JP2016057816A - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a surface effect and continue printing even when an image forming part does not include at least a part of conditions for achieving the surface effect.SOLUTION: A first acquisition part 59 acquires print data. A second acquisition part 62 acquires apparatus information from an image forming part. An output control part 58, when printing method information included in the print data indicates a first printing method and the apparatus information does not include at least one of the type of medium indicating a first recording medium and characteristic toner information indicating transparent toner, controls the image forming part to achieve a surface effect according to the printing method information and glossiness control version data by using the first recording medium or a second recording medium indicated by the type of medium included in the apparatus information and the transparent toner or a white toner indicated by the characteristic toner information included in the apparatus information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing system.

  A technique is known in which print data including color image data for forming a color image is transmitted to an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus forms a color image. Also disclosed is a technique for continuing image formation using black toner without interrupting image formation when CMY color toner is not installed in the image forming apparatus or when the remaining amount of color toner is insufficient. (For example, Patent Document 1).

  In Patent Document 1, when it is difficult to form a color image with an image forming apparatus, the color image data is converted into image data for forming a black image, thereby forming a black and white image. A technique for continuing image formation is disclosed. On the other hand, a technique for giving a surface effect such as gloss to a recording medium or a colored image formed on the recording medium is also disclosed. For example, by assigning a surface effect to print data, a surface effect is imparted using a special color toner such as a transparent toner.

  However, conventionally, when the conditions such as the toner and the recording medium used for realizing the surface effect are not aligned on the image forming unit side, the surface effect can be realized and the image formation cannot be continued.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention realizes a surface effect by forming a colored image with colored toner and a transparent image with transparent toner on an opaque first recording medium. Print data including printing method information indicating a first printing method to be performed, colored plate data for forming the colored image, and gloss control plane data defining a region to which a surface effect is applied and a type of the surface effect is acquired. The first acquisition unit, the image forming unit, the medium type indicating the first recording medium or the transparent second recording medium mounted on the image forming unit, and the transparent mounted on the image forming unit A second acquisition unit that acquires device information including spot color toner information indicating toner or white toner, and the printing method information included in the print data indicates the first printing method, and The first recording medium indicated by the medium type included in the apparatus information when the apparatus information does not include at least one of the medium type indicating the first recording medium and the special color toner information indicating the transparent toner. Alternatively, the surface effect corresponding to the printing method information and the gloss control plane data is realized by using the transparent toner or the white toner indicated by the special color toner information included in the second recording medium and the device information. An output control unit for controlling the image forming unit.

  According to the present invention, the surface effect can be realized and printing can be continued even if the image forming unit is not provided with at least a part of the conditions for realizing the surface effect. There is an effect.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the printer. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a method for realizing the surface effect. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the color plane data. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the types of surface effects indicated by the gloss control plane data. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of gloss control plane data. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration example of print data. FIG. 8 is a functional configuration diagram of the DFE. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the surface effect selection table. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format of control information. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of the output control unit. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an image processing procedure. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the gloss control plane data generation process. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure of output control. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image processing system. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the image processing system. FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the server apparatus. FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram showing the overall flow of image processing. FIG. 19 is a network configuration diagram in which two servers are provided on the cloud. FIG. 20 is a hardware configuration diagram.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing system will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
First, the configuration of the image processing system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image processing system according to the present embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the image processing system includes an image processing apparatus (DFE: Digital Front End) 50 (hereinafter referred to as “DFE 50”) and an interface controller (MIC: Mechanical I / F Controller) 60 (hereinafter referred to as “MIC 60”). And the printer 70 are connected to each other. The DFE 50 communicates with the printer 70 via the MIC 60 and controls image formation on the printer 70. The DFE 50 is connected to a host device 10 such as a PC (Personal Computer). The DFE 50 receives print data from the host device 10. The DFE 50 generates output data from the print data and transmits it to the printer 70 via the MIC 60. The printer 70 executes image formation according to the output data.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the printer 70.

  The printer machine 70 includes an image forming unit 79, a printer control unit 71, and a communication unit 73.

  The image forming unit 79 performs image formation. The image forming unit 79 has a known configuration using an electrophotographic system. For example, the image forming unit 79 includes, for example, an image forming unit 72, a conveyance belt 74, a fixing unit 76, and a paper feed tray 78.

  The image forming unit 72 includes a color forming unit 72A for forming a colored image using each of CMYK colored toners, and a special color forming unit 72B for applying the special color toner to the recording medium 20. Each of these image forming units 72 has a known configuration using an electrophotographic system including a photoconductor, a charger, a developing unit, and the like, and the type of the mounted toner is different.

  In the present embodiment, the special color toner indicates, for example, a white toner or a transparent toner. The transparent toner is a transparent toner containing no color material. Note that “transparent” means that the transmittance is 70% or more, for example. The white toner is a white toner containing a white color material. The special color toner may be a toner other than the CMYK colored toner, and is not limited to a transparent toner or a white toner.

  In the present embodiment, the printer device 70 is equipped with either a white toner or a transparent toner as the special color toner.

  In the present embodiment, the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 74 that conveys the recording medium is described as a direction from the color formation unit 72A toward the spot color formation unit 72B. However, the conveyance direction is not limited to this direction. Further, the image forming unit 79 includes a known reversing mechanism (not shown) that reverses the front and back of the recording medium 20, and has a configuration capable of forming an image on one side or both sides of the recording medium 20. The fixing unit 76 is a known fixing device that fixes an image on the recording medium 20.

  The communication unit 73 is a communication unit that communicates with the DFE 50 via the MIC 60. The printer control unit 71 controls the entire image forming unit 79.

  The paper feed tray 78 is a tray on which the recording medium 20 is mounted. The printer device 70 may be equipped with a plurality of paper feed trays 78.

  The recording medium is an image forming target member. In the present embodiment, a case where an opaque first recording medium and a transparent second recording medium are used as recording media will be described. The definition of transparency is the same as described above. Opaque means that, for example, the light transmittance is less than 70%.

  The first recording medium may be an opaque recording medium. In the present embodiment, as an example, a case where the first recording medium is a white recording medium will be described. Hereinafter, the first recording medium will be referred to as a white medium for easy understanding. The first recording medium is not limited to white as long as it is opaque.

  The second recording medium may be a transparent recording medium. The second recording medium is, for example, a transparent material formed into a sheet shape. Hereinafter, the second recording medium will be referred to as a transparent medium for easy understanding.

  In the present embodiment, the printer 70 is equipped with at least one of a white medium and a transparent medium as a recording medium.

  Each paper feed tray 78 is mounted with a sensor (not shown) for detecting a medium type (in this embodiment, a white medium or a transparent medium) indicating the type of the recording medium 20 mounted. Yes. The sensor identifies the medium type of the recording medium 20 and the paper feed tray 78 on which the recording medium 20 of the type indicated by the medium type (hereinafter may be simply referred to as the recording medium 20 of the medium type) is mounted. A detection signal indicating the information and the size of the recording medium 20 is output to the printer control unit 71. For this reason, the printer control unit 71 sends a detection signal including the medium type, size, and identification information of the paper feed tray 78 mounted on each paper feed tray 78 to each paper feed tray 78. It is received from a sensor mounted on the tray 78. Note that the medium type of the recording medium 20 mounted on the paper feed tray 78 may be input according to an operation instruction of an operation unit (not shown) by a user and transmitted to the printer control unit 71.

  The printer control unit 71 receives the detection signals (the medium type of the recording medium 20, the identification information of the paper feeding tray 78, the size of the recording medium 20) received from the sensors mounted on the respective paper feeding trays 78, and the spot color forming unit 72B. The device information including the spot color toner information (white toner or transparent toner) of the spot color toner mounted on the printer is output to the DFE 50 via the communication unit 73 and the MIC 60.

  Further, the printer control unit 71 of the printer 70 receives output data from the DFE 50 via the MIC 60 and the communication unit 73. The printer control unit 71 of the printer device 70 sets the image corresponding to the image data included in the received output data to the setting information of the type of recording medium designated by the setting information (described later in detail) included in the output data. The image forming unit 79 is controlled so that an image is formed on the printing target surface designated by using the color toner or the special color toner designated by the setting information.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the print data output from the host apparatus 10 to the DFE 50 will be described next.

  In the host device 10, print data is generated by an image processing application installed in advance and transmitted to the DFE 50. In the image processing application, it is possible to handle the image data of the special color version with respect to the image data in which the density value (also referred to as the density value) of each color in each color version such as the RGB version and the CMYK version is defined for each pixel. is there. The special color plate is image data for attaching special color toners and inks such as white, gold and silver in addition to basic colors such as CMYK and RGB, and a printer equipped with such special color toners and inks. It is data for. In the special color plate, R may be added to the basic colors of CMYK or Y may be added to the basic colors of RGB in order to improve color reproducibility.

  In this embodiment, as described above, transparent toner or white toner is used as the special color toner. In this embodiment, these special color toners are used to form a surface effect that is a visual or tactile effect imparted to the recording medium.

  In the present embodiment, three types of printing methods are used as printing methods for realizing the surface effect using the special color toner. Specifically, in this embodiment, the surface effect is realized by using three types of printing methods: a first printing method, a second printing method, and a third printing method.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a printing method for realizing the surface effect in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of the first printing method. As shown in FIG. 3A, the first printing method is a printing method that realizes a surface effect by forming a colored image 24 with colored toner and a transparent image 26 with transparent toner on a white medium 20W. . In the first printing method, the colored image 24 and the transparent image 26 may be formed on one side (one side) of the white medium 20 </ b> W, and the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the transparent image 26 is stacked on the colored image 24. For example, in the first printing method, there may be a region where only the colored image 24 is formed on one side of the white medium 20W, or a region where only the transparent image 26 is formed. In the first printing method, there may be a mixed region of the colored image 24 and the transparent image 26 in the same layer. In the first printing method, the transparent image 26 may be laminated on the colored image 24.

  FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram of the second printing method. As shown in FIG. 3B, a printing method that realizes a surface effect by laminating a colored image 24 made of colored toner and a transparent medium 20T in this order on a white image 22 made of white toner. In other words, the second printing method is a printing method in which the user visually recognizes the colored image 24 from the transparent medium 20T side, thereby imparting a surface effect such as gloss to the colored image 24 with the transparent medium 20T. For this reason, in the second printing method, the colored image 24 and the white image 22 are formed in this order on one side of the transparent medium 20T. In the second printing method, the colored image 24 is visually recognized through the transparent medium 20T. For this reason, in the second printing method, it is necessary to form on the transparent medium 20T a color image obtained by mirror-inversion of an image indicated by the color plane data (described later in detail) included in the print data.

  FIG. 3C is an explanatory diagram of the third printing method. As shown in FIG. 3C, this is a printing method that realizes a surface effect by laminating a transparent medium 20T and a colored image 24 in this order on a white image 22 made of white toner. That is, the third printing method is a printing method in which a surface effect is imparted by providing the transparent medium 20T and the white image 22 in this order on the colored image 24. For this reason, the third printing method forms images on both sides of the transparent medium 20T. In other words, in the third printing method, the colored image 24 is formed on one surface of the transparent medium 20T, and the white image 22 is formed on the other surface. In the third printing method, the user visually recognizes the colored image 24 in the direction from the colored image 24 side toward the white image 22 through the transparent medium 20T.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the print data that the host apparatus 10 transmits to the DFE 50 includes print method information and color plane data. The print data may further include gloss control plane data.

  The printing method information is information indicating a printing method, and indicates any one of the first printing method, the second printing method, and the third printing method described above.

  The image processing application of the host device 10 generates print data including color plane data for forming a color image, print method information specified by the user, and gloss control plane data specified by the user. The gloss control plane data is included in the print data when the print method information included in the print data indicates the first print method.

  The host device 10 receives designation of printing method information from the user using an image processing application. The user inputs printing method information indicating a method for realizing a desired expression effect by operating a known operation unit (for example, a keyboard). The host device 10 receives the input printing method information, and acquires the printing method information to be included in the print data.

  The color plane data is image data for forming a color image, and is image data that defines the density value of a color image such as RGB or CMYK for each pixel. For example, the host device 10 generates color plane data by defining a density value corresponding to each color designated by the user for each drawing object designated by the user. In the color plane data, for example, each pixel is expressed by 8 bits.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the color plane data. For example, the host device 10 assigns a density value corresponding to the color designated by the user to each drawing object such as “A”, “B”, and “C” in FIG. 4 using the image processing application. .

  The gloss control plane data is image data that defines the area to which the surface effect is applied and the type of the surface effect. The gloss control plane data is used for performing control for attaching the transparent toner according to the surface effect.

  Therefore, the gloss control plane data is included in the print data when the print method information included in the print data is the first print method. When the first printing method is selected as the printing method information, the image processing application displays an input screen for designating the type of surface effect and the area that gives the surface effect, which are used to generate the gloss control plane data. What is necessary is just to be able to receive the operation from a user.

  The gloss control plane data is represented by a density value in the range of “0” to “255” with 8 bits for each pixel similarly to the color plane data such as RGB and CMYK. In the gloss control plane data, the type of surface effect is associated with this density value (the density value may be represented by 16 bits, 32 bits, or 0 to 100%). In addition, the same value is set in a range where the same surface effect is desired regardless of the density of the transparent toner actually attached. For this reason, in the gloss control plane data, the area can be easily specified from the density value even if there is no data indicating the area. In other words, the type of surface effect and the area to which the surface effect is given are represented by the gloss control plane data. The gloss control plane data may be separately provided with data representing the area that gives the surface effect.

  The host device 10 sets the type of surface effect for the drawing object specified by the user using the image processing application as a density value as a gloss control value for each drawing object, and generates vector-type gloss control plane data.

  Each pixel constituting the gloss control plane data corresponds to a pixel of the color plane data. In each image data, the density value represented by each pixel is a pixel value. Both the color plane data and the gloss control plane data are configured in units of pages.

  The types of surface effects are roughly classified into those relating to the presence or absence of gloss, surface protection, watermarks with embedded information, and textures. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the types of surface effects indicated by the gloss control plane data.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, there are roughly four types of surface effects indicated by the gloss control plane data. Mirror gloss (PG: Premium Gloss) and solid gloss are in descending order of the degree of gloss (gloss degree). There are various types such as (G: Gloss), halftone mat (M: Matt), and matte (PM: Premium Matt). Hereinafter, the specular gloss may be referred to as “PG”, the solid gloss as “G”, the halftone dot mat as “M”, and the matte as “PM”.

  Specular gloss and solid gloss are highly glossy.On the other hand, halftone mats and matte are for reducing glossiness.In particular, matte has a glossiness lower than that of normal paper. It is realized. In the figure, the specular gloss has a gloss Gs of 80 or more, the solid gloss is a solid gloss of a primary color or a secondary color, the halftone dot is a primary color and a gloss of 30%, and the matte is gloss. Degree of 10 or less. Further, the deviation of the glossiness is represented by ΔGs and is 10 or less.

  For each type of surface effect, a high density value is associated with a surface effect having a high degree of glossiness, and a low density value is associated with a surface effect that suppresses gloss. The intermediate density value is associated with a surface effect such as a watermark or texture. As the watermark, for example, a character or a background pattern is used. The texture represents a character or a pattern, and can provide a tactile effect as well as a visual effect. For example, a stained glass pattern can be realized with a transparent toner. For surface protection, mirror gloss or solid gloss is substituted.

  Note that which region of the image represented by the image data to be processed is to be given a surface effect and what kind of surface effect is to be given to that region is specified by the user via the image processing application. The host device 10 that executes the image processing application generates gloss control plane data by setting a density value corresponding to the surface effect designated by the user for the drawing object that constitutes the region designated by the user. The correspondence between the density value and the type of surface effect will be described later.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of gloss control plane data. In FIG. 6, the surface effect “PG (mirror gloss)” is given to the drawing object “ABC”, and the surface effect “G (solid gloss)” is given to the drawing object “(rectangular figure)”. An example in which the surface effect “M (halftone matte)” is given to the drawing object “(circular figure)” is shown. The density value set for each surface effect is a density value determined in accordance with the type of surface effect in a density value selection table described later.

  The image processing application of the host device 10 converts the type of surface effect specified by the user into a density value, and generates gloss control plane data. Such conversion is performed with reference to a density value selection table stored in advance in the storage unit of the host device 10. The density value selection table is table data in which the type of surface effect is associated with the density value of the gloss control plate corresponding to the type of surface effect.

  This density value selection table is the same data as the surface effect selection table (described later) stored in the DFE 50, and the control unit of the host device 10 acquires the surface effect selection table at a predetermined timing and acquires the surface. Generated (copied) from the effect selection table and stored in the storage unit. The surface effect selection table is stored in a storage server (cloud) on a network such as the Internet, and the control unit acquires the surface effect selection table from the server and generates (copy) from the acquired surface effect selection table. You may comprise. However, the surface effect selection table stored in the DFE 50 and the surface effect selection table stored in the storage unit of the host device need to be the same data.

  Specifically, the image processing application of the host device 10 refers to the density value selection table, and sets the density value (gloss control value) of the drawing object to which a predetermined surface effect is designated by the user, as the type of the surface effect. Gloss control plane data is generated by setting to a value according to. For example, the user gives “PG” to the area where “ABC” is displayed, “G” to the rectangular area, and “M” to the circular area in the target image which is the color plane data shown in FIG. Assume that is specified. In this case, the host device 10 refers to the density value selection table, sets the density value of the drawing object (“ABC”) for which “PG” is designated by the user to a pixel value corresponding to “98%”, and The density value of the drawing object (“rectangle”) designated “G” is set to a pixel value corresponding to “90%”, and the density value of the drawing object (“circle”) designated “M” is set to “ By setting the pixel value corresponding to “16%”, gloss control plane data is generated. The gloss control plane data generated by the host device 10 is data in a vector format expressed as a set of drawing objects indicating the coordinates of the points, the parameters of the lines and planes connecting the points, and the filling and special effects. It is.

  As described above, the host device 10 includes color plane data for forming a color image, printing method information specified by the user, gloss control plane data specified by the user, and a job command. Generate print data.

  As described above, the gloss control plane data is included in the print data when the print method information included in the print data indicates the first print method.

  The job command is print attribute information. The job command is a command for specifying, for the printer device 70, a medium type indicating the type of recording medium to be formed, a printer setting, an aggregation setting, and the like. Note that the printing method information may be included in the job command.

  In the following description, print data will be described as including, for example, print attribute information, colored plane data, and gloss control plane data (only in the case of the first printing method). The print attribute information will be described as including, for example, print method information (first print method, second print method, or third print method) and the size of the recording medium to be image-formed.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration example of print data. In the example of FIG. 7, JDF (Job Definition Format) is used as the job command, but the job command is not limited to this. In the job command, as described above, for example, printing such as printing method information (indicating any one of the first printing method, the second printing method, and the third printing method) and the size of the recording medium to be image-formed, etc. Contains attribute information. Further, the print data may be converted into a page description language (PDL) such as PostScript (registered trademark), or may be in the PDF format if the DFE 50 is compatible.

  Next, the functional configuration of the DFE 50 will be described. FIG. 8 is a functional configuration diagram of the DFE 50.

  The DFE 50 receives print data from the host device 10. The DFE 50 generates output data from the print data and transmits the output data to the printer device 70 via the MIC 60. As a result, the DFE 50 controls the printer device 70 so as to form an image according to the print data. Accordingly, the DFE 50 controls the printer machine 70 (image forming unit 79) so as to realize the surface effect corresponding to the printing method information and the gloss control plane data.

  The DFE 50 includes a rendering engine 51, a si1 unit 52, a TRC (Tone Reproduction Curve) 53, a si2 unit 54, a halftone engine 55, a clear processing 56, a si3 unit 57, an output control unit 58, The first acquisition unit 59, the second acquisition unit 62, and the determination unit 63 are included. A storage unit 30 is connected to the DFE 50. In addition, the structure which provided the memory | storage part 30 in DFE50 may be sufficient.

  Rendering engine 51, si1 unit 52, TRC53, si2 unit 54, halftone engine 55, clear processing 56, si3 unit 57, output control unit 58, first acquisition unit 59, second acquisition unit 62, and determination unit 63 The part or all may be realized by causing a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a program, that is, by software, or by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit). However, software and hardware may be used in combination.

  Each of the si1 unit 52, the si2 unit 54, and the si3 unit 57 has a function of separating image data (separate) and a function of integrating image data (integrate).

  The rendering engine 51 receives print data transmitted from the host device 10 and renders the print data.

  The rendering engine 51 converts the color space expressed in the RGB format or the like into the color space of the CMYK format for the color plane data included in the input print data, and further rasterizes the color plane data indicated in the vector format, for example. Convert to format. Accordingly, the rendering engine 51 generates 8-bit color plane data for each of CMYK.

  Further, the rendering engine 51 generates 8-bit gloss control plane data by converting the vector format into the raster format for the gloss control plane data included in the input print data. When the print data does not include gloss control plane data, the rendering engine 51 does not generate 8-bit gloss control plane data.

  Then, the rendering engine 51 generates the 8-bit color plane data, the 8-bit gloss control plane data, and the print attribute information (print method information and the formation target information included in the print data received from the host device 10. Are stored in the storage unit 30 as print data.

  In addition, the rendering engine 51 outputs the generated 8-bit color plane data and 8-bit gloss control plane data to the si1 unit 52.

  The si1 unit 52 outputs the received CMYK 8-bit color plane data to the TRC 53, and outputs 8-bit gloss control plane data to the clear processing 56.

  The TRC 53 receives CMYK 8-bit color plane data from the si1 unit 52. The TRC 53 performs image processing such as gamma correction on the received color plane data using a 1D_LUT gamma curve generated by calibration. Image processing includes, for example, regulation of the total amount of toner in addition to gamma correction. The total amount restriction is a process of restricting CMYK 8-bit color plate data after gamma correction because there is a limit to the amount of toner that can be loaded on the printer 70 in one pixel on the recording medium. Incidentally, when printing exceeds the total amount regulation, the image quality deteriorates due to transfer failure or fixing failure. In this embodiment, only the related gamma correction is taken up and described.

  The TRC 53 outputs gamma-corrected 8-bit color data of CMYK to the si2 unit 54. The si2 unit 54 receives gamma-corrected 8-bit color data of CMYK, and outputs the data to the clear processing 56 as data for generating an inverse mask (described later in detail). Further, the si2 unit 54 outputs gamma-corrected 8-bit color data of CMYK to the halftone engine 55.

  The halftone engine 55 receives 8-bit color data of CMYK after gamma correction from the si2 unit 54. The halftone engine 55 performs, for example, a halftone process for converting the received 8-bit color data of the CMYK into a data format such as 2 bits, and a color such as 2 bits of CMYK after the halftone process. The plate data is output to the output control unit 58. Note that 2 bits are an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  The clear processing 56 receives 8-bit gloss control plane data from the si1 unit 52. Further, the clear processing 56 accepts CMYK 8-bit color plane data that has been subjected to gamma correction from the si2 unit 54.

  In the clear processing 56, a surface effect selection table is stored. The surface effect selection table may be stored in advance in the storage unit 30.

  The clear processing 56 refers to the surface effect selection table using the gloss control plane data received from the si1 unit 52, and determines the surface effect for the density value (pixel value) represented by each pixel constituting the gloss control plane data. . Then, in accordance with the determination, the clear processing 56 appropriately generates an inverse mask or a solid mask by using the received CMYK 8-bit color plane data, so that a 2-bit clear toner for attaching transparent toner is obtained. Generate plate data as appropriate.

  Then, the clear processing 56 generates clear toner plane data to be used in the printer device 70 according to the determination result of the surface effect, and outputs the clear toner plane data to the si3 unit 57. The clear processing 56 also outputs the 8-bit gloss control plane data received from the rendering engine 51 to the si3 unit 57 together with the clear toner plane data. When the gloss control plane data is not included in the print data, the clear processing 56 does not generate clear toner plane data.

  Here, the inverse mask is for uniformizing the total adhesion amount of the CMYK colored toner and the transparent toner on each pixel constituting the region to which the surface effect is applied. Specifically, in the CMYK color plane data, the density mask (pixel value) obtained by adding all the density values represented by the pixels constituting the target area and subtracting the added value from the predetermined value is an inverse mask. It becomes. For example, the above-described inverse mask is represented by the following formula (1).

Clr = 100− (C + M + Y + K) However, when Clr <0, Clr = 0
... Formula (1)

  In Expression (1), Clr, C, M, Y, and K represent density ratios that are converted from density values in the respective pixels for the transparent toner and the C, M, Y, and K toners, respectively. . That is, according to the formula (1), the total adhesion amount obtained by adding the adhesion amount of the transparent toner to the total adhesion amount of the C, M, Y, and K toners is obtained for all the pixels constituting the target area to which the surface effect is applied. Set to 100%. When the total adhesion amount of each toner of C, M, Y, and K is 100% or more, the transparent toner is not adhered and the density ratio is set to 0%. This is because the portion where the total adhesion amount of each toner of C, M, Y, and K exceeds 100% is smoothed by the fixing process. In this way, by making the total adhesion amount on all the pixels constituting the target area to which the surface effect is given to be 100% or more, there is no surface unevenness due to the difference in the total toner adhesion quantity in the target area. As a result, gloss due to regular reflection of light occurs. However, some inverse masks are obtained by other than the equation (1), and there can be a plurality of types of inverse masks.

  For example, the inverse mask may be one in which transparent toner is uniformly attached to each pixel. The inverse mask in this case is also referred to as a solid mask, and is represented by the following formula (2).

  Clr = 100 Formula (2)

  Note that among the pixels to which the surface effect is applied, there may be a pixel associated with a density rate other than 100%, and there may be a plurality of solid mask patterns.

  For example, the inverse mask may be obtained by multiplying the background exposure rate of each color. The inverse mask in this case is expressed by, for example, the following formula (3).

  Clr = 100 × {(100−C) / 100} × {(100−M) / 100} × {(100−Y) / 100} × {(100−K) / 100} (3)

  In the above formula (3), (100−C) / 100 indicates the background exposure rate of C, (100−M) / 100 indicates the background exposure rate of M, and (100−Y) / 100 is Y indicates the background exposure rate of (100−K) / 100 indicates the background exposure rate of K.

  Further, for example, the inverse mask may be obtained by a method that assumes that the halftone dot of the maximum area ratio regulates smoothness. The inverse mask in this case is expressed by, for example, the following formula (4).

  Clr = 100−max (C, M, Y, K) (4)

  In the above equation (4), max (C, M, Y, K) indicates that the density value of the color indicating the maximum density value among CMYK is a representative value.

  In short, the inverse mask may be any one expressed by any one of the above formulas (1) to (4).

  Next, the surface effect selection table will be described. The surface effect selection table is a table showing a correspondence relationship between density values, types of surface effects, and clear toner plane data used in the printer 70.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the surface effect selection table. In the correspondence relationship between the surface effect type and the density value shown in FIG. 9, the surface effect type is associated with each density value range. Further, each type of surface effect is associated with the ratio (density ratio) of the density converted from the representative value (representative value) of the density value range in units of 2%. Specifically, a surface effect (mirror effect and solid effect) that gives gloss is associated with a density value range (“212” to “255”) in which the density rate is 84% or more, and the density rate A surface effect (halftone matte and matte) that suppresses gloss is associated with a range of density values (“1” to “43”) that is 16% or less. In addition, surface effects such as texture and background pattern watermark are associated with a range of density values in which the density ratio is 20% to 80%.

  More specifically, taking the surface effect selection table of FIG. 9 as an example, for example, specular gloss (PM) is associated with the pixel values “238” to “255” as the surface effect, Among these, different types of specular gloss correspond to three ranges of pixel values “238” to “242”, pixel values “243” to “247”, and pixel values “248” to “255”. It is attached.

  Also, the pixel values “212” to “232” are associated with solid glossy (G), and among these, the pixel values “212” to “216”, “217” to “221”. Different types of solid glossiness are associated with four ranges of pixel values of “222” to “227” and pixel values of “228” to “232”.

  The pixel values “23” to “43” are associated with halftone dot mats (M), of which pixel values “23” to “28” and “29” to “33”. , Pixel values “34” to “38”, and pixel values “39” to “43” are associated with different types of halftone mats. Further, the pixel values “1” to “17” are associated with matte (PM), and among these, the pixel values “1” to “7” and “8” to “12” are associated. Different types of matte are associated with the three ranges of pixel values and pixel values “13” to “17”. Note that the density value of “0” is associated with no surface effect.

  When the density value is “228” to “232” and the surface effect is solid gloss, the clear toner plane data used in the printer 70 is the inverse mask 1. The inverse mask 1 may be any one represented by any one of the above formulas (1) to (4). Further, when the surface effect is a halftone dot mat, the clear toner plane data used in the printer device 70 represents a halftone (halftone dot), and when the surface effect is matte, it is used in the printer device 70. It is indicated that there is no clear toner plane data.

  The clear processing 56 stores a surface effect selection table in advance. The surface effect selection table may be stored in advance in the storage unit 30.

  As described above, the clear processing 56 refers to the surface effect selection table, determines the surface effect associated with each pixel value indicated by the gloss control plane data, and determines what clear toner in the printer 70. Determine whether to use version data.

  Then, the clear processing 56 appropriately generates clear toner plane data according to the result of the determination, and outputs it to the si3 unit 57.

  Returning to FIG. 8, the si3 unit 57 includes CMYK 2-bit color plane data after halftone processing, 2-bit clear toner plane data received from the clear processing 56, 8-bit gloss control plane data, Is output to the output control unit 58.

  Details of the output control unit 58 will be described later.

  The first acquisition unit 59 acquires print data. In the present embodiment, the first acquisition unit 59 acquires 2-bit color plane data, 2-bit clear toner plane data, and 8-bit gloss control plane data from the si3 unit 57, and a storage unit. 30 or the rendering engine 51, the printing attribute information (including printing method information and the size of the recording medium to be formed) is acquired. Then, the first acquisition unit 59, the 2-bit color plane data, the 2-bit clear toner plane data, the 8-bit gloss control plane data, the print attribute information (print method information, and the formation target) Print data including the size of the recording medium).

  The gloss control plane data and the clear toner plane data are acquired only when the printing method information is the first printing method.

  The second acquisition unit 62 includes, from the image forming unit 79 of the printer 70, a medium type of a recording medium mounted on the image forming unit 79 (a medium type indicating a first recording medium or a transparent second recording medium), and The apparatus information indicating the spot color toner information of the spot color toner mounted on the image forming unit 79 is acquired.

  For example, the second acquisition unit 62 transmits a device information acquisition request to the printer 70 via the MIC 60. When receiving the acquisition request, the printer control unit 71 of the printer 70 generates device information and transmits it to the DFE 50 via the MIC 60. The second acquisition unit 62 of the DFE 50 acquires device information by receiving the device information from the printer 70.

  In the present embodiment, the second acquisition unit 62 detects the medium type of the recording medium 20 mounted on each paper feed tray 78 of the printer 70, the identification information of the paper feed tray 78, and the size of the recording medium 20. The apparatus information including the signal and the special color toner information (white toner or transparent toner) of the special color toner mounted on the image forming unit 79 is acquired.

  The determination unit 63 determines a control condition corresponding to the printing method information included in the print data acquired by the first acquisition unit 59 and the device information acquired from the printer 70 from the control information.

  The control information is information in which printing method information, device information, and control conditions are associated with each other.

  The control information may be information in which printing method information, apparatus information, and control information are associated with each other, and the data format is not limited. For example, the control information is a table or database that associates these pieces of information.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format of control information. As shown in FIG. 10, the control information is information in which printing method information, device information, and control conditions are associated with each other.

  As described above, the printing method information is the first printing method, the second printing method, or the third printing method. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the device information includes spot color toner information and a medium type. The spot color toner information is white toner or transparent toner. The medium type registered in the control information is information indicating the type of medium loaded in the image forming unit 79. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the medium type registered in the control information indicates any of “with transparent medium”, “only with transparent medium”, “with white medium”, and “only with white medium”.

  “With transparent medium” indicates that “transparent medium” is included in the medium type included in the apparatus information acquired from the printer 70 (image forming unit 79). “Transparent medium only” indicates a case where the medium type included in the apparatus information acquired from the printer 70 (image forming unit 79) is only “transparent medium”. “With white medium” indicates that “white medium” is included in the medium type included in the apparatus information acquired from the printer 70 (image forming unit 79). “Only white medium” indicates a case where the medium type included in the apparatus information acquired from the printer 70 (image forming unit 79) is only “white medium”.

  The control condition is for realizing the surface effect realized by the corresponding printing method information by using the recording medium of the medium type included in the corresponding apparatus information and the transparent toner or the white toner included in the apparatus information. This is the control condition of the image forming unit 79.

  The control condition is information that defines at least the image processing content to be applied to each of the color plane data and the gloss control plane data and the print target surface of the recording medium. The image processing content to be applied to the gloss control plane data is determined only when the corresponding printing method information is the first printing method. The control condition indicates a first specified condition, a second specified condition, a third specified condition, a first control condition, a second control condition, a third control condition, or a fourth control condition.

  The first specified condition is a control condition for realizing the surface effect realized by the first printing method under the normal condition of the first printing method (forming a colored image and a transparent image on a white medium). In other words, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first specified condition is that a colored image 24 made of colored toner and a transparent image 26 made of transparent toner are formed on one surface of the white medium 20W, thereby This is a control condition for realizing the effect.

  The first control condition is a control condition of the image forming unit 79 for causing the image forming unit 79 to realize the surface effect realized by the first printing method under an alternative condition instead of the first specified condition. Specifically, the first control condition is a control condition of the image forming unit 79 for realizing the surface effect realized by the first printing method using the white toner and the transparent medium.

  The second control condition is a control condition for causing the image forming unit 79 to form only a colored image without performing image formation using the special color toner.

  The second specified condition is a control condition for realizing the surface effect realized by the second printing method with the normal condition (white image, colored image, and transparent medium are stacked in this order) of the second printing method. That is, as shown in FIG. 3 (B), the second specified condition is that the white image 22, the colored image 24, and the transparent medium 20T are stacked in this order to realize the surface effect of the second printing method. It is a control condition.

  The third control condition is a control condition of the image forming unit 79 for causing the image forming unit 79 to execute the surface effect realized by the second printing method under an alternative condition instead of the second specified condition. Specifically, the third control condition is a control condition of the image forming unit 79 for realizing the surface effect realized by the second printing method using the transparent toner and the white medium.

  The third specified condition is a control condition for realizing the surface effect realized by the third printing method with the normal conditions (white toner, transparent medium, and colored image are laminated in this order) of the third printing method. That is, as shown in FIG. 3C, the third specified condition is to realize the surface effect of the third printing method by stacking the white image 22, the transparent medium 20T, and the colored image 24 in this order. Is the control condition.

  The fourth control condition is a control condition of the image forming unit 79 for causing the image forming unit 79 to execute the surface effect realized by the third printing method under an alternative condition instead of the third specified condition. Specifically, the fourth control condition is a control condition of the image forming unit 79 for realizing the surface effect realized by the third printing method using the transparent toner and the white medium.

  The determination unit 63 includes a medium type in which the printing method information included in the print data acquired by the first acquisition unit 59 indicates the first printing method, and the device information acquired by the second acquisition unit 62 indicates a white medium, and When the spot color toner information indicating the transparent toner is included, the first specified condition is determined as the corresponding control condition in the control information (see FIG. 10).

  The determination unit 63 also includes a medium type in which the printing method information included in the print data acquired by the first acquisition unit 59 indicates the first printing method, and the device information acquired by the second acquisition unit 62 indicates a transparent medium. , And special color toner information indicating white toner, the first control condition is determined as the corresponding control condition in the control information (see FIG. 10).

  Also, the determination unit 63 includes only the special color toner information and the white medium in which the printing method information acquired by the first acquisition unit 59 indicates the first printing method and the device information acquired by the second acquisition unit 62 indicates white toner. Or the special color toner information indicating the transparent toner and the medium type indicating only the transparent medium, the second control condition is determined as the corresponding control condition in the control information (see FIG. 10).

  Also, the determination unit 63 includes only the special color toner information and the white medium in which the printing method information acquired by the first acquisition unit 59 indicates the second printing method, and the device information acquired by the second acquisition unit 62 indicates white toner. Or the special color toner information indicating the transparent toner and the medium type indicating only the transparent medium, the second control condition is determined as the corresponding control condition in the control information (see FIG. 10).

  Further, the determination unit 63 includes only the special color toner information and the white medium in which the printing method information acquired by the first acquisition unit 59 indicates the third printing method, and the device information acquired by the second acquisition unit 62 indicates white toner. Or the special color toner information indicating the transparent toner and the medium type indicating only the transparent medium, the second control condition is determined as the corresponding control condition in the control information (see FIG. 10).

  Further, the determination unit 63 indicates a medium type in which the printing method information included in the print data acquired by the first acquisition unit 59 indicates the second printing method, and the device information acquired by the second acquisition unit 62 indicates a transparent medium. , And special color toner information indicating white toner, the second prescribed condition is determined as the corresponding control condition in the control information (see FIG. 10).

  The determination unit 63 also includes a medium type in which the printing method information included in the print data acquired by the first acquisition unit 59 indicates the second printing method, and the device information acquired by the second acquisition unit 62 indicates a white medium. And the special color toner information indicating the transparent toner, the third control condition is determined as the corresponding control condition in the control information (see FIG. 10).

  The determination unit 63 also includes a medium type in which the printing method information included in the print data acquired by the first acquisition unit 59 indicates the third printing method, and the device information acquired by the second acquisition unit 62 indicates a transparent medium. , And special color toner information indicating white toner, the third specified condition is determined as the corresponding control condition in the control information (see FIG. 10).

  The determination unit 63 also includes a medium type in which the printing method information included in the print data acquired by the first acquisition unit 59 indicates the third printing method, and the device information acquired by the second acquisition unit 62 indicates a white medium. , And spot color toner information indicating transparent toner, the fourth control condition is determined as the corresponding control condition in the control information (see FIG. 10).

  Returning to FIG. 8, as described above, the determination unit 63 sets the control conditions corresponding to the printing method information included in the print data and the device information acquired from the printer 70 (the image forming unit 79) as control information. The control condition is determined by reading from (see FIG. 10). Then, the determination result is output to the output control unit 58.

  The output control unit 58 receives the CMYK 2-bit color plane data, the 2-bit clear toner plane data, and the 8-bit gloss control plane data after the halftone process from the si3 unit 57. Note that 2-bit clear toner plane data and 8-bit gloss control plane data are received from the si3 unit 57 only when the printing method information included in the print data acquired by the DFE 50 is the first printing method. . Further, the output control unit 58 receives the determination result of the control condition by the determination unit 63.

  The output control unit 58 performs image processing according to the control condition indicated by the determination result by the determination unit 63 for the 2-bit color plane data, the 2-bit clear toner plane data, and the 8-bit gloss control plane data. To generate output data. Then, the image forming unit 79 is controlled by transmitting the output data to the printer 70 (image forming unit 79) via the MIC 60.

  Specifically, the output control unit 58 indicates that the printing method information included in the print data acquired by the first acquisition unit 59 indicates the first printing method, and the device information acquired by the second acquisition unit 62 is a white medium. When at least one of the medium type indicating (first recording medium) and the special color toner information indicating transparent toner is not included, the recording medium (transparent medium) of the medium type included in the acquired device information, and the second acquisition unit 62 The image forming unit 79 is controlled so as to realize the surface effect corresponding to the first printing method and the gloss control plane data using the transparent toner or the white toner indicated by the special color toner information included in the apparatus information acquired in step 1. .

  That is, the output control unit 58 is a medium in which the printing method information included in the print data acquired by the first acquisition unit 59 indicates the first printing method, and the device information acquired by the second acquisition unit 62 indicates a transparent medium. When the special color toner information indicating the seed and the white toner is included, the image forming unit 79 is controlled to realize the surface effect according to the first printing method and the gloss control plane data using the transparent medium and the white toner. .

  Here, as described above, the control condition is information that defines at least the image processing content to be applied to the color plane data and the gloss control plane data and the print target surface of the recording medium.

  For this reason, the output control unit 58 performs the following process when the printing method information included in the acquired print data is the first printing method. In other words, the output control unit 58 performs image processing of the image processing content defined in the determined control condition on the color plane data and the gloss control plane data, and generates color data and spot color data.

  The spot color data is data for applying the spot color toner mounted on the printer 70 (image forming unit 79) to the recording medium, and has a density value determined for each pixel.

  Then, the output control unit 58 outputs output data including color data and spot color data, and setting information to the printer 70 (image forming unit 79).

  The setting information includes the print target surface determined by the control condition determined by the determination unit 63 and the medium type included in the device information corresponding to the determined control condition in the control information (see FIG. 10). .

  Then, the output control unit 58 outputs the output data to the printer 70 (image forming unit 79), so that the recording medium of the medium type included in the acquired device information and the special color toner information included in the acquired device information. The printer 70 (image forming unit 79) is controlled so as to realize the surface effect corresponding to the printing method information and the gloss control plane data using the transparent toner or the white toner indicated by.

  FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of the output control unit 58. The output control unit 58 includes a first generation unit 58A, a second generation unit 58B, a third generation unit 58C, and an output unit 58D.

  The first generation unit 58A generates color data by performing image processing of the image processing content defined in the determined control condition on the color plane data received by the output control unit 58.

  The second generation unit 58B generates spot color data by performing image processing of the image processing content defined in the determined control condition on the gloss control plane data and the color plane data.

  The third generation unit 58C generates setting information including the print target surface determined in the determined control condition and the medium type included in the device information corresponding to the determined control condition. This medium type may be read from the control information (FIG. 10).

  The output unit 58D outputs output data including colored data, spot color data, and setting information to the printer 70 (image forming unit 79).

  Hereinafter, the first generator 58A, the second generator 58B, the third generator 58C, and the output unit 58D will be described in more detail.

  When the determination unit 63 determines that the first control condition is satisfied, the first generation unit 58A has a pixel position corresponding to the 8-bit gloss control plane data among the pixels configuring the 2-bit color plane data. A pixel having a pixel density value equal to or greater than a threshold value is generated as first color plane data for the surface of the recording medium. In addition, the first generation unit 58A records a pixel in which the density value of the pixel at the corresponding pixel position constituting the 8-bit gloss control plane data is less than the threshold among the pixels constituting the 2-bit color plane data. Is generated as second color plane data for the back side of the image. Further, the first generation unit 58A generates the third color plane data by inverting the image indicated by the first color plane data.

  Then, the first generation unit 58A generates color data using the third color plane data as the color image data for the front side of the recording medium and the second color plane data as the color image data for the back side of the recording medium. To do. The first generation unit 58A gives the third color plane data surface information indicating the color image data for the front surface of the recording medium, and the second color plane data for the back surface of the recording medium. Back surface information indicating that the data is a color image is added to generate color data.

  Further, when the determination unit 63 determines that the first control condition is satisfied, the second generation unit 58B discards the 8-bit gloss control plane data and the 2-bit clear plane data, and generates a white layer using white toner. White data for forming (100% density solid mask) on the surface of the recording medium is generated as spot color data.

  When the determination unit 63 determines that the first control condition is satisfied, the third generation unit 58C generates setting information including a print target surface indicating both sides of the recording medium and a medium type indicating a transparent medium.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the second control condition is satisfied, the first generation unit 58A generates 2-bit color plane data as color data. Further, when it is determined that the second control condition is satisfied, the second generation unit 58B discards the gloss control plane data and the clear toner plane data, and performs spot color data in which all pixels are invalidated. In addition, when the third generation unit 58C determines that the second control condition is satisfied, the third generation unit 58C includes setting information including a print target surface indicating one surface of the recording medium and a medium type of the recording medium included in the acquired device information. Generate.

  Further, the first generation unit 58A generates 2-bit color plane data as color data when the third control condition is determined. Further, the second generation unit 58B, when determined to be the third control condition, 8 bits before the halftone process so that the total toner adhesion amount corresponding to each pixel position becomes a predetermined second threshold value. The spot color data defining the density value of each pixel is generated according to the density value of each pixel specified by the color plane data. Then, the third generation unit 58C generates setting information including a print target surface indicating one side of the recording medium and a medium type indicating a white medium.

  The first generation unit 58A generates 2-bit color plane data as color data when it is determined as the fourth control condition. The second generation unit 58B generates spot color data indicating a predetermined halftone dot pattern when it is determined as the fourth control condition. The third generation unit 58C generates the setting information including a print target surface indicating one side of the recording medium and a medium type indicating a white medium when the fourth control condition is determined.

  Then, the output unit 58D outputs the generated output data including the color data, the spot color data, and the setting information to the printer 70 (image forming unit 79) via the MIC 60.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the MIC 60 outputs the output data received from the DFE 50 to the printer 70 (the image forming unit 79). In addition, the MIC 60 transmits the device information received from the printer 70 (image forming unit 79) to the DFE 50.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer control unit 71 of the printer 70 receives output data via the communication unit 73. The printer control unit 71 reads setting information included in the output data. Then, the printer control unit 71 conveys the recording medium from the paper feed tray 78 on which the recording medium specified by the medium type (white medium or transparent medium) indicated in the setting information is mounted, and forms an image on the recording medium. Thus, the image forming unit 79 is controlled.

  Further, the printer control unit 71 controls the image forming unit 79 so as to form a color image of the color data included in the output data on the print target surface indicated by the setting information on the recording medium. Further, the printer control unit 71 controls the image forming unit 79 so as to form a special color image of the special color data (white toner or transparent toner) included in the output data on the print target surface indicated by the setting information on the recording medium. To do.

  For this reason, the color image specified by the color data included in the output data output from the DFE 50 is formed with the color toner on the print target surface specified by the setting information of the recording medium specified by the setting information. . Further, the surface effect specified by the spot color data included in the output data is printed by the spot color toner (white toner or transparent toner) mounted on the image forming unit 79 specified by the setting information of the recording medium. It is given to the target surface.

  Next, an image processing procedure performed by the image processing system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an image processing procedure in the present embodiment.

  First, the DFE 50 receives print data from the host device 10 (step S12). Next, the rendering engine 51 performs color conversion, conversion to a raster format, and the like on the color plane data included in the print data, and generates 8-bit CMYK color plane data (step S14).

  Next, the DFE 50 determines whether or not gloss control plane data is included in the print data received in step S12 (step S16). Note that the determination in step S16 may be a determination as to whether or not the printing method information included in the print data received in step S12 indicates the first printing method. If an affirmative determination is made in step S16 (step S16: Yes), the process proceeds to step S18. If a negative determination is made in step S16 (step S16: No), the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S18, the rendering engine 51 converts the gloss control plane data included in the print data into a raster format to generate 8-bit gloss control plane data (step S18) (details will be described later).

  Next, the TRC 53 performs gamma correction on the CMYK 8-bit color plane data using the 1D_LUT gamma curve generated by the calibration, and the CMYK 8-bit color plane data after the gamma correction is converted to si2. The data is output to the halftone engine 55 and the clear processing 56 via the unit 54. The halftone engine 55 performs halftone processing on the 8-bit color plane data after the gamma correction, and generates 2-bit color plane data (step S20).

  Next, the DFE 50 determines whether or not gloss control plane data is included in the print data received in step S12 (step S22). Note that the determination in step S22 may be a determination as to whether or not the printing method information included in the print data received in step S12 indicates the first printing method. If an affirmative determination is made in step S22 (step S22: Yes), the process proceeds to step S24. If a negative determination is made in step S22 (step S22: No), the process proceeds to step S28.

  In step S24, the clear processing 56 appropriately uses the 8-bit color plate data of CMYK after gamma correction output from the si2 unit 54, and appropriately converts 8-bit clear toner plate data for attaching transparent toner. Generate (step S24).

  Then, the clear processing 56 converts the 8-bit clear toner plane data into 2-bit clear toner plane data by halftone processing (step S26). Then, the clear processing 56 outputs the 2-bit clear toner plane data and the 8-bit gloss control plane data generated in step S18 to the si3 unit 57.

  Next, the first acquisition unit 59 acquires print data (step S28). Next, the second acquisition unit 62 acquires device information from the image forming unit 79 of the printer 70 (step S30).

  Next, the DFE 50 executes output control of the printer 70 (image forming unit 79) (step S32) (details will be described later). Then, this routine ends.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the generation processing of 8-bit gloss control plane data in step S18 of FIG.

  The rendering engine 51 assigns the density value set for the drawing object to the pixels in the coordinate range corresponding to the drawing object indicated by the gloss control plane data in the vector format (step S41). Thereby, the rendering engine 51 converts the gloss control plane data in the vector format into the raster format. Then, the rendering engine 51 determines whether or not the conversion process has been completed for all the drawing objects existing in the gloss control plane data in the vector format (step S42).

  If the rendering engine 51 makes a negative determination in step S42 (step S42: No), it selects the next unprocessed drawing object in the gloss control plane data (step S44), and repeats the process of step S41.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S42 (step S42: Yes), the gloss control plane data converted into the raster format is output (step S43). Through the above processing, the gloss control plane data is converted into data in which the type of surface effect is defined for each pixel.

  Next, an output control procedure in step S32 in FIG. 12 will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure of output control.

  First, the determination unit 63 determines control conditions corresponding to the printing method information included in the print data acquired by the first acquisition unit 59 and the device information acquired from the printer 70 (step S100).

  Next, the output control unit 58 determines whether the printing method information included in the print data acquired by the first acquisition unit 59 is the first printing method (step S102). If an affirmative determination is made in step S102 (step S102: Yes), the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, the output control unit 58 determines whether or not the determination result of the determination unit 63 in step S100 is the first specified condition (step S104).

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S104 (step S104: Yes), the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, the first generation unit 58A generates color data by using the 2-bit color plane data received by the output control unit 58 as color data (step S106).

  Next, the second generator 58B generates the spot color data by using the 2-bit clear toner plane data received by the output controller 58 as the spot color data (step S108).

  Next, the second generation unit 58B discards the 8-bit gloss control plane data received by the output control unit 58 (step S110).

  Next, the third generation unit 58C generates setting information (step S112). In step S112, the third generation unit 58C generates setting information including a print target surface (single-sided printing) indicating one side of the recording medium and a medium type indicating a white medium (step S112).

  Next, the output unit 58D outputs output data including the color data generated in step S106, the spot color data generated in step S108, and the setting information generated in step S112 to the printer 70 via the MIC 60. (Step S114). Then, this routine ends.

  The printer control unit 71 of the printer 70 that has received the output data output in step S114, on one side, which is the printing target surface indicated by the setting information, of the white medium indicated by the setting information included in the output data, The image forming unit 79 is controlled so that the color image of the color data is formed with the color toner and the spot color image of the spot color data is formed with the transparent toner. For this reason, a recording medium in which a colored image and a spot color image are formed on a white medium and the surface effect defined by the first printing method is realized can be obtained.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, by forming a colored image 24 with colored toner and a transparent image 26 with transparent toner on one side of the white medium 20W, the first printing method and gloss control plane data are used. A surface effect can be realized.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S104 (step S104: No), the process proceeds to step S116.

  In step S116, it is determined whether or not the determination result in step S100 is the first control condition (step S116). If an affirmative determination is made in step S116 (step S116: Yes), the process proceeds to step S118.

  In step S118, the first generation unit 58A separates the 2-bit color plane data received by the output control unit 58 into the first color plane data for the front side and the second color plane data for the back side (step S118). . As described above, the first generation unit 58A is a pixel in which the density value of the pixel at the corresponding pixel position constituting the 8-bit gloss control plane data among the pixels constituting the 2-bit color plane data is greater than or equal to the threshold value. Are generated as first color plane data for the surface of the recording medium. In addition, the first generation unit 58A records a pixel in which the density value of the pixel at the corresponding pixel position constituting the 8-bit gloss control plane data is less than the threshold among the pixels constituting the 2-bit color plane data. Is generated as second color plane data for the back side of the image.

  Next, the first generation unit 58A generates third color plane data by inverting the image indicated by the first color plane data generated in step S118 (step S120).

  Then, the first generation unit 58A generates color data using the third color plane data as the color image data for the front side of the recording medium and the second color plane data as the color image data for the back side of the recording medium. (Step S122).

  Next, the second generation unit 58B discards the 8-bit gloss control plane data and the 2-bit clear plane data (step S124). Next, the second generation unit 58B applies a 100% density solid mask as a white layer of white toner for the surface of the recording medium (to be formed on the same surface as the third colored plate data for the surface of the recording medium). The white data shown is generated as spot color data (step S126). Note that the second generation unit 58B uses the white color of the white layer of the white toner with the white toner for the back surface (target to be formed on the same surface as the second colored plate data for the back surface in the recording medium) as white that invalidates all pixels. Data may be further generated.

  Next, when the determination unit 63 determines that the first control condition is satisfied, the third generation unit 58C generates setting information including a print target surface indicating both sides of the recording medium and a medium type indicating a transparent medium. (Step S127).

  Next, the output unit 58D outputs output data including the color data generated in step S122, the spot color data generated in step S126, and the setting information generated in step S127 to the printer 70 via the MIC 60. (Step S128). Then, this routine ends.

  The printer control unit 71 of the printer 70 that has received the output data output in step S128 has both sides of the transparent medium indicated by the setting information included in the output data being the printing target surfaces indicated by the setting information. The image forming unit 79 is controlled so that the color image of the color data is formed with the color toner and the white image of the spot color data is formed with the transparent toner. At this time, the printer control unit 71 controls the image forming unit 79 so as to form a color image based on the second color plane data for the back side on one side of the transparent medium. In addition, the printer control unit 71 controls the image forming unit 79 so that the third color plate data for the front surface and the white color image with the 100% density spot color data are formed in this order on the other surface of the transparent medium. To do. The third generation unit 58C may generate the setting information by including the order information indicating the order of forming the colored image and the white image. The printer control unit 71 may control the image forming unit 79 so that a colored image and a white image are stacked according to the order information included in the setting information.

  For this reason, the DFE 50 uses the first control condition, which is an alternative condition of the first specified condition, when the regular condition of the first printing method is not prepared on the printer machine 70 (image forming unit 79) side. The image forming unit 79 can be controlled so as to realize the surface effect according to the first printing method and the gloss control plane data. That is, the surface effect indicated by the optical control plane data realized by the first printing method can be executed by the image forming unit 79 using the white toner and the transparent medium.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S116 (step S116: No), the process proceeds to step S130.

  In step S130, the first generation unit 58A generates the color data by using the 2-bit color plane data as the color data (step S130).

  Next, the second generation unit 58B discards the 8-bit gloss control plane data and the 2-bit clear toner plane data (step S132).

  Next, the second generation unit 58B generates spot color data in which all pixels are invalidated (step S134). Note that the spot color data generated in step S134 is obtained by setting the density value of all pixels to 0%. For this reason, you may abbreviate | omit the process of step S134.

  Next, the third generation unit 58C generates setting information (step 136). In step S136, the third generation unit 58C generates setting information including a print target surface (single-sided printing) indicating one side of the recording medium and the medium type (step S136). The third generation unit 58C determines the printing method information (first printing method, second printing method, or third printing method) included in the print data acquired by the first acquisition unit 59, and the determination in step S100. The medium type corresponding to the control condition and the special color toner information (white toner or transparent toner) included in the print information acquired by the second acquisition unit 62 is read from the control information (see FIG. 10). Then, the third generation unit 58C may generate setting information including the read medium type.

  Next, the output unit 58D outputs output data including the color data generated in step S130, the spot color data generated in step S134, and the setting information generated in step S136 to the printer 70 via the MIC 60. (Step S138). Then, this routine ends.

  The printer control unit 71 of the printer 70 that has received the output data output in step S138 prints the recording medium (white medium or transparent medium) indicated by the setting information included in the output data indicated by the setting information. The image forming unit 79 is controlled so that a color image of color data is formed with a color toner on one surface which is a target surface.

  For this reason, the DFE 50 does not have regular conditions for the first printing method on the printer device 70 (image forming unit 79) side, and the device information acquired from the image forming unit 79 is the special color toner information indicating white toner. And a medium type indicating only a white medium, or a special color toner information indicating a transparent toner and a medium type indicating only a transparent medium, an image is not formed with the special color toner, and a color image is formed on the recording medium using only the colored toner The image forming unit 79 can be controlled to form. For this reason, the image formation by the image forming unit 79 can be continued without interruption.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S102 (step S102: No), the process proceeds to step S140. In step S140, the output control unit 58 determines whether the printing method information included in the print data acquired by the first acquisition unit 59 is the second printing method (step S140). If an affirmative determination is made in step S140 (step S140: Yes), the process proceeds to step S142.

  In step S142, the output control unit 58 determines whether or not the determination result of the determination unit 63 in step S100 is the second specified condition (step S142).

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S142 (step S142: Yes), the process proceeds to step S144. In step S144, the first generation unit 58A generates color data by inverting the mirror image of the 2-bit color plane data received by the output control unit 58 (steps S144 and S146).

  Next, the second generator 58B generates spot color data of a solid mask having a density of 100% (step S148).

  Next, the third generation unit 58C generates setting information (step S150). In step S150, the third generation unit 58C generates setting information including a printing target surface (single-sided printing) indicating one side of the recording medium and a medium type indicating a transparent medium (step S150).

  Next, the output unit 58D outputs the output data including the color data generated in Step S146, the spot color data generated in Step S148, and the setting information generated in Step S150 to the printer 70 via the MIC 60. (Step S152). Then, this routine ends.

  The printer control unit 71 of the printer 70 that has received the output data output in step S152 has the transparent medium indicated by the setting information included in the output data on one side that is the printing target surface indicated by the setting information. The image forming unit 79 is controlled so that the color image of the color data is formed with the color toner and the spot color image of the spot color data is formed with the white toner. For this reason, a recording medium having a surface effect defined by the second printing method in which a color image that has been subjected to mirror image determination and a white image are formed in this order on one surface of the transparent medium can be obtained.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, the surface effect of the second printing method can be realized by laminating the colored image 24 and the white image 22 in this order on one side of the transparent medium 20T.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S142 (step S142: No), the process proceeds to step S154.

  In step S154, the output control unit 58 determines whether or not the determination result in step S100 is the third control condition (step S154).

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S154 (step S154: Yes), the process proceeds to step S156. In step S156, the first generation unit 58A generates color data by using the 2-bit color plane data received by the output control unit 58 as color data (step S156).

  Next, the second generation unit 58B generates spot color data in which density values are determined for each pixel so as to be an inverse mask of 8-bit color plane data (step S158).

  Next, the third generation unit 58C generates setting information including a print target surface indicating one side of the recording medium and a medium type indicating a white medium (step S160).

  Next, the output unit 58D outputs the output data including the color data generated in step S156, the spot color data generated in step S158, and the setting information generated in step S160 to the printer 70 via the MIC 60. (Step S162). Then, this routine ends.

  Upon receiving the output data output in step S162, the printer control unit 71 of the printer 70 receives the white medium indicated by the setting information included in the output data on one side that is the printing target surface indicated by the setting information. The image forming unit 79 is controlled so that the color image of the color data is formed with the color toner and the white image of the spot color data is formed with the transparent toner.

  For this reason, the DFE 50 uses the third control condition, which is an alternative condition of the second specified condition, when the regular condition of the second printing method is not prepared on the printer machine 70 (image forming unit 79) side. The image forming unit 79 can be controlled to realize the surface effect represented by the second printing method. That is, the surface effect realized by the second printing method can be executed by the image forming unit 79 using the transparent toner and the white medium.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S154 (step S154: No), the process proceeds to step S130. And the output control part 58 performs the process of step S130-step S138.

  For this reason, the DFE 50 does not have regular conditions for the second printing method on the printer 70 (image forming unit 79) side, and the device information acquired from the image forming unit 79 is the special color toner information indicating white toner. In the case where the medium type indicating only the white medium or the device information includes the special color toner information indicating the transparent toner and the medium type indicating only the transparent medium, the image is not formed with the special color toner, and recording is performed using only the colored toner. The image forming unit 79 can be controlled to form a colored image on the medium. For this reason, the image formation by the image forming unit 79 can be continued without interruption.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S140 (step S140: No), the process proceeds to step S164.

  In step S164, the output control unit 58 determines whether the printing method information included in the print data acquired by the first acquisition unit 59 is the third printing method (step S164). If an affirmative determination is made in step S164 (step S164: Yes), the process proceeds to step S166. If a negative determination is made in step S164 (step S164: No), this routine ends.

  In step S166, the output control unit 58 determines whether or not the determination result of the determination unit 63 in step S100 is the third specified condition (step S166).

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S166 (step S166: Yes), the process proceeds to step S168. In step S168, the first generation unit 58A uses the 2-bit color plane data received by the output control unit 58 as the fourth color plane data for the back side, thereby generating the fourth color plane data for the back side. (Step S168).

  Next, the first generation unit 58A generates the fifth color plane data for the surface in which all the pixels are invalidated (density 0%) (step S170).

  Then, the first generation unit 58A generates color data including the fourth color plane data for the back surface and the fifth color plane data for the front surface (step S172).

  Next, the second generation unit 58B generates spot color data (step S174). In step S174, the second generator 58B generates spot color data of a solid mask with a density of 100% for the front side, and generates spot color data with all pixels disabled (density 0%) for the back side.

  Next, the third generation unit 58C generates setting information (step S176). In step S176, the third generation unit 58C generates setting information including a print target surface (double-sided printing) indicating both sides of the recording medium and a medium type indicating a transparent medium (step S176).

  Next, the output unit 58D outputs output data including the color data generated in step S172, the spot color data generated in step S174, and the setting information generated in step S176 to the printer device 70 via the MIC 60. (Step S178). Then, this routine ends.

  The printer control unit 71 of the printer 70 that has received the output data output in step S178, out of both sides of the transparent medium indicated by the setting information included in the output data, which is the printing target surface indicated by the setting information. An image forming unit is formed so that a white image of the spot color data of the front solid mask is formed with a white toner on one side of the image, and a colored image of the fourth color plane data for the back side is formed with the color toner on the other side. 79 is controlled. For this reason, the output control unit 58 can control the image forming unit 79 so as to form a colored image on one surface of the transparent medium and form a white image on the other surface.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3C, the surface effect of the third printing method can be realized by laminating the white image 22, the transparent medium 20T, and the colored image 24 in this order.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S166 (step S166: No), the process proceeds to step S180.

  In step S180, the output control unit 58 determines whether or not the determination result in step S100 is the fourth control condition (step S180).

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S180 (step S180: Yes), the process proceeds to step S182. In step S182, the first generation unit 58A generates color data by using the 2-bit color plane data received by the output control unit 58 as color data (step S182).

  Next, the second generation unit 58B generates halftone spot color data indicating a predetermined halftone dot pattern (step S184).

  Next, the third generation unit 58C generates setting information including a print target surface indicating one side of the recording medium and a medium type indicating a white medium (step S186).

  Next, the output unit 58D outputs the output data including the color data generated in Step S182, the spot color data generated in Step S184, and the setting information generated in Step S186 to the printer 70 via the MIC 60. (Step S188). Then, this routine ends.

  Upon receiving the output data output in step S188, the printer control unit 71 of the printer 70 receives the white medium indicated by the setting information included in the output data on one side that is the printing target surface indicated by the setting information. The image forming unit 79 is controlled so that the color image of the color data is formed with the color toner and the white image of the spot color data is formed with the transparent toner.

  Therefore, the DFE 50 uses the fourth control condition, which is an alternative condition of the third specified condition, when the regular condition of the third printing method is not prepared on the printer device 70 (image forming unit 79) side. The image forming unit 79 can be controlled so as to realize the surface effect represented by the third printing method. That is, the surface effect realized by the third printing method can be executed by the image forming unit 79 using the transparent toner and the white medium.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S180 (step S180: No), the process proceeds to step S130. And the output control part 58 performs the process of step S130-step S138.

  For this reason, the DFE 50 does not have regular conditions for the third printing method on the printer device 70 (image forming unit 79) side, and the device information acquired from the image forming unit 79 indicates the special color toner information indicating white toner. In the case where the medium type indicating only the white medium or the device information includes the special color toner information indicating the transparent toner and the medium type indicating only the transparent medium, the image is not formed with the special color toner, and the recording is performed using only the colored toner. The image forming unit 79 can be controlled to form a colored image on the medium. For this reason, the image formation by the image forming unit 79 can be continued without interruption.

  As described above, the DFE 50 according to the present embodiment includes the first acquisition unit 59, the second acquisition unit 62, the determination unit 63, and the output control unit 58.

  The first acquisition unit 59 acquires print data. The printing data includes printing method information including a first printing method for forming a colored image with colored toner and a transparent image with transparent toner on an opaque first recording medium (white medium), and colored plate data for forming a colored image. And gloss control plane data defining the surface effect area and the type of surface effect. The second acquisition unit 62 is mounted on the image forming unit 79 from the image forming unit 79 that performs image formation and the medium type indicating the first recording medium or the transparent second recording medium mounted on the image forming unit 79. And device information including spot color toner information indicating the transparent toner or the white toner. When the printing method information included in the print data indicates the first printing method, and the apparatus information does not include at least one of the medium type indicating the first recording medium and the special color toner information indicating the transparent toner. Printing method information and gloss control plate using the first recording medium or the second recording medium indicated by the medium type included in the apparatus information and the transparent toner or the white toner indicated by the special color toner information included in the apparatus information. The image forming unit 79 is controlled so as to realize the surface effect corresponding to the data.

  For this reason, the DFE 50 according to the present embodiment provides the surface effect even when the image forming unit 79 that performs image formation does not include at least a part of the conditions for realizing the specified surface effect. This achieves an effect that it can be realized and printing can be continued.

<Modification 1>
In the first embodiment, the case where the DFE 50 and the printer 70 are configured as separate bodies has been described. However, the DFE 50 and the printer 70 may be integrated.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image processing system according to this modification. The image processing system includes a host device 10 and a composite device 66. The host device 10 and the composite device 66 are connected so as to be able to exchange signals and data. The composite apparatus 66 includes a DFE 50, an MIC 60, and a printer machine 70.

  The configurations of the host device 10, DFE 50, MIC 60, and printer 70 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In this way, the DFE 50 and the printer device 70 may be integrally configured.

(Embodiment 2)
Note that a configuration in which one of a plurality of processes performed by one apparatus in Embodiment 1 is performed by one or more other apparatuses connected to the one apparatus via a network may be employed.

  As an example, in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, a part of the DFE function is mounted on a server device on the network.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the image processing system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the image processing system according to the present embodiment includes a host device 10, a DFE 3050, an MIC 60, a printer 70, and a server device 3060 on the cloud. The host device 10, the MIC 60, and the printer device 70 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the DFE 3050 is connected to the server device 3060 via a network such as the Internet. In the present embodiment, the output control unit 58 of the DFE 50 according to the first embodiment is provided in the server device 3060.

  Specifically, in this embodiment, the DFE 3050 is connected to a single server device 3060 via a network (cloud) such as the Internet, and the server device 3060 is provided with an output control unit 58, and the server device 3060. Thus, output data is generated.

  First, the server device 3060 will be described. FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the server device 3060 according to the present embodiment. The server device 3060 mainly includes a storage unit 3070, an output control unit 3062, and a communication unit 3065.

  The storage unit 3070 is a storage medium such as an HDD or a memory.

  The communication unit 3065 exchanges various data and requests with the DFE 3050. More specifically, the communication unit 3065 receives, from the DFE 3050, 8-bit gloss control plane data, 2-bit color plane data, 2-bit gloss control plane data, printing method information, a determination result by the determination unit 63, and The device information acquired by the second acquisition unit 62 is received. The output control unit 3062 generates output data in the same manner as the output control unit 58 of the first embodiment. Then, the communication unit 3065 outputs the output data generated by the output control unit 3062 to the DFE 3050. The DFE 3050 outputs the received output data to the printer 70 via the MIC 60.

  Next, image processing by the image processing system according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram showing the overall flow of image processing according to the present embodiment.

  First, the first acquisition unit 59 of the DFE 3050 acquires print data (step S3901). Next, the second acquisition unit 62 of the DFE 3050 acquires device information from the image forming unit 79 (step S3902).

  Next, the DFE 3050 acquires the 8-bit gloss control plane data, the 2-bit color plane data, the 2-bit gloss control plane data, the printing method information, the determination result by the determination unit 63, and the second acquisition unit 62. The device information is transmitted to the server device 3060 (step S3903).

  The output control unit 3062 of the server device 3060 generates output data in the same manner as the output control unit 58 of the first embodiment (step S3904). Then, the server apparatus 3060 outputs the output data generated by the output control unit 3062 to the DFE 3050 (step S3905). The DFE 3050 outputs the received output data to the printer 70 via the MIC 60 (step S3906).

  Subsequent processing in the MIC 60 and the printer 70 is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the output data generation processing is performed by the server device 3060 on the cloud, so that the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained and the output can be performed even when there are a plurality of DFE 3050s. Data can be generated all at once, which is convenient for the administrator.

<Modification 2>
In the first modification, the single server device 3060 on the cloud is provided with the output control unit 3062 and the server device 3060 performs output data generation processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this. is not.

  For example, two or more server devices may be provided on the cloud, and the above processing may be executed by being distributed among the two or more server devices. FIG. 19 is a network configuration diagram in which two servers (a first server device 3860 and a second server device 3861) are provided on the cloud. In the example of FIG. 19, the first server device 3860 and the second server device 3861 are configured to perform output data generation processing in a distributed manner. In addition, the form of distribution to each server apparatus of each process is not limited, It can carry out arbitrarily.

  In other words, any one of a plurality of processes performed by one apparatus can be performed by one or more other apparatuses connected to the one apparatus via a network.

  In addition, in the case of the above-mentioned “configuration performed by one or more other devices connected to one device via a network”, data (information) generated by processing performed by one device is transferred from one device to another. The configuration includes data input / output processing performed between one device and another device, such as processing to output to the device, processing to input the data to another device, and between other devices. .

  That is, in the case where there is one other device, the configuration includes data input / output processing performed between the one device and the other device. When there are two or more other devices, the one device and the other device Data input / output processing is included between other devices, such as between the devices and between the first other device and the second other device.

  In this modification, a plurality of server devices such as the server device 3060 or the first server device 3860 and the second server device 3861 are provided on the cloud. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the server device 3060 or a plurality of server devices such as the first server device 3860 and the second server device 3861 may be provided on any network such as an intranet.

  The hardware configurations of the host device 10, the DFEs 50 and 3050, the server device 3060, the first server device 3860, and the second server device 3861 according to the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described.

  FIG. 20 is a hardware configuration diagram of the host device 10, DFE 50, 3050, server device 3060, first server device 3860, and second server device 3861. The host device 10, DFE 50, 3050, server device 3060, first server device 3860, and second server device 3861 store a control device 2901 such as a CPU that controls the entire device, various data, and various programs as a hardware configuration. Main storage device 2902 such as ROM and RAM, auxiliary storage device 2903 such as HDD for storing various data and various programs, input device 2905 such as keyboard and mouse, and display device 2904 such as display device are mainly used. It has a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

  Image processing (including an image processing application; the same applies hereinafter) executed by the host device 10, the DFEs 50 and 3050, the server device 3060, the first server device 3860, and the second server device 3861 according to the above-described embodiment and modification examples. An installable or executable file is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and provided as a computer program product Is done.

  In addition, the image processing program executed by the host device 10, the DFE 50, 3050, the server device 3060, the first server device 3860, and the second server device 3861 of the above embodiment and the modification is connected to a network such as the Internet. You may comprise so that it may provide by storing on a computer and downloading via a network. Also, the image processing program executed by the host device 10, the DFE 50, 3050, the server device 3060, the first server device 3860, and the second server device 3861 according to the above-described embodiment and modification is provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. You may comprise.

  In addition, the image processing program executed by the host device 10, DFE 50, 3050, server device 3060, first server device 3860, and second server device 3861 according to the above-described embodiment and modified examples is provided in advance in a ROM or the like You may comprise as follows.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined. Various modifications are possible.

  The image processing system according to the above-described embodiment has a configuration including the MIC 60, but is not limited to this. The processing and functions performed by the MIC 60 described above may be provided to other devices such as the DFE 50, and the MIC 60 may not be provided.

50, 3050 DFE
58 output control unit 58A first generation unit 58B second generation unit 58C third generation unit 58D output unit 59 first acquisition unit 62 second acquisition unit 63 determination unit

JP 2011-254479 A

Claims (8)

Printing method information indicating a first printing method for realizing a surface effect by forming a colored image with colored toner and a transparent image with transparent toner on an opaque first recording medium, and colored plate data for forming the colored image A first acquisition unit that acquires print data including: a surface effect imparting region and gloss control plane data that defines a type of surface effect;
From the image forming unit, the medium type indicating the first recording medium or the transparent second recording medium mounted on the image forming unit, and the special color indicating the transparent toner or the white toner mounted on the image forming unit A second acquisition unit that acquires apparatus information including toner information;
The printing method information included in the print data indicates the first printing method, and the device information includes at least one of the medium type indicating the first recording medium and the special color toner information indicating the transparent toner. If not, the first recording medium or the second recording medium indicated by the medium type included in the device information, and the transparent toner or the white toner indicated by the spot color toner information included in the device information An output control unit for controlling the image forming unit so as to realize a surface effect according to the printing method information and the gloss control plane data;
An image processing apparatus. The output control unit
When the printing method information included in the printing data indicates the first printing method, and the device information includes the medium type indicating the second recording medium and the spot color toner information indicating the white toner, Using the second recording medium and the white toner to control the image forming unit so as to realize a surface effect according to the printing method information and the gloss control plane data;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. A storage unit that stores in advance control information in which the printing method information, the apparatus information, and the control conditions of the image forming unit are associated;
A determination unit that determines the control condition corresponding to the printing method information included in the acquired print data and the acquired device information in the control information;
Further comprising
The control condition is information that defines at least image processing to be performed on the color plane data and the gloss control plane data, and a print target surface of a recording medium,
The output control unit
A first generation unit configured to generate color data by performing image processing determined in the determined control condition for the color plane data;
A second generation unit for generating spot color data for applying the spot color toner to a recording medium by performing image processing determined in the determined control condition;
Generating setting information including the printing target surface determined in the determined control condition and the medium type included in the device information corresponding to the determined control condition in the control information; A generator,
An output unit that outputs output data including the color data, the spot color data, and the setting information to the image forming unit;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The determination unit is characterized in that the printing method information included in the print data indicates the first printing method, and the acquired device information indicates the medium type indicating the second recording medium and the white toner. When toner information is included, a first control condition is determined as the control condition;
The first generator is
If it is determined that the first control condition is satisfied, pixels having a density value of a pixel at a corresponding pixel position constituting the gloss control plane data among the pixels constituting the color plane data are not less than a threshold value. A first color plane data for the front side is generated, and a pixel whose density value is less than the threshold value is generated as second color plane data for the back side of the recording medium, and the first color plane data is mirror-inverted. Generating the color data including three color plane data and the second color plane data;
The second generator is
When the first control condition is determined, the gloss control plane data is discarded, and white data for forming a white layer of the white toner on the surface of the recording medium is generated as the spot color data.
The third generator is
When the first control condition is determined, the setting information including the print target surface indicating both surfaces of the recording medium and the medium type indicating the second recording medium is generated.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3. The printing method information indicates the first printing method or a second printing method in which the colored image and the second recording medium are stacked in this order on a white image by the white toner,
In the determination unit, the printing method information included in the print data indicates the second printing method, and the acquired device information indicates the special color toner information indicating the transparent toner and the first recording medium. When the medium type is included, a third control condition is determined as the control condition,
The first generator is
When the third control condition is determined, the color plane data is generated as the color data,
The second generator is
According to the density value of each pixel specified by the color plane data so that the total adhesion amount of toner at each pixel position becomes a predetermined second threshold when it is determined as the third control condition, Generating the spot color data defining the density value of each pixel;
The third generator is
Generating the setting information including the printing target surface indicating one side of the recording medium and the medium type indicating the first recording medium;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4. The printing method information indicates the first printing method, the second printing method, or a third printing method for laminating the second recording medium and the colored image in this order on a white image by the white toner,
The determination unit includes the printing method information included in the print data indicating the third printing method, and the acquired device information indicates the spot color toner information indicating the transparent toner and the first recording medium. When the medium type is included, the fourth control condition is determined as the control condition,
The first generator is
When the fourth control condition is determined, the color plane data is generated as the color data,
The second generator is
If the fourth control condition is determined, the spot color data indicating a predetermined halftone dot pattern is generated,
The third generator is
Generating the setting information including the printing target surface indicating one side of the recording medium and the medium type indicating the first recording medium;
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5. Printing method information indicating a first printing method for realizing a surface effect by forming a colored image with colored toner and a transparent image with transparent toner on an opaque first recording medium, and colored plate data for forming the colored image Obtaining print data including a gloss control plane data that defines a surface effect region and a surface effect type, and
From the image forming unit, the medium type indicating the first recording medium or the transparent second recording medium mounted on the image forming unit, and the special color indicating the transparent toner or the white toner mounted on the image forming unit Acquiring device information including toner information;
The printing method information included in the print data indicates the first printing method, and the device information includes at least one of the medium type indicating the first recording medium and the special color toner information indicating the transparent toner. If not, the first recording medium or the second recording medium indicated by the medium type included in the device information, and the transparent toner or the white toner indicated by the spot color toner information included in the device information Using the printing method information and the gloss control plane data to control the image forming unit so as to realize a surface effect; and
An image processing method including: An image forming unit;
Printing method information indicating a first printing method for realizing a surface effect by forming a colored image with colored toner and a transparent image with transparent toner on an opaque first recording medium, and colored plate data for forming the colored image A first acquisition unit that acquires print data including: a surface effect imparting region and gloss control plane data that defines a type of surface effect;
From the image forming unit, the medium type indicating the first recording medium or the transparent second recording medium mounted on the image forming unit, and the transparent toner or white toner mounted on the image forming unit are indicated. A second acquisition unit for acquiring device information including spot color toner information;
The printing method information included in the print data indicates the first printing method, and the device information includes at least one of the medium type indicating the first recording medium and the special color toner information indicating the transparent toner. If not, the first recording medium or the second recording medium indicated by the medium type included in the device information, and the transparent toner or the white toner indicated by the spot color toner information included in the device information An output control unit for controlling the image forming unit so as to realize a surface effect according to the printing method information and the gloss control plane data;
An image processing system.

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