Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a technique to display an image in the same size as an image to be formed on a print sheet as an actual size preview image in a case of an instruction to perform certain processing such as scaling processing. This technique makes it possible to prevent a printing failure by printing characters in an unintended size.

In the meantime, spot color printing has been put into practice by replacing information on a specific color (RGB values) with a predetermined special color in the course of printing.

There has been a demand for avoiding the occurrence of an unintended result in the case of carrying out the spot color printing.

Document "<NPL>, discloses information regarding the use of InDesign separations preview.

Document "<NPL>, discloses a user guide for Adobe InDesign CS3.

Document "<NPL>, discloses information on how tabs work in InDesign.

Document <CIT> discloses an image forming apparatus for performing printing in a plurality of colors. The image forming apparatus includes a communication unit, a drawing unit, a spot color image control unit, and a conversion unit. The communication unit is configured to receive first print data in which an object to be printed in a spot color is designated in a first area in a document to be printed and second print data of the document to be printed from an information processing apparatus. The drawing unit is configured to convert the second print data received by the communication unit into image data of a predetermined color. The spot color image control unit is configured to extract an image of the first area from the image data obtained by conversion of the drawing unit. The conversion unit is configured to convert the image of the first area extracted by the spot color image control unit into the spot color. The spot color image control unit generates image data of the spot color in which the image of the first area converted by the conversion unit is placed.

Document <CIT> discloses image forming apparatus having a preview function which enables a user to select a desired area of a print image and is capable of providing a real size preview of the area selected by the user. A bird's eye preview unit displays the image by changing a size of the image, to a size which enables the whole image to be displayed on a display unit. A real size preview unit performs real size preview display of the image. A real size preview display area-setting unit accepts a setting of a preview display area of the image for being displayed by the real size preview display, from the image displayed by the bird's eye preview display. The real size preview unit displays an image within the set preview display area on the display unit.

Given the circumstance, the present invention provides a printing control apparatus, a printing control method, and a program, which can suppress the occurrence of an unintended printing result.

The present invention in its first aspect provides a printing control apparatus as specified in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

The present invention in its second aspect provides a printing control method as specified in claim <NUM> and <NUM>.

The present invention in its third aspect provides an exposure program as specified in claim <NUM>.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing control apparatus, a printing control method, and a program, which can suppress the occurrence of an unintended printing 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 according to the present embodiment. An information processing apparatus <NUM> is an example of an information processing apparatus, which 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 such as a keyboard <NUM> and a pointing device <NUM> are connected to the input interface <NUM>, and 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>.

A peripheral device (an image output device) <NUM> is connected to the information processing apparatus <NUM> through the input-output interface <NUM>. Here, the information processing apparatus <NUM> and the peripheral device <NUM> are separately provided. However, these structures may be integrated into a single information processing apparatus instead. Although an ink jet printer configured to perform printing by ejecting inks onto a sheet surface will be described as an example of the peripheral device, the printing may be executed in accordance with a different method (such as an electrophographic method).

In the present embodiment, the inkjet printer equipped with a spot color ink will be described as an example. Moreover, a large-format inkjet printer capable of printing on a print medium in a large size such as A0 and B0 sizes will be described as an example of the peripheral device <NUM> in the present embodiment. In the meantime, the information processing apparatus <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 spot color printing (special printing). The spot color printing is a printing mode that uses an ink of a special color (a spot color ink) other than ordinary inks. Moreover, the "ordinary inks" are inks used for performing process color printing, which are the inks of colors each forming a basis of a process color, such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) inks. Meanwhile, the process color is a color expressed either by one of the CMYK colors or by a combination of two or more colors of the CMYK colors. In the meantime, a fluorescent pink ink and a fluorescent orange ink are used as the spot color inks in the present embodiment. A spot color is a color that is different from the process color, which cannot be expressed by one of the CMYK colors or a combination of two or more colors of the CMYK colors. However, the present invention is not limited only to this configuration and the number and colors of the spot color inks may be arbitrarily determined, and an ink of a color which is not a fluorescent color is also applicable. For example, a violet ink, a green ink, an orange ink, a gold ink, a silver ink, or the like may be used as the spot color ink. Meanwhile, inks of other metallic colors are also applicable. In addition, an ink prepared by mixing a special color ink with another ink (such as an ordinary ink) may also be treated as the special color ink. An application <NUM> is software that creates 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 vendor of the image output device.

Upon receipt of a print request from the application <NUM>, the OS printing system requests the printer driver <NUM> 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. Moreover, in the case where print preview display setting provided on the print setting screen is carried out and the print instruction is carried out on the print setting screen, the OS printing system, the application <NUM>, and the printer driver <NUM> carry out a cooperative operation, thereby activating a print preview application <NUM> before printing.

Print data to be printed is delivered as a spool file from the application <NUM> to the print preview application <NUM> through the OS printing system. The present embodiment shows an example of using a PDF file as a format of the spool file. However, the format of the spool file is not limited to the foregoing. Meanwhile, the print setting set up on the print setting screen is delivered from the printer driver <NUM> to the print preview application <NUM> through the OS printing system. The present embodiment shows an example of using the print setting in a ticket format as a format of the print setting. However, the format of the print setting is not limited to the foregoing.

Thereafter, a print preview control unit <NUM> creates a preview print image and printing layout information by using the spool PDF file and the print setting ticket, and a print preview display unit <NUM> displays a preview in such a way that one page of the print data fits into one screen. Meanwhile, the print preview application <NUM> is also provided with a spot color print preview function to display a preview of a spot color printing portion (a special printing portion), so that the user can check before the printing as to which part of the image the spot color ink will be used in. In the case where the user checks a printing image and a printing layout and confirms that a desired result is being printed out, the user conducts the print instruction by using the print preview application <NUM>.

In response to the print instruction from the print setting screen or the print preview application <NUM>, the spool PDF file and the print setting ticket on the application <NUM> are delivered 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 peripheral device <NUM>, and transmits the converted data to the peripheral device <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the spool PDF file is converted into an image data format interpretable by the peripheral device <NUM> through a rendering engine installed in the OS printing system or the graphics processing unit <NUM> in accordance with the print setting.

Thereafter, an image is formed on a print medium fed to the peripheral device <NUM> by ejecting inks from a print head to the print medium. Here, in the case where the spot color printing is set, the designated spot color ink is ejected for forming an image at a data portion of the print data to which the spot color printing is designated.

The present embodiment will describe an example of the peripheral device <NUM>, in which the peripheral device <NUM> can perform printing while using two types of spot color inks in the 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 a set spot color in the print data are printed by using the spot color ink. In the present embodiment, the specific RGB values are R = <NUM> (OxFF), G = <NUM> (0x00), and B = <NUM> (OxFF), for example. The pixels having the corresponding RGB values are printed in a fluorescent pink color by using the fluorescent pink ink. Alternatively, the specific RGB values are R = <NUM> (OxFF), G = <NUM> (0x55), and B = <NUM> (0x00), for example. The pixels having the corresponding RGB values are printed in an orange color by using the fluorescent pink ink mixed with the M and Y inks. Here, in a case of a mode that enables the use of an orange ink as the spot color ink, for example, then the pixels may be printed in the orange color by using the orange ink only. Specifically, 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 or may not be printed by using the ink 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 a spot color print setting is not activated, then the pixels having the specific RGB values corresponding to the spot color are printed by using the CMYK inks only with reference to the RGB values as usual.

In the case where the printer driver <NUM> activates the spot color print setting and the RGB values of the pixels included in the print data are R = <NUM> (OxFF), G = <NUM> (0x00), and B = <NUM> (OxFF), the peripheral device can perform the spot color printing by using the fluorescent pink ink. Meanwhile, in the case where the printer driver <NUM> activates the spot color print setting and the RGB values of the pixels included in the transmitted print data are R = <NUM> (OxFF), G = <NUM> (0x55), and B = <NUM> (0x00), it is possible to perform the spot color printing by using a fluorescent orange ink. On the other hand, in the case where the pixels having any of the above-mentioned specific RGB values corresponding to the spot color printing are not included in the print data in spite of activation of the spot color printing by the printer driver <NUM>, it is not feasible to carry out the spot color printing. 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 creates a content on the application <NUM> to begin with. Then, the user designates the specific RGB data values corresponding to any of the above-mentioned spot color inks to characters or a specific region on the graphic image data that the user wants to print by using the spot color ink.

<FIG> are diagrams showing an example of the application <NUM> in the present embodiment, which are diagrams showing a screen example of a poster data creation application <NUM>. Using this application, the user edits template data <NUM> in the present embodiment, which is created either by the user or by a third party. The poster data creation application <NUM> includes toolbar buttons <NUM>, an image data display region <NUM>, an image 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 R value change control item <NUM>, a G value change control item <NUM>, a B value change control item <NUM>, a print button <NUM>, and an end button <NUM>.

The toolbar buttons <NUM> are used for selecting application functions such as cancellation and redoing of an editing operation, creation of a text object, creation of a graphic object, creation of an image data object, change of a display magnification, display of help for the application, and selection of an object. The image data display region <NUM> displays image data created by the user. In the image data editing region <NUM>, the user can select an arbitrary object, move the selected object, and edit the image data by using the pointing device <NUM>. The object selecting frame <NUM> shows a selected object in the case where the user selects the relevant object. In this example, the user selects a text object <NUM> stating "SALE" in order to print this object in the fluorescent pink spot color.

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. Here, the object color editing tab menu <NUM> is selected and the R value change control item <NUM>, the G value change control item <NUM>, and the B value change control item <NUM> are displayed for changing the RGB values of the object.

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 by using the keyboard <NUM> or selecting a button on the right side of each control item by using the pointing device <NUM>. Meanwhile, the inputted value is also indicated below each control item in a hexadecimal number. In this example, the RGB values of the text object <NUM> stating "SALE" surrounded by the object selecting frame <NUM> are set to R = <NUM> (OxFF), G = <NUM> (0x00), and B = <NUM> (0xFF). As described above, these RGB values are the values for designating the color to be printed by using the ink of the specific color. Moreover, the user is assumed to have edited a text object <NUM> from template data stating "UP TO xx% OFF" to "UP TO <NUM>% OFF".

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 the 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. Thus, the print data having the values R = <NUM> (OxFF), G = <NUM> (0x00), and B = <NUM> (0xFF) becomes the data to be printed in the fluorescent pink spot color in the case where the spot color printing is designated by using the peripheral device <NUM>. Moreover, the following description will be given on the assumption that the RGB values of other image objects displayed in the image data editing region <NUM> have the RGB values other than the aforementioned values.

The image data displayed in the image data editing region <NUM> is printed in the case where the user presses the print button <NUM>. The poster data creation application is terminated in the case where the user presses the end button <NUM>.

Back to <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 OS printing system (not shown) which is provided to the OS <NUM>. Here, the OS printing system performs operations in cooperation with the printer driver <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a print setting dialogue <NUM> in the present embodiment. Upon receipt of the print instruction from the application <NUM> through the OS printing system, the printer driver <NUM> causes the user interface unit <NUM> to display the print setting dialogue <NUM>. The user can obtain a desired print product from the peripheral device <NUM> by conducting a variety of the print setting on the print setting dialogue <NUM>.

The print setting dialogue <NUM> includes a printer setting item <NUM>, a number of copies setting item <NUM>, a printed pages setting item <NUM>, control items <NUM>, a paper size setting item <NUM>, a paper type setting item <NUM>, a print quality setting item <NUM>, and a feeding mode setting item <NUM>. Moreover, the print setting dialogue <NUM> includes a fluorescent pink spot color print setting item <NUM>, an orange spot color print setting item <NUM>, a print preview setting item <NUM>, a cancel button <NUM>, and a print button <NUM>.

The printer setting item <NUM> is used to select a print cue for the peripheral device <NUM> from a list registered with the OS printing system in advance. The number of copies setting item <NUM> is used for setting the number of copies to be printed. The printed pages setting item <NUM> enables selection for printing all pages or printing pages in a designated range by using radio buttons. In the case of selection for printing the pages in the designated range, the range of the pages to be printed can be designated by using the control items <NUM>. The paper size setting item <NUM> enables selection of the paper size such as A1 and A2 from a list to be printed with the peripheral device <NUM>, and outer lengths of the selected paper size are displayed at the same time. The paper type setting item <NUM> enables selection of one of the types of the paper such as plain paper and glossy paper from a list, which are acceptable to the peripheral device <NUM>.

The print quality setting item <NUM> enables selection of print quality such as fast, standard, and high modes from a list, which is to be used for printing with the peripheral device <NUM>. Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, values to be set in the print quality setting item <NUM> are assumed to correspond to printing resolutions in the case of printing with the peripheral device <NUM>. As for the printing resolutions, the fast mode is assumed to correspond to <NUM> dpi, the standard mode is assumed to correspond to <NUM> dpi, and the high mode is assumed to correspond to <NUM> dpi, respectively.

The feeding mode setting item <NUM> enables selection of a feeding mode such as rolled paper and cut paper from a list, which is to be fed in the peripheral device <NUM>. The print setting dialogue <NUM> is provided with the fluorescent pink spot color print setting item <NUM> and the orange spot color print setting item <NUM> as the selectable items. The fluorescent pink spot color print setting item <NUM> is an item for accepting the selection as to whether or not it is appropriate to activate the spot color printing (fluorescent pink spot color printing) for printing the pixels having the RGB values corresponding to fluorescent pink in fluorescent pink. Here, in the case where the fluorescent pink spot color printing is not activated, the pixels having the RGB values corresponding to fluorescent pink are printed in a color other than fluorescent pink. In the case where a check box for the fluorescent pink spot color print setting item <NUM> is on and there are the pixels having the RGB values corresponding to fluorescent pink among the pixels included in the print data created by the printer driver <NUM>, the pixels are printed by using a fluorescent pink spot color ink. In the case where the check box is off, the fluorescent pink spot color ink (a color material) is not used even if there are the pixels having the RGB values corresponding to fluorescent pink among the pixels included in the print data created by the printer driver <NUM>. In this case, the image representing the RGB values is formed by using the process color inks of CMYK and the like.

Likewise, the orange spot color print setting item <NUM> is an item for accepting the selection as to whether or not it is appropriate to activate the spot color printing (orange spot color printing) for printing the pixels having the RGB values corresponding to orange in orange. Here, as with fluorescent pink, in the case where the orange spot color printing is not activated, the pixels having the RGB values corresponding to orange are printed in a color other than orange. In the case where a check box for the orange spot color print setting item <NUM> is on and there are the pixels having the RGB values corresponding to orange in the print data created by the printer driver <NUM>, the pixels are printed by using an orange spot color ink by the peripheral device <NUM>. In the case where the check box is off, the orange spot color ink is not used even if there are the pixels having the RGB values corresponding to orange in the print data created by the printer driver <NUM>. In this case, the image representing the RGB values is formed by using the process color inks of CMYK and the like. The description has been given above on the assumption that only fluorescent pink and orange can be set to the spot colors used in the spot color printing. However, the present invention is not limited only to this configuration. In another configuration, the number of the spot colors may be set to a desired number other than two.

Note that the setting concerning the spot color is not limited only to the above-described method. For example, the peripheral device <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, any of the above-described print setting items <NUM> and <NUM> may accept the setting as to whether or not it is appropriate to activate the spot color printing of the corresponding color in the case where the setting for executing the spot color printing is accepted as a consequence of an operation involving the relevant item.

The print preview application <NUM> is activated in the case where a check box for the print preview setting item <NUM> is on and the print button <NUM> is selected. The cancel button <NUM> is selected in the case of returning to the state before the display of this print setting dialog without carrying out the printing. In the case where the print button <NUM> is selected in an off state of the print preview setting item <NUM>, the print data to be printed on the application <NUM> and print setting values set by using this print setting dialog are delivered to the graphics processing unit <NUM> through the OS printing system. In the case where the print button <NUM> is pressed in the conditions according to the respective control items shown in print setting dialogue <NUM>, a spool PDF file shown in <FIG> to be described later and a print setting ticket shown in <FIG> to be described later are transmitted to either the graphics processing unit <NUM> or the print preview control unit <NUM>.

The print preview application <NUM> includes the print preview display unit <NUM> and the print preview control unit <NUM>. The print preview application <NUM> obtains the spool PDF file and the print setting ticket through the OS printing system at the time of activation. In the present embodiment, the print preview control unit <NUM> of the print preview application <NUM> obtains the spool PDF file shown in <FIG> and the print setting ticket shown in <FIG> from the OS printing system at the time of activation.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically showing respective drawing objects included in the spool PDF file, and <FIG> is a table showing fill colors and line colors designated for drawing the respective drawing obj ects. The drawing objects in <FIG> include two types of drawing objects, namely, graphic objects and text objects. Each graphic object includes drawing commands for lines and filling, and colors are designated as a line color and a fill color, respectively. Each text object includes a drawing command for a text, and a color of the text is designated as a fill color. <FIG> shows the fill colors and the line colors of the respective drawing objects as mentioned above. The leftmost column in <FIG> corresponds to the codes of the objects in <FIG>.

Regarding a graphic object <NUM> that corresponds to a background, a color having the values R = <NUM> (0x00), G = <NUM> (OxFF), and B = <NUM> (0x50) is designated for the fill color and the line color. Regarding each of graphic objects <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, a color having the values R = <NUM> (0x00), G = <NUM> (0x00), and B = <NUM> (0x00) is designated for the line color and a color having the values R = <NUM> (OxFF), G = <NUM> (OxFF), and B = <NUM> (0x00) is designated for the fill color. Regarding a text object <NUM>, a text stating "SALE" is designated by a color having the values R = <NUM> (OxFF), G = <NUM> (0x00), and B = <NUM> (0xFF). Regarding a graphic object <NUM>, a color having the values R = <NUM> (OxFF), G = <NUM> (0x00), and B = <NUM> (0x00) is designated for the fill color and the line color.

Regarding a text object <NUM>, a text stating "UP TO <NUM>% OFF" in front of the graphic object <NUM> is designated by a color having the values R = <NUM> (OxFF), G = <NUM> (OxFF), and B = <NUM> (0xFF). A graphic object <NUM> is a graphic object corresponding to an object <NUM> drawn by the application. Meanwhile, the graphic object <NUM> is an object formed from two closed paths, which are a graphic object <NUM>-<NUM> and a graphic object <NUM>-<NUM> arranged from inside to outside of the graphic object <NUM>. The fill colors set to the respective drawing objects in the PDF file, the line colors and line widths designated for the graphic objects, and the sizes in the case of drawing the text objects are as shown in the table of <FIG>. Meanwhile, a width of <NUM> and a height of <NUM>, which are the same as the dimensions of an A2 size sheet set to the paper size setting item <NUM>, are assumed to be set to Media Box that corresponds to an external size of the sheet in this spool PDF file.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically showing a print setting ticket <NUM>. Regarding the print setting ticket <NUM>, the values set in the print setting dialogue <NUM> are created as the print setting ticket. In the print setting ticket <NUM>, a printer setting item <NUM> corresponds to the printer setting item <NUM> and indicates that a print cue name "Large Format Pinter" is set as an output destination. A number of copies item <NUM> corresponds to the number of copies setting item <NUM> and indicates the setting to print one copy. A printed pages setting item <NUM> corresponds to the printed pages setting item <NUM> and indicates page <NUM> as a start page and page <NUM> as an end page. A paper type setting item <NUM> corresponds to the paper type setting item <NUM> and indicates the setting of coated paper. A print quality setting item <NUM> corresponds to the print quality setting item <NUM> and indicates the setting of the printing resolution to <NUM> dpi.

A feeding mode setting item <NUM> corresponds to the feeding mode setting item <NUM> and indicates the setting to feed the rolled paper. Paper size setting items <NUM> correspond to the paper size setting item <NUM> and indicate the settings of A2 as the name of the paper size, the width and the height of the paper, and upper, lower, right, and left margins in the order of <NUM>, respectively. A fluorescent pink spot color print setting item <NUM> corresponds to the fluorescent pink spot color print setting item <NUM> and indicates the setting of the fluorescent pink spot color printing. An orange spot color print setting item <NUM> corresponds to the orange spot color print setting item <NUM> and indicates non-setting of the orange spot color printing.

A print preview setting item <NUM> corresponds to the print preview setting item <NUM> and indicates the setting to activate the print preview application <NUM>. A spool file format item <NUM> represents a set value indicating a spool file format drawn by the application, which indicates that the spool file is the PDF file in this case. The present embodiment will describe a PDF file of a vector mode as an example of the data format of the spool file. However, in the case where a JPEG file of a raster mode is drawn as the spool file by the application, for example, a value such as "image/jpeg" is stored in this setting item.

<FIG> is an example of a preview image displayed on the print preview display unit <NUM>. <FIG> is an example of a spot color preview image in a typical preview image. Toolbar buttons <NUM> are used for changing a display magnification. A printed image is displayed together with a printing layout in a print preview image display region <NUM>. A preview rolled paper width setting item <NUM> is a control item that includes a list of rolled paper widths that can be fed to the peripheral device <NUM>. Regarding a rolled paper width to be set in the preview rolled paper width setting item <NUM>, the print preview control unit <NUM> may obtain the rolled paper width currently fed to the peripheral device <NUM> and the relevant rolled paper width may be selected. Alternatively, the user may select an arbitrary rolled paper width from the list. The rolled paper width selected in the preview rolled paper width setting item <NUM> is reflected to a printing layout image displayed in the print preview image display region <NUM>.

In the case where a check box for a spot color preview setting item <NUM> is on, only a data area for which the peripheral device <NUM> uses the spot color ink is displayed in the print preview image display region <NUM>. Meanwhile, the spot color preview setting item <NUM> is a control item which is displayed only in the case where the spot color printing is activated in the print setting. The user selects a print button <NUM> in the case where the user learns that a desired result is available as a result of the preview. The user selects an end button <NUM> in the case where the user learns that the desired result is not available as a result of the preview. In the case where this button is selected, the preview application is terminated without carrying out the printing.

<FIG> shows the typical preview image display in the case of setting the spot color printing. Here, it is possible to check a text object set to use the spot color ink without scrolling the preview image. However, it is not possible to check all the objects set to use the spot color ink. Specifically, large size print data has a large data size and if the spot color printing is set to thin lines included in the print data, such thin lines are not displayed on the print preview displayed in a size for checking a printing layout due to a low resolution. For this reason, it is not possible to check the thin lines set to the spot color. Then, if the thin lines included in the print data are printed by using the spot color, these lines may generally give an odd impression in terms of harmony with surrounding images, thus resulting in a printing failure.

Now, it is assumed that part of the image data included in the poster data created by a third party is unintentionally created by using the color corresponding to the spot color printing and that the user who is going to print this data checks the spot color preview display shown in <FIG>. Concerning the objects other than the thin lines which the user edited and set to apply the spot color printing by oneself, the user can easily check from the spot color preview as to which part of the print data uses the spot color ink. However, in the case where the RGB values that use the spot color ink are resultantly set to an object drawn with thin lines in the image data created by the third party, such thin lines are not displayed in the course of checking the spot color preview display in <FIG>. Accordingly, the user will recognize that the spot color ink is not used for the thin lines. As a consequence, if the user carries out the printing in this state, these lines give an odd impression in terms of harmony with surrounding images, thus resulting in a printing failure.

Given the circumstances, in the present embodiment, the smallest object is extracted from the objects set to use the spot color ink, and then a minimum resolution that enables the preview display of the extracted object is calculated. In this way, the spot color preview display can display all the objects set to use the spot color ink. A description will be given below of this method.

<FIG> is a flowchart of preview image display processing to be executed by the print preview control unit <NUM>. The print preview control unit <NUM> executes the preview image display processing shown in <FIG> in the case where the print preview control unit <NUM> obtains the spool PDF file and the print setting ticket from the OS printing system.

Here, the series of processing shown in <FIG> is carried out by causing the CPU <NUM> of the host computer <NUM> (the information processing apparatus <NUM>) to load 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.

In the case where the preview image display processing is started, the print preview control unit <NUM> calculates a resolution (A) in S801 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. Here, the resolution (A) is a resolution of the preview image with which it is possible to check the layout without scrolling the preview image, which is calculated from the obtained print setting ticket and a region to display the preview image. This corresponds to calculation of a preview resolution for displaying the print preview of the entirety of one page suitable for checking the layout. For example, the print preview application <NUM> is assumed to display the preview image in a region of the display unit <NUM> having a width of <NUM> pixels and a height of <NUM> pixels. In this case, a maximum resolution is obtained in such a way that an image obtained by rendering the spool PDF file into a size of the print setting values of the width of <NUM> and the height of <NUM> with upper, lower, right, and left margins of <NUM> each as indicated in the items <NUM> in the print setting ticket fits into the region having the width of <NUM> pixels and the height of <NUM> pixels. In this case, the resolution calculated in terms of the lateral direction turns out to be <NUM>/<NUM>×<NUM> = <NUM> (dpi) while the resolution calculated in terms of the longitudinal direction turns out to be <NUM>/<NUM>×<NUM> = <NUM> (dpi). Here, the smaller resolution <NUM> (dpi) is calculated as the resolution (A).

Thereafter, the print preview control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the spot color print setting is activated in S802 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. The processing goes to S808 in the case where the spot color print setting is determined to be not activated in S802, in order to determine the resolution (A) calculated in S801 as a rendering resolution. Then, the processing goes to S810. The processing goes to S803 in the case where the fluorescent pink spot color print setting item <NUM> is activated and the spot color print setting is therefore determined to be activated in S802.

The print preview control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the spool file format is the data format of the vector mode in S803 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. The processing goes to S804 in the case where the spool file format is of the vector mode, or goes to S809 in the case where the spool file format is of a raster data format and the like. In the case where the processing goes to S809, the print preview control unit <NUM> determines the printing resolution obtained from the print setting ticket as the rendering resolution by the control of the CPU <NUM> because the image created by using the raster mode is not compatible with variable resolutions. Then, the processing goes to S810.

In the case where the processing goes from S803 to S804, the print preview control unit <NUM> extracts the smallest object, to which the spot color printing is designated, from the spool PDF file by the control of the CPU <NUM>. In this case, the fluorescent pink spot color printing is activated, and the smallest object to which the RGB values of R = <NUM> (OxFF), G = <NUM> (0x00), and B = <NUM> (0xFF) corresponding to the fluorescent pink spot color setting are set as the color is extracted. In the case where the objects subjected to the spot color setting in <FIG> are the text object <NUM> and the graphic object <NUM>-<NUM>, the graphic object <NUM>-<NUM> being the smaller object is extracted.

Thereafter, the print preview control unit <NUM> calculates the minimum resolution (B) with which it is possible to display the preview of the extracted smallest object for the spot color printing in S805 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. In the case where the graphic object <NUM>-<NUM> is extracted, for example, the minimum resolution (B) with which it is possible to display the preview of the graphic object <NUM>-<NUM> having the line width of the <NUM> pt is calculated. The unit pt is equivalent to a size obtained by dividing <NUM> inch by <NUM>. Accordingly, the resolution (B) is calculated as <NUM>/<NUM> = <NUM> (dpi) in this case.

Here, the resolution to be displayed in a region corresponding to <NUM> pixel in the display unit <NUM> will be defined as the minimum resolution. However, in the case where it is difficult to identify display of the region of <NUM> pixel such as in a case of using a high-resolution display unit, the minimum resolution may be changed to an arbitrary value such as a region for <NUM> pixels.

Then, in S806, the print preview control unit <NUM> compares the resolution (A) calculated in S801 with the resolution (B) calculated in S805 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. In the case where the resolution (A) calculated in S801 is higher, the processing goes to S808 to set the rendering resolution to the resolution (A) calculated in S801. Then, the processing goes to S810. In the case where the resolution (A) calculated in S801 is not higher than the resolution (B) calculated in S805, the processing goes to S807 to set the rendering resolution to the resolution (B) calculated in S805. Then, the processing goes to S810. For instance, in the above-described example where the resolution (A) is equal to <NUM> (dpi) and the resolution (B) is equal to <NUM> (dpi), the value <NUM> (dpi) representing the resolution (B) calculated in S805 is higher. Accordingly, the processing goes to S807 and the resolution (B) calculated in S805 is set to the rendering resolution.

The print preview control unit <NUM> creates the preview image at the rendering resolution determined in the processing so far in S810 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. Thereafter, the print preview control unit <NUM> creates the printing layout information while reflecting the print setting and a preview rolled paper width in S811 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. Here, the print preview control unit <NUM> obtains a width of the currently fed rolled paper from the peripheral device <NUM> as the preview rolled paper width. In this case, an A2/A3 roll (<NUM>) having the rolled paper width of <NUM> is assumed to be obtained from the peripheral device <NUM>. If it is not possible to obtain the rolled paper width, then a predetermined default rolled paper width may be reflected. The printing layout information in the case of printing the A2 size (the external dimensions of <NUM> × <NUM>, with the upper, lower, right, and left margins of <NUM> each), which is indicated in the paper size setting items <NUM> in the print setting ticket, on the rolled paper having the width of <NUM> obtained as the preview rolled paper width is created, for example.

Subsequently, the print preview control unit <NUM> displays the print preview image in S812 by the control of the CPU <NUM> while using the print preview image and the printing layout information created by the print preview control unit <NUM>. Then, the processing is terminated.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing spot color preview display processing to be executed by the print preview control unit <NUM> in the case where the spot color preview setting item <NUM> is on. Here, the series of processing shown in <FIG> is carried out in parallel with the series of processing shown in <FIG>. Moreover, the series of processing shown in <FIG> is carried out by causing the CPU <NUM> of the host computer <NUM> to load 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.

In the case where the spot color preview display processing is started, the print preview control unit <NUM> obtains the spot color print setting from the print setting in S901 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. Here, the print preview control unit <NUM> obtains the value of the fluorescent pink spot color print setting item <NUM> and the value of the orange spot color print setting item <NUM> in the print setting ticket, thus obtaining the fact that the fluorescent pink spot color printing is set active (on) (see <FIG>). Thereafter, the print preview control unit <NUM> creates a spot color preview image in S902 by the control of the CPU <NUM> while extracting spot color printed pixels in the preview image created in S810.

Here, the pixels having the RGB values of R = <NUM> (OxFF), G = <NUM> (0x00), and B = <NUM> (0xFF) corresponding to the fluorescent pink spot color printing are extracted from the preview image created in S810. Thereafter, an image is created by setting the RGB values of the pixels other than the extracted pixels to R = <NUM> (OxFF), G = <NUM> (OxFF), and B = <NUM> (0xFF) that represent white. As a consequence of this processing, the spot color preview image (a special printing portion check preview image) is created which represents the printed pixels that use the fluorescent pink spot color ink. On the other hand, in the case where the orange spot color print setting value is set active in S901, an image is created in accordance with the same processing by replacing the RGB values of the pixels other than the pixels having the RGB values corresponding to the orange spot color printing with the RGB values that represent white. In this way, the preview image of the orange spot color is created.

Thereafter, in S903, the print preview control unit <NUM> changes the preview image displayed in S812 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. Specifically, the created spot color print preview image is displayed in a print preview image display region <NUM> by using the print preview display unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an example of the preview display created at the resolution (A) calculated in S801, which is the example of the preview display to be displayed in the case where the preview image is created by way of S806 to S808. Since the preview image is created at the resolution (A) in <FIG>, it is possible to check the entire printing layout without scrolling the screen. Meanwhile, since the result of determination of the comparison between the resolutions based on the premise of the resolution (A) < the resolution (B) in S806 turns out to be no, an object <NUM> being an object formed from thin lines is displayed even in the case of creation at the resolution (A), and all the objects set to the spot color are displayed therein. Therefore, the user can check from the preview display that the text object <NUM> and the object <NUM> are the objects set to the spot color.

<FIG> are diagrams showing examples of the preview display created at the resolution (B) calculated in S805. The rendering resolution becomes the resolution (B) in the case where the spot color printing is set, and the preview image of the text object <NUM> set to use the spot color ink and created at the resolution (B) is displayed. A preview display screen in <FIG> does not display the entirety of one page of the print preview. For this reason, it is necessary to scroll the screen in order to check the entire printing layout. The user can check the entire printing layout by scrolling the screen in the lateral direction or the downward direction.

By scrolling the preview image display to a bottom end, the thin-line object <NUM> that is the preview image at the bottom end of the print data is displayed as shown in <FIG>. From this print preview display, the user can learn at what position on the rolled paper and how the object data will be printed, which the user intends to print by using the application and which is set to use the spot color ink. Thus, it is possible to suppress a printing failure.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an example of the preview display in the case where the rendering resolution becomes a printing resolution (<NUM> dpi). This is the example of the preview image display in the case where the spool file format is not of the vector mode in S803 of <FIG>. In general, the print data is thought to be drawn at the printing resolution (<NUM> dpi) as shown in the preview display in <FIG> even in the case of checking the spot color printing portion as the image. In <FIG>, all the objects set to the spot color can be checked by scrolling. However, the preview image is displayed at a higher resolution than what is required. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out more scrolling operations than those in the case of the screens shown in <FIG> in order to check the entire print data.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to check all the objects that are set to the spot color. Thus, the user can determine whether or not it is appropriate to conduct the spot color printing while including the thin-line object.

As described above, the resolution for checking the printing layout and the resolution for the spot color printing are obtained and then the preview image is displayed by using the resolution based on the resolution for checking the printing layout and the resolution for the spot color printing. Thus, it is possible to realize a print control apparatus, a printing control method, and a program, which can suppress the occurrence of an unintended printing 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. The present embodiment will describe a configuration of a print preview system that does not require a scrolling operation at the time of checking a layout.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing preview image display processing in the present embodiment. Here, the series of processing shown in <FIG> is carried out by causing the CPU <NUM> of the host computer <NUM> to load 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.

In the case where the preview image display processing is started, the print preview control unit <NUM> calculates the resolution in S1301 as with S801 in <FIG> by the control of the CPU <NUM>, and creates the preview image at a preview image resolution thus calculated. This preview image is formed into the preview image that displays the entirety of one page without scrolling. Thereafter, the processing goes to S1303 via S1302. Here, the processing in S1302 and S1303 is the same as the processing in S811 and S812 in <FIG> and the description will be omitted herein.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing spot color preview display processing in the case where a spot color preview setting item <NUM> is on. Here, the series of processing shown in <FIG> is carried out after the series of processing shown in <FIG>. Moreover, the series of processing shown in <FIG> is carried out by causing the CPU <NUM> of the host computer <NUM> to load 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.

In the case where the spot color preview display processing is started, the print preview control unit <NUM> obtains the spot color print setting from the print setting in S1401 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. Then, the print preview control unit <NUM> creates the spot color preview image in S1402 by the control of the CPU <NUM> while extracting the spot color printed pixels in the preview image created in S1301 in <FIG>.

Thereafter, the print preview control unit <NUM> creates a printing resolution preview image at the printing resolution in S1403 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. In this case, the print preview control unit <NUM> obtains the value <NUM> dpi from the print quality setting item <NUM> (see <FIG>) in the print setting ticket, and creates a printing resolution image by rendering the spool PDF file at <NUM> dpi. Thereafter, in S1404, the print preview control unit <NUM> carries out the same processing as S1402 on the printing resolution image created in S1403 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. Here, all the objects set to the spot color are displayed since the preview image is created at the printing resolution (<NUM> dpi). Then, the print preview control unit <NUM> compares the image created in S1402 with the image created in S1404 (preview image comparison) in S1405 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. Moreover, the print preview control unit <NUM> stores a region of an object that does not exist in the spot color preview image created in S1402, which is a difference obtained as a result of the comparison, as a rectangular region.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a storage format of the region of the pixels to be stored in S1405. A displayed position and a size of the rectangle in the spot color preview image are stored in S1405. In <FIG>, "No." represents an identifier of the region, "Origin X", and "Origin Y" represent a coordinate value in x direction and a coordinate value in y direction to start display in the case of defining the top left end as the origin, and "Width" and "Height" represent a width and a height of the rectangle expressed by using the unit pix.

Back to the flowchart in <FIG>, subsequently in S1406, the print preview control unit <NUM> carries out display processing, which is the same as S903 in <FIG>, by the control of the CPU <NUM>. In this instance, the rectangular region of the stored object is displayed by using a dashed line.

<FIG> is a diagram showing the spot color preview image displayed in S1406. Here, an object <NUM> indicates a region of the object designated to be printed in the spot color, which cannot be displayed at the resolution that enables checking of the layout without scrolling the screen, by using the rectangular dashed line. The display using the dashed line can notify the user of the existence of the object designated to be printed in the spot color at the position of the object <NUM>.

The present embodiment provides the print preview with which it is possible to check at which place in the print data the spot color ink is used even in the case where the spot color printing is set to a small object such as a thin line. Meanwhile, the user can check the place where the spot color ink is used without carrying out a scrolling operation.

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. The present embodiment will describe a configuration to issue a warning (a notification) from preview display in a case of issuing a print instruction in a state where there is a spot color printing portion that is not checked by the user.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing spot color preview display processing in the present embodiment. Here, the series of processing shown in <FIG> is carried out by causing the CPU <NUM> of the host computer <NUM> to load 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 present embodiment will be described on the assumption that the user edits the data which the user wants to print on the application <NUM> by using the spot color ink and selects the print button <NUM> in the on state of the print preview setting item <NUM> in the print setting dialogue shown in <FIG> as the example as with the first embodiment. The print preview control unit <NUM> of the print preview application <NUM> executes the preview image display processing in accordance with the flowchart shown in <FIG> at the time of activation, thus displaying the print preview screen.

Now, the spot color preview display processing in the case where the spot color preview setting item <NUM> is on will be described with reference to the flowchart in <FIG>. In the case where the spot color preview display processing is started, the print preview control unit <NUM> performs the processing from S1701 to S1702 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. The processing in S1701 and the S1702 is the same as the processing in S901 and S902 in <FIG> of the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted herein.

Thereafter, the print preview control unit <NUM> stores position information on spot color printing setting pixels from the spot color preview image in S1703 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. Here, the print preview control unit <NUM> stores coordinates of the pixels set to the spot color printing into columns x and y of a table shown in <FIG> to be described later.

<FIG> is a table showing a storage format for the coordinates of the pixels to be stored in S1703. The x coordinates and the y coordinates out of the coordinates of the pixels set to the spot color printing are stored, respectively.

Back to the flowchart in <FIG>, the print preview control unit <NUM> carries out the display processing, which is the same as S903 in <FIG> of the first embodiment, in S1704 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. Then, the spot color preview display processing is terminated.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing spot color preview display post-processing in the present embodiment. The series of processing shown in <FIG> is carried out after the series of processing shown in <FIG>. Moreover, the series of processing shown in <FIG> is carried out by causing the CPU <NUM> of the host computer <NUM> to load 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 preview display post-processing in <FIG> is the processing to be carried out after the spot color preview display processing described with reference to <FIG>.

In the case where the spot color preview display post-processing is started, the print preview control unit <NUM> initializes spot color printing portion check information in S1901 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. Here, the print preview control unit <NUM> resets values on a "checked" column in the table shown in <FIG> to zero. Thereafter, the print preview control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the user has carried out the scrolling operation in S1902 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. The processing goes to S1905 in the case where the user has not carried out the scrolling, or goes to S1903 in the case where the user has carried out the scrolling. In the case where the scrolling has been carried out, the print preview control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the spot color printing portion is included in the region displayed in the spot color preview in S1903 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. The processing goes to S1904 in the case where the spot color printing portion is included therein, and the print preview control unit <NUM> updates check information on the displayed spot color printing portion, and then sets a value <NUM> to the value on the "checked" column for the coordinates corresponding to the included spot color printing portion in the table shown in <FIG>.

The processing returns to S1902 in the case where the print preview control unit <NUM> determines in S1903 that the spot color printing portion is not included. In the case of the determination in S1902 that the user has not carried out the scrolling operation, the print preview control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the print instruction is issued in S1905 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. The processing returns to S1902 in the case where the print preview control unit <NUM> determines that the print instruction is not issued. In the case of the determination that the print instruction is issued, the print preview control unit <NUM> determines whether or not all the spot color printing portions (all printed pixels) have been checked (special printed pixel display determination) in S1906 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. Regarding this check, the print preview control unit <NUM> determines that all the spot color print units have been checked in the case where all the values in the "checked" column of the table shown in <FIG> are set to the value <NUM>. The processing goes to S1907 in the case where the all the spot color print units have not been checked. The print preview control unit <NUM> notifies the user of the presence of an unchecked spot color printing portion by displaying a warning alert (warning display) stating that the spot color printing portion is unchecked in S1907 by the control of the CPU <NUM>. The processing goes to S1908 in the case where the all the spot color print units have been checked. Here, ordinary print processing is executed and then the spot color preview display post-processing is terminated.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an example of a spot color printing warning alert. The print preview control unit <NUM> closes this alert in the case where the user who has confirmed a warning message <NUM> selects an unchecked section check button <NUM>. Then, the unchecked spot color printing portion is displayed by scrolling the spot color print preview display to the position that enables the check of the unchecked spot color printing portion.

<FIG> is a diagram showing another example of the spot color printing warning alert. In the case where the user who has confirmed a warning message <NUM> further checks the unchecked section, the user selects the check button <NUM>. In the case where the check button <NUM> is selected, the print preview control unit <NUM> closes this alert and scrolls the spot color print preview display to the position that enables the check of the unchecked spot color printing portion (after the warning). On the other hand, it is also possible to continue the printing if the user wants to carry out the printing in this state. In the case where the user who has confirmed the warning message <NUM> wants to continue the printing, the user selects a continue button <NUM>. In the case where the continue button <NUM> is selected, the print preview control unit <NUM> closes this alert and continues the print processing.

<FIG> is a diagram showing still another example of the spot color printing warning alert. The print preview control unit <NUM> displays a screen operating method necessary for checking an unchecked spot color printing portion in the form of a warning message <NUM> (presents a mode of preview display). In the case where the user who has confirmed the warning message <NUM> selects an OK button <NUM>, the print preview control unit <NUM> closes this alert and the user can check the unchecked spot color printing portion by executing the operating method displayed on the warning message <NUM>.

Any of the alerts shown in <FIG> may be displayed as the spot color printing warning alert.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress a printing failure by issuing the print instruction without checking all the spot color printing portions in the case where portions to be printed in the spot color are distant from each other, for instance.

Note that the above-described embodiments may be carried out in combination as appropriate.

Claim 1:
A printing control apparatus (<NUM>) configured to instruct an image output apparatus (<NUM>) to perform printing based on print data, the image output apparatus being configured to perform spot color printing by using a coloring material of a spot color,
wherein the printing control apparatus (<NUM>) comprises:
a preview image display unit (<NUM>) that is configured to display a preview image for checking at least one spot color printing portion where the spot color printing is carried out,
characterized in that the printing control apparatus (<NUM>) further comprises:
a first obtaining unit (<NUM>) that is configured to calculate and obtain a first preview image resolution for checking a printing layout based on a print setting included in the print data and on a size of a region to be displayed on the preview image display unit;
a second obtaining unit (<NUM>) that is configured to calculate and obtain a second preview image resolution for checking the at least one spot color printing portion based on a drawing command included in the print data, which is a drawing command for at least one object of the at least one spot color printing portion, and on the size of the region to be displayed on the preview image display unit, wherein the second preview image resolution is a minimum resolution enabling preview display of the smallest object extracted from the at least one object of the at least one spot color printing portion; and
a resolution comparing unit (<NUM>) that is configured to compare the first preview image resolution calculated by the first obtaining unit with the second preview image resolution calculated by the second obtaining unit,
wherein the preview image display unit (<NUM>) is configured to display the preview image by using a higher resolution out of the first preview image resolution and the second preview image resolution as a result of comparison by the resolution comparing unit.