Printer

Abstract

To provide a printer that can perform color printing, which can deal with a hue desired by a user. with respect to a specific color.SOLUTION: A printer 1, which comprises an image forming part 15 that can perform color printing, prints a color chart constituted of a plurality of selection colors similar to a special color, with respect to the special color with a specific RGB value, receives one selection of the selection colors of the color chart through a user IF13, and memorizes in a memory 12 a special color number 25 which is information on the selection color selected. Further, the printer 1, when performing printing based on image data shown by the RGB value, converts the RGB value of the special color included in the image data to a CMY value corresponding to the special color number 25 memorized in the memory 12, and prints an image shown by the image data converted to the CMY value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technical field disclosed herein relates to printers capable of color printing. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technique for acquiring image data (PDL data) to be printed from an external device, converting RGB values ​​shown in the acquired image data into CMYK values, and performing color printing based on the converted data. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for creating an ICC profile and setting CMYK values ​​using the ICC profile. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-208492 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some users have preferences for the hue of a particular color, such as the primary color red. As a result, the hue of a particular color in a printed matter output from a printer may not match the user's preference, resulting in dissatisfaction. Patent Document 1 does not disclose any technology that can accommodate the user's preferred hue for a particular color, and there is room for improvement.

[0005] This specification discloses a printer capable of color printing that responds to a user's preferred shade of a particular color. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A printer made to solve this problem is a printer equipped with a printing device capable of color printing, a user interface, and a memory, and the printer executes a color chart output process using the printing device to print a color chart consisting of a plurality of selected colors for a specific color having a specific RGB value, the color chart having a plurality of similar colors that are similar to the specific color as the plurality of selected colors, the printer executes a selection process to accept a selection of one of the selected colors of the color chart via the user interface and store selected color information, which is information on the selected selected color, in the memory, and when printing based on image data represented by RGB values, the printer executes a specific color conversion process to convert the RGB values ​​of the specific color included in the image data into CMY values ​​corresponding to the selected color information stored in the memory, and a printing process to print an image represented in the image data converted to CMY values ​​using the printing device.

[0007] According to the printer disclosed in this specification, a user selects a specific color from a color chart in advance and stores the selected color information in memory, and when performing color printing, the RGB values ​​of the specific color are converted to CMY values ​​corresponding to the selected color information stored in memory and printed, thereby outputting the specific color in a hue that matches the user's preference.

[0008] A control method for implementing the above-mentioned printer functions, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program are also novel and useful. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The technology disclosed in this specification provides a printer capable of color printing that can accommodate a user's preferred hue for a particular color. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for a special color setting process. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an input screen of a printer. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a color chart. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the correspondence between color chart numbers and CMY values. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a printing process. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for special red change processing. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen of a printer driver. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present embodiment discloses a printer capable of color printing.

[0012] 1, the printer 1 of this embodiment includes a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12. The printer 1 also includes a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF") 13, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 14, and an image forming unit 15, which are electrically connected to the controller 10. The image forming unit 15 is an example of a printing device.

[0013] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to programs read from the memory 12 and based on user operations. Various programs and data are stored in the memory 12. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed. The buffer provided in the CPU 11 is also an example of a memory. Note that the controller 10 in FIG. 1 is a general term for hardware and software used to control the printer 1, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware actually present in the printer 1.

[0014] 1, the memory 12 of the printer 1 of this embodiment stores a print program 21, a special color setting program 22, color chart data 23, a color profile 24, a special color number 25, and a special color conversion setting 26. The programs and data stored in the memory 12 will be described in detail later.

[0015] An example of memory 12 is not limited to a ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. built into printer 1, but may be a storage medium that is readable and writable by CPU 11. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media also include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. Non-transitory media are also tangible media. On the other hand, an electrical signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium, which is a type of computer-readable medium, but is not included in non-transitory computer-readable storage media.

[0016] The user IF 13 is, for example, a touch panel, and includes hardware for displaying a screen for notifying the user of information, and hardware for accepting operations by the user. The user IF 13 may be a combination of a display unit and an operation button, etc.

[0017] The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with an external device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC") 3. The communication standards of the communication IF 14 include Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB, etc. The printer 1 may include multiple communication IFs 14 compatible with multiple communication standards.

[0018] The image forming unit 15 includes a configuration for printing an image on a print medium such as a sheet. The image forming method of the image forming unit 15 is, for example, an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The printer 1 of this embodiment includes the image forming unit 15 configured to be capable of color printing. The image forming unit 15 of the printer 1 of this embodiment is, for example, a device that executes printing using colorants of four colors, CMYK. The printer 1 executes printing by passing CMYK data, in which each dot is represented by a set of values ​​of each of CMYK, to the image forming unit 15.

[0019] The printer 1 of this embodiment is connected to the PC 3 via the communication IF 14 as shown in FIG. 1, for example, and receives a print job including image data from the PC 3. If the image data included in the print job is a color image represented by RGB values, the printer 1 converts the RGB values ​​to CMYK values ​​and prints the image represented by the converted image data. The RGB values ​​are a set of three numerical values ​​represented by the values ​​of R, G, and B, and the CMYK values ​​are a set of four numerical values ​​represented by the values ​​of C, M, Y, and K. It should be noted that a color image represented by RGB values ​​can also be expressed by the three values ​​of CMY without using the K value, and the CMYK values ​​are an example of the CMY values.

[0020] 1, the PC 3 includes a printer driver 31 corresponding to the printer 1. The printer driver 31 is a program that generates a print job for the printer 1 to print based on a user's instruction. The print job generated by the printer driver 31 and passed to the printer 1 includes PDL data (e.g., data in a format such as PCL or PDF) which is image data indicating an image to be printed, and PJL data indicating parameters related to printing.

[0021] Next, the operation of the printer 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart. The following process basically indicates the process of the CPU 11 according to the instructions written in the program. That is, the processes such as "judgment", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "decision", "identification", "acquisition", "reception", and "control" in the following description indicate the process of the CPU 11. The process by the CPU also includes hardware control using the API of the OS. In this specification, the operation of each program will be described without mentioning the OS. That is, in the following description, a statement to the effect that "program B controls hardware C" may also mean that "program B controls hardware C using the API of the OS". In addition, the process of the CPU 11 according to the instructions written in the program may be described in abbreviated terms. For example, it may be described as "performed by the CPU 11". In addition, the process of the CPU 11 according to the instructions written in the program may be described in abbreviated terms such as "performed by program A".

[0022] Note that "obtaining" is used as a concept that does not require a request. In other words, the process of receiving data without the CPU 11 making a request is also included in the concept of "the CPU obtaining data." In addition, "data" in this specification is represented as a bit string that can be read by a computer. Data that has the same substantial meaning but different formats is treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification. In addition, "requesting" and "instructing" are concepts that indicate outputting information indicating a request or information indicating an instruction to the other party. In addition, information indicating a request or information indicating an instruction is also simply referred to as "request" and "instruction."

[0023] Furthermore, the process by CPU 11 to determine whether information A indicates event B may be conceptually described as "determining whether event B is determined from information A." The process by CPU 11 to determine whether information A indicates event B or event C may be conceptually described as "determining whether event B or event C is determined from information A."

[0024] The procedure of the special color setting process executed by the printer 1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 2. The special color setting process is a process executed by the special color setting program 22, and is executed by the CPU 11 of the printer 1 when an instruction to set a special color is received via the user IF 13.

[0025] A special color is a color in which each of the R, G, and B values ​​in image data expressed as RGB values ​​is a specific value determined in advance. A special color is, for example, a color in which the value of one of the three colors is the maximum value that the RGB value can take, and the values ​​of the other two colors are both expressed as 0. Alternatively, a special color may be, for example, a color in which the values ​​of two of the three colors are the maximum value that the RGB value can take, and the value of the other color is expressed as 0. Alternatively, instead of the maximum value that the RGB value can take, a color may be an intermediate value between the maximum value that the RGB value can take and 0.

[0026] For example, the special color red (hereinafter referred to as "special red") in image data expressed by 8-bit RGB values ​​is a color expressed by R=255, G=0, and B=0. Special red is an example of a specific color. Below, settings related to special red as a special color are explained. For example, in China and Arabic countries, there are many users who value the shade of red, and each user tends to have a different preferred shade of red. For this reason, there is a demand to print the special red contained in a printed document in a preferred shade. The printer 1 of this embodiment accepts settings for the shade to be used for the special red parts in the image data.

[0027] In the special color setting process, the CPU 11 displays a setting menu for receiving instructions regarding the special color on the user IF 13 (S100). The setting menu includes, for example, a special red setting button 41 and a special red print button 42, as shown in Fig. 3(A). The CPU 11 receives input operations by the user to these buttons.

[0028] The CPU 11 determines whether or not an instruction to print a color chart for selecting special red has been received by operating the special red print button 42 (S101). The special red color chart is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a chart in which a plurality of patches of different red colors and a color number corresponding to each color are arranged in a set.

[0029] The printer 1 stores color chart data 23 in the memory 12. The special red color chart data 23 is print data for printing, on one sheet, 169 patches represented by 169 colors similar to red, numbered from 0 to 168, and their color numbers, as shown in FIG. 4. Each patch in the color chart data 23 is one of 169 red-based colors, with at least one of the three CMY values ​​being different from the others. The 169 types of red included in the color chart data 23 are an example of a plurality of selected colors.

[0030] When it is determined that the color chart is to be printed (S101: YES), the CPU 11 reads the color chart data 23 corresponding to special red from the memory 12 (S102), and executes printing based on the read color chart data 23 (S103). S103 is an example of a color chart output process. As a result, the printer 1 outputs a color chart as shown in FIG. 4. Note that the printer 1 stores a list of CMYK values ​​corresponding to each color number for each color included in the color chart data 23, for example, as shown in FIG. 5. Each patch printed on the color chart is printed by arranging multiple dots of the CMYK values ​​of each color number at a predetermined interval in a predetermined area. Note that the example shown in FIG. 5 is an example of the CMYK values ​​of special red, and since all K values ​​in the colors used in the color chart of special red are 0, only the CMY values ​​are shown in this figure.

[0031] If it is determined that an instruction to print a color chart has not been received (S101: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether an instruction to set special red has been received by operating the special red setting button 41 (S110). If it is determined that an instruction to set special red has also not been received (S110: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether an instruction to close the setting menu has been received (S120). After S103, or if it is determined that an instruction to close has also not been received (S120: NO), the CPU 11 returns to S101 and waits for an instruction to each button in the setting menu.

[0032] When it is determined that an instruction to set special red has been accepted (S110: YES), the CPU 11 causes the user IF 13 to display a reception menu for accepting the setting of special red (S111). The reception menu includes, for example, an option 411 for accepting an instruction to turn off the special red setting, and an option 412 for accepting a number designation, as shown in FIG. 3B. The special red setting is a setting indicating whether to enable or disable the information of the color number designated by the user as special red, and is set to off by default. For example, if the special red setting is turned off by accepting an operation on option 411, the printer 1 does not use the information even if it has accepted the designation of the color number for special red.

[0033] Option 412 is an option that accepts an instruction to specify the color number of the color to be used in printing for the special red in the image data. When the special red setting is on and a color number is specified, printer 1 can convert the special red in the image data into the CMY value corresponding to the specified color number.

[0034] The CPU 11 determines whether or not an instruction to specify a color number has been received by operating the option 412 (S112). If it is determined that an instruction to specify a number has not been received (S112: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether or not an instruction to turn off the special red setting has been received by operating the option 411 (S113). If it is determined that an instruction to turn off the special red setting has also not been received (S113: NO), the CPU 11 returns to S112 and waits until any instruction is received.

[0035] If it is determined that an instruction to turn off the use of special red has been received (S113: YES), that is, if it is determined that an operation to option 411 has been received in the reception menu shown in Fig. 3(B), the CPU 11 turns off the special red setting (S114). Even if information corresponding to special red of special color number 25 is stored in memory 12, the CPU 11 stores information indicating that the information is to be invalidated as a value corresponding to special red in the special color conversion setting 26.

[0036] On the other hand, if it is determined that an instruction to specify a number has been received by operating option 412 in the reception menu shown in Fig. 3(B) (S112: YES), CPU 11 causes user IF 13 to display input screen 43 for receiving input of a color number, as shown in Fig. 3(C) (S115). The user selects a preferred red color to be printed as special red from the output color chart, and inputs the color number written corresponding to that color into input screen 43.

[0037] CPU 11 determines whether or not input of a color number has been accepted (S116). If it determines that input of a color number has been accepted (S116: YES), CPU 11 determines whether or not the accepted color number is within a predetermined range, from 0 to 168 in the example of FIG. 4 (S117). If it determines that input of a color number has not been accepted (S116: NO) or that the number is not within the predetermined range (S117: NO), CPU 11 waits until a number within the predetermined range is accepted.

[0038] When it is determined that the inputted numerical value is within a predetermined range (S117: YES), the CPU 11 stores the received color number information in the memory 12 as information corresponding to the special red of the special color number 25 (S118). S118 is an example of a selection process, and the special color number 25 is an example of selected color information. The information stored in the special color number 25 may be the color number itself, or the CMYK value corresponding to the color number. Note that, if the color number information corresponding to special red has already been stored in the special color number 25, the CPU 11 overwrites the special color number 25 in S118. In other words, the printer 1 accepts only one type of information as the CMYK value to be used for special red.

[0039] Furthermore, the CPU 11 turns on the special red setting (S119). The CPU 11 stores information indicating that the information of the color number designated by the user as special red is to be made valid when converting the image data into CMYK values, as a value corresponding to special red in the special color conversion settings 26. S119 is an example of the setting process.

[0040] After S114 or S119, the CPU 11 returns to S100, displays the setting menu shown in Fig. 3A, and accepts operations on each button in the setting menu. If it is determined that an end instruction has been accepted (S120: YES), the CPU 11 ends the special color setting process. For example, if the CPU 11 accepts an instruction to cancel the special color setting process or an instruction other than the setting related to special red, it determines that an end instruction has been accepted and ends the special color setting process.

[0041] Next, the procedure of the printing process executed by the printer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 6. The printing process is a process performed by the printing program 21, and is executed by the CPU 11 of the printer 1 when a print job is accepted from an external device such as the PC 3. Note that the print job is not limited to a print job received from the PC 3, etc., but may be a print job of direct printing, which is an instruction to print an image read from a storage such as a USB memory, or a print job of download printing, which is an instruction to print an image downloaded from a server, etc.

[0042] In the print process, the CPU 11 performs rasterization based on the PDL data of the print job to generate rasterized RGB data (S201). If the PDL data of the print job is not data represented in RGB values, the CPU 11 performs rasterization and conversion to RGB values ​​in S201.

[0043] Then, the CPU 11 selects the color profile 24 to be used (S202). The color profile 24 stored in the memory 12 is data that associates RGB values ​​with CMYK values, and is a conversion table for converting a combination of RGB values ​​of image data into a combination of CMYK values. The printer 1 of this embodiment is provided with a plurality of types of color profiles 24, and determines the color profile 24 to be used based on, for example, parameters specified in the PJL data of the print job. Specifically, the CPU 11 determines the color profile 24 based on, for example, the specifications of ColorMode, ImproveGray, and EnhanceBlack. Note that the CMYK values ​​corresponding to the extra red in each color profile 24 are all included in the above-mentioned color chart data 23.

[0044] Furthermore, CPU 11 creates a copy of the determined color profile 24 (S203) and corrects the created copy of color profile 24 (S204). S204 is an example of the correction process. The color profile 24 is also used for subsequent printing, and it is desirable to store the original color profile 24 as is. Therefore, CPU 11 creates a copy to be used for the current printing, and performs processing such as correction and modification on the copy. In S204, CPU 11 corrects the copy of color profile 24 based on parameters specified in the PJL data of the print job. Specifically, CPU 11 corrects the copy based on printing conditions such as Brightness, Contrast, Red, Blue, and Green.

[0045] After the correction of the duplicated color profile 24 is completed, the CPU 11 executes special red change processing (S205). The special red change processing is processing for rewriting the duplicated color profile 24 after correction according to the setting of special red. The procedure of the special red change processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0046] In the special red change process, the CPU 11 first judges whether the special red setting is on (S301). The CPU 11 judges whether information indicating that the use of the color number designated by the user is enabled is stored in the memory 12 as a value corresponding to special red in the special color conversion setting 26.

[0047] If it is determined that the special red setting is on (S301: YES), the CPU 11 reads out color number information stored in correspondence with special red from the special color number 25 in the memory 12 (S302). Furthermore, the CPU 11 temporarily stores the read color number information as special red information (S303). If it is determined that the special red setting is off (S301: NO), the CPU 11 temporarily stores information indicating that the initial value is to be used as special red (S304).

[0048] Then, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the PJL data of the print job includes a command related to special red (S311). The printer driver 31 of the PC 3 may include a command related to special red in the PJL data based on a user specification.

[0049] For example, when the PC 3 receives an instruction from the user to display properties or to execute printing, the PC 3 executes the printer driver 31 before generating a print job. The printer driver 31 displays a setting screen 50 for receiving user settings on the display of the PC 3, as shown in FIG.

[0050] 8 is an example of a screen for accepting settings related to special red, and printer driver 31 accepts the selection of one of three types of instructions for setting special red on this setting screen 50. Specifically, printer driver 31 displays button 51 for accepting an Off designation, which is an instruction not to convert special red, button 52 for accepting a printer default designation, which is an instruction to follow the printer settings, and button 53 for accepting a color number selection designation, which is an instruction to specify a number for special red, and accepts the selection of one of these buttons. For example, as shown in FIG. 8(A), button 52 is selected by default.

[0051] When button 53 is selected, printer driver 31 further receives user input through an input field 54 for receiving a number input and through a button 55 for receiving an instruction to cause printer 1 to print a color chart, as shown in FIG. 8B. When input through button 55 is received, PC 3 transmits a command to printer 1 to instruct printing a color chart. When printer 1 receives the command to instruct printing a color chart, it prints a color chart based on color chart data 23 stored in memory 12.

[0052] Printer driver 31 includes a command related to special red in the PJL data of the print job based on the selection accepted by buttons 51 to 53 of setting screen 50. When button 51 accepts an instruction not to convert special red, printer driver 31 invalidates information about special red even if it is stored in printer 1, and includes an initial value command in the PJL data, which is a command to use an initial value as special red. The initial value command is an example of color conversion invalidation data. The initial value of special red is predetermined for each selected color profile 24.

[0053] When an instruction to follow the printer settings is received with button 52, printer driver 31 does not include a command related to special red in the PJL data. When a number designation for special red is received with button 53 and input field 54, printer driver 31 includes a color designation command, which is a command for designating the color number to be used as special red, in the PJL data. The color designation command is an example of color designation data. Note that buttons 51 and 52 are radio buttons, and only one of the three can be selected. In other words, a print job may include an initial value command, a color designation command, or neither command; it will never include both an initial value command and a color designation command.

[0054] Then, in S311, CPU 11 determines whether the print job includes an initial value command or a color designation command as PJL data. If it is determined that the print job includes an initial value command, that is, that the printer driver 31 has accepted an Off designation (S311: initial value command), CPU 11 temporarily stores information indicating that the initial value is to be used as special red (S312). S312 is the same process as S304, and if S304 has been executed, S312 may be skipped.

[0055] Furthermore, if it is determined that the print job contains a color designation command, i.e., that the printer driver 31 has accepted the designation of the color number to be used as special red (S311: color designation command), the CPU 11 acquires color number information included in the PJL data in addition to the color designation command (S313). Furthermore, the CPU 11 temporarily stores the acquired color number information as the color number of special red (S314). Note that the color number information included in the color designation command may be the color number itself, or may be CMYK value information.

[0056] After S312 or S314, or if it is determined that the PJL data for the print job does not contain either an initial value command or a color specification command (S311: None), the CPU 11 determines whether the information temporarily stored as special red indicates the use of the initial value (S321).

[0057] In addition, cases where the PJL data does not include either the initial value command or the color specification command include, for example, a print job that does not use the printer driver 31, other than when the button 52 for accepting the printer default specification is selected in the printer driver 31. For example, in a print instruction from a device that does not have the printer driver 31, such as a mobile device, the print job is highly likely to not include PJL data. Also, for example, even if it is a print job from a PC 3 or the like, a print job using a print system that is standard for the OS (for example, AirPrint (registered trademark)) is highly likely to not include PJL data. Also, for example, in a print instruction for an image read from a storage such as a USB memory or an image downloaded from a server, the print job is highly likely to not include PJL data. If the print job does not include PJL data, the CPU 11 determines "none" in S311.

[0058] When it is determined that the information once stored as special red is not information indicating the use of the initial value (S321: NO), the CPU 11 acquires the CMYK values ​​corresponding to the color number information stored as special red in S303 or S314 from the list shown in FIG. 5 (S322). Furthermore, the CPU 11 changes the CMYK values ​​corresponding to the RGB values ​​of special red in the duplicated color profile 24 to the CMYK values ​​acquired in S322 (S323). S323 is an example of a specific color conversion process. By rewriting the duplicate, the printer 1 maintains the original color profile 24 and temporarily creates a rewritten color profile.

[0059] After S323, or when it is determined that the initial value is to be used as the special red (S321: YES), the CPU 11 ends the special red change process and returns to the print process. If the initial value is to be used, the CPU 11 does not rewrite the color profile 24 of the duplicate.

[0060] The special red setting is the default when the special red setting in printer 1 is off and the PJL data does not contain a command related to special red, or when the PJL data contains a default command. Even if a special red setting is stored in printer 1, CPU 11 prioritizes the setting by the PJL data by overwriting it based on the command in the PJL data. On the other hand, if the PJL data does not contain a command related to special red, CPU 11 applies the setting accepted by printer 1 in the special color setting process.

[0061] Returning to the description of the printing process in FIG. 6, after the special red change process in S205, the CPU 11 uses the color profile 24 of the processed duplicate to convert the RGB values ​​into CMYK values, thereby generating CMYK data based on the RGB data generated in S201 (S211). S211 is an example of a CMY conversion process. If the CMYK values ​​of special red have been rewritten by the special red change process, the special red portion in the RGB data is converted to the CMYK value indicated by the color number specified by the user. On the other hand, if the CMYK values ​​of special red have not been rewritten by the special red change process, the CPU 11 generates the CMYK data using the color profile 24 selected in S202 as is.

[0062] Next, CPU 11 determines whether or not toner save mode is specified for the print job (S212). If it is determined that toner save mode is specified (S212: YES), CPU 11 reduces the overall density of the CMYK data generated in S211 (S213). After S213, or if it is determined that toner save mode is not specified (S212: NO), CPU 11 performs dithering on the CMYK data to generate binarized print data (S214).

[0063] CPU 11 passes the print data generated in S214 to image forming unit 15 and executes printing (S215). S215 is an example of the print process. Furthermore, CPU 11 deletes the duplicated color profile 24 (S216) and ends the print process. As a result, the duplicate of color profile 24 used in the current print will not be used in subsequent prints. For example, the use or non-use of special red is highly likely to differ for each print job. CPU 11 corrects and rewrites the duplicate of color profile 24 according to the print job and deletes the duplicate after the print job is printed, so that it is possible to create a printed matter that reflects the user's preferences for each print job.

[0064] As described above in detail, the printer 1 of this embodiment prints a color chart including patches of multiple colors for selecting special red, and stores information on the user's favorite color selected from the color chart in the memory 12. Furthermore, when performing printing based on RGB data, the printer 1 uses the color information stored in the memory 12 to convert RGB values ​​into CMYK values ​​for use in printing. Therefore, the printer 1 can output a printed material in which special red is printed in a color tone that matches the user's preference.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the printer 1 stores information about special red and can print using the stored information, so special red can be used in a variety of printing jobs without relying on a printer driver that generates print jobs. Even if the color tone changes due to printer 1 circumstances such as changing toner or paper, it is only necessary to change the information stored in printer 1, so there is little effort involved.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since a specification as to whether or not to use special red is accepted, it is also possible to perform printing without using special red, improving convenience. Also, since a specification as to whether or not to use special red can be accepted by the printer 1 or by the printer driver 31 of the PC 3 or the like, user convenience is further improved. In particular, for print jobs that do not include PJL data, the settings accepted by the printer 1 are valid, so that special red can be used even for print jobs that do not use a printer driver. On the other hand, if the print job includes PJL data, the settings of the print job take precedence over the settings of the printer 1, so that printing can be performed according to the intention at the time of creating the print job.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a copy of the color profile 24 is created and then rewritten, so that printing of other print jobs is not affected. When a designation of special red is accepted, the latest information is stored in memory 12, and when special red is used, the information is read from memory 12 and used, so that the latest information is always available and printing that matches the user's preferences can be performed reliably. When correction of the color profile 24 is necessary, the correction is performed first, and then the processing related to special red is executed, so that the setting of special red can be prioritized over the correction.

[0068] It should be noted that the present embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the technology disclosed in this specification can be naturally improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the printer 1 is not limited to a printer with a single function, but can be applied to any device with a color printing function, such as a multifunction device, a copier, or a fax machine. In addition, the device that transmits a print job to the printer 1 is not limited to the PC 3, but may be a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a server computer. In addition, the image data to be printed by the printer 1 is not limited to a print job transmitted from the PC 3, etc., but may be image data obtained from a scanner, a cloud server, a USB memory, etc. In addition, multiple PCs, etc. may be connected to the printer 1.

[0069] In addition, in this embodiment, when the PJL data includes a command related to a special color, the designation in the PJL data takes precedence regardless of the setting in the printer 1, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the PJL data command may be used only when the printer 1 does not accept a special color number designation. Also, the printer 1 may accept a setting as to whether or not to give priority to the PJL data command.

[0070] In addition, in this embodiment, the printer 1 accepts an instruction to turn off the special red setting, but it does not have to accept such an instruction. Also, the printer 1 may turn off the special red setting, for example, when it accepts an input of a color number outside a predetermined range as a number designation.

[0071] Also, in this embodiment, the commands included in the PJL data are color designation commands or initial value commands, and no commands are added when the printer settings are followed, but for example, there may be a command indicating an instruction to follow the printer settings. In this case, the printer 1 performs processing according to the printer settings based on the command. Also, although it has been described that it is possible to include color designation commands or initial value commands in the PJL data of a print job, these commands do not have to be present. Even if there is no command for the print job, settings related to special colors can be made on the printer 1, so the user can print the special color in the color of his choice.

[0072] In addition, in this embodiment, a copy of the color profile 24 is created when printing a print job, and the copy of the color profile 24 is deleted after printing, but this is not limited to the above. It may be determined in advance whether correction or rewriting of the color profile 24 is necessary, and a copy may be created only if it is determined that correction or rewriting is necessary. It may also be possible to overwrite the copy at the next printing time without deleting the copy. For example, the copy may be retained and reused while a new user specification regarding special red is not being accepted. For example, the copy may be reused when multiple images selected at the same time are printed consecutively.

[0073] In addition, in this embodiment, the process for special red has been described, but the printer 1 may perform similar processes for special colors other than special red. Also, the printer 1 may accept a user's designation of RGB values ​​for a special color. In that case, when an instruction to print a color chart is accepted, the printer 1 may create and print color chart data 23 in which each CMYK value is changed according to a predetermined rule based on the default CMYK value corresponding to the designated RGB value. Also, the printer 1 may accept settings for multiple special colors. In that case, the printer 1 may store information for each of the multiple special colors as a special color number 25 and a special color conversion setting 26.

[0074] Also, for example, in this embodiment, all special reds in each color profile 24 are included in the color chart, but they do not have to be included. Also, information indicating the initial value of special red in each color profile 24 may be added to the color chart.

[0075] In addition, the printer 1 of this embodiment is described as printing using four colorants, CMYK, but this is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to devices that use three colorants, CMY, or five or more colorants, for example. Even with such devices, it is possible to print in a special color of the user's choice by converting the RGB values ​​of the special color into the selected CMYK value or CMY value.

[0076] In addition, in any of the flowcharts disclosed in the embodiments, the order of execution of multiple processes in any of the steps can be arbitrarily changed or the processes can be executed in parallel as long as no contradiction occurs in the process content.

[0077] The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by a single CPU, multiple CPUs, hardware such as ASIC, or a combination of these. The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be realized in various forms, such as a recording medium having a program for executing the processes recorded thereon, or a method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1. Printer 11 CPU 12. Memory 13 User Interface 15 Image forming section

Claims

1. A printing device capable of color printing; A user interface; Memory, A printer comprising: The printer includes: a color chart output process is executed to print a color chart composed of a plurality of selected colors for a specific color having a specific RGB value using the printing device, the color chart having a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color as the plurality of selected colors; The printer further comprises: a selection process for accepting a selection of one of the plurality of selection colors of the color chart via the user interface, and storing selection color information, which is information on the selected selection color, in the memory; Furthermore, when the printer performs printing based on image data represented by RGB values, a specific color conversion process for converting the RGB values ​​of the specific color included in the image data into CMY values ​​corresponding to the selected color information stored in the memory; a printing process for printing, using the printing device, an image represented by the image data converted into CMY values; Run The print job including the image data may or may not include color conversion invalidation data that invalidates the selected color information. The printer further comprises: Executing a setting process to set whether conversion to CMY values ​​corresponding to the selected color information is enabled or disabled; If printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is specified, or if a setting is made in the setting process to enable conversion to CMY values ​​corresponding to the selected color information, and the print job does not include the color conversion invalid data, the specific color conversion process is executed; if printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is not specified, or if the print job includes the color conversion invalid data, the specific color conversion process is not executed, and the RGB values ​​of the specific color included in the image data are converted to CMY values ​​without using the selected color information stored in the memory. A printer characterized by:

2. A printing device capable of color printing; A user interface; Memory, A printer comprising: The printer includes: a color chart output process is executed to print a color chart composed of a plurality of selected colors for a specific color having a specific RGB value using the printing device, the color chart having a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color as the plurality of selected colors; The printer further comprises: a selection process for accepting a selection of one of the plurality of selection colors of the color chart via the user interface, and storing selection color information, which is information on the selected selection color, in the memory; Furthermore, when the printer performs printing based on image data represented by RGB values, a specific color conversion process for converting the RGB values ​​of the specific color included in the image data into CMY values ​​corresponding to the selected color information stored in the memory; a printing process for printing, using the printing device, an image represented by the image data converted into CMY values; Run The print job including the image data may or may not include color conversion invalidation data that invalidates the use of the selected color information. The printer further comprises: When printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is specified, or when the color conversion invalid data is not included in the print job, the specific color conversion process is executed, and when printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is not specified, or when the color conversion invalid data is included in the print job, the specific color conversion process is not executed, and the RGB value of the specific color included in the image data is converted to a CMY value without using the selected color information stored in the memory. A printer characterized by:

3. 3. The printer according to claim 1, The memory stores a color profile that associates RGB values ​​with CMY values, The printer includes: a CMY conversion process is executed to convert the image data from RGB values ​​to CMY values ​​using the color profile, and in the printing process, an image represented by the image data converted to the CMY values ​​by the CMY conversion process is printed using the printing device; The printer further comprises: In the specific color conversion process, the CMY values ​​corresponding to the RGB values ​​of the specific color in the color profile are rewritten to CMY values ​​corresponding to the selected color indicated by the selected color information stored in the memory; In the CMY conversion process, the image data of RGB values ​​is converted into CMY values ​​using the color profile rewritten by the specific color conversion process. A printer characterized by:

4. 4. The printer according to claim 3, The printer includes: When printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is designated, the color profile is rewritten in the specific color conversion process and then the CMY conversion process is executed, and when printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is not designated, the CMY conversion process is executed without rewriting the color profile in the specific color conversion process. A printer characterized by:

5. 5. The printer according to claim 1, The printer includes: In the color chart output process, the color chart is printed using the printing device for the specific color whose RGB values ​​are either 0 or a maximum value. A printer characterized by:

6. A printing device capable of color printing; A user interface; Memory, A printer comprising: The printer includes: a color chart output process is executed to print a color chart composed of a plurality of selected colors for a specific color having a specific RGB value using the printing device, the color chart having a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color as the plurality of selected colors; The printer further comprises: a selection process for accepting a selection of one of the plurality of selection colors of the color chart via the user interface, and storing selection color information, which is information on the selected selection color, in the memory; Furthermore, when the printer performs printing based on image data represented by RGB values, a specific color conversion process for converting the RGB values ​​of the specific color included in the image data into CMY values ​​corresponding to the selected color information stored in the memory; a printing process for printing, using the printing device, an image represented by the image data converted into CMY values; Run The memory stores a color profile that associates RGB values ​​with CMY values, The printer further comprises: a CMY conversion process is executed to convert the image data from RGB values ​​to CMY values ​​using the color profile, and in the printing process, an image represented by the image data converted to the CMY values ​​by the CMY conversion process is printed using the printing device; The printer further comprises: In the specific color conversion process, the color profile is duplicated, a selected color indicated by the selected color information stored in the memory is read, and a rewritten color profile is temporarily created by rewriting the CMY values ​​corresponding to the RGB values ​​of the specific color in the duplicated color profile to the CMY values ​​associated with the selected color indicated by the read-out selected color information; In the CMY conversion process, the image data of RGB values ​​is converted to CMY values ​​using the rewritten color profile, and after conversion to CMY values, the rewritten color profile is not used. A printer characterized by:

7. A printing device capable of color printing; A user interface; Memory, A printer comprising: The printer includes: a color chart output process is executed to print a color chart composed of a plurality of selected colors for a specific color having a specific RGB value using the printing device, the color chart having a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color as the plurality of selected colors; The printer further comprises: a selection process for accepting a selection of one of the plurality of selection colors of the color chart via the user interface, and storing selection color information, which is information on the selected selection color, in the memory; Furthermore, when the printer performs printing based on image data represented by RGB values, a specific color conversion process for converting the RGB values ​​of the specific color included in the image data into CMY values ​​corresponding to the selected color information stored in the memory; a printing process for printing, using the printing device, an image represented by the image data converted into CMY values; Run The memory stores a color profile that associates RGB values ​​with CMY values, The printer further comprises: a CMY conversion process is executed to convert the image data from RGB values ​​to CMY values ​​using the color profile, and in the printing process, an image represented by the image data converted to the CMY values ​​by the CMY conversion process is printed using the printing device; The printer further comprises: A correction process is performed to correct the color profile before converting the image data of RGB values ​​into CMY values ​​according to printing conditions, and the specific color conversion process is performed after the correction process is completed. In the specific color conversion process, the CMY values ​​corresponding to the RGB values ​​of the specific color in the corrected color profile are rewritten to CMY values ​​corresponding to the selected color indicated by the selected color information stored in the memory; In the CMY conversion process, the image data of RGB values ​​is converted into CMY values ​​using the color profile rewritten by the specific color conversion process. A printer characterized by:

8. In the printer according to claim 6 or 7, The printer includes: When printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is designated, the color profile is rewritten in the specific color conversion process and then the CMY conversion process is executed, and when printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is not designated, the CMY conversion process is executed without rewriting the color profile in the specific color conversion process. A printer characterized by:

9. In the printer according to any one of claims 6 to 8, The printer includes: When printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is designated for the specific color, the specific color conversion process is executed, and when printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is not designated for the specific color, the specific color conversion process is not executed, and the RGB value of the specific color included in the image data is converted to a CMY value without using the selected color information stored in the memory. A printer characterized by:

10. The printer according to claim 9, The printer includes: Executing a setting process to set whether conversion to CMY values ​​corresponding to the selected color information is enabled or disabled; When a setting is made in the setting process to enable conversion to CMY values ​​corresponding to the selected color information, the specific color conversion process is executed assuming that printing in the selected color selected in the selection process is designated for the specific color. A printer characterized by:

11. The printer according to claim 10, The print job including the image data may or may not include color designation data that designates information indicating the CMY values ​​corresponding to the specific color. The printer includes: When a setting is made in the setting process to enable conversion to CMY values ​​corresponding to the selected color information and the print job does not include the color designation data, the specific color conversion process is executed assuming that printing in the selected color selected in the selection process is designated, and when the print job includes the color designation data, the specific color conversion process is not executed, and the RGB values ​​of the specific color included in the image data are converted to CMY values ​​corresponding to the information designated by the color designation data. A printer characterized by:

12. The printer according to claim 9, The print job including the image data may or may not include color designation data that designates information indicating the CMY values ​​corresponding to the specific color. The printer includes: When the color designation data is not included in the print job, the specific color conversion process is executed assuming that printing in the selected color selected in the selection process is designated, and when the color designation data is included in the print job, the specific color conversion process is not executed, and the RGB value of the specific color included in the image data is converted to a CMY value corresponding to the information designated by the color designation data. A printer characterized by:

13. The printer according to claim 9, The print job including the image data may or may not include color conversion invalidation data that invalidates the use of the selected color information. The printer includes: When the color conversion invalid data is not included in the print job, the specific color conversion process is executed assuming that printing in the selected color selected in the selection process is specified, and when the color conversion invalid data is included in the print job, the specific color conversion process is not executed, and the RGB value of the specific color included in the image data is converted to a CMY value without using the selected color information stored in the memory. A printer characterized by:

Images