JP4919032B2 - Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image forming system, and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

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

  When a computer issues a print request to a printer connected via a communication line such as a network, the computer installs a printer driver corresponding to the printer and executes the printer driver. Print request.

  When a plurality of printers of different models (models) and the computer are connected via a communication line, the computer needs to install a printer driver corresponding to each of the plurality of printers.

  When the user wants to operate the computer to execute print processing on a predetermined printer among the plurality of printers, the user corresponds to the predetermined printer among the plurality of printer drivers corresponding to the plurality of printers. Start the printer driver. As a result, the printer driver makes a print request to the predetermined printer.

  Note that the user can output the intended output result from the printer by performing a print request instruction operation to the computer including designation of an image quality mode such as a high gradation mode or a low gradation mode according to the content of the document. Can be obtained.

Here, as a system that performs print processing according to a high gradation mode or a low gradation mode based on print mode information corresponding to a mode designation operation by a user, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.
JP 2004-299126 A

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus capable of generating image information on the page description language data in accordance with imagewise in accordance with a page description language was also acquired in a case where no data specified imagewise, an image forming apparatus, an image An object is to provide a forming system and an image processing program.

To solve the above problems, an image processing apparatus of the present invention as set forth in claim 1, based on the page description language data to determine quality manner suitable to the page description language data from a plurality of different image quality modes determining means for obtaining a drawing command in the page description language with, according to the information format according to the image quality modes determined by said determining means, and a generation means for generating image information on the page description language data The determination means includes, for each predetermined processing unit, a plurality of image quality styles including a first image quality style that emphasizes the gradation of the image and a second image quality style that prioritizes the resolution over the gradation of the image. The image quality style determining means for determining the first image quality style or the second image quality style as the predetermined image quality style, and the document content of the predetermined processing unit, An information amount calculating means for calculating a predetermined amount of data in accordance with a character drawing command, a line drawing command, and a photo drawing command based on the command, and the image quality style determining means includes the information amount calculating means If it is determined that the result of the calculation process according to is greater than a preset threshold value, the first image quality style is determined as the predetermined image quality style from the plurality of image quality styles. When it is determined that the result is equal to or less than the threshold value, the second image quality style is determined as the predetermined image quality style from the plurality of image quality styles .

The invention according to claim 2 determines an image quality style suitable for the page description language data from a plurality of different image quality styles based on the page description language data, and obtains a drawing command in the page description language. And determining means for generating image information related to the page description language data in accordance with an information format corresponding to the image quality style determined by the determining means, wherein the determining means is for each predetermined processing unit. In addition, among the plurality of image quality formats including a first image quality format that emphasizes the gradation of the image and a second image quality format that prioritizes resolution over the gradation of the image, the predetermined image quality format is the first image quality format. An image quality style determining means for determining one image quality style or the second image quality style, and a photograph command which is a drawing command for an element whose gradation should be emphasized for the document content of the predetermined processing unit. And a counting means for counting the number of drawing commands for each of two types of elements, ie, a drawing command for line drawing, which is a drawing command for an element whose resolution should be prioritized over gradation, and a drawing command for characters. The image quality style determination means indicates that the result of the counting process by the counting means indicates that the number of elements whose gradation should be emphasized is larger than the number of elements whose resolution should be prioritized over gradation. In this case, the first image quality format is determined as the predetermined image quality format from the plurality of image quality formats, and the result of the counting process by the counting means is that the number of elements whose gradation should be emphasized is If the resolution is equal to or less than the number of elements that should be prioritized over gradation, the second image quality format is determined as the predetermined image quality format from the plurality of image quality formats. Features.

The invention according to claim 3 is the drawing according to the invention according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the determining means draws one or more types of elements constituting the document content of the predetermined processing unit. Area calculating means for calculating the area of the area for each element type based on the coordinate information, width information and height information related to the drawing of the element to be drawn ; Based on the element corresponding to the result of the calculation process showing the largest value among the results of the calculation process by the area calculation means for each type of element, the predetermined image quality style is selected from the plurality of image quality styles. The first image quality style or the second image quality style is determined.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the third aspect , the area calculating means has a resolution higher than an element to which the gradation included in the document content of the predetermined processing unit should be emphasized and the gradation. The area of the drawing area when drawing at least one kind of element among the elements to be prioritized is calculated, and the image quality style determining means should emphasize the gradation as a result of the calculation processing by the area calculating means If the area related to the element is larger than the area related to the element whose resolution should be prioritized over the gradation, the first image quality is selected as the predetermined image quality format from the plurality of image quality formats. On the other hand, the result of the calculation process by the area calculating means indicates that the area related to the element whose gradation should be emphasized is less than the area related to the element whose resolution should be prioritized over the gradation. Where Determines the second image quality modes as the predetermined image quality modes from the plurality of image quality modes, characterized in that.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the generation unit is configured to perform the plurality of image quality in parallel with a process of determining an image quality mode by the determination unit. Common image information generating means for generating common image information related to the page description language data in accordance with an information format independent of the form, and information depending on the image quality style determined by the image quality style determining means for the common image information Image information converting means for converting into image information in accordance with the format.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the generation unit is set in advance in parallel with the process of determining the image quality mode by the determination unit. Image information generating means for generating image information related to the page description language data according to an information format depending on the image quality style is provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the sixth aspect , the image information generating means is configured such that the image quality style determined by the image quality style determining means is different from the preset image quality style. In accordance with the information format dependent on the image quality style determined by the image quality style determining means, new image information related to the page description language data is generated.

In order to solve the above problem, an image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.

In order to solve the above problems, an image forming system according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes a processing apparatus that issues a print processing request and an image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect connected via a communication line, The forming device executes print processing for the page description language data in response to a print processing request for the page description language data to be printed from the processing device.

In order to solve the above problem, an image processing program according to the present invention according to claim 10 determines an image quality format suitable for the page description language data from a plurality of different image quality formats based on the page description language data. And a determination process for obtaining a drawing command in the page description language, and a generation process for generating image information related to the page description language data according to an information format according to an image quality format determined by the determination process. In the information processing apparatus, the determination process includes a first image quality mode that emphasizes the gradation of the image and a second image quality that prioritizes the resolution over the gradation of the image for each predetermined processing unit. An image quality style determination process for determining the first image quality style or the second image quality style as the predetermined image quality style from a plurality of image quality styles An information amount calculation process for calculating a predetermined amount of data according to a character drawing command, a line drawing command, and a photo drawing command based on the drawing command for the document content in the predetermined processing unit. In the image quality style determination process, when it is determined that the result of the calculation process in the information amount calculation process is larger than a preset threshold value, the predetermined image quality style is selected from the plurality of image quality styles. A first image quality style is determined. On the other hand, if it is determined that the result of the calculation process is equal to or less than the threshold value, the second image quality style is determined as the predetermined image quality style from the plurality of image quality styles. to, characterized in that.
The image processing program of the present invention according to claim 11 determines an image quality style suitable for the page description language data from a plurality of different image quality styles based on the page description language data, and includes the page description language data. The information processing apparatus executes a determination processing step for acquiring a drawing command and a generation processing step for generating image information related to the page description language data in accordance with an information format according to an image quality format determined by the determination processing step. The determination processing step includes, for each predetermined processing unit, a plurality of image quality including a first image quality style that emphasizes the gradation of an image and a second image quality style that prioritizes resolution over the gradation of the image. An image quality style determination process for determining the first image quality style or the second image quality style as the predetermined image quality style, and a sentence of the predetermined processing unit. There are two types of contents: a photo drawing command that is a drawing command for an element whose gradation should be emphasized, a line drawing drawing command that is a drawing command for an element whose resolution should be prioritized over gradation, and a character drawing command. A counting process for counting the number of drawing commands for each element, and the image quality determination process includes a result of the counting process in the counting process in which the number of elements whose gradation should be emphasized is If the resolution indicates more than the number of elements to be prioritized over tonality, the first image quality format is determined as the predetermined image quality format from the plurality of image quality formats, When the result of the counting process by the counting means indicates that the number of elements whose gradation should be emphasized is equal to or less than the number of elements whose resolution should be prioritized over gradation, From above To the determined second image quality modes as the image quality modes, characterized in that.

According to the first aspect of the invention, even when no designation of imaging modalities, it is possible to generate an image information on the page description language data in accordance with imagewise corresponding to the acquired page description language data .
Even when the image format is not specified, it is possible to generate image information with image quality giving priority to either gradation or resolution based on the acquired page description language data.
Furthermore, even when the image format is not specified, image information with image quality giving priority to either gradation or resolution can be generated based on the amount of information related to the contents of the acquired page description language data. It becomes possible.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, even when the image format is not specified, it is possible to generate image information related to the page description language data according to the image format corresponding to the acquired page description language data. .
Even when the image format is not specified, it is possible to generate image information with image quality giving priority to either gradation or resolution based on the acquired page description language data.
Furthermore, even when the image format is not specified, the largest value among the count results obtained by counting a plurality of types of elements constituting the contents of the acquired page description language data for each type of the elements is shown. Based on the element corresponding to the counting result, it is possible to generate image information with image quality giving priority to either gradation or resolution.

According to the invention described in claim 3 , even when the image format is not specified, the area of the drawing area corresponding to the element constituting the content of the acquired page description language data is calculated for each type of the element. Based on the calculation result, it is possible to generate image information with image quality giving priority to either gradation or resolution.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even if the image format is not designated, the area of the drawing area corresponding to a plurality of types of elements constituting the content of the acquired page description language data is determined as the type of the element. Based on the element corresponding to the calculation result showing the largest value among the calculation results calculated for each, it is possible to generate image information with image quality giving priority to either gradation or resolution.

According to the invention described in claim 5 , even when the image format is not specified, the common image information generated in parallel with the process of determining the image quality format related to the acquired page description language data is determined. Can be converted into image information depending on the image quality format.

According to the invention described in claim 6 , even when the image format is not designated, the image information is obtained in accordance with the image quality format set in advance in parallel with the process of determining the image quality format related to the acquired page description language data. Can be generated.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, even when the image format is not designated, the image quality format determined by the process of determining the image quality format related to the acquired page description language data and the preset image quality format Only when they are different, it is possible to generate image information according to the determined image quality style.

According to the invention of claim 8, wherein, even if not specified image modalities, an image forming apparatus for generating image information on the page description language data in accordance with imagewise corresponding to the acquired page description language data It becomes possible to do.

According to the invention of claim 9, wherein, even if not specified image modalities, an image forming system for generating image information on the page description language data in accordance with imagewise corresponding to the acquired page description language data It becomes possible to do.

According to the invention of claim 10 wherein, even if not specified image modalities, an image processing program for generating image information on the page description language data in accordance with imagewise corresponding to the acquired page description language data It becomes possible to do.
Even when the image format is not specified, it is possible to generate image information with image quality giving priority to either gradation or resolution based on the acquired page description language data.
Furthermore, even when the image format is not specified, image information with image quality giving priority to either gradation or resolution can be generated based on the amount of information related to the contents of the acquired page description language data. It becomes possible.
According to the invention described in claim 11, even when the image format is not designated, it is possible to generate image information related to the page description language data according to the image format corresponding to the acquired page description language data. .
Even when the image format is not specified, it is possible to generate image information with image quality giving priority to either gradation or resolution based on the acquired page description language data.
Furthermore, even when the image format is not specified, the largest value among the count results obtained by counting a plurality of types of elements constituting the contents of the acquired page description language data for each type of the elements is shown. Based on the element corresponding to the counting result, it is possible to generate image information with image quality giving priority to either gradation or resolution.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

  (Embodiment 1)

  FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a data reception unit 110, a storage unit 120, an image quality mode reading unit 130, an image quality mode determination unit 140, a PDL interpretation unit 150, a determination unit 160, a generation unit 170, and an image output unit. 180 and a control unit 190.

The data receiving unit 110 receives print information from the printer driver of the client device. The print information includes job control language (JCL) data and page description language (PDL)
Description Language) data. The job control language data may include image quality mode information indicating an image quality mode (image quality style) designated by the user. The page description language (hereinafter referred to as “PDL”) data includes document data (document information).

  The storage unit 120 stores the print information received by the data receiving unit 110.

  The image quality mode reading unit 130 interprets job control language (hereinafter referred to as “JCL”) data.

  The image quality mode determination unit 140 determines whether the image quality mode is designated based on the result interpreted by the image quality mode reading unit 130, that is, whether the image quality mode information is included in the JCL data. If the image quality mode information is not included in the JCL data, the image quality mode determination unit 140 requests the determination unit 160 to determine the image quality mode.

  The PDL interpretation unit 150 interprets PDL data. In the present specification, the PDL interpretation unit 150 includes an interpreter that interprets a command, that is, a so-called command interpreter.

  In the first embodiment, when there is a command acquisition request from the determination unit 160 described later, the PDL interpretation unit 150 reads a command in the PDL data stored in the storage unit 130 (command interpretation is (Not implemented) is passed to the determination unit 160.

  In the present specification, document data described in PDL is defined as PDL document data, and a result (data) obtained by the PDL interpretation unit 130 interpreting PDL document data (document data described in PDL) is defined as document data. .

  The determination unit 160 has a function of a processing unit, and when the image quality mode determination unit 130 determines that the image quality mode is not designated (image quality mode information is not included in the JCL data), the document data Processing for determining an image quality mode (image quality style) suitable for (document information) is executed.

  That is, the determination unit 160 selects an image quality mode suitable for the document data from a plurality of different image quality modes based on the document data corresponding to the PDL document data to be printed so that the output image has high image quality. To decide.

  In the present specification, high image quality includes high gradation and high definition. High gradation is image quality obtained when gradation priority (gradation priority mode) in which the gradation of an image is emphasized (gradation has priority over resolution) is set. High definition is the image quality obtained when the resolution priority (resolution priority mode) is given priority over the resolution over the gradation of the image.

  Also, in the present specification, a plurality of different image quality modes are a gradation priority mode (first image quality mode) that emphasizes the gradation of an image and a resolution priority mode (first image quality that prioritizes resolution over the gradation of the image). 2 image quality styles).

  Incidentally, the gradation priority mode is effective when applied to an element whose gradation should be emphasized, such as a photograph, while the resolution priority mode is applied to an element whose resolution should be prioritized over gradation, such as a line drawing or a character. This is effective when applied.

  An example of PDL data is shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows an example of PDL data for a page with many line drawings and characters, and FIG. 4 shows an example of PDL data for a page with many pictures.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, for example, “DrawFont” is a command for drawing characters (hereinafter referred to as “drawing command”), “DrawLine” is a drawing command for drawing lines, and “DrawRect” is a drawing for drawing rectangles. The command “DrawImage” indicates a drawing command indicating drawing of a photo.

  In these drawing commands, "DrawFont" (character drawing command), "DrawLine" (line drawing command), and "DrawRect" (rectangular drawing command) draw elements that should prioritize resolution over gradation. It can be said that it is a command. “DrawImage” (photo drawing command) can be said to be a drawing command for an element whose gradation should be emphasized.

  Again, a description will be given with reference to FIG. The determination unit 160 includes a data amount calculation unit 161, a comparison unit 162, and an image quality mode determination unit 163.

  The data amount calculation unit 161 has a function of information amount calculation means, and calculates a data amount (information amount) related to the document content of a page (predetermined processing unit) in PDL document data.

  In this case, when receiving a request for image quality mode determination processing from the image quality mode determination unit 140, the determination unit 160 requests the PDL interpretation unit 150 to obtain a command. Next, the data amount calculation unit 161 of the determination unit 160 calculates the data amount based on the command as the requested result (not the result of interpreting the command) from the PDL interpretation unit 150.

  Specifically, the data amount calculation unit 161 is based on a command (drawing command) received from the command indicating the start of the page to the command indicating the end of the page among the commands received from the PDL interpretation unit 150. For example, the amount of data (number of bytes) determined in advance according to a drawing command such as a character drawing command, a line drawing command, or a photo drawing command is integrated.

  The comparison unit 162 compares the data amount calculated by the data amount calculation unit 161 with a preset threshold value.

  The image quality mode determination unit 163 has a function of image quality style determination means, and has a plurality of image quality modes (for example, gradation priority mode and resolution priority mode) for each page (predetermined processing unit) in document data. A predetermined image quality mode suitable for the document content of the page, for example, a gradation priority mode (first image quality format) or a resolution priority mode (second image quality format) is determined.

  In addition, when determining the image quality mode, the image quality mode determination unit 163 determines that the result of the calculation processing by the data amount calculation unit 161 is greater than a preset threshold value when the comparison unit 162 determines a plurality of image quality modes. When the gradation priority mode (first image quality style) is determined from the modes, and the comparison unit 162 determines that the result of the calculation processing by the data amount calculation unit 161 is equal to or less than the threshold value, a plurality of modes are selected. Resolution priority mode (second image quality style) is determined from among the image quality modes.

  In Embodiment 1, the image quality mode determination unit 163 and the comparison unit 162 are independent components, but the image quality mode determination unit 163 may have a function of the comparison unit 162.

  The generation unit 170 has a function of generation means, and the image quality mode based on the image quality mode information when the image quality mode determination unit 140 determines that the image quality mode information is designated, or the determination unit 160 ( Image data (image information) relating to document data is generated in accordance with a format (information format) corresponding to the image quality mode determined by the image quality mode determination unit 163).

  The image data generated by the generation unit 170 in this way means image data in a data format that can be printed by a printing device such as the output device 25, for example, raster format (or bitmap format).

  The generation unit 170 includes a gradation priority data generation unit 171 and a resolution priority data generation unit 172.

  The gradation priority data generation unit 171 generates gradation priority data indicating gradation priority image data according to a format corresponding to the gradation priority mode.

  The resolution priority data generation unit 172 generates resolution priority data indicating resolution priority image data according to a format corresponding to the resolution priority mode.

  In the generation unit 170 described above, image data is generated by the gradation priority data generation unit 171 or the resolution priority data generation unit 172 for each page in the document data. That is, a high-quality (gradation or high-definition) image is obtained for each page of the document.

  The image output unit 180 outputs the image data generated by the generation unit 170, that is, the gradation priority data generation unit 171 or the resolution priority data generation unit 172.

  The control unit 190 controls each component described above. In other words, each of the above components executes their respective functions under the control of the control unit 190.

  In the first embodiment, in the image processing apparatus 100 described above, the other components other than the storage unit 120 and the control unit 190 are each realized by software.

  In the first embodiment, the functions of the data reception unit 110, the image quality mode reading unit 130, the image quality mode determination unit 140, the PDL interpretation unit 150, the determination unit 160, the generation unit 170, and the image output unit 180 are realized. And a program corresponding to a processing procedure (see FIGS. 6 and 7) described later are defined as an image processing program.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus having the image processing apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the image forming system 1, a client device 10 such as a computer and a printer 20 as an image forming device are connected via a communication line 30.

The client device 10 functions as a processing device and has a CPU (Central
Processing Unit: Central processing unit 11, storage device 12 such as hard disk, RAM (Random
And a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “communication I / F”) 14.

  The storage device 12 stores application software that issues document generation and print requests, a printer driver 12a, and various data.

  The memory 13 stores programs and data read from the storage device 12.

  The communication I / F 14 is an interface that transmits and receives data to and from the printer 20 via the communication line 30.

  The CPU 11 controls the entire client device 10. For example, the CPU 11 reads the printer driver 12 a from the storage device 12 into the memory 13 and executes it. Accordingly, the printer driver 12a (actually the CPU 11) transmits print information including JCL data and PDL data (PDL document data) to the printer 20.

  The printer 20 that functions as an image forming apparatus includes a CPU 21, a storage device 22 such as a hard disk, a memory 23 such as a RAM, a communication I / F 24, and an output device 25.

  The storage device 22 stores various programs and data necessary for executing print processing, such as the above-described image processing program 50 that is software.

  The communication I / F 24 is an interface that transmits and receives data to and from the client device 10 via the communication line 30. For example, the communication I / F 24 receives print information transmitted from the client device 10 (the printer driver 12 a thereof).

  The memory 23 stores the image processing program 50 read from the storage device 22, print information received via the communication I / F 24, and the like.

  In addition, the memory 23 includes a storage area that functions as the storage unit 120 (an area for storing print information), and a storage area that is required when the determination unit 160 performs the image quality mode determination process (necessary for calculation). A storage area such as a work area, a storage area (an area for storing image data, etc.) required when the generation unit 170 performs image data generation processing is allocated.

  The CPU 21 has the function of the control unit 190 and controls the entire printer 20. For example, the image processing program 50 is read from the storage device 22 to the memory 23 and executed to generate high-quality image data. Then, it outputs to the output device 25.

  The output device 25 is an image formation processing unit that performs image formation processing, and executes print processing based on received image data.

As the communication line 30, a local area network (LAN: Local
(Area Network), a wired communication line such as a telephone line, a wireless communication line such as a wireless LAN, and a combination of these communication lines.

  Next, high-quality image data generation processing by the image processing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the image data generation process, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining the image data generation process.

  When print information is transmitted from the printer driver 12a of the client device 10 to the printer 20, the print information (JCL data and PDL data) is received by the data receiving unit 110 of the printer 20 via the communication line 30, It is stored in the storage unit 120 (see P11 in FIG. 8).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the image quality mode reading unit 130 reads and interprets the JCL data in the print information stored in the storage unit 120 (see step S10, P12 in FIG. 8), and the interpretation result. Is output to the image quality mode determination unit 140 (see P13 in FIG. 8).

  Based on the interpretation result from the image quality mode reading unit 130, the image quality mode determination unit 140 determines whether an image quality mode is specified (whether image quality mode information is included in the JCL data) (step S20). If the image quality mode is designated as a result of this determination, the designated image quality mode is notified to the generation unit 170 and the PDL interpretation unit 150 is notified that the image quality mode is designated.

  The generation unit 170 generates image data for all pages of the document regarding the interpretation result (document data) of the PDL data by the PDL interpretation unit 150 according to the format according to the designated image quality mode (step S30).

  By the way, the image quality mode determination unit 140 that has determined that the image quality mode is not designated in step S20 requests the determination unit 160 to perform image quality mode determination processing and image generation processing (see P14 in FIG. 8).

  Upon request, as will be described in detail later, the determination unit 160 and the generation unit 170 perform image quality mode determination processing and image generation processing for each page of the document (document data) (step S40), and PDL interpretation The unit 150 determines whether or not processing for all pages of the document has been completed (step S50).

  In step S50, if it is determined that there is an unprocessed page, the process returns to step S40. On the other hand, if it is determined that all pages have been processed, this process ends.

  Next, image data generation processing including image quality mode determination processing will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of image data generation processing including image quality mode determination processing. The example shown in FIG. 7 shows image data generation processing for a page unit (one page).

  In the determination unit 160 that has received the image quality mode determination processing request from the image quality mode determination unit 140, the comparison unit 162 defines a threshold value (data amount threshold value) for switching between gradation priority and resolution priority as “v”. A data amount threshold value v is set (step S101).

  In parallel with this processing, the determination unit 160 requests the PDL interpretation unit 150 to obtain a command and obtains a command as a result of the request from the PDL interpretation unit 150. Further, the data amount calculation unit 161 defines the data amount of data in the page to be processed as “s”, sets the data amount s = 0 (initialization), and then on one page (from the start of the page to the page Based on the acquired command (drawing command), for example, a data amount (number of bytes) s determined in advance according to a drawing command such as a character drawing command, a line drawing command, a photo drawing command, etc. Are integrated (measured) (step S102).

  Next, when the data amount calculation unit 161 completes the accumulation (measurement) of the data amount s for one page, the data amount calculation unit 161 notifies the comparison unit 162 of the data amount s as a result of the accumulation. The notified data amount s is compared with the data amount threshold value v (step S103), and the comparison result is notified to the image quality mode determining unit 163.

  When the notification content notified from the comparison unit 162 indicates “data amount threshold v <data amount s”, the image quality mode determination unit 163, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. It is determined that the document content of the page is centered on a photograph, the image quality mode is set (confirmed) to gradation priority (gradation priority mode) (step S104), and the fact is notified to the generation unit 170 (FIG. 8 P15).

  On the other hand, when the notification content notified from the comparison unit 162 indicates “data amount threshold value v ≧ data amount s”, the image quality mode determination unit 163 has the content as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. As described above, it is determined that the document content of the page is centered on line drawings and characters, the image quality mode is set (fixed) to resolution priority (resolution priority mode) (step S105), and the generation unit 170 is notified accordingly. (Refer to P15 in FIG. 8).

  When the determination unit 160 that has determined the image quality mode in this way notifies the PDL interpretation unit 150 that the image quality mode has been determined (see P16 in FIG. 8), the PDL interpretation unit 150 stores the PDL data (PDL document) from the storage unit 130. Data) is read and interpreted (see P17 in FIG. 8), and the interpretation result (document data) is output to the generation unit 170 (see P18 in FIG. 8).

  The generation unit 170 generates image data corresponding to the document data (interpretation result) from the PDL interpretation unit 150 in accordance with the format corresponding to the image quality mode notified from the image quality mode determination unit 163 (step S106), and this generation The obtained image data is output to the image output unit 180 (see P19 in FIG. 8).

  That is, when the image quality mode notified from the image quality mode determination unit 163 is the gradation priority mode, the gradation priority data generation unit 171 generates image data corresponding to an image with gradation priority image quality. On the other hand, when the notified image quality mode is the resolution priority mode, the resolution priority data generation unit 172 generates image data corresponding to the image with the resolution priority image quality.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the print data in the PDL data per page (PDL document data) is “photo center”, image data is generated corresponding to the gradation priority mode. And printed (for example, see FIG. 10A). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the print data in the PDL data (PDL document data) per page is “character, line drawing center”, image data is generated corresponding to the resolution priority mode. And printed (see, for example, FIG. 10B).

  Since the above is the image data generation process for each page (one page), in the case of the image generation process for document data of a plurality of pages, the above-described process is performed a plurality of times. In this case, the image data is generated according to a format corresponding to a predetermined image quality mode suitable for the document content corresponding to each page of the document data.

  Incidentally, in the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 described above, the image data generation processing when the image quality mode information is included in the JCL data (when the image quality mode is designated) has the contents as shown in FIG. Will be implemented. That is, in the image data generation process in this case, the determination process of the image quality mode by the determination unit 160 becomes unnecessary in the process of the generation process shown in FIG.

  In addition, the image quality mode determination unit 140 notifies the generation unit 170 of the designated image quality mode (grayscale priority mode or resolution priority mode) (see P14a in FIG. 9) and indicates that the image quality mode is specified. This is notified to the PDL interpretation unit 150 (see P16a in FIG. 9).

  Then, with respect to the interpretation content (document data) from the PDL interpretation unit 150, the generation unit 170 outputs image data corresponding to the document data according to the format corresponding to the image quality mode notified from the image quality mode determination unit 140 for all pages. The image data is generated and output to the image output unit 180 (see P19a in FIG. 8). In this case, the image data is generated according to the format corresponding to the same image quality mode corresponding to all pages of the document data.

  (Embodiment 2)

  FIG. 12 shows a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  An image processing apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 12 has a configuration in which the data amount calculation unit 161 is changed to a counting unit 210 in the functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. Note that, in FIG. 12, the same reference numerals are given to portions that perform the same functions as the components shown in FIG. 1.

  In the second embodiment, the image quality mode determination unit 140 requests the determination unit 160 to perform image quality mode determination processing when image quality mode information is not included in the JCL data.

  When receiving the image quality mode determination processing request from the image quality mode determination unit 140, the determination unit 160 requests the PDL interpretation unit 150 to interpret the command, and the PDL interpretation unit 150 as a result of the request requests. The image quality mode is determined based on the interpretation result of the command.

  The counting unit 210 has a function of counting means, and constitutes the number of commands obtained based on the command interpretation result from the PDL interpretation unit 150, that is, the document content of a page (predetermined processing unit) in document data. The number of one or more types of elements (photos, line drawings, characters, etc.) to be counted is counted for each type of the elements.

  In the second embodiment, the counting unit 210 includes an element drawing command (photo drawing command) for emphasizing gradation and an element drawing command (line drawing drawing command or character for which resolution should be prioritized over gradation). The number of drawing commands is counted for each of the two types of elements.

  The comparison unit 162 counts the counting result counted by the counting unit 210 for each element type, that is, the counting result obtained by counting the number of drawing commands for pictures and the counting result obtained by counting the number of drawing commands for line drawings and characters. And the image quality mode determination unit 163 is notified of the comparison result.

  Based on the comparison result notified from the comparison unit 162, the image quality mode determination unit 163 determines a predetermined image quality mode suitable for the document content of the corresponding page.

  That is, the image quality mode determination unit 163 indicates that the comparison result notified from the comparison unit 162 indicates that the number of drawing commands for a photograph (element for which gradation should be emphasized) is character or line drawing (resolution should be given priority over gradation). In the case where it is indicated that the number is greater than the number of drawing commands of (element), the predetermined image quality mode is determined to be the gradation priority mode (first image quality format).

  On the other hand, if the comparison result notified from the comparison unit 162 indicates that the number of characters or line drawing commands is equal to or greater than the number of photo drawing data, the image quality mode determination unit 163 The image quality mode is determined as the resolution priority mode (second image quality style).

  In the second embodiment, the image quality mode determination unit 163 and the comparison unit 162 are independent components, but the image quality mode determination unit 163 may have a function of the comparison unit 162.

  In the second embodiment, the image forming system including the image forming apparatus having the image processing apparatus 300 described above can have the same configuration as the image forming system of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  Next, generation processing of image data generation processing (high-quality image data) including image quality mode determination processing by the image processing apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of image data generation processing including image quality mode determination processing. This shows the generation processing of image data for a page unit (one page). FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining image data generation processing.

  Also in the second embodiment, each step of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 is performed as in the first embodiment. In this case, after steps S10 and S20 of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 are executed (see P11 to P13 in FIG. 14), the image quality mode determination unit 140 that determines that the image quality mode is not designated in step S20 is The determination unit 160 is requested to perform image quality mode determination processing and image generation processing (see P21 in FIG. 14).

  In the determination unit 160 that has received the request for the image quality mode determination processing and the image generation processing, the comparison unit 162 counts the number of drawing commands (for example, photo drawing commands) of elements whose gradation should be emphasized (for example, photo drawing commands). The count value of “photo command counter” (hereinafter referred to as “photo command counter”) is defined as “i”, and the number of drawing commands (for example, a character drawing command and a line drawing command) of an element whose resolution should be prioritized over gradation is set The count value of the counter to be counted (hereinafter referred to as “character line command counter”) is defined as “g”, and each count value of the photo command counter and the character line command counter is cleared (i = 0, g = 0). (Step S201).

  When the determination unit 160 requests the PDL interpretation unit 150 to interpret the PDL data (see P22 in FIG. 14), the PDL interpretation unit 150 reads and interprets the PDL data (PDL command) from the storage unit 120 (Step S202, The result of interpretation is output to the determination unit 160 (see P24 of FIG. 14).

  In the determination unit 160, the counting unit 210 determines whether the acquired command is a photo drawing command (photo command) based on the interpretation result of the PDL data from the PDL interpretation unit 150, that is, the interpretation result of the PDL command. Is determined (step S203).

  If the counting unit 210 determines in step S203 that the acquired command is a photo drawing command, the counting unit 210 increments the count value i of the photo command counter (step S204).

  On the other hand, in step S203, the counting unit 210 counts the count value g of the character line command counter when determining that the acquired command is not a photo drawing command (determining that the command is a drawing command such as a character or a line). Up (step S205).

  When step S204 or step S205 is completed, the counting unit 210 performs processing for all PDL commands in the PDL data corresponding to the counting target page (one page), that is, drawing commands based on the acquired command. It is determined whether the counting process has been completed (step S206).

  Here, when the interpretation result of the PDL command from the PDL interpretation unit 150 is a command (EndPage) indicating the end of the page, it is determined that the counting process for all the drawing commands is completed.

  In step S206, the counting unit 210, which has determined that the counting process for all the drawing commands has not been completed, requests the PDL interpretation unit 150 to interpret the next command in the page. That is, the process returns to step S202.

  In contrast, in step S206, the counting unit 210 that has determined that the counting process for all the drawing commands has been completed outputs the count value i of the photo command counter and the count value g of the character line command counter to the comparison unit 162. .

  Then, the comparison unit 162 counts the counting result counted by the counting unit 210 for each element type, that is, the count value i (counting result obtained by counting the number of photo drawing commands) and the count value g (line drawing command or (The counting result obtained by counting the number of character drawing commands) (step S207), and the image quality mode determination unit 163 is notified of the comparison result.

  Here, when the comparison result notified from the comparison unit 162 is “count value i> count value g”, the image quality mode determination unit 163 indicates that the number of drawing commands for the photograph (the element whose gradation should be emphasized) is a character. If the image quality mode is greater than the number of drawing commands for the line drawing (the element whose resolution should be prioritized over the gradation), the image quality mode is set to the gradation priority mode (first image quality style) (confirmed) (Step S208), and notifies the generation unit 170 to that effect (see P25 in FIG. 14).

  For example, as in the example shown in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, for an image corresponding to a page with a large number of photos (photo drawing commands), the image quality with priority on gradation (high image quality) is applied. A gradation priority mode is determined as the mode.

  On the other hand, when the comparison result notified from the comparison unit 162 is “count value i ≦ count value g”, the image quality mode determination unit 163 is equal to or smaller than the number of characters or line drawing commands. Is set (determined) to the resolution priority mode (second image quality style) (step S209), and this is notified to the generation unit 170 (see P25 in FIG. 14). .

  For example, the resolution priority image quality (high image quality) is applied to an image corresponding to a page with many line drawings and characters (line, character, and rectangle drawing commands) as in the example shown in FIG. Therefore, the resolution priority mode is determined as the image quality mode.

  When the determination unit 160 that has determined the image quality mode in this way notifies the PDL interpretation unit 150 that “the predetermined image quality mode has been set (determined)” (see P26 in FIG. 14), the PDL interpretation unit 150 stores the storage unit. The PDL data is read from 130 and interpreted (see P27 in FIG. 14), and the interpretation result (document data) is output to the generation unit 170 (see P28 in FIG. 14).

  The generation unit 170 generates image image data corresponding to the document data (interpretation result) from the PDL interpretation unit 150 in accordance with the format corresponding to the image quality mode notified from the image quality mode determination unit 163 (step S210). The generated image data is output to the image output unit 180 (see P29 in FIG. 14).

  That is, when the image quality mode notified from the image quality mode determination unit 163 is the gradation priority mode, the gradation priority data generation unit 171 generates image data corresponding to the gradation priority image quality. On the other hand, when the notified image quality mode is the resolution priority mode, the resolution priority data generation unit 172 generates image data corresponding to the resolution priority image quality.

  Since the above description is about image data generation processing in units of pages (one page), in the case of image generation processing for document data of a plurality of pages, the above-described processing is performed a plurality of times. In this case, the image data is generated according to a format corresponding to a predetermined image quality mode suitable for the document content corresponding to each page of the document data.

  (Embodiment 3)

  FIG. 15 shows a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  An image processing apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 15 has a configuration in which the data amount calculation unit 161 is changed to an area calculation unit 310 in the functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. Note that, in FIG. 15, the same reference numerals are given to portions that perform the same functions as the components shown in FIG. 1.

  Also in the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the image quality mode determination unit 140 requests the determination unit 160 to determine the image quality mode when the image quality mode information is not included in the JCL data. It is supposed to be.

  Therefore, when receiving a request for image quality mode determination processing from the image quality mode determination unit 140, the determination unit 160 requests the PDL interpretation unit 150 to interpret the command, and the PDL interpretation unit 150 as a result of the request. The image quality mode is determined based on the interpretation result of the command (PDL command).

  The area calculation unit 310 has a function of an area calculation unit, and the area of a region to be drawn corresponding to a drawing command obtained based on the interpretation result of the PDL command from the PDL interpretation unit 150, that is, a page (predetermined) The area of the drawing area (hereinafter referred to as the “drawing area”) when drawing one or more types of elements (photos, line drawings, and characters) that make up the document content of each processing unit) is calculated for each element type. To do.

  In this case, the area calculation unit 310 includes at least one kind of element (photograph) that should emphasize the gradation included in the document content of the page and an element (line drawing, character) that should prioritize resolution over gradation. The drawing area related to the corresponding element when drawing the element is calculated.

  In the third embodiment, the area calculation unit 310 performs an element drawing command (photo drawing command) for emphasizing gradation and an element drawing command (line drawing drawing command or For each of the two types of elements (character drawing commands), the drawing area corresponding to these drawing commands is calculated (integrated).

  The comparison unit 162 uses the calculation result calculated by the area calculation unit 310 for each type of element, that is, information indicating the drawing area related to the element whose gradation should be emphasized and the element whose resolution should be prioritized over the gradation. The information indicating the drawing area concerned is compared, and the comparison result is notified to the image quality mode determination unit 163.

  Based on the comparison result notified from the comparison unit 162, the image quality mode determination unit 163 determines a predetermined image quality mode suitable for the document content of the corresponding page.

  That is, the image quality mode determination unit 163 indicates that the comparison result notified from the comparison unit 162 has a drawing area related to an element whose tone should be emphasized larger than a drawing area related to an element whose resolution should be prioritized over the gradation property. In the case where it is indicated, the predetermined image quality mode is determined to be the gradation priority mode (first image quality format).

  In contrast, the image quality mode determination unit 163 indicates that the comparison result notified from the comparison unit 162 indicates that the drawing area related to the element whose tone should be emphasized is equal to or smaller than the drawing area related to the element whose resolution should be prioritized over the gradation property. In the case of indicating that the predetermined image quality mode is selected, the predetermined image quality mode is determined as the resolution priority mode (second image quality style).

  In the third embodiment, the image quality mode determination unit 163 and the comparison unit 162 are independent components, but the image quality mode determination unit 163 may have a function of the comparison unit 162.

  In the third embodiment, the image forming system including the image forming apparatus having the image processing apparatus 300 described above can have the same configuration as the image forming system of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  Next, generation processing of image data generation processing (high-quality image data) including image quality mode determination processing by the image processing apparatus 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of image data generation processing including image quality mode determination processing. This shows the generation processing of image data for a page unit (one page). FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining image data generation processing.

  Also in the third embodiment, each step of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 is performed as in the case of the first embodiment. In this case, after steps S10 and S20 of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 are executed (see P11 to P13 in FIG. 17), the image quality mode determination unit 140 that determines that the image quality mode is not designated in step S20 is The determination unit 160 is requested to perform image quality mode determination processing and image generation processing (see P31 in FIG. 17).

  In the determination unit 160 that has received the image quality mode determination processing and the image generation processing request, the comparison unit 162 adds (accumulates) the drawing area related to the element whose gradation should be emphasized (for example, the drawing area related to the photograph). The count value of the counter (hereinafter referred to as “photo area counter”) is defined as “i” and the drawing area related to the element whose resolution should be prioritized over the gradation (for example, the area related to characters and the drawing area related to lines) ) Is defined as “g”, and each count value of the photo area counter and the character line area counter is cleared (i = 0). , G = 0) (step S301).

  When the determination unit 160 requests the PDL interpretation unit 150 to interpret the PDL data (see P32 in FIG. 17), the PDL interpretation unit 150 reads and interprets the PDL data (PDL command) from the storage unit 120 (step S302, The interpretation result is output to the determination unit 160 (see P34 in FIG. 17).

  In the determination unit 160, the area calculation unit 310 determines whether the acquired command is a photo drawing command (photo command) based on the interpretation result of the PDL data from the PDL interpretation unit 150, that is, the interpretation result of the PDL command. Is determined (step S303).

  If the area calculation unit 310 determines in step S303 that the acquired command is a photo drawing command, the area corresponding to the drawing command, for example, the drawing area related to the photo is added to the count value i of the photo area counter. Add (step S304).

  On the other hand, if the area calculation unit 310 determines in step S303 that the acquired command is not a photo drawing command (determines that it is a drawing command such as a character or a line), the count value g of the character line area counter For example, the drawing area relating to the line corresponding to the drawing command is added (step S305).

  Here, the area calculation unit 310 draws the element based on the coordinate information (X, Y coordinate values), width information, and height information related to the drawing of the drawing target element (character, line, photograph, etc.). The drawing area is calculated.

  For example, in the case of character drawing (DrawFont), as shown in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, “DrawFont drawing start point x, drawing start point y, width w, height h, modifier s, character Of the “code ID”, the drawing area related to the character can be obtained based on the information of “drawing start point x, drawing start point y, width w, height h”. The drawing start point x means the X coordinate value, and the drawing start point y means the Y coordinate value.

  In the case of line drawing (DrawLine), the drawing area related to the line is calculated based on the information of “DrawLine drawing start point x, drawing start point y, drawing end point x, drawing end point y, line width w”. Can be sought. The drawing start point x and the drawing end point x mean the X coordinate value, and the drawing start point y and the drawing end point y mean the Y coordinate value.

  Similarly, in the case of drawing a rectangle, drawing a circle, and drawing a photo, the drawing area can be obtained based on the coordinate information for drawing each drawing target element.

  By the way, when step S304 or step S305 is completed, the area calculation unit 310 draws all drawing commands in the PDL data corresponding to the area calculation processing target page (one page) based on the acquired command. It is determined whether or not the area calculation process has been completed (step S306).

  Here, when the interpretation result of the command from the PDL interpretation unit 150 is a command (EndPage) indicating the end of the page, it is determined that the drawing area calculation processing for all the drawing commands is finished.

  In step S306, the area calculation unit 310, which has determined that the drawing area calculation processing for all the drawing commands has not been completed, requests the PDL interpretation unit 150 to interpret the next command in the page. That is, the process returns to step S302.

  On the other hand, in step S306, the area calculation unit 310 that has determined that the drawing area calculation processing for all the drawing commands has been completed, compares the count value i of the photo area counter and the count value g of the character line area counter with the comparison unit. Output to 162.

  Then, the comparison unit 162 calculates the calculation result calculated by the area calculation unit 310 for each element type, that is, the count value i (integrated value obtained by integrating the drawing area related to the photograph) and the count value g (related to the line or the character). The integrated value obtained by integrating the drawing area) is compared (step S307), and the comparison result is notified to the image quality mode determining unit 163.

  Here, when the comparison result notified from the comparison unit 162 is “count value i> count value g”, the image quality mode determination unit 163 obtains the integrated value of the drawing area related to the photograph (the element whose gradation should be emphasized). In the case where it is indicated that the integrated value of the drawing area related to characters and line drawings (elements where resolution should be prioritized over gradation) is larger, the image quality mode is changed to gradation priority mode (first image quality style). It is set (confirmed) (step S308), and that effect is notified to the generation unit 170 (see P35 in FIG. 17).

  For example, as in the example shown in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, for an image corresponding to a page with a large number of photos (photo drawing commands), the image quality with priority on gradation (high image quality) is applied. A gradation priority mode is determined as the mode.

  On the other hand, when the comparison result notified from the comparison unit 162 is “count value i ≦ count value g”, the image quality mode determination unit 163, that is, the drawing area in which the integrated value of the drawing area related to the photograph is related to the character or line drawing Is set (determined) to the resolution priority mode (second image quality style) (step S309), the fact is notified to the generation unit 170 (FIG. 17). (See page 35).

  For example, the resolution priority image quality (high image quality) is applied to an image corresponding to a page with many line drawings and characters (line, character, and rectangle drawing commands) as in the example shown in FIG. Therefore, the resolution priority mode is determined as the image quality mode.

  When the determination unit 160 that has determined the image quality mode in this way notifies the PDL interpretation unit 150 that “the predetermined image quality mode has been set (determined)” (see P36 in FIG. 17), the PDL interpretation unit 150 stores the storage unit. The PDL data is read from 130 and interpreted (see P37 in FIG. 17), and the interpretation result (document data) is output to the generation unit 170 (see P3 in FIG. 17).

  As in the case of the first and second embodiments, the generation unit 170 converts the document data (interpretation result) from the PDL interpretation unit 150 according to the format corresponding to the image quality mode notified from the image quality mode determination unit 163. Corresponding image data is generated (step S310), and the generated image data is output to the image output unit 180 (see P39 in FIG. 17).

  Since the above description is about image data generation processing in units of pages (one page), in the case of image generation processing for document data of a plurality of pages, the above-described processing is performed a plurality of times. In this case, the image data is generated according to a format corresponding to a predetermined image quality mode suitable for the document content corresponding to each page of the document data.

  (Embodiment 4)

  FIG. 18 shows a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

  An image processing apparatus 400 shown in FIG. 18 has a configuration in which the generation unit 170 is changed to the generation unit 410 in the functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 200 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. Note that, in FIG. 18, the same reference numerals are given to portions that perform the same functions as the components shown in FIG. 12.

  The generation unit 410 includes a hybrid generation unit 420 and an image information conversion unit 430.

  The hybrid data generation unit 420 functions as a common image information generation unit, and includes a plurality of gradation priority modes and resolution priority modes in parallel with the process of determining the image quality mode (image quality style) by the determination unit 160. Common image information corresponding to the document data (document information) is generated in accordance with a format (information format) that does not depend on the image quality mode (a plurality of image quality formats).

  In the fourth embodiment, common image information is defined as hybrid data. This hybrid data means image data that does not depend on the gradation priority mode and the resolution priority mode as described above, that is, hybrid image data that can correspond to any image quality mode of the gradation priority mode and the resolution priority mode. In other words, the hybrid data reproduces line drawings and fine lines of characters without significantly increasing the amount of data compared to image data generated in the gradation priority mode or image data generated in the resolution priority mode. It can be said that the image data satisfies both the image quality and the gradation of the photograph.

  In the fourth embodiment, the hybrid data generation unit 420 uses, for example, 2400 DPI (Dot Per Inch) two-gradation data based on the result (document data) of the interpretation processing by the PDL interpretation unit 150 for PDL data (PDL document data). Hybrid data is generated. The hybrid data generated in this way is output to the image information conversion unit 430.

  The image information conversion unit 430 includes a first data conversion unit 431 and a second data conversion unit 432, and the hybrid data (common image information) from the hybrid data generation unit 420 is converted by these data conversion units. The image data is converted into image data (image information) according to a format (information format) depending on the image quality mode determined by the image quality mode determination unit 163.

  The first data conversion unit 431 converts the hybrid data into image data that depends on the gradation priority mode (image data in a format corresponding to the gradation priority mode).

  The second data conversion unit 432 converts the hybrid data into image data that depends on the resolution priority mode (image data in a format corresponding to the resolution priority mode).

  In the fourth embodiment, when the determination unit 160 receives a request for image quality mode determination processing from the image quality mode determination unit 140, the determination unit 160 requests the PDL interpretation unit 150 to perform command interpretation processing, and requests the request. A request is made to output the result of command interpretation processing (interpretation result) to the determination unit 160 and the generation unit 410 (hybrid data generation unit 420 thereof).

  In the determination unit 160, the image quality mode determination unit 163 outputs the hybrid mode to the generation unit 410.

  The generation unit 410 generates image data according to the format corresponding to the hybrid mode and the image data generation processing according to the format corresponding to the image quality mode obtained by the determination process of the image quality mode by the determination unit 160 ( (Conversion processing from hybrid data to predetermined image data).

  In the fourth embodiment, the image forming system including the image forming apparatus having the image processing apparatus 400 described above can have the same configuration as the image forming system of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  Next, generation processing of image data generation processing (high-quality image data) including image quality mode determination processing by the image processing apparatus 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of image data generation processing including image quality mode determination processing. This shows the generation processing of image data for a page unit (one page). FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining image data generation processing.

  Also in the fourth embodiment, each step of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 is performed as in the first embodiment. In this case, after steps S10 and S20 of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 are executed (see P11 to P13 in FIG. 20), the image quality mode determination unit 140 that determines that the image quality mode is not designated in step S20 is The determination unit 160 is requested to perform image quality mode determination processing and image generation processing (see P41 in FIG. 20).

  Upon receiving the image quality mode determination processing request from the image quality mode determination unit 140, the determination unit 160 requests the PDL interpretation unit 150 to interpret the command, and the result (interpretation result) of the requested command interpretation processing. Is output to the determination unit 160 and the hybrid data generation unit 420 (see P42 in FIG. 20).

  In the determining unit 160, the image quality mode determining unit 163 sets the image quality mode to the hybrid mode (step S401), and outputs the image quality mode of the hybrid mode to the hybrid data generating unit 420 of the generating unit 410 ( (See P43 in FIG. 20).

  Further, in the determination unit 160, the comparison unit 162 sets the count value of a counter (hereinafter referred to as “photo command counter”) that counts the number of drawing commands (for example, a photo drawing command) of an element whose gradation should be emphasized to “i And a counter (hereinafter referred to as a “character line command counter”) that counts the number of drawing commands (for example, a character drawing command and a line drawing command) of an element whose resolution should be prioritized over gradation. The value is defined as “g”, and the count values of the photo command counter and the character line command counter are cleared (i = 0, g = 0) (step S402).

  The PDL interpretation unit 150 that has received the request for command interpretation processing reads the PDL data (PDL command) from the storage unit 120 and interprets it (step S403, see P44 in FIG. 20), and the interpretation result is determined by the determination unit 160. (Refer to P45 in FIG. 20) and output to the hybrid data generating unit 420 of the generating unit 410 (see P46 in FIG. 20).

  In the determination unit 160, the counting unit 210 determines whether the acquired command is a photo drawing command (photo command) based on the interpretation result of the PDL data from the PDL interpretation unit 150, that is, the interpretation result of the PDL command. Is determined (step S404).

  If the counting unit 210 determines in step S404 that the acquired command is a photo drawing command, the counting unit 210 increments the count value i of the photo command counter (step S405).

  On the other hand, when the counting unit 210 determines in step S404 that the acquired command is not a photo drawing command (determines that it is a drawing command for characters, lines, etc.), the count value g of the character line command counter is counted up. (Step S406).

  By the way, in parallel with the counting process by the determination unit 160 as described above, the hybrid data generation unit 420 performs the interpretation of the PDL data from the PDL analysis unit 150 according to the hybrid mode from the image quality mode determination unit 163, that is, the PDL command. Hybrid data corresponding to the interpretation result, for example, 2 gradation data (image data) of 2400 DPI is generated (step S407).

  The counting unit 210 that has finished step S405 or step S406 has finished counting processing for all PDL commands in the PDL data corresponding to the counting target page (one page), that is, drawing commands, based on the acquired command. Whether or not (step S408).

  Here, when the interpretation result of the PDL command from the PDL interpretation unit 150 is a command (EndPage) indicating the end of the page, it is determined that the counting process for all the drawing commands is completed.

  In step S408, the counting unit 210 that has determined that the counting process for all the drawing commands has not ended requests the PDL interpretation unit 150 to interpret the next command in the page. That is, the process returns to step S403.

  In contrast, in step S408, the counting unit 210 that has determined that the counting process for all the drawing commands has been completed outputs the count value i of the photo command counter and the count value g of the character line command counter to the comparison unit 162. .

  Then, the comparison unit 162 counts the counting result counted by the counting unit 210 for each element type, that is, the count value i (counting result obtained by counting the number of photo drawing commands) and the count value g (line drawing command or (The counting result obtained by counting the number of character drawing commands) (step S409), and the comparison result is notified to the image quality mode determination unit 163.

  Here, when the comparison result notified from the comparison unit 162 is “count value i> count value g”, the image quality mode determination unit 163 indicates that the number of drawing commands for the photograph (the element whose gradation should be emphasized) is a character. If the image quality mode is greater than the number of drawing commands for the line drawing (the element whose resolution should be prioritized over the gradation), the image quality mode is set to the gradation priority mode (first image quality style) (confirmed) (Step S410), and notifies the generation unit 170 to that effect (see P47 in FIG. 20).

  For example, as in the example shown in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, for an image corresponding to a page with a large number of photos (photo drawing commands), the image quality with priority on gradation (high image quality) is applied. A gradation priority mode is determined as the mode.

  On the other hand, when the comparison result notified from the comparison unit 162 is “count value i ≦ count value g”, the image quality mode determination unit 163 is equal to or smaller than the number of characters or line drawing commands. Is set (confirmed) in the resolution priority mode (second image quality style) (step S410), and the fact is notified to the generation unit 170 (see P47 in FIG. 20). .

  For example, the resolution priority image quality (high image quality) is applied to an image corresponding to a page with many line drawings and characters (line, character, and rectangle drawing commands) as in the example shown in FIG. Therefore, the resolution priority mode is determined as the image quality mode.

  On the other hand, when the hybrid data generation unit 420 recognizes that the hybrid data corresponding to one page has been generated since the interpretation result of the command from the PDL interpretation unit 150 is a command (EndPage) indicating the end of the page, Is output to the image information conversion unit 430 (see P48 in FIG. 20).

  The generation unit 170 converts the hybrid data from the hybrid data generation unit 420 into image data according to the format according to the image quality mode notified from the image quality mode determination unit 163 (step S412), and the converted image. Data is output to the image output unit 180 (see P49 in FIG. 20).

  Since the above description is about image data generation processing in units of pages (one page), in the case of image generation processing for document data of a plurality of pages, the above-described processing is performed a plurality of times. In this case, the image data is generated according to a format corresponding to a predetermined image quality mode suitable for the document content corresponding to each page of the document data.

  Here, the image data conversion processing by the image information conversion unit 430 will be described.

  The image information conversion unit 430 assumes that the hybrid data received from the hybrid data generation unit 420 is hybrid data (image data) 450 as 2 gradation data of 2400 DPI, as shown in FIG.

  Under these conditions, when the image information conversion unit 430 receives the image quality mode from the image quality mode confirmation unit 163 and the image quality mode is the resolution priority mode, the second data conversion unit 432 performs a conversion process to halve the resolution of 2400 DPI. carry out.

  That is, the second data conversion unit 432 converts the hybrid data 450 into the number of pixels in the X direction × the number of pixels in the Y direction = 2 pixels × 2 pixels, as shown in FIG. 21B. (2 pixel × 2 pixel data is converted into 1 pixel data) and converted into 1200 DPI image data 460. As a result, a high-quality image with priority on resolution can be obtained based on the two-tone image data of 1200 DPI.

  On the other hand, when the image information conversion unit 430 receives the image quality mode from the image quality mode confirmation unit 163 in the gradation priority mode, the first data conversion unit 431 performs a conversion process for converting the resolution from 2400 DPI to 600 DPI. .

  That is, as illustrated in FIG. 21C, the first data conversion unit 431 relates the hybrid data 450 to 1 × 1 × the number of pixels in the X direction × the number of pixels in the Y direction = 4 × 4 pixels. Convert to pixel data. Here, FIG. 22 shows an enlarged view of the portion indicated by the arrow A in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 22, one pixel can be expressed by image data of 256 gradations by combinations (256 patterns) of ON pixels (black-painted portions) of 4 pixels × 4 pixels = 16 pixels. This means that the image data 451 of 4 pixels × 4 pixels = 16 pixels (one pixel and two gradations) is converted into image data 452 of one pixel and 256 gradations. As a result, a high-quality image with priority on gradation is obtained based on image data of 256 gradations of 600 DPI.

  (Embodiment 5)

  FIG. 23 shows a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

  An image processing apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 23 has a configuration in which the counting unit 210 is changed to an area calculation unit 510 in the functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 400 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. In FIG. 23, parts having the same functions as those shown in FIG. 18 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The area calculation unit 510 has the same function as the area calculation unit 310 shown in FIG. 15 of the third embodiment. Therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In the fifth embodiment, the image forming system including the image forming apparatus having the image processing apparatus 500 described above can have the same configuration as the image forming system of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  Next, image data generation processing (high-quality image data) generation processing including image quality mode determination processing by the image processing apparatus 500 will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25. FIG.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of image data generation processing including image quality mode determination processing. This shows the generation processing of image data for a page unit (one page). FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining image data generation processing.

  Also in the fifth embodiment, each step of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 is performed as in the case of the first embodiment. In this case, after steps S10 and S20 of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 are executed (see P11 to P13 in FIG. 25), the image quality mode determination unit 140 that determines that the image quality mode is not designated in step S20 is The determination unit 160 is requested to perform image quality mode determination processing and image generation processing (see P51 in FIG. 25).

  Upon receiving the image quality mode determination processing request from the image quality mode determination unit 140, the determination unit 160 requests the PDL interpretation unit 150 to interpret the command, and the result (interpretation result) of the requested command interpretation processing. Is output to the determining unit 160 and the hybrid data generating unit 420 (see P52 in FIG. 25).

  In the determining unit 160, the image quality mode determining unit 163 sets the image quality mode to the hybrid mode (step S501), and outputs the hybrid mode to the hybrid data generating unit 420 of the generating unit 410 (FIG. 25). (See P53).

  Further, in the determination unit 160, the comparison unit 162 defines the count value of the photo area counter as “i”, the count value of the character line area counter as “g”, and further, the photo area counter and the character line Each count value of the area counter is cleared (i = 0, g = 0) (step S502).

  The PDL interpretation unit 150 that has received a request for command interpretation processing reads and interprets the PDL data (PDL command) from the storage unit 120 (see step S503, P54 in FIG. 25), and the interpretation result is determined by the determination unit 160. (See P55 in FIG. 25) and output to the hybrid data generation unit 420 of the generation unit 410 (see P56 in FIG. 25).

  In the determination unit 160, the area calculation unit 510 determines whether the acquired command is a photo drawing command (photo command) based on the interpretation result of the PDL data from the PDL interpretation unit 150, that is, the interpretation result of the PDL command. Is determined (step S504).

  When the area calculation unit 510 determines in step S504 that the acquired command is a photo drawing command, the area calculation unit 510 sets the count value i of the photo area counter to the drawing area corresponding to the drawing command (for example, the photo is related to the photo). The drawing area is added (step S505).

  On the other hand, when the area calculation unit 510 and step S504 determine that the acquired command is not a photo drawing command (determines that it is a drawing command such as a character or a line), the count value g of the character line area counter is set. Then, the drawing area corresponding to the drawing command (for example, the drawing area related to the line) is added (step S506).

  By the way, in parallel with the counting process by the determination unit 160 as described above, the hybrid data generation unit 420 performs the interpretation of the PDL data from the PDL analysis unit 150 according to the hybrid mode from the image quality mode determination unit 163, that is, the PDL command. Hybrid data corresponding to the interpretation result, for example, 2 gradation data (image data) of 2400 DPI is generated (step S507).

  After calculating step S505 or step S506, the area calculation unit 510 calculates the drawing area for all PDL commands in the PDL data corresponding to the area calculation processing target (one page), that is, the drawing command, based on the acquired command. It is determined whether or not the process has been completed (step S508).

  Here, when the interpretation result of the command from the PDL interpretation unit 150 is a command (EndPage) indicating the end of the page, it is determined that the area calculation processing for all the drawing commands is completed.

  In step S508, the area calculation unit 510, which has determined that the drawing area calculation processing for all the drawing commands has not been completed, requests the PDL interpretation unit 150 to interpret the next command in the page. That is, the process returns to step S503.

  On the other hand, in step S508, the area calculation unit 510, which has determined that the drawing area calculation processing for all the drawing commands has been completed, compares the count value i of the photo area counter and the count value g of the character line area counter with the comparison unit. Output to 162.

  Then, the comparison unit 162 calculates the calculation result calculated by the area calculation unit 510 for each element type, that is, the count value i (integrated value obtained by integrating the drawing area related to the photograph) and the count value g (related to the line or character). The integrated value obtained by integrating the drawing area) is compared (step S509), and the comparison result is notified to the image quality mode determining unit 163.

  Here, when the comparison result notified from the comparison unit 162 is “count value i> count value g”, the image quality mode determination unit 163 obtains the integrated value of the drawing area related to the photograph (the element whose gradation should be emphasized). In the case where it is indicated that the integrated value of the drawing area related to characters and line drawings (elements where resolution should be prioritized over gradation) is larger, the image quality mode is changed to gradation priority mode (first image quality style). The setting is made (confirmed) (step S510), and the fact is notified to the generation unit 170 (see P57 in FIG. 25).

  For example, as in the example shown in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, for an image corresponding to a page with a large number of photos (photo drawing commands), the image quality with priority on gradation (high image quality) is applied. A gradation priority mode is determined as the mode.

  On the other hand, when the comparison result notified from the comparison unit 162 is “count value i ≦ count value g”, the image quality mode determination unit 163, that is, the drawing area in which the integrated value of the drawing area related to the photograph is related to the character or line drawing Is set (determined) to the resolution priority mode (second image quality style) (step S511), and the fact is notified to the generation unit 170 (FIG. 25). (See page 57).

  For example, the resolution priority image quality (high image quality) is applied to an image corresponding to a page with many line drawings and characters (line, character, and rectangle drawing commands) as in the example shown in FIG. Therefore, the resolution priority mode is determined as the image quality mode.

  On the other hand, when the hybrid data generation unit 420 recognizes that the hybrid data corresponding to one page has been generated since the interpretation result of the command from the PDL interpretation unit 150 is a command (EndPage) indicating the end of the page, Is output to the image information conversion unit 430 (see P58 in FIG. 25).

  The generation unit 170 converts the hybrid data from the hybrid data generation unit 420 into image data according to the format according to the image quality mode notified from the image quality mode determination unit 163 (step S512), and the converted image. Data is output to the image output unit 180 (see P59 in FIG. 25).

  Since the above description is about image data generation processing in units of pages (one page), in the case of image generation processing for document data of a plurality of pages, the above-described processing is performed a plurality of times. In this case, the image data is generated according to a format corresponding to a predetermined image quality mode suitable for the document content corresponding to each page of the document data.

  (Embodiment 6)

  FIG. 26 shows a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

  An image processing apparatus 600 shown in FIG. 26 has a configuration in which the generation unit 410 is changed to a generation unit 610 in the functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 400 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. In FIG. 26, the same reference numerals are given to portions that perform the same functions as the components shown in FIG.

  The generation unit 610 includes an image information generation unit 620 including a gradation priority data generation unit 621 and a resolution priority data generation unit 622.

  The image information generation unit 620 has a function of an image information generation unit, and in parallel with the process of determining the image quality style by the determination unit 160, a format (information that depends on a preset image mode (image quality style)) The image data (image information) related to the document data (document information) is generated according to the format.

  Further, the image information generation unit 620 depends on the image quality mode determined by the image quality mode determination unit 163 when the image quality mode determined by the image quality mode determination unit 163 of the determination unit 160 is different from the preset image quality mode. In accordance with the format, new image data (image information) related to the document data is generated.

  The gradation priority data generation unit 621 and the resolution priority data generation unit 622 have the same functions as the gradation priority data generation unit 171 and the resolution priority data generation unit 172 shown in FIG. Therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In the sixth embodiment, the image forming system including the image forming apparatus having the image processing apparatus 600 described above can have the same configuration as the image forming system of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  Next, image data generation processing (high-quality image data) generation processing including image quality mode determination processing by the image processing apparatus 600 will be described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28. FIG.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of image data generation processing including image quality mode determination processing. This shows the generation processing of image data for a page unit (one page). FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating image data generation processing.

  Also in the sixth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, each step of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 is performed. In this case, after steps S10 and S20 of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 are executed (see P11 to P13 in FIG. 28), the image quality mode determination unit 140 that determines that the image quality mode is not designated in step S20 is The determination unit 160 is requested to perform image quality mode determination processing and image generation processing (see P61 in FIG. 28).

  Upon receiving the image quality mode determination processing request from the image quality mode determination unit 140, the determination unit 160 requests the PDL interpretation unit 150 to interpret the command, and the result (interpretation result) of the requested command interpretation processing. To the determination unit 160 and the hybrid data generation unit 420 (see P62 in FIG. 28).

  In the determining unit 160, the image quality mode determining unit 163 sets the image quality mode to a predetermined image quality mode (for example, the gradation priority mode or the resolution priority mode) (step S601), and the predetermined image quality mode is set. It outputs toward the production | generation part 610 (refer P63 of FIG. 28).

  When step S601 is completed, the same processing as steps S402 to S411 of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 19 of the fourth embodiment is performed (see steps S602 to S611 and P64 to P67 of FIG. 28).

  In step S607, the image information generation processing unit 610 receives the PDL data from the PDL analysis unit 150 according to the preset image quality mode, for example, the gradation priority mode or the resolution priority mode notified from the image quality mode determination unit 163. Thus, image data corresponding to the interpretation result of the PDL command is generated.

  When step S611 is completed, the image information generation processing unit 610 determines the image quality mode notified from the image quality mode determination unit 163 (image quality mode determination processing result by the determination unit 160) and the image quality preset in step S601. It is determined whether or not the mode matches (step S612).

  Here, when the image quality mode is set to the gradation priority mode in step S601 and the image quality mode notified from the image quality mode determination unit 163 is the gradation priority mode, the image quality modes of the two match. On the other hand, when the image quality mode notified from the image quality mode determination unit 163 is the resolution priority mode, it is determined that the image quality modes of the two do not match.

  Even when the image quality mode is set to the resolution priority mode in step S601, it is determined whether or not they match in the same manner as described above.

  When the image information generation unit 620 determines in step S612 that the image quality mode notified from the image quality mode determination unit 163 matches the preset image quality mode, the image data generated in step S607 is It outputs to the image output part 180 (refer P68 of FIG. 28).

  On the other hand, if the image information generation unit 620 determines in step S612 that the image quality mode notified from the image quality mode determination unit 163 and the preset image quality mode do not match, the image quality mode is set to the image quality mode. The image quality mode notified from the determination unit 163 (result of image quality mode determination by the determination unit 160) is set, and image data is generated again according to the format corresponding to the image quality mode (step S613). The generated image data is output to the image output unit 180 (see P68 in FIG. 28).

  For example, when the image quality mode is set to the gradation priority mode in step S601 and the image quality mode notified from the image quality mode determination unit 163 is the resolution priority mode, the image information generation unit 620 sets the image quality mode to the resolution priority mode. The priority mode is set, and image data corresponding to the interpretation result of the PDL command from the PDL analysis unit 150 is generated again according to the format according to the resolution priority mode.

  Since the above description is about image data generation processing in units of pages (one page), in the case of image generation processing for document data of a plurality of pages, the above-described processing is performed a plurality of times. In this case, the image data is generated according to a format corresponding to a predetermined image quality mode suitable for the document content corresponding to each page of the document data.

  (Embodiment 7)

  FIG. 29 shows a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

  An image processing apparatus 700 shown in FIG. 29 has a configuration in which the counting unit 210 is changed to an area calculation unit 710 in the functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 600 of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. In FIG. 29, parts having the same functions as those shown in FIG. 26 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The area calculation unit 710 has the same function as the area calculation unit 310 illustrated in FIG. 15 of the third embodiment. Therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In the seventh embodiment, the image forming system including the image forming apparatus having the image processing apparatus 700 described above can have the same configuration as the image forming system of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  Next, image data generation processing (high-quality image data) generation processing including image quality mode determination processing by the image processing apparatus 700 will be described with reference to FIGS. 30 and 31. FIG.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of image data generation processing including image quality mode determination processing. This shows the generation processing of image data for a page unit (one page). FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining image data generation processing.

  Also in the seventh embodiment, as in the first embodiment, each step of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 is performed. In this case, after steps S10 and S20 of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 are executed (see P11 to P13 in FIG. 31), the image quality mode determination unit 140 that determines that the image quality mode is not designated in step S20 is The determination unit 160 is requested to perform image quality mode determination processing and image generation processing (see P71 in FIG. 31).

  Upon receiving the image quality mode determination processing request from the image quality mode determination unit 140, the determination unit 160 requests the PDL interpretation unit 150 to interpret the command, and the result (interpretation result) of the requested command interpretation processing. Is output to the determination unit 160 and the hybrid data generation unit 420 (see P72 in FIG. 31).

  Further, in the determination unit 160, the image quality mode determination unit 163 sets the image quality mode to a predetermined image quality mode (for example, gradation priority mode or resolution priority mode) (step S701), and the predetermined image quality mode is set. It outputs towards the production | generation part 610 (refer P73 of FIG. 31).

  When step S701 is completed, the same processing as steps S502 to S508 of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 24 of the fifth embodiment is performed (steps S702 to S708, P73 to P76 of FIG. 31).

  In step S707, the image information generation processing unit 610 receives the PDL data from the PDL analysis unit 150 according to the preset image quality mode, for example, the gradation priority mode or the resolution priority mode notified from the image quality mode determination unit 163. Thus, image data corresponding to the interpretation result of the PDL command is generated.

  When step S708 is completed, the same processing as steps S609 to S613 of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 27 of the sixth embodiment is performed (see steps S709 to S713, P77 and P78 of FIG. 31).

  Also in the seventh embodiment, as in the sixth embodiment, the generation unit 610 generates image data according to a format corresponding to a predetermined image quality mode, and the determination unit 160 performs an image quality mode determination process. If the result (image quality mode) matches the predetermined image quality mode, the generated image data is used. On the other hand, if the two image modes do not match, the determination unit 160 determines the image quality mode. Image data is generated again according to the format corresponding to the result of the determination process (image quality mode).

  Since the above description is about image data generation processing in units of pages (one page), in the case of image generation processing for document data of a plurality of pages, the above-described processing is performed a plurality of times. In this case, the image data is generated according to a format corresponding to a predetermined image quality mode suitable for the document content corresponding to each page of the document data.

  In the present specification, the information processing apparatus includes a CPU, a memory, and a storage device, such as the printer (see FIG. 5) shown in the first embodiment.

  In the specification of the present application, a storage medium such as a hard disk as a recording medium that stores a predetermined program including a program that realizes each function of the image processing apparatus and that realizes the functions of the image processing process and a function of the decomposer and the simulation function unit. Although described as an embodiment of recording in the apparatus, it is also possible to provide the predetermined program as follows.

  That is, the predetermined program may be stored in the ROM, and the CPU may load the program from the ROM to the main storage device and execute it.

  The predetermined program may be stored and distributed in a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, MO (magneto-optical disk), flexible disk, or the like. In this case, after the image processing apparatus installs the program recorded on the recording medium, the CPU executes the program. As an installation destination of this program, there is a memory such as a RAM or a storage device such as a hard disk. Then, the image processing apparatus loads the program stored in the storage device into the main storage device and executes it as necessary.

  Further, after the image processing apparatus is connected to a computer such as a server apparatus or a host computer via an electric communication line (for example, the Internet), the image processing apparatus downloads the predetermined program from the server apparatus or the computer. This program may be executed. In this case, the download destination of the program includes a memory such as a RAM and a storage device (recording medium) such as a hard disk. Then, the image processing apparatus loads the program stored in the storage device into the main storage device and executes it as necessary.

  The present invention relates to image data for printing with respect to an image forming apparatus such as a printing apparatus that prints at least one of a monochrome image and a color image, or an image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming processing functions including at least a printing function. And an image forming apparatus having the image processing apparatus, and an image forming system having the image forming apparatus.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of page description language data. It is a figure which shows an example of page description language data corresponding to a page with many line drawings and characters. It is a figure which shows an example of page description language data corresponding to a page with many photographs. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of image generation processing according to Embodiment 1; 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of image generation processing including image quality mode determination processing according to Embodiment 1; 6 is a diagram for describing image generation processing including image quality mode determination processing according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing image generation processing according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a high-quality image according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a high-quality image according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of image generation processing including image quality mode determination processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing image generation processing including image quality mode determination processing according to Embodiment 2; 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of image generation processing including image quality mode determination processing according to Embodiment 3; FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing image generation processing including image quality mode determination processing according to Embodiment 3; FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of image generation processing including image quality mode determination processing according to Embodiment 4; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating image generation processing including image quality mode determination processing according to Embodiment 4; It is a figure explaining the conversion process from the hybrid data which concerns on Embodiment 4 to image data. It is a figure explaining the conversion process from the hybrid data which concerns on Embodiment 4 to image data. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of image generation processing including image quality mode determination processing according to Embodiment 5; FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing image generation processing including image quality mode determination processing according to Embodiment 5; FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of image generation processing including image quality mode determination processing according to Embodiment 6; FIG. 20 is a diagram for describing image generation processing including image quality mode determination processing according to Embodiment 6; FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a seventh embodiment. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of image generation processing including image quality mode determination processing according to Embodiment 7. FIG. 20 is a diagram for describing image generation processing including image quality mode determination processing according to Embodiment 7;

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 10 Client apparatus 11 and 21 CPU
12, 22 Storage device 12a Printer driver 13, 23 Memory 14, 24 Communication interface 20 Printer 25 Output device 30 Communication line 50 Image processing program 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 Image processing device 110 Data receiving unit 120 Storage unit 130 Image quality mode reading unit 140 Image quality mode determination unit 150 PDL interpretation unit 160 Determination unit 161 Data amount calculation unit 162 Comparison unit 163 Image quality mode determination units 170, 410, 610 Generation units 171, 621 Gradation priority data generation unit 172 622 Resolution priority data generation unit 180 Image output unit 190 Control unit 210 Counting units 310, 510, 710 Area calculation unit 420 Hybrid data generation unit 430 Image information conversion unit 431 First data conversion unit 432 Second data conversion unit 620 Image Affection Generating unit

Claims (11)

Based on the page description language data, and determining means for obtaining a drawing command in the page description language and determines the image quality manner suitable to the page description language data from a plurality of different image quality modes,
Generating means for generating image information relating to the page description language data in accordance with an information format according to the image quality style determined by the determining means ;
The determining means includes
For each predetermined processing unit, the predetermined image quality is selected from a plurality of image quality formats including a first image quality format that emphasizes the gradation of an image and a second image quality format that prioritizes resolution over the gradation of the image. An image quality style determining means for determining the first image quality style or the second image quality style as an image quality style;
An information amount calculation unit that calculates a predetermined data amount according to a character drawing command, a line drawing command, and a photo drawing command based on the drawing command for the document content of the predetermined processing unit,
The image quality style determining means includes:
If it is determined that the result of the calculation processing by the information amount calculation means is greater than a preset threshold value, the first image quality style is determined as the predetermined image quality style from the plurality of image quality styles, When it is determined that the result of the calculation process is equal to or less than the threshold, the second image quality style is determined as the predetermined image quality style from the plurality of image quality styles.
An image processing apparatus. Determining means for determining an image quality style suitable for the page description language data from a plurality of different image quality styles based on the page description language data, and obtaining a drawing command in the page description language;
Generating means for generating image information relating to the page description language data in accordance with an information format according to the image quality style determined by the determining means;
The determining means includes
For each predetermined processing unit, the predetermined image quality is selected from a plurality of image quality formats including a first image quality format that emphasizes the gradation of an image and a second image quality format that prioritizes resolution over the gradation of the image. An image quality style determining means for determining the first image quality style or the second image quality style as an image quality style;
For the document content of the predetermined processing unit, a drawing command for a photo that is a drawing command for an element whose tone should be emphasized, and a drawing command and a character for a line drawing that are a drawing command for an element whose resolution should be prioritized over the gradation Counting means for counting the number of drawing commands for each of the two types of drawing commands,
The image quality style determining means includes:
When the result of the counting process by the counting means indicates that the number of elements whose gradation should be emphasized is larger than the number of elements whose resolution should be prioritized over gradation, the plurality of image quality modes The first image quality style is determined as the predetermined image quality style from among the above, and the result of the counting process by the counting means is that the number of elements whose gradation should be emphasized gives priority to the resolution over the gradation. If the number of power elements is less than or equal to the number of power elements, the second image quality format is determined as the predetermined image quality format from the plurality of image quality formats;
An image processing apparatus. The determining means includes
Based on the coordinate information, width information, and height information related to the drawing of the drawing target element, the area of the drawing area when drawing one or more types of elements constituting the document content of the predetermined processing unit, An area calculating means for calculating for each element type;
The image quality style determining means includes:
Based on the element corresponding to the result of the calculation process showing the largest value among the results of the calculation process by the area calculation means for each type of element, the predetermined image quality style is selected from the plurality of image quality styles. Determining the first image quality style or the second image quality style;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus. The area calculating means includes
The area of the drawing area when drawing at least one type of element among the elements that should emphasize the gradation and the elements that should prioritize the resolution over the gradation is included in the document content of the predetermined processing unit. ,
The image quality style determining means includes:
When the result of the calculation processing by the area calculation means indicates that the area related to the element whose gradation should be emphasized is larger than the area related to the element whose resolution should be prioritized over the gradation, the plurality of The first image quality style is determined as the predetermined image quality style from among the image quality styles of the image quality. On the other hand, the result of the calculation processing by the area calculation means is that the area related to the element whose gradation should be emphasized is The second image quality format is determined as the predetermined image quality format from among the plurality of image quality formats, if the resolution is equal to or less than the area related to the element to which priority should be given to resolution,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3 . The generating means includes
In parallel with the process of determining the image quality style by the determining means, common image information generating means for generating common image information related to the page description language data according to an information format independent of the plurality of image quality styles;
Image information conversion means for converting the common image information into image information according to an information format dependent on the image quality style determined by the image quality style determination means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The generating means includes
In parallel with the process of determining the image quality style by the determining means, image information generating means for generating image information related to the page description language data in accordance with an information format dependent on a preset image quality style,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The image information generating means
When the image quality style determined by the image quality style determining means is different from the preset image quality style, the page description language data is related to the information format depending on the image quality style determined by the image quality style determining means. Generate new image information,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 6 . An image forming apparatus comprising the image processing apparatus according to claim 1. A processing apparatus that issues a print processing request and the image forming apparatus according to claim 8 are connected via a communication line, and the image forming apparatus responds to a print processing request for page description language data to be printed from the processing apparatus. In response, print processing for the page description language data is executed.
An image forming system. A determination process for determining an image quality style suitable for the page description language data from a plurality of different image quality styles based on the page description language data, and obtaining a drawing command in the page description language;
In accordance with the information format according to the image quality style determined by the determination process, the information processing apparatus executes a generation process that generates image information related to the page description language data,
The determination process includes:
For each predetermined processing unit, the predetermined image quality is selected from a plurality of image quality formats including a first image quality format that emphasizes the gradation of an image and a second image quality format that prioritizes resolution over the gradation of the image. An image quality style determination process for determining the first image quality style or the second image quality style as an image quality style;
An information amount calculation process for calculating a predetermined amount of data according to a character drawing command, a line drawing command, and a photo drawing command based on the drawing command for the document content in the predetermined processing unit. ,
The image quality style determination process is as follows:
If it is determined that the result of the calculation process in the information amount calculation process is greater than a preset threshold value, the first image quality style is determined as the predetermined image quality style from the plurality of image quality styles; On the other hand, when it is determined that the result of the calculation process is equal to or less than the threshold value, the second image quality style is determined as the predetermined image quality style from the plurality of image quality styles.
An image processing program characterized by that. A determination process for determining an image quality style suitable for the page description language data from a plurality of different image quality styles based on the page description language data, and obtaining a drawing command in the page description language;
In accordance with the information format according to the image quality style determined by the determination process, the information processing apparatus executes a generation process that generates image information related to the page description language data,
The determination process includes:
For each predetermined processing unit, the predetermined image quality is selected from a plurality of image quality formats including a first image quality format that emphasizes the gradation of an image and a second image quality format that prioritizes resolution over the gradation of the image. An image quality style determination process for determining the first image quality style or the second image quality style as an image quality style;
For the document content of the predetermined processing unit, a drawing command for a photo that is a drawing command for an element whose tone should be emphasized, and a drawing command and a character for a line drawing that are a drawing command for an element whose resolution should be prioritized over the gradation A counting process for counting the number of drawing commands for each of the two types of drawing commands.
The image quality style determination process is as follows:
When the result of the counting process in the counting process indicates that the number of elements whose gradation should be emphasized is larger than the number of elements whose resolution should be prioritized over gradation, the plurality of image quality The first image quality form is determined as the predetermined image quality form from among the forms, and the result of the counting process by the counting means is that the number of elements whose gradation should be emphasized has priority over the resolution over the gradation. If it indicates that the number of elements to be less than or equal to the number, the second image quality style is determined as the predetermined image quality style from the plurality of image quality styles;
An image processing program characterized by that.

Images