalculation of γ synthesis is necessary, the calculation determining unit 211 makes a calculation request to the parameter calculating unit 212 (step 1203).

  The parameter calculation unit 212 reads the intermediate data 60 with reference to the RAM area of the memory device 15 (step S1204). Subsequently, the parameter calculation unit 212 recalculates γ synthesis using the intermediate data (step S1205). When the recalculation is completed, the setting storage unit 213 stores the calculation result in the heap area (step S1206).

  When the calculation result is saved, the parameter setting unit 214 refers to the heap area where the calculation result is saved (step S1207), and sets the address where the calculation result is saved in the adaptive γ processing unit 210 (step S1208). Subsequently, the parameter setting unit 214 notifies the calculation determination unit 211 that the address has been set (step S1209).

  The calculation determination unit 211 uses the contents of this notification to make a difference management determination, a memory reservation determination for parameter setting, and the like.

  The determination as to whether or not to perform recalculation by the calculation determination unit 211 is as described in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, when it is determined that recalculation of γ synthesis is necessary for all color plates, the processing in steps S1201 to S1209 in FIG. 12 is performed for all color plates. If it is determined that recalculation of γ synthesis is necessary only for a specific color plate, the processing of steps S1201 to S1209 is performed only for the color plate that is determined to require recalculation.

  Next, a case where the calculation determining unit 211 determines that recalculation is unnecessary will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a second diagram illustrating the operation of the adaptive γ processing unit of the second embodiment.

  When an image forming request such as copying or printing is made in the image forming apparatus 100 (step S1301), the calculation determining unit 211 performs a difference comparison process (step S1302). When the calculation determining unit 211 determines that the recalculation of γ synthesis is not necessary, the calculation determining unit 211 notifies the parameter calculating unit 212 (step S1303).

  The parameter calculation unit 212 stores a result indicating that the calculation is unnecessary in the setting storage unit 213 (step S1304). The parameter setting unit 214 refers to the result stored by the setting storage unit 213 and determines that it is not necessary to set a new address (step S1305).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the amount of processing and the processing time of the γ synthesis process can be reduced by using intermediate data when performing recalculation of γ synthesis.

  As mentioned above, although this invention has been demonstrated based on each embodiment, this invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the said embodiment. With respect to these points, the gist of the present invention can be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 200 Image processing control part 210 Adaptive gamma processing part 220 Gradation processing part 211 Calculation judgment part 212 Parameter calculation part 213 Setting preservation | save part 214 Parameter setting part

JP 2008-217172 A

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus having image processing control means for receiving an image data output instruction and performing image processing using the image data as an output image,
The image processing control means includes
Γ composition processing means for performing composition processing of a plurality of γ data for correcting the image data for each color plate formed by the image forming apparatus,
The γ synthesis processing means includes
Calculation determining means for determining whether to perform γ data composition processing for all color plates formed by the image forming apparatus based on the setting state of the image forming apparatus when receiving the output instruction When,
In response to a request for updating a parameter used in the synthesis process, intermediate data obtained by synthesizing a part of the γ data is held, and γ data synthesis process using the intermediate data is performed based on a determination result by the calculation determination unit. And an image forming apparatus comprising: The calculation judging means includes
When the setting has been changed from the setting when the previous output instruction was received and the change is a change that affects all color plates, the plurality of γ for all the color plates Judge that the data is to be combined,
When the setting is changed from the setting when the previous output instruction is received and the change is a change that affects only the specific color plate, the plurality of the specific color plates The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus determines that the γ data is combined. Setting storage means for storing the calculation result by the calculation means in a storage area;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a parameter setting unit that sets an address of the storage area where the calculation result is stored in the γ composition processing unit. When it is determined by the calculation determination means that the setting has not been changed from the setting when the previous output instruction was received,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the setting storage unit stores a value indicating a determination result by the calculation determination unit in the storage area. The calculating means includes
When the plurality of γ data has received an update request due to the change in the setting, a part of the γ data among the plurality of γ data is synthesized based on the change in the setting for each color plate. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the image forming apparatus holds the image. The calculating means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the γ data is combined, the held calculation result is combined with γ data other than the partial γ data in the plurality of γ data. An image processing control method by an image forming apparatus having image processing control means for receiving an image data output instruction and performing image processing using the image data as an output image,
A γ composition processing procedure for performing a composition process of a plurality of γ data for correcting the image data for each color plate formed by the image forming apparatus;
In the γ synthesis processing procedure,
Calculation determination procedure for determining whether to perform γ data composition processing for all color plates formed by the image forming apparatus based on the setting state of the image forming apparatus when receiving the output instruction When,
In response to a request for updating a parameter used for the synthesis process, intermediate data obtained by synthesizing a part of the γ data is held, and γ data synthesis process using the intermediate data is performed based on a determination result in the calculation determination step. An image processing control method comprising: a calculation procedure to be executed. An image processing control program executed in an image forming apparatus having an image processing control means for receiving an image data output instruction and performing image processing using the image data as an output image,
In the image processing control means,
Executing a γ composition processing step for performing a composition process of a plurality of γ data for correcting the image data for each color plate formed by the image forming apparatus,
The γ composition processing step includes
A calculation determination step for determining whether to perform γ data composition processing for all color plates formed by the image forming apparatus based on the setting state of the image forming apparatus when receiving the output instruction. When,
In response to a request for updating a parameter used for the synthesis process, intermediate data obtained by synthesizing a part of the γ data is held, and γ data synthesis process using the intermediate data is performed based on a determination result in the calculation determination step. An image processing control program including a computer step to be executed.

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