Image formation control method, image formation control system, image formation control program, and image processing control program

Abstract

To provide an image formation control method that can perform printing with high image quality and a desired printing size regardless of the number of pixels of an image file.SOLUTION: Image processing means embodied by a server using cloud computing executes: a file receiving step S41 of receiving an image file and the number of print pixels satisfying a print condition from an information terminal; a resolution increase processing step S43 of creating a high resolution image file obtained by increasing the number of pixels of the image file to be equal to or more than the number of print pixels; and a file returning step S44 of outputting the high resolution image file to the information terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image formation control method, an image formation control system, an image formation control program, and an image processing control program. [Background Art]

[0002] Halftone dots in printed matter become difficult for the human eye to recognize when the resolution is 300 dpi (dots per inch) or higher. For this reason, image forming apparatuses such as printers and multifunction peripherals / printers / products (MFPs) are generally configured to have a resolution of 300 dpi, or can be set stepwise to higher resolutions such as 600 dpi, 1200 dpi, etc. In the long-side direction or the short-side direction, if the number of pixels m of an image file to be printed is greater than the product (r×L) of the resolution r and the print size L (the dimension excluding margins at the periphery of the printed matter), pixels of the image file are thinned out to adjust the number of pixels to (r×L) before printing. Conversely, if the number of pixels m of the image file is less than (r×L), a coarse image with a low resolution (m / L) is printed regardless of the set value of the resolution r.

[0003] For example, images on the World Wide Web (WEB) displayed on a display unit of an information terminal such as a personal computer (PC) or a smartphone are generally optimized to, for example, 72 ppi (pixels per inch) in order to increase display speed. Accordingly, such images have a small number of pixels, and when printed, the larger the print size, the coarser the image quality. Further, even for an image with a large number of pixels such as a digital photograph, when a partial region of the image is extracted and enlarged and printed, the smaller the print region, the smaller the number of pixels in the print region, resulting in coarse image quality of the printed matter.

[0004] To prevent the printing conditions that the user intends to set from deviating from the appropriate printing conditions provided by the image forming apparatus, an invention has been disclosed in which, when the user is setting the printing conditions by operating the touch panel of the image forming apparatus, the touch panel vibrates to notify the user that the printing conditions are suitable when they match the printing conditions provided by the image forming apparatus (Patent Document 1).

[0005] Furthermore, in order to operate an information terminal and print using an image forming machine connected locally or via a network, it is generally necessary to have model-specific software (printer driver) for controlling the image forming machine installed on the information terminal. However, in recent years, many models of image forming machines can be controlled by standard drivers built into the operating system (OS) of the information terminal. Moreover, by providing image processing software on an external server, it is possible to send print data generated by the standard driver of the information terminal to the server via the image forming machine, process the image on the server, and then send the processed data back to the image forming machine for printing, thereby performing image processing that is difficult with standard drivers alone, such as 2-in-1 printing (Patent Document 2). In addition, technologies have been put into practical use in which printer drivers are provided as cloud services, eliminating the need for installation on information terminals.

[0006] By installing software on a server and accessing it via a network, high-performance processing using large-capacity software can be performed regardless of the hardware specifications of the information terminal, such as its memory capacity. In this way, in recent years, various software (mainly application software), such as SaaS (Software as a Service) on network-connected cloud systems, can be used from information terminals. Among SaaS, there are high-performance tools equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), and one such system that performs high-resolution image processing (super-resolution processing) is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6733536 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-87256 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-140563 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, if the number of pixels in the image file is small, it is not possible to enlarge the image beyond a certain point while maintaining the quality of the printed material.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an image formation control method, an image formation control system, an image formation control program, and an image processing control program that enable printing with high image quality and a desired print size, regardless of the number of pixels in an image file, by operating an information terminal, even if the hardware specifications of the information terminal or image forming apparatus are not high. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The above-mentioned problems of the present invention are solved by the following configuration.

[0011] (1) Image file or its location And the print area in the image of the aforementioned image file and , printing conditions or the number of print pixels that satisfy them and information including The process of receiving the received file, The aforementioned image file In the aforementioned printing area, The aforementioned number of print pixels or higher The minimum number of pixels that can be generated, or the maximum number of pixels that can be generated and less than the number of printed pixels. A high-resolution processing step that generates a high-resolution image file, The high-resolution image file is sent by the source of the file reception process. 、 or the above The location of the memory device further contained within the information indicates An image formation control method that performs a file return process for outputting to a storage device.

[0012] (2) The image formation control method according to (1), wherein the file receiving step, the high-resolution processing step, and the file return step are performed by an image processing means implemented by a server using cloud computing.

[0013] (3) Before the file reception step, the information terminal determines the image file or its location, The printable area in the image of the aforementioned image file, A printing condition transmission step is performed to transmit the aforementioned printing conditions directly or indirectly to the image processing means. The image forming preparation means combines the image file or the high-resolution image file with The print area and The image forming control method according to (2), which receives the aforementioned printing conditions and performs an image forming preparation step of generating a print file and outputting it to an image forming apparatus.

[0014] (4) Prior to the high-resolution processing step, the information terminal, the image forming preparation means, or the image processing means performs the image file In the aforementioned printing area A determination step is performed to compare the number of pixels with the number of printed pixels. The aforementioned image file In the aforementioned printing area If the number of pixels is equal to or greater than the number of printed pixels, the image processing means does not perform the high-resolution processing step and the file return step. If the aforementioned high-resolution processing step is not performed, The aforementioned The image formation control method according to (3), wherein the image formation preparation means generates the printable file from the image file in the image formation preparation step.

[0015] (5) The information terminal executes the determination step, The information terminal, in the print condition transmission step, the image file In the aforementioned printing area If the number of pixels is less than the number of print pixels, the image is transmitted to the image processing means and the image file In the aforementioned printing area The image forming control method according to (4), wherein if the number of pixels is equal to or greater than the number of printed pixels, the image is transmitted to the image forming preparation means.

[0016] (6) In the file reply step, the image processing means outputs the high-resolution image file to the information terminal, The image formation control method according to (5), wherein a file transfer step is executed in which the information terminal outputs the high-resolution image file to the image formation preparation means after the file reply step and before the image formation preparation step.

[0017] (7) The image formation preparation means executes the determination step, the information terminal transmits the printing conditions to the image formation preparation means in the printing condition transmitting step, the image processing means receives the image file from the image formation preparation means in the file receiving step, and outputs the image file to the image formation preparation means in the file replying step, the image formation preparation means ,before after receiving the high-resolution image file, is substituted. The image formation control method according to (4). The image file is the high-resolution image file replaced. The image formation control method according to (4).

[0018] (8) The determination step is characterized in that, when the number of pixels of the image file In the aforementioned printing area is less than the printing pixel count, indicating that the image file has insufficient pixel count on a display device of the information terminal. The image formation control method according to any one of (4) to (7).

[0019] (9) Execution of the high-resolution processing step is determined by a user operation on the information terminal. The image formation control method according to (8).

[0021] ( 10 ) At least one of a print size and a print resolution in the printing conditions is selected by a user of the information terminal. The image formation control method according to any one of (3) to (7).

[0022] ( 11The image forming control method according to any one of (3) to (7), wherein the information terminal or the image forming apparatus performs an image forming apparatus information transmission step of transmitting the location of the image forming apparatus to the image forming preparation means.

[0023] ( 12 ) The image formation control method according to any one of (3) to (7), wherein in the high-resolution processing step, the image processing means notifies the information terminal that the generation of the high-resolution image file has been completed.

[0024] ( 13 The image formation control method according to any one of (3) to (7), which involves performing a preview step of displaying on the display device an image file of the image displayed on the display device of the information terminal, or the high-resolution image file, an image of the printed product expected based on the printing conditions, on the display device.

[0025] ( 14 ) After the high-resolution processing step, the number of print pixels or more generated by the image processing means The minimum number of pixels that can be generated, or the maximum number of pixels that can be generated and less than the number of printed pixels. The preview process using the image file is performed without user operation on the information terminal. 13 Image formation control method as described in ).

[0026] ( 15 ) on the computer, The information terminal contains an image file or its location. The print area in the image of the aforementioned image file and A procedure for transmitting printing conditions to an image processing means or an image forming preparation means. The image processing means provides an image file or its location and The print area in the image of the aforementioned image file and The system receives the printing conditions or the number of print pixels that satisfy them, and the image file In the aforementioned printing area, The aforementioned number of print pixels or higher The minimum number of pixels that can be generated, or the maximum number of pixels that can be generated and less than the number of printed pixels. A procedure for generating a high-resolution image file and outputting it to the image formation preparation means via the information terminal or directly, The image forming preparation means includes an image file and The print area in the image of the aforementioned image file and The print conditions are received, and the image file and The print area andA procedure for generating a print file from the aforementioned printing conditions and outputting it to an image forming apparatus. An image formation control program that executes the necessary actions.

[0027] ( 16 ) on the computer, Image file or its location And the print area in the image of the aforementioned image file and , printing conditions or the number of print pixels that satisfy them and information including Procedure for receiving from an external source, The aforementioned image file In the aforementioned printing area, The aforementioned number of print pixels or higher The minimum number of pixels that can be generated, or the maximum number of pixels that can be generated and less than the number of printed pixels. The procedure for generating high-resolution image files, The high-resolution image file is the source of the image file. 、 or the above The location of the memory device further contained within the information indicates Procedure for sending to storage device, An image processing control program that executes [the necessary actions].

[0028] ( 17 ) Image file or its location and The print area in the image of the aforementioned image file and An information terminal that transmits print conditions, Image file or its location and The print area in the image of the aforementioned image file and The image file receives the printing conditions or the number of print pixels that satisfy them, and In the aforementioned printing area, The aforementioned number of print pixels or higher The minimum number of pixels that can be generated, or the maximum number of pixels that can be generated and less than the number of printed pixels. An image processing means that generates and outputs a high-resolution image file, Image file and the print area in the image of the aforementioned image file Printing conditions and An image forming control system comprising: an image forming preparation means that receives data, generates a printable file, and outputs it to an image forming apparatus.

[0029] ( 18 ) The image processing means is implemented by a server utilizing cloud computing, ( 17 Image formation control system as described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] According to the image formation control method, image formation control system, image formation control program, and image processing control program of the present invention, even if the hardware specifications of the information terminal or image forming apparatus are not high, it is possible to print with high image quality and a desired print size, regardless of the number of pixels in the image file, by operating the information terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0031] [Figure 1] This is a network configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of an image formation control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an example of an image printed by the image formation control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an information terminal, illustrating an image formation control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an information terminal, illustrating an image formation control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3C] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an information terminal, illustrating an image formation control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an image processing means, illustrating an image formation control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Below, an image formation control method and an image formation control system in an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] [Image Forming Control System] An image forming control system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises at least an information terminal, an image forming apparatus, and a server connected to each other via a network, allowing a user of the information terminal to select an image file and print it using the image forming apparatus. As an example, as shown in Figure 1, the image forming control system 10 comprises a local network system 2 and a cloud system 3 connected via the Internet 1.

[0034] The local network system 2 is built within a company or one of its locations, or within a home, and connects to the Internet 1 via a proxy server (or firewall) 22. It is equipped with one or more PCs (information terminals) 24, printers or multifunction devices 25 (image forming devices), and, if necessary, a local server (storage device) 23 for data storage and sharing, all connected to each other via a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) 21. A smartphone (information terminal) 14 can also connect to the Internet 1. Publicly known standards can be applied to each of these elements.

[0035] For example, the PC 24 can be a desktop or notebook type equipped with a display (display device) as shown in Figure 1, and an image as shown in Figure 2 is displayed on the display device. Then, any one of the multifunction printers 25 connected via LAN 21 can be selected, and the image can be printed on paper using this multifunction printer 25. To this end, the PC 24 has the printer driver for the multifunction printer 25 installed and has an image control unit (image forming preparation means). The image control unit converts the file to be printed into data in a printable file format, such as PDL (Page Description Language) data (PDL data), based on the printing conditions. The image control unit also generates a predicted image (preview image) of the printed product. The multifunction printer 25 includes a printer engine, which is a mechanical part that performs printing, such as fixing ink or toner to the printing paper, and a printer controller that drives and controls the printer engine and has a memory for temporarily storing input data and software for converting data into a raster image.

[0036] Cloud system 3 has one or more cloud servers (virtual servers). The cloud servers have functions such as cloud storage for storing data and SaaS that make software available on external edge devices (information terminals), and these are provided as paid or free services to users of smartphones and PCs (information terminals, edge devices) connected to the Internet 1. Specifically, SaaS includes search engines, web conferencing systems, image processing, accounting processing, etc. SaaS also includes those that perform high-performance processing using AI, for example, as one of the image processing functions, it can perform high-resolution processing (super-resolution processing, upscaling, upconversion). In this embodiment, cloud system 3 has three cloud servers 3a, 3b, and 3c, one of which functions as an image processing device (image processing means) 3a, and another functions as cloud storage (storage device) 3b.

[0037] The image processing device 3a increases the resolution of an image by inferring and filling in missing or lost pixels, and by using AI, such advanced processing can be performed in a short time. The image processing device 3a increases the resolution by, for example, n times or 2 times. n The multiplier (n: a natural number) can be selected and changed in steps up to a maximum of 16 times by the user. The image processing device 3a can further perform image processing such as color correction, cropping to remove areas outside a specified coordinate region, and rotation at a specified angle.

[0038] In this embodiment, the image processing device 3a receives the minimum required number of pixels (printing pixels) along with the image file. The image processing device 3a then automatically selects the lowest resolution enhancement mode that is equal to or greater than this number of pixels, processes the received image file in this mode to generate a high-resolution image file, and outputs (replies to) it back to the source. If the image processing device 3a cannot reach the minimum required number of pixels even with the highest resolution enhancement mode (e.g., 16x), it selects the highest resolution enhancement mode. This series of processes can be executed by storing a program on the computer (physical server) that constitutes the image processing device 3a, which is a cloud server.

[0039] [Image Formation Control Method] The image formation control method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a control method for a user of PC24 to operate PC24 and print an image of a selected image file on the multifunction printer 25. The processes mainly executed by PC24 will be described with reference to Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C.

[0040] PC24 displays an image file stored in its memory or on the local server 23 on the display (display device) (S11). The user operates PC24 to set print conditions, including print size and resolution, in order to print this image (S12). The print size is determined by the paper size (A3 / A4 / A5 / A6 / B4 / B5 / B6), its orientation (portrait / landscape / automatic), the length of the top, bottom, left, and right margins, or even condensation (2in1 / 4in1). The resolution can be selected from, for example, 300dpi / 600dpi / 1200dpi. Other print conditions that can be selected include color / black and white, single-sided printing / double-sided printing, etc.

[0041] When the user selects preview display (S13, YES), the image control unit (image forming preparation means) of the PC24 generates a preview image based on the set print conditions from the image file of the currently displayed image (S2a) and displays it on the display (S15). Along with the preview image, widgets such as text displaying the display magnification based on the actual size of the printed material (100%), a slider for adjusting the display magnification, and a button to switch to displaying the entire page (printed material) at the maximum displayable magnification may be displayed on the display. Note that when the print conditions are set (S12), the preview image may be generated and displayed without user operation (S13). It is also possible to switch to setting the print conditions while the preview image is being displayed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the print target area (print area) of the image can be set on the preview image (initial state: entire). In this case (S16, YES), the print area can be specified, for example, by dragging and dropping with the mouse, as shown by the dotted frame in Figure 2. If the display has a touch panel function, the print area can be specified by pinching out to make the desired area the entire preview image. When the print area is specified (changed) (S17), the preview image is regenerated and displayed accordingly (S2a, S15).

[0042] Furthermore, it is determined whether the image file has enough pixels to satisfy both the print size and resolution (print resolution) of the print conditions (S18). Specifically, the print size L (inch) is the length of one side of the selected printing paper (e.g., A4) minus the lengths of the margins on both sides. The number of pixels m in the image file is the number of pixels in one direction within the print area. If the product of the print resolution r (dpi) and the print size L (inch) (r × L) is less than or equal to the number of pixels m in the image file (r × L ≤ m) (S18, YES), then a printout with the print size and resolution selected by the user can be obtained using this image file. Then, the user selects the printer (multifunction device 25) (S19) and commands the execution of printing (S51, YES).

[0043] The image control unit then converts the image file into printable file format data (e.g., PDL data) based on the print conditions (S6) and outputs it to the multifunction printer 25. Here, since the image control unit acquired the image file when it generated the preview image (S2a) (S52, YES), it converts this image file into PDL data. If the image control unit has not acquired the image file (S52, NO), it sends the image file to the image control unit from the memory of the PC 24 where the image file is stored or from the local server 23 (S53). The printer controller rasterizes the received PDL data in the multifunction printer 25 to convert it into bitmap data, and prints the image corresponding to the bitmap data onto the paper (S7). Note that printer selection (S19) can also be performed when setting the print conditions (S12), or the user can operate the multifunction printer 25 to perform it immediately before printing (S7).

[0044] On the other hand, if the product of the print resolution r and the print size L (r × L) exceeds the number of pixels m in the image file (r × L > m) (S18, NO), the display shows that a print with sufficient resolution cannot be obtained with the print file set by the user (S31). The user can then change the print conditions (S32, YES) to make the print size L smaller or lower the resolution r (S12) so that the product of the resolution r and the print size L (r × L) is less than or equal to the number of pixels m (r × L ≤ m) (S18, YES), and perform the same process as above.

[0045] You can also print the image file as is (S33, NO) without changing the print conditions (print size, resolution) (S32, NO). In this case, the print size takes precedence, and regardless of the print resolution r set by the user, a low-resolution (m / L) image with poor quality will be printed.

[0046] Alternatively, the user may choose not to change the printing conditions (S32, NO) and instead choose to increase the resolution of the image file to increase the number of pixels (S33, YES). Upon this selection by the user, the PC24 transmits the image file and the required number of pixels (r × L, number of print pixels) to the image processing device (image processing means) 3a of the cloud system 3, which is connected via the Internet 1 (S34). The image processing device 3a then generates a high-resolution image file (high-resolution image file) that has increased resolution to have more pixels than or equal to the number of print pixels of the received image file (S4). The PC24 then receives this high-resolution image file from the image processing device 3a (S35) and subsequently receives a processing completion notification from the image processing device 3a (S36). Once the PC24 receives the high-resolution image file (S35), it inputs it to the image control unit (S37). As a result, the image control unit replaces the image file used when generating the preview image with the high-resolution image file.

[0047] Upon receiving a processing completion notification (S36), if the user selects preview display again (S13, YES), the image control unit has acquired a high-resolution image file (S14, YES), so it generates a preview image from this high-resolution image file (S2b) and displays it on the display (S15). Furthermore, the comparison of print conditions and pixel count (S18) is performed on the pixel count of the high-resolution image file. Then, the image control unit generates PDL data from the high-resolution image file and the previously set print conditions (S6), and the multifunction printer 25 prints (S7). Alternatively, when the image control unit acquires a high-resolution image file (S37), it may generate a preview image from this high-resolution image file (S2b) and display it (S15) regardless of user operation (S13).

[0048] By performing the high-resolution processing (S4) by the image processing device 3a, a printed document that satisfies both the print size and resolution set by the user can be obtained. Thus, if the product of the print resolution r and the print size L (r × L) exceeds the number of pixels m in the image file (r × L > m) (S18, NO), there are three options: change the print conditions, especially reduce the print size, lower the print resolution, or increase the resolution of the image file through image processing. Alternatively, if the user does not change the print conditions (S32, NO), the image processing device 3a may perform the high-resolution processing (S4) of the image file without user operation (S33). Note that in the comparison of the number of pixels in the image file and the print conditions (S18), the determination may be made using a predetermined print resolution (e.g., 300 dpi) regardless of the print resolution set by the user. Furthermore, the comparison of the number of pixels in the image file and the print conditions (S18) may not be performed, and the high-resolution processing (S4) of the image file may be performed by user operation (S33).

[0049] The processing performed by the image processing device 3a will be described below with reference to Figure 4. When the image processing device 3a receives an image file and the number of print pixels from the PC 24 (S41), it determines how many times to increase the resolution based on the number of pixels in the image file and the number of print pixels (S42). Based on this, it increases the resolution of the image file (S43), outputs (replies to) the generated high-resolution image file to the PC 24, the source of the image file, etc. (S44), and then sends a processing completion notification to the PC 24 (S45). If the print area of ​​the image file is not the entire image, the image processing device 3a also receives the print area (coordinates, etc.) along with the number of print pixels and generates a high-resolution image file with cropping applied. Alternatively, without performing cropping, it determines how many times to increase the resolution so that the number of print pixels corresponds to the print area (S42).

[0050] The image processing device 3a may be configured to receive printing conditions including print size and print resolution instead of print pixel count (S41), and to determine how many times to increase the resolution so that it is equal to or greater than the required resolution (print resolution) based on these conditions (S42).

[0051] The image processing device 3a can also output the generated high-resolution image file to a location other than PC24, such as the local server 23. To this end, when PC24 transmits the number of print pixels, etc. (S34, S41), it also transmits the location (IP address) of the local server 23 as the output destination for the high-resolution image file, and the image processing device 3a outputs the generated high-resolution image file to this IP address (S44). Alternatively, after the processing completion notification (S36), the system may be configured to allow the user to specify a desired storage device, such as PC24 or the local server 23, and have the image processing device 3a output (download) the high-resolution image file.

[0052] The image files processed by the image processing device 3a may be data stored in the memory of the PC 24 or on a local network system 2 such as the local server 23, or, for example, data stored in cloud storage (storage device) 3b or data on the web connected via the Internet 1. In this case, the PC 24 sends the location (IP address) of the image file to the image processing device 3a instead (S34). Based on the received IP address, the image processing device 3a retrieves the image file and enhances its resolution.

[0053] The image processing device 3a may not acquire image files, but instead operate on the PC24 and enhance the resolution of image files stored on the PC24. With such an image processing device 3a, there is no need to output the image file and its high-resolution image file outside the local network system 2, so confidential images can be enhanced to high resolution using software (image processing device 3a) outside the local network system 2.

[0054] The image control unit (image formation preparation means) may be located in the printer controller of the multifunction device 25 or in the local server 23, rather than in the PC 24. For example, if the image control unit is located in the local server 23, the PC 24 sends (transfers) the high-resolution image file to the local server 23 (S37) after receiving it (S35). Alternatively, the image processing device 3a may output the high-resolution image file directly to the local server 23 without going through the PC 24. To do this, the PC 24 transmits the location (IP address) of the local server 23 along with the number of print pixels, etc., as described above (S34, S41). Furthermore, the image control unit of the local server 23 may be configured to perform a comparison of the number of pixels in the image file with the printing conditions (S18). In this case, if the PC 24 selects to increase the resolution of the image file (S33, YES), the local server 23 may transmit the image file and the printing conditions or the number of print pixels to the image processing device 3a.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image control unit performs the conversion of the image file to PDL data (S6) and the generation of preview images (S2a, S2b). However, these may be performed by different components (devices). For example, the PC 24 may perform the generation of the preview images, and the local server 23 may perform the conversion to PDL data. The series of processes performed by the image control unit can be carried out by storing a program in the PC 24, the local server 23, or the printer controller of the multifunction device 25.

[0056] The image formation control method according to the present invention is not limited to processing by a PC (information terminal) 24 and a multifunction printer 25 within a local network system 2 established in a company or home, but can also be performed using services such as DPE (Development - Printing - Enlargement) or POD (Print On Demand) via network printing. Below, as another embodiment, a method for using the said service from a smartphone (information terminal) 14 connected to the Internet 1 will be described.

[0057] The cloud server 3c provides services such as DPE and POD via network printing and has an image control unit (image forming preparation means). In this embodiment, a local network system 2 equipped with at least a multifunction printer (image forming apparatus) 25 is established at a store operated or partnered with by the provider of this service. Alternatively, the multifunction printer 25 may have a firewall function and be directly connected to the internet 1. When a user inputs (uploads) an image file to the cloud server 3c by operating a smartphone 14 or their own PC (information terminal, not shown), they can print the image using the multifunction printer 25 at the store. Also, similar to the above embodiment, the print area can be specified using the display (touch panel) of the smartphone 14. The image file may be data stored in the memory of the smartphone 14 or in cloud storage (storage device) 3b, or it may be data on the web. Printing conditions can be set by operating the smartphone 14 when uploading the image file, and depending on the service, they can be set by operating the multifunction printer 25. Additionally, the user can operate the smartphone 14 or the multifunction printer 25 (S13, YES) to display a preview image on the smartphone 14 or the multifunction printer 25's display (S15).

[0058] The cloud server 3c determines, based on the input image file and printing conditions, whether the number of pixels in the image file meets the printing conditions, similar to the embodiment described above (S18). If a printing area is specified, the cloud server 3c performs cropping. If the number of pixels in the image file meets the printing conditions (print size, resolution) (S18, YES), the cloud server 3c converts the image file into PDL data (S6) and outputs it to the multifunction printer 25 operated by the user. The multifunction printer 25 then prints the image (S7).

[0059] If the input image file has insufficient pixels (S18, NO), the cloud server 3c notifies the smartphone 14 of the insufficient pixels, and also notifies the multifunction printer 25 if the user is operating the multifunction printer 25 (S31). If the user operates the smartphone 14 or the multifunction printer 25 and selects to increase the resolution of the image file (S33, YES), the cloud server 3c sends the image file and the printing conditions or print resolution to another cloud server, the image processing device 3a (S34). Similar to the above embodiment, the image processing device 3a increases the resolution of the image file (S4) and outputs (replies) the generated high-resolution image file to the cloud server 3c (S35, S44). The image processing device 3a may also send a processing completion notification to the cloud server 3c (S45), and the cloud server 3c sends (transfers) the received processing completion notification to the smartphone 14 or further to the multifunction printer 25. Then, the cloud server 3c converts the high-resolution image file into PDL data (S6) and outputs it to the multifunction printer 25.

[0060] As described above, the image formation control method according to the present invention can be applied when printing an image using a desired image forming apparatus by operating an information terminal such as a PC or smartphone.

[0061] The image formation control method according to the present invention can be applied not only to printing images but also when displaying images on PC or smartphone displays (display devices). When an image is displayed on a PC or smartphone display at a desired size (reduction ratio), selecting to perform a high-resolution processing operation will cause the image processing device (cloud server) to increase the resolution of the image file to a resolution corresponding to the display resolution or a resolution specified by the user. Then, the generated high-resolution image file is replaced and the image is displayed on the display.

[0062] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified and implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10 Image Forming Control System 1. Internet 14. Smartphone (information terminal) 2 Local network system 21 LAN 22 Proxy Servers 23. Local servers, storage devices 24 PC (Information Terminal) 25 Multifunction device (image forming device) 3. Cloud System 3a Cloud server, image processing device (image processing means) 3b Cloud servers, cloud storage (storage devices) 3c Cloud server, image control unit (image formation preparation means) S15 Preview Process S18 Judgment process S19 Image forming apparatus information transmission process S34 Print condition transmission process S37 File Transfer Process S41 File Reception Process S43 High-resolution processing step S44 File Reply Process S6 Image formation preparation process S7 Image forming process

Claims

1. A file receiving step that receives information including an image file or its location, the print area in the image of the image file, and the print conditions or the number of print pixels that satisfy them. A high-resolution processing step that generates a high-resolution image file in which the image file has the minimum number of pixels that can be generated that is equal to or greater than the number of print pixels in the print area, or the maximum number of pixels that can be generated and less than the number of print pixels, An image forming control method that performs a file return step of outputting the high-resolution image file to the source of the file reception step, or to a storage device indicated by the location of the storage device further included in the information.

2. The image formation control method according to claim 1, wherein the file receiving step, the high-resolution processing step, and the file return step are performed by image processing means implemented by a server utilizing cloud computing.

3. Prior to the file reception step, the information terminal performs a print condition transmission step in which it directly or indirectly transmits the image file or its location, the print area in the image of the image file, and the print conditions to the image processing means. The image forming control method according to claim 2, wherein the image forming preparation means receives the image file or the high-resolution image file, the printing area, and the printing conditions, generates a printable file, and outputs it to the image forming apparatus, and performs an image forming preparation step.

4. Prior to the high-resolution processing step, the information terminal, the image forming preparation means, or the image processing means performs a determination step of comparing the number of pixels in the print area of ​​the image file with the number of printed pixels. If the number of pixels in the print area of ​​the image file is equal to or greater than the number of print pixels, the image processing means does not perform the high-resolution processing step and the file return step. The image formation control method according to claim 3, wherein if the high-resolution processing step is not performed, the image formation preparation means generates the printable file from the image file in the image formation preparation step.

5. The information terminal performs the determination step, The image formation control method according to claim 4, wherein the information terminal transmits to the image processing means if the number of pixels in the print area of ​​the image file is less than the number of print pixels, and transmits to the image formation preparation means if the number of pixels in the print area of ​​the image file is equal to or greater than the number of print pixels.

6. In the file return step, the image processing means outputs the high-resolution image file to the information terminal. The image formation control method according to claim 5, wherein the information terminal performs a file transfer step in which it outputs the high-resolution image file to the image formation preparation means, after the file reply step and before the image formation preparation step.

7. The image forming preparation means performs the determination step, The information terminal transmits to the image forming preparation means in the printing condition transmission step, The image processing means receives from the image formation preparation means in the file receiving step and outputs to the image formation preparation means in the file return step. The image formation control method according to claim 4, wherein when the image formation preparation means receives the high-resolution image file, the image file is replaced with the high-resolution image file.

8. The image forming control method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the determination step displays on the display device of the information terminal that the image file has insufficient pixels if the number of pixels in the print area of ​​the image file is less than the number of print pixels.

9. The image formation control method according to claim 8, wherein the execution of the high-resolution processing step is determined by user operation on the information terminal.

10. The image forming control method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein at least one of the print size and print resolution in the print conditions is selected by the user of the information terminal.

11. The image forming control method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the information terminal or the image forming apparatus performs an image forming apparatus information transmission step of transmitting the location of the image forming apparatus to the image forming preparation means.

12. The image formation control method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein in the high-resolution processing step, the image processing means notifies the information terminal that the generation of the high-resolution image file has been completed.

13. The image formation control method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, which involves performing a preview step of displaying on the display device a preview image of the image file of the image displayed on the display device of the information terminal, or the high-resolution image file, an image of the printed product expected based on the printing conditions, on the display device.

14. The image formation control method according to claim 13, wherein, after the high-resolution processing step, the preview step is performed using an image file with the minimum number of pixels that can be generated which is equal to or greater than the number of print pixels generated by the image processing means, or the maximum number of pixels that can be generated which is less than the number of print pixels, without user operation on the information terminal.

15. On the computer, A procedure for causing an information terminal to transmit an image file or its location, the print area in the image file, and the print conditions to an image processing means or an image forming preparation means. A procedure for causing the image processing means to receive an image file or its location, the print area in the image of the image file, and print conditions or the number of print pixels that satisfy them, and to cause the image processing means to generate a high-resolution image file in which the print area of ​​the image file has the minimum number of generateable pixels that is equal to or greater than the number of print pixels, or the maximum number of generateable pixels that is less than the number of print pixels, and outputting this to the image forming preparation means via the information terminal or directly. A procedure for causing the image forming preparation means to receive an image file, a print area in the image file, and print conditions, to generate a print file from the image file, the print area, and the print conditions, and output it to an image forming apparatus. An image formation control program that executes the necessary actions.

16. On the computer, A procedure for receiving information from an external source, including an image file or its location, the print area in the image of the image file, and print conditions or the number of print pixels that satisfy them. A procedure for generating a high-resolution image file in which the image file has the minimum number of pixels that can be generated that is equal to or greater than the number of print pixels, or the maximum number of pixels that can be generated but is less than the number of print pixels, A procedure for transmitting the aforementioned high-resolution image file to the source of the image file, or to a storage device indicated by the location of the storage device further included in the information, An image processing control program that executes [the necessary actions].

17. An information terminal that transmits an image file or its location, the print area in the image file, and the print conditions, Image processing means that receives an image file or its location, the print area in the image of the image file, and print conditions or the number of print pixels that satisfy them, and generates and outputs a high-resolution image file in which the image file has the minimum number of generateable pixels that is equal to or greater than the number of print pixels, or the maximum number of generateable pixels that is less than the number of print pixels, An image forming control system comprising: an image forming preparation means that receives an image file, a print area in the image file, and print conditions, generates a print file, and outputs it to an image forming apparatus.

18. The image forming control system according to claim 17, wherein the image processing means is implemented by a server utilizing cloud computing.

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