KR20030088216A - Method and apparatus for forming image by colors - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method and an apparatus for forming images according to colors are provided to separately print data by colors, thereby realizing various methods of printing. CONSTITUTION: A user computer connected with an image output device receives commands of dividing data to be printed in an application program according to colors, changing the colors, or a setting command for setting up functions(110). A user executes a specific application program, opens a specific file made or edited by the application program, and inputs a print command(120). The user computer judges whether the data to be printed are to be divided according to the colors(130). Otherwise, a print command to the data to be printed is generated regardless of distinction of the colors(170). If so, it is judged whether the colors are to be printed(140). If so, it is judged whether the colors are to be changed to other colors(150). The colors to be changed are changed by changing color information included in data corresponding to the color(160). The user computer transmits print data and a print command to a printer(180).

Description

Method and apparatus for forming image by color {Method and apparatus for forming image by colors}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to image formation, and more particularly, to a method for forming an image by separating data by color from original data such as documents, photographs, and the like, and an apparatus for forming an image.

Here, the image output device refers to a printer, a copier, a multifunction peripheral, and the like, and refers to a device that prints images such as text and photos by various methods.

Conventionally, in order to print to an image output apparatus, in particular a printer, a file created or edited in a specific application program is opened in the application program, and a print command is issued. Print data is sent to the printer through a spooler and printed after going through a printer driver that transforms or adds additional functions into commands that the printer can perform.

When printing by this conventional method, it is only possible to reproduce the color color of the original data such as documents, photos, etc. created in the application program as it is, and to print it in the printer. There is a problem in that it is not possible to separate and print only the image of color and provide various printing methods.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming an image by separating colors.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for forming images by separating colors.

1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of forming an image for each color according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view showing an embodiment of a setting window for setting the color separation, color changing and printing capabilities.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an image output apparatus for each color according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Color-specific image forming method according to the present invention to achieve the above object,

An image forming method for transmitting data including color information to an image output apparatus, the image forming method being stored in an external device, the method comprising: determining whether the external device separates the data into a plurality of colors to form an image (a) step; (B) separating the data into a plurality of color data by the external device using the color information when it is determined that the color information is separated in step (a); (C) generating an image forming command by the external device for each data stored in the plurality of color external devices; And (d) transmitting the plurality of color-specific data and the plurality of image forming commands corresponding thereto to the image output apparatus.

In order to achieve the above another object, the apparatus for performing the image forming method for each color according to the present invention,

A determination unit which determines whether to form an image by separating data including color information for each of a plurality of colors and outputs a color separation command signal; A color separation unit which receives the data and outputs data separated by colors using the color information in response to an output signal of the determination unit; An image forming command generation unit receiving the separated data and generating an image forming command for each of the separated data; And a transmission unit which receives an output signal of the image formation command generation unit and transmits the output signal to the image output apparatus.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described an embodiment of a color-specific image forming method and apparatus according to the present invention as follows.

1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of forming an image for each color according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a setting window for setting functions of color separation, color change, and printing by color.

First, a function is set by receiving a setting command for separating, changing a color, or printing the data for printing to an external device connected to an image output apparatus, for example, an application program running on a user computer, for each color (step 110).

Here, the image output apparatus refers to, for example, a printer, and an application program running on a user computer refers to, for example, a printer driver. A printer driver is a control program that allows a computer operating system to communicate with and control a printer.

In addition, although the color here can use the color model of CMYK, it is mainly used in order to synthesize | combine color in printing apparatuses, such as a printer. The CMYK model consists of four colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

An example of the setting window for setting the above-described function is shown in FIG. The user can set the function of separating the data to be printed by color by checking the "Use color separation printing function" box.

In the "Detail setting", the columns C, M, Y, and K in the first column are fields for setting whether to print each color. Since all of the drawings are checked, it is set to print for all four colors. The second column to the last column is a field to set whether to print by changing each color. For example, if you want to print C by changing it to M, you can set it by clicking the part of M among the four on the right side. In the figure, it can be seen that all four colors are set as they are, without changing.

After step 110, a specific application on the user's computer is executed by the user, and after opening a specific file created or edited in the application, a print command is input by the user (step 120).

After operation 120, the user computer determines whether to separate data to be printed for each color (step 130). This determination is performed as set in step 110. That is, it is determined whether the color separation printing function is set.

If it is determined that the printing is not separated by colors, a print command for data to be printed is generated without distinguishing colors as in the past (step 170).

If it is determined to print separately by color, it is determined whether the color is to be printed (step 140). This determination is also performed as set in step 110.

The process for the color determined to be not the color to be printed is finished. However, if it is determined that the color is to be printed, it is determined whether to change to another color (step 150). This determination is also performed as set in step 110.

For a color determined to be changed to another color, color information included in data corresponding to the color is changed to another color (step 160). The change of the color information, for example, when changing C to M, it is possible to determine the value of M to have a specific value of the original C. Alternatively, the user can change the color to have a different value or set the color value change rule according to the user's convenience.

A print command is generated for each color for the data of the color determined not to change to another color and the data having passed through step 160 (operation 170).

After operation 170, the user computer transmits the print data and the print command to the printer (step 180).

3 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus for each color according to the present invention.

First, the determination unit 310 receives a setting command of whether to separate the color, change the color, or print by color through the input terminal IN1, and sets the corresponding function. When receiving a print command from the user through the input terminal IN2, a signal for controlling whether the color is separated or changed is output to the color separation unit 320, and a signal for controlling the printing for each color is output to the image forming command generation unit 320. Will output

The color separation unit 320 receives the data to be printed through the input terminal IN3, receives the control signal of the determination unit 310, and separates the data for each color or changes the color information to form the image formation command generation unit 330. Will output Color-specific data separation may be performed by separately storing each color-specific data in different buffers (not shown) in the image forming command generation unit 330. On the other hand, if not separated by color, the received data is output as it is to the image forming command generation unit 330.

When the image forming command generation unit 330 receives the output of the color separating unit 320 and receives the control signal for printing by color of the determination unit 310 to separate the data by color, the printing command for each color is performed. If you do not separate the data by color, create a print command for the data that is not separated by color.

The transmitter 340 receives the print command and the print data from the image forming command generator 330 and transmits the print command and the print data to the specific printer through the output terminal OUT1.

On the other hand, the present invention can also be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of computer-readable recording media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and the like, and may also be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet). It includes being. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

As described above, the color-specific image forming method and apparatus according to the present invention may be separated and printed for each color according to the user's selection, or to separate and print only the image of the desired color, an image output apparatus such as a printer From the developer's point of view, it is possible to check whether the printing is properly performed for each color in the image output device. From the user's point of view, the user can print in a variety of ways and has an effect that can be used to produce a printing film used for the production of books.

Claims (7)

In the image forming method for transmitting the data stored in the external device, including the color information to the image output device, (a) determining, by the external device, whether to separate the data for each of a plurality of colors to form an image; (b) if it is determined in step (a) that the color information is to be separated by the external device, separating the data into a plurality of color data using the color information; (c) generating, by the external device, an image forming command for each of the plurality of color-specific data; And and (d) transmitting, by the external device, the plurality of color-specific data and the plurality of image forming commands corresponding thereto to the image output apparatus. The method of claim 1, wherein the image forming method comprises: Determining whether to form an image by changing data of each color to data of a predetermined different color; And And changing the color information according to the determination. The method of claim 1, wherein the image forming method comprises: Determining whether to form an image for each color-specific data; And And the image forming command is not generated for the data of the color determined not to form the image. A determination unit which determines whether to form an image by separating data including color information for each of a plurality of colors and outputs a color separation command signal; A color separation unit which receives the data and outputs data separated by colors using the color information in response to an output signal of the determination unit; An image forming command generation unit receiving the separated data and generating an image forming command for each of the separated data; And And a transmission unit which receives an output signal of the image formation command generation unit and transmits the output signal to the image output device. The method of claim 4, wherein the determination unit, It is determined whether to form an image by changing the data separated for each color into an image of a predetermined different color, and outputs a color change command signal to the color separator, And the color separation unit changes the color information to receive the color change command signal and to form data of the corresponding color to form an image of the predetermined different color. According to claim 1, The determination unit determines whether to form an image corresponding to data of a predetermined color among data separated for each color, and outputs an image formation command signal to the image formation command generation unit. And the image forming command generation unit does not generate an image forming command for data of a predetermined color in response to the image forming command signal. In the image forming method for transmitting the data stored in the external device, including the color information to the image output device, (a) determining, by the external device, whether to separate the data for each of a plurality of colors to form an image; (b) if it is determined in step (a) that the color information is to be separated by the external device, separating the data into a plurality of color data using the color information; (c) generating, by the external device, an image forming command for each of the plurality of color-specific data; And and (d) transmitting the plurality of color-specific data and the plurality of image forming commands corresponding to the plurality of color data to the image output apparatus by the external device. Recordable computer-readable recording media.