Information processing apparatus and control method thereof

Abstract

An information processing apparatus and a control method thereof are disclosed. The information processing apparatus includes a web browser; and a retrieval unit configured to retrieve a color measurement result from a color measurement device, the color measurement result being a result obtained by performing color measurement on a printed chart using the color measurement device, wherein a screen related to color measurement of the chart for performing color verification by comparing the color measurement result of the chart with a color reference is displayed using the web browser, and wherein the color measurement result retrieved by the retrieval unit is displayed using the web browser.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a technique for verifying the color quality of printing materials. Background Technology

[0002] In the commercial printing industry, the importance and demand for color verification processes—which regularly verify the color quality of image forming apparatuses—have been increasing recently. This is because if the printed output fails to meet the expectations of outsourcing companies with stringent color requirements and the job is rejected, costs increase and profits decrease.

[0003] Color verification processing includes steps such as: setting up color measurement and printing in color verification; printing a chart including multiple color patches; color measurement of the chart; color verification performed by comparing the color measurement results with a color reference; and confirmation of the color verification results (see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 6422923).

[0004] While information processing devices connected to color measurement equipment are used to perform color measurement instructions and user operations related to color measurement in charts, color verification is sometimes performed on external devices or in the cloud. In such cases, the series of operations related to color verification, such as the user needing to switch applications, is user-unfriendly and requires further resolution. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention aims to enhance user convenience in a range of operations related to color verification.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, the information processing apparatus includes: a web browser; and an acquisition unit configured to acquire a color measurement result from a color measuring device, the color measurement result being obtained by performing a color measurement on a printed chart using the color measuring device, wherein the web browser displays a screen related to the color measurement of the chart for performing color verification by comparing the color measurement result of the chart with a color reference, and wherein the web browser displays the color measurement result acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0007] Other features of the invention will become clear from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the entire color verification system according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a hardware configuration diagram of an information processing apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a functional block diagram of a color verification system according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0011] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Each figure illustrates an example of a web page according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a setup screen according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0013] Figures 6A to 6D These are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of color measurement screens according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0014] Figure 7A and Figure 7B These are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of color verification screens according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0015] Figure 8 The figure illustrates an example of a colorimetric setting according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0016] Figure 9A and Figure 9B Each figure illustrates an example of chart data according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0017] Figure 10 The figure illustrates an example of printing settings according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0018] Figure 11A , Figure 11B and Figure 11C This is a flowchart illustrating a chart printing process according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0019] Figure 12 The figure illustrates an example of a chart color measurement request according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0020] Figure 13A , Figure 13B and Figure 13C The figure illustrates an example of a color patch color measurement request and a color patch color measurement result according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0021] Figure 14 The figure illustrates an example of color measurement results according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0022] Figure 15 This is a flowchart illustrating a color measurement process according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0023] Figure 16 This is a flowchart illustrating a color verification process according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0024] Figure 17 This is a flowchart illustrating the color measurement process according to a second exemplary embodiment.

[0025] Figure 18 This is a flowchart illustrating the color measurement process according to a third exemplary embodiment.

[0026] Figure 19A and Figure 19B The figure illustrates an example of a printing instruction and a color verification instruction according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0027] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the color block layout according to the first exemplary embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0028] In the following description, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] The following exemplary embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as set forth in the appended claims, and not all combinations of features described in the exemplary embodiments are always necessary for the solution of the invention.

[0030] A first exemplary embodiment will be described. The features of the invention will be described sequentially using concrete examples, including the configuration of a color verification system for implementing color verification processing, the printing of charts, the color measurement of charts, and color verification. Reference will be made to... Figures 1 to 7A and Figure 7B This describes the configuration of the color verification system.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating a color verification system according to this exemplary embodiment. The color verification system is generally divided into a web system 101 and a print business operator system 103. The web system 101 and the print business operator system 103 are connected to each other via the Internet 100. The web system 101 can be built in the cloud or on a company's own server.

[0032] The internal configuration of the print operations operator system 103 will be described in detail below. For example... Figure 1 As illustrated, the information processing device 104 and the image forming device 106 are connected to each other via a network 105. The color measuring device 107 is connected to these devices via a serial bus 108. The image forming device 106 is controlled by a program running on the information processing device 104 and generates products by processing print settings and print data received from the web system 101.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information processing devices (102, 104). Figure 2 In this configuration, the Central Processing Unit (CPU) 201 executes programs stored in the Program ROM of the Read-Only Memory (ROM) 203 or loaded from the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) 210 onto the Random Access Memory (RAM) 202. The ROM 203 includes a font ROM and a data ROM. The RAM 202 serves as the main memory or working area of ​​the CPU 201. The Keyboard Controller (KBC) 205 controls input from the keyboard (KB) 208 and a point-and-click device (not shown). The Display Controller (CRTC) 206 controls the display on the Display Unit (CRT) 209. The Disk Controller (DKC) 207 controls access to the HDD 210, which stores the boot program, various applications, and font data.

[0034] The network controller (NIC) 212 is connected to the network and performs control processing for communication with other devices connected to the network. The bus 204 connects the CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM 203 and various controllers, and transmits data signals and control signals.

[0035] In cases where the information processing devices (102, 104) are mobile phones, a touch panel controller may sometimes be included to replace the KBC 205. In some cases, a mass storage device may also be included to replace the HDD 210. Furthermore, the NIC 212 has different internal configurations depending on whether the information processing devices (102, 104) are connected to a wired local area network (LAN), connected to a wireless LAN, or connected to both a wired and wireless LAN. However, this difference in internal configuration is hidden within the NIC 212 and is assumed to be... Figure 2 The other modules shown in the diagram enable the information processing device (102, 104) to control the system under any equivalent conditions.

[0036] Figure 3 This is a functional block diagram illustrating the functional blocks included in the web system 101 and the print business operator system 103 in the color verification system according to this exemplary embodiment.

[0037] First, the functional blocks included in the information processing device 104 of the print service operator system 103 will be described. The web browser 300 obtains content (screen information) by communicating with the web server 310. Then, the web browser 300 interprets the obtained content and performs formatting and display (web page 302). The web browser 300 can also execute programming languages ​​such as JavaScript.

[0038] The on-premise application 301 acts as a proxy for access relay between the web system 101, the image forming apparatus 106, the color measuring device 107, and the web browser 300. For example, when a chart needs to be printed, the web system 101 uses the image forming apparatus 106 to print the chart via the on-premise application 301.

[0039] Additionally, when performing color measurements for printing a chart, the color measurement device 107 is controlled via the local application 301. When printing a chart, the web system 101 can directly send the chart's print data and print settings to the image forming apparatus 106 without going through the local application 301. The printing operator determines whether to use the local application 301 based on whether the image forming apparatus is connected to an external network. Either connection configuration can be used in this invention.

[0040] Web page 302 is content retrieved by web browser 300 from web server 310 and displayed on web browser 300. Although in some cases web page 302 includes, for example... Figure 4A The image shows a single piece of content, but in other cases, guest content is 400 or more. Figure 4B The nested structure shown in the diagram is displayed.

[0041] Web component 303 is a program associated with web page 302 and runs on web browser 300. In this exemplary embodiment, JavaScript is assumed to be web component 303, but web component 303 only needs to be a program that operates on web browser 300. For example, web component 303 can be a small application, ActiveX, or plugin of web browser 300.

[0042] If the web browser displays a 300 error and the web page displays a 302 error (for example, see below), then... Figure 6C If the user accesses the color measurement control unit 304 and establishes communication (as described in the chart color measurement screen), then the web component 303 sends instructions to the color measurement control unit 304 corresponding to the operations performed by the user on the web page 302, and controls the color measurement device 107 corresponding to the user's operations. The web component 303 also receives the response of the color measurement device 107 to the instructions from the color measurement control unit 304 and reflects the response in the web page 302.

[0043] In this exemplary embodiment, WebSocket is used as a method for communication between the web component 303 and the color measurement control unit 304. Therefore, the web component 303 and the color measurement control unit 304 can always maintain a connection via a specific port. With this configuration, input performed by the user can be transmitted to the color measurement device 107 in real time, and the responses from the color measurement device 107 can also be reflected in the web page 302 in real time.

[0044] The color measurement control unit 304 receives instructions from the web component 303 and controls the color measurement device 107 via the color measurement device collaboration unit 306. If the color measurement device 107 has read the color patches, the color measurement control unit 304 sends the reading results to the web component 303. If the reading of all color patches included in the chart is complete, the color measurement control unit 304 stores the reading results in the color measurement result storage unit 309. Furthermore, if the color measurement control unit 304 receives a color measurement completion instruction from the web component 303, the color measurement control unit 304 retrieves the color measurement result matching the ID included in the color measurement completion instruction from the color measurement result storage unit 309 and sends the obtained color measurement result to the web server 310 via the color measurement communication unit 305.

[0045] The color measurement communication unit 305 performs communication between the color measurement control unit 304 and the web server 310. If the color measurement communication unit 305 receives a color measurement result from the color measurement control unit 304, it initiates communication with the web server 310 and sends the color measurement result to the web server 310. Although no communication method is specified, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) communication is used in this exemplary embodiment. This is because it is not necessary to continuously connect the web server 310 and the local application 301 in real time.

[0046] Color measurement device collaboration unit 306 is an interface to color measurement device 107 and serves as a medium for communication between color measurement control unit 304 and color measurement device 107.

[0047] The print communication unit 307 performs communication between the print control unit 308 and the web server 310. When a user issues a print instruction, the print communication unit 307 receives a print job, including print settings and print data, from the web server 310, and also receives the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the destination image forming apparatus, and delivers the IP address to the print control unit 308.

[0048] If the print control unit 308 receives a print job from the print communication unit 307, the print control unit 308 sends the print job to the image forming apparatus 106 indicated by the IP address. In this exemplary embodiment, HTTP communication is assumed as the method for transmitting print jobs. However, other print transmission methods such as hot folders can be used, as it is sufficient to transmit the print job to the image forming apparatus 106.

[0049] The color measurement result storage unit 309 is the location where the color measurement control unit 304 stores the color measurement results of the chart when the color measurement of the chart is completed. The color measurement result storage unit 309 can be stored as a file in the HDD of the information processing device 104, or it can be a tabular database, such as shown below.

[0050] [Table 1]

[0051] Color measurement result storage unit 309

[0052] 000001 000001.cgat 000002 …

[0053] The functional blocks included in the information processing device 104 have been described above.

[0054] Next, the functional blocks included in the information processing apparatus 102 of the web system 101 will be described. The web server 310 is a service program that performs HTTP communication with the web browser 300 and provides the web browser 300 with the display of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and objects (images, etc.). The web server 310 also performs HTTP communication with the print communication unit 307 and sends print jobs to the local application 301. Furthermore, the web server 310 performs HTTP communication with the color measurement communication unit 305 and receives color measurement results from the color measurement control unit 304.

[0055] Color verification management unit 311 is a function block used to control each segment of the color verification process.

[0056] Based on the user instructions entered on the web page 302, the color verification management unit 311 performs processing including printing charts, color measurement, and color verification. The color verification management unit 311 also causes the web server 310 to perform print job sending processing and stores the color measurement results received by the web server 310 in the color measurement result storage unit 309.

[0057] The colorimetric setting storage unit 312 is the location for storing colorimetric settings input by the user. If the user inputs colorimetric settings and displays them on web page 302... Figure 5If a save instruction is issued on the settings screen, the web component 303 will send the colorimetric settings to the web server 310 via the web browser 300. Figure 8 The diagram illustrates an example of a colorimetric setting 800 (described below). The web server 310 then delivers the colorimetric setting 800 to the color verification management unit 311. Upon receiving the colorimetric setting 800, the color verification management unit 311 stores the received colorimetric setting 800 in the colorimetric setting storage unit 312.

[0058] The colorimetric settings 800 stored in the colorimetric settings storage unit 312 are used in color verification systems for various purposes. Conventional printing systems are configured to prompt the user to enter print settings and upload print data to a web server. In this invention, the user enters the colorimetric settings 800, and print settings and print data are generated based on the colorimetric settings 800. Furthermore, the colorimetric settings 800 are also used as a reference for determining color measurement results in color verification.

[0059] In addition, the colorimetric setting storage unit 312 stores color measurement results sent from the local application 301 in association with colorimetric settings having the same identifier. Figure 14 The figure illustrates an example of color measurement results (described below). Then, based on the identifier, the colorimetric setting storage unit 312 stores the color measurement results 1400 for the color verification processing unit 314 in association with the colorimetric setting 800.

[0060] For example, as shown in Table 2 below, colorimetric setting 800 is associated with color measurement result 1400 based on the identifier (test ID) "000001".

[0061] [Table 2]

[0062] Colorimetric setting storage unit 312

[0063] 000001 000001.json 000001.cgat pass 000002 000002.json … … 000003 000003.json 000003.cgat fail

[0064] The print job generation unit 313 includes functions for generating print settings and print data. Specifically, the user accesses this information via web page 302. Figure 5 The web component 303 issues a print instruction (by pressing the print button 504) on the settings screen. If a print instruction is issued, the web component 303 sends the print instruction to the web server 310 via the web browser 300. Figure 19AThe print instruction 1900 shown in the diagram is an example of a print instruction, and the print instruction includes a command (“Print-Request”) and an identifier (“Test-id”). If the web server 310 delivers the print instruction 1900 to the color verification management unit 311, the color verification management unit 311 retrieves the colorimetric setting 800 from the color measurement result storage unit 309 based on the identifier (000001) specified in the print instruction.

[0065] The color verification management unit 311 delivers the obtained colorimetric settings 800 to the print job generation unit 313. The print job generation unit 313 generates a print job that satisfies the colorimetric settings 800, including print settings and print data for the chart. Figure 9A The printed data in charts 900 and 905 shown in the figure are examples of printed data, and Figure 10 The print setting 1000 shown in the diagram is an example of print settings.

[0066] When generating print setting 1000, for example, as shown in Table 3 provided below, print setting storage unit 315 pre-associates color references with print parameters. Based on the color reference (FOGRA xxxx-yyyy) of colorimetric setting 800, print job generation unit 313 retrieves the relevant print parameters from print setting storage unit 315 and generates print setting 1000.

[0067] [Table 3]

[0068] Print settings storage unit 315

[0069]

[0070]

[0071] Then, the print job generation unit 313 returns the generated print job to the color verification management unit 311. Subsequently, the color verification management unit 311 sends the print job to the local application 301 via the web server 310.

[0072] The color verification processing unit 314 performs pass or fail determination relative to a specified color reference by comparing the color measurement results obtained by reading the print chart with the color reference of the printing industry or a color reference uniquely defined by the printing company.

[0073] Specifically, when the user presses the color measurement complete button on the web page 302, the web component 303 sends a color measurement result sending instruction to the color measurement control unit 304 to send the color measurement result 1400. Figure 19BThe diagram illustrates an example of a color measurement result transmission instruction, which includes the command "Measurement-Upload-Request" and the identifier "Test-id". Upon receiving the instruction, the color measurement control unit 304 retrieves the color measurement result 1400 stored in the color measurement result storage unit 309 based on the identifier (000001) included in the instruction, and sends the color measurement result 1400 to the web server 310 via the color measurement communication unit 305. After the color verification management unit 311 stores the color measurement result 1400 in the colorimetric setting storage unit 312, the color verification management unit 311 retrieves the colorimetric setting 800 associated with the color measurement result 1400 from the colorimetric setting storage unit 312 and delivers the colorimetric setting 800 to the color verification processing unit 314. The color verification processing unit 314 performs color verification based on the colorimetric setting 800 and the color measurement result 1400, and returns the obtained determination result to the color verification management unit 311. The color verification management unit 311 then stores the determination result in the colorimetric setting storage unit 312.

[0074] Figure 5 The diagram shows an example of the settings screen for web page 302 to be displayed on web browser 300. Figure 5 The setup screen shown in the diagram is the screen used to make settings in the three steps of printing, color measurement, and color verification.

[0075] The created colorimetric settings are displayed in the colorimetric setting list 505. In this exemplary embodiment, the color reference to be used in color verification, the color verification target image forming apparatus, the chart printing conditions, and the identifier are displayed in the colorimetric setting list 505. The colorimetric setting add button 500 is a button for adding new colorimetric settings to the colorimetric setting list 505. If the colorimetric setting add button 500 is pressed, the colorimetric setting editing area 506 is displayed, and the user enters the necessary information. For example, the user specifies the necessary entries for each colorimetric setting. Specifically, the colorimetric setting editing area 506 includes a color reference selection unit 507, an image forming apparatus selection unit 508, a sheet type selection unit 510, a sheet weight selection unit 511, a resolution selection unit 512, an M-factor selection unit 513, an observation light source selection unit 514, a viewing angle selection unit 515, and a color measurement mode selection unit 516.

[0076] The colorimetric setting editing button 501 is used to edit a colorimetric setting selected in the colorimetric setting list 505. If the colorimetric setting editing button 501 is pressed, the colorimetric setting editing area 506 is displayed, and the user enters the necessary information.

[0077] The colorimetric setting delete button 502 is used to delete the colorimetric setting selected in the colorimetric setting list 505. If the colorimetric setting delete button 502 is pressed, the web browser 300 sends a deletion request to the web server 310, and the web server 310 delivers the deletion request to the color verification management unit 311. Then, the color verification management unit 311 deletes the specified colorimetric setting from the colorimetric setting storage unit 312.

[0078] The print data download button 503 is used to download the print data of the chart to a specified local folder. For example, in cases where color verification is desired using an image forming device that is not supported by the color verification system, the color verification system may be unable to perform printing using the image forming device in certain situations. Therefore, by downloading the print data of the chart to the local folder all at once, the print data can be printed using the printer driver.

[0079] The print button 504 is a button for directly printing charts from the web system 101 using the image forming apparatus 106. For example, if the print button 504 is pressed, the web browser 300 will display the print instruction 1900 of the contrast color setting 800 (e.g., ...). Figure 19A The image forming apparatus 106 (as shown in the diagram) is sent to the web server 310, and the web server 310 delivers the print instruction 1900 to the color verification management unit 311. If the web server 310 delivers the print instruction 1900 to the color verification management unit 311, the color verification management unit 311 retrieves the color setting 800 from the color setting storage unit 312 based on the identifier 807 (000001) specified in the print instruction 1900. The color verification management unit 311 delivers the retrieved color setting 800 to the print job generation unit 313. The print job generation unit 313 generates a print job that satisfies the color setting 800, including the print setting 1000 of the chart and print data of charts 900 and 905. Then, the print job generation unit 313 returns the generated print job to the color verification management unit 311. Thereafter, the color verification management unit 311 sends the print job and the IP address of the image forming apparatus 106 to the local application 301 via the web server 310. Local application 301 sends the print job to image forming apparatus 106.

[0080] The colorimetric setting save button 517 is used to store the colorimetric settings edited in the colorimetric setting editing area 506. If the colorimetric setting save button 517 is pressed, the color verification management unit 311 assigns an identifier (e.g., 000001) to the colorimetric setting and stores the colorimetric setting in a JavaScript object notation (JSON) format commonly used in web systems (e.g., ...). Figure 8The colorimetric settings (800) are stored in the colorimetric settings storage unit 312.

[0081] Color reference selection unit 507 is used to select between a standard printing color reference and a user-defined printing color reference. A standard printing color reference refers to a standard defined by an international standardization organization such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). For example, each region has its own color reference such as GRACOL for the United States, FOGRA for Europe, or Japan Color for Japan. A user-defined printing color reference, on the other hand, refers to a color reference uniquely defined by the printing company. For example, a user-defined printing color reference is used when the printing company expects to perform color operations more rigorously than a standard printing color reference. User-defined printing color references can be created using tools provided by web system 101, or they can be created by other tools and imported into web system 101. Imported user-defined printing color references are displayed in color reference selection unit 507. Detailed instructions for creating user-defined printing color references are omitted.

[0082] Conventionally, the quality of printing materials is determined based on appearance, and they are created without clearly defined standards. For this reason, printing companies often respond to color reproduction requests from customers or designers by performing multiple revisions and reprints. This situation can be improved by providing a standard color reference for creating printing materials.

[0083] When printing and generating print data for a chart, the color reference selected in the color reference selection unit 507 is used. For example, in the case of Japan Color 2011, the number of color patches is defined as ISO 12642-2 (1617 color patches), and the print data for the chart is generated in a manner that satisfies the number of color patches. The printed chart undergoes color measurement using the color measuring device 107, and color measurement results are generated. Then, during color verification, the color reference selected in the color reference selection unit 507 is used as a comparison target to be compared with the color measurement results. As a result of the comparison, a definitive result indicating whether the color measurement results "pass" or "fail" relative to the color reference can be obtained.

[0084] The image forming apparatus selection unit 508 is used to select the image forming apparatus for printing data to be used to output the chart. By performing color measurements on the chart output from the image forming apparatus selected in the image forming apparatus selection unit 508, the current color state of the image forming apparatus can be identified. During color verification, the color measurement results of the chart output from the image forming apparatus are compared with the color reference selected in the color reference selection unit 507. Thus, the color state of the image forming apparatus selected in the image forming apparatus selection unit 508 can be verified relative to the color reference.

[0085] The sheet type selection unit 510 is used to select the sheet type to be used when printing data for a chart. During printing, the chart is printed on the image forming apparatus using the specified sheet type. During color measurement, the sheet type is used as one of the printing conditions that affect the color measurement results. For example, because the hue (LAB value) of the chart varies depending on whether the sheet type is coated or uncoated paper, the system needs to store the printing conditions for printing the chart. Then, when displaying the color verification results, as shown... Figure 7A If a chart printed under the specified printing conditions illustrated in the test conditions diagram in the color verification result list 700 undergoes color measurement, the user is notified that the color verification result is either pass or fail. Using this configuration, when printing is performed using an image forming apparatus that has passed color verification, if similar printing conditions are used as those used in the color verification, the user can obtain printed materials that conform to the color reference.

[0086] The sheet weight selection unit 511 is used to select the sheet weight to be used when printing chart data using an image forming apparatus. Because the hue of the printed chart differs depending on whether the sheet weight is high or low, sheet weight is also used as one of the printing conditions. Since the printing conditions are similar to those for sheet type, a description will be omitted.

[0087] The resolution selection unit 512 is used to select the resolution to use when printing charts using an image forming apparatus. Because images printed at insufficient resolution appear blurry, the resolution specified when printing charts is used as one of the printing conditions, similar to sheet type and sheet weight. Since the printing conditions are similar to those for sheet type, a description will be omitted.

[0088] The M-factor selection unit 513 is a selection unit for selecting the ultraviolet intensity in the color measuring apparatus 107. The "M" in the M-factor indicates the illumination standard in the measuring apparatus as defined by ISO 13655:2009. In recent years, more and more sheets containing fluorescent whitening agents have been used. On such sheets, the color hue varies depending on the intensity of the ultraviolet component of the light source illuminating the sample. Therefore, ISO defines the ultraviolet intensity in measuring apparatus as follows.

[0089] M0: Illumination with the spectral distribution of a tungsten lamp

[0090] M1: Lighting with D50 UV power

[0091] M2: Illumination of light whose ultraviolet (UV) energy is blocked by a UV filter. M3: Illumination of light whose UV energy is blocked by a polarizing filter.

[0092] The M-factor selected in the M-factor selection unit 513 is not used for printing. On the other hand, the intensity of ultraviolet light in the color measurement device 107 is controlled by transmitting the M-factor to the color measurement device 107 during color measurement. During color verification, the M-factor used in the color measurement from which the color measurement result is obtained can also be used to transmit the color verification result (not shown).

[0093] The observation light source selection unit 514 is used to select the observation light source to be used in color measurement. The observation light source is transmitted to the color measurement device 107 during color measurement and is used to control the color measurement device 107, but is not used for printing. Alternatively, the observation light source used during color measurement can be transmitted using color verification results (not shown).

[0094] The observed light source is also called a luminescent body. A luminescent body is a mathematical representation of a virtual light source and is used to calculate tristimulus values ​​in the color measurement device 107 according to spectrometry. In color verification in the commercial printing field, D50 is commonly used.

[0095] The viewing angle selection unit 515 is used to select the viewing angle to be used during color measurement. The viewing angle is transmitted to the color measurement device 107 during color measurement and is used to control the sensor of the color measurement device 107, but is not used for printing. The viewing angle used during color measurement can also be transmitted using color verification results (not shown). Generally, a 2° viewing angle is used when a 4° or smaller field of view is needed to evaluate the color, and a 10° viewing angle is used when a 4° or larger field of view is needed. Because uniform color areas are relatively small in the commercial printing field, a 2° viewing angle is typically used. On the other hand, a 10° viewing angle is used when using uniform color (automotive paint) over large areas such as vehicle bodies.

[0096] The color measurement mode selection unit 516 is a selection unit for choosing the color measurement mode to be used during color measurement between single scan for performing color measurement of a printed chart once using the color measurement device 107 and double scan for performing two color measurements.

[0097] Figure 6A , Figure 6B , Figure 6C and Figure 6D Each illustration shows an example of a color measurement execution screen for a web page 302 to be displayed on a web browser 300.

[0098] Figure 6A The diagram illustrates an example of the colorimetric settings selection screen. The color measurement step display area 600 visually displays the currently ongoing process among the four steps of the color measurement operation. Because Figure 6A The image shows the selection screen for colorimetric settings, so step 1 is highlighted.

[0099] The identifier input box 601 is used to input the identifier for the colorimetric setting. If the user inputs the identifier for the colorimetric setting and the OK (confirmation) button 604 is pressed, the colorimetric setting matching that identifier will become selectable in the colorimetric setting list 602.

[0100] The color measurement start button 603 is used to begin color measurement work with the colorimetric setting selected in the colorimetric setting list 602. If the color measurement start button 603 is pressed, the web browser 300 sends a color measurement start instruction for the selected colorimetric setting to the web server 310, and the web server 310 delivers the color measurement start instruction to the color verification management unit 311. The color verification management unit 311 retrieves the colorimetric setting from the colorimetric setting storage unit 312 based on the identifier specified in the print instruction. Based on the colorimetric setting, the color verification management unit 311 creates the following... (The rest of the text is missing). Figure 12 The chart color measurement request is described and delivered to web server 310. When web server 310 sends a request to web browser 300... Figure 6B When the color measurement device in the diagram is ready to display, the web server 310 also sends a chart color measurement request.

[0101] Figure 6B The image shows an example of the color measurement device preparation screen (color measurement device selection screen).

[0102] The color measurement device preparation operation preview 613 serves to convey images of the color measurement device 107's preparation operation in an easily understandable manner. In this exemplary embodiment, a still image is displayed.

[0103] Color measurement device selection unit 605 is a selection unit used to prompt the user to select a color measurement device from a list of color measurement devices connected to the information processing device 104.

[0104] Color measurement device preparation operation information 606 displays the preparation operation of the color measurement device selected in the color measurement device selection unit 605. The text displayed in the color measurement device preparation operation information 606 changes depending on the color measurement device being prepared.

[0105] The color measurement cancel button 607 is used to cancel the currently ongoing color measurement task. If the color measurement cancel button 607 is pressed, the color measurement task is canceled, and the color measurement device selection screen returns to [the previous screen]. Figure 6A The image shows the colorimetric settings selection screen. The "Previous" button returns the view to the previous screen that immediately precedes the currently displayed screen. The "Next" button 609 moves the view to the next screen that will immediately follow the currently displayed screen.

[0106] Figure 6C The diagram shows an example of a color measurement chart. The "Color Measurement Complete" button 610 is used to complete the color measurement process. Figure 6D As illustrated, this button is activated when the color measurement of all color blocks in the chart is complete. If the color measurement complete button 610 is pressed after it has been activated, the color measurement of the chart is complete. Then, the web component 303 instructs the color measurement control unit 304 to send the color measurement results.

[0107] Chart preview 611 shows based on Figure 6A The image shows a preview of the chart for the selected colorimetric settings. In the chart preview 611, the color patch 612 to which the user will perform color measurements is highlighted. Figure 6C The chart preview 611 is an example of displaying a chart preview based on the color block layout 803 in the colorimetric settings 800. The color block layout 803 in the colorimetric settings 800 consists of two pages (pages 804 and 805), and each page includes 4×3 color blocks. Therefore, the chart preview 611 displays a preview of a chart including 4×3 color blocks.

[0108] Figure 7A and Figure 7B Each illustration shows an example of a color verification result display screen to be shown after color measurement is completed.

[0109] Figure 7A This diagram illustrates an example of a color verification result list screen. Color Verification Result List 700 is used to display the results of the performed color verification. The color verification result (pass or fail) is displayed in the results column. The Color Verification Result Display button 701 is used to display the results that will be referenced below. Figure 7B The button for describing the color verification report.

[0110] The color verification result download button 702 is used to download the color verification report to a local folder. The color verification result delete button 703 is used to delete the color verification result selected in the color verification result list 700.

[0111] Figure 7B The image shows an example of a color verification report that details the color verification results.

[0112] Area 704 displays the image forming apparatus used in the color verification and the date the color verification was performed. Area 705 compares information about the color reference specified by the user in the colorimetric settings with the values ​​of the color measurement results and displays the specific LAB values. Area 706 displays the pass or fail result of the color verification.

[0113] Area 707 displays the pass or fail result for each check item in the color verification. Area 708 graphically displays the color difference between the color reference selected by the user and the color measurement results obtained by performing a chart-based color measurement.

[0114] The configuration of the color verification system according to this exemplary embodiment has been described above. Using this configuration, the three steps of the color verification process (printing of the chart, color measurement of the chart, and color verification) are implemented.

[0115] The following text will use specific examples to describe how to print charts.

[0116] Figure 8 The colorimetric setting 800 illustrated in the diagram shows an example of a colorimetric setting. The colorimetric setting 800 is configured by the color verification management unit 311 based on settings configured by the user. Figure 5 The values ​​entered on the settings screen are used to generate the colorimetric settings, which are then stored in the colorimetric settings storage unit 312. If the user... Figure 5 If you press the save button 517 on the settings screen, the identifier 807 (000001) in the colorimetric settings 800 will be set automatically.

[0117] Color standard 801 is Figure 5 The color reference selected by the user in the color reference selection section 507.

[0118] Color swatch size 802 indicates the size of the color swatch in the chart in the color reference 801 that will be printed by the user.

[0119] The color block layout 803 is defined in a user-specified color reference 801 and determines the layout of color blocks in the chart. In this exemplary embodiment, the color block layout 803 is an array and includes brackets for each page, each row, and each column. One column indicates one color block, and in one example, CMYK signal values ​​are described.

[0120] In this exemplary embodiment, the color block layout 803 includes two pages corresponding to pages 804 and 805. Pages 804 and 805 each include four rows vertically. Each row includes three columns. In other words, the chart includes two pages, and each page includes 4×3 color blocks. Using the values ​​in the color block layout 803, the color verification management unit 311 generates... Figure 6C The chart preview shown in the middle is 611 (including two pages of charts, each page containing 4 rows × 3 columns of color blocks).

[0121] Color measurement mode 806 indicates the color measurement mode in colorimetric settings 800. For example, color measurement mode 806 includes lighting conditions, color measurement direction, and a scan mode that indicates the number of color measurements to be performed on the color patch. Two scan modes exist. One scan mode is a "single scan," which performs a color measurement on the color patch only once, and the other scan mode is a "double scan," which performs two color measurements on the color patch. Color measurement mode 806 indicates the color measurement mode set by the user in the colorimetric settings 800. Figure 5 The value selected in the color measurement mode selection section 516.

[0122] Figure 9A The figure illustrates an example of printed data for a chart according to this exemplary embodiment.

[0123] The printed data for the chart spans two pages. Figure 8 Pages 804 and 805, defined in the colorimetric settings 800, correspond to figures 900 and 905, respectively. Figure 900 is generally divided into four blocks. Page number 901 indicates the number of pages in the print data of figure 900. Because the print data in this exemplary embodiment includes two pages, the number "2" is assigned.

[0124] Identifier 902 is used when the user... Figure 5 The identifier 902 is automatically issued when a colorimetric setting is created on the settings screen. It is used to facilitate the association between the print chart and the colorimetric setting on the screen. When a chart print instruction is issued, the identifier of the colorimetric setting selected by the user is assigned as identifier 902 to the print data.

[0125] Print condition 903 is when the user... Figure 5The colorimetric settings are the printing conditions entered by the user when creating the colorimetric settings on the settings screen. When a chart printing instruction is issued, the printing conditions of the colorimetric settings selected by the user are assigned as printing condition 903.

[0126] Chart information 904 is the chart itself on which the user measured the color. Chart information 904 displayed on web page 302 and chart preview 611 represent the same chart.

[0127] When chart information 904 and page number 901 are determined, the following processing is performed. First, the sheet size is determined from the print settings storage unit 315 based on the color reference selected by the user. Next, the color block size 802 and color block layout 803 are determined in a manner suitable for the sheet size, based on the color information defined in the color block layout specification and a color reference readable by a color measuring device. Chart information 904 is created based on the color information, color block size 802, and color block layout 803 defined in the color reference. Specifically, Figure 20 The diagram illustrates the relationship between colorimetric setting 800 and graphs 900 and 905. First, graph information 904 is generated based on the 4 rows x 3 columns of page 804 of colorimetric setting 800 and the CMYK signal values. Next, information such as the identifier 902 (00001) of colorimetric setting 800, test specifications, and image forming apparatus are added to printing conditions 903, and graph 900 is generated. Graph 805 is generated based on page 905 through a similar process.

[0128] For ease of explanation, we will use Figure 9A The example of a 4x3 color block shown in the illustration is used to illustrate the description in this exemplary embodiment. In fact, as... Figure 9B As shown in the illustration, in many cases, the color blocks are small in size and the number of color blocks is large.

[0129] Figure 10 The figure illustrates an example of a print setup according to this exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, the Job Definition Format (JDF) standard, used in the printing industry, will be used for description.

[0130] Page number 1001 indicates the number of pages of the print data specified in 1002. For example, because Figure 9A The print data for chart 900 has 2 pages, so set "2" in page number 1001.

[0131] Printing parameters 1003, 1004, and 1005 are generated based on values ​​stored in the print settings storage unit 315 in Table 3, in association with the color reference. Specifically, the print job generation unit 313 obtains information about the color reference 801 from the color matching setting 800 delivered from the color verification management unit 311. Based on the color reference 801, the print job generation unit 313 identifies the test specification from the "Test Specification" column in the print settings storage unit 315. For example, in the case of the test specification of the color matching setting 800, the column "FOGRA xxxx-yyyy" is identified in the print settings storage unit 315. Then, the print job generation unit 313 obtains the printing parameters from the identified test specification column. For example, print parameter 1003 is "Rotate 0" in the orientation column of the print settings storage unit 315, and print parameter 1004 is "Auto Selection" in the output tray column of the print settings storage unit 315. In this way, parameters in JDF are generated based on the printing parameters in the print settings storage unit 315.

[0132] Figure 11A , Figure 11B and Figure 11C Each of these is a flowchart illustrating the process of printing the chart. The following processes are performed by the CPU 201 of the information processing unit 104.

[0133] Figure 11A This is the main flowchart for printing the chart.

[0134] In step S1100, the color verification management unit 311 receives the colorimetric settings input by the user from the web component 303. Figure 5 The color verification management unit 311 generates a colorimetric setting 800 by displaying the settings screen in the web component 303. In step S1101, the color verification management unit 311 stores the colorimetric setting 800 in the colorimetric setting storage unit 312. In step S1102, the color verification management unit 311 determines whether a print instruction 1900 has been received from the web component 303. If a print instruction 1900 is received (yes in step S1102), the color verification management unit 311 proceeds to step S1103. If no print instruction 1900 is received (no in step S1102), the color verification management unit 311 terminates the process.

[0135] In step S1103, the color verification management unit 311 obtains the colorimetric setting 800 stored in the colorimetric setting storage unit 312 based on the identifier (000001) included in the print instruction 1900. Then, the color verification management unit 311 delivers the colorimetric setting 800 to the print job generation unit 313 and transfers the print data generation process and print setting generation process.

[0136] In step S1104, the print job generation unit 313 performs the following steps (see below). Figure 11B The described processing generates print data. Figure 9A (See charts 900 and 905 in the diagram), and return the printed data to the color verification management unit 311.

[0137] In step S1105, the print job generation unit 313 performs the following steps (see below). Figure 11C The described process generates print setting 1000 and returns print setting 1000 to the color verification management unit 311.

[0138] In step S1106, the color verification management unit 311 sends a print job, including print data and print settings 1000, to the print communication unit 307 of the local application 301 via the web server 310. Then, the color verification management unit 311 uses the image forming apparatus 106 (with the IP address specified in the colorimetric settings 800) Figure 8 The printer ("AAA printer") starts printing. The print communication unit 307 delivers the print job to the print control unit 308, and the print control unit 308 sends the print job to the image forming apparatus 106 with the specified IP address.

[0139] Figure 11B This is a flowchart illustrating the process of generating print data.

[0140] In step S1107, the print job generation unit 313 obtains information about the color block layout 803 from the color matching settings 800 transmitted from the color verification management unit 311.

[0141] In step S1108, the print job generation unit 313 generates chart information (chart information 904 in FIG. 9) based on the color block layout 803. Specifically, in this exemplary embodiment, the color block layout 803 includes two pages corresponding to pages 804 and 805. Pages 804 and 805 each include four rows vertically. Each row includes three columns. In other words, the chart includes two pages, and each page includes 4×3 color blocks. Using the values ​​in the color block layout 803, the print job generation unit 313 generates chart information 904 about the two pages including the chart, each containing 4 rows × 3 columns of color blocks.

[0142] In step S1109, the print job generation unit 313 determines the number of pages based on the print data obtained in step S1108.

[0143] In step S1110, the print job generation unit 313 generates print data based on the information determined in steps S1108 to S1109. Specifically, the print job generation unit 313 generates print data by assigning an identifier (identifier 902 in FIG. 9) and printing conditions (printing conditions 903 in FIG. 9) to the print data based on colorimetric settings, and assigning page numbers (page numbers 901 in FIG. 9) and chart information (chart information 904 in FIG. 9) to the print data.

[0144] Figure 11C This is a flowchart illustrating the process of generating print settings.

[0145] In step S1111, the print job generation unit 313 obtains the color reference 801 (FOGRAxxxx-yyyy) from the colorimetric setting 800.

[0146] In step S1112, the print job generation unit 313 searches for the color reference 801 in the print setting storage unit 315 and obtains the relevant print parameters. Specifically, based on the color reference 801 (FOGRA xxxx-yyyy), the print job generation unit 313 identifies the test specification from the "Test Specification" column in the print setting storage unit 315. For example, in the case of the test specification for colorimetric setting 800, the column "FOGRA xxxx-yyyy" is identified in the print setting storage unit 315. Then, the print job generation unit 313 obtains the print parameters from the identified test specification column.

[0147] In step S1113, the print job generation unit 313 generates a print job based on the print parameters, as shown in the reference. Figure 10 The described print settings are 1000. For example, print parameter 1003 is "Rotate0" on the orientation column in the print settings storage unit 315, and parameter 1004 is "Auto Select" on the output paper tray column in the print settings storage unit 315. In this way, parameters in JDF are generated based on the print parameters in the print settings storage unit 315.

[0148] The above has described an example of chart printing according to this exemplary embodiment. As described using a specific example, in chart printing according to this exemplary embodiment, the user performs colorimetric settings on the web browser 300, rather than print settings. The color verification system then automatically generates print data and print settings based on the colorimetric settings. The colorimetric settings are also used for... Figure 6C and Figure 6D The chart preview shown in the image is also used for, for example... Figure 7A and Figure 7B The color verification is shown in the diagram.

[0149] The following text will use specific examples to describe the color measurement process for printed charts.

[0150] Figure 12 The diagram illustrates an example of a chart color measurement request. When a color measurement start instruction is received from the web browser 300 due to the color measurement start button 603 being pressed, a chart color measurement request 1200 is generated based on the colorimetric settings 800. The chart color measurement request 1200 is related to... Figure 6B The web page 302, which shows the color measurement device preparation screen illustrated in the figure, is sent by the web server 310. In this exemplary embodiment, the JSON format, typically used in web systems, is used as the data format for the chart color measurement request.

[0151] Because the chart color measurement request 1200 is generated based on the colorimetric settings 800, colorimetric settings 801 to 807 are the same as those in colorimetric settings 800. On the other hand, in the chart color measurement request 1200, authentication information 1201 is added to the colorimetric settings 800. Authentication information 1201 is generated when a user logs into the color verification system. In the flowchart described below, the colorimetric settings (801 to 807) included in the chart color measurement request 1200 are used in processes such as determining the completion of color measurement performed by the color measurement control unit 304. Authentication information 1201 is also used for user authentication performed when the color measurement control unit 304 uploads the color measurement result 1400 to the web server 310.

[0152] Figure 13A , Figure 13B and Figure 13C The figure illustrates an example of a color patch color measurement request and color patch color measurement result transmitted between the web component 303 and the color measurement control unit 304.

[0153] Figure 13A The color measurement request 1300 illustrated in the diagram includes an identifier for the colorimetric setting and a color patch row number for the color measurement target. In this exemplary embodiment, an example of performing color verification relative to the colorimetric setting 800 will be described. Therefore, the identifier of the color measurement request 1300 includes the same value (000001) as the identifier 807 of the colorimetric setting 800. The color patch row number of the color measurement target indicates the value set by the user in the colorimetric setting 800. Figure 6C The chart preview 611 shows the selected row in the chart color measurement screen.

[0154] Figure 13B and Figure 13CThe color measurement results 1301 and 1302 in the color measurement device 107 include the identifier of the colorimetric setting, the color measurement result, the value obtained by the color measurement, and the error code of the error that occurred in the color measurement device 107. The color measurement result refers to the color measurement processing result in the color measurement device 107. Figure 13B The color measurement result 1301 in the color block indicates the color measurement result specified in the first line of the color measurement request 1300.

[0155] Figure 14 The figure illustrates an example of a color measurement result generated when the chart color measurement is fully completed. In this exemplary embodiment, the color measurement result 1400 is represented in CGAT format, which is an international standard, and includes metadata for using a program to identify the colorimetric values ​​in the color measurement device 107 and the color measurement result 1400.

[0156] Figure 15 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of color measurement according to this exemplary embodiment. The following processes are performed by the CPU 201 of the information processing devices 102 and 104.

[0157] In step S1500, the color verification management unit 311 receives a color measurement start instruction from the user (by pressing the color measurement start button 603) from the web component 303.

[0158] In step S1501, the color verification management unit 311 determines whether a color measurement start indication (color measurement indication) has been received from the web component 303. If a color measurement start indication has been received ("Yes" in step S1501), the process proceeds to step S1502. If no color measurement start indication has been received ("No" in step S1501), the color verification management unit 311 waits to receive a color measurement start indication without performing any processing.

[0159] In step S1502, the color verification management unit 311 retrieves the colorimetric setting 800 from the colorimetric setting storage unit 312 based on the identifier (000001) specified in the color measurement start indication, and generates a chart color measurement request 1200. Then, the color verification management unit 311 compares the chart color measurement request 1200 with... Figure 6B The color measurement device in the image is prepared and the web page 302 is sent to the web server 310.

[0160] In step S1503, web server 310 sends web page 302 to web browser 300, and web browser 300 displays web page 302. Furthermore, web server 310 will... Figure 12The chart color measurement request 1200 is sent to web browser 300 along with web page 302. In this example, only the following is displayed: Figure 4A The image shows the host information. Specifically, it displays... Figure 6B The color measurement device preparation screen is displayed. Because the color measurement device preparation screen does not dynamically change in response to the operation of the color measurement device 107, only the host computer content is displayed.

[0161] The web page 302 sent from the web server 310 also includes a web component 303. The web component 303 displays the web page 302 on the web browser 300, periodically establishing a connection with the color measurement control unit 304 and initiating a state where mutual communication is always enabled. When a connection is established, the web component 303 delivers a graphic color measurement request 1200 to the color measurement control unit 304.

[0162] In step S1504, the web component 303 obtains a list of color measurement devices managed by the color measurement control unit 304. Figure 6B The color measurement device selection section 605 on the color measurement device preparation screen displays a list of color measurement devices.

[0163] In step S1505, web component 303 receives the selection of a color measurement device from the user.

[0164] In step S1506, web component 303 determines whether the "Next" button 609 has been pressed on web page 302. If the "Next" button 609 has been pressed ("Yes" in step S1506), the process proceeds to step S1507.

[0165] In step S1507, web component 303 communicates with web server 310 and sends a web page request for the chart color measurement screen to web server 310. Upon receiving the request, web server 310 sends a web page generation request to color verification management unit 311. Color verification management unit 311 generates the web page (…). Figure 6C The web page (the color measurement screen in the chart) includes host content displaying information necessary for color measurement work to print the chart, and visitor content displaying a chart preview 611. When generating the chart preview 611, the color verification management unit 311 uses the number of color swatch rows, the number of color swatches, and the color signal values ​​defined in the color swatch layout 803 of the colorimetric settings 800.

[0166] Web server 310 sends the web page generated by color verification management unit 311 to web browser 300. Similar to step S1503, web page 302 includes web component 303.

[0167] In step S1508, the web browser 300 displays the web page 302 received in step S1507. The portion of the chart color measurement screen corresponding to the chart preview 611 is considered visitor content. Then, based on messages from the color measurement control unit 304, the web component 303 updates the display of the chart preview 611 and controls the user's operations on the chart preview 611.

[0168] In step S1509, web component 303 receives color swatch selections made by the user on chart preview 611. The color swatch selected by the user becomes the target color swatch for color measurement. For example, by... Figure 6C In the row described as "2:1", select the color block, and color block 612 is selected as the color measurement target.

[0169] In step S1510, the web component 303 sends a color measurement request for the selected color patch to the color measurement control unit 304. For example, it sends color measurement request 1300 for the color patch shown in FIG13.

[0170] In step S1511, the user performs color measurement of the color patch using the color measuring device 107, and the color measuring control unit 304 receives the colorimetric value from the color measuring device 107 via the color measuring device cooperation unit 306.

[0171] Then, the color measurement control unit 304 creates the color measurement results of the color patch (e.g., Figure 13B The color measurement results of the color blocks in the image are 1301, and the color measurement results are sent to the web component 303.

[0172] In step S1512, the web component 303 receives the color measurement results of the color patch from the color measurement control unit 304.

[0173] In step S1513, web component 303 performs a color measurement result determination process. Specifically, if the color measurement result (result) in color patch color measurement result 1301 is "true", web component 303 determines that the color patch color measurement was successful ("yes" in step S1513), and the process proceeds to step S1514. If the color measurement result is "false", web component 303 determines that the color patch color measurement failed ("no" in step S1513), and the process proceeds to step S1518.

[0174] In step S1514, web component 303 displays the colorimetric value (lab-value) of the color measurement results of the selected color patch in each cell of the chart preview 611, which is the visitor content.

[0175] In step S1515, web component 303 determines whether color measurement of all color blocks is complete based on chart preview 611. If web component 303 determines that color measurement of all color blocks is complete ("Yes" in step S1515), the process proceeds to step S1516. If web component 303 determines that color measurement of all color blocks is not yet complete ("No" in step S1515), the process returns to step S1509 and receives the selection for the next color block.

[0176] If the color measurement of all color patches corresponding to the number of color patch rows described in the chart color measurement request 1200 is completed, then the color measurement control unit 304 generates... Figure 14 The color measurement result 1400 is stored in the color measurement result storage unit 309.

[0177] In step S1516, web component 303 determines whether the user has pressed the color measurement complete button. If the color measurement complete button has been pressed (yes in step S1516), web component 303 will proceed as follows: Figure 19B The color measurement result sending instruction 1901 shown in the figure is sent to the color measurement control unit 304.

[0178] In step S1517, the color measurement control unit 304 retrieves the color measurement result 1400 stored in the color measurement result storage unit 309 based on the identifier (000001) included in the color measurement result sending instruction 1901, and sends the color measurement result 1400 to the web server 310 via the color measurement communication unit 305. In this exemplary embodiment, the color measurement control unit 304 does not send the color measurement result 1400 via the web browser 300. When the color measurement control unit 304 sends the color measurement result 1400 to the web server 310, the color measurement control unit 304 performs authentication using the authentication information 1201 in the chart color measurement request 1200, and after successful authentication, the color measurement control unit 304 sends the color measurement result 1400.

[0179] Web server 310 delivers color measurement result 1400 to color verification management unit 311. Color verification management unit 311 stores color measurement result 1400 in association with colorimetric setting 800 having the same identifier (000001) in colorimetric setting storage unit 312.

[0180] In step S1518, web component 303 displays a warning message on chart preview 611 indicating a color measurement error.

[0181] In step S1519, web component 303 displays a color block remeasurement indication on chart preview 611.

[0182] The foregoing has described an example of chart color measurement processing according to this exemplary embodiment. As described using a specific example, in the chart color measurement according to this exemplary embodiment, the web page 302 displayed on the web browser 300 includes host content and visitor content (chart preview 611). Visitor content is included within the host content. The host content is sent from the web server 310, and the visitor content portion is not displayed statically, but its display is dynamically updated using data sent from the local application 301.

[0183] In the following, specific examples will be used to describe the color verification process according to this exemplary embodiment.

[0184] After the color measurement of the chart is completed, and the color measurement results are stored in the colorimetric setting storage unit 312, the color verification process begins.

[0185] Figure 16 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of color verification according to this exemplary embodiment.

[0186] In step S1600, the color verification management unit 311 obtains the colorimetric setting 800, which includes the same identifier as the identifier (000001) included in the color measurement result 1400, from the colorimetric setting storage unit 312, and delivers the color measurement result 1400 and the colorimetric setting 800 to the color verification processing unit 314.

[0187] In step S1601, the color verification processing unit 314 compares the expected value (CMYK signal value) of each color patch defined in the color patch layout 803 in the color matching setting 800 with the color matching value in the color measurement result 1400 obtained by performing color measurement of the printed chart using the color measuring device 107.

[0188] In step S1602, the color verification processing unit 314 performs a pass or fail determination of the comparison result. Specifically, if the color difference falls within a threshold, the color verification processing unit 314 determines that the comparison result passes, and if the color difference falls outside the threshold, the color verification processing unit 314 determines that the comparison result fails.

[0189] In step S1603, the color verification processing unit 314 delivers the determination result to the color verification management unit 311, and the color verification management unit 311 stores the determination result in association with the colorimetric setting 800 in the colorimetric setting storage unit 312.

[0190] In step S1604, the color verification management unit 311 creates a color verification report based on the determination result and stores the color verification report in the colorimetric setting storage unit 312.

[0191] In step S1605, the color verification management unit 311 determines whether the color verification result display button 701 has been pressed by the user. If the color verification management unit 311 determines that the color verification result display button 701 has been pressed by the user ("Yes" in step S1605), the process proceeds to step S1606.

[0192] In step S1606, the color verification management unit 311 sends the specified color verification report as a web page to the web browser 300 via the web server 310. The web browser 300 displays the color verification report. The web page is as follows: Figure 7B The diagram in the middle is shown.

[0193] As described above, by communicating with the local application through a program operated on a web browser, the image forming apparatus and color measuring device can be controlled solely through the operation of the web browser.

[0194] Specifically, when printing a chart during color verification processing, the web server sends the chart print job directly to the local application, and the local application delivers the print job to the image forming apparatus. When performing color measurement on the chart, the web browser retrieves the host content from the web server, and the program running on the web browser updates the display of visitor content by controlling the color measurement device via the local application.

[0195] This configuration allows users to access a color verification system that can be operated solely through a web browser, enhancing user convenience on the web browser.

[0196] A second exemplary embodiment will now be described. In the first exemplary embodiment, a process was described in which color measurement results of color patches are received from a local application by performing a simple color measurement result determination process in step S1513 during chart color measurement. However, for example, even if web component 303 recognizes the row number of the color patch selected by the user, the following problem may occur. More specifically, because the chromaticity values ​​sent from color measurement device 107 are signal values ​​obtained by scanning color patches on a printed chart, it is uncertain whether the user performed the correct color measurement of the color patch using color measurement device 107, and incorrect color patch values ​​may be displayed on chart preview 611.

[0197] In view of the above, when updating the preview of the chart to be displayed on the visitor content of web page 302, it is desirable to perform measurement result determination processing on the selected color measurement target swatch in more detail, and to display the color measurement result of the swatch in the correct position. In the second exemplary embodiment, the feature processing to be performed when displaying the color measurement result of the swatch on the chart preview of the web page will be described.

[0198] Descriptions of items already described in the first exemplary embodiment will be omitted.

[0199] Figure 17 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of color measurement processing according to a second exemplary embodiment.

[0200] In step S1512, the web component 303 receives the color measurement results of the color patch from the color measurement control unit 304. (See reference...) Figure 13B The described color measurement results for the color patches include the colorimetric values ​​of the color patches scanned using color measurement device 107. The following processing is performed using the colorimetric values ​​of the color patches.

[0201] In step S1700, web component 303 obtains the colorimetric values ​​from the color measurement result 1301 and determines whether the number of color patches matches the expected value. Specifically, web component 303 counts the number of color patches included in the colorimetric values ​​in the color measurement result 1301. Then, based on the line number in the color measurement request sent in step S1510, web component 303 identifies the number of color patches in the color measurement result 1301. Figure 12 The chart color measurement request 1200 describes the number of color blocks (expected value) in the color block layout and compares the number of color blocks with the number of color blocks in the colorimetric value obtained this time.

[0202] If the comparison result shows that the number of color blocks is consistent, web component 303 determines that the correct number of color blocks has been scanned ("Yes" in step S1700), and the process proceeds to step S1701. If the number of color blocks is inconsistent, web component 303 determines that the wrong color blocks have been scanned ("No" in step S1700), and the process proceeds to step S1518.

[0203] In step S1701, web component 303 checks the colorimetric value in the color measurement result 1301 of the color patch and determines whether the colorimetric value matches the expected value of the color patch selected by the user. Specifically, based on the line number in the color measurement request sent in step S1510, web component 303 identifies, for example, the colorimetric value of the color patch. Figure 12 The expected value of the color patch described in the chart color measurement request 1200 is obtained for the entire chart, and the expected value is compared with the colorimetric value obtained this time.

[0204] If the comparison result shows that the colorimetric value of the color patch matches the expected value ("Yes" in step S1701), web component 303 will proceed to step S1514. If the colorimetric value of the color patch does not match the expected value ("No" in step S1701), web component 303 will proceed to step S1702.

[0205] In step S1702, web component 303 displays a warning message on the chart preview 611, which is the visitor content, indicating that the colorimetric values ​​are inconsistent with the expected values. In this step, a warning message is displayed, not an error message. No immediate indication to remeasure the color patches is shown (S1519). This is because suggesting that color measurement of the incorrect color patches is not necessarily appropriate, as the lighting environment during color measurement may be poor, or the printed chart may be stained. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1700 that the number of color patches is inconsistent with each other, it can be confidently determined that color measurement of the incorrect color patches has been performed.

[0206] Because the chart color measurement request 1200 and the color block color measurement request 1300 are delivered from the web component 303 to the color measurement control unit 304, the above-described processing can also be performed by the color measurement control unit 304. Even when the processing is performed by the color measurement control unit 304, the characteristics of the present invention remain unchanged. In the case where the above-described processing is performed by the color measurement control unit 304, the web component 303 needs to determine the result by simply looking at the values ​​described in the results of the color block color measurement.

[0207] As described above, by performing the processes in steps S1700, S1701 and S1702, it can be assured that the color measurement of the color block selected by the user has been performed with certainty.

[0208] In other words, based on the row number of the selected color patch, the success or failure of the color measurement operation for the user-selected color patch is determined through a two-step process using the number of color patches and the expected value. Using this configuration, web component 303 can display the color measurement results of the target color patch at the correct location.

[0209] In a first exemplary embodiment, an example of a single scan in which only one color measurement of a color patch is performed is described.

[0210] In a third exemplary embodiment, an example of dual scanning for performing two color patch measurement operations will be described. In the case of dual scanning, the colorimetric values ​​obtained from the color measurement device 107 are simply sent from the color measurement control unit 304 to the web component 303, which updates the graph preview 611 multiple times. Then, only the color patch measurement result sent last is displayed.

[0211] In view of the above, in the third exemplary embodiment, the feature processing to be performed in the dual scan will be described. Figure 18 This is a flowchart illustrating the color measurement process according to a third exemplary embodiment.

[0212] In step S1800, the color measurement control unit 304 checks the scanning mode of the chart color measurement request 1200. If the scanning mode is dual scan ("Yes" in step S1800), the color processing control unit 304 proceeds the processing to step S1801.

[0213] In step S1801, the color measurement control unit 304 receives colorimetric values ​​from the color measurement device 107. Even after receiving the colorimetric values, the color measurement control unit 304 does not immediately send the colorimetric values ​​to the web component 303, but instead receives colorimetric values ​​corresponding to the two measurements from the color measurement device 107. Then, based on the two colorimetric values, the color measurement control unit 304 creates a pseudo-spectral measurement result with an M1 factor (illumination with UV power having D50). In this exemplary embodiment, data corresponding to a light source with an M1 factor is created, but depending on the intended purpose of the system, for example, the light source may be created under other conditions such as an M0 factor. Furthermore, conditions such as M1 and M0 can be made variable by setting them.

[0214] As described above, two color measurement operations are performed in the dual scan, but instead of sending data corresponding to both scans, data corresponding to a light source with an M1 factor is created from the two scans and then sent. Using this configuration, web component 303 can display the color measurement results once, instead of displaying them twice on the chart preview 611.

[0215] According to the exemplary embodiment described above, during chart color measurement, the web browser retrieves host content from the web server. A program executing on the web browser updates the display of visitor content by controlling the color measurement device via a local application. On the other hand, during chart printing, print data is not sent to the image forming apparatus via the web browser. This configuration enhances user convenience in a color verification system using a web browser.

[0216] According to the exemplary embodiments described above, user convenience can be enhanced in a series of operations related to color verification.

[0217] Other embodiments

[0218] One or more embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by a computer that reads and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more fully referred to as a "non-transient computer-readable storage medium") to perform the functions of one or more of the embodiments described above and / or includes one or more circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) for performing the functions of one or more of the embodiments described above, and by a method executed by a computer of a system or device, for example, by reading and executing computer-executable instructions from a storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the embodiments described above and / or controlling one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the embodiments described above. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor unit (MPU)) and may include a network of individual computers or individual processors to read and execute the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or a storage medium. Storage media may include one or more of the following: hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), storage device for distributed computing systems, optical disc (such as compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD) or Blu-ray disc (BD)™), flash memory device, memory card, etc.

[0219] Other embodiments

[0220] The embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by providing software (programs) that perform the functions of the above embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer or central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessor unit (MPU) of the system or device reads out and executes the program.

[0221] While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the appended claims should be given the broadest interpretation to include all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An information processing device, characterized in that, include: web browser; The acquisition unit is configured to acquire color measurement results from a color measuring device, the color measurement results being obtained by performing color measurements on a printed chart using the color measuring device; as well as The display unit is configured to display a setup screen and a color measurement results screen using a web browser. The setup screen is used to configure settings for performing color verification by comparing the color measurement results in a chart with a color reference. The color measurement results screen displays the color measurement results obtained by the acquisition unit. The settings screen includes buttons for printing a chart to be used in color verification and for setting a color reference to be used in color verification. The color reference, the identifier of the image forming apparatus as the target of color verification, and the printing conditions of the chart are displayed on the settings screen.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, A web browser will display a screen with a button that indicates the color measurement results to be sent to an external device.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The color verification results are displayed using a web browser. These results are obtained by performing color verification based on a comparison of color measurements with a color reference in an external device.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The settings screen receives the user's selection of the color reference to be used in color verification and the image forming apparatus to be used in color verification.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The web browser generates host content based on information about color measurements of the chart, and in the host content, it generates visitor content based on the color measurement results.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, An add button for adding colorimetric settings to the list, a delete button for removing colorimetric settings from the list, and an edit button for editing colorimetric settings in the list are displayed on the settings screen.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, In response to the selection of a button for printing a chart to be used in color verification, a print job of the chart corresponding to the colorimetric settings selected in the list is generated on the web system, and the generated print job is sent to the image forming apparatus.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, In response to the selection of a button for printing a chart to be used in color verification, a print instruction associated with the identifier of the colorimetric setting selected in the list is sent from the information processing device to the web system, and Specifically, when a print job is generated on the web system, a print job is generated under the following printing conditions from multiple color matching settings managed by the web system: the printing conditions are associated with the following chart, the number of rows and columns of which are set in the color matching settings corresponding to the identifiers of the color matching settings selected in the list, and the printing conditions are associated with the following color reference, which is set in the color matching settings corresponding to the identifiers.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, Printing conditions are described in a job definition format within a print job.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The printing of charts to be used in color calibration, the setting of color references to be used in color calibration, and the display of color measurement results are all performed in the application.

11. A control method for an information processing device including a web browser, characterized in that, The control method includes: Obtain color measurement results from a color measuring device, which are obtained by performing color measurements on a printed chart using the color measuring device; and A web browser is used to display the setup screen and the color measurement results screen. The setup screen is used to configure settings to perform color verification by comparing the color measurement results in the chart with a color reference. The color measurement results screen displays the obtained color measurement results. The settings screen includes buttons for printing a chart to be used in color verification and for setting a color reference to be used in color verification. The color reference, the identifier of the image forming apparatus as the target of color verification, and the printing conditions of the chart are displayed on the settings screen.

12. The control method for the information processing device according to claim 11, further comprising: A web browser will display a screen with a button that indicates the color measurement results to be sent to an external device.

13. The control method for the information processing device according to claim 11, further comprising: The color verification results are displayed using a web browser. These results are obtained by performing color verification based on a comparison of color measurements with a color reference in an external device.

14. The control method for the information processing device according to claim 11, wherein, The settings screen receives the user's selection of the color reference to be used in color verification and the image forming apparatus to be used in color verification.

15. The control method for the information processing device according to claim 11, further comprising: Generate host content based on information about color measurements of the chart, and generate visitor content based on the color measurement results within the host content.

16. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program, characterized in that, This program is used to enable the computer to function as an information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-10.

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