JP5970862B2 - Information processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image forming system, information processing program, and image forming program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, an information processing program, and an image forming program.

  Patent Document 1 provides an image forming apparatus that can easily set optimal control conditions for a new print medium, and an image forming apparatus data processor that can be accessed by a communication line. An image forming apparatus provided with storage means capable of storing print medium information and print control conditions relating to various print media in correspondence, and communication means capable of transmitting and receiving via a communication line, and a plurality of print media A server-side storage unit that stores the print medium information and the print control condition in association with each other, and a server-side communication unit that can transmit and receive via a communication line to and from the communication unit of the external image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus data processor is disclosed.

JP 2003-107965 A

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an information processing apparatus in which parameters to be set in an image forming apparatus are managed not for each sheet but for each category of sheet and transmitted to the image forming apparatus. It is an object to provide a program and an image forming program.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, receiving means for receiving information relating to the paper from an image forming apparatus for forming an image on the paper, and information relating to the paper and a category indicating the type of the paper are stored in association with each other. By determining whether or not the category corresponding to the information related to the paper is stored in the paper category storage means based on the information related to the paper received by the receiving means and the paper category storage means. A determination unit for determining whether or not the image belongs to a category; and when the determination unit determines that the sheet belongs to a category, the image forming unit is configured to form an image on the category and the sheet belonging to the category. The extraction means for extracting the parameters from the category parameter storage means storing the categories and the parameters in association with each other, and the categories and parameters extracted by the extraction means Comprising a transmitting means for transmitting the image forming apparatus, information regarding the sheet, that starts per color information and paper indicating the color of the paper, the maximum concentration in the information and paper indicating the color of the paper, or the paper color Information indicating the brightness of the paper, and the paper category storage means stores the information indicating the color of the paper in association with the point indicating the start of coloring of the paper and the category indicating the type of the paper. Information indicating the color of the paper, the maximum density of the paper, and a category indicating the type of the paper are stored in association with each other, or information indicating the paper color, information indicating the brightness of the paper, and information on the paper An information processing apparatus is characterized in that a category indicating a type is stored in association with each other .

The invention of claim 2 uses b * in the color space L * a * b * as information indicating the color of the paper, and uses L * in the color space L * a * b * as information indicating the brightness of the paper. 2. The information processing according to claim 1, wherein: * is used, a reproduction start point of each color of CMYK is used as a point at which the paper starts to be colored, and a maximum density of each color of CMYK is used as the maximum density on the paper. Device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving means for receiving information relating to paper, a transmitting means for transmitting information relating to paper received by the receiving means to an information processing apparatus, and a receiving means for receiving categories and parameters from the information processing apparatus. And registration means for registering in a storage means for storing the category and parameter received by the receiving means in association with each other, and a setting means for setting the parameter received by the receiving means. An image characterized by information indicating the color of the paper and a point at which the paper starts to be colored, information indicating the paper color and the maximum density in the paper, or information indicating the paper color and information indicating the brightness of the paper Forming device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, b * in the color space L * a * b * is used as information indicating the color of the paper, and L in the color space L * a * b * is used as information indicating the brightness of the paper. 4. The image forming method according to claim 3, wherein * is used, a reproduction start point of each color of CMYK is used as a point at which the paper starts to be colored, and a maximum density of each color of CMYK is used as the maximum density on the paper. Device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, receiving means for receiving information relating to the paper from an image forming apparatus for forming an image on the paper, and information relating to the paper and a category indicating the type of the paper are stored in association with each other. By determining whether or not the category corresponding to the information related to the paper is stored in the paper category storage means based on the information related to the paper received by the receiving means and the paper category storage means. A determination unit for determining whether or not the image belongs to a category; and when the determination unit determines that the sheet belongs to a category, the image forming unit is configured to form an image on the category and the sheet belonging to the category. The extraction means for extracting the parameters from the category parameter storage means storing the categories and the parameters in association with each other, and the categories and parameters extracted by the extraction means An information processing apparatus having a transmission means for transmitting to an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus so as to be communicable, wherein the image forming apparatus receives information related to paper Means, transmitting means for transmitting information about the paper accepted by the accepting means to the information processing apparatus, receiving means for receiving categories and parameters from the information processing apparatus, and categories and parameters received by the receiving means. There is a registration means for registering in the storage means for storing correspondingly and a setting means for setting the parameter received by the receiving means, and the information relating to the paper is information indicating the color of the paper and the paper starts to be colored. Point, information indicating the color of the paper and the maximum density of the paper, or information indicating the color of the paper and information indicating the brightness of the paper. The storage means stores information indicating the color of the paper, a point where the paper starts to be colored, and a category indicating the type of the paper, and stores the information indicating the paper color, the maximum density of the paper, and the paper The category indicating the type of paper is stored in association with each other, or the information indicating the color of the paper, the information indicating the brightness of the paper, and the category indicating the type of the paper are stored in association with each other. An image forming system.

The invention according to claim 6 uses b * in the color space L * a * b * as information indicating the color of the paper, and uses L * in the color space L * a * b * as information indicating the brightness of the paper. 6. The image formation according to claim 5, wherein: * is used, a reproduction start point of each color of CMYK is used as a point at which the paper starts to be colored, and the maximum density of each color of CMYK is used as the maximum density on the paper. System.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a computer stores a receiving means for receiving information related to the paper from an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the paper, and information relating to the paper and a category indicating the type of the paper. And determining whether or not the category corresponding to the information related to the paper is stored in the paper category storage means based on the information related to the paper received by the receiving means and the paper category storage means. A determination unit that determines whether or not the sheet belongs to a category, and if the determination unit determines that the sheet belongs to a category, an image is formed on the category and a sheet that belongs to the category. Extracting means for extracting parameters from the category parameter storage means storing the category and the parameter in association with each other, and the category extracted by the extracting means, The parameters to function as transmission means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus, information regarding the sheet, that starts per color information and paper indicating the color of the paper, the maximum concentration in the information and paper indicating the color of the paper, or paper Information indicating the color of the paper and information indicating the brightness of the paper, and the paper category storage means associates the information indicating the color of the paper with the point where the paper starts to be colored and the category indicating the type of the paper. Information indicating the color of the paper, the maximum density of the paper and a category indicating the type of the paper, and storing the information indicating the color of the paper and the information indicating the brightness of the paper; An information processing program is characterized in that a category indicating the type of paper is stored in association with the category .

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including: a receiving unit that receives information about paper; a transmission unit that transmits information about paper received by the receiving unit to the information processing device; and categories and parameters from the information processing device. Receiving means, registration means for registering the category and parameters received by the receiving means in correspondence with each other and storing means, and setting means for setting the parameters received by the receiving means , The paper information is information indicating the color of the paper and the point where the paper starts to be colored, information indicating the paper color and the maximum density in the paper, or information indicating the paper color and information indicating the brightness of the paper. An image forming program characterized by the above.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the first aspect, parameters to be set in the image forming apparatus can be managed not for each sheet but for each category of the sheet and transmitted to the image forming apparatus.

According to the information processing apparatus of the second aspect, b * in the color space L * a * b * is used as information indicating the color of the paper, and the color space L * a * b * is used as information indicating the brightness of the paper. L * can be used, and the reproduction start point of each color of CMYK can be used as a point at which the paper starts to color, and the maximum density of each color of CMYK can be used as the maximum density on the paper.

According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, the category and the parameter can be received from the information processing apparatus and the parameter can be set.

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 4, b * in the color space L * a * b * is used as information indicating the color of the paper, and the color space L * a * b * is used as information indicating the brightness of the paper. L * can be used, and the reproduction start point of each color of CMYK can be used as a point at which the paper starts to color, and the maximum density of each color of CMYK can be used as the maximum density on the paper.

According to the image forming system of the fifth aspect, the parameters to be set in the image forming apparatus can be managed not for each sheet but for each category of the sheet and transmitted to the image forming apparatus.

According to the image forming system of claim 6, b * in the color space L * a * b * is used as the information indicating the color of the paper, and the color space L * a * b * is used as the information indicating the brightness of the paper. L * can be used, and the reproduction start point of each color of CMYK can be used as a point at which the paper starts to color, and the maximum density of each color of CMYK can be used as the maximum density on the paper.

  According to the information processing program of the seventh aspect, the parameters to be set in the image forming apparatus can be managed not for each sheet but for each category of the sheet and transmitted to the image forming apparatus.

  According to the image forming program of the eighth aspect, the category and the parameter can be received from the information processing apparatus, and the parameter can be set.

It is a conceptual module block diagram about the structural example of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the system configuration example in the case of implement | achieving this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of an apparatus management table. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a sheet characteristic / category correspondence table. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a sheet characteristic / category correspondence table. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a sheet characteristic / category correspondence table. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of a category management table (image forming apparatus). It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of a category management table (management server). It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of an apparatus characteristic information management table (information processing apparatus). It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the output parameter production | generation by an output parameter production | generation module. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a computer that realizes the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the computer which implement | achieves the information processing apparatus of this Embodiment.

Hereinafter, an example of a preferred embodiment for realizing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a conceptual module configuration diagram of a configuration example of the present embodiment.
The module generally refers to components such as software (computer program) and hardware that can be logically separated. Therefore, the module in the present embodiment indicates not only a module in a computer program but also a module in a hardware configuration. Therefore, the present embodiment is a computer program for causing these modules to function (a program for causing a computer to execute each procedure, a program for causing a computer to function as each means, and a function for each computer. This also serves as an explanation of the program and system and method for realizing the above. However, for the sake of explanation, the words “store”, “store”, and equivalents thereof are used. However, when the embodiment is a computer program, these words are stored in a storage device or stored in memory. It is intended to control to be stored in the device. Modules may correspond to functions one-to-one, but in mounting, one module may be configured by one program, or a plurality of modules may be configured by one program, and conversely, one module May be composed of a plurality of programs. The plurality of modules may be executed by one computer, or one module may be executed by a plurality of computers in a distributed or parallel environment. Note that one module may include other modules. Hereinafter, “connection” is used not only for physical connection but also for logical connection (data exchange, instruction, reference relationship between data, etc.). “Predetermined” means that the process is determined before the target process, and not only before the process according to this embodiment starts but also after the process according to this embodiment starts. In addition, if it is before the target processing, it is used in accordance with the situation / state at that time or with the intention to be decided according to the situation / state up to that point. In addition, the description having the meaning of “do B when it is A” is used in the meaning of “determine whether or not it is A and do B when it is judged as A”. However, the case where it is not necessary to determine whether or not A is excluded.
In addition, the system or device is configured by connecting a plurality of computers, hardware, devices, and the like by communication means such as a network (including one-to-one correspondence communication connection), etc., and one computer, hardware, device. The case where it implement | achieves by etc. is included. “Apparatus” and “system” are used as synonymous terms. Of course, the “system” does not include a social “mechanism” (social system) that is an artificial arrangement.
In addition, when performing a plurality of processes in each module or in each module, the target information is read from the storage device for each process, and the processing result is written to the storage device after performing the processing. is there. Therefore, description of reading from the storage device before processing and writing to the storage device after processing may be omitted. Here, the storage device may include a hard disk, a RAM (Random Access Memory), an external storage medium, a storage device via a communication line, a register in a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the like.

  In this embodiment, the information processing apparatus 150 manages the image forming apparatus 100, and as shown in the example of FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 and the information processing apparatus 150 are connected via a communication line 199. ing. Note that there may be a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 and information processing apparatuses 150, and in particular, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 may be communicably connected to one information processing apparatus 150.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a reception module 102, a determination module 104, a paper category / output parameter storage module 106, a setting module 108, a registration module 110, and a communication module 112. The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a sheet. Specifically, for example, a printer, a copier, a fax machine, a multi-function machine (an image processing apparatus having any two or more functions of a scanner, a printer, a copier, a fax machine, and the like) are applicable.

The reception module 102 is connected to the determination module 104 and the communication module 112. The receiving module 102 receives information related to paper. For example, information on paper is received by an operator's operation on a touch panel, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like. Or you may make it receive the information regarding a paper from the measuring apparatus which measured the characteristic of the paper made into object. “Information relating to paper” includes information indicating characteristics of the paper, information indicating the paper (general name, common name, product name, etc.), and the like. The “information indicating the characteristics of the paper” includes the following.
(1) b * or b * and a * of paper blank (information indicating the color of the paper)
(2) L * of blank paper (information indicating the brightness of the paper)
(3) Reproduction start point of each color of CMYK (point at which the paper starts to be colored)
(4) Maximum density of each color of CMYK (maximum density on the paper)
(5) Paper type (plain paper, coated paper, etc.)
(6) Paper basis weight (7) There is glossiness of paper. One or a combination of these characteristics may be used, and other characteristics may be used. Note that (1) and (2) described above indicate characteristics in the Lab color space, but other color spaces (L * u * v *, RGB, etc.) may be used. The above (3) and (4) show the characteristics in CMYK, but other color representation methods (RGB or the like) may be used. The values of (1) to (4) may be calculated, for example, by outputting a predetermined measurement image and measuring the image with a measurement device. In addition, in (5) to (7), an operator may drive what is written on a paper wrapping paper or the like.
In addition, when a table in which information indicating the paper and information indicating the characteristics of the paper are associated with each other is prepared in advance and information indicating the paper is received, the information on the paper is determined from the information indicating the paper using the table. Information indicating characteristics may be extracted.

  The determination module 104 is connected to the reception module 102, the paper category / output parameter storage module 106, the setting module 108, and the communication module 112. The determination module 104 determines whether or not the paper category / output parameter storage module 106 has a category (hereinafter, also referred to as a category or a paper category) corresponding to information on the paper received by the receiving module 102. It is determined whether or not the sheet belongs to the category. That is, it is determined whether or not the information regarding the sheet is managed by the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, for example, is there a paper type column 830 of the category management table (image forming apparatus) 800 in the paper category / output parameter storage module 106 that corresponds to information on the paper received by the receiving module 102? Judgment by whether or not.

  The paper category / output parameter storage module 106 is connected to the determination module 104, the setting module 108, and the registration module 110. The paper category / output parameter storage module 106 stores the categories received by the communication module 112 and the parameters (hereinafter also referred to as output parameters) in association with each other. Then, the category received by the communication module 112 and the information related to the sheet received by the receiving module 102 may be stored in association with each other. Specifically, for example, a category management table (image forming apparatus) 800 is stored. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the category management table (image forming apparatus) 800. The category management table (image forming apparatus) 800 has a category ID column 810, a category name column 820, a paper type column 830, and an output parameter column 840. The category ID column 810 stores information (category ID: IDentification) that uniquely identifies a category in the present embodiment. The category name column 820 stores the name of the category. The paper type column 830 stores information regarding paper belonging to the category. The output parameter column 840 stores parameters suitable for the category.

  The output parameter is a value with which the image quality can be adjusted when the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a sheet. An example of the paper output parameter is a target for calibration. Calibration is a means for mainly correcting the gradation characteristics of a single color, and the gradation characteristics serving as a reference for correction are called calibration targets, and strictly speaking, they differ depending on the type of paper. For this reason, it is necessary to generate a calibration target for each sheet. Further, examples of output parameters include the ratio of YMCK corresponding to the color to be output.

  The setting module 108 is connected to the determination module 104 and the paper category / output parameter storage module 106. The setting module 108 sets parameters received by the communication module 112. “Setting parameters” means adjusting the image forming portion of the image forming apparatus 100 using parameters. For example, the image forming portion is adjusted so as to have the above-described calibration target, the ratio of YMCK corresponding to the color to be output, and the like.

  The registration module 110 is connected to the paper category / output parameter storage module 106 and the communication module 112. The registration module 110 stores the category and parameters received by the communication module 112 in the paper category / output parameter storage module 106. The registration module 110 registers the category received by the communication module 112 and the information regarding the paper received by the receiving module 102 in the paper category / output parameter storage module 106 in association with each other. Specifically, for example, the above-described category management table (image forming apparatus) 800 is generated.

  The communication module 112 is connected to the reception module 102, the determination module 104, and the registration module 110, and is connected to the communication module 152 of the information processing apparatus 150 via the communication line 199. The communication module 112 transmits information regarding the sheet received by the receiving module 102 to the information processing apparatus 150. The communication module 112 receives categories and parameters from the information processing apparatus 150.

  The information processing apparatus 150 includes a communication module 152, a determination module 154, a paper category / characteristic storage module 156, a paper category registration module 158, an output parameter generation module 160, an apparatus information storage module 162, an extraction module 164, and a paper category / output parameter storage. A module 166 is included. The information processing apparatus 150 manages the image forming apparatus 100 and transmits parameters to the image forming apparatus 100. For example, as the management of the image forming apparatus 100 by the information processing apparatus 150, data of the apparatus management table 400 is generated. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the device management table 400. The device management table 400 has a customer ID column 410, a device ID column 420, and an IP address column 430. The customer ID column 410 stores information (customer ID) that can uniquely identify a customer according to the present embodiment. The apparatus ID column 420 stores information (apparatus ID) for uniquely identifying the image forming apparatus 100 owned by the customer according to the present embodiment. The IP address column 430 stores the IP address of the image forming apparatus 100. This is used when communicating from the information processing apparatus 150 to the image forming apparatus 100.

  The communication module 152 is connected to the determination module 154, the paper category registration module 158, and the extraction module 164, and is connected to the communication module 112 of the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication line 199. The communication module 152 receives information regarding the paper on which an image is to be formed from the image forming apparatus 100. The communication module 152 transmits the category and parameters extracted by the extraction module 164 to the image forming apparatus 100. The communication module 152 transmits the category registered by the paper category registration module 158 and the parameter generated by the output parameter generation module 160 to the image forming apparatus 100.

  The determination module 154 is connected to the communication module 152, the paper category / characteristic storage module 156, the paper category registration module 158, and the extraction module 164. The determination module 154 determines whether or not the sheet belongs to the category by determining whether or not the sheet category / characteristic storage module 156 has a category corresponding to the information regarding the sheet received by the communication module 152. to decide. That is, it is determined whether the category and the paper are already associated with each other.

The paper category / characteristic storage module 156 is connected to the determination module 154 and the paper category registration module 158. The paper category / characteristic storage module 156 stores information relating to paper and a category indicating the type of the paper in association with each other. Specifically, for example, a paper characteristic / category correspondence table 500, a paper characteristic / category correspondence table 600, a paper characteristic / category correspondence table 700, and the like are stored.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the paper characteristic / category correspondence table 500. The paper characteristic / category correspondence table 500 stores b * on the vertical axis and maximum density on the horizontal axis, and stores the category at the intersection. For example, when the maximum density is “<1.2 (less than 1.2)” and b * is “2 <(greater than 2)”, the category A is set and the maximum density is “1.4 or more”. When “<1.6 (less than 1.6)” and b * is “2 <(greater than 2)”, the category B is set, and the maximum density is “<1.2 (less than 1.2). ) ”And b * is“ −4 to −2 ”, it is set as category C, the maximum density is“ 1.4 or more ”and“ <1.6 (less than 1.6) ”, and b When * is “−4 to −2”, it indicates that the category is D. That is, the category can be specified from the maximum density, b *, which is information relating to the paper.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the paper characteristic / category correspondence table 600. The paper characteristic / category correspondence table 600 stores b * on the vertical axis and the reproduction start point on the horizontal axis, and stores the category at the intersection. For example, when the reproduction start point is “<1 (less than 1)” and b * is “2 <(greater than 2)”, the category A is set, the reproduction start point is “2 or more”, and “<3”. (Less than 3) ”and b * is“ 2 <(greater than 2) ”, it is set as category B, the reproduction start point is“ <1 (less than 1) ”, and b * is“ −4 ”. ~ 2 "is category C, the reproduction start point is" 2 or more "and"<3 (less than 3) ", and b * is" -4 to -2 ", category D It shows that it is doing. That is, the category can be specified from the reproduction start point, which is information relating to the paper, b *.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the paper characteristic / category correspondence table 700. The sheet characteristic / category correspondence table 700 has b * on the vertical axis and L * on the horizontal axis, and stores the category at the intersection. For example, when L * is “<94 (less than 94)” and b * is “2 <(greater than 2)”, it is set as category A, L * is “95 to 96”, and b * Is “2 <(greater than 2)”, it is set as category B, L * is “<94 (less than 94)”, and b * is “−4 to −2”, category C And L * is “95 to 96” and b * is “−4 to −2”, it indicates that the category is D. That is, the category can be specified from L * and b *, which are information about the paper.
The paper characteristic / category correspondence table 500, the paper characteristic / category correspondence table 600, and the paper characteristic / category correspondence table 700 specify a category by using a combination of information on two papers, but information on three or more papers. The category may be specified using a combination of the above, or the category may be specified using information on one sheet.

  The determination module 154 uses any one of the paper characteristic / category correspondence table 500, the paper characteristic / category correspondence table 600, the paper characteristic / category correspondence table 700, and the like stored in the paper category / characteristic storage module 156. Thus, the category may be determined, or the category may be determined by majority vote using a plurality of paper characteristic / category correspondence tables. As the paper characteristic / category correspondence table used for the determination, a paper characteristic / category correspondence table to which the information regarding the paper received by the communication module 152 can be applied may be selected.

  The paper category registration module 158 is connected to the communication module 152, the determination module 154, the paper category / characteristic storage module 156, and the output parameter generation module 160. If the determination module 154 does not determine that the target paper belongs to a category, the paper category registration module 158 registers a new category to which the paper belongs in the paper category / characteristic storage module 156. If the paper does not belong to the previous category, a new category that includes the paper is generated, and a paper characteristic / category correspondence table 500, a paper characteristic / category correspondence table 600, and a paper characteristic / category correspondence table 700 are generated. Etc. are corrected or newly created.

  The output parameter generation module 160 is connected to the paper category registration module 158, the device information storage module 162, and the paper category / output parameter storage module 166. The output parameter generation module 160 generates a parameter corresponding to the category. The output parameter generation module 160 may generate parameters based on the characteristics of the image forming apparatus 100 and the characteristics of other image forming apparatuses 100. “Image forming apparatus 100 and other image forming apparatuses 100” refers to a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 managed by information processing apparatus 150. “Based on characteristics” refers to generating parameters according to multiple characteristics, for example, generating parameters according to the average, median, mode, etc. of the characteristics, The parameter may be generated in accordance with the characteristic with the highest performance, the parameter may be generated in accordance with the characteristic with the lowest performance, or the like.

  The device information storage module 162 is connected to the output parameter generation module 160. Specifically, for example, a device characteristic information management table (information processing device) 1000 is stored. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the device characteristic information management table (information processing device) 1000. The device characteristic information management table (information processing device) 1000 has a device ID column 1010 and a device characteristic information column 1020. The apparatus ID column 1010 stores the apparatus ID of the image forming apparatus 100. The apparatus characteristic information column 1020 stores characteristic information of the image forming apparatus 100. This is characteristic information for generating parameters. For example, characteristic information indicating the relationship between input density and output density is applicable.

  The extraction module 164 is connected to the communication module 152, the determination module 154, and the paper category / output parameter storage module 166. If the determination module 154 determines that the target paper belongs to the category, the extraction module 164 displays the category and parameters for forming an image on the paper belonging to the category, the paper category / output Extract from the parameter storage module 166.

  The paper category / output parameter storage module 166 is connected to the output parameter generation module 160 and the extraction module 164. The paper category / output parameter storage module 166 stores categories and parameters in association with each other. Specifically, for example, a category management table (management server) 900 is stored. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the category management table (management server) 900. The category management table (management server) 900 has a category ID column 910, a category name column 920, a paper type column 930, an output parameter column 940, and a device ID column 950. The category ID column 910, the category name column 920, the paper type column 930, and the output parameter column 940 are respectively a category ID column 810, a category name column 820, a paper type column 830, and an output parameter of the category management table (image forming apparatus) 800. It is equivalent to column 840. The contents of the category ID column 910, the category name column 920, the paper type column 930, and the output parameter column 940 of the category management table (management server) 900 are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 stores the category management table ( Image forming apparatus) 800, category ID field 810, category name field 820, paper type field 830, and output parameter field 840. The device ID column 950 stores the device ID of the image forming apparatus 100 in which the set of values in the category ID column 910, the category name column 920, the paper type column 930, and the output parameter column 940 are registered.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration when the present embodiment is realized.
Image forming apparatus A: 210A, image forming apparatus B: 210B, image forming apparatus C: 210C, and management server 250 are connected to each other via a communication line 299. The communication line 299 may be wireless or wired.
The image forming apparatus A: 210A, the image forming apparatus B: 210B, and the image forming apparatus C: 210C correspond to the image forming apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. In the example of FIG. 2, three devices are shown, but one or more devices may be used.
The management server 250 corresponds to the information processing apparatus 150 illustrated in FIG. When the management server 250 receives information about a sheet from the image forming apparatus 210, the management server 250 transmits parameters suitable for the sheet to the image forming apparatus 210. Then, the image forming apparatus 210 sets the parameters and forms an image on the paper.
A firewall is constructed between the communication line 299 to which the image forming apparatus A: 210A, the image forming apparatus B: 210B, and the image forming apparatus C: 210C are connected and the communication line 299 to which the management server 250 is connected. Also good. In this case, for example, when a sheet is selected, information relating to the sheet may be transmitted from the image forming apparatus 210 to the management server 250.

An overview of the processing according to this embodiment will be described.
Parameters for forming an image are categorized according to a predetermined standard, not for each sheet.
When each of the image forming apparatuses 210 uses a non-standard paper, the paper database of the management server 250 (corresponding to the above-mentioned paper characteristic / category correspondence table 500) is inquired and the paper to be used is the paper database. If the paper category can be classified, the parameters defined in the paper category (the output parameter column 940 of the category management table (management server) 900 described above) are used, and if the paper category cannot be classified, Generate parameters for the paper to be newly used.
Here, the newly generated parameters are generated by the management server 250. The management server 250 manages the characteristics of the plurality of connected image forming apparatuses 210 and generates parameters so that the parameters can be applied to each image forming apparatus 210.
Parameters corresponding to the paper category generated by the management server 250 are registered in the management server 250, and the other image forming apparatuses 210 managed by the management server 250 can use the parameters.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing according to this embodiment.
In step S302, the user 300 designates a use sheet. Of course, the image forming apparatus 100 detects an operation by the user 300 with respect to a touch panel or the like provided in the image forming apparatus 100, and accepts designation of a use sheet (sheet type).
In step S304, the determination module 104 determines whether or not a paper type is registered in the registered paper category. If there is, the process proceeds to step S324, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S306. Specifically, for example, it is determined whether or not the paper type specified in step S302 exists in the paper type column 830 of the category management table (image forming apparatus) 800. If there is a paper type, the output parameter column 840 corresponding to the paper type is selected in step S324.

In step S306, the reception module 102 requests paper characteristic information for generating output parameters. Specifically, for example, a display is performed so that paper characteristic information is written on a touch panel or the like that can be viewed by the user 300, or an instruction for measurement is transmitted to the measurement apparatus.
In step S308, the user 300 or the measurement apparatus measures / writes the paper characteristics. Of course, the image forming apparatus 100 detects an operation by the user 300 on a touch panel or the like provided in the image forming apparatus 100 and receives the characteristic information of the paper. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 100 receives the transmission from the measuring apparatus and receives the sheet characteristic information.

In step S <b> 310, the communication module 112 transmits paper characteristic information (information regarding paper) to the information processing apparatus 150.
In step S312, the determination module 154 determines whether or not the registered paper category is applicable. If there is, the process proceeds to step S320, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S314. Specifically, for example, it is determined whether or not the category corresponding to the paper characteristic information can be searched from the paper characteristic / category correspondence table 500, the paper characteristic / category correspondence table 600, the paper characteristic / category correspondence table 700, or the like.
In step S314, the paper category registration module 158 registers a new paper category. A new category corresponding to the paper characteristic information is generated. Specifically, for example, a new category is added to the paper characteristic / category correspondence table 500, the paper characteristic / category correspondence table 600, the paper characteristic / category correspondence table 700, or the like, or a new paper characteristic / category correspondence table is added. Create a table.

In step S316, the output parameter generation module 160 generates output parameters for the new paper category. Specifically, for example, output parameters are generated using characteristic information in the device information storage module 162. Then, it is registered in the category management table (management server) 900.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of output parameter generation by the output parameter generation module 160. In the graph shown in the example of FIG. 11, the horizontal axis indicates the density of the received image, and the vertical axis indicates the density when an image having the received density is output.
A graph A: 1110 shows the density characteristic of the image forming apparatus A, and a graph B: 1120 shows the density characteristic of the image forming apparatus B. In other words, the image forming apparatus B has better image reproducibility than the image forming apparatus A.
The output parameter generation module 160 extracts the device characteristic information (here, the density characteristic value) of the image forming apparatus A and the image forming apparatus B from the device characteristic information column 1020 of the apparatus characteristic information management table (information processing apparatus) 1000, An output parameter such as output parameter 1130 is generated. That is, the output parameter is generated so as to be intermediate between the graph A: 1110 and the graph B: 1120.
In this case, in the image forming apparatus A, when the density (In) is x or more, the density (Out) does not become y or more, and the image forming apparatus B does not exhibit original device characteristics. However, it is sufficient to manage one output parameter 1130 as an output parameter to be set in a plurality of image forming apparatuses for a plurality of sheets included in the sheet category.

In step S318, the communication module 152 transmits the paper category newly registered in step S314 to the image forming apparatus 100.
In step S320, the communication module 152 transmits the paper category and the output parameter to the image forming apparatus 100. The values in the category ID column 910, the category name column 920, and the output parameter column 940 are extracted from the category management table (management server) 900 and transmitted.
In step S 322, the registration module 110 registers a new paper category in the paper category / output parameter storage module 106. Specifically, for example, the received paper category information is registered in the category ID column 810 and the category name column 820 of the category management table (image forming apparatus) 800.

In step S324, the setting module 108 selects an output parameter for the corresponding paper category. When the transmission of step S320 is received, the received output parameter is registered in the output parameter column 840 corresponding to the paper category of the category management table (image forming apparatus) 800, and then the output parameter of the corresponding paper category is selected.
In step S326, the setting module 108 sets output parameters corresponding to the used paper.

  A hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration illustrated in FIG. 12 is configured by, for example, a personal computer (PC), and illustrates a hardware configuration example including a data reading unit 1217 such as a scanner and a data output unit 1218 such as a printer.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1201 executes an execution sequence of each module such as the reception module 102, the determination module 104, the setting module 108, the registration module 110, and the communication module 112 described in the above embodiment. It is a control part which performs the process according to the described computer program.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 1202 stores programs used by the CPU 1201, calculation parameters, and the like. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 1203 stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 1201, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like. These are connected to each other by a host bus 1204 including a CPU bus.

  The host bus 1204 is connected to an external bus 1206 such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus via a bridge 1205.

  A keyboard 1208 and a pointing device 1209 such as a mouse are input devices operated by an operator. The display 1210 includes a liquid crystal display device or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and displays various types of information as text or image information.

  An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1211 incorporates a hard disk, drives the hard disk, and records or reproduces a program executed by the CPU 1201 and information. The hard disk stores a category management table (image forming apparatus) 800, image data, and the like. Further, various computer programs such as various other data processing programs are stored.

  The drive 1212 reads data or a program recorded in a removable recording medium 1213 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and the data or program is read out to the interface 1207 and the external bus 1206. , The bridge 1205, and the RAM 1203 connected via the host bus 1204. The removable recording medium 1213 can also be used as a data recording area similar to a hard disk.

  The connection port 1214 is a port for connecting the external connection device 1215 and has a connection unit such as USB, IEEE1394. The connection port 1214 is connected to the CPU 1201 and the like via the interface 1207, the external bus 1206, the bridge 1205, the host bus 1204, and the like. The communication unit 1216 is connected to a communication line and executes data communication processing with the outside. The data reading unit 1217 is a scanner, for example, and executes document reading processing. The data output unit 1218 is a printer, for example, and executes document data output processing.

  Note that the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 12 illustrates one configuration example, and the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 12, and the modules described in the present embodiment are executed. Any configuration is possible. For example, some modules may be configured with dedicated hardware (for example, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.), and some modules are in an external system and connected via a communication line In addition, a plurality of systems shown in FIG. 12 may be connected to each other via communication lines so as to cooperate with each other. Further, it may be incorporated in a copying machine, a fax machine, a scanner, a printer, a multifunction machine, or the like.

  Note that the hardware configuration of a computer that executes a program as the information processing apparatus 150 according to the present embodiment is a general computer as illustrated in FIG. 13, and specifically can be a personal computer or a server. A computer or the like. That is, as a specific example, the CPU 1301 is used as a processing unit (calculation unit), and the RAM 1302, the ROM 1303, and the HD 1304 are used as storage devices. For example, a hard disk may be used as the HD 1304. A CPU 1301 that executes programs such as the communication module 152, determination module 154, paper category registration module 158, output parameter generation module 160, and extraction module 164, a RAM 1302 that stores the programs and data, and a program that starts the computer ROM 1303 in which data is stored, an auxiliary storage device HD 1304, a reception device 1306 that receives data based on user operations on a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, and the like, an output device 1305 such as a CRT and a liquid crystal display, A communication line interface 1307 for connecting to a communication network such as a network interface card, and a bus 1308 for connecting them to exchange data. That. A plurality of these computers may be connected to each other via a network.

Among the above-described embodiments, the computer program is a computer program that reads the computer program, which is software, in the hardware configuration system, and the software and hardware resources cooperate with each other. Is realized.
Note that the hardware configuration illustrated in FIG. 13 illustrates one configuration example, and the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 13, and is a configuration that can execute the modules described in the present embodiment. I just need it. For example, some modules may be configured with dedicated hardware (for example, ASIC), and some modules may be in an external system and connected via a communication line. A plurality of systems shown in FIG. 5 may be connected to each other via communication lines so as to cooperate with each other.

The program described above may be provided by being stored in a recording medium, or the program may be provided by communication means. In that case, for example, the above-described program may be regarded as an invention of a “computer-readable recording medium recording the program”.
The “computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded” refers to a computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded, which is used for program installation, execution, program distribution, and the like.
The recording medium is, for example, a digital versatile disc (DVD), which is a standard established by the DVD Forum, such as “DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM,” and DVD + RW. Standard “DVD + R, DVD + RW, etc.”, compact disc (CD), read-only memory (CD-ROM), CD recordable (CD-R), CD rewritable (CD-RW), Blu-ray disc ( Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark), magneto-optical disk (MO), flexible disk (FD), magnetic tape, hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable and rewritable read-only memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)) )), Flash memory, Random access memory (RAM) SD (Secure Digital) memory card and the like.
The program or a part of the program may be recorded on the recording medium for storage or distribution. Also, by communication, for example, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wired network used for the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, etc., or wireless communication It may be transmitted using a transmission medium such as a network or a combination of these, or may be carried on a carrier wave.
Furthermore, the program may be a part of another program, or may be recorded on a recording medium together with a separate program. Moreover, it may be divided and recorded on a plurality of recording media. Further, it may be recorded in any manner as long as it can be restored, such as compression or encryption.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Image forming apparatus 102 ... Acceptance module 104 ... Judgment module 106 ... Paper category and output parameter storage module 108 ... Setting module 110 ... Registration module 112 ... Communication module 150 ... Information processing apparatus 152 ... Communication module 154 ... Judgment module 156 ... Paper Category / characteristic storage module 158... Paper category registration module 160... Output parameter generation module 162... Device information storage module 164... Extraction module 166 .. Paper category / output parameter storage module 199 ... Communication line 210. ... communication line

Claims (8)

Receiving means for receiving information about the paper from an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the paper;
Paper category storage means for storing information relating to paper and a category indicating the type of the paper in association with each other;
Whether or not the sheet belongs to the category by determining whether or not the category corresponding to the information about the sheet is stored in the sheet category storage unit based on the information about the sheet received by the receiving unit. A judging means for judging whether or not
When the determination unit determines that the sheet belongs to a category, the category and a parameter for forming an image on the sheet belonging to the category are stored in association with the category and the parameter. Extraction means for extracting from the category parameter storage means;
A transmission means for transmitting the category and parameters extracted by the extraction means to the image forming apparatus ;
The information on the paper is information indicating the color of the paper and a point at which the paper starts to be colored, information indicating the paper color and the maximum density in the paper, or information indicating the paper color and information indicating the brightness of the paper. ,
The paper category storage means stores the information indicating the color of the paper, the point at which the paper starts to be colored, and the category indicating the type of the paper, and stores the information indicating the paper color and the maximum density of the paper. And a category indicating the type of the paper are stored in association with each other, or information indicating the color of the paper, information indicating the brightness of the paper, and a category indicating the type of the paper are stored in association with each other. An information processing apparatus characterized by that.   As the information indicating the color of the paper, b * in the color space L * a * b * is used.
  As information indicating the brightness of the paper, L * in the color space L * a * b * is used,
  As the point where the paper starts to be colored, the reproduction start point of each color of CMYK is used,
  The maximum density of each color of CMYK is used as the maximum density of the paper.
  The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. A receiving means for receiving information about the paper;
Transmitting means for transmitting information about the paper received by the receiving means to the information processing apparatus;
Receiving means for receiving categories and parameters from the information processing apparatus;
Registration means for registering in the storage means for storing the category and parameters received by the receiving means in correspondence;
Setting means for setting the parameter received by the receiving means ;
The information regarding the paper is information indicating the color of the paper and a point at which the paper starts to be colored, information indicating the paper color and the maximum density in the paper, or information indicating the paper color and information indicating the brightness of the paper. An image forming apparatus.   As the information indicating the color of the paper, b * in the color space L * a * b * is used.
  As information indicating the brightness of the paper, L * in the color space L * a * b * is used,
  As the point where the paper starts to be colored, the reproduction start point of each color of CMYK is used,
  The maximum density of each color of CMYK is used as the maximum density of the paper.
  The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. Receiving means for receiving information about the paper from an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the paper;
Paper category storage means for storing information relating to paper and a category indicating the type of the paper in association with each other;
Whether or not the sheet belongs to the category by determining whether or not the category corresponding to the information about the sheet is stored in the sheet category storage unit based on the information about the sheet received by the receiving unit. A judging means for judging whether or not
When the determination unit determines that the sheet belongs to a category, the category and a parameter for forming an image on the sheet belonging to the category are stored in association with the category and the parameter. Extraction means for extracting from the category parameter storage means;
An information processing apparatus having transmission means for transmitting the category and parameters extracted by the extraction means to the image forming apparatus;
Comprising the image forming apparatus communicably connected to the information processing apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A receiving means for receiving information about the paper;
Transmitting means for transmitting information about the paper received by the receiving means to the information processing apparatus;
Receiving means for receiving categories and parameters from the information processing apparatus;
Registration means for registering in the storage means for storing the category and parameters received by the receiving means in correspondence;
Setting means for setting parameters received by the receiving means ;
The information on the paper is information indicating the color of the paper and a point at which the paper starts to be colored, information indicating the paper color and the maximum density in the paper, or information indicating the paper color and information indicating the brightness of the paper. ,
The paper category storage means stores the information indicating the color of the paper, the point at which the paper starts to be colored, and the category indicating the type of the paper, and stores the information indicating the paper color and the maximum density of the paper. And a category indicating the type of the paper are stored in association with each other, or information indicating the color of the paper, information indicating the brightness of the paper, and a category indicating the type of the paper are stored in association with each other. An image forming system.   As the information indicating the color of the paper, b * in the color space L * a * b * is used.
  As information indicating the brightness of the paper, L * in the color space L * a * b * is used,
  As the point where the paper starts to be colored, the reproduction start point of each color of CMYK is used,
  The maximum density of each color of CMYK is used as the maximum density of the paper.
  The image forming system according to claim 5. Computer
Receiving means for receiving information about the paper from an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the paper;
Paper category storage means for storing information relating to paper and a category indicating the type of the paper in association with each other;
Whether or not the sheet belongs to the category by determining whether or not the category corresponding to the information about the sheet is stored in the sheet category storage unit based on the information about the sheet received by the receiving unit. A judging means for judging whether or not
When the determination unit determines that the sheet belongs to a category, the category and a parameter for forming an image on the sheet belonging to the category are stored in association with the category and the parameter. Extraction means for extracting from the category parameter storage means;
Function as a transmission means for transmitting the category and parameters extracted by the extraction means to the image forming apparatus ;
The information on the paper is information indicating the color of the paper and a point at which the paper starts to be colored, information indicating the paper color and the maximum density in the paper, or information indicating the paper color and information indicating the brightness of the paper. ,
The paper category storage means stores the information indicating the color of the paper, the point at which the paper starts to be colored, and the category indicating the type of the paper, and stores the information indicating the paper color and the maximum density of the paper. And a category indicating the type of the paper are stored in association with each other, or information indicating the color of the paper, information indicating the brightness of the paper, and a category indicating the type of the paper are stored in association with each other.
An information processing program characterized by that . The image forming apparatus
A receiving means for receiving information about the paper;
Transmitting means for transmitting information about the paper received by the receiving means to the information processing apparatus;
Receiving means for receiving categories and parameters from the information processing apparatus;
Registration means for registering in the storage means for storing the category and parameters received by the receiving means in correspondence;
Function as a setting means for setting parameters received by the receiving means ;
The information regarding the paper is information indicating the color of the paper and a point at which the paper starts to be colored, information indicating the paper color and the maximum density in the paper, or information indicating the paper color and information indicating the brightness of the paper. An image forming program.

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