JP2008179120A - System and program for forming image - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable image characteristics to be set separately on resource data and print data. <P>SOLUTION: A color characteristic setting section 34 is constituted of: a setting means for setting a color characteristic in data of preprint form stored in a preprint form data storage 32; and a setting means for setting a color characteristic of print data inputted by a print data inputting section 31. Decomposers 41-44 independently perform color conversion processings based on respectively set color characteristics to the print data and the preprint form data when the color characteristic set to the print data by the color characteristic setting section 34, and the color characteristics set to the preprint form data, are different from each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system and an image forming program.

  In general, in a printer that prints on paper such as continuous paper, print information is printed on preprinted paper on which a preset print resource is printed, and image information of the print resource is combined with the print information. There are two types of printing when printing information is sent to the printing section.

  However, in the former case, there is a problem that the cost increases due to the use of preprinted paper. In the latter case, the amount of information to be transmitted to the printer becomes too large depending on the type of printing resources, and the continuous paper printer. However, there is a problem that a printer that requires high-speed printing may significantly reduce the performance.

  Therefore, a method is used in which print information to be used is registered in advance as resource information in a printer, and printing is performed by combining the print information and resource information on the printer side. According to this method, the above-described cost does not increase and the speed cannot be increased.

  Conventionally, most continuous paper printers perform monochrome printing, and the demand for color conversion has not been high for printing resources. However, in recent years, with the advent of color continuous paper printers, printing resources that handle image information such as photographs and TIFF (Tag Image File Format) images have increased, and there has been a need for color conversion of printing resources. When performing such color conversion, the color characteristics must be changed depending on the type of printing paper and the environment such as temperature and humidity at that time.

  However, in the conventional image forming system, when printing information and prior resource information are printed together on the printer side, it is only possible to set color characteristics suitable for either the printing information or the resource information. For this reason, the colors of both the print information and the resource information cannot be reproduced optimally.

  For example, when the frame information is set as the resource information and the character information in the frame is set as the print information, when the color characteristic suitable for the frame information is set, If the print quality of the character is deteriorated and the color characteristic is set to a color characteristic suitable for the character information, the print quality of the frame is deteriorated.

  As a technique that enables setting for a print resource, for example, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1. This Patent Document 1 discloses a recording apparatus that can change the color designation of resource information used during recording of a series of image information.

  However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 can only specify the color of the resource information, and cannot set image characteristics such as color characteristics.

JP-A-8-274969

  In the conventional image forming system described above, when printing is performed by combining print information and resource information on the printer side, the print information and the resource information must have the same image characteristics.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system and an image forming program capable of setting image characteristics independently for print information and resource information.

[Image forming system]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided resource information storage means in which resource information is stored in advance to be combined with print information inputted to a sheet and printed.
First setting means for setting image characteristics of resource information stored in the resource information storage means;
A second setting means for setting image characteristics of the input print information;
When the image characteristic set by the first setting unit is different from the image characteristic set by the second setting unit, the resource information is determined based on the image characteristic set by the first setting unit. A color conversion unit that executes color conversion and color-converts the print information based on the image characteristics set by the second setting unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the color conversion unit does not set the image characteristic by the first setting unit, the resource conversion unit is configured to use the resource based on the image characteristic set by the second setting unit. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein color conversion is performed on information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the color conversion unit includes a plurality of color conversion execution processing units that can operate independently.
3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the color conversion process of the input print information and the color conversion process of the resource information stored in the resource information storage unit are executed in parallel.

The present invention according to claim 4 is a temporary storage means for temporarily storing resource information after color conversion is performed by the color conversion means;
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a combining unit configured to combine the resource information after the color conversion stored in the temporary storage unit with the print information after the color conversion is performed by the color conversion unit. 2. The image forming system according to item 1.

  The present invention according to claim 5 is the image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising an image output unit that outputs an image formed based on the print information after the resource information is combined by the combining unit.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided limiting means for limiting a color material amount so that a color material amount within a predetermined range of print information after the resource information is combined by the combining unit is less than or equal to a preset value. The image forming system according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising:

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the resource information is combined with the print information by the combining unit, a determination unit that determines an area where the resource information and the print information overlap;
A color material amount within a predetermined range in a region where the resource information and the print information are determined to overlap with each other is set in advance with respect to the resource information and the print information after color conversion is performed by the color conversion unit. Limiting means for limiting the amount of the color material so as to be less than or equal to the specified value,
The image forming system according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising:

The present invention according to claim 8 is a determining means for determining an area where the resource information and the print information overlap when the resource information is combined with the print information by the combining means;
A color material amount within a predetermined range in a region where the resource information and the print information are determined to overlap with each other is set in advance with respect to the resource information and the print information after color conversion is performed by the color conversion unit. First limiting means for limiting the amount of the color material so as to be equal to or less than the set value,
5. A second restricting unit that restricts a color material amount so that a color material amount within a predetermined range of print information after the resource information is synthesized by the synthesizing unit is equal to or less than a preset value. Or the image forming system according to 5.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the image characteristics set by the first and second setting means are color conversion characteristics and gradation correction characteristics used when input / output color conversion is performed between different color systems. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein any one of the characteristics of the output resolution or a combination thereof is used.

[Image formation program]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a resource information storing step for preliminarily storing resource information for printing by combining with print information input to a sheet;
A first setting step for setting image characteristics of the resource information stored in the resource information storing step;
A second setting step for setting image characteristics of the input print information;
A color that performs color conversion on the resource information based on the image characteristics set in the first setting step, and color-converts the print information based on the image characteristics set in the second setting step An image forming program for causing a conversion step to be executed on a computer.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the image characteristics at the time of color conversion can be set independently for each of the print information and the resource information, the optimum image characteristics are obtained for each of the resource information and the print information. An image forming system that can be set can be provided.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming system capable of performing color conversion between print information and resource information based on the image characteristics set by the second setting means.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the color conversion processing of the print information and the resource information can be performed in parallel at the same time, an image capable of improving the efficiency of the entire color conversion processing and improving the transfer speed. A forming system can be provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the resource information after color conversion is temporarily stored and reused, the efficiency of the entire color conversion process and the transfer speed are improved. An image forming system capable of achieving the above can be provided.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming system capable of outputting an image with resource information and print information set to optimum image characteristics.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming system capable of limiting the color material amount after the resource information and the print information are combined to a predetermined value or less.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the color material amount after combining the resource information and the print information is limited to a preset value or less without multi-value the binarized print information. It is possible to provide an image forming system capable of

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming system that can more reliably limit the color material amount after combining the resource information and the print information to a preset value or less. .

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, an image in which any one or a combination of color conversion characteristics, gradation correction specification, and output resolution characteristics can be optimally set for resource information and print information. A forming system can be provided.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the image characteristics at the time of color conversion can be set independently for each of the print information and the resource information, the optimum image characteristics are obtained for each of the resource information and the print information. An image forming system that can be set can be provided.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system of the present embodiment includes a terminal device 10 and a printing device 15. Further, the printing apparatus 15 includes a print control unit 20 and an image output unit 30.

  The terminal device 10 generates print data such as a print job and transmits it to the printing device 15. The print control unit 20 of the printing device 15 receives the print data transmitted from the terminal device 10 and causes the image output unit 30 to output an image corresponding to the print data. Here, the image output unit 30 is a color continuous paper printer capable of performing color printing on continuous paper.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the print control unit 20 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the print control unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a memory 22, a storage device 23 such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a user interface (UI) device 24 including a touch panel or a liquid crystal display and a keyboard, a terminal device 10, A communication interface (IF) 25 that transmits and receives data to and from the image output unit 30 is included. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 26.

  The CPU 21 executes predetermined processing based on the control processing program stored in the memory 22 or the storage device 23 to control the operation of the print control unit 20.

  The control processing program executed by the CPU 21 is not shown in the figure, but can be a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, or an external HDD connected via a network. Or a storage device such as Therefore, it is possible not only to provide a program or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention, which will be described later, via a communication medium, but also to store it on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the print control unit 20 realized by executing the control processing program.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the print control unit 20 includes a print data input unit 31, a preprint form data storage unit 32, a preprint form data input unit 33, a color characteristic setting unit 34, and an input image storage unit. 35, a decomposer control unit 36, a screen processing unit 37, an output image storage unit 38, a cache memory 39, a synthesis unit 40, and decomposers 41 to 44. In FIG. 3, the thick line arrows indicate the flow of image data, and the thin line arrows indicate the flow of control instructions.

  The print data input unit 31 receives print data (print information) transmitted from the terminal device 10. The preprint form data storage unit 32 stores in advance preprint form data (resource information) for printing by combining with print data input to continuous paper.

  The preprint form data input unit 33 reads the preprint form data stored in the preprint form data storage unit 32 and outputs the preprint form data to the color characteristic setting unit 34.

  The color characteristic setting unit 34 sets the color characteristics of the preprint form data stored in the preprint form data storage unit 32 and the color characteristics of the print data input by the print data input unit 31. And setting means for setting.

  The input image storage unit 35 inputs and stores the print data and pre-print form data after the color characteristics are set by the color characteristic setting unit 34.

  The decomposers 41 to 44 execute RIP (Raster Image Processing) processing for developing print data and preprint form data stored in the input image storage unit 35 into a raster image. Specifically, the decomposers 41 to 44, when the color characteristics set for the print data by the color characteristic setting unit 34 and the color characteristics set for the preprint form data are different, the print data and the preprint It functions as color conversion means for performing color conversion processing independently on the form data based on the set color characteristics.

  Note that the decomposers 41 to 44 apply the print form data to the print form data based on the image characteristics set for the print data when the color characteristic setting unit 34 has not set the image characteristics for the print form data. To perform color conversion.

  Here, the color conversion processing includes input / output color conversion processing, calibration processing, user TRC (Tone Reproduction Curve) processing, and total toner amount regulation processing.

  The input / output color conversion processing is processing for converting RGB image data into CMYK image data using a 4DLUT (Direct Look Up Table) or the like. The calibration process is a process of correcting the gradation of the input image signal so that the output result from the image output unit 30 matches the target density. The user TRC process is a process for correcting gradation characteristics according to the type of printing paper. The toner total amount restriction process is a process for restricting the toner amount of each color so that the total amount of toner of each color of CMYK is not more than a set upper limit value.

  In the present embodiment, a multi-decomposer configuration is used in which processing is performed in parallel by the four decomposers 41 to 44 each having a CPU independently. For this reason, it is possible to execute the color conversion process of input print data and the color conversion process of preprint form data in parallel. The four decomposers 41 to 44 function as color conversion execution processing means that can operate independently of each other.

  The decomposer control unit 36 executes color conversion processing of the print data and preprint form data stored in the input image storage unit 35 by controlling the decomposers 41 to 44. The output image storage unit 38 stores print data and preprint form data after color conversion by the decomposers 41 to 44.

  FIG. 4 shows a specific example of parallel processing in the decomposers 41 to 44. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the RIP processing of the preprint form data is performed by the decomposer 41, and the RIP processing of the print data is performed by the remaining three decomposers 42 to 44.

  Here, there is no problem if the page-by-page output process is completed if the pre-print form data RIP process is completed, but if it is not completed, the process waits for the pre-print form data RIP process to end. Implement with preprinted form data. That is, in FIG. 4, since the RIP process for the pre-print form data is not completed until time t1, the output process of the print data that has been subjected to the RIP process by the decomposers 42 to 44 is not performed until time t1 has elapsed.

  Note that the decomposer 41 that has performed the RIP processing of the preprint form data executes the RIP processing of the remaining print data when the processing ends.

  The cache memory 39 is a memory for temporarily storing preprinted form data after color conversion is performed by any of the decomposers 41 to 42. Since the pre-print form data is necessary for each page, it is stored in the cache memory 39 after the RIP process is performed, and can be used whenever necessary.

  When storing the preprinted form data after color conversion in the cache memory 39, the past data may be erased by overwriting the past preprinted form data, or once stored. When the pre-print form data is no longer necessary, the unnecessary data may be deleted. However, if the data once stored is no longer necessary, it is possible to prevent the data that has not been erased from being covered by the preprinted form data from being erased.

  The screen processing unit 37 binarizes the multi-value image data for each color stored in the output image storage unit 38 to convert it into CMYK binary image data and outputs it to the image output unit 30.

  The combining unit 40 combines the print data and the preprint form data stored in the cache memory 39 after the screen processing is performed in the screen processing unit 37.

  The image output unit 30 outputs an image formed based on the print data after the preprint form data is combined by the combining unit 40.

  Next, the operation of the image forming system of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the color conversion process performed by the decomposers 41-44.

  First, the decomposer control unit 36 determines whether different color characteristics are set for the print data and the preprint form data (step S101). Here, when the same color characteristics are set in the print data and the preprint form data, the decomposers 41 to 44 perform input / output color conversion processing (based on the same color characteristics for the print data and the preprint form data). Step S102), user TRC processing (step S103), K-TRC processing, and calibration processing (step S104) are performed.

  Note that when determining whether or not different color characteristics are set, it may be configured to simply determine whether or not pre-print form data is set. If the preprint form data is not set, the preprint form data is subjected to input / output color conversion processing, user TRC processing, K-TRC processing, and calibration processing based on the same color characteristics as the print data. Can be configured.

  Thereafter, the decomposers 41 to 44 perform a total toner amount restriction process (step S105) on the print data and the preprint form data. Further, the screen processing unit 37 also determines whether different color characteristics are set for the print data and the preprint form data (step S106). If the same color characteristics are set, The same screen processing is executed for the print data and the preprint form data (step S107).

  When it is determined in step S101 that different color characteristics are set for the print data and the preprint form data, the decomposers 41 to 44 independently input / output colors for the print data and the preprint form data, respectively. Conversion processing (step S108), user TRC processing (step S109), K-TRC processing, and calibration processing (step S110) are performed.

  Thereafter, the decomposers 41 to 44 perform a total toner amount restriction process (step S105) on the print data and the preprint form data. Further, the screen processing unit 37 also determines whether or not different color characteristics are set for the print data and the preprint form data (step S106), and the color characteristics that are different between the print data and the preprint form data. Is set, screen processing is executed independently for each of the print data and the preprint form data (step S111). Note that the print data after the screen processing is executed and the preprint form data are combined by the combining unit 40.

  In steps S104 and S110 described above, K-TRC processing is performed on K (black) image data, and calibration processing is performed on C (cyan) M (magenta) Y (yellow) image data. The reason for doing this is as follows.

  That is, for the K color, in order to correct the gradation characteristics due to changes over time, it is only necessary to correct the gradation characteristics for a single color, but for the CMY colors, the gradation characteristics are corrected only for a single color. This is because the color reproducibility of the color obtained when a plurality of colors are mixed is poor and correction using a three-dimensional calibration table or the like is necessary.

  In the image forming system of the present embodiment, the preprint form data is stored in the preprint form data storage unit 32 in advance, and the input print data and the preprint form data are combined on the printing apparatus side for printing. Even in this case, it is possible to set the image characteristics independently for the pre-print form data and the print data.

  In the image forming system of the present embodiment, the RIP processing of the print data and the preprint form data is simultaneously performed using the multi-decomposer process, and the preprint form data after the RIP process is stored in the cache memory 39. It is configured to be reused.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the image forming system according to the first embodiment described above, the total toner amount restriction process is performed in the color conversion process in the decomposers 41 to 44. However, in an image forming system that combines print data and preprint form data, even if the amount of toner (color material amount) is limited independently for print data and preprint form data, In the print data after the preprint form data is combined, the toner amount may exceed the regulation value. When the toner amount exceeds the regulation value, there arises a problem that the toner cannot be fixed on the printing paper.

  The image forming system of this embodiment has a configuration in which the print control unit 20 is replaced with a print control unit 20a shown in FIG. 6 in contrast to the image forming system of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The print control unit 20a is configured by adding a toner amount limiting unit 51 to the print control unit 20 shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The toner amount restriction unit 51 performs screen processing by the screen processing unit 37, and the toner amount within a predetermined range of the print data after the pre-print form data is synthesized by the synthesis unit 40 is a preset toner amount restriction. The amount of toner is limited so as to be less than the value X. Specifically, the toner amount restriction unit 51 sums the signal levels of the CMYK color components within a predetermined range in the print data after the preprint form data is combined, for example, the sum within a pixel (pixel) range. Is limited to the toner amount regulation value X or less, thereby limiting the toner amount.

  The toner amount restriction unit 51 restricts the toner amount to the print data (binary data) binarized by the screen processing unit 37, so that the binarized print data is temporarily converted into multi-value print data. After conversion, the toner amount is limited.

  Note that any method may be used as a toner amount restriction method by the toner amount restriction unit 51. For example, the K signal level may not be limited, but only the CMY component signal level may be limited, or a toner amount limiting method that changes the K color signal level may be used. Also good. Further, the toner amount may be limited by a method using under color removal (UCR) or gray-component replacement (GCR).

  Next, the toner amount restriction process of the print control unit 20a in the image forming system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, various color conversion processes such as input / output color conversion are performed by the decomposers 41 to 44 (step S201), and the pre-print form data and print data after the various color conversion processes are screen processed by the screen processing unit 37. Are binarized and then synthesized by the synthesis unit 40 (step S202).

  Then, the toner amount limiting unit 51 determines whether or not there is a region where the toner amount exceeds the regulation value X in the print data after the preprint form data is combined (step S203). If there is a region where the toner amount exceeds the regulation value X, the toner amount control unit 51 performs a process of limiting the toner amount in that region to be equal to or less than the regulation value X (step S204).

  According to the image forming system of the present embodiment, since the toner amount restriction process is performed on the print data after the preprint form data is combined, the print data and the preprint form data overlap. However, it is possible to prevent the toner amount from exceeding the regulation value.

[Third embodiment]
Next, an image forming system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the image forming system of the second embodiment described above, the toner amount restriction unit 51 restricts the toner amount with respect to print data (binary data) binarized by the screen processing unit 37. Since the binarized print data is once converted into multi-value print data, it is necessary to limit the amount of toner, which complicates the processing. Therefore, in the image forming system of the present embodiment, the toner amount is limited for print data that has not been binarized and pre-print form data.

  The image forming system according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the print control unit 20 is replaced with a print control unit 20b illustrated in FIG. 8 with respect to the image forming system according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG.

  The print control unit 20b is configured by adding a toner amount limiting unit 52 to the print control unit 20 shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The toner amount limiting unit 52 determines (predicts) an area where the preprint form data and the print data overlap when the preprint form data is combined with the print data by the combining unit 40. The toner amount limiting unit 52 determines that the preprint form data and the print data are overlapped with the preprint form data and the print data after the various color conversion processes are performed by the decomposers 41 to 44. The toner amount is limited so that the toner amount within a predetermined range at or below becomes a preset limit value X or less.

  As a method of determining whether or not there is an area where the preprint form data and the print data overlap when the preprint form data is combined with the print data, the toner amount restriction unit 52 may use preprint form data or print A method of determining the presence or absence of overlap using the coordinate information of data can be used.

  Next, the toner amount restriction process of the print control unit 20b in the image forming system of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, various color conversion processes such as input / output color conversion are performed by the decomposers 41 to 44 (step S301). Then, when the preprint form data that is resource data and the print data are combined, the toner amount restriction unit 52 determines whether there is an area where the preprint form data and the print data overlap (step S302). ). If there is a region where the preprint form data and the print data overlap, the toner amount restriction unit 52 determines whether or not the toner amount exceeds the limit value X in the overlapping region (step S303).

  When the toner amount exceeds the limit value X in the region where the preprint form data and the print data overlap, the toner amount restriction unit 52 causes the preprint form data so that the toner amount in the region is equal to or less than the limit value X. A process for limiting the toner amount and the print data toner amount is performed (step S304).

  The preprint form data and the print data after the toner amount restriction by the toner amount restriction unit 52 is subjected to screen processing by the screen processing unit 37 and binarized, and then combined by the combining unit 40. (Step S305).

  If it is determined in step S302 that there is no area where the preprint form data and print data overlap, and in step S303, it is determined that the toner amount does not exceed the limit value X in the area where the preprint form data and print data overlap. If it has been done, the toner amount limiting process is not performed, and the screen process is performed (step S305).

  According to the image forming system of the present embodiment, it is possible to perform the toner amount restriction process at the stage where the preprint form data and print data are binarized before being binarized by the screen processing unit 37. .

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, an image forming system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the image forming system according to the second embodiment described above, the toner amount is limited for the print data after the screen processing unit 37 performs the screen processing and the preprint form data is combined, and the third embodiment. In the image forming system of the embodiment, the toner amount is limited for the pre-print form data and the print data before the screen processing is performed by the screen processing unit 37. In the image forming system of the present embodiment, the toner amount is limited both before and after the screen processing is performed by the screen processing unit 37.

  The image forming system of the present embodiment has a configuration in which the print control unit 20 is replaced with a print control unit 20c shown in FIG. 10 with respect to the image forming system of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The print control unit 20c has a configuration in which a toner amount limiting unit 52 is added to the print control unit 20a illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 10, the same components as those in FIGS. 3, 6, and 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the toner amount restriction process of the print control unit 20c in the image forming system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, various color conversion processes such as input / output color conversion are performed by the decomposers 41 to 44 (step S401). Then, when the preprint form data that is resource data and the print data are combined, the toner amount restriction unit 52 determines whether there is an area where the preprint form data and the print data overlap (step S402). ). If there is a region where the preprint form data and the print data overlap, the toner amount restriction unit 52 determines whether or not the toner amount exceeds the limit value X in the overlapping region (step S403).

  When the toner amount exceeds the limit value X in the region where the preprint form data and the print data overlap, the toner amount restriction unit 52 causes the preprint form data so that the toner amount in the region is equal to or less than the limit value X. A process for limiting the toner amount of the print data and the toner amount of the print data is performed (step S404).

  The preprint form data and the print data after the toner amount restriction by the toner amount restriction unit 52 is subjected to screen processing by the screen processing unit 37 and binarized, and then combined by the combining unit 40. (Step S405).

  Next, the toner amount restriction unit 51 determines whether there is a region where the toner amount exceeds the regulation value X in the print data after the preprint form data is combined (step S406). If there is a region where the toner amount exceeds the regulation value X, the toner amount control unit 51 performs a process of limiting the toner amount in that region to be equal to or less than the regulation value X (step S407).

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, the processes in steps S401 to S405 correspond to the processes in steps S301 to S305 in the flowchart in FIG. 9, and the processes in steps S406 and S407 are the same as those in steps S203 and S204s in the flowchart in FIG. It corresponds to processing.

  According to the image forming system of the present embodiment, the toner amount is limited in two stages before and after being binarized by screen processing and before the preprint form data is combined with the print data. As compared with the case where the toner amount is limited by the toner amount, the toner amount can be more reliably set to the regulation value X or less.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, the case where the color characteristics are set independently for the print data and the preprint form data has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the output resolution such as the screen line number is used. The present invention can be similarly applied even when image characteristics including the above-described characteristics are set independently for the print data and the preprint form data.

  In the above embodiment, the preprint form data is used as an example of resource data set in advance for printing on continuous paper. However, the present invention is limited to such a case. It can also be used for various forms of paper such as cut paper.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it is not necessary that all image characteristics can be set independently for print data and resource data. Image characteristics such as characteristics of color conversion table such as 4DLUT used for input / output color conversion between different color systems, tone correction characteristics such as user TRC and calibration, output resolution characteristics such as screen line number, etc. The present invention is applicable even when at least one of these, or a combination of these, can be set independently for print data and resource data.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a print control unit 20 in the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a print control unit 20 in the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the parallel processing in the decomposer 41-44. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the color conversion process performed by the decomposer 41-44. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the printing control part 20a in the image forming system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart for explaining toner amount regulation processing of a print control unit 20a in an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the printing control part 20b in the image forming system of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 14 is a flowchart for explaining toner amount restriction processing of a print control unit 20b in an image forming system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the printing control part 20c in the image forming system of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. 14 is a flowchart for explaining toner amount restriction processing of a print control unit 20c in an image forming system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Terminal Device 15 Printing Device 20, 20a, 20b, 20c Print Control Unit 21 CPU
22 Memory 23 Storage Device 24 User Interface (UI) Device 25 Communication Interface (IF)
26 Control bus 30 Image output unit 31 Print data input unit 32 Preprint form data storage unit 33 Preprint form data input unit 34 Color characteristic setting unit 35 Input image storage unit 36 Decomposer control unit 37 Screen processing unit 38 Output image storage unit 39 Cache memory 40 Composition unit 41-44 Decomposer 51, 52 Toner amount limiting unit S101-S111 Step S201-S204 Step S301-S305 Step S401-S407 Step

Claims (10)

Resource information storage means in which resource information is pre-stored to be combined with print information input to paper and printed;
First setting means for setting image characteristics of resource information stored in the resource information storage means;
A second setting means for setting image characteristics of the input print information;
When the image characteristic set by the first setting unit is different from the image characteristic set by the second setting unit, the resource information is determined based on the image characteristic set by the first setting unit. Color conversion means for executing color conversion and color-converting the print information based on the image characteristics set by the second setting means;
An image forming system.   The color conversion unit performs color conversion on the resource information based on the image characteristic set by the second setting unit when the image characteristic is not set by the first setting unit. Item 8. The image forming system according to Item 1. The color conversion means includes
Consists of a plurality of color conversion execution processing means that can operate independently,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the color conversion process of the input print information and the color conversion process of the resource information stored in the resource information storage unit are executed in parallel. Temporary storage means for temporarily storing resource information after color conversion is performed by the color conversion means;
Synthesizing means for synthesizing the resource information after color conversion stored in the temporary storage means with the print information after color conversion by the color conversion means;
The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising:   The image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising an image output unit that outputs an image formed based on the print information after the resource information is combined by the combining unit.   6. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a limiting unit that limits the color material amount so that a color material amount within a predetermined range of the print information after the resource information is synthesized by the synthesis unit is equal to or less than a preset value. Image forming system. A determination unit that determines an area where the resource information and the print information overlap when the resource information is combined with the print information by the combining unit;
A color material amount within a predetermined range in a region where the resource information and the print information are determined to overlap with each other is set in advance with respect to the resource information and the print information after color conversion is performed by the color conversion unit. Limiting means for limiting the amount of the color material so as to be less than or equal to the specified value,
The image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising: A determination unit that determines an area where the resource information and the print information overlap when the resource information is combined with the print information by the combining unit;
A color material amount within a predetermined range in a region where the resource information and the print information are determined to overlap with each other is set in advance with respect to the resource information and the print information after color conversion is performed by the color conversion unit. First limiting means for limiting the amount of the color material so as to be equal to or less than the set value,
5. A second restricting unit that restricts a color material amount so that a color material amount within a predetermined range of print information after the resource information is synthesized by the synthesizing unit is equal to or less than a preset value. Or the image forming system of 5.   The image characteristics set by the first and second setting means are any one of color conversion characteristics, gradation correction characteristics, and output resolution characteristics used when input / output color conversion is performed between different color systems. The image forming system according to claim 1, which is one or a combination thereof. A resource information storage step for preliminarily storing resource information to be combined and printed with print information input to the paper;
A first setting step for setting image characteristics of the resource information stored in the resource information storing step;
A second setting step for setting image characteristics of the input print information;
A color that performs color conversion on the resource information based on the image characteristics set in the first setting step, and color-converts the print information based on the image characteristics set in the second setting step A conversion step;
Forming program for executing the program on a computer.

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