JP2011037230A - Image forming apparatus, image processing system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable proxy printing with the same profile as one applied in a proxy printing request destination in a proxy printing destination. <P>SOLUTION: A proxy machine stores a profile from a printer of a main machine (S11). When receiving print data from the main machine (S12), the proxy machine compares the stored profile with the contents of a profile settable in its own machine, and determines whether the same profile as that applied in the main machine is settable for itself (S13). If the same profile is settable, it selects and sets the same profile as that of the main machine (S14), and applies to print data an image processing including a conversion processing for the profile, and prints the print data (S15). On the other hand, if the same kind of the profile is not settable, and if the received profile is a reproducible one (S16), the proxy machine sets so that it does not apply the profile (S17) to the print data, and prints the print data (S15), or if the received profile is a functional one, an error is made and the operation is stopped (S18). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a facsimile machine, a printer, a copier, and a multifunction machine, an image processing system including the image forming apparatus, and a program executed by a computer.

An image forming apparatus that connects a plurality of image processing apparatuses (computers: PCs) that make a print request and a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network, and that is designated from the image processing apparatuses among the image forming apparatuses on the network There is an image processing system for sending print data to a printer and printing it.
In such an image processing system, when a conversion process based on a profile is performed for image processing on print data, an image processing system (for example, an image processing apparatus that can switch a profile for each sheet in the image processing apparatus or designate it with a driver UI (for example, And Patent Document 1). In addition, there has been an image processing system (see, for example, Patent Document 2) that can automatically switch profiles between image quality priority and speed priority in an image processing apparatus.

Furthermore, there has been an image processing system (see, for example, Patent Document 3) that can switch a profile by a user name in an image processing apparatus.
However, in the conventional image processing system as described above, it is determined that the profile is switched on the driver side of the image processing apparatus used by the user and cannot be switched on the image forming apparatus main body side. There was a problem that the setting of switching the profile for each became a burden.
Therefore, conventionally, when profile conversion processing is performed in image processing for print data, it is possible to switch between the profiles of the image processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus and to adapt the priority to the specified profile. An image processing system has been proposed.

  However, in the conventional image processing system as described above, the profile can be switched in the image forming apparatus main body so that the profile can be switched in the image forming apparatus. )), When printing on another image forming device connected to the network (substitute printing destination is called “substitute machine”), the proxy machine does not know the profile of the main machine. Printing may occur with a different profile from the main machine.

Normally, the proxy machine does not take over the profile of the main machine, but basically prints according to the setting information of the driver of the image processing apparatus and ignores the setting information of the image forming apparatus. If included, the driver profile is applied.
Therefore, the conventional image processing system has a problem that when the proxy printing is performed, the proxy machine cannot obtain a printed matter having the same image quality as the main machine.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to enable proxy printing at a proxy printing destination using the same profile as that applied at the proxy printing request destination.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that prints image data including profile conversion processing on print data input from a network, and prints profiles of other image forming apparatuses via the network. An image forming apparatus provided with profile selection setting means for selecting and setting a profile to be applied during proxy printing of the other image forming apparatus based on the received profile and a profile that can be set by the own apparatus provide.

In addition, when the profile selection setting unit has the same profile as the profile of the other image forming apparatus among the profiles that can be set by the own apparatus, the same profile is selected as a profile to be applied during proxy printing. It should be a means to set.
In addition, if the profile of the other image forming apparatus is a reproducibility profile in the profile selection setting means and the reproducibility profile is not included in the profiles that can be set by the self apparatus, the profile is applied during proxy printing. It is advisable to provide means for setting so as not to.
Further, if the profile of the other image forming apparatus is a functional profile in the profile selection setting means, and the functional profile is not held among the profiles that can be set by the own apparatus, the proxy printing is stopped with an error. Means may be provided.

Further, in the profile selection setting means, the profile of the other image forming apparatus is a reproducibility profile, and does not have a reproducibility profile among the profiles that can be set by the own apparatus, but can be replaced with a functional profile. In the case of holding, it is preferable to provide means for applying the replaceable functional profile at the time of proxy printing.
In addition, an image processing system including the image forming apparatus as described above and a program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for realizing a function corresponding to each unit in the image forming apparatus as described above are also provided.

The image forming apparatus and the image processing system according to the present invention can enable proxy printing at the proxy printing destination using the same profile as the profile applied at the proxy printing request destination.
In addition, the program according to the present invention can cause a proxy printing destination computer to realize a function for enabling proxy printing with the same profile as the profile applied at the proxy printing request destination.

It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the image processing system of the Example of this invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of each printer illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a software configuration in each printer illustrated in FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing of the kind of profile which each host computer and each printer shown in FIG. 1 possess. It is explanatory drawing of the kind of profile similarly.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a work screen displayed on a printer when a profile is selected on each printer side illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a work screen displayed on a host computer when a profile is selected using a driver UI of each host computer illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a list showing an example of a selection order of profiles to be applied to printing based on priorities given to profiles. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating data exchange among a host computer, a main machine, and a substitute machine for substitute printing processing in the image processing system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing of the main printer in the proxy printing processing shown in FIG. 9. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process of the printer of the proxy machine in the proxy printing process shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing data exchange among a host computer, a main machine, and a substitute machine for another substitute printing process in the image processing system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing of the printer of the main machine in the proxy printing process shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing for searching for a substitute machine of a host computer in the substitute printing process shown in FIG. 12. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process of the printer of the proxy machine in the proxy printing process shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the list of the result of the selection process of the profile in the printer of the substitute machine of the image processing system of this Example. It is a figure which shows the list of the result of the selection process of the profile which added the profile priority setting by the side of the substitute machine in the printer of the substitute machine of the image processing system of this Example to the conditions.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
〔Example〕
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In this image processing system, a plurality of printers 1 to 3 and a plurality of host computers 4 to 6 are connected by a network 7 including the Internet and a local area network. In the figure, three each are shown, and other illustrations are omitted.
In this image processing system, print data is created by each of the host computers 4 to 6, and each of the host computers 4 to 6 can send the print data to one of the printers 1 to 3 for printing.

The printers 1 to 3 function as a main machine that the host computers 4 to 6 request normal printing, and a substitute machine that performs printing of the host computers 4 to 6 when the main machine cannot be used. Fulfill.
For example, when the main machine is set to the printer 3, the other printers 1 and 2 can be used as proxy machines.

With respect to this proxy machine, when the printer 3 of the main machine cannot print, it is determined whether or not the host computer that requests printing or the printer 1 can perform proxy printing for the other printers 1 and 2 on the network 7. Select from the printers that answered that the inquiry and proxy printing are possible. Regarding the printer to be inquired, it may be inquired only to a printer registered as a proxy in advance, or may be inquired in the order registered in advance in all printers on the network 7 or randomly.
For example, if the printer 3 of the main machine is in a print-disabled state such as running out of toner, and the printer 1 is selected as the substitute machine by the above-described substitute machine selection process, the printing of each of the host computers 4 to 6 is performed by the printer 1 of the substitute machine. Will be executed.
That is, the printers 1 to 3 correspond to the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and the host computers 4 to 6 correspond to the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an internal configuration of each of the printers 1 to 3 shown in FIG.
The printers 1 to 3 each include a control unit 10, a storage unit 11, an image processing unit 12, and a drawing unit 13 as functional units realized by a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. Furthermore, an operation panel 14, a communication unit 15, and an engine unit 16 are provided.
The control unit 10 controls the entire printer and also functions as profile selection setting means of the present invention.
The storage unit 11 is a large-capacity storage device including a hard disk device, and stores various data including print data.
The image processing unit 12 performs image processing on the print data under the control of the control unit 10.

  The image processing includes sRGB conversion processing for converting print data from the sRGB color system to the CMY color system, profile conversion processing based on the profile, and BG / UCR (black generation / under color removal from CMY values). Black generation / Under Color Removal), total amount regulation processing that corrects CMYK signals according to the maximum total amount of color reproduction material that can be formed by the printer for CMYK signals, and printer characteristics and user preferences For example, “sRGB conversion process”, “profile conversion process”, “BG / UCR process”, “total amount regulation process”, and “γ conversion process” are performed on print data. .

The drawing unit 13 draws various data including print data processed by the image processing unit 12.
The operation panel 14 includes an input unit through which a user inputs various types of designation information including profile selection, and a display unit that displays work screens and various messages in various operations including profile setting operations for the user.
The communication unit 15 controls the transmission and reception of various data including print data with other printers and the host computers 4 to 6 via the network.
The engine unit 16 is a printing unit that feeds paper and prints the print data drawn on the drawing unit 13 on the paper. Further, a scanner unit that reads an image of a document may be provided.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a software configuration in each of the printers 1 to 3 shown in FIG.
The microcomputers of the printers 1 to 3 execute the control module 20 shown in FIG. 1 to execute a data analysis module 21, an image processing / drawing module 22, a printing module 24, an operation panel control module 25, a network module ("communication control module"). (Also called) 26 is controlled to realize the function of the control unit 10.
The functions of the image processing unit 12 and the drawing unit 13 are realized by executing the data analysis module 21 and the image processing / drawing module 22. In the execution of the image processing / drawing module 22, by referring to the profile 23, conversion processing based on the profile 23 is performed on the print data. Further, by executing the printing module 24, the engine unit 16 performs a printing process, the operation panel control module 25 executes the input / output control of the operation panel 14, and the network module 26 executes the printing by the communication unit 15. Control transmission and reception of data including data.

Although not shown, each of the host computers 4 to 6 shown in FIG. 1 includes a control unit realized by a microcomputer including an input device, a display device, and a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and is controlled by the control unit. Processing for creating print data and requesting printing to one of the printers 1 to 3 is performed. Furthermore, processing for sending the profile of the main machine to the substitute machine at the time of substitute printing is also performed.
Each host computer 4 to 6 includes printer driver software that causes the printers 1 to 3 to perform printing, and print data generated by the printer driver is controlled by the printer driver. 3 is printed. It is also possible to include a profile in the printer driver and perform printing based on the profile.

4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams of the types of profiles.
This profile is data for performing conversion processing on the print data. As shown in FIG. 4, the conversion reproducibility profile for adjusting the color with emphasis on the reproducibility of the color specified by the user, and the color. There are two types of functional profiles for realizing the functions. For example, the reproducibility profile includes a “normal color adjustment” profile that is a user's favorite color such as an improvement in image vividness.

  The functional profile includes two-color printing that enhances the printed material with two colors of color data and colors that are difficult for color-blind people to recognize in color documents, such as PowerPoint (registered trademark) materials. “Color Universal Design (CUD)” profiles that are easy to distinguish and colors that can be differentiated by general color senseers, and “ambiguity judgment” profiles that adjust blackish colors to be printed as black and so on.

  Each of the printers 1 to 3 and each of the host computers 4 to 6 has a profile, and as shown in FIG. 5, as a profile of conversion processing that can be performed by each of the printers 1 to 3 and the host computers 4 to 6. , A “normal color adjustment” profile 30, a “two-color printing” profile 31, a “CUD” profile 32, and an “ambiguity determination” profile 33.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a work screen displayed on a printer when a profile is selected on each of the printers 1 to 3 side.
Each of the printers 1 to 3 can select a profile to be preferentially applied at the time of printing on the work screen displayed on the operation panel 14. For example, when the administrator selects the “normal color adjustment” profile column 40 and inputs the OK button 41 as shown in FIG. 8, “normal color adjustment” is applied as a profile to be preferentially applied during printing. The profile is set.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a work screen displayed on the host computer when a profile is selected using the driver UI of each of the host computers 4 to 6.
In each of the host computers 4 to 6, the user can select a profile desired to be applied at the time of printing on the work screen displayed on the display screen of the display device by the driver UI. For example, as shown in the figure, when the user presses the cursor button 42 to select a profile column 43 of “normal color adjustment” from four types of profiles, and inputs a confirmation button not shown. A profile of “normal color adjustment” is also transmitted to the printer as a profile to be preferentially applied during printing when print data is transmitted.
In some cases, print data to which a profile has already been applied is transmitted. In that case, the profile designation data is transmitted as the profile designation completed.

FIG. 8 shows the case where profiles are designated on the printer body side and the host computer driver side when the host computers 4 to 6 request printing to the main machine printer, based on the priority given to the profile. FIG. 10 is a table showing an example of a selection order of profiles to be applied to printing.
In this image processing system, for example, the priority given to each profile of “normal color adjustment”, “CUD”, “ambiguity determination”, and “two-color printing” is two-color printing> ambiguity determination>CUD> normal In the case of color adjustment, that is, the first priority is “two-color printing”, the second priority is “ambiguity determination”, the third priority is “CUD”, and the fourth priority is “normal color adjustment”. When profiles are specified on both the driver side and the printer main body side of the host computer that has requested printing, the profiles applied at the time of printing on the printer side are in the order of selection as shown in FIG.

For example, when the “two-color printing” profile is specified on the printer side, any of “normal color adjustment”, “CUD”, “ambiguity determination”, and “two-color printing” is performed by the driver of the host computer from which the printing is requested. Even if a profile is specified, a profile of “two-color printing” is selected as a profile applied at the time of printing.
In addition, when the profile of “ambiguity determination” is specified on the printer side and the profile of “two-color printing” is specified in the driver of the host computer that is the requester of printing, the profile applied at the time of printing is When a profile of “two-color printing” is selected and any of the profiles “normal color adjustment”, “CUD”, and “ambiguity determination” is designated by the driver, the profile applied at the time of printing is “ambiguity determination”. A profile is selected.

  Furthermore, when the “CUD” profile is specified on the printer side, if the “two-color printing” profile is specified in the driver of the host computer that requested the printing, the profile applied at the time of printing is “ When the “2-color printing” profile is selected and the “ambiguity determination” profile is specified in the driver, the “ambiguity determination” profile is selected as the profile applied at the time of printing. When any of the profiles “CUD” is designated, the profile “CUD” is selected as the profile applied at the time of printing.

When the “normal color adjustment” profile is specified on the printer side and the “two-color printing” profile is specified by the driver of the host computer, the profile applied at the time of printing is “two-color printing”. When the “print” profile is selected and the “ambiguity determination” profile is specified, the “ambiguity determination” profile is selected. When the “CUD” profile is specified, the “CUD” profile is selected. When the “normal color adjustment” profile is designated, the “normal color adjustment” profile is selected.
The selection process described above is performed in the control unit 10 of the printer requested to print.

Next, proxy printing processing in the image processing system of this embodiment will be described.
In this proxy printing process, a case will be described in which the main machine that is the printing destination of the host computer 5 is set to the printer 3, the printer 3 searches for the proxy machine, and the printer 1 is selected as the proxy machine. In this proxy printing process, the profile selected by the host computer is also added to the print data transmitted from the host computer to the printer. When printing the print data, the profile selected by the printer is added. A case of printing based on the above will be described.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the exchange of data among the host computer, the main machine, and the substitute machine for the substitute printing process in the image processing system of this embodiment.
If the control unit of the printer 3 of the main machine detects a print impossible state due to a cause including a print stop state such as out of paper in a, a query is made to each of the other printers 1 and 2 on the network 7 to perform proxy printing. The previous proxy machine is searched and the printer 1 is selected as the proxy machine.
In c, the control unit of the printer 3 notifies the printer 1 of the profile selected by the self-machine by processing by the network control module, and in d, the control unit of the printer 1 displays the profile notified from the printer 3. Remember.

  At e, the host computer 5 requests the printer 3 to print, and when the print data including the profile selected by the own machine is sent to the printer 3, the control unit of the printer 3 causes the own machine to be unable to print. Therefore, the print data including the profile received from the host computer 5 is transmitted to the printer 1 selected as the substitute machine. In this case, although not shown in the figure, the user of the host computer 5 can know the fact that the host computer 5 is notified that the printer 1 performs the proxy printing.

g, the control unit of the printer 1 selects and sets a printing profile based on the profile applied by the printer 3 received from the printer 3 and the profile that can be set by the own machine, or Set so that the profile is not applied, and stop errors.
At h, the control unit of the printer 1 performs image processing on the print data except when the error is stopped (the profile conversion processing based on the set profile may be included or the profile conversion processing may not be performed). Is executed, print processing based on the print data after the image processing is executed, and this proxy printing processing is terminated.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing of the printer 3 of the main machine in the proxy printing processing shown in FIG.
When the control unit of the printer 3 of the main machine detects a print impossible state in step 1 (indicated by “S” in the figure), it searches for a substitute machine in step 2 and applies it to the substitute machine in step 3 by itself. In step 4, the print data (including the profile selected by the host computer) received from the host computer 5 is transmitted to the substitute device in step 4, and the process is terminated.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing of the printer 1 of the proxy machine in the proxy printing process shown in FIG.
The control unit of the substitute printer 1 stores the profile notified from the main printer 3 in step (indicated by “S” in the figure) 11, and prints data (host computer 5) from the main machine in step 12. In step 13, the stored profile is compared with the profile that can be set on the own device, and the same profile as the profile applied on the main device can be set on the own device. Judge whether or not.
If it is determined in step 13 that the same profile can be set, in step 14, the same profile as that of the main machine is selected and set, and image processing including conversion processing based on the profile is performed on the print data. Then, the printing process is executed, and this process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 13 that the same type of profile cannot be set, it is determined in step 16 whether the profile received from the main machine is a reproducibility profile or a functional profile, and if it is determined as a reproducibility profile. In step 17, the profile is set not to be applied, image processing excluding profile conversion processing is applied to the print data, printing processing is executed in step 15, and this processing is terminated.
If it is determined in step 16 that the profile is a functional profile, an error is stopped in step 18 (error notification is sent to the printer 3 or the host computer 5 of the main machine), and this process ends.

In the processing described above, the reason for stopping the error in the case of the functional profile is that, for example, it is not allowed to substitute a profile related to billing with a different profile, such as two-color printing.
The reason for not applying the profile in the case of the reproducibility profile is that, for example, in the case of an unadjusted profile, the color is different even if the profile is different. This is because printing is desired to continue without being applied.

Next, another proxy printing process in the image processing system of this embodiment will be described.
In this proxy printing process, unlike the above-described process, when the main machine cannot print, the host computer searches for the proxy machine and notifies the proxy machine of the profile acquired from the main machine.
That is, if the main computer of the host computer 5 is set as the printer 3 and the printer 3 cannot print, the host computer 5 obtains a profile from the printer 3 and searches for the substitute machine. When the printer 1 is selected, the profile of the printer 3 is notified to the printer 1, and the print data is directly sent to the printer 1 of the substitute machine at the time of printing.

  In this proxy printing process, the profile selected by the host computer is also added to the print data transmitted from the host computer to the printer, as in the above process. A case of printing based on the profile selected on the side will be described.

FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the exchange of data among the host computer, the main machine, and the substitute machine for another substitute printing process in the image processing system of this embodiment.
When the control unit of the printer 3 of the main machine detects a print impossible state due to a cause including a print stop state such as out of paper or the like at a, the host computer 5 on the network 7 is notified that the print is not possible at b. Send alert notifications.

In c, the host computer 5 sends a request for a profile to the printer 3 using the alert notification as a trigger, and in d, the control unit of the printer 3 determines the profile to be applied by itself by processing of the network control module. Notify the host computer 5.
At e, the host computer 5 makes an inquiry to each of the other printers 1 and 2 on the network 7, searches for a substitute printing destination substitute machine, and selects the printer 1 as the substitute machine.
At f, the host computer 5 notifies the printer 1 of the profile acquired from the printer 3, and at g, the control unit of the printer 1 stores the profile of the printer 3 notified from the host computer 5.

When the host computer 5 requests printing to the printer 1 at h and sends print data including the profile selected by the own machine to the printer 1, the control unit of the printer 1 receives from the host computer 5 at i. The profile at the time of printing is selected and set based on the profile applied by the printer 3 and the profile that can be set by the own machine, or the setting is made so that the profile is not applied, and the error is stopped.
At j, the control unit of the printer 1 performs image processing on the print data except when the error is stopped (the profile conversion processing based on the set profile may be included or the profile conversion processing may not be performed). Is executed, print processing based on the print data after the image processing is executed, and this proxy printing processing is terminated.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing of the printer 3 of the main machine in the proxy printing processing shown in FIG.
When the control unit of the printer 3 of the main machine detects an unprintable state at step 21 (indicated by “S” in the figure), it sends an alert notification to the host computer 5 at step 22 and at step 23 the host computer. When the profile request is received from 5, the profile applied by itself is transmitted to the host computer 5 in step 24, and this process is terminated.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a process for searching for a substitute machine of the host computer 5 in the substitute printing process shown in FIG.
When the host computer 5 receives an alert notification from the printer 3 of the main machine at step 31 (indicated by “S” in the figure), it sends a profile request to the main machine at step 32, and at step 33, the main machine 5 The profile applied by the main machine is received and acquired from step S34, the substitute machine is searched for on the network at step 34, and the profile obtained from the main machine is transmitted to the printer 1 selected as the substitute machine at step 35, This process ends.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing of the printer 1 of the proxy machine in the proxy printing process shown in FIG.
The control unit of the printer 1 of the substitute machine stores the profile of the main machine notified from the host computer 5 in step (indicated by “S” in the figure) 41, and print data (host data) from the host computer 5 in step 42. In step 43, the stored profile is compared with the profile that can be set by the own device, and the same profile as that applied by the main device is set by the own device. Determine if it is possible.

If it is determined in step 43 that the same profile can be set, in step 44, the same profile as that of the main machine is selected and set, and image processing including conversion processing based on the profile is performed on the print data. Then, the printing process is executed, and this process is terminated.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 43 that the same type of profile cannot be set, it is determined in step 46 whether the profile of the main machine received from the host computer is a reproducibility profile or a functional profile. If it is determined that the profile is not applied in step 47, the print data is subjected to image processing excluding profile conversion processing, the print processing is executed in step 45, and this processing ends.
If it is determined in step 46 that the profile is a functional profile, an error is stopped in step 48 (error notification is sent to the host computer 5), and this process is terminated.

In the processing described above, the reason for stopping the error in the case of the functional profile is that, for example, it is not allowed to substitute a profile related to billing with a different profile, such as two-color printing.
The reason for not applying the profile in the case of the reproducibility profile is that, for example, in the case of an unadjusted profile, the color is different even if the profile is different. This is because printing is desired to continue without being applied.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a list of results of profile selection processing in the printer 1 of the proxy machine.
When the profile that can be set by the printer 1 of the substitute machine is only “normal color adjustment”, the control unit of the printer 1 is “normal color adjustment” if the profile applied by the printer 3 of the main machine is “normal color adjustment”. If the profile applied by the printer 3 of the main machine is “CUD”, “ambiguity determination”, or “two-color printing”, an error stops.
Also, if the profile that can be set by the proxy printer 1 is “CUD” or “two-color printing”, the profile is not applied if the profile applied by the main printer 3 is “normal color adjustment”. If the profile applied by the printer 3 of the main machine is “CUD”, “CUD” is selected and set. If “Fuzzy determination” is detected, an error is stopped. If “2-color printing” is selected, “2” is set. Select and set "Color Print".

Alternatively, when the profile that can be set in the proxy printer 1 is “ambiguity determination”, “normal color adjustment”, or “two-color printing”, the profile applied by the main printer 3 is “normal color adjustment”. Then, “normal color adjustment” is selected and set. If the profile applied by the printer 3 of the main machine is “CUD”, an error is stopped, and if “fuzzy judgment”, “fuzzy judgment” is set. For “color printing”, “two-color printing” is selected and set.
Alternatively, if the profile that can be set by the printer 1 of the substitute machine is “two-color printing”, “CUD”, or “fuzziness determination”, if the profile applied by the printer 3 of the main machine is “normal color adjustment” If the profile applied to the printer 3 of the main machine is “CUD”, “CUD” is set, “ambiguous determination” is “fuzzy determination”, and “two-color printing” is set. Select and set “2-color printing”.

That is, if the profile applied by the printer 3 of the main machine is a reproducibility profile, and the same profile as the main machine can be set by the substitute machine, the profile is applied by the printer 3 of the main machine. The same profile as the existing profile will be applied.
If the profile applied by the printer 3 of the main machine is a reproducibility profile and the same profile as that of the main machine cannot be set by the substitute machine, the substitute machine performs the printing operation without applying the profile. Continue.

On the other hand, if the profile applied to the printer 3 of the main machine is a functional profile, if the same profile as that of the main machine can be set on the proxy machine in the same manner as the reproducibility profile, the profile is applied to the printer 3 of the main machine. The same profile as the profile being applied will be applied.
However, even if the profile applied by the printer 3 of the main machine is a functional profile, if the same profile as the main machine cannot be set on the substitute machine, the substitute machine stops the error and prints. To stop.

Next, an example of the result of profile selection processing in the printer 1 of the proxy machine when the profile priority setting of the proxy machine is also added to the conditions will be described.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a list of results of profile selection processing in which the profile priority setting on the proxy machine side in the printer 1 of the proxy machine is also added to the conditions.
When the profile that can be set by the substitute printer 1 is only “normal color adjustment”, the control unit of the printer 1 has “normal color adjustment” of course set to the first priority level. If the profile applied in 3 is “normal color adjustment”, the profile of “normal color adjustment” is selected and set, and the profile applied in the printer 3 of the main machine is “CUD” or “ambiguity determination”. If it is “2-color printing”, the error stops.
That is, in the case of (1) in the table, since the profile of “normal color adjustment” is held, the profile of “normal color adjustment” is applied as it is.

Further, when the profile that can be set by the proxy printer 1 is “CUD” or “two-color printing” and the priority order of “CUD” is first, the profile applied by the main printer 3 is “ If “normal color adjustment” is set, the profile is not applied. If the profile applied by the printer 3 of the main machine is “CUD”, “CUD” is selected and set. If “2-color printing” is selected, “2-color printing” is selected and set.
That is, in the case of (2) in the table, the profile of “normal color adjustment” is not held, and the profile is not applied because the “disambiguation determination” of the replaceable profile is not held.

Alternatively, if the profiles that can be set in the printer 1 of the substitute machine are “ambiguity determination”, “normal color adjustment”, or “two-color printing”, and “ambiguity determination” is the first priority, the printer 3 of the main machine If the applied profile is “normal color adjustment”, “normal color adjustment” is selected and set. If the profile applied by the printer 3 of the main machine is “CUD”, an error stops and “ambiguous” If “determination” is selected, “ambiguous determination” is selected, and if “two-color printing” is selected, “two-color printing” is selected and set.
That is, in the case of (3) in the table, the profile of “ambiguity determination” is set with priority, but since the profile of “normal color adjustment” is the same as that of the main machine, “normal color adjustment” Apply the profile.

If the profile that can be set in the proxy printer 1 is “two-color printing”, “CUD”, or “ambiguous determination”, and “two-color printing” is the highest priority, it is applied to the printer 3 of the main machine. If the profile being applied is “normal color adjustment”, the profile is set not to be applied. If the profile applied by the printer 3 of the main machine is “CUD”, “CUD” is set. If the “ambiguity determination” is “two-color printing”, “two-color printing” is selected and set.
That is, in the case of (4) in the table, the “normal color adjustment” profile is not held, but the “ambiguity determination” is held. However, since “two-color printing” is prioritized, no profile is applied.

Alternatively, when the profile that can be set by the printer 1 of the substitute machine is “ambiguity determination”, “two-color printing”, or “CUD”, and “ambiguity determination” is the first priority, it is applied by the printer 3 of the main machine. If the profile is “normal color adjustment”, “ambiguity determination” is selected and set. If the profile applied by the printer 3 of the main machine is “CUD”, “CUD” is selected. If “ambiguity determination” is “two-color printing”, “two-color printing” is selected and set.
That is, in the case of (5) in the table, the profile of “normal color adjustment” is not held, but “ambiguity determination” is held and “ambiguity determination” is given priority. Replace with the profile and set.

In this way, in the case of the functional profile, either the same profile as the main machine is applied or the error is stopped, but in the case of the reproducibility profile, "Do not apply profile""Replace with other profile" There are patterns of “Apply the same profile as the main machine”.
As a precondition, the “ambiguity determination” profile does not undergo large color conversion even in the function profile, so if “ambiguity determination” is ranked first, it can be replaced with a reproducibility profile (normal profile). I have to.

The “do not apply profile” pattern does not apply the profile if the profile applied by the main machine cannot be set, or if the profile of “ambiguity determination” is not held.
The “Replace with other profile” pattern is used when the profile applied by the main unit cannot be set. However, if the profile of “ambiguity determination” is possessed and the priority is set to 1st , Replace the profile of “ambiguity determination” and apply.
The pattern “Apply the same profile as the main machine” is the same profile as the main machine if the profile can be set the same as the main machine, even if the reproducibility profile is not given priority in the profile priority of the substitute machine Apply.

In the image processing system of this embodiment, in the case of proxy printing, the profile information set by the main machine is transferred to the proxy machine, and the profile application can be controlled on the proxy machine side. In the case of proxy printing, printing is performed on the main machine. In both cases, the image quality of the printed matter can be matched when printing is performed by the proxy machine.
If the proxy does not have the same profile as the main machine, the profile can be applied according to the profile priority setting of the proxy machine. Furthermore, according to the profile priority setting of the proxy machine, it is possible to perform either an error, a profile not applied, or a profile replacement.

  The image forming apparatus and the image processing system according to the present invention can be applied to all apparatuses having an image processing function including a facsimile machine, a printer, a copying machine, and a multifunction machine.

1-3: Printer 4-6: Host computer 7: Network 10: Control unit 11: Storage unit 12: Image processing unit 13: Drawing unit 14: Operation panel 15: Communication unit 16: Engine unit 20: Control module 21: Data Analysis module 22: Image processing / drawing module 23: Profile 24: Printing module 25: Operation panel control module 26: Network module 30: Normal color adjustment profile 31: Two-color printing profile 32: CUD profile 33: Ambiguous determination Profiles

JP-A-2005-070877 JP 2005-342963 A JP 2001-202221 A

Claims (15)

In an image forming apparatus that prints by performing image processing including profile conversion processing on print data input from a network,
A profile of another image forming apparatus is received via the network, and a profile to be applied at the time of proxy printing of the other image forming apparatus is selected based on the received profile and a profile that can be set by the own apparatus. An image forming apparatus comprising profile selection setting means for setting.   The profile selection setting unit selects and sets the same profile as a profile to be applied at the time of proxy printing when the profile that can be set by the own apparatus has the same profile as the profile of the other image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a means.   If the profile of the other image forming apparatus is a reproducibility profile in the profile selection setting unit and the reproducibility profile is not included in the profiles that can be set by the self apparatus, the profile is not applied during proxy printing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for setting to   The profile selection setting means includes means for stopping an error in proxy printing when the profile of the other image forming apparatus is a functional profile and does not have a functional profile among profiles that can be set by the apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided.   In the profile selection setting means, the profile of the other image forming apparatus is a reproducibility profile, and does not have a reproducibility profile among the profiles that can be set by the self apparatus, but has a replaceable functional profile. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for applying the replaceable functional profile at the time of proxy printing. In an image processing system including an image forming apparatus that performs printing by performing image processing including profile conversion processing on print data input from a network,
The profile of another image forming apparatus is received by the image forming apparatus via the network, and is applied during proxy printing of the other image forming apparatus based on the received profile and a profile that can be set by the own apparatus. An image processing system comprising profile selection setting means for selecting and setting a profile to be set.   The profile selection setting unit selects and sets the same profile as a profile to be applied at the time of proxy printing when the profile that can be set by the own apparatus has the same profile as the profile of the other image forming apparatus. The image processing system according to claim 6, wherein the image processing system is a means.   If the profile of the other image forming apparatus is a reproducibility profile in the profile selection setting unit and the reproducibility profile is not included in the profiles that can be set by the self apparatus, the profile is not applied during proxy printing. The image processing system according to claim 7, further comprising means for setting to   The profile selection setting means includes means for stopping an error in proxy printing when the profile of the other image forming apparatus is a functional profile and does not have a functional profile among profiles that can be set by the apparatus. 9. The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein the image processing system is provided.   In the profile selection setting means, the profile of the other image forming apparatus is a reproducibility profile, and does not have a reproducibility profile among the profiles that can be set by the self apparatus, but has a replaceable functional profile. 10. The image processing system according to claim 7, further comprising means for applying the replaceable functional profile at the time of proxy printing.   A procedure for performing print processing by performing image processing including profile conversion processing on print data input from a network on a computer, receiving a profile of another image forming apparatus via the network, and receiving the received profile A program for executing a profile selection setting procedure for selecting and setting a profile to be applied during proxy printing of the other image forming apparatus based on a profile that can be set by the apparatus.   When the computer has the same profile as the profile of the other image forming apparatus among the profiles that can be set by the apparatus as the profile selection setting procedure, the same profile is selected as the profile to be applied during proxy printing. 12. The program according to claim 11 for executing a setting procedure.   Procedure for setting a profile not to be applied during proxy printing when the profile of the other image forming apparatus is a reproducibility profile and does not have a reproducibility profile among the profiles that can be set by the self apparatus. The program of Claim 12 for performing.   When the profile of the other image forming apparatus is a functional profile and the computer does not have a functional profile among the profiles that can be set by the own apparatus, the computer is caused to execute an error-stopping procedure for proxy printing. The program according to claim 12 or 13.   When the profile of the other image forming apparatus is a reproducibility profile in the computer and does not have a reproducibility profile among the profiles that can be set by the self apparatus, but has a replaceable functional profile The program according to any one of claims 12 to 14, for executing a procedure for applying the replaceable functionality profile during proxy printing.

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