Display method, display device and program

Abstract

To provide a print control device, a print control method, and a program capable of preventing occurrence of an unintended print result.SOLUTION: There are acquired resolution for confirming a print layout and resolution for spot color printing, and preview images are displayed by respectively using resolution based on the resolution for confirming a print layout and resolution for spot color printing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention is a method for checking the print layout and spot color print area in a print preview. Display method, display device and regarding the program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes how, when a command is given for a specific process such as a magnification process, an image is displayed as a real-size preview image in the same size as the image that will be formed on the printing paper. This makes it possible to prevent printing failures in which characters are printed at an unintended size.

[0003] Furthermore, spot color printing is being carried out in which specific color information (RGB values) is replaced with a pre-specified spot color before printing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-91294 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When performing spot color printing, it is desirable to avoid unintended results. Therefore, the present invention can prevent unintended print results from occurring. Display method, display device and provide programs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Therefore, the display method of the present invention is a display method for displaying a preview image of an image including objects printed in process colors and objects printed in spot colors, and includes a first preview image display step of displaying a first preview image including objects printed in process colors and objects printed in spot colors, and a second preview image display step of displaying a second preview image including objects printed in spot colors but not including objects printed in process colors. In the first preview image display step, the first preview image is displayed at a first resolution, and in the second preview image display step, the second preview image is displayed at a second resolution different from the first resolution. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a print control device, a print control method, and a program that can prevent unintended print results from occurring. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the printing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a 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. 13 illustrates a print setting dialog. [Diagram 5] This is a table showing drawing objects, colors specified for drawing, and line colors. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a print setting ticket. [Figure 7] 13 is an example of a preview image displayed by a print preview display unit. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart of a preview image display process. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart showing a spot color preview display process. [Figure 10]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a preview display generated at resolution (A). [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a preview display generated at resolution (B). [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a preview display at a print resolution. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart showing a preview image display process. [Figure 14] 11 is a flowchart showing a spot color preview display process. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a storage format of a region of stored pixels. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a spot color preview image. [Figure 17] 11 is a flowchart showing a spot color preview display process. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a storage format of pixel coordinates. [Figure 19] 11 is a flowchart showing a spot color preview display post-processing. [Figure 20] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of a spot color printing warning alert. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a printing system in this embodiment. An information processing device 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.

[0011] 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 used as a work memory or the like when the various programs stored in the external storage device 114 are executed.

[0012] The peripheral device (image output device) 102 is connected to the information processing device 101 via an input / output interface 116. Here, the information processing device 101 and the peripheral device 102 are configured separately, but they may be configured as one information processing device. Note that, although the peripheral device will be described as an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting ink onto a paper surface, printing may be performed by other methods (for example, electrophotography).

[0013] In this embodiment, an inkjet printer equipped with spot color inks will be described as an example. Furthermore, the peripheral device 102 in this embodiment will be described as a large-format inkjet printer capable of printing on large-sized recording media such as A0 and B0. Furthermore, the information processing device 101 may be a desktop personal computer, a smartphone, or a notebook computer.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing system that performs spot color printing (special printing). Spot color printing is printing using special color inks (spot color inks) other than normal inks. The "normal inks" 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 addition, in this embodiment, fluorescent pink ink and fluorescent orange ink are used as spot color inks. The spot colors are colors that are different from the process colors, and cannot be expressed by only 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. Ink of other metallic colors may also be used. Furthermore, ink obtained by mixing a spot color ink with another ink (for example, a normal ink) may also be treated as a spot color ink. The application 202 is software that creates the content to be printed, and corresponds to an image editing application that creates poster data, for example. On the application 202, the user specifies a specific RGB data value for character or graphics image data to be subjected to spot color printing, which will be described later. 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 an image output device vendor.

[0015] When the OS printing system receives a print request from the application 202, it requests the printer driver 203 to display a print setting screen, and the printer driver 203 displays the print setting screen through the user interface unit 204. The print setting screen will be described later, but it is possible to specify the paper size, paper type, etc., and to specify spot color printing. Furthermore, when a print preview display setting is made on the print setting screen and a print instruction is given from the print setting screen, the OS printing system, application 202, and printer driver 203 cooperate to start a print preview application 206 before printing.

[0016] Print data to be printed from the application 202 is passed as a spool file to the print preview application 206 via the OS printing system. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which a PDF file is used as the format of the spool file, but the format of the spool file is not limited to this. Also, print settings set on the print setting screen are passed from the printer driver 203 to the print preview application 206 via the OS printing system. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which ticket-format print settings are used as the format of the print settings, but the format of the print settings is not limited to this.

[0017] Thereafter, a print preview control unit 208 generates a preview print image and print layout information from the spooled PDF file and the print setting ticket, and a print preview display unit 207 displays a preview so that one page of print data fits on one screen. The print preview application 206 also has a spot color print preview function that displays a preview of a spot color printing area (special printing area), making it possible to confirm which parts of an image will be used with spot color ink before printing. The user checks the print image and print layout, and when they are sure that the print will be as desired, they issue a print instruction using the print preview application 206.

[0018] In response to a print instruction from the print setting screen or print preview application 206, the spooled PDF file and print setting ticket of the application 202 are passed to the graphics processing unit 205 of the printer driver 203 via the OS printing system. The graphics processing unit 205 converts these data into a data format that can be interpreted by the peripheral device 102, and transmits them to the peripheral device 102. In this embodiment, the spooled PDF file is converted into an image data format that can be interpreted by the peripheral device 102 through a rendering engine provided in the OS printing system or the graphics processing unit 205 in accordance with the print settings.

[0019] After that, ink is discharged from the recording head to form an image on the recording medium fed to the peripheral device 102. If spot color printing is set here, the designated spot color ink is discharged to form an image on the data portion designated for spot color printing in the print data.

[0020] In this embodiment, an example of the peripheral device 102 capable of printing using two kinds of spot color inks when spot color printing is set in the printer driver 203 will be described. When spot color printing is set in the printer driver 203, pixels having specific RBG values ​​corresponding to the set spot color in the print data are printed using the spot color ink. In this embodiment, the specific RGB values ​​are, for example, R=255 (0xFF), G=0 (0x00), and B=255 (0xFF), and pixels having the corresponding RBG values ​​are printed in fluorescent pink by using fluorescent pink ink. Also, the specific RGB values ​​are, for example, R=255 (0xFF), G=85 (0x55), and B=0 (0x00), and pixels having the corresponding RBG values ​​are printed in orange by mixing fluorescent pink ink with M and Y inks. Note that if orange ink is available as a spot color ink, printing in orange may be performed by using only orange ink. That is, pixels of specific RBG values ​​corresponding to spot colors need only be printed using at least spot color ink, and may or may not be printed by mixing with CMYK ink. Note that even in spot color printing, pixels that are not pixels of specific RBG values ​​corresponding to spot colors are printed using only CMYK ink. Also, spot color printing is performed when spot color printing is enabled by a user operation. That is, when the spot color printing setting is not enabled, pixels of specific RBG values ​​corresponding to spot colors are also printed using only CMYK ink by referring to the RBG values ​​as usual.

[0021] When the printer driver 103 enables the spot color print setting and the RGB values ​​of the pixels included in the print data are R=255 (0xFF), G=0 (0x00), and B=255 (0xFF), spot color printing using fluorescent pink ink is possible in the peripheral device. When the printer driver 103 enables the spot color print setting and the RGB values ​​of the pixels included in the print data to be sent are R=255 (0xFF), G=85 (0x55), and B=0 (0x00), spot color printing using fluorescent orange ink is possible. On the other hand, if the printer driver 103 enables the spot color print setting but the print data does not include pixels having the above specific RGB values ​​corresponding to spot color printing, spot color printing is not possible. When spot color printing is not possible, an error (warning) is notified in this embodiment.

[0022] When performing spot color printing, the user first creates content on the application 202. Then, the user specifies specific RGB data values ​​corresponding to the above-mentioned spot color ink in specific areas of the text or graphics image data that the user wishes to print using the spot color ink.

[0023] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the application 202 in this embodiment, and is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a poster data creation application 311. In this embodiment, a user edits template data 330 created by the user or a third party using this application. The poster data creation application 311 includes a toolbar button 300, an image data display area 301, an image data editing area 302, an object selection frame 303, an object color editing tab menu 304, and an object size change tab menu 305. Furthermore, the poster data creation application 311 includes an R value change control 306, a G value change control 307, a B value change control 308, a print button 309, and an end button 310.

[0024] Toolbar buttons 300 are used to select application functions such as undoing and redoing editing operations, creating text objects, creating graphics objects, creating image data objects, changing the display magnification, displaying application help, and selecting objects. Image data display area 301 displays image data created by the user. Image data editing area 302 allows the user to use pointing device 117 to select any object, move the selected object, and edit image data. Object selection frame 303 indicates to the user that an object has been selected when the user selects an object. In this example, the user has selected text object 324 "SALE" in order to print the object in a fluorescent pink spot color.

[0025] 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. Here, 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.

[0026] Each of the R, G, and B value controls can be set to a value between 0 and 255 by directly inputting a 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 written in hexadecimal notation below each control. In this example, the RGB values ​​of the text object 324 "SALE" surrounded by the object selection frame 303 are set to R=255 (0xFF), G=0 (0x00), and B=255 (0xFF). As described above, these RGB values ​​are values ​​that specify the color printed using a specific color of ink. Also, it is assumed that the user has edited the text object 326 from the template data "UP TO xx% OFF" to "UP TO 50% OFF".

[0027] In this embodiment, the data generation color space of the application 202 and the color space of the print data generated by the rendering engine of the printer driver 203 are assumed to be the sRGB color space, which is a standard RGB color space. In addition, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that there is no influence of color matching processing. In addition, the data generation color space of the application 202 and the color space of the print data generated by the rendering engine of the OS print system are also assumed to be the sRGB color space, which is a standard RGB color space, and in order to the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that there is no influence of color matching processing. In other words, it is assumed that the RGB values ​​expressed by the application 202 match the RGB values ​​of the pixels included in the print data generated by the printer driver 203 or the rendering engine of the OS print system. As a result, when spot color printing is specified by the peripheral device 102, the print data of R=255 (0xFF), G=0 (0x00), B=255 (0xFF) becomes data to be printed in a fluorescent pink spot color. In addition, the following description will be given assuming that the RGB values ​​of other image objects displayed in the image data editing area 302 are RGB values ​​other than these values.

[0028] When the user presses the print button 309, the image data displayed in the image data editing area 302 is printed. When the user presses the end button 310, the poster data creation application is terminated.

[0029] Returning to FIG. 2, when application 202 (poster data creation application 311) receives a print request from a user, it issues a print instruction to OS 201. Upon receiving the print instruction, OS 201 entrusts subsequent printing-related processing to its own OS printing system (not shown). Here, the OS printing system operates in cooperation with printer driver 203.

[0030] 4 is a diagram showing a print setting dialog 400 in this embodiment. When the printer driver 203 receives a print instruction from the application 202 via the OS print system, the user interface unit 204 displays the print setting dialog 400. The user can obtain a desired printed matter from the peripheral device 102 by configuring various print settings on the print setting dialog 400.

[0031] The print setting dialog 400 includes printer settings 401, number of copies settings 402, print page settings 403, controls 404, paper size settings 405, paper type settings 406, print quality settings 407, and paper feed method settings 408. The print setting dialog 400 further includes fluorescent pink spot color print settings 409, orange spot color print settings 410, print preview settings 411, a cancel button 412, and a print button 413.

[0032] Printer setting 401 allows a user to select from a list the print queue of the peripheral device 102 that has been registered in advance in the OS printing system. Number of copies setting 402 allows the user to set the number of copies to be printed. Print page setting 403 allows the user to select printing all pages or printing a specified range of pages using a radio button, and if printing a specified range of pages is selected, the user can specify the page range to be printed using control 404. Paper size setting 405 allows the user to select from a list the paper size, such as A1 or A2, to be printed by the peripheral device 102, and the outer dimensions of the selected paper size are also displayed. Paper type setting 406 allows the user to select from a list the type of paper that the peripheral device 102 supports, such as plain paper or glossy paper.

[0033] The print quality setting 407 allows the user to select from a list the print quality, such as fast, standard, or fine, when printing with the peripheral device 102. In this embodiment, the set value of the print quality setting 407 corresponds to the print resolution when printing with the peripheral device 102, with fast corresponding to 300 dpi, standard corresponding to 600 dpi, and fine corresponding to 600 dpi.

[0034] The paper feed method setting 408 allows the user to select from a list the method of feeding paper from the peripheral device 102, such as roll paper or cut paper. The print setting dialogue 400 is provided with a fluorescent pink spot color print setting 409 and an orange spot color print setting 410 that can be specified. The fluorescent pink spot color print setting 409 is an area that accepts a selection of whether or not to enable spot color printing (fluorescent pink spot color printing) for printing pixels having RGB values ​​corresponding to fluorescent pink in fluorescent pink. If the fluorescent pink spot color print is not enabled, pixels having RGB values ​​corresponding to fluorescent pink are printed in a color other than fluorescent pink. If the check box of the fluorescent pink spot color print setting 409 is on, if there is a pixel with an RGB value corresponding to fluorescent pink among pixels included in the print data generated by the printer driver 203, the pixel is printed in fluorescent pink spot color ink. If the check box is off, fluorescent pink spot color ink (coloring material) is not used even if there is a pixel with an RGB value corresponding to fluorescent pink among pixels included in the print data generated by the printer driver 203. In that case, an image in which the RGB value is expressed is formed using process color inks such as CMYK.

[0035] Similarly, the orange spot color print setting 410 is an area for accepting a selection of whether or not to enable spot color printing (orange spot color printing) for printing pixels having RGB values ​​corresponding to orange in orange. As with fluorescent pink, if orange spot color printing is not enabled, pixels having RGB values ​​corresponding to orange are printed in a color other than orange. If the check box of the orange spot color print setting 410 is on, printing is performed using orange spot color ink in the peripheral device 102 when there are pixels having RGB values ​​corresponding to orange in the print data generated by the printer driver 203. If the check box is off, orange spot color ink is not used even if there are pixels having RGB values ​​corresponding to orange in the print data generated by the printer driver 203. In that case, an image is formed in which the RGB values ​​are expressed by process color inks such as CMYK. Note that, although only fluorescent pink and orange can be set as spot colors used in spot color printing in the above description, this is not a limitation. A number of spot colors other than two can be set.

[0036] The setting related to spot colors is not limited to the above-mentioned method. For example, the peripheral device 102 first displays an area for receiving a setting for whether or not to enable spot color printing on the printer driver 203. Then, when a setting for executing spot color printing is received by an operation on the area, a setting for whether or not to enable spot color printing for each color may be received by the above-mentioned print settings 409 and 410.

[0037] When the check box of the print preview setting 411 is on and the print button 413 is selected, the print preview application 206 is started. The cancel button 412 is selected when returning to the state before the main print setting dialog was displayed without printing. When the print button 413 is selected and the print preview setting 411 is off, the print data to be printed by the application 202 and the print setting values ​​set in the main print setting dialog are passed to the graphics processing unit 205 via the OS printing system. When the print button 413 is pressed in the state of each control shown in the print setting dialog 400, a spooled PDF file shown in FIG. 5 described later and a print setting ticket shown in FIG. 6 described later are sent to the graphics processing unit 205 or the print preview control unit 208.

[0038] The print preview application 206 includes a print preview display unit 207 and a print preview control unit 208. The print preview application 206 acquires a spooled PDF file and a print setting ticket via the OS printing system at startup. In this embodiment, the print preview control unit 208 of the print preview application 206 acquires the spooled PDF file shown in Fig. 5 and the print setting ticket shown in Fig. 6 from the OS printing system at startup.

[0039] FIG. 5(a) is a schematic diagram of each drawing object included in a spooled PDF file, and FIG. 5(b) is a table showing the fill color and line color specified for drawing each drawing object. The drawing objects in FIG. 5 include two types of drawing objects: graphics objects and text objects. Graphics objects include drawing commands for lines and fills, and colors are specified as the line color and fill color, respectively. Text objects include drawing commands for text, and the text color is specified as the fill color. FIG. 5(b) shows the fill color and line color of each such drawing object. The leftmost column in FIG. 5(b) corresponds to the symbols of the objects in FIG. 5(a).

[0040] The graphics object 500, which corresponds to the background, has fill and line colors of R=0 (0x00), G=255 (0xFF), and B=80 (0xFF). The graphics objects 501, 502, and 503 have line colors of R=0 (0x00), G=0 (0x00), and B=0 (0x00), and fill colors of R=255 (0xFF), G=255 (0xFF), and B=0 (0x00). The text object 504 has the text "SALE" specified with colors of R=255 (0xFF), G=0 (0x00), and B=255 (0xFF). The graphics object 505 has fill and line colors of R=255 (0xFF), G=0 (0x00), and B=0 (0x00).

[0041] The text object 506 has the text "UP TO 50% OFF" specified in front of the graphics object 505 with the colors R=255 (0xFF), G=255 (0xFF), and B=255 (0xFF). The graphics object 507 is a graphics object equivalent to the 327 drawn by the application. The graphics object 507 is an object composed of two closed paths, which are graphics objects 507-1 and 507-2 from the inside to the outside. The fill color set for each drawing object of these PDF files, the line color and line width specified for the graphics object, and the size of the text object when drawn are as shown in the table in FIG. 5(b). In addition, in this spool PDF file, the MediaBox equivalent to the external size of the paper is set to a width of 420.0 mm and a height of 594.0 mm, which are the same as the A2 size paper set in the paper size setting 405.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic representation of a print setting ticket 600. The print setting ticket 600 is generated from values ​​set in the print setting dialog 400. In the print setting ticket 600, a printer setting 601 corresponds to the printer setting 401, and indicates that the print queue name "Large Format Printer" is set as the output destination. A number of copies setting 602 corresponds to the number of copies setting 402, and indicates that one copy is set to be printed. A print page setting 603 corresponds to the print page setting 403, and indicates that one page is set as the start page and one page is set as the end page. A paper type setting 604 corresponds to the paper type setting 406, and indicates that coated paper is set. A print quality setting 605 corresponds to the print quality setting 407, and indicates that a print resolution of 600 dpi is set.

[0043] A paper feed method setting 606 corresponds to the paper feed method setting 408, and indicates that roll paper feed is set. A paper size setting 607 corresponds to the paper size setting 405, and indicates that the paper size name A2, the paper width and height, and the top, bottom, left, and right margins are set in units of 1 / 100 mm. A fluorescent pink spot color print setting 608 corresponds to the fluorescent pink spot color print setting 409, and indicates that fluorescent pink spot color printing is set. A orange spot color print setting 609 corresponds to the orange spot color print setting 410, and indicates that orange spot color printing is not set.

[0044] The print preview setting 610 corresponds to the print preview setting 411, and indicates that the print preview application 206 is set to start. The spool file format 611 is a setting value indicating the format of the spool file rendered by the application, and indicates that the spool file is a PDF file in this case. In this embodiment, a vector-format PDF file will be described as an example of the data format of the spool file. However, for example, if a raster-format JPEG file is rendered by the application as the spool file, a value such as "image / jpeg" is stored in this setting.

[0045] FIG. 7(a) is an example of a preview image displayed by the print preview display unit 207, and FIG. 7(b) is a diagram showing a spot color preview image in a typical preview image. A toolbar button 700 changes the display magnification. A print preview image display area 701 displays a print image together with a print layout. A preview roll paper width setting 702 is a control that lists roll paper widths that can be fed by the peripheral device 102. The roll paper width set in the preview roll paper width setting 702 may be obtained by the print preview control unit 208 and selected as the roll paper width currently being fed by the peripheral device 102, or the user may select any roll paper width from the list. The roll paper width set in the preview roll paper width setting 702 is reflected in the print layout image displayed in the print preview image display area 701.

[0046] When the check box for spot color preview setting 703 is on, only the data area in which spot color ink is used by the peripheral device 102 is displayed in the print preview image display area 701. Also, spot color preview setting 703 is a control that is displayed only when spot color printing is enabled in the print settings. The print button 704 is selected by the user when the user realizes from the preview that the desired print result can be obtained. The exit button 705 is selected by the user when the user realizes from the preview that the desired result cannot be obtained, and when this button is selected, the preview application ends without printing.

[0047] Here, FIG. 7(b) shows a typical preview image display when spot color printing is set, and text objects set to use spot color inks can be confirmed without scrolling the preview image. However, it is not possible to confirm all objects set to use spot color inks. In other words, large format print data has a large data size, and when spot color printing is set for thin lines included in the print data, the print preview displayed at a size for checking the print layout has a low resolution and does not display the thin lines. Therefore, thin lines set in spot colors cannot be confirmed. Generally, when thin lines included in print data are printed in spot color, it gives an unnatural impression of connection with the surrounding images, and printing failures may occur.

[0048] Here, suppose that some image data included in poster data created by a third party is unintentionally created in a color corresponding to spot color printing, and the user who prints this data checks the spot color preview display shown in FIG. 7(b). For objects other than thin lines that the user edited and set for spot color printing, the user can easily check which parts of the print data will use spot color ink by using the spot color preview. However, in the image data created by a third party, if an RGB value that uses spot color ink is set for an object with thin lines, the thin lines will not be displayed as far as the spot color preview display in FIG. 7(b) is checked. For this reason, the user will recognize that spot color ink is not used for thin lines. As a result, if printing is performed as is, the connection with the surrounding images will appear unnatural, resulting in a failed print.

[0049] Therefore, in this embodiment, the smallest object is extracted from the multiple objects for which the use of spot color ink is set, and the minimum resolution at which the extracted object can be previewed is calculated. This makes it possible to display all objects for which the use of spot color ink is set in the spot color preview display. The method for doing this is described below.

[0050] 8 is a flowchart of a preview image display process executed by the print preview control unit 208. When the print preview control unit 208 acquires a spooled PDF file and a print setting ticket from the OS printing system, the print preview control unit 208 executes a preview image display process shown in FIG.

[0051] 8 is performed by the CPU 111 of the information processing device 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.

[0052] When the preview image display process starts, in S801, the print preview control unit 208 calculates the resolution (A) under the control of the CPU 111. Here, the resolution (A) is the resolution of the preview image that allows the layout to be confirmed without scrolling the preview image, and is calculated from the acquired print setting ticket and the area in which the preview image is displayed. This is to calculate the preview resolution at which a print preview of an entire page suitable for layout confirmation is displayed. For example, it is assumed that the print preview application 206 displays the preview image in an area of ​​the display unit 119 with a width of 468 pixels and a height of 662 pixels. In this case, the maximum resolution is calculated so that an image obtained by rendering the spooled PDF file to a size of 420.0×594.0 mm with margins of 3.0 mm on the top, bottom, left and right as shown in 607 of the print setting ticket will fit in an area of ​​468 pixels in width and 662 pixels in height. In this case, the calculated horizontal resolution is 25.4 / 420.0×468=28.302 (dpi), and the calculated vertical resolution is 25.4 / 594.0×662=28.307 (dpi), and the smaller resolution of 28.302 (dpi) is calculated as resolution (A).

[0053] Thereafter, in S802, the print preview control unit 208 determines whether the spot color print setting is valid under the control of the CPU 111. If it is determined in S802 that the spot color print setting is not valid, the process proceeds to S808, where the rendering resolution is set to the resolution (A) calculated in S801, and the process proceeds to S810. If it is determined in S802 that the fluorescent pink spot color print setting 608 of the print setting ticket is valid and the spot color print setting is valid, the process proceeds to S803.

[0054] In S803, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 determines whether the spool file format is a vector data format. If it is a vector format, the process proceeds to S804, and if it is a raster data format, the process proceeds to S809. If the process proceeds to S809, since an image created in raster format cannot support changes in resolution, the print preview control unit 208 under the control of the CPU 111 proceeds to S810 with the rendering resolution set to the print resolution acquired from the print setting ticket.

[0055] When the process proceeds from S803 to S804, the print preview control unit 208 extracts the smallest object for which spot color printing is specified from the spooled PDF file under the control of the CPU 111. In this case, the fluorescent pink spot color printing setting is enabled, and the smallest object for which the RGB values ​​R=255 (0xFF), G=0 (0x00), and B=255 (0xFF) corresponding to the fluorescent pink spot color setting are set as colors is extracted. For example, if the objects for which spot colors are set in FIG. 5B are the text object 504 and the graphics object 507-2, the smaller object, the graphics object 507-2, is extracted.

[0056] Thereafter, in S805, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 calculates the minimum resolution (B) at which the extracted spot color print minimum object can be previewed. For example, when the graphics object 507-2 is extracted, the minimum resolution (B) at which the graphics object 507-2 with a line width of 1.0 pt can be previewed is calculated. Since pt is 1 / 72 of an inch, in this case, 72 / 1.0=72 (dpi) is calculated as the resolution (B).

[0057] Note that, here, the resolution displayed in a one-pixel area on the display unit 119 is set as the minimum resolution; however, when a high-resolution display or the like is used and it is difficult to distinguish the display of a one-pixel area, this may be changed to any value, such as a two-pixel area.

[0058] Then, in S806, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 compares the resolution (A) calculated in S801 with the resolution (B) calculated in S805. If the resolution (A) calculated in S801 is higher, the process proceeds to S808, where the rendering resolution is set to the resolution (A) calculated in S801, and the process proceeds to S810. If the resolution (A) calculated in S801 is not higher than the resolution (B) calculated in S805, the process proceeds to S807, where the rendering resolution is set to the resolution (B) calculated in S805, and the process proceeds to S810. For example, in the above example, if the resolution (A) is 28.3028 (dpi) and the resolution (B) is 72 (dpi), the resolution (B) calculated in S805, which is 72 (dpi), is higher. Therefore, the process proceeds to S807, where the rendering resolution is set to the resolution (B) calculated in S805.

[0059] In S810, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 generates a preview image at the rendering resolution determined by the processing up to this point. Then, in S811, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 generates print layout information that reflects the print settings and the preview roll paper width. Here, the print preview control unit 208 acquires the roll paper width currently being fed from the peripheral device 102 as the preview roll paper width. In this case, it is assumed that the A2 / A3 roll (420.0 mm) with a roll paper width of 420.0 mm has been acquired from the peripheral device 102. If it cannot be acquired, a predefined default roll paper width may be reflected. For example, print layout information is generated for the case where the A2 size (outer dimensions 420.0×594.0 mm, top / bottom / left / right margins 3.0 mm) shown in the paper size setting 607 of the print setting ticket is printed on roll paper of width 420.0 mm acquired as the preview roll paper width.

[0060] Next, in step S812, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 displays a print preview image using the print preview image and print layout information generated by the print preview control unit 208, and then ends the process.

[0061] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a spot color preview display process executed by the print preview control unit 208 when the spot color preview setting 703 is turned on. Note that the series of processes shown in Fig. 9 is executed in parallel with the series of processes shown in Fig. 8. Also, the series of processes shown in Fig. 9 is executed by the CPU 111 of the information processing device 101 expanding 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. 9 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or an electronic circuit.

[0062] When the spot color preview display process starts, in S901, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 acquires the spot color print setting from the print setting. Here, the print preview control unit 208 acquires the value of the fluorescent pink spot color print setting 608 and the value of the orange spot color print setting 609 in the print setting ticket, and acquires that the fluorescent pink spot color printing is set to enabled (On) (see FIG. 6). Then, in S902, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 generates a spot color preview image by extracting the spot color print pixels in the preview image generated in S810.

[0063] Here, pixels with RGB values ​​of R=255 (0xFF), G=0 (0x00), and B=255 (0xFF) of print pixels corresponding to fluorescent pink spot color printing are extracted from the preview image generated in S810. After that, an image is generated in which pixels other than the extracted pixels have RGB values ​​of R=255 (0xFF), G=255 (0xFF), and B=255 (0xFF) that are white. Through this process, a spot color preview image (special print part confirmation preview image) that shows print pixels using fluorescent pink spot color ink is generated. Furthermore, if the orange spot color print setting value is set to be valid in S901, an image is generated in which pixels other than the RGB values ​​of print pixels corresponding to orange spot color printing have RGB values ​​that are white. Through this, an orange spot color preview image is generated.

[0064] Thereafter, in S903, the print preview control unit 208 replaces the preview image displayed in S812 under the control of the CPU 111. That is, the print preview display unit 207 displays the spot color print preview image generated in the print preview image display area 801.

[0065] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a preview display generated at the resolution (A) calculated in S801, and is an example of a preview display displayed when a preview image is generated through S806 to S808. In Fig. 10, since the preview image is generated at the resolution (A), the entire print layout can be confirmed without scrolling the screen. Also, since the result of the resolution comparison in S806 of resolution (A) < resolution (B) is No, even though it is generated at the resolution (A), object 900, which is an object with thin lines, is displayed, and all objects set with spot colors are displayed. Therefore, the user can confirm from the preview display that text object 504 and object 900 are objects set with spot colors.

[0066] 11(a) and (b) are diagrams showing examples of preview display generated at the resolution (B) calculated in S805. The rendering resolution becomes resolution (B) when spot color printing is set, and a preview image is displayed in which a text object 504 set to use spot color ink is generated at resolution (B). The preview display screen in FIG. 11(a) does not display a print preview of an entire page. Therefore, scrolling of the screen is required to check the entire print layout. The user can check the entire print layout by scrolling the screen horizontally and downwards.

[0067] By scrolling the preview image display to the bottom, a thin line object 900 is displayed, which is the preview image of the bottom of the print data, as shown in Fig. 11(b). This print preview display allows the user to see in the pre-print preview display where and how the object data set to use spot color ink that the application is attempting to print will be printed on the roll paper. This makes it possible to prevent printing failures.

[0068] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a preview display when the rendering resolution is the print resolution (600 dpi). This is an example of a preview image display when the spool file format is not a vector format in S803 of FIG. 8. Generally, when checking the spot color print part as an image, it is considered to draw the print data at the print resolution (600 dpi) as in the preview display of FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, it is also possible to check all objects with spot color settings by scrolling. However, the preview image is displayed at a resolution higher than necessary. Therefore, to check the entire print data, more scrolling operations are required than in the case of the screens shown in FIGS. 11(a) and (b).

[0069] According to this embodiment, since it is possible to check all objects that have been set in spot colors, the user can determine whether or not to perform spot color printing, including for thin-line objects.

[0070] In this way, the resolution for checking the print layout and the resolution for spot color printing are obtained, and a preview image is displayed using a resolution based on the resolution for checking the print layout and the resolution for spot color printing. This makes it possible to realize a print control device, print control method, and program that can prevent unintended print results from occurring.

[0071] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, so the following describes its characteristic configuration. In this embodiment, the configuration of a print preview system that does not require scrolling operations when checking the layout will be described.

[0072] Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the preview image display process in this embodiment. The series of processes shown in Fig. 13 are performed by the CPU 111 of the information processing device 101 by loading 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. 13 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or an electronic circuit.

[0073] When the preview image display process starts, in S1301, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 calculates the resolution in the same manner as in S801 in Fig. 8, and generates a preview image at the calculated preview image resolution. This preview image is a preview image in which a print preview of one entire page is displayed without scrolling. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S1303 via S1302, but since the processes in S1302 and S1303 are the same as the processes in S811 and S812 in Fig. 8, their explanations will be omitted here.

[0074] Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing a spot color preview display process when the spot color preview setting 803 is turned on. The series of processes shown in Fig. 14 is performed after the series of processes shown in Fig. 13. The series of processes shown in Fig. 14 is performed by the CPU 111 of the information processing device 101 expanding 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. 14 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or an electronic circuit.

[0075] When the spot color preview display process starts, in S1401, the print preview control unit 208 acquires spot color print settings from the print settings under control of the CPU 111. Then, in S1402, the print preview control unit 208 under control of the CPU 111 generates a spot color preview image by extracting spot color print pixels from the preview image generated in S1301 of FIG.

[0076] Then, in S1403, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 generates a print resolution preview image at the print resolution. In this case, the print preview control unit 208 obtains 600 dpi from the print resolution 605 (see FIG. 6) of the print setting ticket, and generates a print resolution image by rendering the spooled PDF file at 600 dpi. Then, in S1404, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 performs the same process as in S1402 on the print resolution image generated in S1403. Here, since the preview image is generated at the print resolution (600 dpi), all objects set to spot colors are displayed. Then, in S1405, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 compares the image generated in S1402 with the image generated in S1404 (preview image comparison). Furthermore, the print preview control unit 208 stores the area of ​​the object that does not exist in the spot color preview image generated in S1402, which is the difference obtained as a result of the comparison, as a rectangular area.

[0077] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the storage format of the pixel area stored in S1405. In S1405, the display position and size of the rectangle in the spot color preview image are stored. In Fig. 15, "No." is the identifier of the area, "Origin X" and "Origin Y" are the display start X-direction coordinate value and Y-direction coordinate value when the upper left corner is the origin, and "Width" and "Height" are the width and height of the rectangle expressed in units of pix.

[0078] Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 14, thereafter, in S1406, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 performs the same display processing as in S903 of FIG. 9, and at that time, displays the rectangular area of ​​the stored object with a dashed line.

[0079] 16 is a diagram showing a spot color preview image displayed in S1406. Here, object 1602 is a rectangular dashed line showing the area of ​​an object designated for spot color printing that cannot be displayed at a resolution that allows the layout to be confirmed without scrolling the screen. This dashed line display notifies the user that an object set in spot color exists at the position of object 1602.

[0080] According to the present embodiment, even when spot color printing is set for a small object such as a thin line, a print preview is provided that allows the user to confirm which part of the print data the spot color ink will be used in. In addition, the user can confirm the part where the spot color ink will be used without scrolling.

[0081] (Third embodiment) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, so only the characteristic configuration will be described below. In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which a warning (notification) is issued when a print instruction is given from the preview display while there is an unconfirmed spot color print section.

[0082] Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing the spot color preview display process in this embodiment. The series of processes shown in Fig. 17 are performed by the CPU 111 of the information processing device 101 expanding 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. 17 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or an electronic circuit.

[0083] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user edits data to be printed in spot color on the application 202, as in the first embodiment, and selects the print button 413 with the print preview setting 411 in the print setting dialog shown in Fig. 4. When the print preview application 206 is started, the print preview control unit 208 executes the preview image display process of the flowchart shown in Fig. 8, and the print preview screen is displayed.

[0084] Here, the spot color preview display process when the spot color preview setting 803 is turned on will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 17. When the spot color preview display process is started, the print preview control unit 208 processes steps from S1701 to S1702 under the control of the CPU 111. The processes in S1701 and S1702 are similar to the processes in S901 and S902 in Fig. 9 of the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0085] Thereafter, in S1703, the print preview control unit 208 stores position information of the pixel set for spot color printing from the spot color preview image under the control of the CPU 111. This is done by recording the coordinates of the pixel set for spot color printing in x, y in a table shown in Fig. 18, which will be described later.

[0086] 18 is a diagram showing a storage format of the pixel coordinates stored in S1703. The coordinates of the pixel for which spot color printing is set are stored as x and y coordinates.

[0087] Returning to the flowchart in FIG. 17, in step S1704, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 performs display processing similar to that in step S903 in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, and ends the spot color preview display processing.

[0088] Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing post-processing of spot color preview display in this embodiment. The series of processes shown in Fig. 19 is performed after the series of processes shown in Fig. 17. The series of processes shown in Fig. 19 is performed by the CPU 111 of the information processing device 101 expanding 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. 19 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or an electronic circuit.

[0089] The spot color preview display post-processing in FIG. 19 is a process executed after the spot color preview display process described with reference to FIG.

[0090] When the spot color preview display post-processing starts, in S1901, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 initializes the spot color print unit confirmation information. This sets the value of the confirmed column in the table shown in FIG. 18 to 0. Thereafter, in S1902, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 determines whether or not the user has performed a scroll operation. If the user has not scrolled, the process proceeds to S1905, and if the user has scrolled, the process proceeds to S1903. If the user has scrolled, in S1903, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 determines whether or not the area in which the spot color preview is displayed includes a spot color print unit. If the area includes a spot color print unit, the process proceeds to S1904, where the confirmation information of the displayed spot color print unit is updated, and the value of the confirmed column of the coordinates corresponding to the included spot color print unit in the table shown in FIG. 18 is set to 1.

[0091] If it is determined in S1903 that the spot color printing portion is not included, the process returns to S1902. If it is determined in S1902 that the user has not performed a scroll operation, the print preview control unit 208 determines in S1905 under the control of the CPU 111 whether or not a print instruction has been issued. If it is determined that a print instruction has not been issued, the process returns to S1902. If it is determined that a print instruction has been issued, the print preview control unit 208 determines in S1906 under the control of the CPU 111 whether all of the spot color printing portions (all print pixels) have been confirmed (special print pixel display determination). This confirmation is determined to have been confirmed when all values ​​in the confirmed column in the table shown in FIG. 18 are 1. If the spot color printing portion has not been confirmed, the process proceeds to S1907, and in S1907, under the control of the CPU 111, the print preview control unit 208 displays a warning alert that the spot color printing portion has not been confirmed (warning display) to inform the user that there is an unconfirmed spot color printing portion. If the spot color printing portion has been confirmed, the process proceeds to S1908, where normal print processing is executed, and the spot color preview display post-processing is terminated.

[0092] 20A is a diagram showing an example of a spot color printing warning alert. When a user who has confirmed the warning message 2000 selects the Confirm Unconfirmed Area button 2001, the print preview control unit 208 closes this alert. Then, the spot color printing preview display is scrolled to a position where the unconfirmed spot color printing area can be confirmed, and the unconfirmed spot color printing area is displayed.

[0093] FIG. 20(b) is a diagram showing an example of a spot color printing warning alert. If a user who has confirmed the warning message 2002 wishes to confirm the unconfirmed portion, he or she selects the Confirm button 2001. When the Confirm button 2001 is selected, the print preview control unit 208 closes this alert and (after the warning) scrolls the spot color printing preview display to a position where the unconfirmed spot color printing portion can be confirmed. If the user wishes to continue printing as is, he or she can continue, and if the user who has confirmed the warning message 2002 wishes to continue printing, he or she selects the Continue Printing button 2003. When the Continue Printing button 2003 is selected, the print preview control unit 208 closes this alert and continues the printing process.

[0094] 20(c) is a diagram showing an example of a spot color printing warning alert. The screen operation method required to confirm the unconfirmed spot color printing portion is displayed as a warning message 2004 (means for preview display is presented). When the user who has confirmed the warning message 2004 selects an OK button 2005, the print preview control unit 208 closes this alert, and the user can carry out the operation method displayed in the warning message 2004 to confirm the unconfirmed spot color printing portion.

[0095] As the spot color printing warning alert, any one of the above-mentioned Figs. 20(a), (b), and (c) may be displayed.

[0096] According to this embodiment, when the distance between the areas to be spot-color printed is large, it is possible to prevent printing failures that would occur if a print instruction was given without checking all of the spot-color printing areas.

[0097] The above-described embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combination.

[0098] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described 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 implementing one or more of the functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 101 Information processing device 102 Peripheral Devices 111 CPU 203 Printer Driver 205 Graphics Processing Unit 206 Print Preview Application 208 Print preview control section

Claims

1. 1. A display method for displaying a preview image of an image including an object printed in a process color and an object printed in a spot color, comprising: a first preview image display step of displaying a first preview image including an object printed in a process color and an object printed in a spot color; a second preview image display step of displaying a second preview image including objects printed in spot colors but not including objects printed in process colors; In the first preview image display step, the first preview image is displayed at a first resolution; a display method comprising: displaying the second preview image at a second resolution different from the first resolution in the second preview image display step;

2. a receiving step of receiving a user instruction as to whether the first preview image or the second preview image is to be displayed as a preview image of the image; When a user instruction to display the first preview image is received in the receiving step, the first preview image is displayed in the first preview image display step; The display method according to claim 1 , wherein, when a user instruction to display the second preview image is accepted in the accepting step, the second preview image is displayed in the second preview image displaying step.

3. The display method according to claim 1 , wherein the first resolution is a resolution at which the first preview image can be viewed in its entirety without scrolling the screen.

4. 4. The display method according to claim 1, wherein the second resolution is a resolution capable of displaying an object printed in the spot color.

5. calculating the first resolution based on print settings included in print data representing the image and a size of an area in which the preview image is displayed; 5. The display method according to claim 1, further comprising a calculation step of calculating the second resolution based on a drawing command included in the print data and a size of an area in which the preview image is displayed.

6. The method further includes a comparison step of comparing the first resolution and the second resolution calculated in the calculation step, The display method according to claim 5 , wherein the preview image is displayed at a higher resolution based on the comparison result from the comparing step.

7. 6. The display method according to claim 1, wherein the second resolution is higher than the first resolution.

8. 7. The display method according to claim 5, wherein in the calculation step, when there are two objects of different sizes printed in the spot colors, a smaller object is used to calculate the second resolution.

9. a determination step of determining whether or not all pixels corresponding to the spot color have been preview-displayed when a print instruction for the second preview image is received; a warning display step of displaying a warning when it is determined that all the pixels are not preview-displayed; 9. The display method according to claim 1, further comprising:

10. The display method according to claim 9 , further comprising the step of: displaying a preview of pixels corresponding to the spot color that is not being previewed after the warning display step.

11. A display device including an image control means for controlling to display a preview image of an image including an object printed in a process color and an object printed in a spot color, the image control means displays a first preview image including objects printed in process colors and objects printed in spot colors, and displays a second preview image including objects printed in spot colors but not including objects printed in process colors; Displaying the first preview image at a first resolution; A display device, characterized in that the display device is controlled so as to display the second preview image at a second resolution different from the first resolution.

12. a first preview image display step of displaying a first preview image including an object printed in a process color and an object printed in a spot color; a second preview image display step of displaying a second preview image including objects printed in spot colors but not including objects printed in process colors; In the first preview image display step, the first preview image is displayed at a first resolution; A program for displaying the second preview image at a second resolution different from the first resolution in the second preview image display step.

Images