Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image processing method

Abstract

To provide an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image processing method capable of easily outputting a desired glossy image obtained by adding a silver plate to a black plate without correcting the gradation of each color on the basis of an empirical rule.SOLUTION: An image processor capable of converting input data not including a special color plate into data including a silver plate includes a conversion part for converting the input data into a gray scale, and a generation part for generating data of a gradation value of the silver plate on the basis of a gradation value of a black plate of the input data converted into the gray scale by the conversion part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] In an image forming apparatus that outputs using special colors such as silver in addition to the CMYK (C: cyan, M: magenta, Y: yellow, K: black) process colors, image processing technology is known for printing monochrome images using K+silver.

[0003] As a technology related to printing using such silver, a configuration has been disclosed in which the component values ​​of the base colors that reproduce the glossiness of a printed matter and the component values ​​of the spot colors can be determined by calculation in order to obtain the gloss component in a printing device that can output glossy printed matter by adding the spot color of silver or gold to the base colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an image forming device that outputs a special color such as silver in addition to CMYK process colors, when adding a silver plate to produce a glossy monochrome output, the silver plate must be included in the print data to be output in advance. However, with conventional technology, there is a problem in that it is necessary to understand the output characteristics of the image forming device, create the silver plate to be included in the print data, and correct the black plate so that the output results are as intended.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide an image processing device, an image forming device, and an image processing method that can easily produce a desired glossy output by adding a silver plate to a black plate without correcting the gradation of each color based on empirical rules. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention is an image processing device capable of converting input data that does not include a spot color plate into data that includes a silver plate, and is characterized by comprising: a conversion unit that converts the input data into grayscale; and a generation unit that generates data of the gradation values ​​of the silver plate based on the gradation values ​​of the black plate of the input data converted to grayscale by the conversion unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily produce a desired glossy output by adding a silver plate to a black plate without correcting the gradation of each color based on empirical rules. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the gradation and brightness of the output data of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a DFE according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of functional blocks of a DFE according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a TRC for tone correction used in the DFE according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for a DFE according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for the DFE according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of a process for generating output data of the K+Silver version of the DFE according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of functional blocks of a DFE according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an LUT used by the DFE according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of a process for generating output data of the K+Silver version of the DFE according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of an image processing device, an image forming device, and an image processing method according to the present invention will be described in detail. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and the components in the following embodiments include those that would be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the scope of what is called equivalents. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the following embodiments.

[0010] [First embodiment] (Overview of the configuration and operation of the image forming device) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between gradation and brightness of output data from the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. An overview of the configuration and operation of an image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, a tandem-type printing apparatus, and includes a paper feed tray 700, a conveying roller 701, an intermediate transfer belt 702, photosensitive drums 703C, 703M, 703Y, 703K, and 703S, a transfer roller 704, and a fixing roller 705.

[0012] The paper feed tray 700 is a tray that stores recording media such as paper to be fed. The transport rollers 701 are a pair of rollers that transport the recording media fed from the paper feed tray 700 along a transport path to the transfer roller 704.

[0013] The intermediate transfer belt 702 is an endless belt on which an intermediate transfer image is formed by photosensitive drums 703C, 703M, 703Y, 703K, and 703S.

[0014] Photoconductor drum 703C is a photoconductor drum that forms a cyan toner image on intermediate transfer belt 702. Photoconductor drum 703M is a photoconductor drum that forms a magenta toner image on intermediate transfer belt 702. Photoconductor drum 703Y is a photoconductor drum that forms a yellow toner image on intermediate transfer belt 702. Photoconductor drum 703K is a photoconductor drum that forms a black toner image on intermediate transfer belt 702. Photoconductor drum 703S is a photoconductor drum that forms a special color toner image on intermediate transfer belt 702. Here, special colors refer to, for example, metallic color materials with a metallic luster such as gold toner and silver toner, pearl color materials, and glitter color materials such as mica color materials, but in this embodiment, silver is used as an example. When referring to any one of photosensitive drums 703C, 703M, 703Y, 703K, and 703S or when referring to them collectively, they will be simply referred to as "photosensitive drum 703." Also, photosensitive drum 703 is configured to use CMYK colors as process colors, but CMY colors may also be used as process colors, or R (red), B (blue), and G (green) may be used as process colors instead of CMY colors.

[0015] The transfer roller 704 is a roller that transfers a full-color image or a monochrome image (intermediate transfer image) formed on the intermediate transfer belt 702 onto the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance roller 701. By the function of this transfer roller 704, a full-color or monochrome image is formed (printed) on the recording medium.

[0016] The fixing roller 705 is a roller for fixing a full-color image onto a recording medium on which the image has been formed.

[0017] Generally, the Lab color space is designed to approximate human vision, and the L component value (i.e., the lightness component) in the Lab color space closely matches human perception of lightness. Therefore, even when printing a monochrome image using black and silver, if the lightness component is output so that it changes linearly, it will match human perception and produce a natural image. However, when the lightness component changes linearly, the combination of black and silver gradations is not uniquely determined. Figure 2 shows the lightness characteristics relative to gradation for monochrome black, monochrome silver, and a combination of black and silver. As shown in Figure 2, in the case of monochrome silver, the lightness can be reduced to a maximum of approximately 70, resulting in an overall bright image. However, by adding black to silver, the lightness can be reduced to a maximum of approximately 40. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment uses silver primarily in the highlight areas and increases the amount of black added from the middle to create a printed image with linear lightness. As a result, as shown in Figure 2, in the combination of black and silver, the lightness decreases linearly as the gradation increases, that is, it decreases monotonically in a linear manner, allowing the glossiness of the silver to be maximized.

[0018] (Hardware configuration of image forming device) 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a controller 11 and an image forming unit 12.

[0020] The controller 11 is a control device that controls the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in Fig. 3 , the controller 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, an engine interface 504, an operation unit interface 505, a storage device 506, and a DFE (Digital Front End) interface 507.

[0021] The CPU 501 is a computing device that controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 10. The ROM 502 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs for the image forming apparatus 10. The RAM 503 is a volatile storage device that is used as a work area for the CPU 501.

[0022] The engine interface 504 is an interface for controlling the image forming unit 12 .

[0023] The operation unit interface 505 is an interface for performing data communication with the operation unit 30 such as a touch panel for operating the image forming apparatus 10 .

[0024] The storage device 506 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores various data, programs, and the like.

[0025] The DFE interface 507 is an interface for data communication with the DFE 20 .

[0026] The above-mentioned CPU 501, ROM 502, RAM 503, engine interface 504, operation unit interface 505, storage device 506, and DFE interface 507 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a bus 510 such as an address bus and a data bus.

[0027] The image forming unit 12 is a mechanism for forming a full-color image or a monochrome image on a recording medium. The image forming unit 12 corresponds to, for example, the intermediate transfer belt 702, the photosensitive drum 703, and the transfer roller 704 shown in FIG.

[0028] The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and it is not necessary to include all of the components shown in FIG. 3, or other components may be included.

[0029] (DFE hardware configuration) 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a DFE according to the first embodiment. The hardware configuration of a DFE 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0030] The DFE 20 is an information processing device (image processing device) that performs RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing on submitted print data to convert the data into a format compatible with print processing by the image forming device 10. In this embodiment, the print data (input data) is assumed to be data that does not include spot color plates such as silver. As shown in FIG. 4, the DFE 20 includes a CPU 601, a ROM 602, a RAM 603, an auxiliary storage device 605, a display 608, a controller I / F 609, and an input device 611.

[0031] The CPU 601 is a computing device that controls the overall operation of the DFE 20. The ROM 602 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs for the DFE 20. The RAM 603 is a volatile storage device that is used as a work area for the CPU 601.

[0032] The auxiliary storage device 605 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD that stores various data, programs, and the like.

[0033] The display 608 is a display device configured with a liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc., that displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, characters, or an image.

[0034] The controller I / F 609 is an interface for communicating data with the controller 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 .

[0035] The input device 611 is an input device for selecting letters, numbers, and various instructions, and for moving a cursor.

[0036] The above-mentioned CPU 601, ROM 602, RAM 603, auxiliary storage device 605, display 608, controller I / F 609, and input device 611 are communicably connected to one another by a bus 610 such as an address bus and a data bus.

[0037] It should be noted that the hardware configuration of the DFE 20 shown in FIG. 4 is an example, and it is not necessary to include all of the components shown in FIG. 4, or other components may be included.

[0038] (Configuration and operation of DFE functional blocks) Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of functional blocks of a DFE according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a TRC for tone correction used in the DFE according to the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen of a DFE according to the first embodiment. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen of a DFE according to the first embodiment. The configuration and operation of functional blocks of a DFE 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 8.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the DFE 20 includes a conversion unit 201, a generation unit 202, a correction unit 203, a combination unit 204, and a setting unit 205.

[0040] The conversion unit 201 is a functional unit that converts print data (input data) input from an external device or the like into grayscale.

[0041] The generation unit 202 is a functional unit that, when the setting unit 205 has set that silver toner is to be used, copies the black gradation values ​​of the grayscale data converted by the conversion unit 201 to silver gradation values ​​to generate silver gradation value data. That is, the generation unit 202 generates silver gradation value data based on the black gradation values ​​of the input data converted to grayscale by the conversion unit 201. Note that the process is not limited to copying the black gradation values ​​as silver gradation values; for example, the copied silver gradation values ​​may be further corrected.

[0042] When the setting unit 205 has set that silver toner is to be used, the correction unit 203 is a functional unit that performs tone correction on the tone values ​​of the grayscale black plate data converted by the conversion unit 201, in accordance with a predetermined TRC (Tone Reproduction Curve) shown in Fig. 6, for example. In this case, the TRC data may be stored in, for example, the auxiliary storage device 605 shown in Fig. 4.

[0043] The combining unit 204 is a functional unit that combines the black plate data that has been tone corrected by the correction unit 203 with the silver plate data generated by the generation unit 202 to generate K+silver plate output data. This makes it possible to generate output data in which silver is used primarily in the highlight areas and the gradation value of the black plate increases from around the middle, while linear brightness is achieved. In other words, the output data increases the ratio of the black plate gradation value to the silver plate gradation value as the gradation value of the silver plate increases. In addition, in the combination of the black plate and the silver plate, the brightness decreases linearly as the gradation increases, i.e., it decreases monotonically in a linear manner, allowing the glossiness of the silver to be maximized.

[0044] The setting unit 205 is a functional unit that sets whether or not to use silver toner in accordance with an operation on the input device 611. The setting unit 205, for example, displays a setting screen 1000 as shown in Fig. 7 on the display 608, sets color mode or grayscale in accordance with an operation on the input device 611, and in the case of grayscale, further sets whether or not to use silver. The setting unit 205 then stores the settings in the auxiliary storage device 605. Note that, if it is necessary to separately set a spot color toner (special toner), a setting screen 1001 as shown in Fig. 8 may be displayed, allowing the user to set whether or not to apply the spot color toner.

[0045] The above-described conversion unit 201, generation unit 202, correction unit 203, combination unit 204, and setting unit 205 are realized by executing a program by CPU 601 shown in Fig. 5. Note that at least a part of the functional units of DFE 20 shown in Fig. 5 that are realized by software (programs) may be realized by hardware circuits such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0046] Note that the functions of each functional unit of the DFE 20 shown in Fig. 5 are conceptually shown, and the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the multiple functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the DFE 20 shown in Fig. 5 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the function of a single functional unit in the DFE 20 shown in Fig. 5 may be divided into multiple functional units and configured as multiple functional units.

[0047] Furthermore, the functional units of the DFE20 shown in FIG. 5 are not limited to those provided in the DFE20 as a separate entity from the image forming device 10, and at least some of the functional units may be provided in the image forming device 10.

[0048] (DFE K+ Silver output data generation process flow) 9 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the generation process of K+ Silver version output data of the DFE according to the first embodiment. The flow of the generation process of K+ Silver version output data of the DFE 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0049] <Step S11> The conversion unit 201 of the DFE 20 converts the print data (input data) input from an external device, etc., into grayscale. Then, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0050] <Step S12> If the setting unit 205 has set that silver toner is to be used (step S12: Yes), the process proceeds to step S13, and if not (step S12: No), the process ends.

[0051] <Step S13> The generation unit 202 of the DFE 20 copies the gradation values ​​of the black plate of the grayscale data converted by the conversion unit 201 to the gradation values ​​of the silver plate to generate data of the gradation values ​​of the silver plate. Then, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0052] <Step S14> The correction unit 203 of the DFE 20 performs tone correction on the tone values ​​of the grayscale black plate data converted by the conversion unit 201, in accordance with a predetermined TRC such as that shown in Fig. 6. Then, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0053] <Step S15> The combining unit 204 of the DFE 20 combines the black plane data that has been tone corrected by the correcting unit 203 with the silver plane data generated by the generating unit 202 to generate K+silver plane output data. Then, the process ends.

[0054] As described above, in the DFE 20 according to this embodiment, the conversion unit 201 converts input data that does not include a spot color plate, such as a silver plate, to grayscale, and the generation unit 202 generates silver plate gradation value data based on the black plate gradation values ​​of the input data converted to grayscale by the conversion unit 201. More specifically, the generation unit 202 duplicates the black plate gradation values ​​of the input data converted to grayscale by the conversion unit 201 to generate silver plate gradation value data, the correction unit 203 performs gradation correction on the black plate gradation values ​​of the input data converted to grayscale by the conversion unit 201 in accordance with a predetermined TRC, and the combination unit 204 combines the black plate gradation value data corrected by the correction unit 203 with the silver plate gradation value data generated by the generation unit 202 to generate black and silver plate output data. This allows for a desired glossy output by easily adding a silver plate to a black plate without having to correct the gradation of each color based on empirical rules.

[0055] [Second embodiment] The DFE according to the second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the DFE 20 according to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, an operation for generating K+ silver plate output data using an LUT (lookup table) will be described. Note that the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, and the hardware configurations of the image forming apparatus 10 and the DFE are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

[0056] (Configuration and operation of DFE functional blocks) Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of functional blocks of a DFE according to the second embodiment. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an LUT used by the DFE according to the second embodiment. The configuration and operation of the functional blocks of a DFE 20a according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11.

[0057] 10, the DFE 20a includes a conversion unit 201, a generation unit 202a, and a setting unit 205. The operations of the conversion unit 201 and the setting unit 205 are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

[0058] When the setting unit 205 specifies that silver toner is to be used, the generation unit 202a is a functional unit that generates output data by converting the black gradation values ​​of the grayscale data converted by the conversion unit 201 into K+silver gradation values ​​using, for example, an LUT such as that shown in FIG. 11 . That is, the generation unit 202a generates silver gradation value data based on the black gradation values ​​of the input data converted to grayscale by the conversion unit 201. This allows output data to be generated in which silver is used primarily in highlight areas and the black gradation values ​​are increased from the middle areas while linear brightness is achieved. That is, the output data increases the ratio of the black gradation values ​​to the silver gradation values ​​as the silver gradation value increases. In addition, in the combination of the black and silver gradations, the brightness decreases linearly as the gradation increases, i.e., decreases monotonically in a linear fashion, thereby maximizing the glossiness of the silver.

[0059] The above-described conversion unit 201, generation unit 202a, and setting unit 205 are realized by executing a program by CPU 601 shown in Fig. 5. Note that at least a part of the functional units of DFE 20a shown in Fig. 10 that are realized by software (programs) may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an FPGA or an ASIC.

[0060] Note that the functions of the functional units of the DFE 20a shown in Fig. 10 are conceptually shown, and the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the multiple functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the DFE 20a shown in Fig. 10 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the function of a single functional unit in the DFE 20a shown in Fig. 10 may be divided into multiple units and configured as multiple functional units.

[0061] Furthermore, the functional units of the DFE 20a shown in FIG. 10 are not limited to those provided in the DFE 20a as a separate entity from the image forming device 10, and at least some of the functional units may be provided in the image forming device 10.

[0062] (DFE K+ Silver output data generation process flow) 12 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the generation process of K+ Silver version output data of the DFE according to the second embodiment. The flow of the generation process of K+ Silver version output data of the DFE 20a according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0063] <Step S21> The conversion unit 201 of the DFE 20a converts the print data (input data) input from an external device, etc., into grayscale. Then, the process proceeds to step S22.

[0064] <Step S22> If the setting unit 205 has set that silver toner is to be used (step S22: Yes), the process proceeds to step S23, and if not (step S22: No), the process ends.

[0065] <Step S23> When the setting unit 205 has set that silver toner be used, the generation unit 202a of the DFE 20a generates output data by converting the gradation values ​​of the black plate of the grayscale data converted by the conversion unit 201 into gradation values ​​of the K+silver plate using, for example, an LUT such as that shown in Fig. 11. Then, the process ends.

[0066] As described above, in the DFE 20a according to this embodiment, the generation unit 202a uses a predetermined LUT to generate output data converted into black and silver gradation values ​​from the black gradation values ​​of the input data converted to grayscale by the conversion unit 201. This makes it possible to easily produce a desired glossy output by adding a silver gradation to a black gradation without correcting the gradation of each color based on empirical rules.

[0067] Although the above-described embodiments have been described with respect to operations when printing monochrome images, the operations of the above-described embodiments may also be applied when printing full-color images. When printing full-color images, the data is typically converted into CMYK data that has been color-matched using an ICC (International Color Consortium) profile or the like. The operations of the above-described embodiments may be applied to this converted black data to generate K+silver output data.

[0068] Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, when at least one of the functional units of the DFE 20, 20a is realized by executing a program, the program is provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like. Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the program executed by the DFE 20, 20a may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R (Compact Disk-Recordable), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the program executed by the DFE 20, 20a may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the program executed by the DFE 20, 20a may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the program executed by DFE20, 20a has a modular configuration including at least one of the above-described functional units, and in terms of actual hardware, the CPU 601 reads and executes the program from the above-described storage device (e.g., ROM 602, auxiliary storage device 605, etc.), thereby loading and generating each of the above-described functional units onto the main storage device (RAM 603).

[0069] The aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> An image processing device capable of converting input data that does not include a spot color plate into data that includes a silver plate, a conversion unit for converting the input data into grayscale; a generation unit that generates data of a silver plate gradation value based on the black plate gradation value of the input data converted to grayscale by the conversion unit; The image processing device is provided with: <2> The conversion unit converts the input data color-matched by an ICC profile into grayscale. <1> 2 is an image processing device according to the first embodiment. <3> the generation unit copies the gradation values ​​of the black plate of the input data converted to grayscale by the conversion unit to generate data of the gradation values ​​of the silver plate; a correction unit that performs gradation correction on the gradation value of the black plate of the input data converted into grayscale by the conversion unit in accordance with a predetermined TRC; a combining unit that combines the data of the gradation values ​​of the black plate corrected by the correcting unit and the data of the gradation values ​​of the silver plate generated by the generating unit to generate output data for the black plate and the silver plate; The said further comprising <1> or <2> 2 is an image processing device according to the first embodiment. <4> the generating unit generates output data by converting the gradation values ​​of the black plate of the input data converted to grayscale by the converting unit into gradation values ​​of the black plate and the silver plate using a predetermined LUT. <1> or <2> 2 is an image processing device according to the first embodiment. <5> a setting unit for setting whether or not to use silver toner in response to an operation on the input device; the generating unit generates data of a silver plate gradation value based on the black plate gradation value of the input data converted to grayscale by the converting unit when the setting unit sets that silver toner is to be used; <1> ~ <4> 10. The image processing device according to claim 9, wherein: <6> The print image based on the output data based on the data of the gradation value of the silver plate generated by the generating unit has a monotonically decreasing brightness as the gradation value increases. <1> ~ <5> 10. The image processing device according to claim 9, wherein: <7> The output data based on the data of the gradation value of the silver plate generated by the generating unit is such that the ratio of the gradation value of the black plate to the gradation value of the silver plate increases as the gradation value of the silver plate increases. <6> 2 is an image processing device according to the first embodiment. <8> The print image based on the output data based on the data of the gradation value of the silver plate generated by the generating unit has a monotonically linear decrease in brightness as the gradation value increases. <6> or <7> 2 is an image processing device according to the first embodiment. <9> An image forming apparatus capable of converting input data that does not include a spot color plate into data that includes a silver plate, a conversion unit for converting the input data into grayscale; a generation unit that generates data of a silver plate gradation value based on the black plate gradation value of the input data converted to grayscale by the conversion unit; The image forming apparatus is provided with the above. <10> An image processing method capable of converting input data that does not include a spot color plate into data that includes a silver plate, comprising: a conversion step of converting the input data to grayscale; a generating step of generating data of a silver plate gradation value based on the black plate gradation value of the input data converted into grayscale; The image processing method has the following features. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10 Image forming device 11 Controller 12 Image forming unit 20, 20a DFE 30 Control section 201 Conversion Unit 202, 202a generation section 203 Correction Unit 204 Joint 205 Settings 501 CPU 502 ROM 503 RAM 504 Engine Interface 505 Operation Unit Interface 506 Storage device 507 DFE Interface 510 Bus 601 CPU 602 ROM 603 RAM 605 Auxiliary storage 608 Display 609 Controller I / F 610 Bus 611 Input Device 700 Paper Tray 701 Conveyor roller 702 Intermediate transfer belt 703, 703C, 703K, 703M, 703S, 703Y Photoconductor Drum 704 Transfer roller 705 Fuser roller 1000, 1001 setting screen [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0071] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7139854

Claims

1. An image processing device capable of converting input data that does not include a spot color plate into data that includes a silver plate, a conversion unit for converting the input data into grayscale; a generation unit that generates data of a silver plate gradation value based on the black plate gradation value of the input data converted to grayscale by the conversion unit; An image processing device comprising:

2. The image processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the conversion unit converts the input data that has been color-matched using an ICC profile into grayscale.

3. the generation unit copies the gradation values ​​of the black plate of the input data converted to grayscale by the conversion unit to generate data of the gradation values ​​of the silver plate; a correction unit that performs gradation correction on the gradation value of the black plate of the input data converted into grayscale by the conversion unit in accordance with a predetermined TRC; a combining unit that combines the data of the gradation values ​​of the black plate corrected by the correcting unit and the data of the gradation values ​​of the silver plate generated by the generating unit to generate output data for the black plate and the silver plate; The image processing device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. 3. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates output data converted from the gradation values ​​of the black plate of the input data converted to grayscale by the conversion unit into gradation values ​​of the black plate and the silver plate using a predetermined LUT.

5. a setting unit for setting whether or not to use silver toner in response to an operation on the input device; 3. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein when the setting unit is set to use silver toner, the generation unit generates data on the gradation value of the silver plate based on the gradation value of the black plate of the input data converted to grayscale by the conversion unit.

6. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print image based on the output data generated by the generation unit on the basis of the data of the silver plate gradation values ​​monotonically decreases in brightness as the gradation value increases.

7. 7. The image processing device according to claim 6, wherein the output data based on the data of the gradation values ​​of the silver plate generated by the generation unit has a ratio of the gradation values ​​of the black plate to the gradation values ​​of the silver plate that increases as the gradation value of the silver plate increases.

8. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the print image based on the output data generated by the generation unit based on the data of the silver plate gradation values ​​has a monotonically linear decrease in brightness as the gradation value increases.

9. An image forming apparatus capable of converting input data that does not include a spot color plate into data that includes a silver plate, a conversion unit for converting the input data into grayscale; a generation unit that generates data of a silver plate gradation value based on the black plate gradation value of the input data converted to grayscale by the conversion unit; An image forming apparatus comprising:

10. An image processing method capable of converting input data that does not include a spot color plate into data that includes a silver plate, comprising: a conversion step of converting the input data to grayscale; a generating step of generating data of a silver plate gradation value based on the black plate gradation value of the input data converted into grayscale; An image processing method comprising:

Images