Information processing apparatus and data generation method, and printing system and program

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The information processing device addresses printing delays by determining the necessity of analysis images and generating print data, including index files, to ensure efficient and timely printing.

JP2025121751APending Publication Date: 2025-08-20CANON KK

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Patent Information

Application Number: JP2024017427
Authority / Receiving Office: JP · JP
Patent Type: Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date: 2024-02-07
Publication Date: 2025-08-20

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional printing processes face delays in starting the printing process due to the need for generating analysis images, and there is a lack of systems that can determine when such images are necessary and perform printing without sacrificing processing speed.

Method used

An information processing device that determines whether an analysis image is necessary and generates print data for an image forming device, including the capability to generate and save analysis and print images, as well as an index file with link information, to facilitate efficient printing.

Benefits of technology

Delays in the start of printing are suppressed by efficiently generating analysis images when needed, ensuring timely and uninterrupted printing processes.

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Abstract

To quickly perform printing processing even in the case of generating an analysis image for correction.SOLUTION: Printing data for an image forming apparatus that can correct a printing image using an analysis image included in printing data and print it is generated. It is determined whether generation of an analysis image is necessary or not. When it is determined that generation of an analysis image is necessary, an analysis image and a printing image are generated and stored as printing data. When it is determined that generation of an analysis image is not necessary, a printing image is generated and stored as printing data. Also, an index file that includes link information for the printing data is generated and stored. The image forming apparatus is notified of the location of the index file.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a data generation method, a printing system, and a program for cloud printing. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional printing processes, a method for improving the image quality of printed matter is known in which a low-resolution image is created from input image data, the image is analyzed to obtain an image correction value, and the input image data is corrected before printing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also known is a system in which a print request is sent from a user's computer to a server computer via a web browser and printing is performed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-250057 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-328639 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described in Patent Document 1, in order to print document data with high image quality using a printer, it is necessary to generate correction values for improving image quality and convert the document data into a format that the printer can interpret, such as JPEG. In this case, an analysis image (a low-resolution image) is first generated from the document data, and image correction values (e.g., color gamut information) are obtained from the analysis image. Next, a print image (a high-resolution image) is generated from the document data, and the image correction values are applied to the print image to generate a final corrected image, ready for printing. When performing correction using an analysis image as described above, a means for accessing not only the print image but also the analysis image is required. Furthermore, to accommodate both cases where correction using an analysis image is not performed and cases where correction is performed, a system is needed that can determine when an analysis image should be generated and perform printing without sacrificing processing speed.

[0005] The technology disclosed herein has been developed in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to determine when an image for analysis should be generated, and to enable printing processing that suppresses delays in the start of printing even when an image for analysis is generated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration: That is, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device that generates print data for an image forming device that can correct a print image using an analysis image included in the print data and print the corrected print image, the information processing device comprising: a determination means for determining whether or not generation of an analysis image is necessary; a first generating means for generating and saving an analysis image and a printing image as the print data when the determining means determines that generation of an analysis image is necessary, and for generating and saving the printing image as the print data when the determining means determines that generation of an analysis image is not necessary; a second generating means for generating and storing an index file including link information for the print data; a notification unit for notifying the image forming apparatus of the location of the index file; An information processing device characterized by the above features is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the technology of the present disclosure, delays in the start of printing can be suppressed even when generating an image for analysis. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a cloud printing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a client terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the structure of an index file when generating an image for analysis. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the structure of the index file when an analysis image is not generated. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a cloud printing system when an analysis image is generated. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a cloud printing system when an analysis image is generated. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for saving one page of data when generating an analysis image. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the transition of index files when printing a copy of multiple pages in the case of generating an image for analysis. [Figure 8A] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a cloud printing system in which an analysis image is not generated. [Figure 8B] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a cloud printing system in which an analysis image is not generated. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for saving one page of data when an analysis image is not generated. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the transition of index files when printing one copy of multiple pages without generating an analysis image. [Figure 11A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the transition of index files when performing group printing of two copies of three pages when generating an image for analysis. [Figure 11B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the transition of index files when performing group printing of two copies of three pages when generating an image for analysis. [Figure 11C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the transition of index files when performing group printing of two copies of three pages when generating an image for analysis. [Figure 12A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the transition of index files when performing sort printing of two copies of three pages when generating images for analysis. [Figure 12B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the transition of index files when performing sort printing of two copies of three pages when generating images for analysis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] [Overall configuration] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a cloud printing system (also simply referred to as a printing system) according to this embodiment. The cloud printing system includes a server computer 100, a client terminal 110, a printer 120, and a storage server 140, all of which are connected to the server computer 100 via a network 130.

[0011] The server computer 100 is an information processing device and includes a web server 101, a web application 102, a job management unit 103, a conversion unit 104, and a data storage unit 105. The client terminal 110 is also an information processing device and includes a web browser 111. The network 130 is the Internet or a local area network (LAN), etc., and enables communication between the above servers.

[0012] The web application 102 is an application that accepts a print request from a user via a display on the web browser 111. Elements of a print request include print settings and print document data. Print settings are information indicating, for example, output size, output paper, resolution, double-sided setting, whether or not to output an image for analysis, etc. The print settings allow the user to specify the print format, etc. Print document data is document data that needs to be converted into a format that can be interpreted by a printer, such as a PDF file or an Office document (Excel (registered trademark), Word (registered trademark), or PowerPoint (registered trademark)).

[0013] The storage server 140 is a so-called cloud storage service that stores print document data of users, and is connected to the web application 102 .

[0014] The web application 102 receives print document data stored in the storage server 140 and input of print settings from the user, and transmits the print document data and print settings as a print job to the job management unit 103. The job management unit 103 stores the print job received from the web application 102 and also sends it to the conversion unit 104.

[0015] The conversion unit 104 has the function of converting the print settings and print document data received by the job management unit 103 into a format that can be interpreted by the printer and sending the converted data to the data storage unit 105. Conversion to a format that can be interpreted by the printer involves converting the print settings into, for example, an XML file (referred to as an index file in this specification) and converting the print document data into an image such as a JPEG. Regarding the conversion of print document data, a low-resolution "analysis image" used for analysis to obtain image correction values and a "print image" to which the image correction values are applied are generated. For print settings that do not require an analysis image, only a print image is generated. Analysis images and print images are created for each page of print document data. Regarding information described in the index file (mainly URLs to images), the index file may contain information about the print image, or it may contain information about both the analysis image and the print image. In this embodiment, image data is simply referred to as an image, regardless of its data format. In other words, an analysis image refers to image data for printing, and a print image refers to image data for printing. The data storage unit 105 has a function of storing the data received from the conversion unit 104 .

[0016] The printer 120 polls the index file stored in the data storage unit 105, acquires images from the URL of the image to be printed written in the index file, and also acquires images from the URL of the image to be analyzed if there is one. The printer 120 also has the function of analyzing the acquired image to be analyzed to obtain some kind of image correction value, the function of applying the image correction value to the image to be printed to generate a corrected image, and the function of printing the corrected image.

[0017] [Hardware configuration] 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the client terminal 110 in this embodiment. The server computer 100 also has similar hardware.

[0018] The client terminal 110 includes a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, a graphics controller 204, a display unit 205, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 206. The client terminal 110 also includes an external connection interface (hereinafter, interface will be referred to as "I / F") 207 and a network I / F 208, and each component is communicably connected via a bus 210.

[0019] The CPU 201 has an arithmetic circuit and performs overall control of the client terminal 110. The CPU 201 reads programs stored in the ROM 203 or the HDD 206 into the RAM 202 and executes various processes. The ROM 203 stores system programs and the like used to control the client terminal 110. The graphics controller 204 generates screens to be displayed on the display unit 205.

[0020] The HDD 206 functions as a storage area and stores application programs for executing various processes. The HDD 206 is an example of a storage device and can be configured with a solid state drive (SSD) or the like in addition to an HDD. The external connection I / F 207 is an interface for connecting various devices to the client terminal 110. For example, a display, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. can be connected via the external connection I / F 207. The network I / F 208 communicates with the server computer 100 and the like via a network under the control of the CPU 201.

[0021] 2 is a typical hardware configuration for an information processing device, the server computer 100 and the storage server 140 can also be realized by an information processing device having the hardware configuration shown in FIG.

[0022] [How the index file works] The structure of the index file will be explained using Figure 3 and Figure 4. Figure 3 shows the structure of the index file when an image for analysis is output, and Figure 4 shows the structure of the index file when an image for analysis is not output.

[0023] The index file is responsible for having the printer 120 acquire the analysis images and print images created for each page by the conversion unit 104. By including the URL of the next index file, i.e., location information (or link information), in the index file, once the first index file is acquired, the index files and images for all pages can be acquired in a chain. In other words, the index files are linked in the order of printing.

[0024] The information stored in the index file will be described using FIG. 3 as an example. The index file contains multiple pieces of information. This information includes, for example, setting information such as output size, output paper, resolution, and double-sided printing. FIG. 3 highlights image categories 301a and 301c, which are values used by the printer to determine whether to perform analysis processing to generate image correction values, and image URLs 301b and 301d, which are used to access the generated images. Additionally, index file URL 301e, which is an item used to string together index files, is also listed. In this example, image category 301a is linked to image URL 301b, and image category 301c is linked to image URL 301d. If the image category value is "analysis," the printer 120 performs analysis processing to generate image correction values on the image (image for analysis) linked to that image category; if the image category value is "print," the printer 120 does not perform analysis processing. In other words, the image category value indicates whether the image indicated by the image URL linked to that image category is an image for analysis or an image for printing. As shown above, each image has a pair of values for the image category and image URL.

[0025] The index file information table 301 contains information contained in the index file initially generated by the conversion unit 104. For the analysis image on the first page, the value of the item Image URL 301b contains a URL indicating its location or link. For the print image on the first page, the value of the item Image URL 301d contains a URL indicating its location or link. Furthermore, the URL of a second index file is contained as index file URL 301e. The URL of this second index file allows access to the index file information table 302, which is the second index file.

[0026] The index file information table 302 is information about the second page that the index file has, and the items listed are the same as those in the index file information table 301.

[0027] The index file information table 303 is information about the third page that the index file has, and the items listed are the same as those in the index file information table 301.

[0028] The index file information table 304 is the last index file. By writing a character string (for example, END) indicating the end in the index file URL 304e, the printer 120 can be notified that polling of the index files has ended.

[0029] This is the basic mechanism of linked index files, but in reality, there is one more mechanism in addition to this. The value of the index file URL is unknown until the generation of the next index file is complete, so for example, the URL of the second index file has not been determined at the time index file information table 301 is generated. Therefore, until the second index file is generated, a URL that references first index file 301 itself (a self-referencing URL) is entered in index file URL 301e. Then, when conversion unit 104 generates the next index file, it rewrites the self-referencing URL to the URL of the next index file. This allows printer 120 to continue polling the first index file until the next index file is generated, and to access the next index file once it is generated.

[0030] Figure 4 shows the structure of the index file when no analysis images are output, but it differs from Figure 3 in that it contains only information about the image to be printed, and does not contain information about the image to be analyzed. The structure is the same as the index file explained in Figure 3.

[0031] [Cloud printing system sequence] Here, we will explain the case where the print document data consists of multiple pages and an analysis image of one part of the data is output as an example. In this case, the data generation method will be described using Figures 5, 6, and 7, and the case where an analysis image is not output will be described using Figures 5, 8, 9, and 10. The symbol "S" in the explanation of each process indicates a step in the flowchart (the same applies hereinafter in this specification). First, we will explain the case where an analysis image is output.

[0032] When outputting an image for analysis 5A and 5B are sequence diagrams of the cloud printing system when outputting an analysis image. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a detailed flow of S506 in FIG. 5A by server computer 100. FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining the transition of an index file. The following explanation focuses on software modules such as web applications owned by server computer 100. However, the processing in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6 is realized in hardware by CPU 201 executing a program loaded into memory such as RAM.

[0033] First, in S501, the web application 102 receives a print request from the user via the web browser 111 of the client terminal 110 via the web server 102. The print request includes print document data and print settings.

[0034] In S502, the web application 102 transmits the print request accepted in S501 to the job management unit 103 as a print job.

[0035] In S503, the job management unit 103 transmits the print document data and print settings to the conversion unit 104. The print settings include information that can determine whether the conversion process requires the generation of an analysis image.

[0036] The following steps S504 to S507 are performed by the conversion unit 104.

[0037] In S504, it is determined whether the output of the analysis image is necessary. This determination is also called the analysis page determination. The analysis page determination is made based on the information obtained from the print settings transmitted in S503 to determine whether it is necessary to generate an analysis image. In the print settings, a value indicating whether it is necessary to generate an analysis image is set. For example, in the case of print settings in xml format, it is set as <Analysis Image><Valid Flag>On< / Valid Flag>< / Analysis Image>. The determination is made based on the value described in the valid flag indicating whether the analysis image is required. In the above example, it is shown that the analysis image is necessary. The valid flag may be a value set as part of the print settings by, for example, the user who issued the print instruction.

[0038] If it is determined by the analysis page determination that the output of the analysis image is necessary, the subsequent processing will be the processing for outputting the analysis image. If it is not necessary, the processing will be the processing for not outputting the analysis image, and no processing related to the analysis image will be performed in the subsequent processing. The details of the sequence when the analysis image is not output will be shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9, etc. described later. FIGS. 5A and 5B show the sequence when it is determined that the analysis image is to be output.

[0039] When outputting the analysis image, in S505, the conversion unit 104 performs a conversion process on the print document data received in S503 and the print settings. In the conversion process, the analysis image and the print image are generated in parallel.

[0040] In S506, the conversion unit 104 transmits the analysis image (first page), the print image (first page), and their index files (first page) generated in S505 to the data storage unit 105. The data storage unit 105 stores the received images and files. Here, S506 will be described using FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0041] FIG. 6A is a flowchart describing the details of S506. First, in S601, the conversion unit 104 transmits the analysis image generated in S505 to the data storage unit 105 and stores it. The analysis image is generated relatively quickly compared to the print image because it is processed at a lower resolution than the print image. Therefore, the analysis image is saved before the print image is saved. In this case, the URL of the save destination for the analysis image may be specified by the conversion unit 104 at the time of saving, and that URL may be used, or the URL where the analysis image is saved may be obtained from the data storage unit 105. The same applies to the print image.

[0042] Next, in S602, the conversion unit 104 generates and edits an index file. Here, the index file is generated and edited from the print settings received in S503. At this point, the index file contains the image category and image URL values for the analysis image generated in S505. The image category value recorded is "analysis." Furthermore, the index file URL contains a URL that references the index file itself. The state of the index file (first page) at this point is shown in index file 701 in Figure 7. In index file 701, the URL for the analysis image for page 1 has been written in the index file for page 1, but the URL for the print image has not yet been written. Furthermore, the URL for the next index file is the URL for the index file for page 1 itself. Referencing oneself using the URL for the next index file is also called self-referencing.

[0043] Next, in S603, the conversion unit 104 transmits the print image generated in S505 to the data storage unit 105, where it is stored.

[0044] Next, in S604, the conversion unit 104 edits the index file generated in S602. Here, the image category and image URL values for the print image generated in S505 are added. The state of the index file (first page) at this point is shown in index file 702 in Fig. 7. The analysis image and print image for the first page have been written to the index file for the first page, but the URL for the next index file is the URL for the index file for the first page itself.

[0045] Next, in S605, the conversion unit 104 transmits the index file edited in S604 to the data storage unit 105 and stores it in the storage unit 105. This concludes the description of S506.

[0046] In S507, when the process of S506 is completed, the conversion unit 104 transmits the URL of the index file (first page) to the job management unit 103 as a response.

[0047] Next, in S508, the job management unit 103 transmits the URL of the index file (first page) received in S507 to the printer 120. This notifies the printer 120 of the location of the index file that includes link information to print data that includes an analysis image and a print image generated from the document data. Here, the location of the index file for the first page is notified, and the printer 120 can obtain link information to print data for all pages to be printed in a chain reaction from the index file. Note that in S508, transmission may be performed to the printer 120 specified in S501.

[0048] The following steps S509 to S513 are executed by the printer 120.

[0049] In S509, the printer 120 acquires the index file (first page). Here, having acquired the URL of the index file (first page), the printer 120 accesses the URL of the index file (first page) acquired in S509 and starts polling. This polling monitors the value of the index file URL included in the acquired index file, as explained in FIG. 3. At the time of S509, the value of the index file URL is a URL that references the first index file itself, which includes the index file URL. Therefore, polling of the first index file (first page) continues. Furthermore, the printer 120 acquires the URL of the image for analysis of page 1 and the URL of the image for printing of page 1, which are the values of the image URLs written in the index file (first page).

[0050] For example, the printer 120 can compare the acquired index file URL with the URL of the currently referenced index file, and if they are equal, determine that the acquired index file URL is self-referencing. As long as the acquired index file URL is self-referencing, there is a possibility that the index file for the next page will be created, so polling of the index file continues. If the acquired index file URL is a value indicating the last page (for example, "END"), polling ends; if it is neither self-referencing nor a value indicating the last page, the URL is a URL to the index file for the next page, so polling of that page continues.

[0051] In S510, the printer 120 acquires the analysis image of the first page from the data storage unit 105 using the URL of the analysis image acquired in S509.

[0052] In S511, the printer 120 analyzes the analysis image acquired in S510 and generates image correction values. The generation of these correction values is described in detail at the end of this embodiment.

[0053] In S512, the printer 120 acquires the first page of the print image from the data storage unit 105 using the URL of the print image written in the index file acquired in S509.

[0054] In S513, the printer 120 corrects the print image of the first page acquired in S512 using the image correction value acquired in S511, and starts printing according to the print settings described in the index file (first page). This correction of the print image is also described in detail at the end of the embodiment. This is the processing for the first page. The following steps S514 and S515 are performed by the conversion unit 104.

[0055] In S514, the conversion unit 104 transmits the analysis image (second page), print image (second page), and index file (second page) generated in S505 to the data storage unit 105, and stores them in the storage unit 105. This is the same process as described in S506. Also, here, the URL of the second index file is determined.

[0056] In S515, conversion unit 104 rewrites the value of the index file URL written in the index file (first page) saved in S506 from a URL that references itself to the URL of the second index file determined in S514. The state of the index file (first page) at this point is shown in index file 703 in Fig. 7. Index file 703 in Fig. 7 includes the image category and URL (i.e., location information) of the analysis image on the first page, the image category and URL of the print image, and the URL to the index file for the next page (second page).

[0057] In S509, the printer 120, which is polling the index file, accesses the value of the rewritten index file URL. If the acquired index file URL is not self-referential, the printer 120 acquires the second index file (page 2) from the data storage unit 105 based on the acquired index file URL.

[0058] The second and subsequent pages are processed in the same manner as the first page, with the conversion unit 104 generating data for each page and saving it in the data saving unit 105, which is then acquired and printed by the printer 120. This process is repeated the number of times equal to the number of pages of the print document data. The data generated is an analysis image, a printing image, and an index file for each page.

[0059] Finally, in S519, the conversion unit 104 generates the last index file (last page). At this time, the character string "END" indicating that this is the last index file is entered in the value of the index file URL, as shown in 304e in FIG. 3. The state of the index file (last page) at this point is shown in index file 704. Index file 704 in FIG. 7 includes the image category and URL (i.e., location information) of the analysis image on the last page, the image category and URL of the print image, and information indicating that this is the last page ("END").

[0060] In addition, in S520, the conversion unit 104 rewrites the value of the index file URL written in the index file (the page before the last page) from a URL that references itself to the URL of the last index file (last page).

[0061] The following steps S521 to S525 are executed by the printer 120. In S521, the printer 120 acquires the index file (last page). As in S509, the printer 120 acquires the URL of the analysis image of the last page and the URL of the print image of the last page, which are the values of the image URLs written in the index file (last page). In addition, the printer 120 reads the character string "END" written in the value of the index file URL in S519 and ends the polling of the index file that began in S509.

[0062] In S522, the printer 120 acquires the analysis image of the last page from the data storage unit 105 using the URL of the analysis image acquired in S521.

[0063] Next, in S523, the printer 120 analyzes the analysis image acquired in S522 and generates image correction values.

[0064] Next, in S524, the printer 120 acquires the print image of the final page from the data storage unit 105 using the URL of the print image acquired in S521.

[0065] Next, in S525, the printer 120 performs correction and printing in the same manner as in S513. Since the index file acquired in S521 is the last, polling of the index file has ended, and the printing process for the print instruction accepted in S501 also ends here.

[0066] 5A and 5B show that the operation of server computer 100, particularly conversion unit 104, is synchronized with the operation of printer 120. However, this is for the convenience of explanation, and the synchronization point is limited to the transmission of the URL of the index file of the first page from conversion unit 104 to printer 120 in S507-S508.

[0067] When not outputting analysis images Next, a case where an analysis image is not output will be described using Figures 8A, 8B, 9, and 10. Figures 8A and 8B show the sequence when an analysis image is not output. Figure 9 is a diagram showing a detailed flow of S806 in Figure 8A by server computer 100. Figure 10 is a diagram explaining the transition of an index file. The following explanation focuses mainly on software modules such as web applications owned by server computer 100. However, the processes in Figures 8A, 8B, and 9 are realized in hardware by CPU 201 executing programs loaded into memory such as RAM.

[0068] The processing when an analysis image is not output has much in common with the processing when an analysis image is output as described above with reference to FIGS. 5A to 7, so only the parts that are not common will be described.

[0069] Steps S801 to S804 in Fig. 8A are the same as steps S501 to S504 in Fig. 5A. Here, a case where it is determined in step S804 that there is no need to output an analysis image will be described.

[0070] If an analysis image is not to be output, the conversion unit 104 performs conversion processing of the print document data and print settings received in S803 in S805. Here, an image for printing is generated, but an analysis image is not generated.

[0071] In S806, the conversion unit 104 transmits the print image (first page) and index file (first page) generated in S805 and stores them in the data storage unit 105. S806 will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0072] 9 is a flowchart showing the details of step S806. First, in step S901, the conversion unit 104 transmits the print image generated in step S805 to the data storage unit 105 and stores it there.

[0073] Next, in S902, the conversion unit 104 generates and edits an index file. Here, the index file is generated and edited from the print settings received in S803. At this point, the index file contains the image category and image URL values for the print image generated in S805. The image category value to be written is "print." Furthermore, the "index file URL" contains a URL that references the index file itself. The state of the index file (first page) at this point is shown in index file 1001 in Figure 10. In index file 1001, the URL for the print image for page 1 has been written in the index file for page 1. Furthermore, the URL for the next index file is the URL for the index file for page 1 itself.

[0074] Next, in S903, the conversion unit 104 transmits and stores the index file generated in S902 to the data storage unit 105. This concludes the description of S806.

[0075] Steps S807 and S808 are the same as steps S507 and S508, and are a sequence for sending the URL of the index file (first page) to the printer 120.

[0076] The following steps S809 to S811 are executed by the printer 120. S809 is generally the same process as S509. Having acquired the URL of the index file (first page), the printer 120 starts polling. In S809, the printer 120 accesses the URL of the index file (first page) received in S508 and acquires the index file. The difference from S509 is that the printer 120 acquires the URL of the image to be printed on the first page, which is the value of the image URL written in the index file (first page).

[0077] In S810, the printer 120 acquires the first page of the print image from the data storage unit 105 using the URL of the print image acquired in S809.

[0078] In S811, the printer 120 starts printing the print image of the first page acquired in S810 according to the print settings described in the index file (first page). This completes the processing for the first page.

[0079] The following steps S812 and S813 are performed by the conversion unit 104. In S812, the conversion unit 104 transmits the print image (second page) and the index file (second page) generated in S805 to the data storage unit 105 and stores them in the storage unit 105. This is the same process as described in S806. Also, here, the URL of the second index file is determined.

[0080] S813 is the same process as S515, in which the conversion unit 104 rewrites the value of the "index file URL" written in the index file (first page) saved in S806 from a self-referencing URL to the URL of the second index file determined in S812. The state of the index file (first page) at this point is shown in index file 1002 in Fig. 10. Index file 1002 in Fig. 10 includes the image category and URL (i.e., location information) of the print image for the first page, and the URL to the index file for the next page (second page).

[0081] In step S809, the printer 120, which is polling the index file, accesses the value of the rewritten index file URL. If the acquired index file URL is not self-referential, the printer 120 acquires the second index file (page 2) from the data storage unit 105 based on the acquired index file URL.

[0082] The processing for the second and subsequent pages is similar to that for the first page, with the conversion unit 104 generating data for each page and saving it in the data saving unit 105, which is then acquired and printed by the printer 120, and this process is repeated the number of times equal to the number of pages of the print document data. The data generated is a print image and an index file for each page.

[0083] Finally, in S814, the conversion unit 104 generates the last index file (last page). At this time, the character string "END" indicating that this is the last index file is entered in the value of the index file URL, as shown in 304e in FIG. 3. The state of the index file (last page) at this point is shown in index file 1003. Index file 1003 in FIG. 10 includes the image category and URL (i.e., location information) of the print image on the last page, and information ("END") indicating that this is the last page.

[0084] In S815, the conversion unit 104 rewrites the value of the index file URL written in the index file (the page before the last page) from a URL that references itself to the URL of the last index file (last page).

[0085] The following steps S816 to S818 are executed by the printer 120. In S816, the printer 120 acquires the index file (last page). As in S809, the printer 120 acquires the URL of the image to be printed of the last page, which is the value of the image URL written in the index file (last page). In addition, in S815, the printer 120 reads the character string "END" written in the value of the index file URL, and ends the polling of the index file that began in S809.

[0086] Next, in S817, the printer 120 acquires the print image of the final page from the data storage unit 105 using the URL of the print image acquired in S816.

[0087] Next, in S818, the printer 120 performs printing in the same manner as in S811. Since the index file acquired in S816 is the last, polling of the index file ends, and the print processing for the print instruction accepted in S801 also ends here.

[0088] 8A and 8B show that the operation of server computer 100, particularly conversion unit 104, is synchronized with the operation of printer 120. However, this is for the convenience of explanation, and the synchronization point is limited to the transmission of the URL of the index file of the first page from conversion unit 104 to printer 120 in S807-S808.

[0089] As described above, the system determines whether or not to output an analysis image, and if an analysis image needs to be output, generates the analysis image and the print image for each page in parallel, and passes the information to the printer when the data for the first page is complete. This reduces delays in the start of printing even when an analysis image is generated.

[0090] [Index file transition when printing multiple copies of multiple pages] The transition of the index file when printing multiple copies of multi-page data will be explained using Figures 5A, 5B, 6, and 11A-12B. Here, it will be described assuming that an analysis image is output. When printing multiple copies, there are two printing methods: group printing and sort printing, and the job management unit 103 sets these in the print settings to be sent to the conversion unit 104 in S503. With group printing, the specified number of copies of pages are printed page by page, and this is repeated for the number of pages to be printed. With sort printing (or individual rate printing), copies are printed one at a time, and this is repeated for the specified number of copies. The transition of the index file in each case will be explained. Note that whether to perform group printing or sort printing may be specified in information included in the print settings, for example, when issuing a print instruction for document data.

[0091] ●For group printing First, we will explain the case where two copies of three-page print data are printed using group printing. The data for the first page is saved in S506. Details of S506 are shown in FIG. 6. The results of S602 are shown in index file 1101 in FIG. 11A, and the results of S604 are shown in index file 1102. As shown in index file 1101, in S602, the image category value and image URL value for the analysis image generated in S505 are entered in the index file (first page). Furthermore, the index file URL contains a URL that references the index file for the first page itself.

[0092] In S604, as shown in index file 1102 in Fig. 11A, the image category values and image URL values of the analysis image and print image for the number of copies for page 1 are written. Index file 1103 is the result of S515, and the index file URL value written in the index file (page 1) saved in S506 has been rewritten from a self-referencing URL to the URL of the second index file determined in S514.

[0093] The transition of the index file (second page) when S514 (saving the data of the second page) is performed is shown in index files 1104 and 1105 in Figure 11B. 1106 is the result of S520. The result of S601 is index file 1104, and the result of S604 is index file 1105. As with the transition of the index file (first page), in S604 the image category values and image URL values of the analysis images and print images for the number of copies are written.

[0094] The transition of the index file (page 3) when S519 (save data for page 3) is performed is shown in index files 1107 and 1108 in Figure 11C. The result of S602 is index file 1107, and the result of S604 is index file 1108. As with the transition of the index file (page 1) and index file (page 2), the image category values and image URL values for the analysis images and print images for the number of copies are written in S604. In this way, when performing group printing, the image category values and image URL values for the number of copies per page are entered in the index file.

[0095] For sort printing Next, a case where two copies of three pages of data are printed using sort printing will be described. The data for the first page is saved in S506. The result of S602 is shown in index file 1201 in FIG. 12A, and the result of S604 is shown in index file 1202.

[0096] As shown in index file 1201, in S602, the image category value and image URL value for the analysis image generated in S505 are written in the index file (first page). In addition, the index file URL contains a URL that references the index file itself (self-referencing URL).

[0097] In S604, as shown in the index file 1202, the image category and image URL values for the analysis image generated in S505 are written.

[0098] Index file 1203 is the result of S515, and the value of the index file URL written in the index file (first page) saved in S506 has been rewritten from self-reference to the URL of the second index file determined in S514.

[0099] 12A shows the transition of the index file (second page) when S514 (saving the data of the second page) is performed, as shown in index files 1204 and 1205. Index file 1206 is the result of S520. The result of S602 is index file 1204, and the result of S604 is index file 1205. As with the transition of the index file (first page), the image category value and image URL value for the analysis image generated in S505 are entered.

[0100] The transition of the index file (third page) when S519 (saving the data of the third page) is performed is shown in index files 1207 and 1208 in Figure 12B. The result of S602 is index file 1207, and the result of S604 is index file 1208. In addition, when the index file for the third page is saved, the URL of the index file for the third page is recorded as the index file URL of the index file for the second page, as shown in index file 1206.

[0101] As shown in index file 1207, when sort printing is specified and an index file for the last page of the first copy is generated, the categories and URLs of the analysis image and print image for the last page are recorded in the index file. Additionally, as shown in index file 1208, when the image category and image URL for the last page are entered in step S604, the image category values and image URL values for each of the analysis image and print image for the specified number of copies are additionally entered in page order. In other words, the index file includes URLs to the print images for all pages of the remaining copies, as well as URLs to the analysis images, if any, i.e., link information. When the index file for the last page is created, the analysis images and print images for all pages of the document data for which printing is specified have already been generated and saved, and their locations have also been identified. This information can be used to create index file 1208.

[0102] The processing in step S604 is shown in Figure 6(B). The conversion unit 104 first records the URL of the print image for the page being processed in the index file (S6041). At this time, if group printing is being performed, the URLs of the print images corresponding to the specified number of copies are recorded, and if sort printing is being performed, the URL of one copy of the print image is recorded. Also, if it is the final page, predetermined information, such as "END", is recorded as the index file URL. Note that in the processing of S6041, the steps for determining whether sort printing or group printing is being performed and for determining whether it is the final page have been omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0103] Next, the conversion unit 104 determines whether sort printing or group printing is specified for the print process being processed (S6042). This determination may be made by referring to the print settings. If sort printing is specified, the conversion unit 104 determines whether the page being processed is the last page (S6043). If it is the last page, the conversion unit 104 saves the URL of the analysis image and the URL of the print image for each page from the first page to the last page, in page order, for the number of remaining copies, in the index file of the last page. Here, the number of remaining copies may be the specified number of copies -1. This is as shown in Figure 12(B).

[0104] On the other hand, if it is determined in S6042 that group printing has been specified or the page being processed is not the last page, the process of S604 ends.

[0105] In this way, when sorting and printing, when editing the index file for the last page, enter the "Image Category" and "Image URL" values for the number of copies in page order. If you do not want to output images for analysis, only process the images for printing in the process described above, and enter the "Image Category" and "Image URL" of the images for printing in the index file.

[0106] [Variations] In the above embodiment, whether to generate both an analysis image and a print image or only a print image is specified in the print settings. This may be determined, for example, based on the authority of the user who issued the print instruction or the capabilities of the printer. For example, if the user's authority does not allow high-quality printing, only a print image may be generated, and the index file may be created accordingly. Furthermore, if the capabilities of the printer are too low for correction processing or if high-quality printing itself is not possible, only a print image may be generated, and the index file may be created accordingly. In this case, the printer's capabilities may be determined based on, for example, the model number or capability information.

[0107] As described above, according to this embodiment, when performing cloud printing, an index file containing link information for accessing print data for at least the first page is generated for each page and saved on the server computer. This allows printing of the first page to begin without waiting for the generation of print data for other pages. This reduces delays in the start of printing. Note that the print data referred to here is data provided to the printer 120, which is an image forming device, for printing, and includes images for printing and, if there are images for analysis, the images for analysis.

[0108] Furthermore, if sort printing, which prints each copy individually, is specified, when the printing data for the final page is generated, an index file containing link information to all remaining pages to be printed is generated in accordance with the printing order. This improves the processing efficiency of sort printing, reduces the load compared to generating data for printing, and suppresses printing delays.

[0109] Furthermore, since the generated index file contains link information to the print data rather than the print data itself, the amount of data can be kept small, which also reduces the processing load for duplication.

[0110] Furthermore, by generating print data for each page, it is possible to edit the link information to the print data, and for example, it is easy to change the print order or print the same page repeatedly, allowing for flexible response to group printing and sort printing specifications.

[0111] Furthermore, whether or not to generate an analysis image can be controlled by setting whether or not to generate an analysis image. This allows for the avoidance of generating an analysis image for printed materials that do not require high print quality, thereby reducing the processing load.

[0112] ●Analysis processing in printers (image forming devices) When the printer 120 polls the server, i.e., accesses the URL specified in the index file and acquires an analysis image for each page, it performs the following example processing for that page. On the other hand, if it acquires a print image first, rather than an analysis image, it prints the print image without performing any correction.

[0113] When an analysis image is acquired, the printer 120 first obtains at least one of the color information listed below from the analysis image. Note that unless otherwise specified, the printer 120 is the subject of processing. In this example, the analysis image is in JPEG format, and the color system is YCbCr. Here, Y represents luminance, and Cb and Cr represent color differences between blue and red, respectively. Luminance histogram Color difference histogram - Histogram of color difference by luminance Saturation histogram · Histogram of saturation by luminance. Hue histogram · Histogram of hue by luminance.

[0114] Next, highlight points and shadow points in the color space of the image for analysis are calculated. In the calculated luminance histogram, the frequency is counted from the highest luminance, and the luminance value at which the count value reaches a threshold value obtained by multiplying the total cumulative frequency by a predetermined percentage is defined as the highlight point HLy. In addition, in the luminance histogram, the frequency is counted from the lowest luminance, and the luminance value at which the count value reaches a threshold value obtained by multiplying the total cumulative frequency by a predetermined percentage is defined as the shadow point SDy. Note that the luminance values before and after the luminance value at which the frequency count value reaches the threshold may also be defined as the highlight point HLy and the shadow point SDy.

[0115] Furthermore, the average Cb and Cr at the highlight point HLy are calculated from the color difference histogram and are designated as the color differences HLcb and HLcr at the highlight point HLy.Similarly, the average Cb and Cr at the shadow point SDY are calculated from the color difference histogram and are designated as the color differences SDcb and SDcr at the shadow point SDy.

[0116] Next, the average saturation or average hue is calculated, and the variance or standard deviation of the luminance, color difference, saturation, or hue that form the color solid of the image for analysis is calculated.

[0117] ● Determine whether image correction is necessary Once a color solid has been constructed from the analysis image in the above manner, the necessity of correction processing is determined for each type of correction. If it is determined that correction is required, correction parameters are determined from the analysis image.

[0118] (1) Brightness direction stretch The luminance direction expansion / contraction process is a process of expanding or contracting the original color solid along the luminance axis. For example, if the total frequency of the luminance histogram, the frequency of the highlight point HLy or the shadow point SDy, or the luminance difference between the highlight point HLy and the shadow point SDy is smaller than a threshold, it is determined that the luminance direction expansion / contraction process is not to be performed.

[0119] (2) Correcting color cast Color cast correction is a process that aligns the axis of the original color solid with the luminance axis. For example, if the total frequency of the luminance histogram, the frequency of the highlight point HLy or the shadow point SDy, or the luminance difference between the highlight point HLy and the shadow point SDy is smaller than a threshold, it is determined that color cast correction will not be performed.

[0120] (3) Saturation stretch The saturation expansion / contraction process is a process of expanding or contracting the original color solid in the Cb-Cr plane. For example, if the average saturation exceeds a threshold or the average hue is within a certain range, it is determined that the saturation expansion / contraction process is not to be performed.

[0121] (4) Noise reduction Noise removal is a process that smooths pixel values. Noise removal uses a filter, for example a 3x3 weighting coefficient matrix. For example, noise removal is performed by overlaying a weighting coefficient matrix on an image, setting the center of the matrix as the pixel of interest, and then weighting the values of the 3x3 pixels around the pixel of interest with the corresponding weighting coefficients to determine the value of the pixel of interest. For example, if the variance or standard deviation calculated from the image for analysis exceeds a threshold, it is determined that noise removal will not be performed.

[0122] (5) Tone Correction Gradation correction is a process that uses a correction curve to convert input values into output values. For example, if the total frequency of the luminance histogram, the frequency of the highlight point HLy or the shadow point SDy, or the difference in luminance between the highlight point HLy and the shadow point SDy is smaller than a threshold, it is determined that gradation correction is not to be performed.

[0123] ●Creating correction parameters For the correction determined to be performed in the above manner, the correction parameters are determined in the following manner.

[0124] (1) Brightness direction stretch When stretching in the latitudinal direction, stretching parameters in the luminance direction are calculated based on the color solid of the image for analysis. To do this, the highlight point HLy' and shadow point SDy' to which the highlight point HLy and shadow point SDy of the color solid of the image for analysis are moved are determined. Then, using these as a reference, parameters for converting the luminance component for each color component are determined.

[0125] (2) Color cast correction A 3×3 matrix that shifts the unit vector of the vector HLy-SDy of the color solid of the image for analysis to the unit vector of the vector HLy′-SDy′ of the color solid after correction is calculated as a parameter.

[0126] (3) Saturation stretch The saturation increase rate is calculated (set) as a parameter based on the color solid of the image for analysis. The saturation increase rate may be a fixed value, or may be set according to color information such as average saturation and average hue, or image characteristics such as the type of subject. The saturation increase rate may be less than 1.

[0127] (4) Noise reduction The noise filter is determined as a parameter based on the color solid of the image for analysis. The noise filter may be selected from multiple types, and the weighting coefficient or filter size may be changed appropriately depending on the image characteristics such as color information such as variance and standard deviation, and the type of subject.

[0128] (5) Gradation correction Based on the highlight point HLy and shadow point SDy values of the color solid of the image for analysis and the distribution of the histogram, a gradation correction curve is calculated (set) as a parameter. The print data is corrected using the set gradation correction curve.

[0129] As in the example shown above, it is determined whether or not various corrections are to be made using the analysis image, and if so, the parameters are determined. The processing up to this point is executed when the analysis image data is received.

[0130] ●Image correction The printer 120 receives the image data for printing, corrects the image data for printing using correction parameters created based on the image data for analysis, and prints it. The correction is performed, for example, as follows.

[0131] (1) Brightness direction stretch When stretching in the latitudinal direction, the Y component of each pixel is converted so that Hly→HLy' and SDy→SDy' for the image data for printing, using the created stretching parameters in the luminance direction.

[0132] (2) Color cast correction A 3x3 matrix, which is a correction parameter, is used to convert each color component of the print data.

[0133] (3) Saturation stretch The determined saturation increase rate is used as a correction parameter to convert the color of the print data so that it is enlarged or reduced on the Cr-Cb plane.

[0134] (4) Noise reduction The print data is filtered using the noise filter having the determined parameters to remove noise.

[0135] (5) Gradation correction The print data is corrected using the gradation correction curve, which is the determined correction parameter. After these corrections, printing is performed. In this way, the image forming device receives the analysis image before receiving the print data for each page, determines whether correction is necessary, and determines correction parameters if necessary. Then, when the print data for the corresponding page is received, correction is performed using the determined parameters based on the result of the determination of whether correction is necessary.

[0136] As described above, the printer 120 can correct the image for printing using the image for analysis, and print an image of higher quality.

[0137] [Other Examples] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0138] Summary of embodiments The above embodiments can be summarized as follows: (Item 1) An information processing device that generates print data for an image forming device that can correct and print a print image using an analysis image included in the print data, a determination means for determining whether or not generation of an analysis image is necessary; a first generating means for generating and saving an analysis image and a printing image as the print data when the determining means determines that generation of an analysis image is necessary, and for generating and saving the printing image as the print data when the determining means determines that generation of an analysis image is not necessary; a second generating means for generating and storing an index file including link information for the print data; a notification unit for notifying the image forming apparatus of the location of the index file; 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 2) Item 1. The information processing device according to item 1, The determining means determines whether or not the analysis image needs to be generated based on print settings. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 3) Item 1. The information processing device according to item 1, The determining unit determines whether or not the analysis image needs to be generated based on the capabilities of the image forming device. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 4) Item 1. The information processing device according to item 1, The determination means determines whether or not the analysis image needs to be generated based on the authority of the user who instructed printing. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 5) The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 4, The print data is saved for each page, The second generating means generates the index file including the link information in the order of pages to be printed based on print settings. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 6) Item 1 to 5. An information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 5, The index file is linked in order of printing. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 7) Item 5. The information processing device according to item 5, The second generating means generates the index file including the link information for the number of copies specified for each page for all pages to be printed based on the print setting when group printing is set. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 8) Item 5. The information processing device according to item 5, When sort printing is set based on the print settings, the second generating means generates the index file including the link information for each page up to the last page of the first copy, and generates the index file including the link information for the last page of the first copy and the remaining pages. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 9) Item 8. The information processing device according to item 8, The second generating means generates the index file including the link information to the print data of the saved pages for the last page of the first copy and the remaining pages. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 10) An information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 9; and an image forming apparatus capable of correcting and printing an image for printing using an image for analysis included in the print data acquired from the information processing apparatus. A printing system characterized by: (Item 11) 10. A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 9. (Item 12) A data generation method by an information processing device that generates print data for an image forming device that can correct a print image using an analysis image included in the print data and print the print data, the information processing device having a determination means, a first generation means, a second generation means, and a notification means, the determination means determines whether or not generation of an analysis image is necessary; the first generating means, when it is determined by the determining means that generation of an analysis image is necessary, generates and stores an analysis image and a printing image as the print data, and when it is determined by the determining means that generation of an analysis image is not necessary, generates and stores an printing image as the print data; the second generating means generates and stores an index file including link information for the print data; The notifying means notifies the image forming device of the location of the index file. A data generation method comprising:

[0139] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 100 server computer, 110 client terminal, 120 printer, 140 storage server, 201 CPU, 202 RAM

Claims

1. An information processing device that generates print data for an image forming device that can correct and print a print image using an analysis image included in the print data, a determination means for determining whether or not generation of an analysis image is necessary; a first generating means for generating and saving an analysis image and a printing image as the print data when the determining means determines that generation of an analysis image is necessary, and for generating and saving the printing image as the print data when the determining means determines that generation of an analysis image is not necessary; a second generating means for generating and storing an index file including link information for the print data; a notification unit for notifying the image forming apparatus of the location of the index file; 1. An information processing device comprising:

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The determining means determines whether or not the analysis image needs to be generated based on print settings.