Patent Publication Number: US-2020301342-A1

Title: Image processing apparatus, computer-readable medium, and image processing method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application. No. 2019-052692, filed on Mar. 20, 2019 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-194741, filed on Oct. 25, 2019. The contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a computer-readable medium, and an image processing method. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In recent years, a printing technique of embedding information in an image when printing an image such as a document or photograph has been attracting attention. 
     Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-136828 discloses a technique of printing an image that is visible only when a special judging apparatus such as an infrared camera is used, with process black (black in which cyan, magenta, and yellow are used), which does not absorb infrared rays, and pure black, which absorbs infrared rays. 
     In this regard, in order to realize a printing technique of embedding information, for example, infrared (IR) toner having absorbency in the wavelength region (around about 850 nm) of infrared light including near-infrared light, while having low absorbency in the wavelength region (about 400 to 700 nm) of visible light, can be used. In this case, for example, when a printed material simultaneously utilizing an IR toner and black toner is scanned with IR toner reading irradiation light to detect printed information of the IR toner, the black toner may absorb the IR irradiation light used for scanning, and a part that is imaged with the black toner may also be detected as the IR toner. As a result, it may cause a problem in that noise is mixed in IR toner information that has been read out, and the printed information of the IR toner cannot be properly transferred or displayed. 
     In the technique described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-136828, when printing is performed with pure black and special toner having similar characteristics to pure black, information printed with the special toner also cannot be properly read out. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus includes a data analyzing part, and a data generating part. The data analyzing part is configured to refer to original image data for generating a printed material utilizing a first consumable material absorbing a larger amount of visible light than invisible light and a second consumable material absorbing a larger amount of invisible light than visible light, and to a correction data table indicating whether invisible light is absorbed for each density value regarding the first consumable material, and specify a pixel having a density value of the first consumable material and absorbing invisible light in the original image data. The data generating part is configured to correct the density value of the first consumable material in the specified pixel to a density value of a third consumable material not absorbing invisible light, to generate corrected image data. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram for describing a hardware configuration and a function of an image forming apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram for describing a hardware configuration and a function of a client PC; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating example of a functional configuration of the information processing system according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a figure illustrating an example of a correction data table; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating creation processing of the correction data table; 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart for describing IR toner correction processing that is executed by the information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart for describing IR toner correction processing that is executed by an information processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B  are figures illustrating a flow of creation processing of an IR toner density data table and an IR toner influence detection table according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating detected noise elimination correction processing of IR toner density information that is executed by an information processing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The accompanying drawings are intended to depict exemplary embodiments of the present invention and should not be interpreted to limit the scope thereof. Identical or similar reference numerals designate identical or similar components throughout the various drawings. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     In describing preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology may be employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have the same function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result. 
     An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 
     An embodiment has an object to provide an image processing apparatus, a computer-readable medium, and an image processing method that can improve accuracy of readout of an image that uses special toner such as IR toner. 
     First Embodiment 
     An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system  1  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in this figure, the information processing system  1  includes an image forming apparatus  3  as an image processing apparatus, a client PC  5 , and a storage part  70  that is provided in a cloud storage  7 . 
     The image forming apparatus  3  is an apparatus that performs print processing of forming characters, images, and the like on a medium such as a printing paper. For example, the image forming apparatus  3  is a multifunction peripheral/product/printer (MFP) that can be used as an image scanner and a fax, a laser printer, or the like. In the present embodiment, a medium such as a paper on which print processing is performed will be referred to as a printed material. The image forming apparatus  3  generates the printed material based on print data that is transmitted from the client PC  5 . In particular, the image forming apparatus  3  executes IR toner correction processing, which will be described later, in accordance with the setting. 
     An IR toner herein refers to a toner having absorbency in the wavelength region (around about 850 nm) of infrared light including near-infrared  1  while having low absorbency in the wavelength region (about 400 to 700 nm) of visible light. With regard to the IR toner, the absorbency in the wavelength region of visible light is lower than the absorbency in the wavelength region of infrared light. On the other hand, with regard to an ordinary black toner, the absorbency in the wavelength region of infrared light is lower than the absorbency in the wavelength region of visible light. In addition, cyan toner, magenta toner, and yellow toner that are used to make process black have almost no absorbency in the wavelength region of infrared light. 
     The printed material printed with the IR toner transparent (invisible) to visible light, and it becomes legible when being irradiated with infrared light. “Invisible” herein refers to a state in which nothing can be seen at all, and it also includes a state in which something can be slightly seen but what is printed cannot be visually recognized. 
     The client PC  5  is an image processing apparatus that generates print data for causing the image forming apparatus  3  to execute print processing. For example, the client PC  5  is a personal computer (PC), a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like. The client PC  5  includes an interface for connection to a network. Software such as a printer driver, a scan driver, and a predetermined application for performing generation, transmission, and the like of print data based on input operations by a user are installed in the client PC  5 . The print data includes information that indicates content of a print job. Data to be printed (image data, text data, and the like), setting information (paper size, number of papers to be printed, and the like), commands, and the like are associated with each print job. 
     The storage part  70  provided in the cloud storage  7  stores therein a correction data table A, which will be described later. The correction data table A is generated in, for example, the client PC  5  in advance of the IR toner correction processing, which will be described later. In addition, the storage part  70  stores therein various kinds of data transferred from the image forming apparatus  3  and the client PC  5 . 
     The image forming apparatus  3 , the client PC  5 , and the cloud storage  7  are connected to a network, and are capable of communicating with one another. The network may be Ethernet (registered trademark), a wireless computer communication means such as Wi-Fi, or a wired computer communication means. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram for describing a hardware configuration and a function of the image forming apparatus  3 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the image forming apparatus  3  includes a printer controller  30 , an operation panel  31 , and a printer engine  32 . 
     The operation panel  31  is a unit for receiving an input operation to the image forming apparatus  3  by a user. For example, the operation panel  31  is composed by utilizing a liquid crystal panel, a touch panel, a keyboard, and the like. 
     The printer engine  32  has a mechanism of generating the printed material based on a control signal from the printer controller  30 , and discharging the printed material to a predetermined discharge destination. The printer engine  32  is composed of, for example, a paper feeding mechanism of paper-feeding a medium from a paper feeding tray, a light irradiation mechanism of irradiating a photoconductor with laser light output from a laser head, a toner adhesion mechanism of adhering toner to a photoconductor, a transfer/fixing mechanism of transferring/fixing toner to a medium, a discharge mechanism of discharging a medium (printed material) on which toner is fixed to a predetermined discharge destination, and the like. 
     The printer controller  30  is an electronic control unit that controls the printer engine  32  based on an input operation for the operation panel  31 , print data transmitted from the client PC  5 , and the like. 
     The printer controller  30  includes a network interface (I/F)  300 , a program read only memory (ROM)  301 , a font ROM  302 , an operation part I/F  303 , a central processing unit (CPU)  305 , a random access memory (RAM)  306 , a non-volatile RAM (NV-RAM)  307 , an engine I/F  308 , and a hard disk drive (HDD)  309 . 
     The network I/F  31  is an interface for connecting to a network, and communicating with the client PC  5 . The program ROM  301  is a memory that stores therein computer programs for performing management of data within the printer controller  30 , control of peripheral modules, a computer program for executing the IR toner correction processing, which will be described later, and the like. The font ROM  302  is a memory that stores therein various kinds of font data to be used for printing. The operation part I/F  303  is an interface for performing reception of an input signal from the operation panel  31 , transmission of display data to the operation panel  31 , and the like. The CPU  305  is one or a plurality of integrated circuits that executes various kinds of processing based on computer programs stored in the program ROM  301 , print data received from the client PC  5 , and the like. The RAM  306  functions as a work memory when the CPU  305  executes predetermined program processing, a buffer that temporarily stores therein print data received from the client PC  5 , a memory that processes data stored in the buffer, and the like. The NV-RAM  307  is a nonvolatile memory that holds data even after the image forming apparatus  3  is powered off. The engine I/F  308  is an interface for transmitting a control that generated within the printer controller  30  to the printer engine  32 , and receiving a feedback signal from the printer engine  32 . The HDD  309  is a storage device that stores various kinds of data in a hard disk that is a storage medium. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram for describing a hardware configuration and a function of the client PC  5 . The client PC  5  is constructed with a computer. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the client PC  5  includes a CPU  501 , a ROM  502 , a RAM  503 , an HD  504 , a hard disk drive (HDD) controller  505 , a display  506 , an external equipment connection interface (I/F)  508 , a network I/F  509 , a data bus  510 , keyboard  511 , a pointing device  512 , a digital versatile disk rewritable (DVD-RW) drive  514 , and a media I/F  516 . 
     Among these, the CPU  501  controls overall operations of the client PC  5 . The ROM  502  stores therein a computer program to be used for driving of the CPU  501  such as IPL. The RAM  503  is used as a work area of the CPU  501 . The HP  504  stores therein various kinds of data such as computer programs. The HDD controller  505  controls reading or writing of various kinds of data with respect to the HD  504  in accordance with control of the CPU  501 . The display  506  displays various kinds of information such as cursors, menus, windows, characters, images, and the like. The external equipment connection I/F  508  is an interface for connecting various kinds of external equipment. The external equipment in this case is, for example, a universal serial bus (USE) memory, a printer, or the like. The network I/F  509  is an interface for performing data communication by utilizing a communication network  100 . The bus line  510  is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU  501  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     In addition, the keyboard  511  type of an input means that includes a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like. The pointing device  512  is a type of an input means that performs selection or execution of various instructions, selection of a processing target, movement of a cursor, and the like. The DVD-RW drive  514  controls reading or writing of various kinds of data with respect to the DVD-RW  513  as an example of a removable recording medium. DVD-R or the like may be employed instead of DVD-RW. The media I/F  516  controls reading or writing (storing) of data with respect to a storage media  515  such as a flash memory. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information processing system  1  according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 4  conveniently illustrates functions related to the present invention among the functions possessed by the information processing system  1  according to the present embodiment. In addition, in the present embodiment, image data that is obtained by scanning the printed material with visible light for ordinary reading and invisible light for reading IR toner will be referred to as “original image data”; toner that absorbs a larger amount of visible light than invisible light (infrared rays) as in the case of a black (pure black) toner will be referred to as “first consumable material”; a toner that absorbs a larger amount of invisible light than visible light as in the case of IR toner will be referred to as a “second consumable material”; and a YMC toner for generating process black (black in which cyan, magenta, and yellow are used) will be referred to as a “third consumable material”. 
     The image forming apparatus  3  includes a data managing part  3   a,  a data analyzing part  3   b,  a data generating part  3   c,  a data processing part  3   d,  a data transfer part  3   e,  an external I/F  3   f,  a storage part  3   g  that stores therein the correction data table A, and an operation part  3   i.    
     The client PC  5  includes an application part  5   a,  a printer driver part  5   b,  a scanner driver part  5   c,  an external I/F  5   d,  and a storage part  5   e  that stores therein the correction data table A. 
     In addition, the correction data table A is stored in the storage part  70  of the cloud storage  7 . 
     The data managing part  3   a  stores the correction data table A that the external I/F  3   f  has received in the storage part  3   g.  When an IR toner correction mode is enabled, the data managing part  3   a  uses the original image data and the correction data table to control the data analyzing part  3   b,  the data generating part  3   c,  and the data processing part  3   d,  and executes the IR toner correction processing, which will be described later. The “IR toner correction mode” herein is an operation mode that executes the IR toner correction processing, which will be described later. 
     The data analyzing part  3   b  refers to the original image data for generating the printed material utilizing the first consumable material, which absorbs a larger amount of visible light than visible light, and the second consumable material, which absorbs a larger amount of invisible than visible light, and to the correction data table indicating whether invisible light is absorbed for each density value regarding the first consumable material, thereby specifying a pixel having the density value of the first consumable material that absorbs invisible light in the original image data. Specifically, the data analyzing part  3   b  uses the original image data determine, for each pixel, whether IR toner is utilized. With regard to the pixel utilizing the IR toner, the data analyzing part  3   b  uses the original image data and the correction data table to determine whether the density value of pure black of the pixel is the density value that absorbs invisible light for reading IR toner. 
     The data generating part  3   c  generates corrected image data by correcting the density value of the first consumable material in the pixel specified by the data analyzing part  3   b  to the density value of the third consumable material that does not absorb invisible light. Specifically, in the pixel that has been determined by the data analyzing part  3   b  to have the density value of pure black, which absorbs invisible light for reading IR toner, the data generating part  3   c  converts the density value of pure black into the density value of process black (black in which cyan, magenta, and yellow are used). 
     The data processing part  3   d  obtains the original image data that can be obtained by scanning paper information with visible light for ordinary reading and invisible light for reading IR toner. 
     The data managing part  3   a,  the data analyzing part  3   b , the data generating part  3   c,  and the data processing part  3   d  are composed of, for example, the CPU  305 , the program RCM  301 , and the RAM  306  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The data transfer part  3   e  transfers the original image data and the corrected image data generated with the IR toner correction processing, which will be described later, to a designated place (for example, the storage part  70  of the cloud storage  7 ). The data transfer part  3   e  is composed of the CPU  305  and the network I/F  300  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The external I/F  3   g  receives the correction data table A from the external I/F  5   d  of the client PC  5 . The external I/F  3   g  is composed of the CPU  305  and the network I/F  300  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The storage part  3   g  stores therein the correction data table A that the external I/F  3   g  has received, and the original image data obtained in the data processing part  3   d . The storage part  3   g  is composed of the HDD  304  and the like illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The operation part  3   i  receives an image generation (printing) request. In addition, the operation part  3   i  receives enabling/disabling of the IR toner correction mode. For example, the setting item of the “IR toner correction mode” is provided for a GUI of the image forming apparatus  3 . The user can set “enabled” “disabled” of the “IR toner correction mode” through the GUI. The set value of “enabled”/“disabled” is automatically stored in the storage part  3   g.  The operation part  31  is composed of the operation panel  31 , the operation part I/F  303 , and the like. 
     The application part  5   a  executes a drawing application. The application part  5   a  creates the correction data table, which will be described later. 
     The printer driver part  5   b  converts electronic image data for paper image formation into a printable form. The printer driver part  5   b  performs processing for executing generation, transmission, and the like of print data based on an input operation by a user with the keyboard  511  and the pointing device  512  of the client PC  5 . 
     The scanner driver part  5   c  instructs, to the image forming apparatus  3 , an attribute to read and a reading operation of printed information from the printed material (printed paper image) using the ordinary visible light and invisible light. 
     The external I/F  5   d  sends the correction data table A to the external I/F  3   g  of the image forming apparatus  3 . 
     The storage part  5   e  stores therein the correction data table A. 
     Respective functions provided for each of the image forming apparatus  3  and the client PC  5  mentioned above are typically realized as software by execution of a dedicated computer program by a CPU on a RAM. However, not limited to this example, a part or all of the respective functions mentioned above may be realized with dedicated hardware that is designed to execute similar respective functions, for example, with a semiconductor integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a conventional circuit module, or the like. 
     Correction Data Table 
     The correction data table A will now be described. The correction data table A is a table that indicates, for each density of pure black using a black toner, whether invisible light for reading IR toner is absorbed. 
       FIG. 5  is a figure illustrating an example of the correction data table A. As illustrated in this figure, for each of 256 densities from 0 to 255 of pure black using a black toner, “1” is assigned when there is absorption of invisible light for reading IR toner, and “0” is assigned when there is no absorption of invisible light for reading IR toner. By using the correction data table A, a pixel having the density value of pure black that absorbs invisible light for reading IR toner can be specified in the original image data. 
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating creation processing of the correction data table A. As illustrated in this figure, the application part  5   a  of the client PC  5  uses the drawing application to create an electronic file in which the density value of pure black is composed of 256 grids from 0 to 255. The printer driver part  5   b  causes the image forming apparatus  3  to print the created electronic file. The obtained printed material (image hard copy) will be referred to as a sample image S. The scanner driver part  5   c  can generate the correction data table A by using a scanning function of the image forming apparatus  3  to scan the sample image S with invisible light for reading IR toner. The generated correction data table is stored in the storage part  5   e.    
     IR Toner Correction Processing 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart for describing IR toner correction processing that is executed by the information processing system  1  according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The IR toner correction processing will be described in accordance with this figure. 
     Firstly, once an image generation (reading) request is received through the operation part  3   i  (Step S 1 ), the data processing part  3   d  scans paper printed information that is the target of this IR toner correction processing with visible light for ordinary reading, and generates the original image data. Furthermore, the data processing part  3   d  scans paper printed information that is the target of this IR toner correction processing with visible light for ordinary reading and invisible light for reading IR toner, and obtains the original image data. The obtained original image data is stored in the storage part  3   g  (Step S 2 ). 
     The data managing part  3   a  determines whether the IR toner correction mode is enabled (Step S 3 ). If it is determined that the IR toner correction mode is not enabled (No at Step S 3 ), the data managing part  3   a  controls the data transfer part  3   e,  and transfers the original image data to, for example, a designated place such as the storage part  70  of the cloud storage  7  through a network (Step S 12 ). 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that the IR toner correction mode is enabled (Yes at Step S 3 ), the data managing part  3   a  controls the data processing part  3   d  and scans the original image data (Step S 4 ). The data analyzing part  3   b  obtains the density value (IR toner value) of a target pixel (in this case, a first pixel) in the scanned original image data (Step S 5 ). 
     The data analyzing part  3   b  determines whether the target pixel utilizes an IR toner based on the obtained IR toner value (Step S 6 ). If it is determined that the target pixel does not utilize the IR toner (No at Step S 6 ), the data analyzing part  3   b  changes the target to the next pixel (in this case, a second pixel) (Step S 11 ), and performs the determination of Step S 6 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the pixel utilizes the IR toner (Yes at Step S 6 ), the data analyzing part  3   b  uses the original image data to collate the black density value of the target pixel (i.e., the density value of the pure black toner) with the correction data table A, and obtains the absorption value of invisible light for reading IR toner with respect to the target pixel (Step S 7 ). 
     Then, the data analyzing part  3   b  determines whether the black density value of the target pixel is a value that absorbs the IR toner based on the obtained absorption value (Step S 8 ). Specifically, if the obtained absorption value is “1”, the data analyzing part  3   b  determines that the black density value of the target pixel is the value that absorbs the IR toner (Yes at Step S 8 ). The data generating part  3   c  rewrites the black density value of the target pixel in the original image data to the same black density value using process black (i.e., the same density value that does not absorb the IR toner) (Step S 9 ). On the other hand, if the obtained absorption value is “0”, the data analyzing part  3   b  determines that the black density value of the target pixel is a value that does not absorb the IR toner (No at Step S 8 ). The data analyzing part  3   b  changes the target to the next pixel (in this case, the second pixel) (Step S 11 ), and performs processing of Step S 5  and onwards. 
     The data analyzing part  3   b  determines whether there is a pixel that is not targeted by the IR toner correction processing (Step S 10 ). If there is such pixel that is not targeted (Yes at Step S 10 ), the data analyzing part  3   b  performs processing of Step S 5  and onwards on a pixel that is displaced by one pixel number (Step S 11 ). On the other hand, if there is no pixel that is not targeted (No at Step S 10 ), the data managing part  3   a  controls the data transfer part  3   e,  and transfers the rewritten original image data (corrected image data) to, for example, a designated place such as the storage part  70  of the cloud storage  7  through a network (Step S 12 ). 
     As has been described above, the image processing apparatus (image forming apparatus) according to the embodiment of the present invention and the information processing system including this image processing apparatus refer to the original image data for generating the printed material that utilizes the first consumable material, which absorbs a larger amount of visible light than invisible light, and the second consumable material, which absorbs a larger amount of invisible light than visible light, and to the correction data table indicating whether invisible light is absorbed for each density value regarding the first consumable material, thereby specifying a pixel having the density value of the first consumable material that absorbs invisible light in the original image data. Furthermore, the corrected image data is generated by correcting the density value of the first consumable material in the specified pixel to the density value of the third consumable material that does not absorb invisible light. 
     Specifically, a pixel that absorbs invisible light is specified by using the correction data table indicating whether invisible light is absorbed for each density value of black (pure black) toner as the first consumable material, and determining whether invisible light is absorbed for each pixel in the original image data of the printed material including the black toner and the IR toner. The corrected image data is generated by correcting the density value of the black toner in the specified pixel to the density value of process black as the third consumable material that does not absorb invisible light. Accordingly, the generated corrected image data that does not include mixed noise due to absorption of IR by the black toner can be generated instead of the original image data. In addition, by printing the target printed material using the corrected image data instead of the original image data, the printed material using visible light and the printed material using invisible light without influence of IR absorption by the black toner can be provided. 
     Second Embodiment 
     In the first embodiment, the original image data is generated by scanning the target paper printed information with visible light for ordinary reading and invisible light for reading IR toner, and the IR toner correction processing is executed by using the original image data. In contrast, in the case of the IR toner correction processing that is executed by the information processing system  1  according to the present second embodiment, the original image data of the paper printed information previously exists without execution of the above-described scan. 
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart for describing the IR toner correction processing that is executed by the information processing system  1  according to the second embodiment of the present invention. When compared to the IR toner correction processing according to the first embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , since the original image data of the paper printed information already exists, the processing of Step S 2  illustrated in  FIG. 7  is omitted in the flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
     In such case, the same working effect as the first embodiment can be realized by executing the IR toner correction processing on the original image data of the paper printed information previously stored. 
     Third Embodiment 
     A third embodiment will now be described. 
     The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment and the second embodiment in that printed information of IR toner having the luminance of gray (0, 255) can be properly detected from the printed material simultaneously utilizing the IR toner and ordinary YMCK toner. In the following, the third embodiment omits the description of the same parts as the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and describes parts that are different from the first embodiment and the second embodiment. 
     For example, when detecting information on the IR toner having the luminance of gray (0, 255) by scanning the printed material simultaneously utilizing the IR toner and the YMCK toner, there is a problem in that black K toner absorbs scanning IR irradiation light, and a portion that the K toner formed the image is also detected as the IR toner. In order to solve this problem, according to the present embodiment, influence of the black toner can be removed from the printed material simultaneously utilizing the IR toner having the luminance of gray (0, 255) and the ordinary YMCK toner. 
       FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B  are figures illustrating a flow of creation processing of an IR toner density data table M 1  and an IR toner influence detection table M 2  according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
     Firstly, the creation processing of the IR toner density data table M 1  will be described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9A , the application part  5   a  of the client PC  5  uses the drawing application to create image data (electronic file) in which the horizontal direction is a line that is composed of IR toner grids having 0 to 255 density gradations, and the vertical direction has 256 rows of such lines in the horizontal direction, with an optional color X other than black. The printer driver part  5   b  causes the image forming apparatus  3  to print the created image data with the IR toner. The obtained printed material (image hard copy) will be referred to as a sample image S 1 . 
     The scanner driver part  5   c  can generate the IR toner density data table M 1  of (256, 256) by irradiating/scanning the sample image S 1  with invisible light for reading IR toner using the scanning function of the image forming apparatus  3 . The generated IR toner density data table M 1  is stored in the storage part  5   e.    
     Specifically, the IR toner density data table M 1  stores therein, for each of 256 IR toner densities from 0 to 255, normal values of reading with invisible light for reading IR toner when there is no influence of the black toner. 
     The creation processing of the IR toner influence detection table M 2  will now be described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9B , the application part  5   a  of the client PC  5  uses the drawing application to create, on the sample image S 1 , image data in which the horizontal direction is composed of black grids having the same size and the same densities as the IR toner and the vertical direction is composed of black grids having black density values from 0 to 255. The printer driver part  5   b  causes the image forming apparatus  3  to print the created image data. The obtained printed material (image hard copy) will be referred to as a sample image S 2 . 
     The scanner driver part  5   c  can generate the IR toner influence detection table M 2  of (256, 256) by irradiating/scanning the sample image S 2  with invisible light for reading IR toner using the scanning function of the image forming apparatus  3 . The generated IR toner influence detection table M 2  is stored in the storage part  5   e  as the correction data table. 
     Specifically, the IR toner influence detection table M 2  stores therein, for each of 256 IR toner densities from 0 to 255, reading values with invisible light for reading IR toner after being affected by the black toner having densities from 0 to 255. 
     Detected Noise Elimination Correction Processing of IR Toner Density Information 
       FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating detected noise elimination correction processing of IR toner density information that is executed by the information processing system  1  according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The detected noise elimination correction processing of the IR toner density information will be described in accordance with this figure. 
     Firstly, once receiving an image generation (reading) request through the operation part  3   i  (Step S 21 ), the data managing part  3   a  determines whether the IR toner correction mode enabled (Step S 22 ). If it is determined that the IR toner correction mode is not enabled (No at Step S 22 ), the data processing part  3   d  scans paper printed information that is the target of this correction processing with invisible for reading IR toner, and performs conversion into image data, and performs storage in storage part  3   g  (Step S 31 ). 
     Then, the data managing part  3   a  controls the data transfer part  3   e,  and transfers the image data to a place that is designated by the image generation (reading) request, for example, a designated place such as the storage part  70  of the cloud storage  7  through the network (Step S 32 ). 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that the IR toner correction mode is enabled (Yes at Step S 22 ), the processing part  3   d  scans paper printed information that is the target of this correction processing with visible light for ordinary reading and invisible light for reading IR toner, and performs conversion into image data E 1 , E 2 . The obtained image data E 1 , E 2  are stored in the storage part  3   g  (Step S 23 ). 
     Then, the data managing part  3   a  controls the data processing part  3   d  to scan all of the pixels of the image data E 2  one by one (Step S 24 ), and performs the following processing. 
     Firstly, the data analyzing part  3   b  obtains the density value (IR toner value) a target pixel n this case, the first pixel) in the scanned image data E 2  (Step S 25 ). 
     Furthermore, the data analyzing part  3   b  determines whether a pixel of the image data. E 1  that is at the same position as the target pixel of the scanned image data E 2  utilizes the black toner (Step S 26 ). 
     If it is determined that the target pixel does not utilize the black toner (No at Step S 26 ), the data analyzing part  3   b  changes the target to the next pixel (in this case, the second pixel) (Step S 27 ), and performs the processing of Steps S 25  to S 26 . 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that the target pixel utilizes the black toner (Yes at Step S 26 ), the data analyzing part  3   b  can recognize that the read IR toner density value of the image data E 2  is affected by the black toner. Thus, the data analyzing part  3   b  scans the IR toner influence detection table M 2 , and obtains positional information on the same IR toner density value as the image data E 2 , in the row of the same black density value as the image data E 1  (Step S 28 ). 
     Then, the data generating part  3   c  uses the obtained positional information to obtain a value with no IR toner absorption from the IR toner dens data table M 1 , and rewrites the IR toner density value of the pixel in the image data E 2  (Step S 29 ). 
     The data analyzing part  3   b  determines whether there is an unprocessed pixel of the image data E 2  (Step S 30 ). If there is such unprocessed pixel of the image data E 2  (Yes at S 30 ), tale target will be changed to the next pixel (in this case, the second pixel) (Step S 27 ), and the processing of Steps S 25  to S 26  will be performed. On the other hand, if there is no unprocessed pixel of the image data E 2  (No at Step S 30 ), the data managing part  3   a  controls the data transfer part  3   e,  and transfers the rewritten image data (corrected image data) E 2  to a place that is designated by the image generation (reading) request, for example, a designated place such as the storage part  70  of the cloud storage  7  through the network (Step  32 ). 
     Specifically the information processing system  1  according to the third embodiment performs detected noise elimination correction processing of IR toner density information mentioned above on all of the pixels of the image data E 2 , and rewrites a pixel that is affected by the black toner to the IR toner density value at the time of no influence. 
     In this manner, according to the present embodiment, noise due to the black toner, i.e., a value in which the black toner is detected as the IR toner, previously measured from the 255×255 combinations of each luminance value of the black toner (0, 255) and luminance values of the IR toner (0, 255), and is stored in the IR toner influence detection table M 2 . Furthermore, when reading printed information of the IR toner with IR irradiation light from the printed material simultaneously utilizing the IR toner and the YMCK toner, the data generating part  3   c  utilizes the IR toner influence detection table M 2  to perform, on the reading result data, rewriting of the target pixel with the original density value of the IR toner. 
     In this manner, influence of the black toner is eliminated from the printed material simultaneously utilizing the IR toner having the luminance of gray (0, 255) and the ordinary YMCK toner, and printed information of the IR toner can be properly detected. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in each of the embodiments described above, the data managing part  3   a,  the data analyzing part  3   b,  the data generating part  3   c,  the data processing part  3   d,  the data transfer part  3   e,  and the operation part  3   i  are included in the image forming apparatus  3 . However, is not limited thereto. 
     For example, a part or all of the data managing part  3   a,  the data analyzing part  3   b,  the data generating part  3   c , the data processing part  3   d,  the data transfer part  3   e,  and the operation part  3   i  may be incorporated not in the image forming apparatus  3  but in the printer driver part  5   b  of the client PC  5 . 
     In addition, a part or all of the data managing part  3   a,  the data analyzing part  3   b,  the data generating part  3   c , the data processing part  3   d,  the data transfer part  3   e,  and the operation part  3   i  may be incorporated not in the image forming apparatus  3  but in the scanner driver part  5   c  of the client PC  5 . 
     Each of the embodiments described above describes an example in which the image forming apparatus is an MPF or a laser printer. However, each of the embodiments is not limited to this example, the image processing apparatus may be a copying machine, an ink jet printer, or the like. 
     In addition, each of the embodiments described above describes an example in which the first to third consumable materials are toner. However, not limited to this example, technical ideas of the present invention can also be applied to a case in which the first to third consumable materials are inks or ribbons. 
     In addition, in each of the embodiments described above, a computer program to be executed by the image forming apparatus is provided by being previously incorporated in a ROM or the like. 
     In addition, in each of the embodiments described above, a computer program to be executed by the image forming apparatus may be provided as a computer program product by being recorded in a computer readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or digital versatile disc (DVD) as an installable-form or executable-form file. 
     In addition, in each of the embodiments described above, a computer program to be executed by the image forming apparatus may be provided by being stored on a computer that is connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Furthermore, a computer program to be executed by a diagnosis device of the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. 
     In addition, in each of the embodiments described above, a computer program to be executed by the image forming apparatus has a module configuration that includes each of the parts mentioned above (such as the communication control part, the determination part, and the like). As actual hardware, a CPU (processor) reads the computer program from the above-described ROM for execution such that each of the parts described above is loaded on a main storage device, and each of the parts is generated on the main storage device. 
     According to an embodiment, an image processing apparatus, a computer-readable medium, and an image processing method that can improve accuracy of reading of an image that uses a special toner such as IR toner can be provided. 
     The above-described embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present invention. Thus, numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, at least one element of different illustrative and exemplary embodiments herein may be combined with each other or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims. Further, features of components of the embodiments, such as the number, the position, and the shape are not limited the embodiments and thus may be preferably set. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure of the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. 
     The method steps, processes, or operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance or clearly identified through the context. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
     Further, any of the above-described apparatus, devices or units can be implemented as a hardware apparatus, such as a special-purpose circuit or device, or as a hardware/software combination, such as a processor executing a software program. 
     Further, as described above, any one of the above-described and other methods of the present invention may be embodied in the form of a computer program stored in any kind of storage medium. Examples of storage mediums include, but are not limited to, flexible disk, hard disk, optical discs, magneto-optical discs, magnetic tapes, nonvolatile memory, semiconductor memory, read-only-memory (ROM), etc. 
     Alternatively, any one of the above-described and other methods of the present invention may be implemented by an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), prepared by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional component circuits or by a combination thereof with one or more conventional general purpose microprocessors or signal processors programmed accordingly. 
     Each of the functions of the described embodiments may be implemented by one or more processing circuits or circuitry. Processing circuitry includes a programmed processor, as a processor includes circuitry. A processing circuit also includes devices such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA) and conventional circuit components arranged to perform the recited functions.