Information processing apparatus, control method, and storage medium

Abstract

The invention provides an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a storage medium. In color verification based on a user-specific standard, there has been a problem that it is difficult to create a user-specific color verification specification. A control method of an information processing apparatus configured to perform color measurement on color patches arranged on a chart output by an image forming apparatus, and verify color accuracy of the image forming apparatus includes: acquiring a color verification specification; acquiring image data; determining, in the acquired image data, a color corresponding to a color not present in the acquired color verification specification; and adding a color corresponding to a color not present in the color verification specification to the color verification chart and the color verification specification.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a storage medium that verify color accuracy of an image forming apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, a commercial color printer periodically performs color management to ensure a certain level of color reproducibility. Color management is performed by comparing a target color defined by a standard of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or the like with a color actually printed by the printer (print color), and checking whether or not the color accuracy satisfies an acceptance criterion (allowable value).

[0003] In a case where the color accuracy does not satisfy the allowable value, it is necessary to recreate a print profile and perform correction processing using a color correction function of the printer to improve the color accuracy. However, these tasks are time-consuming and require high efficiency. Japanese Patent No. 7207052 focuses on the fact that a high saturation portion of a color gamut tends to greatly fluctuate due to deterioration of the surrounding environment and durability of the printer, and proposes to incorporate a part of the high saturation color into a color management chart and store measurement information so as to facilitate understanding of the condition of the printer. SUMMARY

[0004] However, the above-described conventional technique has the following problems. For example, in a case where color verification is performed based on a user-specific standard, it is difficult to create a user-specific color verification specification.

[0005] The present disclosure is made in consideration of at least one of the above-described problems, and aims to provide a mechanism that prompts a user to check whether or not key colors of interest to the user are included in a color verification specification at the time of registering a color verification test, and enables simplification of incorporation of the colors in a case where the colors are not included.

[0006] An information processing apparatus configured to perform color measurement on patches arranged on a chart output by an image forming apparatus, and verify color accuracy of the image forming apparatus, the information processing apparatus including: a first acquisition unit configured to acquire a color verification specification; a second acquisition unit configured to acquire image data; a determination unit configured to determine, in the image data acquired by the second acquisition unit, a color corresponding to a color that is not present in the color verification specification acquired by the first acquisition unit; and an addition unit configured to add the color corresponding to the color that is not present in the color verification specification to a color verification chart and the color verification specification.

[0007] The features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are described by way of example. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a color verification system according to an embodiment.

[0009] Figures 2A-2D shows an example of patch signal values and color characteristics of a color verification chart according to an embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a color verification apparatus and a control apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0011] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a main functional configuration of a color verification apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing processing in a color verification system according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figures 6A-6N shows an example of a display unit according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figures 7A-7D shows an example of sample display on a display unit according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 8 shows a color determination process according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 9 shows a color addition process according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 10 shows an evaluation item addition process according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 11 shows a target value registration process according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 12 shows a configuration of a profile according to an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 13 shows a schematic flow of a color matching process procedure according to an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 14 shows a color measurement condition table according to an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 15 shows a formula for calculating a color difference according to an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 16 shows an allowable value table according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure as covered by the appended claims. Several features are described in the embodiments, but not all of these features are essential to the present disclosure, and these features may be appropriately combined. Furthermore, the same or similar parts in the drawings are indicated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted. Each embodiment of the invention described below may be implemented individually or as a combination of multiple embodiments or features where necessary or where a combination of elements or features from a single embodiment is advantageous.

[0025] [First Embodiment]

[0026] According to the first embodiment, when performing color verification using a user-uniquely defined color verification specification, it is checked whether the key colors defined by the user when registering the color verification test are included (exist in) the color verification specification. The process of incorporating key colors into the color verification specification when they are not included will be described. Specifically, the area corresponding to the colors used for color verification is determined using the original artwork owned by the user, the colors not used for color verification are extracted from the colors in the original artwork, and the extracted colors are added to the color verification chart. Therefore, user-specific color verification specifications can be easily created.

[0027] <System Structure>

[0028] First, refer to Figure 1 This section describes a construction example of the color verification system according to this embodiment. In verifying color accuracy using this color verification system, a predetermined chart is first printed from the target printer. Next, a measuring device measures the colors of the color blocks on the printed chart, and the acquired color measurement data is sent to the color verification device 100. Then, the color verification device 100 checks the deviation (color accuracy) between the printed color and the target color. The color blocks arranged on the chart are also called a color chart or color sample, and are simply referred to as "patterns" in this specification.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, in the color verification system according to this embodiment, the color verification device 100 is connected to stations 1 to 3 via network 160. Station 1 includes a control device 110, a monitor 120, printers 1 to 3 (130a to 130c), and measuring devices 1 to 3 (150a to 150c).

[0030] In addition, each of stations 2 and 3 also includes a control device, a monitor, a printer, and a measuring device. The relationship between station 1 and color verification device 100 is described below as an example.

[0031] The color verification apparatus 100 compares a predefined target color (target color) with a color actually printed by the printer (print color), and verifies whether the color accuracy satisfies an acceptance criterion. The color verification apparatus 100 is connected to the control apparatus 110 via the network 160 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0032] The control apparatus 110 is connected to the printers 130a to 130c in the site 1 via a communication network such as an intranet, thereby enabling mutual communication. The control apparatus 110 issues a print instruction to the printers, and centrally manages color accuracy of the respective printers among other operations. For example, upon issuance of a print instruction, the control apparatus 110 can receive a print job from a client terminal (not shown), divide the print job into predetermined units (e.g., by portion or by page), and distribute the print job to a plurality of printers to instruct the printers to print.

[0033] The print job includes a page description language (PDL) data portion that describes a drawing command of an object of various attributes such as text, graphics, and a photograph on a per-page basis, and print setting information that specifies a print condition such as a sheet size and a sheet type, and single-sided printing or double-sided printing. By issuing an instruction to perform distributed printing to a plurality of printers for a single print job, it is possible to reduce both the time required for printing and print waiting time.

[0034] The monitor 120 is connected to the control apparatus 110, and displays various user interface screens (UI screens).

[0035] The printers 1 to 3 (130a to 130c) print a color image on a sheet using, for example, an electrophotographic processing technique based on a print job issued from the control apparatus 110. The printers 1 to 3 can be monochrome printers or printers based on other image forming techniques such as inkjet. The printers 1 to 3 can be multifunction peripherals that have a copy function and a facsimile (FAX) function in addition to a print function.

[0036] The measurement devices 1 to 3 (150a to 150c) are spectrometers that measure a color value of an object based on reflectance or transmittance of visible light (wavelength of about 400 nm to 700 nm). The measurement devices 1 to 3 are provided, for example, for each site. Each of the measurement devices 1 to 3 converts a wavelength acquired from a corresponding patch on a chart printed out by the printers 1 to 3 into a value in, for example, an L*a*b* color space or an XYZ color space, to acquire color measurement data. Figure 2A An example of a chart is shown, and Figure 2B Target color values (red, green, blue (RGB) values) defined in an RGB color space corresponding to each patch (patch numbers 1 to 729) of the chart are indicated.

[0037] The measurement devices 1 to 3 are equipped with a line sensor or an area sensor for scanning the chart. For example, in the case of a sheet-through type automatic original reading measurement device, equipping the line sensor enables the measurement device to scan the chart in advance, thereby allowing the measurement device to detect the position of the patch to be measured and perform the measurement. In the case of a measurement device that can automatically feed the sheet and continuously perform the measurement, equipping the area sensor enables the measurement device to scan the chart in advance, thereby allowing the measurement device to detect the position of the patch to be measured and perform the measurement.

[0038] A portable (handheld) measurement device can also be employed, but in this case, a separate scanner for scanning the chart is connected to the control device 110. In the case of a sheet-through type automatic original reading measurement device, such a scanner can be connected to the control device 110 using, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port or the like, and measure the color values of each patch on the chart printed out from the target printer to acquire color measurement data as shown in Figure 2C

[0039] The acquired color measurement data is transmitted to the color verification device 100 via the control device 110. In the case where the color verification device 100 is installed in one of the sites 1 to 3, the color verification device 100 can be directly connected to the measurement device so that the color verification device 100 can acquire the color measurement data without the intervention of the control device 110.

[0040] The network 160 is, for example, a Local Area Network (LAN), the Internet, an intranet, or the like, and can be wired or wireless.

[0041] The sites 1 to 3 (170a to 170c) correspond to the locations of the printing companies where the printers are installed. For example, the site 1 is a printing site in Tokyo, the site 2 is a printing site in Osaka, and the site 3 is a printing site in Fukuoka.

[0042] Figure 1 The configuration of the color verification system as shown is an example, and the number of sites and the configuration of the devices in each site can be appropriately changed. For example, the color verification device 100 can be configured to be directly connected to the control device 110 and / or the measurement devices 1 to 3 via a communication network such as an intranet to manage the color accuracy of a plurality of printers 1 to 3. Alternatively, for example, an information processing device having the functions of both the color verification device 100 and the control device 110 can be installed in each site and manage the color accuracy of a plurality of printers 1 to 3 in the corresponding site.

[0043] [Hardware configuration of color verification device / control device]

[0044] Next, the hardware configuration of the color verification device 100 will be described with reference to Figure 3 ​A hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is described. The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment corresponds to at least one of the color verification apparatus 100 and the control apparatus 110, and is realized by, for example, a general-purpose laptop computer / desk-top personal computer or a tablet terminal.

[0045] The color verification apparatus 100 and the control apparatus 110 can be integrally provided. Therefore, the color verification apparatus 100 and the control apparatus 110 are examples of the information processing apparatus. The color verification apparatus 100 and the control apparatus 110 each include a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a read only memory (ROM) 102, a random access memory (RAM) 103, a hard disk drive (HDD) 104, a display unit 105, an operation unit 106, a network interface (I / F) 107, and an external device I / F 108. The units 101 to 108 are connected via a system bus 109 to be able to transmit and receive data to and from each other.

[0046] The CPU 101 is an arithmetic processing apparatus that controls the entire apparatus, and performs various types of image processing to be described below based on a program stored in the ROM 102. The ROM 102 is a read only memory, and stores a boot program, a processing program, character data, character code information, and the like. The RAM 103 is a random access memory, and is used as a work memory in a case where the CPU 101 executes various programs.

[0047] The HDD 104 is used as a data storage area of an image file received from the network I / F 109. The HDD 104 is used to store a result of arithmetic processing performed by the CPU 101, various programs, information files, and the like. The display unit 105 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays a user interface screen for making various settings and checking an apparatus state, and the like.

[0048] The operation unit 106 is configured with a keyboard, a button, and / or other devices, and is used by a user to input and reset various setting values. The network I / F 107 is an interface that connects the color verification apparatus 100 and the control apparatus 110 with the network 160. The color verification apparatus 100 and the control apparatus 110 each can transmit various types of information to and receive various types of information from an external device via the network I / F 107.

[0049] The external device I / F 108 is used to connect an external device such as the measurement devices 1 to 3 via a communication bus such as a universal serial bus (USB) or the like.

[0050] <Software configuration of color verification apparatus>

[0051] Next, referring to Figure 4The software configuration of the information processing apparatus (color verification apparatus 100 and control apparatus 110) according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, only the main functional configuration according to the present disclosure will be described. Therefore, other configurations are not excluded.

[0052] The color verification apparatus 100 and the control apparatus 110 include a color verification specification registration unit 401, a UI control unit 402, a measurement job generation unit 403, a color verification specification determination unit 404, a color measurement control unit 405, a verification processing unit 406, and a setting processing unit 407. Each of these functional units is realized by the CPU 101 executing a predetermined program. Each functional unit will be described below.

[0053] The color verification specification registration unit 401 registers, for each type of color verification, a chart in which patches of various colors corresponding to corresponding target color values are arranged, a printer that performs color verification, a measurement device and color measurement conditions for color verification, an allowable value at the time of color verification, and the like. Specifically, the chart to be registered is stored in association with image data and information (chart configuration information) indicating the configuration of the chart, such as the number and size of the patches on the chart, in the HDD 104.

[0054] The chart can be roughly classified into a predetermined chart that conforms to a standard such as a standard of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and a custom chart that is uniquely defined by a user. The predetermined chart is registered in advance before use starts (for example, at the time of installation of a program for color verification). The custom chart is registered at an arbitrary desired timing based on a user input via the operation unit 106. The printer that performs color verification is registered from among the printers 130a, 130b, and 130c connected to the control apparatus 110.

[0055] The measurement device for color verification is registered from among the measurement devices 150a, 150b, and 150c. For the color measurement conditions used at the time of color verification, color measurement conditions defined by the Japan Color Evaluation conforming to the ISO or the like are registered. Similarly, the allowable value used at the time of color verification is registered based on the Japan Color Evaluation conforming to the ISO or the like. The allowable value is a value for comparing a specified target color (target color) with a color actually printed by the printer (printed color) and checking whether the color accuracy satisfies an acceptance criterion (allowable value).

[0056] For example, in a case where a difference (color difference) between a color value of a target color (target value) and a color value of a printed color (measured value) is determined, a value of the color difference is registered as an allowable value. If the difference falls within the allowable value, it is determined that the color accuracy meets the acceptance criterion. In a case where color verification is performed, the user selects a color verification specification from among color verification specifications registered by the color verification specification registration unit 401, the measurement job generation unit 403 generates a measurement job, and thus color verification is started.

[0057] The UI control unit 402 controls display of a user interface screen for the user to check a state of each device in the color verification system, input and select various setting values, issue an instruction to start various types of processing, and the like. The user interface screen to be displayed will be described below.

[0058] The measurement job generation unit 403 selects a color verification test to be performed from among color verification specifications registered by the user using the color verification specification registration unit 401, and generates it as a measurement job. Subsequently, the measurement job generation unit 403 generates a chart based on chart configuration information corresponding to the selected color verification test.

[0059] The color verification specification determination unit 404 determines, in image data specified by the user, a region of a color to be used for color verification in a color verification specification specified by the user. The color verification specification determination unit 404 extracts a color that is not present in the color verification specification from the image data, and adds the extracted color to the color verification chart.

[0060] The color measurement control unit 405 performs a pre-scan at the time of measurement of a color of a chart, and performs color measurement of the chart.

[0061] The verification processing unit 406 performs verification processing using color measurement data received from the measurement device 150a to determine whether or not color accuracy of a target printer meets an acceptance criterion.

[0062] The setting processing unit 407 sets various parameters related to verification processing based on user selection via a predetermined user interface screen, or the like.

[0063] <Processing in the entire system>

[0064] Next, the operation of the color verification system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. Figure 5The processing sequence at the time of registering the color verification specification in the color verification system according to the present embodiment will be described. In the processing sequence described below, the following case is assumed: the color verification device 100 registers the color verification specification and causes the printer 130a to output a chart, whereby the printer 130a is subjected to color verification using the measuring equipment 150a. An example in which various operation screens described below are displayed on the display unit 105 of the color verification device 100 is described, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example, and various operation screens can be displayed on the display unit 105 of the control device 110 or other display units.

[0065] In step S501, the color verification specification registration unit 401 starts registration of the color verification specification based on user input. If the user who wishes to register the color verification specification presses the color verification specification registration button 601 on the main menu screen illustrated in Figure 6A , the screen transitions to the color verification specification registration screen illustrated in Figure 6B . The UI control unit 402 controls these UI screens.

[0066] If the user presses the color verification specification to be registered and / or edited in the display areas 603 to 605 of the color verification specification registration screen illustrated in Figure 6B , the screen transitions to the detailed selection screen of the color verification specification illustrated in Figure 6C .

[0067] In step S502, the color verification specification registration unit 401 acquires a list of the printers 1 to 3 managed by the control device 110 and information indicating the state of each printer (hereinafter referred to as "printer state information"). Here, the printer state information includes, for example, information on the power state (on / off), the presence or absence of a failure, and the print job processing state (printing / standby). The printer state information is acquired by the control device 110 periodically accessing the printers 1 to 3 and stored therein. The list of the printers and the printer state information of each printer are collectively referred to as "printer information".

[0068] Next, the color verification specification registration unit 401 receives a press of "select printer" in the display area 608 on the detailed selection screen of the color verification specification in Figure 6C . Subsequently, the screen transitions to the printer selection screen illustrated in Figure 6E , and processing for receiving selection of a printer as a target of color verification (hereinafter referred to as "target printer") is performed. Specifically, the selection of the user is received by the UI control unit 402 via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, and the setting processing unit 407 sets the printer corresponding to the selection (printer 1 in this case) as the target printer.

[0069] Figure 6E A printer selection screen for the user to select a target printer is shown.

[0070] The display areas 616 to 618 on the printer selection screen display a list of printers (printers 1 to 3 in this case) that can be a processing target in accordance with the printer information acquired in step S502. At this time, display processing is performed based on the printer status information, for example, a printer that cannot be used for printing is displayed in gray, so that it is clear whether the printer is in a printable state or an unprintable state. In Figure 6E Printer 3 is displayed in gray only on the printer selection screen, which indicates that printer 3 cannot be used for printing.

[0071] Next, the color verification specification registration unit 401 acquires a list of the measurement devices 1 to 3 managed by the control device 110, specification information of each measurement device, and information indicating the state of each measurement device (hereinafter referred to as "measurement device status information"). Here, the specification information indicates the specifications of the corresponding measurement device, such as the paper size and the minimum patch size that the measurement device can handle, and the minimum / maximum number of patches per sheet (per page). In the case of a measurement device including an accessory, the specification information also includes differences in specifications depending on whether the accessory is included. Here, the accessory refers to items such as a measuring scale and an automatic sheet feeding unit.

[0072] The measuring scale is a device that assists in the sliding operation during measurement, so that the handheld measurement device can perform stable color measurement. A sensor installed on the back surface of the measurement device detects the stripe pattern of the measuring scale, and thus can detect the direction in which the user performs measurement (measurement from left to right, measurement from right to left, etc.). The automatic sheet feeding unit is a device that automatically loads a chart printed out from the printer into the measurement device to enable continuous color measurement. The measurement device status information includes, for example, information on the power state (on / off) and the connection state.

[0073] It is assumed that the control device 110 accesses the measurement devices 1 to 3 in advance or periodically to acquire and store the specification information and the measurement device status information. The measurement device list, the specification information of each measurement device, and the measurement device status information of each measurement device are collectively referred to as "measurement device information".

[0074] Next, the color verification specification registration unit 401 receives a press of "Select Measurement Device" in the display area 609 on the color verification specification detail selection screen in Figure 6C Figure 6F ​The measurement device selection screen shown, and performs processing for receiving selection of a measurement device to be used in measurement of color values of the graph. More specifically, the UI control unit 402 receives the user's selection via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, and the setting processing unit 407 sets the measurement device corresponding to the selection as the measurement device to be used for graph measurement.

[0075] Figure 6F The measurement device selection screen is shown for the user to select a measurement device. The display areas 619 to 621 on the measurement device selection screen display a list of measurement devices (measurement devices 1 to 3 in this case) that can be processing targets in accordance with the measurement device information acquired in step S504. At this time, based on the measurement device state information, the following display processing is performed: for example, a measurement device that cannot be used for measurement is displayed in gray, so that the user can see whether each measurement device is in an available state or an unavailable state.

[0076] In Figure 6F In the measurement device selection screen, only measurement device 2 is displayed in gray, which indicates that measurement device 2 is in an unavailable state. Next, the screen transitions to Figure 6K The color measurement condition input screen shown, and performs processing for receiving color measurement conditions when performing color measurement. Specifically, the UI control unit 402 receives the selection made by the user via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, and the setting processing unit 407 sets the color measurement conditions related to the selection.

[0077] Figure 6K The color measurement condition input screen is shown for the user to input various color measurement conditions.

[0078] The color measurement conditions include a white condition 627, an illumination condition 628, an illuminant 629, a viewing angle 630, and the like, but are not limited to these. The white condition 627 includes a "paper white reference" based on a white background of a print sheet, and an "absolute white reference" based on a white reference plate (white tile) of a color measurement device, so that the user selects either of these.

[0079] The illumination condition 628 indicates "M0", "M1", "M2", and "M3" standardized by the ISO 13655 standard, and the user selects one of these. For the illuminant (observation light source) 629, the user selects the type of light source data to be incorporated when calculating L*a*b* values. The types of illuminant 629 include "A", "D50", "D65", and the like. The viewing angle 630 refers to the viewing angle of a human observer (size of the object), and is selected from options defined by the ISO, such as "2-degree viewing angle" and "10-degree viewing angle".

[0080] In a case where color verification is performed in accordance with a color certification of Japan or a Fogra certification, both of which conform to ISO international standards, the color measurement conditions are determined in advance in accordance with the type of color certification. Therefore, a configuration can be adopted in which the user only registers the type of color certification, and the color measurement conditions are automatically registered in the color verification specification registration unit 401 in accordance with the type of color certification. In this case, the color measurement conditions corresponding to the corresponding color certification are stored in advance as a table as shown in Figure 14 , and the color measurement conditions corresponding to the type of color certification selected are registered by referring to the table.

[0081] A configuration can be adopted in which the user or administrator who performs color verification can register and delete color measurement conditions uniquely defined by him or her. For example, the administrator adds a color certification described as "Custom: Profile A" as shown in Figure 14 to the table in advance. Subsequently, the user who performs color verification selects "Custom: Profile A", so that the color measurement conditions can be automatically registered in the color verification specification registration unit 401.

[0082] According to the present embodiment, the color measurement conditions that can be used differ depending on the measurement device, so that the color measurement conditions are registered after the measurement device is selected. Alternatively, a "select color measurement conditions" menu can be provided on the screen as shown in Figure 6C , so that the measurement device and the color measurement conditions can be registered separately.

[0083] Next, if the user presses "select chart" in the display area 607 on the detailed selection screen of the color verification specification in Figure 6C , the screen is changed to the chart selection screen as shown in Figure 6D . The user selects a chart to be used for color verification from the display areas 611 to 614 on the chart selection screen as shown in Figure 6D . "Chart 1" and "Chart 2" in the display areas 611 and 612 on the chart selection screen in Figure 6D are predetermined charts that have been registered and defined in accordance with standards such as ISO.

[0084] After the user presses the chart input button 615, the user performs operations such as inputting various types of information to be used for registering a custom chart. Specifically, the registration is completed by inputting the name of the custom chart to be registered, the patch number, the patch size, and the sheet size and type, and uploading image data. The chart image is created in a file format such as a tagged image file format (TIFF), a portable document format (PDF), and a joint photographic experts group (JPEG).

[0085] Therefore, the chart is registered in Figure 6DThe "Unregistered" section is located in display areas 613 and 614 on the chart selection screen. The list of registered charts and the chart structure information of each chart are collectively referred to as "Chart Information".

[0086] Next, the color verification specification registration unit 401 receives the data. Figure 6C In the detailed selection screen for color verification specifications, press the "Enter Allowed Value" button in display area 610. The screen then transitions to... Figure 6G The system displays an input screen for allowed values ​​and processes data (such as allowed values) for verification items in each block of the chart to be used. Specifically, the UI control unit 402 receives the user's selection via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, and the setting processing unit 407 sets the allowed value for the verification item corresponding to the selection.

[0087] Figure 6G The system displays a screen for users to input allowed values ​​for validation items. Validation items include, for example, the average color difference ΔE of each patch, the maximum color difference ΔE of each patch, and the color difference ΔE of the primary colors (CMYK), and allowed values ​​are set for the corresponding validation items. Figure 6G The color verification settings screen is shown for setting the allowed values ​​corresponding to the corresponding verification items. Users preset the allowed values ​​corresponding to the corresponding verification items via the aforementioned UI screen. Here, the color difference ΔE is the linear distance between the target color value in the L*a*b* color space and the color value indicated by the color measurement data (color measurement value), and can be set using, for example... Figure 15 We can obtain it using the formula (1) shown.

[0088] Now suppose that for example... Figure 6G The color validation settings screen displays allowable values ​​for color differences for each validation item. In this case, if the average color difference ΔE of each patch falls within ±4.0, the maximum color difference ΔE falls within ±10.0, and the color difference ΔE of the primary colors (CMYK) (ΔE_primary color) falls within ±5.0, the result is considered acceptable (pass). On the other hand, if any validation item exceeds the allowable value, the result is considered unacceptable (fail).

[0089] Similar to the color measurement conditions, when color verification is performed according to Japanese color certification or Fogra certification (both conforming to ISO international standards), the corresponding permissible values ​​are also defined according to the type of color certification. Therefore, a structure can be adopted whereby the user only registers the type of color certification, and the corresponding permissible values ​​are automatically registered in the color verification specification registration unit 401 according to the type of color certification. In this case, the permissible values ​​corresponding to the color certification are pre-stored as follows: Figure 16The table shown, and the allowable values corresponding to the type of color certification are registered by referring to the table.

[0090] Next, the color verification specification registration unit 401 receives a press of "input target value" in the display area 606 on the detailed selection screen of the color verification specification in Figure 6C Subsequently, the screen transitions to the target value input screen shown in Figure 6I and performs processing for receiving the target value of each patch on the chart used.

[0091] Specifically, the UI control unit 402 receives the user's selection via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, and the setting processing unit 407 sets the target color value corresponding to the selection.

[0092] Figure 6M The target value input screen for the user to input the target value is shown. According to the present embodiment, since the color verification according to the Japanese color certification (633) or the Fogra certification (634) (both of which conform to international standards) is described as an example, the target value is also determined according to the type of color certification. Therefore, the user only registers the type of color certification, and the target value is automatically registered in the color verification specification registration unit 401 according to the type of color certification. In this case, the target value corresponding to the color certification is stored in advance in the HDD 104, and the target value corresponding to the type of color certification is registered by referring to the data.

[0093] In step S503, the color verification specification determination unit 404 acquires image data including a key color that the user is interested in. Specifically, the image data input by the user is received via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105 by the UI control unit 402, and the color verification specification determination unit 404 acquires the image data.

[0094] In step S504, the color verification specification determination unit 404 determines a region in the image data acquired in step S503 in which a color to be used in color verification (a color used in the chart acquired in step S502) is used. The specific processing will be described below.

[0095] In step S505, the color verification specification determination unit 404 extracts a color that is not used in color verification (a color that is not used in the chart acquired in step S502) from the image data acquired in step S503, based on the determination result in step S504. The specific processing will be described below.

[0096] In step S506, the color verification specification determining unit 404 adds the color determined to be absent in the color verification in step S505 to the chart selected in step S502 and re-registers. Specifically, the color verification specification determining unit 404 re-registers the edited chart 3 in the unregistered display area 613 on the chart selection screen illustrated in Fig. 6. Figure 6D

[0097] Similarly, the color verification specification determining unit 404 re-registers the edited color verification specification 3 including the chart 3 in the unregistered display area 605 on the color verification specification registration screen illustrated in Fig. 7. The specific process will be described below. Figure 6B

[0098] In step S507, the measurement job generating unit 403 starts the color verification based on the user input. If the user who wishes to start the color verification presses the color verification button 602 on the main menu screen illustrated in Fig. 8, the screen transitions to the color verification specification selection screen illustrated in Fig. 9. The UI control unit 402 controls these UI screens. Figure 6A Figure 6H

[0099] In step S508, if the user presses "color verification specification 3" in the display area 626 on the color verification specification selection screen illustrated in Fig. 9, the measurement job generating unit 403 performs a process for generating a measurement job corresponding to each color verification specification 3. If the measurement job is generated, the printer that is the target of the color verification, the measurement device to be used, the color measurement condition, and the chart and the allowable value to be used in the color verification that are registered in the process of steps S501 to S506 are uniquely determined. Figure 6H

[0100] In step S509, the control device 110 transmits a print job of the print chart to the target printer based on the received image data. At this time, the control device 110 performs color conversion on the received image data using the input profile and the output profile.

[0101] The input profile and the output profile are determined in advance based on the color verification specification selected in step S508. For example, in the case of color verification of the Japan Color 2011 Lab certification (digital certification), a profile created based on the Japan Color 2011 is set as the input profile, and an output profile created by the target printer is set as the output profile. Thus, the image data can be subjected to color conversion of the Japan Color 2011 Lab certification (digital certification).

[0102] In step S510, the printer 1 that receives the print job performs print processing and outputs the chart based on the print job. ​​​​​

[0103] In step S511, the control device 110 displays the chart measurement screen shown in Fig. 13, and instructs the color measurement of the chart printed out from the target printer. Figure 6J

[0104] In step S512, if the user sets the chart and instructs the start of measurement, the selected measurement device measures the color values of each patch on the chart.

[0105] In step S513, the selected measurement device stores the acquired color measurement data and transmits it to the control device 110 after completing the measurement.

[0106] In step S514, the control device 110 receives the color measurement data from the selected measurement device, and transfers the received data to the color verification device 100.

[0107] In step S515, the verification processing unit 406 performs processing for verifying the color accuracy of the printer using the received data.

[0108] In step S516, the UI control unit 402 displays the verification result on the display unit 105. Figure 6I The report result screen showing the verification result is shown. As shown in Fig. 14, the average and maximum values of the color difference of each patch, and the color difference of the primary colors (CMYK), are displayed together with the result indicating the acceptability / unacceptability (pass / fail) of each verification item. This report result screen enables the user to grasp the color fluctuation state of the target printer. Figure 6I

[0109] In the case where the verification result is not acceptable (failed), the color fluctuation of the printer can be controlled within the specified range by recreating the print profile or performing a correction operation using the color correction function of the printer.

[0110] The above is a description of the overall processing in the color verification system according to the present embodiment. Along with the display for prompting the user to perform color measurement on the chart, the control device 110 can issue a preparation instruction to the selected measurement device, and cause the selected measurement device to perform calibration before starting the measurement.

[0111] <Color determination processing>

[0112] Next, the specific processing in step S504 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 15. Figure 8 In the flowchart of Fig. 15, the following processing is described: determining the region using the colors used in the color verification (the colors used in the chart acquired in step S502) in the image data acquired in step S503. Figure 8

[0113] ​​​The series of processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 are implemented by the CPU 101 of the color verification apparatus 100 loading a program corresponding to the color verification specification determination unit 404 from the ROM 102 to the RAM 103 and executing the program. Figure 8

[0114] In step S801, the color verification specification determination unit 404 extracts color values of the image data acquired in step S503. The image data refers to any image data including key colors of interest to the user, as shown in FIG. 8, for example. The method of extracting color values can be any conventional technique; for example, values can be extracted in order from the value (mode) that appears most frequently in the entire image data. Figure 7A

[0115] Alternatively, an algorithm such as the k-means method can be used to extract values by dividing the color values of the image data into several groups (clusters). Color values of the image data can be extracted by converting the image data to the L*a*b* color space and using the L*a*b* values, or by directly extracting signal values of the image data such as RGB (RGB composition) or CMYK (CMYK composition).

[0116] In step S802, the color verification specification determination unit 404 extracts color values of the graph acquired in step S502. The method of extracting color values is similar to that in step S801.

[0117] In step S803, the color verification specification determination unit 404 determines whether any of the color values of the graph extracted in step S802 match the color values of the image data extracted in step S801. A conventional method can be used for the determination method; for example, color matching can be determined according to whether the color difference (dE) based on the linear distance between two color values (L*a*b*, RGB, CMYK) is a predetermined threshold value or less. If the color difference is less than the predetermined threshold value (YES in step S803), the process proceeds to step S804. Otherwise (NO in step S803), the process proceeds to step S805. Figure 15

[0118] In step S804, the color verification specification determination unit 404 assigns "match found" (flag 1) to the color values among the color values of the image data extracted in step S801 that were determined to match (YES) in step S803.

[0119] In step S805, the color verification specification determination unit 404 assigns "no match" (flag 0) to the color values among the color values of the image data extracted in step S801 that were determined to not match (NO) in step S803.

[0120] ​​​In step S806, the color verification specification determining unit 404 displays the region of the color value assigned "match found" (flag 1) among the color values of the image data extracted in step S801. Examples of the display method include surrounding the region of the color value assigned "match found" with a dotted line to indicate the matching region to the user as shown in Figure 7B ; or displaying the non-matching region in gray to highlight the matching region. However, the display method is not limited to these examples.

[0121] <Color addition processing>

[0122] The specific operations in steps S505 and S506 will now be described with reference to Figure 9 . In the flowchart of Figure 9 , the processing of extracting the color value determined in step S505 as not existing in the image data in the color verification, and adding the extracted color value to the color verification specification and the color verification chart in step S506 is described. The series of processing shown in the flowchart of Figure 9 is realized by the CPU 101 of the color verification device 100 loading the program corresponding to the color verification specification determining unit 404 from the ROM 102 to the RAM 103 and executing the program.

[0123] In step S901, the color verification specification determining unit 404 acquires the color value determined as not matching (flag 0) among the color values of the image data in step S805.

[0124] In step S902, the color verification specification determining unit 404 automatically adds the color value extracted in step S901 to the color verification specification and the color verification chart. Alternatively, the image data can be displayed to the user to allow the user to pick (select) the color to be added, and then select whether to add it to the color verification specification and the color verification chart. In the case of automatic addition (automatic in step S902), the processing proceeds to step S904. In the case of selection (selection in step S902), the processing proceeds to step S903.

[0125] In step S903, the color verification specification determining unit 404 extracts the color by prompting the user to pick the color to be added from among the colors determined as not matching (flag 0) from the image data. Specifically, the image data can be displayed as shown in Figure 7C , and the user can be prompted to select the color to be added to the color verification specification and the color verification chart from among the colors determined as not matching (flag 0) from the image data. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 7DAs shown, colors in the image data that are determined to be mismatched (flag 0) are displayed in a patch format, and the user is prompted to select the color value to be added.

[0126] In step S904, the color verification specification determination unit 404 adds the color values ​​extracted in step S902 or step S903 to the chart selected in step S502 and re-registers them. Specifically, in such cases... Figure 6D On the chart selection screen shown, the edited chart 3 is registered in the unregistered display area 613.

[0127] like Figure 2A As shown, when adding three tildes to a chart with 3×18 tildes, the added tildes can be arranged individually, making their positions within the chart identifiable. Alternatively, the added tildes can be displayed in a way that distinguishes them from other tildes (e.g., by changing their border color). Still alternatively, the user can specify the position of the added tildes within the chart. Next, the edited color verification specification 3, including Chart 3, is registered in... Figure 6B The unregistered display area 605 is shown on the color verification specification registration screen.

[0128] According to this embodiment, the following processing is described: using the original document owned by the user to determine the area corresponding to the color used in color verification, extracting the color from the original document that is not used in color verification, and adding the extracted color to the color verification chart.

[0129] However, the following structure can be adopted: the original and extracted colors can be managed as historical data and reused when editing other color validation specifications to facilitate editing.

[0130] As described above, according to this embodiment, when performing color verification using a user-defined color verification specification, it is checked whether the key colors defined by the user when registering the color verification test are included in the color verification specification.

[0131] If key colors are not included, the process of incorporating them into the color validation specification has been described. Specifically, the areas corresponding to the colors used in color validation are determined using the user-owned original artwork, colors not used in color validation are extracted from the original artwork, and the extracted colors are added to the color validation chart. Therefore, user-specific color validation specifications can be easily created.

[0132] [Second Embodiment]

[0133] According to the first embodiment, the following aspects are described: using a user-owned original document to determine the area corresponding to the colors used in color verification, extracting colors from the original document that are not used in color verification, and adding the extracted colors to a color verification chart, thereby creating a user-specific color verification specification. When creating the color verification specification, for the added colors, it is desirable to simultaneously register both the permissible and target values ​​for the evaluation items.

[0134] According to the second embodiment, aspects concerning this point are described, including the selection, allowed values, and target values ​​of registration evaluation items for the added color. A description of the basic structure of the color verification system common to the first embodiment is omitted.

[0135] The schematic diagram showing the overall structure of the color verification system according to the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, so its description is omitted.

[0136] The block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the color verification device 100 and the control device 110 according to the second embodiment is similar to the block diagram of the first embodiment, so its description is omitted.

[0137] The block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the color verification device 100 and control device 110 according to the second embodiment is similar to the block diagram of the first embodiment, so its description is omitted.

[0138] The sequence diagrams showing the processing in the color verification system according to the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, so their descriptions are omitted.

[0139] <Evaluation Item Addition Processing>

[0140] Next, refer to Figure 10 The operations in steps S505 and S506 are described in detail. Figure 10 The flowchart describes the following process: adding three steps—"registering evaluation items," "registering allowed values," and "registering target values"—to the operations described in steps S505 and S506 of the first embodiment. This is achieved by the CPU 101 of the color verification device 100 loading the program corresponding to the color verification specification determination unit 404 from the ROM 102 into the RAM 103 and executing the program. Figure 10 The flowchart shows a series of processes.

[0141] The operations in steps S1001 to S1004 are the same as those in the first embodiment (corresponding to...) Figure 9 The steps S901 to S904 are similar, so their descriptions are omitted.

[0142] In step S1005, the color verification specification determination unit 404 registers the evaluation items of the color extracted in step S1004. For example...Figure 6M As shown, the selection of the evaluation item only registers the "allowable value of color difference" in the display area 636, and if the same evaluation method as other colors is acceptable, the "allowable value of color difference" in the display area 636 is selected.

[0143] On the other hand, if another evaluation item is selected, "unregistered" in the display area 637 is pressed. Subsequently, the screen transitions to Figure 6N the selection screen of the evaluation item details shown in FIG. 10B, on which the user selects the use so that the evaluation item corresponding to the use is set as Figure 6M "unregistered" in the display area 637 in FIG. 10B, and is selected as the evaluation item. Examples of the use include "brightness / depth" in the display area 639, "saturation" in the display area 640, "color" in the display area 641, "color tone variation" in the display area 642, and the like. The evaluation item shown in Figure 6N in FIG. 10B (e.g., ΔL, ΔC, ΔE00, and average ΔE00) can be directly selected as another method.

[0144] In step S1006, the color verification specification determining unit 404 registers the allowable value with respect to the evaluation item selected in step S1005. With respect to the method of determining the allowable value, as shown in Figure 2D the display area 636 in FIG. 10A, the surrounding colors are displayed based on the evaluation item selected in step S1005, and the allowable value is determined by prompting the user to select the allowable color. For example, if the evaluation item is "saturation", the surrounding colors can be generated and displayed, and the colors extracted in step S1004 are varied in the saturation direction.

[0145] If the evaluation item is "color difference", the surrounding colors can be generated based on the quality grade defined by Japanese Industrial Standards, and the allowable color can be selected by the user.

[0146] In step S1007, the color verification specification determining unit 404 registers the target value of the color extracted in step S1004. The method of calculating the target value will be described below.

[0147] <Calculation of Target Value>

[0148] Next, the process of the target value registration in step S1007 will be described with reference to Figure 11 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 .

[0149] In step S1101, the color verification specification determining unit 404 acquires the input profile and the output profile used when the chart is printed in step S509. The basic profile construction will be described below.

[0150] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration file. The configuration file includes a header containing basic information about various configuration files, and a table containing information used in color matching processing. The header stores, for example, identification (ID) information, version information, device class information indicating a basic type of an output device, and the like. The table stores "B to A" information including color processing parameters about processing of converting image data B in a device independent profile connection space (PCS) to image data A in a color space according to a specific output device.

[0151] In addition, the table also stores "A to B" information including color processing parameters about processing of converting image data A in a color space according to a specific device to image data B in a device independent PCS space.

[0152] These "B to A" information and "A to B" information are stored in correspondence with a corresponding color matching method supported by a color matching processing module. Types of the color matching method include hue priority color matching (perception type), chroma matching color matching (chroma type), and saturation priority color matching (saturation type).

[0153] Here, the "perception type" is color matching suitable for an image such as a picture, and emphasizes color gradation. The "chroma type" is color matching suitable for an image such as a logo, and aims to reproduce a color matching chroma. The "saturation type" is color matching suitable for an image such as a graph and a computer graphics (CG), and emphasizes color vividness.

[0154] In order to distinguish Figure 12 which color matching method the color processing parameters indicated in the "perception type", the "chroma type", and the "saturation type" correspond to, a number "01" is attached for the "perception type", a number "02" is attached for the "chroma type", and a number "03" is attached for the "saturation type".

[0155] In step S1102, the color verification specification determining unit 404 acquires signal values (for example, CMYK values) constituting the color verification chart acquired in step S508.

[0156] In step S1103, the color verification specification determining unit 404 extracts "A to B" information and "B to A" information corresponding to a color matching method used when the chart is printed in step S509, using the output configuration file acquired in step S1101.

[0157] In step S1104, the color verification specification determining unit 404 performs processing of converting the CMYK values constituting the color verification chart acquired in step S1102 into CMYK data (CMYK' values) in accordance with the characteristics of the printer serving as the output device. Figure 13 The module "CMM1" illustrated performs this processing.

[0158] In this processing, the "A to B" information on the input profile and the "B to A" information on the output profile according to the designated color matching method are set in the module CMM1. Subsequently, color conversion is performed using these information to convert the chart CMYK values into the CMYK' values after color conversion.

[0159] In step S1105, the color verification specification determining unit 404 converts the CMYK data (CMYK' values) in accordance with the characteristics of the printer calculated in step S1104 into PCS data (e.g., L*a*b* values) indicating the characteristics of the printer. Figure 13 The module "CMM2" illustrated performs this processing. In this processing, the "A to B" information on the output profile is set in the module CMM2, and color conversion is performed using this information to convert the printer CMYK values into the PCS data indicating the characteristics of the printer (hereinafter referred to as printer L*a*b* values).

[0160] In step S1106, the color verification specification determining unit 404 registers the printer L*a*b* values calculated in step S1105 as the target values.

[0161] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the region corresponding to the color used in the color verification is determined using the original owned by the user, the color in the original which is not used in the color verification is extracted, and the extracted color is added to the color verification chart. Further, the selection of the evaluation item, the allowable value, and the target value are registered with respect to the added color, thereby creating the user-specific color verification specification.

[0162] Accordingly, the allowable value and the target value with respect to the corresponding evaluation item can be registered with respect to the added color at the same time, and the user-specific color verification specification can be easily created.

[0163] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified in various ways based on the gist of the present disclosure, and is not intended to exclude various modifications from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the present disclosure also includes all configurations that combine the above-described embodiments with the modifications.

[0164] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a mechanism to prompt a user to check if key colors of interest to the user are included in the color verification specification when registering a color verification test and to enable the simplified incorporation of these colors in case they are not included, thereby allowing the user to easily create a user-specific color verification specification.

[0165] Embodiments of the present application can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes on a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., one or more programs) a computer-executable instruction (e.g., one or more programs) recorded thereon, and / or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions described above of one or more of the above-described embodiments, and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing on the computer the computer-executable instruction (e.g., one or more programs) from the storage medium (e.g., one or more programs) to perform the functions described above of one or more of the above-described embodiments, and / or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions described above of one or more of the above-described embodiments. The computer can include one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and can include a computer or a plurality of processing circuits distributed throughout the computer, and the computer can read out and execute the computer-executable instruction from the storage medium to perform the functions described above of one or more of the above-described embodiments. The storage medium can include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (e.g., a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a Blu-ray Disc (BD)®), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like. TM

[0166] While the present application has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the application is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all the variations and equivalents.​

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus configured to measure the colors of color patches arranged on a chart output by an image forming apparatus and to verify the color accuracy of the image forming apparatus, the information processing apparatus comprising: The first acquisition unit is used to acquire color verification specifications; The second acquisition unit is used to acquire image data; A determining unit, configured to determine, from the image data acquired by the second acquiring unit, a color corresponding to a color that does not exist in the color verification specification acquired by the first acquiring unit; and An adding section is used to add colors corresponding to colors that do not exist in the color verification specification to the color verification chart and the color verification specification.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A display unit is used to display a color that corresponds to a color that does not exist in the color verification specification acquired by the first acquisition unit, as a color in the image data that does not exist in the color verification specification.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The registration department is used to register evaluation items, allowable values, and target values ​​for the colors determined by the determination department.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: The calculation unit is used to calculate, using a configuration file, the color value corresponding to a color that does not exist in the color verification specification. The registration unit registers the color value calculated by the calculation unit as the target value.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The registration department registers the corresponding evaluation items according to the designated purpose.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: A display unit, configured to display, for the evaluation item, the colors surrounding the color extracted as not present in the color verification specification. The registration department determines and registers allowed values ​​based on the selected color.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The designation section specifies the position of the patch to be added to the color verification chart within the color verification chart.

8. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the information processing apparatus further comprises: The display section is used to display the patches added to the color verification chart in a manner distinguishable from other patches.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The management department is responsible for managing the image data and the colors extracted as colors not present in the color verification specification, as historical data; as well as The editorial department is used to use colors managed by the management department when editing other color verification specifications.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The determining unit determines the region corresponding to the color used in the color verification specification acquired by the first acquiring unit based on whether the composition of the image data acquired by the second acquiring unit and the color used in the color verification specification is the same.

11. A control method for an information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus being configured to perform color measurements on color blocks arranged on a chart output by an image forming apparatus and verify the color accuracy of the image forming apparatus, the control method comprising: Obtain color verification specifications; Acquire image data; In the acquired image data, determine the color corresponding to a color that does not exist in the acquired color verification specification; and Add colors that correspond to colors that do not exist in the color verification specification to the color verification chart and the color verification specification.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform a control method for an information processing apparatus when executed by the computer, the information processing apparatus being configured to measure the colors of color patches arranged on a chart output by an image forming apparatus and verify the color accuracy of the image forming apparatus, the control method comprising: Obtain color verification specifications; Acquire image data; In the acquired image data, determine the color corresponding to a color that does not exist in the acquired color verification specification; and Add colors that correspond to colors that do not exist in the color verification specification to the color verification chart and the color verification specification.

Images