JP2013137436A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing unnecessary consumption of toner and ink and providing an image formation result that is easy for a user to see, even when only a partial area of image data has density that exceeds reference density.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus that performs image formation on a recording sheet on the basis of image data. The image forming apparatus 1 comprises: an area density detection unit 11e that divides image data into a plurality of areas and detects density of an image for every area; and an image processing unit 11b that compares density with a reference value for every area and changes the image data so as to decrease density of the image in the area whose density exceeds the reference value.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more specifically, an image that suppresses wasteful consumption of toner and ink and is easy to view even when only a partial area of image data exceeds a reference density. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining a formation result.

  Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a facsimile apparatus, a printing function, a facsimile function, a scanning function, and a mail transmission function has been distributed. The image forming apparatus usually has a function of printing by changing the image density based on a user operation.

  In Patent Document 1, the blackening rate of the image data is determined, and if it is determined that the blackening rate exceeds the reference, thinning printing is performed or the transfer amount of the color material is reduced. An image forming apparatus that performs printing with density changes or stops printing is disclosed.

JP 2003-91107 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is determined whether the blackening rate exceeds the reference for the entire image data, and the density is changed based on the result. In the case where it exceeds the upper limit, the density cannot be changed, and a part of the area becomes a solid image, and toner and ink are consumed wastefully and are difficult to see.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described actual situation, and an object of the present invention is to wastefully consume toner and ink even when only a partial area of image data exceeds a reference density. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can suppress the occurrence of the image and obtain an easily viewable image forming result.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a first technical means of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording sheet based on image data, and divides the image data into a plurality of areas, and the image for each area. An area density detecting unit for detecting the density of each of the areas, comparing the density with a reference value for each of the areas, and changing the image data so as to lower an image density for an area where the density exceeds the reference value And an image processing unit.

  According to a second technical means of the present invention, in the first technical means, the image processing unit applies to all of the plurality of regions in the region where the density detected by the region density detection unit exceeds a reference value. It is determined whether or not the ratio is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. When the ratio is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, whether or not to change the image data of an area having a density exceeding the reference value is determined using a user interface. This is characterized in that the user is inquired.

  According to a third technical means of the present invention, in the first or second technical means, the image processing unit lowers the image density by a process of inverting the color of the image in order to change the image data. It is a feature.

  According to a fourth technical means of the present invention, in any one of the first to third technical means, the image processing unit determines whether to change the image data to the user via a user interface. It is characterized by inquiring every time.

  According to a fifth technical means of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth technical means, the image processing unit generates a preview image based on the changed image data, and the change is made via a user interface. A preview image based on the later image data is displayed.

  According to a sixth technical means of the present invention, in the fifth technical means, the image processing unit generates a preview image based on the image data before the change, and the preview image based on the image data after the change and the pre-change image A preview image based on the image data is simultaneously displayed via the user interface.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, even when only a partial area of the image data exceeds the reference density, toner and ink are wasted by changing the density for each area. It is possible to obtain an image formation result that is easy to see and suppresses the image.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a processing example of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart following FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed in the image processing apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed in the image processing apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed in the image processing apparatus of FIG.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Examples of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention include a printer, a facsimile machine, and an MFP. As long as the MFP has at least a printing function, the type of the installed function is not limited.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
An image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a scanner 13, a user interface (I / F) 14, a communication unit 15, a print engine 16, a touch display 17, a network I / F 18, and a USB. (Universal Serial Bus) I / F 19 is provided.

  The control unit 11 controls the scanner 13, the user I / F 14, the communication unit 15, and the print engine 16 as well as reading / writing control of the image data storage unit 12, and is provided in the image forming apparatus 1. This is a module for executing various types of image processing by controlling various mechanisms that do not.

  The control unit 11 mainly includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11f (not shown). In the ROM 11f, a program for causing the CPU (not shown) to function as the command analysis unit 11a, the image processing unit 11b, the display processing unit 11c, the response unit 11d, and the area density detection unit 11e is stored in the RAM (Random). (Access Memory) so that it can be read and executed. In FIG. 1, the control unit 11 is described as including a ROM 11f and the units 11a to 11e. However, each unit 11a to 11e may be configured by hardware such as a dedicated ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

  The command analysis unit 11 a analyzes a job command such as a print job input via the user I / F 14 or the communication unit 15. When the analyzed command relates to image processing, the image processing unit 11b executes image processing indicated by the command. The display processing unit 11c calls a GUI (Graphical User Interface) image corresponding to the analyzed command (mainly a command indicating a user operation input via the user I / F 14), and passes it to the user I / F 14. It is displayed on the touch display 17. Further, the display processing unit 11c performs a process of incorporating the preview image generated for the image data in the image processing unit 11b into the GUI image and displaying the preview image on the touch display 17 via the user I / F 14.

  The response unit 11d returns a response when the analyzed command requires a response to the outside via the communication unit 15. For example, when a status request for the image forming apparatus 1 is received from a PC (personal computer) connected via the network I / F 18, status information is returned via the communication unit 15 in response thereto. The region concentration detection unit 11e will be described later.

  The storage unit 12 includes a RAM 12a as a temporary storage area for image data, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) 12b for storing various user settings, and an HDD (Hard disk drive) for storing image data and the like. ) 12c or the like. The RAM 12a may be a virtual RAM area secured on the HDD 12c. The HDD 12c can store image data input from a USB memory via the USB I / F 19 or from an external PC via the network I / F 18. When there is a print instruction specifying image data in the HDD 12c or the USB memory, the image data is stored in the RAM 12a. Further, image data received together with a print instruction from an external PC, that is, image data received as a print job is also stored in the RAM 12a.

  The scanner 13 is an image reading apparatus, and executes image reading in response to a reading operation request from a PC connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network I / F 18 or a reading operation request from the control unit 11. The read image data is sent to the storage unit 12 and stored in the storage unit 12. When the instruction from the user is an instruction to print a document (that is, an instruction to perform copy control), the image data is stored in the RAM 12a of the storage unit 12. If the instruction from the user is to fetch image data after scanning, this image data is stored in the HDD 12c.

  The user I / F 14 is an I / F for controlling the touch display 17 and hardware keys (not shown). The user I / F 14 displays data of contents to be displayed from the control unit 11 on the touch display 17 or transmits input information (user operation information) from the touch display 17 by a user operation to the control unit 11.

  The communication unit 15 receives image data and maintenance data from a network I / F 18 that is an external I / F of a LAN (Local Area Network) connection and a USB I / F 19 that is an external I / F of a USB connection, and performs control. Or transmitted to the unit 11.

  The print engine 16 forms (prints) an image on recording paper based on the image data stored in the storage unit 12 by various methods.

  The touch display 17 is a display unit on which a touch sensor is mounted, displays a GUI image, and receives a user operation by detecting which part of the displayed GUI image is pressed by the user with the touch sensor. Although the description has been made on the assumption that the touch display 17 is provided, even a simple display unit can accept a user operation with a hardware key (not shown).

  The image forming apparatus 1 as described above includes the following region density detection unit 11e as the main feature of the present invention, and the image processing unit 11b performs the following operation.

  First, the region density detection unit 11e performs density detection of image data read from the storage unit 12 for each region. That is, the area density detection unit 11e divides the image data into a plurality of areas and detects the image density for each area. The area is obtained by dividing an image corresponding to one page by a predetermined number or size, and this number or size is preferably set by the user. Moreover, the density | concentration of an area | region refers to the average density | concentration about the area | region. Further, the image data (image data to be printed) read from the storage unit 12 may be color image data, grayscale image data, or monochrome image data.

  Then, the image processing unit 11b compares the density with the reference value for each area, and changes the image data so as to lower the image density for the area where the density exceeds the reference value. Here, the reference value may be a predetermined fixed value, but is preferably settable by the user.

  As a result, it is possible to reduce black solid areas (including book edge portions when copying a book) or areas with extremely high density in the image data, and it is possible to obtain an image formation result that is easy for the user to see. . Furthermore, it is possible to suppress wasteful toner and ink consumption due to printing of such an area. That is, high-density printing may occur when printing is performed with the copy function or the print function. In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present invention, the image data is changed so as to lower the density in the high-density area. By doing so, the appearance can be improved by avoiding a high printing rate, and wasteful consumption of toner and ink can be suppressed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even when only a partial area of the image data exceeds the reference density, toner and ink are wasted by changing the density for each area as described above. It becomes possible to obtain an image formation result that suppresses consumption and is easy to view.

  Further, the image processing unit 11b may reduce the density of the image by a process of inverting the color of the image in order to change the image data. In the case of the process of reversing the color, the density of the image is generally reduced, so that wasteful toner and ink consumption can be suppressed.

  Further, the image processing unit 11b displays the result of density detection by the area density detection unit 11e on the touch display 17 via the user I / F 14, and inquires of the user whether or not to perform image processing. Based on the result, the image processing unit 11b You may decide to perform processing. That is, the image processing unit 11b may change the image data only when image processing is necessary based on a user's judgment. As a result, it is possible to avoid outputting an image that does not meet the user's request, so that the recording paper is not wasted.

  Hereinafter, specific processing examples in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a processing example of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart following FIG. 4 to 6 are diagrams showing examples of GUI images (examples of display screens) displayed on the image processing apparatus of FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, first, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there has been an instruction to perform print control by the user (step S1). This execution instruction is made by pressing the touch display 17 or a separately provided hardware key. Then, this execution instruction is received by the control unit 11 via the user I / F 14, and the command analysis unit 11a performs the above determination. If NO in step S1, this execution instruction is awaited.

  If YES in step S1, that is, if there is an execution instruction, whether the execution instruction is copy control (hereinafter referred to as copy) including image reading or only print control (hereinafter referred to as print). The command analysis unit 11a makes a determination by analyzing the execution instruction command (step S2). If it is a copy (YES in step S2), image data is acquired by the scanner 13 and stored in the RAM 12a (step S3).

  After the process of step S3, the area density detector 11e detects the density of each area of the acquired image data (step S4). In the case of printing (NO in step S2), the area density detection unit 11e detects the density for each area of the image data (step S4). For example, the density for each region is detected for image data received from an external PC and stored in the RAM 12a, or image data originally read from the HDD 12c and stored in the RAM 12a.

  Based on the result detected in step S4, the image processing unit 11b determines whether or not there is a region where the density exceeds a predetermined reference value (step S5). If there is no such region (step S5). In the case of NO), the printing engine 16 is instructed according to the printing instruction to start the printing operation (step S14). After step S14, the process is terminated together with the end of the printing operation.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S5 that there is an area exceeding the reference value (in the case of YES), what percentage of the area occupies the whole is compared with a certain ratio (step S6). This fixed ratio is called a predetermined value to distinguish it from the reference value. This predetermined value is also preferably set by the user. If the predetermined value is not exceeded (NO in step S6), the process proceeds to step S14, and the printing operation is started in accordance with the printing instruction.

  On the other hand, if it exceeds the predetermined value (YES in step S6), the user can select whether to change the image data via the user I / F 14 as in the GUI image 40 illustrated in FIG. A screen prompting the user to display is displayed (step S7).

  The GUI image 40 exceeds the reference value when the density exceeds the reference value (80% in this example) and the image data includes a region with a ratio exceeding a predetermined value (10% in this example). A sentence that prompts the user whether or not to change the density region is described. In addition, the GUI image 40 displays a “Yes” button 41 for selecting when the change is made and a “No” button 42 for selecting when the change is not made.

  As described above, the image processing unit 11b determines whether the ratio of the area where the density detected by the area density detection unit 11e exceeds the reference value to all the plurality of areas (the entire image data) is a predetermined value or more. If the ratio is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the user may be inquired via the user I / F 14 whether or not to change the image data of the area having a density exceeding the reference value. preferable. When there is an area where the density exceeds the reference value and when it is not necessary to change the image data, it is possible to suppress useless recording paper consumption by inquiring the user whether or not the image data needs to be changed.

  Following step S7, after waiting for a user operation, the image processing unit 11b determines whether or not a change of image data has been selected by the user (step S8). When the “Yes” button 41 has not been selected (NO) ), That is, when the “NO” button 42 is selected, the process proceeds to step S14, and the printing operation is started in accordance with the printing instruction.

  On the other hand, when image data change is selected (YES in step S8), the image processing unit 11b is detected in step S4 by the user I / F 14 as illustrated in the GUI image 50 of FIG. A preview image 51 is generated from the image data changed for the region, and is passed to the display processing unit 11c. The display processing unit 11c causes the touch display 17 to display a screen including the preview image 51 and a button for selecting the region. (Step S10).

  The GUI image 50 displays how many areas (three in this example) whose density exceeds the reference value has been detected, and the detected position is also displayed in the preview image 51. In this example, it is shown that the number of the detection location indicated by reference numerals 51a to 51c exceeds the reference value (80% in this example).

  In addition, in the GUI image 50, characters (areas 1 to 3 in this example) indicating a region where the density of the image is to be changed (converted) are displayed so as to be associated with a number indicating a detection location. A check box 54a for selecting each area is displayed next to the area. The area number indicating the check box 54 a and the area for selecting whether or not to change is displayed by a list 54. In this example, the check boxes after area 4 cannot be selected because the density does not exceed the reference value, and are displayed lightly.

  In addition, in the GUI image 50, a “previous” button 52 for displaying a preview image of a page preceding the page on which the current preview image is being displayed, and a “next” button 53 for displaying a preview image of the next page are displayed. Is also displayed so as to be selectable by the user. For example, when the user selects the “Next” button 53, the preview image 51 becomes the next page, and a list 54 corresponding to the page is displayed, so that it is possible to select an area for changing the density on the page. . In addition, the GUI image 50 displays an “OK” button 55 for allowing the user to select a process for proceeding as it is in the current selection state.

  Thus, it is preferable that the image processing unit 11b generates a preview image based on the changed image data and displays the preview image based on the changed image data via the user I / F 14. Thereby, since the user can check the image data after the change, the user can surely determine whether the user's desire is met or not. Further, it is possible to avoid outputting an image that does not meet the user's request, and the recording paper is not wasted.

  Subsequent to step S10, the user performs an operation of selecting an area for changing the image data, and when the “OK” button 55 is selected, the control unit 11 accepts the operation via the user I / F 14 (step S11). ). As described above, it is preferable that the image processing unit 11b inquires the user for each area through the user I / F 14 as to whether or not to change the image data. As a result, the user can select whether or not to change the image data for each region, and output of an image that does not meet the user's wish can be avoided, so that recording paper is not wasted. Here, an example has been given in which a preview display is performed to present and select a region to be changed. However, especially when the number of areas is reduced, simply presenting information indicating the position of the area (upper left area, upper right area, lower left area, lower right area in the case of four divisions) The area to be changed can be selected for each piece of information.

  When the user selects an area in step S11 and the “OK” button 55 is selected, as illustrated in the GUI image 60 of FIG. 6, the image processing unit 11b displays the image data before change (before conversion). The preview image 61 and the preview image 62 of the image data after the change (after conversion) reflecting the user selection of the area in step S10 (GUI image 50) are arranged and touched on the GUI image via the user I / F 14. It is displayed on the display 17 and waits for a user operation (step S12). In addition, what is necessary is just to produce | generate the preview image of the image data before a change before the display here, when it is YES at step S1.

  Here, an example is given of a case where the user has selected that the density of only the area 2 in the GUI image 50 is to be changed. It can be seen that the density is low as in the region 62a corresponding to. Thus, in the GUI image 60, the number of regions (one in this example) selected in step S10 (GUI image 50) is displayed.

  In addition, in the GUI image 60, a “previous” button 63 for displaying a preview image of a page preceding the page on which a preview image is currently displayed, and a “next” button 64 for displaying a preview image of the next page are displayed. Is also displayed so as to be selectable by the user. For example, when the user selects the “Next” button 64, the preview images 61 and 62 become the next page, and it can be determined whether printing that meets the user's wishes is possible.

  If the “OK” button 55 is selected without selecting an area, the preview images 61 and 62 are the same before and after the change, so the process proceeds to step S14 without displaying the GUI image 60 and printing is performed. The operation may be started, or the same preview images 61 and 62 may be displayed for the time being and a sentence indicating that there is no change may be displayed.

  In addition, in the GUI image 60, “Yes” for selecting when making a change in order to prompt the user to select whether to output (print) according to the changed preview image, or to select an area again. A button 65 and a “No” button 66 for selecting when no change is made are displayed in a selectable manner.

  Then, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is an execution instruction by selecting the “Yes” button 65 from the user (step S13). If YES, the process proceeds to step S14, and the changed image data is output. Thus, the printing operation is started.

  On the other hand, if NO in step S13, it is determined whether or not there is a cancel instruction by the hardware key (step S15). If there is a cancel instruction (in the case of YES), the printing operation is canceled. (Step S16), the process ends. In the case of NO in step S15, it is determined that there is an instruction to select again by selecting the “No” button 66 because there is neither a “Yes” button 65 nor a cancel instruction even though there was a user operation. The process returns to S10 and waits for a user operation for reselection.

  As described above, the image processing unit 11b generates a preview image based on the image data before the change, and converts the preview image based on the image data after the change and the preview image based on the image data before the change to the user I / F 14. It is preferable to display them simultaneously via As a result, the user confirms the image data before and after the change again while comparing them, so that an image most suitable for the user's wish can be output, and the recording paper is not wasted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 11 ... Control part, 11a ... Command analysis part, 11b ... Image processing part, 11c ... Display processing part, 11d ... Response part, 11e ... Area density | concentration detection part, 11f ... ROM, 12 ... Memory | storage part, 12a ... RAM, 12b ... EEPROM, 12c ... HDD, 13 ... scanner, 14 ... user I / F, 15 ... communication unit, 16 ... print engine, 17 ... touch display, 18 ... network I / F, 19 ... USB I / F, 40, 50, 60 ... GUI image.

Claims (6)

  In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording sheet based on image data, the image data is divided into a plurality of areas, and an area density detecting unit that detects the density of the image for each area, and the density for each area. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image processing unit configured to change the image data so as to lower an image density for a region where the density exceeds the reference value compared to a reference value.   The image processing unit determines whether or not a ratio of a region where the density detected by the region density detection unit exceeds a reference value to all of the plurality of regions is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. 2. The image according to claim 1, wherein when it is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the user is inquired via the user interface whether or not to change the image data of a region having a density exceeding the reference value. Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit lowers an image density by a process of inverting an image color in order to change the image data.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit inquires a user for each region through a user interface as to whether or not to change the image data. .   The said image processing part produces | generates the preview image based on the image data after a change, and displays the preview image based on the said image data after a change via a user interface. 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 1.   The image processing unit generates a preview image based on the image data before the change, and simultaneously displays the preview image based on the image data after the change and the preview image based on the image data before the change via the user interface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

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