Printing system, printing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a printing technique that enables proper printing in a specific color even when color conversion processing is executed.SOLUTION: A printing system includes: acquisition means 203 of acquiring color information to be printed in a specific color out of color information included in print data; detection means 205 of detecting a specific location to be printed in a specific color in an image based on the acquired color information; first color conversion means 209 of performing color conversion processing on the color information included in the print data in accordance with a color conversion instruction; and printing means 102. The printing means executes printing on the specific location by using a second color material in accordance with a print instruction using the specific color and the color conversion instruction, and executes printing on a location other than the specific location by using a first color material based on the color information converted by the first color conversion means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing method, and a program for printing using process colors and specific colors different from the process colors. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in addition to the usual color materials such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black used in process color printing, techniques have been developed for printing using color materials of specific colors different from the usual color materials.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a printing technique for forming an image using a color material of a specific color designated in advance within a process color image using color materials of basic colors. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2016-103695 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When forming an image using a color material of a specific color designated in advance among images formed using color materials of normal colors, color conversion processing such as color matching and color adjustment may be performed. There is a demand for a technology that allows printing using the color material of the specific color to be performed appropriately even when such color conversion processing is performed.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a printing technique that is capable of properly printing in a specific color even when color conversion processing has been performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is a printing system equipped with a printing means for printing an image according to color information included in print data using a first color material for printing in a process color and a second color material for printing in a specific color different from the process color, the printing system comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring color information to be printed in the specific color from among the color information included in the print data; a detection means for detecting a specific location in the image to be printed in the specific color based on the color information acquired by the acquisition means; and a first color conversion means for performing color conversion processing on the color information included in the print data in response to a color conversion instruction. a second color conversion means for converting color information corresponding to the specific location of the image data that has been subjected to color conversion processing by the first color conversion means back to color information indicating the specific color before the first color conversion means performed the color conversion processing; the printing means performs printing on the specific location using the second color material in response to the instruction to print using the specific color and the instruction to convert the color, and performs printing on locations other than the specific location using the first color material based on color information after color conversion by the first color conversion means. the printing means performs printing using the second coloring material based on the color information indicating the specific color returned by the second color conversion means, and performs printing using the first coloring material on a location other than the specific location based on color information after color conversion by the first color conversion means. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, even if color conversion processing is performed, printing in a specific color can be performed appropriately. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system that performs spot color printing. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a poster data creation application. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen. [Diagram 5] 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a printer driver in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing various processing results of print data. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the colors of each object included in print data. [Figure 8]10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a printer driver in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an image output device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0011] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of a print control device of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a print system in this embodiment. The print system is composed of a host computer 101 and an image output device 102. The host computer 101 is an example of an information processing device, and includes an input interface 110, a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, an external storage device 114, an output interface 115, and an input / output interface 116. Input devices such as a keyboard 118 and a pointing device 117 are connected to the input interface 110, and a display device such as a display unit 119 is connected to the output interface 115.

[0012] The CPU 111 performs processing according to the procedures of the program stored in the ROM 112, thereby controlling the entire host computer 101 as an information processing device, and executes functions and processing related to flowcharts described later. An initialization program is stored in the ROM 112, and application programs, an operating system (OS), a printer driver, and various other data are stored in the external storage device 114. The RAM 113 is composed of a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) that requires a backup power source. The RAM 113 may hold data by a primary battery for data backup (not shown). In this case, the RAM 112 can store data such as program control variables without volatilizing it. The RAM 112 is also provided with a memory area for storing setting information and management data of the host computer 101. The RAM 112 is used as the main memory of the CPU 111, and is also used as a work memory or the like when various programs stored in the external storage device 114 are executed.

[0013] The image output device 102 is connected to the host computer 101 via an input / output interface 116. Here, the host computer 101 and the image output device 102 are configured separately, but they may be configured as one information processing device. In this embodiment, the image output device 102 will be described taking as an example an inkjet printer that performs printing by ejecting ink (coloring material) onto the surface of a recording medium, but it may also be a device that performs printing using another method (for example, an electrophotographic method).

[0014] In this embodiment, an inkjet printer that prints using normal ink and ink of a specific color (spot color ink) will be described as an example. The host computer 101 may be a desktop personal computer or a notebook personal computer, or may be a smartphone.

[0015] <Printing system configuration> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system that performs spot color printing from a general application. Spot color printing is printing using special color inks (spot color inks) other than normal inks. The "normal inks (first coloring materials)" are inks for printing process colors, and are inks of colors such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) that are the basis of process colors. The process colors are colors that are expressed by one color of CMYK or a combination of two or more colors of CMYK. In this embodiment, fluorescent pink ink and fluorescent orange ink are used as spot color inks (second coloring materials). The spot colors are colors that are different from the process colors and cannot be expressed by one color of CMYK or a combination of two or more colors of CMYK. However, the present invention is not limited to this form, and the number and colors of the spot color inks may be arbitrary, and inks of colors that are not fluorescent may be used. For example, violet ink, green ink, orange ink, gold ink, silver ink, and the like may be used as spot color inks. In addition, inks of other metallic colors may be used. Furthermore, inks obtained by mixing a special color ink with another ink (for example, a normal ink) may also be treated as special color inks.

[0016] The application 202 is software that creates the content to be printed, such as an image editing application that creates poster data. On the application 202, the user specifies RGB values ​​that indicate a specific color (described later) for text or graphics image data that is to be spot-color printed. When the application 202 receives a print request from the user, it issues a print instruction to the OS 201. Upon receiving the print instruction, the OS 201 entrusts subsequent printing-related processing to its own OS print system (not shown). Here, the following explanation will be given assuming that the OS print system operates in cooperation with a printer driver 203 provided by a vendor of an image output device.

[0017] When the OS printing system receives a request to display a print setting screen from the application 202, it requests the printer driver 203 to display the print setting screen, and the printer driver 203 displays the print setting screen on the user interface unit 204. As will be described later, the print setting screen allows the user to specify the size and type of paper to be used as a recording medium, specify spot color printing, and the like.

[0018] When performing spot color printing, the user first selects the spot color ink to be used in the print settings of the printer driver 203. After that, the user creates content on the application 202 and specifies RGB data values ​​corresponding to the use of the spot color ink described above for character or graphics print data for which the spot color ink is to be used.

[0019] After completing the print settings, the user instructs the application 202 to execute printing by pressing a print button on the application 202. In response to the print instruction from the user, the application 202 creates print data and transmits the print data to a graphics processing unit 205 of the printer driver 203 via the OS 201.

[0020] The graphics processing unit 205 has a spot color processing unit 206, a rendering unit 207, a data storage unit 208, and a color conversion processing unit 209. Although detailed processing will be described later, the spot color processing unit 206 performs processing related to spot color printing, the rendering unit 207 performs rendering from print data to RGB data, and the color conversion processing unit 209 performs processing such as color matching and other color conversion. The data storage unit 208 performs processing to temporarily store the rendered data in a storage medium such as a HDD. In addition, after performing spot color printing processing and color conversion processing, the graphics processing unit 205 converts the data into a data format that can be interpreted by the image output device 102, and transmits the print data to the image output device 102 via the communication unit 210. Thereafter, ink is discharged from the recording head onto the paper fed to the image output device 102, and an image is formed.

[0021] The image output device 102 of this embodiment is provided with a mechanism for ejecting spot color ink at a location of RGB values ​​indicating a specific color when spot color printing is set in the printer driver 203. That is, when spot color printing is set in the printer driver 203, pixels having a specific RGB value corresponding to the set spot color in the print data are printed using spot color ink. One or more types of ink can be used as the spot color ink. In the following explanation, an image output device (inkjet printer) 102 having a configuration capable of printing using two types of spot color ink, fluorescent pink and fluorescent orange, and four normal colors of ink (CMYK) will be taken as an example for explanation.

[0022] The specific RGB values ​​corresponding to the spot color are, for example, R=255 (0xFF), G=0 (0x00), and B=255 (0xFF), and pixels having the corresponding RGB values ​​are printed in fluorescent pink by using fluorescent pink ink. The specific RGB values ​​are, for example, R=255 (0xFF), G=85 (0x55), and B=0 (0x00). The pixels having the corresponding RGB values ​​are printed in fluorescent orange by using a mixture of fluorescent pink ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink. Note that, if the image output device 102 has a configuration that can use fluorescent orange ink as a spot color ink, for example, it may be possible to print in fluorescent orange by using only orange ink. In other words, it is sufficient that the pixels having the specific RGB values ​​corresponding to the spot color are printed using at least the spot color ink, and they may be printed by mixing the spot color ink and CMYK ink, or they may be printed without mixing the spot color ink and CMYK ink.

[0023] In addition, even in spot color printing, pixels that do not have a specific RGB value corresponding to the spot color are printed using only CMYK inks. Also, spot color printing is performed when spot color printing is enabled by a user operation. In other words, when the spot color printing setting is not enabled, even pixels with specific RGB values ​​corresponding to the spot color are printed using only CMYK inks by referring to the RGB values ​​as usual. The procedure for spot color printing will be described in more detail below.

[0024] <Creating spot color print data> When performing spot color printing, the user first creates content on application 202. Then, in the created content, the user specifies specific RGB data values ​​corresponding to the spot color ink at specific locations on the text or graphics image that the user wishes to print using the spot color ink.

[0025] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a poster data creation application 320 in application 202. This poster data creation application 320 is provided with a toolbar button 300, an image data display area 301, an image data editing area 302, and an object selection frame 303. Furthermore, poster data creation application 320 is provided with an object color editing tab menu 304, an object size change tab menu 305, a printer selection combo box 309, a printer properties button 310, and a print button 311.

[0026] Toolbar buttons 300 allow the selection of application functions, such as undoing and redoing an editing operation, creating a text object, creating a graphics object, creating an image data object, changing the display magnification, and displaying application help.

[0027] Moreover, the image data display area 301 is an area where image data created by the user is displayed. The image data editing area 302 is an area where the user can use the pointing device 117 (FIG. 1) to select an arbitrary object, move the selected object, and edit the image data. The object selection frame 303 is a dashed line display frame that indicates to the user that an object has been selected when the user selects the object. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the object selection frame 303 indicates that the text object "SALE" has been selected.

[0028] When the object color edit tab menu 304 is selected, controls for changing the color of the currently selected object are displayed. When the object size change tab menu 305 is selected, controls for changing the size of the currently selected object are displayed. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the object color edit tab menu 304 is selected, and an R value change control 306, a G value change control 307, and a B value change control 308 for changing the RGB values ​​of the object are displayed.

[0029] A value between 0 and 255 can be set for each of the R, G, and B value controls by directly inputting the respective value using the keyboard 118 or by selecting a button on the right side of the control using the pointing device 117. The input value is also displayed as a hexadecimal number below each control. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the RGB values ​​of the text object "SALE" surrounded by the object selection frame 303 are set to R=255 (0xFF), G=0 (0x00), and B=255 (0xFF) to specify fluorescent pink in this embodiment.

[0030] In this embodiment, the data generation color space of the application 202 may be set to the sRGB color space, which is a standard RGB color space, or may be set to another color space, such as the AdobeRGB color space. Furthermore, it is also possible to set a color space other than the RGB color space, for example, the CMYK color space, and in that case, the spot color is specified by a specific CMYK value. When setting a spot color in a color space other than the standard sRGB, a color conversion process is required from the color space of the input data to the color space processed by the image output device 102 or the sRGB color space processed by the printer driver. In that case, a problem occurs in that the color of the specific RGB value (or the specific value of another color space) for specifying the spot color is changed midway. In this embodiment, this problem is solved by the process described later.

[0031] The printer selection combo box 309 is a control for selecting the printer driver 203 to be used for printing. The printer properties button 310 is a button for launching a print settings screen of the printer driver 203 specified in the printer selection combo box 309 and for making various print settings. The print button 311 is a button for sending print data, including the print settings set in the printer properties button 310 and image data edited by the user, to the printer driver 203 specified in the printer selection combo box 309.

[0032] <Print setting screen configuration> 4 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen displayed by the user interface unit 204 (FIG. 2) when the printer property button 310 is pressed. The user can obtain a desired printed matter from the image output device 102 by configuring various print settings on the print setting screen 400.

[0033] The print setting screen 400 is provided with a paper type combo box 401, a paper size combo box 402, a print quality combo box 403, and check boxes 404 and 405 dedicated to spot color printing. The print setting screen 400 also is provided with a color matching check box 406, an input profile combo box 407, an output profile combo box 408, and a matching method combo box 409. The print setting screen 400 is further provided with a color adjustment check box 410, a brightness adjustment control 411, a contrast adjustment control 412, an OK button 413, and a cancel button 414.

[0034] Paper type combo box 401 is a control for selecting from a list the type of paper supported by the image output device 102, such as plain paper, glossy paper, or coated paper. Paper size combo box 402 is a paper size combo box, and is a control for selecting from a list the paper size, such as A4 or A3, to be printed on the image output device 102. Print quality combo box 403 is a print quality combo box, and is a control for selecting from a list the print quality, such as fast, standard, or fine, when printing on the image output device 102.

[0035] The check boxes 404 and 405 dedicated to spot color printing are check boxes for specifying spot colors. When the check boxes 404 and 405 are on, if the RGB values ​​of a pixel included in the print data are the RGB values ​​set in each check box 404 and 405, printing is performed using spot color ink for that pixel. In this embodiment, when the check box 404 is on, spot color printing using fluorescent pink is performed, and when the check box 405 is on, spot color printing using fluorescent orange is possible. Also, when each check box 404 and 405 is off, spot color ink is not used. That is, even if the RGB values ​​of a pixel included in the print data are the RGB values ​​set in each check box 404 and 405, an image is formed in which the RGB values ​​are expressed with normal inks for process color printing such as CMYK. In this case, spot color ink is not used.

[0036] The color matching check box 406 is a check box for issuing an instruction (color conversion instruction) as to whether or not to perform color matching, which is a color conversion process, on the color information of the image data. When the color matching check box 406 is on, color matching is executed by the color conversion processing unit 209 in the graphic processing unit 205 of the printer driver 203 (FIG. 2). On the other hand, when the color matching check box 406 is off, color matching is not executed.

[0037] The input profile combo box 407 is a control for selecting from a list a color space of the input data, such as sRGB, AdobeRGB, or CMYK. The output profile combo box 408 is an output profile combo box, and is a control for selecting from a list a dedicated profile indicating a color space that can be expressed by the image output device 102 on the paper to be printed. The matching method combo box 409 is a control for selecting from a list a matching method, such as "perceptual," "saturation," "maintain relative gamut," or "maintain absolute gamut."

[0038] For example, if the user wishes to print data created in the AdobeRGB color space on coated paper, the user sets each box as shown in Fig. 4. That is, the color matching checkbox 406 is set to "on." Next, "AdobeRGB" is set in the input profile combo box 407, and an output profile (Coated Paper01) corresponding to coated paper is set in the output profile combo box 408. Furthermore, "Perceptual" is set in the matching method combo box 409.

[0039] When printing is executed with the above settings, the color conversion processing unit 209 performs color conversion (color matching) from input to output according to values ​​set in the color conversion processing unit 209 itself or in a CMM (Color Management Module) of the OS. This makes it possible to print without color deviation even when the input data and the color space that the image output device 102 can express are different. Note that, although the example shown in FIG. 4 shows an example in which "perceptual" is set as the matching method, the matching method can be freely set according to the user's preferences and the type of data.

[0040] When a color adjustment check box 410 is checked, color adjustment processing is executed in the color conversion processing unit 209 of the printer driver. A brightness adjustment control 411 is a control for changing the brightness of the printed matter, and can be set by directly inputting a value in the combo box using the keyboard 118, or by selecting a button to the right of the combo box using the pointing device 117. A contrast adjustment control 412 is for changing the contrast of the printed matter, and can be set by directly inputting a value using the keyboard 118, or by selecting a button to the right of the control using the pointing device 117.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows an example in which the user sets the brightness to "+10" and the contrast to "-5" for the printed matter with the color adjustment check box 410 set to "on". When printing is performed with the settings set in this way, the color conversion processing unit 209 executes color conversion according to the set values ​​in the color adjustment module of the color conversion processing unit 209. This makes it possible to adjust the color of the printed matter. Note that color adjustment can be performed not only to "brightness" and "contrast" but also to colors such as "cyan", "magenta", and "yellow", and is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 4. Also, when the check box of the color adjustment check box 410 is turned off, the settings of the brightness adjustment control 411 and the contrast adjustment control 412 are invalid, and color adjustment is not performed.

[0042] The OK button 413 is a button for transmitting the print settings set on the print setting screen 400 to the application 202 as setting values ​​and closing the print setting screen 400. The cancel button 414 is a button for closing the print setting screen 400 without reflecting the print settings set on the print setting screen 400 as setting values.

[0043] <Printer driver processing after printing starts> Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure executed by the graphics processing unit 205 of the printer driver 203 (Fig. 2) when a print execution instruction is issued from the application 202. In the following explanation, an example will be given in which the print data shown in Fig. 6(a) and the print setting information shown in Fig. 4 are sent from the application 202 as print data, and acquired by the printer driver 203 as an acquisition means. The print data in Fig. 6(a) includes text objects 601, 602, and 603, and graphics objects 604 and 605, and the color values ​​of each object are the values ​​shown in the table in Fig. 7(a).

[0044] 5 is performed by the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 by loading the program code stored in the ROM 112 into the external storage device 114 and executing it. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in Fig. 5 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or an electronic circuit. Also, the letter S attached to each step number in the flowcharts referred to in this specification means a step.

[0045] First, in S501, the spot color processing unit 206 (FIG. 2) acquires spot color printing setting information. Here, it is determined whether or not spot color printing set in the check boxes 404 and 405 (FIG. 4) dedicated to spot color printing is performed from print setting information such as DEVMODE included in the print data. In addition, color information of specific RGB values ​​corresponding to spot color printing (fluorescent pink is R=255, G=0, B=255) is also acquired from the model information of the printer driver 203. Note that the color information of the specific RGB values ​​may be acquired from the image output device 102 via a network cable or the like, or may be a value determined as a fixed value, and the method of acquiring the specific RGB values ​​is not limited. Note that the following description will be given assuming that only the check box 404 dedicated to fluorescent pink spot color printing is set. However, both the check box 404 dedicated to fluorescent pink spot color printing and the check box 405 dedicated to fluorescent orange spot color printing may be set at the same time. In that case, all subsequent determination processes of the specific RGB values ​​are determined based on the specific RGB values ​​of the two colors fluorescent pink and fluorescent orange.

[0046] Next, in S502, the spot color processing unit 206 acquires color conversion processing information from print setting information such as DEVMODE included in the print data. As the color conversion processing information, setting information for color matching and color adjustment is acquired, and it is determined whether or not these color conversion processes are to be performed.

[0047] Next, in S503, the rendering unit (rendering means) 207 performs a process of converting (rendering) the drawing commands included in the print data into RGB values ​​using the OS or a rendering engine included in the rendering unit 207. Through this process, the drawing commands for the objects 601 to 605 shown in Fig. 6 are converted into one RGB image (hereinafter, image data (1)).

[0048] Next, in S504, the spot color processing unit 206 checks whether spot color printing and color conversion processing are both specified (spot color printing ON and color conversion processing ON) based on the information acquired by the processes of S501 and S502. If spot color printing and color conversion processing are both specified, the process proceeds to S505; if they are not, the process proceeds to S506. By the process of S504, if spot color printing and color conversion processing are not both specified, the process of S505, which will be described later, can be skipped. The process of S505 takes a lot of time, so by skipping this process, it is possible to prevent unnecessary slowdowns.

[0049] In S505, the spot color processing unit 206 detects the location of image data of a specific RGB value (in this example, R=255, G=0, B=255) in the image data (1), and temporarily stores information indicating the detected location as information (1) in the data storage unit 208. After this process as a detection means by the spot color processing unit 206, the process proceeds to S506. As a method for detecting image data of a specific RGB value from the image data (1), for example, a method is considered in which the entire rendered RGB image is scanned, and only RGB values ​​that match the specific RGB value are colored or a bit flag is set, and then the image is stored as a different image format. In addition, the spot color processing unit 206 may detect image data of a specific RGB value at the same time as the rendering process in S503, and store the information (1) as a different image. Alternatively, the information (1) may be held in a form embedded in the image data (1) without being stored as a different image. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, a location corresponding to the object 601 is detected and stored as information (1).

[0050] Next, in S506, the graphics processing unit 205 checks whether or not color conversion processing is to be performed based on the color conversion processing information acquired in S502. If color conversion processing is designated as a result, the process proceeds to S507, and if color conversion processing is not designated, the process proceeds to S512. In S512, the graphics processing unit 205 converts the image data (1) into a data format that can be interpreted by the image output device 102, and then transmits it to the image output device 102 via the communication unit 210, and the process ends.

[0051] In S507, the color conversion processing unit 209 executes color conversion processing such as color matching and color adjustment. Fig. 6(c) is a diagram showing an example of an image (hereinafter referred to as image data (2)) after the color conversion processing unit 209 executes color conversion processing as a first color conversion means. In the image shown in Fig. 6(c), the colors of the locations corresponding to the original objects 601 to 605 are converted to the colors shown in Fig. 7(b).

[0052] Next, in S508, the spot color processing unit 206 checks whether spot color printing is specified based on the result of S501. If spot color printing is specified, the process proceeds to S509, and if spot color printing is not specified, the process proceeds to S513. In S513, the graphics processing unit 205 converts the image data (2) into a data format that can be interpreted by the image output device 102, and then transmits the image data (2) to the image output device 102 via the communication unit 210, and the process ends.

[0053] In S509, the spot color processing unit 206 replaces the RGB values ​​of the location where spot color printing is performed (location of object 601) in the image data (2) on which color conversion processing such as color matching has been performed with the RGB values ​​before the color conversion processing was performed. That is, the spot color processing unit 206 performs processing as a second color conversion means for replacing with the original specific RGB values. The location where spot color printing is performed in this image data (2) is specified based on the information (1). FIG. 6(d) shows an example of an image (hereinafter referred to as image data (3)) after the processing of S509 has been performed. FIG. 7(c) shows the colors of the locations corresponding to each object in the image data (3). In this embodiment, the location of "SALE" in the text object 601 is replaced from the color after color conversion processing such as color matching (R=230, G=0, B=230) to the color of the original text object (R=255, G=0, B=255). This processing in S509 makes it possible to correctly convey the location of the specific RGB value designated by the user to the image output device 102 that prints the specific RGB value with spot color ink, with the effects of the color conversion processing removed in advance.

[0054] Next, in S510, the spot color processing unit 206 detects a location from the image data (3) that was not originally a specific RGB value in the image data (1) but was converted to a specific RGB value as a result of the color conversion process. Then, the spot color processing unit 206 performs processing as a third color conversion means for replacing the RGB value of the detected location with an approximate color other than the specific RGB value. For example, when the location of the specific RGB value contained in the image data (3) does not match the location of the specific RGB value contained in the information (1), the RGB value at the mismatched location is converted to the color of the specific RGB value and the RGB value of the approximate color. An example of the image (hereinafter, image data (4)) after conversion to an approximate color is shown in FIG. 6(e). Also, FIG. 7(c) shows the color after conversion to an approximate color. In this embodiment, the location of "XYZ Store" of the text object 603 is replaced from the color after color matching (R=255, G=0, B=255) to an approximate color (R=254, G=0, B=254) that is not a specific RGB value.

[0055] In this embodiment, the specific RGB value for spot color printing is a single color, R=255, G=0, B=255, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the specific RGB value for spot color printing may have a range, such as R=250-255, G=0-5, B=250-255, etc. This makes it possible to prevent the color from deviating from the spot color printing specification due to slight changes in color during processing caused by factors such as the printing application or OS.

[0056] When a specific RGB value has a certain range as in the above example, a color that is close to that range is set as the approximate color in the process of S510. For example, R=249, G=0, B=249, etc. are set as approximate colors. This process of S510 makes it possible to prevent spot color printing from being performed in unintended locations due to the influence of color conversion processing on the image output device 102 that prints specific RGB values ​​with spot color ink. Note that, although an example has been shown in which print data of image data (3) and image data (4) are created sequentially by the processes of S509 and S510 in this embodiment, print data of image data (4) may be created by simultaneously performing the processes of S509 and S510.

[0057] Next, in S511, the graphics processing unit 205 converts the print data of the image data (4) into a data format that can be interpreted by the image output device 102, and then transmits it to the image output device 102 via the communication unit 210, thereby completing the process. Thereafter, the image output device 102, which has received the print data from the host computer 101, executes a printing operation, and an image (FIG. 6(f)) is formed in which spot color ink is ejected at locations with specific RGB values.

[0058] The above process enables spot color printing by a general application using specific RGB values ​​to be used in combination with color matching technology or color adjustment technology that generates color conversion. Furthermore, in this embodiment, regardless of the presence or absence of color conversion processing, the location of spot color printing can be specified for the image output device always using only RGB value information, so that the entire printing system can be configured simply. For example, even in a case where data is input from a mobile terminal or USB memory that cannot perform color conversion processing, etc., and spot color printing is instructed from a panel of the image output device, the image output device can always execute spot color printing based on color information of specific RGB values.

[0059] In this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the printer driver 203 executes all of the processes from S501 to S510, but it is also possible for the application 202 or the image output device 102 to execute the processes from S501 to S510. The processes from S501 to S510 may be shared and executed by a plurality of modules. For example, in a form in which the image output device 102 executes rendering or color conversion processing, the image output device 102 may execute the processes from S501 to S510 based on print data received from the printer driver 203. It is also possible to adopt a form in which the application 202 executes the processes from S501 to S510, and the printer driver 203 only transmits data to the image output device 102.

[0060] In addition, in this embodiment, the designated location for spot color printing is determined after rendering, and then color conversion processing is performed, so that it is possible to support various types of printing systems. For example, depending on the printing system, due to restrictions such as the OS, data may be sent in a state in which all drawing commands are rendered before processing in the printer driver, or various processes may only be performed after rendering. In these cases, if color conversion processing is performed on the rendered image in advance, information on specific RGB values ​​will be lost, and spot color printing cannot be performed properly. In contrast, in this embodiment, the location of the specific RGB value is temporarily saved as information after rendering, so that it is possible to prevent the location information of the specific RGB value from being lost due to the subsequent color conversion processing, and it is possible to support various types of printing systems. Note that if the drawing command can be analyzed and information (1) can be created in the stage before rendering, information (1) may be created first, and after rendering and color conversion processing are performed, the RGB value of the location for spot color printing may be replaced with a specific RGB value based on information (1).

[0061] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. In the above first embodiment, an example was shown in which the location of a specific RGB designated by a user is correctly conveyed to the image output device 102 by transmitting data in which the RGB values ​​have been corrected in advance to an image output device that prints specific RGB values ​​with spot color ink. In contrast, in the second embodiment, information (1) indicating the location of the specific RGB value is transmitted to the image output device 102, and the image output device 102 performs appropriate spot color printing with the effects of color conversion processing removed based on the information (1). Note that the following description will focus on processing that differs from the above first embodiment, and redundant description of the same configuration and processing as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0062] In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the print data shown in FIG. 6A and the print settings shown in FIG.

[0063] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure executed by the graphics processing unit 205 of the printer driver 203 (Fig. 2) when an instruction to execute printing is issued from the application 202. The series of processes shown in Fig. 8 are executed by the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 by loading the program code stored in the ROM 112 into the external storage device 114 and executing it. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in Fig. 8 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or an electronic circuit. Note that the processes shown in S801, S802, and S803 in Fig. 8 are similar to the processes shown in S501, S502, and S503 in Fig. 5, respectively, and description of these processes will be omitted.

[0064] In S804, the spot color processing unit 206 checks whether spot color printing is specified (whether spot color printing is ON) based on the information acquired by the processing of S801. If spot color printing is specified, the process proceeds to S805, and if not, the process proceeds to S806. In S805, similar to S505 shown in FIG. 5, the location of image data of a specific RGB value in the rendered image data (1) is detected, and information (1) indicating the detected location is temporarily stored in the data storage unit 208. In addition, in S806, similar to S506 shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether color conversion processing has been performed on the image data (1), and if color conversion processing has not been performed, the process proceeds to S809, and if color conversion processing has been performed, the process proceeds to S807.

[0065] In S807, the color conversion processing unit 209 executes color conversion processing such as color matching, creates print data of the image data (2), and then proceeds to S808. In S808, the graphics processing unit 205 converts the image data (2) into a data format that can be interpreted by the image output device 102, and then transmits the data to the image output device 102 via the communication unit 210. In S809, the graphics processing unit 205 converts the image data (1) into a data format that can be interpreted by the image output device 102, and then transmits the data to the image output device 102 via the communication unit 210.

[0066] In S810, the spot color processing unit 206 checks whether spot color printing is specified based on the result of the processing in S801. If spot color printing is specified, the process proceeds to S811, and if not, the process ends. In S811, the graphics processing unit 205 converts the information (1) into a data format that can be interpreted by the image output device 102, and then transmits the information to the image output device 102 via the communication unit 210. Note that the processing in S811 may be performed simultaneously with S808 and S809, and the order of execution is not particularly limited.

[0067] 9 is a flow chart showing a process executed by a CPU (not shown) provided in the image output device 102 after receiving print data transmitted from the printer driver 203 of the host computer 101. In S901, the CPU of the image output device 102 checks whether or not it has received print data and information (1) from the printer driver 203. If the print data and information (1) have been received, the CPU of the image output device 102 shifts the process to S902, and if the information (1) has not been received, the CPU of the image output device 102 shifts the process to S203. In S902, the CPU of the image output device 102 detects the locations to be printed with spot color ink based on the information (1) and executes printing using spot color ink only in the corresponding locations. For other locations, printing is executed in process colors using normal inks of colors such as CMYK without using spot color ink, and the process ends. In S203, printing is executed in process colors using normal inks without using spot color inks in all locations of the image data, and the process ends.

[0068] As described above, in this embodiment, based on the information (1) transmitted from the printer driver 203, the image output device 102 prints the image data location of a specific RGB value with spot color ink, and prints the other locations with normal ink. Therefore, it is possible to use spot color printing and color conversion processing such as color matching in combination without color replacement in the printer driver 203. Therefore, the color replacement processing of S509 in the first embodiment is unnecessary, and it is possible to realize high-speed processing. Furthermore, even if a pixel matching a specific RGB value occurs in a location other than the location where spot color printing is to be performed as a result of performing the color conversion processing, it is possible to form the pixel using normal ink without using spot color ink. Therefore, the conversion processing to an approximate color of S510 in the first embodiment is also unnecessary. Therefore, pixels in a location other than the location where spot color printing is to be performed are not converted from the color converted to an approximate color, and it is possible to form the pixel with the color set by the color conversion processing. Moreover, the processing of S510 is omitted, and the processing speed is also increased.

[0069] (Other embodiments) In the first embodiment, the color information corresponding to a location of a specific RGB value in the image data (1) that has been subjected to the color conversion process is restored to color information indicating a specific color before the color conversion process, and the image output device 102 performs spot color printing based on the color information. In the second embodiment, the information (1) indicating the location where spot color printing should be performed is transmitted to the image output device 102, and the image output device 102 performs spot color printing on the specific location indicated in the information (1). It is also possible to switch between the processes of the first and second embodiments according to the function of the image output device 102 to be used. That is, if the host computer 101 acquires the function of the image output device 102 and the image output device has a function capable of performing spot color printing based on the information (1), the process shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 is executed. Also, if the image output device 102 performs spot color printing based only on the RGB value, the process shown in FIG. 5 is executed. In this way, it is also possible for the host computer 101 to determine the function of the image output device 102 to be used and execute a process according to the function.

[0070] In the above embodiment, an inkjet printer that ejects ink to form an image has been taken as an example of the image output device 102, which is a printing unit, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to an image forming device that prints using color materials other than ink, for example, an electrophotographic image forming device that prints using color materials such as toner.

[0071] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for realizing one or more functions of the above-mentioned embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) for realizing one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 101 Host Computer 102 Image output device 201 OS 202 Applications 203 Printer Driver 205 Graphics Processing Unit 206 Spot color processing section 209 Color conversion processing section

Claims

1. A printing system including a printing means for printing an image according to color information included in print data by using a first color material for printing in a process color and a second color material for printing in a specific color different from the process color, an acquisition unit for acquiring color information to be printed using the specific color from color information included in the print data; a detection means for detecting a specific location in the image to be printed in the specific color based on the color information acquired by the acquisition means; a first color conversion means for performing a color conversion process on the color information included in the print data in response to a color conversion instruction; a second color conversion means for converting color information corresponding to the specific location of the image data that has been subjected to color conversion processing by the first color conversion means back to color information indicating the specific color before the first color conversion means performed the color conversion processing; Equipped with the printing means performs printing on the specific location using the second color material in response to the instruction to print using the specific color and the instruction to convert the color, and performs printing on locations other than the specific location using the first color material based on color information after color conversion by the first color conversion means; The printing system is characterized in that the printing means prints using the second color material based on the color information indicating the specific color returned by the second color conversion means, and prints using the first color material for locations other than the specific location based on the color information after color conversion by the first color conversion means.

2. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the detection means detects the specific location based on image data generated by a rendering means that performs rendering based on a drawing command included in the print data, or based on the drawing command.

3. The rendering means generates image data consisting of pixels having RGB values ​​based on the drawing command, 3. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the detection means detects a location of a pixel having an RGB value that is the color information acquired by the acquisition means.

4. a third color conversion means for, when color information corresponding to a location other than the specific location is converted into color information identical to color information indicating the specific color by the color conversion process performed by the first color conversion means, replacing the converted color information with color information indicating a color similar to the converted color information; 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit performs printing using the first color material based on the color information indicating the similar color.

5. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when there is no color conversion instruction but there is an instruction to print using the specific color, the printing means prints using the first coloring material for locations other than the specific location based on the color information that has not been color converted by the first color conversion means, and prints using the second coloring material for the specific location based on the color information indicating the specific color.

6. A printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that when there is a color conversion instruction but no instruction to print using the specific color, the printing means prints using the first color material based on the color information subjected to the color conversion process by the first color conversion means.

7. The printing means is connected to an information processing device, 7. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device includes the acquisition unit, the detection unit, and the first color conversion unit.

8. the first color material is a plurality of color materials that enable printing in process colors; 8. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the second coloring material is at least one type of coloring material different from the first coloring material.

9. the first colorant is at least two colorants selected from a cyan colorant, a magenta colorant, a yellow colorant, and a black colorant; 9. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the second coloring material is at least one coloring material selected from the group consisting of a fluorescent pink coloring material, a fluorescent orange coloring material, a violet coloring material, a green coloring material, an orange coloring material, and a metallic coloring material, and a coloring material obtained by mixing any of these coloring materials with the first coloring material.

10. 10. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing means is an inkjet printer that ejects ink as the first color material and ink as the second color material to print on a recording medium.

11. A printing method for printing an image according to color information included in print data, using a first color material for printing in a process color and a second color material for printing in a specific color different from the process color, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring color information to be printed using the specific color from color information included in the print data; a detection step of detecting a specific location to be printed in the specific color based on the color information specified in the acquisition step; a first color conversion step of performing a color conversion process on the color information included in the print data in response to a color conversion instruction; a second color conversion process for converting color information corresponding to the specific location of the image data that has been subjected to the color conversion process in the first color conversion process back to color information indicating the specific color before the color conversion process in the first color conversion process; printing the specific location using the second color material in response to the instruction to print using the specific color and the instruction to convert the color, and printing the specific location other than the specific location using the first color material based on color information after the color conversion in the first color conversion step; a printing step of using the second coloring material based on the color information indicating the specific color returned by the second color conversion step, and of printing using the first coloring material on locations other than the specific location based on the color information after color conversion by the first color conversion step.

12. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for controlling a printing means that prints an image according to color information included in print data by using a first color material for printing in a process color and a second color material for printing in a specific color different from the process color, the program comprising: The control method includes: an acquisition step of acquiring color information to be printed using the specific color from color information included in the print data; a detection step of detecting a specific location to be printed in the specific color based on the color information acquired by the acquisition step; a first color conversion step of performing a color conversion process on the color information included in the print data in response to a color conversion instruction; a second color conversion process for converting color information corresponding to the specific location of the image data that has been subjected to the color conversion process in the first color conversion process back to color information indicating the specific color before the color conversion process in the first color conversion process; printing the specific location using the second color material in response to the instruction to print using the specific color and the instruction to convert the color, and printing the specific location other than the specific location using the first color material based on color information after the color conversion in the first color conversion step; and operating the printing means to use the second coloring material based on the color information indicating the specific color returned by the second color conversion process, and to print using the first coloring material on locations other than the specific location based on the color information after color conversion by the first color conversion process.

Images