Image processing device, its control method, and program

Abstract

To accurately reproduce the colors, lines, and text of printed materials on a monitor, it is necessary to perform RIP (Rip Processing) at the actual print resolution. However, generating images by RIP at the actual print resolution results in larger image sizes, requiring longer image generation and transfer times, as well as a large storage capacity. [Solution] An image processing device displays a confirmation screen containing an image and confirmation items for checking the image quality of the printed material before actual printing, and acquires the items selected from the confirmation items on the confirmation screen. When generating the image of the printed material, the resolution of the generated image is switched. If the acquired item is related to the color or density of the image, the resolution of the image is switched to a resolution lower than the resolution used in the actual printing, and if the item is related to characters or line drawings, the resolution of the image is switched to the resolution used in the actual printing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is a method called soft proofing in which a printed matter actually printed by a printing apparatus is simulated by a personal computer or the like, and a simulation image obtained thereby is displayed on a color monitor to check the image quality of the image printed on the printed matter. By this method, the user can check the color of the finished printed matter, smudging or discontinuity of characters and lines, etc. based on the simulation image obtained by soft proofing and displayed on the color monitor before executing printing. As a result, the printed matter intended by the user can be obtained smoothly.

[0003] By the way, in recent years, printing has been performed by forming an image with high resolution. In order to save image data at this high resolution, it is necessary to increase the capacity of the storage device, and it also takes a lot of time when transferring via a network.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a RIP (Raster Image Processor) device analyzes a vector format data file before performing RIP processing to obtain the minimum resolution at which the quality of the output does not deteriorate. Then, the RIP device uses, as the resolution for RIP processing, the resolution supported by the output device and the closest resolution that is equal to or higher than the resolution obtained from the vector format data file.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, the method described in Patent Document 1 analyzes a vector-format data file to be processed by RIP and determines the line width of characters and lines contained in that data file. Then, from the paper size contained in that data file, it determines the minimum resolution at which the quality of the output does not deteriorate and the characters and lines do not become distorted. Thus, with the conventional method, the resolution of the image data obtained by RIP processing depends on the content of the target vector-format data file. For this reason, there was a problem in that the size of the image data obtained by RIP processing could not be sufficiently reduced.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the prior art described above.

[0008] The objective of this invention is to reduce the amount of image data used to check the image quality of an image to be printed, by reducing the amount of image data according to the item to be checked, while also providing a sufficient image for the item to be checked. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above objective, an image processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, A display control means that displays a confirmation screen containing images and confirmation items for checking the image quality of the printed material before actual printing, A means for obtaining the item selected in the confirmation items on the aforementioned confirmation screen, A generation means for generating the image of the printed material, The system includes a switching means for switching the resolution of the image generated by the generation means, If the item acquired by the acquisition means is an item related to the color or density of the image, the switching means switches the resolution of the image to a resolution lower than the resolution used in the actual print. If the item is an item related to characters or line drawings, the switching means switches the resolution of the image to the resolution used in the actual print. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the amount of image data can be reduced by reducing it according to the items to be checked, and sufficient images corresponding to the items to be checked can be obtained.

[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar components are given the same reference numeral. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] The attached drawings are included in the specification and constitute part thereof, illustrating embodiments of the present invention and are used together with the description to explain the principles of the present invention. [Figure 1] A block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the image processing device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] A block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a media profile list that illustrates combinations of printer output profiles corresponding to media types in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a print image confirmation screen, which is a screen for checking the image quality of a printed image in Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] A flowchart illustrating the process from generating simulated image data using an image processing device to obtaining an image of a printed document output from a printing device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating the process from the output image of a printed document from the printing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 to the generation of simulated image data by the image processing device 100. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these plurality of features are essential for the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0014] [Embodiment 1] First, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0016] This image processing apparatus 100 may be realized by, for example, a personal computer or the like in which a computer program or the like for executing the image processing according to Embodiment 1 is installed. Here, an example in which the image processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 is realized by a personal computer will be described, but the image processing apparatus 100 is not limited to a personal computer. For example, the image processing apparatus 100 may be a device that performs data processing for input to a printing apparatus such as a DFE (Digital Front End).

[0017] The image processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a storage unit 104, an operation unit 105, and a display unit 106, which are connected via a system bus 107. The CPU 101 executes various processes described later by expanding and executing the programs stored in the ROM 102 in the RAM 103. The ROM 102 is a read-only memory that stores application programs, parameters, etc. that do not require modification. The RAM 103 is a volatile random access memory and is used as a work area for the CPU 101 and a temporary storage area for various data. The storage unit 104 is a large-capacity storage unit such as an HDD, SSD, or SD card, and is used for storing various data spools, programs, information files, image data, etc., and for use as a work area.

[0018] The CPU 101 expands the operating system, application programs, etc. stored in the ROM 102, the storage unit 104, etc. in the RAM 103, and executes the expanded application programs, etc. The application programs, etc. are stored in the ROM 102, the storage unit 104, etc. as program codes readable by the CPU 101, for example. Then the CPU 101 expands and executes the program codes stored in the ROM 102, the storage unit 104, etc. in the RAM 103. The application program can cause the CPU 101 to function as various means (units) as follows.

[0019] The CPU 101 functions as an image processing means that performs various image processing on print data. More specifically, for example, the CPU 101 can function as a color conversion means that performs color conversion processing on print data, or as a binarization means that performs screen processing. The CPU 101 can also function as a means of recognizing the printing device 200 (see Figure 2) connected to the image processing device 100, that is, the connected printing device 200. The connected printing device 200 is, for example, the printing device 200 that is about to be used for printing. The CPU 101 can also obtain media information and printer output profile information associated with the media information from the connected printing device 200. Furthermore, it can also function as a means of receiving printer output profiles used for color conversion processing, screen information used during printing, etc., from the printing device 200. Printer output profile information defines, for example, what CMYK values ​​should be output to reproduce the desired color for each type of media. Also, since there is a printer output profile for each media, there is printer output profile information associated with media information that indicates which printer output profile to use for color conversion processing for each media.

[0020] The CPU 101 also functions as a means of identifying the printer output profile for the media corresponding to the connected printer 200, based on media information obtained from the connected printer 200 and the printer output profile information associated with the media information. The CPU 101 also obtains the printer output profile corresponding to the connected printer 200 from the connected printer 200. The CPU 101 can also obtain screen information to be used during printing from the connected printer 200.

[0021] The CPU 101 also functions as a means for displaying images on the display unit 106 by loading image data read from the storage unit 104, etc., into a display memory (not shown). The CPU 101 also functions as a color conversion processing image generation means (generation means) for simulating printed materials of a printing device 200, etc.

[0022] The operation unit 105 includes, for example, a keyboard or a pointing device, and receives user input to the image processing device 100. The operation unit 105 also receives user input (instructions), such as specifying a profile designated by the user or whether or not to perform color conversion processing for print simulation.

[0023] The display unit 106 displays data held in the image processing device 100, data being processed, data supplied from outside the image processing device 100, etc. Examples of the display unit 106 include liquid crystal displays and CRT displays. The operation unit 105 may be configured as an integrated unit with the display unit 106, and the display unit 106 may have a touch panel function. The respective components (units) 101 to 106 that constitute the image processing device 100 according to Embodiment 1 are able to communicate with each other via the system bus 107.

[0024] Next, with reference to Figure 2, the printing apparatus 200 according to Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0025] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 200 according to Embodiment 1.

[0026] The printing apparatus 200 according to Embodiment 1 includes a CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, storage unit 204, operation unit 205, and printing unit 206, which are connected via a system bus 207. The CPU 201 executes various processes described later by loading programs stored in ROM 202 into RAM 203 and executing them. ROM 202 is a read-only memory that stores application programs, parameters, etc., that do not require modification. RAM 203 is a volatile random access memory and is used as the work area for the CPU 201 and as a temporary storage area for various data. Storage unit 204 is a large-capacity storage unit such as an HDD, SSD, or SD card, and is used for storing various data spools, programs, information files, and image data, as well as for use as a work area. The operation unit 205 accepts user operations on the printing apparatus 200. The operation unit 205 includes, for example, operation buttons, a touch panel, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc. The printing unit 206 prints data supplied from the image processing device 100 and data held by the printing device 200.

[0027] The CPU 201 loads operating systems and application programs stored in ROM 202 and memory unit 204 into RAM 203 and executes the application programs loaded into RAM 203. Such application programs are stored in ROM 202 and memory unit 204 as program code readable by the CPU 201, which then loads and executes this program code into RAM 203. These application programs can enable the CPU 201 to function as various means (units) as described below.

[0028] The CPU 201 can function as a means for reading image files stored in the memory unit 204, etc. These image files have undergone image processing, such as color adjustment, by the image processing device 100 according to Embodiment 1. The CPU 201 can also function as a means for acquiring image data, color adjustment parameters, printing device characteristic information, etc., from the read image files.

[0029] The CPU 201 also uses media information selected by the operation unit 205 to retrieve the printer output profile stored in the memory unit 204 or the like, which is associated with the media. It can also function as a color conversion means that combines the input profile selected by the operation unit 205 with the rendering intent to perform color conversion processing. The CPU 201 also functions as a means to cause the print unit 206 to print the image. Here, the input profile defines, for example, the color space used to interpret the color information of the file to be printed. The rendering intent defines, for example, the rules for processing color conversion between color spaces in order to transfer and reproduce color gamuts between devices with different color gamuts.

[0030] Furthermore, the image processing device 100 and the printing device 200 according to Embodiment 1 only need to be logically connected, and the method of connection is not particularly limited. For example, the image processing device 100 and the printing device 200 may be directly connected, or they may be connected via a local area network. Also, the image processing device 100 and the printing device 200 may be connected by a cable or wirelessly.

[0031] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a media profile list 300 that shows combinations of printer output profiles corresponding to media types (types of recording media used for printing) in Embodiment 1.

[0032] For example, when printing using recycled paper in the printing device 200, the color conversion process performed by the CPU 201 uses profile 5 (302) corresponding to recycled paper 301 in the media profile list 300 to perform color conversion. This media profile list 300 is stored in the storage unit 204. When adding a new type of media to be used by the printing device 200, a printer output profile corresponding to the new media type is created and added to this media profile list 300.

[0033] Figure 4 shows an example of a print image confirmation screen 400, which is a screen for checking the image quality of a printed image in Embodiment 1. Figure 4 shows the case where recycled paper is selected as the media type. This confirmation screen 400 may be displayed on, for example, the display unit 106 of the image processing device 100, or it may be displayed on a separate display unit (not shown) connected to the image processing device 100.

[0034] In Figure 4, the image display unit 402 displays the overall image to be printed. This image includes an image of a bicycle and text (ABDCEFG). Area 401 includes the brand of paper (media type) to be used for printing, the monitor profile of the monitor displaying the image, and confirmation items 405. Figure 4 shows an example where "Line / Text Reproduction" and "Print Color" can be selected in confirmation item 405.

[0035] For example, Figure 4(a) shows the case where "Line and text reproduction" is selected in confirmation item 405 of the print image confirmation screen 400. Then, by the user moving the enlarged display frame 404 in the image display unit 402, an enlarged image of the image contained in the enlarged display frame 404 is displayed on the image display unit 403.

[0036] Figure 4(b) also shows the case where "Print Color" is selected in confirmation item 405 of the print image confirmation screen 400. In this case as well, the image display unit 402 of the print image confirmation screen 400 displays the overall image of the print data, and the image display unit 403 displays the entire image with the print color reproduced.

[0037] In this confirmation screen for checking the printed image, the user can select and specify the items they wish to check, and the image display unit 403 will display the image corresponding to those specified items. Furthermore, if the user specifies checking the reproduction of lines or characters, they can move the enlarged display frame 404 to display an enlarged image. This allows the user to easily check for any blurring or smudging of the characters. Note that lines may include, for example, barcodes or line drawings.

[0038] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the process from generating image data simulated by the image processing device 100 based on the image of a printed material output from the printing device 200 according to Embodiment 1. The process shown in this flowchart involves acquiring print data to generate the printed material to be simulated, performing color conversion and screen processing, and generating a simulated image. This process is realized by the CPU 101 of the image processing device 100 loading a program stored in the ROM 102 or memory unit 104 into the RAM 103 and executing it.

[0039] First, in S501, the CPU 101 retrieves the print data to be printed stored in the memory unit 104 and proceeds to S502. In S502, the CPU 101 accesses the printing device 200 and retrieves the input profile to be used for printing stored in the memory unit 204 of the printing device 200 and proceeds to S503. In S503, the CPU 101 retrieves the media information specified in area 401 of the print image confirmation screen 400 displayed on the operation unit 105 of the image processing device 100 and proceeds to S504. This media information corresponds to the type of media (sheet) set in the printing device 200.

[0040] In S504, the CPU 101 refers to the media profile list 300 based on the media type obtained in S503, obtains the printer output profile corresponding to that media type, and proceeds to S505. In S505, the CPU 101 accesses the printing device 200, obtains the rendering intent specified by the user from the control unit 205, and proceeds to S506.

[0041] In S506, the CPU 101 uses the input profile, printer output profile information, and rendering intent acquired in S502, S504, and S505 to perform color conversion processing on the print data acquired in S501 and proceeds to S507. In S507, the CPU 101 determines whether "Line and Character Reproduction" 405 is selected in the confirmation item 405 of the print image confirmation screen 400, as explained with reference to Figure 4. If it determines that "Line and Character Reproduction" 405 is selected, it proceeds to S508; otherwise, it proceeds to S512.

[0042] In S508, the CPU 101 accesses the printer 200 to obtain the resolution information specified by the user from the control unit 205, i.e., the actual printing resolution. Then, it generates a raster image by RIP processing the print data at that actual printing resolution and proceeds to S509. The resolutions that can be specified from the control unit 205 include, for example, 600 dpi and 1200 dpi. Furthermore, the resolution setting that can be specified from the control unit 205 is a device setting that has been pre-configured on the printer 200 for multiple print data to be received from this point onward.

[0043] In S509, the CPU 101 accesses the printing device 200, obtains screen information specified by the user from the operation unit 205, and uses that screen information to obtain the screen to be used for printing before proceeding to S510. In S510, the CPU 101 uses the screen obtained in S509 to perform halftone processing on the raster image to generate a halftone image. Next, proceeding to S511, the CPU 101 stores the halftone image generated in S510 in the storage unit 104 and terminates this process.

[0044] On the other hand, if "Line / Character Reproduction" 405 is not selected in S507, the process proceeds to S512. In S512, the CPU 101 processes the print data acquired in S501 using a RIP at a resolution lower than the actual print resolution, for example, 300 dpi, to generate a raster image, and then proceeds to S513. In S513, the CPU 101 acquires the monitor profile corresponding to the display unit 106 stored in the memory unit 104 and proceeds to S514. This monitor profile includes information such as the color profile and resolution of the display unit 106. Specifically, it defines, for example, what RGB values ​​should be output in order to reproduce the color of the input data in the display unit 106.

[0045] In S514, the CPU 101 uses the printer output profile information acquired in S504 as the input profile and the monitor profile acquired in S513 as the output profile. Then, using these input and output profiles, along with "absolute chromaticity preservation" as the rendering intent, it performs color conversion processing on the raster image obtained in S512. The process then proceeds to S515, where the CPU 101 stores the raster image that has undergone color conversion processing in S514 in the storage unit 104 and terminates the process.

[0046] As described above, according to Embodiment 1, by changing the resolution of the raster image for monitor display according to the content to be checked, it is possible to obtain effects such as saving the storage capacity of image data, reducing the time required for RIP processing, and reducing the image data transfer time.

[0047] [Embodiment 2] In Embodiment 1 described above, the resolution of the RIP processing was changed according to the purpose, that is, the content to be confirmed. In Embodiment 2, however, the size of the image data is changed by switching the compression format of the raster image obtained by RIP processing according to the purpose. The hardware configuration of the image processing device 100 and the printing device 200 in Embodiment 2 is the same as in Embodiment 1 described above, so its description is omitted.

[0048] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the process from generating image data simulated by the image processing device 100 based on the image of a printed material output from the printing device 200 according to Embodiment 2. The process shown in this flowchart involves acquiring print data to generate the printed material to be simulated, performing color conversion and screen processing, and generating a simulated image. This process is realized by the CPU 101 of the image processing device 100 loading a program stored in the ROM 102 or memory unit 104 into the RAM 103 and executing it.

[0049] In S601, the CPU 101 retrieves the data to be printed stored in the memory unit 104 and proceeds to S602. In S602, the CPU 101 accesses the printer 200 and retrieves the input profile to be used for printing, which is stored in the printer 200's memory unit 204. Next, in S603, the CPU 101 retrieves the media information (paper type) specified in area 401 of the print image confirmation screen 400. Next, in S604, the CPU 101 refers to the media profile list 300 and retrieves the printer output profile information corresponding to the media type obtained in S603. Next, in S605, the CPU 101 accesses the printer 200 and retrieves the rendering intent information specified by the user from the printer 200's operation unit 205, and proceeds to S606.

[0050] In S606, CPU101 uses the input profile, printer output profile information, and rendering intent obtained in S602, S604, and S605 to perform color conversion processing on the print data obtained in S601.

[0051] Next, in S607, the CPU 101 accesses the printer 200 and obtains the resolution information specified by the user from the printer 200's control panel 205. Then, it processes the print data using the obtained resolution and generates a raster image. Next, in S608, the CPU 101 determines whether "Line and Character Reproduction" 405 is selected in the confirmation item 405 of the print image confirmation screen 400 displayed on the display panel 106 of the image processing device 100. If it determines that "Line and Character Reproduction" 405 is selected, it proceeds to S609; otherwise, it proceeds to S613.

[0052] In S609, the CPU 101 accesses the printer 200, obtains screen information specified by the user from the printer 200's control panel 205, and obtains a screen based on that screen information before proceeding to S610. In S610, the CPU 101 uses the screen obtained in S609 to perform halftone processing on the raster image generated in S607 to generate a halftone image, and then proceeds to S611. In S611, the CPU 101 compresses the halftone image generated in S610 using a first compression method and proceeds to S612. In S612, the CPU 101 stores the compressed halftone image generated in S611 in the storage unit 104 and terminates this process. This first compression method includes, for example, a lossless compression method.

[0053] On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines in S608 that "Line / Character Reproduction" 405 is not selected, the process proceeds to S613. In S613, the CPU 101 obtains the monitor profile corresponding to the display unit 106, which is stored in the memory unit 104 of the image processing device 100. Next, in S614, the CPU 101 uses the printer output profile information obtained in S604 as the input profile and the monitor profile obtained in S613 as the output profile. Furthermore, with the rendering intent set to "Absolute Chromaticity Preservation," color conversion processing is performed on the raster image obtained in S607. Next, in S615, the CPU 101 compresses the raster image that underwent color conversion processing in S614 using a second compression method that has a higher compression ratio than the first compression method. Finally, in S616, the CPU 101 stores the color-converted raster image, which was compressed using the second compression method in S615, in the memory unit 104, and terminates this process. This second compression method includes, for example, lossy compression.

[0054] As described above, according to Embodiment 2, by changing the raster image compression method according to the content to be checked, it is possible to save image storage capacity, reduce the time required for RIP processing, and reduce the image data transfer time.

[0055] In Embodiment 2, a method for switching compression methods was described, but for example, a method could be used where lossy compression such as JPEG is applied regardless of the purpose, and the compression ratio is switched depending on what needs to be checked.

[0056] In the embodiments described above, "line and character reproduction" and "print color" were used as examples, but lines may include line drawings or codes such as barcodes, and print color may include shades (densities) of color images or shades (densities) of black and white images.

[0057] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized 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 realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0058] This specification and drawings disclose the following image processing apparatus, its control method, and program.

[0059] <Item 1> A display control means that displays a confirmation screen containing images and confirmation items for checking the image quality of the printed material before actual printing, A means for obtaining the item selected in the confirmation items on the aforementioned confirmation screen, A generation means for generating the image of the printed material, The system includes a switching means for switching the resolution of the image generated by the generation means, An image processing apparatus characterized in that, if the item acquired by the acquisition means is an item related to the color or density of the image, the switching means switches the resolution of the image to a resolution lower than the resolution of the actual print, and if the item is an item related to characters or line drawings, the switching means switches the resolution of the image to the resolution of the actual print.

[0060] <Item 2> A display control means that displays a confirmation screen containing images and confirmation items for checking the image quality of the printed material before actual printing, A means for obtaining the item selected in the confirmation items on the aforementioned confirmation screen, A generation means for generating the image of the printed material, The system includes a compression means for compressing the image generated by the generation means, An image processing apparatus characterized in that, if the item acquired by the acquisition means is an item related to the color or density of the image, the compression means compresses the image generated by the generation means using a first compression method with a first compression ratio, and if the item is an item related to characters or line drawings, the compression means compresses the image generated by the generation means using a second compression method with a compression ratio lower than the first compression ratio.

[0061] <Item 3> The image processing apparatus according to item 2, characterized in that the first compression method is a lossy compression method, and the second compression method is a lossless compression method.

[0062] <Item 4> The confirmation screen includes a first display unit that displays the entire image of the printed material, a second display unit that displays an image corresponding to the selection of the confirmation item, and an item for selecting the confirmation item. The image processing apparatus according to item 1 or 2, characterized in that the acquisition means acquires the item selected in the confirmation item.

[0063] <Item 5> The image processing apparatus according to item 4, characterized in that, if the item acquired by the acquisition means is an item related to characters or line drawings, the confirmation screen displays a display frame on the first display unit, and the second display unit displays an enlarged image of the area specified by the display frame.

[0064] <Item 6> The image processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 5, characterized in that the generation means generates an image of the printed material by performing RIP processing on print data for printing the printed material.

[0065] <Item 7> The generating means is An image processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 6, characterized in that it has a printer output profile corresponding to the media type of the printed material set in the printing apparatus that generates the printed material, an input profile of the printing apparatus, and means for performing color conversion of the image of the printed material using the rendering intent of the printing apparatus.

[0066] <Item 8> The image processing apparatus according to item 7, characterized in that, if the item acquired by the acquisition means is an item related to the color or density of the image, the generation means further performs a color conversion of the image of the printed material based on the monitor profile of the display unit that displays the confirmation screen.

[0067] <Item 9> The image processing apparatus according to item 8, characterized in that, if the item acquired by the acquisition means is an item relating to the color or density of the image, the display control means controls the image of the printed material whose color or density has been converted by the generation means to be displayed on the second display unit.

[0068] <Item 10> An image processing device control method, The display control means of the image processing apparatus includes a display control step of displaying a confirmation screen on the display unit that includes an image and confirmation items for confirming the image quality of the printed material before actual printing, The acquisition means of the image processing device includes an acquisition step of acquiring the item selected in the confirmation item of the confirmation screen, The image processing apparatus generation means includes a generation step of generating an image of the printed material, The switching means of the image processing device includes a switching step of switching the resolution of the image generated by the generation means, A control method characterized in that, if the item acquired in the acquisition step is an item related to the color or density of the image, the switching step switches the resolution of the image to a resolution lower than the resolution used in the actual print, and if the item is an item related to characters or line drawings, the switching step switches the resolution of the image to the resolution used in the actual print.

[0069] <Item 11> An image processing device control method, The display control means of the image processing apparatus includes a display control step of displaying a confirmation screen on the display unit that includes an image and confirmation items for confirming the image quality of the printed material before actual printing, The acquisition means of the image processing device includes an acquisition step of acquiring the item selected in the confirmation item of the confirmation screen, The image processing apparatus generation means includes a generation step of generating an image of the printed material, The compression means of the image processing apparatus includes a compression step of compressing the image generated by the generation means, A control method characterized in that, if the item acquired in the acquisition step is an item related to the color or density of the image, the compression step compresses the image generated in the generation step using a first compression method with a first compression ratio, and if the item is an item related to characters or line drawings, the compression step compresses the image generated in the generation step using a second compression method with a compression ratio lower than the first compression ratio.

[0070] <Item 12> A program characterized by causing a computer to execute each step of the control method described in item 10 or 11.

[0071] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are attached to illustrate the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 100…Image processing device, 105…Operation unit, 106…Display unit, 200…Printing device, 205…Operation unit, 300…Media profile list, 400…Confirmation screen, 401…Area containing confirmation items

Claims

1. A display control means that displays a confirmation screen containing images and confirmation items for checking the image quality of the printed material before actual printing, A means for obtaining the item selected in the confirmation items on the aforementioned confirmation screen, A generation means for generating the image of the printed material, The system includes a switching means for switching the resolution of the image generated by the generation means, An image processing apparatus characterized in that, if the item acquired by the acquisition means is an item related to the color or density of the image, the switching means switches the resolution of the image to a resolution lower than the resolution of the actual print, and if the item is an item related to characters or line drawings, the switching means switches the resolution of the image to the resolution of the actual print.

2. A display control means that displays a confirmation screen containing images and confirmation items for checking the image quality of the printed material before actual printing, A means for obtaining the item selected in the confirmation items on the aforementioned confirmation screen, A generation means for generating the image of the printed material, The system includes a compression means for compressing the image generated by the generation means, An image processing apparatus characterized in that, if the item acquired by the acquisition means is an item related to the color or density of the image, the compression means compresses the image generated by the generation means using a first compression method with a first compression ratio, and if the item is an item related to characters or line drawings, the compression means compresses the image generated by the generation means using a second compression method with a compression ratio lower than the first compression ratio.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the first compression method is a lossy compression method, and the second compression method is a lossless compression method.

4. The confirmation screen includes a first display unit that displays the entire image of the printed material, a second display unit that displays an image corresponding to the selection of the confirmation item, and an item for selecting the confirmation item. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the acquisition means acquires the item selected in the confirmation item.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, if the item acquired by the acquisition means is an item related to characters or line drawings, the confirmation screen displays a display frame on the first display unit, and the second display unit displays an enlarged image of the area specified by the display frame.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the generation means generates an image of the printed material by performing RIP processing on print data for printing the printed material.

7. The generating means is The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising means for performing color conversion of the image of the printed material using a printer output profile corresponding to the media type of the printed material set in a printing device that generates the printed material, an input profile of the printing device, and a rendering intent of the printing device.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein if the item acquired by the acquisition means is an item related to the color or density of the image, the generation means further converts the color or density of the image of the printed material based on the monitor profile of the display unit that displays the confirmation screen.

9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, if the item acquired by the acquisition means is an item related to the color or density of the image, the display control means controls the image of the printed material whose color or density has been converted by the generation means to be displayed on the second display unit.

10. An image processing device control method, The display control means of the image processing apparatus includes a display control step of displaying a confirmation screen on the display unit that includes an image and confirmation items for confirming the image quality of the printed material before actual printing, The acquisition means of the image processing device includes an acquisition step of acquiring the item selected in the confirmation item of the confirmation screen, The image processing apparatus generation means includes a generation step of generating an image of the printed material, The switching means of the image processing device includes a switching step of switching the resolution of the image generated by the generation means, A control method characterized in that, if the item acquired in the acquisition step is an item related to the color or density of the image, the switching step switches the resolution of the image to a resolution lower than the resolution used in the actual print, and if the item is an item related to characters or line drawings, the switching step switches the resolution of the image to the resolution used in the actual print.

11. An image processing device control method, The display control means of the image processing apparatus includes a display control step of displaying a confirmation screen on the display unit that includes an image and confirmation items for confirming the image quality of the printed material before actual printing, The acquisition means of the image processing device includes an acquisition step of acquiring the item selected in the confirmation item of the confirmation screen, The image processing apparatus generation means includes a generation step of generating an image of the printed material, The compression means of the image processing apparatus includes a compression step of compressing the image generated by the generation means, A control method characterized in that, if the item acquired in the acquisition step is an item related to the color or density of the image, the compression step compresses the image generated in the generation step using a first compression method with a first compression ratio, and if the item is an item related to characters or line drawings, the compression step compresses the image generated in the generation step using a second compression method with a compression ratio lower than the first compression ratio.

12. A program characterized by causing a computer to execute each step of the control method described in claim 10 or 11.

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