JP2015097400A - Color conversion device, method and program for color designation printing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color conversion device, a method and a program for realizing color designation printing in a print operation which can realize color designation printing desired by a user for print object data in which a plurality of colors are designated as a print command.SOLUTION: A color space conversion section 102 receives input of a print command from an application section 108 and converts colors designated by the print command into colors on a color space expressed by brightness, saturation and hue. A color classification section 103 classifies the converted color in one classification color among a plurality of classification colors using the brightness, saturation and hue of the color as a reference. A classification color → print color conversion section 104 converts each of the classification colors classified on the basis of color correspondence information in which correspondence between the plurality of classification colors and one or more print colors is set into one print color among the one or more print colors, and outputs the print color in correspondence with the input print command.

Description

  The present invention relates to a color conversion apparatus, method, and program for realizing color designation printing in a printing operation.

  In a printing operation to a printing apparatus or the like, color designation printing in which a printing color is designated is performed for the purpose of printing a large amount of leaflets or the like while saving toner or ink. For example, a two-color printing in which two colors of “red” and “black” are designated.

  Conventionally, a primary or secondary print color designated by a print command from an application program is converted to a first or second ink color set by a printer, and the print command including the converted print color information is converted to a printer. A technique that realizes two-color printing by transmitting to (for example, a technique described in Patent Document 1) is known.

  In this case, color correspondence information between the main color or sub color and the first or second ink color is preset by the user or the like. Then, when the print command is issued, it is detected whether the primary color or the secondary color is specified, and the detected color is the first or second ink color based on preset color correspondence information. Is converted to

Japanese Patent No. 4052415

  Here, text data, graphic data, image data, etc. to be printed using a plurality of colors (so-called full color) on the application software, or a combination thereof (hereinafter referred to as “printing target data”). , And for example, it is desired to perform color designation printing in which print colors are designated (for example, two colors of “red” and “black” are designated) based on the print target data.

  In this case, conventionally, color information of the main color (for example, “red”) is detected from the color information specified in each print command corresponding to the print target data, and the color information of the main color is, for example, the first information of the printer. Is converted into color information of the ink color (for example, “red” ink color). When color information other than the main color specified in the print command is detected, the color information is converted into color information of the second ink color (for example, “black” ink color) of the printer.

However, in the past, only a simple designation of associating a specific color in the print target data with, for example, one of the two-color print colors has been possible. For this reason, in order to perform the two-color printing desired by the user, it is necessary to perform color designation with a strong awareness of two-color printing from the stage of creating the print target data.
As a result, conventionally, for example, it has been difficult to perform color designation printing desired by a user on print target data of a multicolor brochure prepared in advance.

  Therefore, the present invention realizes color designation printing desired by a user for print target data in which a plurality of colors (so-called full color) are designated as print commands.

In an example of the aspect, a color space conversion unit that converts the RGB designated color specified by the print command into a converted color on a color space expressed by brightness, saturation, and hue;
A color classification unit that classifies the converted color into one classified color among a plurality of classified colors including black and gray colors based on the lightness, saturation, and hue of the converted color;
One print associated with the one classification color out of the one or more print colors based on color correspondence information in which a correspondence relation between the plurality of classification colors and one or more print colors is set. A classification color print color associating unit that determines a color and associates the one print color with the print command;
With
The color classification unit
When the brightness of the converted color is not large compared to a predetermined brightness threshold, the converted color is classified into a black classification color, and the brightness of the converted color is the same or larger than the brightness threshold. If the saturation of the converted color is not greater than a predetermined saturation threshold, the converted color is classified into a gray classification color.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize color designation printing desired by a user for print target data in which a plurality of colors (so-called full color) are designated as print commands.

It is a block diagram of the color conversion apparatus by this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of HSL color space. It is explanatory drawing of this color classification. It is a hardware block diagram of the printing system of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the data structural example of the threshold value data for color classification. It is a figure which shows the data structural example of printing color setting data. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a color setting screen. It is a figure which shows the data structural example of color setting data. It is a figure (case A) which shows the example of a data structure of a classification color-> printing color conversion table. It is a figure (case B) which shows the example of a data structure of a classification color-> printing color conversion table. It is a figure (case C) which shows the example of a data structure of classification color-> printing color conversion table. It is a figure (case D) which shows the example of a data structure of classification color-> printing color conversion table. It is a flowchart which shows the color conversion process by this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a color classification process. It is a figure which shows the example of the printing object data of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process which "converts it into" black "except red" in this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process which "converts other than black to" red "" in this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process of "converting into" red "except for black" about the text and the graphic in this embodiment, and "converting into all" black "" about an image. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a process of “converting all to“ red ”” for text and “converting all to“ black ”” for images and graphics in the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process which makes it "convert to" black "except red" about all of the text in this embodiment, a graphic, and an image, and also sets it as "black: original density maintenance" about an image. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process which makes it "convert into" red "except black" about all the texts, graphics, and images in this embodiment, and also sets "red: original density maintenance" about an image. It is explanatory drawing (the 1) of the process of the halftone in this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing (the 2) of the process of the halftone in this embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the color conversion apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the host computer 100 is connected to the printer apparatus 110 that executes printing by, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or a LAN (Local Area Network) connection (cable or wireless).

  The color conversion apparatus according to the present embodiment is mounted as a partial function of the printer driver 101 executed on the host computer 100, for example.

  In this case, the color conversion function in the printer driver 101 is designated by each print command by processing a print command from the application unit 108 such as word processor software or spreadsheet software executed on the host computer 100. Convert colors to print colors.

  A print command execution function (not shown) in the printer driver 101 interprets the print command converted into the print color and converts the print image data corresponding to each print command to each print command in the image storage unit 109. The image is expanded in the image memory corresponding to the print color specified in. For example, when the print colors are two colors of red and black, the print image data is developed in the image memory for the K (blakK) station and the image memory for the C (Cyan) station.

  The printer driver 101 transfers the print image data expanded in each image memory in the image storage unit 109 to the printer device 110. The printer apparatus 110 includes an image storage unit 111 similar to the image storage unit 109 on the host computer 100 side. For example, each print image data developed in each image memory for K station and C station in the image storage unit 109 on the host computer 100 side is used for K station and C station in the image storage unit 111 on the printer apparatus 110 side. To each image memory. The image memory of each station in the image storage unit 110 on the printer device 110 side corresponds to each toner color to be printed by the print execution unit 112. When two-color printing is executed, for example, black print color toner is set corresponding to the K station, and red print color toner is set corresponding to the C station. Yes. As a result, the print image data transferred to the image memory for the K station in the image storage unit 111 in the print execution unit 112 is printed in black print color, and the print image data transferred to the image memory for the C station. Is printed in red printing color.

  A color conversion apparatus realized as a function in the printer driver 101 has the following configuration.

  The color space conversion unit 102 receives a print command from the application unit 108, and converts the color specified by the print command into a color on a color space expressed by lightness, saturation, and hue. This color space is, for example, an HSL (also referred to as “HLS”) color space including three components of hue (Hue), saturation (Saturation), luminance, and brightness (Lightness / Luminance or Intensity).

  The color classification unit 103 classifies the converted color into one of a plurality of classification colors based on the lightness, saturation, and hue of the color. For example, when the brightness of the converted color is not large compared to a predetermined brightness threshold, the color classification unit 103 classifies the converted color into a black classification color. For example, the color classification unit 103 is a case where the lightness of the converted color is larger than the predetermined lightness threshold value, and the saturation of the converted color is not large compared to the predetermined lightness threshold value. Then, the converted color is classified into a gray classification color. For example, the color classification unit 103 converts the converted color when the lightness of the converted color is larger than the predetermined lightness threshold and the saturation of the converted color is larger than the predetermined saturation threshold. The color converted on the basis of the hue of the selected color is classified into a plurality of classification colors other than black and gray (for example, red, yellow, green, and blue).

  The classification color → print color conversion unit 104 sets each of the classification colors classified based on the color correspondence information in which the correspondence relation between a plurality of classification colors and one or more printing colors is set to one or more printing colors. One of the print colors is converted, and the print color is output in correspondence with the input print command.

  Further, in the present embodiment, for each print color, when it is set in advance that a halftone is used for the print color, it corresponds to the classified color classified by the color classification unit 103 converted to the print color. A halftone control unit 105 may be further provided that calculates the print density of the print color based on the lightness in the color space and sets the calculated print density to the print color.

  Further, in the present embodiment, for each print color, when it is preset that a halftone is used for the print color, the classified color further classified by the color classification unit 103 converted to the print color Is set to hold the original density, the calculated print density is multiplied by a predetermined constant corresponding to the classified color classified by the color classification unit 103, and the print density obtained as a result of the multiplication is multiplied by An original density holding control unit 106 that sets the print color may be further provided.

  In addition to this embodiment, the following setting unit 107 may be provided. The setting unit 107 first functions as a color correspondence information setting unit that sets color correspondence information used in the classification color → print color conversion unit 104, for example. For example, the setting unit 107 functions as a halftone setting unit that sets whether to use a halftone for each print color. Further, the setting unit 107, for example, in the case where it is set in advance for each print color that the halftone is used for the print color, is further classified by the color classification unit 103 that is converted to the print color. Functions as an original density holding setting unit for setting whether or not to hold the original density.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the color space conversion unit 102, color classification unit 103, classification color → print color conversion unit 104, halftone control unit 105, original density retention control unit 106, and setting unit 107 have functional units. The print command generated from the print command input from the host computer 100, not the host computer 100, or the print target data stored in the recording medium (not shown) connected to the printer device 110 is printed. It may be configured to operate on the printer apparatus 110 as a function for processing a command.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the HSL color space converted by the color space conversion unit 102. For example, the relationship among lightness L, saturation S, and hue H in the HSL color space has a biconical shape as shown in FIG.

  The lightness L corresponds to the brightness of the color in the sense of human color. If the lightness L is large, the human perceives the color as a brighter color. On the contrary, if the lightness L is small, the human will feel the color as a darker color, and if the lightness L is very small, the human will feel the color as a color close to black. The lightness L is, for example, black when L = 0 and white when L = 1.

The saturation S corresponds to the vividness of the color in the human sense of color. If the saturation S is large, humans feel that color as a more vivid color. On the contrary, if the saturation S is small, the human feels the color more dull, and if the saturation S is very small, the human feels the color close to a gray color.
As can be understood from the bicone shape of FIG. 2, the possible range of the saturation S is determined by the lightness L. In the example of FIG. 2, the saturation S can take the maximum saturation value when the lightness L = 0.5, and the possible saturation increases as L = 0 or L = 1. Becomes smaller.

  The hue H corresponds to the type of color in the sense of human color. The hue H can be defined as a value from 0 ° to 360 °, for example. In the vicinity of H = 0 ° or 360 °, the human perceives the color as a color close to red. In the vicinity of H = 60 °, humans perceive the color as a color close to yellow. In the vicinity of H = 120 °, a human feels that color as a color close to green. In the vicinity of H = 240 °, the human perceives the color as a color close to blue.

The color space conversion unit 102 in FIG. 1 converts, for example, a color in the RGB color space specified in the print command into a color in the HSL color space. In addition, the color classification unit 103 of the present embodiment uses the color space relationship of FIG. 2 to convert the color converted into the color on the HSL color space, for example, the lightness L, which is defined as shown in FIG. Based on the saturation S and the hue H, classification is performed as follows.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of color classification in the present embodiment.

For example, the color classification unit 103 has a range in which the lightness L defined in FIG. 2 of the converted color is not large compared to a predetermined black determination threshold (lightness threshold) Bla, as shown in FIG. In the case of 301 (0 ≦ L ≦ Bla), the converted color is classified into the “black” classification color. The value of the black determination threshold value Bla is, for example, about 0.01.
Thus, if the lightness L of the color specified by the print command is very small, the color can be classified as “black” in the same way as a human sense.

Next, the color classification unit 103 is, for example, a case where the brightness of the converted color is greater than the black determination threshold value Bla, and the saturation S defined in FIG. As shown in (b), in the range 302 (0 ≦ S ≦ Gry) that is not larger than a predetermined gray color determination threshold value (saturation threshold value) Gry, the converted color is expressed as “gray color”. ”. The value of the gray color determination threshold Gry is about 0.01, for example.
As a result, if the saturation S of the color specified by the print command is very small, the color can be classified as “gray color” in the same way as a human sense.

  Further, for example, when the lightness L of the converted color is larger than the black determination threshold value Bla and the saturation S of the converted color is larger than the gray color determination threshold value Gry, the color classification unit 103 Based on the hue H defined in FIG. 2 of the converted color, the converted color is classified into a plurality of classification colors other than “black” and “gray” (for example, “red”, “yellow”, “green”). , “Blue”).

  Specifically, the color classification unit 103 determines that the hue H of the converted color is not smaller than the predetermined red-yellow boundary threshold value RY as shown in FIG. When it is in a range 304 smaller than the threshold YG, the converted color is classified as “yellow”. The value of the red-yellow boundary threshold value RY is, for example, about RGB: 255-223-0 in terms of RGB values when the brightness L = 0.5. The yellow-green boundary threshold YG is, for example, about RGB: 223-255-0 in terms of RGB values when the brightness L is about 0.5.

  Further, the color classification unit 103 determines that the hue H of the converted color is not smaller than the predetermined yellow-green boundary threshold YG and is set to the predetermined green-blue boundary threshold GB as shown in FIG. If it is in the smaller range 305, the converted color is classified as “green”. The value of the green-blue boundary threshold GB is, for example, about RGB: 0-255-255 in terms of the RGB value when the brightness L = 0.5.

  In addition, the color classification unit 103 determines that the hue H of the converted color is not smaller than the predetermined green-blue boundary threshold GB and is set to the predetermined blue-red boundary threshold BR as shown in FIG. If it is in the smaller range 306, the converted color is classified as “blue”. The value of the blue-red boundary threshold BR is, for example, about RGB: 255-0-255 in terms of RGB values when the brightness L is 0.5.

  The color classification unit 103 then converts the hue H of the converted color into a range other than the above, that is, a range from the predetermined blue-red boundary threshold BR to 0 ° and 0 ° as shown in FIG. To a predetermined red / yellow boundary threshold value RY, the converted color is classified as “red”.

  In the present embodiment, “red 2” and “red 3” are provided as classification colors so that normal red can be classified as “red” and darker red than usual can be classified as “black red”. Can do. After performing the classification to red as described above, the color classification unit 103 determines the final classification color as long as the lightness L of the converted color is not smaller than the predetermined red-red two boundary threshold value R1. Red. In addition, after the color classification unit 103 performs the classification to red as described above, the lightness L of the converted color is smaller than the predetermined red-red 2-boundary threshold R1, and the predetermined red 2-red 3-boundary. If it is not smaller than the threshold value R2, the final classification color is “red 2” which is darker than “red”. Further, after the color classification unit 103 performs the classification to red as described above, if the lightness L of the converted color is smaller than the predetermined red 2 red 3 boundary threshold value R2, the final classification color is determined. “Red 3” is darker than “Red 2”. When the classification colors “red 2” and “red 3” are not used, both the red red 2 boundary threshold value R1 and the red 2 red 3 boundary threshold value R2 may be set to 0.

  As a result, in a range where the lightness L of the color specified by the print command is large compared to the black determination threshold value Bla and the saturation S is large compared to the gray color determination threshold value Gry, humans feel that color. Similar red, yellow, green and blue can be classified.

In the present embodiment, as described above, for example, classified colors classified into a plurality according to human senses in the HSL color space, and one or more print colors that can be printed by the print execution unit 112 of the printer device 110. Are set as color correspondence information.
The color correspondence information can be set on the display screen of the host computer 100 by the user, for example, using the setting unit 107 shown in FIG. In this case, since the classification color can be designated based on human sense standards, any color on the human sense such as black, gray, red, yellow, green, and blue in the print target data is red or black. It is possible to intuitively specify which print color corresponds to.

  Based on the color correspondence information designated as desired by the user, the classified color → print color conversion unit 104 in FIG. 1 converts each of the classified colors classified by the color classification unit 103 into one or more print colors. One of the print colors can be converted, and the print color can be output in correspondence with the input print command. As a result, it is possible to perform color designation printing as desired by the user for print target data such as a pamphlet created using a plurality of colors.

  In this embodiment, for example, by setting whether or not halftone is used for each print color in the setting unit 107, the halftone control unit 105 in FIG. Based on the lightness in the color space corresponding to the classified color classified by the color classification unit 103 converted into, the print density in the print color can be calculated and set to the print color.

  For example, in color-designated printing, for example, for a red (or black) print color, the user may desire to print with a natural gradation halftone. In the present embodiment, attention is paid to the fact that humans perceive the halftone as the brightness of the color, and the lightness L in the HSL color space defined in FIG. 2, for example, of the original color in the print command converted to the print color. Accordingly, the print density of the print color is controlled. As a result, it is possible to realize color designation printing in a halftone desired by the user.

  When the classification color to be converted into the print color is black or gray, the range of brightness L controlled as a halftone is the entire range of brightness L (0 ≦ L ≦ 1). On the other hand, when the classified color is a color other than black and gray, such as red, yellow, green, and blue, these colors have the highest saturation within the lightness L range controlled as a halftone. A range from L = 0.5 to white (L = 1) (0.5 ≦ L ≦ 1) is set. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a natural gradation for each print color by changing the range of the lightness L for controlling the print density according to the classification color.

Further, in the present embodiment, for example, when the setting unit 107 sets that the halftone is used for the print color, the setting is performed by further setting the original density of the classified color to be converted to the print color. In this case, it is possible to correct the print density by multiplying the print density of the print color calculated as a halftone by a predetermined constant corresponding to the classified color converted to the print color.
Depending on the user, it may be desired that the print density of the print color should correspond faithfully to the original lightness L of the classified color converted to the print color. In such a case, it is possible to perform printing in halftone as desired by the user by setting the original density retention.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, in the present embodiment, it is possible to realize color designation printing desired by the user for print target data in which a plurality of colors are designated as print commands. Become.

  FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the printing system according to the present embodiment including the host computer 100 and the printer apparatus 110 that realize the functions of the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 described above.

  The host computer 100 includes a CPU 401, ROM 402, RAM 403, input device 404, output device 405, USB or LAN interface (hereinafter referred to as “USB / LAN I / F”) 406, external storage device 407, and portable recording medium 409. The portable recording medium driving device 408 is inserted, and these are connected by a bus.

  The configuration of the host computer 100 shown in FIG. 4 is an example of the host computer 100 that can realize the printing system of the present embodiment, and such a host computer 100 is not limited to this configuration.

The CPU 401 controls the entire host computer 100. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 403 temporarily stores a program or data stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 402 or an external storage device 407 (or a portable recording medium 409) when executing a program, updating data, or the like. This is a memory to store automatically.
The CPU 401 controls the entire host computer 100 by reading the program of the printer driver 101 or the application unit 108 of FIG. 1 from the ROM 402 or the external storage device 407 (or the portable recording medium 409) to the RAM 403 and executing it.
In the RAM 403, each image memory area in the image storage unit 109 of FIG. 1 for storing print image data transferred to the printer apparatus 110 is secured.

  The input device 404 is a device for the user to make various inputs to the host computer 100 when executing the printer driver 101 and the application unit 108 of FIG. 1, and the output device 405 includes, for example, the confirmation and execution data at the time of the input. It is a display apparatus which displays.

  The external storage device 407 is, for example, a hard disk storage device or a solid disk storage device, and stores program data and various data of the printer driver 101 and the application unit 108 of FIG.

  The portable recording medium driving device 408 accommodates a portable recording medium 409 such as an optical disk, SDRAM, or Compact Flash (registered trademark), and has an auxiliary role for the external storage device 407. Also, various programs for the printer driver 101 and the application unit 108 are installed.

  The USB / LAN I / F 406 is a device for connecting, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus), a LAN (Local Area Network), or a WiFi wireless communication line. The host computer 100 and the printer device 110 are also connected using this USB / LAN I / F 406.

  The printing system according to the present embodiment is realized by the CPU 401 executing a program having the function of the printer driver 101 of FIG. 1 realized by the flowcharts of FIGS. 13 and 14 and the data configuration of FIGS. 8 to 12. The The program may be distributed by being recorded in, for example, the external storage device 407 or the portable recording medium 409, or may be acquired from a network such as a LAN or the Internet by the USB / LAN I / F 406.

  The printer apparatus 110 includes a CPU 411, a ROM 412, a RAM 413, a USB / LAN I / F 414, a printer engine interface (hereinafter referred to as “printer engine I / F”) 415, a print control LSI 416, and a printer engine 417. It has the structure connected by.

  The configuration of the printer apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 4 is an example of the printer apparatus 110 that can implement the printing system of the present embodiment, and such a printer apparatus 110 is not limited to this configuration.

The CPU 411 controls the printer apparatus 110 as a whole. The RAM 413 is a memory that temporarily stores a program or data stored in the ROM 412 when executing a print control program, updating data, or the like.
The CPU 411 controls the entire printer device 110 by reading a program for print control (not shown) from the ROM 412 to the RAM 413 and executing it.
In the RAM 413, each image memory area in the image storage unit 111 in FIG. 1 for storing print image data transferred from the host computer 100 to the printer apparatus 110 is secured.

  The USB / LAN I / F 414 is a device for connecting a communication line similar to the USB / LAN I / F 406 in the host computer 100.

Print image data transmitted from the image memory area in the RAM 403 of the host computer 100 (corresponding to the image storage unit 109 in FIG. 1) via the USB / LAN I / F 406 is transferred to the USB in the printer device 110 according to the control of the CPU 411. The data is written into the image memory area in the RAM 413 (corresponding to the image storage unit 111 in FIG. 1) via the / LAN I / F 414. Thereafter, the print control LSI 416 transfers the print image data written in the image memory area in the RAM 413 to the printer engine 417 via the printer engine I / F 415.
The printer engine 417 includes a printing mechanism, and prints the print image data transferred from each image memory area in the RAM 413 as described above by using each toner corresponding to each image memory area.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of threshold data for color classification.
The black determination threshold value Bla, the gray color determination threshold value Gry, the red / yellow boundary threshold value RY, the yellow / green boundary threshold value YG, the green / blue boundary threshold value GB, the blue / red boundary threshold value BR, the red / red two boundary threshold value R1, and the red 2 described in FIG. Each set value shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the external storage device 407 or the RAM 403 in FIG. 4 for each threshold value data shown in FIG. 5 for the red 3 boundary threshold value R1. The CPU 401 in FIG. 4 can read the corresponding setting value by designating the name of each threshold data.
Note that the item “meaning threshold” in FIG. 5 is included for convenience of explanation of the present embodiment.

  The setting value for each threshold data in FIG. 5 may be stored in advance in the ROM 402 or the external storage device 407 in FIG. 4 as a fixed value when the system is constructed, or may be arbitrarily changed by the user as a setting file. . By making the user changeable, it becomes possible to freely change the classification standard of the classification color described in FIG. 3 to meet the user's request.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of print color setting data for setting a print color.
In the present embodiment, eight colors of Col = 0 to 7 can be designated as the print color data Col that is the conversion destination of the classified color. For each print color, toner amount density values (percentage values) at four station positions (toner positions) of C, M, Y, and K are set. In other words, the printer engine 417 of FIG. 4 is configured to be able to mount four toners corresponding to the four station positions of C, M, Y, and K. When the two-color printing described in the present embodiment is executed, for example, the printer engine 417 mounts the toner corresponding to the printing color “black” at the toner position corresponding to the K station, and corresponds to the C station. The toner corresponding to the “red” printing color is attached to the toner position, and the toner is not attached to the toner positions corresponding to the M and Y stations. Of course, these combinations are not limited to this.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the print color data Col = 0 corresponds to, for example, a “black” print color, the toner amount density value of the K station is set to 100%, and the other C, M, and Y stations are set. The toner amount density value is set to 0%. The print color data Col = 1 corresponds to, for example, “red” print color, the toner amount density value of the C station is set to 100%, and the toner amount density values of the other M, Y, and K stations are 0. % Is set. For other print color data Col = 2 to 7, the toner amount density values of all the stations are set to 0% and are not used.

The toner amount density value for each print color data Col (0 to 7) and each station (C, M, Y, K) shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the external storage device 407 or RAM 403 in FIG. . The CPU 401 in FIG. 4 can specify each print color data Col (0 to 7) and read the toner amount density value for each corresponding station (C, M, Y, K).
Note that the item “name” in FIG. 6 is provided for convenience of explanation of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a color setting screen realized as a function of the setting unit 107 in the printer driver 101 of FIG. The CPU 401 in FIG. 4 can display a color setting screen shown in FIG. 7, for example, on the display of the output device 405 in FIG. 4 by executing a color setting screen control program (not shown). The color setting can be performed while operating the keyboard or mouse of the input device 404.

In the color setting screen shown in FIG. 7, the user first selects one of the following four conversion types for each of the text data, graphic data, and image data of the print target data created by the application unit 108 shown in FIG. Any one of them can be selected and set.
Convert all to “black” Convert all to “red” Convert to “red” for anything other than black Convert to “black” for anything other than red In FIG. 7, the conversion type with the “●” mark at the left end is the user The conversion type marked with “◯” is not selected.
In the example of FIG. 7, “Text” and “Graphics” are selected as “Convert to black” except “Red”, and “Image” is all converted to “Black”. Has been.

Next, on the color setting screen, as the color details, for each of “black” and “red”,
You can select whether to maintain the original density using halftones. In FIG. 7, the color details with the “■” mark are selected by the user, and the color details with the “□” mark are not selected.
In the example of FIG. 7, “use halftone” is set for both “black” and “red” for “text” and “graphic”, and only “black” uses “halftone” for “image”. Is set, and “red” is set not to use halftones. For “Text”, “Black” and “Red” are both set to “Do not keep original density”, and “Graphic” is set to “Keep original density” only for “Red”. Is set to “hold original density” only for “black”.
If “use halftone” is not set, the screen display is controlled so that “main density retention” cannot be set. That is, whether or not to maintain the original density can be set only when the setting to use halftone is set.

  When each print command for certain print target data is issued from the application unit 108 in FIG. 1 according to the example of the color setting screen in FIG. 7, the print command is a print command instructing printing of text data. Means that the user has made the following designation. First, if a red color is specified as the color in the print command, the print color will be "red". If any other color is specified, the print color will be "black". Color designation is performed. Then, control is performed so that both “black” and “red” print colors have a natural gradation of halftone.

  Further, when the print command is a print command for instructing printing of graphic data, the following designation is made by the user. First, if a red color is specified as the color in the print command, the print color will be "red". If any other color is specified, the print color will be "black". Color designation is performed. Then, control is performed so that both “black” and “red” print colors have a natural gradation of halftone. Further, control is performed to maintain the original density for the “red” printing color.

  Further, when the print command is a print command for instructing printing of image data, the following designation is performed by the user. First, color designation is performed so that all black colors are designated regardless of which color is designated in the print command. Then, the control is performed so that the “black” print color has a halftone natural gradation and maintains the original density.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of color setting data set by the user using the color setting screen of FIG. This color setting data constitutes a part of the color correspondence information described with reference to FIG.
Corresponding to the color setting illustrated in FIG. 7, the following data is stored for each of “text”, “graphic”, and “image”. First, as the conversion type,
Convert all to “black” Convert all to “red” Convert to “red” except for black Convert to “black” except for red. Next, for each “black” and “red” printing color, “use halftone” (“ON” or “OFF”) and “hold original density” (“ON”). Or “OFF”) is set.
The color setting data is stored in the external storage device 407 or the RAM 403 in FIG. The CPU 401 in FIG. 4 designates the type of “text”, “graphic”, and “image” and the type of print color “black” or “red”, thereby setting the conversion type and “black” or “red”. It is possible to read out the setting of whether to use “halftone” and whether to perform “main density retention”.

  9 to 12 are diagrams showing examples of the data configuration of the classification color → print color conversion table of FIG. This table data constitutes a part of the color correspondence information described with reference to FIG.

  9, 10, 11, and 12, in the color setting data of FIG. 8, regardless of “text”, “graphic”, and “image”, the conversion type is “convert to“ black ”except for red” ” Is set, case B is set to “convert to“ red ”except for black”, case C is set to “convert to all“ black ””, and “all convert to“ red ”. ”Is a data set group referred to in each case D.

  In the classified color → print color conversion tables of FIGS. 9 to 12, the classified color data Cnv described in FIG. 3 corresponding to the color specified by the input print command is 0 (“black”), 1 (“ Gray "), 2 (" red "), 3 (" green "), 4 (" blue "), 5 (" yellow "), 6 (" red 2 "), 7 (" red 3 "), respectively When specified, the following data is set. First, print color data Col indicating which print color (see FIG. 6) the specified classified color is to be converted is set. Whether or not halftone control processing is to be performed for the specified classification color is set as the value “YES” (performed) or “NO” (not performed) of the item Gra. Further, whether or not to perform the original density holding control process for the specified classified color is set as the value “YES” (performed) or “NO” (not performed) of the item Dns.

Further, for each classification color → printing color conversion table of FIGS. 9 to 12, in the color setting data of FIG. 8, regardless of “text”, “graphic”, and “image”, the printing color of “black” Whether “use halftone” is set (ON or OFF), whether “hold original density” is set (ON or OFF), and the print color “red” is “use halftone” A data set is set for each combination pattern of the four set values of whether or not “ON” is set (ON or OFF) and “original density hold” is set or not (ON or OFF).
In case A of FIG. 9, five data sets A0, A1, A2, A3, and A4 are set. In the data sets A1, A2, A3, and A4, items for which a dark background is set indicate that the values are changed with respect to the first data set A0 of the case A.
In case B of FIG. 10, five data sets B0, B1, B2, B3, and B4 are set. In the data set B0, an item for which a dark background is set indicates that the value is changed with respect to the data set A0 of case A in FIG. In addition, in the data sets B1, B2, B3, and B4, the item for which the dark background is set indicates that the value is changed with respect to the first data set B0 of the case B.
In case C of FIG. 11, three data sets of C0, C1, and C2 are set. In the data set C0, an item for which a dark background is set indicates that the value is changed with respect to the data set A0 of case A in FIG. In addition, in the data sets C1 and C2, the item for which the dark background is set indicates that the value is changed with respect to the first data set C0 of the case C.
In case D of FIG. 12, three data sets D0, D3, and D4 are set. In the data set D0, an item for which a dark background is set indicates that the value is changed with respect to the data set A0 of case A in FIG. In addition, in the data sets D3 and D4, the item for which the dark background is set indicates that the value is changed with respect to the first data set D0 of the case D.

Case A in FIG. 9 will be described in more detail. Case A is a case where “other than red is converted to“ black ””.
In case A, when the color specified by the print command is classified into the “red” classification color (classification color data Cnv = 2), the classification color is the “red” printing color (printing) regardless of the data set. Color data Col = 1, see FIG. 6).
For “red 2” and “red 3”, the red-red 2 boundary threshold value R1 and the red-red 2 red- 3 boundary threshold value R2 for classifying them are set to 0 in this embodiment (see FIG. 5). ) And “red” are not distinguished. For this reason, in case A in FIG. 9, when the color specified by the print command is classified into the classification color of “red 2” or “red 3” (classification color data Cnv = 6 or 7), it depends on the data set. Instead, the classification color is set to be converted to a “red” print color (print color data Col = 1).
On the other hand, when the color specified by the print command is classified into a classification color other than “red” (classification color data Cnv = 0, 1, 3, 4, or 5), the classification color is not related to the data set. Conversion to “black” print color (print color data Col = 0, see description of FIG. 6) is set.

  In the color setting data shown in FIG. 8, regardless of “text”, “graphic”, or “image”, “use halftone” is set to “ON” for “black” print color, and “original density retention” is set. In the case where “OFF” and “red” are set to “use halftone” (ON) and “original density retention” is not set (OFF), in case A of FIG. Referenced. In the data set A0, since “original density retention” is not set in any case, “NO” is set in the original density retention control processing item Dns for each classification color data Cnv. In the data set A0, since “use halftone” is set for both “black” and “red”, “YES” is set for the halftone control processing item Gra for each classification color data Cnv. Yes. However, when the classification color data Cnv = 0 (“black”) is classified, the range of lightness L for “black” is a very narrow range from 0 to the black determination threshold value Bla, and halftone control processing is performed. meaningless. Therefore, “NO” is set in the halftone control processing item Gra corresponding to the classification color data Cnv = 0.

  Next, in the color setting data of FIG. 8, regardless of “text”, “graphic”, and “image”, “use halftone” is set to “ON” for “black” print color, and “hold original density” is also set. If the print color of “red” is “use halftone” (ON) and “hold original density” is not set (OFF), in case A of FIG. Referenced. The difference between the data sets A0 and A1 is that “original density retention” is not set (OFF) or not (ON) for the “black” print color. In the data set A1, the original density retention control process is executed for the “black” print color for which the halftone control process is performed. Accordingly, “YES” is set in the original density retention control processing item Dns for the classification color (classification color data Cnv = 1, 3, 4, 5) converted to the “black” printing color. As described above, since the halftone control process item Gra is set to “NO” for the “black” classification color (classification color data Cnv = 0), the original density retention control processing item Dns is also set to “NO”. "Is set.

  Similarly, for each case and each data set in FIGS. 9 to 12, an appropriate classification color to print color conversion rule can be set as the color correspondence information in FIG.

  FIG. 13 shows color conversion processing by the functions of the color space conversion unit 102, color classification unit 103, classification color → print color conversion unit 104, halftone control unit 105, and original density retention control unit 106 in the printer driver 101 of FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing color conversion processing executed by the CPU 401 in the host computer 100 of FIG. The color conversion process shown in this flowchart is realized as a process in which the CPU 401 in FIG. 4 executes a color conversion process control program stored in the ROM 402 or the external storage device 407 while using the RAM 403 as a work memory.

  First, while the print commands issued from the application unit 108 in FIG. 1 are read one by one, RGB designated color information that is color information designated by the print command is input (step S1301 in FIG. 13).

Next, the color space of the RGB designated color information input in step S1301 is converted from the RGB color space to the HSL color space (step S1302 in FIG. 13). The HSL color space has been described above with reference to FIG. 2. Specifically, for example, conversion can be performed by the following conversion equation group. Here, R, G, and B are the R component value, the G component value, and the B component value of the RGB designated color information input in step S1301, respectively. Max (R, G, B) is a function that outputs the maximum value among the R component value, the G component value, and the B component value. min (R, G, B) is a function that outputs the minimum value among the R component value, the G component value, and the B component value.
MAX = max (R, G, B)
MIN = min (R, G, B)
Lightness L = (MAX + MIN) / 2
Outputs lightness L When MAX and MIN are equal Saturation S = 0 is output Hue H = 0 is output When MAX and MIN are not equal Lightness L ≦: Saturation S = (MAX−MIN) / (MAX + MIN)
For lightness L> 0.5: Saturation S = (MAX−MIN) / (2-MAX−MIN)
Output saturation S Cr = (MAX-R) / (MAX-MIN)
Cg = (MAX-G) / (MAX-MIN)
Cb = (MAX-B) / (MAX-MIN)
If the R component value is equal to MAX, then H = Cb-Cg
If the G component value is equal to MAX, H = 2 + Cr−Cb
If B component value is equal to MAX, H = 4 + Cg-Cr
H = 60 × H
If H <0, H = H + 360
Output Hue H The above-described processing in step S1302 realizes the function of the color space conversion unit 102 in FIG.

  Next, a color classification process is performed on the color information after conversion including the lightness L, saturation S, and hue H obtained by the color space conversion process in step S1302 (step S1303 in FIG. 13). In this process, the classification process described above with reference to FIG. 3 is executed, and the function of the color classification unit 103 in FIG. 1 is realized. Details of this processing will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Next, the classification color → print color conversion process is executed (step S1304 in FIG. 13).
Specifically, first, the color setting data illustrated in FIG. 8 obtained in the RAM 403 or the external storage device 407 in FIG. 4 is referred to by the user operating the color setting screen illustrated in FIG.
If a text print command is currently input, first, the change type set for “text” in FIG. 8 is acquired.
In addition, whether or not “use halftone” and “hold original density” are set for the “black” print color set for “text”, and “red” print Four setting values are read out as to whether “use halftone” is set for the color and whether “hold original density” is set.
Next, among the classification color → print color conversion tables illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12 held in the RAM 403 in FIG. 4 or the external storage device 407, a table of cases corresponding to the acquired change types is designated. Further, a data set corresponding to the acquired four setting value patterns is designated. Then, the print color data Col, halftone control processing item Gra, and original density holding control processing item Dns corresponding to the value of the classification color data Cnv corresponding to the classification color obtained in step S1303 on the data set are displayed. Read out.
The print color corresponding to the read print color data Col is the print color converted from the classified color data Cnv.
The processing in step S1304 described above realizes the function of the classification color → print color conversion unit 104 in FIG.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the halftone control processing item Gra acquired in step S1304 is “YES” (step S1305 in FIG. 13).

  If the halftone control process item Gra is “NO” and the determination in step S1305 is NO, the halftone control process and the original density holding process are not executed, and the process proceeds to step S1312.

  If the halftone control process item Gra is “YES” and the determination in step S1305 is YES, the following halftone control process is executed.

  First, it is determined whether or not the classification color obtained in step S1303 is “black” or “gray” (classification color data Cnv = 0 or 1) (step S1306 in FIG. 13).

  If the classification color is “black” or “gray” and the determination in step S1306 is YES, the range of brightness L controlled as a halftone is set to the entire range (0.0 ≦ L ≦ 1.0). The print density of the print color determined in step S1304 is determined. Specifically, first, the lightness L calculated in step S1302 is 0.0 as “black” and 1.0 as “white”, and is inverted so that 0.0 is “white”. 1.0 is “black”. The inverted numerical value (1-L) is output as the calculated density value.

  On the other hand, if the classification color is neither “black” nor “gray” and the determination in step S1306 is NO, the range of brightness L controlled as halftone is the upper range (0.5 ≦ L ≦ 1.0). As described above, the print density of the print color determined in step S1304 is determined. For example, “red” (RGB value: 255-0-0) has a lightness L = 0.5 for conversion to the HSL color space. In two-color printing, since it is desired to print this “red” with 100% red toner, it is adjusted here so that the lightness L = 0.5 and the printing density is 100%. Since the lightness L is 0.0 “black” and 1.0 is “white”, the lightness L value of 1.0 to 0.5 is 0.0 (print density 0%) to 1.0 ( Printing density 100%). The numerical value converted in this way is output as a calculated density value.

  The series of processing from steps S1305 to S1308 described above realizes the function of the halftone control unit 105 in FIG. Halftone printing is realized by controlling the toner amount density value of the print color in the process of step S1311 described later based on the calculated density value calculated in this series of processes.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the original density holding control process item Dns acquired in step S1304 is “YES” (step S1309 in FIG. 13).

  If the original density holding control process item Dns is “NO” and the determination in step S1309 is NO, the original density holding control process is not executed, and the process proceeds to step S1311.

  If the original density holding control process item Dns is “YES” and the determination in step S1309 is YES, the following original density holding control process is executed (step S1310 in FIG. 13).

When the “use halftone” setting is ON, when the classified color has a density of 100% in the color, the print density of the print color is also set to 100% by the halftone control process in steps S1305 to S1308. Conversion is performed. In most cases, this conversion is preferable, but inconvenience may occur depending on the data to be printed.
For example, in the halftone control process, as described above, “red” (RGB value: 255-0-0) is controlled to be printed with 100% red toner. However, when the classification color is “red” and a dark red color such as “red 2” or “red 3” described above is used, there is no difference in print density in the converted print color. When “red” (RGB value: 255-0-0), “green” (RGB value: 0-255-0) and “yellow” (RGB value: 255-255-0) are used, Since each color is converted to a printing density of 100%, there is no density difference. Therefore, in order to prevent such inconvenience, when the “original density retention” setting is ON, a constant corresponding to the classification color is set for the calculated density value calculated in step S1307 or S1308. Multiplication is performed (step S1310 in FIG. 13). The constant in this case is specified as follows.
When the classification color is “black”: 1.00
When the classification color is “gray”: 1.00
When the classification color is “red”: 0.70
When the classification color is “green”: 0.41
When the classification color is “blue”: 0.89
When the classification color is “yellow”: 0.11
For “red 2” and “red 3”, the multiplication constant of “black” (in accordance with the red-red 2 boundary threshold R1 and the red 2 red 3-boundary threshold R2 (see FIG. 5) used for the distinction from “red” ( 1.00) and the “red” multiplication constant.
For example, red represented by an RGB value: 255-192-192 has a lightness L of about 0.875. In this case, (1−0.875) is first calculated as the calculated density value by the halftone control process. Further, the calculated density value is multiplied by a “red” constant of 0.70 by the original density holding control process in step S1310, so that the calculated density value = 0.17 is output as the final calculated density value. .

  The processes in steps S1309 and S1310 described above realize the function of the original density holding control unit 106 in FIG.

Next, the print density of the print color determined in step S1304 is adjusted according to the calculated density value obtained by the halftone control process and the original density holding control process (step S1311 in FIG. 13). Specifically, the toner amount density value for each of the C, M, Y, and K stations corresponding to the print color data Col corresponding to the print color determined in step S1304 is the external storage device 407 or RAM 403 in FIG. Is acquired from the print color setting data illustrated in FIG. For example, if the print color data Col = 1 (“red”),
[C: 100%, M: 0%, Y: 0%, K: 0%]
By multiplying the toner amount density value of each station by the calculated density value, for example,
[C: 17%, M: 0%, Y: 0%, K: 0%]
It is said.

  The CMYK print color information is output in correspondence with the current print command, and the output process to the image memory area by the printer driver 101 in FIG. 1 is executed (step S1312 in FIG. 13).

  Finally, it is determined whether there is RGB designated color information corresponding to the next print command (step S1313 in FIG. 13).

  If there is next RGB designated color information and the determination in step S1313 is YES, the process returns to step S1301, and color conversion processing corresponding to the next RGB designated color information is executed.

  If there is no next RGB designated color information and the determination in step S1313 is NO, the color conversion process in the current printing process is terminated.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the color classification process in step S1303 of FIG. Here, the color classification process described above with reference to FIG. 3 is executed.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3A, it is determined whether or not the lightness L of the color converted in step S1302 in FIG. 13 is equal to or less than the black determination threshold value Bla (step S1401 in FIG. 14).

  If 0 ≦ L ≦ Bla and the determination in step S1401 is YES, the converted color is classified into classified color data Cnv = 0 (“black”). As described above, the value of the black determination threshold value Bla is, for example, about 0.01.

  If L> Bla and the determination in step S1401 is NO, the saturation S of the color converted in step S1302 of FIG. 13 is equal to or less than the gray color determination threshold Gry as shown in FIG. 3B. Is determined (step S1403 in FIG. 14).

  If 0 ≦ S ≦ Gry and the determination in step S1403 is YES, the converted color is classified into classification color data Cnv = 1 (“gray color”) (step S1404 in FIG. 14). As described above, the value of the gray color determination threshold Gry is, for example, about 0.01.

  If S> Gry and the determination in step S1403 is NO, the hue H of the color converted in step S1302 in FIG. 13 is greater than or equal to the red-yellow boundary threshold value RY, as shown in FIG. And whether it is smaller than the yellow-green boundary threshold YG is determined (step S1405 in FIG. 14).

  If RY ≦ H <YG and the determination in step S1405 is YES, the converted color is classified into classified color data Cnv = 5 (“yellow”) (step S1406 in FIG. 14). As described above, the value of the red / yellow boundary threshold RY is, for example, about 52.5 °, and the yellow-green boundary threshold YG is, for example, about 67.5 °.

  If H ≧ YG and the determination in step S1405 is NO, the hue H of the color converted in step S1302 in FIG. 13 is greater than or equal to the yellow-green boundary threshold YG, as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not it is smaller than the blue boundary threshold GB (step S1407 in FIG. 14).

  If YG ≦ H <GB and the determination in step S1407 is YES, the converted color is classified into classification color data Cnv = 3 (“green”) (step S1408 in FIG. 14). As described above, the value of the green-blue boundary threshold GB is about 180 °, for example.

  If H ≧ GB and the determination in step S1407 is NO, the hue H of the color converted in step S1302 in FIG. 13 is greater than or equal to the green-blue boundary threshold GB as shown in FIG. It is determined whether it is smaller than the red boundary threshold BR (step S1409 in FIG. 14).

  If GB ≦ H <BR and the determination in step S1409 is YES, the converted color is classified into classification color data Cnv = 4 (“blue”) (step S1410 in FIG. 14). As described above, as described above, the value of the blue-red boundary threshold BR is, for example, about 300 °.

  If H ≧ BR and the determination in step S1409 is NO, it is determined whether or not the lightness L of the color converted in step S1302 in FIG. 13 is greater than or equal to the red-red two boundary threshold R1 (step in FIG. 14). S1411).

  If L ≧ R1 and the determination in step S1411 is YES, the converted color is classified into classification color data Cnv = 2 (“red”) (step S1412 in FIG. 14).

  If L <R1 and the determination in step S1411 is NO, it is determined whether or not the lightness L of the color converted in step S1302 in FIG. 13 is greater than or equal to red 2 red 3 boundary threshold R2 (FIG. 14). Step S1413).

  If R1> L ≧ R2 and the determination in step S1413 is YES, the converted color is classified into classification color data Cnv = 6 (“red 2”) (step S1414 in FIG. 14).

  If L <R2 and the determination in step S1413 is NO, the converted color is classified into classified color data Cnv = 7 (“red 3”) (step S1415 in FIG. 14).

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of print target data subjected to color conversion processing according to the present embodiment.
1501 is “red” text data, 1502 is “green” graphic data, and 1503 is image data of a plurality of colors.
Note that the broken-line frames of the portions referenced by 1501, 1502, and 1503 are provided for convenience when referred to in the description, and do not constitute image data. The same applies to FIGS. 16 to 23.

FIG. 16 shows an example of color conversion processing when the print processing “convert to other than red“ black ”” is executed for all data formats of text, graphics, and images with respect to the print target data example of FIG. FIG.
For the original “red” text data portion 1601, the classification color data Cnv = 2 of the classification color of the case A → the printing color conversion table in FIG. 9 is referred to, so that the printing color data Col = 1 (“red”). Is maintained.
Further, with respect to the original “green” graphic data portion 1602, the classification color data Cnv = 3 of the classification color → printing color conversion table of case A in FIG. )).
Further, for the red tomato portion 1603 in the image data, the classification color data Cnv = 2 in the case A → printing color conversion table in FIG. 9 is referred to, so that the printing color data Col = 1 (“red )) Is maintained.
Further, with respect to the portion 1604 other than red in the image data, the print color data Col = 0 (““ Black ").

FIG. 17 shows an example of color conversion processing when print processing “convert to non-black“ red ”” is performed for all data formats of text, graphics, and images for the print target data example of FIG. FIG.
For the “red” text data portion 1701 that is not originally “black”, the classification color data Cnv = 2 in the classification color → printing color conversion table of case B in FIG. “Red”) is maintained.
For the “green” graphic data portion 1702 that is not “black”, the classification color data Cnv = 3 in the classification color → printing color conversion table of case B in FIG. 10 is referred to, so that the printing color data Col = 1. ("Red").
Further, for the black portion 1703 in the image data, the print color data Col = 0 (“black”) is referenced by referring to the case B classification color → print color conversion table classification color data Cnv = 0 in FIG. ) Is maintained.
Further, with respect to the non-black portion 1704 in the image data, the print color data Col = 1 (““ Red ").

FIG. 18 shows the print target data example of FIG. 15, print processing for “convert to“ red ”except for black” is performed for text and graphic data formats, and “all are black” for image data formats. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of color conversion processing when a “convert” printing process is executed.
For the “red” text data portion 1801 that is not “black”, the classification color data Cnv = 2 of the classification color → printing color conversion table of case B in FIG. 10 is referred to, so that the printing color data Col = 1 (“ Red ") is maintained.
For the “green” graphic data portion 1802 that is not “black”, the classification color data Cnv = 3 in the classification color → printing color conversion table of case B in FIG. 10 is referred to, so that the printing color data Col = 1. ("Red").
Further, the image data portion 1803 is converted to print color data Col = 0 (“black”) by referring to the respective classification color data Cnv in the classification color → printing color conversion table of case C in FIG. .

FIG. 19 executes print processing for “convert all to“ red ”” for text data and “convert all to“ black ”” for image and graphic data for the print target data example of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a color conversion process at the time of performing a process.
The text data portion 1901 is converted to print color data Col = 1 (“red”) by referring to the respective classification color data Cnv in the classification color → print color conversion table of case D in FIG.
Further, for the graphic data portion 1902 and the image data portion 1903, the print color data Col = 0 (“black”) is referred to by referring to the respective color data Cnv in the case C → print color conversion table of FIG. ).

FIG. 20 shows a color conversion in the case where a print process of “convert to“ black ”except for red” ”is executed for all text, graphics, and images in this embodiment, and“ black: original density retention ”is set for the image. It is a figure which shows the process example.
16 is basically the same as the case of FIG. 16, but halftone control of each classified color data Cnv other than the classified color data Cnv = 2 that is designated as the data set A1 of FIG. 9 and is converted to black in the image. The value “YES” of the processing item Gra and the original density holding control processing item Dns is acquired, and the original density holding control process of steps S1309 to S1310 in FIG. 13 is executed. As a result, the halftone converted to black in the image is converted to a natural gradation.

FIG. 21 illustrates a color conversion process in which a print process “convert to“ red ”except for black” is executed for all data of text, graphics, and images, and “red: retain original density” is set for image data. It is a figure which shows an example.
Basically, it is the same as in FIG. 17, but the data set B3 in FIG. 10 is designated, and the halftone control processing item Gra of the classified color data Cnv = 2 to be converted into red in the image and the original density retention The value “YES” of the control process item Dns is acquired, and the original density holding control process of steps S1309 → S1310 in FIG. 13 is executed. As a result, the halftone converted to red in the image is converted to a natural gradation.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of halftone processing in the present embodiment. In this example, print processing is performed for image data that is “convert to“ black ”except for red”, and “black: use halftone” and “red: use halftone” are set for the image. It is a figure which shows the example of a color conversion process.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 22A, a “light blue” image data portion 2201 and a light “red” image data portion 2202 in the print target data are respectively shown in FIG. Are converted into a halftone “black” image data portion 2203 and a halftone “red” image data portion 2204.
On the other hand, when the setting of “black: use halftone” is canceled, as shown in FIG. 22C, the halftone “black” image data portion 2203 is changed to a solid “black” image data portion 2205. Can be changed.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of halftone processing in the present embodiment. In this example, at first, as in the case of FIG. 22, a print process of “convert to“ black ”except for red” ”is executed for image data, and“ black: use halftone ”and“ red: FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of color conversion processing when “use halftone” is set.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 23A, the “light blue” image data portion 2201 and the light “red” image data portion 2202 in the print target data are respectively the same as those in FIG. As shown in FIG. 23B, the image data is converted into a halftone “black” image data portion 2203 and a halftone “red” image data portion 2204.
On the other hand, when the setting of “red: use halftone” is canceled, as shown in FIG. 23C, the halftone “red” image data portion 2204 is changed to a solid “red” image data portion 2301. Can be changed.
Further, when the settings of both “black: use halftone” and “red: use halftone” are canceled, as shown in FIG. 23 (d), the image data portion 2203 of halftone “black” is displayed. The halftone “red” image data portion 2204 can be changed to a solid “black” image data portion 2205 and a solid “red” image data portion 2301, respectively.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize various color designation printing desired by the user for print target data in which a plurality of colors are designated as print commands.

Regarding the above embodiment, the following additional notes are disclosed.
(Appendix 1)
A color space conversion unit that inputs a print command and converts a color specified by the print command into a color on a color space expressed by lightness, saturation, and hue;
A color classification unit that classifies the converted color into one of a plurality of classification colors based on the brightness, saturation, and hue of the color;
Based on the color correspondence information in which the correspondence between the plurality of classification colors and one or more printing colors is set, each of the classified classification colors is changed to one printing color among the one or more printing colors. A classification color → print color conversion unit that converts and outputs the print color corresponding to the input print command;
A color conversion apparatus for color-designated printing, comprising:
(Appendix 2)
A color correspondence information setting unit for setting the color correspondence information;
The color conversion apparatus for color designation printing according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein
(Appendix 3)
For each of the print colors, when it is preset that a halftone is used for the print color, based on the lightness on the color space corresponding to the classified color to be converted to the print color, A halftone control unit that calculates a print density of the print color and sets the calculated print density to the print color;
The color conversion apparatus for color designation printing according to any one of appendix 1 or 2, characterized by the above.
(Appendix 4)
A halftone setting unit for setting whether to use a halftone for the print color for each print color;
The color conversion apparatus for color designation printing according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein
(Appendix 5)
When it is set in advance for each print color that a halftone is used for the print color, and when the original density of the classified color to be converted to the print color is further set And an original density holding control unit that multiplies the calculated print density by a predetermined constant corresponding to the classified color and sets the print density obtained as a result of the multiplication to the print color.
The color conversion apparatus for color designation printing according to any one of appendix 2 or 3, characterized by the above.
(Appendix 6)
For each of the print colors, when it is set in advance that a halftone is used for the print color, it is further set whether or not to retain the original density of the classified color to be converted into the print color. An original density retention setting unit;
The color conversion apparatus for color designation printing according to appendix 5, wherein
(Appendix 7)
The color classification unit
If the lightness of the converted color is not large compared to a predetermined lightness threshold, classify the converted color into a black classification color;
The converted color when the brightness of the converted color is greater than a predetermined brightness threshold and the saturation of the converted color is not greater than the predetermined saturation threshold Are classified into gray classification colors,
Based on the hue of the converted color when the brightness of the converted color is greater than a predetermined brightness threshold and the saturation of the converted color is greater than a predetermined saturation threshold And classifying the converted color into a plurality of classification colors other than the black color and the gray color,
A color conversion apparatus for color designation printing according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, characterized in that:
(Appendix 8)
A color space conversion step of inputting a print command and converting a color designated by the print command into a color on a color space expressed by lightness, saturation, and hue;
A color classification step of classifying the converted color into one classification color among a plurality of classification colors based on the brightness, saturation, and hue of the color;
Based on the color correspondence information in which the correspondence between the plurality of classification colors and one or more printing colors is set, each of the classified classification colors is changed to one printing color among the one or more printing colors. A classification color → print color conversion step of converting and outputting the print color corresponding to the input print command;
A color conversion method for color designation printing, comprising:
(Appendix 9)
A color space conversion step of inputting a print command and converting a color designated by the print command into a color on a color space expressed by lightness, saturation, and hue;
A color classification step of classifying the converted color into one classification color among a plurality of classification colors based on the brightness, saturation, and hue of the color;
Based on the color correspondence information in which the correspondence between the plurality of classification colors and one or more printing colors is set, each of the classified classification colors is changed to one printing color among the one or more printing colors. A classification color → print color conversion step of converting and outputting the print color corresponding to the input print command;
A program that causes a computer to execute.
(Appendix 10)
The computer is connected to a printing device that executes printing,
The program is executed as a part of a printer driver program that processes a print command issued from an application program executed on the computer.
The program according to appendix 9, characterized by:
(Appendix 11)
The computer is built in a printing apparatus that performs printing,
The program processes a print command input from a computer connected to the printing apparatus or a print command generated by performing print processing on print target data stored in a recording medium connected to the printing apparatus. Executed in the printing apparatus as a program to
The program according to appendix 9, characterized by:

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Host computer 101 Printer driver 102 Color space conversion part 103 Color classification part 104 Classification color-> Print color conversion part 105 Halftone control part 106 Original density maintenance control part 107 Setting part 108 Application part 109 Image storage part 110 Printer apparatus 111 Image storage Unit 112 Print execution unit 401, 411 CPU
402, 412 RAM
403, 413 ROM
404 Input device 405 Output device 406, 414 USB / LAN I / F
407 External storage device 408 Portable recording medium driving device 409 Portable recording medium 415 Printer engine I / F
416 Print Control LSI
417 Printer Engine

Claims (9)

A color space conversion unit that converts the RGB designated color specified by the print command into a converted color on a color space represented by brightness, saturation, and hue;
A color classification unit that classifies the converted color into one classified color among a plurality of classified colors including black and gray colors based on the lightness, saturation, and hue of the converted color;
One print associated with the one classification color out of the one or more print colors based on color correspondence information in which a correspondence relation between the plurality of classification colors and one or more print colors is set. A classification color print color associating unit that determines a color and associates the one print color with the print command;
With
The color classification unit
When the brightness of the converted color is not large compared to a predetermined brightness threshold, the converted color is classified into a black classification color, and the brightness of the converted color is the same or larger than the brightness threshold. If the saturation of the converted color is not large compared to a predetermined saturation threshold, the converted color is classified into a gray color.
A color conversion device for color designation printing characterized by the above. A color correspondence information setting unit for setting the color correspondence information;
The color conversion apparatus for color designation printing according to claim 1. When it is preset that the halftone is used for the one print color, a first print density for the one print color is calculated based on the lightness in the color space corresponding to the classification color. A halftone control unit that sets the calculated first print density to the print color;
3. The color conversion apparatus for color designation printing according to claim 1, wherein the color conversion apparatus is for color designation printing. A halftone setting unit for setting whether to use a halftone for the one print color;
The color conversion apparatus for color designation printing according to claim 3. When it is set in advance that the halftone is used for the one print color, and when the original density of the one classified color is further set, the calculated first print density is set. An original density holding control unit that multiplies a predetermined coefficient corresponding to the one classification color and sets a second print density obtained as a result of the multiplication to the one print color;
The color conversion apparatus for color designation printing according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the color conversion apparatus is for color designation printing. In the case where it is preset that the halftone is used for the one print color, the apparatus further includes an original density holding setting unit for setting whether to hold the original density of the one classified color.
The color conversion apparatus for color designation printing according to claim 5. The color classification unit
When the lightness of the converted color is the same or larger than the lightness threshold, and the saturation of the converted color is larger than the saturation threshold, the converted color is converted based on the hue of the converted color. Classifying into one classification color other than the black color and the gray color among the plurality of classification colors;
The color conversion apparatus for color designation printing according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A color space conversion step of converting the RGB designated color specified by the print command into a converted color on a color space expressed by lightness, saturation, and hue;
A color classification step of classifying the converted color into one of a plurality of classified colors including black and gray based on the brightness, saturation, and hue of the converted color;
One print associated with the one classification color out of the one or more print colors based on color correspondence information in which a correspondence relation between the plurality of classification colors and one or more print colors is set. A classification color printing color associating step of determining a color and associating the one printing color with the printing command;
Including
In the color classification step,
When the brightness of the converted color is not large compared to a predetermined brightness threshold, the converted color is classified into a black classification color, and the brightness of the converted color is the same or larger than the brightness threshold. If the saturation of the converted color is not large compared to a predetermined saturation threshold, the converted color is classified into a gray color.
A color conversion method for color designation printing. To the computer that controls the color conversion device,
A color space conversion function for converting the RGB specified color specified by the print command into a conversion color on the color space expressed by lightness, saturation, and hue,
A color classification function for classifying the converted color into one classified color among a plurality of classified colors including black and gray colors based on the brightness, saturation, and hue of the converted color;
One print associated with the one classification color out of the one or more print colors based on color correspondence information in which a correspondence relation between the plurality of classification colors and one or more print colors is set. A color classification function for determining a color and associating the one print color with the print command;
Is a program for realizing
The color classification function is
When the brightness of the converted color is not large compared to a predetermined brightness threshold, the converted color is classified into a black classification color, and the brightness of the converted color is the same or larger than the brightness threshold. If the saturation of the converted color is not large compared to a predetermined saturation threshold, the converted color is classified into a gray color.
program.