Printing Systems and Printers

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of color printing, configured to change a specific color to a hue desired by a user.SOLUTION: A printer 1 prints a color chart including a plurality of patches of similar colors for a special red color, and stores a conversion table 26 for associating color numbers corresponding to the patches with CMY values. A PC 3 receives a selection of the special red color by a designation of a color number, and transmits, when receiving a print instruction while the color number is designated, a print job including the designated color number and image data to the printer 1. When converting an RGB value representing the image data included in the received print job into a CMY value, the printer 1 converts an RGB value of the special red color included in the image data to a CMY value corresponding to the color number designated by the print job by using the conversion table 26, to print an image represented by the image data with the resulting CMY value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technical field disclosed herein relates to printers capable of color printing and printing systems including printers. [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 printing system made to solve this problem is a printing system comprising a printer capable of color printing, and an information processing device that receives a print instruction to the printer, wherein the printer outputs a color chart composed of a plurality of selected colors for a specific color having a specific RGB value, the color chart has a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color as the plurality of selected colors, the printer stores a specific color conversion table that associates an index number corresponding to each selected color with a CMY value, the information processing device receives a selection of one of the plurality of selected colors of the color chart by designating the index number, and outputs the color chart to the information processing device. When the print instruction is received with an index number specified, a print job is sent to the printer, and the print job includes the specified index number and image data. When the printer receives the print job from the information processing device, it converts RGB values ​​indicating the image data included in the print job into CMY values ​​and prints an image indicated in the image data converted to CMY values. When converting the image data into CMY values, the printer converts the RGB values ​​of the specific color included in the image data into CMY values ​​corresponding to the index number specified in the print job using the specific color conversion table.

[0007] According to the printing system disclosed in this specification, when a print job received from an information processing device specifies an index number corresponding to a selected color of a color chart, the printer converts the RGB value of the specific color into the CMY value corresponding to the index number using a specific color conversion table stored in the printer, thereby printing the specific color in a hue that matches the user's preference.

[0008] The printer that constitutes the above printing system, a control method for implementing the functions of the printing system, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium that stores 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 printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a printing process. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen of a printer driver. [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] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for special red change processing. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a setting process. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an input screen of a printer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment discloses a printing system including a printer and a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a "PC").

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the printing system 100 of this embodiment includes a printer 1 and a PC 3, which are connected to each other. The printer 1 is a device capable of color printing. The PC 3 is a device capable of receiving a print instruction for the printer 1 and transmitting a print job to the printer 1 based on the received print instruction. The PC 3 is an example of an information processing device.

[0013] 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.

[0014] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to a program read from the memory 12 and based on a user's operation. Various programs and various data are stored in the memory 12. The memory 12 is also used as a working area when various processes are executed. A buffer provided in the CPU 11 is also an example of a memory.

[0015] 1, the memory 12 of the printer 1 of this embodiment stores a print program 21, color chart data 23, a color profile 24, a recommended color number 25, and a conversion table 26. The programs and data stored in the memory 12 will be described in detail later.

[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 the PC 3. The communication standards of the communication IF 14 are Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB, etc. The printer 1 may be provided with a plurality of communication IFs 14 compatible with a plurality of 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] If the image data included in the print job received from the PC 3 or the like is a color image represented by RGB values, the printer 1 of this embodiment 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. Note that a color image represented by RGB values ​​can also be expressed using 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 of this embodiment includes a controller 30 including a CPU 31 and a memory 32. The PC 3 also includes a user IF 33 and a communication IF 34, which are electrically connected to the controller 30. Note that the controllers 10 and 30 in FIG. 1 are collective names for hardware and software used to control the printer 1 and the PC 3, and do not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware actually present in the printer 1 and the PC 3.

[0021] The CPU 31 executes various processes according to the programs read from the memory 32 and based on the user's operations. As shown in Fig. 1, the memory 32 stores various programs and various data, including an operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") 41 and a printer driver 42. The memory 32 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed. A buffer provided in the CPU 31 is also an example of a memory.

[0022] An example of the memory 12, 32 is not limited to a ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. built into the printer 1 or PC 3, but may be a storage medium that is readable and writable by the CPU 11, 31. 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.

[0023] The OS 41 is, for example, Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), or Android (registered trademark). The printer driver 42 is a program that, when the PC 3 accepts a print instruction from a user, generates a print job to be printed by the printer 1 based on the accepted print instruction.

[0024] The user IF 33 includes hardware for displaying a screen for notifying the user of information and hardware for accepting operations by the user. The user IF 33 may be a combination of a display capable of displaying information and a mouse or keyboard having an input acceptance function, or may be a touch panel having a display function and an input acceptance function.

[0025] The communication IF 34 includes hardware for communicating with an external device such as the printer 1. The communication standards of the communication IF 34 include Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB, etc. The PC 3 may include a plurality of communication IFs 34 compatible with a plurality of communication standards.

[0026] Next, the operation of the printing system 100 of this embodiment 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 represent 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".

[0027] 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."

[0028] 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."

[0029] The procedure of the print process executed by the printer 1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 2. The print process is a process performed by the print 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 via the communication IF 14.

[0030] In this embodiment, when the PC 3 receives a print instruction for the printer 1, the printer driver 42 generates a print job and passes the generated print job to the printer 1. The print job generated by the printer driver 42 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 which indicates various parameters related to printing. The printer 1 executes printing based on the PDL data and PJL data included in the print job received from the PC 3. Note that the print job is not limited to being received from the PC 3 or the like, and 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 or the like. The process of receiving a print job, which is a trigger for the print process, is an example of a reception process.

[0031] In the print process, the CPU 11 performs rasterization based on the PDL data of the print job to generate rasterized RGB data (S101). 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 S101.

[0032] Then, the CPU 11 selects the color profile 24 to be used (S102). The color profile 24 stored in the memory 12 is data that associates RGB values ​​with CMYK values, and is a conversion table for converting a combination of RGB values ​​in 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, for example, based on parameters specified in the PJL data of the print job. Specifically, the CPU 11 determines the color profile 24, for example, based on the designation of ColorMode, ImproveGray, and EnhanceBlack.

[0033] Furthermore, the CPU 11 creates a copy of the determined color profile 24 (S103) and corrects the created copy of the color profile 24 in accordance with the printing conditions (S104). S104 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, the CPU 11 creates a copy to be used for the current printing, and performs processing such as correction and modification on the copy. In S104, the CPU 11 corrects the copy of the color profile 24 based on parameters specified in the PJL data of the print job. Specifically, the CPU 11 corrects the copy based on printing conditions such as Brightness, Contrast, Red, Blue, and Green.

[0034] After the correction of the duplicated color profile 24 is completed, the CPU 11 executes special red change processing (S105). The print job generated by the printer driver 42 of the PC 3 may include settings related to special colors. The special red change processing is processing for rewriting the duplicated corrected color profile 24 according to the settings related to special colors.

[0035] A special color is a color in which each of the R, G, and B values ​​in image data expressed in 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. A special color is an example of a specific color.

[0036] For example, the special color red (hereinafter referred to as "special red") in image data expressed as 8-bit RGB values ​​is the color expressed by R=255, G=0, and B=0. Below, special red will be explained as a special color. 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.

[0037] In this embodiment, when the PC 3 receives an instruction from the user to display properties or to execute printing, the PC 3 executes the printer driver 42 before generating a print job. The printer driver 42 displays a setting screen 50 for accepting user settings on the user IF 33 of the PC 3, as shown in Fig. 3. The setting screen 50 shown in Fig. 3 is an example of a screen for accepting settings related to special red.

[0038] The printer driver 42 accepts the selection of one of three types of instructions for setting special red on the setting screen 50. Specifically, the printer driver 42 displays an OFF button 51, a RECOMMENDED button 52, and a COLOR designation button 53, and accepts the selection of one of these buttons. The printer driver 42 can include a command related to special red as PJL data to be added to the print job, based on the selection accepted through each button on the setting screen 50. In this embodiment, the OFF button 51, the RECOMMENDED button 52, and the COLOR designation button 53 are radio buttons from which only one of the three can be selected.

[0039] The OFF button 51 is a button that accepts an instruction not to specify a color to be used as special red. When the OFF button 51 is selected, the printer driver 42 does not include a command related to special red in the PJL data. By default, the OFF button 51 is selected, for example, as shown in FIG.

[0040] The recommendation button 52 is a button that accepts an instruction to use the recommended color number 25 stored in the printer 1. When the recommendation button 52 is selected on the setting screen 50, the printer driver 42 includes a recommendation command indicating the use of the recommended color number 25 stored in the printer 1 as special red in the PJL data. The recommended color number 25 is information indicating the recommended CMYK value to be used in printing the special color. The color corresponding to the recommended color number 25 is an example of a specific selection color, and the recommended color number 25 is an example of a specific index number. The printer 1 of this embodiment stores the color number of the recommended color for special red as the recommended color number 25 in the memory 12 at the time of shipment from the factory. The recommended color number 25 stored at the time of shipment from the factory is, for example, the color number of a color that is predetermined by the vendor of the printer 1 based on data of colors preferred by multiple users.

[0041] The color designation button 53 is a button that accepts user designation of the color number of the color to be used as special red. When the color designation button 53 is selected, the printer driver 42 further accepts user input through an input field 54 that accepts input of a number and a button 55 that accepts an instruction to cause the printer 1 to print a color chart. When the printer driver 42 accepts the selection of the color designation button 53 and the input of a number into the input field 54, the printer driver 42 includes in the PJL data a color designation command that specifies the color to be used as special red by the color number entered into the input field 54. Furthermore, when the printer driver 42 accepts an operation on the button 55, it generates a command to instruct printing of a color chart. The user IF 33 that accepts an instruction to print a color chart with the button 55 is an example of a first user interface.

[0042] The color numbers stored as the recommended color numbers 25 and the color numbers received in the input field 54 are numbers assigned to each color in a color chart printable by the printer 1. The printer 1 stores color chart data 23 of a color chart corresponding to, for example, special red in the memory 12. When the printer 1 receives a command from the PC 3 or the like to print a color chart, it reads the color chart data 23 from the memory 12 and prints the color chart based on the read color chart data 23.

[0043] The color chart of special red is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a chart in which a plurality of patches of different red colors and color numbers corresponding to each patch are arranged in combination. The color chart data 23 of this embodiment is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, print data for printing 169 patches represented by 169 similar colors similar to red, with color numbers from 0 to 168, and the respective color numbers, on one sheet. Each patch of the color chart data 23 is 169 red colors in which at least one value among the three CMY values ​​is different from each other. The 169 types of red included in the color chart data 23 are an example of a plurality of selected colors. The color number is an example of an index number. Note that the CMYK values ​​corresponding to special red in each of the above-mentioned color profiles 24 all match any of the CMYK values ​​included in the color chart data 23.

[0044] The printer 1 further stores in the memory 12 a conversion table 26 indicating the correspondence between each color number and the CMYK value for each selected color included in the color chart data 23, as shown in FIG. 5. Each patch printed on the color chart is printed by arranging a plurality of dots of the CMYK value corresponding to each color number at a predetermined interval in a predetermined area. Note that the example of the conversion table 26 shown in FIG. 5 is an example of the CMYK value of special red, and since the K values ​​of all colors used in the color chart for special red are 0, this figure shows only the CMY values. The conversion table 26 is an example of a specific color conversion table.

[0045] Next, the procedure of the special red change process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6. In the special red change process, the CPU 11 judges whether or not the PJL data of the print job includes a command related to special red (S201). For example, the printer driver 42 of this embodiment may include a command related to special red in the PJL data of the print job based on the user's selection accepted on the setting screen 50 shown in FIG. 3. Specifically, the PJL data of the print job may include a recommendation command as a command related to printing special red, may include a color designation command, or may not include either command. In S201, the CPU 11 judges whether or not the PJL data of the print job includes a recommendation command or a color designation command. Note that in this embodiment, the PJL data does not include both a recommendation command and a color designation command.

[0046] Then, when it is determined that the PJL data includes a recommended command (S201: recommended command), the CPU 11 reads and acquires the color number stored as the recommended color number 25 from the memory 12 (S202).

[0047] Furthermore, if it is determined that the PJL data contains a color designation command (S201: Color Designation Command), CPU 11 determines whether the information contained in the PJL data as a color designation command is information indicating a color number (S203). As described above, printer driver 42 of PC 3 in this embodiment adds color number information to the color designation command and includes it in the print job. However, for example, a printer driver of a different version from printer driver 42 in this embodiment may add CMYK value information instead of color number information to the color designation command and include it in the print job. In S203, CPU 11 determines whether a color number or CMYK value is specified as the color designation command.

[0048] If it is determined that a color number has been added to the color designation command (S203: YES), CPU 11 acquires information on the color number added to the color designation command from the PJL data (S204). After S202 or S204, CPU 11 acquires CMYK values ​​stored corresponding to the acquired color number using conversion table 26 (see FIG. 5) (S205). On the other hand, if it is determined that a CMYK value has been added to the color designation command (S203: NO), CPU 11 acquires information on the CMY value added to the color designation command from the PJL data (S206).

[0049] Furthermore, the CPU 11 changes the CMYK values ​​corresponding to the RGB values ​​of special red in the duplicated color profile 24 created in S103 of the print process and corrected in S104 to the CMYK values ​​acquired in S205 or S206 (S207). By rewriting the duplicate, the printer 1 maintains the original color profile 24 and temporarily creates a rewritten color profile. In this embodiment, because special red is rewritten in the corrected color profile, the use of special red takes precedence over correction.

[0050] Note that the printer 1 may store one CMYK value instead of a color number as the recommended color number 25. In that case, the CPU 11 acquires the CMYK value stored as the recommended color number 25 in S202, skips S205, and proceeds to S207.

[0051] After S207, or if it is determined that the PJL data of the print job does not include either a recommended command or a color specification command (S201: None), CPU 11 ends the special red change process and returns to print processing. If the PJL data does not include a command related to special red, CPU 11 decides to use the CMYK values ​​defined in color profile 24 as is, and does not rewrite color profile 24 of the duplicate. In this case, CPU 11 does not use conversion table 26. Note that the print job may include a command indicating an instruction not to use special red, and in that case, CPU 11 also determines "None" in S201.

[0052] In addition, cases where the PJL data does not include either the recommended command or the color designation command include, for example, a print job that does not use the printer driver 42, other than when the OFF button 51 is selected in the printer driver 42. For example, a print job issued by a device that does not include the printer driver 42, such as a mobile device, is highly likely to not include PJL data. Also, even if the print job is issued by a PC 3 or the like, a print job issued by an OS standard print system (for example, AirPrint (registered trademark)) or a print job based on a print instruction for an image read from a storage device such as a USB memory or an image downloaded from a server is highly likely to not include PJL data. If the print job does not include PJL data, the CPU 11 determines "none" in S201.

[0053] Returning to the description of the printing process in Fig. 2, after the special red change process in S105, the CPU 11 generates CMYK data based on the RGB data generated in S101 by converting the RGB values ​​into CMYK values ​​using the color profile 24 of the processed duplicate (S111). S111 is an example of the CMY conversion process. If the CMYK values ​​of special red have been rewritten by the special red change process, the special red parts in the RGB data are converted to the rewritten CMYK values, resulting in CMYK values ​​with a hue that matches the user's preferences.

[0054] 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 CMYK data by using the color profile 24 corrected in S104 as is. This allows the printer 1 to print even if a print command is issued by a user who does not need to set special red, or a print job is issued from a device that does not support special red.

[0055] Next, CPU 11 determines whether or not toner save mode is specified for the print job (S112). If it is determined that toner save mode is specified (S112: YES), CPU 11 reduces the overall density of the CMYK data generated in S111 (S113). After S113, or if it is determined that toner save mode is not specified (S112: NO), CPU 11 performs dithering on the CMYK data to generate binarized print data (S114).

[0056] CPU 11 passes the print data generated in S114 to image forming unit 15 and executes printing (S115). Furthermore, CPU 11 deletes the duplicated color profile 24 (S116) and ends the print process. As a result, CPU 11 does not use the duplicate of color profile 24 used in the current print for 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 printed matter that reflects the user's preferences for each print job.

[0057] Next, the setting process executed by the printer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7. The printer 1 of this embodiment accepts various instructions via the user IF 13 or based on PJL data received from the PC 3 or the like. Specifically, the printer 1 not only receives a command to print a color chart from the PC 3 or the like, but also accepts an instruction to print a color chart via its own user IF 13. The printer 1 of this embodiment also accepts an instruction to register a predetermined color number as a recommended color number 25 stored in the memory 12 by the PJL data. The setting process is executed by the CPU 11 of the printer 1 when a setting instruction is accepted by the user IF 13 or the PJL data.

[0058] In the setting process, the CPU 11 determines whether a setting instruction has been received by operating the user IF 13 (S301). When it is determined that a setting instruction has been received by operating the user IF 13 (S301: YES), the CPU 11 causes the user IF 13 to display a menu (S302). The menu is a screen that includes a special red print button 61 and receives user instructions, as shown in FIG. 8(A), for example. The special red print button 61 is a button that receives a print instruction for a color chart. The user IF 13 that displays the special red print button 61 is an example of a first user interface.

[0059] The CPU 11 judges whether or not a print instruction for a color chart has been received by operating the special red print button 61 in the displayed menu (S303). If it is judged that a print instruction for a color chart has been received (S303: YES), the CPU 11 reads out the color chart data 23 corresponding to special red from the memory 12 (S311). Furthermore, the CPU 11 prints out a color chart for special red based on the read out color chart data 23 (S312). S312 is an example of a color chart output process. If it is judged that a print instruction for a color chart has not been received (S303: NO), the CPU 11 executes other processes based on the received instruction (S313).

[0060] If it is determined that a setting instruction has not been accepted through operation of the user IF 13 (S301: NO), that is, if it is determined that PJL data including a setting instruction has been received, the CPU 11 determines whether the setting instruction included in the PJL data is a registration command instructing the registration of recommended color number 25 (S321).

[0061] For example, when the PC 3 receives an instruction to register a recommended special red and a selection of the color number to be registered in the printer driver 42 via the user IF 33, the PC 3 transmits PJL data including a registration command generated based on the received instruction to the printer 1. The registration command includes information on the selected color number. In this case, the user IF 33 that receives the selection of the color number is an example of a second user interface.

[0062] If it is determined that a registration instruction based on PJL data has been received (S321: YES), CPU 11 stores the color number instructed to be registered in memory 12 as recommended color number 25 based on the color number information included in the registration command (S323). S323 is an example of a registration process. If it is determined that the setting instruction is not a registration command instructing registration of recommended color number 25 (S321: NO), CPU 11 executes other processing based on the received PJL data (S324).

[0063] In this embodiment, the printer 1 stores the recommended color number 25 at the time of shipment from the factory, but if an instruction to register the recommended color number 25 using PJL data is received after shipment from the factory, the color number stored in the recommended color number 25 is changed and stored. By receiving an instruction to register the recommended color number 25, it is possible to register a preferred color in the printer 1 even if the color printed for the same CMYK value changes due to, for example, a change in the type of colorant used in the printer 1.

[0064] After any one of S312, S313, S323, and S324, the CPU 11 ends the setting process.

[0065] Note that instead of storing the selected color number in memory 12 as the recommended color number 25, printer 1 may store the CMYK values ​​corresponding to the selected color number in memory 12. In that case, printer 1 uses conversion table 26 to obtain the CMYK values ​​corresponding to the selected color number, and stores the obtained CMYK values ​​in memory 12.

[0066] Furthermore, the printer 1 may receive an instruction to register the recommended color number 25 via an operation on the user IF 13 of the printer 1. For example, the printer 1 may display on the user IF 13 a screen for receiving input of a color number to be registered in the recommended color number 25, and receive input of the color number by the user. In this case, the user IF 13 that receives input of the color number is an example of a second user interface.

[0067] When the printer 1 receives the registration command, it stores the selected color number or the CMYK value corresponding to that color number in the memory 12 as the recommended color number 25, based on the color number information included in the registration command. In this case, too, the process of storing the recommended color number 25 is an example of a registration process.

[0068] As described above in detail, the printer 1 of this embodiment stores the conversion table 26, and when a received print job includes a color specification command that specifies a color number, the printer 1 converts the RGB values ​​of special red included in the image data into CMYK values ​​corresponding to the color number using the conversion table 26 and prints the converted value. Therefore, the printer 1 can output a special red of a hue that matches the user's preference. Furthermore, the printer 1 of this embodiment converts the special red based on the color number specified by an external device such as the PC 3 that generated the print job, so that the specification of special red is limited to print jobs sent from that external device, reducing the possibility of printing unintended by a user who does not specify a color number.

[0069] Furthermore, the printer 1 of this embodiment stores recommended color numbers 25 in advance in the memory 12, so when a print job including a recommendation command is received, the color to be used for special red is determined based on the stored recommended color number 25. This is therefore convenient for users who are unsure of which shade of special red to select.

[0070] Furthermore, the printer 1 of this embodiment accepts registration of the recommended color number 25 after shipping from the factory, so by registering a favorite hue, it is only necessary to select the recommendation button 52 (see FIG. 3) in the printer driver 42 for subsequent printing. This provides good usability for users who wish to frequently use their favorite special red. Also, if the printer 1 is used by multiple external devices or multiple users, all users can use a common hue of special red by simply selecting the recommendation button 52, providing good usability.

[0071] Furthermore, the printer 1 of this embodiment converts special red into CMY values ​​based on the color number specified in the print job, using the conversion table 26. Therefore, even if the color tone changes due to the printer 1 circumstances, such as a change in the type of colorant or paper, it is only necessary to modify the color chart data 23 and the conversion table 26 as necessary, and there is no need to modify the printer driver 42, so the effort of modification is reduced.

[0072] 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. Also, when correction of the color profile 24 is necessary, the correction is performed first, and then processing related to special red is executed, so that the setting of special red can take priority over the correction.

[0073] 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.

[0074] In addition, in this embodiment, the printer 1 creates a copy of the color profile 24 when printing a print job, and deletes the copy of the color profile 24 after printing, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the printer 1 may first determine whether correction or rewriting of the color profile 24 is necessary, and create a copy only if it is determined that correction or rewriting is necessary. The printer 1 may not delete the copy, but may overwrite the copy the next time printing is performed. For example, the printer 1 may hold and reuse the copy while it is not accepting a new user designation regarding special red. For example, the copy may be reused when multiple images selected at the same time are printed consecutively.

[0075] 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. For example, the printer 1 may store color chart data 23 and recommended color numbers 25 for multiple special colors and accept selection of the special color to be set. The printer 1 may also accept designation of color numbers for multiple special colors. The printer 1 may also accept designation by the user of RGB values ​​to be used as special colors. In that case, when an instruction to print a color chart is received, the printer 1 may create and print color chart data 23 in which the CMYK values ​​are changed according to a predetermined rule based on the default CMYK values ​​corresponding to the designated RGB values.

[0076] Also, in this embodiment, by accepting a selection from a radio button in printer driver 42, the PJL data will not contain both a recommended command and a color specification command, but it is possible that both may be included. In that case, printer 1 may, for example, give priority to the recommended command and use the color stored as recommended color number 25. Alternatively, printer 1 may cause an error if both commands are included.

[0077] Also, for example, the output mode of the color chart is not limited to printing on a sheet, but may be a display on the user IF 13 of the printer 1, or image data may be transmitted to an external device such as a similar printer. Also, for example, in this embodiment, all special reds in each color profile 24 are included in the color chart, but some may not be included. Also, information on colors stored as recommended color numbers 25 and information indicating the initial value of special red in each color profile 24 may be added to the color chart.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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]

[0081] 1. Printer 3 PC 11 CPU 12. Memory 13, 33 User Interface 14 Communication Interface 15 Image forming section

Claims

1. A printing system including a printer capable of color printing and an information processing device that receives a print instruction for the printer, The printer includes: a color chart consisting of a plurality of selected colors is output for a specific color having a specific RGB value, the color chart having a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color as the selected colors, the printer further storing a specific color conversion table that associates an index number corresponding to each selected color with a CMY value, and a color profile that associates the RGB value with the CMY value; The information processing device includes: accepting a selection of one of the plurality of selection colors of the color chart by designating the index number, and when the print instruction is accepted with the index number designated, transmitting a print job to the printer, the print job including the designated index number and image data; The printer further comprises: when receiving the print job from the information processing device, converting RGB values ​​indicating the image data included in the print job into CMY values, printing an image indicated in the image data converted into CMY values, and further, when converting the image data into CMY values, if the index number is specified in the received print job, duplicating the color profile, rewriting the CMY values ​​corresponding to the RGB values ​​of the specific color in the duplicated color profile to the CMY values ​​corresponding to the index number specified in the print job, temporarily creating a rewritten color profile, using the rewritten color profile, converting the RGB values ​​of the specific color included in the image data into the CMY values ​​corresponding to the index number specified in the print job using the specific color conversion table, and not using the rewritten color profile after the conversion into CMY values. A printing system comprising:

2. A printing device capable of color printing; A communication interface; Memory, A printer comprising: The printer includes: a color chart output process is executed to output a color chart composed of a plurality of selected colors for a specific color having a specific RGB value, the color chart having a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color as the selected colors, and a specific color conversion table is stored in the memory to associate an index number corresponding to each selected color with a CMY value; The printer further comprises: A receiving process is executed to receive a print job including image data via the communication interface, and the print job may include a designation of the index number; The printer further comprises: When printing is performed based on the image data included in the print job, a CMY conversion process for converting the image data represented by RGB values ​​into CMY values; 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: In the CMY conversion process, the image data represented by RGB values ​​is converted into CMY values ​​using the color profile; The printer further comprises: When the index number is specified in the received print job, the CMY conversion process duplicates the color profile, rewrites the CMY values ​​corresponding to the RGB values ​​of the specific color in the duplicated color profile to the CMY values ​​corresponding to the index number specified in the print job, temporarily creates a rewritten color profile, converts the RGB values ​​of the specific color included in the image data to the CMY values ​​corresponding to the index number specified in the print job using the rewritten color profile, and does not use the rewritten color profile after conversion to the CMY values. A printer characterized by:

3. 3. The printer according to claim 2, The memory includes: a specific index number corresponding to a specific selected color that is one of the selected colors of the color chart or a CMY value corresponding to the specific index number is stored, and the print job may include a designation indicating the use of the specific selected color, The printer includes: When the received print job includes a designation indicating the use of the specific selected color, in the CMY conversion process, the RGB value of the specific color included in the image data is converted into a CMY value based on the specific index number stored in the memory or a CMY value corresponding to the specific index number. A printer characterized by:

4. 4. The printer according to claim 3, The printer includes: At the time of shipment from the factory, the specific index number or the CMY value corresponding to the specific index number is set, The printer includes: After shipment from the factory, the color chart output process is executed in accordance with an instruction on a first user interface; The printer further comprises: after shipment from the factory, a registration process is executed to accept a selection of the specific selection color in accordance with an instruction on a second user interface, and to store the index number of the selected specific selection color in the memory as the specific index number, or to store the CMY values ​​corresponding to the index number of the selected specific selection color in the memory as the CMY values ​​corresponding to the specific index number; The printer further comprises: When the received print job includes a designation indicating the use of the specific selected color, in the CMY conversion process, the RGB value of the specific color included in the image data is converted into a CMY value based on the specific index number or the CMY value corresponding to the specific index number stored in the memory in the registration process. A printer characterized by:

5. 5. The printer according to claim 4, The printer includes: In the registration process, when a registration command including the specific index number is received from the information processing device via the communication interface, the specific index number or the CMY value corresponding to the specific index number included in the received registration command is stored in the memory, and the information processing device accepts selection of the specific selection color in accordance with an instruction to the second user interface provided in the information processing device, and transmits the registration command including the specific index number of the selected specific selection color to the printer. The printer further comprises: When the received print job includes a designation indicating the use of the specific selected color, in the CMY conversion process, the RGB value of the specific color included in the image data is converted into a CMY value based on the specific index number or the CMY value corresponding to the specific index number stored in the memory in the registration process. A printer characterized by:

6. In the printer according to any one of claims 3 to 5, The printer includes: When the received print job does not specify the index number or the use of the specific selected color, in the CMY conversion process, the RGB value of the specific color included in the image data is converted into a CMY value without using the specific color conversion table. A printer characterized by:

7. 3. The printer according to claim 2, The print job may include a specification of CMY values ​​for the specific color. The printer includes: When the received print job does not specify the index number and specifies a CMY value for the specific color, the CMY conversion process converts the RGB value of the specific color included in the image data into the CMY value specified in the print job. A printer characterized by:

8. The printer according to claim 2, The printer includes: 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 CMY conversion process is performed after the correction process is completed. In the CMY 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 index number specified in the print job. A printer characterized by:

9. In the printer according to any one of claims 2 to 8, The printer includes: In the color chart output process, the color chart is output for the specific color in which each of the RGB values ​​is either 0 or a maximum value. A printer characterized by:

Images