Printing device, program, and method for controlling the printing device

Abstract

This invention provides a printing apparatus, a program, and a control method for the printing apparatus that improve usability in printing. [Solution] The color-splitting copying method involves pre-scanning an original document containing multiple colors excluding the color corresponding to the original color (S501), detecting the output color from the multiple colors registered as the first color representing a specific color in the pre-scanned image (S504), and printing a scanned image that includes the identified first color and does not include any colors other than the first color from the multiple colors onto a recording medium (S509).

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus, a program, and a control method for a printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Some printing apparatuses have a function of erasing a specified color and then printing. For example, in Patent Document 1, a technique is disclosed for erasing a specified color from an image read from a document and forming an image with the specified color erased on a recording medium.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, although Patent Document 1 describes erasing a specified color and then printing, it does not disclose dividing an image read from a document by color and printing each divided image. For example, when a plurality of template data are printed overlapping on a single document, it may take time and effort to manually create printed materials having each template data.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to improve user-friendliness in printing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising: a identifying means for identifying a first color that represents a specific color among a plurality of colors in a scanned image of a document that includes a plurality of colors excluding the color corresponding to the color of the document; and a printing means for printing the scanned image, which includes the first color identified by the identifying means and does not include any colors other than the first color among the plurality of colors, onto a recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, usability in printing can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing device. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a document scanned by a printing device. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a print result using color-separated copying. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the screens displayed on the control panel and the transitions between those screens. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of the color-splitting copy process. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of a process that generates and saves print image data for each registered color. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. However, the following embodiments are not limiting to the scope of this disclosure, and not all combinations of features described in the following embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of this disclosure. The same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0010] <<First Embodiment>> Figure 1(a) is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the printing device 100 in this embodiment. The printing device 100 includes a CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103, image memory 104, and an operation panel 105. The printing device 100 also includes a reading control unit 106, a reading unit 107, a reading image processing control unit 108, a recording image processing control unit 109, a recording control unit 110, a printing unit 111, a paper feeding control unit 112, and a paper feeding unit 113. In this embodiment, the printing device 100 will be described as an inkjet printer as an example.

[0011] The CPU 101 is the system control unit and controls the entire printing device 100, which is an image processing device. The ROM 102 stores the control program for the CPU 101 and the operating system (OS) program, etc. The RAM 103 is composed of SRAM, etc., and stores program control variables, etc. User-registered settings, management data for the printing device 100, and various work buffers are also stored in the RAM 103. The paper settings for the print job are also stored in the RAM 103, linked to the print data to be printed.

[0012] The image memory 104 is composed of DRAM or the like and stores a spooler for holding print data. The operation panel 105 is equipped with an LED display or a liquid crystal display and functions as a display unit that shows the operating status of the printing device and various screens. The operation panel 105 is also equipped with operation buttons and accepts various input operations from the user. The operation buttons may be hard keys physically provided on the operation panel 105, or soft keys displayed on the display of the operation panel 105.

[0013] The reading control unit 106 generates digital image data by performing A / D conversion on the image data read from the document by the reading unit 107. Specifically, the reading control unit 106 optically reads an image from the document placed on the document glass using a CS image sensor (contact-type image sensor, hereinafter referred to as CS), and converts the read image into digital image data.

[0014] The reading image processing control unit 108 corrects the digital image data generated by the reading control unit 106 based on the characteristics of the CS, etc., and outputs high-resolution print data. Through this processing in the reading image processing control unit 108, the printing device 100 can obtain print data that corrects for variations in the reading signal caused by the state of the CS image sensor and the operating environment of the printing device.

[0015] The recording image processing control unit 109 generates print data based on the brightness signals (RGB and YCC, etc.) of the read image read by the reading unit 107 and the reading control unit 106. The printing unit 111 performs printing operations using recording materials such as ink. The recording control unit 110 acquires print setting information set by the user and printer status information indicating the status of the printing device 100, and controls the operation of the printing unit 111. The recording control unit 110 also outputs the print data generated by the recording image processing control unit 109 to the printing unit 111.

[0016] The paper feed unit 113 supplies the recording medium to be used for printing. The paper feed control unit 112 selects the recording medium supplied to the paper feed unit 113 during printing and performs control such as transporting the selected recording medium.

[0017] Figure 1(b) is an external view showing an example of the printing apparatus 100 in this embodiment. The printing apparatus 100 has a printing apparatus body 120 and a body cover portion 130 provided with a plurality of covers. The top surface of the printing apparatus 100 is the portion including the surface of the printing apparatus 100 in the Z direction as shown in Figure 1(b). The front surface of the printing apparatus 100 is the surface of the printing apparatus 100 in the Y direction as shown in Figure 1(b).

[0018] The main body cover part 130 is provided to cover the main body of the printing device 120 and constitutes the upper surface part of the printing device 100. The main body cover part 130 includes a paper feed cover 131 for supplying a recording medium, an access cover 132 for performing maintenance work inside the printing device, an ink tank cover 133 for supplying ink to the printing device main body, and a reading unit 134 for reading a document. An operation unit 135 for receiving a user's operation on the printing device 100 is provided on the front surface of the printing device 100. Further, since the operation unit 135 has an operation panel 105, it not only receives an operation from the user but also displays information indicating the state of the printing device and various notifications to the user.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a document 201 read by the printing device 100 in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a state in which a plurality of templates of a red template 202, a green template 203, and a blue template 204 are overlapped on the document 201 and formed as an image. In the present embodiment, the color of the document is described by taking white as an example. That is, although it is described by taking as an example that a plurality of colors of red, green, and blue templates, excluding the white color which is the color of the document 201, are formed on the document, it is not limited thereto.

[0020] For example, the color of the document may be a color such as gray as long as the color of the template formed on the document can be identified. The color of the document may be black. In this case, if the color of the template formed on the document is a color such as white or gray, the printing device 100 can identify the color of the template in the black document.

[0021] Figure 3 shows an example of a print result using color-splitting copying. In this embodiment, color-splitting copying refers to printing an image obtained by splitting a specific color in a scanned image from other colors, based on a determination process that determines the color of the dots in the scanned image of the original document, as described later. Color-splitting copying is implemented in the printing device 100 as one of the copying functions. When printing a scanned image of an original document using the color-splitting copying function, if the user selects multiple colors from among several different colors represented by each of the dots constituting the scanned image, an image is output for each selected color. In this embodiment, the colors selected by the user from among several different colors are referred to as the colors output in the scanned image or the colors output by the printing device.

[0022] Print result 301 shows the result of printing a red pattern. Print result 302 shows the result of printing a green pattern. Print result 303 shows the result of printing a blue pattern.

[0023] Assume that the printer 100 reads red, green, and blue patterns as scanned images of the original document 201, and the user uses the color-splitting copy function to print the scanned images. In this scenario, if the user selects red, green, and blue, the printer 100 outputs the print result shown in Figure 3.

[0024] In the explanation of Figure 3, a case was assumed in which three colors (red, green, and blue) were identified from the scanned image of the original document 201, and these three colors were selected by the user. However, the color-splitting copy in this embodiment is not limited to this case. For example, in this embodiment, a case may be applied in which three colors are identified from the scanned image, and one or two colors are selected by the user. Alternatively, a case may be applied in which two or fewer colors, or four or more colors, are identified from the scanned image.

[0025] Figure 4 shows an example of the screens displayed on the operation panel 105 and their transitions. Referring to Figure 4, the user's screen operations for performing color-split copying will be explained.

[0026] Screen 401 is a diagram showing an example of the home screen displayed after the printer 100 is started up. Screen 401 is equipped with a "Copy" button, a "Scan" button, a "Print" button, and a "Settings" button.

[0027] The "Copy" button is a button that accepts a transition to a screen for selecting a copy method that can be performed on the printer 100. When the user presses the "Copy" button, the screen transitions from screen 401 to screen 402, which will be described later. The "Scan" button is a button that accepts a transition to a screen for setting items related to scanning the original document. The "Print" button is a button that accepts a transition to a screen for setting print settings for image data generated by the printer 100 or image data received from an external source. The "Settings" button is a button that accepts a transition to various setting screens for the printer, such as the maintenance screen.

[0028] Screen 402 is for selecting the copying method. Screen 402 has the following buttons: "Home" button, "Standard Copy" button, "Borderless Copy" button, "Borderless Copy" button, "Photo Copy" button, "Disc Label Copy" button, and "Color Split Copy" button.

[0029] The "Home" button accepts a transition to the home screen (screen 401). The "Standard Copy" button accepts a transition to the settings screen for performing a standard copy. The "Border-Removed Copy" button accepts a transition to the settings screen for performing a border-removed copy, which removes the shadowed areas of the original document that occur during scanning before printing.

[0030] The "Borderless Copy" button is a button that allows you to proceed to the settings screen for performing borderless copying, which prints the image scanned from the original document without leaving any margins around the outer edge of the recording medium. The "Photo Copy" button is a button that allows you to proceed to the settings screen for performing photo copying, which prints using photo paper. The "Disc Label Copy" button is a button that allows you to proceed to the settings screen for performing disc label copying, which prints labels on discs such as CD-R or DVD-R.

[0031] The "Color Split Copy" button is a button that accepts a transition to the screen for performing a color split copy. When the user presses the "Color Split Copy" button, the screen transitions from screen 402 to screen 403, which will be described later.

[0032] Screen 403 has a "Preview" button. The "Preview" button accepts the command to perform a pre-scan for color-split copying. When the user presses the "Preview" button and the pre-scan of the original document is completed, the screen transitions from screen 403 to screen 404, which will be described later.

[0033] Screen 404 is a screen for the user to select a color to be output by the printer 100 from among several different colors represented by each dot of the scanned image of the original document. Each of these different colors is assumed to be different from the original document's color (the background color of the original document). Screen 404 displays a preview of the pre-scan and a display area that visually shows the "selected color." Screen 404 also includes "Register," "Cancel," and "Next" buttons.

[0034] When a user taps a preview displayed on screen 404, the printer 100 detects the user's tap via the control panel 105. The printer 100 then identifies the color indicated by the coordinates of the preview tapped by the user and displays the identified color in the "Selected Color" display area of ​​screen 404. For example, if a user taps a solid line displayed in the preview on screen 404, the printer 100 displays the red color indicated by the solid line in the preview in the "Selected Color" display area. In Figure 4, identified colors are represented by solid lines, dotted lines, and dashed lines.

[0035] The "Register" button accepts the registration of the color selected by the user. The "Cancel" button accepts the user's request to deselect the color. The "Next" button accepts the user's request to proceed to screen 405, which will be described later, after the color selected by the user has been registered via the "Register" button. For example, the "Next" button is inactive before the color selected by the user is registered via the "Register" button, and becomes active after that color has been registered via the "Register" button.

[0036] Screen 405 is a screen for configuring print settings for the colors registered on screen 404. In this embodiment, the number of copies and the setting for black and white printing will be described as examples of print settings.

[0037] Screen 405 includes a control for specifying the number of copies and a checkbox for setting black and white printing. Screen 405 also has a "Copy" button and a "Cancel" button.

[0038] The copy selection control accepts input for the number of copies to print. The black and white print checkbox displays a checkmark when printing in black and white. On the other hand, if the black and white print checkbox is not checked, printing will be in color. The "Copy" button accepts the command to perform a color-split copy. The "Cancel" button accepts the command to reset the settings of the settings item on screen 405.

[0039] Screen 405 is displayed when red and blue are registered in screen 404. As shown in screen 405, when multiple colors are registered in screen 404, a copy specification control and a black and white print checkbox are provided for each registered color. Then, based on the print settings set in screen 405, the scanned image is printed for each color registered in screen 404. In this case, the printed result output from the printer 100 as a result of color-splitting copying will include the colors registered in screen 404 and will not include any other colors. For example, if red is registered in screen 404, the printing device 100 will output a recording medium as a result of color-splitting copying, which will contain the red portion of the scanned image and not include any other colors in the scanned image.

[0040] Next, with reference to Figure 4, the display control and screen transitions of the screen shown in Figure 4, performed by the printing device 100, and the user's operations on the screen shown in Figure 4 will be explained in more detail.

[0041] First, when the user powers on the printer 100 and the printer 100 starts up, the printer 100 displays screen 401 on the control panel 105. Then, when the user presses the "Copy" button on screen 401, the printer 100 switches the screen from screen 401 to screen 402. When the user presses the "Color Split Copy" button on screen 402, the printer 100 switches the screen from screen 402 to screen 403.

[0042] When the user presses the "Preview" button on screen 403, the printer 100 performs a pre-scan of the document. After the pre-scan is complete, the printer 100 displays screen 404 on the control panel 105. Screen 404 displays a preview of the document. When the user taps the preview on screen 404, the color indicated by the coordinates of the tapped preview is displayed in the "Selected Color" display area of ​​screen 404. After the user confirms the selected color, they press the "Register" button, and the printer 100 registers the selected color. In this way, the printer 100 can receive the colors to be output in the scanned image of the document from the user via screen 404. In other words, screen 404 is a reception screen that receives the colors to be output from the user.

[0043] After the user has selected a color and registered it, when the user presses the "Next" button on screen 404, the printer 100 switches the screen from screen 404 to screen 405. The user then sets the number of copies and black and white printing settings for each registered color on screen 405, and when the user presses the "Copy" button on screen 405, the printer 100 performs a color-split copy.

[0044] In this way, the printing device 100 can receive print quantity settings and black and white printing settings from the user for each color registered on screen 404 via screen 405. In other words, screen 405 is a settings screen that receives print settings from the user for each color registered on screen 404.

[0045] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the color-splitting copy process performed by the printing device 100 in this embodiment. The details of the color-splitting copy process will be explained with reference to Figure 5. The flowchart shown in Figure 5 is realized by loading the program stored in ROM 102 into RAM 103 and executing it on CPU 101. Note that some or all of the steps in Figure 5 may be implemented by hardware such as an ASIC or electronic circuit. The symbol "S" in the description of each process indicates a step in that flowchart (the same applies to flowcharts in this specification hereafter). The flowchart shown in Figure 5 starts when a pre-scan of the original document is performed, that is, when the "Preview" button on screen 403 is detected to be pressed.

[0046] In S501, the CPU 101 pre-scans the original document 201 shown in Figure 2. In S502, the CPU 101 performs a process to reduce the color gradation of the scanned image of the original document 201 scanned in S501. By reducing the color gradation of the scanned image, the CPU 101 can remove noise that occurs during the reading of the original document. Therefore, the CPU 101 can appropriately identify the colors of the image formed on the original document.

[0047] In this embodiment, reducing color gradation refers to the process of reducing color gradation by rounding off the values ​​that indicate the color set for each dot in the image (specifically, the values ​​set in RGB). For example, let's explain an example of reducing the color gradation of a scanned image to 64 colors. If the colors of the scanned image are represented by RGB with 256 gradations each, it can be represented by approximately 16 million colors. Here, by dividing the values ​​of R, G, and B with 256 gradations each into four groups: 0-63, 64-127, 128-191, and 192-255, the color gradation of the scanned image can be reduced to 4 x 4 x 4 = 64 colors.

[0048] In S503, the CPU 101 transitions to screen 404 and displays a preview. In S504, the CPU 101 detects the color to be output. Specifically, when the CPU 101 detects a user tap on the preview displayed on screen 404, it can determine the color indicated by the coordinates of the tapped preview as the color to be output. At this time, some error may occur due to the performance of sensors, etc., so the CPU 101 treats colors within a range of approximately plus or minus 10 of the RGB values ​​of the detected color as the same color as the detected color.

[0049] When the user presses the "Register" button on screen 404, the CPU 101 performs a color registration process to register the color to be output. For example, the CPU 101 stores the color selected by the user as the output color in RAM 103 or similar. If multiple colors are to be registered, the CPU 101 repeats the above color registration process. When the user presses the "Next" button on screen 404, the CPU 101 transitions to screen 405.

[0050] In S505, CPU101 detects user operations regarding the number of copies and black and white printing settings for the colors registered in S504. Furthermore, if multiple colors are registered in S504, CPU101 detects operations regarding the number of copies and black and white printing settings for each registered color.

[0051] In S506, CPU101 detects that the user has pressed the "Copy" button on screen 405. In S507, CPU101 scans the original document 201 in order to perform a color-split copy.

[0052] In S508, the CPU 101 generates print image data for each color registered in S504 and saves the generated print image data to the image memory 104 or similar. The process of saving print image data for each color will be described later. Details of the processes in S507 to S508 are explained in Figure 6.

[0053] In S509, the CPU 101 prints the print image data as an image for each registered color, based on the color and quantity information registered in S504. For example, if the CPU 101 acquired blue and red in S504, it prints the print image data represented in blue and the print image data represented in red separately as images. After the CPU 101 has completed the printing process for all print image data, it terminates the flowchart shown in Figure 5.

[0054] Furthermore, when the CPU 101 detects a user tap on the "Cancel" button on each screen, it performs a process to reset the settings of the settings items provided on each screen to their initial state.

[0055] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the process executed by the CPU 101 to generate and save print image data for each color registered in S504. The flowchart shown in Figure 6 is realized by loading the program stored in ROM 102 into RAM 103 and executing it on the CPU 101. The flowchart shown in Figure 6 starts when the document scan is performed in S507 in Figure 5.

[0056] In S601, CPU101 reduces the color gradation of the scanned image. In S602, CPU101 retrieves the color registered in S504.

[0057] In S603, the CPU 101 determines whether the color of the dots in the scanned image, whose color gradation has been reduced, matches the color registered in S504. In this way, the CPU 101 identifies one of the colors registered in S504 in the scanned image with reduced color gradation and distinguishes it from other colors. Then, the CPU 101 performs the processing from S604 onward to output an image that includes the identified color and does not include other colors. If there are multiple colors registered in S504, the processing from S603 to S608 (described later) is performed for each color.

[0058] Due to the performance of sensors and other components, some errors may occur. Therefore, CPU 101 treats colors within a range of approximately plus or minus 10 of the RGB values ​​of the dots in the scanned image, whose color gradation has been reduced, as the same color as the registered color.

[0059] In S604, if the CPU 101 determines that the value indicating the color of the dots in the scanned image with reduced color gradation matches the value indicating the color registered in S504 (Yes), it proceeds to S605. If the CPU 101 determines that the value indicating the color of the dots in the scanned image with reduced color gradation does not match the value indicating the color registered in S504 (No), it proceeds to S606.

[0060] In S605, CPU101 maintains the value indicating the color of the dots in the scanned image, which was determined to be Yes in S604, and proceeds to S607. On the other hand, in S606, CPU101 changes the value indicating the color of the dots in the scanned image, which was determined to be No in S604, to a value indicating white, and proceeds to S607.

[0061] In S607, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the judgment process in S603 has been performed for all dots of the scanned image data. If the CPU 101 determines that the judgment process in S603 has been performed for all dots of the scanned image data (Yes), it proceeds to S608. If the CPU 101 determines that the judgment process in S603 has not been performed for all dots of the scanned image data (No), it returns to S603.

[0062] In S607, the CPU 101 saves the image data of the scanned image processed in S605 or S606 as print image data in the image memory 104. Here, image data consisting of a dot representing one of the colors registered in S504 of Figure 5 and a dot representing white is saved.

[0063] In S609, CPU 101 determines whether or not print image data has been saved for all colors registered in S504 in Figure 5. If CPU 101 determines that print image data has been saved for all registered colors (Yes), this flow ends; if it determines that print image data has not been saved for all registered colors (No), it returns to S602.

[0064] According to this embodiment, by identifying the colors of the subject matter, such as a document, and performing color-separated copying, the time and effort required for manual creation by the user can be reduced.

[0065] <<Other Embodiments>> In the above embodiment, the CPU 101 was described as changing the value indicating the color of the dots in the scanned image to a value indicating white in S606, but it is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 101 may change the value indicating the color of the dots in the scanned image to a value indicating a color corresponding to the background color of the original document. By analyzing the scanned image of the original document, the CPU 101 can determine that the color that occupies the largest proportion of the scanned image is the background color of the original document.

[0066] Furthermore, the CPU 101 may change the value indicating the color of the dots in the scanned image to a value indicating the color of the recording medium. For example, the CPU 101 may obtain information indicating the color of the recording medium from a memory (not shown) that stores pre-set information indicating the color of the recording medium, and change it to the color of the recording medium obtained in S606. Alternatively, if the printing device 100 is equipped with a sensor that can detect the color of the recording medium, the CPU 101 may obtain information indicating the color of the recording medium from the sensor and change it to the color of the recording medium obtained.

[0067] In the embodiments described above, the CPU 101 was used as an example to identify red, blue, and green from the scanned image of the original document, but it is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 101 may identify white, black, or other colors and perform a color-split copy of the selected colors based on the user's color selection.

[0068] For example, let's describe an example where the printing device 100 is capable of printing using white recording material and scans a document with a gray background in which white and black stencils have been formed. In this case, the CPU 101 identifies white as the color to be output in the scanned image. Then, in response to the user selecting white and pressing the "Copy" button on screen 405, the CPU 101 can perform a color-separated copy for the white area.

[0069] Alternatively, the printer 100 may be unable to print using white recording material, and an example of scanning such a document will be described. As before, the CPU 101 identifies white as the color to be output in the scanned image. Then, in response to the user selecting white and pressing the "Copy" button on screen 405, the CPU 101 may perform a color-splitting copy so that the white parts of the scanned image remain and the rest are output in gray.

[0070] This disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0071] The disclosure of this embodiment includes configurations represented by the following examples of printing apparatus, programs, and control methods for printing apparatus.

[0072] <Configuration 1> In a scanned image of the original document, which includes multiple colors excluding the color corresponding to the original document, a means for identifying a first color that represents a specific color among the multiple colors, Printing means for printing a scanned image onto a recording medium that includes the first color identified by the identification means and does not include any other colors among the plurality of colors. A printing apparatus characterized by comprising:

[0073] <Configuration 2> The printing apparatus according to configuration 1, further comprising a display control means that controls the display unit to display a reception screen for accepting a user's selection of a color from among the plurality of colors specified by the specifying means.

[0074] <Structure 3> If the user selects the first color and a second color that is different from the first color and represents a specific color from among the multiple colors via the reception screen, the identification means will In the scanned image, the first color is identified and distinguished from other colors. The printing apparatus according to configuration 2, characterized in that the second color in the scanned image is distinguished and identified from colors other than the second color.

[0075] <Structure 4> If the first color and the second color are selected by the user via the reception screen, the printing means shall A scanned image containing the first color identified by the identifying means and not containing any colors other than the first color is printed onto a first recording medium. A scanned image containing the second color identified by the identifying means and not containing any colors other than the second color is printed onto a second recording medium. The printing apparatus according to configuration 3, characterized in that it is a printing apparatus.

[0076] <Composition 5> The printing apparatus according to configuration 2, characterized in that the display control means displays a setting screen which is provided with a number setting means for setting the number of copies to print of a scanned image that includes the selected color and does not include any other colors, based on the color selected by the user via the reception screen.

[0077] <Composition 6> The printing apparatus according to configuration 5, characterized in that the setting screen is provided with a monochrome printing setting means that sets the monochrome printing of the scanned image to include the selected color and exclude colors other than the selected color, based on the color selected by the user via the reception screen.

[0078] <Composition 7> The printing apparatus according to configuration 6, characterized in that the printing means prints a scanned image that includes the selected color and does not include any colors other than the selected color onto a recording medium, based on the settings of the number of copies setting means and the black and white printing setting means provided on the setting screen.

[0079] <Structure 8> The printing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that the identifying means distinguishes and identifies the first color from other colors in the scanned image by changing colors other than the first color to colors corresponding to the original document.

[0080] <Composition 9> The printing apparatus according to configuration 8, characterized in that the identifying means distinguishes and identifies the first color from other colors in the scanned image by changing the colors other than the first color to white.

[0081] <Composition 10> In the computer of the printing device, In a scanned image of the original document, which includes multiple colors excluding the color corresponding to the original document, a means for identifying a first color that represents a specific color among the multiple colors, Printing means for printing a scanned image onto a recording medium that includes the first color identified by the identification means and does not include any other colors among the plurality of colors. A program that makes something work.

[0082] <Composition 11> In a scanned image of the original document, which includes multiple colors excluding the color corresponding to the original document, a process of identifying a first color that represents a specific color among the multiple colors, A printing step of printing a scanned image onto a recording medium that includes the first color identified by the specified step and does not include any other colors among the plurality of colors other than the first color; A method for controlling a printing apparatus, characterized by having the following features. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 100 Printing device 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 Image memory 105 Control Panel 106 Reading Control Unit 107 Reading Unit (CS) 108 Image Processing Control Unit 109 Recording Image Processing Control Unit 110 Recording Control Unit 111 Printing Department

Claims

1. In a scanned image of the original document, which includes multiple colors excluding the color corresponding to the original document, a means for identifying a first color that represents a specific color among the multiple colors, Printing means for printing a scanned image onto a recording medium that includes the first color identified by the identification means and does not include any other colors among the plurality of colors. A printing apparatus characterized by being equipped with the following features.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display control means that controls the display unit to display a reception screen for accepting a user's selection of a color from among the plurality of colors specified by the specifying means.

3. If the user selects the first color and a second color that is different from the first color and represents a specific color from the plurality of colors via the reception screen, the identification means will In the scanned image, the first color is identified and distinguished from other colors. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the second color in the scanned image is distinguished and identified from colors other than the second color.

4. If the first color and the second color are selected by the user via the reception screen, the printing means shall A scanned image containing the first color identified by the identifying means and not containing any colors other than the first color is printed onto a first recording medium. A scanned image containing the second color identified by the aforementioned identifying means, and not containing any colors other than the second color, is printed onto a second recording medium. The printing apparatus according to feature 3.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display control means displays a setting screen that includes a number setting means for setting the number of copies to print of a scanned image that includes the selected color and does not include any other colors, based on the color selected by the user via the reception screen.

6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the setting screen is provided with a monochrome printing setting means for setting a monochrome print of a scanned image that includes the selected color and does not include any other colors, based on the color selected by the user via the reception screen.

7. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the printing means prints a scanned image that includes the selected color and does not include any colors other than the selected color onto a recording medium, based on the settings of the number of copies setting means and the black and white printing setting means provided on the setting screen.

8. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the identifying means distinguishes and identifies the first color from other colors in the scanned image by changing the colors other than the first color to the colors corresponding to the original document.

9. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the identifying means distinguishes and identifies the first color from other colors in the scanned image by changing the colors other than the first color to white.

10. In the computer of the printing device, In a scanned image of the original document, which includes multiple colors excluding the color corresponding to the original document, a means for identifying a first color that represents a specific color among the multiple colors, Printing means for printing a scanned image onto a recording medium that includes the first color identified by the identification means and does not include any other colors among the plurality of colors. A program that makes something work.

11. In a scanned image of the original document, which includes multiple colors excluding the color corresponding to the original document, a process of identifying a first color that represents a specific color among the multiple colors, A printing step of printing a scanned image onto a recording medium that includes the first color identified by the specified step and does not include any other colors among the plurality of colors other than the first color; A method for controlling a printing apparatus, characterized by having the following features.

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