JP2013009063A - Image processor, printing data generation device, printing system, color information output method and program of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suitably check a color reproduced in a printed matter before the printed matter is printed when a printer performs printing by using a special gloss material exhibiting special gloss light.SOLUTION: An image processor for processing image data for performing printing by the printer by using the special gloss material exhibiting the special gloss light includes: a storage section setting identification information of a defined color which is previously defined as a spot color with which printing is performed by using the special gloss material as an input value, setting color information obtained by displaying respective appearances when a printing color exhibited when the defined color is printed by the printer is observed by a plurality of observation conditions by using at least one of a gradation value displayed by a colorimetric system which does not depend on the device and a spectral reflection factor as an output value and storing a table in which the input value is made to correspond to the output value; a reception section for receiving designation of the defined color; and an output section for outputting information depending on the color information corresponding to the received defined color.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing technique for processing image data to be printed by a printing apparatus using a special gloss material that expresses special gloss light.

  In recent years, in the field of painting and printing, a technique for imparting a special gloss to the color of a product has been developed in order to produce a high-class feeling and added value. For example, in an inkjet printer, special gloss can be expressed in a printed matter by using special gloss ink in addition to color ink. The special glossy ink is, for example, a metallic ink containing a metal pigment that expresses a metallic gloss or an ink containing a pigment that expresses a gloss similar to pearl luster.

  When printing an image with a color that expresses such special gloss, an application for creating a print image cannot confirm what color the printed material will express. For this reason, when the user does not actually obtain the desired special glossiness or color after actually printing the created print image, the user needs to reset the color of the print image and print again. there were. Such work is troublesome for the user. In addition, color materials and printing paper used for printing are wasted.

JP 2005-278074 A

  Based on at least a part of the above-described problems, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to use a special gloss material that expresses special gloss light and to reproduce the color reproduced on a printed matter when printing is performed with a printing apparatus. It is to confirm suitably before printing of printed matter.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can be realized as the following forms or application examples.

Application Example 1 An image processing apparatus that processes image data for printing on a printing apparatus using a special gloss material that expresses special gloss light,
The identification information of a defined color defined in advance as a spot color to be printed using the special gloss material is used as an input value, and the print color that appears when the defined color is printed by the printing apparatus is observed under a plurality of observation conditions. Color information expressed using at least one of a gradation value and a spectral reflectance expressed in a device-independent color system as output values, and the input value and the output value A storage unit for storing a table in which
A reception unit for accepting designation of the definition color;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an output unit that outputs information based on the color information associated with the accepted definition color.

  According to the image processing apparatus having such a configuration, with respect to the specified definition color, each of the appearances when the print color that appears when the definition color is printed by the printing apparatus is observed under a plurality of observation conditions, the color information It can output as information based on. When printing is performed using a special glossy material, the printed color of the printed material differs in appearance depending on the observation conditions. However, according to the configuration of application example 1, the user can define each of the plurality of observation conditions. You can check how the printed colors look. That is, it is possible to suitably confirm the print color when printing is performed using the special glossy material before the printing.

Application Example 2 The image processing apparatus according to Application Example 1, wherein the output value of the table includes information indicating an output amount of a color material using the special gloss material when printing is performed by the printing apparatus.

  According to the image processing apparatus having such a configuration, since the output amount of the color material using the special gloss material can be directly obtained from the definition information of the definition color using the table, the image data is converted into the output value of the color material. The color conversion process to be performed can be performed quickly and easily, and printing using a color material including a special gloss material can be performed.

Application Example 3 The image processing apparatus according to Application Example 1 or Application Example 2, wherein the output unit uses the device-independent color system under the plurality of observation conditions as information based on the color information. An image processing apparatus that outputs image data having, as pixel data, a gradation value represented by: or a gradation value corresponding to the spectral reflectance.

  According to the image processing apparatus having such a configuration, it is possible to visually confirm the color of the printed color when printing is performed using the special glossy material, so that convenience for the user is improved.

[Application Example 4] The image processing apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 3, wherein the output unit has a gradation value represented by the device-independent color system or the spectral reflection. An image processing apparatus that calculates an index value representing the degree of occurrence of the special glossy light based on the rate, and outputs the calculated index value as information based on the color information.

  According to the image processing apparatus having such a configuration, the user can accurately grasp the degree of occurrence of the special glossy light based on the index value representing the degree of occurrence of the special glossy light.

Application Example 5 In the image processing apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 4, the color information as the output value of the table is a predetermined color system as the device-independent color system. Including a gradation value represented by an L ^* a ^* b ^* color system assuming one light source and the spectral reflectance, and the reception unit is an L ^* as a device-independent color system The output unit is configured to be able to select whether to output information based on the color information based on a gradation value represented by an a ^* b ^* color system or the spectral reflectance. Rutotomoni, the L ^* a ^* b ^* based on the grayscale value represented by the color system, when outputting information based on the color information is the output section, L ^* a ^* b ^* color system in is configured to be able to accept the designation of the type of light source which is a premise of the gradation values represented, and the output unit, the L ^* a ^* b ^{* When} it is selected to output the information based on the color information based on the gradation value represented by the color system, and the specification of the light source is received, the type of the received light source is When it is the predetermined one light source, an L ^* a ^* b ^* table based on the predetermined one light source under the plurality of observation conditions stored in the table as information based on the color information. When a gradation value expressed in a color system is output and the type of the received light source is different from the predetermined one light source, the type of the received light source under the plurality of observation conditions is changed from the spectral reflectance. The tone value represented by the corresponding L ^* a ^* b ^* color system is calculated, and the calculated tone value represented by the L ^* a ^* b ^* color system is information based on the color information. As an image processing apparatus.

According to the image processing apparatus of such a configuration, the tone value expressed by the L ^* a ^* b ^* color system stored in the storage unit, premise to the L ^* a ^* b ^* color predetermined one light source Since only the gradation values represented by the system are available, the finite storage capacity of the storage unit can be used effectively. In addition, since the tone value represented by the L ^* a ^* b ^* color system assuming the desired light source by the user can be calculated from the spectral reflectance, the convenience for the user is improved.

[Application Example 6] A print data generation apparatus including the image processing apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 5, wherein a gradation value represented by a predetermined color system input by a user, The identification information to be associated with the gradation value is received as a new definition color, the identification information to be associated with the received gradation value is the input value of the table, and the received predetermined color specification A registration unit for registering the gradation value represented by the system as the output value of the table, an ICC profile created on the assumption that the special gloss material is used, and the color including the special gloss material Using the LUT having the output amount of the material as an output value, or using the LUT having the output amount of the color material including the special gloss material as an output value, the predetermined color registered as the new definition color Color In the tone value expressed, the color into an output amount of the colorant containing special glitter conversion processing unit and the print data generator with.

  According to the image processing apparatus having such a configuration, the user can newly define the definition color so that the color of the print color of the printed matter when the printing is performed using the special glossy material becomes a desired one. Convenience is improved.

  In addition to the image processing apparatus and the print data generation apparatus, the present invention can be realized as an image processing method according to Application Example 7, a program according to Application Example 8, a storage medium storing the program, a printing system, and the like. it can.

Application Example 7 A color information output method in which a computer outputs color information relating to image data for printing on a printing apparatus using a special glossy material that expresses special glossy light. The identification information of a defined color that is defined in advance as a spot color to be printed is used as an input value, and each of the print colors that appear when the defined color is printed by the printing apparatus under a plurality of viewing conditions. A table associating the input value and the output value with color information representing the appearance using at least one of a gradation value and a spectral reflectance expressed in a device-independent color system. Is stored, the designation of the definition color is received, and information based on the color information associated with the received definition color is output.

Application Example 8 A program for outputting color information related to image data for printing on a printing apparatus using a special glossy material that expresses special glossy light, and performing printing using the special glossy material A reception function that accepts designation of a definition color defined in advance as a color, and the identification information of the definition color as an input value, and the print color that appears when the definition color is printed by the printing apparatus is observed under a plurality of observation conditions Color information expressed using at least one of a gradation value and a spectral reflectance expressed in a device-independent color system as output values, and the input value and the output value A program that causes a computer to implement an output function that outputs information based on the color information associated with the received definition color with reference to a table associated with the received definition color.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system 20. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of 1DLUT141. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of printing processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of color confirmation processing in printing processing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example which displays a spectral reflectance graphically. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example which displays the image which the definition color reproduces at the time of printing so that visual recognition is possible. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of color conversion processing in printing processing.

A. Example:
A-1: Configuration of the printing system 20:
A configuration of a printing system 20 as an embodiment of the printing system of the present invention is shown in FIG. As illustrated, the printing system 20 includes an image processing apparatus or a personal computer 100 as a print data generation apparatus, and a printer 200 connected to the personal computer 100. The personal computer 100 is a general-purpose personal computer in which a predetermined program is installed. The printer 200 is an ink jet printer that prints an image by forming ink dots on a print medium. In this embodiment, the printer 200 can perform printing using metallic ink.

  A metallic ink is an ink in which a printed material expresses a metallic feeling. As such a metallic ink, for example, an oil-based ink composition containing a metal pigment, an organic solvent, and a resin can be used. The metal pigment can be formed of, for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and can be formed by crushing a metal vapor deposition film. The concentration of the metal pigment contained in the metallic ink can be set to 0.1 to 10.0% by weight, for example. Of course, the metallic ink is not limited to such a composition, and any other composition can be adopted as long as it is a composition that produces a metallic feeling.

  The personal computer 100 includes a CPU 110, a memory 140, an input / output interface (I / F) unit 150, a display 160, and an input mechanism 170. Various computer programs such as an application program 120 and a printer driver 130 are installed in the personal computer 100. The application program 120 and the printer driver 130 are executed by the CPU 110 under a predetermined operating system (not shown).

  The application program 120 is a program for realizing an image editing function. In this embodiment, the application program 120 has a color confirmation function that allows the user to confirm the metallic color reproduced on the printed matter when the image data is printed by the printer 200. In this embodiment, this color confirmation function is realized by a plug-in module added to the general-purpose application program 120. In order to realize the function, the application program 120 has functions as a reception unit 121, an output unit 122, and a registration unit 123. Details of these functions will be described later. Further, the user can give an instruction to print an image edited by the application program 120 via a GUI (Graphical User Interface) provided by the application program 120. When receiving a print instruction from the user, the application program 120 outputs image data to be printed to the printer driver 130. In this embodiment, the image data is CMYK format image data.

  The printer driver 130 has a function of generating print data based on the image data output from the application program 120. In order to realize this function, the printer driver 130 has functions as a color conversion processing unit 131, a halftone processing unit 132, and a rasterize processing unit 133. Details of these functions will be described later. The print data generated by the printer driver 130 is output to the printer 200 via the input / output interface unit 150. The personal computer 100 in which the application program 120 described above is installed corresponds to the image processing apparatus in the claims. The personal computer 100 in which the printer driver 130 is installed corresponds to the print data processing apparatus in the claims.

  The memory 140 is a non-volatile storage medium. In this memory 140, a 1DLUT (one-dimensional look-up table) 141, a metallic ICC profile 142, a non-metallic ICC profile 143, a metallic LUT (Look up Table) 144, and a non-metallic LUT 145 are recorded. The 1DLUT 141 is recorded in order to realize the color confirmation function of the application program 120. Details of the 1DLUT 141 will be described later.

The metallic ICC profile 142 is an ICC profile created on the assumption that printing is performed using metallic ink. In the metallic ICC profile 142, an input value of a device-independent color system (here, L ^* a ^* b ^* ) is associated with an output value of a color system (here, CMYK) that depends on the printer 200. ing.

The non-metallic ICC profile 143 is an ICC profile created on the assumption that printing is performed without using metallic ink. The non-metallic ICC profile 143 includes an input profile and an output profile. In the input profile, an input value of an image format (here, CMYK) handled by the personal computer 100 and an output value of a device-independent color system (here, L ^* a ^* b ^* ) are associated with each other. In the output profile, an input value of L ^* a ^* b ^* and an output value of CMYK depending on the printer 200 are associated.

  The metallic LUT 144 and the non-metallic LUT 145 include a plurality of grid points, and each of the grid points has data indicating a correspondence relationship between an input value and an output value. The metallic LUT 144 is used to convert image data into an output value of the ink amount of the printer 200 when printing is performed using metallic ink. The non-metallic LUT 145 is used to convert image data into an output value of the ink amount of the printer 200 when printing is performed without using metallic ink. In this embodiment, the metallic LUT 144 is associated with a CMYK gradation value as an input value and an output amount of CMYKLcLMmtWh ink as an output value. Note that Lc, Lm, Mt, and Wh mean light cyan, light magenta, metallic, and white, respectively. The non-metallic LUT 145 is associated with CMYK gradation values as input values and CMYKLcLmWh ink output amounts as output values.

  The printer 200 includes a CPU 210, a memory 240, an input / output interface (I / F) unit 250, a unit control circuit 260, a head unit 270, a carriage unit 280, and a transport unit 290. The input / output interface unit 250 is an interface for connecting to the input / output interface unit 150 of the personal computer 100. The unit control circuit 260 controls various units in accordance with instructions from the CPU 210.

  The head unit 270 has a print head (not shown) for outputting ink to a print medium. The head unit 270 has a plurality of nozzles for each type of ink, and outputs ink intermittently from each nozzle. The head unit 270 is mounted on the carriage unit 280. The carriage unit 280 is a driving device for reciprocating the head unit 270 in the main scanning direction. In the carriage unit 280, ink cartridges 281 to 281 containing color ink, cyan ink C, magenta ink M, yellow ink Y, black ink K, light cyan ink Lc, light magenta ink Lm, metallic ink Mt, and white ink Wh, respectively. 288 is mounted. In this embodiment, pigment ink is used as the color ink of CMYKLcLmWh. The head unit 270 moves in the main scanning direction as the carriage unit 280 moves, receives ink supplied from the ink cartridges 281 to 288 and intermittently outputs ink from the nozzles in the main scanning direction. A dot line is formed on the print medium.

  The transport unit 290 is a driving device for performing sub-scanning by transporting a print medium. The transport unit 290 includes, for example, a paper feed roller, a transport motor, a transport roller, a platen, and a paper discharge roller (not shown).

Specific example of A-2.1 DLUT 141:
A specific example of the 1DLUT 141 is shown in FIG. In the 1DLUT 141, a defined color name is recorded as an input value. The definition color is a color defined in advance as a spot color for printing using metallic ink. This defined color can be uniquely specified using the type of ink used by the printer 200 and the output amount. The definition color may be printed using only metallic ink as a color material, or may be printed using metallic ink and color ink as color materials. In the example shown in FIG. 2, definition colors 1 to 3, metallic red, and the like are defined. The definition colors 1 and 2 are colors defined by the user. The definition color defined by the user in this way is also referred to as a user-defined color. A user-defined color registration method will be described later. In this embodiment, the other definition colors such as the definition color 3 are definition colors registered by the manufacturer of the plug-in module of the application program 120. As described above, a color defined by a manufacturer is also referred to as a manufacturer-defined color. In the 1DLUT 141, for a manufacturer-defined color, a definition color name as an input value and an output value to be described later are associated with each other and recorded in advance. In this embodiment, the 1DLUT 141 is additionally installed in the personal computer 100 together with the plug-in module of the application program 120 and the printer driver 130. The installation method may be via a storage medium or via a network.

The 1DLUT 141 records ink output values, L ^* a ^* b ^* values, image data tone values, and spectral reflectances as output values associated with input values. The ink output value is the amount of ink of each color that is output by the printer 200 according to the gradation value of the image data. In this embodiment, the ink output value is represented by a gradation value from 0 to 255. As shown in FIG. 2, no ink output value is recorded for the user-defined color. On the other hand, ink output values are recorded for all manufacturer-defined colors. However, ink output values may be recorded only for some manufacturer-defined colors.

As is well known, the L ^* a ^* b ^* value is a gradation value represented by a device-independent color system. In 1DLUT 141, the L ^* a ^* b ^* value represents a color that is reproduced when a defined color is printed using metallic ink. In this embodiment, the field of L ^* a ^* b ^* values, a plurality of geometric conditions, i.e., a recordable configured the L ^* a ^* b ^* values at a plurality of viewing conditions. Specifically, the L ^* a ^* b ^* value is recorded under the condition that the light receiving angle is from −80 ° to 80 ° in increments of 5 ° with respect to the incident angle of −45 °. In the manufacturer-defined color, except for the definition color 3, L ^* a ^* b ^* values are recorded for each of a plurality of observation conditions. The recorded values of L ^* a ^* b ^* for such manufacturer-defined colors are obtained by printing each manufacturer-defined color with a printer of the same type as the printer 200 using a color measuring device such as a variable angle spectrophotometer. It is the measurement result which measured the color. That is, the L ^* a ^* b ^* values represent how the manufacturer-defined colors printed by the printer 200 are viewed under each observation condition. Note that the L ^* a ^* b ^* value varies depending on the type of light source, for example, the standard light sources A and B, even when the same printed matter is measured, but in this embodiment, the L ^* a ^* b ^* value varies. Only the L ^* a ^* b ^* value when one light source is used is recorded in the 1DLUT 141. In this embodiment, a CIE standard light source D50, which is a general light source, is adopted as the one light source.

On the other hand, in the user-defined color, the L ^* a ^* b ^* value is recorded in the 1DLUT 141 only for the defined color 1. Here, the L ^* a ^* b ^* value is recorded because the L ^* a ^* b ^* value (L ^{* =} 70) under the condition of the incident angle −45 ° and the light receiving angle 0 ° among the plurality of observation conditions. , A ^* = 30, b ^* = 40). In other words, the user has colors of L ^{* =} 70, a ^* = 30, and b ^* = 40 when printing using metallic ink under conditions of an incident angle of −45 ° and a light receiving angle (observation angle) of 0 °. It shows that the visible color is newly defined as the desired color. Such user-defined colors can be registered in the 1DLUT 141 using the application program 120. Specifically, the user inputs a defined color name and a desired L ^* a ^* b ^* value under a desired viewing condition into the GUI displayed on the display 160 by the application program 120 using the input mechanism 170. To do. In response to such an operation, the application program 120 receives an input and registers it in the 1DLUT 141 as processing of the registration unit 123.

The image data gradation value represents the CMYK gradation value of the image data. In the example of FIG. 2, CMYK gradation values are recorded for the definition color 2 of the user-defined colors. This image data gradation value is registered with the user by the same method as the L ^* a ^* b ^* value described above. That is, the user can also define the definition color using the gradation value of the image data.

As described above, the user defines the definition color with the gradation value represented by a desired color system in the color systems (here, L ^* a ^* b ^* and CMYK) prepared in the 1DLUT 141. Can do. For example, if an RGB color system field is prepared in the 1DLUT 141, the user may define a definition color based on RGB gradation values.

The spectral reflectance represents the spectral reflectance when a defined color is printed using metallic ink. In this embodiment, the spectral reflectance field is configured so that values under a plurality of geometric conditions (observation conditions) can be recorded in the same manner as the L ^* a ^* b ^* value field. Specifically, the spectral reflectance is recorded in increments of 5 ° from -80 ° to 80 ° with respect to the incident angle of −45 °. For user-defined colors (defined colors 1 and 2), the spectral reflectance is not recorded. On the other hand, for the manufacturer-defined colors, the spectral reflectance for each observation condition is recorded except for metallic cyan, metallic purple and gold. The recorded value of the spectral reflectance of the manufacturer-defined color was measured using a color measuring device such as a variable angle spectrocolorimeter, and the color of a printed matter obtained by printing each manufacturer-defined color with a printer of the same type as the printer 200. It is a measurement result. That is, the spectral reflectance represents how the manufacturer-defined color printed by the printer 200 is viewed under each observation condition. The spectral reflectance value illustrated in FIG. 2 is a relative value when the reflectance of the standard white plate is 100, but it is needless to say that it may be an absolute value.

In the example described above, in the definition color 3 of the manufacturer-defined colors, a value is recorded only in the spectral reflectance field. In addition, for the metallic cyan, metallic purple, and gold colors among the manufacturer-defined colors, values are recorded only in the L ^* a ^* b ^* value field. In this way, it is only necessary to record values in at least one of the L ^* a ^* b ^* value field and the spectral reflectance field. In the above example, the observation conditions for the L ^* a ^* b ^* value and the spectral reflectance are not limited to the above examples, and a plurality of observation conditions may be set as appropriate. For example, the incident angle may be −30 °, or a plurality of incident angles may be set. However, the metallic color has a characteristic appearance that the metallic feeling is particularly large in the regular reflection direction (incident angle is −45 °, light receiving angle 45 °). It is desirable to set.

A-3. Printing process:
The flow of the printing process in the printing system 20 is shown in FIG. The illustrated printing process is a process in which the personal computer 100 converts image data created by the application program 120 into print data and outputs the print data to the printer 200. As shown in FIG. 3, in the printing process, the CPU 110 of the personal computer 100 first performs a color confirmation process (step S310). The color confirmation processing means that when the image data created by the application program 120 is printed by the printer 200 by specifying a metallic color as a definition color in at least a part of the image area, the printed metallic color is expressed. This is a process to make the user confirm the color to be used.

  The flow of the color confirmation process is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the color confirmation processing is performed by the user selecting a predetermined area of the created image data using the application program 120 and performing an operation for selecting a color to be assigned to the selected area. This is started by displaying a color palette indicating candidates on the display 160.

  When the color confirmation processing is started, the CPU 110 receives designation of a definition color input by the user as processing of the reception unit 121 of the application program 120 (step S311). In this embodiment, the definition color defined in the 1DLUT 141 is associated with a predetermined color displayed as a spot color on the color palette. The user selects and specifies the color to be added to the image data among the defined colors, that is, the color to be printed.

When the definition color is received, the CPU 110 further receives a display item input by the user as processing of the reception unit 121 (step S312). The display item represents the type of information for confirming the color when the defined color is printed. In this embodiment, the display item can be selected from any one of (1) L ^* a ^* b ^* value and the type of light source used as a premise thereof, (2) spectral reflectance, and (3) color visual display. Is set. The color visual display is to display the color of the definition color (metallic color) to be printed as an image so as to be visible. However, this color visual display does not reproduce the metallic feeling. That is, this color visual display is used to confirm only the color of the printed metallic color. That is, it is used for simple confirmation of the metallic color. These display items are configured to be selectable by the user using a GUI displayed on the display 160. In step S312, in addition to the display items, observation conditions may be accepted. A plurality of display items may be accepted.

  When receiving the display item, the CPU 110 determines the type of the received display item (step S313). As a result of the determination, if the received display item is spectral reflectance, the CPU 110 refers to the 1DLUT 141 as the processing of the output unit 122 of the application program 120, and corresponds to the spectral color associated with the definition color received in step S311. The reflectivity is acquired and displayed graphically on the display 160 (step S314). That is, the CPU 110 acquires the spectral reflectance for each observation angle, generates an image that illustrates the acquired data, and outputs the image to the display 160.

If the spectral reflectance is not recorded in the 1DLUT 141 for the specified definition color, that fact may be displayed on the display 160. Alternatively, the GUI may be configured so that the spectral reflectance cannot be selected in step S312. These points can be similarly applied to the output of L ^* a ^* b ^* values described later.

  A specific example of such a graphical display is shown in FIG. In the example shown in the figure, the spectral reflectance recorded in the 1DLUT 141 is displayed in a graph for each observation condition for the accepted definition color. The series having the highest reflectance is the spectral reflectance when the observation condition is specular reflection (incident angle −45 °, light receiving angle 45 °). In FIG. 5, the legend indicating the observation conditions for each series is omitted.

If the received display item is the L ^* a ^* b ^* value and the type of light source as a result of the determination in step S313, the CPU 110 determines that the received light source type is L ^* a ^* b stored in the 1DLUT 141. ^It is determined whether or not the value ^* matches the type of the light source (step S315). As a result, if the types of the light sources match (step S315: YES), the CPU 110 refers to the 1DLUT 141 as the processing of the output unit 122, and L ^* a ^* associated with the definition color received in step S311 ^. The b ^* value is acquired (step S317).

On the other hand, if the type of the light source does not match (step S315: NO), the L ^* a ^* b ^* value based on the received type of the light source is not stored in the 1DLUT 141. Therefore, the CPU 110 refers to the 1DLUT 141 as the processing of the output unit 122, acquires the spectral reflectance associated with the definition color received in step S311 and L ^* a ^* corresponding to the received light source type ^. The b ^* value is calculated (step S316). A method for calculating the L ^* a ^* b ^* value corresponding to the type of light source from the spectral reflectance is defined in, for example, JIS-Z8701.

As in this embodiment, only the L ^* a ^* b ^* value corresponding to the type of one light source is stored in the 1DLUT 141, and the L ^* a ^* b ^* value corresponding to the type of other light source is the spectral reflection. If the configuration is calculated from the rate, the finite storage capacity of the memory 140 can be used effectively. In addition, since the user can output the L ^* a ^* b ^* value according to the desired light source, user convenience can be ensured.

When the L ^* a ^* b ^* value for each observation condition is acquired in step S316 or S317, the CPU 110 outputs the acquired L ^* a ^* b ^* value to the display 160 as processing of the output unit 122 (step S318). ). In this embodiment, the image is output to the display 160 as a tabular image representing the L ^* a ^* b ^* value for each observation condition.

As a result of the determination in step S313, if the received display item is a color visual display, the CPU 110 refers to the 1DLUT 141 as a process of the output unit 122 and is associated with the definition color received in the step S311. L ^* a ^* b ^* value is acquired, and image data having a gradation value corresponding to the L ^* a ^* b ^* value (here, CMYK image data) as pixel data is output to the display 160, and an image is output. Display is performed (step S319). In this process, the L ^* a ^* b ^* values may be converted into CMYK gradation values using the input profile of the non-metallic ICC profile 143. Note that the CPU 110 may output image data having, as pixel data, a gradation value corresponding to the spectral reflectance associated with the definition color received in step S311 in the 1DLUT 141. In this case, an L ^* a ^* b ^* value may be calculated from the spectral reflectance, and a gradation value corresponding to the L ^* a ^* b ^* value may be calculated.

A specific example of the image displayed in step S319 is shown in FIG. In the illustrated example, a square image having CMYK gradation values corresponding to L ^* a ^* b ^* values corresponding to observation angles of 45 °, 30 °, 20 °, and 0 ° is switched every predetermined period. One by one is displayed sequentially. The above-described observation angle is an observation angle predetermined as a main observation condition among the observation conditions set in the 1DLUT 141. However, images corresponding to all observation conditions set in the 1DLUT 141 may be displayed. Of course, the image is not limited to a configuration in which images are displayed one by one. For example, all images may be displayed simultaneously on one screen. As described above, by displaying the image having the gradation value of the L ^* a ^* b ^* value of each observation condition, the user can easily confirm the color of the metallic color to be printed. The printed color looks different even when the metallic color is used and when it is not used, even if the amount of the same color ink is used. According to such a configuration, the user uses the metallic ink. The print color can be visually confirmed, and convenience is improved.

  As described above, when output is performed in any of steps S314, S318, and S319, CPU 110 receives an instruction as to whether or not the definition color accepted in step S311 is accepted (step S320). This instruction is input via the GUI displayed on the display 160 after the user confirms on the display 160 the appearance of the defined color after printing based on the output result in any of steps S314, S318, and S319. To do.

  When receiving an instruction for whether or not to adopt, the CPU 110 determines whether or not the instruction is to be adopted (step S321). As a result of the determination, if the accepted instruction denies adoption (step S321: NO), the CPU 110 returns the process to step S311. That is, the user can reselect the definition color to be employed when the confirmed definition color is not desired by the user. Of course, the user can newly define a metallic color and select the new defined color. On the other hand, if the accepted definition color is adopted (step S321: YES), the CPU 110 ends the color confirmation process and returns the process to the printing process.

  Here, the description returns to the printing process of FIG. When the user confirms the print color of the defined color and determines the color to be adopted by the color confirmation process, the user inputs a print execution instruction. CPU 110 accepts a print execution instruction input by the user (step S330).

  When receiving the print execution instruction, the CPU 110 outputs the image data whose color has been determined to the printer driver 130, and performs color conversion processing as processing of the color conversion processing unit 131 of the printer driver 130 (step S340). The color conversion process is a process of converting the gradation value of the image data to be printed into the output value of each color ink used by the printer 200. If the resolution of the image data output from the application program 120 is different from the print resolution of the printer 200, the CPU 110 performs resolution conversion so that the resolutions of the two match before the color conversion process. Also good. Further, when the image data created by the application program 120 is not raster data, for example, when the image data is postscript data, pre-processing for converting the image data into raster data may be performed.

  When printing is performed without using metallic ink, the CPU 110 performs color conversion using the non-metallic ICC profile 143 and the non-metallic LUT 145. Specifically, the CPU 110 first converts CMYK format image data into CMYK format image data depending on the printer 200 using the non-metallic ICC profile 143. The CPU 110 converts the CMYK format image data depending on the printer 200 into data in a format that can be expressed by the printer 200, that is, an output value of CMYKLcLmWh ink used by the printer 200. Note that the non-metallic ICC profile 143 and the non-metallic LUT 145 may be integrally configured so that they can be converted in a batch.

  When printing using metallic ink, color conversion processing is performed in the same way as described above for image areas where use of metallic ink is not specified, that is, image areas where use of defined colors is not specified. Is done. On the other hand, color conversion processing is executed by a method different from the above-described method for an image region in which use of the definition color is designated.

  FIG. 7 shows the flow of color conversion processing for an image area in which use of the definition color is designated. When the color conversion process is started, the CPU 110 first determines whether or not the ink output value for the specified definition color is recorded in the 1DLUT 141 (step S341). If the ink output value is recorded as a result of the determination (step S341: YES), the CPU 110 outputs the recorded ink output value to the halftone processing unit 132 (step SS342), and returns the process to the printing process.

On the other hand, if the ink output value is not recorded (step S341: NO), the CPU 110 determines whether or not the L ^* a ^* b ^* value for the specified definition color is recorded in the 1DLUT 141 (step S343). ). If the L ^* a ^* b ^* value is recorded as a result of the determination (step S343: YES), the CPU 110 uses the recorded L ^* a ^* b ^* value as an input value to perform the first color conversion process. Is performed (step S344). Specifically, among the L ^* a ^* b ^* values for the specified defined color, the L ^* a ^* b ^* values of viewing angle corresponding to the metallic for ICC profile 142, using the metallic for ICC profile 142 Thus, the data is converted into CMYK format data depending on the printer 200.

  When the first color conversion process is performed, the CPU 110 performs the second color conversion process using the converted CMYK gradation value as an input value (step S345). Specifically, the converted CMYK tone values are converted into ink output values for each color of CMYKLcLMmtWh used by the printer 200 using the metallic LUT 144 and output to the halftone processing unit 132 (step S345). Return the process to the printing process.

If the L ^* a ^* b ^* value is not recorded (step S343: NO), the CPU 110 determines whether or not the CMYK format image data gradation value for the specified definition color is recorded in the 1DLUT 141. Judgment is made (step S346). If the CMYK format image data gradation value is recorded as a result of the determination (step S346: YES), the CPU 110 uses the recorded CMYK format image data gradation value as an input value, and performs the above-described second operation. The color conversion process is performed (step S345).

On the other hand, if no image data gradation value in CMYK format is recorded (step S346: NO), 1DLUT 141 includes an ink output value, L ^* a ^* b ^* value, and image data gradation for the specified definition color. Since none of the values is recorded, the spectral reflectance is recorded. Therefore, the CPU 110 calculates an L ^* a ^* b ^* value from the recorded spectral reflectance (step S347), and advances the process to step S344.

  Here, the description returns to the printing process of FIG. When the color conversion process is performed, the CPU 110 performs a halftone process as the process of the halftone processing unit 132 of the printer driver 130 (step S350). The halftone process is a process of converting the color-converted image data into dot data representing ON / OFF of each color dot. As halftone processing, for example, an error diffusion method and a dither method using a dither matrix are known.

  When the halftone processing is performed, the CPU 110 performs rasterizing processing as processing of the rasterizing processing unit 133 of the printer driver 130, and generates print data in a format that can be interpreted by the printer 200 (step S360). The rasterizing process is a process of rearranging the dot pattern data to be printed in one main scanning unit in accordance with the nozzle arrangement of the printer 200, the paper feed amount, and the like.

  When the rasterizing process is performed, the CPU 110 outputs print data and command data for instructing the printer 200 to execute a specific operation as the process of the printer driver 130 (step S370). Thus, the printing process of the personal computer 100 is completed. When the printer 200 receives print data and command data by such print processing, the printer 200 ejects ink from the head unit 270 while driving the carriage unit 280 and the transport unit 290 based on the received data. Execute printing.

A-4. effect:
According to the printing system 20 described above, for each of the metallic colors recorded as the defined colors in the 1DLUT 141, each appearance when observing the printing color that appears when the metallic color is printed by the printer 200 under a plurality of viewing conditions. Can be output as information based on the L ^* a ^* b ^* value and the spectral reflectance recorded in the 1DLUT 141. Here, the print color printed using the metallic ink has a characteristic that the appearance differs depending on the observation condition. Specifically, the printed color printed using metallic ink looks different in metallic feel and color depending on the incident angle and the light receiving angle (observation angle). According to the printing system 20, the user can confirm the appearance (at least one of metallic feeling and color) after printing under each of the plurality of observation conditions of the defined metallic color before printing. Can be grasped suitably. Further, the appearance of the output metallic color can be grasped by a device-independent standard such as an L ^* a ^* b ^* value or a spectral reflectance, which is highly convenient for the user. Furthermore, since the appearance of the metallic color can be confirmed on the display 160, the printing is repeated many times while changing the metallic color to be used, and the ink and the printing medium are not wasted.

  Further, according to the printing system 20, since the ink output value is recorded as the output value of the 1DLUT 141, the ink output value can be directly acquired using the 1DLUT 141. That is, it is not necessary to perform color conversion processing using the metallic ICC profile 142 and the metallic LUT 144. As a result, the color conversion process for the defined color can be performed quickly and easily. Note that since the metallic ICC profile 142 and the metallic LUT 144 are stored in the printing system 20, even if no ink output value is recorded in the 1DLUT 141 in association with the defined color, the defined metallic color is defined. Color conversion can be performed. For this reason, the manufacturer of the printing system 20 or the program used for the printing system 20 determines the expected use frequency, the man-hour for setting the ink output value, etc. for each defined color recorded in advance in the 1DLUT 141. In consideration, the ink output value may be recorded in the 1DLUT 141 for only a specific definition color.

B. Variations:
A modification of the above embodiment will be described.
B-1. Modification 1:
In place of or in addition to the L ^* a ^* b ^* value recorded in the 1DLUT 141, gradation values such as an XYZ color system, an xyY color system, and an L ^* C ^* H ^* color system may be adopted. Is possible. That is, it is possible to appropriately adopt a color system that does not depend on a device.

B-2. Modification 2:
In the color confirmation processing described above, the output unit 122 calculates and outputs various index values In representing the degree of appearance of the special glossy light, that is, the metallic feeling, using the data recorded in the 1DLUT 141. May be. As such an index value In, for example, the following formula (1) is known. The index value In may be calculated using the L ^* value of the L ^* a ^* b ^* values recorded in the 1DLUT 141. Alternatively, the index value In may be calculated by calculating the L ^* value from the spectral reflectance recorded in the 1DLUT 141 and further using the calculated L ^* value. In this way, the user can accurately grasp the metallic feeling reproduced on the printed matter. Since the index value representing the metallic feeling can be calculated using the colorimetric values under a plurality of observation conditions, this configuration is a personal memory that stores the 1DLUT 141 in which the colorimetric values under the plurality of observation conditions are recorded. The present invention can be suitably applied to the computer 100.

B-3. Modification 3:
Instead of or in addition to the metallic ink, various special glossy inks can be employed as inks used for printing defined colors. Special glossy ink is ink that exhibits a predetermined texture. As such a texture, in addition to a metallic feeling, it can be a pearly luster feeling or a satin feeling. The special glossy ink can also be regarded as an ink in which the optical characteristic of the ink printed on the printing medium has a reflection angle dependency.

B-4. Modification 4:
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the printer driver 130 is installed in the personal computer 100 has been described. However, at least a part of the functions of the printer driver 130 may be arranged on the printer 200 side. Alternatively, a computer (hereinafter also referred to as a RIP computer) in which a RIP (Raster image processor) is installed may be connected to the personal computer 100, and print data may be generated by the RIP computer. In these cases, the 1DLUT 141 may be stored in the printer 200 or the RIP computer. Further, when a user-defined color is newly defined in the 1DLUT 141 of the personal computer 100, the personal computer 100 notifies the printer 200 or the RIP computer, and the user-defined color is also notified to the 1DLUT 141 of the printer 200 or the RIP computer. May be registered.

B-5. Modification 5:
The printer 200 is not limited to an ink jet printer that uses ink as a color material, but can be various printers that perform printing using at least a special gloss material that expresses special gloss light as a color material. For example, the printer 200 may be configured as a laser printer that uses toner as a color material.

B-6. Modification 6:
In the color confirmation process described above, the output unit 122 may output to the printer 200 instead of outputting to the display 160. Even in this case, the user can check the print color by printing the image data, and if the print color is not the desired print color, the amount of ink can be reduced as compared with the case where the color of the image data is corrected and printing is performed again. Because there is. For example, with respect to the amount of metallic ink used, it is possible to reliably reduce the amount of ink used compared to the case of printing a plurality of times.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, elements other than the element corresponding to the element described in the independent claim among the components in embodiment mentioned above are additional elements, are abbreviate | omitted suitably, or Combinations are possible. In addition, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in addition to a printing system, the present invention can be realized as an image processing apparatus, a print data generation apparatus, a color information output method, a program thereof, a storage medium on which the computer is recorded so as to be readable.

20 ... Printing system 100 ... Personal computer 110 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 120 ... Application program 121 ... Reception part 122 ... Output part 123 ... Registration part 130 ... Printer driver 131 ... Color conversion processing part 132 ... Halftone processing part 133 ... Rasterize processing part 140 ... Memory 141 ... 1DLUT
142 ... ICC profile for metallic 143 ICC profile for non-metallic 144 144 LUT for metallic
145 ... Non-metallic LUT
150 ... I / O interface unit 160 ... Display 170 ... Input mechanism 200 ... Printer 210 ... CPU
240: Memory 250 ... Input / output interface unit 260: Unit control circuit 270 ... Head unit 280 ... Carriage unit 281-288 ... Ink cartridge 290 ... Conveyance unit

Claims (8)

An image processing apparatus that processes image data for printing on a printing apparatus using a special glossy material that expresses special glossy light,
The identification information of a defined color defined in advance as a spot color to be printed using the special gloss material is used as an input value, and the print color that appears when the defined color is printed by the printing apparatus is observed under a plurality of observation conditions. Color information expressed using at least one of a gradation value and a spectral reflectance expressed in a device-independent color system as output values, and the input value and the output value A storage unit for storing a table in which
A reception unit for accepting designation of the definition color;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an output unit that outputs information based on the color information associated with the accepted definition color.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output value of the table includes information indicating an output amount of a color material using the special gloss material when printing is performed by the printing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The output unit includes, as information based on the color information, a gradation value represented by the device-independent color system under the plurality of observation conditions, or a gradation value corresponding to the spectral reflectance. An image processing apparatus that outputs image data as pixel data. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The output unit calculates an index value representing the degree of expression of the special glossy light based on the gradation value represented by the device-independent color system or the spectral reflectance, and the calculation is performed. An image processing apparatus that outputs an index value as information based on the color information. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The color information as the output value of the table includes a gradation value represented by an L ^* a ^* b ^* color system assuming a predetermined one light source as the device-independent color system. Including the spectral reflectance,
The accepting unit includes the color information based on any one of a gradation value represented by the L ^* a ^* b ^* color system as the device-independent color system and the spectral reflectance. The output unit is configured to be able to select whether the output unit outputs information based on the information based on the color information based on a gradation value represented by the L ^* a ^* b ^* color system. When the output unit outputs, it is configured to be able to accept specification of the type of light source that is a premise of the gradation value represented by the L ^* a ^* b ^* color system,
The output unit is selected to output information based on the color information based on a gradation value expressed in the L ^* a ^* b ^* color system, and receives the designation of the light source In case,
When the type of the received light source is the predetermined one light source, the predetermined one light source under the plurality of observation conditions stored in the table as information based on the color information is assumed. Output the gradation value expressed in L ^* a ^* b ^* color system,
When the type of the received light source is different from the predetermined one light source, it is represented by the L ^* a ^* b ^* color system corresponding to the type of the received light source under the plurality of observation conditions from the spectral reflectance. An image processing apparatus that calculates a gradation value to be output and outputs the calculated gradation value represented by the L ^* a ^* b ^* color system as information based on the color information. A print data generation apparatus comprising the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A gradation value represented by a predetermined color system input by the user and identification information to be associated with the gradation value are received as a new definition color and associated with the received gradation value. A registration unit for registering power identification information as the input value of the table and registering the received gradation value expressed in the predetermined color system as the output value of the table in the table;
Using the ICC profile created on the assumption that the special gloss material is used and the LUT having the output value of the color material including the special gloss material as an output value, or the color material including the special gloss material Using the LUT having the output amount of output as the output value, the gradation value represented by the predetermined color system registered as the new definition color is converted into the output amount of the color material including the special gloss material And a color conversion processing unit. A color information output method in which a computer outputs color information related to image data for printing on a printing apparatus using a special glossy material that expresses special gloss light,
The identification information of a defined color defined in advance as a spot color to be printed using the special gloss material is used as an input value, and the print color that appears when the defined color is printed by the printing apparatus is observed under a plurality of observation conditions. Color information expressed using at least one of a gradation value and a spectral reflectance expressed in a device-independent color system as output values, and the input value and the output value Memorize a table that associates
Accepting the definition color definition,
A color information output method for outputting information based on the color information associated with the accepted definition color. A program that outputs color information related to image data for printing on a printing apparatus using a special glossy material that expresses special glossy light,
A reception function for receiving designation of a definition color defined in advance as a spot color to be printed using the special gloss material;
The color information system that is device-independent in terms of how each color color appears under a plurality of observation conditions when the definition color identification information is used as an input value and the defined color is printed by the printing apparatus. With reference to a table in which the input value and the output value are associated with each other using the color information represented by at least one of the gradation value and the spectral reflectance represented by A program for causing a computer to realize an output function for outputting information based on the associated color information.

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