JP2001028690A - Image reader, image processing unit and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply conduct proper calibration at all times independently of models mutually interconnected in the case that a reader is connected to a printer to configure a copy system. SOLUTION: A reader stores data relating to gamma correction or the like and output characteristic correction of printers of prescribed models in advance and discriminates an ID of a printer connected to the reader in the case of configuring the copy system (S301). Furthermore, the reader discriminates whether or not the printer stores gamma correction data corresponding to the discriminated printer ID (S302), and when the reader discriminates the storage of the data, the correction data are set to gamma correction table data (S303). Only when the reader discriminates not storing gamma correction data corresponding to the discriminated printer, the reader newly generates a gamma correction table corresponding to the connected printer (S304).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus,
More specifically, the present invention relates to a calibration in a copying system as an image processing apparatus configured by connecting an image reading apparatus such as a reader and a printing apparatus such as a printer, which are separately provided, to each other. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a printing apparatus such as a printing unit of a printer or a copying machine, the output characteristics may be different for each device or may change with the lapse of a use period. Alternatively, it is known that so-called calibration is performed for output characteristics in order to properly maintain print quality in response to a change. Typical types of calibration include correction data used for output gamma correction processing that performs corrections corresponding to the gradation characteristics of the printing device, and shading that corrects for differences in the output characteristics of each print element in the print head of the printing device. The correction data used in the processing is set to a predetermined appropriate value.

For example, in an electrophotographic printer using a laser beam, the emission characteristics of the laser beam, the photosensitive characteristics of the photosensitive drum, and the like change due to aging and the temperature and humidity of the environment in which the printer is placed. In such a case, the calibration regarding the output γ correction table is performed. The change in the output gradation is not limited to the above-mentioned cause, but also occurs due to wear of various parts in the printer.

In addition, the amount of ink ejected from each nozzle in an ink jet type print head varies from nozzle to nozzle, and as a result, density unevenness may occur in a printed image. Head shading for correcting image data corresponding to the nozzles is performed. When the shading correction data changes due to the same reason as described above, calibration is performed on the shading correction table.

Similarly, even in a printer using a head having an LED (light emitting element) as a print element, the light emission characteristics may be different for each element, and head shading is performed in consideration of density unevenness caused by the light emission characteristic. Calibration is performed on the correction data.

In the meantime, a printer that exists as a single unit does not perform the above-described calibration processing or image processing based on the γ-correction data or the like on which the calibration has been performed. One tendency is to perform a printing operation based on the processed binary data.

For example, in a copying machine in which a reader and a printing unit are integrally formed, the above-described calibration and γ correction based on the data subjected to the calibration are performed as image processing of the entire copying machine. in this case,
An image having good tone characteristics and an image without density unevenness can always be printed without performing calibration or the like as processing in another device as in the above-described printer. Such a copying machine is disclosed in, for example,
The one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 275013 is known.

[0008]

By the way, as a recent copying system, not a single copying machine as in the above copying machine,
What is provided by connecting readers and printers, which are distributed as separate products, to each other, is being provided. In particular, many types of relatively inexpensive printers that perform printing operations by receiving only binary data as described above are provided. For this reason, when a copying system is configured by a reader and a printer, it has been assumed that unspecified models are mutually connected.

When a copying system is constructed using such a variety of printers, output characteristics such as color reproduction characteristics and density reproduction characteristics are generally different for each model. As described above, the output characteristics may be different depending on the situation.

In this copying system, when the connected printer performs printing by receiving binary data from a reader, the reader performs masking processing for color correction on the read multi-valued image data, and further performs processing such as masking processing. Outputs the binary data obtained by performing the above-described gamma correction and shading correction, and then performing binarization processing as pseudo halftone processing to a printer. That is, in such a copying system, processes such as γ correction and shading correction can be performed on multi-valued data.
Since it is difficult to perform these processes on binary data, it is necessary to perform calibration on the above-described γ correction data on the reader side.

However, if the printers that may be connected to the reader are unspecified and various as described above, the calibration is appropriately performed for each of the configured copying systems. In addition, it is necessary to output a patch for calibration, read the patch, and create correction data based on the read data, which causes a problem that a process related to the calibration becomes complicated. Even if the printer receives multi-value data instead of binary data and prints it,
If the product is used in connection with various readers, the same problem can naturally occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to form a copying system in which an image reading device such as a reader and a printing device such as a printer are connected. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and an image processing method that can always easily perform appropriate calibration irrespective of models connected to each other.

[0013]

According to the present invention, there is provided:
An image reading apparatus connected to a printing apparatus and supplying print data obtained by performing correction on output characteristics of the read apparatus to the printing apparatus to the printing apparatus, corresponding to identification information of the printing apparatus to be connected; And a data storage unit for storing correction data of the output characteristics of the printing device, and after the printing device is connected, the identification information of the connected printing device is acquired, and the data storage unit corresponds to the identification information. Determining means for determining whether correction data is stored; and when the determining means determines that correction data corresponding to the identification information is stored, the correction data corresponding to the identification information is read. And control means for setting the corrected data as data to be corrected.

The printing apparatus further includes a printing apparatus and an image reading apparatus that is connected to the printing apparatus and supplies print data obtained by performing a correction on output characteristics of the reading apparatus to the printing apparatus. ,
An image processing apparatus for performing printing by the printing apparatus, wherein the image reading apparatus stores correction data of output characteristics of the printing apparatus in association with identification information of the printing apparatus to be connected, After the device is connected, a determination unit that acquires identification information of the connected printing device and determines whether the data storage unit stores correction data corresponding to the identification information, and the determination unit includes: When it is determined that the correction data corresponding to the identification information is stored, the control unit sets the correction data corresponding to the identification information as data for correcting the read data. I do.

Further, there is provided an image processing method in an image reading apparatus which is connected to a printing apparatus and supplies print data obtained by performing correction on output characteristics of the read apparatus to the printing apparatus. The correction data of the output characteristics of the printing apparatus is stored in correspondence with the identification information of the printing apparatus that can be performed, and after the printing apparatus is connected, the identification information of the connected printing apparatus is acquired, and the data storage unit stores the identification information. Determine whether correction data corresponding to the identification information is stored,
Setting the correction data corresponding to the identification information as data for correcting the read data when the determination is that the correction data corresponding to the identification information is stored. It is characterized by the following.

According to the above arrangement, when a printing apparatus is connected to an image reading apparatus such as a reader to form a copying system as an image processing apparatus, the reader stores output characteristic correction data for a predetermined printing apparatus in advance. While storing, it is determined whether or not the connected printing apparatus corresponds to the stored correction data, and if the correction data exists, it is set as the data for correcting the output characteristic. Calibration of the correction data can be easily performed even when a variety of printing apparatuses are connected and used.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a copying system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system comprises a reader 100 as an image reading device and a printer 200 as a printing device. It is shown that it becomes.

In the reader 100, the reader unit 10
Scans a document provided with, for example, a CCD sensor, and outputs R, G, and B luminance signals related to reading as image data. The log conversion unit 20 converts the R, G, and B data, which are luminance signals, into Y, М, and C data that are density signals, and a masking conversion unit 30 performs a masking process for color correction on the data. Y ',
Generate M ′, C ′ data. The color correction unit 40 performs gamma correction for correcting the gradation characteristics in the print output of the printer 200 on the Y ′, M ′, and C ′ as shown in FIG. Further, the pattern generator 60 outputs density data Y ", M", C "used for outputting a test image in the calibration described later.

The CPU 70 performs image processing by controlling the processing of each unit described above, and finally performs processing for transferring the Y ", M", and C "data to the printer 200. Also, a calibration described later with reference to FIG. Γ correction table data creation processing, such as processing relating to the application, etc. ROM
Reference numeral 80 stores a processing program executed by the CPU 70, and a RAM 90 is used as a work area in the above processing. In the present embodiment,
The binarization process is not performed in the reader 100, and the printer 2
Performed at 00. The printer of this embodiment is of an electrophotographic type using a laser beam.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the color correction section 40 shown in FIG.

The color correction unit 40 basically includes γ (gamma) correction tables 107, 108, and 10 for Y, М, and C, respectively.
9, the output gradation correction of the printer 200 is performed. In the present embodiment, the γ correction table stores 2 of the corresponding color.
It is configured to perform gamma correction in consideration of the next color.

That is, the color correction unit 40 sets C,
It has extraction circuits 101, 102, and 103 for extracting R, G, and B components, which are secondary color data of M and Y data, respectively. Here, the R component is a secondary color of Y and M, and G
The components are C and Y, and the B component is a secondary color of M and C. Correspondingly, each gamma correction table has a corresponding 2
It has two gamma correction tables according to the next color.
For example, the gamma correction table 107 for Y has two correction tables corresponding to the corresponding secondary colors R and G. The selectors 104, 105, and 106 perform a process of switching the secondary color data to be input to the corresponding gamma correction tables according to the magnitude of the amount of extraction of the secondary color component extracted by each extraction circuit. The component is output as a gamma correction table control signal. In each of the gamma correction tables, the input Y ′, Y ′, and G ′ are input using the respective gamma correction tables selected based on the control signals of the secondary color data output from the respective selectors.
Te gradation correction is performed on each of the data M ′ and C ′.

The color correction unit 40 having the above-described configuration extracts the R component from the color image data Y ', M', and C 'from the masking conversion unit 30, for example, in normal printing. The signal is input to the circuit 101, and the red (R) component of the input color image is extracted. The extracted R component is input to the selector 104 together with the G component similarly extracted from the G component extraction circuit 103. The selector 104 determines the magnitude of the R component and the G component, and outputs the larger component data to the Y gamma correction table 107 as a gamma correction table control signal. In the gamma correction table 107 for Y, if the gamma correction table control signal indicates the larger component, for example, the R component,
A gamma correction table corresponding to the secondary color R is selected from the two gamma correction tables, and the color image data Y ′ is converted into data Y ″ using the gamma correction table.

By performing this for the M and C data, gamma correction can be performed based on the single-color and mixed-color output characteristics of the printer unit.

Next, creation of a gamma correction table for calibration according to the present embodiment will be described.

First, as a process before the creation, the output characteristic itself of the printing mechanism such as the applied voltage at the time of developing the photosensitive drum in the printer 200 is adjusted. Specifically, from the pattern generator 60, Y,
Test image data corresponding to the maximum density data in each of the single colors of M and C and each of the secondary colors of R, G and B is generated, and the printer unit 50 prints out the test image based on this. In addition, each of R, G, and B in the test image data is 2
As for the data of the next color, it goes without saying that the single color data of Y, M, and C forming these secondary colors are actually output. Next, this test image is read by the reader unit 10 and Y, M, C, R,
Dmax for each of Y, M, C, R, G, and B colors is controlled based on the Y, M, and C data corresponding to the G and B patches. That is, the voltage applied to the photosensitive drum is set so that the printer 200 outputs the maximum density for each color. Dmax control is performed not only for each of the Y, M, and C single colors, but also for the R, G, and B secondary colors, so that variations in density can be reduced and the image quality can be stabilized even in the secondary colors. .

Next, the tone pattern data corresponding to each of the colors Y, M, C, R, G, and B generated from the pattern generator 60 is output to the printer 200 that has been subjected to the Dmax control as described above. Output a second test image. As for the R, G, and B gradation pattern data, the combination data of two of Y, M, and C that form these secondary colors is output as in the case of the above-described test image output. Of course. For example, the printer 20
When the bit width of the image data to be output to 0 is 8 bits, the gradation pattern has a plurality of levels of gradation values in the range of 0 to 255 for each color of Y, M, C, R, G, and B. A density patch is printed.

Next, the density of each patch in the printed second test image is read, and Y, M, C, R, G, and B corresponding to the Y, M, C, R, and G patches obtained based on the density are read. A gamma correction table corresponding to each color is created based on the C data.

For example, when creating a gamma correction table for the Y color, first, a gamma correction table for a single Y color is created based on read data of each patch relating to a plurality of levels of densities for the Y color. That is, a correction table having an input / output density relationship having an inverse characteristic of the input / output density relationship obtained with respect to the density in the plurality of stages is created. Similarly,
Each gamma correction table is created based on the read data regarding the R single color and the G single color.

Then, by interpolating the gamma correction table for the Y single color and the R single color obtained above, a gamma correction table for the Y color corresponding to the mixed color ratio of Y and R is created. Similarly, a gamma correction table for Y color according to the mixture ratio of Y and G is created. Thus, the creation of the gamma correction table for the Y color is completed.

In the present embodiment, when the gamma correction table for the Y color is created as described above, the gamma correction tables for the R single color and the G single color are created in addition to the Y single color, and the gamma correction tables are considered and finalized. Are created in R, G, and Y, respectively, in the hue next to Y in Y, M, C, R, G, B, because Y has a high correlation with R and G. is there.

The above processing is similarly performed for M and C, and gamma correction tables 107, 108 and 109 are created. The gamma correction table data created in this way is stored in an external storage device (not shown) of the reader 100, where the gamma correction data is created by the printer model number and the machine number (these are collectively referred to as “identification information”). "). The printer according to the present embodiment stores a unique ID for each model and body, and as described below, this ID is used when the printer is connected.
Is notified to the reader 100, the presence or absence of the gamma correction data can be determined in the reader 100.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing relating to calibration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the copying system according to the present embodiment, for example, this process is started when the power is turned on, and step S301 is performed.
Check the ID of the connected printer. That is, as described above, according to the ID notified from the printer in accordance with the connection and stored in the external storage device,
Recognize the model and machine of the currently connected printer. In step S302, it is determined whether a gamma correction table corresponding to the recognized printer ID is stored in the external storage device.

If it is determined that there is a gamma correction table corresponding to the connected printer, the table is read from the external storage device in step S303, and the respective gamma correction tables 107 and 107 shown in FIG. Set as 108 and 109. On the other hand, if it is determined that the gamma correction table corresponding to the connected printer is not held, the process proceeds to step S30.
4, as described above, the gamma correction tables 107, 1
08 and 109 are created and set, and stored together with the ID of the connected printer, that is, the model number and the machine number, in the external storage device.

As described above, the gamma correction table data for the gamma correction process in the printer is stored in the reader together with the ID of the printer, and the ID of the connected printer is the one in which the gamma correction table is already stored. In some cases, gamma correction can be performed using the table. For this reason, if the gamma correction table and their IDs are stored in advance in an external storage device for all the printers that are likely to be used by being connected to the reader, the combination of the reader and the printer can be set in advance in most cases. The stored correction table can be used, calibration can be easily performed without considering the combination of the reader and the printer, and appropriate gamma correction can always be performed.

Even if the connected printer does not have a correction table stored in advance, once a calibration instruction is given, a gamma correction table is created and stored as described above. Because
Thereafter, when the printer is separated once and then reconnected and used, for example, simple calibration can be performed without considering the combination of the reader and the printer as described above.

When an external storage device stores in advance a printer ID and a gamma correction table corresponding to the printer ID for several types of printers, only one gamma correction table corresponds to one model number for ID. The machine number may commonly correspond to the gamma correction table. Thereby, the memory capacity of the external storage device for storing the table data can be saved.

The gamma correction table data once stored in the external storage device and set,
When the calibration is instructed, for example, if the print time has reached a predetermined time or a predetermined print amount, a new correction table may be created to update the data and stored.

(Embodiment 2) This embodiment relates to calibration of shading correction data for correcting a difference in print characteristics for each print element in a print head. The printer according to the present embodiment receives binary data from a reader and performs printing.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a copying system according to this embodiment, which comprises a reader 400 and a printer 420.

In the reader 400, 401 is a CCD image sensor, 402 is an amplification / AD conversion circuit, 403 is a shading circuit, 404 is a gamma conversion circuit, 405
Is a head shading circuit, 406 is a binarization circuit, 4
07 is a program ROM, 408 is a program RAM,
409 is a CPU, 410 is a head shading data storage RAM (HS data RAM), 411 is a communication IC,
Are respectively shown. Here, the head shading circuit 4
Reference numeral 05 denotes an object to be calibrated in the present embodiment described below.

On the other hand, in the printer 420, 421 is an LED head driver circuit, 422 is an LED head,
23 denotes a communication IC, 424 denotes a CPU, 425 denotes a program RAM, and 426 denotes a program ROM.
The LED head 422 arranges a plurality of light emitting elements composed of light emitting diodes corresponding to the width of the photoreceptor, and controls on / off of each of the light emitting elements in accordance with binary image data, thereby forming a dot on the photoreceptor. A latent image can be formed.

In FIG. 4, various drive motors, sensors, and an operation panel are not shown.

In the normal printing operation of the above-described copying system configuration, when a copy is instructed from the operation panel, the scanner reading section having the CCD sensor 401 scans the original on the original platen to read the original. Do. The output of the CCD sensor 401 by this reading is A
The signal is amplified and A / D converted by the MP / AD converter 402 and output as an 8-bit image data. Next, the shading circuit 403 corrects variations in detection characteristics of the CCD sensor 401 for each CCD element. Further, the gamma conversion circuit 404 controls the printer 4.
The gamma correction relating to the gradation characteristic is performed by the step S20. The head shading circuit 405 performs density correction for each light emitting element in the head 422 by a head shading circuit described in detail below. further,
The binarization circuit 406 performs a binarization process by, for example, an error diffusion method, and the binary data is transferred to the printer 420. In the printer 420, the LED head 422 is driven by the driver 421 based on the binary data, and printing is performed.

FIG. 5 shows a head shading circuit 405.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the details of.

The head shading circuit 405 performs a process of correcting image data for each light emitting element of the LED head 422 of the printer 420. That is,
The counter 501 includes a video clock VC which is a transfer clock of image data transferred corresponding to the light emitting element (pixel).
K is counted, and the count value is output as a 13-bit pixel address. This pixel address is converted into gamma table number data by the head shading gamma table number designation table 502. Head shading gamma table number designation table 502
Is stored in the HS data RAM 410, which is read from the RAM 410 corresponding to the connected printer and stored as a table, as described later. And
Based on the table number output from the head shading gamma table number designation table 502, 64
One gamma table is designated from among the gamma tables, and shading correction of the density value indicated by the image data is performed based on this table. That is, 14-bit data is input to the head shading gamma table 503, and the upper 6-bit data represents the above-mentioned table number serving as an address for designating the gamma table. One gamma table is specified. On the other hand, the lower 8-bit data is image data representing any of the 256 gradation values, and shading correction is performed by a gamma table specified by the 6-bit data.

As described above, for each pixel address, that is, for each light emitting element forming the pixel, the density value indicated by the image data according to the output characteristic of the light emitting element can be corrected. Note that the horizontal synchronization signal H input to the counter 501 is
SYNC is a signal for initializing the count value each time one line of the light emitting element row of the LED head 422 is counted.

Next, regarding the calibration of the head shading gamma table 503, the head shading gamma table number designation table 502
The process of creating the data will be described.

First, the image data of a predetermined density is binarized by the binarization circuit 406 without going through the processing by the head shading gamma table 503,
20, the pattern corresponding to the predetermined density is printed by all the light emitting elements of the head 422. Next, this pattern is read by the CCD sensor 401 to obtain the density of the pixel at the position corresponding to each light emitting element. A head shading gamma table number for designating a gamma table for increasing the density value of input image data is set for a light emitting element forming a pixel having a low density, and a gamma for decreasing the density is set for the opposite. Set the head shading gamma table number that specifies the table. In the head shading gamma table 503, as a gamma table that can be specified by the head shading gamma table number set as described above, as described above, the light emitting elements of the LED head used in the connected printer are assumed. 64 types are prepared according to the output characteristics to be performed.

The data created as described above is stored in the head shading gamma table number designation table (HS).
A table is stored in the RAM 410 in association with the corresponding printer ID. The RAM 410 is backed up by a battery or the like, and the HS table of the printer once created can be used, for example, when the printer is reconnected, as described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure relating to calibration in the present embodiment.

First, when the power of the reader 400 and the printer 420 is turned on, the CPU 409 of the reader 400 communicates with the CPU 424 of the printer via the communication IC to obtain the printer ID (step S601). Then, the head shading gamma table number designation table (HS table) corresponding to the ID of the printer is
Determine whether or not it is stored in RAM 410
(Step S602). If the data is already stored in this determination, the data is set in the table 502 as a head shading gamma table number designation table (step S603). On the other hand, step S60
If the head shading gamma table number designation table corresponding to the printer ID obtained in step 1 is not stored in the RAM 410, a head shading gamma table number designation table corresponding to the connected printer is created as described above. (Step S60
4).

In a printer that receives binary data from a reader and performs printing, the printer cannot perform density conversion specific to the output characteristics of the printer. For this reason, a configuration is adopted in which the reader side corrects multi-valued data before binarization. In this case, in a configuration in which the reader and the printer are sold separately, as in the present embodiment, the connection between the reader and the printer is changed by storing the correction information relating to the printer in the reader together with the ID of the printer. Also, the reader performs correction for the multi-value data corresponding to the multi-value data for the printer,
After that, it can be binarized.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a copying apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same elements as those of Embodiment 2 shown in FIG. The same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted. This embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the IC card interface 4
12 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 8, the I of the connected printer
When it is determined that the data of the head shading gamma table number designation table corresponding to D does not exist in the RAM 410 of the reader 400 (step S802), the IC card connected to the reader 400 is connected to another reader or the like. It is determined whether or not the created HS data of the printer is stored (step S8).
04). HS of printer connected to IC card
If data exists, it is stored in table 502 (FIG. 5).
See). This makes it possible to omit the HS data creation process. When new HS data is created in step S805, it can be written together with the printer ID on an IC card to which the new HS data is connected.

As described above, when a copying system is constructed by connecting a reader and a printer which are sold as individual products, the reader and printer are stored by storing printer correction information together with the printer ID in the reader. Even if the connection is changed, optimal correction can be performed. In this case, the correction information of the printer is stored in an IC.
The operation of creating correction data by storing the correction data in an external storage device such as a card and loading the data into a reader that does not hold the correction data of the printer can be omitted.

Note that the IC card described in the present embodiment is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that the same effect can be obtained as long as the device can exchange data as an external storage device.

Further, in the above embodiment, the printer of the electrophotographic type has been described as an example, but the present invention is of course not limited to this. For example, various types can be used, such as those using a print head based on an ink-jet method, and the present invention is not limited to the type of printer, and the same effect can be obtained for printers that require correction in a reader. Can be obtained.

(Other Embodiments) The present invention, as described above,
The present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, and the like) or may be applied to an apparatus including one device (for example, a multiple device, a facsimile machine).

Further, in order to operate various devices so as to realize the functions shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 8 of the above-described embodiment, a computer connected to the various devices or a computer in the system operates. A program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied, and a computer (CPU
Alternatively, the present invention also includes those implemented by operating the various devices according to a stored program.

In this case, the program code of the software realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, the program code The stored storage medium constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer or another program code. Needless to say, the program code is included in the embodiment of the present invention even when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with application software or the like.

Further, the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided in a function expansion board of the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then stored in the function expansion board or the function storage unit based on the instruction of the program code. It is needless to say that the present invention includes a case where a provided CPU or the like performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When a printing apparatus is connected to an image reading apparatus such as a reader to constitute a copying system as an image processing apparatus, the reader stores output characteristic correction data for a predetermined printing apparatus in advance, and the connected printing apparatus It is determined whether or not the correction data corresponds to the stored correction data. If the correction data exists, the correction data is set as the data for correcting the output characteristics. Calibration of the correction data can be easily performed even over the range.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a copying system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a color correction unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure regarding calibration according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a copying system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a head shading circuit illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to calibration according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a copying system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to calibration according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 reader unit 20 log conversion unit 30 masking conversion unit 40 color correction unit 60 pattern generator 70 CPU 80 ROM 90 RAM 100, 400 reader 101 R component extraction circuit 102 B component extraction circuit 103 G component extraction circuit 104, 105, 106 selector 107 Y gamma correction table 108 M gamma correction table 109 C gamma correction table 200, 420 Printer 401 CCD 402 AMP / AD conversion circuit 403 Shading circuit 404 Gamma conversion circuit 405 Head shading circuit 406 Binarization circuit 407 Program ROM 408 Program RAM 409 CPU 410 HS data RAM 412 IC card interface 421 Driver 422 LED 424 CPU 425 Program RAM 4 6 program ROM 501 counter 502 head shading gamma table number specification table 503 head shading gamma table

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page F term (reference) 5B057 AA11 BA02 BA11 CA01 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB01 CB08 CB12 CB16 CC01 CE11 CE18 CH07 CH18 5C077 LL01 LL19 MP08 NN02 PP06 PP15 PP32 PP33 PP38 PP42 PP43 PQ08 PQ22 PQ23 TT03 TT05

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. An image reading apparatus connected to a printing apparatus and supplying print data obtained by correcting read data to output characteristics of the printing apparatus to the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus being connected to the image reading apparatus. A data storage unit for storing correction data of the output characteristics of the printing apparatus in association with the identification information of the printing apparatus; and, after the printing apparatus is connected, acquiring the identification information of the connected printing apparatus, and Determining means for determining whether correction data corresponding to the identification information is stored; and determining that the correction data corresponding to the identification information is stored, Control means for setting correction data as data for correcting the read data; and an image reading apparatus comprising: 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a correction data generating unit configured to output a predetermined image from the connected printing device, and to generate correction data of output characteristics of the printing device based on the output image. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the correction data corresponding to the identification information is not stored, the correction data generation unit generates the correction data. And means for removably mounting the external storage device and means for writing the correction data together with the identification information to the external storage device mounted by the means or reading the correction data from the external storage device. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein 4. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the print data supplied to the printing device is binary data. 5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction data is correction data for performing an output gamma correction of the printing apparatus. 6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction data is shading correction data for performing output correction for each print element in a print head of the printing apparatus. apparatus. 7. A printing apparatus, comprising: a printing apparatus; and an image reading apparatus connected to the printing apparatus and supplying the printing apparatus with print data obtained by performing a correction on output characteristics of the printing apparatus to the printing apparatus. An image processing apparatus for performing printing by the printing apparatus, wherein the image reading apparatus stores correction data of output characteristics of the printing apparatus in association with identification information of the printing apparatus to be connected; After the printing device is connected, determining means for acquiring identification information of the connected printing device and determining whether the data storage means stores correction data corresponding to the identification information, and the determining means Determines that the correction data corresponding to the identification information is stored, the correction data corresponding to the identification information The image processing apparatus according to claim and control means for setting the data for correcting the read data, that comprises a. 8. The image reading apparatus further includes a correction data generating unit that outputs a predetermined image from a connected printing apparatus, and generates correction data of output characteristics of the printing apparatus based on the output image. The control means includes:
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein when the determining unit determines that the correction data corresponding to the identification information is not stored, the control unit causes the correction data generating unit to generate the correction data.
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 9. The image reading device according to claim 1, further comprising: means for detachably mounting the external storage device, and writing the correction data together with the identification information to the external storage device mounted by the means or reading from the external storage device. 9. A device according to claim 7, further comprising means for performing
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 10. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the print data supplied to the printing apparatus is binary data.
10. The image processing device according to any one of claims 9 to 9. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the correction data is correction data for performing an output gamma correction of the printing apparatus. 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the correction data is shading correction data for performing output correction for each print element in a print head of the printing apparatus. apparatus. 13. An image processing method in an image reading device connected to a printing device and supplying read data obtained by performing correction on output characteristics of the printing device to the printing device to the printing device. The correction data of the output characteristics of the printing apparatus is stored in correspondence with the identification information of the printing apparatus that can be performed. After the printing apparatus is connected, the identification information of the connected printing apparatus is acquired, and the data storage unit stores the information. It is determined whether or not correction data corresponding to the identification information is stored. If the determination is that the correction data corresponding to the identification information is stored, the correction corresponding to the identification information is determined. Setting an image as data for correcting the read data. 14. A printing apparatus further comprising: outputting a predetermined image from a connected printing apparatus; and generating correction data of output characteristics of the printing apparatus based on the output image. 14. The image processing method according to claim 13, wherein, when it is determined that the correction data corresponding to the identification information is not stored, the correction data is generated in the step of generating the correction data. 15. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for detachably mounting the external storage device, wherein the correction data is written to the external storage device mounted by the means together with the identification information or the external storage device is provided. The image processing method according to claim 13, further comprising a step of reading from an image. 16. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data supplied to the printing apparatus is binary data.
16. The image processing method according to any one of 3 to 15. 17. The image processing method according to claim 13, wherein the correction data is correction data for performing an output gamma correction of the printing apparatus. 18. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the correction data is shading correction data for performing output correction for each print element in a print head of the printing apparatus. Method. 19. A storage medium storing a program readable by an image processing apparatus, wherein the program is connected to a printing apparatus and is obtained by performing a correction on read characteristics of output data of the printing apparatus. An image processing in an image reading apparatus for supplying print data to the printing apparatus, wherein correction data of output characteristics of the printing apparatus is stored in association with identification information of the printing apparatus to be connected, and the printing apparatus is connected. Thereafter, the identification information of the connected printing apparatus is obtained, and it is determined whether or not the data storage unit stores the correction data corresponding to the identification information. If it is determined that the data is stored, the correction data corresponding to the identification information is read from the read data. It is set as data for correcting a storage medium, which is a processing program having a step.