Color measurement system, color measurement method, and recording medium

Abstract

The present invention provides a color measurement system, a color measurement method, and a recording medium that are easy for a user to understand group color measurement. The color measurement system (10) includes: a reception unit (14) that receives the creation of a color group including a plurality of reference colors to be compared with the color to be color-measured by a color measurement unit (12) that performs color measurement, and the input of a color group name; and a display processing unit (19) that displays the created color group on a display unit (22). In addition, the reception unit (14) receives the selection of a color group to be the object of color measurement, and the display processing unit (19) performs processing to display the name of the selected color group on the display unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a color measurement system, a color measurement method, a program, and the like. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a color measurement system for performing color measurement has been known. As an existing technique of such a color measurement system, for example, a system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. Patent Document 1 discloses an image reading device including an image scanner that reads a patch and a spectrocolorimeter that performs color measurement on the patch read by the image scanner.

[0003] In a color measurement system, there is a case where color measurement of a color group including a plurality of colors is performed. However, color measurement of a color group is difficult for a user to understand, and thus there is a problem that the user is likely to perform color measurement of an incorrect color group. Such a case has not been considered in the method described in Patent Document 1.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-166916 Summary of the Invention

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a color measurement system including: a reception unit that receives creation of a color group including a plurality of reference colors to be compared with colors measured by a color measurement unit that performs color measurement and input of a color group name; a display processing unit that displays the created color group on a display unit, the reception unit receiving selection of the color group to be a color measurement target, and the display processing unit performing processing of displaying the selected color group name on the display unit.

[0006] In addition, one aspect of the present disclosure relates to a color measurement method that executes the following processing: receiving creation of a color group including a plurality of reference colors to be compared with colors measured by a color measurement unit that performs color measurement and input of a color group name; displaying the created color group on a display unit; receiving selection of the color group to be a color measurement target; and displaying the selected color group name on the display unit.

[0007] In addition, one aspect of the present disclosure relates to a recording medium that records a program for causing a color measurement system to execute the following steps: a step of receiving creation of a color group including a plurality of reference colors to be compared with colors measured by a color measurement unit that performs color measurement and input of a color group name; a step of displaying the created color group on a display unit; a step of receiving selection of the color group to be a color measurement target; and a step of performing processing of displaying the selected color group name on the display unit. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Figure 1 A block diagram for explaining a structural example of a color measurement system.

[0009] Figure 2 An example of a screen for explaining the display of color group names.

[0010] Figure 3 A block diagram for explaining another structural example of a color measurement system.

[0011] Figure 4 Examples of external views of a colorimeter and a terminal device for implementing a color measurement system.

[0012] Figure 5 An example of an external view of a colorimeter.

[0013] Figure 6 A block diagram for explaining a structural example of a color measurement system including a colorimeter and a terminal device.

[0014] Figure 7 A flowchart for explaining an example of a color measurement process.

[0015] Figure 8 A diagram for explaining an example of screen transitions for group color measurement in a colorimeter.

[0016] Figure 9 A diagram for explaining the transition relationship between each screen in a terminal device.

[0017] Figure 10 A diagram for explaining an example of a screen related to an editing method of a color group name.

[0018] Figure 11 Another diagram for explaining an example of a screen related to an editing method of a color group name.

[0019] Figure 12 A diagram for explaining a first thumbnail.

[0020] Figure 13 Another diagram for explaining an example of a screen related to an editing method of a color group name.

[0021] Figure 14 Another diagram for explaining an example of a screen related to an editing method of a color group name.

[0022] Figure 15 Another diagram for explaining an example of a screen related to an editing method of a color group name.

[0023] Figure 16 A diagram for explaining an example of a screen related to another method of creating a color group.

[0024] Figure 17 A diagram for explaining a screen example related to a method of reading a second thumbnail.

[0025] Figure 18 Another diagram for explaining a screen example related to a method of reading a second thumbnail.

[0026] Figure 19 Another diagram for explaining a screen example related to a method of reading a second thumbnail.

[0027] Figure 20 A diagram for explaining a screen example of group color measurement in a terminal device.

[0028] Figure 21 Another diagram for explaining a screen example of group color measurement in a terminal device.

[0029] Figure 22 Another diagram for explaining a screen example of group color measurement in a terminal device.

[0030] Figure 23 A diagram for explaining a screen example including a color measurement result with a color difference above a specific threshold.

[0031] Figure 24 Another diagram for explaining a screen example including a color measurement result with a color difference above a specific threshold.

[0032] Figure 25 A diagram for explaining a screen example of displaying a detected color group in a distinguishable manner.

[0033] Figure 26 A diagram for explaining a screen example related to the switching of color value display.

[0034] Figure 27 Another diagram for explaining a screen example related to the switching of color value display. Detailed implementation mode

[0035] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described. In addition, the embodiment described below is not an embodiment that unduly limits the content of the present disclosure described in the technical solution. Furthermore, not all of the structures described in this embodiment are necessarily essential structural elements of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 1The block diagram for explaining the structural example of the color measurement system 10 of the present embodiment. The color measurement system 10 of the present embodiment includes a color measurement unit 12, a reception unit 14, and a processing unit 18. In addition, the processing unit 18 includes a display processing unit 19. In addition, the color measurement system 10 can include the color measurement unit 12. The color measurement system 10 can be implemented, for example, by a colorimeter 30 described later, or can be implemented by the colorimeter 30 and a terminal device 60 described later. In addition, it can be implemented in various ways such as by communicatively connecting the colorimeter 30 to cloud computing.

[0037] The color measurement unit 12 performs color measurement. For example, the color measurement unit 12 performs color measurement of a target color printed on a printing medium or the like, and outputs a color measurement value as the color measurement result. The color measurement unit 12 can be implemented by a color measurement sensor or the like. The color measurement sensor can use, for example, a spectroscopic sensor. For example, the color measurement sensor can use a spectroscopic sensor made of MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) or the like that can be mass-produced by wafer-level processing. The spectroscopic sensor is, for example, a sensor that detects a reflection spectroscopic spectrum. Specifically, the spectroscopic sensor can be implemented by, for example, a light source realized by using an LED or the like, an optical filter that selects and switches wavelengths by inputting reflected light on a measurement surface from the light source, and a light receiving device that measures the amount of light of the reflected light passing through the optical filter. The optical filter can use a standard gauge or the like that is a wavelength filter utilizing multiple interference of two opposed reflection surfaces. By using the spectroscopic sensor to perform measurement of the reflection spectroscopic spectrum that measures the amount of light of the reflected light at each wavelength of the reflected light, color measurement of the target color is achieved. In addition, the color measurement sensor that realizes the color measurement unit 12 is not limited to such a spectroscopic sensor, and the color measurement sensor can also be implemented by, for example, an image sensor. In addition, the color measurement unit 12 can also adopt a unit that performs color measurement not only on reflected light but also on transmitted light.

[0038] The reception unit 14 receives the creation of a color group including a plurality of reference colors that are compared with the colors measured by the color measurement unit 12. For example, when color measurement of a plurality of colors is required for the measurement object, the reception unit 14 receives the creation of a color group including these plurality of colors. As color groups, there are, for example, color groups in spot color measurement and color groups in line color measurement. In addition, line color measurement is sometimes also referred to as scanning color measurement. For example, in a predetermined case, when a user, such as a printer, receives a hint of a sample including a desired color from a client who commissions the production of a printed matter including the desired color, the user uses the color measurement system 10 to perform color measurement on a plurality of parts including the characteristic part of the sample. The predetermined situation means a situation where the user cannot temporarily store the sample. At this time, the reception unit 14 receives the creation of a color group including the colors to be the color measurement object. The created color group is associated and stored as a color sample in the Figure 1 unstated storage unit in, and thus is registered in the color measurement system 10. In addition, the reception unit 14 may also receive other input information from the user, and the detailed content will be described below.

[0039] The processing unit 18 controls each part of the color measurement system 10. Although the processing unit 18 can be implemented by a processor of the processing unit 32 of the colorimeter 30 described later, it can also be implemented in a manner that further includes a processor of the processing unit 62 of the terminal device 60, and the detailed content will be described below. The processing unit 18 executes each process of the present embodiment based on the program of the present embodiment. This program is a program for causing a computer to function as each part of the present embodiment. The computer is, for example, a device having an operation unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, and an output unit. For example, the program of the present embodiment is a program for causing a computer to function as the reception unit 14 and the display processing unit 19. This program is, for example, stored in an information storage medium. That is, the color measurement system 10 of the present embodiment can execute each process of the present embodiment based on the program stored in the information storage medium. The information storage medium, which is a medium readable by a computer, is a medium for storing programs, data, etc., and its function can be realized by an optical disc, a hard disk device (HDD), a semiconductor memory, etc.

[0040] The display processing unit 19 performs processing to display the color group created by the user on the display unit 22. For example, the color group is displayed in a manner that enables the user to recognize that the above-mentioned reception unit 14 has received the creation of the color group. In addition, for example, when multiple color groups are created, the display processing unit 19 can also display each color group as a list. In addition, for example, when producing a printed matter commissioned by the user and inspecting the printed matter, the display processing unit 19 can also display the registered color group on the display unit 22. Additionally, the display unit 22 here can be, for example, the display unit 38 of the colorimeter 30 described later, or the display unit 68 of the terminal device 60 described later, or it can also be both of them.

[0041] In addition, the reception unit 14 receives the selection of the color group to be the object of color measurement. For example, when the user inspects the above-mentioned printed matter, the user selects an appropriate color group. Then, for the multiple colors to be measured of the printed matter, the user performs color measurement implemented by the color measurement unit 12 based on the selected color group, and compares with the colors included in the specified color group to make a judgment of consistency or non-consistency.

[0042] In addition, the display processing unit 19 performs processing to display the name of the selected color group on the display unit 22. Although Figure 2 it is an example of a screen when the display unit 22 corresponds to the display unit 68 of the terminal device 60 described later, for example, as shown in F, the name of the selected color group can be displayed on the display unit 22. For example, after the user creates a color group based on a predetermined commission, the reception unit 14 receives input text information such as "CL1_PD1" using the name of the customer and the name of the product related to the predetermined commission. Then, the processing unit 18 stores this input text information in the above-mentioned storage unit (not shown). Then, when the user inspects the printed matter based on this predetermined commission, the display processing unit 19 causes the display unit 22 to display "CL1_PD1" as the color group name, and the user performs color measurement while confirming the selected color group name, that is, "CL1_PD1". In addition, the naming rule of the color group name is not limited to the above rule, and the user can appropriately determine the naming rule.

[0043] As described above, the color measurement system 10 of the present embodiment includes: a reception unit 14 that receives the creation of a color group including a plurality of reference colors for comparison with the color to be color-measured by the color measurement unit 12 that performs color measurement, and the input of the color group name; and a display processing unit 19 that displays the created color group on the display unit 22. In addition, the reception unit 14 receives the selection of the color group to be the color measurement object, and the display processing unit 19 performs the process of displaying the selected color group name on the display unit. In this way, the color measurement system 10 of the present embodiment can create the desired group color measurement data by the user after receiving the creation of the color group and the input of the color group name, and can easily identify the color group. Thereby, the user can manage the color group in an easy-to-understand manner. Thereby, the user can quickly and accurately select the color group in detection or the like. Thereby, the user can smoothly perform group color measurement.

[0044] In addition, the method of the present embodiment can also be implemented as a color measurement method. That is, the color measurement method of the present embodiment performs the following processes: receiving the creation of a color group including a plurality of reference colors for comparison with the color to be color-measured by the color measurement unit 12 that performs color measurement, and the input of the color group name; displaying the created color group on the display unit 22; receiving the selection of the color group to be the color measurement object; and displaying the selected color group name on the display unit. By setting it in this way, the same effects as described above can be obtained.

[0045] In addition, the method of the present embodiment can also be implemented as a program. That is, the program of the present embodiment causes the color measurement system 10 to execute the following steps: a step of receiving the creation of a color group including a plurality of reference colors for comparison with the color to be color-measured by the color measurement unit 12 that performs color measurement, and the input of the color group name. And, the program of the present embodiment further causes the color measurement system 10 to execute the following steps: a step of displaying the created color group on the display unit; a step of receiving the selection of the color group to be the color measurement object; and a step of performing the process of displaying the selected color group name on the display unit 22. By setting it in this way, the same effects as described above can be obtained.

[0046] In addition, the color measurement system 10 of the present embodiment is not limited to the content described above, and various modifications such as adding other structural elements can be implemented. For example, as Figure 3As shown in the block diagram, the color measurement system 10 may also include a comparison processing unit 20. When a comparison mode of a color group is specified, the comparison processing unit 20 performs a color group comparison process of comparing each reference color of the color group with the color of the measured color. Although the comparison mode refers to a mode of color comparison by, for example, a spot color measurement mode or a line color measurement mode, it may also be a mode of color comparison by a color chart color measurement mode or the like. For example, the comparison processing unit 20 compares the measured color with the color of the comparison object for the first to nth colors (n is an integer of 2 or more) to determine whether they are the same. The measured color and the color of the comparison object being the same means that the allowable conditions for color identity are satisfied. The allowable conditions can be set in various ways. For example, the processing unit 18 determines that the measured color and the color of the comparison object are the same when the color difference between the measured color and the color of the comparison object is less than a predetermined value. In addition, the allowable conditions can be other conditions regarding color difference or conditions regarding ambient light sources, or conditions for each color component or reflection spectral conditions. In addition, a combination of these conditions can also be the allowable conditions. In addition, in the color group, the allowable conditions for color identity can be set for each color, or can be set for the color group as a whole. In this case, the comparison processing unit 20 determines whether the measured color and the color of the comparison object are the same based on the allowable conditions set in the color group. For example, the reception unit 14 receives the allowable conditions for color identity corresponding to each color group, and the processing unit 18 stores the allowable conditions in an unillustrated storage unit described above in association with the color group, so that the allowable conditions are registered in the color measurement system 10. Then, the comparison processing unit 20 determines whether the measured color and the color of the comparison object in the color group are the same based on the allowable conditions set in the color group.

[0047] In addition, the display processing unit 19 may also perform a process of displaying the comparison result of the color group comparison process on the display unit 22. For example, the processing unit 18 strictly differentiates between the colors that satisfy the above-mentioned allowable conditions and the colors that do not satisfy the allowable conditions, and the display processing unit 19 displays them on the display unit 22 in different ways. Different ways are, for example, to represent or display different thumbnails by words such as passed (OK) / failed (NG). By setting it in this way, the user can easily grasp the comparison results of each color included in the color group.

[0048] In addition, the display processing unit 19 may also perform display processing for displaying at least one of the identification information of the color to be compared with the next color to be colorimetrically measured and the outline color of the color to be compared with the next color to be colorimetrically measured. In addition, in the present embodiment, the color to be compared with the next color to be colorimetrically measured is appropriately described as the next color to be colorimetrically measured. The identification information of the next color to be colorimetrically measured is information for enabling the user to identify the next color to be colorimetrically measured. As the identification information of the next color to be colorimetrically measured, for example, there are a first mark for identifying the next color to be colorimetrically measured, number information of the next color to be colorimetrically measured, and the like. The first mark is a mark for enabling the user to visually identify the next color to be colorimetrically measured when the next color to be colorimetrically measured is displayed on a screen or the like described later. The user can identify what color the next color to be colorimetrically measured is, for example, by viewing the first mark. The number information of the next color to be colorimetrically measured is information about the number of the next color to be colorimetrically measured in the color group. The user can identify which color in the color group the next color to be colorimetrically measured is by viewing the number information. In addition, the outline color of the next color to be colorimetrically measured is, for example, to enable the user to understand what kind of outline color the next color to be colorimetrically measured is, for example, a color expressed by RGB values or the like of the next color to be colorimetrically measured.

[0049] In addition, the display processing unit 19 may also perform display processing for displaying at least one of the identification information of the color measured this time and the outline color of the color measured this time. The identification information of the color measured this time is information for enabling the user to identify the color measured this time. As the identification information of the color measured this time, for example, there are a second mark for identifying the color measured this time, number information of the color measured this time, and the like. The second mark is a mark for enabling the user to visually identify the color measured this time on the screen. The user can identify what color the color measured this time is, for example, by viewing the second mark. The number information of the color measured this time is information about the number of the color measured this time in the color group. The user can identify which color in the color group the color measured this time is by viewing the number information. In addition, the outline color of the color measured this time is, for example, to enable the user to understand what kind of outline color the color measured this time is, for example, a color expressed by RGB values or the like of the color measured this time.

[0050] In addition, the display processing unit 19 can also perform display processing to display notification information indicating the completion of the color measurement operation. By performing such display processing of the notification information, the user can understand that the color measurement operation has been completed. In this case, the notification information indicating the completion of the color measurement operation can be either information notifying the completion of the color measurement operation for the color group or information notifying the completion of the color measurement operation for each row in the case of performing color measurement.

[0051] Figure 4 And Figure 5 are examples of the external views of the colorimeter 30 and the terminal device 60 that constitute the color measurement system 10 of the present embodiment. In addition, Figure 4 And Figure 5 For example, as described above, the color measurement system 10 of the present embodiment can also be composed only of the colorimeter 30, and various modifications can be implemented. In addition, the appearance of the colorimeter 30 is not limited to Figure 4 Or Figure 5 shown in the example, and the appearance of the terminal device 60 is not limited to Figure 4 shown in the example.

[0052] Figure 4 The colorimeter 30 shown, for example, has a substantially cubic shape, and a display unit 38, a color measurement button 40, and a cross key 42 are provided on its upper surface. In addition, a return button 44 and a power button 46 are also provided on the upper surface of the colorimeter 30. On the other hand, as Figure 5 shown, a color measurement unit 12 and a movable shutter 48 are provided on the lower surface of the colorimeter 30. The display unit 38 can be implemented by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, etc., and displays various information to the user. The color measurement button 40 is an operation device for the user to instruct the colorimeter 30 to perform color measurement. For example, when the user presses the color measurement button 40, the colorimeter 30 performs color measurement using the color measurement unit 12. The cross key 42 is, for example, an operation device for indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right. The return button 44 is a button for performing a return operation also called a backward operation, and the power button 46 is a button for turning on and off the power of the colorimeter 30. The color measurement unit 12 is a unit implemented by a color measurement sensor as described above, and for example, its shape in a top view is a substantially circular shape. The movable shutter 48 protects the color measurement unit 12 when the colorimeter 30 is not in use. For example, when the colorimeter 30 is not in use, the user performs an operation to move the movable shutter 48 toward the color measurement unit 12 side to close the movable shutter 48, so that external impacts, etc. are not applied to the color measurement unit 12.

[0053] Figure 4 And Figure 5The colorimeter 30 shown has a shape that enables the user to hold it with one hand and perform color measurement operations. For example, the user holds the side of the colorimeter 30 with the thumb and middle finger, ring finger, little finger, etc., and presses the color measurement button 40 or performs operations such as indicating directions with the cross keys 42 with the index finger. However, Figure 4 and Figure 5 taking the colorimeter 30 shown as an example, the colorimeter 30 may also be formed in other shapes.

[0054] The terminal device 60 is a communication terminal capable of communicating and connecting with the colorimeter 30, and is implemented by, for example, a smart phone or a tablet PC (Personal Computer). The terminal device 60 communicates and connects with the colorimeter 30 through wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The terminal device 60 has a display unit 68 and also has operation devices such as operation buttons. In addition, the display unit 68 is, for example, a touch panel, and the user performs various operations by touching the display unit 68 that is a touch panel.

[0055] Figure 6 FIG. is a block diagram showing a structural example of the color measurement system 10 including the colorimeter 30 and the terminal device 60. In addition, the color measurement system 10 including the colorimeter 30 and the terminal device 60 is not limited to Figure 6 the structure, and can be subjected to various modifications such as omitting some of its structural elements or adding other structural elements.

[0056] The colorimeter 30 includes a color measurement unit 12, a processing unit 32, an operation unit 34, a storage unit 36, a display unit 38, and a communication unit 39. The color measurement unit 12 is implemented by a color measurement sensor or the like as described above.

[0057] The processing unit 32 performs control processing for each part of the colorimeter 30 and each processing of the present embodiment. For example, the processing unit 32 performs control processing for the color measurement unit 12 and acquisition processing for acquiring color measurement data from the color measurement unit 12. In addition, the processing unit 32 performs input processing for the operation information of the user input through the operation unit 34, reading processing for reading information from the storage unit 36, and writing processing for writing information to the storage unit 36. In addition, the processing unit 32 performs display processing for displaying information on the display unit 38, control processing for the communication of the communication unit 39, and the like. The processing unit 32 can be implemented by a processor. For example, each processing of the present embodiment can be implemented by a processor that operates based on information such as a program and a memory that stores information such as a program. The memory is the storage unit 36. For the processor, for example, the functions of each part can be implemented by separate hardware, or the functions of each part can also be implemented by integrated hardware. For example, the processor can include hardware, and the hardware includes at least one of a circuit for processing digital signals and a circuit for processing analog signals. For example, the processor can also be composed of one or more circuit devices or one or more circuit elements mounted on a circuit board. The processor can also be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). However, the processor is not limited to the CPU, and various processors such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) can also be used. In addition, the processor can also be a hardware circuit implemented by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). In addition, the processor can also include an amplification circuit, a filter circuit, etc. for processing analog signals.

[0058] The operation unit 34 is an operation interface for inputting the operation information of the user. The operation unit 34 can be implemented by an operation device. If taking Figure 4 as an example, the operation unit 34 can be implemented by operation devices such as a color measurement button 40, a cross key 42, a return button 44, a power button 46, etc. However, the operation devices for implementing the operation unit 34 are not limited to these operation devices.

[0059] The storage unit 36 stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 36 stores programs and data. The storage unit 36 functions as a working area for, for example, the processing unit 32 and the communication unit 39. For example, the storage unit 36 serving as a memory can be a semiconductor memory such as SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), a register, or a hard disk device, etc. For example, by storing commands readable by a computer in the storage unit 36 serving as a memory and having these commands executed by the processing unit 32 serving as a processor, the processing of each part of the processing unit 32 is realized. The commands here can be either a set of commands constituting a program or commands instructing the hardware circuit of the processor to operate.

[0060] The display unit 38 displays various types of information to the user. The display unit 38 can be realized by various displays such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, etc. The display unit 38 displays, for example, information required for the user to operate the colorimeter 30, various status information of the colorimeter 30, etc.

[0061] The communication unit 39 is a communication interface for wireless or wired communication with an external device. The communication unit 39 can be realized by hardware such as a communication ASIC or a communication processor, communication firmware, etc. For example, the communication unit 39 communicates with an external device such as the terminal device 60 through short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth. Specifically, the communication unit 39 communicates with the external device through wireless communication conforming to the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) standard. Alternatively, the communication unit 39 can also communicate with the external device through wireless communication conforming to other standards such as Wi-Fi. In addition, the communication unit 39 can also perform wired communication based on standards such as USB.

[0062] The terminal device 60 includes a processing unit 62, an operation unit 64, a storage unit 66, a display unit 68, and a communication unit 69.

[0063] The processing unit 62 implements the control processing of each part of the terminal device 60 and the various processes of this embodiment. For example, the processing unit 62 implements the input processing of the user's operation information input through the operation unit 64, the read processing of reading information from the storage unit 66, the write processing of writing information to the storage unit 66. In addition, the processing unit 62 implements the display processing of displaying information on the display unit 68, the control processing of the communication of the communication unit 69, etc. The processing unit 62 can be realized by the above-mentioned processor, etc.

[0064] The operation unit 64 is an operation interface for inputting operation information of the user. The operation unit 64 can be implemented by an operation device. If Figure 4 is taken as an example, the operation unit 64 can be implemented by an operation device such as a touch panel of the display unit 68, an operation button provided on the terminal device 60, etc. However, the operation device for implementing the operation unit 64 is not limited to these operation devices.

[0065] The storage unit 66 stores various kinds of information. For example, the storage unit 66 stores programs and data. The storage unit 66 functions as a working area for the processing unit 62, the communication unit 69, etc. For example, the storage unit 66 as a memory can be a semiconductor memory such as SRAM, DRAM, a register, or a hard disk device, an optical disk device. For example, the storage unit 66 as a memory stores commands readable by a computer, and these commands are executed by the processing unit 62 as a processor, thereby implementing the processing of each part of the processing unit 62.

[0066] The display unit 68 displays various kinds of information to the user. The display unit 68 can be implemented by various displays such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, for example. In addition, the display unit 68 is implemented by a touch panel, for example, and also functions as the operation unit 64. The display unit 68 displays information required for the user to operate the terminal device 60, various status information of the terminal device 60 and the colorimeter 30, etc.

[0067] The communication unit 69 is a communication interface for performing wireless or wired communication with an external device. The communication unit 69 can be implemented by hardware such as a communication ASIC or a communication processor, communication firmware, etc. For example, the communication unit 69 communicates with an external device such as the colorimeter 30 through short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth. Specifically, the communication unit 69 communicates with an external device through wireless communication based on the BLE standard. Alternatively, the communication unit 69 can also communicate with an external device through other standard wireless communication such as Wi-Fi. In addition, the communication unit 69 can also perform wired communication based on a standard such as USB.

[0068] Moreover, as described above, the processing of the color measurement system 10 of the present embodiment can also be implemented by, for example, the processing unit 62 of the terminal device 60. In this case, the processing unit 62 includes a reception unit 14, a processing unit 18, and a display processing unit 19, and implements the processing of each of these parts. In addition, the processing unit 62 can also implement the processing of the comparison processing unit 20. For example, the program of the present embodiment is installed on the terminal device 60 as an application program and stored in the storage unit 66, and this application program executes the processing of each of the reception unit 14, the processing unit 18, the display processing unit 19, and the comparison processing unit 20. Alternatively, the processing of the color measurement system 10 can also be implemented by the processing unit 32 of the colorimeter 30. In this case, the processing unit 32 includes a reception unit 14, a processing unit 18, and a display processing unit 19, and implements the processing of each of these parts. In addition, the processing unit 32 can also implement the processing of the comparison processing unit 20. For example, the program stored in the storage unit 36 executes the processing of each of the reception unit 14, the processing unit 18, the display processing unit 19, and the comparison processing unit 20. Alternatively, the processing of the color measurement system 10 can also be implemented by the distributed processing of the processing unit 32 and the processing unit 62.

[0069] Next, a flowchart of Figure 7 will be used to describe a processing example related to the color measurement of the present embodiment. First, the color measurement system 10 acquires a color group to be detected (step S1). Specifically, the reception unit 14 accepts the user's selection from among a plurality of color groups pre-registered in the storage unit. Then, the processing unit 18 selects and acquires one color group based on this selection. In addition, the color measurement system 10 counts the number of colors in the color group to be detected (step S2). Here, it is assumed that the number of colors is 4, and examples of specific screen transitions in Figure 8 etc. will be described below. Then, the color measurement system 10 sets the color number of the color measurement to 1 as the initial value (step S3).

[0070] Next, the color measurement system 10 performs Figure 4It is determined whether the cross key 42 is pressed (step S4). Additionally, in this flowchart, instead of the physically existing cross key 42 or button, virtual keys displayed on the screen can also be used. Then, when the right direction is indicated by the cross key 42, the color measurement system 10 determines whether the color number +1 is greater than the number of colors (step S5). If it is not greater than the number of colors, the color number for color measurement is incremented by, for example, 1 (step S6). On the other hand, when the color measurement number +1 is greater than the number of colors, the color measurement system 10 returns to the process of step S4. Furthermore, when the left direction is indicated by the cross key 42, the color measurement system 10 determines whether the color number -1 is 0 (step S7). If it is not 0, the color number for color measurement is decremented by, for example, 1 (step S8). On the other hand, when the color number -1 is 0, the color measurement system 10 returns to the process of step S4. Additionally, the determination of the right direction indication in step S4 can also be the determination of the up direction indication, and the determination of the left direction indication can also be the determination of the down direction indication.

[0071] Next, when the cross key 42 is not pressed, the color measurement system 10 determines Figure 4 whether the return button 44 is pressed (step S9). If it is pressed, the screen displayed on the display unit 38 or the display unit 68 is transferred to the home screen. On the other hand, when the return button 44 is not pressed, the color measurement system 10 determines whether the color measurement button 40 is pressed (step S10). If it is pressed, color measurement is performed (step S11), and if it is not pressed, the process returns to step S4.

[0072] After the color measurement system 10 performs color measurement using the color measurement unit 12, it determines whether the color of the color measurement and the color of the comparison object are the same (step S12). That is, when the color difference between the color of the color measurement and the color of the comparison object does not exceed the value determined by the allowable conditions, the color measurement system 10 determines that the colors are the same, and when it exceeds, it determines that the colors are different. Then, when the colors are the same, the color measurement system 10 increments the color number of the color measurement by, for example, 1 (step S13), and displays the color measurement result and the next color to be measured (step S14). On the other hand, when the colors are different, the color measurement system 10 determines whether the user has performed an operation to increment the color number (step S15). Then, when the operation to increment the color number is performed, the color measurement system 10 increments the color number of the color measurement by, for example, 1 (step S13), and displays the color measurement result and the next color to be measured (step S14). On the other hand, when the operation to increment the color number is not performed, the color number is not incremented, and the color measurement result and the next color to be measured are displayed (step S14). In addition, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user performs an operation to indicate the increment of the color number. Then, the color measurement system 10 determines whether the color number of the color measurement has exceeded the number of colors (step S16). When it has not exceeded, the process returns to the process of step S4, and when it has exceeded, the process returns to the process of step S3, and the color number is set to 1 as the initial value.

[0073] Next, regarding Figure 6 the example of the screen in the color measurement system 10, the colorimeter 30 and the terminal device 60 will be described separately. Figure 8 FIG. is a diagram showing an example of a screen transition of group color measurement achieved by spot color measurement as an example of the screen display in the colorimeter 30. In group color measurement, there is group color measurement achieved by spot color measurement and group color measurement achieved by line color measurement. In the present embodiment, an example of the screen transition of group color measurement achieved by spot color measurement is illustrated, and the screen transition example of group color measurement achieved by line color measurement is omitted. Regarding Figure 9 the same applies hereinafter. In addition, Figure 8 the example of the screen is an example when the display unit 38 of the colorimeter 30 is smaller than the display unit 68 of the terminal device 60, and various modifications can be made according to the specifications of the display unit 38. For example, in Figure 8 the example of the screen, the color group name is not displayed on the display unit 38, but in Figure 9 the display unit 68 such as Figure 9 the color group name is displayed. However, when the display unit 38 is larger, the processing unit 32 can also perform the process of displaying the color group name on the display unit 38. In addition, the processing unit 32 can also display the

[0074] In the state where the color measurement start screen shown in A1 of Figure 8 is displayed on the display unit 38, when the color measurement button 40 is pressed as shown in A2, color measurement of the first color in the color group is performed, and the color measurement result screen of the first color as shown in A3 is displayed on the display unit 38. Additionally, although Figure 8 the display process of Figure 6 is performed by the processing unit 32 of Figure 1 it corresponds to the process performed by the display processing unit 19 of

[0075] In the screen of A3, as shown in A4 and A5, the first mark for identifying the next color to be color-measured and the number information of the next color to be color-measured are displayed. The number information shown in A5 pointed to by the first mark shown in A4 is the identification information of the next color to be color-measured. The identification information of the next color to be color-measured is the identification information of the color to be compared with the next color to be color-measured. The user can identify which color in the color group the next color to be color-measured is by viewing the number information in A5. For example, in the screen of A3, the second color in the color group is the next color to be color-measured.

[0076] Furthermore, in the screen of A3, in the first mark shown in A4, the outline color of the next color to be color-measured is displayed as shown in A6. For example, the outline color is displayed by making the display show the RGB value of the next color to be color-measured. The outline of the next color to be color-measured is the outline of the color to be compared with the next color to be color-measured. By viewing the outline color in A6, the user can know what kind of outline color the next color to be color-measured is. For example, the first mark in A4 is a circular mark that surrounds the outline color in A6, and the number information in A5 is displayed near the outline color in A6. Thus, the user can understand what kind of color outline the next color to be color-measured is by viewing the outline color surrounded by the first mark. Additionally, the user can know which color in the color group the next color to be color-measured is by viewing the number information displayed near the outline color. That is, the user can understand the situation where the next color to be color-measured is the second color in the color group. Also, it does not prevent the display of other information. Other information refers to, for example, the name of the next color to be color-measured and the RGB value of the next color to be color-measured.

[0077] In addition, in the screen of A3, as shown in A7 and A8, a second mark for identifying the color measured this time and the number information of the color measured this time are displayed. The second mark shown in A7 and the number information shown in A8 are the identification information of the color measured this time. The user can know what color the color measured this time is by viewing the second mark in A7, and can know which color in the color group the color measured this time is by viewing the number information in A8. For example, in the screen of A3, the first color in the color group is the color measured this time.

[0078] In addition, in the screen of A3, as shown in A9, the summary color of the color measured this time is displayed. For example, the summary color of the color measured this time expressed by RGB values is displayed. The user can know what kind of summary color the color measured this time is by viewing the summary color in A9. For example, the second mark in A7 is a mark of a triangular arrow pointing to the summary color in A9, and the number information in A8 is displayed near the summary color in A9. Thus, the user can know what kind of summary color the color measured this time is by viewing the summary color pointed to by the second mark. In addition, by viewing the number information displayed near the summary color, it is possible to know which color in the color group the color measured this time is. That is, it is possible to know that the color measured this time is the first color in the color group.

[0079] In addition, in the screen of A3, as shown in A10 and A11, the color difference ΔE and the judgment result of the color difference ΔE are displayed. The color difference ΔE shown in A10 is the color difference between the first color measured and the corresponding first comparison object color in the color group. The judgment result shown in A11 is the judgment result of the color difference ΔE with respect to the allowable value. Here, since the color difference ΔE is within the allowable value, it becomes a passing judgment. In addition, in the screen of A3, as shown in A12, the information on the battery level of the colorimeter 30 is also displayed. In addition, although not shown, the information on the connection state of the communication between the colorimeter 30 and the terminal device 60 is also displayed. For example, the information on whether communication such as Bluetooth is connected is displayed. In addition, although the color difference ΔE is officially recorded as ΔE*, in this embodiment, it is recorded as ΔE for short.

[0080] In the state where the screen of A3 is displayed on the display unit 38, when the color measurement button 40 is pressed as shown in A13, the color measurement of the second color in the color group is performed, and the color measurement result screen of the second color is displayed as shown in A14.

[0081] In the screen of A14, as shown in A15, a circular first mark as identification information of the color to be colorimetrically measured next, number information, and the color of the outline of the color to be colorimetrically measured next are displayed. In addition, as shown in A16, a triangular second mark as identification information of the color of the current colorimetric measurement, number information, and the outline color of the color of the current colorimetric measurement are displayed. For example, in the screen of A14, the third color in the color group is the color to be colorimetrically measured next, and the second color in the color group is the color of the current colorimetric measurement.

[0082] In addition, in the screen of A14, as shown in A17 and A18, the color difference ΔE and the judgment result of the color difference ΔE are displayed. The color difference ΔE shown in A17 is the color difference between the second color measured colorimetrically and the corresponding second comparison object color in the color group. In addition, the judgment result shown in A18 is the judgment result of the color difference ΔE with respect to the allowable value. Here, since the color difference ΔE is within the allowable value, it becomes a passing judgment.

[0083] In the state where the screen of A14 is displayed on the display unit 38, when the colorimetric measurement button 40 is pressed as shown in A19, the colorimetric measurement of the third color in the color group is performed, and the colorimetric measurement result screen of the third color is displayed as shown in A20. The color difference ΔE and the judgment result of the color difference ΔE are also displayed in the screen of A20. For example, the judgment result shown in A21 is the judgment result of the color difference ΔE with respect to the allowable value. Here, since the color difference ΔE is within the allowable value, it becomes a passing judgment.

[0084] In the state where the screen of A20 is displayed on the display unit 38, when the colorimetric measurement button 40 is pressed as shown in A22, the colorimetric measurement of the fourth color in the color group is performed, and the colorimetric measurement result screen of the fourth color is displayed as shown in A23. In addition, in the screen of A23, as shown in A24, the case where the judgment result of the color difference ΔE of the fourth color, which is the last color in the color group, is passed is displayed. In this case, a mark indicating that there is no color to be colorimetrically measured next is displayed as shown in A25, and the processing unit 18 notifies the user that the colorimetric measurement operation has been completed. In addition, in the operation result screen of A26, a mark notifying the completion of the operation is also displayed as shown in A27, and the processing unit 18 notifies the user that the colorimetric measurement operation has been completed. In addition, as shown in A28, the case where the judgment result of the overall color difference ΔE of the color group is passed is displayed, and as shown in A29, the average value of the color difference ΔE of the color group for which the colorimetric measurement is performed is also displayed.

[0085] Thus, in the present embodiment, the display processing unit 19 performs processing for displaying notification information notifying the completion of the colorimetric measurement operation. For example, when the last colorimetric measurement of the color group is completed, as Figure 8As shown in A25, a mark indicating that there is no next color to be measured is displayed, and the processing unit 18 notifies the user that the color measurement operation for the color group has been completed. Further, in the operation result screen of A26, a mark notifying the completion of the operation is also displayed as shown in A27, and the processing unit 18 notifies the user that the color measurement operation for the color group has been completed. If notification information such as a mark notifying the completion of such a color measurement operation is displayed on the screen, the user can visually confirm the completion of the color measurement operation for the color group by viewing the notification information, thereby facilitating the smooth progress of the color measurement operation for the color group.

[0086] Next, each screen example in the display unit 68 of the terminal device 60 will be described. Figure 9 This is a diagram for explaining the transition relationship of each screen displayed on the terminal device 60. Regarding the detailed content of each screen, it will be described Figure 10 later. When the user starts a predetermined application of the terminal device 60, the processing unit 62 displays the color measurement history screen P100 on the display unit 68. The color measurement history screen P100 can reciprocally transition between the color value display switching screen P102 and the group color measurement history screen P110. Further, the group color measurement history screen P110 can reciprocally transition with the group-by-group color measurement history screen P120, and the group-by-group color measurement history screen P120 can reciprocally transition with the group comparison result screen P122. In addition, the color measurement history screen P100 can be transitioned to the color group list screen P200 through the color group creation screen P150. The color group list screen P200 can reciprocally transition between the color sample data list screen P202 and the color group details screen P210. Further, the color group details screen P210 can reciprocally transition with the color group information details screen P220, and the color group information details screen P220 can reciprocally transition between the color group name editing screen P222 or the thumbnail editing screen P224. In addition, the color group details screen P210 can reciprocally transition to the color comparison screen P300, and the user can perform a group color measurement operation in this color comparison screen P300. Then, when the group color measurement operation is completed, it is transitioned from the color comparison screen P300 to the group comparison result screen P122. The detailed content of these screens will be described Figure 10 later.

[0087] Next, use Figure 10 、 Figure 11 、 Figure 12 、 Figure 13 、 Figure 14 、 Figure 15 's screen examples to explain the creation method of the color group and the color group name. In addition, Figure 6The processing unit 62 performs the display processing of the display unit 68, and this display processing corresponds to Figure 1 the processing performed by the display processing unit 19. Therefore, in the Figure 10 subsequent descriptions, it is sometimes described that the display processing unit 19 performs the display processing. In addition, Figure 6 the processing unit 62 performs the reception processing for receiving the input from the user, and this display processing corresponds to Figure 1 the processing performed by the reception unit 14. Therefore, in the Figure 10 subsequent descriptions, it is sometimes described that the reception unit 14 receives the input operation or selection operation of the user for the display unit 68 which is a touch panel. First, the user measures the color of the colors constituting the color group. Thereby, in the color measurement history screen P100, the color measurement history of the colors CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4 measured for color group creation is displayed. In addition, in Figure 10 , the color measurement results of the colors CS1 to CS4 are expressed in Lab values. In addition, although the Lab value is officially recorded as the L*a*b* value, and L, a, b are officially recorded as L*, a*, b*, in the present embodiment, it is recorded as the Lab value, L, a, b as an abbreviation. Moreover, by the user selecting the button icon shown in G11, the color measurement history screen P100 is changed to the color group creation screen P150.

[0088] In the color group creation screen P150, the colors CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4 measured for color group creation are also displayed. The user selects the colors constituting the color group from the colors CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4. Regarding the selected colors, for example, as shown in G21, G22, G23, G24, icons indicating that they have been selected are overlapped and displayed. In addition, the user does not need to select all the colors and can select any number of colors. Then, by the user selecting the new registration button icon shown in G25, the color group creation screen P150 is changed to Figure 11 the color group list screen P200.

[0089] In the color group list screen P200, as shown in G31, the information of the newly created color group is displayed as a bar icon. Specifically, the information of the group name shown in G32, the information of the first thumbnail shown in G33, the information of the number of colors shown in G34, and the information of the creation date and time shown in G35 are displayed. The group name at this time point is automatically set by the processing unit 62 and is displayed as "New Group 1" as shown in G32, for example. In addition, although not shown in the figure, when further creating a new color group, a bar icon is newly added and displayed, and "New Group 2" is displayed as the color group name in this bar icon. In addition, the first thumbnail is generated by the processing unit 62 according to the Figure 12An image automatically set according to the predetermined rules described later, and here it is set as image T11. Although the user can also retain the automatically set color group name and perform the desired group color measurement accordingly, in the case where multiple color groups are set, since it is difficult for the user to intuitively grasp the detailed content of the color group information based on the color group name, there is a problem that the color group cannot be selected quickly.

[0090] Therefore, a method in which the user can edit the color group name and the like can also be adopted. Specifically, when the user selects the bar icon shown in G31, the color group list screen P200 changes to the color group details screen P210. In the color group details screen P210, the bar icon of the color group is displayed as shown in G41. In addition, information on colors CS1, CS2, CS3, and CS4 indicating the details of the color group is displayed below the bar icon shown in G41. Specifically, image information of the color measured and information on the measurement time are displayed. Here, in addition, it is set that the measurement times are from the front to the back in the order of CS1, CS2, CS3, and CS4. A method can also be adopted in which, in the color group list screen P200, the user can perform editing to add or delete the colors that are the details of the color group. For example, a method can also be adopted in which other colors can be further added to the color group by selecting the new button icon shown in G44. For example, although not shown in the figure, a specification can also be added to delete the color from the color group by long-pressing the image icon of color CS1 or the like. In addition, in the bar icon shown in G41, information on the automatically set color group name is overlapped and displayed as shown in G42. In addition, although the area where the second thumbnail described later is displayed is overlapped and displayed in the bar icon shown in G41, since the second thumbnail has not been obtained at this time point, no screen is displayed as shown in G43.

[0091] In addition, the display processing unit 19 displays the first thumbnail by performing a tiled display formed by the colors constituting the color group. Specifically, as Figure 12As shown, the display processing unit 19 performs display processing of respectively assigning colors CS1, CS2, CS3, and CS4 to each of the substantially square divided regions obtained by dividing a substantially square predetermined region into four equal parts. In addition, when there are five or more colors, four colors can be sequentially assigned to each divided region starting from the first measured color. Further, when the number of colors constituting the color group is three, the display processing unit 19 performs display processing of setting the divided region shown in M1 as the blank region BK. Further, when the number of colors constituting the color group is two, the display processing unit 19 performs display processing of setting the divided regions shown in M2 and M3 as the blank region BK. Although the display processing unit 19 performs processing of displaying through the background for the blank region BK, it is not limited thereto. For example, processing of displaying a specific color such as white or black can also be performed. In addition, the tiled display of the first thumbnail is not limited to Figure 12 the example shown, and various modifications can be made. For example, the first thumbnail can be in a substantially circular shape or a substantially regular hexagonal shape, etc., and processing of changing the shape of the first thumbnail or the number of divided regions according to the number of colors included in the color group can also be performed.

[0092] By the user selecting the bar icon shown in G41, the color group details screen P210 is changed to Figure 13 the color group information details screen P220. In the color group information details screen P220, a bar icon indicating information on the color group name is displayed as shown in G51, or a bar icon indicating information on a second thumbnail described later is displayed as shown in G52. In the bar icon shown in G51, information on the current color group name is displayed as shown in G53, and in the bar icon shown in G52, information on the current second thumbnail is displayed as shown in G54.

[0093] In addition, other information can be displayed in the color group details screen P210. For example, information on color measurement settings and information on color difference formula settings can be displayed. Although an example of the screen is not shown, the information on color measurement settings refers to information on, for example, the M factor, the number of color measurements, the observation light source, the color difference threshold, etc. In addition, the information on the color difference formula is, for example, ΔE2000, ΔE1994 (graphic arts), ΔE1994 (textiles), ΔE1976, etc.

[0094] By the user selecting the icon shown in G55, the color group information details screen P220 is transformed into the color group name editing screen P222. In the color group name editing screen P222, the color group name is displayed in the editing area icon shown in G61. In addition, although detailed illustration is omitted, a soft keyboard icon is displayed as shown in G62. The user can use the soft keyboard in G62 to edit the color group name. In addition, the color group name editing screen P222 can also be displayed as a dialog box of the color group information details screen P220 as shown in Figure 13 shown.

[0095] By the user selecting the confirmation button icon shown in G63, the color group name editing screen P222 is transformed into Figure 14 the color group information details screen P220. Moreover, as shown in G71, the user can confirm the case where the color group name is changed in the color group information details screen P220. In addition, although selecting the cancel button icon shown in G64 also transforms the color group name editing screen P222 into the color group information details screen P220, the change of the group name is not reflected. In addition, by the user selecting the return button icon shown in G72, the color group information details screen P220 is converted into the color group details screen P210. Similarly, as shown in G81, the user can confirm the case where the color group name is changed in the color group details screen P210. In addition, by the user selecting the return button icon shown in G82, the color group details screen P210 is transformed into Figure 15 the color group list screen P200. Similarly, as shown in G91, the user can confirm the case where the color group name is changed in the color group list screen P200. In addition, as shown in G92, the fact that the first thumbnail and the color group name are displayed together in the color group list screen P200 is different from the fact that the second thumbnail and the color group name are displayed together in the color group details screen P210.

[0096] Although the above is the description of the method for creating a color group based on color data obtained by colorimetry, the method for creating a color group is not limited to this. For example, the user can also create a color group based on color sample data etc. pre-stored in the storage unit 66 of the terminal device 60. For example, by the user selecting the color sample data icon shown in G35 in the color group list screen P200, the color group list screen P200 is transformed into the color sample data list screen P202. As Figure 16As shown, color sample data based on existing color sample books such as PANTONE (registered trademark) or DIC colors (DIC is a registered trademark) can be selected on the color sample data overview screen P202. Although detailed explanations are omitted, by allowing the user to select each color sample data and appropriately applying the above method, it is possible to create the same color group. As described above, in the color measurement system 10 of the present embodiment, the reception unit 14 receives the color measured by the color measurement unit 12 or the color specified from the color sample data as the reference color of the color group. By setting it in this way, the user can create a desired color group.

[0097] In addition, the user can also obtain a second thumbnail and associate the second thumbnail with the created color group. The method of obtaining the second thumbnail and associating the second thumbnail with the created color group will be described using the Figure 17 , Figure 18 , Figure 19 screen examples. By the user selecting the icon shown in H11 on the above color group information details screen P220, the color group information details screen P220 changes to the thumbnail editing screen P224. Additionally, in the Figures 17 to 19 screen example, the color group name is set to the edited name. Moreover, in the thumbnail editing screen P224, as shown in H21 for example, images T21, T22, T23, T24, T25, T26 that can be used as the second thumbnail are displayed in a list form. Although these images T21 to T26 are, for example, images of printed materials containing the color group, other images such as the logo of the client can also be used as long as the color group can be easily determined. Here, it is assumed that the second thumbnail is an image of a printed material containing the color of the object to be color-measured. By setting it in this way, the user can easily understand which printed material the color group is based on by viewing the second thumbnail. In addition, the setting of the second thumbnail is not limited to the above. For example, it can also be set such that by selecting the icon shown in H22, the camera function of the terminal device 60 is activated, and by photographing a desired object, the second thumbnail is obtained. Furthermore, in the case where there is no appropriate candidate image or when it is not necessary to set the second thumbnail, by the user selecting the return button icon shown in H32, the thumbnail editing screen P224 changes to the color group information details screen P220.

[0098] When the user selects, for example, the icon of image T21 as the second thumbnail, the thumbnail editing screen P224 changes to Figure 18Details screen P220 of the color group information. Then, as shown in H31, the user can confirm the case where the image T21 becomes the second thumbnail in the color group information details screen P220. In addition, by selecting the return button icon shown in H32, the color group information details screen P220 changes to the color group details screen P210. Then, the user can confirm the case where the second thumbnail based on the image T21 shown in H41 and the color group name shown in H42 are displayed together in the color group details screen P210. In this way, in the color measurement system 10 of the present embodiment, the display processing unit 19 displays the thumbnail of the printed matter including the color to be measured, that is, the second thumbnail, together with the name of the color group. By setting it in this way, the user can obtain more detailed information of the color group, and thus, the situation of erroneously selecting the color group can be prevented. For example, since the above-mentioned first thumbnail is an image based only on color data, it is possible that the first thumbnail of the color group that the user originally wanted to select accidentally resembles the first thumbnail of other color groups. Regarding this point, by applying the method of the present embodiment and using, for example, an image of a printed matter as the second thumbnail as information other than color, the recognition of the color group can be improved.

[0099] In addition, by the user selecting the return button icon shown in H43, the color group details screen P210 changes to Figure 19 the color group list screen P200. In addition, although the thumbnail shown in H51 in the color group list screen P200 is the first thumbnail as described above, for example, it can also be set that after setting the second thumbnail, the process of changing the first thumbnail to the second thumbnail is performed.

[0100] Next, the method of group color measurement achieved by spot color measurement in the terminal device 60 will be described using the screen examples of Figure 20 、 Figure 21 、 Figure 22 、 Figure 23 、 Figure 24 、 Figure 25 . Similarly to the above, the screen of Figures 20 to 25 is displayed on the display unit 68 of the terminal device 60. When the user selects the group comparison icon shown in N1 in the color group details screen P210 of Figure 20 , the color group details screen P210 changes to Figure 21 the color comparison screen P300.

[0101] In Figure 21In the color comparison screen P300 shown in D1, as shown in D2, a first marker for identifying the next color to be colorimetrically measured is displayed. In addition, as shown in D3, the outline color of the first comparison object of the color group, CR1, is displayed. In addition, as shown in D4, the Lab value of the color that is the reference value for color comparison, i.e., the color CR1 of the comparison object, is displayed. Then, when the user operates the icon of the colorimetric measurement button on the screen shown in D5, the first colorimetric measurement is performed, and a result screen for the first color is displayed as shown in D6. In addition, the colorimetric measurement operation can also be performed by the colorimetric measurement button 40 of the colorimeter 30.

[0102] In the color comparison screen P300 of D6, a square-shaped first marker for identifying the next color to be colorimetrically measured, as shown in D7, and a triangular region coated with the outline color CR2, as shown in D8, are displayed. That is, the color CR2 is the second reference color that is the current comparison object. In addition, it is displayed in the following manner: a second marker, which is a triangular arrow marker for identifying the color to be colorimetrically measured this time, as shown in D9, is displayed; the square-shaped region is bisected by a diagonal line, and the outline colors CR1 and CM1 are filled in the bisected regions. The color CM1 is the outline color of the actually colorimetrically measured color, and the color CR1 is the outline color of the reference color that is the comparison object. That is, the color CR1 is the first reference color that has completed the comparison with the colorimetrically measured color. In addition, as shown in D11, the color difference ΔE between the colorimetrically measured color CM1 and the comparison object color CR1 is also displayed. In addition, as shown in D12, the Lab value of the colorimetrically measured color CM1 is displayed as the colorimetric measurement value, and the Lab value of the comparison object color CR1 is displayed as the reference value. In addition, the difference between the colorimetric measurement value and the reference value is calculated and displayed for each component of the Lab value. In addition, although a triangular region coated with the outline color CR3 is displayed on the right side of the first marker shown in D7, the color CR3 is the third reference color that is the next comparison object. As described above, in the colorimetric measurement system 10 of the present embodiment, the display processing unit 19 performs processing for simultaneously displaying the first reference color that has completed the comparison with the colorimetrically measured color among the reference colors included in the color group, the second reference color that is the current comparison object, and the third reference color that is the next comparison object. By adopting this method, the user can more detailedly grasp the colorimetric measurement status achieved by the color group during the colorimetric measurement.

[0103] In Figure 22In the color comparison screen P300 of D13, as shown in D14, the colorimetry of the last color of the color group, that is, the fourth color, has been performed. Then, as shown in D15, the case where there is no next object to be colorimetric is notified. When the colorimetry ends, after a predetermined timing, the color comparison screen P300 changes to the group comparison result screen P122. The predetermined timing refers to the case where a predetermined time has elapsed, the case where a predetermined icon is selected, etc. In addition, in the group comparison result screen P122 of D16, as shown in D17, the case where the number of non-conforming items is 0 is displayed, and as shown in D18, the average value of the color difference ΔE of the colors of the color group is displayed. In addition, in the group comparison result screen P122 of D16, as shown in D19, for the color difference ΔE of each color of the color group, the outline color is displayed as the third thumbnail. The third thumbnail is an image based on a square-shaped image including the first reference color indicated by the second mark of D14. In addition, in the group comparison result screen P122 of D16, since the number of non-conforming items is 0, the slide button shown in D20 becomes invalid.

[0104] The above is an example of the screen for the case where the number of non-conforming items is 0. Next, the case where the number of non-conforming items is 1 or more will be described using the Figure 23 screen example. In the Figure 23 screen of D21, the case where the judgment result of the fourth color of the color group is non-conforming is displayed. For example, since the color difference between the color CM4 measured, that is, the color CM4 as the first reference color, and the color CR4 of the comparison object exceeds the allowable value, the judgment result becomes non-conforming. In this case, as shown in D22, a specific image is superimposed on the square-shaped image including the outline colors CR4 and CM4. The specific image is an image that can prompt the user that the colorimetry result is non-conforming, but is not limited to the image shown in D22. As described above, in the colorimetry system 10 of the present embodiment, the display processing unit 19 performs processing to display the judgment result of the first reference color in a distinguishable manner. By setting it in this way, the user can know the comparison result with the reference color for each color before the colorimetry of the color group is completed.

[0105] Moreover, in the same manner as described above, when the color comparison screen P300 transitions to the group comparison result screen P122 of D23, the number of non-conforming items shown as in D24 being 1 and the average value of the color difference ΔE of the colors of the color group shown as in D25 are simultaneously displayed. In addition, since the determination result is non-conforming in the bar graph shown in D26, the third thumbnail including the above-mentioned specific image is overlapped and displayed as shown in D27. That is to say, in the color measurement system 10 of the present embodiment, the display processing unit 19 displays the comparison result of the third thumbnail including the specific image, which is a thumbnail of the color whose color difference between the reference color and the measured color exceeds a specific threshold value. By setting it in this way, the user can easily grasp the color whose color difference from the reference color exceeds a specific threshold value. In addition, since the number of non-conforming items is 1 or more in the group comparison result screen P122 of D23, the slide button icon becomes effective as shown in D29. Therefore, although not shown, by the user operating the slide button icon, only the colors that have become non-conforming can be extracted and displayed.

[0106] Moreover, when the user selects the icon shown in D28, the group comparison result screen P122 transitions to Figure 24 the color measurement history screen P120 of the corresponding group. In the color measurement history screen P120 of the group, a bar graph indicating the color group name as shown in J12 and a bar graph indicating the measurement result as shown in J12 are displayed. In addition, the color measurement history screen P120 of the group can also be displayed by the user's selection operation described later in the color group measurement history screen P110 described later. That is to say, in the color measurement system 10 of the present embodiment, the reception unit 14 receives the selection of the color group to be the object of history display, and the display processing unit 19 performs the process of displaying the color group name of the selected color group and the measurement results obtained by each measurement as the color measurement history of the color group on the display unit 22. By setting it in this way, the user can easily grasp which color group the displayed color measurement history is based on.

[0107] Information on the average value of the color difference ΔE shown in J13, the number of passed items shown in J14, and the third thumbnail with a specific image shown in J15 are overlapped and displayed on the bar graph indicating the measurement result shown in J12. In addition, as shown in J16, it can be known which color is non-conforming among the colors in the third thumbnail. In other words, the number shown in J16 is the identification number of each color included in the measurement result. That is to say, in the color measurement system 10 of the present embodiment, the display processing unit 19 displays the number and the identification number of the colors whose color difference between the reference color and the measured color exceeds a predetermined threshold value as the measurement result. By setting it in this way, the user can grasp more detailed information about the colors whose color difference exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

[0108] When the user repeatedly performs group colorimetry implemented by the same color group, as shown in J21 and J22, a bar icon indicating the colorimetry result is additionally displayed. That is, in the colorimetry system 10 of the present embodiment, the display processing unit 19 displays the colorimetry results obtained from each colorimetry in multiple colorimetries as a colorimetry history. By setting it in this way, the user can grasp the colorimetry results of multiple implementations at once. In addition, as shown in J21, when the number of non-passed items becomes 2, the number in the third thumbnail also becomes 2. That is, the number of the third thumbnails is equal to the number of non-passed items. In addition, when the number of non-passed items is large, it is also possible to perform a process of reducing the third thumbnail or a process of omitting the display of a part of the third thumbnails. In addition, as shown in J22, when the number of non-passed items is 0, the third thumbnail is not displayed. As described above, in the colorimetry system 10 of the present embodiment, as the colorimetry result, the display processing unit 19 displays the result obtained by comparing the color difference between the reference color and the measured color with a predetermined threshold as the colorimetry result. Thereby, the user can easily judge the ratio of the colors whose color difference is higher or lower than the predetermined threshold. Thereby, as long as the user browses the group colorimetry history screen P120, the user can intuitively grasp whether the colorimetry result of the entire color group is good in which colorimetry history.

[0109] Moreover, when the user selects the return button icon shown in J23, the group colorimetry history screen P120 changes to Figure 25 the group colorimetry history screen P110. The created color groups are displayed in a column on the group colorimetry history screen P110. Specifically, a bar icon related to the color group shown in J31, a bar icon related to the color group shown in J32, a bar icon related to the color group shown in J33, and a bar icon related to the color group shown in J34 are displayed. That is, in the colorimetry system 10 of the present embodiment, the display processing unit 19 performs a process of displaying a comparison history list of multiple color groups. By setting it in this way, the user can grasp the comparison history of multiple color groups from one screen. In addition, when the user selects the bar icons of J31 to J34, the group colorimetry history screen P110 can change to the group colorimetry history screen P120, and the colorimetry history of each color group can be browsed.

[0110] In addition, when taking the bar graph of J31 as an example, the information of the color group name shown in J35, the information of the number of colors shown in J36, the information of the final detection date and time shown in J37, the information of the average value of the color difference ΔE shown in J38, and the first thumbnail shown in J39 are overlapped and displayed on the bar graph of J31. Additionally, in the case where it is desired to newly create a catalog of color groups even if color measurement has not yet been performed, a bar graph can be newly added to the group color measurement history screen P120. In this case, when taking the bar graph of J34 as an example, information indicating the meaning that detection has not been performed, as shown in J40, is overlapped and displayed in the bar graph of J34. Similarly, as shown in J40, the information of the average value of the color difference ΔE is overlapped and displayed in the bar graph of J34 with the information of specific numbers left blank. Additionally, in this case, although a predetermined image T14 set in advance is displayed on the display unit 68 as the first thumbnail, the display processing unit 19 may also not display the first thumbnail on the display unit 68. As described above, the display processing unit performs processing to display the color groups that have been detected in a distinguishable manner. By adopting this method, for example, when the user wants to select the color group to be detected next, it is possible to prevent the incorrect selection of the color groups that have been detected. Thereby, the accuracy of color group selection can be improved.

[0111] In addition, the method of the color measurement system 10 of the present embodiment is not limited to the above content. For example, the color measurement system 10 of the present embodiment can also adopt a method of switching information related to the color measurement results. For example, in Figure 26 the color measurement history screen P100, when the user selects the icon shown in K11, the color measurement history screen P100 changes to the color value display switching screen P102. Additionally, in the color measurement history screen P100, similar to Figure 10 , the color measurement history of the displayed colors CS1, CS2, CS3, and CS4 is shown. Moreover, in the color value display switching screen P102, as shown in K21, the meaning of setting the Lab value as the color value is shown. For example, when the user performs an operation to change the setting of the color value to the RGB value, the color value display switching screen P102 changes to Figure 27 the color measurement history screen P100. Then, as shown in K31, the color value of the color CS1 for which color measurement has been completed is displayed as the color value based on the RGB value. The same applies to the color value of the color CS2 shown in K32, the color value of the color CS3 shown in K33, and the color value of the color CS4 shown in K34. Additionally, as Figure 26 shown, the color value display switching screen P102 can also be displayed as a dialog box of the color measurement history screen P100.

[0112] As described above, the color measurement system of the present embodiment includes: a reception unit that receives the creation of a color group including a plurality of reference colors for comparing the colors to be color-measured by a color measurement unit and the input of the color group name; and a display processing unit that displays the created color group on a display unit. Further, the reception unit receives the selection of the color group to be the color measurement object, and the display processing unit performs a process of displaying the selected color group name on the display unit.

[0113] By setting it in this way, after receiving the creation of the color group and the input of the color group name, the user can create the data of the desired group measurement color, and can easily identify the color group. Thereby, the user can manage the color group in an easy-to-understand manner. Thereby, the user can quickly and accurately select the color group in detection and the like. Thereby, the user can smoothly perform group color measurement.

[0114] In addition, it may be configured to include a comparison processing unit that performs a color group comparison process of comparing each reference color of the color group with the color to be color-measured when the comparison mode of the color group is specified, and the display processing unit performs a process of displaying the comparison result of the color group comparison process on the display unit.

[0115] By setting it in this way, the user can easily grasp the comparison results of each color included in the color group.

[0116] In addition, it may be configured that the reception unit receives the color measured by the color measurement unit or the color specified from the color sample data as the reference color of the color group.

[0117] By setting it in this way, the user can create the desired color group.

[0118] In addition, it may be configured that the display processing unit performs a process of simultaneously displaying a first reference color, a second reference color, and a third reference color, where the first reference color is the reference color included in the color group that has completed the comparison with the color to be color-measured by the color measurement unit, the second reference color is the current comparison object, and the third reference color is the next comparison object.

[0119] By setting it in this way, the user can more detailedly grasp the color measurement status achieved by the color group during the color measurement.

[0120] In addition, it may be configured that the display processing unit displays the judgment result of the first reference color in a distinguishable manner.

[0121] By setting it in this way, the user can know the comparison result with the reference color for each color before the color measurement of the color group is completed.

[0122] In addition, it can also be set such that the reception unit receives the selection of the color group to be the object of historical display, and the display processing unit performs processing to display the color group name of the selected color group and the colorimetric results obtained from each colorimetric measurement as the colorimetric history of the color group on the display unit.

[0123] By setting it in this way, the user can easily grasp which color group the displayed colorimetric history is based on.

[0124] In addition, it can also be set such that the display processing unit displays the colorimetric results obtained from each colorimetric measurement in multiple colorimetric measurements as the colorimetric history.

[0125] By setting it in this way, the user can grasp the colorimetric results of multiple implementations together.

[0126] In addition, it can also be set such that the display processing unit displays the result of comparing the color difference between the reference color and the measured color with a predetermined threshold value as the colorimetric result.

[0127] By setting it in this way, the user can easily judge the proportion of colors whose color difference is higher or lower than the predetermined threshold value.

[0128] In addition, it can also be set such that the display processing unit displays the number of colors whose color difference between the reference color and the measured color exceeds the predetermined threshold value and the identification number of the colors as the colorimetric result.

[0129] By setting it in this way, the user can grasp more detailed information about the colors whose color difference exceeds the predetermined threshold value.

[0130] In addition, it can also be set such that the display processing unit displays the thumbnail of the printed matter including the color to be the colorimetric object together with the name of the color group.

[0131] By setting it in this way, since the user can obtain more detailed information about the color group, the situation of erroneously selecting the color group can be prevented.

[0132] In addition, it can also be set such that the display processing unit performs processing to display the comparison history list of multiple color groups.

[0133] By setting it in this way, the user can grasp the comparison history of the color groups more appropriately.

[0134] In addition, it can also be set such that the display processing unit performs processing to display the color groups that have been detected in a distinguishable manner.

[0135] By setting it in this way, the accuracy of the selection of the color group can be improved.

[0136] In addition, it can also be set such that the display processing unit performs processing to display a comparison result including a thumbnail in which the color difference between the reference color and the color to be measured exceeds a specific threshold value.

[0137] By setting it in this way, the user can easily grasp the colors whose color differences from the reference color exceed a specific threshold value.

[0138] In addition, the color measurement method of the present embodiment performs the following processing: accepting the creation of a color group including a plurality of reference colors for comparison with the color to be measured by the color measurement unit that performs color measurement, and the input of the color group name; displaying the created color group on the display unit; accepting the selection of the color group to be the color measurement object; and displaying the selected color group name on the display unit.

[0139] In addition, the program of the present embodiment causes the color measurement system to execute the following steps: a step of accepting the creation of a color group including a plurality of reference colors for comparison with the color to be measured by the color measurement unit that performs color measurement, and the input of the color group name. In addition, this program causes the color measurement system to execute the following steps: a step of displaying the created color group on the display unit; a step of accepting the selection of the color group to be the color measurement object; and a step of displaying the selected color group name on the display unit.

[0140] In addition, although the present embodiment has been described in detail as above, it is easily understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made that substantially do not deviate from the new matters and effects of the present embodiment. Therefore, all such modification examples are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, a term that is described at least once in the specification or the drawings together with a broader or synonymous different term can be replaced with that different term anywhere in the specification or the drawings. In addition, all combinations of the present embodiment and the modification examples are also included in the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the structures and operations of the color measurement system, the color measurement method, the program, etc. are not limited to the content described in the present embodiment, and various modifications can be made to implement them.

[0141] Symbol Description

[0142] 10…Color measurement system; 12…Color measurement unit; 14…Reception unit; 18…Processing unit; 19…Display processing unit; 20…Comparison processing unit; 22…Display unit; 30…Colorimeter; 32…Processing unit; 34…Operation unit; 36…Storage unit; 38…Display unit; 39…Communication unit; 40…Color measurement button; 42…Cross key; 44…Button; 46…Power button; 48…Movable shutter; 60…Terminal device; 62…Processing unit; 64…Operation unit; 66…Storage unit; 68…Display unit; 69…Communication unit; BK…Blank area; CM1, CM4, CR1, CR2, CR3, CR4, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4…Colors; ΔE…Color difference; P100…Color measurement history screen; P102…Color value display switching screen; P110…Group color measurement history screen; P120…Group color measurement history screen; P122…Group comparison result screen; P150…Color group creation screen; P200…Color group list screen; P202…Color sample data list screen; P210…Color group details screen; P220…Color group information details screen; P222…Color group name editing screen; P224…Thumbnail editing screen; P300…Color comparison screen; T11, T14, T21, T22, T23, T24, T25, T26…Images.

Claims

1. A color measurement system, characterized in that, Comprising: An acceptance unit that accepts the creation of a color group including a plurality of reference colors for comparison with the colors measured by a color measurement unit through color measurement and the input of a color group name; A display processing unit that displays the created color group on a display unit; The acceptance unit accepts the selection of the color group to be the color measurement object; The display processing unit performs a process of displaying the name of the selected color group on the display unit; The display processing unit performs a process of simultaneously displaying a first reference color, a second reference color, and a third reference color, where the first reference color is a reference color among the reference colors included in the color group that has completed comparison with the color measured by the color measurement unit, the second reference color is the current comparison object, and the third reference color is the next comparison object.

2. The color measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It includes a comparison processing unit that, when a comparison mode of the color group is specified, performs a color group comparison process of comparing each of the reference colors of the color group with the color of the measured color; The display processing unit performs a process of displaying the comparison result of the color group comparison process on the display unit.

3. The color measurement system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The acceptance unit accepts the color measured by the color measurement unit or the color specified from color sample data as the reference color of the color group.

4. The color measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The display processing unit performs a process of displaying the judgment result of the first reference color in a distinguishable manner.

5. The color measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The acceptance unit accepts the selection of the color group to be the historical display object; The display processing unit performs a process of displaying the name of the selected color group and the color measurement results obtained by each color measurement, which are the color measurement history of the color group, on the display unit.

6. The color measurement system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The display processing unit displays the color measurement results obtained by each color measurement in multiple color measurements as the color measurement history.

7. The color measurement system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The display processing unit displays the result of comparing the color difference between the reference color and the measured color with a predetermined threshold as the color measurement result.

8. The color measurement system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The display processing unit displays the number of colors whose color difference between the reference color and the measured color exceeds a predetermined threshold and the identification numbers of the colors as the color measurement result.

9. The color measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The display processing unit displays a thumbnail of a printed matter including the color to be the color measurement object together with the name of the color group.

10. The color measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The display processing unit performs a process of displaying a comparison history list of multiple color groups.

11. The color measurement system according to claim 10, characterized in that: The display processing unit performs processing to display the detected color group in a distinguishable manner.

12. The color measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that the display processing unit performs processing to display a comparison result including a thumbnail of a color whose color difference between the reference color and the color measured exceeds a specific threshold.

13. A color measurement method, characterized in that, Perform the following processing, namely: Accept the creation of a color group including a plurality of reference colors compared with the color measured by the color measurement unit that performs color measurement and the input of the color group name; Display the created color group on the display unit; Accept the selection of the color group to be the color measurement object; Display the name of the selected color group on the display unit; Perform processing to simultaneously display a first reference color, a second reference color, and a third reference color, where the first reference color is the reference color in the color group that has completed the comparison with the color measured by the color measurement unit, the second reference color is the current comparison object, and the third reference color is the next comparison object.

14. A recording medium, characterized in that, There is a program that causes the color measurement system to perform the following steps, namely: The step of accepting the creation of a color group including a plurality of reference colors compared with the color measured by the color measurement unit that performs color measurement and the input of the color group name; The step of displaying the created color group on the display unit; The step of accepting the selection of the color group to be the color measurement object; The step of performing processing to display the name of the selected color group on the display unit; The step of performing processing to simultaneously display a first reference color, a second reference color, and a third reference color, where the first reference color is the reference color in the color group that has completed the comparison with the color measured by the color measurement unit, the second reference color is the current comparison object, and the third reference color is the next comparison object.

Images