Program, information processing device, and control method

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: when image data is converted into an image file, the RGB values being the values of colors preset in the image data may be largely changed, and the image data may be printed without the use of special ink.SOLUTION: A program causes a computer to execute: a setting acquisition step of acquiring print setting information on printing of image data; and a determination step of, when the print setting information specifies that printing using at least special ink being ink other than ink of a process color is executed as printing of the image data, determining a first method as a method for processing of reducing the data size of the image data, and when the print setting information specifies that printing using the ink of the process color without using the special ink is executed as printing of the image data, determining a second method different from the first method as the method for processing of reducing the data size of the image data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, an information processing device, and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] A method is known in which, before sending image data to a printing device, the data size of the image data is reduced so as not to exceed the printer's buffer (memory) limit, and then the image is printed. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which, when the data size of the image data exceeds the printer's memory limit, the image data is compressed and filed (hereinafter referred to as image file creation) to reduce the data size of the image data to be smaller than the printer's memory limit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-350660 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, for example, Patent Document 1 does not consider switching processing parameters for image data based on the characteristics of the image data, which may result in the user not being able to obtain the printout they intended. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-described problems, a program according to the present disclosure includes a setting acquisition step of acquiring print setting information related to printing of image data, and a step of specifying, by the print setting information, that printing using at least a special ink other than process color ink is to be executed as printing of the image data. And the type of terminal that executes the program is a PC terminal. In this case, as a method of processing to reduce the data size of the image data, Use lossless compression a first method is determined, and the print setting information specifies that printing of the image data is to be performed using the process color inks without using the special inks; And the type of the terminal that executes the program is the PC terminal. In this case, a method for reducing the data size of the image data is different from the first method. and lossy compression processing is used Determine the second method and when it is specified by the print setting information that printing of the image data will be performed using at least the special ink and the type of terminal running the program is a mobile terminal, a third method using the lossy compression process is determined as a method of processing to reduce the data size of the image data, and when it is specified by the print setting information that printing of the image data will be performed using the process color inks without using the special ink and the type of terminal running the program is a mobile terminal, a fourth method different from the third method and using the lossy compression process is determined as a method of processing to reduce the data size of the image data. and a determining step of determining whether to perform the above steps. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible for a user to obtain the printed matter that he or she intends. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the software configuration of the system. [Figure 4] 10 is a table showing compression parameters according to the presence or absence of special ink when creating an image file. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing how compression parameters are determined depending on whether or not special ink is present when creating an image file, and how compression processing is performed. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a screen of a Web application and a screen of a print application. [Figure 7] 10 is a table showing compression formats and compression parameters according to the type of terminal and the presence or absence of special ink when converting an image file. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing how, when creating an image file, a compression format and compression parameters are determined according to the type of terminal and the presence or absence of special ink, and compression processing is performed. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process in which a print application determines a compression format and compression parameters according to the type of terminal and the presence or absence of special ink. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing how the server computer performs compression processing using a compression format and compression parameters according to the type of terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present disclosure according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present disclosure. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0009] (Embodiment 1) 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a system according to this embodiment, which includes a client computer 1000, a display 1100, a router 1200, a mobile terminal 2000, a server computer 3000, and a printing device (hereinafter referred to as a printer) 4000.

[0010] The client computer 1000 is connected to a router 1200 by wired or wireless communication, and is connected to other communication devices via the router 1200 that can communicate over the Internet 1300 .

[0011] The display 1100 is connected to the client computer 1000, for example, via a communication cable, and displays on its display (screen) data (information) stored in the client computer 1000. The client computer 1000 and the display 1100 may be integrated into one device.

[0012] The mobile terminal 2000 is connected to the router 1200 by wireless communication, and can communicate with other communication devices via the router 1200 and the Internet 1300 .

[0013] Server computer 3000 can communicate with other communication devices via Internet 1300. Server computer 3000 receives data held by client computer 1000 and mobile terminal 2000, stores the data in memory (external storage device 304, described later in FIG. 2), processes the data, and transmits the data to other devices. Note that the functions realized by server computer 3000 may be realized by a single information processing device, or may be realized by multiple information processing devices operating in cooperation with each other.

[0014] The printer 4000 is connected to the router 1200 by wired or wireless communication, and can communicate with other communication devices via the router 1200 and the Internet 1300. The printer 4000 also receives data stored in the client computer 1000, the mobile terminal 2000, or the server computer 3000, and prints on a print medium based on the received data.

[0015] The communication method used to connect the devices is, for example, the IEEE802.11 series communication standard (Wi-Fi) or Bluetooth (Bluetooth Classic, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), etc.). Alternatively, a wired connection such as USB, IEEE1394, or LAN may be used. Furthermore, the devices may communicate via mobile communication (3G, 4G, or 5G).

[0016] The client computer 1000 is, for example, a personal computer (PC). The mobile terminal 2000 is, for example, a tablet computer or a smartphone. The printing method of the printer 4000 used in this embodiment may be electrophotography, inkjet, or other methods. In this embodiment, the printer 4000 is capable of spot color printing. Spot color printing is printing using special ink (spot color ink) other than regular ink. The "normal ink" refers to ink used for printing process colors, such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), which are the basis of process colors. A process color is a color expressed by one color from the CMYK palette or a combination of two or more colors from the CMYK palette. In this embodiment, fluorescent pink ink and fluorescent orange ink are used as special inks. A spot color expressed by special ink is a color different from a process color and cannot be expressed by one color from the CMYK palette or a combination of two or more colors from the CMYK palette. However, this is not limiting, and the number and colors of the special inks may be any, and inks of colors other than fluorescent colors may be used. For example, violet ink, green ink, orange ink, gold ink, silver ink, etc. may be used as special inks. Inks of other metallic colors may also be used. Furthermore, inks that are mixtures of special color inks and other inks (for example, regular inks) may also be treated as special inks.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the system according to this embodiment.

[0018] The client computer 1000 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an external storage device 104, a data communication I / F 105, an input device control unit 106, an input device 107, and a display device control unit 108.

[0019] The CPU 101 is a central processing unit that performs processing according to a designated program. For example, the CPU 101 receives programs and image data stored in the ROM 102, RAM 103, and external storage device 104, and performs arithmetic processing.

[0020] The ROM 102 is a non-volatile storage and can hold table data and programs used in the processing of each embodiment described below.

[0021] The RAM 103 is a volatile storage device that temporarily stores programs and data.

[0022] The external storage device 104 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data, such as a browser and a print application 1500.

[0023] The data communication I / F 105 controls the transmission and reception of data between the client computer 1000 and the server computer 3000 or the printer 4000 via the router 1200. The data communication I / F 105 may also control the transmission and reception of data between the client computer 1000 and the mobile terminal 2000.

[0024] The input device control unit 106 is an I / F that acquires information operated by the user and transmits control information to each processing unit.

[0025] The input device 107 is a HID (Human Interface Device) such as a keyboard, a mouse, etc. A user can perform input operations via the input device 107.

[0026] The display device control unit 108 is an I / F that transmits the drawing data from the ROM 102 , RAM 103 , and external storage device 104 to the display 1100 .

[0027] The display 1100 includes a display device 110. The display device 110 displays the drawing data received from the display device control unit 108 of the client computer 1000 on a display (screen).

[0028] The router 1200 includes a data communication I / F 120 , which controls the transmission and reception of data between the client computer 1000 , the mobile terminal 2000 , and the printer 4000 .

[0029] The mobile terminal 2000 includes a CPU 201 , a ROM 202 , a RAM 203 , an external storage device 204 , a data communication I / F 205 , an input device control unit 206 , an input device 207 , a display device control unit 208 , and a display device 209 .

[0030] The CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, external storage device 204, and input device control unit 206 have the same configurations as the CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103, external storage device 104, and input device control unit 106, respectively.

[0031] The data communication I / F 205 controls the transmission and reception of data between the mobile terminal 2000 and the printer 4000. The mobile terminal 2000 may transmit and receive data to and from the printer 4000 using, for example, Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) without going through the router 1200. The data communication I / F 205 may also control the transmission and reception of data to and from the client computer 1000 or the server computer 3000.

[0032] The input device 207 is a device that has the same functions as the input device 107, as well as the display and input functions of a tablet computer or a smartphone, and allows operations to be performed on the screen. For example, it is a device that has a device such as a touch panel.

[0033] The display device control unit 208 is an I / F that transmits drawing data from the ROM 202 , RAM 203 , and external storage device 204 to the display device 209 .

[0034] The display device 209 displays the drawing data received from the display device control unit 208. The display device 209 is often built into the mobile terminal 2000.

[0035] The server computer 3000 includes a CPU 301 , a ROM 302 , a RAM 303 , an external storage device 304 , and a data communication I / F 305 .

[0036] The CPU 301, the ROM 302, and the RAM 303 have the same configuration as the CPU 101, the ROM 102, and the RAM 103, respectively.

[0037] The external storage device 304 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data, such as a Web application 1400.

[0038] The data communication I / F 305 controls the transmission and reception of data between the client computer 1000 or the printer 4000 via the router 1200. The data communication I / F 305 may also control the transmission and reception of data between the mobile terminal 2000. The data communication I / F 305 is capable of transmitting print data. The print data mainly includes an image file created by processing to reduce the data size of image data used for printing, and print setting data for issuing print instructions. The print setting data also includes the paper size, whether double-sided printing is specified, whether borderless printing is specified, whether special ink is used, the intensity of special ink usage (such as the proportion of special color ink), and the value of the color that uses the special ink. The intensity of special ink usage indicates the proportion of special ink used when printing a color that uses special ink.

[0039] The printer 4000 includes a data communication I / F 401 , a printer controller 402 , and a printer engine 403 .

[0040] The data communication I / F 401 controls the transmission and reception of data between the client computer 1000, the mobile terminal 2000, and the server computer 3000 via the router 1200. The data communication I / F 401 receives print data generated by any of the client computer 1000, the mobile terminal 2000, and the server computer 3000. The print data mainly includes an image file created by processing to reduce the data size of image data used for printing, and print setting data (information) for issuing print instructions. The print setting data also includes the paper size, whether double-sided printing is specified, whether borderless printing is specified, whether special ink is used, the strength of special ink use (such as the amount of special color ink), and the color values ​​for using special ink.

[0041] The printer controller 402 controls the printer engine 403 in accordance with the instruction data included in the received print data. It also converts the image data using color space conversion and color separation into color materials required for printing, depending on the paper type, which is the print setting data. It also converts the image data into printable recording data using image processing parameters such as lookup tables for image processing such as output tone correction and halftoning. The printer controller 401 is comprised of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., which are configured similarly to the CPU 101, ROM 102, and RAM 103, respectively.

[0042] The printer engine 403 converts the image data of the received print data into data for each ink color and executes the print process. The main process of the print process is to control the heating operation and pressure operation of the heater mounted on the print head based on the recording data, and eject ink.

[0043] Here, we will explain image filing. Image filing is a technology that compresses and reduces the data size of image data so that it does not exceed the printer's receiving memory capacity limit. For example, if image data with a data size that exceeds the printer's receiving memory capacity limit is sent to the printer, errors may occur or the printing process may take a long time. Therefore, it is necessary to convert the image data into an image file and reduce the data size of the image data before sending it to the printer.

[0044] The printer also determines which ink to use to print each pixel based on the RGB values ​​set for the pixels in the received image data. In this embodiment, if a pixel is set with an RGB value within a specific range designated for special ink, the printer determines to use special ink to print that pixel. If a pixel is set with an RGB value outside the specific range, the printer determines to use normal ink, not special ink, to print that pixel. When image data is converted into an image file, if the image data is compressed to reduce its data size, the RGB values ​​(color values) preset in the image data may be significantly changed. In particular, when image data is printed using special ink, specific RGB values ​​corresponding to special ink printing are pre-edited into the image data so that the image data is printed using special ink. However, if the RGB values ​​are significantly changed due to image data compression, the changed RGB values ​​may no longer be RGB values ​​corresponding to special ink printing, or may become RGB values ​​corresponding to a special ink other than the special ink specified by the user. As a result, the image data may not be printed properly using special ink.

[0045] Therefore, in this embodiment, the compression method (compression format, compression parameters) used when creating an image file is changed depending on whether or not the image data uses special ink. This allows the image data to be printed appropriately using special ink.

[0046] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the software configuration of the system. Fig. 3 shows, as an example, the software configuration of the server computer 3000. Fig. 3 mainly explains each processing unit for the rendering process that generates image data for printing.

[0047] The server computer 3000 includes a data reception processing unit 501 , an input image data acquisition unit 502 , a print setting data acquisition unit 503 , a rendering processing unit 504 , an output image creation unit 505 , and a data transmission processing unit 506 .

[0048] The data reception processing unit 501 is a processing unit that receives data related to the generation of image data from the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000 via the communication I / F of each terminal by the CPU 301. The data related to the generation of image data includes, for example, input image data, print setting data, and destination printer information. In the data reception processing unit 501, the CPU 301 stores the received data related to the creation (generation) of image data in the external storage device 304 or RAM 303.

[0049] The input image data acquisition unit 502 is a processing unit that acquires input image data (hereinafter referred to as D1) of data received by the CPU 301 via the data reception processing unit 501. For example, in the input image data processing unit 502, the CPU 301 acquires image data that has been converted into an image file as the input image data D1. For example, the image data that has been converted into an image file is vector image data. The compression format (format) used when the image file is converted is, for example, the JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format. The compression format used when the image file is converted is, for example, the SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) format. The compression format used when the input image data D1 is converted into an image file may be any format as long as it can be converted into image data for printing in the rendering process described below. The input image data D1 may be any image data as long as it can be converted into image data for printing in the rendering process described below. The format of a file created by compressing using a certain compression format is also referred to as the compression format.

[0050] The print setting data acquisition unit 503 is a processing unit that acquires print setting data (hereinafter referred to as D2) of data received by the CPU 301 via the data reception processing unit 501. The print setting data D2 includes printer model information, paper feeding method, paper size and type, print quality, borderless specification information, etc., related to the creation of print image data D3 (described later). Alternatively, the print setting data D2 includes size information of the output image calculated from various print settings.

[0051] The rendering processing unit 504 is a processing unit in which the CPU 301 creates print image data (hereinafter referred to as D3) from the input image data D1 using the print setting data D2. In the rendering processing unit 504, the CPU 301 acquires the input image data D1 acquired by the input image data acquisition unit 502. It also acquires the print setting data D2 acquired by the print setting data acquisition unit 503. Then, in the rendering processing unit 504, the CPU 301 creates print image data D3 from the input image data D1 using the print setting data D2.

[0052] The creation of print image data D3 will be described in detail. In the rendering processing unit 504, the CPU 301 calculates the print area image size (hereinafter referred to as P1) for the paper from the input image data D1 and the print setting data D2. The calculation of the print (printing) area image size P1 will be described in detail. For example, assume that the width and height of the input image data D1 are 3000 pixels and 4000 pixels. Also, assume that the print setting data D2 includes information specifying a bordered A4 paper size, and that the width and height of the printable area size for the paper (hereinafter referred to as P2) are 4500 pixels and 6800 pixels. Note that the width and height of the printable area size P2 based on the settings may be defined by information previously stored in the printer 4000, or may be defined by information transmitted from the printer 4000. Next, the image size is calculated by performing at least one of enlargement and reduction (hereinafter referred to as the enlargement / reduction process) so that the input image data D1 fits within the printable area size P2. In other words, CPU 301 calculates an image size that will fit input image data D1 within printable area size P2 without changing the ratio (aspect ratio) of width to height of input image data D1. The width and height of input image data D1 are 3000 pixels and 4000 pixels, and the width and height of printable area size P2 are 4500 pixels and 6800 pixels. Therefore, the image size that fits within printable area size P2 will have a width and height of 4500 pixels and 6000 pixels, respectively. This image size is called print area image size P1.

[0053] In the rendering processing unit 504, the CPU 301 generates print image data D3 including image data obtained by enlarging or reducing the input image data D1 to the calculated print area image size P1.

[0054] The output image creation unit 505 is a processing unit that converts the print image data D3 generated by the rendering processing unit 504 by the CPU 301 into an image file (or performs output image creation processing). For example, in the output image creation unit 505, the CPU 301 converts the print image data D3 into an image file in a compression format such as JPEG or PNG. A known technique is used as the method for converting the image file. The output image creation processing will be described later with reference to FIG. 5. When image data is compressed in JPEG format, JPEG format data is generated, and when image data is compressed in PNG format, PNG format data is generated.

[0055] The data transmission processing unit 506 is a processing unit that transmits the image file (output image data) created by the CPU 301 in the output image creation unit 505 to another terminal via the communication I / F. Specifically, in the data transmission processing unit 506, the CPU 301 transmits print data to the client computer 1000, and the CPU 101 of the client computer 1000 transmits the print data to the printer 4000. The print data includes the created image file and print setting data for issuing a print instruction. The print setting data also includes the paper size, whether double-sided printing is specified, whether borderless printing is specified, whether special ink is used, the strength of special ink use (such as the amount of special color ink), and the color values ​​for using special ink. Note that in the data transmission processing unit 506, the CPU 301 may transmit the print data directly to the printer 4000 without going through the client computer 1000.

[0056] 4 is a table showing the compression format and compression parameters depending on whether or not special ink is used when creating an image file. In other words, this shows that the compression parameters used when creating an image file in the output image creation unit 505 for the print image data D3 generated by the rendering processing unit 504 are changed depending on whether or not special ink is used.

[0057] The Q value, which indicates the compression strength (compression rate) of the JPEG format, is used as the compression format and compression parameter when converting to an image file. The smaller the Q value, the higher the compression strength, and the smaller the image data file size can be. Furthermore, the smaller the Q value, the greater the change in the RGB values ​​set in the input image data. In other words, the data size of image data converted to an image file with a Q value of 100 will be larger than the data size of image data converted to an image file with a Q value of 70. Furthermore, the amount of change in the RGB values ​​of image data converted to an image file with a Q value of 100 will be smaller than the amount of change in the RGB values ​​of image data converted to an image file with a Q value of 70. Note that other compression formats and compression parameters may also be used.

[0058] 4 shows that when special ink is used in the image data, the CPU 301 creates an image file with a Q value of 100, and when special ink is not used in the image data, the CPU 301 creates an image file with a Q value of 70. As mentioned above, the smaller the Q value, the greater the change in the RGB values ​​set in the input image data. Therefore, when special ink is used in the image data, the Q value is set larger than when special ink is not used in the image data, in order to reduce the amount of change in the RGB values.

[0059] When compressing image data in JPEG format, if the Q value is 100, it is assumed that even if the RGB values ​​of colors using special ink are changed, the RGB values ​​will fall within the appropriate range when special ink is used in the image data. In other words, it is assumed that appropriate special ink can be used in the image data. Also, when compressing image data in JPEG format, if the Q value is 70, it is assumed that even if the RGB values ​​of colors using special ink are changed, the RGB values ​​will not fall within the appropriate range when special ink is used in the image data. In other words, it is assumed that appropriate special ink cannot be used in the image data.

[0060] The Q value used in each case is not limited to the values ​​shown in Figure 4. Any Q value may be used when special ink is used in image data, as long as it is a Q value that is expected to keep the RGB values ​​of the image within an appropriate usage range even if the RGB values ​​are changed. Furthermore, any Q value may be used when special ink is not used in image data, as long as it is smaller than the Q value used when special ink is used in image data.

[0061] 5 is a flowchart showing the process of determining the compression format and compression parameters depending on whether or not special ink is used, and performing compression when the CPU 301 creates an image file in the output image creation unit 505. The process of each step in the flowchart in FIG. 5 is realized by the CPU 301 of the server computer 3000 reading and executing a program related to the process of the flowchart.

[0062] Here, we will explain the data related to the creation of output image data sent to server computer 3000. Note that the following Web application 1400 and print application 1500 and their respective setting contents are merely examples and are not limited to these. Furthermore, the data related to the creation of output image data is not necessarily created and sent to server computer 3000 according to the flow described below.

[0063] The client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000 has a browser and a print application 1500 for setting up print settings. First, a user launches a browser on the screen (display 1100) of the client computer 1000 or the screen of the mobile terminal 2000 and accesses the URL of the Web application 1400. This causes the Web application 1400 used by the browser to be sent to the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000. The browser uses the sent Web application 1400 to display the screen of the Web application 1400 on the browser and display a screen according to user operations. The Web application 1400 is stored in the server computer 3000. For example, when a user inputs image data into the Web application 1400 using the screen of the Web application 1400, the input image data is sent to the server computer 3000. A preview image of the image data is displayed on the screen of the Web application 1400. Furthermore, when a user performs an editing operation on the displayed preview image in the browser, a preview image reflecting the editing operation is created by the server computer 3000 and displayed on the browser. Note that the Web application 1400 used by the browser may not be transmitted to the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000, and the server computer 3000 may perform an operation in response to a user operation. The content of the operation and a preview image may be displayed on the screen of the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000, and this is not a limitation.

[0064] The user edits images and sets image areas to use special ink on the screen of the Web application 1400. Information related to operations performed on the screen of the Web application 1400 is transmitted to the server computer 3000 as needed. When the user presses, for example, the "Next button 706" on the screen of the Web application 1400, the print application 1500 is launched. Information related to operations performed on the screen of the Web application 1400 is transmitted to the print application 1500, and may also be transmitted to the server computer 3000 when the user presses the print button 707 (described later).

[0065] On the screen of the print application 1500, the user selects a printer, sets the paper type, paper size, whether or not special ink is used, the strength of the special ink to be used, etc., and then presses the "print button 707."

[0066] As an example, FIG. 6 shows the screen of a web application 1400 and the screen of a print application 1500. (a) in FIG. 6 is the screen of the print application 1500, and (b) in FIG. 6 is the screen of the web application 1400. As shown in FIG. 6, the user edits an image in area 704 in FIG. 6(b) and sets the image area to use special ink in setting 705. In setting 705, the user selects a color (one of color A, color B, color C, and color D) using special ink for the selected image area. Although not displayed, each color using special ink has its own RGB value. When the user presses, for example, the "Next button 706" on the screen of FIG. 6(b), the print application 1500 in FIG. 6(a) is launched. The user selects a printer in setting 701, whether or not to use special ink in setting 702, and the intensity of special ink use in setting 703. Note that setting 701 is a combo box that accepts the user's specification of the printer (printer driver) to be used for printing. Setting 703 is a combo box with setting values, for example, "0," "1," "2," and "3," which respectively indicate the strength of special ink usage: "weakest," "weak," "standard," and "strong." If the user wants to specify, for example, "standard" as the strength of special ink usage, the user selects "2" in setting 703. Note that the setting values ​​for setting 703 are not limited to this. The user also specifies print settings such as paper type and paper size on the screen of FIG. 6(a) (not shown).

[0067] Then, the user presses the "print button 707" on the screen of Fig. 6(a). When the print button 707 is pressed, the information set on the screen of the print application 1500 and an instruction to create image data are sent to the server computer 3000. Note that in Fig. 6(b), settings 702 and 703 may be displayed on the screen of the Web application 1400, allowing various settings to be made.

[0068] The flowchart in FIG. 5 starts when, for example, the "print button 707" of the print application 1500 is pressed and the server computer 3000 receives an instruction to create image data from the terminal that holds the print application 1500.

[0069] In S601, the CPU 301 performs input image acquisition processing using the input image data acquisition unit 502 in FIG. 3. Specifically, the CPU 301 acquires input image data D1 from the data received by the data reception processing unit 501 in FIG. 3. The input image data D1 may be, for example, photographic image data obtained by capturing an image using a camera. It may also be, for example, image data edited using image editing software. It may also be, for example, image data in HTML / CSS format that can be displayed in a browser, vector image data such as SVG format, or image data in JPEG format. The input image data may be any data that can be converted into image data for printing in the rendering processing described below. The CPU 301 saves the acquired image data D1 in the external storage device 304 or RAM 303.

[0070] In S602, the CPU 301 performs print setting acquisition processing using the print setting data acquisition unit 503 in FIG. 3. Specifically, the CPU 301 acquires print setting data D2 from the data received by the data reception processing unit 501 in FIG. 3. The print setting data D2 indicates, for example, the printer model information, printer paper feed information, paper size, paper type, print quality, and border setting selected by the user in the settings 701 in FIG. 6A. These print setting data are information related to calculating the rendering size. Examples of information related to calculating the rendering size include the printable area size P2. For example, the printable area size P2 varies depending on the printer model, the paper feed information (e.g., cut paper or roll paper) set in the printer, the paper size, and the paper quality (e.g., high-quality paper or low-quality paper such as plain paper). The printable area size P2 also varies depending on the print quality setting (e.g., high image quality or low image quality). With border settings, the printable area size P2 varies depending on whether bordered or borderless printing is selected.

[0071] Furthermore, the CPU 301 acquires settings related to special ink, such as whether or not to use special ink, the intensity of use of special ink, or the value of the color that uses special ink, which are set in the print setting data D2. The CPU 301 stores the acquired print setting data D2 in the external storage device 304 or RAM 303.

[0072] In S603, the CPU 301 performs rendering processing in the rendering processing unit 504 of Fig. 3. Specifically, the CPU 301 obtains the acquired input image data D1 and print setting data D2 from the external storage device 304 or RAM 303. The CPU 301 then creates print image data D3 from the input image data D1 using the print setting data D2. For example, if the acquired print setting data D2 includes information specifying bordered printing on A4 paper, the CPU 301 obtains a pre-stored print area image size P1 for bordered printing on A4 paper. Then, as described above, the CPU 301 creates print image data D3 including image data obtained by enlarging or reducing the input image data D1 to the print area image size P1.

[0073] In S604, the CPU 301 determines whether to use special ink based on the settings related to special ink included in the print setting data D2. For example, if the acquired print setting data D2 has a setting of "Use special ink," or a setting of the intensity of special ink use, or a setting of a color value for using special ink, the CPU 301 determines that special ink will be used. On the other hand, if the acquired print setting data D2 does not have these settings, the CPU 301 determines that special ink will not be used. If the CPU 301 determines YES in S604, it proceeds to S605, and if the CPU 301 determines NO in S604, it proceeds to S606.

[0074] In S605, the CPU 301 creates an output image using JPEG compression. Specifically, the CPU 301 determines that the print image data D3, which is determined to use special ink, should be compressed using JPEG with a Q value of 100, and performs the compression. The JPEG compression process utilizes well-known lossy compression techniques. Lossy compression is generally considered to have better compression efficiency than lossless compression. Specifically, lossy compression allows for efficient compression by allowing some data loss or modification during the compression / encoding process. Furthermore, even when lossy compressed data is decompressed (decompressed), it does not completely match the original data, and RGB values ​​change. The JPEG compression process performs a discrete cosine transform (DCT) on blocks of 8x8 pixels, and then performs quantization using the Q value. The output values ​​of the quantization process are then encoded to compress the image.

[0075] In the Web application 1400, the user selects a color (one of colors A, B, C, and D) using special ink for the selected image area in the setting 705 in FIG. 6B. Although not displayed, the RGB values ​​for the special ink colors are set for the special ink colors. For example, the RGB value for a first color among the colors using special ink is (R, G, B) = (255, 255, 0), and the RGB value for a second color among the colors using special ink is (R, G, B) = (255, 0, 255). Furthermore, when the printer 4000 decompresses (expands) the image data, if the RGB values ​​of pixels that were set to the RGB value of the first color before compression are in the range of (R, G, B) = (255, 255, 0) to (255, 255, 16), the special ink is used to print the corresponding pixel of the image data. However, if the RGB value falls outside the above range, the special ink is not used to print the pixel, and normal ink is used to output the color corresponding to the RGB value outside the above range. In other words, pixels with RGB values ​​within a specific range are printed using at least the special ink, but pixels with RGB values ​​outside the specific range are printed using normal ink, not the special ink.

[0076] For example, suppose the data size of the original image data of a certain image before compression is 1000 KB, the data size of the image data compressed with a Q value of 100 is 500 KB, and the degree of match with the original image before compression is 99%. In this case, if the RGB values ​​of a certain pixel in the original image when using special ink are, for example, (R,G,B)=(255,255,0), the RGB values ​​of that pixel when the image data compressed with a Q value of 100 is decompressed will be, for example, (R,G,B)=(255,255,2). This indicates that special ink will be used to print that certain pixel in the image data compressed with a Q value of 100. In contrast, suppose the data size of the original image data of a certain image before compression is 1000 KB, the data size of the image data compressed with a Q value of 70 is 250 KB, and the degree of match with the original image before compression is 80%. In this case, if the RGB values ​​of a pixel in the original image when using special ink are, for example, (R,G,B) = (255,0,0), then the RGB values ​​of that pixel when the image data compressed with a Q value of 70 is decompressed will be, for example, (R,G,B) = (255,255,50). This indicates that special ink will not be used to print that pixel in the image data compressed with a Q value of 70.

[0077] Therefore, the printing image data D3 determined to use special ink is compressed with a Q value of 100 using the JPEG format.

[0078] Furthermore, CPU 301, in data transmission processing unit 507, transmits print data including an image file and print setting data to client computer 1000 via data communication I / F 305. Then, printing is initiated by CPU 101 of client computer 1000 transmitting the print data including the image file and print setting data to printer 4000 via data communication I / F 105. Note that print data including the image file and print setting data may be transmitted to mobile terminal 2000, and CPU 201 may transmit the print data including the image file and print setting data to printer 4000 via data communication I / F 105. Note that in data transmission processing unit 507, CPU 101 or CPU 201 may transmit the print data directly to printer 4000.

[0079] In S606, the CPU 301 creates an output image using JPEG compression. Specifically, the CPU 301 determines that the printing image data D3 determined not to use special ink will be compressed using JPEG with a Q value of 70, and performs the compression. For printing image data D3 determined not to use special ink, the RGB values ​​of the compressed image data when decompressed do not necessarily fall within the range of RGB values ​​for appropriate use of special ink. Therefore, the CPU 301 can compress the printing image data D3 determined not to use special ink using JPEG with a Q value of 70. As a result, the data size of image data compressed using JPEG with a Q value of 70 is smaller than the data size of image data compressed using JPEG with a Q value of 100.

[0080] Furthermore, CPU 301, in data transmission processing unit 507, transmits print data including an image file and print setting data to client computer 1000 via data communication I / F 305. Then, printing is initiated by CPU 101 of client computer 1000 transmitting the print data including the image file and print setting data to printer 4000 via data communication I / F 105. Note that print data including the image file and print setting data may be transmitted to mobile terminal 2000, and CPU 201 may transmit the print data including the image file and print setting data to printer 4000 via data communication I / F 105. Note that in data transmission processing unit 507, CPU 101 or CPU 201 may transmit the print data directly to printer 4000.

[0081] As described above, in this embodiment, compression parameters are changed (switched) when converting image files depending on whether or not special ink is used in the image data. This reduces the possibility that RGB values ​​will be changed when the image data is compressed, resulting in the changed RGB values ​​no longer being compatible with special ink printing. Therefore, when special ink is used, compression is performed within a range that allows the special ink to be used appropriately in the image data, allowing the image data to be printed using appropriate special ink. Furthermore, when special ink is not used, compression is performed to further reduce the file size, thereby shortening processing times such as data transfer time and file saving. Furthermore, this reduces the possibility of RGB values ​​being converted to values ​​that correspond to special inks other than the special ink specified by the user. As a result, image data can be printed appropriately using special ink.

[0082] In this embodiment, compression is used as a method for reducing the data size of image data, but this is not a limitation. Instead of compression, the data size of the image data may be reduced by reducing the image size (i.e., the width and height) of the input image data D1 and lowering the number of pixels (resolution). Furthermore, a method for reducing the data size of image data through compression (hereinafter referred to as Method 1) may be combined with a method for reducing the data size of image data by reducing the image size and the number of pixels (resolution) of the image data (hereinafter referred to as Method 2). Note that the smaller the image size of the image data, the smaller the data size of the image data. For example, if it is determined that special ink is used in the image data and compression is performed with a Q value of 100, the CPU 301 may reduce the image size of the image data and lower the number of pixels (resolution) to further reduce the data size of the image data. In other words, both Method 1 and Method 2 may be combined. Note that the order of Method 1 and Method 2 is irrelevant. The CPU 301 may also receive information regarding the amount of received memory from the printer 4000 and determine whether to combine Method 1 and Method 2. For example, if the printer 4000 is equipped with an external storage device such as a hard disk, and if the amount of reception memory does not exceed the limit using only one of the methods, it is possible not to combine Method 1 and Method 2. On the other hand, if the printer 4000 is not equipped with an external storage device such as a hard disk, and if the amount of reception memory exceeds the limit using only one of the methods, it is possible to combine Method 1 and Method 2.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the compression parameters used when converting the image file are changed depending on whether or not special ink is used in the image data. However, if it is determined that special ink is used, the compression process (processing to reduce the data size of the image data) may not be performed. That is, if it is determined that special ink is used, the compression process may not be performed, and if it is determined that special ink is not used, the compression process may be performed using the determined compression parameters. Also, it is possible to determine whether to compress the data size of the image data, and not perform the compression process if it is determined not to compress. In this case, if it is determined that compression is to be performed, it is possible to determine whether or not special ink is used, and perform the compression process using compression parameters determined depending on whether or not special ink is used.

[0084] In this embodiment, the server computer 3000 performs a process of determining compression parameters depending on whether or not special ink is used when creating an image file. However, the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000 may perform this process. That is, the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000 may have a software configuration such as that shown in FIG. 3, execute a flowchart such as that shown in FIG. 5, and transmit print setting data to the printer 4000 via another device. Alternatively, the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000 may transmit print setting data directly to the printer 4000.

[0085] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, we described a configuration in which the compression format and compression parameters for converting image files are changed depending on whether or not the image data uses special ink. Furthermore, lossy compression processing was used to reduce the data size of the image data. However, while lossy compression processing allows for efficient compression by allowing for partial loss or modification of data during the compression / encoding process, when the compressed data is decompressed (decompressed), it does not match the original image data, and RGB values ​​change. Furthermore, there is a possibility of image quality degradation. Therefore, in the second embodiment, lossless compression processing is used for image data that uses special ink. When data losslessly compressed using lossless compression processing is decompressed (decompressed), it matches the original image data, RGB values ​​do not change, and image quality degradation can be reduced. Note that lossless compression processing may result in larger image data sizes than lossy compression processing, depending on the image. However, for example, a terminal with a high-speed CPU and large memory, such as a PC, may be able to process large image files. Therefore, in this embodiment, the type of terminal running the print application that sends the image file created by the server computer 3000 is determined. Next, a process for changing the compression format and compression parameters for image data that uses special ink based on the type of terminal will be described. Note that a description of the same processes as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0086] 7 is a table showing the compression format and compression parameters depending on the type of terminal and whether or not special ink is used when creating an image file. In other words, it shows that the compression format and compression parameters when creating an image file in the output image creation unit 505 change for the print image data D3 generated by the rendering processing unit 504 depending on the type of terminal and whether or not special ink is used.

[0087] In addition to the JPEG format of the first embodiment, the PNG format, which is a lossless compression format, is used as a compression format when converting the image file. The data size of image data converted into an image file in the PNG format may be larger than the data size of image data converted into an image file in the JPEG format, which is a lossy compression format with a Q value of 100, depending on the image. Furthermore, the data size of image data converted into an image file in the PNG format will be larger than the data size of image data converted into an image file in the JPEG format with a Q value of 70. Furthermore, when the image file is converted into an image file in the PNG format, when the losslessly compressed data is expanded (decompressed), it matches the original image data, so the RGB values ​​do not change.

[0088] This embodiment is characterized in that compression parameters are switched depending on the type of terminal operating the print application 1500 and whether or not special ink is used. Types of terminals that can operate (host) the print application 1500 include PC terminals such as the client computer 1000 shown hosting Windows or MacOS. There are also mobile terminals 2000 hosting OS such as iOS or Android. Note that the print application 1500 installed on the client computer 1000 and the print application 1500 installed on the mobile terminal 2000 may be separate programs with some different functions, or may be the same program.

[0089] When the printing application 1500 of the mobile terminal 2000 issues an instruction to print using special ink, the printing image data D3 is compressed with a Q value of 100, which is a compression parameter of the JPEG format. When the printing application 1500 of the mobile terminal issues an instruction not to use special ink, the printing image data D3 is compressed with a Q value of 70, which is a compression parameter of the JPEG format.

[0090] Generally, the client computer 1000 has a larger CPU and memory capacity than the mobile terminal 2000, allowing for faster processing. Therefore, when a print instruction using special ink is issued from the print application 1500 of the PC terminal, the print image data D3 is compressed in PNG format, which is a lossless compression process. On the other hand, when a print instruction not using special ink is issued from the print application 1500 of the PC terminal, the print image data D3 is compressed with a Q value of 70, which is a compression parameter for JPEG format.

[0091] As mentioned above, the smaller the Q value, the greater the change in the RGB values ​​set in the input image data. Therefore, when special ink is used in the image data, the Q value is set to a larger value than when special ink is not used in the image data, in order to minimize the amount of change in the RGB values.

[0092] In the case of PNG format, the RGB values ​​of the image data are not changed. In other words, it is assumed that the image data can be used with appropriate special inks. Note that other compression formats may be used instead of PNG format as long as they are lossless compression processes. Other compression formats may be used as long as they can create compressed data with less change in RGB values ​​than when the image file is created in JPEG format. Furthermore, the data size may be larger than that of image data created in image file format with a Q value of 100 or 70 in JPEG format, which is a lossy compression process.

[0093] The Q value used in each case is not limited to the values ​​shown in FIG. 7. When special ink is used in image data, any Q value may be used as long as it is a Q value that is expected to keep the RGB values ​​of the image within an appropriate usage range even if the RGB values ​​are changed. When special ink is not used in image data, any Q value smaller than the Q value used when special ink is used in image data may be used. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the process of determining a compression format and compression parameters according to the type of device and the presence or absence of special ink when converting the image into a file, and then compressing the image. The processing of each step in the flowchart in FIG. 8 is realized by the CPU 301 of the server computer 3000 reading and executing a program related to the processing of the flowchart.

[0094] Steps S801 to S803 are the same as steps S601 to S603, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted. Note that in step S801 or S802, information is acquired as to whether the type of terminal holding the print application 1500 that is the sender of the print setting data and the image file creation instruction is a mobile terminal or a PC terminal.

[0095] In S804, the CPU 301 determines the type of terminal based on information indicating whether the type of terminal holding the print application 1500 that is the sender of the print setting data and image file creation instruction acquired in S801 or S802 is a mobile terminal or a PC terminal. The print application that sends the image file created by the server computer 3000 is the print application 1500 that is the sender of the print setting data and image file creation instruction. If the print application 1500 determines that the terminal is a mobile terminal in S804, the print application 1500 proceeds to S805, and if the print application 1500 determines that the terminal is a PC terminal in S804, the print application 1500 proceeds to S808.

[0096] Steps S805 to S807 are the same as steps S604 to S606, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0097] S808 is the same process as S604, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. If the determination in S808 is YES, the process proceeds to S809, and if the determination in S808 is NO, the process proceeds to S807.

[0098] In S809, the CPU 301 creates an output image using PNG compression. Specifically, the CPU 301 determines that the print image data D3, which has been determined to use special ink, should be compressed using PNG format, and performs the compression. The PNG compression process uses a well-known lossless compression technique.

[0099] Furthermore, CPU 301, in data transmission processing unit 507, transmits print data including the image file and print setting data to client computer 1000 or mobile terminal 2000 via data communication I / F 305. Then, CPU 101 of client computer 1000 or CPU 201 of mobile terminal 2000 transmits print data including the image file and print setting data to printer 4000 via data communication I / F 105, thereby starting printing.

[0100] As described above, in this embodiment, the compression format and compression parameters for image data that uses special ink are changed (switched) depending on the terminal that has the printing application that sends the image file created by the server computer 3000. For example, terminals with high-speed CPUs and large-capacity memory, such as PCs, can process large image files, so they use lossless compression, which ensures that compressed data matches the original image data when decompressed (decompressed), and RGB values ​​do not change. This allows compression processing that is appropriate for the terminal's capabilities to be performed even in different terminal environments, enabling appropriate printing using special ink for image data that uses special ink. Furthermore, using lossless compression reduces degradation in image quality.

[0101] (Embodiment 3) In the second embodiment, when the server computer 3000 creates an image file, it determines the compression format and compression parameters according to the type of terminal and whether or not special ink is used, and performs the compression process. In this embodiment, the print application 1500 determines the compression format and compression parameters according to the type of terminal and whether or not special ink is used, and the server computer 3000 performs compression based on instructions from the print application 1500.

[0102] 9 is a flowchart showing the process in which the print application 1500 determines the compression format and compression parameters depending on the type of terminal and the presence or absence of special ink. In FIG. 9, the print application 1500 will be described as the subject of each process. However, in reality, the corresponding function is realized by executing the corresponding program by a processor such as the CPU 101 in the client computer 1000 or the CPU 201 in the mobile terminal 2000. Note that not all processes are necessarily executed sequentially in a single process; there may be cases where the process is transferred to the OS side and then called again by the OS. This is merely a flow that conveniently and easily illustrates the main processes.

[0103] Step S901 is the same as step S602, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Note that the print application 1500 may create information related to rendering processing based on the acquired print setting information and issue a print instruction to the server computer 3000.

[0104] In S902, the print application 1500 determines the terminal holding the print application 1500 and determines whether the terminal is a PC terminal or a mobile terminal. For example, the print application 1500 obtains the terminal's system information when the print application 1500 is installed on the terminal. Alternatively, the print application 1500 obtains the terminal's system information when it is launched. The terminal's system information includes, for example, information about the type of OS of the terminal and information about the terminal type. The print application 1500 determines whether the terminal holding the print application 1500 is a PC terminal or a mobile terminal based on any information in the terminal's system information that can identify the terminal type. If the print application 1500 determines that the terminal is a mobile terminal in S902, the process proceeds to S903. If the print application 1500 determines that the terminal is a PC terminal in S902, the process proceeds to S906.

[0105] In S903, the print application 1500 performs the same processing as in S604, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. If the print application 1500 determines YES in S903, the process proceeds to S904, and if the print application 1500 determines NO in S903, the process proceeds to S905.

[0106] In S904, the print application 1500 determines to compress the print image data D3, which has been determined to use special ink, using the JPEG format with a Q value of 100, and to create an output image.

[0107] In S905, the print application 1500 determines to compress the print image data D3, which has been determined to use special ink, using the JPEG format with a Q value of 70, and to create an output image.

[0108] In S906, the print application 1500 performs the same processing as in S604, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. If the print application 1500 determines YES in S906, the process proceeds to S907, and if the print application 1500 determines NO in S906, the process proceeds to S905.

[0109] In S907, the print application 1500 determines to compress the print image data D3, which has been determined to use special ink, using PNG format and to create an output image.

[0110] In S908, the printing application 1500 transmits compression method information (compression format and compression parameters) for the print image data D3 determined based on the type of terminal and the presence or absence of special ink, and a compression instruction to the server computer 3000 external to the terminal device. The printing application 1500 also transmits print setting data and an instruction to create an image file. Furthermore, if the printing application 1500 has created information related to rendering processing based on the print setting information acquired in S901, it may transmit the information related to rendering processing to the server computer 3000. Specifically, the printing application 1500 may calculate the printable area size P2 from the print setting information and transmit it to the server computer 3000.

[0111] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing how the server computer 3000 performs compression processing using a compression format and compression parameters according to the type of terminal.

[0112] In S1001 to S1003, the CPU 301 performs the same processing as in S601 to S603, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. In S1002, the CPU 301 acquires compression instructions and method information (compression format and compression parameters) for the compression processing of the print image data D3 determined based on the type of terminal and the presence or absence of special ink. Furthermore, if information regarding rendering processing has been transmitted, the server computer 3000 also acquires information regarding the rendering processing. Specifically, the server computer 3000 acquires the printable area size P2. If information regarding rendering processing has been transmitted, the server computer 3000 does not need to acquire information regarding the calculation of the printable area size P2 from the print settings.

[0113] In S1004, CPU 301 compresses print image data D3 based on the compression format and compression parameters determined in S1002 based on the type of terminal and the presence or absence of special ink. For example, if the compression instruction includes information regarding compression in JPEG format with a Q value of 70, CPU 301 compresses print image data D3 using JPEG format with a Q value of 70 to create an output image. For example, if the compression instruction includes information regarding compression in JPEG format with a Q value of 100, CPU 301 compresses print image data D3 using JPEG format with a Q value of 100 to create an output image. Furthermore, if the compression instruction includes information regarding compression in PNG format, CPU 301 compresses print image data D3 using PNG format to create an output image.

[0114] Furthermore, CPU 301, in data transmission processing unit 507, transmits print data including the image file and print setting data to client computer 1000 or mobile terminal 2000 via data communication I / F 305. Then, CPU 101 of client computer 1000 or CPU 201 of mobile terminal 2000 transmits print data including the image file and print setting data to printer 4000 via data communication I / F 105, thereby starting printing.

[0115] As described above, in this embodiment, the print application 1500 determines the compression format and compression parameters according to the type of terminal and whether or not special ink is used, and the server computer 3000 performs compression based on instructions from the print application 1500. As a result, even in different terminal environments, compression processing according to the terminal performance can be executed, and image data that uses special ink can be printed appropriately using the special ink. Furthermore, by using lossless compression processing, degradation of image quality can be reduced.

[0116] 9, the print application 1500 determines whether the terminal storing the print application 1500 is a PC terminal or a mobile terminal. However, if the print application 1500 recognizes whether it is a print application for a PC terminal or a print application for a mobile terminal, the determination in S902 does not have to be made. That is, if the print application 1500 recognizes that it is a print application for a PC terminal, the determination in S906 may be made after the process in S901, and the subsequent processes may be performed according to the determination. Also, if the print application 1500 recognizes that it is a print application for a mobile terminal, the determination in S903 may be made after the process in S901, and the subsequent processes may be performed according to the determination.

[0117] (Other embodiments) In the second and third embodiments, the compression format and compression parameters for image data that uses special ink are changed by the terminal that has the print application 1500 that sends the image file created by the server computer 3000. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the compression format and compression parameters for image data that uses special ink may be changed depending on a combination of print settings. For example, the compression format and compression parameters may be changed depending on printer model information, paper type information, paper size information, print quality information, and image quality information.

[0118] When changing the compression format or parameters based on printer model information, the compression format or parameters may be changed based on the type of printer, such as large format or small format. The expected print processing time differs between large format printers and small format printers. For example, large format printers may take a long time to print. Therefore, when performing image processing while printing, it is not a problem if the image processing takes a long time, so a lossless compression format with less degradation may be used, even though the image data size is large and the image processing takes a long time.

[0119] Furthermore, when changing the compression format and compression parameters depending on the paper type information, the compression format and compression parameters may be changed depending on whether the media is high-quality or low-quality. For example, in the case of high-quality media, a higher quality print result is required, so if special ink is used, a lossless compression format with less degradation may be used.

[0120] Additionally, the compression format and compression parameters may be changed depending on the paper size information. For example, A0 paper size is larger than A4 or L size. For paper of this size, image processing takes time. Therefore, a lossy compression format that reduces the data size of image data may be used, as long as the special ink is used appropriately.

[0121] Furthermore, when changing the compression format or compression parameters depending on print quality information, the compression format or compression parameters may be changed depending on whether the high quality setting (mode) is used or the low quality setting. In the case of a high quality setting, a print result with higher image quality is required, so when special ink is used, a lossless compression format with less degradation may be used.

[0122] Furthermore, the compression format and compression parameters may be changed depending on the image quality information. For example, assume that there are normal image quality mode and highest image quality mode. When the normal image quality mode is set, the compression format and compression parameters for image data that uses special ink are changed depending on whether or not special ink is used. However, when the highest image quality mode is set, compression processing using a Q value of 100 in JPEG format or PNG format, which allows for high-quality printing, may be performed regardless of the determination result of whether or not special ink is used.

[0123] In this way, the compression format and compression parameters may be changed depending on the combination of print settings in addition to whether or not special ink is used. Furthermore, the compression format and compression parameters for image data that uses special ink may be changed depending on the terminal that has the print application 1500, and the compression format and compression parameters may be changed depending on the combination of print settings.

[0124] The above-described embodiment is an example of a configuration for achieving the effects of the present invention, and cases in which similar effects can be achieved using other similar methods or different parameters are included in the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to a system consisting of multiple devices (e.g., a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.) and to an apparatus consisting of a single device (e.g., a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.).

[0125] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the processing of the embodiment is realized by the print application, the browser, and the program running on the server computer operating in cooperation with each other, but this is not limited to this. For example, suppose that a single application (hereinafter referred to as an integrated application) that integrates the print application, the browser program, and the program running on the server computer is on a client computer. In this case, the processing of the above-described embodiment may be performed by the CPU 101 of the client computer executing the integrated application. Furthermore, if the integrated application is on a mobile terminal, the processing of the above-described embodiment may be performed by the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal executing the integrated application.

[0126] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-described embodiments are supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the program. The program may be executed by a single computer, or may be executed by multiple computers in cooperation with each other. Furthermore, it is not necessary to realize all of the above-described processes by software; some or all of the processes may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC. Furthermore, the CPU is not limited to one that performs all processes by a single CPU, and multiple CPUs may perform processes in cooperation with each other as appropriate.

[0127] Furthermore, the functions of the above-described embodiments are not only realized by a computer reading and executing the program code, but also include cases where an operating system running on a computer performs some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, thereby realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 1000 client computers 1100 Display 1200 Router 1400 Web Applications 1500 Printing Applications 2000 mobile devices 3000 server computers 4000 Printer

Claims

1. A program, a setting acquisition step of acquiring print setting information related to printing of image data; When the print setting information specifies that printing of the image data will be performed using at least special ink, which is ink other than process color ink, and the type of terminal running the program is a PC terminal, a first method using lossless compression processing is determined as a method of processing to reduce the data size of the image data; when the print setting information specifies that printing of the image data will be performed using process color ink without using the special ink, and the type of terminal running the program is a PC terminal, a second method different from the first method and using lossy compression processing is determined as a method of processing to reduce the data size of the image data. a determination step of determining a third method using the lossy compression process as a method of processing to reduce the data size of the image data, when the print setting information specifies that printing of the image data will be performed using at least the special ink and the type of terminal running the program is a mobile terminal, and determining a fourth method, different from the third method and using the lossy compression process, as a method of processing to reduce the data size of the image data, when the print setting information specifies that printing of the image data will be performed using the process color inks without using the special ink and the type of terminal running the program is a mobile terminal; A program characterized by causing a computer to execute the above.

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the process color is a color expressed by one color or a combination of two or more colors selected from cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

3. The program according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the image data that has been processed to reduce the data size of the image data is sent to a printing device that prints the image data, and the image data expanded in the printing device is printed.

4. The program is capable of causing the computer to further execute a fifth method for reducing the image size of the image data as a process for reducing the data size of the image data, 4. The program according to claim 3, wherein whether or not the process according to the fifth method is executed is determined based on the amount of reception memory of the printing device.

5. If the amount of reception memory of the printing device does not exceed the limit, the processing by the fifth method is not further executed as the processing for reducing the data size of the image data, 5. The program according to claim 4, wherein when the amount of memory in the printing device for receiving data exceeds a limit, the fifth method is further executed as a process for reducing the data size of the image data.

6. If the printing device has an external storage device, the processing by the fifth method is not further executed as the processing for reducing the data size of the image data, 5. The program according to claim 4, wherein, when the printing device does not have an external storage device, processing by the fifth method is further executed as processing for reducing the data size of the image data.

7. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lossless compression process is a compression format in which the RGB values ​​set in the image data match the RGB values ​​when the image data is expanded after processing to reduce the data size of the image data.

8. 8. The program according to claim 1, wherein the lossless compression process generates data in PNG format.

9. A program described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the lossy compression processing is a compression format in which the RGB values ​​set in the image data do not match the RGB values ​​when the image data is expanded after processing to reduce the data size of the image data.

10. 10. The program according to claim 1, wherein the lossy compression process is a process for generating data in JPEG format.

11. A program described in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the image data is print image data created for printing based on information regarding the data size of input image data sent to a server by a device executing the program and information regarding the printable area for paper included in the print setting information.

12. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the processing using the first method is processing in which the data size of the image data processed using the first method becomes larger than the data size of the image data processed using the second method.

13. If the RGB values ​​of a pixel in the image data in a state in which the image data is expanded and to which the RGB values ​​for the color using the special ink have been set are within a range of RGB values ​​for which the special ink is used, the special ink is used to print the pixel of the image data, A program described in any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that if the RGB values ​​of a pixel in the image data in an expanded state, to which RGB values ​​for a color using the special ink have been set, are outside the range of RGB values ​​for which the special ink is used, the special ink is not used to print the pixel of the image data.

14. a transmitting step of transmitting, to an external server, method information indicating a method for reducing the data size of the image data determined in the determining step and the print setting information, and the computer; 14. The program according to claim 1, wherein the server executes a process for reducing the data size of the image data by a method corresponding to the method information.

15. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising an execution step of executing a process to reduce the data size of the image data based on the method of processing to reduce the data size of the image data determined in the determination step.

16. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the Q value used in the process of reducing the data size of the image data executed by the third method is controlled to be larger than the Q value used in the process of reducing the data size of the image data executed by the fourth method.

17. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the Q value used in the process of reducing the data size of the image data performed by the third method is controlled to be larger than the Q value used in the process of reducing the data size of the image data performed by the second method.

18. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the Q value used in the process of reducing the data size of the image data executed by the fourth method is controlled to be the same as the Q value used in the process of reducing the data size of the image data executed by the second method.

19. an acquisition step of acquiring information on whether the type of terminal that executes the program is the PC terminal or the mobile terminal; and causing the computer to further execute the A method of processing to reduce the data size of the image data is determined based on information on whether the type of terminal executing the program is the PC terminal or the mobile terminal and the print setting information.

19. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

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