CN114625326A

CN114625326A - Printing system and printer

Info

Publication number: CN114625326A
Application number: CN202111487370.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 楠本至央
Original assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2020-12-11
Filing date: 2021-12-08
Publication date: 2022-06-14
Also published as: JP2022092814A

Abstract

A printing system and a printer are provided. The printing system includes a printer and an information processing apparatus. The printer outputs a color table composed of a plurality of selected colors for a specific color of a specific RGB value, and stores a specific color conversion table in which an index number corresponding to each selected color is associated with a CMY value. The information processing apparatus receives selection of one of a plurality of selected colors in the color table by designating an index number, and when a print instruction is received in a state where the index number is designated, transmits a print job including the designated index number and image data to the printer. The printer converts RGB values representing image data included in a print job into CMY values when receiving the print job from the information processing apparatus, prints an image represented by the CMY-value image data, and converts the RGB values of a specific color in the image data into CMY values corresponding to an index number specified by the print job using a specific color conversion table when converting into CMY values.

Description

Printing system and printer

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a printer capable of color printing and a printing system including the printer.

Background

Conventionally, there is known a technique of acquiring image data (PDL data) to be printed from an external device, converting RGB values 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 of generating an ICC profile and setting CMYK values using the ICC profile.

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent application No. 2007-208492

Disclosure of Invention

Some users prefer a particular color hue, such as the primary red color. Therefore, if the color tone of a specific color in a printed matter output from the printer is not a preferred color tone, dissatisfaction may be caused. Patent document 1 does not disclose a technique corresponding to a hue preferred by a user for a specific color, and there is room for improvement.

The invention provides a printer capable of color printing, which can cope with the color tone of a user to a specific color.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a printing system including a printer capable of color printing and an information processing apparatus that receives a print instruction to the printer. The printer outputs, for a specific color having a specific RGB value, a color table composed of a plurality of selected colors, the color table having a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color as the plurality of selected colors, and a specific color conversion table storing therein a specific color conversion table associating an index number corresponding to each selected color with a CMY value. The information processing apparatus receives selection of one of the plurality of selected colors in the color table by designating the index number, and when the print instruction is received in a state where the index number is designated, transmits a print job to the printer, the print job including the designated index number and image data. The printer, upon receiving the print job from the information processing apparatus, converts RGB values representing the image data included in the print job into CMY values, prints an image represented by the image data converted into CMY values, and, upon converting the image data into CMY values, converts the RGB values of the specific color included in the image data into CMY values corresponding to the index number specified in the print job using the specific color conversion table.

In the printing system of the present invention, in the case where there is a designation of an index number corresponding to a selected color of the color table in a print job received from the information processing apparatus, the printer converts the RGB value of the specific color into a CMY value corresponding to the index number using a specific color conversion table stored in the printer. This allows printing of a specific color in a tone preferred by the user.

The present invention also provides a printer comprising: a printing device capable of color printing; a communication interface; and a memory that executes color table output processing that outputs a color table composed of a plurality of selected colors for a specific color having a specific RGB value, the color table having a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color as the plurality of selected colors, a specific color conversion table stored in the memory, the specific color conversion table associating an index number corresponding to each selected color with a CMY value, the printer executing reception processing that receives a print job including image data through the communication interface with or without designation of the index number in the print job, the printer executing CMY conversion processing and print processing that converts the image data represented by RGB values into the image data represented by CMY values when printing based on the image data included in the print job, the print processing prints, using the printing apparatus, an image represented by the image data converted into CMY values, in the case where there is a designation of the index number in the received print job, in the CMY conversion processing, the printer converts the RGB value of the specific color contained in the image data into CMY values corresponding to the index number designated in the print job using the specific color conversion table.

A printer constituting the above-described printing system, a control method for realizing the functions of the printing system, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program are also included in the present invention.

According to the technology disclosed in the present specification, a printer capable of color printing can be realized, and the printer can cope with the preferred hue of a user for a specific color.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system of the present embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing a print processing procedure.

Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the printer driver setting screen.

Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the color table.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the correspondence relationship between the color table numbers and the CMY values.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a special red change processing procedure.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a setting processing procedure.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an input screen of the printer.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, the printing system of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The printing system of the present embodiment includes a printer and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC").

As shown in fig. 1, the printing system 100 of the present embodiment includes a printer 1 and a PC3, and is configured by connecting the printer 1 and the PC3 to each other. The printer 1 is a device capable of color printing. The PC3 is a device capable of receiving a print instruction to the printer 1 and transmitting a print job to the printer 1 based on the received print instruction. The PC3 is an example of an information processing apparatus.

As shown in fig. 1, the printer 1 of the present embodiment includes a controller 10, and the controller 10 includes a CPU11 and a memory 12. Further, the printer 1 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 section 15 electrically connected to the controller 10. The image forming section 15 is an example of a printing apparatus.

The CPU11 executes various processes in accordance with the program read from the memory 12 and based on the operation of the user. The memory 12 stores therein various programs and various data. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when performing various processes. The buffer memory of the CPU11 is also an example of the memory.

As shown in fig. 1, the memory 12 of the printer 1 of the present embodiment stores a print program 21, color table data 23, a color profile 24, a recommended color number 25, and a conversion table 26. The programs and data stored in the memory 12 will be described in detail later.

The user IF13 is, for example, a touch panel, and includes hardware for displaying a screen for notifying user information and hardware for receiving a user operation. The user IF13 may be a combination of a display portion and operation buttons or the like.

The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with an external device such as the PC 3. The communication specification of the communication IF 14 is ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB, or the like. The printer 1 may include a plurality of communication IFs 14 corresponding to a plurality of communication specifications.

The image forming portion 15 includes a structure for printing an image on a printing medium such as a sheet. The image forming method of the image forming portion 15 is, for example, an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The printer 1 of the present embodiment includes an image forming unit 15 configured to be capable of color printing. The image forming section 15 of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment is a device that performs printing using colorants of four colors of CMYK, for example. The printer 1 performs printing by transferring CMYK data each dot of which is expressed by a set of CMYK values to the image forming section 15.

In the printer 1 of the present embodiment, if the image data included in the print job received from the PC3 or the like is a color image represented by RGB values, the RGB values are converted into CMYK values, and the image represented by the converted image data is printed. The RGB value is a combination of three values represented by R, G, B values, and the CMYK value is a combination of four values represented by C, M, Y, K values. Instead of the K value, a color image represented by RGB values may be represented by three CMY values, which are an example of CMY values.

As shown in fig. 1, the PC3 of the present embodiment includes a controller 30, and the controller 30 includes a CPU 31 and a memory 32. Further, the PC3 includes a user IF33 and a communication IF 34 electrically connected to the controller 30. The

controllers

10, 30 in fig. 1 are generic terms of hardware and software for controlling the printers 1, PC3, and are not limited to a single piece of hardware actually present in the printers 1, PC 3.

The CPU 31 executes various processes in accordance with the program read from the memory 32 and based on the user's operation. As shown in fig. 1, the memory 32 includes an operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") 41 and a printer driver 42, and stores various programs and various data. The memory 32 is also used as a work area when performing various processes. The buffer memory included in the CPU 31 is also an example of the memory.

Examples of the

memories

12, 32 are not limited to ROM, RAM, HDD, and the like built in the printer 1, PC3, and may be storage media that are readable and writable by the

CPUs

11, 31. The computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory (non-transitory) medium. The non-transitory medium includes, in addition to the above examples, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or the like. The non-transitory medium is also a tangible (deformable) medium. In contrast, although an electric signal for conveying a program downloaded from a server or the like on the internet is a computer-readable signal medium, which is one of computer-readable media, it is not contained in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

The OS 41 is, for example, Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), and Android (registered trademark). The printer driver 42 is a program that, when the PC3 receives a print instruction from the user, generates a print job for printing on the printer 1 based on the received print instruction.

The user IF33 includes hardware for displaying a screen for notifying user information, and hardware for receiving a user operation. The user IF33 may be a combination of a display capable of displaying information, a mouse having a function of receiving input, a keyboard, and the like, or may be a touch panel having a display function and a function of receiving input.

The communication IF 34 includes hardware for communicating with an external device such as the printer 1. The communication specification of the communication IF 34 is ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB, or the like. The PC3 may include a plurality of communication IFs 34 corresponding to a plurality of communication specifications.

Next, the operation of the printing system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. The following processing basically indicates processing performed by the CPU11 according to a command in a program. That is, in the following description, the processing such as "determination", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "determination", "specification", "acquisition", "reception", and "control" indicates the processing of the CPU 11. The processing of the CPU also includes hardware control using an API of the OS. In the present description, the operation of each program will not be described in the description of the OS. That is, in the following description, "program B controls hardware C" also means "program B controls hardware C using an API of the OS". Further, the processing performed by the CPU11 according to the command in the program is sometimes simply referred to as "CPU 11 executes", for example. Further, the processing performed by the CPU11 according to the command in the program is sometimes simply referred to as "program a execution", for example.

"get" is used in the concept that no request is required. That is, the processing in which the CPU11 receives data without request is also included in the concept of "the CPU acquires data". In addition, "data" in this specification is represented by a bit string that can be read by a computer. Data that has the same meaning but different format is considered the same data. The same applies to the "information" in this specification. The concept of "request" and "instruction" is to output information indicating a request or information indicating an instruction to the other party. Further, information indicating a request or information indicating an instruction is also referred to simply as a "request" or an "instruction".

The process of the CPU11 determining whether the information a indicates the transaction B is referred to as "determining whether the transaction B is based on the information a". The process of the CPU11 determining whether the information a indicates the event B or the event C is referred to as "determining whether the event B or the event C is based on the information a".

The procedure of the printing process performed by the printer 1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of fig. 2. The print processing is processing of the print program 21, and is executed by the CPU11 of the printer 1 when a print job is received from an external apparatus such as the PC3 via the communication IF 14.

Upon receiving a print instruction to the printer 1, the PC3 of the present embodiment generates a print job and transmits the generated print job to the printer 1 by the printer driver 42. The print job generated by the printer driver 42 includes: PDL data (e.g., data in the form of PCL, PDF, or the like) which is image data representing an image to be printed; and PJL data indicating various parameters related to printing. The printer 1 performs printing based on PDL data and PJL data included in the print job received from the PC 3. The print job is not limited to being received from the PC3 or the like, and may be a print job of direct printing, which is a print instruction of an image read from a storage device such as a USB memory, or a print job of download printing, which is a print instruction of an image downloaded from a server or the like. The process of receiving a print job is a trigger condition of the print process, and is an example of the reception process.

In the print processing, the CPU11 performs rasterization based on the PDL data of the print job, generating rasterized RGB data (S101). If the PDL data of the print job is not data represented by RGB values, the CPU11 performs rasterization and conversion into RGB values in S101.

Then, the CPU11 selects the color profile 24 to be used (S102). 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 an RGB value combination of image data into a CMYK value combination. The printer 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of types of color profiles 24, and determines the color profile 24 to be used based on, for example, parameters specified in PJL data of a print job. Specifically, the CPU11 does not decide the color profile 24 based on the designation of, for example, ColorMode, ImproveGray, EnhanceBlack.

Then, the CPU11 generates a copy of the determined color profile 24 (S103), and corrects the generated copy color profile 24 in accordance with the print conditions (S104). S104 is an example of the correction processing. The color profile 24 is also used in later printing, and it is desirable that the original color profile 24 be kept intact. Thus, the CPU11 generates a copy for this printing, and performs processing such as correction, change, and the like on the copy. In S104 the CPU11 corrects the copy of the color profile 24 based on the parameters specified in the PJL data of the print job. Specifically, the CPU11 corrects the copy based on printing conditions such as Brightness, Contrast, Red, Blue, and Green.

After the correction of the duplicate color profile 24 is completed, the CPU11 executes special red change processing (S105). Settings relating to a particular color may be included in a print job generated by the printer driver 42 of the PC 3. The special red change process is a process of rewriting a copy of the corrected color profile 24 in accordance with a setting relating to a special color.

The special color is a color in which R, G, B values in the image data expressed by RGB values are predetermined specific values. The special color is, for example, a color in which the value of one of the three colors takes the maximum value of RGB values, and the values of the remaining two colors are both represented by 0. Alternatively, the special color may be, for example, a color in which the values of two of the three colors take the maximum value of RGB values and the value of the remaining one color is represented by 0. Alternatively, instead of the above-described maximum RGB value, a color having an intermediate value between the maximum RGB value and 0 may be used. A special color is an example of a specific color.

For example, a special color red (hereinafter referred to as "special red") in image data represented by an 8-bit RGB value is a color represented by R255, G0, and B0. The specific red color as the specific color will be described below. In, for example, china and arabic countries, many users look heavily in red shades, and the red preferred by each user tends to be different. Therefore, it is necessary to print a specific red color contained in a printed product in a preferred color tone.

The PC3 of the present embodiment executes the printer driver 42 before generating a print job, for example, when receiving an attribute display instruction or a print execution instruction from a user. For example, as shown in fig. 3, the printer driver 42 causes the user IF33 of the PC3 to display a setting screen 50 for receiving user settings. The setting screen 50 shown in fig. 3 is an example of a screen for receiving settings relating to a special red color.

The printer driver 42 receives a selection of one of the three types of instructions in the setting screen 50 as a setting of a special red color. Specifically, the printer driver 42 displays an off button 51, a recommendation button 52, and a color designation button 53, and receives a selection of one of the buttons. The printer driver 42 can include a command for a special red color in the PJL data of the print job based on the received selection of each button on the setting screen 50. In the present embodiment, the off button 51, the recommendation button 52, and the color designation button 53 are radio buttons, and only one of the three buttons can be selected.

The off button 51 is a button for receiving an indication that a color used as a special red is not designated. When the close button 51 is selected, the printer driver 42 does not include a command related to a special red color in the PJL data. By default, the close button 51 is selected as shown in fig. 3.

The recommendation button 52 is a button for receiving an instruction to use the recommendation color number 25 stored in the printer 1. When the recommendation button 52 is selected on the setting screen 50, the printer driver 42 includes a recommendation command instructing to use the recommended color number 25 stored in the printer 1 as a special red color in the PJL data. The recommended color number 25 is information indicating a recommended CMYK value for printing a particular color. The color corresponding to the recommended color number 25 is an example of a specific selection color, and the recommended color number 25 is an example of a specific index number. The printer 1 of the present embodiment stores a color number of a recommended color corresponding to a special red color in the memory 12 as a recommended color number 25 at the shipping stage. The recommended color number 25 stored in the factory stage is, for example, a color number of a color predetermined by the vendor of the printer 1 based on a plurality of user-preferred color data.

The color designation button 53 is a button for receiving a user designation for a color number serving as a color of particularly red. When the color designation button 53 is selected, the printer driver 42 further receives user input in an input field 54 and a button 55, the input field 54 being used to receive input of a number, and the button 55 being used to receive an instruction to cause the printer 1 to print a color chart. Upon receiving selection of the color designation button 53 and the number input in the input field 54, the printer driver 42 includes, in the PJL data, a color designation command designating a color serving as a special red from the color number input in the input field 54. Further, when receiving an operation to the button 55, the printer driver 42 generates a command instructing to print the color chart. The user IF33 that receives the color chart print instruction through the button 55 is an example of the first user interface.

The color number stored as the recommended color number 25 and the color number received through the input field 54 are numbers assigned corresponding to respective colors in a color table that can be printed by the printer 1. The printer 1 stores, for example, color table data 23 of a color table corresponding to a particular red color in the memory 12. When the printer 1 receives a command instructing to print the color chart from the PC3 or the like, the printer 1 reads the color chart data 23 from the memory 12, and prints the color chart based on the read color chart data 23.

For example, as shown in fig. 4, the color table of red is a table in which a plurality of color patches of different colors, which are red-based colors, and color numbers corresponding to the respective color patches are arranged in groups. For example, as shown in fig. 4, the color table data 23 of special red of the present embodiment is print data for printing 169 patches represented by 169 similar colors similar to red having color numbers of No. 0 to No. 168 and their color numbers on one sheet. Each color patch of the color table data 23 is 169 red-based colors, and at least one of CMY three values of these colors is different from each other. The 169 reds contained in the color table data 23 are an example of a plurality of selected colors. The color number is an example of an index number. The CMYK values corresponding to the particular red color in each color profile 24 described above are all in agreement with the CMYK values contained in the color table data 23.

The printer 1 also stores a conversion table 26 in the memory 12, the conversion table 26 indicating, for example, as shown in fig. 5, a correspondence relationship between each color number and CMYK values for each selected color contained in the color table data 23. Each color patch printed on the color table is obtained by printing a plurality of dots of CMYK values corresponding to each color number arranged in a predetermined area at predetermined intervals. The example of the conversion table 26 shown in fig. 5 is an example of CMYK values of special red, and since all the K values in the colors used in the color table of special red are 0, only CMY values are shown in the figure. The conversion table 26 is an example of a specific color conversion table.

Next, the procedure of the special red color changing process is explained with reference to the flowchart of fig. 6. In the special red color change process, the CPU11 determines whether a command relating to the special red color is included in the PJL data of the print job (S201). For example, the printer driver 42 according to the present embodiment includes a command for a special red color in the PJL data of the print job based on the user selection received on the setting screen 50 shown in fig. 3. Specifically, as the commands related to printing the special red color contained in the PJL data of the print job, there may be a case where a recommended command is contained, a case where a color designation command is contained, and a case where neither is contained. At S201, the CPU11 determines whether the print job contains a recommended command or a color designation command as PJL data. In the present embodiment, the PJL data includes neither the recommended command nor the color specifying command.

When determining that the recommended command is contained in the PJL data (S201: recommended command), the CPU11 reads the color number stored as the recommended color number 25 from the memory 12 (S202).

When determining that the color specification command is contained in the PJL data (S201: color specification command), the CPU11 determines whether the information contained in the PJL data as the color specification command is information indicating a color number (S203). As described above, the printer driver 42 of the PC3 of the present embodiment adds the information of the color number to the color designation command and includes the same in the print job. However, for example, if it is a printer driver of a different version from the printer driver 42 of the present embodiment, information of CMYK values other than color numbers may be added to the color designation command to be included in the print job. In S203 the CPU11 determines whether the color designation command designates a color number or a CMYK value.

When it is determined that the color number is attached to the color designation command (S203: YES), the CPU11 acquires the information of the color number attached to the color designation command from the PJL data (S204). After S202 or S204, the CPU11 acquires CMYK values stored in correspondence with the acquired color numbers using the conversion table 26 (refer to fig. 5) (S205). On the other hand, when it is determined that the CMYK values are added to the color specification command (S203: NO), the CPU11 acquires the information of the CMYK values added to the color specification command from the PJL data (S206).

Then, for the copy color profile 24 generated at S103 of the printing process and corrected at S104, the CPU11 changes the CMYK values corresponding to the RGB values of the special red to the CMYK values obtained at S205 or S206 (S207). By rewriting the copy, the printer 1 holds the original color profile 24, temporarily generating a rewritten color profile. In the present embodiment, since the special red is rewritten for the color profile after the correction, the use of the special red is prioritized over the correction.

As the recommended color number 25, the printer 1 may also store one CMYK value instead of the color number. In this case, the CPU11 acquires the CMYK values stored as the recommended color number 25 in S202, skips S205, and proceeds to S207.

After S207, or when it is determined that neither the recommended command nor the color designation command is contained in the PJL data of the print job (S201: none), the CPU11 ends the special red change processing, returning to the print processing. If the PJL data does not contain a command relating to special red, the CPU11 decides not to overwrite the duplicate color profile 24 using the CMYK values defined in the color profile 24 as they are. In this case, the CPU11 does not use the conversion table 26. A command instructing not to use the special red color may be included in the print job, and in this case, the CPU11 also determines "none" in S201.

The case where the recommended command and the color designation command are not included in the PJL data may be, for example, a case where a print job is not used by the printer driver 42, in addition to the case where the close button 51 is selected by the printer driver 42. For example, in a print instruction from a device such as a mobile device that does not have the printer driver 42, there is a high possibility that the PJL data is not included in the print job. Further, for example, even in a print job from the PC3 or the like, there is a high possibility that PJL data is not included in a print job of a print system (for example, AirPrint (registered trademark)) of the OS standard, or a print job based on a print instruction of an image read from a storage device such as a USB memory or an image downloaded from a server or the like. If it is a print job not containing PJL data, the CPU11 determines "none" in S201.

The description of the printing process of fig. 2 is returned. After the special red change process of S105, the CPU11 converts the RGB values into CMYK values using the processed copy color profile 24, thereby generating CMYK data based on the RGB data generated in S101 (S111). S111 is an example of the CMY conversion process. If the CMYK values of the special red are rewritten by the special red change process, the special red portion in the RGB data is converted into CMYK values after rewriting, thereby becoming CMYK values in conformity with the user's favorite hue.

On the other hand, if the CMYK values of special red are not overwritten by the special red change process, the CPU11 generates CMYK data using the color profile 24 corrected in S104 as it is. Thus, the printer 1 can perform printing even for a print instruction from a user who does not need to set the special red color or a print job from a device that does not support the special red color.

Next, the CPU11 determines whether the toner save mode is designated for the print job (S112). When determining that the toner save mode is designated (S112: yes), the CPU11 lowers the density for the CMYK data generated in S111 as a whole (S113). After S113, or when determining that the toner save mode is not specified (S112: no), the CPU11 executes dither processing (dither processing) on the CMYK data, generating binarized print data (S114).

The CPU11 transmits the print data generated in S114 to the image forming unit 15, and executes printing (S115). Then, the CPU11 deletes the duplicate color profile 24(S116), and ends the print processing. Thus, the CPU11 does not use the copy of the color profile 24 used at the current printing for the subsequent printing. For example, whether or not a special red color is used is likely to be different for each print job. The CPU11 corrects or rewrites the copy of the color profile 24 in correspondence with the print job and deletes the copy after the print job is printed, and therefore, a printed matter reflecting the user's preference can be generated for each print job.

Next, the setting process executed by the printer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of fig. 7. The printer 1 of the present embodiment receives various instructions via the user IF13 or based on the PJL data received from the PC3 or the like. Specifically, the printer 1 receives not only a command for instructing to print a color chart from, for example, the PC3 or the like, but also an instruction for printing a color chart via its own user IF 13. Further, the printer 1 of the present embodiment receives an instruction to register a predetermined color number as the recommended color number 25 stored in the memory 12 through the PJL data. When a setting instruction is received via the user IF13 or through the PJL data, the setting process is executed by the CPU11 of the printer 1.

In the setting processing, the CPU11 determines whether a setting instruction is received from the operation user IF13 (S301). When determining that the setting instruction from the operating user IF13 is received (S301: yes), the CPU11 displays a menu on the user IF13 (S302). For example, as shown in fig. 8, the menu is a screen including a special red print button 61 for receiving a user instruction. The special red print button 61 is a button for receiving a print instruction of the color chart. User IF13 displaying special red print button 61 is an example of a first user interface.

The CPU11 determines whether or not a color chart print instruction generated by operating the special red print button 61 in the displayed menu is received (S303). When determining that the color chart print instruction is received (S303: YES), the CPU11 reads the color chart data 23 corresponding to the special red color from the memory 12 (S311). Then, the CPU11 prints a color table of special red based on the read color table data 23 (S312). S312 is an example of color table output processing. When determining that the color chart printing instruction is not received (S303: NO), the CPU11 executes other processing based on the received instruction (S313).

When determining that the setting instruction from the operating user IF13 is not received (S301: no), that is, when determining that the PJL data including the setting instruction is received, the CPU11 determines whether the setting instruction included in the PJL data is a registration command instructing to register the recommended color number 25 (S321).

When the PC3 receives, for example, a recommended registration instruction of a special red color and a selection of a registration color number made at the printer driver 42 via the user IF33, a registration command generated based on the received instruction is included in the PJL data and transmitted to the printer 1. Information of the selected color number is contained in the registration command. In this case, the user IF33 receiving the selection of the color number is one example of the second user interface.

When determining that the registration instruction from the PJL data is received (S321: yes), the CPU11 stores the color number of the registration instruction as the recommended color number 25 in the memory 12 based on the color number information contained in the registration command (S323). S323 is an example of the registration process. When determining that the setting instruction is not the registration command instructing registration of the recommended color number 25 (S321: no), the CPU11 executes other processing based on the received PJL data (S324).

Although the printer 1 of the present embodiment stores the recommended color number 25 at the stage of factory shipment, when receiving a registration instruction of the recommended color number 25 from the PJL data after factory shipment, the color number stored in the recommended color number 25 is changed and stored. By receiving the recommended color number 25 registration instruction, even if the tint printed for the same CMYK value changes due to, for example, a change in the kind of colorant used by the printer 1 or the like, the favorite tint can be registered in the printer 1.

After any one of S312, S313, S323, and S324, the CPU11 ends the setting process.

As the recommended color number 25, the printer 1 may also store CMYK values corresponding to the selected color number in the memory 12 instead of storing the selected color number in the memory 12. In this case, the printer 1 acquires CMYK values corresponding to the selected color numbers using the conversion table 26, and stores the acquired CMYK values in the memory 12.

Further, the printer 1 may also receive a registration instruction of the recommended color number 25 via an operation to the own user IF 13. For example, the printer 1 may display a screen for receiving an input of a color number registered in the recommended color number 25 on the user IF13, and receive an input of a color number by the user. In this case, the user IF13 receiving the color number input is an example of the second user interface.

When the printer 1 receives the registration command, the selected color number or the CMYK value corresponding to the selected color number is stored in the memory 12 as the recommended color number 25 based on the color number information contained in the registration command. In this case, the process of storing the recommended color number 25 is also an example of the registration process.

As described above, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment stores the conversion table 26, and when a received print job includes a color designation command for designating a color number, the RGB value of the special red color included in the image data is converted into a CMYK value corresponding to the color number by using the conversion table 26 and printed. Therefore, the printer 1 can output a special red color in accordance with the user's preferred hue. Further, since the printer 1 of the present embodiment performs the conversion into the special red color in accordance with the color number designated by the external device such as the PC3 that generates the print job, the designation of the special red color is limited by the print job transmitted from the external device, and it is possible to reduce the possibility of accidental printing by a user who does not designate a color number.

Further, since the printer 1 of the present embodiment stores the recommended color number 25 in the memory 12 in advance, when receiving a print job including a recommended command, the printer 1 determines a color serving as the special red based on the stored recommended color number 25. Therefore, it is easy for a user who is confused about selecting a particular red hue to use.

Note that the printer 1 according to the present embodiment may receive registration of the recommended color number 25 after shipment, and may select the recommended button 52 (see fig. 3) of the printer driver 42 by registering the preferred hue for subsequent printing. Therefore, it is easy to use for a user who frequently uses a material that prefers a particularly red color. Further, if the printer 1 is used by a plurality of external devices or a plurality of users, any user can use a special red color of the same hue by only selecting the recommendation button 52, and thus it is easy to use.

Further, the printer 1 of the present embodiment converts the special red into CMY values by using the conversion table 26 based on the color number designated in the print job. Therefore, even if the hue of the printer 1 changes due to the kind of colorant or paper change or the like, the color table data 23 and the conversion table 26 can be modified as needed without modifying the printer driver 42, thereby reducing cumbersome modifications.

Further, in the present embodiment, since a copy of the color profile 24 is generated and rewritten, printing of other print jobs is not affected. Further, in the case where the color profile 24 needs to be corrected, the correction is performed first, and then the processing relating to the special red color is performed, so that the setting of the special red color can be prioritized over the correction.

It should be noted that this embodiment is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Therefore, it is a matter of course that various improvements and modifications can be made to the technology disclosed in the present specification within a range not departing from the gist thereof. For example, the printer 1 is not limited to a printer having a single printing function, and may be a printer having a color printing function, such as a complex machine, a copier, or a facsimile machine. Further, the apparatus that transmits the print job to the printer 1 is not limited to the PC3, and may be a smartphone, a tablet computer, a server computer, or the like. Further, the image data to be printed by the printer 1 is not limited to the print job transmitted from the PC3 or the like, and may be image data acquired from a scanner, a cloud server, a USB memory, or the like. Further, a plurality of PCs and the like may be connected to the printer 1.

Further, in the present embodiment, the printer 1 generates a copy of the color profile 24 when printing a print job, and deletes the copy of the color profile 24 after printing, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the printer 1 may first determine whether the color profile 24 needs to be corrected or rewritten, and generate a copy only when it is determined that it is necessary. Alternatively, the printer 1 may not delete the copy, but overwrite the copy at the next printing. Further, for example, the printer 1 may retain and reuse the copy during a period in which a new designation of a special red color by the user is not received. For example, when a plurality of images selected at the same time are continuously printed, the copy can be reused.

Although the present embodiment has been described with respect to the special red color, the printer 1 may perform the same processing for special colors other than the special red color. For example, the printer 1 may store the color table data 23 and the recommended color number 25 for a plurality of special colors, and receive a special color selection as a setting object. Further, the printer 1 may receive color number designation for each of a plurality of special colors. Further, the printer 1 may receive RGB values designated by the user as a special color. In this case, upon receiving a print instruction of the color table, the printer 1 may generate and print the color table data 23 in which the respective values of CMYK are changed in accordance with a predetermined rule, based on the default CMYK values corresponding to the specified RGB values.

Further, although in the present embodiment, the PJL data does not include both the recommended command and the color designation command at the same time by receiving a selection by a radio button in the printer driver 42, there is a possibility that both are included at the same time. In this case, the printer 1 can use the color stored as the recommended color number 25 by, for example, giving priority to the recommended command. Alternatively, the printer 1 may report an error when both commands are included.

Further, for example, the output form of the color chart is not limited to printing on a sheet, and may be displayed by the user IF13 of the printer 1, or may transmit image data to an external apparatus such as a similar printer. For example, in the present embodiment, all the special reds in each color profile 24 are included in the color table, but they may not be included. Further, information of the color stored as the recommended color number 25 and information indicating the initial value of the special red color in each color profile 24 may also be added to the color table.

Further, the printer 1 of the present embodiment performs printing using colorants of four colors of CMYK, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to, for example, an apparatus using colorants of three colors of CMY and an apparatus using colorants of five or more colors. Even in these apparatuses, by converting the RGB values of a particular color into the selected CMYK values or CMY values, it is possible to perform printing in the particular color preferred by the user.

In addition, in any of the flowcharts disclosed in the embodiments, a plurality of processes in any plurality of steps may be arbitrarily changed in the execution order or executed in parallel as long as the contents of the processes are not contradictory.

Further, the processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by hardware such as a single CPU, a plurality of CPUs, an ASIC, or a combination thereof. The processes disclosed in the embodiments can be implemented in various forms, for example, a storage medium or a method in which a program for executing the processes is stored.

Claims

1. A printing system includes a printer capable of color printing and an information processing apparatus that receives a print instruction to the printer,

the printer outputs, for a specific color having a specific RGB value, a color table composed of a plurality of selected colors, the color table having a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color as the plurality of selected colors, a specific color conversion table storing therein a specific color conversion table associating an index number corresponding to each selected color with a CMY value,

the information processing apparatus receives selection of one of the plurality of selected colors in the color table by designating the index number, transmits a print job to the printer when the print instruction is received in a state where the index number is designated, the print job including the designated index number and image data,

the printer, upon receiving the print job from the information processing apparatus, converts RGB values representing the image data included in the print job into CMY values, prints an image represented by the image data converted into CMY values, and, upon converting the image data into CMY values, converts the RGB values of the specific color included in the image data into CMY values corresponding to the index number specified in the print job using the specific color conversion table.

2. A printer, comprising:

a printing device capable of color printing;

a communication interface; and

a memory for storing a plurality of data to be transmitted,

the printer executes color table output processing of outputting, for a specific color having a specific RGB value, a color table composed of a plurality of selected colors, the color table having a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color as the plurality of selected colors, a specific color conversion table stored in the memory, the specific color conversion table associating an index number corresponding to each selected color with CMY values,

the printer executes reception processing of receiving a print job containing image data through the communication interface with or without designation of the index number in the print job,

when printing based on the image data included in the print job, the printer executes a CMY conversion process of converting the image data represented by RGB values into the image data represented by CMY values and a printing process of printing an image represented by the image data converted into CMY values using the printing apparatus,

in the case where there is a designation of the index number in the received print job, in the CMY conversion process, the printer converts the RGB values of the specific color contained in the image data into CMY values corresponding to the index number designated in the print job using the specific color conversion table.

3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein an index number corresponding to a specific selected color, which is one of the plurality of selected colors in the color table with or without designation indicating use of the specific selected color in the print job, is stored in the memory as a specific index number or a CMY value corresponding to the specific index number,

in the case where there is a designation indicating that the specific selection color is used in the received print job, in the CMY conversion process, the printer converts the RGB values of the specific color contained in the image data into CMY values based on the specific index number or CMY values corresponding to the specific index number stored in the memory.

4. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the printer is set with the specific index number or CMY values corresponding to the specific index number at a factory stage,

after shipment, the printer executes the color chart output processing according to an instruction to the first user interface,

after shipment, the printer performs a registration process in accordance with an instruction to a second user interface, the registration process receiving a selection of the specific selection color, storing the index number of the selected specific selection color as the specific index number in the memory, or storing a CMY value corresponding to the index number of the selected specific selection color as a CMY value corresponding to the specific index number in the memory,

in the case where there is a designation indicating use of the specific selection color in the received print job, in the CMY conversion process, the printer converts RGB values of the specific color contained in the image data into CMY values based on the specific index number or CMY values corresponding to the specific index number stored in the memory in the registration process.

5. The printer according to claim 4, wherein in the registration process, when a registration command containing the specific index number is received from an information processing apparatus through the communication interface, the printer stores the specific index number contained in the received registration command or a CMY value corresponding to the specific index number in the memory, the information processing apparatus receives selection of the specific selection color in accordance with an instruction to the second user interface which the information processing apparatus has, transmits the registration command containing the specific index number of the selected specific selection color to the printer,

6. The printer according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein in the CMY conversion process, without having a designation of the index number and a designation indicating use of the specific selection color in the received print job, the printer converts RGB values of the specific color contained in the image data into CMY values without using the specific color conversion table.

7. The printer according to claim 2, with or without designation of CMY values for the specific color in the print job,

in the case where there is no designation of the index number and there is designation of CMY values for the specific color in the received print job, in the CMY conversion process, the printer converts the RGB values of the specific color contained in the image data into CMY values designated in the print job.

8. Printer according to anyone of claims 2 to 7 characterized in that a color profile is stored in said memory which associates RGB values with CMY values,

in the CMY conversion process, the printer converts the image data represented by RGB values into the image data represented by CMY values using the color profile,

in the case where there is a designation of the index number in the received print job, in the CMY conversion process, the printer rewrites CMY values in the color profile corresponding to RGB values of the specific color to CMY values corresponding to the index number designated in the print job, converts the image data represented by RGB values into the image data represented by CMY values using the rewritten color profile.

9. A printer according to claim 8, wherein in a case where there is a designation of the index number in the received print job, in the CMY conversion process, the printer copies the color profile, rewrites CMY values corresponding to RGB values of the specific color in the copied color profile into CMY values corresponding to the index number designated in the print job, temporarily generates a rewritten color profile, converts the image data represented by RGB values into the image data represented by CMY values using the rewritten color profile, and does not use the rewritten color profile after the conversion into the image data represented by CMY values.

10. The printer according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the printer performs a correction process for correcting the color profile before converting the image data represented by RGB values into the image data represented by CHY values according to a printing condition, performs the CMY conversion process after performing the correction process,

the printer rewrites CMY values corresponding to RGB values of the specific color in the corrected color profile into CMY values corresponding to the index number specified in the print job in the CMY conversion process.

11. The printer according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the printer outputs the color chart for the specific color of which each of RGB values is 0 or the maximum value in the color chart output process.