PRINTING CONTROL APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD FOR PRINTING CONTROL APPARATUS, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM

There is provided a printing control apparatus that controls printing, the printing control apparatus including an input unit configured to receive input of printing target data and a display control unit configured to cause a display unit to display a preview image corresponding to the printing target data, the input of which has been received by the input unit. The display control unit causes, based on the printing target data, the display unit to display a first preview image or a second preview image having color reproduction precision higher than color reproduction precision of the first preview image.

The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2023-023225, filed Feb. 17, 2023, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a printing control apparatus, a control method for a printing control apparatus, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program.

2. Related Art

There has been known a technique for displaying a preview, which is an image of a printing result. For example, JP-A-2012-27632 discloses a technique for providing several stages of drawing setting from a low-resolution preview image to a high-resolution preview image.

There is a demand for differentiating color reproduction precision according to a printing target in preview display. For example, depending on a printing target, there is a demand for quickly displaying a preview even if color reproduction precision is low or a demand for displaying a preview with high color reproduction precision even if display takes time. JP-A-2012-27632 cannot meet the demand because it is not considered to differentiate color reproduction precision of a preview image according to a printing target. There is a problem in that convenient preview display cannot be performed.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a printing control apparatus that controls printing, the printing control apparatus including: an input unit configured to receive input of printing target data; and a display control unit configured to cause a display unit to display a preview image corresponding to the printing target data, the input of which was received by the input unit. The display control unit causes, based on the printing target data, the display unit to display a first preview image or a second preview image having color reproduction precision higher than color reproduction precision of the first preview image.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a control method for a printing control apparatus that controls printing, the control method including: an input step for receiving input of printing target data; and a display control step for causing a display unit to display a preview image corresponding to the printing target data, the input of which was received in the input step. In the display control step, based on the printing target data, the display unit is caused to display a first preview image or a second preview image having color reproduction precision higher than color reproduction precision of the first preview image.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there has been a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a processor of a printing control apparatus, which controls printing, to function as: an input unit configured to receive input of printing target data; and a display control unit configured to cause a display unit to display a preview image corresponding to the printing target data, the input of which was received by the input unit. The display control unit causes, based on the printing target data, the display unit to display a first preview image or a second preview image having color reproduction precision higher than color reproduction precision of the first preview image.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

1. First Embodiment

A printing control apparatus1according to a first embodiment is explained below with reference to the drawings.

1-1. Overall Configuration of a Printing System

FIG.1is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system100according to the first embodiment.

The printing system100includes a printing apparatus5that performs printing on a printing medium, an external terminal apparatus10that transmits printing target data indicating an image to be printed on the printing medium, and a printing control apparatus1that controls the printing of the printing apparatus5. The printing apparatus5is an inkjet printing apparatus that ejects ink from a printing head and performs printing. The external terminal apparatus10is a so-called personal computer. The printing control apparatus1includes a not-shown interface circuit in order to exchange information with the printing apparatus5and the external terminal apparatus10and communicates with the printing apparatus5and the external terminal apparatus10via the interface circuit.

The printing control apparatus1includes a display unit40, an operation unit38, and a control unit15.

The operation unit38includes input means such as a keyboard and a mouse and detects operation of a user on the input means and outputs the operation to the control unit15. The control unit15executes, based on input from the operation unit38, processing corresponding to the operation of the user on the input means.

The display unit40is configured with a display and displays various kinds of information according to control of the control unit15.

The control unit15includes a processor20such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage device25.

The storage device25is configured with a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and stores data and programs. The storage device25stores a first control program26and a second control program28.

The first control program26corresponds to an example of the “program”.

The processor20executes the first control program26and the second control program28to implement various functions.

The processor20reads and executes the first control program26to function as a determining unit23, a display control unit24, an input unit30, and a notifying unit32.

Further, the processor20reads and executes the second control program28to function as an image generating unit22.

First, the display control unit24is explained.

FIG.2is a diagram showing an example of the preview display screen PGM.

The preview display screen PGM includes an input region A1for inputting printing target data to the preview display screen PGM and a display region A2for displaying the preview image PG corresponding to the printing target data input to the input region A1.

The input unit30receives input of printing target data to the input region A1. When the operation unit38detects drag-and-drop of the printing target data to the input region A1, the input unit30receives input of the printing target data to the preview display screen PGM.

The determining unit23performs various kinds of determination explained below.

When the display control unit24is causing the display unit40to display a low-precision preview image explained below on the preview display screen PGM, the notifying unit32notifies that color reproduction precision of the preview image PG is low.

The low-precision preview image corresponds to an example of the “first preview image”.

FIG.3is a diagram illustrating notification of the notifying unit32.

The notifying unit32displays, in the input region A1, notification information PTJ indicating that the color reproduction precision of the preview image PG is low. Note that the notifying unit32only has to display the notification information PTJ on the preview display screen PGM. Therefore, a display position of the notification information PTJ is not limited to a display position shown inFIG.3.

The image generating unit22performs processing for generating data for printing (CMYK values) obtained by reflecting, on printing target data, characteristics of the printing apparatus5and a medium used for printing using an input profile for converting an input color into a color value on a specific color space and an output profile for converting the color value on the specific color space into a color value corresponding to an output characteristic of the printing apparatus5and the characteristics of the medium and processing for subjecting printing target data input to the preview display screen PGM explained below to image processing to generate the preview image PG. As the preview image PG generated by the image generating unit22, there are two types of a low-precision preview image and a high-precision preview image. The high-precision preview image is the preview image PG having color reproduction precision of a printing target indicated by the printing target data higher than color reproduction precision of the low-precision preview image.

The high-precision preview image corresponds to an example of the “second preview image”.

The low-precision preview image is the preview image PG on which color conversion by an ICC profile is not performed and is the preview image PG having lower color reproduction precision for a printing target to be actually printed compared with the high-precision preview image.

The image generating unit22has a different generation method for a low-precision preview image according to a data format of printing target data. When the data format of the printing target data is a PDF format or an EPS format, the image generating unit22extracts thumbnail data included in PDF data or EPS data and generates, as the low-precision preview image, a thumbnail indicated by the extracted thumbnail data. When the data format of the printing target data is any one of a TIFF format, a JPEG format, and a PNG format, the image generating unit22generates a thumbnail of a printing target using an OS standard library and generates the generated thumbnail as the low-precision preview image.

The high-precision preview image is the preview image PG on which the color conversion by the ICC profile is performed and is the preview image PG having higher color reproduction precision for a printing target to be actually printed compared with the low-precision preview image.

The image generating unit22performs the color conversion by the ICC profile on printing target data to generate a high-precision preview image. Specifically, the image generating unit22obtains CMYK values obtained by reflecting characteristics of the printing apparatus5and a medium on an image (RGB values) of the printing target data using an input profile and an output profile. Further, the image generating unit22converts the CMYk values into color values on a specific color space obtained by reflecting the characteristics of the printing apparatus5and the medium on the CMYK values using the output profile and converts the color values into data (RGB values) of the high-precision preview image using a monitor profile corresponding to an output characteristic of the display unit40.

1-2. Operation of the Printing Control Apparatus

FIG.4is a flowchart showing an operation of the printing control apparatus1.

First, the determining unit23determines whether to perform automatic printing for causing the printing apparatus5to execute printing without displaying a preview (step SA1). The user inputs indication about whether to perform the automatic printing to the printing control apparatus1when the user inputs printing target data. Note that whether to perform the automatic printing may be set in the printing control apparatus1in advance.

When determining not to perform the automatic printing (NO in step SA1), the determining unit23determines whether the input unit30has received collective input of a plurality of printing target data (step SA2).

When determining that the input unit30has not received collective input of a plurality of printing target data (NO in step SA2), the determining unit23determines whether a data size of printing target data, input of which has been received by the input unit30, is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold (step SA3). When the determining unit23determines that the data size of the printing target data is smaller than the predetermined threshold (NO in step SA3), the display control unit24causes the image generating unit22to generate a high-precision preview image for the printing target data received by the input unit30(step SA4). Subsequently, the display control unit24displays the high-precision preview image generated in step SA4on the preview display screen PGM (step SA5).

Referring back to step SA1, when the determining unit23determines to perform the automatic printing (YES in step SA1), the processor20does not execute processing relating to display of the preview image PG. Note that, when affirmative determination is made in step SA1, the processor20performs the automatic printing in the printing apparatus5.

Referring back to step SA2, if the determining unit23determines that the input unit30has received collective input of a plurality of printing target data (YES in step SA2), the display control unit24causes the image generating unit22to generate a low-precision preview image for each of the collectively input printing target data (step SA6). Subsequently, the display control unit24displays the low-precision preview image generated in step SA6on the preview display screen PGM (step SA5).

Referring back to step SA3, if the determining unit23determines that the data size of the printing target data is equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold (YES in step SA3), the processor20performs two-stage preview display (step SA7).

The two-stage preview display indicates that a high-precision preview image is displayed after a low-precision preview image is displayed.

When the data size of the printing target data is equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold, a generation time of the high-precision preview image increases because a processing load of data is large. Therefore, in this case, when only the high-precision preview image is displayed, a time is required until the user can view the preview image PG and work efficiency concerning printing can be deteriorated. Therefore, the printing control apparatus1performs the two-state preview display.

Specifically, the printing control apparatus1performs the two-stage preview display as explained below.

The display control unit24causes the image generating unit22to generate a low-precision preview image. Subsequently, the display control unit24displays the generated low-precision preview image. After displaying the low-precision preview image, when the preview display screen PGM is not operated for a predetermined time or more, the display control unit24causes the image generating unit22to generate a high-precision preview image for the printing target data. The display control unit24displays the generated high-precision preview image instead of the low-precision preview image. Note that the predetermined time is, for example, five minutes.

As explained above, the printing control apparatus1according to the first embodiment includes the input unit30that receives input of printing target data and the display control unit24that causes the display unit40to display a preview image corresponding to the printing target data, the input of which has been received by the input unit30. The display control unit24causes, based on the printing target data, the display unit40to display a low-precision preview image or a high-precision preview image having color reproduction precision higher than color reproduction precision of the low-precision preview image.

Consequently, since the preview image PG having different color reproduction precision can be displayed according to a printing target, it is possible to perform convenient preview display.

The printing control apparatus1includes the image generating unit22that performs image processing on the printing target data to thereby generate a high-precision preview image. When having caused the display unit40to display a low-precision preview image, the display control unit24causes the image generating unit22to execute the image processing during the display of the low-precision preview image. After executing the image processing, the display control unit24causes the display unit40to display a high-precision preview image instead of the low-precision preview image.

Consequently, since the low-precision preview image can be displayed on the display unit40before the display of the high-precision preview image, the user can quickly view a preview of a printing target. Since the high-precision preview image is displayed, the user can view a preview close to an actual printing result. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a difference from occurring between a printing result grasped by the user and the actual printing result while preventing work efficiency of the user from being deteriorated.

When the data size of the printing target data is equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold, the display control unit24causes the display unit40to display a low-precision preview image first and subsequently causes the display unit40to display a high-precision preview image instead of the low-precision preview image. When the data size of the printing target data is smaller than the threshold, the display control unit24causes the display unit40to display the high-precision preview image without causing the display unit40to display the low-precision preview image.

Consequently, a type of the preview image PG is distinguished according to the data size of the printing target data. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a difference from occurring between a printing result grasped by the user and an actual printing result while achieving quick preview viewing.

In the printing control apparatus1, when the input unit30receives collective input of a plurality of printing target data, the display control unit24causes the display unit40to display a low-precision preview image and does not cause the display unit40to display a high-precision preview image.

Consequently, when the plurality of printing target data are collectively input, it is possible to automatically select display of the low-precision preview image, for image processing for which resources are less consumed. Therefore, it is possible to quickly display the preview image PG for the plurality of printing target data. It is possible to prevent work efficiency of the user from being deteriorated.

The printing control apparatus1includes the notifying unit32that, when the display control unit24causes the display unit40to display a low-precision preview image, notifies that color reproduction precision of a preview image is low.

Consequently, it is possible to clearly indicate that a preview image displayed on the display unit40is not a high-precision preview image having high color reproduction precision. Therefore, there is an effect that it is easy to prevent a printing accident in which a print is created at printing quality lower than a level expected by the user.

A control method for the printing control apparatus1that controls printing includes an input step for receiving input of printing target data and a display control step for causing the display unit40to display the preview image PG corresponding to the printing target data, the input of which has been received in the input step. In the display control step, based on the printing target data, the display unit40is caused to display a low-precision preview image or a high-precision preview image having color reproduction precision higher than color reproduction precision of the low-precision preview image.

Consequently, it is possible to display the preview image PG having different color reproduction precision according to a printing target. Therefore, it is possible to perform convenient preview display.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program, the program causing the processor20of the printing control apparatus1, which controls printing, to function as the input unit30that receives input of printing target data and the display control unit24that causes the display unit40to display the preview image PG corresponding to the printing target data, the input of which has been received by the input unit30. The display control unit24causes, based on the printing target data, the display unit40to display a low-precision preview image or a high-precision preview image having color reproduction precision higher than color reproduction precision of the low-precision preview image.

Consequently, it is possible to display the preview image PG having different color reproduction precision according to a printing target. Therefore, it is possible to perform convenient preview display.

2. Second Embodiment

The printing control apparatus1according to a second embodiment is explained below with reference to the drawings.

2-1. Configuration of a Switching Button

Components of units of the printing system100according to the second embodiment are the same as the components in the first embodiment. Therefore, explanation of the components is omitted as appropriate.

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in opportunity to switch the preview image PG in the two-stage preview display. In the first embodiment, the low-precision preview image is switched to the high-precision preview image at the opportunity of the elapse of the predetermined period. In the second embodiment, the low-precision preview image is switched to the high-precision preview image at the opportunity of operation for a switching button50.

FIG.5is a diagram showing an example of the switching button50.

The switching button50is a software button for switching the preview image PG from a low-precision preview image to a high-precision preview image.

When generation of a high-precision preview image is completed, the switching button50is operably displayed.

Note that, inFIG.5, the switching button50is illustrated as a software button displayed on the preview display screen PGM. However, the switching button50is only an example and may be a context menu button.

2-2. Operation of the Printing Control Apparatus According to the Second Embodiment

As explained above, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in opportunity to switch the preview image PG in the two-stage preview display. In the first embodiment, the low-precision preview image is switched to the high-precision preview image at the opportunity of the elapse of the predetermined period. In the second embodiment, the low-precision preview image is switched to the high-precision preview image at the opportunity of operation for the switching button50.

FIG.6is a flowchart showing an operation of the printing control apparatus1in the two-stage preview display.

The display control unit24causes the image generating unit22to generate a low-precision preview image (step SC1). Subsequently, the display control unit24displays the generated low-precision preview image (step SC2). Subsequently, the display control unit24causes the image generating unit22to generate a high-precision preview image (step SC3). Subsequently, the display control unit24operably displays the switching button50(step SC4). Subsequently, the determining unit23determines whether the switching button50displayed on the display unit40has been operated by a user (step SC5). When the determining unit23determines that the switching button50displayed on the display unit40has been operated by the user (YES in step SC5), the printing control apparatus1displays a high-precision preview image on the display unit40(step SC6).

In the printing control apparatus1according to the second embodiment, when causing the display unit40to display a low-precision preview image, the display control unit24performs control for causing the display unit40to display the switching button50for switching display of a low-precision preview image to display of a high-precision preview image after execution of image processing. When the determining unit23determines that the switching button50has been operated, the display control unit24switches the display of the low-precision preview image to the display of the high-precision preview image.

Consequently, the user can select the preview image PG having high color reproduction precision. Therefore, it is possible to perform more convenient preview display.

The printing control apparatus1according to a third embodiment is explained below with reference to the drawings.

3-1. Overall Configuration of the Printing System

A configuration of the printing system100including the printing control apparatus1according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration in the first embodiment. Therefore, explanation of the configuration is omitted. However, the storage device25stores a printer driver, which is a program capable of displaying a preview of printing target data. The printing driver is not a driver that transmits data to the printing apparatus5but is a driver that delivers data to the first control program26. The first control program26has a function of a hot folder for the printer driver to transmit data to the first control program26. When the printer driver inputs printing target data to the hot folder, the input unit30receives input of the printing target data to the preview display screen PGM. When one or a plurality of files are stored in the hot folder displayed on the display unit40by user operation, the input unit30receives input of these files as the printing target data.

The image generating unit22generates, for the printing target data input from the printer driver, an image of a frame indicating a size of a printing target used for checking imposition and a layout. The display control unit24displays, for the printing target data input from the printer driver, the image of the frame on the preview display screen PGM.

3-2. Operation of the Printing Apparatus According to the Third Embodiment

FIG.7is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printing control apparatus1according to the third embodiment.

First, the determining unit23determines whether the printing apparatus5performs automatic printing (step SD1).

When determining that the printing apparatus5does not perform the automatic printing (NO in step SD1), the determining unit23determines whether input printing target data is printing target data input from the printer driver (step SD2). When determining that the input printing target data is not printing target data input from the printer driver (NO in step SD2), the determining unit23determines whether the input unit30has received collective input of a plurality of printing target data, that is, whether a plurality of files have been stored in the hot folder (step SD3).

When the determining unit23determines that the input unit30has not received collective input of a plurality of printing target data (NO in step SD3), the determining unit23determines whether a data size of printing target data, input of which has been received by the input unit30, is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold (step SD4). When the determining unit23determines that the data size of the printing target data is smaller than the predetermined threshold (NO in step SD4), the display control unit24causes the image generating unit22to generate a high-precision preview image for the printing target data received by the input unit30(step SD5). Subsequently, the display control unit24displays the high-precision preview image generated in step SD5on the preview display screen PGM (step SD6).

Referring back to step SD1, when the determining unit23determines that the printing apparatus5performs the automatic printing (YES in step SD1), the processor20does not execute processing relating to display of the preview image PG. Note that, when affirmative determination is made in step SD1, the processor20performs the automatic printing in the printing apparatus5.

Referring back to step SD2, when the determining unit23determines that the input printing target data is the printing target data input from the printer driver (YES in step SD2), the display control unit24causes the image generating unit22to generate an image of a frame indicating a size of a printing target (step SD9). Subsequently, the display control unit24displays the image of the frame generated in step SD9in the display region A2(step SD10). Note that, in step SD10, the printer driver displays a preview corresponding to the printing target data input to the hot folder.

Referring back to step SD3, when the determining unit23determines that the input unit30has received collective input of a plurality of printing target data (YES in step SD3), the display control unit24causes the image generating unit22to generate a low-precision preview image for each of the collectively input printing target data (step SD7). Subsequently, the display control unit24displays the low-precision preview image generated in step SD7on the preview display screen PGM (step SD6).

Referring back to step SD4, when the determining unit23determines that the data size of the printing target data is equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold (YES in step SD4), the processor20performs the two-stage preview display (step SD8).

The printing control apparatus1according to the third embodiment includes the storage device25that stores a printer driver, which is a program capable of displaying the preview image PG. When printing target data has been acquired from the printer driver, the display control unit24causes the display unit40to display a printing data display frame of an image corresponding to the printing target data without displaying a low-precision preview image or a high-precision preview image.

Consequently, when the printer driver can display a preview, since the preview image PG is not displayed, it is possible to reduce a processing load of the printing control apparatus1while preventing display of overlapping previews. Since an image of a frame is displayed, processing such as check of imposition and a layout can be performed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent work efficiency relating to printing of a user from being deteriorated while preventing display of overlapping previews and reducing a processing load of the printing control apparatus1.

Note that it is naturally possible to add various changes within a range not departing from the gist without being limited to the embodiments explained above.

The functions of the processor20may be implemented by a plurality of processors or semiconductor chips.

Note that, in this embodiment, the notification information PTJ is displayed on the display unit40to visually notify that the preview image PG is the low-precision preview image. However, a method of notification is not limited to this. For example, the notifying unit32including a speaker capable of outputting voice may be provided to warn by voice.

In the embodiments explained above, an inkjet scheme is illustrated as a printing scheme of the printing apparatus5. However, the printing scheme of the printing apparatus5is not limited to the inkjet scheme and may be another printing scheme such as an electrophotographic scheme.

Processing units of the flowcharts shown inFIGS.4,6, and7are divided according to main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the processing of the control unit15. The present disclosure is not limited by a method of division and names of the processing units. According to processing content, the operations shown inFIGS.4,6, and7can also be divided into a larger number of processing units or can also be divided such that one processing unit includes a larger number of kinds of processing. The processing orders of the flowcharts are not limited to the illustrated ones.

The units shown inFIG.1are examples and are not particularly limited. Hardware individually corresponding to the units does not always need to be implemented. It is also naturally possible to adopt a configuration in which one processor executes a program to implement the functions of the units. A part of functions implemented by software may be implemented by hardware or a part of functions implemented by hardware may be implemented by software. Besides, specific detailed components of the other units can be optionally changed for the printing control apparatus1.