JP6436384B2 - Tone curve control program, tone curve control method, and image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tone curve control program, a tone curve control method, and an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to a tone curve control program and a tone curve control method for controlling a tone curve applied when a page of a job is inserted into another job. The present invention also relates to an image processing apparatus.

  In small-lot commercial printing uses such as office use and POD (Print On Demand), as a printer that outputs manuscript data created by a computer device, manuscript data (PDL (Page Description Language) data) and a user are generally used. Used by an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that generates image data (raster image) from a print job including specified output setting information (job ticket), forms the image data on paper, and outputs the data. It is done.

  This MFP has been improved in performance, functionality, and image quality, but with advanced functionality, print settings have become complicated, and desired output can be achieved with a single operation when a print job is submitted. In many cases, results cannot be obtained. For this reason, a user often employs a procedure (workflow) in which a user obtains a desired result by confirming a printed output and adjusting print settings according to the confirmation result.

  In order to support this workflow, most MFPs store a print job once input into the MFP in a storage area inside the MFP (referred to as a stored job), and do not input the print job from the computer device again. However, it has a function (job storage editing function) that enables the user to change the print settings and check the output result. Further, a raster image generated inside the MFP is also saved in a storage area at the same time, so that an image forming process at the time of print output is omitted to increase productivity.

  Also, some MFPs have a function that allows the user to specify the density when transferring pixels on a raster image onto a sheet for a saved job. This designation is defined by a combination of output densities for each input pixel value, and is called a tone curve. This tone curve can be specified in job units or page units, and is used to adjust the final color and tone (contrast, brightness, etc.) of the target job / page in calibration and color management. There are many. In addition, the tone curve is set as part of the job setting for each customer when the preference for the output result for each customer (higher contrast, emphasis on gradation, etc.) is divided. To make the content more attractive, it may be set as part of the page settings.

  When an image forming apparatus capable of storing such a job is used to print out a predetermined page of a job inserted into another job, printing conditions (for example, a tone curve) set for the predetermined page ) And the print conditions set for other jobs differ from each other in how to handle the print conditions set for a predetermined page.

  Regarding the setting of printing conditions at the time of page insertion, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, a storage unit that stores a plurality of jobs in which image data and page information of the image data are set for each page is stored in the storage unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image based on a current job; and editing that specifies a first job to be edited in units of pages among a plurality of jobs stored in the storage unit A job instruction; an insertion job instruction for designating a second job for selecting image data to be inserted into the first job in units of pages among the plurality of jobs stored in the storage; and the second Page image data selection instruction for selecting image data of a page to be inserted into the first job from the job, and image data selected by the page image data selection instruction An operation unit that accepts an insertion instruction to be inserted into the first job, and when the insertion instruction is accepted by the operation unit, the image data is selected as page information of the image data selected by the page image data selection instruction. An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a control unit that causes the operation unit to accept an instruction to select whether to inherit the page information.

  Patent Document 2 below discloses a first print job including first document data and a first print condition for printing the first document data, second document data, and the second document data. A storage unit for storing a second print job including a second print condition for printing the original data, and inserting at least a part of the second original data into the first original data A job combination unit that combines print jobs, and a print setting unit that performs print settings for the data to be printed combined by the job combination unit. The print setting unit affects the image quality. It is determined whether or not a predetermined special printing condition that can give a difference between the first printing condition and the second printing condition. On the page included in the Apply the special printing conditions included in the printing conditions, when it is determined that not different, the information processing apparatus is disclosed for applying the first printing conditions to all pages of the print target.

JP 2011-078038 A JP 2014-000731 A

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when performing the process of inserting a page of a job into another job, the user is asked whether to inherit the job ticket of the page, and if so, a prohibition check is performed. In the case where there is a prohibition, the user can select which setting is prioritized, thereby realizing a page insertion operation in accordance with the user's intention. However, this method has a problem that the user operation becomes complicated because the user selects whether to inherit the printing conditions set in the job ticket for the page to be inserted.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when performing a save job combination operation, the pixel configuration of the page for a specific print condition (color space conversion, rendering, paper simulation, gray compensation) that affects the image quality in print settings. Then, the influence on the image quality is determined from the use of the setting and the setting, and if it is determined that there is an influence, the setting of the job of the combination source is controlled to be inherited. However, with this method, the settings of the job at the source of the merge are inherited for the printing conditions that affect the image quality, so multiple settings are mixed in the job at the destination of the merge, and the sense of unity of the job finish is lost. There's a problem.

  In particular, as described above, the tone curve is often used to adjust the final color and tone of the target job / page, so an appropriate tone curve that can maintain a uniform finish of the job is applied. Need to be done. However, it is difficult to select an appropriate tone curve without recognizing which part of the tone curve has an influence on the image quality.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and its main purpose is to improve the job finish without complicating the user operation when inserting the insertion source page into the insertion destination job. An object is to provide a tone curve control program, a tone curve control method, and an image processing apparatus capable of applying a tone curve capable of maintaining unity.

One aspect of the present invention is a storage unit that stores a job including document data, print setting information, and a tone curve that defines an output density for an input pixel value, and a control that performs processing for the job stored in the storage unit A tone curve control program that operates on an apparatus comprising: a predetermined curve of a first job to which a different tone curve is applied for each page, and the same tone curve for all pages. First processing for accepting a predetermined operation to be inserted into the second job to which is applied, and when the predetermined operation is performed, the first tone curve applied to the predetermined page and the first tone curve applied from the storage unit A second tone curve applied to the second job is acquired, and whether the first tone curve and the second tone curve satisfy a predetermined condition A second process to be determined, and when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the second tone curve is applied to the predetermined page and inserted into the second job, and the second job is printed. A first image obtained by applying the first tone curve to the predetermined page if it is determined in the third process that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, A preview image including the second image obtained by applying the second tone curve to the predetermined page is displayed on the display unit, and the tone curve selected with reference to the preview image is applied to the predetermined page. and is inserted into the second job, it characterized that you instruct printing of the second job.

One aspect of the present invention is a storage unit that stores a job including document data, print setting information, and a tone curve that defines an output density for an input pixel value, and a control that performs processing for the job stored in the storage unit A tone curve control method in an image processing apparatus comprising: a predetermined curve of a first job to which a different tone curve is applied for each page, and the same tone curve for all pages; And a first tone curve applied to the predetermined page from the storage unit when the predetermined operation is performed, and a first tone curve applied to the predetermined page. A second tone curve applied to the second job is acquired, and whether the first tone curve and the second tone curve satisfy a predetermined condition When it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied with the second process to be determined, the second tone curve is applied to the predetermined page and inserted into the second job, and the second job A first image obtained by applying the first tone curve to the predetermined page if it is determined in the third process that the predetermined condition is not satisfied. And a second image obtained by applying the second tone curve to the predetermined page on the display unit, and a tone curve selected with reference to the preview image on the predetermined page Is applied to the second job, and printing of the second job is instructed .

One aspect of the present invention is a storage unit that stores a job including document data, print setting information, and a tone curve that defines an output density for an input pixel value, and a control that performs processing for the job stored in the storage unit An image processing apparatus, wherein the control unit applies a predetermined page of the first job to which a different tone curve is applied to each page, and applies the same tone curve to all pages. When a predetermined operation to be inserted into the second job is received and the predetermined operation is performed, the first tone curve applied to the predetermined page and the second job are applied from the storage unit. And determining whether the first tone curve and the second tone curve satisfy a predetermined condition, and determining that the predetermined condition is satisfied. If, by applying the second tone curve to the given page is inserted into the second job, and instructs the printing of the second job, with a storing job management unit, the stored job management unit When it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, a first image in which the first tone curve is applied to the predetermined page and a second image in which the second tone curve is applied to the predetermined page And a preview image including the image is displayed on the display unit, the tone curve selected with reference to the preview image is applied to the predetermined page and inserted into the second job, and the second job It is characterized by Rukoto instructions to print.

  According to the tone curve control program, the tone curve control method, and the image processing apparatus of the present invention, when inserting an insertion source page into an insertion destination job, the sense of unity of job finish is eliminated without complicating user operations. Can be applied to the tone curve.

  The reason is that the image processing device (tone curve control program) compares the tone curve set in the page of the insertion source with the tone curve set in the storage job of the insertion destination, If satisfied, the saved job tone curve is applied to the insertion source page, and if both do not satisfy the predetermined condition, the user is asked whether to maintain the insertion source tone curve or to apply the saved job tone curve. This is because control to confirm is performed.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a print instruction apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of the printing instruction | indication apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining a tone curve. It is a figure explaining a job tone curve application job and a page tone curve application job. It is a figure explaining page operation. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example which inserts a page in a job. It is a figure which shows the example which applies the tone curve of a job to a page. It is a figure which shows the example which maintains the tone curve of a page. It is a figure which shows an example of the consistency determination of a tone curve. It is a figure which shows an example of coincidence determination of pixel value distribution. It is a figure which shows the other example of coincidence determination of pixel value distribution. It is a figure which shows an example of the tone curve selection screen which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the variation of the tone curve to apply. It is a figure which shows the other variation of the tone curve to apply. It is an example of the input image which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an image forming apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of a conventional image forming apparatus. It is a figure explaining a job tone curve application job and a page tone curve application job. It is a figure explaining page insertion operation. It is a figure which shows an example of the conventional tone curve selection screen.

  As shown in the background art, when a predetermined page of a job is inserted into another job using an image forming apparatus capable of storing the job, the printing conditions (tone curve) set for the predetermined page Is different from the print conditions set for other jobs, it becomes a problem how to handle the print conditions set for a predetermined page.

  This will be specifically described below. As shown in FIG. 21, a print job (PDL data (denoted as PDL) and job ticket (denoted as ticket)) input from a user is stored in a storage device inside the image forming apparatus together with a raster image obtained by RIP processing. Assumes a system to be used. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 22, there are two types of stored jobs: a job tone curve application job in which one tone curve is applied to the entire job, and a page tone curve application job in which an individual tone curve is applied to each page. Assuming a system with In such a system, a user can edit a tone curve, change a page configuration (deletion, duplication, page insertion), edit a job ticket, and the like for a saved job.

  As a job editing operation for a saved job, an operation for inserting a page (P3) included in another job (JobB) into an insertion target job (JobA) as shown in FIG. At this time, when the insertion source job (JobB) is a page tone curve application job and the insertion destination job (JobA) is a job tone curve application job, the original page is set for the page to be inserted (P3). Whether the tone curve that has been set or the tone curve set for the job to be inserted is to be applied is determined by the user's intention and cannot be determined by the image forming apparatus.

  Therefore, a method of confirming the user's intention every time a page insertion operation is usually used. For example, in Patent Document 1, when inserting a page of a saved job, as shown in FIG. 24A, the user is confirmed whether to inherit the ticket of the page, and if it is inherited, a prohibition check is performed. However, when there is a prohibition, as shown in FIG. 24B, the user is allowed to select which setting is prioritized, thereby realizing a page insertion operation in accordance with the user's intention. However, this technique pays attention to the occurrence of contradiction in the ticket settings at the time of page insertion, and proposes a method and procedure for solving it, and basically depends on the user's selection. User operations become complicated and user convenience is reduced. Even if this technique is applied to a tone curve, the tone curve cannot be selected by simple confirmation unless the user himself / herself fully understands the meaning of the operation.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when performing a save job combination operation, an influence on image quality is determined for a specific print condition, and if it is determined that there is an influence, the setting of the combination source job is inherited. Therefore, it is possible to print out with appropriate image quality settings. However, this technique basically prioritizes the setting of the job at the connection source and does not take into account the intention of the job setting at the insertion destination, so there is a possibility that the sense of unity of the job finish may be lost. .

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, a tone curve is set for each job or page for a saved job (PDL data / job ticket / raster image) saved in the storage area of the image forming apparatus. In order to be able to apply a tone curve that can maintain a sense of unity in the job finish without complicating the user's operation in a printing system that can perform printing, the tone curve and insertion set on the original page are inserted. When the tone curve set in the previous saved job is compared and both satisfy the predetermined condition (when both the tone curves match or the matching part of the tone curves is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold of the pixel value distribution) Therefore, it is determined that it is possible to maintain a uniform finish of the job, and the tone curve of the saved job is applied to the page from which the job is inserted. If you do not meet the, it is determined that it can not maintain the unity of the job of the finish, so as to check whether to apply the tone curve of either saved job to keep the tone curve of the insertion original page to the user.

  In addition, as a method of determining a tone curve to be applied without user selection, for example, a method of “following the insertion destination job uniformly” or a method of “inheriting the tone curve applied to the insertion page” is considered. It is done. However, in the method of “follow the job at the insertion destination uniformly”, when the user adjusts the tone curve of the insertion page with respect to the image configuration of the page and wants to keep it after the insertion, the user's intention is changed. It cannot be reflected. In addition, in the method of “inheriting the tone curve applied to the insertion page”, when the insertion destination job emphasizes the uniformity of the overall job finish (for example, the overall contrast according to the customer's preference). If the tone curve is applied to the page, regardless of the setting, the job finish as a whole may be lost. In some cases, the user may not be aware of the lack of unity.

  In other words, in any of the above cases, there is a possibility that the user's intention cannot be appropriately reflected. However, in one embodiment of the present invention, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the tone curve of the stored job is applied to the insertion source page. The uniformity of job finish can be maintained, and only when the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the user's selection input is requested by a pop-up or the like, so that the trouble that the user operation becomes complicated can be suppressed.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, the tone curve control program, the tone curve control method, and the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. I will explain. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to the present embodiment. 2 and 3 are a block diagram and a schematic diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the print instruction apparatus, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are a block diagram and an operation illustrating the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. It is a schematic diagram shown. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a tone curve, FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a job having a different tone curve application form, and FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a page operation. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus, and FIGS. 10 to 12 are diagrams for explaining the page insertion operation. FIGS. 13 to 15 are diagrams showing an example of the tone curve or pixel value distribution matching determination, FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the tone curve selection screen, and FIGS. 17 and 18 are applied. It is a figure which shows the variation of a tone curve.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system according to the present embodiment includes a client computer device (referred to as a print instruction device 10) that performs input of a print job, a save job operation, a tone curve operation, and the like, and a print instruction device 10. 1 or a plurality of image processing apparatuses (in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 20 including a print processing unit) that processes a print job in accordance with an instruction, which includes Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, They are connected by a communication network 30 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) defined by a standard such as FDDI (Fiber-Distributed Data Interface). Hereinafter, each device will be described in detail.

[Printing instruction device]
As shown in FIG. 2, the print instruction apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, a communication I / F unit 12, a storage unit 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, and the like.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 a and a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11 b and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11 c. The CPU 11 a is a control program stored in the ROM 11 b or the storage unit 13. Is expanded in the RAM 11c and executed to control the overall operation of the print instruction apparatus 10.

  The communication I / F unit 12 includes a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, and the like, establishes a connection with the image forming apparatus 20 connected via the communication network 30, transmits a print job, and edits a stored job. / Transmission of operation instruction information and reception of tone curve selection screen information as necessary.

  The storage unit 13 is configured by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like, and stores a program for the CPU 11a to control each unit, information on processing functions of the own apparatus, document data, a print job, and the like. .

  The display unit 14 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, and the like, and includes an application document creation screen, a printer driver print setting screen, and a tone curve selection screen as required. indicate.

  The operation unit 15 includes a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, and enables creation of an original using an application, print setting using a printer driver, transmission of a print job, editing / operation instruction of a saved job, selection of a tone curve, and the like. To do.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic operation of the print instruction apparatus 10. The control unit 11 functions as an application for creating a document, a printer driver for instructing printing of the document, and a job editing application. The printer driver is called from the print function of various applications that create text, graphics, images, and the like, and enables output settings. When printing document data is input from various applications, PDL data and a job ticket are generated from the printing document data, and are input to the image forming apparatus 20 as a print job. The job editing application is directly operated by a user, and enables display of a list of stored jobs stored on the image forming apparatus 20 to be operated, job ticket editing, page configuration editing, tone curve editing, and the like.

[Image forming apparatus]
As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a control unit 21, a communication I / F unit 22, a storage unit 23, a display operation unit 24, a print processing unit 25, and the like.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU 21a and a memory such as a ROM 21b and a RAM 21c. The CPU 21a expands and executes a control program stored in the ROM 21b and the storage unit 23 on the RAM 21c and executes the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 20. Control is performed and image processing for causing the print processing unit 25 to execute printing is performed based on the job.

  The communication I / F unit 22 includes a NIC, a modem, and the like, establishes a connection with the print instruction apparatus 10 connected via the communication network 30, receives a print job, and stores / edits a save job editing / operation instruction information. Reception, transmission of tone curve selection screen information, etc., if necessary.

  The storage unit 23 is configured by an HDD, an SSD, or the like, and stores a program for the CPU 21a to control each unit, information on processing functions of the own apparatus, a print job input from the print instruction apparatus 10, and the like.

  The display operation unit 24 includes a touch panel or a hard key provided with a pressure-sensitive operation unit (touch sensor) in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a lattice pattern on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device. Various screens related to printing (including a tone curve selection screen) are displayed, and various operations related to printing (including a selection operation of a tone curve) are made possible.

  The print processing unit 25 is configured by components necessary for image formation using an image forming process such as an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method, and is applied to a designated sheet based on a raster image received from the control unit 21. Form an image. Specifically, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a uniformly charged photosensitive drum by irradiating light corresponding to a raster image, and charged toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. The toner image is visualized, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet via an intermediate transfer member such as a primary transfer roller and a secondary transfer belt, and then the toner image is heated and pressed to be fixed on the sheet.

  FIG. 5 shows a schematic operation of the image forming apparatus 20. The control unit 21 receives a print job (job ticket and PDL data) input from the print instruction apparatus 10, and forms the received print job into an image. RIP (Raster Image Processing) processing unit for converting to a possible raster image, data (job ticket and PDL data) input as a print job and raster data generated by the RIP processing unit in the storage unit 23 as saved job data It also functions as a saved job management unit that saves and manages.

  The stored job management unit analyzes the print job to extract a tone curve applied to the print job (for example, extract a tone curve from a job ticket or generate a tone curve from PDL data), The curve is also saved in the storage unit 23 as saved job data. The stored job stored in this way can be subjected to various operations (reprinting, ticket editing, copying, deleting, tone curve changing, etc.) from the user, and the operation for the stored job is installed on the image forming apparatus 20. This can be performed from the displayed operation unit 24 (operation panel), the job editing application of the print instruction apparatus 10, or the like. When the stored job management unit receives a page insertion operation for the stored job, the stored job management unit compares the tone curve of the insertion source page with the tone curve of the insertion destination job, and determines whether or not both satisfy a predetermined condition (the tone curve is The tone curve of the job of the insertion destination is applied to the page of the insertion source when the predetermined condition is satisfied. . If the specified condition is not met, a tone curve selection screen (described later) is displayed to allow the user to select whether to maintain the tone curve of the insertion source page or to apply the tone curve of the insertion destination job. The information is displayed on the operation unit 24 or the display unit 14 of the print instruction apparatus 10. Thereafter, the saved job management unit inserts a page to which a predetermined tone curve is applied into the insertion destination job, and instructs the print processing unit 25 to perform printing.

  1 to 5 show an example of the printing system of the present embodiment, and the configuration thereof can be changed as appropriate. For example, in FIG. 1, the printing system is configured by the print instruction device 10 and the image forming device 20, but a control device such as a RIP controller that generates image data from a print job may be connected to the communication network 30. In this case, the processing performed by the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20 may be executed by the control apparatus. 4 illustrates the image forming apparatus 20 having the print function, but the image forming apparatus 20 may have a copy function, a FAX function, a post-processing function, and the like.

  Next, the tone curve that is the control target of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the tone curve designates the density at the time of actually outputting on the paper for each pixel value of the raster image generated by the RIP processing unit when the print job is printed out. Data, which is defined as a combination of each pixel value and paper output density. The raster image may be color or monochrome.

  A tone curve can also be set for a saved job, and the tone curve can be changed after the job is submitted. As an application form of the tone curve to the job, as shown in FIG. 7A, a form in which one tone curve is applied to all pages in the job (such a job is called a job tone curve application job). As shown in FIG. 7B, two forms of applying individual tone curves for each page (such a job is called a page tone curve application job) are conceivable.

  Further, as a job editing application in the print instruction apparatus 10 or a stored job editing operation performed from the display operation unit 24 (operation panel) installed in the image forming apparatus 20, a page for changing the page configuration of the operation target job. There is an editing operation. As this page editing operation, for example, a page deletion operation for deleting a predetermined page (here, P2) as shown in FIG. 8A, or a predetermined page (here, P2) as shown in FIG. 8B. A page duplication operation for duplicating a page, a page order operation for changing the page order as shown in FIG. 8C, and a page insertion operation for inserting a page from a different job as shown in FIG. 8D.

  The operation of the image forming apparatus 20 when a page insertion operation for inserting a page of one job (page tone curve application job) into another job (job tone curve application job) is performed as a page editing operation of the stored job. This will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 21a executes the processing of each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 by developing and executing the tone curve control program stored in the ROM 21b or the storage unit 23 in the RAM 21c.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the user selects a job (JobB) page (P3) from another job (JobA) from the job editing application of the print instruction apparatus 10 or the operation panel installed in the image forming apparatus 20. ) Page insert operation to insert after page (P1). When receiving the page insertion operation (S101), the control unit 21 (stored job management unit) of the image forming apparatus 20 analyzes each job, extracts a tone curve, and starts the following tone curve application processing.

  First, the control unit 21 (stored job management unit) determines whether the tone curve set in the insertion target page matches the tone curve set in the insertion destination job (S102). Specifically, a combination of input pixel values and output densities of both tone curves is compared, and if the output densities for all input pixel values match, it is determined that the tone curves match (details will be described later). .

  When it is determined as “match” in S102 (Yes in S103), the control unit 21 (stored job management unit) determines that the tone curve of the insertion destination job can be applied to the page to be inserted, and FIG. As shown, the page insertion operation is executed after deleting the tone curve of the page to be inserted (S106). By this page insertion operation, the tone curve of the insertion destination job is applied to the page to be inserted.

  On the other hand, when it is determined as “mismatch” in S102 (No in S103), the control unit 21 (stored job management unit) determines the consistency of the pixel value distribution (S104). Specifically, the pixel value distribution of the page to be inserted is acquired, and the tone curve matching points set in the page to be inserted and the job of the insertion destination are extracted. When the value distribution occupies a predetermined threshold (for example, 80%) or more, it is determined that the pixel value distributions match (details will be described later).

  When it is determined as “match” in S104 (Yes in S105), the control unit 21 (stored job management unit) determines that the tone curve of the insertion destination job can be applied to the insertion target page, as described above. Then, the page insertion operation is executed after deleting the tone curve of the page to be inserted (S106).

  On the other hand, when it is determined as “mismatch” in S104 (No in S105), the control unit 21 (stored job management unit) displays a preview image in which various tone curves are applied to the image of the page to be inserted, and the user The selection of the tone curve is obtained (S107). Specifically, since it is not possible to determine whether the tone curve set for the page or the insertion destination job should be applied to the page to be inserted, which one is applied to the user Options that serve as reference information for determining whether or not is appropriate (details will be described later).

  When the user selects a tone curve with reference to the preview image, the control unit 21 (stored job management unit) executes a tone curve application process for the page according to an input operation for selecting the tone curve (S108). For example, when the user selects the tone curve set in the insertion destination job, as shown in FIG. 11, after the tone curve of the page to be inserted is deleted, the page insertion operation is executed, and the user When the tone curve set for the page to be inserted is selected, the page insertion operation is executed while maintaining the tone curve of the page to be inserted as shown in FIG.

  Next, the coincidence determination in the above flow will be specifically described.

  In the tone curve matching determination process of S102, the comparison result itself between the tone curves is used as a determination condition. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, if the tone curve shapes match (if OutA-n = OutB-n (n = 0,..., 100)), the output result does not change. It is determined that the tone curve of the job at the insertion destination is applicable. In this case, since the output results are the same, either tone curve may be applied, but in order to prioritize the uniformity as a job, the tone curve of the job at the insertion destination is applied. The tone curve shape matching is not limited to the case where the output density with respect to the input is completely the same value, but there is a slight difference (for example, about several percent) in the output density value (that is, the tone curve shape). The shape substantially matches).

  In the coincidence determination of the pixel value distribution in S104, the output itself when the tone curve is actually applied is used as a determination condition. For example, even when the tone curves themselves do not match, the tone curves match within a certain range, and the pixels included in that range occupy the majority or the main part of the pixels of the entire page to be inserted Since the output result does not substantially change, it is determined that the tone curve of the insertion destination job can be applied to the insertion source page. In this case, as described above, since the output results are the same, either tone curve may be applied. However, in order to prioritize the uniformity as a job, the tone curve of the job at the insertion destination is applied.

  The coincidence determination of the pixel value distribution can be determined by, for example, (1) the ratio of matching pixels or (2) the matching of attention ranges.

  (1) In the method of determining from the ratio of matching pixels, as shown in FIG. 14, the pixel value distribution (histogram) and tone curve matching range of the page to be inserted is obtained, and the ratio of the pixels included in the matching range is If it is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the pixel value distributions match. Note that the tone curve matching range is not limited to a range in which the output density with respect to the input is completely the same value, but there is a slight difference (for example, about several percent) in the output density value (that is, the tone curve is substantially equal). Range).

  (2) In the determination method based on the matching of the attention range, as shown in FIG. 15, the input pixel value range (the attention range) that is the object of the consistency determination is set, and the pixel value distribution ( The matching range of the histogram) and the tone curve is obtained, and if all the pixels in the attention range are included in the tone curve matching range, it is determined that the pixel value distributions match. In the above description, the pixel value distribution (histogram) of the page to be inserted is obtained. However, if the set attention range is included in the tone curve matching range, it may be determined that the pixel value distributions match. Good. Similarly to the above, the tone curve coincidence range is not limited to a range where the output density with respect to the input is completely the same value, but there is a slight difference (for example, about several percent) in the output density value (that is, several percent). , Including the range in which the tone curves substantially match.

  Next, the preview image presented to the user in S107 will be described. If it is determined in S103 and S105 in the above flow that they do not match (= it cannot be determined that the tone curve of the job to be inserted is automatically applied to the page to be inserted), The preview image is displayed so that the user can easily select whether to apply the tone curve.

  Specifically, a tone curve selection screen 40 as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed on the display operation unit 24 (operation panel) of the image forming apparatus 20 or the display unit 14 of the print instruction apparatus 10. In the tone curve selection screen 40, as reference information for selecting a tone curve, at least an output image when the currently set tone curve is applied to the insertion target page (when the page tone curve in the figure is applied). (A) image) and an output image when the tone curve set for the insertion destination job is applied to the insertion target page (image at the time of applying the job tone curve in the drawing (B)) is displayed. Furthermore, if necessary, the output image when the tone curve is not applied (original image in the figure) or the tone curve currently set for the insertion target page is applied to the image of the insertion target page. The output difference image (the image of AB difference highlighting in the figure) when the tone curve set in the insertion destination job is applied is displayed, or the number of pixels whose results match the output difference image The ratio of the total number of pixels of the page (AB difference in the figure = 75%) is displayed. By displaying such reference information, even a user who does not have detailed knowledge about the tone curve can select an appropriate tone curve to be applied to the insertion target page.

  As described above, when a page of a job is inserted into another job, the tone curve set for the page is compared with the tone curve set for the other job, If the conditions are met (both tone curves match or the tone curve match location is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold of the pixel value distribution), the tone curve set for the job to be inserted is applied to the page to be inserted. If the specified conditions are not met, a preview image is displayed and the user is allowed to select which tone curve to apply, thus maintaining a unified sense of job finish without complicating user operations. can do.

  In the above description, the case where either the tone curve currently set for the insertion target page or the tone curve set for the insertion destination job is applied to the insertion target page has been described. A new tone curve can be created based on both tone curves, and the created new tone curve can be applied to the insertion target page.

  For example, with respect to the insertion source tone curve and the insertion destination tone curve shown on the left side of FIG. 17, the same tone curve 1 as the insertion source tone curve and the insertion shown on the lower right side of FIG. In addition to the same tone curve 3 as the previous tone curve, a tone curve 2 in the middle of both tone curves (not necessarily the center of both tone curves) as shown in the right center of FIG. 17 is created. Then, in S108 of the flowchart of FIG. 9, the newly created tone curve 2 is applied when the newly created tone curve 2 is applied to the insertion source page, or when the tone curve selection screen 40 is displayed in S107. You can also add output images. When such an intermediate tone curve between the two tone curves is applied, it is possible to appropriately maintain a uniform finish of the job while appropriately reflecting the user's intention included in the original page.

  FIG. 17 shows the case where the shape of the tone curve changes monotonously. For example, when it is desired to emphasize a halftone pixel, the tone curve as shown in the tone curve at the lower left of FIG. Sometimes, the shape of a specific part of the object is consciously changed. In such a case, in addition to the same tone curve 1 as the insertion source tone curve and the same tone curve 3 as the insertion destination tone curve shown in the lower right part of FIG. 18 as shown in the upper right part of FIG. By creating a tone curve 2 that takes into account the characteristics of the tone curve at the insertion destination as shown in the center, the user's intentions included in the original page are appropriately reflected, and the sense of unity of the job finish is moderately moderated. Can be maintained. The same applies when the shape of a specific part of the tone curve of the insertion source is consciously changed.

  Next, a tone curve control program, a tone curve control method, and an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 19 is an example of an input image, and FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, the same tone curve is applied to the entire page to be inserted. However, as shown in FIG. 19, a plurality of objects are included in the page, and object attributes (character / graphic / image) are included. Is different for each region, it is necessary to set a tone curve to be applied in consideration of the object attribute. For example, as shown in Table 1 below, since the uniformity of the entire job should be emphasized in the character object region, it is preferable to always apply the tone curve of the insertion destination job. On the other hand, since there is a possibility that the user designates a tone curve peculiar to the page in the area of the image object (photograph), it is preferable to apply the tone curve according to the coincidence determination of the tone curve and the pixel value distribution. Therefore, in this embodiment, a tone curve is applied for each object attribute or for each region in accordance with the tone curve application policy as shown in Table 1.

  In this case, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 20 is the same as in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, but the stored job management unit of the control unit 21 analyzes the print job (tag bit data), The object attribute of each part in the page is specified, and tone curve application processing is performed for each object or for each region in accordance with the tone curve application policy stored in advance in the storage unit 23 or the like.

  Hereinafter, an operation of the image forming apparatus 20 when a page insertion operation for inserting a page of a job into another job will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 21a executes the process of each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21 by developing and executing the tone curve control program stored in the ROM 21b or the storage unit 23 on the RAM 21c. In the following description, it is assumed that a plurality of objects having different object attributes are included in the page to be inserted, and that a tone curve can be applied for each object attribute (or for each region).

  The user executes a page insertion operation for inserting a page of a job into another job from the job editing application of the print instruction apparatus 10 or the operation panel installed in the image forming apparatus 20. When the control unit 21 (stored job management unit) of the image forming apparatus 20 receives this page insertion operation (S201), the tone curve of S203 to S210 is applied to each object (or each region) included in the page image. Processing is performed (S202 and S211).

  Specifically, when the attribute of the object to be processed is “character” (Yes in S203), according to the tone curve application policy, the matching process of the tone curve and the pixel value distribution is not performed, and the object (or The page insertion operation is executed after deleting the tone curve of the insertion target page for the area where the object is placed (S208). By this page insertion operation, the tone curve of the job at the insertion destination is applied to the object (or the area where the object is arranged).

  On the other hand, when the attribute of the object to be processed is other than “character” (No in S203), as in the first embodiment, the control unit 21 (stored job management unit) performs tone curve matching determination processing (S204). , S205) and pixel value distribution matching determination processing (S206, S207). When it is determined as “match” in S205 and S207, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 21 (stored job management unit) inserts an insertion destination into the object (or the area where the object is arranged). Apply a job tone curve. On the other hand, when it is determined as “mismatch” in S205 and S207, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 21 (stored job management unit) displays the object of the page to be inserted (or the area where the object is arranged). ) Displays a preview image to which various tone curves are applied, and asks the user to select a tone curve (S209). When the user selects a tone curve with reference to the preview image, the control unit 21 (stored job management unit) applies to the object on the page (or the area where the object is arranged) according to the input operation for selecting the tone curve. A tone curve application process is executed (S210).

  As described above, when a page of a certain job is inserted into another job, the user's intention is reflected in more detail by executing the tone curve application process for each object or area included in the page. However, it is possible to maintain a uniform finish of the job.

  Also in this embodiment, for each object or each area of the insertion target page, in addition to the tone curve currently set for the object or area and the tone curve set for the insertion destination job, It is also possible to apply a new tone curve created based on both tone curves.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, The structure and control can be changed suitably, unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

  For example, the coincidence determination process shown in the above embodiment is merely an example, and other methods may be used as long as it is possible to confirm a sense of unity of job finish. Further, in the above embodiment, the consistency determination of the pixel value distribution is performed after the tone curve consistency determination, but only one of the determinations may be performed. In the above-described embodiment, the case where one page of a job is inserted into another job is described. However, when a plurality of pages are inserted into another job, the matching determination process may be performed for each page.

  The present invention relates to a tone curve control program that controls a tone curve applied to a page to be inserted, a recording medium that records the tone curve control program, a tone curve control method, and an image processing apparatus that executes the control of the tone curve. It can be used for an image forming apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Print instruction | indication apparatus 11 Control part 11a CPU
11b ROM
11c RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Communication I / F part 13 Memory | storage part 14 Display part 15 Operation part 20 Image forming apparatus 21 Control part 21a CPU
21b ROM
21c RAM
22 Communication I / F unit 23 Storage unit 24 Display operation unit 25 Print processing unit 30 Communication network 40 Tone curve selection screen

Claims (13)

An apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores a job including document data, print setting information, and a tone curve that defines an output density for an input pixel value; and a control unit that performs processing on the job stored in the storage unit. An operating tone curve control program,
In the control unit,
A first process for receiving a predetermined operation for inserting a predetermined page of a first job in which a different tone curve is applied to each page into a second job in which the same tone curve is applied to all pages;
When the predetermined operation is performed, the first tone curve applied to the predetermined page and the second tone curve applied to the second job are acquired from the storage unit, and A second process for determining whether the first tone curve and the second tone curve satisfy a predetermined condition;
If it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, a third process is performed in which the second tone curve is applied to the predetermined page, inserted into the second job, and printing of the second job is instructed. , to the execution,
In the third process, when it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, a first image in which the first tone curve is applied to the predetermined page, and the second tone curve to the predetermined page. A preview image including the second image to which the image is applied is displayed on the display unit, and the tone curve selected with reference to the preview image is applied to the predetermined page and inserted into the second job, that instructs the printing of the second job,
A tone curve control program characterized by that. In the second process, when the shape of the first tone curve matches the shape of the second tone curve, it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied.
The tone curve control program according to claim 1, wherein: In the second process, each pixel value of the first image in which the first tone curve is applied to the predetermined page, and a second image in which the second tone curve is applied to the predetermined page Determining that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the ratio of the pixel values of the pixel values is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value,
The tone curve control program according to claim 1 , wherein: In the second process, a matching range in which the shape of the first tone curve matches the shape of the second tone curve is specified, and pixels belonging to the matching range with respect to all the pixels of the image of the predetermined page And determining that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the ratio is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value,
The tone curve control program according to claim 3 , wherein: In the second process, it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied when a ratio of pixels belonging to the specific range in the matching range with respect to all pixels of the image of the predetermined page is equal to or greater than the threshold value.
The tone curve control program according to claim 4, wherein: In the second process, when a tone curve is applicable for each attribute of the object, it is determined whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied for each object included in the predetermined page.
The tone curve control program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein In the second process, when the attribute of the object is a character, it is not determined whether the predetermined condition is satisfied,
In the third process, the second tone curve applied to the second job is applied to the object.
The tone curve control program according to claim 6 . In the third process, a third tone curve is created based on the first tone curve and the second tone curve, and when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the predetermined page is displayed on the predetermined page. When the third tone curve is applied, or when it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the preview image including the third image to which the third tone curve is applied is displayed on the display unit. Let
The tone curve control program according to any one of claims 1 to 7, In the third tone curve, the output density for each of the input pixel values is between the first tone curve and the second tone curve.
The tone curve control program according to claim 8 , wherein   Image processing comprising: a storage unit that stores a job including document data, print setting information, and a tone curve that defines an output density for an input pixel value; and a control unit that performs processing for the job stored in the storage unit A tone curve control method in an apparatus,
  The controller is
  A first process for receiving a predetermined operation of inserting a predetermined page of a first job to which a different tone curve is applied for each page into a second job to which the same tone curve is applied to all pages;
  When the predetermined operation is performed, the first tone curve applied to the predetermined page and the second tone curve applied to the second job are acquired from the storage unit, and A second process for determining whether the first tone curve and the second tone curve satisfy a predetermined condition;
  If it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, a third process is performed in which the second tone curve is applied to the predetermined page, inserted into the second job, and printing of the second job is instructed. And run
  In the third process, when it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, a first image in which the first tone curve is applied to the predetermined page, and the second tone curve to the predetermined page. A preview image including the second image to which the image is applied is displayed on the display unit, and the tone curve selected with reference to the preview image is applied to the predetermined page and inserted into the second job, Instructing the printing of the second job;
  A tone curve control method characterized by the above. Image processing comprising: a storage unit that stores a job including document data, print setting information, and a tone curve that defines an output density for an input pixel value; and a control unit that performs processing for the job stored in the storage unit A device ,
The controller is
Receiving a predetermined operation of inserting a predetermined page of the first job in which a different tone curve is applied to each page into a second job in which the same tone curve is applied to all pages;
When the predetermined operation is performed, the first tone curve applied to the predetermined page and the second tone curve applied to the second job are acquired from the storage unit, and Determining whether the first tone curve and the second tone curve satisfy a predetermined condition;
When it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, a stored job management is performed in which the second tone curve is applied to the predetermined page and inserted into the second job to instruct printing of the second job. Part
If it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the stored job management unit applies a first image in which the first tone curve is applied to the predetermined page, and the second tone curve to the predetermined page. A preview image including the second image to which the image is applied is displayed on the display unit, and the tone curve selected with reference to the preview image is applied to the predetermined page and inserted into the second job, Instructing the printing of the second job;
An image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus includes a RIP processing unit that generates a printable raster image based on the document data and the print setting information of each job.
  The stored job management unit stores the raster image in the storage unit in association with each of the jobs;
  The image processing apparatus according to claim 11. The image processing apparatus includes a print processing unit that executes printing in accordance with an instruction from the stored job management unit.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus.

Images