Image processing apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium, and method for processing image

An image processing apparatus includes a reception unit that receives a print job which includes print data and which specifies back printing to be performed on a transparent recording medium, a generation unit that generates a display image to be printed on a front surface of the transparent recording medium and a display image to be printed on a back surface on the transparent recording medium on the basis of the print data included in the print job, and a display unit that displays the display image to be printed on the front surface and the display image to be printed on the back surface generated by the generation unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-093575 filed May 15, 2018.

BACKGROUND

(i) Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a method for processing an image.

(ii) Related Art

Japanese Patent No. 2902245 aims to provide a method for forming an image capable of forming a large number of illumination films in a short period of time and obtaining glossy, dense images through image formation in which an image forming apparatus that employs toner, such as an electrophotography apparatus or an electrostatic recording apparatus is used. A mirror image is formed on a transparent film using toner of at least one of magenta, cyan, yellow, and black and an evenly white layer is formed over the mirror image on the transparent film, in order to form a normal image seen through the transparent film.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-159552 aims to generate a preview image that simulates a result of printing according to types of color materials, printing order of the color materials, the number of printing operations, and a type of base material. An ordinary printing order specification unit specifies the types of color materials used when document data is printed and the printing order of the color materials. A multiple printing order and base material specification unit specifies at least either the number of ordinary printing operations based on the types of color materials and the printing order of the color materials specified by the ordinary printing order specification unit or the type of base material. A preview image generation unit generates a preview image that simulates a result of the printing of the document data on the basis of the information specified by the ordinary printing order specification unit and the multiple printing order and base material specification unit.

SUMMARY

Before an image forming apparatus performs printing, an image to be printed (preview image) is displayed on a monitor. When back printing is performed, print data itself is mirror-inverted, and printing order of the print data is also reversed. If the image to be printed is displayed on the monitor as it is, the image seen from a back surface of a print subjected to the back printing is undesirably displayed. In addition, it is often desired to check not only a front surface but also a back surface in the case of back printing.

Aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an image processing apparatus, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a method for processing an image capable of generating a display image to be printed on a front surface and a display image to be printed on a back surface and displaying both the display images.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an image processing apparatus including a reception unit that receives a print job which includes print data and which specifies back printing to be performed on a transparent recording medium, a generation unit that generates a display image to be printed on a front surface of the transparent recording medium and a display image to be printed on a back surface on the transparent recording medium on the basis of the print data included in the print job, and a display unit that displays the display image to be printed on the front surface and the display image to be printed on the back surface generated by the generation unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of modules according to the present exemplary embodiment.

A term “modules” generally refers to software (computer program) or hardware components logically separable from one another. That is, the modules in the present exemplary embodiment may be not only modules achieved by computer programs but also modules included in a hardware configuration. The present exemplary embodiment therefore also applies to a computer program (a program for causing a computer to perform steps, a program for causing a computer to function as means, or a program for causing a computer to achieve functions), a system, and a method for achieving these modules. Although “store”, “stored” and other equivalent terms will be used for convenience of description, these terms mean, when an exemplary embodiment implements the present disclosure as a computer program, that the computer program is stored in a storage device or the storage device is controlled in such a way as to store the computer program. The modules may be in one-to-one correspondence with functions, but in practice, one module may be achieved by one program, a plurality of modules may be achieved by one program, or one module may be achieved by a plurality of programs. A plurality of modules may be executed by one computer, or one module may be executed by a plurality of computers in distributed or parallel computing. One module may include another module. In the following description, a term “connection” will be used not only for a physical connection but also for a logical connection (communication of data, issuance of instructions, reference relationships of data, login, etc.). A term “predetermined” will be used when something is determined prior to a target process. The term “predetermined” will be used not only when something is determined prior to a process according to the present exemplary embodiment but also when something is determined prior to a target step in accordance with a situation or a state at the time or a situation or a state so far, even if a process according to the present exemplary embodiment has already started. When there are a plurality of predetermined values, the values may be different from one another or two or more of the values (or all the values, obviously) may be the same. A sentence “If something is A, B is performed” means that it is determined whether something is A, and if so, B is performed. This, however, excludes a case where the determination whether something is A need not be made. In addition, when items are enumerated like “A, B, and C”, these items are enumerated as examples unless otherwise specified, and it is possible that only one of the items (e.g., only A) is selected.

A system or an apparatus may be achieved by a plurality of computers, a plurality of pieces of hardware, a plurality of apparatuses, or the like connected to one another through communication means such as a network (includes a one-to-one connection) or may be achieved by a single computer, a single piece of hardware, a single apparatus, or the like. Terms “apparatus” and “system” will be used as synonyms. Needless to say, the term “system” does not imply a social mechanism (social system), which is based on a human agreement.

Target information is read from a storage device before a process or each of a plurality of processes performed by a module, and a result of the process is written to the storage device after the process is completed. Description of the reading of information from the storage device before a process and the writing of a result to the storage device after a process, therefore, might be omitted. The storage device may be a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), an external storage medium, a storage device through a communication link, a register of a central processing unit (CPU), or the like.

An image processing apparatus100is connected to a print job generation apparatus180and an image forming apparatus190and transmits a print job received from the print job generation apparatus180to the image forming apparatus190. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the image processing apparatus100includes a print job reception module105, a preview image display module110, and an image forming apparatus communication module130. Although one print job generation apparatus180and one image forming apparatus190are connected to the image processing apparatus100inFIG. 1, a plurality of print job generation apparatuses180and a plurality of image forming apparatuses190may be connected, instead.

The print job generation apparatus180is connected to the print job reception module105of the image processing apparatus100. The print job generation apparatus180generates a print job and, in order to cause the image forming apparatus190to perform printing, transmits the print job to the image processing apparatus100(print job reception module105). For example, a print job is generated as a result of a print instruction issued by a user and transmitted to the image processing apparatus100.

The image processing apparatus100receives a print job from the print job generation apparatus180and transfers the print job to the image forming apparatus190in accordance with a print schedule. The image processing apparatus100also displays, on a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an image to be printed in the print job to allow the user to check and adjust tones and the like. That is, the image processing apparatus100produces the same effect as trial printing on the display device. It is therefore desirable for the display device to display an image with the same tones as on a recording medium (also referred to as a “sheet” or a “medium”). A color of a recording medium is also called a “medium color”. When printing is performed on a transparent recording medium, it is particularly desirable to be able to display a display image to be printed on a front surface of the recording medium and a display image to be printed on a back surface of the recording medium.

The image forming apparatus190is connected to the image forming apparatus communication module130of the image processing apparatus100. The image forming apparatus190performs a printing process on the basis of a print job received from the image processing apparatus100(image forming apparatus communication module130). The present exemplary embodiment is suitable especially when a color material called a “special color” different from basic recording colors is available in the image forming apparatus190. A color material is generally toner but may be ink. The basic recording colors are generally cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). Alternatively, the basic recording colors may be cyan, magenta, and yellow. In the following description, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black will be used as an example of the basic recording colors. The special color different from the basic recording colors is a color different from cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (or a color different from cyan, magenta, and yellow), namely, for example, white, silver, gold, or the like.

The print job reception module105is connected to the preview image display module110and the print job generation apparatus180. The print job reception module105receives a print job from the print job generation apparatus180and transfers the print job to the preview image display module110. The received print job includes print data and the number of copies to be printed. A print job table600, for example, is received as a print job.

FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the print job table600. The print job table600includes a print job identifier (ID) field605, a print job name field610, an owner field615, a number of pages field620, a number of copies field625, a recording medium size field630, a front/back printing field635, a print data field640, a specified color materials field645, and a recording medium field650. The print job ID field605stores information (print job ID) for uniquely identifying a print job in the present exemplary embodiment. The print job name field610stores a name of the print job. The owner field615stores a name of an owner of the print job. The owner herein refers to an owner of a print to be obtained as a result of the print job. Alternatively, the owner may refer to a person who has requested the print job. The number of pages field620stores the number of pages of a document in the print job. The number of copies field625stores the number of copies to be printed as a result of the print job. The recording medium size field630stores the size (A4 or the like) of a recording medium. The front/back printing field635stores information indicating front printing or back printing. The print data field640stores print data. The print data may be a portable document format (PDF), image data, or the like. The specified color materials field645stores specified color materials to be used by the image forming apparatus190for the print job. In the specified color materials field645, (1) color materials to be used in printing may be specified or (2) a color material (B) may be specified for a color (A) included in the print data. In the case of (2), for example, a white color material might be specified for a color of white included in print data. The recording medium field650stores a type of recording medium to be used for printing. In the recording medium field650, a type of recording medium (e.g., includes a color and a material of the recording medium; more specifically, a transparent film, etc.) to be used for printing is specified. When a recording medium is not transparent, the front/back printing field635may indicate front printing.

The print job reception module105receives, above all, a print job that includes print data and that specifies back printing to be performed on a transparent recording medium. This occurs when back printing is specified in the front/back printing field635and a transparent recording medium is specified in the recording medium field650.

The term “transparent” may refer not only to a fully transparent state but also to a translucent state (tinted state). A transparent recording medium may be, for example, a film.

Back printing is printing that assumes that a print is to be seen through a recording medium (from a surface opposite a print surface). In back printing, an image is printed on a back surface of a transparent recording medium in an opposite direction and in a reverse printing order. Since the image is seen through the transparent recording medium, a printing effect improves, and wear and staining of a print surface can be prevented.

The print job reception module105may also receive a print job in which front printing is specified.

The preview image display module110includes a display image generation module115, a user operation reception module120, and a display module125and is connected to the print job reception module105and the image forming apparatus communication module130. The preview image display module110causes the display module125to display print data included in a print job received from the print job reception module105on the display device. At this time, the preview image display module110may change a displayed image (a display image to be printed on a front surface or a display image to be printed on a back surface) in accordance with a user operation received by the user operation reception module120.

The display image generation module115generates a display image to be printed on a front surface of a recording medium and a display image to be printed on a back surface of the recording medium on the basis of print data included in a print job received by the print job reception module105. The display image generation module115transmits the generated display images to the display module125.

A “display image to be printed on a front surface” refers to an image seen as a normal image. That is, when back printing is performed on a transparent recording medium, a display image to be printed on a front surface is an image seen through the recording medium. When front printing is performed, a display image to be printed on a front surface is an image seen on a print surface. A “display image to be printed on a back surface” refers to a normal image seen from the back. That is, when back printing is performed on a transparent recording medium, a display image to be printed on a back surface is an image seen on a print surface. When front printing is performed, a display image to be printed on a back surface is an image seen through the recording medium. Details will be described later with reference toFIG. 3.

If front printing is specified in a print job received by the print job reception module105, the display image generation module115may generate only a display image to be printed on a front surface of a recording medium. That is, in this case, a display image to be printed on a back surface is not generated.

The display image generation module115may also generate a display image obtained by printing a special color lastly. A special color may be, as described above, white, a metallic color (e.g., silver) or the like. When back printing is performed on a transparent recording medium, a special color is printed lastly so that a background of a print (since the recording medium is transparent, the background depends on an environment (situation); e.g., when the recording medium is put on a table, a surface of the table is the background) does not affect the printing. That is, an effect of a color behind a print is reduced using a special color.

In the case of front printing, a special color (e.g., white) is printed first so that a color of a recording medium does not affect a printed image. When a recording medium is colored (e.g., black), for example, a special color is hidden behind CMYK. The special color, however, reduces an effect of the color of the recording medium upon a CMYK printed image. When a recording medium is black and no special color is used, a printed image undesirably looks blackish. When a special color is used, on the other hand, original colors of a printed image are reproduced.

The display image generation module115may mirror-invert print data and draw the print data in a reverse printing order to generate a display image to be printed on a front surface. That is, in this case, the display image is generated in the same manner as in back printing.

The display image generation module115generates a display image for a preview that simulates an effect of a color of a colored recording medium upon a CMYK image or covering of a color of a recording medium by an undercoat white color material as a function of previewing a print for which a colored recording medium other than white, which may be a transparent recording medium, or a white color material is used.

The user operation reception module120receives a user operation through a mouse, a keyboard, or the like and transfers information regarding the operation (e.g., an instruction to switch between the front surface and the back surface, an instruction to change tones, etc.) to the preview image display module110. The user operation reception module120may also receive a user operation (may be a line of sight, a gesture, or a speech sound) through a camera, a microphone, or the like.

The display module125displays a display image generated by the display image generation module115on the display device. The display module125may also present a message to the user as a sound from a speaker or a tactile sensation from a tactile device.

In addition, a liquid crystal display that also serves as a touch panel may be used as the user operation reception module120and the display module125. The liquid crystal display may receive a user operation and display an image for the user.

The display module125can also display a display image to be printed on a front surface and a display image to be printed on a back surface generated by the display image generation module115.

In this case, the display module125may display both display images (a front surface and a back surface) on a screen or may display either a display image to be printed on a front surface or a display image to be printed on a back surface on a screen. In the latter case, one of the two display images may be selected in accordance with a user operation (display switching operation), or the two display images may be sequentially displayed in predetermined order. For example, a display image to be printed on a front surface and a display image to be printed on a back surface may be alternately displayed at predetermined time intervals. The reason why the display image to be printed on the back surface is displayed is that, in the case of a transparent recording medium, a printed image can be seen from the back surface (print surface). It is needless to say that, in the case of an opaque recording medium, a printed image is not usually seen from a back surface (through the recording medium) unless the user looks through the recording medium in the light.

If back printing is specified in a print job received by the print job reception module105, the display module125may display a display image to be printed on a front surface of a recording medium in an initial setting (default). That is, if back printing is specified, a display image to be printed on a front surface, which is a normal image, is displayed as a default since the back printing is performed on a transparent recording medium. Even when a display image to be printed on a front surface is a default, a display image to be printed on a back surface may be displayed if a user issues an instruction.

If front printing is specified in a print job received by the print job reception module105, the display module125may display only a display image to be printed on a front surface generated by the display image generation module115. This is because a display image to be printed on a back surface need not be displayed.

The image forming apparatus communication module130is connected to the preview image display module110and the image forming apparatus190. The image forming apparatus communication module130transfers a print job to the image forming apparatus190in accordance with a print schedule. The preview image display module110might have adjusted tones for the print job. The image forming apparatus190is managed, for example, using an image forming apparatus information table700.

FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the image forming apparatus information table700. The image forming apparatus information table700includes an image forming apparatus ID field710, an image forming apparatus name field720, a color material type field730, a number of paper feed means field740, and recording medium fields750. Each recording medium field750includes a recording medium size field752and a recording medium color field754. In the present exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus ID field710stores information (image forming apparatus ID) for uniquely identifying the image forming apparatus190. The image forming apparatus name field720stores a name of the image forming apparatus190. The color material type field730stores a type of color material included (includable) in the image forming apparatus190. The type of color material may be, for example, a type of color material of the above-mentioned special color. The number of paper feed means field740stores the number of paper feed means included in the image forming apparatus190. The recording medium fields750as many as the number of paper feed means follow the number of paper feed means field740. The recording medium fields750each store an attribute of a recording medium stored in a corresponding paper feed unit. The recording medium size fields752each store the size of a recording medium, which is, for example, A4. The recording medium color fields754each store a color of a recording medium, which is, for example, white, red, or transparent. Alternatively, a material of the recording medium may be stored instead of a color. Although not illustrated, the storage medium fields750may each store the maximum number of pieces of a recording medium that can be stored in paper feed means or the number of pieces of a recording medium actually stored in storage means. The image forming apparatus information table700can be accessed by the preview image display module110.

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a system according to the present exemplary embodiment.

This is an example in which the print job generation apparatus180is constructed in user terminals280A and280B, the image processing apparatus100is constructed in a print server200, and the image forming apparatus190is achieved as a printing apparatus220. In this example, the display module120displays display images and the like on a display device210.

The print server200is connected to the display device210and the printing apparatus220. The print server200has a function of a printer controller (digital front end (DFE)) and is also connected to the user terminals280A and280B through a communication link290. The communication link290may be of a wireless or wired type or a combination of the two, and may be, for example, the Internet or an intranet as a communication infrastructure. Functions of the print server200may be achieved as a cloud service. More specifically, display images are transmitted to the user terminals280A and280B and the like, and users can view the display images on browsers and perform operations (adjustment of tones, etc.) on the display images.

The display device210is a liquid crystal display or the like connected to the print server200. The display module120displays display images and the like on the display device210. The printing apparatus220is connected to the print server200, has a function of a printer, and performs printing on a transparent recording medium or the like. The user terminals280A and280B are operated by users to generate print jobs through instructions to print documents. The print jobs are then transmitted to the print server200through the communication link290.

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating an example of a state achieved by performing back printing on a transparent recording medium300.

FIG. 3illustrates a black color material310, a yellow color material320, a magenta color material330, a cyan color material340, and a white color material350printed on the transparent recording medium300in this order as a result of the back printing. In the case of a front view360, a printed image is seen through the recording medium300(from below inFIG. 3) as a normal image. Back printing is usually performed on a transparent recording medium300such as a film. A printed image is mirror-inverted, and colors are printed in reverse order. The inversely printed image is seen through the film. Since a print is seen through the recording medium300, wear and staining of a print surface are prevented, which is suitable for a print that requires durability. Back printing is used, for example, for label printing. In the case of the front view360, the white color material serves as a background of the printed image. Since the white color material350is used, back printing can be performed on the transparent recording medium300.

In the case of a back view370, on the other hand, the print is seen from the back (a surface on which the image is printed; a side of the white color material350). That is, only the white color material350can be seen. Because the white color material350is usually not thick enough to block light, however, the printed image below (the cyan color material340, the magenta color material330, the yellow color material320, and the black color material310) can also been seen. There is a desire to check not only the printed image in the front view360but also the white color material350. For this purpose, a display image in the front view360and a display image in the back view370need to be generated as preview images.

In a conventional preview, image data is disposed on a recording medium in order of a background (a background in an environment in which a print is seen), the recording medium, CMYK color materials, and a color material of a special color.

When back printing is performed on a transparent recording medium, such as in the case of a label printing, a mirror-inverted CMYK image is usually printed on the recording medium, and then white data is disposed upon colored areas as an overcoat.

If a preview image of a print job for back printing performed on a transparent recording medium is displayed in a conventional preview, only a preview image obtained by printing white on a mirror-inverted CMYK image can be expressed, and a preview image seen through the recording medium is undesirably not displayed. In the present exemplary embodiment, a preview image in the front view360is displayed.

FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image to be printed on a front surface and a display image to be printed on a back surface.

A front surface display image400aillustrated inFIG. 4(a)includes a white area401a, a green area402a, a red area403a, a black area404a, and a text area (black)405a.

A back surface display image400billustrated inFIG. 4(b)includes white areas401b,402b,403b, and404band a text area (white)405b.

Because backgrounds406aand406bindicate a transparent recording medium, it is desirable to use the same color as that of a background of a display application. Alternatively, a predetermined color (e.g., white) may be used. The front surface display image400aand the back surface display image400bare mirror-inverted images and drawn in opposite order. More specifically, in the front surface display image400a, the white color material350, the cyan color material340, the magenta color material330, the yellow color material320, and the black color material310are printed in this order. In the back surface display image400b, the black color material310, the yellow color material320, the magenta color material330, the cyan color material340, and the white color material350are printed in this order. In the front surface display image400aand the back surface display image400b, the printing order is simulated using alpha blending. When the display images400aand400bare generated, the cyan color material340, the magenta color material330, the yellow color material320, and the black color material310may be treated as a set of process color values for each pixel. The set of process color values may be converted into corresponding red, green, and blue (RGB) values through mapping conversion (mapping conversion from image data in a CMYK space, a Lab/XYZ space, or the like, which is print data, into a display image (preview image) in an RGB space), and alpha blending may be performed between the obtained RGB values and image data mapped in an RGB space corresponding to the white color material350.

FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by the system according to the present exemplary embodiment.

In step S502, the print job reception module105receives a print job.

In step S504, the preview image display module110displays a preview image. Details of step S504will be described later with reference to a flowchart ofFIG. 8.

In step S506, the preview image display module110determines, in accordance with a user operation, whether to perform printing. If so, the process proceeds to step S508, and if not, the process proceeds to step S510.

In step S508, the display module125transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus190.

In step S510, the preview image display module110corrects print attributes (e.g., tones) of the print job in accordance with a user operation. The process returns to step S506.

FIG. 8is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process according to the present exemplary embodiment (a process performed by the display image generation module115).

In step S802, attribute information regarding a processing instruction is obtained from a print job. The attribute information to be obtained is, for example, the print job table600.

In step S804, whether a recording medium to be used is transparent. If so, the process proceeds to step S806, and if not, the process proceeds to step S814.

In step S806, whether white toner is to be printed as a top surface is determined. If so (i.e., in the case of a back printing), the process proceeds to step S808, and if not, the process proceeds to step S814. The “top surface” refers to a surface formed by a color material printed lastly. In the example illustrated inFIG. 3, the top surface is formed by the white color material350and is a surface farthest from the recording medium300.

In step S808, the print job is determined as one for back printing.

In step S810, a display image to be printed on a front surface is generated. Details of step S810will be described later with reference to a flowchart ofFIG. 9.

In step S812, a display image to be printed on a back surface is generated.

In step S814, a display image is generated. A conventional display image is generated. Alpha blending, for example, may be performed.

FIG. 9is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process according to the present exemplary embodiment (a process performed by the display image generation module115).

In step S902, print data is mirror-inverted.

In step S904, drawing order is reversed.

In step S906, a display image is generated. Alpha blending, for example, may be performed.

FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process according to the present exemplary embodiment (a process performed by the display module125).

In step S1002, whether back printing is to be performed is determined. If so, the process proceeds to step S1004, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1014.

In step S1004, a display setting is identified. In the case of both a front surface and a back surface, the process proceeds to step S1006. In the case of either a front surface or a back surface, the process proceeds to step S1008.

In step S1006, display images for the front and back surfaces are displayed.

In step S1008, a display image to be printed on the front surface is displayed.

In step S1010, a user operation is identified. In the case of the front surface, the process returns to step S1008. In the case of the back surface, the process proceeds to step S1012. In the case of ending, the process ends (step S1099).

In step S1012, a display image to be printed on the back surface is displayed.

In step S1014, a display image is displayed.

FIGS. 11A and 11Bare diagrams illustrating an example of a print job property screen1100and a viewer screen1150, respectively.

FIG. 11Aillustrates an example of the print job property screen1100. The print job property screen1100displays content of a print job and includes a print job property item selection area1110and a print job property content display area1120.

The print job property item selection area1110includes setting1112, sheet1114, layout1116, and color1118. If the sheet1114is selected, the print job property content display area1120displays a paper feed method display and change area1122and the like. The paper feed method display and change area1122displays a recording medium specified in the print job. The recording medium may be changed in the paper feed method display and change area1122in accordance with a user operation. More specifically, the user operation reception module120may receive an operation for changing the recording medium (change to a film or the like) performed by the user.

FIG. 11Billustrates an example of the viewer screen1150. The viewer screen1150displays a preview image and is used to adjust tones and the like. The viewer screen1150includes a viewer setting area1160and a viewer area1190. The viewer setting area1160displays a color adjustment table1162.

The color adjustment table1162includes a color field1164and a value field1166in a column direction and a special color (top surface) field1168, a cyan field1170, a magenta field1172, a yellow field1174, a black field1176, a special color (bottom surface) field1178, a sheet field1180, and a background field1182. Order of these fields may indicate how printing is performed. That is, the fields from the special color (top surface) field1168to the special color (bottom surface) field1178may indicate order of printing of colors employed by the image forming apparatus190. When a front surface is displayed in back printing, the order may be reversed. The value field1166stores values (e.g., ratios at which color materials are used) for corresponding colors. The user can adjust tones by changing the values.

The viewer area1190includes a drawing area1140. The drawing area1140displays a display image (for a back surface, a front surface, or both) generated by the display image generation module115.

FIGS.12A1to12B2are diagrams illustrating examples of processes according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIGS.12A1and12A2illustrate an example of a process performed for the front view360. FIGS.12B1and12B2illustrate an example of a process performed for the back view370. FIGS.12A1and12B1illustrate examples of layer structures at a time when the display module125displays a display image. FIGS.12A2and12B2illustrate examples of corresponding display images.

FIG.12A1illustrates layers of an image preview area (background)1210a, a white image1250a, a CMYK image1240a, and a medium color image1220afrom bottom to top. Since the CMYK image1240ais a display image, the CMYK image1240is an RGB image.

FIG.12B1illustrates layers of an image preview area (background)1210b, a medium color image1220b, a CMYK image1240b, and a white image1250bfrom bottom to top. FIG.12B1illustrates a conventional preview, but the white image1250bis a top surface. Since the CMYK image1240bis a display image, the CMYK image1240is an RGB image.

The white image1250bis mirror-inverted and moved from the top surface to a bottom surface (more accurately a bottom surface except for the image preview area (background)1210b; the same holds in the following description) to obtain the white image1250a.

The CMYK image1240bis mirror-inverted to obtain the CMYK image1240a.

The medium color image1220bis moved from the bottom surface to the top surface to obtain the medium color image1220a. Because the medium color images1220aand1220bare transparent, the medium color images1220aand1220bmay be omitted.

In the CMYK image1240b, a white area1241b, a green area1242b, a red area1243b, a black area1244b, and a text area1245bare drawn.

In the CMYK image1240a, a white area1241a, a green area1242a, a red area1243a, a black area1244a, and a text area1245aare drawn.

In the white image1250a, white areas1251b,1252b,1253b, and1254band a text area (white)1255bare drawn.

In the white image1250a, white areas1251a,1252a,1253a, and1254aand a text area (white)1255aare drawn.

Colors of pixels in image previews1200aand1200billustrated in FIGS.12A2and12B2, respectively, are generated by performing alpha blending based on colors of corresponding pixels in each layer.

An example of the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus100according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 13. The configuration illustrated inFIG. 13is achieved, for example, by a personal computer (PC) or the like.FIG. 13illustrates an example of the hardware configuration including a data reading unit1317such as a scanner and a data output unit1318such as a printer.

A CPU1301is a control unit that performs a process according to a computer program describing execution sequences of the various modules described in the above exemplary embodiment, such as the print job reception module105, the preview image display module110, the display image generation module115, the user operation reception module120, the display module125, and the image forming apparatus communication module130.

A read-only memory (ROM)1302stores programs, arithmetic parameters, and the like to be used by the CPU1301. A RAM1303stores a program to be executed by the CPU1301, parameters that change as the program is executed, and the like. These components are connected to one another by a host bus1304such as a CPU bus.

The host bus1304is connected to an external bus1306such a peripheral component interconnect/interface (PCI) bus through a bridge1305.

A keyboard1308and a pointing device1309such as a mouse are devices operated by an operator. A display1310may be a liquid crystal display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT), or the like and displays various pieces of information as text and image information. Alternatively, a touch screen having functions of both the pointing device1309and the display1310may be used. In this case, functions of a keyboard may be achieved by drawing a keyboard (a so-called “software keyboard”, “screen keyboard”, etc.) on the screen (touch screen), instead of physically connecting the keyboard1308.

A hard disk drive (HDD)1311includes a hard disk (or a flash memory, etc.) and drives the hard disk to record or execute a program or information to be executed by the CPU1301. The hard disk stores the print job table600, the image forming apparatus information table700, print data, display images, and the like. The hard disk also stores various other pieces of data, various computer programs, and the like.

A drive1312reads data or a program recorded on a removable recording medium1313inserted thereinto, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disc, a magneto-optical (MO) disk, or a semiconductor memory and supplies the data or the program to the RAM1303connected through an interface1307, the external bus1306, the bridge1305, and the host bus1304. The removal recording medium1313may also be used as a data recording area.

A connection port1314is used to connect an external connection device1315and includes a connection unit such as universal serial bus (USB) port, an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 port, or the like. The connection port1314is connected to the CPU1301and the like through the interface1307, the external bus1306, the bridge1305, the host bus1304, and the like. A communication unit1316is connected to a communication link and performs a process for communicating data with the outside. The data reading unit1317is a scanner, for example, and performs a process for reading a document. The data output unit1318is a printer, for example, and performs a process for outputting document data.

The hardware configuration of the printing process management apparatus illustrated inFIG. 13is an example, and the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to the configuration illustrated inFIG. 13. Any configuration may be employed insofar as the modules described in the above-described exemplary embodiment can be achieved. For example, some modules may be achieved by dedicated hardware (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.). In addition, some modules may be provided in an external system and connected by a communication line. In addition, the system illustrated inFIG. 13may be connected to other systems of the same type by a communication line and operate in combination with the other systems. In addition, the system may be incorporated into a mobile information communication device (a mobile phone, a smartphone, a mobile device, a wearable computer, etc.), an information home appliance, a robot, a copier, a fax machine, a scanner, a printer, a multifunction peripheral (an image processing apparatus having functions of two or more of a scanner, a printer, a copier, a fax machine, and the like), or the like, instead of a PC.

The program described above may be stored in a recording medium and provided or provided using communication means. In this case, for example, the program may be regarded as constituting a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program.

A term “non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program” refers to a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program used to install, execute, or distribute the program.

The non-transitory computer readable medium may be, for example, a digital versatile disc (DVD)-R, a DVD-RW, a DVD-RAM, or the like specified by a DVD forum, a DVD+R, a DVD+RW, or the like specified by DVD+RW, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a CD-recordable (CD-R), a CD-rewritable (CD-RW), a Blu-ray Disc (BD; registered trademark), an MO disk, a flexible disk (FD), a magnetic tape, a hard disk, a ROM, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, a RAM, a secure digital (SD) memory card, or the like.

The entirety or a part of the program may be recorded in the non-transitory computer readable medium and preserved or distributed. The program may be transferred through a wired network or a wireless network used for a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, or the like or a transfer medium such as a combination of these networks. Alternatively, the program may be transmitted on carrier waves.

Furthermore, the program may be a part or the entirety of another program, or may be recorded in a recording medium along with another program. Alternatively, the program may be divided and recorded in a plurality of recording media. In addition, the program may be compressed, encrypted, or recorded in any other mode insofar as the program can be restored.