Information processing apparatus, method and program for controlling the same

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus for solving the problem of poor user convenience in performing a plurality of color verifications simultaneously due to printing and color measurement having to be repeated for each color verification and to color measurement work being divided when the measurement is performed immediately after a measurement job is generated.SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus generates a plurality of measurement jobs simultaneously, measures the colors of charts printed by different printers simultaneously, and automatically determines to which measurement job the plurality of charts correspond using a measurement job ID, thereby applying the colorimetric values to the corresponding measurement job to perform color verification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Commercial color printers typically undergo regular color management to ensure consistent color reproduction. Color management involves comparing target colors (target colors) defined by standards such as ISO with the colors actually printed by the printer (printed colors) to check whether the color accuracy meets the acceptance criteria. If the color accuracy does not meet the acceptance criteria, it is necessary to re-create a print profile or perform correction processing using the printer's color correction function to improve the color accuracy. However, these are time-consuming and labor-intensive tasks, so they must be performed efficiently. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that verifies the color accuracy of a printer (color verification) at multiple printing times, determines the frequency of correction work based on the verification results, and displays the verification result history. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-30754 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When obtaining a print color in color verification, a chart with color patches corresponding to the target color is printed on a printer, and the color value of each color patch is measured with a measuring instrument. Furthermore, when multiple color verifications are performed simultaneously, multiple charts are printed on a printer and set on a measuring instrument for measurement. In this case, if multiple different charts are set on the measuring instrument in random order and measured, color verification may be performed using different charts. Patent Document 1 does not describe a process related to the above viewpoint, so to prevent color verification using different charts, measurements must be performed immediately after printing. Therefore, Patent Document 1 requires repeated printing and color measurement for each color verification, which divides the color measurement process and results in poor user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration: an information processing apparatus comprising: a colorimetric unit that measures the colors of a color chart on which a job identifier is printed by a printing device; and a verification processing unit that performs color verification of an image printed by the printing device corresponding to the job identifier, based on the colorimetric values ​​measured by the colorimetric unit and the job identifier. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, color measurement operations can be performed for multiple color verifications at once, thereby improving user convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of a color verification system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of patch signal values ​​and color characteristics of a color verification chart. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a color verification device and a control device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the color verification device. [Figure 5]FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing in the color verification system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a display unit 105 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 shows an example of an error notification on the display unit 105 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the color measurement determination process flow of S515 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color verification chart according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing in a color verification system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color verification chart according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0009] [Embodiment 1] <System configuration> FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of a color verification system according to this embodiment. When verifying color accuracy, a predetermined chart is first printed out from the target printer. Next, the color patches on the printed out chart are measured, and the obtained colorimetric data is sent to a color verification device 100. The color verification device 100 then checks the deviation (color accuracy) between the printed color and the target color. The color patches arranged on the chart are also called color charts or color samples, and will be simply referred to as "patches" in this specification.

[0010] In the color verification system shown in Fig. 1, a color verification device 100 and sites 1 to 3 are connected via a network 160. Site 1 includes a control device 110, a monitor 120, printers 1 to 3 (130a to 130c), and measuring instruments 1 to 3 (150a to 150c). Sites 2 and 3 also include a control device, a monitor, a printer, and a measuring instrument, respectively. The following description will be given taking the relationship between site 1 and color verification device 100 as an example.

[0011] The color verification device 100 compares a predefined target color (target color) with the color actually printed by the printer (printed color) to verify whether the color accuracy meets the acceptance criteria. The color verification device 100 is connected to the control device 110 via a network 160 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0012] The control device 110 is connected to printers 130a-130c within the base 1 via a communication network such as an intranet so that they can communicate with each other. It issues print instructions to each printer and also centrally manages the color accuracy of each printer. In addition, when issuing print instructions, it can receive a print job from, for example, a client terminal (not shown), divide the print job into predetermined units (e.g., by copy or page), and distribute the print jobs to multiple printers. A print job includes a PDL data section that describes drawing commands for objects with various attributes, such as text, graphics, and photos, on a page-by-page basis, and print setting information that specifies printing conditions such as paper size and type, double-sided / single-sided printing, etc. By distributing a single print job to multiple printers and issuing print instructions, the time required for printing and the wait time for printing can be reduced.

[0013] The monitor 120 is connected to the control device 110 and displays various user interface screens (UI screens).

[0014] Printers 1 to 3 (130a to 130c) print color images on paper using, for example, electrophotographic process technology based on a print job from control device 110. Printers 1 to 3 may be monochrome printers or printers based on other image forming technologies such as inkjet. Printers 1 to 3 may also be multifunction machines that have copy and fax functions in addition to print functions.

[0015] Measuring instruments 1 to 3 (150a to 150c) are spectrometers that measure the color values ​​of objects based on the reflectance or transmittance of visible light with wavelengths of approximately 400 nm to 700 nm. Measuring instruments 1 to 3 are provided, for example, at each location. They obtain colorimetric data by converting the wavelengths obtained for each patch of a chart printed out by printers 1 to 3 into values ​​in, for example, the L*a*b* color space or the XYZ color space. Figure 2(a) shows an example of a chart, and (b) shows the target color values ​​(RGB values) defined in the RGB color space corresponding to each patch (patch numbers 1 to 729) of the chart. Measuring instruments 1 to 3 are measuring instruments equipped with line sensors or area sensors for scanning the chart. For example, a sheet-through automatic document reading instrument can incorporate a line sensor to prescan the chart and detect the position of the patch to be measured before performing measurements. Furthermore, a measuring instrument capable of automatic paper feeding and continuous measurement can incorporate an area sensor to prescan the chart and similarly detect the position of the patch to be measured before performing measurements. A portable (handheld) measuring device can also be used, but in that case, a separate scanner for scanning the chart must be connected to the control device 110. In the case of a sheet-through automatic document reading measuring device, it is connected to the control device 110 via, for example, a USB, and measures the color values ​​of each patch on the chart printed out by the target printer to obtain colorimetric data such as that shown in FIG. 2(c). The obtained colorimetric data is sent to the color verification device 100 via the control device 110. Furthermore, if the color verification device 100 is installed at one of the locations 1 to 3, the color verification device 100 and the measuring device may be directly connected, and the color verification device 100 may be configured to obtain colorimetric data without going through the control device 110.

[0016] The network 160 may be, for example, a local area network (LAN), the Internet, an intranet, or the like, and may be wired or wireless.

[0017] Bases 1 to 3 (170a to 170c) correspond to the locations of printing companies where printers are installed. For example, base 1 is a printing base in Tokyo, base 2 is a printing base in Osaka, and base 3 is a printing base in Fukuoka.

[0018] 1 is just one example, and the number of bases and the configuration of the devices at each base can be changed as appropriate. For example, the color verification device 100 may be directly connected to the control device 110 and measuring devices 1-3 via a communication network such as an intranet, and the color accuracy of multiple printers 1-3 may be managed. Alternatively, an information processing device equipped with the functions of both the color verification device 100 and the control device 110 may be provided at each base, and the information processing device may manage the color accuracy of multiple printers at the base.

[0019] <Hardware configuration of color verification device / control device> The color verification device 100 and control device 110 described above are both information processing devices, and are realized, for example, by a general-purpose notebook / desktop personal computer or a tablet terminal. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the color verification device 100 / control device 110, which includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a HDD 104, a display unit 105, an operation unit 106, a network I / F 107, and an external device I / F 108. The units 101 to 108 shown in Fig. 3 are connected to each other via a system bus 109.

[0020] The CPU 101 is an arithmetic processing unit that controls the entire device and executes various image processing operations (described later) based on programs stored in the ROM 102. The ROM 102 is a read-only memory (ROM) that stores a boot program, processing programs, character data, character code information, and the like. The RAM 103 is a random access memory (RAM) that serves as a work memory when the CPU 101 executes various programs. It is also used as a data storage area for image files received via the network I / F 109. The HDD 104 stores the results of arithmetic processing executed by the CPU 101, various programs, various information files, and the like. The display unit 105, which may be an LCD display or the like, displays a user interface screen for configuring various settings and checking the device status. The operation unit 106, which may be a keyboard, buttons, or the like, is used by the user to input various setting values, reset the device, and the like. The network I / F 107 is an interface for connecting the device to a network 160. The color verification device 110 and the control device 110 can each send and receive various information to and from external devices via the network I / F 107.

[0021] The external device I / F 108 is an interface for connecting external devices such as measuring instruments 1 to 3 via a communication bus such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0022] <Software configuration of color verification device> Next, the software configuration of the color verification device 100 / control device 110 will be described. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the color verification device 100 / control device 110 according to this embodiment. The color verification device 100 / control device 110 includes a color verification specification registration unit 401, a UI control unit 402, a data acquisition unit 403, a measurement job generation unit 404, a colorimetry judgment 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.

[0023] The color verification specification registration unit 401 registers, for each type of color verification, a chart containing patches of various colors corresponding to target color values, a printer that performs color verification, a measuring instrument used for color verification, and tolerances for color verification. Specifically, the chart to be registered is associated with image data and information indicating the chart configuration, such as the number and size of patches in the chart (chart configuration information), and the chart is saved in the HDD 104. Charts are broadly classified into predefined charts that comply with standards such as those of the International Standard Organization (ISO) and custom charts that are uniquely defined by the user. Predefined charts are registered in advance, for example, prior to the start of use, such as when installing a color verification program. Custom charts are registered at any time based on 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 device 110. The measuring instrument to be used for color verification is registered from among the measuring instruments 150a, 150b, and 150c used for color verification. The tolerance value used in color verification is a value used to check whether the color accuracy meets the pass criteria by comparing the target color (target color) defined by a standard such as ISO with the color actually printed by the printer (printed color). For example, when making a judgment based on the difference (color difference) between the color value (target value) of the target color and the color value (measured value) of the printed color, the color difference value is registered as a tolerance value, and if it is within the tolerance value, the color accuracy is determined to meet the pass criteria. Note that when performing color verification, the user selects a color verification specification from the color verification specifications registered in the color verification specification registration unit 401, and the measurement job generation unit 404 generates a measurement job, which starts color verification.

[0024] The UI control unit 402 controls the display of a user interface screen that allows the user to check the status of each device in the color verification system, input and select various setting values, give instructions to start various processes, etc. The user interface screen that is displayed will be described later.

[0025] A data acquisition unit 402 acquires various information and data used by a colorimetry determination unit 405 and a verification processing unit 406, which will be described later.

[0026] The measurement job generation unit 404 selects a plurality of color verification specifications for executing color verification from among the color verification specifications registered by the user in the color verification specification registration unit 401, and generates the selected specifications as measurement jobs.

[0027] When multiple charts corresponding to multiple measurement jobs are output, the colorimetry determination unit 405 determines whether the measurement target chart is a chart corresponding to the measurement job. In this embodiment, a barcode with an embedded measurement job ID (job identifier) ​​is attached to the chart, and the barcode information is used to determine whether the measurement target chart is a chart corresponding to the measurement job.

[0028] The verification processing unit 406 uses the color measurement data received from the measuring device to perform verification processing to determine whether the color accuracy of the target printer meets the acceptance criteria.

[0029] The setting processing unit 407 sets various parameters related to the verification process based on user selection via a predetermined user interface screen.

[0030] <Processing flow of the entire system> Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow in the color verification system according to this embodiment. Below, the processing flow of the entire color verification system will be explained with reference to the sequence diagram in Figure 5, using an example in which multiple color verifications are performed by outputting multiple charts to printer 1 using measuring instrument 1. In the following explanation, the symbol "S" means step.

[0031] In step S501, the color verification specification registration unit 401 starts registering color verification specifications based on user input. When a user who wants to register color verification specifications presses the color verification specification registration button 601 on the main menu screen shown in Fig. 6(a), the screen transitions to the color verification specification registration screen shown in Fig. 6(b). Note that these UI screens are controlled by the UI control unit 402.

[0032] When a color verification specification to be registered / edited is pressed in the display areas 603 to 606 of the color verification specification registration screen in FIG. 6(b), the screen transitions to a detailed selection screen for the color verification specification shown in FIG. 6(c).

[0033] Next, pressing "Select Chart" in the display area 607 of the detailed selection screen for color verification specifications in FIG. 6(c) transitions to the chart selection screen shown in FIG. 6(d). The user selects a chart to be used for color verification from display areas 611 to 614 of the chart selection screen shown in FIG. 6(d). "Chart 1" and "Chart 2" in the display areas 611 and 612 of the chart selection screen in FIG. 6(d) are pre-registered charts defined by standards such as ISO. When the user presses the chart input button 615, the user enters various information required to register a custom chart. Specifically, the user enters the name, number of patches, patch size, and paper size / type for the custom chart to be registered, and uploads image data to complete the registration. The chart image is created in a file format such as TIFF, PDF, or JPEG. As a result, the chart is registered in the "Unregistered" section of the display areas 613 and 614 of the chart selection screen in FIG. 6(d). The list of registered charts and the chart configuration information for each chart are collectively referred to as "chart information."

[0034] In step S502, the data acquisition unit 403 acquires a list of printers 1 to 3 managed by the control device 110 and information indicating the status of each printer (hereinafter referred to as "printer status information"). Here, the printer status information includes, for example, information such as the power state (ON / OFF), whether there is a malfunction, and the processing status of the print job (printing / waiting). This printer status information is acquired and stored by the control device 110 by periodically accessing the printers 1 to 3. The printer list and the printer status information for each printer will be collectively referred to as "printer information."

[0035] In step S503, the color verification registration unit 401 accepts pressing of "Select Printer" in the display area 608 of the color verification specification detail selection screen of FIG. 6(c). Subsequently, the screen transitions to the printer selection screen shown in FIG. 6(e), where processing is performed to accept the selection of the printer to be subjected to color verification (hereinafter referred to as the "target printer"). Specifically, the UI control unit 402 accepts the user's selection via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, and the setting processing unit 407 sets the printer related to the selection (printer 1 in this case) as the target printer. FIG. 6(e) shows the printer selection screen when the user selects the target printer. In display areas 616 to 618 of the printer selection screen, a list of printers (printers 1 to 3 in this case) that can be processed is displayed in accordance with the printer information acquired in S502. At this time, based on the printer status information, display processing is performed to gray out printers that are not printable, for example, so that it is clear whether the printer is printable or not printable. On the printer selection screen in FIG. 6(e), only printer 2 is grayed out, indicating that printer 2 is in a non-printing state.

[0036] In step S504, the data acquisition unit 403 acquires a list of measuring instruments 1 to 3 managed by the control device 110, as well as specification information for each measuring instrument and information indicating its status (hereinafter referred to as "measuring instrument status information"). Here, specification information indicates the specifications of each measuring instrument, such as the supported paper size, minimum patch size, and minimum / maximum number of patches per sheet (page). For measuring instruments that have accessories, the specification information also includes differences in specifications depending on whether the accessories are included or not. Here, accessories refer to measuring rulers and automatic paper feeders. A measuring ruler is a device that assists the sliding movement during measurement in handheld measuring instruments, enabling stable color measurement. A sensor installed on the back of the measuring instrument detects the stripe pattern on the measuring ruler to detect the direction in which the user is measuring (e.g., measuring from left to right or from right to left). The automatic paper feeder is a device that automatically loads a chart printed from a printer into the measuring instrument, enabling continuous color measurement. The meter status information includes, for example, information such as the power state (ON / OFF) and connection status. The specification information and meter status information are acquired and stored by the control device 110 by accessing the metering devices 1 to 3 in advance or periodically. The list of metering devices and the specification information and meter status information for each metering device are collectively referred to as "metering device information."

[0037] In step S505, the color verification registration unit 401 accepts pressing of "Select measuring device" in the display area 609 of the color verification specification detail selection screen of FIG. 6(c). The screen then transitions to the measuring device selection screen shown in FIG. 6(f), where processing is performed to accept the selection of the measuring device to be used to measure the color values ​​of the chart. Specifically, the UI control unit 402 accepts the user's selection via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, and the setting processing unit 407 sets the selected measuring device as the measuring device to be used for chart measurement. FIG. 6(f) shows the measuring device selection screen used when the user selects a measuring device. Display areas 619 to 621 of the measuring device selection screen display a list of measuring devices (here, measuring devices 1 to 3) that can be processed, based on the measuring device information acquired in S504. At this time, based on the measuring device status information, display processing is performed to gray out unavailable measuring devices, for example, to indicate whether they are available or unavailable. On the meter selection screen in FIG. 6(f), only meter 2 is grayed out, indicating that meter 2 is unavailable.

[0038] In step S506, the color verification registration unit 401 accepts a press of "Input Tolerance Values" in the display area 610 of the color verification specification detail selection screen shown in FIG. 6(c). The display then transitions to a tolerance value input screen shown in FIG. 6(g), where processing is performed to accept data such as target color values ​​for each patch in the chart used and tolerance values ​​for the verification items. Specifically, the UI control unit 402 accepts the user's selection via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, and the setting processing unit 407 sets the target color values ​​and tolerance values ​​for the verification items related to the selection. FIG. 6(g) shows the tolerance value input screen used by the user to input tolerance values ​​for the verification items. Examples of verification items include the average color difference ΔE for each patch, the maximum color difference ΔE, and the color difference ΔE of the primary colors (CMYK), and tolerance values ​​are set for each verification item. FIG. 6(g) shows a color verification setting screen for setting tolerance values ​​for each verification item. The user pre-sets tolerance values ​​for the verification items via this 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 (colorimetric value) indicated by the colorimetric data, and can be calculated, for example, by the following equation (1).

[0039]

number

[0040] Now, let's assume that the color difference tolerances for each verification item are set as shown on the color verification setting screen in Figure 6(g). In this case, if the average color difference ΔE for each patch is within ±4.0, the maximum color difference ΔE is within ±10.0, and the color difference ΔE for the primary colors (CMYK) is within ±5.0, the result is considered to be pass (OK). If any of the verification items exceed the tolerance, the result is considered to be fail (NG).

[0041] In step S507, the measurement job generation unit 404 starts color verification based on user input. When a user who wants to start color verification presses the color verification button 602 on the main menu screen shown in Fig. 6(a), the screen transitions to the color verification specification selection screen shown in Fig. 6(h). Note that these UI screens are controlled by the UI control unit 402.

[0042] In step S508, when "Color Verification Specification 1" or "Color Verification Specification 2" is pressed in display areas 625 and 626 of the color verification specification selection screen in FIG. 6(h), the measurement job generation unit 404 performs processing to generate a measurement job corresponding to each color verification specification. Note that by selecting multiple color verification specifications at the same time, multiple measurement jobs can be generated. When a measurement job is generated, the printer to be subjected to color verification, the measuring instrument to be used, the chart to be used for color verification, and the tolerance values ​​registered in the procedures of steps S501 to S506 are uniquely determined.

[0043] Here, a measurement job ID (job identifier) ​​is assigned to the image data of the chart. The chart shown in FIG. 9(a) is a color chart assigned a measurement job ID. 901 indicates the page number of the color chart. If the color chart used for color verification consists of multiple pages, the number in 901 is counted up. 902 is a display ID for the measurement job ID, and an ID code associated with each measurement job is assigned. By looking at this display ID, the user can identify which color chart is associated with the measurement job. 903 is a detailed ID for the measurement job ID, which is used to automatically determine which measurement job the chart corresponds to in the measurement determination process in step S515, which will be described later. 903 is an example of a detailed ID for a one-dimensional barcode, which is a one-dimensional code. Table 1 shows an example of a one-dimensional barcode format. In a one-dimensional barcode, chart layout information is contained in digits 1 through 8. In the case of the numbers RRCCXXYY, RR represents the number of rows in the chart, CC represents the number of columns in the chart, XX represents the horizontal patch size, and YY represents the vertical patch size. Next, the ninth digit represents the page number of the chart, and digits 11 through 46 represent a number linked to the measurement job ID. The 48th through 51st digits are a checksum, used to distinguish from other barcodes and prevent tampering. The numbers corresponding to each digit can be expressed as regular expressions as shown in Table 1.

[0044] [Table 1]

[0045] Note that color verification may be performed by printing multiple copies of a chart for one measurement job. This is because density tends to fluctuate when a printer starts printing, and color verification may be performed after printing multiple copies and when the density has stabilized. For example, if three copies of the same chart are printed and color verification is to be performed on the second copy (excluding the first and last copies), the same measurement job ID is assigned to each chart, which poses a problem in that it is not possible to determine which copy of the chart was printed using the measurement job ID listed in Table 1. Therefore, as shown in Table 2, a different measurement job ID incorporating copy number information may be assigned, making it possible to determine which copy of the chart was printed. Using the measurement job ID listed in Table 2 makes it possible to send only the measurement values ​​of the second copy of the chart to the color verification device 100.

[0046] [Table 2]

[0047] Reference numeral 904 denotes color patches arranged on the chart, and color verification is performed by measuring the color of the patches.

[0048] As shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), the multiple charts used when performing multiple color verifications are charts with different measurement job IDs. 902 and 906 are display IDs for the measurement job ID, and since an ID code linked to each measurement job is assigned, different display IDs are assigned to 902 and 906. By looking at this display ID, the user can determine whether the chart was output by printer 1 or printer 2. Similarly, 903 and 907 are detailed IDs for the measurement job ID, and since an ID code linked to each measurement job is assigned, different detailed IDs are assigned to 903 and 907. 904 and 908 are color patches, and are composed of patches based on different signal values.

[0049] 9(c) , like 903, is a detail ID used in the measurement determination process in step S515 (described later). In this example, a detail ID is a two-dimensional QR code (registered trademark). The choice of whether to assign a barcode (see 903) or a QR code (see 905) as the detail ID to the chart may be determined by the sensor of the measuring device. That is, if the sensor built into the measuring device used to prescan the chart is a line sensor (linear sensor) with elements arranged horizontally, only barcodes can be read, so a barcode is assigned to the chart. On the other hand, if the measuring device has elements called an area sensor arranged two-dimensionally, vertically and horizontally, a QR code is assigned, which allows for more information to be embedded. A chart with assigned pre-measurement job IDs (two types: a display ID and a detail ID) is provided to the target printer. In this embodiment, image data of the determined chart is first transmitted to the control device 110 via the network I / F 107.

[0050] In step S509, the control device 110 transmits a print job for multiple charts to the target printer based on the received image data.

[0051] In step S510, the target printer that has received the print job performs printing processing based on the print job and outputs multiple charts.

[0052] In step S511, the control device 110 performs processing to prompt the user to measure the color of the multiple charts printed out from the target printer. Specifically, a guidance screen such as that shown in Fig. 6(j) is displayed to prompt the user to set the multiple printed out charts in the measuring device.

[0053] In step S512, the control device 110 instructs the selected measurement instrument (here, measurement instrument 1) to prescan the multiple charts printed out by the target printer. In step S513, the selected measurement instrument executes prescanning of the multiple charts. In step S514, after completing the prescan, the selected measurement instrument transmits the obtained image data corresponding to the multiple charts to the control device 110.

[0054] In step S515, upon acquiring the prescanned image, the colorimetry determination unit 405 performs processing to determine whether the measurement target chart set in the measurement device in step S511 is a chart corresponding to the measurement job generated in step S508. Details of this measurement determination processing will be described later.

[0055] In step S516, the UI control unit 402 displays an error notification on the display unit 105. Fig. 7 shows an error notification screen that displays the error notification. If the measurement target chart set in the measuring instrument has an ID that differs from any of the measurement jobs generated in step S508, the correct ID is displayed on the display unit 105, as shown in Fig. 7, and the user is prompted to start measurement again.

[0056] In step S517, the control device 110 performs color measurement of the multiple charts printed out by the target printer. In step S518, when the user sets the multiple charts and instructs the start of measurement, the selected measurement instrument (here, measurement instrument 1) measures the color value of each patch on the chart.

[0057] In step S519, after completing the measurement, the selected measuring device stores the obtained colorimetric data and the measurement job ID as a set of data and transmits it to the control device 110. In step S520, the control device 110 receives the set of colorimetric data and the measurement job ID from the selected measuring device and transfers the data to the color verification device 100.

[0058] In step S521, the verification processing unit 406 uses the data to perform a process of verifying the color accuracy of the printer associated with the corresponding measurement job ID. Note that if the data consists of multiple measurement job IDs, color verification processing is performed for each measurement job ID.

[0059] In step S522, the UI control unit 402 displays the verification results on the display unit 105. FIG. 6(i) shows a report result screen that displays the verification results. As shown in FIG. 6(i), the average color difference, maximum color difference, and color difference of the primary colors (CMYK) for each patch are displayed, along with the pass / fail (OK / NG) result for each verification item. This report result screen allows the user to understand the color fluctuation state of the target printer. If the verification result is NG, the printer's color fluctuation can be suppressed within specifications by recreating a print profile or performing correction work using the printer's color correction function.

[0060] The above is the overall processing flow in the color verification system according to this embodiment. Note that, in conjunction with the display prompting the user to measure the color of the chart, the control device 110 may issue a preparation instruction to the selected measuring device, causing it to perform calibration before starting measurement.

[0061] <Measurement and judgment process> Next, the colorimetry determination process (S515) will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 8. The series of processes shown in the flowchart in Fig. 8 is realized by the CPU 101 of the color verification device 100 loading a program corresponding to the colorimetry determination unit 404 from the ROM 102 to the RAM 103 and executing the program. In the following description, the symbol "S" means a step.

[0062] In step S801, the measurement determination unit 405 acquires the pre-scan image data transmitted from the selected measuring device in step S514.

[0063] In step S802, the measurement / determination unit 405 determines whether or not a barcode is present in the image data obtained by pre-scanning the chart acquired in step S801. Specifically, the image data is binarized, and labeling is performed by sequentially scanning the image data to detect areas surrounded by black (holes). Next, the number of white areas within the holes is counted, and if the number is a predetermined number, it is determined that a barcode label is present, and the process proceeds to step S803. If the number is not the predetermined number, it is determined that a barcode label is not present, and the process proceeds to step S806. Note that the barcode discrimination method is not limited to the method of the embodiment, and known techniques can be used.

[0064] In step S803, measurement and determination unit 405 determines the coding system of the barcode in the area determined to be a barcode label in step S802, and obtains the barcode data listed in Table 1 by decoding the code system.

[0065] In step S804, the measurement determination unit 405 determines whether the measurement job ID number corresponding to digits 11-46 of the barcode data (see Table 1) acquired in step S803 corresponds to any of the multiple measurement job IDs generated in step S508. If Yes, proceed to step S517, and if No, proceed to step S516.

[0066] As described above, according to this embodiment, when multiple color verifications are performed simultaneously on the same printer, multiple measurement jobs are generated at once, and multiple printed charts are measured all at once. At this time, the measurement job ID is used to automatically determine which measurement job each of the multiple charts corresponds to, and color measurement values ​​are applied to the corresponding measurement job to perform color verification. This allows color measurement operations to be performed for multiple color verifications on the same printer at once, improving user convenience.

[0067] [Embodiment 2] In the first embodiment, when multiple color verifications are performed simultaneously on one printer, multiple measurement jobs are generated at once, and multiple printed charts are measured all at once. At this time, the measurement job ID is used to automatically determine which measurement job each of the multiple charts corresponds to, and color measurement values ​​are applied to the corresponding measurement job to perform color verification. However, there are cases where multiple color verifications are performed simultaneously on multiple different printers. Focusing on this point, the second embodiment describes an aspect in which color verifications are performed simultaneously on multiple different printers by applying color measurement values ​​to corresponding measurement jobs. Note that a description of the basic configuration of the color verification system, which is common to the first embodiment, will be omitted.

[0068] The conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the color verification system according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore its description will be omitted. The block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the color verification device 100 and the control device 110 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore its description will be omitted. The block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the color verification device 100 and the control device 110 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore its description will be omitted.

[0069] <Processing flow of the entire system> 10 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow in the color verification system according to this embodiment. The processing flow of the entire color verification system according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the sequence diagram in FIG. 10, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0070] The steps from the start of registration of color verification specifications (S1001) to the start of color verification (S1007) are the same as those in the first embodiment (corresponding to S501 to S507 in the sequence diagram of FIG. 5), and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0071] In step S1008, when the user presses "Color Verification Specification 1" or "Color Verification Specification 2" in the display areas 625 and 626 of the color verification specification selection screen in FIG. 6(h), the measurement job generation unit 404 performs processing to generate a measurement job corresponding to each color verification specification. Note that multiple measurement jobs can be generated by simultaneously selecting multiple color verification specifications. When a measurement job is generated, the printer to be subjected to color verification, the measuring instrument to be used, the chart to be used for color verification, and the tolerance values ​​registered in steps S1001 to S1006 are uniquely determined. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, an example will be described in which multiple color verifications are performed by outputting the same chart using measuring instrument 1 to multiple printers (printer 1 and printer 2). Note that even for the same chart, different measurement job IDs are assigned, as shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b). Specifically, the chart shown in FIG. 11(a) is output to printer 1, and the chart shown in FIG. 11(b) is output to printer 2. In FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), 1101 and 1105 are page numbers of the chart, and therefore the same number is assigned. Similarly, 1104 and 1108 are color patches, and are composed of patches based on the same signal value. On the other hand, 1102 and 1106 are display IDs for the measurement job ID, and since an ID code linked to each measurement job is assigned, different display IDs are assigned to 1102 and 1106. By looking at this display ID, the user can determine whether the chart was output by printer 1 or printer 2. Similarly, 1103 and 1107 are detail IDs for the measurement job ID, and since an ID code linked to each measurement job is assigned, different detail IDs are assigned to 1103 and 1107. These IDs are then used to automatically determine which measurement job the chart corresponds to (which printer the chart was output on) in the measurement determination process in step S1015, which will be described later.

[0072] In step S1009, the control device 110 transmits a print job for the chart shown in FIG. 11(a) to printer 1 and a print job for the chart shown in FIG. 12(b) to printer 2 based on the received image data.

[0073] In step S1010, printer 1 receives the print job, performs printing based on the print job, and outputs the chart shown in Fig. 11(a). Similarly, printer 2 receives the print job, performs printing based on the print job, and outputs the chart shown in Fig. 11(b).

[0074] In step S1011, the control device 110 performs processing to prompt the user to collectively measure the color of the multiple charts shown in Figures 11(a) and 11(b) printed out from printer 1 and printer 2. Specifically, a guidance screen such as that shown in Figure 6(j) is displayed to prompt the user to set the multiple printed out charts in the measuring device.

[0075] In step S1012, control device 110 instructs the selected measuring instrument (here, measuring instrument 1) to prescan the multiple charts shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) printed out by printer 1 and printer 2.

[0076] In step S1013, the selected measuring instrument performs a pre-scan of multiple charts shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b).

[0077] In step S1014, after completing the pre-scan, the selected measuring instrument transmits the obtained image data corresponding to the multiple charts shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) to the control device 110.

[0078] In step S1015, upon acquiring the prescanned image, the colorimetry determination unit 405 performs processing to determine whether the measurement target chart set in the measurement device in step S1011 is the chart corresponding to the measurement job generated in step S1008. The details of this measurement determination processing are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described again.

[0079] In step S1016, the UI control unit 402 displays an error notification on the display unit 105. In step S1017, the control device 110 performs colorimetry on the multiple charts shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) printed out by printer 1 and printer 2.

[0080] The steps from measuring the chart (S1018) to displaying the color verification results (S1022) are the same as those in the first embodiment (corresponding to S518 to S522 in the sequence diagram of FIG. 5), and therefore will not be described here.

[0081] As described above, according to this embodiment, when multiple color verifications are performed simultaneously for multiple different printers, multiple measurement jobs are generated at once, and the charts printed by the different printers are measured all at once. At this time, the measurement job ID is used to automatically determine which measurement job (which printer) the multiple charts correspond to, and color measurement values ​​are applied to the corresponding measurement job to perform color verification. Specifically, as described in step S1008, when color verification is performed with different printers, a different detailed ID is assigned to the chart. Then, in the measurement determination process of step S1015, it is automatically determined which of the multiple measurement job IDs (which printer the chart was output from) the measurement job ID number corresponding to digits 11-46 of the barcode data acquired from the chart corresponds to. This allows color measurement operations to be performed for multiple color verifications for different printers at a single time, improving user convenience.

[0082] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

Claims

1. A transmission means for transmitting a print job for printing a chart including an identifier to a printing device; a receiving means for receiving image data obtained by reading the chart with a reading device; and a control means for controlling the sending means to send a first print job for printing a first chart including a first identifier to a first printing device and to send a second print job for printing a second chart including a second identifier different from the first identifier to a second printing device, based on receiving an operation to have each of a plurality of printing devices print the chart.

2. An information processing device as described in Claim 1, further comprising a notification means for notifying an error based on the fact that the image data obtained by reading the chart with the reading means is neither the first chart corresponding to the first printing job nor the second chart corresponding to the second printing job.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the notification means notifies the user of the error by displaying a screen notifying the user of the error.

4. An information processing device as described in Claim 3, characterized in that the screen includes an identifier contained in the chart to be read.

5. An information processing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the chart includes the identifier and a color patch.

6. An information processing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the information processing device further has an instruction means for instructing the first printing device and the second printing device to measure the colors of the charts based on the fact that the image data obtained by the reading means reading multiple charts is the first chart corresponding to the first print job and the second chart corresponding to the second print job.

7. An information processing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it further has a transfer means for transferring the image data received by the receiving means to a color verification device. a sending step of sending a print job to a printing device to print the chart including the identifier; a receiving step of receiving image data obtained by reading the chart with a reading device; and a control step of controlling, based on receipt of an operation to cause each of a plurality of printing devices to print the chart, to transmit a first print job to a first printing device for printing a first chart including a first identifier, and to transmit a second print job to a second printing device for printing a second chart including a second identifier different from the first identifier.

9. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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