Color conversion apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium, and image forming apparatus

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-070916 filed Apr. 2, 2018.

(i) Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a color conversion apparatus, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and an image forming apparatus.

(ii) Related Art

As a technique for outputting a spot color by using toners of normal colors, such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and special toners of special colors other than the normal colors, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-103695 discloses an image forming system. In this image forming system, when a user specifies, on a host computer, a color that is to be replaced with a spot color and the user specifies a special toner that is to be layered with the specified color and a positional relationship between normal-color toners and the special toner regarding layering, the image forming system performs rasterization for normal-color separations and rasterization for a special-color separation in an order that is based on the specified positional relationship.

In a case where a positional relationship between toners of basic colors, namely, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and a toner of a special color other than the basic colors regarding vertical layering is specified, the toners being used in image formation, if the positional relationship specified by the user is different from a positional relationship between the basic-color toners and the special-color toner regarding vertical layering in an image forming apparatus, the special-color toner and the basic-color toners are not layered in accordance with the positional relationship specified by the user, and the output spot color might not be a color intended by the user. Accordingly, a case is assumed where, for example, the image forming apparatus is configured so as to allow changing of the positional relationship of the special-color toner relative to the basic-color toners regarding vertical layering. In this case, to avoid a situation where the spot color that is output to a recording medium is not the color intended by the user, the user needs to check the arrangement positions of image forming units that form toner images using the basic-color toners and the arrangement position of an image forming unit that forms a toner image using the special-color toner and to specify a positional relationship between the basic-color toners and the special-color toner regarding vertical layering and a ratio between the basic colors and the special color for representing the spot color using the basic colors and the special color, which takes time and effort.

Aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a technique for enabling output of a spot color as intended even if a positional relationship between the basic-color toners and the special-color toner regarding vertical layering is changed in the image forming apparatus.

Aspects of certain non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the above disadvantages and/or other disadvantages not described above. However, aspects of the non-limiting embodiments are not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and aspects of the non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure may not overcome any of the disadvantages described above.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a color conversion apparatus including an obtaining unit, a defining unit, and an output unit. The obtaining unit obtains information indicating a positional relationship between basic-color toners of basic colors and a special-color toner of a special color among special-color toners of special colors regarding vertical layering on an image formed in an image forming apparatus using the basic-color toners and the special-color toner. The defining unit defines a spot color by a combination of the basic colors and the special color. The output unit outputs, in accordance with the positional relationship indicated by the information, basic-color conversion tables used to convert the spot color to the basic colors that are included in the combination and a special-color conversion table used to convert the spot color to the special color that is included in the combination.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating apparatuses related to an image forming system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming part;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming unit;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a definition screen for defining a spot color;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process that is performed by a controller;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process that is performed by the controller;

FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing an example operation according to the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing an example operation according to the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing an example operation according to the exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a diagram for describing an example operation according to a modification.

Exemplary Embodiment

Configuration According to Exemplary Embodiment

Now, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating apparatuses related to an image forming system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The image forming system 1 includes an image processing apparatus 12 , an image forming apparatus 14 , and a post-processing apparatus 16 . The image processing apparatus 12 feeds raster data that represents an image to be formed on a recording medium to the image forming apparatus 14 , and controls the image forming apparatus 14 and the post-processing apparatus 16 . The image processing apparatus 12 includes an operation unit 17 , and the operation unit 17 accepts various types of input from a user. The image processing apparatus 12 is an example of the color conversion apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The image forming apparatus 14 includes a recording medium feeding part 18 that feeds recording media and an image forming part 20 that forms images on media. The recording medium feeding part 18 feeds, to the image forming part 20 , for example, cut sheet paper or continuous paper as recording media. The image forming apparatus 14 is an example of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming part 20 . The image forming part 20 includes an intermediate transfer belt 22 to which toner images are transferred. Above the intermediate transfer belt 22 , image forming units 24 Y, 24 M, 24 C, 24 K, 24 S 1 , and 24 S 2 that form toner images to be transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 22 are arranged. Above the image forming units 24 Y, 24 M, 24 C, 24 K, 24 S 1 , and 24 S 2 , optical scanning devices 34 Y, 34 M, 34 C, 34 K, 34 S 1 , and 34 S 2 are arranged. The image forming units 24 Y, 24 M, 24 C, and 24 K are examples of first image forming units according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and the image forming units 24 S 1 and 24 S 2 are examples of second image forming units according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The optical scanning device 34 Y corresponds to the image forming unit 24 Y, the optical scanning device 34 M corresponds to the image forming unit 24 M, the optical scanning device 34 C corresponds to the image forming unit 24 C, and the optical scanning device 34 K corresponds to the image forming unit 24 K. The optical scanning device 34 S 1 corresponds to the image forming unit 24 S 1 , and the optical scanning device 34 S 2 corresponds to the image forming unit 24 S 2 . The optical scanning devices 34 Y, 34 M, 34 C, 34 K, 34 S 1 , and 34 S 2 have the same configuration except the optical scanning devices 34 Y, 34 M, 34 C, 34 K, 34 S 1 , and 34 S 2 correspond to the different image forming units. Therefore, in a case where the optical scanning devices 34 Y, 34 M, 34 C, 34 K, 34 S 1 , and 34 S 2 need not be distinguished from one another, the optical scanning devices 34 Y, 34 M, 34 C, 34 K, 34 S 1 , and 34 S 2 are referred to as optical scanning devices 34 .

Each of the optical scanning devices 34 irradiates a photoreceptor drum included in a corresponding one of the image forming units with a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum. Specifically, the optical scanning device 34 Y forms an electrostatic latent image in accordance with raster data that represents a yellow separation fed from the image processing apparatus 12 , the optical scanning device 34 M forms an electrostatic latent image in accordance with raster data that represents a magenta separation fed from the image processing apparatus 12 , the optical scanning device 34 C forms an electrostatic latent image in accordance with raster data that represents a cyan separation fed from the image processing apparatus 12 , and the optical scanning device 34 K forms an electrostatic latent image in accordance with raster data that represents a black separation fed from the image processing apparatus 12 . The optical scanning device 34 S 1 forms an electrostatic latent image in accordance with raster data that represents a first-special-color separation fed from the image processing apparatus 12 , and the optical scanning device 34 S 2 forms an electrostatic latent image in accordance with raster data that represents a second-special-color separation fed from the image processing apparatus 12 .

The image forming unit 24 Y forms a toner image using a yellow toner, the image forming unit 24 M forms a toner image using a magenta toner, the image forming unit 24 C forms a toner image using a cyan toner, and the image forming unit 24 K forms a toner image using a black toner. The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners are the basic-color toners according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The image forming unit 24 S 1 forms a toner image using a first-special-color toner, and the image forming unit 24 S 2 forms a toner image using a second-special-color toner. Examples of the special-color toners include gold, silver, clear, white, and orange toners. These special-color toners are the special-color toners according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The image forming units 24 Y, 24 M, 24 C, 24 K, 24 S 1 , and 24 S 2 have the same configuration except the image forming units 24 Y, 24 M, 24 C, 24 K, 24 S 1 , and 24 S 2 use different toners to form toner images. Therefore, in a case where the image forming units 24 Y, 24 M, 24 C, 24 K, 24 S 1 , and 24 S 2 need not be distinguished from one another, the image forming units 24 Y, 24 M, 24 C, 24 K, 24 S 1 , 24 S 2 are referred to as image forming units 24 .

In this exemplary embodiment, the image forming units 24 are arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 22 in the order of the image forming unit 24 S 1 , the image forming unit 24 Y, the image forming unit 24 M, the image forming unit 24 C, the image forming unit 24 K, and the image forming unit 24 S 2 . Therefore, toner images that are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 22 from the image forming units 24 are layered in the order of the toner images of the first special color, yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and the second special color on the intermediate transfer belt 22 , and therefore, the toner image of the first special color is the backmost toner image, and the toner image of the second special color is the foremost image. When the toner images are transferred to a recording medium from the intermediate transfer belt 22 , the toner images transferred to the recording medium are layered in the order of the toner images of the second special color, black, cyan, magenta, yellow, and the first special color, and therefore, the toner image of the second special color is the backmost toner image, and the toner image of the first special color is the foremost image. A first transfer roll 36 (see FIG. 3 ), the intermediate transfer belt 22 , and a second transfer roll 38 correspond to an example of a transfer unit according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

In this exemplary embodiment, the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 1 and the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 2 may be toners of the same special color. In this case, the image forming unit 24 S 1 and the image forming unit 24 S 2 form toner images of the same color. Alternatively, the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 1 and the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 2 may be toners of different special colors. In this case, the image forming unit 24 S 1 and the image forming unit 24 S 2 form toner images of different colors. Further, in this exemplary embodiment, the image forming unit 24 S 1 and the image forming unit 24 S 2 are attachable and detachable by an operator. Therefore, a configuration in which the image forming unit 24 S 1 is not mounted and the image forming unit 24 S 2 is mounted or a configuration in which the image forming unit 24 S 1 is mounted and the image forming unit 24 S 2 is not mounted may be employed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming unit 24 . The image forming unit 24 is a unit that forms an image using an electrophotographic system, and is constituted by a photoreceptor drum 26 , a charging device 28 , a developing device 30 , and a cleaning device 32 . The photoreceptor drum 26 is a cylindrical image retaining body that retains a toner image. The charging device 28 is a device that uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor drum 26 . The developing device 30 is a device that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 26 . The cleaning device 32 is a device that removes a toner adhered to the photoreceptor drum 26 .

In the image forming unit 24 , the photoreceptor drum 26 is uniformly charged by the charging device 28 and irradiated with a laser beam emitted from the optical scanning device 34 that corresponds to the image forming unit 24 , thereby forming an electrostatic latent image thereon. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 26 is developed by using a toner fed from the developing device 30 . The first transfer roll 36 is provided at a position so as to face the photoreceptor drum 26 with the intermediate transfer belt 22 therebetween. The toner image developed by the developing device 30 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 22 by the first transfer roll 36 . After the step of transferring the toner image, the remaining toner, paper dust, and so on adhered to the photoreceptor drum 26 are removed by the cleaning device 32 .

The toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 22 from the image forming unit 24 is next transferred to a recording medium fed from the recording medium feeding part 18 by the second transfer roll 38 . The recording medium to which the toner image has been transferred is sent to a fixing unit 40 , and the toner image is fixed to the recording medium with, for example, heat and pressure. The recording medium to which the toner image has been thus fixed is cooled by a cooling unit 42 .

Now, the configuration of the image processing apparatus 12 is described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the image processing apparatus 12 . The operation unit 17 is connected to a controller 101 and includes a display device, a touch panel, and a keyboard. The operation unit 17 displays, on the display device, various screens for operating and setting the image forming system 1 and accepts various types of input and instructions from a user via the touch panel and the keyboard.

A communication unit 105 is a communication interface for data communication and is connected to a network with which data communication is performed and to the controller 101 . The communication unit 105 receives document data transmitted from a computer that is connected to the network. The document data is data that represents an image to be formed on a recording medium and is, for example, data described in a page description language. The document data described in a page description language includes an object that is included in the image to be formed and data indicating the color of the object. The communication unit 105 transmits, to the image forming part 20 , raster data that is obtained by processing the received document data. The raster data that is fed to the image forming part 20 includes raster data of a yellow separation, raster data of a magenta separation, raster data of a cyan separation, raster data of a black separation, raster data of a first-special-color separation, and raster data of a second-special-color separation.

A storage unit 102 includes a storage device that stores data, and is connected to the controller 101 . The storage unit 102 stores a program that is executed by a central processing unit (CPU) included in the controller 101 .

The controller 101 includes the CPU and a memory. The functions of the image processing apparatus 12 are implemented in such a manner that the program (software) stored in the storage unit 102 is loaded to a hardware unit, such as the CPU or the memory, and the CPU executes arithmetic operations to control the storage unit 102 , the communication unit 105 , and reading and/or writing of data from/to the memory and the storage unit 102 . In this exemplary embodiment, for example, a function of defining and registering a spot color that is unable to be represented by a combination of the basic colors is implemented. Further, in this exemplary embodiment, a function of generating raster data from document data is implemented.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of functions related to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure among the functions implemented by the controller 101 executing the program. Some or all of the functions may be implemented as hardware.

An obtaining unit 1002 obtains information indicating a positional relationship between the basic-color toners and a special-color toner regarding vertical layering on an image formed in the image forming apparatus 14 using the basic-color toners and the special-color toner. The obtaining unit 1002 is an example of the obtaining unit according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

A defining unit 1001 defines a spot color by a combination of the basic colors and the special color in accordance with an operation performed by an operator. The defining unit 1001 is an example of the defining unit according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

An output unit 1003 outputs, in accordance with the positional relationship indicated by the information obtained by the obtaining unit 1002 , look-up tables used to convert the spot color to the basic colors that are included in the combination defined when the spot color is defined and a look-up table used to convert the spot color to the special color that is included in the combination defined when the spot color is defined. The output unit 1003 is an example of the output unit according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Example Operation According to Exemplary Embodiment

Now, an example operation according to this exemplary embodiment is described. First, an example operation that is performed when a spot color is defined and registered in the image processing apparatus 12 is described. When an operator performs, on the operation unit 17 , an operation to give an instruction for displaying a screen for defining a spot color, the image processing apparatus 12 displays a definition screen 70 for defining a spot color on the display device of the operation unit 17 .

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the definition screen 70 . The definition screen 70 includes a name input section 73 for inputting the name of a spot color that is defined by the operator. The name that is input to the name input section 73 may be a name given by a supplier that supplies a color sample or a name given by the operator as desired.

A first definition section 71 is a user interface for defining the spot color by L*a*b* values in the Lab color space or CMYK values in the CMYK color space. In the first definition section 71 , selection buttons for selecting either L*a*b* values or CMYK values are included. The L*a*b* values are values ranging from −100 to +100, and the CMYK values are values ranging from 0 to 100% for the respective colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). Next to each of the fields for L*a*b* values and CMYK values, a “+” button and a “−” button for increasing and decreasing the corresponding value are arranged. The operator operates these buttons to change the values.

A second definition section 72 is a user interface for defining the spot color by using special colors that are the colors of the toners used by the image forming units 24 S 1 and 24 S 2 . When the operator checks a checkbox 75 “use special-color toner”, the operator is allowed to define the spot color by using the basic colors and the special colors.

In the second definition section 72 , the spot color is defined by CMYK values (from 0 to 100%) in the CMYK color space, the arrangement position of a special-color toner to be used, a special-color-toner type, and a special-color value (from 0 to 100%). The CMYK values and the special-color value are each changed by the operator operating the “+” button and the “−” button for increasing and decreasing the value. The special-color-toner type is selected from among predetermined special-color types by the operator operating a combo box 78 . As the special-color types, for example, gold, silver, clear, white, and orange are specified in advance. The arrangement position of the special-color toner is selected from among three options of “backmost”, “foremost”, and “automatic” by the operator operating a combo box 79 . In a case where the arrangement position is set to “backmost”, when the spot color is printed by using the basic colors and the special color, a toner of the color set as the special-color-toner type is the backmost toner on a recording medium. In a case where the arrangement position is set to “foremost”, when the spot color is printed by using the basic colors and the special color, a toner of the color set as the special-color-toner type is the foremost toner on a recording medium.

The definition screen 70 further includes a spot-color display section 74 . In the spot-color display section 74 , the spot color defined in the first definition section 71 or the second definition section 72 is displayed. Specifically, in a case where the checkbox 75 is not checked, the L*a*b* values or the CMYK values set in the first definition section 71 are converted to RGB values, and a resulting color is displayed in the spot-color display section 74 . In a case where the checkbox 75 is checked, the CMYK values and the special-color value set in the second definition section 72 are separately converted to RGB values, the separately obtained RGB values are combined, and a resulting color is displayed in the spot-color display section 74 .

The definition screen 70 further includes a register button 76 and a cancel button 77 . When an operation of clicking the register button 76 is performed, the controller 101 registers the settings specified on the definition screen 70 in the storage unit 102 . When an operation of clicking the cancel button 77 is performed, the controller 101 does not register the settings specified on the definition screen 70 in the storage unit 102 .

For example, in a case where the checkbox 75 is checked, the controller 101 (defining unit 1001 ) registers, as spot-color data, information indicating that a special-color toner is used as well as the CMYK values, the arrangement position of the special-color toner, the special-color-toner type, and the special-color value set in the second definition section 72 in the storage unit 102 in association with the name input to the name input section 73 . As a result of this registration, the spot color is defined. In a case where the checkbox 75 is not checked, the controller 101 registers, as spot-color data, information indicating that no special-color toner is used as well as the L*a*b* values or the CMYK values set in the first definition section 71 in the storage unit 102 in association with the name input to the name input section 73 .

Next, an example operation that is performed to generate raster data from document data received by the communication unit 105 is described with reference to the flowcharts illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 . The controller 101 determines whether an object of a spot color is included in document data received by the communication unit 105 (step S 1 ). The object is, for example, text, a figure, or a photograph.

In a case where an object of a spot color is not included in the document data received by the communication unit 105 (NO in step S 1 ), the controller 101 performs a separation process to generate separation data that represents an image to be formed by the image forming part 20 for each of the basic colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black from the document data (step S 2 ). Next, the controller 101 generates raster data that represents a raster image from the separation data generated for each color (step S 3 ). Here, the controller 101 generates raster data for yellow from the separation data for yellow, generates raster data for magenta from the separation data for magenta, generates raster data for cyan from the separation data for cyan, and generates raster data for black from the separation data for black. The controller 101 feeds the generated pieces of raster data to the image forming part 20 (step S 4 ).

In a case where an object of a spot color is included in an image that is represented by the document data received by the communication unit 105 (YES in step S 1 ), the controller 101 obtains the name of the spot color used for the included object from the document data (step S 5 ) and determines whether the obtained name is registered in the storage unit 102 (step S 6 ). In a case where the obtained name is not registered in the storage unit 102 (NO in step S 6 ), the controller 101 performs an error process (step S 7 ). The error process is a process for, for example, displaying, on the display device of the operation unit 17 , the fact that the spot color included in the document data is not defined.

In a case where the name of the spot color used for the object is registered in the storage unit 102 (YES in step S 6 ), the controller 101 obtains spot-color data registered in the storage unit 102 in association with the obtained name (step S 8 ).

The controller 101 determines whether the obtained spot-color data includes information indicating that a special-color toner is used (step S 9 ). In a case where the obtained spot-color data does not include information indicating that a special-color toner is used (NO in step S 9 ), the controller 101 performs a separation process to generate separation data for each of the basic colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black and separation data for the spot color (step S 10 ). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 9 , the controller 101 generates, from document data 200 , separation data 201 Y for a yellow separation, separation data 201 M for a magenta separation, separation data 201 C for a cyan separation, separation data 201 K for a black separation, and separation data 201 SP for a spot-color separation. Here, in a case where an area (pixels) for which the spot color is used is specified to be knocked out, the pixel values in the separation data for each of the basic colors for the area are zero. In a case where the area is specified to be over-printed, the pixel values in the separation data for each of the basic colors for the area are pixel values that represent the background color.

Next, the controller 101 outputs look-up tables for combining the separation data for the spot color with the pieces of separation data for the basic colors by using L*a*b* values or CMYK values included in the obtained spot-color data (step S 11 ). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 9 , the controller 101 outputs a look-up table 202 Y for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 Y for yellow, a look-up table 202 M for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 M for magenta, a look-up table 202 C for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 C for cyan, and a look-up table 202 K for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 K for black. In these look-up tables, for example, the horizontal axis represents the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color, and the vertical axis represents a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel in the separation data to be combined. The look-up tables for combining the separation data for the spot color with the pieces of separation data for the basic colors are examples of the basic-color conversion tables according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Next, the controller 101 performs a process for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with each of the pieces of separation data 201 Y, 201 M, 201 C, and 201 K for the basic colors (step S 12 ).

Specifically, the controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of yellow in the separation data 201 Y by referring to the look-up table 202 Y while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of yellow in the separation data 201 Y.

The controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of magenta in the separation data 201 M by referring to the look-up table 202 M while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of magenta in the separation data 201 M.

The controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of cyan in the separation data 201 C by referring to the look-up table 202 C while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of cyan in the separation data 201 C.

The controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of black in the separation data 201 K by referring to the look-up table 202 K while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of black in the separation data 201 K.

When the controller 101 adds the value obtained from each of the look-up tables to the pixel value of each pixel in a corresponding one of the pieces of separation data for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, the separation data for the spot color is combined with each of the pieces of separation data for the basic colors, and separation data 203 Y for yellow, separation data 203 M for magenta, separation data 203 C for cyan, and separation data 203 K for black used to draw the object of the spot color using the basic colors are generated.

Next, the controller 101 generates pieces of raster data for the basic colors from the pieces of separation data 203 Y, 203 M, 203 C, and 203 K for the basic colors (step S 13 ). Specifically, the controller 101 generates raster data 204 Y for yellow from the separation data 203 Y, generates raster data 204 M for magenta from the separation data 203 M, generates raster data 204 C for cyan from the separation data 203 C, and generates raster data 204 K for black from the separation data 203 K. After completing generation of the pieces of raster data, the controller 101 feeds the generated pieces of raster data to the image forming part 20 (step S 14 ).

In a case where the obtained spot-color data includes information indicating that a special-color toner is used (YES in step S 9 ), the controller 101 obtains the arrangement position of the special-color toner from the obtained spot-color data (step S 15 ). Next, the controller 101 determines whether the arrangement position of the special-color toner is the foremost position or the backmost position on a recording medium from the arrangement position obtained in step S 15 (step S 16 ). In a case where the arrangement position of the special-color toner is the foremost position or the backmost position, determination performed by the controller 101 results in YES in step S 16 .

In the case where determination in step S 16 results in YES, the controller 101 generates separation data for each of the basic colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black), separation data for the special color, and separation data for the spot color in accordance with the arrangement position of the special-color toner (step S 21 ).

Here, in a case where the arrangement position of the special-color toner obtained from the spot-color data is the backmost position on a recording medium, the controller 101 generates, from the document data 200 , separation data 201 S 2 for the special color used by the image forming unit 24 S 2 that forms the backmost toner image on a recording medium, the separation data 201 Y for a yellow separation, the separation data 201 M for a magenta separation, the separation data 201 C for a cyan separation, the separation data 201 K for a black separation, and the separation data 201 SP for a spot-color separation, as illustrated in FIG. 10 . Here, in the case where an area (pixels) for which the spot color is used is specified to be knocked out, the pixel values in the separation data for each of the basic colors for the area are zero. In the case where the area is specified to be over-printed, the pixel values in the separation data for each of the basic colors for the area are pixel values that represent the background color. In a case where the spot color matches the special color, recording with the spot color is possible, and therefore, the pixel values in the separation data 201 S 2 for a special-color separation reflect the pixel value of the spot color. On the other hand, in a case where the spot color does not match the special color, the spot color needs to be reproduced by using the special color and the basic colors. In this case, the pixel values in the separation data 201 S 2 for a special-color separation are zero.

On the other hand, in a case where the arrangement position of the special-color toner obtained from the spot-color data is the foremost position on a recording medium, the controller 101 generates, from the document data 200 , separation data 201 S 1 for the special color used by the image forming unit 24 S 1 that forms the foremost toner image on a recording medium, the separation data 201 Y for a yellow separation, the separation data 201 M for a magenta separation, the separation data 201 C for a cyan separation, the separation data 201 K for a black separation, and the separation data 201 SP for a spot-color separation, as illustrated in FIG. 11 . Here, in the case where an area (pixels) for which the spot color is used is specified to be knocked out, the pixel values in the separation data for each of the basic colors for the area are zero. In the case where the area is specified to be over-printed, the pixel values in the separation data for each of the basic colors for the area are pixel values that represent the background color. In the case where the spot color matches the special color, recording with the spot color is possible, and therefore, the pixel values in the separation data 201 S 1 for a special-color separation reflect the pixel value of the spot color. On the other hand, in the case where the spot color does not match the special color, the spot color needs to be reproduced by using the special color and the basic colors. In this case, the pixel values in the separation data 201 S 1 for a special-color separation are zero.

Next, the controller 101 outputs, in accordance with the arrangement position of the special-color toner obtained from the spot-color data, look-up tables for combining the separation data for the spot color with the pieces of separation data for the basic colors and the separation data for the special color by using CMYK values included in the obtained spot-color data (step S 22 ).

Here, in the case where the arrangement position of the special-color toner obtained from the spot-color data is the backmost position, the controller 101 outputs a look-up table 202 Sa for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 S 2 for the special color, a look-up table 202 Ya for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 Y for yellow, a look-up table 202 Ma for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 M for magenta, a look-up table 202 Ca for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 C for cyan, and a look-up table 202 Ka for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 K for black, as illustrated in FIG. 10 . In these look-up tables, for example, the horizontal axis represents the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color, and the vertical axis represents a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel in the separation data to be combined. The look-up table for combining the separation data for the spot color with the separation data for the special color is an example of the special-color conversion table according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

On the other hand, in the case where the arrangement position of the special-color toner obtained from the spot-color data is the foremost position, the controller 101 outputs a look-up table 202 Yb for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 Y for yellow, a look-up table 202 Mb for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 M for magenta, a look-up table 202 Cb for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 C for cyan, a look-up table 202 Kb for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 K for black, and a look-up table 202 Sb for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 S 1 for the special color, as illustrated in FIG. 11 .

Depending on whether the arrangement position of the special-color toner obtained from the spot-color data is the backmost position on a recording medium or the foremost position on a recording medium, the relative position of the special-color toner layered with the basic-color toners differs, and therefore, the output look-up tables differ.

Next, the controller 101 combines the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with each of the pieces of separation data for the basic colors and the separation data for the special color (step S 27 ).

Specifically, in the case where the arrangement position of the special-color toner obtained from the spot-color data is the backmost position, the controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of the special color in the separation data 201 S 2 by referring to the look-up table 202 Sa while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of the special color in the separation data 201 S 2 .

The controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of yellow in the separation data 201 Y by referring to the look-up table 202 Ya while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of yellow in the separation data 201 Y.

The controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of magenta in the separation data 201 M by referring to the look-up table 202 Ma while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of magenta in the separation data 201 M.

The controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of cyan in the separation data 201 C by referring to the look-up table 202 Ca while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of cyan in the separation data 201 C.

The controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of black in the separation data 201 K by referring to the look-up table 202 Ka while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of black in the separation data 201 K.

When the controller 101 adds the pixel value obtained from each of the look-up tables to the pixel value of each pixel in a corresponding one of the pieces of separation data for yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and the special color, the separation data for the spot color is combined with each of the pieces of separation data for the basic colors and the separation data for the special color. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 10 , separation data 203 S 2 for the special color, the separation data 203 Y for yellow, the separation data 203 M for magenta, the separation data 203 C for cyan, and the separation data 203 K for black used to draw the object of the spot color using the special color and the basic colors are generated.

On the other hand, in the case where the arrangement position of the special-color toner obtained from the spot-color data is the foremost position, the controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of the special color in the separation data 201 S 1 by referring to the look-up table 202 Sb while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of the special color in the separation data 201 S 1 .

The controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of yellow in the separation data 201 Y by referring to the look-up table 202 Yb while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of yellow in the separation data 201 Y.

The controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of magenta in the separation data 201 M by referring to the look-up table 202 Mb while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of magenta in the separation data 201 M.

The controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of cyan in the separation data 201 C by referring to the look-up table 202 Cb while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of cyan in the separation data 201 C.

The controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of black in the separation data 201 K by referring to the look-up table 202 Kb while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of black in the separation data 201 K.

When the controller 101 adds the pixel value obtained from each of the look-up tables to the pixel value of each pixel in a corresponding one of the pieces of separation data for yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and the special color, the separation data for the spot color is combined with each of the pieces of separation data for the basic colors and the separation data for the special color. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 11 , separation data 203 S 1 for the special color, the separation data 203 Y for yellow, the separation data 203 M for magenta, the separation data 203 C for cyan, and the separation data 203 K for black used to draw the object of the spot color using the special color and the basic colors are generated.

Next, the controller 101 generates pieces of raster data from the pieces of separation data (step S 28 ). Specifically, in the case where the arrangement position of the special-color toner obtained from the spot-color data is the backmost position, the controller 101 generates raster data 204 S 2 for the special color from the separation data 203 S 2 , generates the raster data 204 Y for yellow from the separation data 203 Y, generates the raster data 204 M for magenta from the separation data 203 M, generates the raster data 204 C for cyan from the separation data 203 C, and generates the raster data 204 K for black from the separation data 203 K.

On the other hand, in the case where the arrangement position of the special-color toner obtained from the spot-color data is the foremost position, the controller 101 generates raster data 204 S 1 for the special color from the separation data 203 S 1 , generates the raster data 204 Y for yellow from the separation data 203 Y, generates the raster data 204 M for magenta from the separation data 203 M, generates the raster data 204 C for cyan from the separation data 203 C, and generates the raster data 204 K for black from the separation data 203 K.

After completing generation of the pieces of raster data, the controller 101 feeds the generated pieces of raster data to the image forming part 20 (step S 29 ). In the image forming part 20 , the raster data 204 S 1 is fed to the optical scanning device 34 S 1 , and the raster data 204 S 2 is fed to the optical scanning device 34 S 2 .

In a case where the arrangement position of the special-color toner obtained from the spot-color data is “automatic”, determination performed by the controller 101 results in NO in step S 16 . In the case where determination in step S 16 results in NO, the controller 101 (obtaining unit 1002 ) communicates with the image forming part 20 and requests the image forming part 20 to obtain information indicating the type (color) of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 1 and information indicating the type (color) of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 2 (step S 17 ). The positional relationship between the image forming units 24 that form basic-color toner images and the image forming units 24 that form special-color toner images are determined in advance. Therefore, with the obtained pieces of information, the order in which the basic-color toner images and the special-color toner images are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 22 is known, and the positional relationship of each of the special-color toner images relative to the basic-color toner images regarding vertical layering is known.

The controller 101 uses the pieces of information obtained in step S 17 to determine whether the type of the toner used by the image forming unit (image forming unit 24 S 1 ) that forms the foremost toner image on a recording medium matches the special-color-toner type included in the spot-color data (step S 18 ).

In a case where the type of the toner used by the image forming unit (image forming unit 24 S 1 ) that forms the foremost toner image on a recording medium matches the special-color-toner type included in the spot-color data (YES in step S 18 ), the controller 101 generates separation data for each of the basic colors, separation data for the special color, and separation data for the spot color so that the spot color is printed by using the basic-color toners and the special-color toner that is the foremost toner on a recording medium (step S 23 ). Specifically, the controller 101 generates the separation data 201 SP for the spot color, the separation data 201 S 1 for the special color, the separation data 201 Y for yellow, the separation data 201 M for magenta, the separation data 201 C for cyan, and the separation data 201 K for black, as illustrated in FIG. 11 .

Next, the controller 101 (output unit 1003 ) outputs look-up tables so that the spot color is printed by using the basic-color toners and the special-color toner that is the foremost toner on a recording medium (step S 24 ). Specifically, the controller 101 outputs the look-up table 202 Sb, the look-up table 202 Yb, the look-up table 202 Mb, the look-up table 202 Cb, and the look-up table 202 Kb, as illustrated in FIG. 11 .

Next, the controller 101 performs a process for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with each of the pieces of separation data 201 Y, 201 M, 201 C, and 201 K for the basic colors and the separation data 201 S 1 for the special color (step S 27 ).

When the controller 101 adds the value obtained from each of the look-up tables to the pixel value of each pixel in a corresponding one of the pieces of separation data for yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and the special color, the separation data for the spot color is combined with each of the pieces of separation data for the basic colors and the separation data for the special color. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 11 , the separation data 203 S 1 for the special color, the separation data 203 Y for yellow, the separation data 203 M for magenta, the separation data 203 C for cyan, and the separation data 203 K for black used to draw the object of the spot color using the basic colors and the special color are generated.

Next, the controller 101 generates pieces of raster data from the pieces of separation data (step S 28 ). Specifically, the controller 101 generates the raster data 204 S 1 for the special color, the raster data 204 Y for yellow, the raster data 204 M for magenta, the raster data 204 C for cyan, and the raster data 204 K for black, as illustrated in FIG. 11 .

After completing generation of the pieces of raster data, the controller 101 feeds the generated pieces of raster data to the image forming part 20 (step S 21 ). In the image forming part 20 , the raster data 204 S 1 is fed to the optical scanning device 34 S 1 .

In a case where the type of the toner used by the image forming unit (image forming unit 24 S 1 ) that forms the foremost toner image on a recording medium does not match the special-color-toner type included in the spot-color data (NO in step S 18 ), the controller 101 uses the pieces of information obtained in step S 17 to determine whether the type of the toner used by the image forming unit (image forming unit 24 S 2 ) that forms the backmost toner image on a recording medium matches the special-color-toner type included in the spot-color data (step S 19 ).

In a case where the type of the toner used by the image forming unit (image forming unit 24 S 2 ) that forms the backmost toner image on a recording medium matches the special-color-toner type included in the spot-color data (YES in step S 19 ), the controller 101 generates separation data for each of the basic colors, separation data for the special color, and separation data for the spot color so that the spot color is printed by using the basic-color toners and the special-color toner that is the backmost toner on a recording medium (step S 25 ). Specifically, the controller 101 generates the separation data 201 SP for the spot color, the separation data 201 S 2 for the special color, the separation data 201 Y for yellow, the separation data 201 M for magenta, the separation data 201 C for cyan, and the separation data 201 K for black, as illustrated in FIG. 10 .

Next, the controller 101 (output unit 1003 ) outputs look-up tables so that the spot color is printed by using the basic-color toners and the special-color toner that is the backmost toner on a recording medium (step S 26 ). Specifically, the controller 101 outputs the look-up table 202 Sa, the look-up table 202 Ya, the look-up table 202 Ma, the look-up table 202 Ca, and the look-up table 202 Ka, as illustrated in FIG. 10 .

Next, the controller 101 performs a process for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with each of the pieces of separation data 201 Y, 201 M, 201 C, and 201 K for the basic colors and the separation data 201 S 2 for the special color (step S 27 ).

When the controller 101 adds the pixel value obtained from each of the look-up tables to the pixel value of each pixel in a corresponding one of the pieces of separation data for yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and the special color, the separation data for the spot color is combined with each of the pieces of separation data for the basic colors and the separation data for the special color. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 10 , the separation data 203 S 2 for the special color, the separation data 203 Y for yellow, the separation data 203 M for magenta, the separation data 203 C for cyan, and the separation data 203 K for black used to draw the object of the spot color using the basic colors and the special color are generated.

Next, the controller 101 generates pieces of raster data from the pieces of separation data (step S 28 ). Specifically, the controller 101 generates the raster data 204 S 2 for the special color, the raster data 204 Y for yellow, the raster data 204 M for magenta, the raster data 204 C for cyan, and the raster data 204 K for black.

After completing generation of the pieces of raster data, the controller 101 feeds the generated pieces of raster data to the image forming part 20 (step S 21 ). In the image forming part 20 , the raster data 204 S 2 is fed to the optical scanning device 34 S 2 .

In a case where the type of the toner used by the image forming unit (image forming unit 24 S 2 ) that forms the backmost toner image on a recording medium does not match the special-color-toner type included in the spot-color data (NO in step S 19 ), the controller 101 performs an error process (step S 20 ). The error process is a process for, for example, displaying, on the display device of the operation unit 17 , the fact that the special-color toner that is used to emulate and print the spot color is not used in the image forming part 20 .

Modifications

The exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above; however, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiment, and various modifications may be made. For example, the above-described exemplary embodiment may be modified as follows. The above-described exemplary embodiment may be combined with any of the following modifications.

In the image forming part 20 , the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 1 and the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 2 may be toners of the same special color. The controller 101 obtains, from the image forming part 20 , information indicating the type (color) of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 1 and information indicating the type (color) of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 2 in step S 17 . In a case where the controller 101 determines that the special-color-toner type included in the spot-color data, the type of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 1 , and the type of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 2 are the same, the flow may proceed to step S 23 so that the spot color is printed by using the basic colors and the special color that is the foremost color on a recording medium.

In this case, the flow may proceed to step S 25 instead of step S 23 , and the controller 101 may perform control so that the spot color is printed by using the basic colors and the special color that is the backmost color on a recording medium.

The controller 101 obtains, from the image forming part 20 , information indicating the type (color) of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 1 and information indicating the type (color) of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 2 in step S 17 . In the case where the controller 101 determines that the special-color-toner type included in the spot-color data, the type of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 1 , and the type of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 2 are the same, the controller 101 may output pieces of separation data and look-up tables so that the spot color is printed by using both the special-color toner that is the foremost toner on a recording medium and the special-color toner that is the backmost toner on a recording medium and may generate pieces of raster data by using these pieces of separation data and look-up tables.

Specifically, the controller 101 generates, from the document data 200 , the separation data 201 S 1 for the special color used by the image forming unit 24 S 1 that forms the foremost toner image on a recording medium, the separation data 201 S 2 for the special color used by the image forming unit 24 S 2 that forms the backmost toner image on a recording medium, the separation data 201 Y for a yellow separation, the separation data 201 M for a magenta separation, the separation data 201 C for a cyan separation, the separation data 201 K for a black separation, and the separation data 201 SP for a spot-color separation, as illustrated in FIG. 12 .

Next, the controller 101 outputs look-up tables for combining the separation data for the spot color with each of the pieces of separation data for the basic colors and each of the pieces of separation data for the special color by using CMYK values included in the spot-color data. Specifically, the controller 101 outputs a look-up table 202 S 1 c for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 S 1 for the special color, a look-up table 202 S 2 c for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 S 2 for the special color, a look-up table 202 Yc for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 Y for yellow, a look-up table 202 Mc for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 M for magenta, a look-up table 202 Cc for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 C for cyan, and a look-up table 202 Kc for combining the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with the separation data 201 K for black.

Next, the controller 101 combines the separation data 201 SP for the spot color with each of the pieces of separation data for the basic colors and each of the pieces of separation data for the special color.

Specifically, the controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of the special color in the separation data 201 S 1 by referring to the look-up table 202 S 1 c while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of the special color in the separation data 201 S 1 .

The controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of the special color in the separation data 201 S 2 by referring to the look-up table 202 S 2 c while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of the special color in the separation data 201 S 2 .

The controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of yellow in the separation data 201 Y by referring to the look-up table 202 Yc while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of yellow in the separation data 201 Y.

The controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of magenta in the separation data 201 M by referring to the look-up table 202 Mc while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of magenta in the separation data 201 M.

The controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of cyan in the separation data 201 C by referring to the look-up table 202 Cc while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of cyan in the separation data 201 C.

The controller 101 obtains a value to be added to the pixel value of a pixel of black in the separation data 201 K by referring to the look-up table 202 Kc while using the pixel value of a pixel of the spot color in the separation data 201 SP and adds the obtained value to the pixel value of a pixel of black in the separation data 201 K.

When the controller 101 adds the pixel value obtained from each of the look-up tables to the pixel value of each pixel in a corresponding one of the pieces of separation data for yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and the special color, the separation data for the spot color is combined with each of the pieces of separation data for the basic colors and each of the pieces of separation data for the special color. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 12 , the separation data 203 S 1 for the special color, the separation data 203 S 2 for the special color, the separation data 203 Y for yellow, the separation data 203 M for magenta, the separation data 203 C for cyan, and the separation data 203 K for black used to draw the object of the spot color using the basic colors and the special color are generated.

Next, the controller 101 generates pieces of raster data from the pieces of separation data. Specifically, the controller 101 generates the raster data 204 S 1 for the special color from the separation data 203 S 1 , generates the raster data 204 S 2 for the special color from the separation data 203 S 2 , generates the raster data 204 Y for yellow from the separation data 203 Y, generates the raster data 204 M for magenta from the separation data 203 M, generates the raster data 204 C for cyan from the separation data 203 C, and generates the raster data 204 K for black from the separation data 203 K. After completing generation of the pieces of raster data, the controller 101 feeds the generated pieces of raster data to the image forming part 20 . According to this modification, the special-color toner is arranged in the backmost position and the foremost position, resulting in the special color deeper than the color printed in a case where the special-color toner is arranged only in the backmost position or the foremost position.

In the case where the special-color-toner type included in the spot-color data, the type of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 1 , and the type of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 2 are the same, the special-color toner in which arrangement position is to be used may be set for each spot color.

For example, after obtaining the pieces of information in step S 17 , the controller 101 may change the process to be performed depending on the spot color such that the flow proceeds to step S 23 in accordance with a predetermined setting for a spot color A or the flow proceeds to step S 25 in accordance with a predetermined setting for a spot color B. For a spot color C, as described above, the controller 101 may output pieces of separation data and look-up tables so that the spot color is printed by using both the special-color toner that is the foremost toner on a recording medium and the special-color toner that is the backmost toner on a recording medium and the basic-color toners and may use these pieces of separation data and look-up tables to generate pieces of raster data.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, when the controller 101 obtains, from the image forming part 20 , information indicating the type (color) of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 1 and information indicating the type (color) of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 2 , the controller 101 makes a request for these pieces of information to the image forming part 20 ; however, this configuration is not restrictive. For example, the image forming part 20 may transmit, to the image processing apparatus 12 from the image forming part 20 , information indicating the type (color) of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 1 and information indicating the type (color) of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 2 at predetermined intervals, and the controller 101 may store these pieces of information transmitted from the image forming part 20 at the predetermined intervals in the storage unit 102 . In a case of this configuration, in the process in step S 17 , the controller 101 obtains the pieces of information stored in the storage unit 102 . Also in this configuration, the controller 101 obtains, from the image forming part 20 , information indicating the type (color) of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 1 and information indicating the type (color) of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 2 .

The image forming part 20 according to the above-described exemplary embodiment forms an image on a recording medium by using an electrophotographic system; however, a configuration may be employed in which the image forming part 20 forms an image on a recording medium by using other systems, such as an inkjet system.

In a modification of the present disclosure, the image processing apparatus 12 and the image forming apparatus 14 may be integrated into an image forming apparatus.

In a modification of the present disclosure, the name of a spot color obtained from document data, pieces of information obtained in step S 17 , and look-up tables output on the basis of spot-color data and the pieces of information obtained in step S 17 may be registered in the storage unit 102 in association with one another. In a case of this configuration, for example, when the controller 101 outputs pieces of raster data from document data, the controller 101 obtains the name of the spot color of a spot-color object included in the document data and obtains, from the image forming part 20 , information indicating the type (color) of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 1 and information indicating the type (color) of the toner used by the image forming unit 24 S 2 . In a case where a set of a name and pieces of information the same as the obtained name of the spot color and the pieces of information obtained from the image forming part 20 is registered in the storage unit 102 , the controller 101 may output look-up tables registered in association with the obtained name of the spot color and combine the separation data for the spot color with each of the pieces of separation data for the basic colors and the separation data for the special color.

The functions implemented by the controller 101 of the image processing apparatus 12 according to the exemplary embodiment or modifications described above may be implemented as one or more hardware circuits, implemented by an arithmetic unit executing one or more programs, or implemented as a combination thereof. In a case where the functions of the controller 101 are implemented by using a program, the program may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium, such as a magnetic recording medium (for example, a magnetic tape or a magnetic disk (a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flexible disk (FD)), an optical recording medium (for example, an optical disk), a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory, and provided, or the program may be distributed via a communication line.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.