Information processing device, information processing system, and information processing program

Abstract

To reduce the burden on a user in setting for special color printing, compared with a case where the user performs setting for special color printing on a driver setting screen.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 10 comprises a CPU 11. The CPU 11 detects a first object and a second object in a predetermined display form from application data in which the order of layers of objects is designated, and converts the color of an object into a special color, which is in a layer located between the layer of the first object and the layer of the second object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing program. [Background Art]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a print control apparatus that generates PDL data for printing document data using a spot color recording agent. This print control apparatus comprises: determination means for determining whether or not a specific object indicated by an instruction color for specifying an area to be printed using a spot color recording agent exists in document data; acquisition means for acquiring the instruction color indicating the specific object determined to exist by the determination means; removal means for removing the specific object determined to exist by the determination means from the document data; and issuing means for issuing a drawing command for printing an object, which is indicated by the same color as the acquired instruction color among the remaining objects of the document data from which the specific object has been removed by the removal means, using the spot color recording agent. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-58977 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] By the way, when performing spot color printing with an application that does not support spot color printing, it is common to perform spot color printing settings using a driver setting screen. However, on the driver setting screen, the user is required to make detailed settings for the color, position, and the like of objects, which imposes a burden on the user.

[0005] This disclosure aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing system, and an information processing program that can reduce the burden of setting up spot color printing compared to setting up spot color printing on the driver settings screen. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the information processing device according to the first embodiment includes a processor, the processor detects first and second objects in a predetermined display format from application data in which the layer order of objects is specified, and converts the objects in the layer located between the layer of the first object and the layer of the second object into spot colors.

[0007] Furthermore, the information processing device according to the second embodiment is data created by an application that does not correspond to a feature and allows specifying the layer order of objects, in the information processing device according to the first embodiment.

[0008] Furthermore, in the information processing device according to the third embodiment, the first object is a starting end indicating the start of the range of spot color conversion, the second object is a ending end indicating the end of the range of spot color conversion, and the display form of the first object is different from the display form of the second object.

[0009] Furthermore, in the information processing device according to the fourth embodiment, the type of special feature is associated with the display form of the first object, as is the case with the information processing device according to the third embodiment.

[0010] Furthermore, in the information processing device according to the fifth embodiment, the display form is represented as at least one of shape, color, and characters, in the information processing device according to the first embodiment.

[0011] Furthermore, in the information processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment, a type of spot color is associated with at least one of the shape, color, and characters of the first object, as is the case in the information processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

[0012] Furthermore, in the information processing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment, the processor excludes each of the first and second objects from being printed during spot color printing.

[0013] Furthermore, in the information processing apparatus according to the eighth embodiment, the processor sets the first object to the lowest layer in the layer order and excludes objects in layers above the second object from the spot color conversion.

[0014] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above objective, the information processing system according to the ninth embodiment is an information processing system comprising an information processing device that performs spot color conversion and a terminal device connected to the information processing device, wherein the processor of the terminal device transmits application data specifying the layer order of objects to the information processing device, the processor of the information processing device detects a first object and a second object in a predetermined display form from the application data received from the terminal device, and converts the objects in the layer located between the layer of the first object and the layer of the second object into spot colors.

[0015] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above objective, the information processing program according to the tenth embodiment detects first and second objects in predetermined display forms from application data in which the layer order of objects is specified, and causes the computer to convert the objects in the layer located between the layer of the first object and the layer of the second object into spot colors. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the first, ninth, and tenth embodiments, the burden of setting up spot color printing can be reduced compared to setting up spot color printing on the driver settings screen.

[0017] According to the second aspect, the effect is obtained that spot color printing can be performed even for application data that does not support spot color printing.

[0018] According to the third aspect, the effect is obtained that spot color printing can be performed only by detecting the first and second objects having different display forms.

[0019] According to the fourth aspect, the effect is obtained that the type of spot color can be identified based on the display form of the first object.

[0020] According to the fifth aspect, the effect is obtained that the display forms of the first and second objects can be expressed using colors and characters, without being limited to shapes.

[0021] According to the sixth aspect, the effect is obtained that the type of spot color can be identified based on the shape, color, and characters of the first object.

[0022] According to the seventh aspect, the effect is obtained that the first and second objects can be excluded so as not to be printed.

[0023] According to the eighth aspect, the effect is obtained that an object in a layer above the second object can be excluded so as not to be subjected to spot color conversion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing a driver setting screen and a target image according to a comparative example. [Figure 5]This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This diagram schematically shows an example of application data with a specified layer order according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a front view showing an example of a feature setting screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow by the image processing program according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a terminal device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow by the printer driver according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment for carrying out the technology of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Components and processes that perform the same operation, action, or function are given the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and redundant explanations may be omitted as appropriate. Each drawing is only a schematic representation to the extent that the technology of this disclosure can be fully understood. Therefore, the technology of this disclosure is not limited to the illustrated examples. Furthermore, in this embodiment, explanations of configurations not directly related to the technology of this disclosure or well-known configurations may be omitted.

[0026] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of the information processing system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 100 according to this embodiment comprises an image forming apparatus 10 and a terminal device 30. In the example in Figure 1, one terminal device is shown, but the number is arbitrary. Note that the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment is an example of an information processing apparatus.

[0028] The image forming apparatus 10 is a device that performs image-related functions according to user instructions. The image forming apparatus 10 is connected to a terminal device 30 used by the user via a network N. Network N can be the Internet, LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), etc. There are no restrictions on the connection method of network N; it may be wired, wireless, or a combination of wired and wireless.

[0029] The image forming apparatus 10, as an example, has a scanning function that reads an image written on a recording medium such as paper as image data, a printing function that forms an image represented by the image data on a recording medium, and a copying function that forms an image identical to the image formed on one recording medium on another recording medium. The copying function, printing function, and scanning function are examples of image processing in the image forming apparatus 10.

[0030] The terminal device 30 can include various devices such as a personal computer (PC), smartphone, or tablet used by the user.

[0031] The user transmits the image data generated by the terminal device 30 to the image forming apparatus 10 via the network N, thereby causing the image forming apparatus 10 to perform the desired image processing. Alternatively, the user may store the image data on a portable storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or memory card, move it to the image forming apparatus 10, and connect the portable storage medium to the image forming apparatus 10, thereby causing the image forming apparatus 10 to perform the desired image processing. Furthermore, the user may bring a document containing at least one of text and / or an image to the image forming apparatus 10, and have the image forming apparatus 10 read the document, thereby causing the image forming apparatus 10 to perform the desired image processing.

[0032] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an input / output interface (I / O) 14, a storage unit 15, a display unit 16, an operation unit 17, a document reading unit 18, an image forming unit 19, and a communication unit 20.

[0034] The CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, and I / O 14 are connected to each other via a bus. The I / O 14 is connected to various functional units, including a storage unit 15, a display unit 16, an operation unit 17, a document reading unit 18, an image forming unit 19, and a communication unit 20. These functional units are capable of communicating with the CPU 11 via the I / O 14.

[0035] The control unit is comprised of a CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, and I / O 14. The control unit may be configured as a sub-control unit that controls the operation of a part of the image forming apparatus 10, or as part of a main control unit that controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 10. Some or all of the blocks of the control unit may use integrated circuits such as LSIs (Large Scale Integration) or ICs (Integrated Circuit) chipsets. Individual circuits may be used for each of the above blocks, or circuits that integrate some or all of them may be used. The above blocks may be provided as a single unit, or some of the blocks may be provided separately. Furthermore, parts of each of the above blocks may be provided separately. For the integration of the control unit, dedicated circuits or general-purpose processors may be used, not just LSIs.

[0036] For example, the storage unit 15 can be an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or flash memory. The storage unit 15 stores the image processing program 15A according to this embodiment. This image processing program 15A may also be stored in the ROM 12. This image processing program 15A is an example of an information processing program.

[0037] The image processing program 15A may, for example, be pre-installed in the image forming apparatus 10. The image processing program 15A may also be implemented by storing it on a non-volatile storage medium or distributing it via a network N and installing it on the image forming apparatus 10 as appropriate. Examples of non-volatile storage mediums include CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), magneto-optical disks, HDDs, DVD-ROMs (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), flash memory, and memory cards.

[0038] The display unit 16 may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an electroluminescent (EL) display, or the like. The display unit 16 may also have an integrated touch panel. The operation unit 17 is provided with various operation keys, such as a numeric keypad and a start key. The display unit 16 and the operation unit 17, acting as an operation panel, receive instructions from the user of the image forming apparatus 10 regarding various image processing functions and settings. These instructions include, for example, instructions to start scanning a document, instructions to start copying a document, and instructions to print print data held in the image forming apparatus 10. The display unit 16 displays various information such as the results of processing performed in response to instructions received from the user, and notifications regarding processing.

[0039] The document reading unit 18 takes in documents one by one from the paper feed tray of an automatic document feeder (not shown) located at the top of the image forming apparatus 10, and obtains image data by optically reading the taken documents. Alternatively, the document reading unit 18 obtains image data by optically reading a document placed on a platen glass or the like.

[0040] The image forming unit 19 forms an image on paper, which is an example of a recording medium, based on image data obtained by reading by the document reading unit 18, or image data obtained by a print instruction from the terminal device 30. In the following description, the electrophotographic method is used as an example of the method for forming the image, but other methods such as the inkjet method may also be used.

[0041] When the image formation method is electrophotography, the image forming unit 19 includes a photoreceptor drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, and a fixing device. The charging device charges the surface of the photoreceptor drum by applying a voltage to it. The exposure device forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum by exposing the photoreceptor drum, which has been charged by the charging device, with light corresponding to the image data. The developing device forms a toner image on the photoreceptor drum by developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum with toner. The transfer device transfers the toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum to paper. The fixing device fixes the toner image transferred to the paper by heating and pressurizing.

[0042] The communication unit 20 is a communication interface for connecting to a network N such as the Internet, LAN, or WAN, and enables communication with the terminal device 30 via the network N.

[0043] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment supports spot color printing. That is, in addition to normal color printing using process colors such as CMYK, the image forming apparatus 10 is capable of performing spot color printing using spot colors such as transparent colors, metallic colors, and fluorescent colors. The specific configuration for spot color printing is not particularly limited, but for example, it may utilize an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, or the like.

[0044] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the terminal device 30 according to the first embodiment.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, the terminal device 30 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an I / O 34, a storage unit 35, a display unit 36, an operation unit 37, and a communication unit 38.

[0046] The CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, and I / O 34 are connected to each other via a bus. The I / O 34 is connected to various functional units, including a storage unit 35, a display unit 36, an operation unit 37, and a communication unit 38. These functional units are capable of communicating with the CPU 31 via the I / O 34.

[0047] The control unit is comprised of a CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, and I / O 34. The control unit may be configured as a sub-control unit that controls some of the operations of the terminal device 30, or as part of a main control unit that controls the overall operation of the terminal device 30.

[0048] For example, the storage unit 35 may be an HDD, SSD, flash memory, etc. The storage unit 35 stores the application program 35A and the printer driver 35B according to this embodiment. The application program 35A is an application that does not support spot color printing and allows specifying the layer order of objects, and is a program for various applications such as presentations, spreadsheets, and document creation. The printer driver 35B is a program that converts image data created by the application program 35A into printable data that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 10. Note that these application program 35A and printer driver 35B may also be stored in the ROM 32.

[0049] The application program 35A and the printer driver 35B may each be pre-installed on the terminal device 30, for example. The application program 35A and the printer driver 35B may also be stored on a non-volatile storage medium or distributed via the network N and installed on the terminal device 30 as appropriate. Examples of non-volatile storage media include CD-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, HDDs, DVD-ROMs, flash memory, and memory cards.

[0050] The display unit 36 ​​may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL display, or the like. The display unit 36 ​​may also have an integrated touch panel. The operation unit 37 is equipped with, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or other device for operation input. The display unit 36 ​​and the operation unit 37 receive various instructions from the user of the terminal device 30. The display unit 36 ​​displays various information such as the results of processing performed in response to instructions received from the user, and notifications regarding processing.

[0051] The communication unit 38 is connected to a network N such as the Internet, LAN, or WAN, and can communicate with the image forming apparatus 10 via the network N.

[0052] By the way, as mentioned above, when performing spot color printing with an application that does not support spot color printing, it is common practice to configure spot color printing settings using the driver settings screen.

[0053] Figure 4 shows the driver settings screen 40 and the target image 50 related to the comparative example.

[0054] The driver settings screen 40 shown in Figure 4(A) includes a target process color plate selection unit 41, a target spot color plate selection unit 42, a contour extraction condition selection unit 43, and a density threshold input unit 44.

[0055] The target process color plate selection unit 41 allows selection of any color from multiple process colors (for example, Y: Yellow is selected from the four colors C, M, Y, and K). The target spot color plate selection unit 42 allows selection of any color from one or more spot color toners (inks) installed in the printer (for example, transparent: Clear is selected). The contour extraction condition selection unit 43 allows selection of the conditions for executing the contour extraction process, for example, either "contour extraction using target image" or "contour extraction using target process color image" can be selected. "Contour extraction using target image" means that the contour of the target object is extracted using the target image as the reference image, and "contour extraction using target process color image" means that the contour of the target object is extracted using the target process color image (specific color image) as the reference image. The density threshold input unit 44 allows input of any value as the density threshold that will be used as the reference when extracting the contour of the target object.

[0056] The target image 50 shown in Figure 4(B) is an example where "Contour extraction on target image" is selected as the contour extraction condition in the driver settings screen 40 shown in (A). A processing range 55 is set for the target image 50. The processing range 55 is set based on a range specification operation in which the user specifies an arbitrary range within the target image 50 using a pointing device such as a mouse. The target image 50 contains objects 51 to 54. Objects 51, 52, and 54 each contain the Y color of the target process color, while object 53 does not contain the Y color. The processing range 55 includes the entirety of object 51, the entirety of object 52, a part of object 53, and a part of object 54.

[0057] In the comparison example in Figure 4, the contours of objects 51 and 52, which are to be targeted for contour extraction, are extracted based on the density values ​​of the target image 50. The density values ​​of the target pixel, which is to be determined as to whether or not it is a contour of object 51 or 52, are compared with adjacent pixels that are adjacent to the target pixel. If the difference between the two density values ​​is greater than or equal to the density threshold, the target pixel is determined to be a pixel that constitutes the contour of object 51 or 52.

[0058] As described above, when setting up spot color printing using the driver settings screen 40, users are required to perform complicated operations such as meticulously setting the color and position of objects, which places a heavy burden on the user and increases the likelihood of operational errors. Furthermore, the burden becomes particularly heavy when handling multiple spot colors in a single document or print job.

[0059] Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment detects first and second objects in a predetermined display format from application data in which the layer order of objects is specified, and converts the objects in the layer located between the layer of the first object and the layer of the second object into spot colors.

[0060] Specifically, the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment functions as the various parts shown in Figure 5 by writing the image processing program 15A stored in the memory unit 15 to the RAM 13 and executing it. Note that the CPU 11 is an example of a processor.

[0061] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0062] As shown in Figure 5, the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment functions as an acquisition unit 11A, a detection unit 11B, and a conversion unit 11C.

[0063] The acquisition unit 11A acquires application data from the terminal device 30. In this embodiment, the application data is print data converted by the printer driver 35B from image data created by the application program 35A of the terminal device 30, and the layer order of the objects is specified. This application data does not support spot colors.

[0064] The detection unit 11B detects a first object and a second object with predetermined display forms from the application data acquired by the acquisition unit 11A. Known methods such as pattern matching are used to detect the first and second objects. The first object is the start end indicating the beginning of the spot color conversion range, and the second object is the end end indicating the end of the spot color conversion range. The display form of the first object is different from the display form of the second object. The display form of the first object is associated with a type of spot color. The type of spot color is associated as spot color setting information, for example, clear, gold, silver, etc.

[0065] The conversion unit 11C converts the objects in the layer located between the layer of the first object and the layer of the second object (hereinafter referred to as "spot color target objects"), which have been detected by the detection unit 11B, into spot colors.

[0066] Specifically, the conversion unit 11C interprets the spot color setting information associated with the display form of the first object. The conversion unit 11C then interprets the layer order and detects the spot color target objects in the layers located between the layer of the first object and the layer of the second object. The conversion unit 11C then excludes the first object and the second object from being printed during spot color printing. At this time, the conversion unit 11C may set the first object to the lowest layer in the layer order and exclude objects in layers above the second object from being targeted for spot color conversion. The conversion unit 11C then converts the spot color target objects to spot colors based on the type of spot color obtained by interpreting the spot color setting information.

[0067] Next, with reference to Figures 6 and 7, the application data used in the spot color conversion process according to this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0068] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of application data 60 with a specified layer order according to this embodiment. As described above, the application data 60 does not correspond to feature colors and is data created by an application program 35A that can specify the layer order of objects.

[0069] The application data 60 shown in Figure 6(A) has the layer order specified in (B). This layer order is specified from bottom to top as follows: first object 61, objects A, B, C, second object 62, and object D.

[0070] In the example in Figure 6, objects A, B, and C are located between the first object 61 and the second object 62, and are therefore designated as objects to be spot-colored. Object D is on a layer above the second object 62 and is therefore not subject to spot-color conversion. The positions of the first object 61 and the second object 62 are not particularly limited and can be anywhere within the page of the application data 60.

[0071] The display form of each of the first object 61 and the second object 62 is represented as at least one of shape, color, and text. At least one of the shape, color, and text of the first object 61 is associated with a type of spot color. In the example in Figure 6, the first object 61 is represented as a circle-shaped object, and the second object 62 is represented as an X-shaped object. As for the types of spot colors, for example, the circle-shaped object is associated with "clear," the triangle-shaped object is associated with "gold," and the square-shaped object is associated with "silver." In the example in Figure 6, since the first object 61 is a circle, objects A, B, and C are spot-colored to "clear."

[0072] Furthermore, the size and shape of the circle shape of the first object 61 and the cross shape of the second object 62 do not necessarily have to be constant, and tolerances may be set. For example, shapes similar to the circle shape and the cross shape (e.g., elliptical shape, asterisk shape, etc.) may be permitted, or shapes within a predetermined range may be permitted.

[0073] Furthermore, the first object 61 and the second object 62 may be distinguished by color instead of shape. For example, the first object 61 may be represented as a red circle, and the second object 62 as a blue circle. Alternatively, the first object 61 and the second object 62 may be distinguished by text instead of shape. For example, the first object 61 may be represented by the string "start end," and the second object 62 may be represented by the string "end end." Alternatively, the first object 61 and the second object 62 may be distinguished by a combination of shape, color, and text.

[0074] Figure 7 is a front view showing an example of the spot color setting screen 70 according to this embodiment. The spot color setting screen 70 shown in Figure 7 is displayed on the terminal device 30 as a function of the application program 35A or the printer driver 35B. When it is a function of the application program 35A, information regarding convertible spot colors is obtained from the printer driver 35B.

[0075] The spot color setting screen 70 shown in Figure 7 includes a spot color setting unit 71. The spot color setting unit 71 allows the user to set any color from one or more spot color toners (inks) installed in the image forming apparatus 10 for each combination of the first object 61 and the second object 62. In the example in Figure 7, "clear" is set for the object between ○ and ×, "gold" is set for the object between △ and ×, and "silver" is set for the object between □ and ×. The information set on this spot color setting screen 70 is associated with the display form of the first object 61 as spot color setting information. In the example in Figure 6 above, since the first object 61 is a circle-shaped object, "clear" is associated with it as spot color setting information.

[0076] In the example shown in Figure 6 above, the case where there is one set of the first object 61 and the second object 62 included in the application data 60 was described, but there may be two or more sets of the first object 61 and the second object 62. For example, if you want to convert object D to "gold" in the application data 60, you can place a triangle-shaped object and an X-shaped object in addition to the circle-shaped object and the X-shaped object, so as to sandwich the layer of object D.

[0077] Next, with reference to Figure 8, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0078] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow by the image processing program 15A according to the first embodiment.

[0079] First, the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 starts the image processing program 15A and executes the following steps.

[0080] In step S101 of Figure 8, the CPU 11 obtains print data representing application data from the terminal device 30.

[0081] In step S102, the CPU 11 determines whether the print data acquired in step S101 is data from an application that allows specifying the layer order. If it determines that the print data is data from an application that allows specifying the layer order (positive determination), the process proceeds to step S103. If it determines that the print data is not data from an application that allows specifying the layer order (negative determination), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0082] In step S103, the CPU 11 determines whether or not it has detected the first object and the second object from the print data. If it determines that the first object and the second object have been detected (positive determination), the process proceeds to step S104. If it determines that the first object and the second object have not been detected (negative determination), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0083] In step S104, the CPU 11 interprets the set spot colors from the spot color setting information associated with the display mode of the first object.

[0084] In step S105, the CPU 11 identifies the object to be specially color-converted from the first object and the second object.

[0085] In step S106, the CPU 11 excludes the first object and the second object from being printed.

[0086] In step S107, the CPU 11 converts the feature target object identified in step S105 into a feature based on the feature interpreted in step S104, and then returns to step S103 to repeat the process.

[0087] In step S108, the CPU 11 instructs the image forming unit 19 of its device to start printing, and the series of processes by the image processing program 15A are completed.

[0088] As described above, according to this embodiment, the layer order of objects is specified in the application data, and the first and second objects are detected. The objects in the layers located between the first object's layer and the second object's layer are converted to spot colors. As a result, the user does not need to use the driver settings screen to perform complicated spot color printing settings, and the burden associated with setting up spot color printing is reduced.

[0089] In other words, compared to configuring spot color printing settings on the driver settings screen, the workload associated with setting up spot color printing is reduced, making operational errors less likely. Furthermore, the workload is especially reduced when handling multiple spot colors in a single document or print job.

[0090] [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, a configuration in which the image forming apparatus 10 performs the spot color conversion process was explained. In the second embodiment, a configuration in which the terminal device 30 performs the spot color conversion process will be explained.

[0091] The CPU 31 of the terminal device 30 according to this embodiment functions as the various parts shown in Figure 9 by writing the printer driver 35B stored in the memory unit 35 to the RAM 33 and executing it. Note that the CPU 31 is an example of a processor, and the printer driver 35B is an example of an information processing program.

[0092] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal device 30 according to the second embodiment.

[0093] As shown in Figure 9, the CPU 31 of the terminal device 30 according to this embodiment functions as an acquisition unit 31A, a detection unit 31B, and a conversion unit 31C.

[0094] The acquisition unit 31A acquires image data created by the device's application program 35A. The acquisition unit 31A then converts the acquired image data into print data representing the application data. In other words, the application data according to this embodiment is print data converted by the printer driver 35B from image data created by the device's application program 35A, and the layer order of the objects is specified. This application data does not support spot colors.

[0095] The detection unit 31B detects a first object and a second object in a predetermined display format from the application data acquired and converted by the acquisition unit 31A.

[0096] The conversion unit 31C converts the feature target objects in the layer located between the layer of the first object and the layer of the second object, which were detected by the detection unit 31B, into feature colors.

[0097] Next, with reference to Figure 10, the operation of the terminal device 30 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0098] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow by the printer driver 35B according to the second embodiment.

[0099] First, the CPU 31 of the terminal device 30 starts the printer driver 35B and executes the following steps.

[0100] In step S111 of Figure 10, the CPU 31 acquires image data created by the application program 35A of its own device.

[0101] In step S112, the CPU 31 converts the image data acquired in step S111 into print data representing application data.

[0102] In step S113, the CPU 31 determines whether the print data converted in step S112 is data for an application that allows specifying the layer order. If it determines that the print data is data for an application that allows specifying the layer order (positive determination), the process proceeds to step S114. If it determines that the print data is not data for an application that allows specifying the layer order (negative determination), the process proceeds to step S119.

[0103] In step S114, the CPU 31 determines whether or not it has detected the first object and the second object from the print data. If it determines that the first object and the second object have been detected (positive determination), the process proceeds to step S115. If it determines that the first object and the second object have not been detected (negative determination), the process proceeds to step S119.

[0104] In step S115, the CPU 31 interprets the set spot colors from the spot color setting information associated with the display form of the first object.

[0105] In step S116, the CPU 31 identifies the object to be specially color-converted from the first object and the second object.

[0106] In step S117, the CPU 31 excludes the first object and the second object from being printed.

[0107] In step S118, the CPU 31 converts the feature target object identified in step S116 into a feature based on the feature interpreted in step S115, and then returns to step S114 to repeat the process.

[0108] In step S119, the CPU 31 sends the spot-color-converted print data to the image forming apparatus 10, and the series of processes by the printer driver 35B are completed.

[0109] As described above, in this embodiment, the terminal device detects the first and second objects from application data in which the layer order of objects is specified, and the objects in the layers located between the layer of the first object and the layer of the second object are converted to spot colors. As a result, similar to the case of an image forming apparatus, the user does not need to use the driver settings screen to perform complicated spot color printing settings, and the burden related to setting up spot color printing is reduced.

[0110] In each of the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0111] Furthermore, the processor operations in each of the above embodiments may not be performed by a single processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located in physically separate locations working together. Also, the order of the processor operations is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, but may be changed as appropriate.

[0112] The above description has illustrated an image forming apparatus or a terminal device as an example of an information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. The embodiment may take the form of a program that causes a computer to execute the functions of each part of the information processing apparatus. The embodiment may also take the form of a non-temporary storage medium that is readable by a computer and stores these programs.

[0113] Furthermore, the configuration of the information processing device described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and may be modified as needed without departing from the main purpose.

[0114] Furthermore, the program processing flow described in the above embodiment is just one example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps added, or the processing order rearranged, as long as it does not deviate from the main purpose.

[0115] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a case in which the process according to the embodiment is realized by a software configuration using a computer by executing a program, the embodiment is not limited to this. The embodiment may also be realized by a hardware configuration or a combination of a hardware configuration and a software configuration.

[0116] The following is further disclosed regarding the embodiments described above.

[0117] The information processing device relating to (((1))) includes a processor, the processor detects first and second objects in a predetermined display format from application data in which the layer order of objects is specified, and converts the objects in the layer located between the layer of the first object and the layer of the second object into spot colors.

[0118] The information processing device relating to (((2))) is data created by an application in the information processing device relating to (((1))) in which the application data does not correspond to features and the layer order of objects can be specified.

[0119] The information processing device relating to (((3))) is an information processing device relating to (((1))) or (((2))) in which the first object is a starting end indicating the start of the range of spot color conversion, the second object is a ending end indicating the end of the range of spot color conversion, and the display form of the first object is different from the display form of the second object.

[0120] In the information processing device related to (((4))), the type of special feature is associated with the display form of the first object in the information processing device related to (((3))).

[0121] The information processing device relating to (((5))) is an information processing device relating to any one of (((1))) to (((4))) in which the display form is represented as at least one of shape, color, and character.

[0122] The information processing device relating to (((6))) is an information processing device relating to (((5))) in which at least one of the shape, color, and characters of the first object is associated with a type of spot color.

[0123] The information processing device relating to (((7))) is an information processing device relating to any one of (((1))) to (((6))) in which the processor excludes each of the first object and the second object from being printed during spot color printing.

[0124] The information processing device relating to (((8))) is an information processing device relating to any one of (((1))) to (((7))) in which the processor sets the first object to the lowest layer in the layer order and excludes objects in layers above the second object from the spot color conversion.

[0125] The information processing system relating to (((9))) is an information processing system comprising an information processing device that performs spot color conversion and a terminal device connected to the information processing device, wherein the processor of the terminal device transmits application data specifying the layer order of objects to the information processing device, the processor of the information processing device detects a first object and a second object in a predetermined display form from the application data received from the terminal device, and converts the objects in the layer located between the layer of the first object and the layer of the second object into spot colors.

[0126] The information processing program related to (((10))) detects a first object and a second object in a predetermined display format from application data in which the layer order of objects is specified, and causes the computer to convert the objects in the layer located between the layer of the first object and the layer of the second object into spot colors.

[0127] According to (((1))), (((9))), and (((10))), this method has the effect of reducing the burden of setting up spot color printing compared to setting up spot color printing on the driver settings screen.

[0128] According to (((2))), this has the effect of enabling spot color printing even for application data that does not support spot color printing.

[0129] According to (((3))), this has the effect of enabling spot color printing simply by detecting the first and second objects, which have different display formats.

[0130] According to (((4))), this has the effect of being able to identify the type of special color by the display form of the first object.

[0131] According to (((5))), this has the effect of being able to represent the display forms of the first and second objects not only by shape, but also by color and text.

[0132] According to (((6))), this has the effect of allowing the type of spot color to be identified by the shape, color, and characters of the first object.

[0133] According to (((7))), this has the effect of excluding the first and second objects from being printed.

[0134] According to (((8))), this has the effect of excluding objects on layers above the second object from being specially color-converted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0135] 10 Image forming apparatus 11, 31 CPU 11A, 31A Acquisition Department 11B, 31B detection unit 11C, 31C conversion unit 12, 32 ROM 13, 33 RAM 14, 34 I / O 15, 35 Storage section 15A Image Processing Program 16, 36 display section 17, 37 Operation section 18 Manuscript Reading Section 19 Image forming unit 20, 38 Communications Department 30 Terminal devices 35A Application Program 35B Printer Driver 100 Information Processing Systems

Claims

1. Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, From application data where the layer order of objects is specified, the first and second objects in a predetermined display format are detected. Convert the objects in the layer located between the layer of the first object and the layer of the second object into spot colors. The processor excludes each of the first and second objects from being printed during spot color printing. Information processing device.

2. comprising a processor, The aforementioned processor, From application data where the layer order of objects is specified, the first and second objects in a predetermined display format are detected. Convert the objects in the layer located between the layer of the first object and the layer of the second object into spot colors. The processor sets the first object to the lowest layer in the layer order and excludes objects in layers above the second object from the spot color conversion. Information processing device.

3. The aforementioned application data is data created by an application that does not support spot colors and allows specifying the layer order of objects. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The first object is a start end indicating the beginning of the range of the spot color conversion, and the second object is an end end indicating the end of the range of the spot color conversion. The display format of the first object is different from the display format of the second object. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The display format of the first object is associated with a type of spot color. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned display form is represented as at least one of shape, color, and characters. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. At least one of the shape, color, and characters of the first object is associated with a type of spot color. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. An information processing device that performs special color conversion, A terminal device connected to the aforementioned information processing device, An information processing system equipped with, The processor of the terminal device transmits application data specifying the layer order of objects to the information processing device. The processor of the information processing device detects a first object and a second object in a predetermined display format from the application data received from the terminal device. Convert the objects in the layer located between the layer of the first object and the layer of the second object into spot colors. Each of the first and second objects is excluded from the printing target when performing spot color printing. Information processing system.

9. From application data where the layer order of objects is specified, the first and second objects in a predetermined display format are detected. Convert the objects in the layer located between the layer of the first object and the layer of the second object into spot colors. To exclude each of the first and second objects from being printed during spot color printing, An information processing program designed to be executed by a computer.

10. From application data in which the layer order of objects is specified, detect a first object and a second object in a predetermined display format, Convert the objects in the layer located between the layer of the first object and the layer of the second object into spot colors. The first object is placed at the bottom of the layer order, and objects in layers above the second object are excluded from the spot color conversion. An information processing program designed to be executed by a computer.

Images