Image formation system, operation reception device, and program

Abstract

To provide an image formation system, an operation reception device, and a program that even when a plurality of objects exist in a setting region, can individually select an object image to be printed in a special color before printing the object image.SOLUTION: In an image formation system in which an image processing devise such as a PC and an image formation device are connected via a network, a user presses a tab of "special color conversion setting" by using a preview image 300 displayed on a preview screen 240 for a print image displayed on a user interface of a liquid crystal display 212 of the image formation device 200 to set a region containing an object to be converted into a special color. In the case that a plurality of color areas exist in the region, the user further designates a color area to be converted into the special color from the plurality of color areas. And, processing for printing the designated color area using the special color is executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system, an operation reception device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology relating to an image forming system having an information processing device having image data represented by normal colors, and an image forming device that forms an image using spot colors different from the normal colors in addition to the normal colors. In this prior art, the image forming system is characterized by comprising a replacement color designation unit that allows a user to designate a replacement color from the normal colors, a spot color correspondence unit that associates the spot colors with the replacement colors, a spot color replacement unit that replaces the replacement colors included in the image data with the spot colors associated by the spot color correspondence unit, and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data using the normal colors and spot colors.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a technology related to an information processing device having a control means for controlling a printing device and a processing means for previewing printing. In this prior art, the processing means displays a preview screen, acquires information on the range to be printed in white according to a user's operation via the preview screen, generates a drawing specification based on the information, and sends the drawing specification to the control means. If the range related to white printing indicated by the drawing specification is included in the range indicated by the stored range information, the control means generates print data for a white drawing object and print data corresponding to the drawing specification and sends them to the printing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-103695 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-149220 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When printing an object in a rectangular area set by a user on a preview screen of a print image using a special color, if there are two object images in the rectangular area, for example, both object images are printed in the special color, and it is not possible to print only one of the object images using the special color.

[0006] The object of the present disclosure is to individually select and print object images to be printed in special colors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first aspect is an image forming system having one or more processors, each of which has a mode for executing a process of printing a print image using a special color for a special color gamut of an object image selected by a user on a preview screen of the print image.

[0008] A second aspect is an image forming system according to the first aspect, in which the processor, in the mode, executes a process of printing the special color gamut of the selected object image within a rectangular area set by the user on the preview screen in the special color.

[0009] A third aspect is an image forming system described in the second aspect, wherein in the mode, the processor allows the user to select the object image when the background color of the rectangular area is in the special color gamut of the object image in the rectangular area.

[0010] A fourth aspect is the image forming system described in the second aspect, wherein, in the mode, when the background color of the rectangular area is the special color gamut of the object image of the rectangular area, the processor displays a confirmation screen to confirm that the user selects the object image.

[0011] A fifth aspect is an image forming system described in the first aspect, in which the processor, in the mode, executes a process of printing the special color gamut of the object image surrounded by a free curve by the user on the preview screen in the special color.

[0012] A sixth aspect is an image forming system described in the fifth aspect, in which, in the mode, the processor divides the special color gamut of the object image surrounded by the free curve into tiny rectangular areas and executes a process of printing each tiny rectangular area in the special color.

[0013] A seventh aspect is an operation reception device having one or more processors, which, if the background color included in the print image is a special color gamut of an object image within a rectangular area set by the user on a preview screen of the print image, displays a confirmation screen to confirm that the object image to be printed in the special color is selected.

[0014] An eighth aspect is a program for causing a computer to execute a process of printing a print image using a special color for a special color gamut of an object image selected by a user on a preview screen of the print image. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the image analysis system of the first aspect, it is possible to individually select and print object images to be printed in special colors.

[0016] According to the image analysis system of the second aspect, even if there are multiple object images in a rectangular area, an object image can be selected and printed in a special color.

[0017] According to the image analysis system of the third aspect, even if the background color of the rectangular area is a special color gamut, the special color gamut of the object image can be printed using a special color.

[0018] According to the fourth aspect of the image analysis system, it is possible to select between printing only the special color gamut of the object image using a special color, and printing both the background color of the rectangular area and the special color gamut of the object image using a special color.

[0019] According to the image analysis system of the fifth aspect, object images to be printed in special colors can be selected in more detail than when selecting object images using only rectangular frames.

[0020] According to the image analysis system of the sixth aspect, the special color gamut of the object image can be separated from other special color gamuts.

[0021] According to the operation reception device of the seventh aspect, it is possible to individually select and print object images to be printed in a special color.

[0022] According to the program of the eighth aspect, it is possible to individually select and print object images to be printed in special colors. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic block diagram of a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic block diagram of a functional configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic block diagram of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a print engine of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic block diagram of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen of a liquid crystal display of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 8 is an example of a print image of the preview screen on the UI screen of the liquid crystal display of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which a rectangular frame is set on the print image on the preview screen of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which a background color and a rectangular frame are set on the print image on the preview screen of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram showing a state in which a rectangular area enclosed by a rectangular frame in the print image on the preview screen of FIG. 10 is enlarged and a free curve is set. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the rectangular area in FIG. 11 is enlarged and the range in which the free curve is set is divided into minute rectangular areas. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing when the background color and the first color gamut are the same color. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] <Embodiment> An image forming system according to one embodiment will be described. In each drawing, identical or equivalent components and parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted or simplified. Also, the dimensional proportions in each drawing are exaggerated for the sake of explanation, and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0025] [Overall configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0026] 1, the image forming system 10 is configured by connecting an image processing device 100 and an image forming device 200 to a communication means such as a network N. As will be described later, various networks such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, an intranet, and Ethernet (registered trademark) can be applied as the communication means.

[0027] 1 shows an example in which there is one image processing device 100 and one image forming device 200, but the number of devices is not limited to this. In this embodiment, the image processing device 100 is a PC (Personal Computer). The image forming device 200 is a device having various functions such as a print function. The image forming device 200 in this embodiment is a so-called multifunction device that has a copy function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, etc. in addition to the print function, but is not limited to this.

[0028] [Image processing device] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image processing device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0029] 2, the image processing device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, which is an example of a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a storage 104, an input unit 105, a display unit 106, and a communication unit 107. Each component is connected to each other via a bus 108 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0030] The CPU 101 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each component. That is, the CPU 101 reads programs from the ROM 102 or the storage 104 and executes the programs using the RAM 103 as a work area. The CPU 101 controls the above components and performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with the programs recorded in the ROM 102 or the storage 104. In this embodiment, the programs are stored in the ROM 102 or the storage 104.

[0031] The ROM 102 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 103 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 104 is configured with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various programs including the operating system and various data.

[0032] The input unit 105 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and is used to input various types of information.

[0033] The display unit 106 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display unit 106 displays various information under the control of the CPU 101. The display unit 106 may also function as the input unit 105 by employing a touch panel system.

[0034] The communication unit 107 is for communicating with the image forming device 200 and other devices such as a server device (not shown), and uses standards such as LAN, public lines, the Internet, an intranet, Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0035] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image processing device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the image processing device 100 includes a driver information acquisition unit 112, a device information acquisition unit 114, and a print data generation unit .

[0037] The driver information acquisition unit 112 acquires and stores various types of information about the printer driver. The various types of information include information set in the user interface of the printer driver. The device information acquisition unit 114 acquires device information about the image forming device 200 (see FIG. 1) via the network N (see FIG. 1). The device information includes, for example, information about the colors of each color toner of the image forming device 200 (described later). The print data generation unit 116 generates print data to be sent to the image forming device 200 (see FIG. 1) that has been created in response to a user's instruction by operating a print application.

[0038] [Image forming equipment] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 200 according to this embodiment.

[0039] 4, the image forming apparatus 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, which is an example of a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a storage 204, an input unit 205, a display unit 206, a document reading unit 207, a print engine 208, and a communication unit 209. Each component is connected to each other via a bus 210 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0040] The CPU 201 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each component. That is, the CPU 201 reads programs from the ROM 202 or the storage 204 and executes the programs using the RAM 203 as a work area. The CPU 201 controls the above components and performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with the programs recorded in the ROM 202 or the storage 204. In this embodiment, the programs are stored in the ROM 202 or the storage 204.

[0041] The ROM 202 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 203 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 204 is configured with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) or the like, and stores various programs including the operating system and various data.

[0042] The input unit 205 includes various buttons 211 (see FIG. 1) such as a start button and a numeric keypad, a touch panel type liquid crystal display 212 (see FIG. 1), etc. Based on the control of the CPU 201, the input unit 205 functions as a UI (user interface) that accepts user operations and displays various information to the user.

[0043] The display unit 206 is the liquid crystal display 212 (see FIG. 1) described above. The display unit 206 displays various information under the control of the CPU 201. As described above, the display unit 206 of this embodiment employs a touch panel system, and therefore also functions as the input unit 205. The liquid crystal display 212 (see FIG. 1) is an example of an operation reception device.

[0044] The document reading unit 207 takes in documents placed on the paper feed tray 214 (see Figure 1) of the automatic feeder provided on the top of the image forming apparatus 200 one by one, optically reads the documents to obtain image information, and also optically reads documents placed on the platen glass to obtain image information.

[0045] The print engine 208 forms, i.e., prints, an image created based on the print data obtained from the image processing device 100 (see Figure 1) and the print data obtained by reading by the document reading unit 207 of the image forming device 200 onto a recording medium such as paper.

[0046] The communication unit 209 is for communicating with the image processing device 100 (see FIG. 1) and other devices such as a server device not shown, and uses standards such as LAN, public lines, the Internet, an intranet, Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0047] The communication unit 209 connects the image forming apparatus 200 to a public line, and transmits and receives image information obtained by reading by the document reading unit 207 to and from other image forming apparatuses having a FAX (Facsimile) function.

[0048] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an example of the configuration of the print engine 208 included in the image forming apparatus 200 of this embodiment. The print engine 208 is an electrophotographic full-color print engine using an intermediate transfer medium, and uses toners of various colors as color materials. The print engine 208 also has a tandem photoconductor arrangement. This photoconductor arrangement includes a photoconductor 220 for CMYK toners, consisting of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), and a photoconductor 220 for silver toner (Si)Mt, which is an example of a special color toner used for printing in a special color. The photoconductor 220 for silver toner (Si)Mt is located downstream of the photoconductor 220 for CMYK toners.

[0049] Here, silver toner (Si)Mt is one type of metallic toner used to impart a metallic effect, and examples of metallic toners other than silver toner include gold toner (G). The term "metallic effect" refers to a metallic sheen, and is a general term that refers to both the metallic luster caused by the regular reflection of light from a smooth metal surface, and the sparkle that appears when fine facets or clusters of metal flakes oriented in various directions glitter in response to changes in the direction of incident light.

[0050] 5, the toner images formed on the photoconductors 220 are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 224 from upstream to downstream along the direction of travel of the intermediate transfer belt 224 in the order of Y, M, C, K, and Mt. As a result, a full-color toner image containing layers of each toner is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 224. This full-color toner image is secondarily transferred in the secondary transfer unit 228 onto a print medium, such as a sheet of paper, being conveyed by the medium conveyance system 226. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the surface of the print medium, and this full-color toner image is fixed to the print medium by the fixing unit 229.

[0051] 5, the arrangement order of the photoconductors 220 for CMYK toners from the upstream side is Y, M, C, and K, but this is merely an example. Also, it does not exclude the arrangement of a photoconductor 220 for silver toner (Si)Mt upstream of the photoconductors 220 for YMCK.

[0052] The image processing device 100 uses the above hardware resources to realize various functions. The functional configuration realized by the image processing device 100 will be described below.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 200. As shown in FIG.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 200 has a print data acquisition unit 180, a background color setting unit 182, and a special color setting unit 184 as functional components.

[0055] The print data acquisition unit 180 acquires print data generated by the image processing device 100 (see FIG. 1) and read data read by the document reading unit 207 (see FIG. 4). The background color setting unit 182 sets the background color for each page. Note that "background color" refers to the color set as the base color for each page. No background color is printed on pages for which no background color is set. The special color setting unit 184 sets the special color gamut to be converted into the special color for each page and the object image to be converted into the special color. Note that the special color in this embodiment is silver, as described above. Also, the object image is a general term for figures and images other than characters such as letters and numbers.

[0056] [Printing process flow] Next, a procedure for printing using special colors will be described. Note that this procedure and the printed image are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting.

[0057] 7 shows an example of a user interface (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "UI") of the liquid crystal display 212 (see FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 200. The liquid crystal display 212 displays a preview screen 240, a preview screen for checking the print image of each page in advance. The preview screen 240 in FIG. 7 displays a preview image 300 of the print image before the background color and special color settings are set.

[0058] 8, the print image preview image 300 has the letters "ABCDEFG" at the top left, and in the center are a first object image 310 and a second object image 320. The first object image 310 is circular, with its lower right portion overlapping the upper left corner of the square-shaped second object image 320.

[0059] The first object image 310 and the second object image 320 are each filled with a different color. Furthermore, a square portion 311 in the center of the first object image 310 is a different color from the rest of the image. In this embodiment, the portion of the circular first object image 310 in the preview image 300 excluding the square portion 311 in the center is defined as a first color gamut 312, the square portion 311 in the center is defined as a second color gamut 314, and the second object image 320 is defined as a third color gamut 322.

[0060] In this example, a case will be described in which only the first color gamut 312, excluding the central square portion 311 of the circular first object image 310, is converted to a special color for printing in the preview image 300. The first color gamut 312 is an example of a special color gamut. The special color in this embodiment is silver.

[0061] First, a case where no background color is set will be described.

[0062] The user presses the "special color conversion setting" tab 242 (see FIG. 7) on the touch panel type liquid crystal display 212 (see FIGS. 1 and 7), and then selects and sets the object to be converted into the special color.

[0063] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 9, the user surrounds the circular first object image 310 in the preview image 300 displayed on the preview screen 240 (see Fig. 7) with a rectangular frame 350. The rectangular frame 350 is drawn with the user's fingertip or a pen such as a stylus pen or touch pen. The area surrounded by the rectangular frame 350 is referred to as a rectangular area 352.

[0064] When there are multiple color gamuts in the rectangular area 352 surrounded by the rectangular frame 350, as in this example, the user specifies the color gamut to be converted to a special color. In this example, the first color gamut 312, excluding the central square portion 311 of the circular first object image 310, is specified. Any method of specification may be used. For example, the first color gamut 312, second color gamut 314, and third color gamut 322 flash, and the user sets the first color gamut 312 by touching it with a fingertip or a pen. Note that multiple color gamuts may be set. After specification, when the user issues a print instruction, the first color gamut 312 of the first object image 310 in the preview image 300 is converted to a special color and printed. Alternatively, the color value of the first color gamut 312 to be converted to a special color may be set by numerically inputting it.

[0065] Next, setting the background color will be described.

[0066] The user presses the "Background Color Setting" tab 244 (see FIG. 7) on the touch panel type liquid crystal display 212 (see FIGS. 1 and 7), and then specifies the color of the background color 308 (see FIG. 9). Note that the background color 308 in this example is the same color as the first color gamut 312 (see FIG. 8).

[0067] Next, after pressing the "Special Color Conversion Settings" tab 242 (see FIG. 7), the user sets the first color gamut 312, excluding the central square portion 311 of the circular first object image 310, to be converted to a special color.

[0068] 10 is a diagram showing the first object image 310 of the preview image 300, to which a background color 308 has been set, surrounded by a rectangular frame 350. As described above, the background color 308 and the first color gamut 312 of the first object image 310 are the same color. Therefore, a message is displayed on the liquid crystal display 212 (see FIGS. 1 and 7) asking whether or not to set an area to be converted to a special color using a free curve, such as "The first color gamut 312 of the selected first object image 310 is the same as the background color. Do you want to set the area to be converted to a special color using a free curve in detail?"

[0069] If the user selects not to set a free curve, the background color 308 and the first color gamut 312 within the rectangular area 352 of the rectangular frame 350 are converted into special colors and printed.

[0070] If the user selects to set using a free curve, as shown in Fig. 11, an enlarged rectangular frame 350 (rectangular area 352) is displayed on the preview screen 240 (see Fig. 7), and the user surrounds the outline of the first object image 310 with a free curve 360. As a result, only the first color gamut 312 of the first object image 310 surrounded by the free curve 360 ​​is selected.

[0071] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 12, the first color gamut 312 of the first object image 310 surrounded by the free curve 360 ​​is divided into small infinitesimal rectangular regions 362, each converted to a special color, and the background color 308 is separated by creating a collection of the infinitesimal rectangular regions 362 converted to special colors. Note that a "minimal rectangular region" is a region obtained by finely dividing an object image to which a special color is assigned, and more specifically, a rectangular block to which a special color is assigned. From another perspective, a "minimal rectangular region" is a rectangular infinitesimal region used for numerical integration using the rectangular approximation method.

[0072] 12 is illustrated larger than it actually is to make the explanation easier to understand. The tiny rectangular area 362 may be displayed on the preview screen 240 (see FIG. 7), or may be used only for internal processing and not necessarily displayed.

[0073] Next, the flow of the process for selecting an object image to be printed in a special color when the background color 308 and the first color gamut 312 are the same color will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 13. The process is performed by the CPU 201 (see Figure 4) reading a program stored in the ROM 202 or storage 204 (see Figure 4), expanding it in the RAM 203 (see Figure 4), and executing it.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 13, in step S100, the CPU 201 acquires area information for a rectangular area surrounded by a rectangular frame (see rectangular area 352 in FIG. 10). The "area information" refers to image information specified by the rectangular frame in the image of the page area, specifically image information consisting of a bitmap image of the rectangular area, such as BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, or TIFF, and specified color information. In step S102, the CPU 201 acquires color information for a special color gamut (see first color gamut 312 of first object image 310 specified by the user in FIG. 10) to be converted into a special color for the object in the rectangular area. The "color information" refers to color information specified in the object image, specifically numerical color information in a color space of the object image, such as RGB, CMYK, LAB, LRV, or HEX.

[0075] In step S104, CPU 201 checks whether the color information of the special color gamut and the color information of the background color are the same. If they are not the same (No), the selection process ends, and the process proceeds to printing process in which the special color is printed using the special color to the special color gamut of the object in the rectangular area selected by the rectangular frame (see first color gamut 312 of first object image 310 specified by the user in FIG. 10). If they are the same (Yes), the process proceeds to step S106.

[0076] In step S106, the CPU 201 displays a message on the liquid crystal display 212 (see FIG. 7) asking whether or not to set an area to be converted into a special color using a free curve.

[0077] In step S108, CPU 201 checks whether to set an area to be converted to a special color using a free curve. If not (No), the selection process ends, and the process proceeds to printing process in which the special color is used to print the special color gamut of the object in the rectangular area selected by the rectangular frame (see first color gamut 312 of first object image 310 specified by the user in FIG. 10) and the background color. If a free curve is used (Yes), the process proceeds to step S110.

[0078] In step S110, CPU 201 enlarges and displays (see FIG. 11) the rectangular area on preview screen 240 (see FIG. 7). In step S112, CPU 201 acquires the area selected by the free curve (see FIG. 11). In step S114, CPU 201 divides the area selected by the free curve into minute rectangular areas, forming a collection of minute rectangular areas (see FIG. 12), terminates the selection process, and proceeds to print processing in which the special color gamut of the object selected by the free curve (see first color gamut 312 of first object image 310 specified by the user in FIG. 12) is printed using a special color.

[0079] <effect> Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0080] When the user selects the first color gamut 312 of the first object image 310 in the preview image 300 on the preview screen 240, the first color gamut 312 of the first object image 310 can be individually printed in silver, an example of a special color.

[0081] Furthermore, even if the first object image 310 and the second object image 320 are in the rectangular area 352 enclosed by the rectangular frame 350, only the first color gamut 312 of the first object image 310 can be printed in silver.

[0082] Furthermore, when the background color 308 of the rectangular area 352 is the first color gamut 312, the user can select the first object image 310 to print only the first color gamut 312 of the first object image 310 in silver, which is an example of a special color.

[0083] Furthermore, when the background color 308 of the rectangular area 352 is a special color gamut, the user is confirmed in advance to select the first object image 310. Therefore, it is possible to select between printing only the first color gamut 312 of the first object image 310 in silver, and printing both the background color 308 of the rectangular area 352 and the first color gamut 312 of the first object image 310 in silver.

[0084] The first object image 310, which the user has enclosed with a free curve 360 ​​on the preview image 300 on the preview screen 240, is printed in the first color gamut 312 and silver, so the area to be printed in silver can be set in more detail than when the first object image 310 is selected using only the rectangular frame 350.

[0085] In addition, the first color gamut 312 of the first object image 310 surrounded by the free curve 360 ​​is divided into minute rectangular areas 362, and each minute rectangular area 362 is printed in silver, so that the first color gamut 312 of the first object image 310 can be separated from other special color gamuts, which in this embodiment are the background color 308.

[0086] <Other> The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0087] For example, in the above embodiment, the first object image 310 is enclosed in a rectangular frame 350, and then the special color gamut (first color gamut 312 in the above embodiment) to be converted to a special color is set. However, this is not limited to this. It is also possible to first set the color values ​​of the special color gamut to be converted to a special color, and then convert the first color gamut 312, which has the same color values ​​as the special color gamut within the rectangular area 352 enclosed by the rectangular frame 350, to the special color. In this case, a range of color values ​​of the special color gamut to be converted to a special color may be set. In this case, as long as the background color 308 falls within the range of color values ​​of the special color gamut, even if the first color gamut 312 and the background color 308 are not exactly the same color, a message asking whether or not to set a region to be converted to a special color using a free curve 360 ​​is displayed on the LCD display 212 (see FIGS. 1 and 7 ).

[0088] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, when the first color gamut 312 of the first object image 310 in the rectangular area 352 enclosed by the rectangular frame 350 and the background color 308 are the same color, the first object image 310 is selected by enclosing it with the free curve 360. However, this is not limited to this. Even when the first color gamut 312 and the background color 308 are not the same color, or when the background color 308 is not set, the first object image 310 may be selected by enclosing it with the free curve 360. In this case, for example, even if the first color gamut 312 of the first object image 310 and the third color gamut 322 of the second object image 320 are the same color, only the first color gamut 312 of the first object image 310 can be printed using a special color.

[0089] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the special color is silver (Si), but is not limited to this. A metallic color other than silver, such as gold (G), may also be used. Examples of special colors other than metallic colors include pearl white, off-white, white including cream and ivory, transparent (clear), fluorescent colors such as fluorescent pink and fluorescent yellow, and pastel colors.

[0090] Here, special colors are colors that cannot be expressed using the three primary colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K), or colors that are difficult to express, and are a general term for pre-mixed colors other than CMYK. Cyan, magenta, yellow and black include light cyan, light magenta, light yellow and gray.

[0091] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the special color gamut is converted into a special color and printed, but this is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a case where a special color is printed under a special color gamut as a base material. Alternatively, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a special color is printed overlaid on a special color gamut. In other words, "printing a special color gamut using a special color" includes three cases: converting the special color gamut into a special color and printing it, printing a special color under a special color gamut as a base material, and printing a special color overlaid on a special color gamut.

[0092] In addition, for example, in the above embodiment, the background color setting and the special color setting are performed by the user operating the image forming device 200, but this is not limited to this. Either or both of the background color setting and the special color setting may be performed by the image processing device 100.

[0093] Furthermore, for example, the image processing device 100 is a PC (Personal Computer), but is not limited to this, and may be a smartphone, a digital camera, a tablet terminal, or the like.

[0094] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the image processing device 100 has a printer driver, but this is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to so-called direct printing, in which a file to be printed is transferred to the image forming device 200 without going through a printer driver, and the file itself is recognized and printed.

[0095] Also, for example, in the above embodiment, the printing method of the print engine 208 was electrophotography, but this is not limited to this. The print engine may be of a printing method other than electrophotography, for example, inkjet printing.

[0096] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the image processing program is described as being pre-stored (installed) in a ROM or storage, but this is not limiting. The program may be provided in a form recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The program may also be downloaded from an external device via a network N.

[0097] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0098] Furthermore, the operations of the processors in the above-described embodiments may not only be performed by a single processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processors is not limited to the order described in the above-described embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0099] Furthermore, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. A plurality of embodiments and modifications can be implemented in combination as appropriate.

[0100] [Note]

[0101] (((1))) one or more processors; The processor: a mode for executing a process of printing the print image using a special color for a special color gamut of an object image selected by a user on a preview screen of the print image; Imaging system.

[0102] (((2))) The processor: In the mode, a process is executed to print the special color gamut of the object image selected within the rectangular area set by the user on the preview screen in the special color. The image forming system according to (((1))).

[0103] (((3))) The processor: In the mode, when the background color of the rectangular area is in the special color gamut of the object image of the rectangular area, the user can select the object image. The image forming system according to (((2))).

[0104] (((4))) The processor: In the mode, when the background color of the rectangular area is the special color gamut of the object image of the rectangular area, a confirmation screen is displayed to confirm that the user selects the object image. The image forming system according to (((2))) or (((3))).

[0105] (((5))) The processor: In the mode, a process is executed to print the special color gamut of the object image surrounded by a free curve by the user on the preview screen in the special color. The image forming system according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))).

[0106] (((6))) The processor: In the mode, the special color gamut of the object image surrounded by the free curve is divided into minute rectangular areas; executes a process of printing in the special color for each of the minute rectangular areas; The image forming system according to (((5))).

[0107] (((7))) one or more processors; The processor: If the background color included in the print image is in the special color gamut of the object image within the rectangular area set by the user on the preview screen of the print image, a confirmation screen is displayed to confirm that the object image to be printed in the special color is selected. Operation reception device.

[0108] (((8))) A program for causing a computer to execute a process of printing a print image using special colors in a special color gamut of an object image selected by a user on a preview screen of the print image.

[0109] According to the image analysis system of (((1))), it is possible to individually select and print object images to be printed in special colors.

[0110] According to the image analysis system of (((2))), even if there are multiple object images in a rectangular area, it is possible to select an object image and print it in a special color.

[0111] According to the image analysis system (((3))), even if the background color of the rectangular area is a special color gamut, the special color gamut of the object image can be printed using a special color.

[0112] According to the image analysis system (((4))), it is possible to select between printing only the special color gamut of the object image using a special color, or printing both the background color of the rectangular area and the special color gamut of the object image using a special color.

[0113] The image analysis system of (((5))) allows for more detailed selection of object images to be printed in special colors than when selecting object images using only a rectangular frame.

[0114] According to the image analysis system of (((6))), the special color gamut of the object image can be separated from other special color gamuts.

[0115] According to the operation reception device of (((7))), it is possible to individually select and print object images to be printed in special colors.

[0116] According to the program (((8))), object images to be printed in special colors can be individually selected and printed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 10. Image forming system 100 Image processing device 200 Image forming device 240 Preview Screen 300 preview images 308 Background color 310 First object image (example of object image) 312 First color gamut (an example of a special color gamut) 350 Rectangular Frame 352 rectangular area 360 free curve 362 Micro rectangular area

Claims

1. one or more processors; The processor: a mode for executing a process of printing the print image using a special color for a special color gamut of an object image selected by a user on a preview screen of the print image; Imaging system.

2. The processor: In the mode, a process is executed to print the special color gamut of the object image selected within the rectangular area set by the user on the preview screen in the special color. The image forming system according to claim 1 .

3. The processor: In the mode, when the background color of the rectangular area is in the special color gamut of the object image of the rectangular area, the user can select the object image. The image forming system according to claim 2 .

4. The processor: In the mode, when the background color of the rectangular area is the special color gamut of the object image of the rectangular area, a confirmation screen is displayed to confirm that the user selects the object image. The image forming system according to claim 2 .

5. The processor: In the mode, a process is executed to print the special color gamut of the object image surrounded by a free curve by the user on the preview screen in the special color. The image forming system according to claim 1 .

6. The processor: In the mode, the special color gamut of the object image surrounded by the free curve is divided into minute rectangular areas; executes a process of printing in the special color for each of the minute rectangular areas; The image forming system according to claim 5 .

7. one or more processors; The processor: If the background color included in the print image is in the special color gamut of the object image within the rectangular area set by the user on the preview screen of the print image, a confirmation screen is displayed to confirm that the object image to be printed in the special color is selected. Operation reception device.

8. A program for causing a computer to execute a process of printing a print image using special colors in a special color gamut of an object image selected by a user on a preview screen of the print image.

Images