JP7263907B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a digital multi-function peripheral, complicated operations had to be performed in order to improve copy quality by changing image processing setting values. Therefore, very few users change the settings to improve the quality, and many print with the default settings even if they are dissatisfied with the quality.

With the conventional technology, if the copy result does not have the desired image quality, it is difficult to understand what should be adjusted or changed to achieve the desired image quality. In addition, there is a problem that adjustment, printing, and adjustment are repeated until a desired print output is obtained.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200000 discloses a method of setting processing conditions associated with items selected by the user when copying or scanning, and displaying selection items for changing the processing conditions on a user interface. It improves the operability when setting. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200000 discloses a configuration in which a sample image is created from a wide range of parameters and set for the purpose of easily adjusting image processing.

However, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-100000, since selection items must be operated in order to adjust the image quality, it is desired to further reduce the number of operations performed by the user, and improved operability is desired. In Patent Document 2, the characteristics of the adjustment result and the items to be adjusted are unclear just by selecting from a pattern-printed list, and the problem of what and where to adjust to achieve the desired image quality cannot be resolved. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of outputting an image with improved image quality without requiring complicated operations.

In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes image quality analysis means for analyzing image quality of acquired image data, holding means for holding one or more image quality adjustment settings, and an analysis result of the image quality analysis means. image quality adjustment setting extraction means for extracting image quality adjustment settings for improving the image quality when the image data is output from a holding means holding one or more image quality adjustment settings, and outputting the image data based on image quality adjustment means for performing image quality adjustment based on the image quality adjustment settings extracted by the image quality adjustment setting extraction means , wherein the image quality analysis means specifies a use of the image data. do.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of outputting an image with improved image quality without requiring complicated operations.

1 is a functional configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an image forming method according to the embodiment; 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of image quality adjustment setting; FIG. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing other examples of image quality adjustment settings; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of options for setting image quality; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of options for setting image quality; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of options for setting image quality; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of options for setting image quality; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of options for setting image quality; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display for creating a sample image and selecting an output; FIG. 2A shows an example of a sample image, and FIG. 2B shows an example of a screen display for selecting a sample image; FIG.

An image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and can be changed within the scope of those skilled in the art, such as other embodiments, additions, modifications, deletions, etc. is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as the functions and effects of the present invention are exhibited.

The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment includes image quality analysis means for analyzing the image quality of acquired image data, holding means for holding one or more image quality adjustment settings, and image data based on the analysis result of the image quality analysis means. image quality adjustment setting extracting means for extracting image quality adjustment settings for improving image quality when outputting from a holding means holding one or more image quality adjustment settings; image quality adjustment means for performing image quality adjustment based on the image quality adjustment settings extracted by the extraction means.

In the prior art, complicated operations had to be performed in order to improve the copy quality by changing the setting values for image processing in a digital multi-function peripheral. Therefore, very few users change the settings to improve the quality, and many print with the default settings even if they are dissatisfied with the quality. It is believed that less than 20% of users actually change the settings in the market.

Therefore, if it were possible to automatically reflect the optimal image processing and improve the quality with a simple task such as scanning a document, not only users who change settings by complicated operations but also those who do not know how to make adjustments Even dissatisfied users can improve copy quality and satisfaction. According to the present invention, it is possible to output an image with improved image quality without requiring complicated operations.

An embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes image quality analysis means 2 , holding means 3 , image quality adjustment setting extraction means 4 , image quality adjustment means 5 , display means 6 , communication means 7 and image data creation means 8 . Other means may be provided as required.

The image quality analysis means analyzes the image quality of the acquired image data. The items to be analyzed are not particularly limited, but for example, color tone, brightness, contrast, edge, amount of change in brightness, number of colors used, and colors other than the color of the recording medium are used. For example, the ratio of the area covered by

Also, the image quality analysis means specifies, for example, the use of the image data. The application of the image data is not particularly limited, but is also called an image quality mode, and specifies, for example, for photographs, for text, or for a mixture of photographs and text.

The method of specifying the use of image data is not particularly limited, but it can be carried out, for example, based on the number of colors used in the image data. For example, in the case of text, the colors used are often white and black, and even when text is displayed in color, the colors used are not as many as in the case of photographs. Therefore, for example, a threshold may be set, and if the value is equal to or less than the threshold, it may be determined that the image is for text, and if the threshold is exceeded, it may be determined that the image is for photographs. In addition, if there are many white parts (the color of the recording medium), it may be determined that the print is for text. may

The image quality adjustment setting extraction means extracts an image quality adjustment setting for improving the image quality when the image data is output from the holding means for holding one or more image quality adjustment settings based on the analysis result of the image quality analysis means. The extraction conditions are not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate. If the analysis result of the image quality analysis means determines that the document is intended for photographs, image quality adjustment settings that make colors more vivid may be extracted. Image quality adjustment settings that provide a clear impression may be extracted.

In addition to the above, for example, extraction may be performed based on the frequency of use of image quality adjustment settings. By considering the frequency of use in addition to the analysis result of the image quality analysis means, it becomes easier to satisfy the user's request. The frequency of use can be obtained, for example, by obtaining the number of times the image quality adjustment setting set when the user outputs the image is used.

The holding means holds one or more image quality adjustment settings. Although not particularly limited, a memory, HDD (hard disk drive), or the like can be used as the holding means.
Although the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment has a holding means, the holding means may be provided outside the image forming apparatus without being limited to this. In this case, communication means exchanges data with holding means provided outside. The image quality adjustment settings held by the holding means can be changed as appropriate. Examples of image quality adjustment settings will be described later.

The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment includes image data creating means for reading a recording medium on which an image is formed and creating image data. Examples of image data creating means include scanning means for scanning a recording medium (also referred to as a manuscript) on which an image is formed. For example, a scanning device or the like can be used as the scanning means. Also, an automatic document feeder (ADF) or the like can be used.

The present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and the image data creating means may be provided outside the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus may be configured to receive image data created by image data creating means provided outside the image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus of this embodiment includes display means. Examples of display means include a display. In addition, a touch panel or the like that can be operated by the user with a finger may be used. Although the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment has display means, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display means may be provided outside the image forming apparatus.

The communication means is not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate. The communication means is used, for example, as an external I/F (interface). The communication means communicates with the outside, for example, receives image data, receives user operations, and the like. Also, when the holding means is provided outside, it exchanges data with the holding means.

The communication means may function as reception means for receiving operations from the user. Alternatively, the communication means may include reception means, or the communication means and reception means may have different configurations.

Next, the processing flow of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment and the image forming method of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flow for explaining an example of processing in this embodiment.

<S101>
In this embodiment, first, a document is scanned by a scanning means to create image data. In this step, for example, the user sets a document on the scanning means and presses a start button to scan the document and create image data. In this embodiment, the "document" means a state in which an image is formed on a recording medium.

<S102>
Next, the image quality of the acquired image data is analyzed. In this step, the image quality analysis means analyzes the image quality of the image data, and an appropriate image quality mode is selected from the analysis result. In this embodiment, the image quality mode means the purpose of use of the document, for example, for photographs, for text, and for mixed text and photographs.

<S103>
Image quality adjustment settings are then extracted and displayed based on the scan results.
FIG. 3 shows an example of displaying the image quality adjustment settings. It is assumed that the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment has display means, and FIG. 3 is an example of a screen displayed by the display means.

FIG. 3A shows an example of image quality adjustment setting, and is an example of a screen when it is determined that the image quality mode is for photography. In FIG. 3A, a setting name 21, items and item values 22, a setting reflecting button 23, and a page turning area 24 are illustrated. The image quality adjustment settings shown in the figure are set so that the finish looks soft, with the item "sharp/soft" set to "-1" and the item "contrast" set to "+2." be. The types and number of items can be changed as appropriate.

Although the setting name 21 is "for photo/color/soft", it is not limited to this. Also, there may be a plurality of items with the same name, but in this case, it is preferable to distinguish them by a serial number or the like.

FIG. 3(B) is an example of a screen when the page is turned for the image quality adjustment setting shown in FIG. 3(A). That is, the contents of the page feed area 24 are different. As shown in the figure, the image quality adjustment setting of this example is suitable for photographs and presentation materials, and is not suitable for texts and notices. In addition, the display is made so that the user can understand that the finished image will have a “soft” impression. These contents can be changed as appropriate.

FIG. 4 shows another example of image quality adjustment settings.
FIG. 4A shows another example when the image quality analysis means determines that the image is for photography, and the setting name 21 is "for photography/vivid". In this example, as items and item values 22, the item "sharp/soft" is set to "+2" and the item "contrast" is set to "+2". That is, it is different from the example shown in FIG.

FIG. 4B is an example of a screen when the analysis result of the image quality analysis means is displayed. In this example, it is determined that the scanned original is a photograph, and image quality adjustment settings for improving the image quality when image data is output are displayed based on the scanning result.

<S104>
The user's selection is then accepted as to whether or not to accept the displayed image quality adjustment settings. For example, in the image quality adjustment settings shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B and FIG. process to accept the image quality adjustment setting. That is, the process of Yes of S104 is performed. On the other hand, if "No" is selected, the No of S104 is processed.

<S105>
First, the process of not accepting the displayed image quality adjustment settings, that is, the process of No in S104 will be described. In this embodiment, options for setting image quality are displayed, and selection of image quality setting is accepted from the user. By performing such processing, the image quality can be made closer to the user's request.

That is, in this embodiment, the image quality adjustment settings extracted by the image quality adjustment setting extraction means are displayed to the user, the user's selection of image quality settings is received, and the user's selection is reflected in the image quality adjustment settings.

5A to 5C show examples of screens displaying options for setting image quality.
FIG. 5A is an example in which parallel selection is imagined, options are prepared according to the user's use case, and setting information according to each selection is displayed. Unlike other selection images such as FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C, the types of options displayed on the next screen are different depending on the options, and the range of options is wide and rich in variety.

On the screen (A) of FIG. 5A, question items for roughly grasping the user's desire are displayed. For example, when the "purpose of use" selection button 25 is selected on the screen (A), the next screen (B) is displayed. Next, examples of usage are displayed on the screen (B), and image quality adjustment settings are extracted according to the usage selected from among them.

In addition, in (A) of FIG. 5A, when "favorite appearance" is selected, screen (C) is displayed. Screen (C) displays options for setting the appearance. For example, when "soft" is selected, screen (D) is displayed to display image quality adjustment settings according to the user's selection. Similarly, for (E) to (G), a screen corresponding to the options is displayed. In (F), the screen (G) is displayed regardless of which option is selected.
Thus, in FIG. 5A, a screen corresponding to options is displayed.

FIG. 5B is an example in the case of imagining serial selection, and no matter which option is selected, the next displayed option is the same. Since the result according to the user's selection is displayed at the end, it is easy to reselect the setting when the last displayed setting is desired to be changed.

In (A) of FIG. 5B, question items for grasping the purpose of use are displayed. For example, when the "Photo" selection button 25 is selected, the next screen (B) is displayed. For the sake of illustration, FIG. 5B shows the selected items in black. In FIG. 5B, the screen displayed next is the same regardless of which option is selected.

The screen (B) displays question items for grasping what part the user is concerned about and wants to adjust. As an example, when "photo part" is selected, the next screen (C) is displayed. Similar selections are made for (C) and (D), and the next screen is displayed. Next, on the screen (E), image quality adjustment settings according to the user's request are displayed, and a question is asked as to whether or not these settings are acceptable. If this setting is acceptable, the image quality adjustment setting is reflected.
Thus, in FIG. 5B, the same screen is displayed regardless of which option is selected.

FIG. 5C shows an example of selection by pull-down method. For example, a word is selected by pull-down and changed so that the setting display desired by the user is displayed. According to FIG. 5C, the setting can be selected more intuitively than other option images.

Screen (A) in FIG. 5C is an example of displaying the current image quality adjustment settings, and underlines are displayed where the settings can be changed. In (A), for example, when "post" is selected, a selection area 31 and a pull-down button 32 are displayed as in screen (B). When the pull-down button 32 is selected, selectable items 33 are displayed. When "photograph" is selected in the selectable item 33 on the screen (B), "photograph" is displayed as the change reflection item 34 as in the screen (C).

When "Bright" is selected on the screen (C), a selection area 31, pull-down buttons 32, and selectable items 33 are displayed in the same manner as on the screen (B). When "SOFT" is selected in the selectable item 33 of the screen (C), "SOFT" is displayed as the change reflection item 34 as shown in the screen (D). On the screen (D), the image quality adjustment setting according to the user's selection is displayed, and a question is asked as to whether this setting is acceptable. If this setting is acceptable, the image quality adjustment setting is reflected.

The selection of setting items in the present invention is not limited to the above. Other examples are shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. 6A and 6B are diagrams corresponding to (A) to (D) of FIG. 5B.

FIG. 6A shows an example in which it is determined that the document is a monochrome document as a result of image quality analysis, and the selected selection button 25 is displayed in black. In the case of a monochrome document, color setting is often unnecessary, so the screen (C) displaying options for color is skipped, and the screen transitions from (B) to (D) in FIG. 6A. By doing so, it is possible to further reduce user operations. Note that screen (D) does not display color options (“bright” and “soft”), thereby preventing the user from making an erroneous selection.

FIG. 6B shows an example in which it is determined that the image is a photograph as a result of image quality analysis, and similarly selected selection buttons 25 are displayed in black. If it is a photograph, it is not necessary to select the photograph part and the character part, so the (B) screen is skipped and the screen transitions from (A) to (C) in FIG. 6B. By doing so, it is possible to further reduce user operations. On the screen (D), the selection button for "clear text", which is an option related to text, is displayed in a small size to make it difficult to select. This can prevent the user from making a wrong selection.

In the present embodiment, in the example shown above, the options may be limited and displayed according to the scan result and the user's selection. In other words, depending on the result of selection, the options (selection buttons) are hidden or made difficult to select, thereby avoiding confusion due to many options and inconsistencies in the selections made by the user. can be prevented.
Further, although not shown in the present embodiment, a "return" button may be provided on the selection screen. By making it possible to "return" on the selection screen, if the result is unsatisfactory, it is possible to return to the previous selection screen and change the selection.

<S106>
Next, in S105, image quality adjustment settings are displayed according to the selected result. The display method can be changed as appropriate, and can be displayed, for example, as shown in (D) and (E) of FIG. 5A, (E) of FIG. 5B, and (D) of FIG. 5C.

Although the order of the processing can be changed as appropriate, the type of recording medium that improves the image quality when the image data is output may be displayed based on the image quality adjustment setting and the analysis result of the image quality analysis means. good. By appropriately selecting the type of recording medium leading to improvement in image quality, the image quality of the obtained image can be further improved.

<S107>
Next, it is determined whether or not to output the image when the image quality adjustment setting is reflected in the image data as a sample image. The determination as to whether to output the sample image may be made by, for example, outputting a screen as shown in FIG. 7 and accepting the user's selection.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the image quality adjustment settings made as described above are displayed, and a message prompting a user to determine whether the settings are acceptable is displayed. In this case, the reflection button 41 is selected. That is, it may be used as a screen for making the determination in S104. By selecting the reflect button 41 in FIG. 7, the Yes process of S104 may be performed.

The example shown in FIG. 7 has a sample output button 42 for creating and outputting sample images to which such image quality adjustment settings are applied and for selecting one of them. If sample output is to be performed, the sample output button 42 is selected, and Yes is processed in the determination of S107.

<S108>
If sample images are to be generated (Yes in S107), several patterns of sample images reflecting image quality adjustment settings are created and displayed.
An example of a sample image is shown in FIG. 8(A). The horizontal axis shows the sample images side by side when the brightness is changed, and the vertical axis shows the sample images side by side when the contrast is changed. Note that one of these several patterns of sample images may be used as a default sample image.

The creation and display of sample images can be changed as appropriate. In the example shown in FIG. 8A, two types of setting items, "brightness" and "contrast," are selected, but other setting items can be selected as appropriate. In addition, although it is considered that the number of setting items is two so that the user can easily see them, the number of setting items is not limited to this, and may be one or more than two. Also, as the numerical value of the setting item, for example, it is assumed that the value is set from -2 to +2, but it is not limited to this. Also, a number may be assigned to each sample image, and the number may be selected.

For example, the created sample image may be displayed only on the display means, or the sample image may be formed on a recording medium and output. In this case, one of several patterns of sample images shown in FIG. 8A may be output on one sheet (recording medium), or several patterns of sample images shown in FIG. may be printed on a single sheet of paper.

<S109>
Next, a selection of sample images is accepted. The method of receiving selection is not particularly limited, but for example, direct selection may be made from among the sample images displayed in FIG. 8(A). Alternatively, a screen as shown in FIG. 8B may be displayed and the number of the sample image may be entered in the number input area 51 .

<S110>
Next, the determined image quality adjustment settings are saved, and the selected image quality adjustment settings are reflected in the image data. Reflection of the image data is performed by adjusting the image quality by the image quality adjusting means. It should be noted that the image quality adjustment settings may be saved after copying is performed in S111.

The image quality adjustment setting may be saved in a holding means within the image forming apparatus, or may be saved in a holding means provided outside the image forming apparatus. Moreover, as a form, it may be stored as data such as a file, or may be stored in a form such as a QR code (registered trademark). In the case of a form such as a QR code (registered trademark), by reading the data, it is possible to reflect the settings in another image forming apparatus.
The saved image quality adjustment settings can be called after being saved. By calling it, the user can confirm the setting contents and change the setting contents as appropriate.

<S111>
Next, copy is executed. The image quality adjustment setting determined as described above is reflected in the image data, the image quality is adjusted, and the image is formed on the recording medium.

In this embodiment, the image quality of the image data can be analyzed, the image quality can be adjusted without complicated operations by the user, and the image quality of the output image can be improved.

Further, according to the preferred configuration of the present embodiment, a document to be copied is scanned and image quality adjustment settings are assigned according to the features of the document. By outputting a sample image according to the assigned settings, the user himself/herself can select settings from a plurality of output results, thereby reflecting settings close to the user's request.

Also, depending on the user's selection, image quality adjustment can be completed with a few operations. For example, the document is scanned, the displayed image quality adjustment setting is approved, and the document is output. Note that the sample image described above may be output as necessary.

It is also possible to increase the number of steps by selecting several options that are easy to judge, and to perform image quality adjustment closer to the request.

<Image forming method and program>
The image forming method of the present embodiment includes an image quality analysis step of analyzing image quality of acquired image data, and an image quality adjustment for improving the image quality when the image data is output based on the analysis result of the image quality analysis means. an image quality adjustment setting extracting step of extracting settings from a holding means holding one or more image quality adjustment settings; and when outputting the image data, based on the image quality adjustment settings extracted by the image quality adjustment setting extracting step. and an image quality adjustment step of performing image quality adjustment.
Further, the program of the present embodiment causes a computer to execute the image forming method of the present embodiment.

1 image forming apparatus 2 image quality analysis means 3 retention means 4 image quality adjustment setting extraction means 5 image quality adjustment means 6 display means 7 communication means 8 image data creation means 21 setting name 22 item and item value 23 setting reflection button 24 page feed area 25 selection button 31 selection area 32 pull-down button 33 selectable item 34 change reflection item 41 reflection button 42 sample output button 51 number input area

JP 2006-185052 A JP 2006-281663 A

Claims (12)

image quality analysis means for analyzing image quality of acquired image data;
image quality adjustment setting extracting means for extracting an image quality adjustment setting for improving image quality when the image data is output, from a holding means holding one or more image quality adjustment settings, based on the analysis result of the image quality analysis means; ,
image quality adjustment means for adjusting image quality based on the image quality adjustment settings extracted by the image quality adjustment setting extraction means when outputting the image data ;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the image quality analysis means identifies a use of the image data . 2. The image according to claim 1, wherein said image quality analysis means specifies, as a use of said image data, whether it is for photographs, for text, or for a mixture of photographs and text. forming device. The items analyzed by the image quality analysis means are color, brightness, contrast, edge, amount of change in brightness, number of colors used, and ratio of area where colors other than the color of the recording medium are used. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, comprising one or more selected from: 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image data creating means for reading a recording medium on which an image is formed and creating the image data. display means for displaying to a user the image quality adjustment settings extracted by the image quality adjustment setting extraction means;
5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising selection receiving means for receiving a selection from the user and reflecting the user's selection on the image quality adjustment setting. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying said image quality adjustment settings. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein said display means displays the analysis result of said image quality analysis means. 8. The display means displays, based on the image quality adjustment setting and the analysis result of the image quality analysis means, the type of recording medium that improves the image quality when the image data is output . The image forming apparatus according to . 9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , further comprising sample image creating means for creating, as a sample image, an image when the image quality adjustment setting is reflected in the image data. 10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein said image quality adjustment setting extracting means extracts said image quality adjustment setting based on the frequency of use of said image quality adjustment setting. an image quality analysis step of analyzing the image quality of the acquired image data;
an image quality adjustment setting extracting step of extracting an image quality adjustment setting for improving image quality when the image data is output from a holding means holding one or more image quality adjustment settings, based on the analysis result of the image quality analysis step; ,
and an image quality adjustment step of adjusting image quality based on the image quality adjustment setting extracted by the image quality adjustment setting extraction step when outputting the image data. A program that causes a computer to execute the image forming method according to claim 11 .

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