JP7600638B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to printers capable of color printing.

Conventionally, there is known a technique for acquiring image data (PDL data) to be printed from an external device, converting the RGB values shown in the acquired image data into CMYK values, and performing color printing based on the converted data. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for creating an ICC profile and setting the CMYK values using the ICC profile.

JP 2007-208492 A

Some users have preferences for the hue of a particular color, such as the primary color red. As a result, they may be dissatisfied if the hue of a particular color in a printout output from a printer is not the desired hue. Patent Document 1 does not disclose any technology that can accommodate a user's preferred hue for a particular color, and there is room for improvement.

This specification discloses a technology for a printer capable of color printing that responds to a user's preferred hue for a particular color.

The printer that has been made to solve this problem is a printer that includes a printing device capable of color printing, a user interface, and a memory, and the printer executes a color chart output process that uses the printing device to print a color chart consisting of multiple selected colors for a specific color that is a specific RGB value, and the color chart has multiple similar colors that are similar to the specific color as the multiple selected colors. The printer also executes a selection process that accepts a selection of one of the selected colors of the color chart via the user interface and stores selected color information, which is information on the selected selected color, in the memory. When printing based on image data represented by RGB values, the printer also executes a specific color conversion process that converts the RGB values of the specific color included in the image data into CMY values that correspond to the selected color information stored in the memory, and a print process that prints the image represented in the image data converted to CMY values using the printing device.

According to the printer disclosed in this specification, the user selects a preferred color from a color chart for a specific color in advance and stores the selected color information in memory. When performing color printing, the RGB values of the specific color are converted to CMY values corresponding to the selected color information stored in memory and printed. This allows the specific color to be output in a hue that matches the user's preferences.

The control method for implementing the above-mentioned printer functions, the computer program, and the computer-readable storage medium storing the program are also novel and useful.

The technology disclosed in this specification realizes a printer capable of color printing that can accommodate a user's preferred hue for a particular color.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention; 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for a special color setting process. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an input screen of a printer. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a color chart. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the correspondence between color chart numbers and CMY values. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a printing process. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for special red change processing. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen of a printer driver.

The printer according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. This embodiment discloses a printer capable of color printing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 of this embodiment includes a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12. The printer 1 also includes a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF") 13, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 14, and an image forming unit 15, which are electrically connected to the controller 10. The image forming unit 15 is an example of a printing device.

The CPU 11 executes various processes according to programs read from the memory 12 and based on user operations. Various programs and data are stored in the memory 12. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed. The buffer provided in the CPU 11 is also an example of memory. Note that the controller 10 in FIG. 1 is a general term that collectively includes the hardware and software used to control the printer 1, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware that actually exists in the printer 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the memory 12 of the printer 1 of this embodiment stores a print program 21, a special color setting program 22, color chart data 23, a color profile 24, a special color number 25, and special color conversion settings 26. Details of the programs and data stored in the memory 12 will be described later.

An example of the memory 12 is not limited to a ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. built into the printer 1, but may also be a storage medium that is readable and writable by the CPU 11. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media also include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. Non-transitory media are also tangible media. On the other hand, electrical signals that carry programs downloaded from a server on the Internet, etc., are a computer-readable signal medium, which is a type of computer-readable medium, but are not included in non-transitory computer-readable storage media.

User IF 13 is, for example, a touch panel, and includes hardware that displays a screen for notifying the user of information, and hardware that accepts operations by the user. User IF 13 may be a combination of a display unit and an operation button, etc.

The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with external devices such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC") 3. The communication standards of the communication IF 14 include Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB, etc. The printer 1 may be equipped with multiple communication IFs 14 that support multiple communication standards.

The image forming unit 15 includes a configuration for printing an image on a print medium such as a sheet. The image forming method of the image forming unit 15 is, for example, an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The printer 1 of this embodiment is equipped with an image forming unit 15 configured to be capable of color printing. The image forming unit 15 of the printer 1 of this embodiment is, for example, a device that performs printing using colorants of four colors, CMYK. The printer 1 performs printing by passing CMYK data, in which each dot is represented by a set of CMYK values, to the image forming unit 15.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 of this embodiment is connected to the PC 3 via the communication IF 14, and receives a print job including image data from the PC 3. If the image data included in the print job is a color image represented by RGB values, the printer 1 converts the RGB values to CMYK values and prints the image represented in the converted image data. The RGB values are a set of three numbers represented by the values of R, G, and B, and the CMYK values are a set of four numbers represented by the values of C, M, Y, and K. Note that a color image represented by RGB values can also be expressed in three values of CMY without using the K value, and the CMYK values are an example of the CMY values.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the PC 3 is equipped with a printer driver 31 corresponding to the printer 1. The printer driver 31 is a program that generates a print job for the printer 1 to print based on a user's instruction. The print job generated by the printer driver 31 and passed to the printer 1 includes PDL data (e.g., data in a format such as PCL or PDF) which is image data indicating the image to be printed, and PJL data indicating parameters related to printing.

Next, the operation of the printer 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart. The following process basically indicates the process of the CPU 11 according to the instructions written in the program. That is, the processes such as "judgment", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "decision", "identification", "acquisition", "reception", and "control" in the following description represent the process of the CPU 11. The process by the CPU also includes hardware control using the API of the OS. In this specification, the operation of each program will be described without mentioning the OS. That is, in the following description, a statement to the effect that "program B controls hardware C" may also mean that "program B controls hardware C using the API of the OS". In addition, the process of the CPU 11 according to the instructions written in the program may be described in abbreviated terms. For example, it may be described as "performed by the CPU 11". In addition, the process of the CPU 11 according to the instructions written in the program may be described in abbreviated terms such as "performed by program A".

Note that "obtaining" is used as a concept that does not necessarily require a request. In other words, the process of the CPU 11 receiving data without making a request is also included in the concept of "the CPU obtaining data." In this specification, "data" is represented as a bit string that can be read by a computer. Data with the same substantial meaning but different formats is treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification. In addition, "requesting" and "instructing" are concepts that indicate outputting information indicating a request or information indicating an instruction to the other party. Information indicating a request or information indicating an instruction is also simply referred to as a "request" and "instruction."

The process by CPU 11 to determine whether information A indicates event B may be conceptually described as "determining from information A whether it is event B or not." The process by CPU 11 to determine whether information A indicates event B or event C may be conceptually described as "determining from information A whether it is event B or event C."

The procedure for the special color setting process executed by the printer 1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 2. The special color setting process is a process executed by the special color setting program 22, and is executed by the CPU 11 of the printer 1 when an instruction to set a special color is received via the user IF 13.

A special color is a color in which the R, G, and B values in image data expressed as RGB values are specific, predetermined values. A special color is, for example, a color in which the value of one of the three colors is the maximum possible RGB value, and the values of the other two colors are both represented as 0. Alternatively, a special color may be, for example, a color in which the values of two of the three colors are the maximum possible RGB value, and the value of the other color is represented as 0. Alternatively, instead of the maximum possible RGB value as described above, a color may be an intermediate value between the maximum possible RGB value and 0.

For example, the special color red (hereinafter referred to as "special red") in image data expressed as 8-bit RGB values is a color represented by R=255, G=0, and B=0. Special red is an example of a specific color. Below, settings related to special red as a special color are explained. For example, in China and Arabic countries, there are many users who value the shade of red, and each user tends to have a different preferred shade of red. For this reason, there is a demand to print the special red contained in printed materials in a preferred shade. The printer 1 of this embodiment accepts settings for the shade to be used for the special red parts of the image data.

In the special color setting process, the CPU 11 causes the user IF 13 to display a setting menu that accepts instructions regarding the special color (S100). For example, as shown in FIG. 3(A), the setting menu includes a special red setting button 41 and a special red print button 42. The CPU 11 accepts user input operations on these buttons.

The CPU 11 determines whether an instruction to print a color chart for selecting special red has been received by operating the special red print button 42 (S101). The special red color chart is, for example, a chart in which a set of multiple patches of different red colors and a color number corresponding to each color are arranged, as shown in FIG. 4.

The printer 1 stores color chart data 23 in the memory 12. The special red color chart data 23 is print data for printing, for example, 169 patches represented by 169 colors similar to red, numbered from 0 to 168, and their color numbers, on one sheet, as shown in FIG. 4. Each patch of the color chart data 23 is one of 169 red-based colors, with at least one of the three CMY values differing from the others. The 169 types of red included in the color chart data 23 are an example of multiple selected colors.

When it is determined that the color chart is to be printed (S101: YES), the CPU 11 reads the color chart data 23 corresponding to special red from the memory 12 (S102) and executes printing based on the read color chart data 23 (S103). S103 is an example of a color chart output process. As a result, the printer 1 outputs a color chart as shown in FIG. 4. Note that the printer 1 stores a list of CMYK values corresponding to each color number for each color included in the color chart data 23, for example, as shown in FIG. 5. Each patch printed on the color chart is printed by arranging multiple dots of the CMYK values of each color number at a predetermined interval in a predetermined area. Note that the example shown in FIG. 5 is an example of the CMYK values of special red, and since all K values are 0 in the colors used in the special red color chart, only the CMY values are shown in this figure.

If it is determined that an instruction to print a color chart has not been received (S101: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether an instruction to set special red has been received by operating the special red setting button 41 (S110). If it is determined that an instruction to set special red has also not been received (S110: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether an instruction to close the setting menu has been received (S120). After S103, or if it is determined that an instruction to close has also not been received (S120: NO), the CPU 11 returns to S101 and waits for instructions to each button in the setting menu.

When it is determined that an instruction to set special red has been received (S110: YES), the CPU 11 causes the user IF 13 to display a reception menu for receiving the special red setting (S111). For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the reception menu includes option 411 for receiving an instruction to turn off the special red setting, and option 412 for receiving a number designation. The special red setting is a setting that indicates whether the information of the color number designated by the user as special red is valid or invalid, and is set to off by default. For example, if the special red setting is turned off by accepting an operation on option 411, the printer 1 does not use the information even if it has accepted the designation of the color number for special red.

Option 412 is an option that accepts an instruction to specify the color number of the color to be used in printing for the special red in the image data. When the special red setting is on and a color number is specified, printer 1 can convert the special red in the image data into the CMY values that correspond to the specified color number.

The CPU 11 determines whether an instruction to specify a color number has been received by operating option 412 (S112). If it determines that an instruction to specify a number has not been received (S112: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether an instruction to turn off the special red setting has been received by operating option 411 (S113). If it determines that an instruction to turn off the special red setting has also not been received (S113: NO), the CPU 11 returns to S112 and waits until any instruction is received.

If it is determined that an instruction to turn off the use of special red has been received (S113: YES), that is, if it is determined that an operation to option 411 has been received in the reception menu shown in FIG. 3(B), the CPU 11 turns off the special red setting (S114). Even if information corresponding to special red of special color number 25 is stored in memory 12, the CPU 11 stores information indicating that the information is to be invalidated as the value corresponding to special red in the special color conversion setting 26.

On the other hand, if it is determined that an instruction to specify a number has been received by operating option 412 in the reception menu shown in FIG. 3(B) (S112: YES), the CPU 11 causes the user IF 13 to display an input screen 43 for receiving input of a color number, as shown in FIG. 3(C) (S115). The user selects a preferred red color to be printed as special red from the output color chart, and inputs the color number written corresponding to that color on the input screen 43.

The CPU 11 determines whether or not input of a color number has been accepted (S116). If it determines that input of a color number has been accepted (S116: YES), the CPU 11 determines whether the accepted color number is within a predetermined range, in the example of FIG. 4, between 0 and 168 (S117). If it determines that input of a color number has not been accepted (S116: NO), or if it determines that the number is not within the predetermined range (S117: NO), the CPU 11 waits until it accepts a number within the predetermined range.

If it is determined that the inputted numerical value is within a predetermined range (S117: YES), the CPU 11 stores the received color number information in the memory 12 as information corresponding to the special red of the special color number 25 (S118). S118 is an example of a selection process, and the special color number 25 is an example of selected color information. The information stored in the special color number 25 may be the color number itself, or the CMYK values corresponding to the color number. Note that if the color number information corresponding to special red is already stored in the special color number 25, the CPU 11 overwrites the special color number 25 in S118. In other words, the printer 1 accepts only one type of information as the CMYK values to be used for special red.

Furthermore, the CPU 11 turns on the special red setting (S119). The CPU 11 stores information indicating that the information of the color number designated by the user as special red is to be made valid when converting image data to CMYK values, as a value corresponding to special red in the special color conversion settings 26. S119 is an example of a setting process.

After S114 or S119, the CPU 11 returns to S100, displays the setting menu shown in FIG. 3A, and accepts operation of each button in the setting menu. If the CPU 11 determines that an end instruction has been received (S120: YES), the CPU 11 ends the special color setting process. For example, if the CPU 11 receives an instruction to cancel the special color setting process or an instruction other than a setting related to special red, the CPU 11 determines that an end instruction has been received and ends the special color setting process.

Next, the procedure of the printing process executed by the printer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 6. The printing process is a process executed by the printing program 21, and is executed by the CPU 11 of the printer 1 when a print job is accepted from an external device such as the PC 3. Note that the print job is not limited to a print job received from the PC 3, etc., but may be a print job of direct printing, which is an instruction to print an image read from storage such as a USB memory, or a print job of download printing, which is an instruction to print an image downloaded from a server, etc.

In the printing process, the CPU 11 performs rasterization based on the PDL data of the print job, and generates rasterized RGB data (S201). If the PDL data of the print job is not data represented in RGB values, the CPU 11 performs rasterization and conversion to RGB values in S201.

Then, the CPU 11 selects the color profile 24 to be used (S202). The color profile 24 stored in the memory 12 is data that associates RGB values with CMYK values, and is a conversion table for converting a combination of RGB values in image data into a combination of CMYK values. The printer 1 of this embodiment is provided with multiple types of color profiles 24, and determines the color profile 24 to be used, for example, based on parameters specified in the PJL data of the print job. Specifically, the CPU 11 determines the color profile 24, for example, based on the specifications of ColorMode, ImproveGray, and EnhanceBlack. Note that the CMYK values corresponding to extra red in each color profile 24 are all included in the color chart data 23 described above.

Furthermore, the CPU 11 creates a copy of the determined color profile 24 (S203) and corrects the created copy of the color profile 24 (S204). S204 is an example of a correction process. The color profile 24 is also used for future printing, and it is desirable to store the original color profile 24 as is. Therefore, the CPU 11 creates a copy to be used for the current printing, and performs correction, modification, and other processing on the copy. In S204, the CPU 11 corrects the copy of the color profile 24 based on the parameters specified in the PJL data of the print job. Specifically, the CPU 11 corrects the copy based on the printing conditions, for example, Brightness, Contrast, Red, Blue, and Green.

After the correction of the duplicated color profile 24 is completed, the CPU 11 executes a special red change process (S205). The special red change process is a process for rewriting the duplicated color profile 24 after correction according to the special red setting. The procedure for the special red change process will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 7.

In the special red change process, the CPU 11 first determines whether the special red setting is on (S301). The CPU 11 then determines whether information indicating that the use of a user-specified color number is enabled is stored in the memory 12 as a value corresponding to special red in the special color conversion settings 26.

If it is determined that the special red setting is on (S301: YES), the CPU 11 reads out the color number information stored in association with special red from the special color number 25 in the memory 12 (S302). Furthermore, the CPU 11 temporarily stores the read color number information as special red information (S303). If it is determined that the special red setting is off (S301: NO), the CPU 11 temporarily stores information indicating that the initial value is to be used as special red (S304).

Then, the CPU 11 determines whether the PJL data for the print job includes a command for special red (S311). The printer driver 31 of the PC 3 may include a command for special red in the PJL data based on the user's specification.

For example, when PC3 receives an instruction from a user to display properties or to print, it executes printer driver 31 before generating a print job. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, printer driver 31 displays a setting screen 50 for accepting user settings on the display of PC3.

The setting screen 50 shown in FIG. 8 is an example of a screen that accepts settings related to special red, and the printer driver 31 accepts the selection of one of three types of instructions for the setting of special red on this setting screen 50. Specifically, the printer driver 31 displays a button 51 that accepts an Off specification, which is an instruction not to convert special red, a button 52 that accepts a printer default specification, which is an instruction to follow the printer settings, and a button 53 that accepts a color number selection specification, which is an instruction to specify a number for special red, and accepts the selection of one of these buttons. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 (A), button 52 is selected by default.

When button 53 is selected, printer driver 31 further accepts user input, for example as shown in FIG. 8 (B), through input field 54 for accepting number input and through button 55 for accepting an instruction to cause printer 1 to print a color chart. When input to button 55 is accepted, PC 3 sends a command to printer 1 to instruct it to print a color chart. When printer 1 receives a command to instruct it to print a color chart, it prints a color chart based on color chart data 23 stored in memory 12.

The printer driver 31 includes a command related to special red in the PJL data of the print job based on the selection received through buttons 51 to 53 on the setting screen 50. When an instruction not to convert special red is received through button 51, the printer driver 31 invalidates information about special red stored in the printer 1, and includes an initial value command in the PJL data, which is a command to use the initial value for special red. The initial value command is an example of color conversion invalidation data. The initial value for special red is predetermined for each selected color profile 24.

When an instruction to follow the printer settings is received with button 52, printer driver 31 does not include a command for special red in the PJL data. When a special red number specification is received with button 53 and input field 54, printer driver 31 includes a color specification command, which is a command that specifies the color number to be used as special red, in the PJL data. The color specification command is an example of color specification data. Note that buttons 51 and 52 are radio buttons, and only one of the three can be selected. In other words, a print job may contain an initial value command, a color specification command, or neither command; it will never contain both an initial value command and a color specification command.

Then, in S311, the CPU 11 determines whether the print job includes an initial value command or a color specification command as PJL data. If it is determined that the print job includes an initial value command, i.e., that the printer driver 31 has accepted an Off specification (S311: Initial Value Command), the CPU 11 temporarily stores information indicating that the initial value will be used as special red (S312). S312 is the same process as S304, and if S304 has been executed, S312 may be skipped.

Furthermore, if it is determined that the print job contains a color designation command, i.e. that the printer driver 31 has accepted a designation of the color number to be used as special red (S311: Color Designation Command), the CPU 11 acquires the color number information included in the PJL data by adding it to the color designation command (S313). Furthermore, the CPU 11 temporarily stores the acquired color number information as the color number of special red (S314). Note that the color number information included in the color designation command may be the color number itself, or may be CMYK value information.

After S312 or S314, or if it is determined that the PJL data for the print job does not contain either an initial value command or a color specification command (S311: None), the CPU 11 determines whether the information temporarily stored as special red indicates the use of the initial value (S321).

In addition, cases in which the PJL data does not include either the initial value command or the color specification command include, for example, a print job that does not use the printer driver 31, other than when the button 52 for accepting the printer default specification is selected in the printer driver 31. For example, in a print command from a device that does not have the printer driver 31, such as a mobile device, the print job is likely to not include PJL data. Also, for example, even if the print job is from a PC 3, a print job using the OS standard printing system (for example, AirPrint (registered trademark)) is likely to not include PJL data. Also, for example, in a print command for an image read from a storage such as a USB memory or an image downloaded from a server, the print job is likely to not include PJL data. If the print job does not include PJL data, the CPU 11 determines "none" in S311.

If it is determined that the information temporarily stored as special red is not information indicating the use of the initial value (S321: NO), the CPU 11 obtains the CMYK values corresponding to the color number information stored as special red in S303 or S314 from the list shown in FIG. 5 (S322). Furthermore, the CPU 11 changes the CMYK values corresponding to the RGB values of special red in the duplicated color profile 24 to the CMYK values obtained in S322 (S323). S323 is an example of a specific color conversion process. By rewriting the duplicate, the printer 1 maintains the original color profile 24 and temporarily creates a rewritten color profile.

After S323, or if it is determined that the initial value is to be used as the special red (S321: YES), the CPU 11 ends the special red change process and returns to the print process. If the initial value is to be used, the CPU 11 does not rewrite the duplicate color profile 24.

The special red setting is the default value when the special red setting on printer 1 is off and the PJL data does not contain a command related to special red, or when the PJL data contains a default command. Even if a special red setting is stored in printer 1, CPU 11 prioritizes the setting based on the PJL data by overwriting it based on the command in the PJL data. On the other hand, if the PJL data does not contain a command related to special red, CPU 11 applies the setting accepted by printer 1 in the special color setting process.

Returning to the description of the printing process in FIG. 6, after the special red change process in S205, the CPU 11 generates CMYK data based on the RGB data generated in S201 by converting the RGB values into CMYK values using the color profile 24 of the processed duplicate (S211). S211 is an example of a CMY conversion process. If the CMYK values of special red have been rewritten by the special red change process, the special red parts in the RGB data are converted to CMYK values indicated by the color number specified by the user. On the other hand, if the CMYK values of special red have not been rewritten by the special red change process, the CPU 11 generates the CMYK data using the color profile 24 selected in S202 as is.

Next, CPU 11 determines whether toner save mode has been specified for the print job (S212). If it is determined that toner save mode has been specified (S212: YES), CPU 11 reduces the overall density of the CMYK data generated in S211 (S213). After S213, or if it is determined that toner save mode has not been specified (S212: NO), CPU 11 applies dithering to the CMYK data to generate binarized print data (S214).

The CPU 11 passes the print data generated in S214 to the image forming unit 15 and executes printing (S215). S215 is an example of the print process. Furthermore, the CPU 11 deletes the duplicated color profile 24 (S216) and ends the print process. As a result, the duplicate of the color profile 24 used in the current print will not be used in subsequent prints. For example, the use of special red is likely to differ for each print job. The CPU 11 corrects and rewrites the duplicate of the color profile 24 according to the print job, and deletes the duplicate after the print job is printed, so that printed material that reflects the user's preferences for each print job can be created.

As explained in detail above, the printer 1 of this embodiment prints a color chart including patches of multiple colors for selecting special red, and stores information on the user's favorite color selected from the color chart in memory 12. Furthermore, when performing printing based on RGB data, the printer 1 uses the color information stored in memory 12 to convert the RGB values to CMYK values for use in printing. Therefore, the printer 1 can output a printout in which special red is printed in a color shade that suits the user's preference.

In addition, in this embodiment, the printer 1 stores information about special red and can print using the stored information, so special red can be used in a variety of printing jobs without relying on a printer driver or the like that generates the print job. Even if the color tone changes due to printer 1 circumstances, such as changing toner or paper, it is only necessary to change the information stored in the printer 1, so there is little effort involved.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a specification as to whether or not to use special red is accepted, so it is also possible to print without using special red, improving convenience. Also, a specification as to whether or not to use special red can be accepted by the printer 1 or by the printer driver 31 of the PC 3 or the like, further improving convenience for the user. In particular, for print jobs that do not include PJL data, the settings accepted by the printer 1 are valid, so special red can be used even for print jobs that do not use a printer driver. On the other hand, if the print job includes PJL data, the settings of the print job take precedence over the settings of the printer 1, so printing can be performed according to the intention at the time the print job was created.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a copy of the color profile 24 is created and the copy is rewritten, so that printing of other print jobs is not affected. Also, when a designation of special red is accepted, the latest information is stored in memory 12, and when special red is used, information is read from memory 12 and used, so the latest information is always available and printing that suits the user's preferences can be performed reliably. Also, if correction of the color profile 24 is necessary, the correction is performed first, and then processing related to special red is executed, so that the special red setting can be given priority over the correction.

Note that this embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the technology disclosed in this specification can be naturally improved and modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the printer 1 is not limited to a single-function printer, but can be a multifunction printer, copier, fax machine, or other device with a color printing function. In addition, the device that sends a print job to the printer 1 is not limited to the PC 3, but can be a smartphone, tablet computer, or server computer. In addition, the image data to be printed by the printer 1 is not limited to a print job sent from the PC 3, etc., but can be image data obtained from a scanner, cloud server, USB memory, etc. In addition, multiple PCs, etc. may be connected to the printer 1.

In addition, in this embodiment, if the PJL data includes a command related to a special color, the specification in the PJL data takes priority regardless of the setting in the printer 1, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the command in the PJL data may be used only when the printer 1 does not accept a number specification for a special color. Also, the printer 1 may accept a setting as to whether or not to give priority to the command in the PJL data.

In addition, in this embodiment, the printer 1 accepts an instruction to turn off the special red setting, but this does not have to be the case. The printer 1 may also turn off the special red setting if, for example, it accepts an input of a color number outside a predetermined range as a number designation.

In addition, in this embodiment, the commands included in the PJL data are color specification commands or initial value commands, and no commands are added when the printer settings are followed, but for example, there may be a command indicating an instruction to follow the printer settings. In this case, printer 1 performs processing according to the printer settings based on the command. Also, although it has been described that it is possible to include color specification commands or initial value commands in the PJL data of a print job, these commands do not have to be present. Even if there is no command for the print job, settings related to special colors can be made on printer 1, so the user can print special colors in their preferred colors.

In addition, in this embodiment, a copy of the color profile 24 is created when printing a print job, and the copy of the color profile 24 is deleted after printing, but this is not limited to the above. It may be possible to determine first whether correction or rewriting of the color profile 24 is necessary, and to create a copy only if it is determined that it is necessary. It may also be possible to not delete the copy, but to overwrite it the next time printing is performed. Also, for example, the copy may be retained and reused while a new user specification regarding special red is not being accepted. For example, the copy may be reused when multiple images selected at the same time are printed consecutively.

In addition, in this embodiment, the processing for special red has been described, but the printer 1 may perform similar processing for special colors other than special red. The printer 1 may also accept a user's specification of the RGB values to be used as the special color. In that case, when an instruction to print a color chart is accepted, the printer 1 may create and print color chart data 23 in which the CMYK values are changed according to a predetermined rule, based on the default CMYK values corresponding to the specified RGB values. The printer 1 may also accept settings for multiple special colors. In that case, the printer 1 may store information for each of the multiple special colors as a special color number 25 and a special color conversion setting 26.

In addition, for example, in this embodiment, all of the special reds in each color profile 24 are included in the color chart, but they do not have to be included. Also, information indicating the initial value of the special red in each color profile 24 may be added to the color chart.

Although the printer 1 of this embodiment is described as printing using four colorants, CMYK, this is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to devices that use three colorants, CMY, or five or more colors, for example. Even with such devices, it is possible to print in a special color of the user's choice by converting the RGB values of the special color into the selected CMYK value or CMY value.

In addition, in any of the flowcharts disclosed in the embodiments, the execution order of multiple processes in any of the steps can be arbitrarily changed or the processes can be executed in parallel, as long as no inconsistencies occur in the process content.

The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by a single CPU, multiple CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination of these. The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be realized in various ways, such as a recording medium on which a program for executing the processes is recorded, or a method.

1 Printer 11 CPU
12 Memory 13 User IF
15 Image forming section

Claims (13)

A printing device capable of color printing;
A user interface;
Memory,
A printer comprising:
The printer includes:
a color chart output process is executed to print a color chart composed of a plurality of selected colors for a specific color having a specific RGB value using the printing device, the color chart having a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color as the plurality of selected colors;
The printer further comprises:
a selection process for accepting a selection of one of the plurality of selection colors of the color chart via the user interface, and storing selection color information, which is information on the selected selection color, in the memory;
Furthermore, when the printer performs printing based on image data represented by RGB values,
a specific color conversion process for converting the RGB values of the specific color included in the image data into CMY values corresponding to the selected color information stored in the memory;
a printing process for printing, using the printing device, an image represented by the image data converted into CMY values;
Run
The print job including the image data may or may not include color conversion invalidation data that invalidates the selected color information.
The printer further comprises:
Executing a setting process to set whether conversion to CMY values corresponding to the selected color information is enabled or disabled;
If printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is specified, or if a setting is made in the setting process to enable conversion to CMY values corresponding to the selected color information, and the print job does not include the color conversion invalid data, the specific color conversion process is executed; if printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is not specified, or if the print job includes the color conversion invalid data, the specific color conversion process is not executed, and the RGB values of the specific color included in the image data are converted to CMY values without using the selected color information stored in the memory.
A printer characterized by: A printing device capable of color printing;
A user interface;
Memory,
A printer comprising:
The printer includes:
a color chart output process is executed to print a color chart composed of a plurality of selected colors for a specific color having a specific RGB value using the printing device, the color chart having a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color as the plurality of selected colors;
The printer further comprises:
a selection process for accepting a selection of one of the plurality of selection colors of the color chart via the user interface, and storing selection color information, which is information on the selected selection color, in the memory;
Furthermore, when the printer performs printing based on image data represented by RGB values,
a specific color conversion process for converting the RGB values of the specific color included in the image data into CMY values corresponding to the selected color information stored in the memory;
a printing process for printing, using the printing device, an image represented by the image data converted into CMY values;
Run
The print job including the image data may or may not include color conversion invalidation data that invalidates the use of the selected color information.
The printer further comprises:
When printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is specified, or when the color conversion invalid data is not included in the print job, the specific color conversion process is executed, and when printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is not specified, or when the color conversion invalid data is included in the print job, the specific color conversion process is not executed, and the RGB values of the specific color included in the image data are converted to CMY values without using the selected color information stored in the memory.
A printer characterized by: 3. The printer according to claim 1,
The memory stores a color profile that associates RGB values with CMY values,
The printer includes:
a CMY conversion process is executed to convert the image data from RGB values to CMY values using the color profile, and in the printing process, an image represented by the image data converted to the CMY values in the CMY conversion process is printed using the printing device;
The printer further comprises:
In the specific color conversion process, the CMY values corresponding to the RGB values of the specific color in the color profile are rewritten to CMY values corresponding to the selected color indicated by the selected color information stored in the memory;
In the CMY conversion process, the image data of RGB values is converted into CMY values using the color profile rewritten by the specific color conversion process.
A printer characterized by: 4. The printer according to claim 3,
The printer includes:
When printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is designated, the color profile is rewritten in the specific color conversion process and then the CMY conversion process is executed, and when printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is not designated, the CMY conversion process is executed without rewriting the color profile in the specific color conversion process.
A printer characterized by: 5. The printer according to claim 1,
The printer includes:
In the color chart output process, the color chart is printed using the printing device for the specific color whose RGB values are either 0 or a maximum value.
A printer characterized by: A printing device capable of color printing;
A user interface;
Memory,
A printer comprising:
The printer includes:
a color chart output process is executed to print a color chart composed of a plurality of selected colors for a specific color having a specific RGB value using the printing device, the color chart having a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color as the plurality of selected colors;
The printer further comprises:
a selection process for accepting a selection of one of the plurality of selection colors of the color chart via the user interface, and storing selection color information, which is information on the selected selection color, in the memory;
Furthermore, when the printer performs printing based on image data represented by RGB values,
a specific color conversion process for converting the RGB values of the specific color included in the image data into CMY values corresponding to the selected color information stored in the memory;
a printing process for printing, using the printing device, an image represented by the image data converted into CMY values;
Run
The memory stores a color profile that associates RGB values with CMY values,
The printer further comprises:
a CMY conversion process is executed to convert the image data from RGB values to CMY values using the color profile, and in the printing process, an image represented by the image data converted to the CMY values in the CMY conversion process is printed using the printing device;
The printer further comprises:
In the specific color conversion process, the color profile is duplicated, a selected color indicated by the selected color information stored in the memory is read, and a rewritten color profile is temporarily created by rewriting the CMY values corresponding to the RGB values of the specific color in the duplicated color profile to the CMY values associated with the selected color indicated by the read-out selected color information;
In the CMY conversion process, the image data of RGB values is converted to CMY values using the rewritten color profile, and after conversion to CMY values, the rewritten color profile is not used.
A printer characterized by: A printing device capable of color printing;
A user interface;
Memory,
A printer comprising:
The printer includes:
a color chart output process is executed to print a color chart composed of a plurality of selected colors for a specific color having a specific RGB value using the printing device, the color chart having a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color as the plurality of selected colors;
The printer further comprises:
a selection process for accepting a selection of one of the plurality of selection colors of the color chart via the user interface, and storing selection color information, which is information on the selected selection color, in the memory;
Furthermore, when the printer performs printing based on image data represented by RGB values,
a specific color conversion process for converting the RGB values of the specific color included in the image data into CMY values corresponding to the selected color information stored in the memory;
a printing process for printing, using the printing device, an image represented by the image data converted into CMY values;
Run
The memory stores a color profile that associates RGB values with CMY values,
The printer further comprises:
a CMY conversion process is executed to convert the image data from RGB values to CMY values using the color profile, and in the printing process, an image represented by the image data converted to the CMY values in the CMY conversion process is printed using the printing device;
The printer further comprises:
A correction process is performed to correct the color profile before converting the image data of RGB values into CMY values according to printing conditions, and the specific color conversion process is performed after the correction process is completed.
In the specific color conversion process, the CMY values corresponding to the RGB values of the specific color in the corrected color profile are rewritten to CMY values corresponding to the selected color indicated by the selected color information stored in the memory;
In the CMY conversion process, the image data of RGB values is converted into CMY values using the color profile rewritten by the specific color conversion process.
A printer characterized by: In the printer according to claim 6 or 7,
The printer includes:
When printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is designated, the color profile is rewritten in the specific color conversion process and then the CMY conversion process is executed, and when printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is not designated, the CMY conversion process is executed without rewriting the color profile in the specific color conversion process.
A printer characterized by: In the printer according to any one of claims 6 to 8 ,
The printer includes:
When printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is designated for the specific color, the specific color conversion process is executed, and when printing of the specific color in the selected color selected in the selection process is not designated for the specific color, the specific color conversion process is not executed, and the RGB value of the specific color included in the image data is converted to a CMY value without using the selected color information stored in the memory.
A printer characterized by: 10. The printer according to claim 9 ,
The printer includes:
Executing a setting process to set whether conversion to CMY values corresponding to the selected color information is enabled or disabled;
When a setting is made in the setting process to enable conversion to CMY values corresponding to the selected color information, the specific color conversion process is executed assuming that printing in the selected color selected in the selection process is designated for the specific color.
A printer characterized by: 11. The printer according to claim 10 ,
The print job including the image data may or may not include color designation data that designates information indicating the CMY values corresponding to the specific color.
The printer includes:
When a setting is made in the setting process to enable conversion to CMY values corresponding to the selected color information and the print job does not include the color designation data, the specific color conversion process is executed assuming that printing in the selected color selected in the selection process is designated, and when the print job includes the color designation data, the specific color conversion process is not executed, and the RGB values of the specific color included in the image data are converted to CMY values corresponding to the information designated by the color designation data.
A printer characterized by: 10. The printer according to claim 9 ,
The print job including the image data may or may not include color designation data that designates information indicating the CMY values corresponding to the specific color.
The printer includes:
When the color designation data is not included in the print job, the specific color conversion process is executed assuming that printing in the selected color selected in the selection process is designated, and when the color designation data is included in the print job, the specific color conversion process is not executed, and the RGB value of the specific color included in the image data is converted to a CMY value corresponding to the information designated by the color designation data.
A printer characterized by: 10. The printer according to claim 9 ,
The print job including the image data may or may not include color conversion invalidation data that invalidates the use of the selected color information.
The printer includes:
When the color conversion invalid data is not included in the print job, the specific color conversion process is executed assuming that printing in the selected color selected in the selection process is specified, and when the color conversion invalid data is included in the print job, the specific color conversion process is not executed, and the RGB value of the specific color included in the image data is converted to a CMY value without using the selected color information stored in the memory.
A printer characterized by:

Images