Printing system and printer

Abstract

A printing system and a printer are provided. The printing system includes a printer and an information processing apparatus. The printer outputs a color table composed of a plurality of selected colors for a specific color of a specific RGB value, and stores a specific color conversion table that associates an index number corresponding to each selected color with a CMY value. The information processing apparatus receives a selection of one of the plurality of selected colors in the color table by specifying the index number, and when a print instruction is received in a state where the index number is specified, transmits a print job containing the specified index number and image data to the printer. The printer converts the RGB value representing the image data contained in the print job into a CMY value when the print job is received from the information processing apparatus, and prints an image represented by the CMY value image data, converting the RGB value of the specific color in the image data into a CMY value corresponding to the index number specified by the print job when converted into the CMY value using the specific color conversion table.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer capable of color printing and a printing system including the printer. Background Technology

[0002] A known technique involves acquiring image data (PDL data) of a printable object from an external device, converting the RGB values ​​in the acquired image data to CMYK values, and then performing color printing based on the converted data. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for generating an ICC profile and using the ICC profile to set CMYK values.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-208492 Summary of the Invention

[0004] Some users prefer specific color hues, such as primary red. Therefore, if the printed output does not contain the desired color hue, it may cause dissatisfaction. Patent Document 1 does not disclose a technology corresponding to a user's preferred color hue, leaving room for improvement.

[0005] This invention provides a printer capable of color printing, which can accommodate users' preferred color tones.

[0006] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a printing system comprising a printer capable of color printing and an information processing device for receiving printing instructions to the printer. The printer outputs a color table consisting of multiple selectable colors for a specific color having a specific RGB value. The color table includes multiple similar colors as selectable colors. A specific color conversion table is stored in the printer, associating an index number corresponding to each selectable color with a CMY value. The information processing device receives a selection of one of the multiple selectable colors in the color table by specifying the index number. When receiving the printing instruction with the specified index number, the device sends a print job to the printer. The print job includes the specified index number and image data. Upon receiving the print job from the information processing device, the printer converts the RGB values ​​representing the image data contained in the print job into CMY values ​​and prints an image represented by the image data converted to CMY values. During the conversion of the image data to CMY values, the specific color conversion table is used to convert the RGB values ​​of the specific color contained in the image data into CMY values ​​corresponding to the index number specified in the print job.

[0007] The printing system of the present invention, when a print job received from an information processing device contains a specified index number corresponding to a selected color in a color table, converts the RGB value of the specific color into a CMY value corresponding to the index number using a specific color conversion table stored in the printer. This allows the printing of a specific color with a hue preferred by the user.

[0008] The present invention also provides a printer, comprising: a printing device capable of color printing; a communication interface; and a memory, wherein the printer performs a color table output processing, the color table output processing outputting a color table consisting of multiple selected colors for a specific color having a specific RGB value, the color table using multiple similar colors as the multiple selected colors, the memory storing a specific color conversion table, the specific color conversion table associating an index number corresponding to each selected color with a CMY value, and the printer performs a receiving processing, the receiving processing receiving a print job containing image data through the communication interface, wherein the print job may or may not contain the index number. When printing based on the image data contained in the print job, the printer performs CMY conversion processing and printing processing. The CMY conversion processing converts the image data represented by RGB values ​​to image data represented by CMY values. The printing processing uses the printing device to print the image represented by the image data converted to CMY values. If the received print job has a specified index number, in the CMY conversion processing, the printer uses the specific color conversion table to convert the RGB values ​​of the specific color contained in the image data to CMY values ​​corresponding to the index number specified in the print job.

[0009] The printer constituting the above-described printing system, the control method for implementing the functions of the printing system, the computer program, and the computer-readable storage medium storing the program are also included in this invention.

[0010] Based on the technology disclosed in this specification, a printer capable of color printing can be realized, which can respond to the user's preferred color tone. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the general structure of the printing system according to this embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the printing process.

[0013] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a printer driver settings screen.

[0014] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a color table.

[0015] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the correspondence between color chart numbers and CMY values.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of changing the color to red.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the setting process.

[0018] Figure 8 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a printer's input screen. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The printing system of this embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The printing system of this embodiment includes a printer and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC").

[0020] like Figure 1 As shown, the printing system 100 of this embodiment includes a printer 1 and a PC 3, which are configured by interconnecting the printer 1 and the PC 3. The printer 1 is a device capable of color printing. The PC 3 is a device capable of receiving print instructions to the printer 1 and sending print jobs to the printer 1 based on the received print instructions. The PC 3 is an example of an information processing device.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the printer 1 of this embodiment includes a controller 10, which includes a CPU 11 and a memory 12. Furthermore, the printer 1 includes a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF") 13, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 14, and an image forming unit 15, all electrically connected to the controller 10. The image forming unit 15 is an example of a printing apparatus.

[0022] CPU 11 executes various processes based on programs read from memory 12 and user operations. Memory 12 stores various programs and data. Memory 12 also serves as a work area for executing various processes. The buffer memory of CPU 11 is also an example of memory.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the printer 1 of this embodiment stores a printing program 21, color table data 23, color profile 24, recommended color numbers 25, and a conversion table 26 in its memory 12. The program and data stored in the memory 12 will be described in detail below.

[0024] User IF 13 is, for example, a touch panel, including hardware for displaying a screen to notify the user of information, and hardware for receiving user operations. User IF 13 can be a combination of a display unit and operation buttons, etc.

[0025] Communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with external devices such as PC 3. The communication specifications for Communication IF 14 are Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB, etc. Printer 1 may include multiple Communication IF 14s corresponding to multiple communication specifications.

[0026] The image forming unit 15 includes a structure for printing images on a printing medium such as a sheet. The image forming method of the image forming unit 15 is, for example, an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The printer 1 of this embodiment includes an image forming unit 15 configured to perform color printing. The image forming unit 15 of the printer 1 of this embodiment is, for example, a device that uses CMYK four-color inks for printing. The printer 1 performs printing by transmitting CMYK data, where each dot is represented by a set of CMYK values, to the image forming unit 15.

[0027] In this embodiment, if the image data contained in a print job received from a PC 3 or the like is a color image represented by RGB values, the printer 1 converts the RGB values ​​to CMYK values ​​and prints the image represented by the converted image data. RGB values ​​are combinations of three values ​​represented by R, G, and B, while CMYK values ​​are combinations of four values ​​represented by C, M, Y, and K. Alternatively, the color image represented by RGB values ​​can be represented by the three CMY values ​​without using the K value; CMYK values ​​are an example of CMY values.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the PC 3 in this embodiment includes a controller 30, which includes a CPU 31 and a memory 32. Furthermore, the PC 3 includes a user IF 33 and a communication IF 34 electrically connected to the controller 30. Figure 1 The controllers 10 and 30 in the text refer to the hardware and software used to control printer 1 and PC 3, and are not limited to any single hardware component actually present in printer 1 and PC 3.

[0029] CPU 31 performs various processes based on the program read from memory 32 and user operations. For example... Figure 1 As shown, memory 32 includes an operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") 41 and a printer driver 42, and stores various programs and data. Memory 32 also serves as a work area when performing various processes. The buffer memory of CPU 31 is also an example of memory.

[0030] Examples of memory devices 12 and 32 are not limited to ROM, RAM, HDD, etc., built into printer 1 and PC 3; they can be storage media readable and writable by CPU 11 and 31. Computer-readable storage media are non-transitory media. Besides the examples mentioned above, non-transitory media also include recording media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM. Non-transitory media are also tangible media. In contrast, although electrical signals used to transmit programs downloaded from servers on the Internet are computer-readable signal media and belong to the category of computer-readable media, they are not included in non-transitory computer-readable storage media.

[0031] OS 41 is, for example, Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), or Android (registered trademark). Printer driver 42 is a program that generates a print job for printing on printer 1 based on the received print instruction from the user when PC 3 receives the print instruction.

[0032] User IF 33 includes hardware for displaying a screen to notify the user of information, and hardware for receiving user operations. User IF 33 can be a combination of a display capable of displaying information and a mouse, keyboard, etc., with input receiving capabilities, or it can be a touch panel with both display and input receiving capabilities.

[0033] Communication IF 34 includes hardware for communicating with external devices such as printer 1. The communication specifications for Communication IF 34 are Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB, etc. PC 3 may include multiple Communication IF 34s corresponding to multiple communication specifications.

[0034] Next, the operation of the printing system 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart. The following processing basically represents the processing performed by the CPU 11 according to commands in the program. That is, in the following description, processes such as "determine," "extract," "select," "calculate," "decide," "specific," "acquire," "receive," and "control" represent the processing of the CPU 11. The CPU's processing also includes hardware control using the OS's API. In this specification, the description of the OS is omitted when describing the operation of each program. That is, in the following description, "program B controls hardware C" also means "program B uses the OS's API to control hardware C." Furthermore, the processing performed by the CPU 11 according to commands in the program is sometimes simply referred to as, for example, "CPU 11 executes." Furthermore, the processing performed by the CPU 11 according to commands in the program is sometimes simply referred to as, for example, "program A executes."

[0035] The term "acquisition" is used in the sense of not requiring a request. That is, the processing of CPU 11 receiving data without a request is also included in the concept of "CPU acquiring data." Furthermore, "data" in this specification is represented by a bit string that a computer can read. Data with the same substantive meaning but different formats are considered the same data. This also applies to "information" in this specification. In addition, the concepts of "making a request" and "making an instruction" refer to outputting information indicating a request or instruction to the other party. Furthermore, information indicating a request or instruction will also be simply referred to as a "request" or "instruction."

[0036] Furthermore, the process by which CPU 11 determines whether information A represents event B is called "determining whether it is event B based on information A". The process by which CPU 11 determines whether information A represents event B or event C is called "determining whether it is event B or event C based on information A".

[0037] The following will refer to Figure 2 The flowchart illustrates the printing process performed by printer 1. The printing process is the process of printing program 21, which is executed by CPU 11 of printer 1 when a print job is received from an external device such as PC 3 via communication IF 14.

[0038] In this embodiment, when PC 3 receives a print instruction for printer 1, printer driver 42 generates a print job and sends the generated print job to printer 1. The print job generated by printer driver 42 includes: PDL data (e.g., data in the form of PCL, PDF, etc.), which is image data representing an image of the object to be printed; and PJL data, which represents various parameters related to printing. Printer 1 prints based on the PDL data and PJL data contained in the print job received from PC 3. The print job is not limited to being received from PC 3, etc.; it can also be a print job that directly prints an image read from a storage device such as a USB memory, or a print job that downloads an image from a server, etc. The process of receiving a print job is a trigger condition for the printing process and is an example of the receiving process.

[0039] In the printing process, CPU11 performs rasterization based on the PDL data of the print job, generating rasterized RGB data (S101). If the PDL data of the print job is not represented by RGB values, CPU11 performs rasterization and conversion to RGB values ​​in S101.

[0040] Then, the CPU 11 selects the color profile 24 to be used (S102). The color profile 24 stored in the memory 12 is data that associates RGB values ​​with CMYK values, and is a conversion table used to convert the RGB value combination of image data into the CMYK value combination. The printer 1 of this embodiment includes a variety of color profiles 24, and determines the color profile 24 to be used based on parameters specified in the PJL data of the print job. Specifically, the CPU 11 determines the color profile 24 based on, for example, the specified ColorMode, ImproveGray, EnhanceBlack.

[0041] Then, CPU 11 generates a copy of the determined color profile 24 (S103), and modifies the generated copy of the color profile 24 according to the printing conditions (S104). S104 is an example of the correction process. Since the color profile 24 will be used in future print jobs, it is desirable that the original color profile 24 remain unchanged. Therefore, CPU 11 generates a copy for this print job and performs corrections, changes, and other processing on the copy. In S104, CPU 11 modifies the copy of the color profile 24 based on parameters specified in the PJL data of the print job. Specifically, CPU 11 modifies the copy based on printing conditions such as Brightness, Contrast, Red, Blue, and Green.

[0042] After completing the modification of the copy of color profile 24, CPU 11 performs special red change processing (S105). The print job generated by the printer driver 42 of PC 3 may contain settings related to special colors. Special red change processing is the process of rewriting the modified copy of color profile 24 based on the settings related to special colors.

[0043] A special color is a color in image data represented by RGB values ​​where the R, G, and B values ​​are predetermined specific values. For example, a special color might be one where one color has the maximum RGB value, and the other two colors are represented by 0. Alternatively, a special color could be two where two colors have the maximum RGB values, and the other color is represented by 0. Or, instead of the maximum RGB value, it could be a color with a value between the maximum RGB value and 0. A special color is an example of a specific color.

[0044] For example, the special color red (hereinafter referred to as "special red") in image data represented by 8-bit RGB values ​​is represented as R=255, G=0, B=0. The following will explain special red as a special color. In countries such as China and Arab countries, many users value red hues, and each user's preferred shade of red often differs. Therefore, it is necessary to print the special red contained in the printed material in the preferred hue.

[0045] In this embodiment, PC 3, for example, executes printer driver 42 before generating a print job when it receives a user's attribute display instruction or print execution instruction. For example, such as... Figure 3 As shown, printer driver 42 causes PC 3 user IF 33 to display setting screen 50 for receiving user settings. Figure 3 The setting screen 50 shown is an example of a screen used to receive settings related to the special red color.

[0046] The printer driver 42 receives a selection of one of three types of indicators as a setting for special red in the setup screen 50. Specifically, the printer driver 42 displays an off button 51, a recommended button 52, and a color specifying button 53, and receives a selection of one of these buttons. Based on the received selections of each button in the setup screen 50, the printer driver 42 can include commands related to special red in the PJL data of the print job. In this embodiment, the off button 51, recommended button 52, and color specifying button 53 are radio buttons, and only one of the three buttons can be selected.

[0047] The close button 51 is used to receive an instruction not to specify a color to be used as special red. When the close button 51 is selected, the printer driver 42 does not include commands related to special red in the PJL data. By default, as... Figure 3 As shown, select the close button 51.

[0048] The Recommendation button 52 is used to receive an instruction to use the Recommendation Color Number 25 stored in the printer 1. When the Recommendation button 52 is selected in the setup screen 50, the printer driver 42 includes a recommendation command in the PJL data indicating the use of the Recommendation Color Number 25 stored in the printer 1 as a special red. The Recommendation Color Number 25 is information representing the recommended CMYK value for printing a special color. The color corresponding to the Recommendation Color Number 25 is an example of a specific selected color, and the Recommendation Color Number 25 is an example of a specific index number. In this embodiment, the printer 1 stores the color number of the recommended color corresponding to the special red as the Recommendation Color Number 25 in the memory 12 at the factory stage. The Recommendation Color Number 25 stored at the factory stage is, for example, a color number of a color predetermined by the printer 1 supplier based on multiple user preference color data.

[0049] Color designation button 53 is a button for receiving user-designated color numbers for a color used as a special red. When color designation button 53 is selected, printer driver 42 further receives user input in input field 54 and button 55. Input field 54 is used to receive the input of a number, and button 55 is used to receive an instruction to print the color table. When receiving selection of color designation button 53 and a number entered in input field 54, printer driver 42 includes a color designation command in the PJL data specifying the color used as a special red based on the color number entered in input field 54. Furthermore, when an operation on button 55 is received, printer driver 42 generates a command instructing the printing of the color table. User IF 33, which receives the color table printing instruction via button 55, is an example of a first user interface.

[0050] The color numbers stored as recommended color numbers 25 and the color numbers received through input field 54 are numbers assigned to each color in the color table that can be printed by printer 1. Printer 1 stores color table data 23, for example, the color table corresponding to a particular red, in memory 12. When printer 1 receives a command from PC 3 or the like instructing it to print the color table, printer 1 reads the color table data 23 from memory 12 and prints the color table based on the read color table data 23.

[0051] For example, such as Figure 4 As shown, the color chart for particular red is a chart that groups multiple color blocks that are different colors in the red family and their corresponding color numbers. For example, as... Figure 4As shown, the special red color table data 23 in this embodiment is printing data used to print 169 color patches represented by 169 similar red colors numbered 0 to 168, along with their color numbers, onto a sheet. Each color patch in the color table data 23 represents one of the 169 red-based colors, and at least one of the CMY values ​​of these colors is different from the others. The 169 reds included in the color table data 23 are an example of multiple color selections. The color number is an example of an index number. The CMYK values ​​corresponding to the special red in each of the aforementioned color profiles 24 are consistent with the CMYK values ​​included in the color table data 23.

[0052] Printer 1 also stores conversion table 26 in memory 12, for example, Figure 5 As shown, conversion table 26 represents the correspondence between color numbers and CMYK values ​​for each selected color included in color table data 23. The color blocks printed in the color table are obtained by arranging multiple points corresponding to the CMYK values ​​of each color number at predetermined intervals within a predetermined area and printing them. Figure 5 The example of conversion table 26 shown is an example of CMYK values ​​for a special red. Since the K value for colors used in the special red color table is 0, only the CMY values ​​are shown in the figure. Conversion table 26 is an example of a specific color conversion table.

[0053] Next, refer to Figure 6 The flowchart illustrates the process of handling special red changes. In the special red change process, CPU 11 determines whether the PJL data of the print job contains a command related to special red (S201). For example, the printer driver 42 of this embodiment is based on... Figure 3 The user selection received on the setup screen 50 includes a command related to a special red in the PJL data of the print job. Specifically, the command related to printing a special red included in the PJL data of the print job can be a recommended command, a color specification command, or neither. In S201, the CPU 11 determines whether the print job includes a recommended command or a color specification command in the PJL data. In this embodiment, the PJL data does not include either a recommended command or a color specification command.

[0054] When it is determined that the recommended command is contained in the PJL data (S201: Recommended command), the CPU 11 reads the color number stored as the recommended color number 25 from the memory 12 (S202).

[0055] When it is determined that a color specification command is included in the PJL data (S201: Color Specification Command), the CPU 11 determines whether the information included in the PJL data as a color specification command is information representing a color number (S203). As described above, the printer driver 42 of the PC 3 in this embodiment appends the color number information to the color specification command and includes it in the print job. However, for example, if it is a different version of the printer driver 42 from this embodiment, it may append CMYK values ​​instead of color numbers to the color specification command and include it in the print job. In S203, the CPU 11 determines whether the color specification command specifies a color number or a CMYK value.

[0056] When it is determined that a color number is appended to the color specification command (S203: Yes), CPU 11 retrieves the information of the color number appended to the color specification command from the PJL data (S204). After S202 or S204, CPU 11 uses conversion table 26 (see reference). Figure 5 (S205) The CPU 11 retrieves the CMYK value stored corresponding to the retrieved color number. On the other hand, when it is determined that a CMYK value is appended to the color specification command (S203: No), the CPU 11 retrieves information about the CMYK value appended to the color specification command from the PJL data (S206).

[0057] Then, for the copy color profile 24 generated in print processing S103 and corrected in S104, CPU 11 changes the CMYK value corresponding to the RGB value of the special red to the CMYK value obtained in S205 or S206 (S207). By rewriting the copy, printer 1 retains the original color profile 24 and temporarily generates the rewritten color profile. In this embodiment, since the special red is rewritten for the corrected color profile, the use of the special red takes precedence over the correction.

[0058] As recommended color number 25, printer 1 can also store a CMYK value instead of a color number. In this case, CPU 11 retrieves the CMYK value stored as recommended color number 25 in S202, skips S205, and proceeds to S207.

[0059] After S207, or when it is determined that neither the recommended command nor the color specification command is included in the PJL data of the print job (S201: None), CPU 11 ends the special red change processing and returns to print processing. If the PJL data does not contain any commands related to special red, CPU 11 decides to use the CMYK values ​​defined in color profile 24 as is, without rewriting the copy of color profile 24. In this case, CPU 11 does not use conversion table 26. The print job may contain commands indicating that special red should not be used; in this case, CPU 11 also determines "None" in S201.

[0060] The case where the PJL data does not include recommended commands and color specification commands could be either a print job where the printer driver 42 is not used (e.g., when the printer driver 42 is selected on the printer driver 42) or a print job that does not use the printer driver 42. For example, in print instructions from devices such as mobile devices that do not have a printer driver 42, the print job is highly likely to not contain PJL data. Furthermore, even for print jobs from PC 3, the likelihood of not containing PJL data is high for print jobs using OS-standard printing systems (e.g., AirPrint, a registered trademark), or for print jobs based on images read from storage devices such as USB drives or downloaded from servers. If a print job does not contain PJL data, the CPU 11 determines it as "none" in S201.

[0061] return Figure 2 The printing process is explained below. After the special red change processing in S105, CPU 11 uses the processed copy color profile 24 to convert the RGB values ​​to CMYK values, thereby generating CMYK data based on the RGB data generated in S101 (S111). S111 is an example of CMY conversion processing. If the special red CMYK value is rewritten by the special red change processing, the special red portion in the RGB data is converted into the rewritten CMYK value, thus becoming a CMYK value that matches the user's preferred hue.

[0062] On the other hand, if the CMYK value for the special red is not rewritten by the special red change processing, the CPU 11 uses the color profile 24 corrected in S104 as is to generate the CMYK data. Therefore, printer 1 can also print for user print instructions that do not require setting a special red, or for print jobs from devices that do not support special red.

[0063] Next, CPU 11 determines whether a toner-saving mode has been specified for the print job (S112). If it is determined that a toner-saving mode has been specified (S112: Yes), CPU 11 reduces the density of all CMYK data generated in S111 (S113). After S113, or if it is determined that no toner-saving mode has been specified (S112: No), CPU 11 performs dithering processing on the CMYK data to generate binarized print data (S114).

[0064] The CPU 11 sends the print data generated in S114 to the image forming unit 15 and performs printing (S115). Then, the CPU 11 deletes the copy of the color profile 24 (S116) and ends the printing process. Thus, the CPU 11 does not use the copy of the color profile 24 used in the current print job for subsequent print jobs. For example, whether a particular red is used may differ for each print job. The CPU 11 corrects or rewrites the copy of the color profile 24 corresponding to the print job and deletes the copy after the print job is completed, thereby enabling the generation of prints that reflect the user's preferences for each print job.

[0065] Next, refer to Figure 7 The flowchart below illustrates the setting process performed by printer 1. In this embodiment, printer 1 receives various instructions via user IF 13 or based on PJL data received from PC 3, etc. Specifically, printer 1 receives not only commands to print color tables from, for example, PC 3, but also instructions to print color tables via its own user IF 13. Furthermore, in this embodiment, printer 1 receives instructions via PJL data to register predetermined color numbers as recommended color numbers 25 stored in memory 12. When a setting instruction is received via user IF 13 or via PJL data, the CPU 11 of printer 1 performs the setting process.

[0066] During the setup process, CPU 11 determines whether a setup instruction has been received from user IF 13 (S301). When it is determined that a setup instruction has been received from user IF 13 (S301: Yes), CPU 11 displays a menu on user IF 13 (S302). For example, as... Figure 8 As shown, the menu includes a special red print button 61 for receiving user instructions. The special red print button 61 is a button for receiving print instructions from a color chart. The user IF13 displaying the special red print button 61 is an example of a first user interface.

[0067] CPU 11 determines whether it has received a color table printing instruction generated by operating the special red print button 61 in the displayed menu (S303). When it is determined that a color table printing instruction has been received (S303: Yes), CPU 11 reads the color table data 23 corresponding to special red from memory 12 (S311). Then, CPU 11 prints the special red color table based on the read color table data 23 (S312). S312 is an example of color table output processing. When it is determined that no color table printing instruction has been received (S303: No), CPU 11 performs other processing based on the received instruction (S313).

[0068] When it is determined that no setting instruction has been received from the operation user IF 13 (S301: No), that is, when it is determined that PJL data containing the setting instruction has been received, the CPU 11 determines whether the setting instruction contained in the PJL data is a registration command that indicates the registration of recommended color number 25 (S321).

[0069] When PC3 receives, for example, a registration instruction for a specific red color and a registration color number selection from printer driver 42 via user IF33, it sends a registration command generated based on the received instruction to printer 1 in PJL data. The registration command includes information about the selected color number. In this case, user IF 33, which receives the color number selection, is an example of a second user interface.

[0070] When it is determined that a registration instruction from PJL data has been received (S321: Yes), CPU 11 stores the color number of the registration instruction as the recommended color number 25 in memory 12 based on the color number information contained in the registration command (S323). S323 is an example of the registration process. When it is determined that the setting instruction is not a registration command indicating the registration of the recommended color number 25 (S321: No), CPU 11 performs other processing based on the received PJL data (S324).

[0071] Although the printer 1 of this embodiment stores the recommended color number 25 at the factory stage, when a registration instruction for the recommended color number 25 is received from the PJL data after the printer leaves the factory, the color number stored in the recommended color number 25 is changed and stored. By receiving the registration instruction for the recommended color number 25, even if the hue printed for the same CMYK value changes due to, for example, a change in the type of colorant used by the printer 1, the preferred hue can be registered in the printer 1.

[0072] After any one of S312, S313, S323, and S324, CPU 11 ends the setup process.

[0073] As a recommended color number 25, printer 1 may also store the CMYK value corresponding to the selected color number in memory 12 instead of storing the selected color number itself in memory 12. In this case, printer 1 uses conversion table 26 to obtain the CMYK value corresponding to the selected color number and stores the obtained CMYK value in memory 12.

[0074] Furthermore, printer 1 can also receive registration instructions for recommended color number 25 via operation of its own user IF 13. For example, printer 1 can display a screen on user IF 13 for receiving input of color numbers registered in recommended color number 25, and receive user input of color numbers. In this case, user IF 13, which receives color number input, is an example of a second user interface.

[0075] When printer 1 receives a registration command, it stores the selected color number or the corresponding CMYK value as recommended color number 25 in memory 12 based on the color number information contained in the registration command. In this case, the process of storing recommended color number 25 is also an example of the registration process.

[0076] As described above, the printer 1 of this embodiment stores a conversion table 26. When a received print job contains a color specification command with a specified color number, the printer uses the conversion table 26 to convert the RGB value of the special red contained in the image data into a CMYK value corresponding to the color number before printing. Therefore, the printer 1 can output a special red that matches the user's preferred hue. Furthermore, the printer 1 of this embodiment performs the conversion of the special red according to the color number specified by the external device such as the PC 3 that generates the print job. Therefore, the specification of the special red is limited by the print job sent from the external device, which reduces the possibility of accidental printing by a user who has not specified a color number.

[0077] Furthermore, since the printer 1 of this embodiment stores the recommended color number 25 in the memory 12 beforehand, when a print job containing a recommendation command is received, the printer 1 determines the color to be used as the special red based on the stored recommended color number 25. Therefore, it is easy to use for users who are confused about selecting a special red hue.

[0078] Furthermore, the printer 1 in this embodiment receives the registration of recommended color number 25 after leaving the factory. By registering the preferred color, in subsequent printing, it is only necessary to select the recommended button 52 of the printer driver 42 (see reference). Figure 3This makes it easy to use for users who frequently use a particular shade of red. Furthermore, if printer 1 is used by multiple external devices or multiple users, any user can simply select the recommended button 52 to use the same shade of red, making it easy to use as well.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, printer 1 converts a particular red to a CMY value using conversion table 26 based on the color number specified in the print job. Therefore, even if the color tone of printer 1 changes due to factors such as the type of colorant or a change in paper, the color table data 23 and conversion table 26 can be modified as needed without modifying the printer driver 42, thereby reducing tedious modifications.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since a copy of the color profile 24 is generated and overwritten, the printing of other print jobs is not affected. Moreover, when it is necessary to modify the color profile 24, the modification is performed first, followed by processing related to special reds; therefore, the setting of special reds takes precedence over modification.

[0081] It should be noted that this embodiment is merely exemplary, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Therefore, the technology disclosed in this specification can of course be modified and varied in various ways without departing from its spirit. For example, printer 1 is not limited to a printer with a single printing function, but can also be a multifunction printer, copier, fax machine, or other printer with color printing function. Furthermore, the device that sends the print job to printer 1 is not limited to PC 3, but can also be a smartphone, tablet computer, server computer, etc. Furthermore, the image data that printer 1 prints is not limited to print jobs sent from PC 3, etc., but can also be image data obtained from scanners, cloud servers, USB storage devices, etc. Furthermore, multiple PCs, etc., can be connected to printer 1.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, printer 1 generates a copy of color profile 24 when printing a print job and deletes the copy of color profile 24 after printing. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, printer 1 may first determine whether color profile 24 needs to be modified or rewritten, and only generate a copy if it is determined that it needs to be. Alternatively, printer 1 may not delete the copy, but instead overwrite it on the next print job. Furthermore, for example, printer 1 may retain and reuse the copy as long as it does not receive a new designation from the user for a particular red. For example, when printing multiple images selected simultaneously in succession, the copy may be reused.

[0083] Furthermore, while this embodiment describes the processing related to special red, printer 1 can perform the same processing for special colors other than special red. For example, printer 1 can store color table data 23 and recommended color numbers 25 for multiple special colors and receive a special color selection as the setting target. Additionally, printer 1 can receive a color number specification for each of the multiple special colors. Furthermore, printer 1 can receive user-specified RGB values ​​as special colors. In this case, when a print instruction for the color table is received, printer 1 can generate and print color table data 23, which modifies the CMYK values ​​according to a predetermined rule, based on the default CMYK values ​​corresponding to the specified RGB values.

[0084] Furthermore, although in this embodiment, the PJL data does not simultaneously include both the recommended command and the color specification command by receiving selection via a radio button in the printer driver 42, there is a possibility that both may be included simultaneously. In this case, printer 1 can, for example, prioritize the recommended command and use the color stored as recommended color number 25. Alternatively, printer 1 may also report an error if both commands are included simultaneously.

[0085] Furthermore, for example, the color table can be output not only by printing on sheet material, but also by being displayed by user IF13 of printer 1, or by sending the image data to an external device such as a similar printer. Additionally, for example, in this embodiment, all the special reds in each color profile 24 are included in the color table, but they may not be. Furthermore, information about the color stored as the recommended color number 25 and information representing the initial values ​​of the special reds in each color profile 24 may be appended to the color table.

[0086] Furthermore, the printer 1 in this embodiment uses four CMYK colorants for printing; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to devices that use, for example, three CMY colorants and devices that use five or more colorants. Even in these devices, by converting the RGB values ​​of a particular color to a selected CMYK or CMY value, it is possible to print in a user-preferred color.

[0087] Furthermore, in any flowchart disclosed in the implementation method, the execution order of multiple processes in any number of steps can be arbitrarily changed or executed in parallel, as long as the processing content does not contradict each other.

[0088] Furthermore, the processes disclosed in the embodiments can be executed by hardware such as a single CPU, multiple CPUs, an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the processes disclosed in the embodiments can be implemented in various forms, such as a storage medium or method storing programs for performing these processes.

Claims

1. A printing system comprising a printer and an information processing device for receiving a printing instruction to the printer, the printer comprising: A printing device capable of color printing; Communication interface; as well as memory, The printer performs a color table output process, which outputs a color table consisting of multiple selectable colors for a specific color with a specific RGB value. The color table includes multiple similar colors as the multiple selectable colors. A specific color conversion table is stored in the memory, and this table associates the index number corresponding to each selectable color with its CMY value. The printer performs a receiving process, which receives a print job containing image data through the communication interface, and the print job may or may not include a specification of the index number. When printing is performed based on the image data contained in the print job, the printer performs CMY conversion processing and printing processing. The CMY conversion processing converts the image data represented by RGB values ​​into image data represented by CMY values, and the printing processing uses the printing device to print the image represented by the converted CMY value image data. If the received print job contains a specified index number, in the CMY conversion process, the printer uses the specific color conversion table to convert the RGB values ​​of the specific color contained in the image data into CMY values ​​corresponding to the index number specified in the print job. The memory stores index numbers corresponding to specific selected colors, either as specific index numbers or CMY values ​​corresponding to those specific index numbers. The specific selected color is one of a plurality of selected colors in the color table, and the print job may or may not include a designation indicating the use of that specific selected color. If the received print job contains a specification indicating the use of the specific selected color, in the CMY conversion process, the printer converts the RGB values ​​of the specific color contained in the image data into CMY values ​​based on the specific index number stored in the memory or the CMY value corresponding to the specific index number. The printer is configured with the specific color at the factory and is also configured with the specific index number or a CMY value corresponding to the specific index number. After leaving the factory, the printer performs the color table output processing according to the instructions given to the first user interface. After leaving the factory, the printer performs a registration process according to instructions from the second user interface. The registration process receives the selection of the specific selected color and stores the index number of the selected specific selected color in the memory as the specific index number, or stores the CMY value corresponding to the index number of the selected specific selected color in the memory as the CMY value corresponding to the specific index number. In the case where the received print job has a specification indicating the use of the specific selected color, in the CMY conversion process, the printer converts the RGB value of the specific color contained in the image data into a CMY value based on the specific index number stored in the memory in the registration process or the CMY value corresponding to the specific index number.

2. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The information processing device displays a screen for receiving settings related to the specific color, the settings being used to select one of the following instructions: This ensures that the print job contains neither a designation for the index number nor an indication of using the specific selected color; This ensures that the print job includes a specified indication of using the particular selected color; and This allows the print job to include a specified indication of the index number.

3. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the registration process, when the printer receives a registration command containing the specific index number from the information processing device via the communication interface, the printer stores the specific index number or the CMY value corresponding to the specific index number in the received registration command in the memory. The information processing device receives a selection of the specific color according to an instruction on the second user interface of the information processing device, and sends the registration command containing the specific index number of the selected specific color to the printer. In the case where the received print job has a specification indicating the use of the specific selected color, in the CMY conversion process, the printer converts the RGB value of the specific color contained in the image data into a CMY value based on the specific index number stored in the memory in the registration process or the CMY value corresponding to the specific index number.

4. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, If the received print job does not specify the index number and indicate the use of the specific selected color, in the CMY conversion process, the printer converts the RGB values ​​of the specific color contained in the image data to CMY values ​​without using the specific color conversion table.

5. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The print job may or may not have a CMY value specified for the specific color. If the received print job does not specify the index number but does specify the CMY value for the specific color, in the CMY conversion process, the printer converts the RGB value of the specific color contained in the image data into the CMY value specified in the print job.

6. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The memory stores color profiles that associate RGB values ​​with CMY values. In the CMY conversion process, the printer uses the color profile to convert the image data represented by RGB values ​​into image data represented by CMY values. If the received print job contains a specified index number, in the CMY conversion process, the printer rewrites the CMY value in the color profile corresponding to the RGB value of the specific color to the CMY value corresponding to the index number specified in the print job, and uses the rewritten color profile to convert the image data represented by RGB values ​​to the image data represented by CMY values.

7. The printing system according to claim 6, characterized in that, If the received print job contains a specified index number, in the CMY conversion process, the printer copies the color profile, rewrites the CMY values ​​in the copied color profile corresponding to the RGB values ​​of the specific color to the CMY values ​​corresponding to the index number specified in the print job, temporarily generates a rewritten color profile, uses the rewritten color profile to convert the image data represented by RGB values ​​to the image data represented by CMY values, and does not use the rewritten color profile after the conversion to the image data represented by CMY values.

8. The printing system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The printer performs a correction process to adjust the color profile before converting the image data represented by RGB values ​​to image data represented by CMY values, based on printing conditions. After performing the correction process, the CMY conversion process is executed. In the CMY conversion process, the printer rewrites the CMY value corresponding to the RGB value of the specific color in the corrected color profile to the CMY value corresponding to the index number specified in the print job.

9. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The printer outputs the color table for the specific color whose RGB values ​​are 0 or the maximum value during the color table output processing.

Images