JP2015119353A - Image processor, image processing method, print system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that it is difficult for a user not having the full expert knowledge of the color reproducibility of special color inks or the visual effect thereof, to generate image data for special printing, in order to achieve the visual effect by special printing desired by the user.SOLUTION: An image processor includes analysis means for analyzing a manuscript image input, and determining the type of special print that can be reproduced in the manuscript image, and print data generation means for generating image data for print reflecting the content of special print determined by the user on the basis of the results of analysis.

Description

  The present invention relates to generation of print data for easily performing special printing.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are printing apparatuses that can perform special printing using a special color such as a metallic color or a transparent color in addition to common color materials such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In a printing apparatus using such special colors or transparent colors, it is necessary for the user to prepare image data for special printing in advance in addition to the image data for normal CMYK four-color printing. Patent Document 1 discloses a method of executing four-color printing and spot color printing in a printing apparatus in accordance with two types of input printing image data.

JP 2009-33437 A

  In the technique of Patent Document 1, in order to achieve the visual effect by special printing desired by the user, the image data for special printing must be used unless the user has expertise in color reproducibility of the special color ink or the like and the visual effect. Is difficult to create. For this reason, when a general user who has no specialized knowledge wants to obtain a printed matter with excellent visual effects by special printing, the printing is often ordered from an external printer. In addition, it is necessary to know exactly which printing company owns what printing device, and there may be situations where it is not possible to respond to special printing requests desired by the ordering printer. It was possible.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention analyzes an input original image, determines an special print type that can be reproduced in the original image, and a special print determined by a user based on the result of the analysis. And print data generation means for generating image data for printing reflecting the contents.

  According to the present invention, even for a user who does not have specialized knowledge about printing, special printing image data for obtaining a printed matter having an excellent visual effect by special printing can be easily obtained.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a cloud-type printing system capable of special printing according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a document image analysis unit. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a print data generation unit according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a printing order part. It is a figure which shows an example of the profile information of a printer. It is a sequence chart which represented the flow until the printed matter delivered to the user based on Example 1 in time series. It is the figure which showed an example of the UI screen for special printing order displayed on a user terminal. It is the figure which showed an example of the UI screen for special printing order displayed on a user terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of the finishing image displayed on another window. It is the figure which showed an example of the UI screen for special printing order displayed on a user terminal. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of document image analysis processing. It is a table which shows an example of special printing analysis conditions. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system capable of special printing according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a print data generation unit according to a second embodiment. It is the sequence chart which represented the flow until the printed matter delivered to the user based on Example 2 in time series. It is the figure which showed an example of the UI screen for special printing order displayed on a user terminal. It is the figure which showed an example of the UI screen for special printing order displayed on a user terminal.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a cloud-type printing system capable of special printing using color materials other than general four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) according to the present embodiment. FIG.

  In FIG. 1, an image processing apparatus 100 (hereinafter also referred to as apparatus 100) is an apparatus that generates image data for printing for special printing. The apparatus 100 is connected to a Web server 104 and is connected to a terminal 107 owned by a user via a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet 105. The user inputs document image data and order contents stored in the document image data storage memory 106 in the user terminal 107 to the apparatus 100 via the Web server 104. In addition, terminals 108/109 owned by a printer who actually owns the printing apparatus are also connected to the apparatus 100 via the Internet 105 via the Web server 104.

  In this specification, the printing apparatus is described on the premise of a system using ink as a color material. However, for example, an electrophotographic printing apparatus using toner may be used, and the printing system of the printing apparatus is not limited. .

  Next, the internal configuration of the apparatus 100 will be briefly described.

  The apparatus 100 includes a document image analysis unit 101, a print data generation unit 102, and a print ordering unit 103.

  The document image analysis unit 101 analyzes document image data input by the user, extracts an image area to which special printing can be applied, and determines the type of special printing. Details of the document image analysis unit 101 will be described later. The analysis result is presented to the user via the Web server 104. When the user sets the special printing type and target area to be applied to the original image from the presented special printing types, a list of printers that can handle the set special printing is presented. You can specify the printer to order from.

  The print data generation unit 102 generates special print image data based on a user designation. Details of the print data generation unit 101 will be described later.

  The print ordering unit 103 transmits the generated special printing image data together with the order contents to a printer 108/109 designated by the user. Details of the print ordering unit 103 will be described later. The transmitted special printing image data is stored in the order data storage memory 110/111 in the terminal 108/109 owned by the printer. The printer performs printing using the received special printing image data with a printing apparatus that it owns and manages. Then, the finished printed matter is delivered to the user who is the ordering source.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the document image analysis unit 101.

  The document image data acquisition unit 201 acquires document image data transmitted from the user terminal 107 by the user via the Web server 104. The acquired document image data is stored in the document image data storage unit 203.

  The special print determination unit 204 refers to the special print analysis conditions stored in the analysis condition storage unit 202 and determines the target range and type of special print in the input document image data.

  The predicted image generation unit 205 preliminarily displays an image (hereinafter referred to as a color reproduction image) in which color reproduction is predicted when special printing determined by the special printing determination unit 204 is applied to an original image, corresponding to the type of special printing. It is generated by referring to the prepared color reproduction image generation method. Further, the predicted image generation unit 205 predicts the finish when special printing with specified contents is applied based on the special printing image data generated by the printing image data generation unit 302 (to be described later) A finished image) is also generated.

  It is assumed that a color reproduction image generation method corresponding to special print analysis conditions and special print types is prepared in advance and stored in an HDD (not shown) or the like.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the print data generation unit 102 according to the present embodiment.

  The print effect setting unit 301 sets the contents of special printing to be applied to the document image data based on an instruction from the user.

  The print image data generation unit 302 receives the document image data from the document image data storage unit 203 and generates special print image data. The generated special print image data is stored in the print image data storage unit 303.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the print ordering unit 103.

  The printing company information storage unit 401 stores profile information regarding each printing company registered in the apparatus 100. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the profile information of the printer. The profile information 500 includes printing apparatus information 501 and ordering related information 502, and is arranged for each printer. The printing apparatus information 501 is information relating to the printing apparatus, such as the configuration of ink colors that can be printed in the printing apparatus owned and managed by the printer, and the size and type of printing paper. The order-related information 502 is information such as various conditions that are necessary in addition to the original image data for printing when the printing company receives an order for printing.

  The printer selection unit 402 refers to the contents of the special printing set by the printing effect setting unit 301 described above, and information about the special printing apparatus conditions (information such as the configuration of ink colors constituting the printing apparatus) corresponding to the contents of the special printing. ) To get. Then, based on the acquired special printing apparatus conditions and the profile information of the printing company stored in the printing company information storage unit 401, a printing company that owns and manages the printing apparatus that satisfies the special printing apparatus conditions is selected. Then, a list in which the selected printing company is listed is created. It is assumed that the above-described special printing apparatus conditions are prepared in advance and stored in an HDD (not shown).

  The printing company setting unit 403 sets the printing company selected by the user from the list as the ordering company.

  The order processing unit 404 performs processing related to ordering to the printing company set by the printing company setting unit 403, for example, the generated special printing image data together with the items necessary for ordering and the printing company set as the ordering party. Processing to transmit to the terminal 108/109 is performed.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing the flow until the printed material is delivered to the user in time series, centering on the exchange between the user terminal 107 and the apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the user terminal 107 receives a login instruction from the user, accesses the apparatus 100 via the Web server 105, and makes a login request (such as transmission of an ID or password) (step 601).

  In response to the login request, the apparatus 100 (or the Web server 105) performs an authentication process (step 602), and if OK, transmits a UI screen (HTML data) for special print ordering to the user terminal 107 (step 603). ). Alternatively, an instruction for the user terminal 107 to display the UI screen stored in the user terminal 107 is transmitted.

  The user terminal 107 displays the received special print ordering UI screen on a display unit (not shown) (step 604). When the user reads out and designates original image data to be subjected to special printing from the original image data storage memory 106 using the UI screen, the user terminal 107 transmits the original image data to the apparatus 100 via the Web server 104. (Step 605).

  Upon acquiring the document image data, the apparatus 100 analyzes the document image analysis unit 101, determines the target printing range and type in the document image data, and generates the above-described color reproduction image data (step). 606). Details of the analysis processing in the document image analysis unit 101 will be described later. The apparatus 100 transmits the generated color reproduction image data to the user terminal 107 (step 607).

  The user terminal 107 displays the received color reproduction image on a display unit (not shown) (step 608). Then, the user confirms the displayed color reproduction image and determines the type and area of special printing to be applied to the document image. Upon receiving the user's decision, the user terminal 107 transmits the designated content related to the special printing decided by the user to the apparatus 100 (step 609).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a special print ordering UI screen displayed on the user terminal 107, which is used in each of the processes from step 604 to step 609 described above.

  Explaining along the flow of the steps described above, first, the user selects original image data to be subjected to special printing from the original image data in the original image data storage memory 106 (step 604). Then, the selected document image is displayed in the document image display area 701 in the UI screen 700. When the user presses the “input” button 701, the data of the selected document image is transmitted to the apparatus 100 (steps 604 and 605). When the original image data is analyzed by the apparatus 100 (step 606) and the analysis result (color reproduction image data) is transmitted from the apparatus 100 (step 607), the color reproduction image is displayed in the color reproduction image display area 703. (Step 608). In the example of FIG. 7, it is assumed that a star figure 710 arranged at the center in the document image display area 701 is colored in yellow and has a brown gradation. The combination of the yellow and brown gradation colors is analyzed to represent gold and is displayed in the color reproduction image display area 703 as a graphic 711 that can be reproduced with gold ink. In the example of FIG. 7, each of the circular graphics 712 arranged in an L shape at the upper right end and the lower left end in the document image display area 701 is a small white color on a figure colored one by one. The figure is a combination of circles. The white circle is analyzed to express glossiness and is displayed in the color reproduction image display area 703 as a graphic 713 that can be reproduced with transparent ink. The area expressed by the balloon is an analysis result detail display area 704, which displays special print candidates (here, gold ink 714 and transparent ink 715) applicable to the input document image data. A check box is provided in the special printing candidate field, and the user selects and selects the ink to be used. When the user depresses the “confirm” button 716 with the check box checked, it is indicated in which part of the color reproduction image display area 703 the selected ink is used. (Not shown). Then, when the user presses the “decision” button 717 with the check box checked, the contents of special printing to be applied to the input document image are determined.

  Returning to the description of the sequence chart of FIG.

  In response to the determination of the special print content to be applied, the apparatus 100 generates special print image data according to the designated special print content, and also generates finished image data corresponding to the special print image data (step). 610). The apparatus 100 transmits the generated finished image data to the user terminal 107 (step 611).

  The user terminal 107 displays the received finished image on a display unit (not shown) (step 612). The user confirms the displayed finished image, and performs an adjustment instruction if necessary, and a determination instruction if there is no problem, via a UI screen described later. Then, the user terminal 107 transmits these user instructions to the device 100 (step 613).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a special print ordering UI screen displayed on the user terminal 107, which is used in the above-described processes of Steps 610 to 613. The UI screen 800 is a special printing image data creation UI screen for performing special printing set by the user. Now, the UI screen 800 indicates that three types of print data are generated as image data for special printing for realizing special printing specified by the user on the UI screen 700 described above. The first layer is print data 801 of the main image, and is data for performing four-color printing on the remaining area excluding the area used for spot color printing from the original image data. The second layer is data 802 for spot color printing, which is print data for an area to be printed using gold ink as spot color ink. The third layer is data 803 for transparent printing, which is print data for an area to be printed using transparent ink. Then, the user can adjust the print color for the print area in each print data in the color adjustment area 804. Now, in the color adjustment area 804 for the second layer of print data 802, a hue selection area 805 for setting the hue of the gold ink and a density setting area 806 for setting the density are displayed. The user makes necessary adjustments in the color selection area 805 and the density setting area 806 to determine the final color. Then, when the color is finally determined, an “OK” button 807 is pressed. In addition, the user can confirm a predicted image of the finish by pressing a “finish forecast” button 808. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a finished image displayed in another window. Accordingly, the user can finely adjust the color while confirming the finished prediction reflecting the adjustment result made in the color adjustment area 804 (corresponding to S610 'and S611' in the sequence chart). An “up” button 809 and a “down” button 810 are buttons for switching print data displayed in the color adjustment area 804. When color adjustment for all print data is completed and the user presses the “Done” button 811, the apparatus 100 is instructed to generate image data for special printing.

  Returning to the description of the sequence chart of FIG.

  Upon receiving the special print image data generation instruction, the apparatus 100 picks up printers that can handle the special print image data related to the generation instruction, and creates a list (hereinafter referred to as a “printer list”) (step 614). ). The apparatus 100 transmits the generated printer list to the user terminal 107 (step 615).

  The user terminal 107 displays the received printer list on a display unit (not shown) (step 616). When the user determines a printing company to place an order with reference to the displayed list, the user terminal 107 informs the apparatus 100 of the printing company determined as the ordering party (step 617).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a special print ordering UI screen displayed on the user terminal 107, which is used in each of the processes from step 614 to step 617 described above. Now, the UI screen 1000 displays a list of information on one or more printers 1001 that can handle the contents of special printing determined by the user. At this time, it is desirable to display for each printing company, in addition to the company name, information such as a planned price and a planned delivery date, which is helpful for the user to determine the ordering destination. In the present embodiment, ranking information obtained by aggregating the number of orders handled by the apparatus 100 (past orders received for each printing company) is also displayed. By pressing the sort condition button 1002, the user can change the arrangement order of the list display (for example, the order in which the planned price is cheap, the order in which the scheduled delivery date is early, the ranking order, etc.) under the desired condition. Further, the “Previous” button 1004 and the “Next” button 1005 are buttons for scrolling the list display when the number of printers to be displayed is too large to fit within the screen. The user presses a determination button 1003 corresponding to each printing contractor displayed in the list to determine the ordering printer. At this time, the user also inputs items related to ordering such as the number of printed sheets and delivery date (not shown), and the information is sent to the apparatus 100 together with information of the determined printer.

  Returning to the description of the sequence chart of FIG.

  In response to the notification of the determination of the printer, the apparatus 100 performs an ordering process (step 618). Specifically, the image data for special printing is transmitted to the determined printer 108/109 together with necessary information such as the number of printed sheets, delivery date, and delivery destination. Then, the printer who has received the order notification performs a printing process using the transmitted special printing image data, and delivers the printed matter to the user.

  Through the processing as described above, the user can easily obtain a printed matter on which special printing has been performed even if he / she does not have special knowledge about special printing.

  Next, details of the image analysis processing in the document image analysis unit 101 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of document image analysis processing. Note that this series of processing is realized by a CPU that loads a program recorded in a ROM or the like and executes it on a memory by a control unit (not shown) included in the apparatus 100.

  In step 1101, the special print determination unit 204 acquires document image data from the document image data storage unit 203.

  In step 1102, the special print determination unit 204 performs region division processing on the acquired document image data. As a result, the document image is divided into areas for each attribute such as a background area, an object area drawn on the background area, and a text area. The area division at this time can be performed, for example, by extracting an edge part or determining a chromaticity difference. When the document image data is data created by a document creation application or the like, text or graphics are embedded as object data, and may be divided in units of objects.

  In step 1103, the special print determination unit 204 acquires special print analysis conditions from the analysis condition storage unit 202. FIG. 12 is a table showing an example of special print analysis conditions.

  In the table shown in FIG. 12, the analysis conditions for determining whether or not the region uses the special color ink or the transparent ink are shown for each ink type (for each color of the color material). For example, in the case of gold ink, it is stipulated that determination is performed by hue determination processing, texture pattern matching processing, and noise analysis processing from the viewpoints of hue, texture, pattern, and noise, respectively.

  In step 1104, the special print determination unit 204 refers to the acquired special print analysis condition, and each area obtained by the area division in step 1102 has the same or approximate reproduction as various special print visual effects. Determine whether or not. Specifically, in the case of determining whether the area is reproducible with the special color ink, it is determined for each divided area whether there is a color area corresponding to the color of various special color inks registered in advance. . For example, a region expressing a gold color to be changed to special printing using gold ink is a combination of a gradation of orange to yellow and brown to black. Therefore, in the case of gold ink, a hue range is set as a determination condition for each color of orange to yellow and brown to black used for gradation, and does the hue range include colors in the region to be determined? Is checked. Furthermore, since a texture effect for giving a metallic texture can be considered, a check is performed by a texture analysis process such as noise analysis or pattern recognition corresponding to gold. For the colors of the other special color inks, the corresponding hue range and saturation range are designated, and each region is determined for each color.

  On the other hand, whether or not the area is reproducible with transparent ink is checked by checking whether there is a highlight part that gives the object a glossy appearance and whether there is a part with high brightness contrast along the outline of each area. The

  Furthermore, by checking the degree of lightness change in the highlight portion and the degree of coincidence of the gradations of the same color, it can be determined that the region is expressed as semi-transparent as a whole. In this case, the entire area is determined as an area to be printed with transparent ink.

  In step 1105, the special print determination unit 204 determines a reproducible special print type for each region based on the analysis result for each divided region.

  The above is the content of the image analysis processing.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, even a general user who does not have special printing expertise can easily obtain a printed matter with excellent visual effects.

  In the first embodiment, a method has been described in which image analysis is performed on input document image data, and print image data with a desired visual effect by special printing can be easily obtained. Next, an embodiment was implemented in which the user can flexibly change the contents of the special printing by presenting the user with an image sample that can obtain the same kind of visual effect as that obtained by the special printing determined by the image analysis. This will be described as Example 2. Note that the description of the points common to the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified, and the differences will be mainly described.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system capable of special printing according to the present embodiment. This is basically the same as the printing system according to the first embodiment, and the apparatus 100 includes a document image analysis unit 101, a print data generation unit 102, and a print ordering unit 103. However, the print data generation unit 102 according to the present exemplary embodiment refers to the content of the special print set by the user, acquires information about the special print sample that can obtain the same kind of visual effect, and presents the information to the user. This is different from the first embodiment in the configuration as described above. Details of the print data generation unit 102 according to the present embodiment will be described later. Along with this, a memory 112/113 for storing data relating to a print sample (hereinafter referred to as print sample data) exists in the terminals 108/109 owned by the printer. The print sample data includes data of print sample images (hereinafter referred to as sample images) corresponding to various special prints, special print configuration data (corresponding to each print sample) for reproducing the same effect as the print samples, and For this purpose, various setting information of the printing apparatus is included.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the print data generation unit 102 according to the present embodiment. In addition to the print effect setting unit 301, the print image data generation unit 302, and the print image data storage unit 303, a print sample acquisition unit 1401 and a print sample setting unit 1402 are provided.

  The print sample acquisition unit 1401 sends sample image data corresponding to the type of special printing set by the user from the print sample data storage memory 112/113 in the registered printer's terminal 108/109 to the Web server 104. To get through.

  A print sample setting unit 1402 sets a sample image used for creating a list based on the acquired sample image data and generating special print image data.

  The print image data generation unit 302 is the same as that of the first embodiment in that image data for special printing is generated from document image data. In that case, the point which uses the special printing structure data which implement | achieves the visual effect of the sample image set in the print sample setting part 1402 differs. Details will be described later.

  FIG. 15 is a sequence chart showing the flow until the printed matter is delivered to the user in time series, centering on the exchange between the user terminal 107 and the apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  Each process from the login request from the user terminal 107 (step 1501) to the transmission of the document image data (step 1505) is the same as the steps 601 to 609 in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The apparatus 100 that has acquired the document image data performs analysis by the document image analysis unit 101, determines the target printing range and type of the document image data, and generates color reproduction image data (step 1506). At this time, in this embodiment, in the stage of determining the type of special printing for each divided area (see step 1105 described above), keywords relating to visual effects to be given to the divided areas are associated. For example, if there is a highlight portion corresponding to a catchlight in a certain divided area and it is determined that the highlight portion is printed with transparent ink, the keyword “catchlight” is associated with the area. . The apparatus 100 transmits the generated color reproduction image data to the user terminal 107 (step 1507).

  When the user confirms the color reproduction image displayed on the user terminal 107 and determines the type and area of special printing to be applied to the document image to be printed, the content of the determined special printing is transmitted to the apparatus 100. (Steps 1508 and 1509). In response to the determination of the special print content to be applied to the original image data, the apparatus 100 obtains the same kind of visual effect for each registered printer 108/109 based on the type of special print designated by the user. The data of the special print sample image is requested (step 1510). The request at this time includes the above-described keyword. In response to the request from the apparatus 100, each printer's terminal 108/109 searches for special print sample image data corresponding to the request, and transmits the sample image data matching the keyword to the apparatus 100 ( Step 1511). Specifically, some keywords and sample images are registered in advance, and if there is a keyword that matches the keyword included in the received request, the special print sample associated with the keyword Image data is transmitted to the apparatus 100.

  The apparatus 100 that has received the sample image data for special printing creates a print candidate list with preview images when various special printing is applied (step 1512). This print candidate list includes a preview image when special printing designated by the user is applied, and a preview image when special printing using a sample image presented by each printer is applied. Then, the apparatus 100 transmits the created print candidate list to the user terminal 107 (step 1513).

  The user terminal 107 displays the received print candidate list on a display unit (not shown) (step 1514). The user can refer to the displayed print candidate list and select whether to determine the content of the special print as it is originally or to change to the special print of the sample image that he / she likes. (Step 1515).

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a special print ordering UI screen displayed on the user terminal 107 used in steps 1508 to 1509 described above. The UI screen 1600 includes an area 1601 for displaying information about a printing company that can handle the contents of special printing determined by the user, and an area 1602 for displaying information about each printing company that presented the sample image. .

  A preview image 1603 in the area 1601 is a preview image when special printing designated by the user is applied, and the explanation display area 1604 displays the number of stores of the printers that can be ordered. When the user presses a “decision” button 1605, the screen is switched to a screen (see FIG. 10 described above) in which the printer is displayed as a list.

  A preview image 1606 in the area 1602 is a preview image based on a sample image provided from each printer. Compared with the preview image 1603, it can be seen that the graphic part of the circle subjected to special printing with transparent ink has a different shape. In the explanation display area 1607, a price range and a printing company name are displayed in addition to a display indicating a sample. The “OK” button 1608, “Previous” button 1609, and “Next” button 1610 are the same as the “OK” button 1003, “Previous” button 1004, and “Next” button 1005 in FIG. 10 of the first embodiment. . The user can change the content of the special printing applied to the document image data by pressing a “decision” button 1608 corresponding to a desired sample from the samples displayed in the list in the area 1602. In other words, the user can easily change to the content of another special printing that can obtain an effect similar to the effect of the special printing that he / she thought.

  In response to the final determination of the special print content, the apparatus 100 generates print image data according to the specified special print content, and also generates finished image data corresponding to the print image data (step 1516). ). Then, the apparatus 100 transmits the generated finished image data to the user terminal 107 (step 1517).

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a special print ordering UI screen displayed on the user terminal 107, which is used in the processing of steps 1516 and 1517 described above. Since the case where the user finally selected the contents of the special printing from the beginning is as described in the first embodiment, in the following, the user selects an arbitrary sample from the samples provided by each printer. The explanation will be made on the assumption of such a case. Now, the UI screen 1700 shows that three types of print image data are generated, as in the UI screen 800 of FIG. At this time, the apparatus 100 accesses the terminal 108/109 of the printer that provided the sample image selected by the user, acquires the special print configuration data of the sample image, and applies the special print according to the user's selection. Display image data for printing. That is, the first layer is data 1701 for printing the main image, which is data for performing the same four-color printing as in the first embodiment. The second layer is spot color printing data 1702 corresponding to the selected sample image, and the third layer is transparent printing data 1703 corresponding to the selected sample image. In the color adjustment area 1704, the user can adjust the print color for the print area in each print data. Here, a color adjustment area 1704 for the print data 1703 for the third layer is shown, and a shape selection area 1705 for setting the print shape of the transparent ink is displayed. The user selects a shape when printing using transparent ink in the shape selection area 1705, and determines the final shape by pressing an “OK” button 1706. Further, the user can confirm a predicted image of the finished product by pressing a “forecasted finished” button 1707. The “up” button 1708, the “down” button 1709, and the “complete” button 1710 are the same as the “up” button 809, the “down” button 810, and the “complete” button 811 in FIG. 8 of the first embodiment. . When the color adjustment for all print data is completed and the user presses the “Done” button 1710, the apparatus 100 is instructed to generate image data for special printing.

  Returning to the description of the sequence chart of FIG.

  The user terminal 107 displays the finished image received from the apparatus 100 on a display unit (not shown) (step 1518). When an adjustment instruction or determination instruction from the user based on the displayed finished image is input, the user terminal 107 transmits the instruction to the apparatus 100 (step 1519). In the case of the adjustment instruction, the finished image data reflecting the adjustment is generated and transmitted again to the user terminal 107 (steps 1516 'and S1517') as in the first embodiment. Upon receiving the determination instruction, the apparatus 100 performs the above-described ordering process on the terminal 108/109 of the printing company that provided the sample image selected by the user.

  According to this embodiment, even a general user who does not have special printing expertise can easily obtain a printed matter with excellent visual effects and can flexibly change the contents of special printing. .

(Other examples)
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed. Further, the program may be executed by one computer or may be executed in conjunction with a plurality of computers.

Claims (14)

Analyzing means for analyzing an input document image and determining a type of special printing that can be reproduced in the document image;
Print data generating means for generating image data for printing reflecting the contents of special printing determined by the user based on the result of the analysis;
An image processing apparatus comprising: Analyzing means for analyzing an input document image and determining a type of special printing that can be reproduced in the document image;
Means for creating a print candidate list including a sample image that can obtain a visual effect of the same type as the visual effect by special printing determined by the user based on the result of the analysis;
Print data generation means for generating image data for printing reflecting the contents of special printing determined by the user based on the print candidate list;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the special printing is printing performed using at least a color material other than cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.   4. The special-printing type that can be reproduced in the document image based on an analysis condition set in advance for each color other than cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. An image processing apparatus according to 1.   5. The analysis unit according to claim 1, wherein the analysis unit divides the input document image into regions for each attribute, and determines a type of special printing for each of the divided regions. Image processing device. Further comprising means for generating data of a color reproduction image in which color reproduction is predicted based on the analysis result of the analysis means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content of the special printing is determined based on a color reproduction image in which the color reproduction is expected. Means for generating finished image data in which the finish is predicted based on the image data for printing reflecting the contents of the special printing;
The image processing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising means for reflecting the contents of color adjustment performed by the user based on the finished image in the print image data. apparatus.   The image according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means for creating a list including information on a printer that can handle special printing using the image data for printing. Processing equipment.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the list includes at least one information of a past order record, a planned price required for printing the printing image data, or a scheduled delivery date.   10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for placing an order for special printing using the printing image data with respect to a printer determined by a user based on the list.   The image processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 10 above, and a terminal for giving instructions to the user connected to the image processing apparatus via a network. Printing system for. Analyzing the input document image and determining a type of special print that can be reproduced in the document image;
Generating printing image data reflecting the contents of special printing determined by the user based on the result of the analysis;
An image processing method for generating print data for special printing. Analyzing the input document image and determining a type of special print that can be reproduced in the document image;
Creating a print candidate list including a sample image that can obtain a visual effect of the same type as the visual effect by special printing determined by the user based on the result of the analysis;
Generating image data for printing reflecting the contents of special printing determined by the user based on the print candidate list;
An image processing method for generating print data for special printing.   A program for causing a computer to function as the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.