JP2015032262A - Image processor, image processing program, and storage medium having image processing program stored therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor, an image processing program, and a storage medium having the image processing program stored therein, allowing even a user who does not understand all image quality adjustment functions to perform intended image processing in a short period of time.SOLUTION: When a user instructs "trial printing" on a printer driver 20, and selects an object page in a document (100), an image processor analyzes whether or not the object page includes a drawing object (102 to 106). When the object page includes a drawing object, and there is an effective function therefor, the image processor generates a plurality of recommended print settings as combinations which are likely to improve the printing quality (108, 112, 114), allows the user to select therefrom a recommended print setting used for the actual output (116), and performs trial printing (118).

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing program, and a storage medium storing the image processing program.

  When an image is formed by an image forming apparatus or the like, it is possible to form an image by adjusting the image quality using the image quality adjustment function.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a pull-down menu is displayed on a test print setting screen that is opened by selecting a test print tab on the basic setting screen, and an area designation frame having a frame size corresponding to the ratio of the test print size / main print size. When the trial print button is pressed, the image area within the area designation frame is trimmed, and the trimmed image is generated and output as trial print data that can be printed at the trial print size with an image condition description. It has been proposed.

JP 2007-172502 A

  The present invention provides an image processing apparatus, an image processing program, and a storage medium storing the image processing program capable of performing intended image processing in a short time even by a user who does not grasp all image quality adjustment functions. For the purpose.

  The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 analyzes the feature information of at least one of the type and attribute of the drawing target included in the document information, and extracts and extracts an image quality adjustment function previously associated with the feature information. A setting generation unit that generates a plurality of print settings by combining a plurality of adjustment values of the image quality adjustment function, and a plurality of print instruction information that is different from print instruction information of a predetermined reference print setting is generated by the setting generation unit. Generating means for generating based on the plurality of print settings.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the setting generation unit is configured to select a predetermined combination of recommended adjustment values among a plurality of combinations of adjustment values that the extracted image quality adjustment function has. The apparatus further includes confirmation means for generating a plurality of recommended print settings and allowing the user to confirm the print settings for generating the print instruction information from the generated plurality of recommended print settings.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the adjustment value of the image quality adjustment function extracted by the setting generation unit, and the generation target of the print instruction information by the generation unit. The apparatus further includes confirmation means for allowing the user to confirm at least one of the print settings.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the setting generation unit obtains an adjustment effect among combinations of adjustment values of the extracted image quality adjustment function. The print settings are generated by excluding combinations that are not allowed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a print setting close to a desired quality is determined from the plurality of print settings generated by the setting generation unit. A determining unit is further provided.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the determination unit determines the print setting, the determination unit further determines an adjustment target range of an image quality adjustment function included in the print setting.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the drawing object according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the generation unit changes the image quality adjustment function with respect to the print instruction information of the reference print setting. The print instruction information is generated by adding mark information for recognizing the print.

  An image processing program according to an eighth aspect causes a computer to function as each unit of the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.

  A storage medium according to a ninth aspect stores the image processing program according to the eighth aspect.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that can perform intended image processing in a short time even for a user who does not grasp all image quality adjustment functions. is there.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where a plurality of recommended print settings are not generated, there is an effect that the effect of intended image processing can be confirmed in a short time.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to avoid useless output as compared with the case where the user does not confirm the print setting.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to avoid useless output as compared with a case where a combination in which an adjustment effect cannot be obtained is not excluded.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, there is an effect that it is possible to determine a print setting close to the desired quality from among a plurality of print settings.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, there is an effect that it is possible to perform convenient processing as compared with the case where the target range for adjusting the image quality adjustment function is not determined.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the user can easily recognize the portion changed by the image quality adjustment function as compared with the case where the mark information is not added.

  According to the image processing program of claim 8, it is possible to provide an image processing program capable of performing intended image processing in a short time even by a user who does not grasp all image quality adjustment functions. effective.

  According to the storage medium of the ninth aspect, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a storage medium that can perform intended image processing in a short time even for a user who does not grasp all image quality adjustment functions. is there.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the image processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing instruction information of preset. It is a figure which shows an example of the kind of drawing object, and drawing content. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the trial printing instruction | indication production | generation part in the image processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an example of a drawing object included in a document. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a document image, and FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating types and attributes of the drawing object in the document image. It is a figure which shows the example regarding the adjustment function which the image processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment has, the range of the drawing object which the function affects, and the adjustable drawing attribute. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by a trial print instruction generation unit in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a specific example of an output result of trial printing, (A) is a diagram illustrating an example of a document image, (B) is a diagram illustrating an example of an output result when output is performed with a certain recommended setting, and (C) FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output result when output is performed with other recommended settings. It is a figure which shows an example of the effective recommended setting extracted with respect to the drawing object. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of the flow of processing performed by the trial print instruction generation unit in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  The image processing apparatus 10 includes an application 12, an output instruction unit 14, an image processing unit 16, and an image output device 18.

  In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the application 12 and the output instruction unit 14 are provided in a personal computer or the like, and the image processing unit 16 and the image output device 18 are provided in an image forming apparatus such as a printing apparatus.

  That is, the application 12 and the output instruction unit 14 include software programs installed in a computer. When an output of an input document is requested from the application 12, the printer driver 20 included in the output instruction unit 14 includes an image processing unit. By transmitting the print instruction information to 16, the output in the image processing unit 16 and the image output device 18 is controlled. As a specific example of the print instruction information, for example, PDL information described in PDL (Page Description Language) may be applied. The print instruction information includes an image quality instruction that is an instruction relating to image quality such as resolution, gradation information, and a screen, and a drawing command that is a drawing instruction for characters, figures, images, and the like.

  The image processing unit 16 includes an input information notification unit 24, a drawing processing unit 26, a color reproduction processing unit 28, a halftone processing unit 30, an instruction determination unit 32, a drawing determination unit 34, an image processing target determination unit 36, and image quality target information storage. A unit 38 and an image processing parameter storage unit 40.

  The image processing unit 16 performs image processing based on the print instruction information transmitted from the printer driver 20, and outputs the processed image information to the image output device 18.

  In the image processing unit 16, the input information notification unit 24 receives the print instruction information output from the printer driver 20 and outputs the print instruction information to the drawing processing unit 26, the instruction determination unit 32, and the drawing determination unit 34.

  The drawing processing unit 26 performs drawing processing based on the print instruction information input from the input information notification unit 24 to generate image information. When performing the drawing process, the drawing process is performed in accordance with a drawing command included in the print instruction information. Specifically, the instruction determination unit 32 determines the content of the image quality instruction included in the print instruction information, and the drawing determination unit 34 determines the content of the drawing command included in the print instruction information. Then, the image processing target determination unit 36 reads drawing information for drawing in accordance with the content of the image quality instruction determined by the instruction determination unit 32 from the image quality target information storage unit 38, and each unit (the drawing processing unit 26, the color reproduction process). Parameters to be processed by the unit 28 and the halftone processing unit 30) are read from the image processing parameter storage unit 40 and notified to each unit.

  The image quality target information storage unit 38 stores drawing information for drawing according to the contents of the image quality instruction in advance, and the image processing parameter storage unit 40 stores parameters for processing in each unit according to the drawing information. ing.

  The color reproduction processing unit 28 performs various color reproduction processes on the image information drawn by the drawing processing unit 24. Here, as the color reproduction process, a process of converting a color signal of a specific color space in the drawing command into a color signal of another color space having a color component used for output by the image output device 18 as an element, There are a process for converting a color signal into another color signal within the color reproduction range, a process for correcting the gradation of the color signal, and the like. At that time, color reproduction processing is performed in accordance with an instruction from the image processing target determination unit 36. The halftone processing unit 30 generates a pseudo halftone image by screen processing or the like. At that time, halftone processing is performed in accordance with an instruction from the image processing target determination unit 36. Then, by outputting the image information processed by each unit to the image output device 18, the image output device 18 outputs an image. In the present embodiment, the image output device 18 outputs an output document by printing an image on a recording medium such as paper.

  By the way, in a general image forming apparatus, there is a function called “preset” in which a plurality of print settings are changed at a time just by selection, and an element function that can be individually changed. For example, FIG. 2 shows an example of preset print instruction information. In the example of FIG. 2, there are five settings (Index 1 to 5) as print settings, and presets of standard, high speed, high-quality photos, drawings (no photos / CG), and drawings (with photos / CG) are included. Indicates. In each print setting, image quality adjustments such as processing resolution, gradation information, screen, color reproduction, character width adjustment, line width adjustment, and density adjustment are determined in advance. Note that the T / G / I optimization in FIG. 2 means an adjustment value determined in advance as optimum for each of text, graphics, and images.

  Here, when changing element functions individually, advanced knowledge is required, and it is specified that each element function is individually specified and output and confirmed, and another specification is output and confirmed. It is necessary to repeat the confirmation cycle.

  Also, depending on the drawing object (drawing target) included in the document, there may be an output result that may or may not change depending on various element function settings. As an example of the drawing object, as shown in FIG. 3, a character drawing 1 processed as outline data (Text), a character drawing 2 processed as bitmap data (Text), and a rectangular region fill (Graphics) are used. Graphic drawing 1, Graphic drawing 2 for line drawing (Graphics), Graphic drawing 3 for gradation (Graphics), Image drawing 1 as image data (Image) such as natural image, other than natural image (CG / logo / gradation) ) (Image) is an image drawing 2 or the like.

  Here, for example, even when the user recognizes the original as a “character” by previewing and confirming the document on the monitor before outputting, the actual drawing instruction is indicated by “image drawing 1” in FIG. At this time, no matter how much the function for adjusting “character” is selected, the effect described in the object described in “image drawing 1” does not appear, but the user cannot grasp the state. Sometimes.

  Therefore, in order to obtain an output original intended by the user, the image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment extracts an adjustable element function for each object, performs image quality adjustment, and obtains an output original as a trial. The output instruction unit 14 is provided with a trial print instruction generation unit 22 that generates the print instruction information.

  The trial print instruction generation unit 22 is provided in the output instruction unit 14 that instructs the image output apparatus to output an image. In FIG. 1, the test print instruction generation unit 22 is shown separately from the printer driver 20, but in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the printer driver 20 includes the test print instruction generation unit 22.

  Here, a detailed configuration of the trial print instruction generation unit 22 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the trial print instruction generating unit 22 in the image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the trial print instruction generation unit 22 includes an object analysis unit 42, an adjustment function information storage unit 44, an adjustment function confirmation unit 46, a print setting generation unit 48, and a print instruction generation unit 50. . In this embodiment, since the printer driver 20 includes the trial print instruction generation unit 22, each unit of the trial print instruction generation unit 22 functions by executing a program.

  The object analysis unit 42 analyzes at least one of the type and attribute of the drawing object included in the print information to be printed. As described above, the drawing object is processed as a character drawing 1 processed as outline data (Text), a character drawing 2 processed as bitmap data (Text), and a rectangular region fill (Graphics). Graphic drawing 1, Graphic drawing 2 processed as line drawing (Graphics), Graphic drawing 3 processed as gradation (Graphics), Image drawing 1 processed as image data (Image) such as natural image, other than natural image There is an image drawing 2 processed as (CG / logo / gradation) (Image). These drawing objects may or may not change the output result depending on the setting of various element functions. For example, as described above, even when the user recognizes the document as “character” when the document is previewed and confirmed on the monitor before output, the actual drawing instruction is “image drawing 1” in FIG. In this case, no matter how many functions for adjusting the “character” are selected, the effect described in “image drawing 1” does not appear. Since the user may not be able to grasp this state, the object analysis unit 42 analyzes the print information and extracts a drawing object.

  5A and 5B are examples of drawing objects included in a document, and the object analysis unit 42 analyzes the print information and extracts these drawing objects. In the example of FIG. The example which extracted five drawing objects of 1-5 is shown. The attributes and effective adjustment functions of each drawing object are as shown in FIG. Note that the effective adjustment function in FIG. 5B is the adjustment No. in the information (FIG. 6) stored in the adjustment function information storage unit 44 described later. Corresponding to Specifically, the drawing No. A drawing object 1 is a character drawing 1, a drawing attribute 1 (color value) is (0, 0, 0), a drawing attribute 2 (others) is Weight = 3, and an adjustment function described later is an effective adjustment function. . 1. In addition, the drawing No. The drawing object 2 is a graphic drawing 2, the drawing attribute 1 (color value) is (255, 128, 128), the drawing attribute 2 (others) is line width = 1, and the adjustment function described later is an effective adjustment function. Function No. 2/3/4/5. In addition, the drawing No. The drawing object No. 3 is image drawing 2, and the drawing attribute 1 (color value) is (255, 128, 128). 3/4. In addition, the drawing No. The drawing object 4 is a graphic drawing 2, the drawing attribute 1 (color value) is set to (128, 128, 128), the drawing attribute 2 (other) is set to line width = 3, and an adjustment function described later is an effective adjustment function. Function No. 2/3/5. In addition, the drawing No. The drawing object No. 5 is image drawing 2, and the drawing attribute 1 (color value) is set to (128, 128, 128). 3/4.

  The adjustment function information storage unit 44 stores in advance an image quality adjustment function for each feature information of at least one of the type and attribute of the drawing object. For example, information as shown in FIG. 6 (linkage information regarding the image quality adjustment function and the adjustment target) is stored in advance. FIG. 6 illustrates, as an example of the association information regarding the image quality adjustment function and the adjustment target, the adjustment function included in the image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the range of the drawing object affected by the function, and the adjustable drawing attributes. An example is shown. In the example of FIG. 6, priority (adjustment No.) is predetermined for the adjustment function. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the priority is set so that a part of the document is given priority over the entire document, and the priority is increased in the order of character width adjustment, line width adjustment, screen, color reproduction, and density adjustment. The priorities of the adjustment functions are predetermined. Further, in the example of FIG. 6, the character width adjustment is performed for character drawing 1 for the target range, all target drawing attributes 1, the target drawing attribute 2 is 600 dpi or more, and the adjustment range is + 2 / + 1/0 / −1 / −2, Only for the whole / Mincho, other conditions / restrictions are determined not to be applicable to the character drawing 2. For the line width adjustment, the target range is figure drawing 2, the target drawing attribute 1 is all, the target drawing attribute 2 is 600 dpi or more, the adjustment range is + 2 / + 1/0 / -1 / -2, the whole / extra-fine line only, and other conditions / As a restriction, it is defined as valid only when the processing resolution is 1200 dpi and 1 bit. As for the screen, the target range is all, the target drawing attribute 1 is other than (0, 0, 0), the target attribute 2 is all, the adjustment range is high line number / medium line number / low line number, and other restrictions / constraints T / G / I optimization is defined as possible. Note that the T / G / I optimization in FIG. 6 means an adjustment value determined in advance as optimum for each of text, graphics, and images as described above. For color reproduction, all target ranges, target drawing attribute 1 is other than gray signal, target drawing attribute 2 is all, adjustment range is standard / character line / photo, and T / G / I can be optimized as other conditions / constraints It has established. In the density adjustment, the target drawing attributes 2 are all other than the character drawing 1/2 and graphic drawing 1/2/3, and the target drawing attributes 1 are (0, 0, 0) and (255, 255, 255). As the adjustment range is + 2 / + 1/0 / -1 / -2, character line / figure, and other conditions / constraints, it is defined as effective only when other functions cannot be used due to restrictions. Note that the example of other conditions / restrictions in FIG. 6 shows restrictions when the function is enabled. For example, the line width adjustment is described as an example where it can be enabled only when the processing resolution is 1200 dpi and 1 bit.

  The adjustment function confirmation unit 46 confirms whether there is an image quality adjustment function associated in advance with at least one of the type and attribute of the drawing object extracted by the object analysis unit 42. Specifically, based on the above-described information stored in the adjustment function information storage unit 44, it is confirmed whether or not there is an image quality adjustment function associated in advance with at least one of the type and the attribute.

  The print setting generation unit 48 arbitrarily sets the adjustment function levels for each drawing object based on the confirmation result of the adjustment function confirmation unit 46 and the information stored in the adjustment function information storage unit 44, and print settings for a plurality of conditions. Is generated. At this time, the higher adjustment number in the adjustment function of FIG. It is designed to generate recommended settings so that these functions are included.

  The print instruction generation unit 50 generates a plurality of print instruction information corresponding to the print settings of a plurality of conditions generated by the print setting generation unit 48 and outputs the plurality of print instruction information to the image processing unit 16. As a result, output corresponding to a plurality of print settings is performed as trial printing.

  Next, a specific flow of processing performed by the trial print instruction generation unit 22 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the trial print instruction generation unit 22 in the image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  First, when the user selects “trial printing” on the printer driver 20 and gives a print instruction, the processing of FIG. 7 starts, and in step 100, it is determined whether or not the target page has been designated. In this determination, it is determined whether or not the target page to be subjected to the trial printing is designated by the user. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the target page has been input on the printer driver, and the process waits until the determination is affirmed. When the determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step 102. Note that the trial print target page may be fixed to a predetermined page (for example, the first page, the second page, or the like) without being selected by the user. Alternatively, it may be possible to set whether to select or fix a trial print target page.

  In step 102, the print information of the trial print target page is acquired from the printer driver 20 by the object analysis unit 42, and the process proceeds to step 104.

  In step 104, the object analysis unit 42 analyzes the drawing object in the trial print target page, and the process proceeds to step 106.

  In step 106, it is determined whether or not there is an object to be extracted by the object analysis unit 42. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 108, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 110.

  In step 108, the adjustment function confirmation unit 46 determines whether or not there is an effective function as an extraction target. As described above, the determination is made based on the information stored in the adjustment function information storage unit 44. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 110. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 112. Transition.

  In step 110, a general purpose preset print setting menu for each purpose is displayed, and the process proceeds to step 116. As the preset print setting menu, for example, a predetermined print setting as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed.

  On the other hand, in step 112, effective recommended settings are extracted by the print setting generation unit 48, and the process proceeds to step 114. The extracted effective recommended settings are displayed, and the process proceeds to step 116. At this time, settings that are not effective are excluded and displayed. For example, there is a line with a line width of 1, and settings that cannot be reduced further even if “thin” is selected with the line width adjustment function are excluded and displayed.

  In step 116, it is determined whether a trial range has been determined. In this determination, it is determined whether or not a range for trial printing is selected by the user from the displayed settings, and the process waits until the determination is affirmed and proceeds to step 118. In this embodiment, the user can select the print setting for trial printing, but the adjustment value of the adjustment function in the print setting for trial printing can be selected as the setting for the trial printing range. It may be. Alternatively, the print setting for performing the trial printing and the adjustment value of the adjustment function may be selected together. If a trial printing cancel process is performed during the standby state, the process is interrupted and the process ends.

  In step 118, the trial print instruction information is generated and output by the print instruction generation unit 50 according to the combination of the trial ranges with respect to the original print instruction, and the process proceeds to step 120. As a result, the image processing unit 16 performs image processing according to the print instruction information generated by the print instruction generation unit 50, and an image is output by the image output device 18. In the present embodiment, trial printing is performed by the image output device 18 and an output document is output.

  In step 120, it is determined whether the print setting has been selected by the user from the result of the trial printing. The process waits until the determination is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 122. When selecting a print setting, the user may further determine the adjustment target range of the image quality adjustment function included in the print setting. For example, the current document has only one dot line, and it was satisfactory to make the line width adjustment thicker, but the same processing may be performed even if there is another document with a different line width designation in the future. Alternatively, it may be determined whether to use only one dot line.

  In step 122, the selected print setting is stored in the printer driver 20, and the series of processes is terminated. Accordingly, it is possible to select and print the setting stored from the next time.

  FIG. 8 is a specific example of the output result of the trial printing, FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of the original image, and FIG. 8B is an example of the output result when outputting with a certain recommended setting. FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating an example of an output result when output is performed with other recommended settings. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of effective recommended settings extracted for a drawing object.

  When the user instructs “trial printing” on the printer driver 20 and the original image shown in FIG. 8A is selected as the target page in the original, the above-described processing is performed. As a result, the drawing No. Five drawing objects 1 to 5 are extracted by the object analysis unit 42, and effective functions are extracted for each object. Then, recommended settings as shown in FIG. 9 are displayed. Here, FIG. 8B shows the result of trial printing performed with Index 2 in FIG. 9 selected, and FIG. 8C shows the result of trial printing performed with Index 4 selected. .

  The user does not need to know what each detailed setting is like, just check the index added to the output sample that the user feels favorable, and then enter it according to the instructions of the printer driver 20. Trial printing is performed. If the adjustment amount is insufficient, a new recommended setting may be presented based on each recommended setting. In the example of FIG. 8, since there are a plurality of types of drawing objects in the document, T / G / I optimization (value determined as optimum for each of Text, Graphics, and Image) is selected. ing.

  When the target range (whole or partial) can be selected for each adjustment function, it is basically set as a trial print limitedly within the range existing in the document.

  In FIG. 9, Index 1 (standard) is a reference setting, and Index 2 to 5 are examples of recommended settings. In Index 2/3 (+ direction /-direction), since it is desired to enable all related functions, the function is enabled with 1200 dpi and 1 bit as conditions. If all the functions cannot be selected under the same conditions, the priority order of the recommended setting is determined based on the conditions necessary for the function having a higher priority. Here, density adjustment is determined not to be applied because it has been adjusted by other functions. However, since the line width adjustment cannot be used conditionally at Index 4/5 (+ direction /-direction), it is supported. Including density adjustment. These detailed conditions can be implemented on the side that understands the specifications and characteristics of the image processing apparatus 10, but cannot be implemented at all by general users. It is necessary to display it with.

  Further, a portion where a difference occurs on the sample before and after adjustment may be output with a mark added separately.

  In the embodiment described above, the drawing object included in the document is analyzed and the effective recommended setting is displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the effective adjustment function candidate is displayed to the user. You may make it select.

  In the following, a process performed by the trial print instruction generating unit 22 when displaying effective adjustment function candidates as a modification will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a modification of the flow of processing performed by the trial print instruction generating unit 22 in the image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. Note that the same processes as those in FIG.

  First, when the user selects “trial printing” on the printer driver 20 and issues a print instruction, the processing of FIG. 10 starts, and in step 100, it is determined whether or not the target page has been designated. In this determination, it is determined whether or not the target page to be subjected to the trial printing is designated by the user. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the target page has been input on the printer driver, and the process waits until the determination is affirmed. When the determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step 102. Note that the trial print target page may be fixed to a predetermined page (for example, the first page, the second page, or the like) without being selected by the user. Alternatively, it may be possible to set whether to select or fix a trial print target page.

  In step 102, the print information of the trial print target page is acquired from the printer driver 20 by the object analysis unit 42, and the process proceeds to step 104.

  In step 104, the object analysis unit 42 analyzes the drawing object in the trial print target page, and the process proceeds to step 106.

  In step 106, it is determined whether or not there is an object to be extracted by the object analysis unit 42. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 108, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 110.

  In step 108, the adjustment function confirmation unit 46 determines whether or not there is an effective function as an extraction target. As described above, the determination is made based on the information stored in the adjustment function information storage unit 44. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 110. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 111. Transition.

  In step 110, a general purpose preset print setting menu for each purpose is displayed, and the process proceeds to step 116. As the preset print setting menu, for example, a predetermined print setting as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed.

  On the other hand, in step 111, effective adjustment function candidates are extracted by the print setting generation unit 48, and the process proceeds to step 113. The extracted effective adjustment function candidates are displayed, and the process proceeds to step 116. At this time, the adjustment function having no effect is excluded and displayed. For example, there is a line with a line width of 1, and settings that cannot be reduced further even if “thin” is selected with the line width adjustment function are excluded and displayed. That is, if there is a drawing object to be extracted and the drawing object has an effective adjustment function, the function that can improve the print quality is displayed and the function is introduced to the user.

  In step 116, it is determined whether a trial range has been determined. In this determination, it is determined whether or not a range for trial printing is selected by the user from the displayed adjustment function candidates, and the process waits until the determination is affirmed and proceeds to step 118. When selecting a trial printing range, adjustment values for adjustment function candidates (for example, + 2 / + 1 / -1 / -2) are selected, but the target to be adjusted (characters, lines, images, etc.) May be separately selectable by the user. If a trial printing cancel process is performed during the standby state, the process is interrupted and the process ends.

  In step 118, the trial print instruction information is generated and output by the print instruction generation unit 50 according to the combination of the trial ranges with respect to the original print instruction, and the process proceeds to step 120. As a result, the image processing unit 16 performs image processing according to the print instruction information generated by the print instruction generation unit 50, and an image is output by the image output device 18. In the present embodiment, trial printing is performed by the image output device 18 and an output document is output.

  In step 120, it is determined whether the print setting has been selected by the user from the result of the trial printing. The process waits until the determination is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 122. When selecting a print setting, the user may further determine the adjustment target range of the image quality adjustment function included in the print setting. For example, the current document has only one dot line, and it was satisfactory to make the line width adjustment thicker, but the same processing may be performed even if there is another document with a different line width designation in the future. Alternatively, it may be determined whether to use only one dot line.

  In step 122, the selected print setting is stored in the printer driver 20, and the series of processes is terminated. Accordingly, it is possible to select and print the setting stored from the next time.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the printer driver 20 includes the trial print instruction generation unit 22 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image processing unit 16 includes the trial print instruction generation unit 22. In addition to the printer driver 20 and the image processing device 16, the test print instruction generation unit 22 may be provided so that options can be set. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the trial print instruction generation unit 22 is software because of the configuration provided in the printer driver 20, but may have a hardware configuration.

  Further, the processing performed by the trial print instruction generation unit 22 of the image processing apparatus 10 in the above embodiment may be stored and distributed as a program in a storage medium.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image processing apparatus 14 Output instruction | indication part 20 Printer driver 22 Trial print instruction | indication production | generation part 42 Object analysis part 44 Adjustment function information storage part 46 Adjustment function confirmation part 48 Print setting production | generation part 50 Print instruction production | generation part

Claims (9)

Analyzing the feature information of at least one of the type and attribute of the drawing target included in the document information, extracting an image quality adjustment function previously associated with the feature information, and combining a plurality of adjustment values of the extracted image quality adjustment function Setting generation means for generating a plurality of print settings,
Generating means for generating a plurality of print instruction information different from the print instruction information of the predetermined reference print setting based on the plurality of print settings generated by the setting generation means;
An image processing apparatus. The setting generation unit generates a plurality of recommended print settings of a combination of predetermined recommended adjustment values among a plurality of combinations of adjustment values of the extracted image quality adjustment function;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a confirmation unit that allows a user to confirm a print setting for generating the print instruction information from among the plurality of generated recommended print settings.   The apparatus further comprises a confirmation unit that allows a user to confirm at least one of the adjustment value of the image quality adjustment function extracted by the setting generation unit and the print setting that is the generation target of the print instruction information by the generation unit. Item 8. The image processing apparatus according to Item 1.   The said setting production | generation means excludes the combination from which the adjustment effect is not acquired among the combinations of the adjustment value which the said image quality adjustment function has extracted, The said printing setting is generated in any one of Claims 1-3. Image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines a print setting close to a desired quality from the plurality of print settings generated by the setting generation unit.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the determination unit further determines an adjustment target range of an image quality adjustment function included in the print setting when determining the print setting.   7. The print instruction information according to claim 1, wherein the generation means generates the print instruction information by adding mark information for recognizing a drawing target that is changed by changing the image quality adjustment function with respect to the print instruction information of the reference print setting. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. Computer
The image processing program for functioning as each means of the image processing apparatus of any one of Claims 1-7.   A storage medium storing the image processing program according to claim 8.