Patent Description:
A printing apparatus aiming at expansion in color reproduction region by using an ink generally called a specific color ink of a color such as red, blue, green, and fluorescent pink in addition to basic colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black generally used in printing apparatuses has been developed in recent years. Moreover, a technique called spot color printing configured to express a specific location on a print product with a predetermined specific color ink has been used therein. For example, <CIT> discloses a technique configured to perform printing while replacing information (RGB values) on a specific color with a predetermined specific color in the course of printing.

There is a demand for avoiding the occurrence of an unintended print result in the case of performing the spot color printing. <CIT> discloses that a special color setting screen for setting a special color displays a specifying section to specify an RGB value of drawing data, such as text, graphics, image. Further relevant prior art is disclosed in <CIT>.

Given the circumstances, the present invention intends to provide an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a program, which are capable of suppressing the occurrence of an unintended print result.

The present invention provides an exposure program, an exposure control method, and an exposure information processing apparatus as specified in the appended claims.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a program, which are capable of suppressing the occurrence of an unintended print result.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a printing system. A host computer <NUM> represents an example of an information processing apparatus and includes an input interface <NUM>, a CPU <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, a RAM <NUM>, an external storage device <NUM>, an output interface <NUM>, and an input-output interface <NUM>. Meanwhile, input devices including a keyboard <NUM>, a pointing device <NUM>, and the like are connected to the input interface <NUM>, while a display device such as a display unit <NUM> is connected to the output interface <NUM>.

An initialization program is stored in the ROM <NUM>. A group of application programs, an operating system (OS), a printer driver, and other various data are stored in the external storage device <NUM>. The RAM <NUM> is used, for example, as a work memory in executing various programs stored in the external storage device <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the CPU <NUM> implements the after-mentioned functions of the host computer <NUM> and processing concerning the after-mentioned flowcharts by carrying out processing in accordance with procedures of programs stored in the ROM <NUM>. A printing apparatus (an image output apparatus) <NUM> is connected to the host computer <NUM> through the input-output interface <NUM>. Here, the host computer <NUM> and the printing apparatus <NUM> are separately provided. However, the host computer <NUM> and the printing apparatus <NUM> may be integrated together as a single information processing apparatus. Although the description will be given below of an example in which the printing apparatus <NUM> is an ink jet printer which carries out printing by ejecting inks onto a sheet surface. However, the printing apparatus <NUM> may execute the printing in accordance with other methods (such as an electrophotographic method). Meanwhile, the CPU <NUM> may carry out print control of the printing apparatus <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the description will be given of an ink jet printer configured to carry out printing by using a color material of a special color at a specific location (hereinafter referred to as spot color printing) as an example. Moreover, the present embodiment will describe a large-format ink jet printer capable of printing on a print medium in a large size such as A0 and B0 sizes as an example of the printing apparatus. In the meantime, the host computer <NUM> may be any of a desktop personal computer, a smartphone, and a notebook personal computer.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system that performs the spot color printing. The spot color printing is a printing mode that uses an ink of a special color (a spot color ink) other than CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) inks representing general inks. A fluorescent pink ink is used as the spot color ink in the present embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited only to this configuration and the number and colors of the special inks may be arbitrarily determined. For example, a violet ink, a green ink, or an orange ink may be used as the spot color ink. An application <NUM> is software for creating contents to be printed. For example, an image editing application to create poster data corresponds to the application <NUM>. A user designates specific RGB data values on the application <NUM> concerning characters and graphic image data for which the user wishes to carry out the spot color printing to be described later. Upon receipt of a print request from the user, the application <NUM> issues a print instruction to an OS <NUM>. Upon receipt of the print instruction, the OS <NUM> assigns an OS printing system (not shown) included in the OS <NUM> to perform processing concerning the subsequent printing. The following description will be given on the assumption that the OS printing system carries out actions in cooperation with a printer driver <NUM> provided by a printing apparatus vendor.

Upon receipt of a request for displaying a print setting screen from the application <NUM>, the OS printing system requests the printer driver <NUM> (a color information creation unit) to display a print setting screen, and the printer driver <NUM> displays the print setting screen on a user interface unit <NUM>. Although the print setting screen will be described later, a paper size, a paper type, and the like can be designated on the print setting screen and the spot color printing can also be designated thereon.

The printer driver <NUM> provides a software development kit (SDK) I/F <NUM>. The use of the SDK I/F <NUM> enables execution of the print setting on the application <NUM> without opening the print setting screen of the printer driver <NUM>. Moreover, the printer driver <NUM> can obtain information on the printing apparatus <NUM> by using an information obtaining unit <NUM>. Based on the information obtained from the printing apparatus <NUM>, the printer driver <NUM> can display setting in conformity to the functions of the printing apparatus <NUM> on the user interface unit <NUM> and support the setting by way of the SDK I/F <NUM>.

In response to the print instruction from the application <NUM>, the print data and the print setting in the application <NUM> are transferred to a graphics processing unit <NUM> of the printer driver <NUM> through the OS printing system. The graphics processing unit <NUM> converts these data into a data format interpretable by the printing apparatus <NUM>, and then transmits the converted data to the printing apparatus <NUM>. Thereafter, the inks are ejected from a print head of the printing apparatus <NUM> and an image is formed on a print medium fed to the printing apparatus <NUM>. Here, in the case of setting the spot color printing, the special color ink (hereinafter also referred to as the spot color ink) is ejected to pixels having designated RGB values in the print data subjected to the print setting involving the special color (hereinafter also referred to as the spot color).

Here, a description will be given of an example of the printing apparatus <NUM>, which can perform printing with predetermined six types of colors (special colors) adopting the spot colors by use of the spot color inks in a case where the spot color printing is set by using the printer driver <NUM>. In the case where the spot color printing is set by using the printer driver <NUM>, pixels having specific RGB values corresponding to the set spot color in the print data are printed by using the spot color ink. In the present embodiment, the specific RGB values are allocated to the predetermined six types of colors, respectively. In the present embodiment, the specific RGB values are R = <NUM> (0xFF), G = <NUM> (0x00), and B = <NUM> (0xFF), for example. The pixels having the corresponding RGB values are printed in fluorescent pink, which is one of the special colors, by using the fluorescent pink ink.

Alternatively, the specific RGB values are R = <NUM> (0xFF), G = <NUM> (0x55), and B = <NUM> (0x00), for example. The pixels having the corresponding RGB values are printed in orange, which is another one of the special colors, by using the fluorescent pink ink mixed with the M and Y inks. Here, if an orange ink is available as the spot color ink, for example, then the printing in orange may be carried out by using the orange ink only. In other words, the pixels having the specific RGB values corresponding to the spot color only need to be printed by using at least the spot color ink, and may be printed by using the ink mixed with or not mixed with any of the CMYK inks. Note that the pixels not having the specific RGB values corresponding to the spot color are printed by using the CMYK inks only even in the spot color printing. In the meantime, the spot color printing is executed in the case where the spot color printing is activated by a user operation. In other words, if the spot color print setting is not activated, then the pixels having the specific RGB values corresponding to the spot color are also printed by using the CMYK inks only with reference to the RGB values as usual.

Specifically, in the case where the printer driver <NUM> activates the print setting of the fluorescent pink spot color and the RGB values of the pixels included in the transmitted print data are R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> can perform the spot color printing of florescent pink. The same applies to other spot colors. Specifically, in the case where the printer driver <NUM> activates the print setting of each spot color and the RGB values of the pixels included in the transmitted print data have the RGB values corresponding to each spot color, the printing apparatus <NUM> can perform the corresponding spot color printing. On the other hand, the spot color printing is infeasible in the case where the pixels having the above-mentioned specific RGB values corresponding to the spot color printing are not included in the print data although the printer driver <NUM> activates the spot color print setting. In the case where the spot color printing is infeasible, an error (a warning) is notified in the present embodiment.

In the case of performing the spot color printing, the user selects the spot color to be used by way of the print setting of the printer driver <NUM> to begin with. Then, the user creates a content on the application <NUM>, and designates RGB data values corresponding to the use of the above-mentioned spot color ink to characters or graphic image data that the user would like to print by using the spot color ink.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an example of the application <NUM> of the present embodiment, which is a diagram showing a screen example of a poster data creation application <NUM>. The poster data creation application <NUM> includes toolbar buttons <NUM>, a print data display region <NUM>, a print data editing region <NUM>, an object selecting frame <NUM>, an object color editing tab menu <NUM>, and an object resizing tab menu <NUM>. Moreover, the poster data creation application <NUM> includes an object display color item <NUM>, an R value change control item <NUM>, a G value change control item <NUM>, and a B value change control item <NUM> for changing the RGB values of the object. Furthermore, the poster data creation application <NUM> includes a control item <NUM>, a print button <NUM>, a print setting button <NUM>, and an end button <NUM>.

The poster data creation application <NUM> (a print data creation unit) displays the print data in an editable manner. The toolbar buttons <NUM> enable selection of functions such as cancellation and redoing of an editing operation, creation of a text object, creation of a graphic object, creation of a print data object, change of a display magnification, display of help for the application, and selection of an object. The print data display region <NUM> is a region to display print data created by the user. The print data editing region (an image editing screen) <NUM> is a region that enables the user to select an arbitrary object, to move the selected object, and to edit the print data by using the pointing device <NUM>. The object selecting frame <NUM> is a dashed-line display frame that shows the user that a certain object is selected in the case where the user selects the certain object.

<FIG> shows that selection of a text object "SALE". In the case where the object color editing tab menu <NUM> is selected, a control item is displayed for changing a color of the object that is currently selected. In the case where the object resizing tab menu <NUM> is selected, a control item is displayed for changing the size of the currently selected object.

In <FIG>, the object color editing tab menu <NUM> is selected, and the object display color item <NUM> as well as the R value change control item <NUM>, the G value change control item <NUM>, and the B value change control item <NUM> for changing the RGB values of the object are displayed. Each control item for the R value, the G value, and the B value can set a value from <NUM> to <NUM> by directly inputting a value with the keyboard <NUM> or by selecting a button on the right side of each control item with the pointing device <NUM>. Meanwhile, in the case where the RGB values are changed, the display color item <NUM> is also changed in accordance with the RGB values. In the example of <FIG>, the RGB values of the text object "SALE" surrounded by the object selecting frame <NUM> are assumed to be set to R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM> that represent the specific color values.

In the present embodiment, a data creation color space of the application <NUM> and a color space of the print data created by a rendering engine of the printer driver <NUM> are defined as sRGB color spaces that stand for standard RGB color spaces. Moreover, an effect of color matching processing is assumed to be negligible for the purpose of simplifying the explanation. Meanwhile, the data creation color space of the application <NUM> and a color space of the print data created by a rendering engine of the OS printing system are also defined as the sRGB color spaces that stand for the standard RGB color spaces. Here, the effect of the color matching processing is assumed to be negligible for the purpose of simplifying the explanation.

In other words, the RGB values expressed on the application <NUM> are assumed to coincide with the RGB values of the pixels included in the print data created by the rendering engine of either the printer driver <NUM> or the OS printing system. Accordingly, in the case of setting the RGB values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM> to the spot color as the print setting of the printer driver <NUM>, the print data having the aforementioned RGB values becomes the data to be printed in the fluorescent pink spot color. The following description will be given on the assumption that the RGB values of other image objects displayed in the print data editing region <NUM> have the RGB values other than the aforementioned values. In the case of carrying out the color matching, the color values obtained after converting the special color before the conversion in the color space may be treated as those of the special color.

In the control item <NUM>, a print queue for the printing apparatus <NUM> registered with the OS printing system in advance can be selected from a list. The print button <NUM> is a button to be selected by the user in the case of printing the print data displayed in the print data editing region <NUM> with the printer. The print setting button <NUM> is a button for opening a print setting detail screen. Here, a print setting screen corresponding to the print queue designated with the control item <NUM> is opened. The end button <NUM> is an end button to be selected by the user in the case of terminating the poster data creation application.

Back to the explanation of <FIG>, upon receipt of the print request from the user, the application <NUM> (the poster data creation application <NUM>) issues the print instruction to the OS <NUM>. Upon receipt of the print instruction, the OS <NUM> assigns subsequent processing concerning the printing to the not-illustrated OS printing system which is provided to the OS <NUM>. Here, the OS printing system performs operations in cooperation with the printer driver <NUM>.

Here, it has been a general practice to set the arbitrary RGB values and to designate the spot color so as to correspond to the set RGB values, thereby printing the set RGB values in the arbitrary spot color. However, the user cannot visually check the multiple spot colors that the user can designate. For this reason, the user can hardly recognize which RGB values correspond to the spot color, and this situation may lead to the occurrence of an unintended print result.

On the other hand, the present embodiment enables the visual check of the multiple spot colors that can be designated on a spot color setting screen, so that the user can designate the spot color while visually checking the multiple spot colors. Now, a description will be given of a method of designating a spot color in the present embodiment.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a print setting dialogue <NUM> that represents a setting screen of the printer driver <NUM>, and <FIG> is a diagram showing a spot color setting screen <NUM> of the present embodiment. Upon receipt of an instruction to start the print setting screen from the application <NUM> through the OS printing system, the printer driver <NUM> (see <FIG>) causes the user interface unit <NUM> to perform display control, thereby displaying the print setting dialogue <NUM>. The user can obtain a desired print product from the printing apparatus <NUM> by performing a variety of print setting on the print setting dialogue <NUM>. A button <NUM> is a button used for opening a spot color detail setting screen, and the spot color setting screen <NUM> in <FIG> is opened in the case where the button <NUM> is pressed.

The RGB values corresponding to the predetermined spot colors, display color items <NUM> based on the RGB values, and check boxes <NUM> used for setting whether or not to print the RGB values as the spot color are displayed on the spot color setting screen <NUM>. In other words, each check box <NUM> is an item to accept selection as to whether or not it is appropriate to activate the spot color printing to print the pixels having the RGB values corresponding to the spot color in the spot color. Here, in the case where the spot color printing is not activated, the pixels having the RGB values corresponding to the spot color are printed in a color which is not the spot color. In this context, this item can also be regarded as the item for accepting a setting as to whether it is appropriate to print the pixels having the specific RGB values in the spot color or to print these pixels in a color different from the spot color. In the meantime, this item can also be regarded as the item for accepting a setting as to whether it is appropriate to print these pixels by using the spot color ink or to print these pixels by using the ordinary inks such as the CMYK inks and without using the spot color ink. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the check boxes <NUM> are provided for the multiple spot colors, respectively. This makes it possible to set activation and inactivation of the spot color printing depending on each of the spot colors. Accordingly, the check boxes <NUM> include an item to accept selection as to whether or not it is appropriate to activate the spot color printing (fluorescent pink spot color printing) to print the pixels having the RGB values corresponding to fluorescent pink in fluorescent pink, for example. Meanwhile, the check boxes <NUM> include an item to accept selection as to whether or not it is appropriate to activate the spot color printing (orange spot color printing) to print the pixels having the RGB values corresponding to orange in orange, for example. By employing this spot color setting screen <NUM>, the user can select the color to be used as the spot color while visually checking the multiple spot colors that the user can designate. Moreover, since the separate check boxes are provided, it is possible to perform the setting in such a way as to activate the fluorescent pink spot color printing while inactivating the orange spot color printing, for example. <FIG> shows the setting in which the RGB values of R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM> are subjected to printing as the spot color (the special color), and the check box <NUM> corresponding to the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM> is checked and turned on.

Thereafter, in the case where the setting screen of the printer driver <NUM> is closed by using an OK button <NUM>, the setting is transmitted to the application <NUM>. Then, in the case where the printing is instructed by the application <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> performs the printing by using the fluorescent pink spot color ink on the condition that the corresponding RGB values (R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM>) are included in the print data created by the printer driver <NUM>. In the case where the check box <NUM> is turned off on the spot color setting screen <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> does not use the spot color ink even if the corresponding RGB values (R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM>) are included in the print data created by the printer driver <NUM>. In the latter case, the printing apparatus <NUM> forms an image at a portion having the corresponding RGB values by expressing the RGB values with process color inks such as the CMYK inks.

<FIG> is a diagram showing designated RGB values corresponding to the spot colors, displayed RGB values, and corresponding commands. The colors to be actually printed by using the spot colors are different from the colors according to the designated RGB values. Accordingly, the display color items <NUM> on the spot color setting screen <NUM> may display the colors that are close to the colors to be actually printed (may display the colors according to the display RGB values) instead of displaying the colors according to the designated RGB values.

For example, in the case of printing the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM> as fluorescent pink as shown in <FIG>, the florescent pink color to be actually printed is displayed on the display unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) by using the color close to the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM>. As a consequence, the color item <NUM> is displayed based on the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM>.

The present embodiment shows the example of printing each of the corresponding RGB values in a fluorescent spot color by using the fluorescent pink ink. Instead, spot colors using other special color inks such as silver and gold may be allocated to arbitrary RGB values. The printer driver <NUM> retains information on the designated RGB values, the display RGB values, and the corresponding commands which correspond to these spot colors.

Note that the setting concerning the spot color is not limited only to the above-described method. For example, the image output apparatus <NUM> first displays an item on the printer driver <NUM> for accepting the setting as to whether or not it is appropriate to activate the spot color printing. Then, the setting as to whether or not it is appropriate to activate the spot color printing of each color may be accepted on the screen shown in <FIG> in the case where the setting for executing the spot color printing is accepted as a consequence of an operation involving the relevant item.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing print data creation processing. In the case where the print button <NUM> of the poster data creation application <NUM> is pressed in a state of each of the control items on the print setting dialogue <NUM> (see <FIG>), the print setting is transmitted to the graphics processing unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) through the OS printing system. The print data creation processing of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart in <FIG>. Note that the series of processing shown in <FIG> is carried out by causing the CPU <NUM> of the host computer <NUM> to load the program codes stored in the ROM <NUM> into the external storage device <NUM> and to execute the program codes. Alternatively, part or all of the functions of the steps in <FIG> may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC and an electronic circuit. Note that code "S" used in the explanation of each processing means the step in the corresponding flowchart.

In the case where the print data creation processing is started, the graphics processing unit <NUM> creates a command for printing the RGB values selected on the spot color setting screen <NUM> as the spot color by the control of the CPU <NUM> in S601. Thereafter, in S602, the graphics processing unit <NUM> adds the command designating the spot color to the print data obtained by converting the image to be printed into the format interpretable by the printing apparatus <NUM> by the control of the CPU <NUM>, and transmits the print data to the printing apparatus <NUM>. In other words, the CPU <NUM> transmits special color information to the printing apparatus <NUM>. In this instance, the graphics processing unit <NUM> adds the command corresponding to the set spot color described in <FIG> instead of carrying out the processing for changing the RGB values designated as the spot color into other values by editing on the print data. Note that the information at least associating the designated RGB values with the commands as shown in <FIG> is also managed by the printing apparatus <NUM>. The printing apparatus <NUM> can identify the designated RGB values targeted for the spot color based on the received command.

<FIG> are diagrams showing the commands to be added. For example, a command shown in <FIG> is added in the case of designating the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM> as the spot color, and a command shown in <FIG> is added in the case of designating the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM> as the spot color. In the case of designating the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM> as well as the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM> as the spot colors, a logical sum of both of bit flags in <FIG> is designated as shown in <FIG>. In this way, it is possible to designate two or more spot colors with a single command.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the multiple spot colors that can be designated are displayed on the spot color setting screen. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, screens do not have to be switched in the case of designating the multiple spot colors, and it is easier to recognize which RGB values are set to the spot color. As a consequence, it is possible to realize an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a program, which are capable of suppressing the occurrence of an unintended print result.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the basic configuration of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment. Accordingly, characteristic structures of the present embodiment will be described below.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a poster data creation application <NUM> of the present embodiment. The first embodiment has described the example of opening the print setting dialogue <NUM> from the poster data creation application <NUM> and designating the spot color by opening the spot color setting screen <NUM>. The present embodiment will describe an example of a configuration to directly set the spot color on a screen of the poster data creation application <NUM> in order to improve user convenience. Note that portions not expressly stated in the following description are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The poster data creation application <NUM> of the present embodiment includes a check box <NUM> and a pallet <NUM> of the spot colors so as to enable selection and setting of the spot color on the poster data creation application <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing spot color display processing of the present embodiment. Meanwhile, <FIG> is a flowchart showing spot color return processing to be carried out in the course of the spot color display processing. The spot color display processing of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowcharts in <FIG> and <FIG>. Note that the series of processing shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is carried out by causing the CPU <NUM> of the host computer <NUM> to load the program codes stored in the ROM <NUM> into the external storage device <NUM> and to execute the program codes. Alternatively, part or all of the functions of the steps in <FIG>, <FIG> may be realized by the hardware such as the ASIC and the electronic circuit.

In the case where the spot color display processing of the present embodiment is started, the poster data creation application <NUM> accesses the SDK I/F <NUM> of the printer driver <NUM> for the printer selected by using the control item <NUM> by the control of the CPU <NUM> in S901. Then, the poster data creation application <NUM> (the application <NUM>) obtains the information on the spot colors compatible with (supported by) the printer driver <NUM>. In this instance, the printer driver <NUM> returns the information on all the compatible spot colors to the poster data creation application <NUM> (the application <NUM>) as shown in <FIG> (S1001). Specifically, in response to a request from the poster data creation application <NUM> (the application <NUM>) for obtaining the information on the spot colors, the printer driver <NUM> returns the information on the spot colors through the SDK I/F <NUM>. Note that the information shown in <FIG> is returned as the information on the spot colors to be returned to the poster data creation application <NUM> by the printer driver <NUM>.

Thereafter, based on the information on the printing apparatus <NUM> and the like obtained by the information obtaining unit <NUM>, the poster data creation application <NUM> determines whether or not the spot colors that can be designated are included in the obtained information on the spot colors by the control of the CPU <NUM> in S902. In the case where there are the spot colors that can be designated, the processing goes to S903 to display the check box <NUM> to set on and off of the spot color and to display the pallet <NUM> of the settable spot colors, and then the processing is terminated. On the other hand, in the case where there are no colors that can be designated in the information obtained in S902, the processing goes to S904 to terminate the processing without displaying the check box <NUM> to set on and off of the spot color or displaying the pallet <NUM> of the settable spot colors.

Then, in the case where the user designates the spot color, the user selects an object that the user wishes to print in the spot color on the poster data creation application <NUM>. In <FIG>, an object in the selecting frame <NUM> is the selected object. Thereafter, the user turns on the check box <NUM> of the spot color and selects the spot color that the user wishes to use for the printing from the colors in the pallet <NUM>. Here, if the user selects a color <NUM> having the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM> from the pallet <NUM>, the color of the selected object in the object selecting frame <NUM> is changed to the color having the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM>.

Then, the poster data creation application <NUM> accesses the SDK I/F <NUM> of the printer driver <NUM>, and sets the color having the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM> in the printer driver <NUM> as the spot color. In this instance, the printer driver <NUM> sets the color having the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM> to an on-state as the spot color in S1002 as shown in <FIG>. Moreover, the printer driver <NUM> also sets a color <NUM> to the selected color having the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM> and sets the R value <NUM> to <NUM>, the G value <NUM> to <NUM>, and the B value <NUM> to <NUM>.

Thereafter, in the case where the user presses the print button <NUM> (see <FIG>) and executes the printing, the print setting is transferred to the graphics processing unit <NUM> through the OS printing system. Then, the application <NUM> transmits the command corresponding to the spot color having the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM> to the printing apparatus <NUM> together with the print data as with the first embodiment.

Here, the color to be expressed as the spot color on the screen in <FIG> may be expressed by using a color having different values from the designated RGB values based on the relation in <FIG>. For example, the color <NUM> having the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM> is displayed with the color having the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM>. Then, in the case where the color having the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM> is selected as the spot color, the object <NUM> and the color <NUM> are also displayed with the color having the values R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM>. Nonetheless, the designated RGB values (R = <NUM>, G = <NUM>, and B = <NUM>) are displayed on the R value <NUM>, the G value <NUM>, and the B value <NUM>.

Meanwhile, in the case of setting the spot color off in the spot color check box <NUM>, the colors in the object <NUM> and the color <NUM> are displayed by using the designated RGB values instead of the display RGB values.

As described above, the multiple spot colors that can be designated are displayed on the data creation application. In this way, it is possible to realize an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a program, which are capable of suppressing the occurrence of an unintended print result.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the basic configuration of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment. Accordingly, characteristic structures of the present embodiment will be described below.

In the first embodiment, the printer driver <NUM> includes the data shown in <FIG> in advance and the spot color setting screen <NUM> is displayed based on the data. In the present embodiment, the printer driver <NUM> obtains the information on the spot colors from the printing apparatus <NUM> by using the information obtaining unit <NUM>, and displays the spot color setting screen corresponding to the obtained information. A method therefor will be described below.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a print setting dialog <NUM> which is a setting screen of the printer driver <NUM>, and <FIG> is a diagram showing a spot color setting screen <NUM> of the present embodiment. Meanwhile, <FIG> is a flowchart showing spot color information update processing, and <FIG> is a diagram showing designated RGB values, displayed RGB values, and corresponding commands, which correspond to the spot colors.

The print setting dialog <NUM> includes an obtain information button <NUM> for obtaining the information on the spot colors from the printing apparatus <NUM>. Now, the spot color information update processing of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of <FIG>. The series of processing shown in <FIG> is carried out by causing the CPU <NUM> of the host computer <NUM> to load the program codes stored in the ROM <NUM> into the external storage device <NUM> and to execute the program codes. Alternatively, part or all of the functions of the steps in <FIG> may be realized by the hardware such as the ASIC and the electronic circuit.

The spot color information update processing is started in the case where the obtain information button <NUM> is pressed by the user. In S1201, the information obtaining unit <NUM> of the printer driver <NUM> obtains the information on the spot colors as shown in <FIG> from the printing apparatus <NUM> by the control of the CPU <NUM>. Thereafter, the information obtaining unit <NUM> determines whether or not the information on the spot colors is included in the obtained information by the control of the CPU <NUM> in S1202. In the case where the information on the spot colors is included, the processing goes to S1203 to rewrite internal data with the obtained data (such as the data shown in <FIG>) and then the processing is terminated. If the information on the spot color is not included in the obtained information in S1202, the processing goes to S1204 to gray out the spot color setting the spot color setting button <NUM> to represent the printing apparatus <NUM> not compatible with the spot colors. Thus, the spot color setting is disabled and then the processing is terminated.

In the case of rewriting the internal data by the control of the CPU <NUM> in S1203, the printer driver <NUM> displays a new spot color setting screen <NUM> based on the rewritten data (such as the data shown in <FIG>) in the case where the button <NUM> is pressed.

Meanwhile, after updating the internal data with the information on the spot colors obtained from the printing apparatus <NUM>, the printer driver <NUM> also updates the values of the spot colors returned to the application <NUM> by the SDK I/F <NUM> with the data shown in <FIG>. Accordingly, the display of the spot colors that the application <NUM> displays by using the SDK I/F <NUM> can also be changed to the spot colors obtained from the printing apparatus <NUM>.

Here, the multiple spot colors available for the printing with the printing apparatus <NUM> have degrees of clearness that are different from one another. Accordingly, priorities defined in such a way as to rank a clearer spot color that commands attraction higher may be added to the information obtained from the printing apparatus <NUM> and to the information returned from the SDK I/F <NUM> to the application. Then, a spot color setting screen <NUM> of the printer driver <NUM> and the order to line up options of the spot colors of the application <NUM> may be changed based on the priorities.

As described above, the spot color setting screen is displayed by obtaining the information on the spot colors from the printing apparatus by using the information obtaining unit of the printer driver. Thus, it is possible to realize an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a program, which are capable of suppressing the occurrence of an unintended print result. Moreover, by obtaining the information on the spot colors from the printing apparatus, it is possible to perform the printing in the spot color appropriately even in a case where the printing apparatus carries new spot colors. On the other hand, even in a case where the printing apparatus is no longer compatible with the spot color printing, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an unintended print result by allowing the user to disable the spot color setting.

Claim 1:
A program being a prescribed program, wherein
the prescribed program comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer (<NUM>) to execute:
a display controlling step of executing processing to display
a first display region (<NUM> and <NUM>) to execute printing by using a first color adopting an ordinary color ink being an ink of a process color and a specific color ink being an ink of a color other than the process color, and
a second display region (<NUM> and <NUM>) being different from the first display region (<NUM> and <NUM>) to execute printing by using a second color being different from the first color and adopting at least the specific color ink; and
a change controlling step of executing
processing to change from setting to print a first print region in a print target image corresponding to first RGB values by using a third color being the process color to setting to print the first print region by using the first color in a case where the first display region (<NUM> and <NUM>) is operated, and
processing to change from setting to print a second print region in the print target image corresponding to second RGB values by using a fourth color being the process color to setting to print the second print region by using the second color in a case where the second display region (<NUM> and <NUM>) is operated,
characterized in that
the first display region (<NUM> and <NUM>) displays an object of a fifth color that is a color corresponding to the first color and is different from the first RGB values and the third color, and
the second display region (<NUM> and <NUM>) displays an object of a sixth color that is a color corresponding to the second color and is different from the second RGB values and the fourth color.