JP2022092814A - Printing system and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of color printing, configured to change a specific color to a hue desired by a user.SOLUTION: A printer 1 prints a color chart including a plurality of patches of similar colors for a special red color, and stores a conversion table 26 for associating color numbers corresponding to the patches with CMY values. A PC 3 receives a selection of the special red color by a designation of a color number, and transmits, when receiving a print instruction while the color number is designated, a print job including the designated color number and image data to the printer 1. When converting an RGB value representing the image data included in the received print job into a CMY value, the printer 1 converts an RGB value of the special red color included in the image data to a CMY value corresponding to the color number designated by the print job by using the conversion table 26, to print an image represented by the image data with the resulting CMY value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The technical fields disclosed herein relate to printers capable of color printing and printing systems including printers.

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

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-208492

Some users have a preference for a particular shade of color, such as the primary color red. Therefore, the hue of a specific color in the printed matter output from the printer may not be the desired hue, which may be dissatisfied. Patent Document 1 does not disclose a technique corresponding to a user's favorite shade for a specific color, and there is room for improvement.

This specification is a printer capable of color printing, and discloses a technique corresponding to a user's favorite shade for a specific color.

A printing system made for the purpose of solving this problem is a printing system including a printer capable of color printing and an information processing device for receiving a printing instruction to the printer, and the printer has a specific RGB value. A color chart composed of a plurality of selected colors is output for a specific color, the color chart uses a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color as the plurality of selected colors, and each selection is made to the printer. A specific color conversion table for associating an index number corresponding to a color with a CMY value is stored, and the information processing apparatus designates the index number for selecting one of the plurality of selected colors in the color chart. When the print instruction is received with the index number specified, the print job is transmitted to the printer, and the print job includes the designated index number and image data. Further, when the printer receives the print job from the information processing apparatus, the printer converts the RGB value indicating the image data included in the print job into a CMY value, and converts the RGB value into the CMY value into the image data. When the shown image is printed and the image data is converted into a CMY value, the RGB value of the specific color included in the image data is designated for the print job using the specific color conversion table. It is characterized in that it is converted into a CMY value corresponding to the index number.

According to the printing system disclosed in the present specification, when the print job received from the information processing apparatus has an index number specified corresponding to the selected color of the color chart, the printer sets the RGB value of the specific color to the printer. Using the specific color conversion table stored in, the CMY value corresponding to the index number is converted. As a result, a specific color is printed with a hue that suits the user's preference.

Printers constituting the printing system, control methods for realizing the functions of the printing system, computer programs, and computer-readable storage media for storing the programs are also new and useful.

According to the technique disclosed in the present specification, a printer capable of color printing and a technique corresponding to a user's favorite shade for a specific color is realized.

It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the printing system of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a print process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the setting screen of a printer driver. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a color chart. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of correspondence of a color chart number and a CMY value. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the special red change processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a setting process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the input screen of a printer.

Hereinafter, the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. This embodiment discloses a printing system including a printer and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC").

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 100 of the present embodiment includes a printer 1 and a PC 3, and these are connected to each other. The printer 1 is a device capable of color printing. The PC 3 is a device capable of receiving a print instruction to the printer 1 and transmitting a print job to the printer 1 based on the received print instruction. PC3 is an example of an information processing device.

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

The CPU 11 executes various processes according to the program read from the memory 12 and based on the user's operation. Various programs and various data are stored in the memory 12. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed. The buffer included in the CPU 11 is also an example of the memory.

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

The user IF 13 is, for example, a touch panel, and includes hardware for displaying a screen for notifying the user of information and hardware for accepting operations by the user. The user IF 13 may be a set of a display unit and an operation button or the like.

The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with an external device such as a PC3. The communication standard of the communication IF14 is Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB and the like. The printer 1 may include a plurality of communication IFs 14 corresponding to a plurality of communication standards.

The image forming unit 15 includes a configuration for printing an image on a printing medium such as a sheet. The image forming method of the image forming unit 15 is, for example, an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The printer 1 of this embodiment includes an image forming unit 15 having a structure capable of color printing. The image forming unit 15 of the printer 1 of the present embodiment is, for example, a device that executes printing using a four-color colorant of CMYK. The printer 1 executes printing by passing CMYK data in which each dot is represented by a set of CMYK values to the image forming unit 15.

If the image data included in the print job received from the PC 3 or the like is a color image represented by an RGB value, the printer 1 of the present embodiment converts the RGB value into a CMYK value and displays the image shown in the converted image data. Print. The RGB value is a set of three numerical values represented by each value of R, G, and B, and the CMYK value is a set of four numerical values represented by each value of C, M, Y, and K. It is also possible to express a color image represented by an RGB value by three CMY values without using a K value, and the CMYK value is an example of a CMY value.

As shown in FIG. 1, the PC 3 of the present embodiment includes a controller 30 including a CPU 31 and a memory 32. Further, the PC 3 includes a user IF 33 and a communication IF 34, which are electrically connected to the controller 30. The controllers 10 and 30 in FIG. 1 are a general term for the hardware and software used for controlling the printer 1 and the PC 3, and represent a single hardware actually existing in the printer 1 and the PC 3. Not necessarily.

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

Examples of the memories 12 and 32 are not limited to the ROM, RAM, HDD and the like built in the printer 1 and the PC 3, and may be a storage medium that can be read and written by the CPUs 11 and 31. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, the non-transitory medium also includes a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM. The non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, the electric signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a signal medium that can be read by a computer, which is a kind of medium that can be read by a computer, but is a storage that can be read by a non-transitory computer. Not included in the medium.

OS41 is, for example, Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark). The printer driver 42 is a program that generates a print job for the printer 1 to print based on the received print instruction when the PC 3 receives the print instruction by the user.

The user IF 33 includes hardware for displaying a screen for notifying the user of information and hardware for accepting operations by the user. The user IF 33 may be a set of a display capable of displaying information and a mouse, keyboard, or the like having an input reception function, or may be a touch panel having a display function and an input reception function.

The communication IF 34 includes hardware for communicating with an external device such as a printer 1. The communication standard of the communication IF34 is Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB and the like. The PC 3 may include a plurality of communication IFs 34 corresponding to a plurality of communication standards.

Next, the operation of the printing system 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart. The following processing basically indicates the processing of the CPU 11 according to the instruction described in the program. That is, the processes such as "judgment", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "decision", "specification", "acquisition", "acceptance", and "control" in the following description are the processes of the CPU 11. Represents. The processing by the CPU also includes hardware control using the API of the OS. In this specification, the operation of each program will be described by omitting the description of the OS. That is, in the following description, the description to the effect that "program B controls hardware C" may refer to "program B controls hardware C using the API of the OS". Further, the processing of the CPU 11 according to the instruction described in the program may be described in abbreviated wording. For example, it may be described as "CPU 11 performs". Further, the processing of the CPU 11 according to the instruction described in the program may be described by a wording that omits the CPU, such as "program A performs".

Note that "acquisition" is used as a concept that does not require a request. That is, the process of receiving data without the CPU 11 requesting is also included in the concept of "the CPU acquires the data". Further, the "data" in the present specification is represented by a computer-readable bit string. Data having the same substantial meaning and different formats are treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in the present specification. Further, "requesting" and "instructing" are concepts indicating that information indicating that a request is being made or information indicating that an instruction is being given is output to the other party. Further, the information indicating that the request is made or the information indicating the instruction is simply described as "request" or "instruction".

Further, the process of determining whether or not the information A indicates that the information A is the matter B by the CPU 11 is conceptually described as "determining whether or not the information A is the matter B from the information A". There is. The process of determining whether the information A indicates that the information A is the matter B or the matter C by the CPU 11 is "determined from the information A whether the information A is the matter B or the matter C." It may be described conceptually as in.

Hereinafter, the procedure of the printing process executed by the printer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The print process is a process by the print program 21, and is executed by the CPU 11 of the printer 1 when a print job is received from an external device such as a PC 3 via the communication IF 14.

When the PC 3 of this embodiment receives a print instruction to the printer 1, the printer driver 42 generates a print job and passes the generated print job to the printer 1. The print job generated by the printer driver 42 includes PDL data (for example, data in a format such as PCL or PDF) which is image data indicating an image to be printed, and PJL data which indicates various parameters related to printing. include. The printer 1 executes printing based on the PDL data and the PJL data included in the print job received from the PC 3. The print job is not limited to reception from a PC3 or the like, but may be a print job of direct printing which is an instruction to print an image read from a storage such as a USB memory or a print job of download printing which is an instruction to print an image downloaded from a server or the like. good. The process of receiving a print job, which is the trigger of the print process, is an example of the receive process.

In the print process, the CPU 11 performs rasterization based on the PDL data of the print job, and generates rasterized RGB data (S101). If the PDL data of the print job is not the data represented by the RGB values, the CPU 11 performs rasterization and conversion to the RGB values in S101.

Then, the CPU 11 selects the color profile 24 to be used (S102). The color profile 24 stored in the memory 12 is data for associating RGB values with CMYK values, and is a conversion table for converting a combination of RGB values of image data into a combination of CMYK values. The printer 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of types of color profiles 24, and determines the color profile 24 to be used, for example, based on the parameters specified in the PJL data of the print job. Specifically, the CPU 11 determines the color profile 24 based on the designation of, for example, ColorMode, ImpactGray, and EnhanceBlack.

Further, the CPU 11 creates a duplicate of the determined color profile 24 (S103), and corrects the color profile 24 of the created duplicate according to the printing conditions (S104). S104 is an example of the correction process. The color profile 24 is also used for subsequent printing, and it is desirable that the original color profile 24 is preserved as it is. Therefore, the CPU 11 creates a duplicate for use in this printing, and corrects or changes the duplicate. In S104, the CPU 11 corrects the duplication of the color profile 24 based on the parameters specified in the PJL data of the print job. Specifically, the CPU 11 corrects duplication based on, for example, the printing conditions of Brightness, Contrast, Red, Blue, and Green.

Then, after the correction of the duplicate color profile 24 is completed, the CPU 11 executes the special red change process (S105). The print job generated by the printer driver 42 of the PC 3 may include settings related to special colors. The special red change process is a process of rewriting the duplicate of the corrected color profile 24 according to the setting related to the special color.

The special color is a color in which each value of R, G, and B in the image data represented by the RGB value is a predetermined specific value. The special color is, for example, a color in which the value of one color is the maximum value that can be taken as an RGB value among the values of three colors, and the values of the other two colors are both represented by 0. Alternatively, the special color may be, for example, a color in which the value of two colors is the maximum value that can be taken as an RGB value among the values of three colors, and the value of the other one color is represented by 0. Alternatively, instead of the above-mentioned maximum value that can be taken as an RGB value, a color that is an intermediate value between the maximum value that can be taken as an RGB value and 0 may be used. The special color is an example of a specific color.

For example, the special color red (hereinafter referred to as “special red”) in the image data represented by an 8-bit RGB value is a color represented by R = 255, G = 0, and B = 0. In the following, special red will be described as a special color. For example, in China and Arabian countries, there are many users who value the shade of red, and each user tends to have a different favorite red. Therefore, there is a demand for printing the special red contained in the printed matter in a desired color.

The PC 3 of the present embodiment executes the printer driver 42 before generating a print job, for example, when the user receives an instruction to display a property or an instruction to execute printing. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the printer driver 42 causes the user IF 33 of the PC 3 to display the setting screen 50 that accepts the user's settings. The setting screen 50 shown in FIG. 3 is an example of a screen that accepts settings related to special red.

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

The off button 51 is a button for receiving an instruction not to specify a color to be used as special red. When the off button 51 is selected, the printer driver 42 does not include the command regarding special red in the PJL data. By default, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the off button 51 is selected.

The recommendation button 52 is a button that receives an instruction to use the recommended color number 25 stored in the printer 1. When the recommended button 52 is selected on the setting screen 50, the printer driver 42 includes, as special red, a recommended command indicating the use of the recommended color number 25 stored in the printer 1 in the PJL data. The recommended color number 25 is information indicating a recommended CMYK value used for printing a special color. The color corresponding to the recommended color number 25 is an example of the specific selected color, and the recommended color number 25 is an example of the specific index number. The printer 1 of this embodiment stores, as the recommended color number 25, the color number of the recommended color for the special red in the memory 12 at the stage of factory shipment. The recommended color number 25 stored at the factory shipment stage is, for example, a color number of a color predetermined by the vendor of the printer 1 based on data of favorite colors by a plurality of users.

The color designation button 53 is a button that accepts the user's designation of the color number of the color used as the special red. When the color designation button 53 is selected, the printer driver 42 further inputs the user's input with the input field 54 for accepting the input of the number and the button 55 for accepting the instruction to cause the printer 1 to print the color chart. accept. When the selection of the color specification button 53 and the input of the number in the input field 54 are accepted, the printer driver 42 specifies the color to be used as the special red by the color number input in the input field 54. Is included in the PJL data. Further, when the printer driver 42 accepts the operation to the button 55, the printer driver 42 generates a command instructing the printing of the color chart. The user IF 33 that receives a color chart print instruction with the button 55 is an example of the first user interface.

The color number stored as the recommended color number 25 and the color number accepted in the input field 54 are numbers assigned to each color in the color chart that can be printed by the printer 1. The printer 1 stores, for example, the color chart data 23 of the color chart corresponding to the special red in the memory 12. When the printer 1 receives a command instructing printing of the color chart from the PC 3 or the like, the printer 1 reads the color chart data 23 from the memory 12 and prints the color chart based on the read color chart data 23.

The special red color chart is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a chart in which a plurality of patches of red color and different colors and a color number corresponding to each patch are arranged in combination. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the color chart data 23 of the present embodiment includes 169 patches having color numbers from 0 to 168 and represented by 169 kinds of similar colors similar to red, and their respective colors. The number is print data for printing on one sheet. Each patch of the color chart data 23 is 169 kinds of reddish colors in which at least one of the three values of CMY is different from each other. The 169 kinds of red included in the color chart data 23 are an example of a plurality of selected colors. The color number is an example of the index number. The CMYK values corresponding to the special reds in the above-mentioned color profiles 24 all match any of the CMYK values included in the color chart data 23.

The printer 1 further stores in the memory 12 a conversion table 26 showing the correspondence between each color number and the CMYK value for each selected color included in the color chart data 23, for example, as shown in FIG. Each patch printed on the color chart is printed by arranging a plurality of dots having CMYK values corresponding to the respective color numbers in a predetermined area at predetermined intervals. The example of the conversion table 26 shown in FIG. 5 is an example of the CMYK value of the special red, and since the K values are all 0 in the colors used in the color chart of the special red, only the CMY value is shown in this figure. Is shown. The conversion table 26 is an example of a specific color conversion table.

Next, the procedure of the special red change process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the special red change process, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the PJL data of the print job includes a command related to the special red (S201). For example, the printer driver 42 of the present embodiment may include a command related to special red in the PJL data of the print job based on the user's selection received on the setting screen 50 shown in FIG. Specifically, the PJL data of the print job may include a recommended command, a color specification command, or no command as commands related to printing special red. .. In S201, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the print job includes a recommended command or a color designation command as PJL data. In this embodiment, the PJL data does not include both the recommended command and the color specification command.

Then, when it is determined that the recommended command is included in the PJL data (S201: recommended command), the CPU 11 reads out the color number stored as the recommended color number 25 from the memory 12 and acquires it (S202).

Further, when it is determined that the PJL data includes the color specification command (S201: color specification command), the CPU 11 determines whether the information included in the PJL data as the color specification command is the information indicating the color number. It is determined whether or not (S203). As described above, the printer driver 42 of the PC 3 of this embodiment adds color number information to the color designation command and includes it in the print job. However, for example, in a printer driver of a version different from the printer driver 42 of the present embodiment, information on the CMYK value instead of the color number may be added to the color specification command and included in the print job. In S203, the CPU 11 determines whether the color number is specified or the CMYK value is specified as the color specification command.

When it is determined that the color number is added to the color designation command (S203: YES), the CPU 11 acquires the information of the color number added to the color designation command from the PJL data (S204). After S202 or S204, the CPU 11 uses the conversion table 26 (see FIG. 5) to acquire the stored CMYK values corresponding to the acquired color numbers (S205). On the other hand, when it is determined that the CMYK value is added to the color specification command (S203: NO), the CPU 11 acquires the information of the CMY value added to the color specification command from the PJL data (S206).

Further, the CPU 11 obtains CMYK values corresponding to the RGB values of special red in S205 or S206 for the duplicate color profile 24 created in S103 of the printing process and corrected in S104. (S207). By rewriting the duplication, the printer 1 maintains the original color profile 24 and temporarily creates the rewritten color profile. In this embodiment, since the special red is rewritten for the corrected color profile, the use of the special red is prioritized over the correction.

The printer 1 may store one CMYK value as the recommended color number 25 instead of the color number. In that case, the CPU 11 acquires the CMYK value stored as the recommended color number 25 in S202, skips S205, and proceeds to S207.

After S207, or when it is determined that neither the recommended command nor the color specification command is included in the PJL data of the print job (S201: none), the CPU 11 ends the special red change process and prints. Return to. If the PJL data does not include a command related to special red, the CPU 11 determines that the CMYK value defined in the color profile 24 is used as it is, and does not rewrite the duplicate color profile 24. In this case, the CPU 11 does not use the conversion table 26. The print job may include a command indicating an instruction not to use the special red, and even in that case, the CPU 11 determines in S201 that there is no command.

If the PJL data does not include either the recommended command or the color specification command, for example, a print job that does not use the printer driver 42, except when the off button 51 is selected in the printer driver 42. In some cases. For example, in a print instruction from a device that does not have a printer driver 42, such as a mobile device, there is a high possibility that the print job does not include PJL data. Further, for example, even if the print job is from a PC3 or the like, a print job by an OS standard printing system (for example, AirPrint (registered trademark)), an image read from a storage such as a USB memory, or an image downloaded from a server or the like. It is highly possible that the print job based on the print instruction of is not included in the PJL data. If it is a print job that does not include PJL data, the CPU 11 determines in S201 that there is no print job.

Returning to the description of the printing process of FIG. After the special red change processing of S105, the CPU 11 generates CMYK data based on the RGB data generated in S101 by converting the RGB values into CMYK values using the color profile 24 of the duplicated copy after the processing (. S111). S111 is an example of CMY conversion processing. If the special red CMYK value is rewritten by the special red change process, the special red part in the RGB data is converted into the rewritten CMYK value, so that the CMYK value has a color tone that suits the user's preference. ..

On the other hand, if the CMYK value of the special red is not rewritten by the special red change process, the CPU 11 uses the color profile 24 corrected by S104 as it is to generate CMYK data. As a result, the printer 1 can print even a print instruction by a user who does not need to set the special red or a print job from a device that does not support the special red.

Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the toner save mode is specified for the print job (S112). When it is determined that the toner save mode is specified (S112: YES), the CPU 11 reduces the density of the CMYK data generated in S111 as a whole (S113). After S113, or when it is determined that the toner save mode is not specified (S112: NO), the CPU 11 performs dither processing on the CMYK data to generate binarized print data (S114).

The CPU 11 passes the print data generated in S114 to the image forming unit 15 and causes printing to be executed (S115). Further, the CPU 11 deletes the duplicate color profile 24 (S116), and ends the printing process. As a result, the CPU 11 does not use the duplicate of the color profile 24 used for the current printing for subsequent printing. For example, the presence or absence of special red is likely to differ for each print job. The CPU 11 corrects or rewrites the duplication of the color profile 24 according to the print job, and deletes the duplication after printing the print job. Therefore, it is possible to create a printed matter that reflects the user's preference for each print job. ..

Next, the setting process executed by the printer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7. The printer 1 of this embodiment receives various instructions via the user IF 13 or based on the PJL data received from the PC 3 or the like. Specifically, the printer 1 not only receives a command for instructing printing of a color chart from, for example, a PC3 or the like, but also receives an instruction for printing a color chart via its own user IF13. Further, the printer 1 of the present embodiment receives an instruction to register a predetermined color number as the recommended color number 25 stored in the memory 12 by the PJL data. The setting process is executed by the CPU 11 of the printer 1 when the setting instruction is received by the user IF13 or PJL data.

In the setting process, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the setting instruction has been received by operating the user IF 13 (S301). When it is determined that the setting instruction by the operation to the user IF 13 has been accepted (S301: YES), the CPU 11 causes the user IF 13 to display the menu (S302). The menu, for example, as shown in FIG. 8A, is a screen including a special red print button 61 and accepting a user's instruction. The special red print button 61 is a button for receiving a print instruction of the color chart. The user IF 13 that displays the special red print button 61 is an example of the first user interface.

The CPU 11 determines whether or not the color chart print instruction by operating the special red print button 61 has been accepted in the displayed menu (S303). When it is determined that the color chart print instruction has been accepted (S303: YES), the CPU 11 reads the color chart data 23 corresponding to the special red from the memory 12 (S311). Further, the CPU 11 prints a special red color chart based on the read color chart data 23 (S312). S312 is an example of a color chart output process. When it is determined that the color chart print instruction is not accepted (S303: NO), the CPU 11 executes another process based on the accepted instruction (S313).

When it is determined that the setting instruction by the operation to the user IF 13 is not accepted (S301: NO), that is, when it is determined that the PJL data including the setting instruction has been received, the CPU 11 determines that the setting instruction included in the PJL data is received. It is determined whether or not the command is a registration command instructing the registration of the recommended color number 25 (S321).

When the PC3 receives, for example, the recommended special red registration instruction and the selection of the color number to be registered by the printer driver 42 via the user IF 33, the PJL data including the registration command generated based on the received instruction. To printer 1. The registration command contains information about the selected color number. In this case, the user IF 33 that accepts the selection of the color number is an example of the second user interface.

When it is determined that the registration instruction by PJL data has been accepted (S321: YES), the CPU 11 stores the color number instructed to be registered as the recommended color number 25 in the memory 12 based on the color number information included in the registration command. (S323). S323 is an example of the registration process. When it is determined that the setting instruction is not a registration command instructing the registration of the recommended color number 25 (S321: NO), the CPU 11 executes another process based on the received PJL data (S324).

The printer 1 of this embodiment stores the recommended color number 25 at the stage of factory shipment, but when the registration instruction of the recommended color number 25 by PJL data is received after the factory shipment, it is stored in the recommended color number 25. Change the color number and write it down. By accepting the registration instruction of the recommended color number 25, for example, even if the color to be printed for the same CMYK value changes due to a change in the type of the colorant used for the printer 1, the desired color is used. Can be registered in the printer 1.

After any of S312, S313, S323, and S324, the CPU 11 ends the setting process.

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

Further, the printer 1 may accept the registration instruction of the recommended color number 25 via the operation of the user IF 13 of the own device. For example, the printer 1 may display the screen for accepting the input of the color number registered in the recommended color number 25 on the user IF 13 and accept the input of the color number by the user. In this case, the user IF 13 that accepts the input of the color number is an example of the second user interface.

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

As described in detail above, the printer 1 of this embodiment stores the conversion table 26, and when the received print job includes a color specification command for specifying a color number, it is included in the image data. The RGB values of the special red are converted into CMYK values corresponding to the color numbers using the conversion table 26 and printed. Therefore, the printer 1 can output a special red color that suits the user's taste. Further, since the printer 1 of the present embodiment converts the special red based on the color number specified by the external device such as the PC3 from which the print job is generated, the special red designation is transmitted from the external device. It is limited to print jobs, and the possibility of unintended printing by a user who does not specify a color number can be reduced.

Further, since the printer 1 of this embodiment stores the recommended color number 25 in the memory 12 in advance, when a print job including the recommended command is received, the printer 1 becomes special red based on the stored recommended color number 25. Decide which color to use. Therefore, it is easy to use for users who are uncertain about selecting a special red shade.

Further, since the printer 1 of this embodiment accepts the registration of the recommended color number 25 after the factory shipment, by registering the favorite color, the printer driver 42 presses the recommended button 52 (see FIG. 3) for subsequent printing. All you have to do is select it. Therefore, it is convenient for users who want to frequently use their favorite special red. Further, if the printer 1 is used by a plurality of external devices or a plurality of users, any user can simply select the recommended button 52 to use a common shade of special red, which is convenient.

Further, the printer 1 of the present embodiment converts the special red into a CMY value by using the conversion table 26 based on the color number specified in the print job. Therefore, even if the hue changes due to the convenience of the printer 1 such as the type of colorant or the change of paper, the color chart data 23 and the conversion table 26 may be modified as necessary, and the printer driver 42 needs to be modified. Since there is no such thing, there is little effort to correct it.

Further, in this embodiment, since the copy of the color profile 24 is created and the copy is rewritten, the printing of other print jobs is not affected. Further, when the color profile 24 needs to be corrected, the correction is performed first, and then the processing related to the special red is executed. Therefore, the setting of the special red can be prioritized over the correction.

It should be noted that the present embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the techniques disclosed in the present specification can of course be variously improved and modified without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the printer 1 is not limited to a printer having a single printing function, and can be applied to any printer having a color printing function such as a multifunction device, a copying machine, and a fax machine. Further, the device for transmitting the print job to the printer 1 is not limited to the PC3, but may be a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a server computer. Further, the image data to be printed by the printer 1 is not limited to the print job transmitted from the PC 3 or the like, and may be image data acquired from a scanner, a cloud server, a USB memory, or the like. Further, a plurality of PCs or the like may be connected to the printer 1.

Further, in the present embodiment, the printer 1 creates a duplicate of the color profile 24 at the time of printing the print job, and deletes the duplicate color profile 24 after printing, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the printer 1 may first determine whether or not the color profile 24 needs to be corrected or rewritten, and may create a duplicate only when it determines that it is necessary. Further, the printer 1 may overwrite the duplicate at the next printing without deleting the duplicate. Further, for example, the printer 1 may retain and reuse the copy while it does not accept the user's new designation regarding the special red. For example, when printing a plurality of images selected at the same time in succession, duplication may be reused.

Further, in the present embodiment, the processing for the special red has been described, but the printer 1 may perform the same processing for the special color other than the special red. For example, the printer 1 may store the color chart data 23 and the recommended color number 25 for a plurality of special colors and accept the selection of the special color to be set. Further, the printer 1 may accept the designation of a color number for each of a plurality of special colors. Further, the printer 1 may accept the designation of the RGB value as a special color by the user. In that case, when the printer 1 receives the print instruction of the color chart, the printer 1 uses the color chart data 23 in which each value of CMYK is changed according to a predetermined rule based on the default CMYK value corresponding to the specified RGB value. You may create and print it.

Further, in this embodiment, by accepting the selection with the radio button in the printer driver 42, it is said that the PJL data does not include both the recommended command and the color specification command, but there is a possibility that both are included. There may be. In that case, the printer 1 may use the color stored as the recommended color number 25, for example, by giving priority to the recommended command. Alternatively, printer 1 may make an error if both commands are included.

Further, for example, the output mode of the color chart is not limited to printing on a sheet, but may be displayed by the user IF 13 of the printer 1, or may be transmission of image data to an external device such as a similar printer. May be good. Further, for example, in the present embodiment, all the special reds in each color profile 24 are included in the color chart, but some of them may not be included. Further, the color chart may be added with color information stored as the recommended color number 25 and information indicating an initial value of special red in each color profile 24.

Further, the printer 1 of this embodiment is supposed to print using the four colorants of CMYK, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to, for example, an apparatus using a three-color colorant of CMY and an apparatus using a colorant of five or more colors. Even in such a device, by converting the RGB value of the special color into the selected CMYK value or the CMY value, it is possible to print in the special color of the user's preference.

Further, in any flowchart disclosed in the embodiment, the plurality of processes in any plurality of steps can be arbitrarily changed in the execution order or executed in parallel as long as the processing contents do not conflict with each other.

Further, the process disclosed in the embodiment may be executed by a single CPU, a plurality of CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Further, the process disclosed in the embodiment can be realized in various aspects such as a recording medium or a method in which a program for executing the process is recorded.

1 printer 3 PC
11 CPU
12 Memory 13, 33 User IF
14 Communication IF
15 Image forming part

Claims (11)

A printing system including a printer capable of color printing and an information processing device that receives printing instructions for the printer.
The printer
A color chart composed of a plurality of selected colors is output for a specific color having a specific RGB value, and the color chart uses a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color as the plurality of selected colors, and further, the printer. Stores a specific color conversion table that associates the index number corresponding to each selected color with the CMY value.
The information processing device is
When the selection of one of the plurality of selected colors in the color chart is accepted by designating the index number and the print instruction is received with the index number specified, a print job is sent to the printer. The print job contains the specified index number and image data.
Further, the printer is
When the print job is received from the information processing apparatus, the RGB value indicating the image data included in the print job is converted into a CMY value, and the image shown in the image data converted into the CMY value is printed. Further, when converting the image data into a CMY value, the RGB value of the specific color included in the image data is converted into the CMY corresponding to the index number specified in the print job using the specific color conversion table. Convert to a value,
A printing system characterized by that. Printing devices capable of color printing and
Communication interface and
With memory
Is a printer equipped with
The printer
A color chart output process for outputting a color chart composed of a plurality of selected colors is executed for a specific color which is a specific RGB value, and the color chart displays a plurality of similar colors similar to the specific color. As the selected color, the memory stores a specific color conversion table that associates the index number corresponding to each selected color with the CMY value.
Furthermore, the printer is
A reception process for receiving a print job including image data is executed via the communication interface, and the print job may have the index number specified.
Furthermore, the printer is
When printing based on the image data included in the print job,
CMY conversion processing for converting the image data indicated by RGB values into CMY values, and
A printing process for printing an image shown in the image data converted into CMY values using the printing device, and
And run
Furthermore, the printer is
When the index number is specified in the received print job, in the CMY conversion process, the RGB value of the specific color included in the image data is designated in the print job by using the specific color conversion table. Convert to the CMY value corresponding to the index number.
A printer that features that. In the printer according to claim 2,
The memory has
The specific index number, which is the index number corresponding to the specific selected color, which is one of the plurality of selected colors in the color chart, or the CMY value corresponding to the specific index number is stored in the print job. May have a designation indicating the use of the particular selected color,
The printer
When the received print job has a designation indicating the use of the specific selected color, in the CMY conversion process, the RGB value of the specific color included in the image data is stored in the memory as the specific index number or the specific index number. Convert to a CMY value based on the CMY value corresponding to the specific index number.
A printer that features that. In the printer according to claim 3,
The printer has
At the factory shipment stage, the specific index number or the CMY value corresponding to the specific index number is set.
The printer
After shipping from the factory, the color chart output process is executed according to the instruction to the first user interface.
Furthermore, the printer is
After shipment from the factory, the selection of the specific selection color is accepted according to the instruction to the second user interface, and the index number of the selected specific selection color is stored or selected in the memory as the specific index number. A registration process of storing the CMY value corresponding to the index number of the specific selected color in the memory as the CMY value corresponding to the specific index number is executed.
Furthermore, the printer is
When the received print job has a designation indicating the use of the specific selected color, the RGB values of the specific color included in the image data are stored in the memory in the registration process in the CMY conversion process. Convert to a CMY value based on the specific index number or the CMY value corresponding to the specific index number.
A printer that features that. In the printer according to claim 4,
The printer
In the registration process, when a registration command including the specific index number is received from the information processing device via the communication interface, the specific index number included in the received registration command or the CMY corresponding to the specific index number is received. The value is stored in the memory, and the information processing apparatus accepts the selection of the specific selection color according to the instruction to the second user interface included in the information processing apparatus, and the identification of the selected specific selection color. Send the registration command including the index number to the printer and
Furthermore, the printer is
When the received print job has a designation indicating the use of the specific selected color, the RGB values of the specific color included in the image data are stored in the memory in the registration process in the CMY conversion process. Convert to a CMY value based on the specific index number or the CMY value corresponding to the specific index number.
A printer that features that. In the printer according to any one of claims 3 to 5.
The printer
When the received print job does not specify the index number or indicate the use of the specific selected color, in the CMY conversion process, the RGB values of the specific color included in the image data are converted into the specific color conversion table. Convert to CMY value without using,
A printer that features that. In the printer according to claim 2,
The print job may have a CMY value specified for the specific color.
The printer
When the received print job does not specify the index number and the CMY value for the specific color is specified, in the CMY conversion process, the RGB value of the specific color included in the image data is transferred to the print job. Convert to the specified CMY value,
A printer that features that. The printer according to any one of claims 2 to 7.
A color profile that associates an RGB value with a CMY value is stored in the memory.
The printer
In the CMY conversion process, the color profile is used to convert the image data represented by RGB values into CMY values.
Furthermore, the printer is
When the index number is specified in the received print job, in the CMY conversion process, the CMY value corresponding to the RGB value of the specific color in the color profile is used as the index number specified in the print job. The image data of RGB values is converted into CMY values by rewriting to the corresponding CMY values and using the rewritten color profile.
A printer that features that. In the printer according to claim 8,
The printer
When the index number is specified in the received print job, in the CMY conversion process, the color profile is duplicated, and the CMY value corresponding to the RGB value of the specific color among the duplicated color profiles is obtained. A rewritten color profile rewritten to the CMY value corresponding to the index number specified in the print job is temporarily created, and the rewritten color profile is used to convert the RGB value image data into a CMY value. After conversion and conversion to CMY values, the rewritten color profile is not used.
A printer that features that. In the printer according to claim 8 or claim 9.
The printer
Depending on the printing conditions, the correction process for correcting the color profile is executed before the image data of the RGB value is converted into the CMY value, and the CMY conversion process is executed after the execution of the correction process is completed.
In the CMY conversion process, the CMY value corresponding to the RGB value of the specific color in the corrected color profile is rewritten to the CMY value corresponding to the index number specified in the print job.
A printer that features that. The printer according to any one of claims 2 to 10.
The printer
In the color chart output process, the color chart is output for the specific color in which each RGB value is either 0 or the maximum value.
A printer that features that.

Images