Color adjustment system, color adjustment method, printed matter, and program

Abstract

To provide a color adjustment system, a color adjustment method, a printed matter, and a program capable of independently performing a printing process for color adjustment and a reading process.SOLUTION: The color adjustment system is provided with: a first registration unit for registering job data for requesting the printing of a document file in a storage unit; a second registration unit for registering color sample data in the storage unit in association with the job data; a print management unit for printing and outputting a document file of the job data to a printing apparatus as a first printed matter containing an identification code for identifying the job data by applying an input profile; a first acquisition unit for acquiring first reading image data of the first printed matter read by a reading apparatus; an analysis unit for analyzing which job data corresponds to the identification code included in the first reading image data; and a generation unit for generating a new input profile corresponding to the job data based on the color sample data, the input profile, and the document file corresponding to the job data indicated by the analyzed identification code.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a color adjustment system, a color adjustment method, a printed matter, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In commercial printing (production printing) printers (mainly electrophotographic and inkjet printers), color adjustment is performed by color sample matching. Color sample matching refers to the process of generating an input profile for the printer that approaches the color of the color sample data by using color sample data that serves as a sample showing the ideal color and a scanned image of the printed matter before color sample matching.

[0003] As such a color adjustment technique, a technique has been disclosed in which color tone conversion parameters are created using reference image data obtained by reading a reference printed matter with an image reading device (for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with conventional technology, for one job data, the process of printing out document image data and the process of having the printed out document read by a reading device must be carried out as a series of processes, which creates the problem that it is not possible to have different personnel carry out the printing process and the reading process independently.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a color adjustment system, a color adjustment method, a printed matter, and a program that can independently execute printing processing and reading processing for color matching. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention is characterized in having a first registration unit that registers job data for requesting printing of a manuscript file in a memory unit, a second registration unit that registers color sample data in the memory unit in association with the job data, a print management unit that applies an input profile corresponding to the job data to a printing device to print out the manuscript file of the job data as a first printed material including an identification code that identifies the job data, a first acquisition unit that acquires first read image data of the first printed material read by a reading device, an analysis unit that analyzes which job data the identification code corresponds to from the identification code included in the first read image data, and a generation unit that generates a new input profile corresponding to the job data based on the color sample data, the input profile, and the manuscript file corresponding to the job data indicated by the identification code analyzed by the analysis unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the printing process and the reading process for color matching can be executed independently. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a color adjustment system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the printing machine according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the control server and the like according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration of the color adjustment system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a print sample and a sample code printout. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a color-matching printed matter and a color-matching code printed matter. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of a printed material for color matching. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of data processing when a print sample is used in the color adjustment system according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of data processing when a color conversion rule is specified in the color adjustment system according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of data handled in the color adjustment system according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a job / color sample registration process in the color adjustment system according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the job list screen. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the job registration screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the DCP creation method selection screen. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the DCP setting screen. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a color conversion rule designation screen. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the job registration completion screen. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of color adjustment processing in the color adjustment system according to the embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the job selection screen. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the job details screen. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the printer setting screen. [Figure 24]FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the color matching judgment details screen. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of the color matching judgment details screen. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a print report. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration of a color adjustment system according to a modified example. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a job selection screen according to a modified example. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a job transfer screen according to a modified example. [Diagram 30] FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a job allocation screen according to a modified example. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of a job copy screen according to a modified example. [Diagram 32] FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of a job transfer screen displayed from the job copy screen according to the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of a color adjustment system, a color adjustment method, a printed matter, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and the components in the following embodiments include those that a person skilled in the art can easily conceive, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the scope of what is called equivalent. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the following embodiments.

[0010] (Overall configuration of color adjustment system) 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a color adjustment system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the overall configuration of a color adjustment system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0011] The color adjustment system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an information processing system for performing color adjustment for printing on a printing press using a DCP (Digital Color Proof) based on a print sample. Here, the DCP is color sample data created based on read image data obtained by reading a print sample, which is a print that serves as a color sample showing an ideal color. The print sample is a print in which a manuscript file of a job is printed in advance on an ideal printing press (for example, an adjusted printer or offset printing press adjusted to an appropriate state). As shown in FIG. 1, the color adjustment system 1 includes a control server 11, an image reading device 12, an information terminal 13, a printing press 20, a cloud system 30, and a PC (Personal Computer) 40. In the configuration of the color adjustment system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the control server 11, the image reading device 12, the information terminal 13, the cloud system 30, and the PC 40 are capable of communicating with each other via a network N such as the Internet.

[0012] The image reading device 12 is configured to be owned by a printing company having a printing machine 20, but is not limited thereto. It may be owned by a print management company or a proofreading base that acts as an intermediary between the printing company and the brand owner who requests printing, or it may be owned by the brand owner, or it may be owned by a printing company different from the printing company shown in FIG. 1. The brand owner is a client or an orderer who requests the printing of a printed matter or the production of a product to a printing company. In contrast, a printing company (printing company) is a product provider that has a printing base where a printing machine is installed, receives an order from a client, prints a printed matter as a product, and delivers it. An order may be received directly from a client to the provider, or indirectly through a quality manager or intermediary of the printed matter such as a print management or proofreader. The printed matter may be, for example, advertisements, flyers, booklets, posters, direct mail, promotional materials, catalogs, pamphlets, slips, invoices, etc., mainly commercial printed matter used by the client, the brand owner, for business or sales promotion, but may be other printed documents. In addition, the present invention may be applied not only to printing, but also to the production and ordering of various products, commercial materials, and promotional materials.

[0013] The control server 11 is a server device that controls the printing process for the printing machine 20. Note that the control server 11 may be constructed by installing dedicated software on a terminal device such as a PC at a printing company or a printing base, in addition to a dedicated server device.

[0014] The image reading device 12 is a reading device that performs a reading process on print samples and various printed materials. As a reading process, the image reading device 12 performs color measurement on the print samples and printed materials, and obtains read image data composed of device-independent color values ​​such as L*a*b* values ​​(hereinafter simply referred to as Lab values) in the L*a*b color system. Note that the image reading device 12 may be, for example, an image scanner, a colorimeter, or other device, but is not limited to these, and refers to any device capable of obtaining read image data of print samples and printed materials.

[0015] The printer 20 is a printing device such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) that performs print processing on job data under the control of the control server 11. Specifically, the printer 20 converts the job data into device-independent color values ​​(such as Lab values) using an input profile, converts the color values ​​into CMYK data for printing output using an output profile, and then performs print processing. The input profile is generated by a color matching unit 308 of the cloud system 30 so as to approach the colors of the DCP, as described below, whereas the output profile is treated as a fixed profile since it is a profile determined according to the printing characteristics of the printer 20. Note that the printer 20 is not limited to an MFP, and may be a printing device of various printing methods, such as a normal electrophotographic or inkjet printer having a printer function as its main function, or a commercial printing device controlled by a DFE (Digital Front End).

[0016] The information terminal 13 is an information terminal such as a tablet terminal or a PC owned by the printing company of the printing shop, and selects job data from those registered in the cloud system 30 and causes the printing process to be performed.

[0017] The cloud system 30 is a cloud-based system that creates and registers a DCP based on scanned images of print samples and performs color matching.

[0018] The PC 40 is an information processing device owned by the brand owner, and performs the registration of job data to be requested for printing, etc. Here, the job data is data for requesting a printing company or the like to print a manuscript file with a predetermined setting.

[0019] (Printer hardware configuration) 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a printing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hardware configuration of a printing machine 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the printing machine 20 according to this embodiment is configured such that a controller 500, an operation display unit 510, an FCU (Facsimile Control Unit) 520, a plotter 531 (printing device), and a scanner 532 are connected via a PCI (Peripheral Component Interface) bus.

[0021] The controller 500 is a device that controls the entire printing press 20 , and controls drawing, communication, and input from the operation display unit 510 .

[0022] The operation display unit 510 is, for example, a touch panel, and is a device that accepts input to the controller 500 (input function) and displays the status of the printing press 20 (display function), and is directly connected to an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 506 described later.

[0023] The FCU 520 is a device that realizes a fax function, and is connected to the ASIC 506 via, for example, a PCI bus.

[0024] The plotter 531 is a device that realizes a printing function, and is connected to the ASIC 506 via, for example, a PCI bus. The scanner 532 is a function that realizes a scanner function, and is connected to the ASIC 506 via, for example, a PCI bus.

[0025] The controller 500 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a system memory (MEM-P) 502, a north bridge (NB) 503, a south bridge (SB) 504a, a network I / F 504b, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) I / F 504c, a Centronics I / F 504d, an ASIC 506, a local memory (MEM-C) 507, and an auxiliary storage device 508.

[0026] The CPU 501 performs overall control of the printing machine 20, and is connected to a chip set consisting of a system memory 502, a north bridge 503, and a south bridge 504a, and is connected to other devices via this chip set.

[0027] The system memory 502 is used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for expanding programs and data, a memory for printer drawing, etc., and has a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). Of these, the ROM is a read-only memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, and the RAM is a writable and readable memory used as a memory for expanding programs and data, a memory for printer drawing, etc.

[0028] The north bridge 503 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 501 with the system memory 502, the south bridge 504a, and an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 505, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the system memory 502, a PCI master, and an AGP target.

[0029] The south bridge 504a is a bridge for connecting the north bridge 503 with PCI devices and peripheral devices. The south bridge 504a is connected to the north bridge 503 via a PCI bus, and a network I / F 504b, a USB I / F 504c, a Centronics I / F 504d, etc. are connected to the PCI bus.

[0030] The network I / F 504b is an interface for communicating data with external devices such as the control server 11 and the cloud system 30 using a network. The network I / F 504b is compatible with, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark) and is capable of communication in accordance with TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol) or the like.

[0031] The USB I / F 504c is an interface capable of communicating with devices that comply with the USB standard.

[0032] The Centronics I / F 504d is an interface having parallel port specifications capable of transmitting multiple bits.

[0033] The AGP bus 505 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to accelerate graphic processing. The AGP bus 505 is a bus that accelerates the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the system memory 502 at high throughput.

[0034] The ASIC 506 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing purposes having hardware elements for image processing, and plays the role of a bridge connecting the AGP bus 505, the PCI bus, the auxiliary storage device 508, and the local memory 507. The ASIC 506 is composed of a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that is the core of the ASIC 506, a memory controller that controls the local memory 507, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that rotate image data using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between the plotter 531 and the scanner 532 via the PCI bus. For example, the FCU 520, the plotter 531, and the scanner 532 are connected to the ASIC 506 via the PCI bus. The ASIC 506 is also connected to a host PC and a network (not shown).

[0035] The local memory 507 is a memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer.

[0036] The auxiliary storage device 508 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a secure digital (SD) card, or a flash memory, and is a storage for storing input profiles, output profiles, image data, programs, font data, and forms.

[0037] The program for the printing machine 20 described above may be distributed by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (such as the auxiliary storage device 508) in the form of an installable or executable file.

[0038] Furthermore, the hardware configuration of the printing machine 20 shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example, and it is not necessary for all of the components to be included, and other components may also be included.

[0039] (Hardware configuration of control servers, etc.) 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a control server etc. according to the embodiment. The hardware configuration of the control server 11 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the control server 11 includes a CPU 601, a ROM 602, a RAM 603, an auxiliary storage device 605, a media drive 607, a display 608, a network I / F 609, a keyboard 611, a mouse 612, and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) drive 614.

[0041] The CPU 601 is a computing device that controls the overall operation of the control server 11. The ROM 602 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs for the control server 11. The RAM 603 is a volatile storage device that is used as a work area for the CPU 601.

[0042] The auxiliary storage device 605 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD that stores input profiles, various data, programs, etc., to be applied to the printing machine 20. The media drive 607 is a device that controls reading and writing of data from and to a recording medium 606 such as a flash memory under the control of the CPU 601.

[0043] The display 608 is a display device configured with liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence) or the like, which displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, characters, or an image.

[0044] The network I / F 609 is an interface for communicating data with external devices such as the printing machine 20 and the cloud system 30 using a network. The network I / F 609 is, for example, a network interface card (NIC) that supports Ethernet and is capable of communication in accordance with TCP / IP or the like.

[0045] The keyboard 611 is an input device for selecting letters, numbers, and various instructions, moving the cursor, etc. The mouse 612 is an input device for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving the cursor, etc.

[0046] The DVD drive 614 is a device that controls reading and writing of data from and to a DVD 613 such as a DVD-ROM or a Digital Versatile Disk Recordable (DVD-R) as an example of a removable storage medium.

[0047] The above-mentioned CPU 601, ROM 602, RAM 603, auxiliary storage device 605, media drive 607, display 608, network I / F 609, keyboard 611, mouse 612 and DVD drive 614 are communicatively connected to each other via a bus 610 such as an address bus and a data bus.

[0048] 3 is an example, and does not need to include all the components shown in Fig. 3, or may include other components. For example, a USB I / F for data communication with the printer 20 may be provided.

[0049] Moreover, the hardware configuration of the cloud system 30 and the PC 40 also conforms to the configuration shown in Fig. 3. Moreover, the cloud system 30 is not limited to being configured by a single information processing device, and may be configured by multiple information processing devices.

[0050] (Hardware configuration of image reading device) 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the hardware configuration of the image reading device 12 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the image reading device 12 includes a controller 700 and a scanner 710 .

[0052] The controller 700 is a control device that controls the operation of the image reading device 12. As shown in Fig. 4, the controller 700 has a CPU 701, a storage device 702, and a network I / F 703. The CPU 701, the storage device 702, the network I / F 703, and the scanner 710 are connected to each other via a bus 720 such as an address bus and a data bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0053] The CPU 701 is a calculation device that controls the operation of the image reading device 12 by reading and executing a program stored in the storage device 702 .

[0054] The storage device 702 is configured with a RAM, a ROM, a HDD, etc., and is a device for storing various programs and data.

[0055] The network I / F 703 is an interface for communicating data with the outside, such as the cloud system 30, by using the network N. The network I / F 703 is compatible with, for example, Ethernet, and is capable of communication in compliance with TCP / IP or the like.

[0056] The scanner 710 is an image reading unit that optically reads a printed material and generates read image data.

[0057] It should be noted that the hardware configuration of the image reading device 12 shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and it is not necessary for the image reading device 12 to include all of the components shown in FIG. 4, or it may include other components.

[0058] (Hardware configuration of information terminal) 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, the hardware configuration of the information terminal 13 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 5, the information terminal 13 includes a CPU 801, a ROM 802, a RAM 803, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 804, an imaging unit 805, an imaging I / F 806, an acceleration / direction sensor 807, and a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiving unit 808.

[0060] The CPU 801 is a computing device that controls the overall operation of the information terminal 13. The ROM 802 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs used to drive the CPU 801, such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader). The RAM 803 is a volatile storage device used as a work area for the CPU 801. The EEPROM 804 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and various data.

[0061] The imaging unit 805 is a built-in imaging device (camera) that captures an image of a subject using an image sensor such as a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) to obtain image data under the control of the CPU 801. Note that an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) may be used instead of the CMOS image sensor. The imaging I / F 806 is an interface for controlling the driving of the imaging unit 805.

[0062] The acceleration / direction sensor 807 is one of various sensors such as an electronic magnetic compass that detects geomagnetism, a gyrocompass, and an acceleration sensor.

[0063] The GNSS receiver 808 is a receiver that receives positioning signals from positioning satellites. The GNSS receiver 808 receives, for example, GPS signals from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 5, the information terminal 13 further includes a long-distance communication circuit 810, an antenna 810a, a short-distance communication circuit 811, an antenna 811a, a microphone 812, a speaker 813, an audio input / output I / F 814, a display 815, an external device connection I / F 816, a vibrator 817, and a touch panel 818.

[0065] The long-distance communication circuit 810 is a communication circuit that performs wireless communication with other devices via a network N through an antenna 810a in accordance with a standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0066] The short-distance communication circuit 811 is a communication circuit that performs short-distance wireless communication with other devices via an antenna 811a in accordance with standards such as Near Field Communication (NFC) or Bluetooth.

[0067] The microphone 812 is a built-in sound collecting device that converts sound into an electrical signal. The speaker 813 is a built-in audio device that converts the electrical signal into physical vibrations and outputs sound such as music or voice. The sound input / output I / F 814 is an interface that processes input and output of sound signals between the microphone 812 and the speaker 813 according to the control of the CPU 801. The microphone 812 and the speaker 813 may be wirelessly connected headsets.

[0068] The display 815 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display that displays an image of a subject, various icons, etc. The external device connection I / F 816 is an interface conforming to a standard such as USB for connecting various external devices.

[0069] The vibrator 817 is a device that generates physical vibrations under the control of the CPU 801 .

[0070] The touch panel 818 is an input device that enables the user to perform various functions of the information terminal 13 by touching the display 815 .

[0071] The above-mentioned CPU 801, ROM 802, RAM 803, EEPROM 804, imaging I / F 806, acceleration and direction sensor 807, GNSS receiver 808, long-distance communication circuit 810, short-distance communication circuit 811, sound input / output I / F 814, display 815, external device connection I / F 816, vibrator 817 and touch panel 818 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via bus lines 809 such as an address bus and a data bus.

[0072] The hardware configuration of the information terminal 13 shown in FIG. 5 is an example, and it is not necessary for all of the components to be included, and other components may be included.

[0073] (Configuration and operation of functional blocks of color adjustment system) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of functional blocks of the color adjustment system according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a print sample and a sample code print. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a color matching print and a color matching code print. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of a color matching print. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a data processing flow when a print sample is used in the color adjustment system according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a data processing flow when a color conversion rule is specified in the color adjustment system according to the embodiment. The configuration and operation of the functional blocks of the color adjustment system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11.

[0074] 6, the cloud system 30 has an application 300 and a Web UI 320 (display control unit) installed as software for realizing each function, and further includes a storage unit 312. The cloud system 30 has a job registration unit 301 (first registration unit), a color sample acquisition unit 302 (second acquisition unit), a DCP creation unit 303 (first creation unit), a DCP registration unit 304 (second registration unit), a print management unit 305, a color matching acquisition unit 306 (first acquisition unit), an analysis unit 307, a color matching unit 308 (generation unit), a print result judgment unit 309 (judgment unit), a report creation unit 310 (second creation unit), and a communication unit 311 as functional units realized by the application 300 being executed by the CPU 601.

[0075] The job registration unit 301 is a functional unit that acquires job data and setting information for DCP creation from the PC 40 via the Web UI 320. Here, the setting information for DCP creation is, in the case of creating a DCP using a print sample, the page number of the print sample used as a target, the target color difference, the DCP name, etc., and in the case of creating a DCP based on a color conversion rule, the specified color conversion rule, the target color difference, the DCP name, etc. The job registration unit 301 registers (stores) the acquired job data and setting information in the storage unit 312.

[0076] The color sample acquisition unit 302 is a functional unit that acquires the read image data of the print sample (print sample read image data) read by the image reading device 12 and the read image data (sample code read image data) of the sample code printed matter (second printed matter) via the communication unit 311. Here, Fig. 7(a) shows a print sample 3000 as an example of a print sample, and Fig. 7(b) shows a sample code printed matter 3100 as an example of a sample code printed matter.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 7B, the sample code printout 3100 includes a job code 3101 (identification code), a control code 3102, and a sample image section 3103. The job code 3101 is a color code consisting of patches of multiple colors in which at least the job ID is encoded. The job code 3101 may be encoded with not only the job ID, but also, for example, the number of print samples or the job name. The control code 3102 is a color code consisting of patches of multiple colors in which information indicating that the printout read by the image reading device 12 together with the control code 3102 is a print sample is encoded. The sample image section 3103 is a sample image showing a print sample printed using a manuscript file included in the job data registered by the job registration section 301. That is, a person (printing company, proofreader, etc.) who causes the image reading device 12 to perform a reading process can have the print sample 3000 read without fail by checking the sample image section 3103. The print sample 3000 may be sent by mail or the like to the worker who performs the reading process (such as the printing company or proofreader). This mailing or other delivery is sent separately from the job received via the network, and the print sample 3000 is managed as an actual item. Therefore, in order to confirm which job the print sample corresponds to, it was necessary to check the job contents and images individually on the system, but by printing the sample code printout 3100, the sample image portion 3103 can be compared with the print sample 3000, making the confirmation process easier.

[0078] The sample code printout 3100 may be printed by any printing machine as long as it is printed in color to the extent that the job code 3101 and the control code 3102 can be decoded. For example, when the print sample is read at a proofreading site as shown in Fig. 10 described later, the sample code printout may be printed by any printing machine at the proofreading site. Furthermore, the job code 3101 and the control code 3102 are not limited to color codes and may be, for example, two-dimensional codes.

[0079] A person who is to have the image reading device 12 perform the reading process places the print sample 3000 on top of the sample code printout 3100 as shown in FIG. 7(c), sets them in the image reading device 12, and executes the reading process.

[0080] When creating a DCP using a print sample, the DCP creation unit 303 is a functional unit that creates a DCP based on print sample scanned image data acquired by the color sample acquisition unit 302 and setting information for DCP creation registered by the job registration unit 301. When creating a DCP based on a color conversion rule, the DCP creation unit 303 creates a DCP based on the setting information for DCP creation registered by the job registration unit 301 (including information specifying the color conversion rule) and a manuscript file (such as a PDF (Portable Document Format) file) included in the job data. Here, the color conversion rule refers to a color sample rule such as JapanColor, G7, or Forga that conforms to an international standard, or a custom color rule defined for each printing shop.

[0081] The DCP created by the DCP creation unit 303 may be managed in the memory unit 312 by identification information such as a part number, and when generating an input profile by the color matching unit 308, a DCP specified by the identification information, such as a past DCP, may be used.

[0082] The DCP registration unit 304 is a functional unit that registers (stores) the DCP created by the DCP creation unit 303 in the storage unit 312 in association with the job data registered by the job registration unit 301 .

[0083] The print management unit 305 is a functional unit that transmits, via the communication unit 311, to the control server 11, a print instruction for job data using an existing input profile or an input profile generated by the color matching unit 308 through color sample matching.

[0084] The color matching acquisition unit 306 is a functional unit that acquires the read image data (color matching read image data) of the color matching printed matter and the read image data (color matching code read image data) of the color matching code printed matter read by the image reading device 12 via the communication unit 311. The color matching printed matter and the color matching code printed matter correspond to the "first printed matter" of the present invention. The color matching read image data and the color matching code read image data correspond to the "first read image data" of the present invention. Here, FIG. 8(a) shows a color matching printed matter 3200 as an example of a color matching printed matter, and FIG. 8(b) shows a color matching code printed matter 3300 as an example of a color matching code printed matter. The color matching printed matter 3200 and the color matching code printed matter 3300 are printed matters printed on the printing machine 20 using the input profile.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 8B, the color matching code printout 3300 includes a job code 3301 (identification code), a control code 3302, and a sample image section 3303. The job code 3301 is a color code consisting of patches of multiple colors in which at least the job ID is encoded. The job code 3301 may be encoded with not only the job ID, but also, for example, the number of color matching printouts or the job name. The control code 3302 is a color code consisting of patches of multiple colors in which information indicating that the printouts to be read by the image reading device 12 are color matching printouts is encoded. The sample image section 3303 is a sample image showing an image of the manuscript file included in the job data registered by the job registration section 301. That is, the printing company who causes the image reading device 12 to perform the reading process can have the color matching printout 3200 read without fail by checking the sample image section 3303.

[0086] The printing company that will be using the image reading device 12 to perform the reading process places the color matching code printed material 3300 on top of the color matching printed material 3200 in the image reading device 12 as shown in FIG. 8(c), and then executes the reading process.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 9, the color-matching printed material to be read by the image reading device 12 may be a color-matching printed material 3400 (an example of a first printed material) obtained by combining the color-matching printed material 3200 shown in FIG. 8(a) with the job code 3301 and the control code 3302 shown in FIG. 8(b). As shown in FIG. 9, the color-matching printed material 3400 includes a job code 3401 and a control code 3402. The job code 3401 and the control code 3402 are the same as the job code 3301 and the control code 3302 described above. This allows the job code 3401 for analyzing the job ID and the image to be judged as a print result to be printed on a single sheet of paper, thereby reducing the amount of paper and reducing operational errors when the color-matching printed material 3200 and the color-matching code printed material 3300 are overlapped and read.

[0088] The analysis unit 307 is a functional unit that decodes and analyzes the job code and control code, which are color codes contained in the sample code read image data acquired by the color sample acquisition unit 302 and the color matching code read image data acquired by the color matching acquisition unit 306.

[0089] The color matching unit 308 is a functional unit that performs color sample matching, generating an input profile for color conversion so that the color of a printed matter printed and output by job data approaches the color indicated by the DCP, based on an existing or already generated input profile, the read image data for color matching acquired by the color matching acquisition unit 306, and a DCP corresponding to the read image data for color matching. In this case, the color matching unit 308 may generate an input profile by updating an existing input profile. The input profile generated by the color matching unit 308 may be managed by the control server 11 or the cloud system 30 using identification information such as a part number, and may be used for printing and outputting other job data. The color matching unit 308 may also generate a new input profile separately from an existing input profile.

[0090] The print result determination unit 309 is a functional unit that determines the average color difference ΔE between the DCP and the read image data of the color-matching printed material (read image data for color matching) to which an existing input profile or an input profile generated by the color matching unit 308 is applied, and outputs the result as a print result. The print result determination unit 309 also generates a difference image between the read image data for color matching and the DCP.

[0091] The report creation unit 310 is a functional unit that creates a print report based on the print result (determination result) output by the print result determination unit 309. The report creation unit 310 registers (stores) the created print report in the communication unit 311.

[0092] The communication unit 311 is a functional unit that performs data communication with the control server 11, the image reading device 12, the information terminal 13, and the PC 40 via the network N.

[0093] The storage unit 312 is a functional unit that stores various data. As shown in Fig. 6, information stored in the storage unit 312 includes, for example, job data registered from the PC 40, a manuscript file corresponding to the job data, a DCP created by the DCP creation unit 303, an existing input profile, an input profile generated by the color matching unit 308, various read image data read by the image reading device 12, a print report created by the report creation unit 310, brand owner information, printing company information, and printer information. The storage unit 312 is realized by the auxiliary storage device 605 shown in Fig. 3.

[0094] At least a part of each functional unit realized by executing the application 300 of the cloud system 30 shown in FIG. 6 may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC.

[0095] Moreover, each functional unit realized by executing application 300 shown in Fig. 6 is a conceptual representation of a function, and is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a plurality of functional units illustrated as independent functional units in application 300 shown in Fig. 6 may be configured as one functional unit. On the other hand, a function of one functional unit in application 300 shown in Fig. 6 may be divided into a plurality of functional units and configured as a plurality of functional units.

[0096] The Web UI 320 is software that communicates with the Web browser 131 of the information terminal 13 and the Web browser 401 of the PC 40, provides screen information to be displayed on each browser, and acquires input information by an operator via the displayed screen. The Web UI 320 may also execute and change the display of the Web browser 131 of the information terminal 13 and the Web browser 401 of the PC 40 from the cloud system 30 side. The Web UI 320 is an example of a display control unit that provides screen information to each device and displays it.

[0097] 6, an application 110 is installed as software for implementing each function in the control server 11. The control server 11 has a communication unit 111 and a print control unit 112 as functional units implemented by the CPU 601 executing the application 110.

[0098] The communication unit 111 is a functional unit that performs data communication via the network I / F 609 between the cloud system 30 and the printing machine 20 via the network N. In particular, the communication unit 111 establishes a communication connection based on WebSocket or the like to realize two-way communication with the cloud system 30.

[0099] The print control unit 112 is a functional unit that performs print control for the printing press 20. For example, the print control unit 112 causes the printing press 20 to execute print processing for job data in accordance with a print instruction from the cloud system 30. Furthermore, the print control unit 112 transmits an existing input profile or an input profile generated by the color matching unit 308 to the printing press 20 in order to apply the input profile.

[0100] At least a part of each functional unit realized by executing the application 110 of the control server 11 shown in FIG. 6 may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an FPGA or an ASIC.

[0101] Moreover, each functional unit realized by executing application 110 shown in Fig. 6 is a conceptual representation of a function, and is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a plurality of functional units illustrated as independent functional units in application 110 shown in Fig. 6 may be configured as one functional unit. On the other hand, a function of one functional unit in application 110 shown in Fig. 6 may be divided into a plurality of functional units and configured as a plurality of functional units.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 6, the image reading device 12 has a communication unit 121, an image reading control unit 122, and a transmission unit 123 as functional units realized by the CPU 601 executing a program.

[0103] The communication unit 121 is a functional unit that performs data communication with the cloud system 30 via the network N through the network I / F 703.

[0104] The image reading control unit 122 is a functional unit that controls the reading process for the scanner 710. The image reading control unit 122 acquires print sample read image data of a print sample read by the scanner 710, and sample code read image data of a sample code printed matter. The image reading control unit 122 also acquires color matching read image data and color matching code read image data read by the scanner 710 for a color matching printed matter and a color matching code printed matter printed by the printing machine 20 with an existing input profile or an input profile generated by the color matching unit 308 applied, respectively.

[0105] The transmission unit 123 is a functional unit that transmits the print sample read image data, the sample code read image data, the color matching read image data, and the color matching code read image data read by the scanner 710 to the cloud system 30 via the communication unit 121 under the control of the image reading control unit 122.

[0106] At least a part of each functional unit realized by executing a program of the image reading device 12 shown in FIG. 6 may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an FPGA or an ASIC.

[0107] Moreover, each functional unit of the image reading device 12 shown in Fig. 6 is shown conceptually, and is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the multiple functional units shown as independent functional units in the image reading device 12 shown in Fig. 6 may be configured as one functional unit. On the other hand, the function of one functional unit in the image reading device 12 shown in Fig. 6 may be divided into multiple functions and configured as multiple functional units.

[0108] 6, a Web browser 131 (an example of a reception unit) is installed in the information terminal 13. The Web browser 131 is software for receiving input of various data and operation input for executing processing via a screen provided by the Web UI 320 of the cloud system 30.

[0109] 6, a web browser 401 (an example of a reception unit) is installed in the PC 40. The web browser 401 is software for receiving input of various data and operation input for executing processing via a screen provided by the Web UI 320 of the cloud system 30.

[0110] Next, the flow of data processing when creating a DCP using a print sample will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Here, the print sample will be described as being read by the image reading device 12 at the proofreading site. In other words, it is assumed that the proofreading site and the printing company each have their own image reading device 12.

[0111] First, the image reading control unit 122 of the image reading device 12 at the proofreading site causes the scanner 710 to execute a reading process of the print sample and the sample code printout, and acquires the print sample read image data and the sample code read image data. Next, the transmission unit 123 of the image reading device 12 at the proofreading site transmits the print sample read image data and the sample code read image data read by the scanner 710 to the cloud system 30 via the communication unit 121. Then, the color sample acquisition unit 302 of the cloud system 30 acquires the print sample read image data and the sample code read image data read by the image reading device 12 at the proofreading site via the communication unit 311. Then, the analysis unit 307 of the cloud system 30 decodes and analyzes the job code and control code, which are color codes, included in the sample code read image data acquired by the color sample acquisition unit 302. Then, DCP creation unit 303 of cloud system 30 creates a DCP based on the print sample scanned image data acquired by color sample acquisition unit 302 and the setting information for DCP creation registered by job registration unit 301. Then, DCP registration unit 304 of cloud system 30 registers (stores) the DCP created by DCP creation unit 303 in memory unit 312 in association with the job data registered by job registration unit 301.

[0112] The print control unit 112 of the control server 11 receives job data together with a print instruction from the cloud system 30. The print control unit 112 also receives an existing input profile from the cloud system 30. Then, the print control unit 112 causes the printing press 20 to execute print processing of the manuscript file included in the job data using the existing input profile (input profile (1) shown in FIG. 10) and output profile, and causes the printing press 20 to output a color-matching printed material (color-matching printed material (1) shown in FIG. 10). At the same time, the print control unit 112 causes the printing press 20 to output a color-matching code printed material including a job code in which the job ID of the job data is encoded and a control code.

[0113] The printing company places the color-matching printed material on the color-matching code printed material and sets them in the image reading device 12. Then, the image reading control unit 122 of the image reading device 12 acquires color-matching read image data (read image (1) shown in FIG. 10) and color-matching code read image data read by the scanner 710 for the color-matching printed material and the color-matching code printed material, respectively. Then, the transmission unit 123 of the image reading device 12 transmits the color-matching read image data and the color-matching code read image data to the cloud system 30 via the communication unit 121.

[0114] The color matching acquisition unit 306 of the cloud system 30 acquires the color matching read image data and color matching code read image data read by the image reading device 12 via the communication unit 311. Then, the analysis unit 307 of the cloud system 30 decodes and analyzes the job code and control code, which are color codes included in the color matching code read image data acquired by the color matching acquisition unit 306. Then, the print result judgment unit 309 of the cloud system 30 judges the average color difference ΔE between the color matching read image data to which the existing input profile is applied and the DCP, and outputs the result as the print result. Here, it is assumed that the judgment is NG.

[0115] The color matching unit 308 generates an input profile (input profile (2) shown in FIG. 10) for color conversion based on an existing input profile, the scanned image data for color matching acquired by the color matching acquisition unit 306, and a DCP corresponding to the scanned image data for color matching, so that the color of the printed material printed out based on the job data approaches the color indicated by the DCP.

[0116] The print control unit 112 of the control server 11 receives the input profile generated by the color matching unit 308 from the cloud system 30. Then, the print control unit 112 causes the printing press 20 to execute print processing of the manuscript file included in the job data using the input profile and output profile, and outputs a color-matching printed material (color-matching printed material (2) shown in FIG. 10). At the same time, the print control unit 112 causes the printing press 20 to output a color-matching code printed material including a job code in which the job ID of the job data is encoded, and a control code.

[0117] The printing company places the color-matching printed material on the color-matching code printed material and sets them in the image reading device 12. Then, the image reading control unit 122 of the image reading device 12 acquires color-matching read image data (read image (2) shown in FIG. 10) and color-matching code read image data read by the scanner 710 for the color-matching printed material and the color-matching code printed material, respectively. Then, the transmission unit 123 of the image reading device 12 transmits the color-matching read image data and the color-matching code read image data to the cloud system 30 via the communication unit 121.

[0118] The color matching acquisition unit 306 of the cloud system 30 acquires the color matching read image data and the color matching code read image data read by the image reading device 12 via the communication unit 311. Then, the analysis unit 307 of the cloud system 30 decodes and analyzes the job code and the control code, which are color codes included in the color matching code read image data acquired by the color matching acquisition unit 306. Then, the print result determination unit 309 of the cloud system 30 determines the average color difference ΔE between the color matching read image data to which the input profile generated by the color matching unit 308 is applied and the DCP, and outputs the result as a print result. Here, it is assumed that the result is OK. Then, the report creation unit 310 of the cloud system 30 creates a print report based on the print result output by the print result determination unit 309. The report creation unit 310 registers (stores) the created print report in the communication unit 311.

[0119] Next, the flow of data processing in creating a DCP based on color conversion rules will be described with reference to FIG.

[0120] First, the DCP creation unit 303 of the cloud system 30 creates a DCP based on the setting information (including the designation information for the color conversion rule) for DCP creation registered by the job registration unit 301 and the manuscript file included in the job data. Then, the DCP registration unit 304 of the cloud system 30 registers (stores) the DCP created by the DCP creation unit 303 in the storage unit 312 in association with the job data registered by the job registration unit 301. The subsequent flow is the same as the flow shown in FIG.

[0121] (Data structure of color adjustment system) 12 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of data handled by the color adjustment system according to the embodiment. An overview of the data structure of data handled by the color adjustment system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0122] The job data acquired by the job registration unit 301 of the cloud system 30 and registered in the storage unit 312 includes, for example, the following information:

[0123] Job Name ·Paper type Number of copies Standard color space ·DCP method ·Target average color difference ΔE ·deadline

[0124] This job data also includes manuscript files such as PDF files, which are illustrated as information associated with the job data in Fig. 12. The manuscript file associated with the job data may actually be a file location indicating the storage area in which the manuscript file is saved.

[0125] Moreover, the job data is further associated with a DCP created by a DCP creation unit 303. The DCP associated with the job data may actually be a file location indicating a storage area in which the DCP is saved.

[0126] The job data is also associated with information about the printing company that processes the job, and the printing company information is also associated with information about each of the printers (printing machines) that the printing company owns.

[0127] The job data is further associated with information on the brand owner who issued the print request, and with information on printing. The information on printing is information for managing the fact that the same job data is printed and processed by multiple printing companies and multiple printing machines, and includes at least information on the number of copies to be processed by each printing machine. The information on printing is further associated with various read images (print sample read image data, sample code read image data, color matching read image data, and color matching code read image data), input profiles (existing input profiles and input profiles generated by the color matching unit 308), and print results and difference images determined by the print result determination unit 309. The various read images, input profiles, and difference images associated with the information on printing may actually be file locations indicating storage areas in which these image files are saved. The print result also includes at least an average color difference ΔE.

[0128] (Color adjustment system job and color sample registration process flow) FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a job / color sample registration process of the color adjustment system according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a job list screen. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a job registration screen. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a DCP creation method selection screen. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a DCP setting screen. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a color conversion rule specification screen. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a job registration completion screen. The flow of a job / color sample registration process of the color adjustment system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 19. Note that in FIG. 13, the print sample will be read by the image reading device 12 at the printing shop.

[0129] <Step S11> The brand owner performs a job registration operation to request printing of a document file via the Web browser 401 of the PC 40. Specifically, the brand owner first causes the Web browser 401 to display a job list screen 1000 shown in FIG.

[0130] The job list screen 1000 is a screen for displaying a list of already registered job data and for registering new job data. As shown in Fig. 14, the job list screen 1000 includes a job registration button 1001 and a job list display area 1002. The job registration button 1001 is a button for registering new job data for which a print request is to be made in the cloud system 30. The job list display area 1002 is an area for displaying a list of job data that has already been registered in the cloud system 30.

[0131] When the brand owner presses the job registration button 1001, the Web browser 401 displays a job registration screen 1100 shown in FIG.

[0132] 15, the job registration screen 1100 includes a job name input area 1101, a manuscript file designation area 1102, a number of copies input area 1103, a standard selection area 1104, a standard profile designation area 1105, a DCP creation selection area 1106, a target color difference input area 1107, a deadline input area 1108, a paper type selection area 1109, a next button 1111, and a cancel button 1112.

[0133] The job name input area 1101 is an input area for setting the name of job data to be newly requested to be printed. The manuscript file designation area 1102 is an area for selecting and designating a manuscript file such as a PDF file to be printed from files stored in the PC 40 or the like. The number of copies input area 1103 is an input area for setting the number of copies to be printed for the manuscript file. The standard selection area 1104 is a radio button for selecting to use an input profile (standard input profile) of the standard specification of ISO (International Organization for Standardization) without creating a DCP. The standard profile designation area 1105 is an area for selecting and designating a standard input profile when the standard selection area 1104 is selected. The DCP creation selection area 1106 is a radio button for selecting to create a DCP. The target color difference input area 1107 is an input area for setting an average color difference ΔE that is a target in comparison with the DCP. The deadline input area 1108 is an input area for setting a deadline for delivery of printed matter of the job data to be newly registered. The paper type selection area 1109 is an area for selecting the type of paper on which the manuscript file is printed. The next button 1111 is a button for registering job data when the standard selection area 1104 is selected, and for transitioning to a DCP creation method selection screen 1200 shown in Fig. 16 when the DCP creation selection area 1106 is selected. The cancel button 1112 is a button for canceling the setting input on the job registration screen 1100 and returning to the job list screen 1000.

[0134] The brand owner sets various setting information on the job registration screen 1100, selects the DCP creation selection section 1106, and presses the next button 1111. The Web browser 401 then displays a DCP creation method selection screen 1200 shown in FIG.

[0135] The DCP creation method selection screen 1200 is a screen for selecting a DCP creation method. As shown in Fig. 16, the DCP creation method selection screen 1200 includes a sample reading selection section 1201, a color conversion rule specification selection section 1203, a next button 1211, and a cancel button 1212.

[0136] The sample reading selection area 1201 is a radio button that is selected when performing a print sample reading process. The color conversion rule specification selection area 1203 is a radio button that is selected when creating a DCP based on a color conversion rule. The next button 1211 is a button for transitioning to a DCP setting screen 1300 shown in FIG. 17 when the sample reading selection area 1201 is selected.

[0137] Furthermore, when the color conversion rule specification selection portion 1203 is selected, the next button 1211 transitions to a color conversion rule specification screen 1400 shown in Fig. 18. The cancel button 1212 is a button for returning to the job registration screen 1100.

[0138] The color conversion rule designation screen 1400 is a screen for causing the cloud system 30 to create a DCP in accordance with the color conversion rule. As shown in FIG 18, the color conversion rule designation screen 1400 includes a DCP name input area 1401, a color conversion rule selection area 1402, a register button 1411, and a cancel button 1412.

[0139] The DCP name input area 1401 is an input area for setting the name of the DCP to be created. The color conversion rule selection area 1402 is an area for selecting color sample rules such as JapanColor, G7, or Forga that comply with international standards, or custom color rules defined for each printing shop. The registration button 1411 is a button for transmitting and registering the setting information (i.e., including settings to create a DCP using color conversion rules) and job data entered on the job registration screen 1100, DCP creation method selection screen 1200, and color conversion rule specification screen 1400 to the cloud system 30. The cancel button 1412 is a button for returning to the DCP creation method selection screen 1200.

[0140] When the brand owner selects sample reading selection section 1201 on DCP creation method selection screen 1200 and then presses next button 1211, web browser 401 displays DCP setting screen 1300 shown in Fig. 17. Note that in the following description, it is assumed that DCP setting screen 1300 is displayed on web browser 401 of a terminal device owned by the brand owner, DCP setting information (DCP name, page settings) is registered in cloud system 30, and the print sample is read by a printing company or the like.

[0141] The DCP setting screen 1300 is a screen for making settings related to a DCP to be created. The DCP setting screen 1300 includes a DCP name input area 1301, a representative page designation area 1302, and a registration button 1305, as shown in FIG.

[0142] The DCP name input area 1301 is an input area for setting the name of the DCP to be created. The representative page designation area 1302 is an input area for setting the representative page of the print sample to be read by the image reading device 12. The representative page designation area 1302 may be an area for reading all pages of the print sample and registering them as a DCP, and for designating the number of pages of the print sample (DCP) to be applied when printing the job data. The registration button 1305 is a button for transmitting and registering the setting information (i.e., including the DCP name and representative page setting information) entered on the job registration screen 1100, DCP creation method selection screen 1200, and DCP setting screen 1300, and the job data to the cloud system 30.

[0143] When the brand owner presses the registration button 1305 on the DCP setting screen 1300, the web browser 401 sends to the cloud system 30 the job data for requesting printing of the manuscript file, as well as the setting information entered on the job registration screen 1100, the DCP creation method selection screen 1200, and the DCP setting screen 1300.

[0144] <Step S12> The job registration unit 301 of the cloud system 30 acquires job data and setting information for creating a DCP from the PC 40 via the Web UI 320 .

[0145] <Steps S13 and S14> Then, the job registration unit 301 of the cloud system 30 registers (stores) the acquired job data and setting information in the storage unit 312. At this time, the job registration unit 301 issues a job ID and registers the job data and setting information in the storage unit 312.

[0146] <Steps S15 and S16> Then, the job registration unit 301 notifies the Web UI 320 that the registration has been completed in the storage unit 312 .

[0147] <Step S17> Then, the Web UI 320 causes the Web browser 401 of the PC 40 to display a job registration completion screen 1450 shown in FIG.

[0148] The job registration completion screen 1450 is a screen that displays that the registration of the job data and the setting information is completed. For example, the job registration completion screen 1450 may display the job ID issued for the job data and the job name included in the setting information, as shown in Fig. 19. The job registration completion screen 1450 includes a sample code print button 1451 and an OK button 1452, as shown in Fig. 19.

[0149] The sample code print button 1451 is a button for causing a printer (here, a printer owned by the brand owner) to print a sample code printout. That is, the sample code print button 1451 is used when causing an image reading device owned by the brand owner to read the print sample code printout. The OK button 1452 is a button to be pressed when the job registration has been confirmed, and is a button for returning to the job list screen 1000.

[0150] By pressing the OK button 1452, the brand owner completes the registration of the job data.

[0151] <Step S18> The printing company performs an operation to print a sample code printout for job data for which no DCP has been created, via the Web browser 131 of the information terminal 13. Specifically, the printing company selects job data whose status is "sample not registered" (i.e., no DCP has been created) on a job selection screen 1500 shown in Fig. 21, which will be described later, and performs a print execution operation. The job selection screen 1500 will be described in detail later in Fig. 21.

[0152] When the printing service provider performs a print operation for a sample code printout on the job selection screen 1500, the web browser 131 transmits to the cloud system 30 a sample code print instruction including the job ID of the selected job data.

[0153] <Steps S19 and S20> When the print management unit 305 of the cloud system 30 receives a sample code print instruction including a job ID from the information terminal 13 via the Web UI 320, it sends a print instruction for a sample code file including a job code encoded from the job ID and a control code encoded with information indicating that it is a print sample to the control server 11 via the communication unit 311.

[0154] <Step S21> When the print control unit 112 of the control server 11 receives a print instruction for the sample code file from the cloud system 30 via the communication unit 111, the print control unit 112 transmits the print instruction for the sample code file to the printing machine 20.

[0155] <Step S22> When the printer 20 receives an instruction to print the sample code file from the control server 11, the printer 20 performs a printing process on the sample code file and outputs a sample code printout.

[0156] <Steps S23 to S25> When the printing press 20 has completed output of the sample code printout, it transmits a notice of printing completion to the control server 11. When the communication unit 111 of the control server 11 receives the notice of printing completion from the printing press 20, it transmits the notice of printing completion to the cloud system 30. When the communication unit 311 of the cloud system 30 receives the notice of printing completion from the control server 11, it causes the Web browser 131 to display the notice of printing completion via the Web UI 320.

[0157] <Step S26> As shown in FIG. 7(c) above, the printing company places the sample code printed by the printing machine 20 on top of the print sample, sets it on the reading tray of the image reading device 12, and performs a reading operation on the image reading device 12.

[0158] <Step S27> Then, the image reading control unit 122 of the image reading device 12 causes the scanner 710 to execute a reading process of the print sample and the sample code printout, and obtains the print sample read image data and the sample code read image data.

[0159] <Step S28> Then, the transmission unit 123 of the image reading device 12 transmits the print sample read image data and the sample code read image data read by the scanner 710 to the cloud system 30 via the communication unit 121. Then, the color sample acquisition unit 302 of the cloud system 30 acquires the print sample read image data and the sample code read image data read by the image reading device 12 via the communication unit 311.

[0160] <Step S29> The analysis unit 307 of the cloud system 30 decodes and analyzes the job code, which is a color code, and the control code included in the sample code read image data acquired by the color sample acquisition unit 302. The analysis unit 307 then obtains a job ID by decoding the job code, and analyzes that the printed material read together with the sample code printout is a print sample by decoding the control code.

[0161] <Steps S30 to S32> Then, DCP creation unit 303 of cloud system 30 creates a DCP based on the print sample scanned image data acquired by color sample acquisition unit 302 and the setting information for DCP creation registered by job registration unit 301. Then, DCP registration unit 304 of cloud system 30 registers (stores) the DCP created by DCP creation unit 303 in storage unit 312 in association with already registered job data indicated by the job ID analyzed by analysis unit 307.

[0162] <Step S33> Then, the DCP registration unit 304 transmits to the image reading device 12 a notification that the processes of receiving the print sample scanned image data, creating a DCP, registering, and the like have been completed.

[0163] Then, the Web UI 320 changes the state of the target job data on the job selection screen 1500 displayed on the Web browser 131 of the information terminal 13 from "sample not registered" to "waiting for first print."

[0164] Through the above flow of steps S11 to S33, the job and color sample registration process is performed by the color adjustment system 1.

[0165] (Color adjustment process flow of the color adjustment system) FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of color adjustment processing by the color adjustment system according to the embodiment. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a job selection screen. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a job details screen. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a printer setting screen. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a color matching judgment details screen. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a color matching judgment details screen. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a print report. The flow of color adjustment processing by the color adjustment system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 26.

[0166] <Step S51> The printing company performs an operation for printing the color-matching printed material for the job data that is waiting to be printed, via the Web browser 131 of the information terminal 13. Specifically, the printing company first causes the Web browser 131 to display a job selection screen 1500 shown in FIG.

[0167] The job selection screen 1500 is a screen for displaying a list of job data that have already been registered as jobs, and for performing printing operations for color matching based on the job data. As shown in Fig. 21, the job selection screen 1500 includes a job list display area 1501, a pull-down section 1501a, check boxes 1502, a check box for selecting all unregistered samples 1503a, a check box for selecting all color matching completed check boxes 1503b, a check box for selecting all waiting to print check boxes 1503c, a print execution pull-down 1504, and a job registration button 1505.

[0168] The job list display area 1501 is an area that displays a list of job data registered in the cloud system 30. The job name of each job data displayed in the job list display area 1501 is linked, and clicking on it displays a job details screen 1600 of the corresponding job data. In addition, the "status" of each job data displayed in the job list display area 1501 indicates the progress of the color adjustment process for each job data. Specific meanings of the "status" displays are, for example, as follows:

[0169] · Condition: "Sample not registered" · DCP not registered Status: "Waiting for first print" DCP registered, no printout for color matching Status: "Waiting for first scan" DCP registered, printed material for color matching, no scanned image data for color matching Status: "Waiting for nth print" DCP registered, printed matter for color matching available (n-1 times), scanned image data for color matching available (n-1 times), print result available (n-1 times, average color difference ΔE>target average color difference ΔE) Status: "Waiting for nth scan" DCP registered, printed material for color matching available (nth scan), scanned image data for color matching available (n-1 scan), print result available (n-1th scan, average color difference ΔE>target average color difference ΔE) Status: "Color matching completed" DCP registered, printed material for color matching available (n times), scanned image data for color matching available (n times), printed result available (nth time, average color difference ΔE≦target average color difference ΔE) Status: "Printing completed" DCP registered, printed matter for color matching available (n+1 times), scanned image data for color matching available (n times), print results available (nth time, average color difference ΔE≦target average color difference ΔE)

[0170] The pull-down section 1501a is an operation section for displaying various operations for each registered job data in a pull-down menu. When the pull-down section 1501a is pressed, a pull-down menu of operations such as "Job details" (display of the job details screen 1600), "Printer settings" (display of the printer settings screen 1700), "Color matching judgment details" (display of the color matching judgment details screen 1800), "Job name change", "Original file download", "Report output" (output of the print report 1900), "Job deletion", "Sample code print" (output of a sample code printout), "Color matching print" (output of a color matching printout), and "Print" (production printing of the original file) is displayed and can be selected.

[0171] The check boxes 1502 are check boxes for selecting each job data displayed in the job list display area 1501. The unregistered sample batch selection check boxes 1503a are check boxes for selecting all job data for which the print sample has not been read, i.e., the DCP has not been registered (the status is "unregistered sample"). The color matching completed batch selection check boxes 1503b are check boxes for selecting all job data for which the average color difference ΔE has been determined to be OK for the read image data for color matching and color matching has been completed. The print waiting batch selection check boxes 1503c are check boxes for selecting all job data for which the DCP has been registered and the status is "waiting for first print", and job data for which the average color difference ΔE has been determined to be NG (the n-1th determination) for the previous read image data for color matching and the status is "waiting for nth print" for printing using a newly generated input profile. Checking the unregistered sample batch selection checkbox 1503a, the color matching completed batch selection checkbox 1503b, or the print waiting batch selection checkbox 1503c checks the checkboxes 1502 corresponding to each batch selected job data.

[0172] The print execution pull-down 1504 displays the operation menus of "sample code printing" (output of sample code printout), "color matching printing" (output of color matching printout), and "print" (production printing of manuscript file). Of the job data checked in the checkboxes 1502, the job data that can be executed for various printing displayed in the pull-down are collectively printed by the corresponding execution operation.

[0173] The job registration button 1505 is a button for registering job data that the print shop has accepted as a separate request. Note that the process when the job registration button 1505 is pressed is similar to the process on the job registration screen 1100 described above.

[0174] When a link of the job name of the job data displayed in the job list display area 1501 is pressed, or when "Job details" is selected from the pull-down menu of the pull-down section 1501a of the job data, a job details screen 1600 shown in Fig. 22 is displayed, which displays details of the job data. As shown in Fig. 22, the job details screen 1600 includes a job name display area 1601, a paper type selection area 1602, a deadline display area 1603, a number of copies display area 1604, a target color difference display area 1605, a manuscript file display area 1606, a manuscript file name display area 1606a, a download button 1607, and a status display area 1611.

[0175] The job name display area 1601 is an area for displaying the name of the selected job data, and corresponds to the name of the job data set in the job name input area 1101 on the job registration screen 1100. The paper type selection area 1602 is an area for designating the type of recording medium (paper type such as thin paper or thick paper, or a paper feed tray in which a specific paper type is stored, etc.) to be used when printing the manuscript file included in the selected job data, and corresponds to the type selected in the paper type selection section 1109 on the job registration screen 1100. The deadline date display area 1603 is an area for displaying the deadline date for delivery of the printed matter of the selected job data, and corresponds to the deadline date input section 1108 on the job registration screen 1100. The number of copies display area 1604 is an area for displaying the number of copies to be printed for the manuscript file of the selected job data, and corresponds to the number of copies input area 1103 on the job registration screen 1100. The target color difference display area 1605 is an area for displaying the average color difference ΔE that is a target in comparison with the DCP corresponding to the selected job data, and corresponds to the target color difference input section 1107 of the job registration screen 1100 .

[0176] The manuscript file display area 1606 is an area for displaying an image of the manuscript file of the selected job data (the manuscript file uploaded by the brand owner when registering the job). The manuscript file name display area 1606a is an area for displaying the manuscript file name of the selected job data. The download button 1607 is a button for downloading the manuscript file of the selected job data from the cloud system 30 and saving it in the control server 11 of the printing company in order to print it. Note that the image displayed in the manuscript file display area 1606 may be a thumbnail image of the manuscript file generated on the cloud system 30 side, which is acquired and displayed by the Web browser 131 of the information terminal 13 of the printing company as part of the job details screen 1600. The status display section 1611 is an area for displaying whether or not the DCP has been registered and whether or not color sample matching has been performed.

[0177] When "Printer Settings" is selected from the pull-down menu of pull-down section 1501a of job data displayed in job list display area 1501, a printer settings screen 1700 shown in Fig. 23 is displayed, which displays the print settings of the job data. As shown in Fig. 23, printer settings screen 1700 includes a printing press selection area 1701, a paper type selection area 1702, a setting button 1711, and a cancel button 1712.

[0178] The printing press selection area 1701 is an area for selecting a printing press (printing press 20) for printing the job data from among multiple printing presses owned by the printing company. The paper type selection area 1702 is an area for selecting the paper type of the recording medium to be used for printing by the printing press 20. The setting button 1711 is a button for storing the setting information selected in the printing press selection area 1701 and the paper type selection area 1702 in association with the job data registered in the storage unit 312. The cancel button 1712 is a button for returning to the job selection screen 1500.

[0179] When "Color matching judgment details" is selected from the pull-down menu of pull-down section 1501a of job data displayed in job list display area 1501, a color matching judgment details screen 1800 shown in Fig. 24 is displayed, which displays the judgment results of the job data by print result judgment unit 309. As shown in Fig. 24, color matching judgment details screen 1800 includes an original / sample display area 1801, a color matching judgment result display area 1802, a print button 1802a, and a close button 1803.

[0180] The original / sample display area 1801 is an area that displays an image of the original file of the selected job data (original file uploaded by the brand owner at the time of job registration), an image of the DCP corresponding to the selected job data, and the target average color difference ΔE. The color matching judgment result display area 1802 is an area that displays whether or not a printed matter for color matching has been printed, the scanned image data for color matching, the difference image, the average color difference ΔE, and the judgment result of the average color difference ΔE for the scanned image data for color matching for each time. In the example shown in FIG. 24, since DCP registration has been completed, there is a printed matter for color matching (for one time), there is scanned image data for color matching (for one time), and there is a judgment result (for the first time, the average color difference ΔE>the target average color difference ΔE), the second time a printed matter for color matching can be printed using the input profile generated by the color matching unit 308 (a state of "waiting for second time printing"), and therefore a print button 1802a for executing the second time printing is displayed.

[0181] FIG. 25 shows the state when the second color matching printout is read from the color matching judgment details screen 1800 shown in FIG. 24 and the print result judgment unit 309 judges the color matching read image data as OK.

[0182] <Steps S52 and S53> When the print management unit 305 of the cloud system 30 receives a color matching print instruction including a job ID from the information terminal 13 via the Web UI 320, it transmits a print instruction for a color matching code file and a manuscript file, which include a job code encoded from the job ID and a control code encoded with information indicating that the printed matter is for color matching, to the control server 11 via the communication unit 311.

[0183] <Step S54> When the print control unit 112 of the control server 11 receives a print instruction for the color matching code file and the manuscript file from the cloud system 30 via the communication unit 111, it transmits the print instruction for the color matching code file and the manuscript file to the printing press 20. At this time, the print control unit 112 transmits a print instruction to the printing press 20 to print the manuscript file using the input profile generated by the color matching unit 308 (in the case of the first printing, an existing input profile).

[0184] <Step S55> When the printer 20 receives a print instruction for the color-matching code file and the manuscript file from the control server 11, it performs print processing for the color-matching code file and the manuscript file, respectively, and outputs a color-matching code printout and a color-matching printout.

[0185] <Steps S56 to S58> When the printing press 20 has completed output of the color-matching code printed material and the color-matching printed material, it transmits a notification of printing completion to the control server 11. When the communication unit 111 of the control server 11 receives a notification of printing completion from the printing press 20, it transmits the notification of printing completion to the cloud system 30. When the communication unit 311 of the cloud system 30 receives a notification of printing completion from the control server 11, it causes the Web browser 131 to display the notification of printing completion via the Web UI 320. At this time, the Web UI 320 updates the status of the target job data on the job selection screen 1500 to "Waiting for nth reading," which indicates that printing of the nth color-matching printed material has been completed.

[0186] <Step S59> As shown in FIG. 8(c) above, the printing company places the color-matching code printed by the printing machine 20 on top of the color-matching printed material, sets it on the reading tray of the image reading device 12, and performs a reading operation on the image reading device 12.

[0187] <Step S60> The image reading control unit 122 of the image reading device 12 then causes the scanner 710 to execute a process of reading the color matching printed material and the color matching code printed material, and obtains color matching read image data and color matching code read image data.

[0188] <Step S61> Then, the transmission unit 123 of the image reading device 12 transmits the color matching read image data and the color matching code read image data read by the scanner 710 to the cloud system 30 via the communication unit 121. Then, the color matching acquisition unit 306 of the cloud system 30 acquires the color matching read image data and the color matching code read image data read by the image reading device 12 via the communication unit 311.

[0189] <Step S62> The analysis unit 307 of the cloud system 30 decodes and analyzes the job code, which is a color code, and the control code included in the color-matching code read image data acquired by the color-matching acquisition unit 306. The analysis unit 307 then obtains a job ID by decoding the job code, and analyzes that the printed material read together with the color-matching code printed material is a color-matching printed material by decoding the control code.

[0190] <Steps S63 to S65> The color matching acquisition unit 306 registers (stores) the acquired scanned image data for color matching in the storage unit 312 in association with already registered job data indicated by the job ID analyzed by the analysis unit 307 .

[0191] <Step S66> The print result judgment unit 309 of the cloud system 30 calculates the average color difference ΔE between the color matching read image data of the color matching printed material to which the input profile has been applied and the DCP, and judges whether the average color difference ΔE is less than or equal to the target average color difference ΔE.

[0192] <Steps S67 to S69> The print result determination unit 309 registers (stores) the result of the determination (print result) in the storage unit 312 in association with the already registered job data indicated by the job ID analyzed by the analysis unit 307.

[0193] <Step S70> If the print result judgment unit 309 finds that the average color difference ΔE exceeds the target average color difference ΔE (if judgment is NG), the color matching unit 308 of the cloud system 30 generates an input profile for color conversion so that the color of the printed matter printed out based on the job data approaches the color indicated by the DCP, based on an existing or already generated input profile, the read image data for color matching acquired by the color matching acquisition unit 306, and a DCP corresponding to the read image data for color matching. In this case, the color matching unit 308 may generate the input profile by updating the existing input profile.

[0194] <Steps S71 to S73> The color matching unit 308 registers (stores) the generated input profile in the storage unit 312 in association with already registered job data indicated by the job ID analyzed by the analysis unit 307.

[0195] <Steps S74 and S75> The communication unit 311 of the cloud system 30 transmits the input profile generated by the color matching unit 308 to the control server 11. Then, the communication unit 111 of the control server 11 receives the input profile, stores it in the auxiliary storage device 605, and transmits a notification of completion of reception to the cloud system 30.

[0196] <Step S76> The communication unit 311 of the cloud system 30 transmits to the image reading device 12 a notification that the reception of the read image data for color matching and the code read image data for color matching, the determination by the print result determination unit 309, and the generation of the input profile by the color matching unit 308 have been completed. At this time, the Web UI 320 updates the status of the target job data on the job selection screen 1500 to "Waiting for n+1th printing", indicating that the determination of the nth read image data for color matching has become NG and the n+1th printing is waiting. Note that, if the determination by the print result determination unit 309 is OK in step S66, the Web UI 320 updates the status of the target job data on the job selection screen 1500 to "Color matching completed", indicating that the determination of the nth read image data for color matching has become OK and color matching has been completed.

[0197] The above-mentioned processes in steps S51 to S76 are repeated until the print result determining unit 309 determines that the average color difference ΔE is equal to or smaller than the target average color difference ΔE (determined as OK).

[0198] <Step S77> The printing company performs operations for actual printing of the job data for which color matching has been completed via the Web browser 131 of the information terminal 13. Specifically, the printing company first displays the job selection screen 1500 shown in Fig. 21 on the Web browser 131. Then, on the job selection screen 1500, the printing company checks the check box 1502 of the job data for which the status is "color matching completed," and performs the printing operation.

[0199] <Steps S78 and S79> When the print management unit 305 of the cloud system 30 receives a production print instruction including a job ID from the information terminal 13 via the Web UI 320, the print management unit 305 transmits a print instruction for the manuscript file corresponding to the job ID to the control server 11 via the communication unit 311.

[0200] <Step S80> When the print control unit 112 of the control server 11 receives an instruction to print the manuscript file from the cloud system 30 via the communication unit 111, it transmits the instruction to print the manuscript file to the printing machine 20. At this time, the print control unit 112 transmits an instruction to print the manuscript file using the input profile generated by the color matching unit 308 to the printing machine 20.

[0201] <Step S81> When the printer 20 receives an instruction to print the manuscript file from the control server 11, the printer 20 performs a print process on the manuscript file and outputs a printed matter (third printed matter) of the manuscript file that will become a product.

[0202] <Steps S82 to S84> When the printing machine 20 has completed outputting the printed matter of the manuscript file, it transmits a notice of printing completion to the control server 11. When the communication unit 111 of the control server 11 receives the notice of printing completion from the printing machine 20, it transmits the notice of printing completion to the cloud system 30. When the communication unit 311 of the cloud system 30 receives the notice of printing completion from the control server 11, it causes the Web browser 131 to display the notice of printing completion via the Web UI 320. At this time, the Web UI 320 updates the status of the target job data on the job selection screen 1500 to "printing completed" indicating that the actual printing of the printed matter has been completed.

[0203] The color adjustment process is performed by the color adjustment system 1 through the flow of steps S51 to S84 described above. In this manner, the color matching code read image data read by the image reading device 12 from the color matching code printed matter printed out by the printing machine 20 includes a job code, which is a color code, so it is possible to distinguish which job data the color matching read image data of the color matching printed matter corresponds to. Therefore, it is possible to independently carry out the printing process of the color matching printed matter and the reading process of the color matching printed matter.

[0204] As described above, in the color adjustment system 1 according to this embodiment, the job registration unit 301 registers job data for requesting printing of a manuscript file in the storage unit 312, the DCP registration unit 304 registers a DCP in the storage unit 312 in association with the job data, the print management unit 305 applies an input profile corresponding to the job data to the manuscript file of the job data, and causes the printing machine 20 to print out the first printed material (the color-matching printed material 3200 and the color-matching code printed material 3300, or the color-matching printed material 3400) including a job code that identifies the job data, and the color matching acquisition unit 305 acquires the input profile corresponding to the job data. 306 acquires the first read image data (color matching read image data and color matching code read image data, or color matching read image data of the color matching printed matter 3400) of the first printed matter read by the image reading device 12, the analysis unit 307 analyzes which job data the first read image data corresponds to based on the job code included in the first read image data, and the color matching unit 308 generates a new input profile corresponding to the job data based on the DCP, input profile, and manuscript file corresponding to the job data indicated by the job code analyzed by the analysis unit 307. In this way, the color matching code read image data read by the image reading device 12 for the color matching code printed matter printed out from the printing machine 20 includes the job code, which is a color code, so it is possible to distinguish which job data the color matching read image data of the color matching printed matter corresponds to. Therefore, the printing process and the reading process for color matching can be executed independently. For example, after receiving a job order (steps S11 to S17), each of the tasks such as printing a sample code printout (steps S18 to S25), reading the printout sample to create color sample data (steps S26 to S33), printing a color-matching printout (first printout) (steps S51 to S58), reading the color-matching printout and creating a profile (steps S59 to S76) can be performed at different times or by different workers by using a code image (color code, etc.) corresponding to the job data, making the operation of the business flow more flexible.In addition, even if the work timing and workers are different, the use of color codes makes it easier to link the read data to the job and register it, and also reduces errors.

[0205] (Modification) The color adjustment system according to the modified example will be described, focusing on the differences from the color adjustment system 1 according to the above-described embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the operation assuming one printing company will be described. In this modified example, the operation assuming multiple printing companies will be described, in which a printing company that has accepted a job transfers, distributes, and copies the job to different printing companies. Note that the hardware configurations of the printing press, control server, image reading device, information terminal, and cloud system in the color adjustment system according to this modified example, as well as the configurations of the functional blocks of the cloud system, control server, and image reading device, are the same as those described in the above-described embodiment.

[0206] <Function block configuration of color adjustment system> Fig. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration of a color adjustment system according to a modified example. The functional block configuration of a color adjustment system 1a according to this modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 27.

[0207] As shown in Fig. 27, the color adjustment system 1a includes control servers 11A-11C, image reading devices 12A-12C, information terminals 13A-13C, printers 20A-20C, a cloud system 30, and a PC 40. In the configuration of the color adjustment system 1a shown in Fig. 27, the control servers 11A-11C, image reading devices 12A-12C, information terminals 13A-13C, cloud system 30, and PC 40 can communicate with each other via a network N such as the Internet, and the control servers 11A-11C and the printers 20A-20C can communicate with each other via a network such as a LAN. 27, the control server 11A, image reading device 12A, and printing press 20A belong to printing shop A, the control server 11B, image reading device 12B, and printing press 20B belong to printing shop B, and the control server 11C, image reading device 12C, and printing press 20C belong to printing shop C. The information terminals 13A to 13C are information terminals owned by the printing companies of printing shops A to C, respectively, and have Web browsers 131A to 131C (an example of a reception unit) installed therein. The configurations and operations of the functional blocks of the cloud system 30 and the PC 40 are similar to those of the cloud system 30 and the PC 40 of the color adjustment system 1 according to the above-described embodiment.

[0208] In the example of the color adjustment system 1 shown in Fig. 27, three printing bases, printing shops A to C, are shown as printing bases, but the present invention is not limited to this and may include two or four or more printing bases. Also, in Fig. 20, each printing base is shown to have one printing press, but the present invention is not limited to this and may include multiple printing presses.

[0209] 27, the control server 11A has an application 110A installed therein as software for implementing each function. The control server 11A has a communication unit 111A and a print control unit 112A as functional units implemented by the CPU 601 executing the application 110A. Note that the operation of each functional unit of the control server 11A is similar to the operation of each functional unit of the control server 11 in the above-described embodiment.

[0210] 27, an application 110B is installed in the control server 11B as software for implementing each function. The control server 11B has a communication unit 111B and a print control unit 112B as functional units implemented by the CPU 601 executing the application 110B. Note that the operation of each functional unit of the control server 11B is similar to the operation of each functional unit of the control server 11 in the above-described embodiment.

[0211] 27, the control server 11C has an application 110C installed therein as software for implementing each function. The control server 11C has a communication unit 111C and a print control unit 112C as functional units implemented by the CPU 601 executing the application 110C. Note that the operation of each functional unit of the control server 11C is similar to the operation of each functional unit of the control server 11 in the above-described embodiment.

[0212] <Main parts of the color adjustment process in the color adjustment system> FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a job selection screen according to a modified example. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a job transfer screen according to a modified example. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a job allocation screen according to a modified example. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of a job duplication screen according to a modified example. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of a job transfer screen displayed from the job duplication screen according to a modified example. With reference to FIGS. 28 to 32 and the above-mentioned FIGS. 13 and 20, the color adjustment process by the color adjustment system 1a according to this modified example will be described, in particular the operation of transferring, allocating, and copying a job to a different printing company that has accepted the job.

[0213] Here, the description will be given assuming that the printing company that has accepted the job is the printing company of printing shop A. In step S51 in Fig. 20, the printing company of printing shop A that has accepted the job performs an operation to select the job data requested to be printed via the Web browser 131A of the information terminal 13A. Specifically, the printing company causes the Web browser 131 to display a job selection screen 1500a shown in Fig. 28.

[0214] As shown in FIG. 28, job selection screen 1500a includes a job list display area 1501, a pull-down section 1501a, check boxes 1502, a check box for selecting all unregistered samples 1503a, a check box for selecting all color matching completed jobs 1503b, a check box for selecting all waiting to be printed 1503c, a print execution pull-down 1504, a job registration button 1505, a job edit / transfer button 1506, a job allocation button 1507, a job duplication button 1508, and a job deletion button 1509.

[0215] The job list display area 1501a is an area that displays a list of job data for which a print request has been assigned to the print shop (here, print shop A) among the job data registered in the cloud system 30. In addition to the items displayed in the job list display area 1501 shown in FIG. 21 above, the job list display area 1501 also displays items such as whether or not the job has been transferred or assigned to another print shop ("print factory") and whether or not the job has been transferred or assigned to another printer ("printer"). As shown in FIG. 28, the job list display area 1501 not only displays jobs assigned to the print shop (here, print shop A), but also displays a list of jobs that have been assigned, assigned, or duplicated to other print locations.

[0216] The pull-down section 1501a, check box 1502, unregistered sample batch selection check box 1503a, color matching completed batch selection check box 1503b, print waiting batch selection check box 1503c, and print execution pull-down 1504 are as described in the above embodiment, but it is sufficient that these can be selected and operated for job data corresponding to the print shop (here, print shop A).

[0217] The job registration button 1505 is a button for registering job data that the print shop (here, print shop A) has accepted as a separate request. Note that the process when the job registration button 1505 is pressed is similar to the process on the job registration screen 1100 described above.

[0218] The job edit / transfer button 1506 is a button for editing a job selected in the check box 1502 from among the jobs already registered, and for transferring the job to another printing base or another printing machine. The process when the job edit / transfer button 1506 is pressed will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 29.

[0219] The job allocation button 1507 is a button for allocating jobs that have already been registered and that are selected in the check boxes 1502 to each printing location or each printing machine at each printing location. The process performed when the job allocation button 1507 is pressed will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 30.

[0220] The job copy button 1508 is a button for copying a job selected in the check box 1502 from among the jobs already registered, and transferring the job to another printing base or another printing machine. The process when the job copy button 1508 is pressed will be described in detail later with reference to Figs. 31 and 32.

[0221] The job deletion button 1509 is a button for deleting a job selected in the check box 1502 from among the jobs that have already been registered.

[0222] <<Job transfer process>> When the printing company at printing shop A selects the desired job data from the registered job data displayed on the above-mentioned job selection screen 1500a using check box 1502 and then presses job edit / transfer button 1506, Web browser 131A displays job transfer screen 2000 shown in FIG. 29.

[0223] The job transfer screen 2000 is a screen for editing a selected job from among already registered jobs, and transferring the job to another printing base or another printing machine. As shown in Fig. 29, the job transfer screen 2000 includes a job name display area 2001, a paper type selection area 2002, a deadline display area 2003, a number of copies display area 2004, a target color difference display area 2005, a manuscript file display area 2006, a manuscript file name display area 2006a, a download button 2007, a transfer button 2010, a status display area 2011, a base selection button 2012, and a printer selection button 2013.

[0224] The job name display area 2001 is an area for displaying the name of the selected job data, and corresponds to the name of the job data set in the job name input area 1101 of the job registration screen 1100. The paper type selection area 2002 is an area for designating the type of recording medium (paper type such as thin paper or thick paper, or a paper feed tray in which a specific paper type is stored, etc.) to be used when printing the manuscript file included in the selected job data, and corresponds to the type selected in the paper type selection section 1109 of the job registration screen 1100. The deadline date display area 2003 is an area for displaying the deadline date for delivery of the printed matter of the selected job data, and corresponds to the deadline date input section 1108 of the job registration screen 1100. The number of copies display area 2004 is an area for displaying the number of copies to be printed for the manuscript file of the selected job data, and corresponds to the number of copies input area 1103 of the job registration screen 1100. A target color difference display area 2005 is an area that displays the average color difference ΔE that is a target in comparison with the DCP that corresponds to the selected job data, and corresponds to the target color difference input section 1107 of the job registration screen 1100. Note that each of the above-mentioned display areas may be editable for the transfer.

[0225] The functions of the manuscript file display area 2006, manuscript file name display area 2006a, and download button 2007 are similar to those of the manuscript file display area 1606, manuscript file name display area 1606a, and download button 1607 of the job details screen 1600 shown in FIG. 22 above, respectively.

[0226] The base selection button 2012 is a button for selecting another print base to which the job data with the job name "JOB A" displayed on the job transfer screen 2000 is to be transferred. For example, the printing company of print shop A who has accepted the job data can select another print base as the transfer destination by operating the base selection button 2012. The example shown in FIG. 28 shows a state in which print shop B ("factory B"), which is another print base, has been selected as the transfer destination for the job with the job name "JOB A". Note that the selection of a print base using the base selection button 2012 may also be such that the user's own base (here, print shop A) can be selected.

[0227] The printer selection button 2013 is a button for selecting a printing machine to which a job with the job name "JOB A" displayed on the job transfer screen 2000 will be transferred. Here, the printing machines selectable with the printer selection button 2013 are printing machines owned by the printing base selected with the base selection button 2012. The example shown in FIG. 28 shows a state in which a printing machine ("printerB") at print factory B ("factoryB") has been selected as the transfer destination for a job with the job name "JOB A". Note that the selection of a printing machine with the printer selection button 2013 may also be such that a printing machine at the own base (here, print factory A) can be selected.

[0228] The status display section 2011 is an area that displays various statuses such as whether or not the DCP has been registered, whether or not color swatch matching has been performed, whether or not a printing base to which the job will be transferred has been selected, and whether or not a printing press to which the job will be transferred has been selected. In the example shown in Fig. 29, the status display section 2011 displays that the DCP has been registered, color swatch matching has not been performed, a printing base to which the job will be transferred has not been selected, and a printing press to which the job will be transferred has not been selected.

[0229] The transfer button 2010 is a button for setting a printing machine selected by the printer selection button 2013 of a printing base selected by operating the base selection button 2012 as a transfer destination of a job. When the transfer button 2010 is pressed, the Web browser 131A associates the printing base selected by operating the base selection button 2012 and the printing machine selected by operating the printer selection button 2013 with the job data displayed on the job transfer screen 2000 (job data already registered in the storage unit 312), and transmits the associated information to the Web UI 320. Then, the job registration unit 301 of the cloud system 30 acquires the associated information via the Web UI 320, and updates the registration in the storage unit 312. In this case, the Web browser 131A may notify the PC or the like of the printing base selected by the base selection button 2012 that it has been set as a transfer destination.

[0230] The printing company set as the transfer destination of the job (for example, the printing company at printing shop B) can use the DCP associated with the job data in memory unit 312 to perform a series of processes such as color matching, actual printing, and report creation in steps S51 to S84.

[0231] <<Job allocation process>> When a printing company at printing shop A selects the desired job data from the registered job data displayed on the above-mentioned job selection screen 1500a using check box 1502 and then presses job allocation button 1507, Web browser 131A displays job allocation screen 2100 shown in FIG. 30.

[0232] The job allocation screen 2100 is a screen for allocating selected job data from among already registered job data to each printing base or each printing machine at each printing base. As shown in Fig. 30, the job allocation screen 2100 includes a job name display area 2101, a paper type selection area 2102, a deadline display area 2103, a number of copies display area 2104, a target color difference display area 2105, a manuscript file display area 2106, a manuscript file name display area 2106a, a download button 2107, an add allocation destination button 2109, an allocation button 2110, a status display area 2111, and an allocation destination display area 2111a.

[0233] The job name display area 2101 is an area for displaying the name of the selected job data, and corresponds to the name of the job data set in the job name input area 1101 on the job registration screen 1100. The paper type selection area 2102 is an area for designating the type of recording medium (paper type such as thin paper, thick paper, or a paper feed tray in which a specific paper type is stored, etc.) to be used when printing the manuscript file included in the selected job data, and corresponds to the type selected in the paper type selection section 1109 on the job registration screen 1100. The deadline date display area 2103 is an area for displaying the deadline date for delivery of the printed matter of the selected job data, and corresponds to the deadline date input section 1108 on the job registration screen 1100. The number of copies display area 2104 is an area for displaying the number of copies to be printed for the manuscript file of the selected job data, and corresponds to the number of copies input area 1103 on the job registration screen 1100. A target color difference display area 2105 is an area that displays the average color difference ΔE that is a target in comparison with the DCP corresponding to the selected job data, and corresponds to the target color difference input section 1107 of the job registration screen 1100. Note that each of the above-mentioned display areas may be editable for the transfer.

[0234] The functions of the manuscript file display area 2106, manuscript file name display area 2106a, and download button 2107 are similar to those of the manuscript file display area 1606, manuscript file name display area 1606a, and download button 1607 of the job details screen 1600 shown in FIG. 22 above, respectively.

[0235] The add destination button 2109 is a button for selecting a printing base and a printing machine as a destination for job data with the job name "JOB B" displayed on the job allocation screen 2100, as well as the number of copies to be printed. For example, a printing company of printing shop A who has accepted the job data can select a printing base and a printing machine as a destination and select the number of copies to be printed for each printing machine by operating the add destination button 2109. The example shown in FIG. 28 and FIG. 30 shows a state in which, for a job with the job name "JOB B", 100 copies are assigned to the printing machine ("printerA") of the printing base printing shop A ("factoryA"), 100 copies to the printing machine ("printerB") of the printing base printing shop B ("factoryB"), 100 copies to the printing machine ("printerC") of the printing base printing shop C ("factoryC"), and 50 copies to the printing machine ("printerX") of the printing shop C.

[0236] The status display section 2111 is an area that displays the status of whether or not the DCP has been registered. In the example shown in Fig. 30, the status display section 2111 displays that the DCP has been registered.

[0237] The destination display section 2111a is an area that displays the printing base and printing machine to which the job selected by operating the destination addition button 2109 is to be assigned, as well as the number of copies to be printed.

[0238] The distribution button 2110 is a button for setting the printing base and the printing machine selected by the operation of the distribution destination add button 2109 as the distribution destination and for setting the number of copies to be printed by each printing machine. When the distribution button 2110 is pressed, the Web browser 131A associates the printing base and the printing machine selected as the distribution destination by the operation of the distribution destination add button 2109 and the number of copies to be printed by each printing machine with the job data displayed on the job distribution screen 2100 (job data already registered in the storage unit 312), and transmits the associated information to the Web UI 320. Then, the job registration unit 301 of the cloud system 30 acquires the associated information via the Web UI 320 and updates the registration in the storage unit 312. In this case, the Web browser 131A may notify the PC or the like of the printing base selected as the distribution destination by the distribution destination add button 2109 that it has been set as the distribution destination.

[0239] The printing company set as the job allocation destination can execute a series of processes such as color matching, production printing, and report creation in steps S51 to S84 using the DCP associated with the job data in the storage unit 312. This allows the printing bases and printing presses set as the job allocation destinations to execute the jobs in a shared manner. Note that the job list display area 1501 on the job selection screen 1500a may display, for each printing press at each printing base set as the allocation destination, the set number of copies, the number of copies printed, or the ratio of the number of copies printed to the set number of copies, etc.

[0240] <<Job duplication process>> When a printing company at printing shop A selects the desired job data from the registered job data displayed on the above-mentioned job selection screen 1500a using check box 1502 and then presses job duplication button 1508, web browser 131A displays job duplication screen 2200 shown in FIG. 31.

[0241] 31, the job duplication screen 2200 includes a job name input area 2201, a document file designation area 2202, a number of copies input area 2203, a standard selection area 2204, a standard profile 2205, a DCP creation selection area 2206, a target color difference input area 2207, a deadline input area 2208, a paper type selection area 2209, a next button 2211, and a cancel button 2212.

[0242] The job name input area 2201 is an input area for setting the name of the job data to be copied. The manuscript file designation area 2202 is an area for selecting and designating a manuscript file such as a PDF file to be copied. The number of copies input area 2203 is an input area for setting the number of copies to be printed for the manuscript file of the job data to be copied. The standard selection area 2204 is a radio button for selecting to use an input profile (standard input profile) of the ISO standard without creating a DCP. The standard profile designation area 2205 is an area for selecting and designating the standard input profile when the standard selection area 2204 is selected. The DCP creation selection area 2206 is a radio button for selecting to create a DCP. The target color difference input area 2207 is an input area for setting an average color difference ΔE that is a target in comparison with the DCP. The deadline input area 2208 is an input area for setting the deadline for delivery of the printed matter of the job data to be copied. The paper type selection area 2209 is an area for selecting the paper type of paper to be printed on the manuscript file. The next button 2211 is a button for transitioning to the job transfer screen 2000 shown in Fig. 29. The cancel button 2212 is a button for canceling the setting input on the job duplication screen 2200 and returning to the job selection screen 1500a.

[0243] The job data selected on the job selection screen 1500a may be automatically input and displayed in each input area and each selection area of ​​the job duplication screen 2200. However, the number of copies input area 2203 and deadline input area 2208 on the job duplication screen 2200 may be displayed in an empty state instead of being automatically input, and may be newly set for the duplicated job data.

[0244] When the Next button 2211 is pressed, the Web browser 131A displays a job transfer screen 2000 shown in FIG.

[0245] The job transfer screen 2000 shown in FIG. 32 is a screen for transferring the job to be copied to another printing base or another printing machine. The configuration of the job transfer screen 2000 shown in FIG. 32 is the same as the configuration of the job transfer screen 2000 shown in FIG. 29 described above. The job name display area 2001, the paper type selection area 2002, the deadline date display area 2003, the number of copies display area 2004, and the target color difference display area 2005 display the values ​​set and input in the job name input area 2201, the paper type selection section 2209, the deadline date input section 2208, the number of copies input area 2203, and the target color difference input section 2207 of the job copy screen 2200 shown in FIG. 31, respectively. The manuscript file name display area 2006a is assigned the manuscript file of the job selected on the job selection screen 1500a. The DCP displayed in the status display area 2011 is assigned the DCP associated with the job selected on the job selection screen 1500a. The printing location displayed in the status display area 2011 may be automatically set to the printing location that opened the job selection screen 1500a, or may be automatically set to the printing location set in the original job data selected on the job selection screen 1500a. The example shown in Fig. 32 shows a case where a job with a job name "JOB F" is duplicated as a job with a job name "JOB F2".

[0246] When the transfer button 2010 is pressed, the Web browser 131A copies new job data based on the job data selected on the original job selection screen 1500a according to the settings on the job transfer screen 2000 shown in Fig. 32, associates the copied job data with the DCP displayed on the status display section 2011, the print base selected by operating the base selection button 2012, and the printing machine selected by operating the printer selection button 2013, and transmits this associated information to the Web UI 320. Then, the job registration section 301 of the cloud system 30 acquires the associated information via the Web UI 320 and stores it in the storage section 312. In this case, the Web browser 131A may notify the PC or the like of the print base selected by the base selection button 2012 that it has been set as the transfer destination.

[0247] In addition, the duplication of job data using the job duplication screen 2200 in FIG. 31 and the job transfer screen 2000 in FIG. 32 may be performed by setting the duplication and transfer destination as described above for the purpose of additional printing and reprinting after the printing of the original job data (job data with the job name "JOB F") is completed.

[0248] Once the job has been duplicated, the printing company set as the transfer destination can use the DCP associated with the duplicated job in memory unit 312 to perform a series of processes such as color matching, actual printing, and report creation in steps S51 to S84.

[0249] As described above, in the color adjustment system 1a according to this modified example, the Web UI 320 of the cloud system 30 displays a job selection screen 1500a for selecting job data from a list, and a job transfer screen 2000 and a job allocation screen 2100 for selecting a printing base and a printing machine for each printing base as a printing destination of the manuscript file of the job data selected on the job selection screen 1500a. This allows a registered job to be transferred or allocated to a printing machine of another printing base, and for example, if the printing output capacity of the printing base where the job is scheduled to be printed is reduced or printing output is not possible for some reason, the job can be transferred or allocated to another printing base, enabling flexible printing response.

[0250] In the above-mentioned embodiment and modification, when at least any of the functional units of the control servers 11, 11A to 11C, the image reading devices 12, 12A to 12C, and the cloud system 30 is realized by executing a program, the program is provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like. In the above-mentioned embodiment and modification, the programs executed by the control servers 11, 11A to 11C, the image reading devices 12, 12A to 12C, and the cloud system 30 may be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R (Compact Disk-Recordable), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) in the form of an installable or executable file. In the above-mentioned embodiment and modification, the programs executed by the control servers 11, 11A to 11C, the image reading devices 12, 12A to 12C, and the cloud system 30 may be provided by being stored in a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the programs executed by the control servers 11, 11A to 11C, the image reading devices 12, 12A to 12C, and the cloud system 30 may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the programs executed by the control servers 11, 11A to 11C, the image reading devices 12, 12A to 12C, and the cloud system 30 have a modular configuration including at least any one of the above-described functional units, and in terms of actual hardware, the CPUs 601, 701 read out and execute the programs from the above-described storage devices (e.g., the auxiliary storage device 605, the storage device 702, etc.), thereby loading and generating the above-described functional units on the main storage device.

[0251] The aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> a first registration unit that registers job data for requesting printing of a manuscript file in a storage unit; a second registration unit that registers color sample data in the storage unit in association with the job data; a print management unit that applies an input profile corresponding to the job data to the document file of the job data and causes a printing device to print out the document file as a first printed matter including an identification code that identifies the job data; a first acquisition unit that acquires first read image data of the first printed matter read by a reading device; an analysis unit that analyzes which of the job data the identification code corresponds to based on the identification code included in the first read image data; a generating unit that generates a new input profile corresponding to the job data based on the color sample data, the input profile, and the document file corresponding to the job data indicated by the identification code analyzed by the analyzing unit; A color adjustment system having the following features. <2> the print management unit causes a second printed matter including an identification code for identifying the job data registered by the first registration unit to be printed out; a second acquisition unit that acquires second read image data of the second printed matter read by the reading device and print sample read image data of a print sample read together with the second printed matter by the reading device, The analysis unit analyzes, based on an identification code included in the second read image data, which of the job data the second printed matter corresponds to; a first generation unit that generates the color sample data based on the print sample read image data; the second registration unit registers the color sample data created by the first creation unit in the storage unit in association with the job data indicated by the identification code analyzed by the analysis unit. <1> 2 is a color adjustment system according to the present invention. <3> The method further includes the step of: creating the color sample data based on the document file of the job data and a color conversion rule. <1> 2 is a color adjustment system according to the present invention. <4> a reception unit that receives a selection of a method for creating the color sample data in association with the job data when the job data is registered by the first registration unit, The first creation unit creates the color sample data based on the creation method accepted by the acceptance unit. <2> or <3> 2 is a color adjustment system according to the present invention. <5> When the creation method by reading a print sample is selected, the reception unit receives a designation of a representative page of the print sample to be read. <4> 2 is a color adjustment system according to the present invention. <6> The method further includes a determination unit for determining a color difference between the first read image data and the color sample data. <1> ~ <5> 13. The color adjustment system according to claim 12, <7> the generating unit generates a new input profile corresponding to the job data based on the color sample data corresponding to the job data indicated by the identification code included in the first read image data analyzed by the analyzing unit, the input profile, and the document file when the determining unit determines that an abnormality has occurred. <6> 2 is a color adjustment system according to the present invention. <8> when the determination unit determines that the job is normal, the print management unit causes the printing device to print out a third printed material as a product using the input profile used for printing out the first printed material. <6> 2 is a color adjustment system according to the present invention. <9> The method further includes the steps of: <6> ~ <8> 13. The color adjustment system according to claim 12, <10> The identification code is a color code composed of a combination of patches of multiple colors. <1> ~ <9> 13. The color adjustment system according to claim 12, <11> the first printed matter includes, together with the identification code, a control code indicating that the first printed matter is a printed matter printed out from the manuscript file; The analyzing unit analyzes, from the control code, whether or not the printed matter is a printed matter that has been printed out from the manuscript file. <1> ~ <10> 13. The color adjustment system according to claim 12, <12> the second printed matter includes, together with the identification code, a control code indicating that an object read by the reading device together with the second printed matter is the print sample; The analysis unit analyzes, from the control code, whether or not an object read by the reading device together with the second printed material is the print sample. <2> 2 is a color adjustment system according to the first embodiment. <13> The method further includes a display control unit that displays, for each of the job data, a progress status indicating the registration of the color sample data, a printing status of the first printed material, a reading status of the first printed material, and a reading status of the first printed material. <1> ~ <12> 13. The color adjustment system according to claim 12, <14> The method further includes the steps of: displaying details of a judgment result by the judgment unit for each of the job data; <6> ~ <9> 13. The color adjustment system according to claim 12, <15> a reception unit for receiving a selection of a plurality of job data from a job list screen that displays a list of the job data, the print management unit causes the first printed matter, the second printed matter, or the third printed matter as a product to be printed out for the plurality of job data selected by the reception unit. <2> 2 is a color adjustment system according to the first embodiment. <16> a reception unit that receives, from a job list screen that displays a list of the job data, a batch selection of the job data for which the color sample data is not registered by the second registration unit, the print management unit causes the second printout to be printed out for the job data collectively selected by the reception unit. <2> 2 is a color adjustment system according to the first embodiment. <17> a reception unit that receives a batch selection of the job data waiting to be printed out of the first printed material from a job list screen that displays a list of the job data, the print management unit causes the first printout to be printed out for the job data collectively selected by the reception unit. <1> ~ <16> 13. The color adjustment system according to claim 12, <18> a reception unit that receives a batch selection of the job data determined to be normal by the determination unit from a job list screen that displays a list of the job data, the print management unit causes the third printout to be printed out for the job data collectively selected by the reception unit. <8> 2 is a color adjustment system according to the first embodiment. <19> a first registration step of registering job data for requesting printing of a manuscript file in a storage unit; a second registration step of registering color sample data in the storage unit in association with the job data; a printing step of applying an input profile corresponding to the job data to a printing device to print out the document file of the job data as a first printed matter including an identification code for identifying the job data; An acquisition step of acquiring first read image data of the first printed matter read by a reading device; an analyzing step of analyzing which of the job data the identification code corresponds to based on the identification code included in the first read image data; a generating step of generating a new input profile corresponding to the job data based on the color sample data, the input profile, and the document file corresponding to the job data indicated by the analyzed identification code; The color adjustment method has the following features. <20> An identification code for identifying job data for requesting printing of a manuscript file; A control code for identifying the type of printed matter to be read by the reading device; It is a printed matter including. <21> On the computer, a first registration step of registering job data for requesting printing of a manuscript file in a storage unit; a second registration step of registering color sample data in the storage unit in association with the job data; a printing step of applying an input profile corresponding to the job data to a printing device to print out the document file of the job data as a first printed matter including an identification code for identifying the job data; An acquisition step of acquiring first read image data of the first printed matter read by a reading device; an analyzing step of analyzing which of the job data the identification code corresponds to based on the identification code included in the first read image data; a generating step of generating a new input profile corresponding to the job data based on the color sample data, the input profile, and the document file corresponding to the job data indicated by the analyzed identification code; This is a program for executing the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0252] 1. 1a Color Adjustment System 11, 11A~11C Control Server 12, 12A~12C Image reading device 13, 13A~13C Information terminal 20, 20A~20C printing machine 30 Cloud System 40 PC 110, 110A~110C Applications 111, 111A~111C Communication Department 112, 112A to 112C Print control unit 121, 121A~121C Communication Department 122, 122A to 122C Image reading control unit 123, 123A~123A Transmitter 131, 131A~131C Web browser 300 Applications 301 Job Registration Department 302 Color sample acquisition section 303 DCP Creation Department 304 DCP Registration Department 305 Print Management Department 306 Color Matching Acquisition Unit 307 Analysis Department 308 Color Matching Section 309 Print result judgment section 310 Report Writing Department 311 Communications Department 312 Storage section 320 Web UI 401 Web Browser 500 Controller 501 CPU 502 System Memory (MEM-P) 503 Northbridge (NB) 504a South Bridge (SB) 504b Network I / F 504c USB I / F 504d Centronics I / F 505 AGP 506 ASIC 507 Local Memory (MEM-C) 508 Auxiliary storage 510 Operation display section 520 FCU 531 Plotter 532 Scanner 601 CPU 602 ROM 603 RAM 605 Auxiliary storage 606 Recording Media 607 Media Drive 608 Display 609 Network Interface 610 Bus 611 Keyboard 612 Mouse 613 DVD 614 DVD drive 700 Controller 701 CPU 702 Storage device 703 Network I / F 710 Scanner 720 Bus 801 CPU 802 ROM 803 RAM 804 EEPROM 805 Imaging unit 806 Imaging I / F 807 Acceleration and orientation sensor 808 GNSS receiver 809 Bus Line 810 Telecommunications Circuit 810a Antenna 811 Near field communication circuit 811a Antenna 812 Mike 813 Speaker 814 Sound input / output I / F 815 Display 816 External device connection interface 817 Vibrator 818 Touch Panel 1000 Job list screen 1100 Job registration screen 1200 DCP creation method selection screen 1201 Sample reading selection section 1300 DCP setting screen 1400 Color conversion rule specification screen 1450 Job registration completion screen 1500, 1500a Job list screen 1600 Job details screen 1700 Printer setting screen 1800 Color matching judgment details screen 1900 Print Report 2000 Job transfer screen 2100 Job allocation screen 2200 Job duplication screen 3000 print sample 3100 Sample code printout 3101 Job Code 3102 Control Code 3103 Sample Image Section 3200 Printed material for color matching 3300 Color matching code printed matter 3301 Job Code 3302 Control Code 3303 Sample Image Section 3400 Printed material for color matching 3401 Job Code 3402 Control Code A~C Printing shop N Network [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0253] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5733083

Claims

1. a first registration unit that registers job data for requesting printing of a manuscript file in a storage unit; a second registration unit that registers color sample data in the storage unit in association with the job data; a print manager that applies an input profile corresponding to the job data to the document file of the job data and causes a printing device to print out the document file as a first printed matter including an identification code that identifies the job data; a first acquisition unit that acquires first read image data of the first printed matter read by a reading device; an analysis unit that analyzes to determine which of the job data the identification code corresponds to based on the identification code included in the first read image data; a generating unit that generates a new input profile corresponding to the job data based on the color sample data, the input profile, and the document file corresponding to the job data indicated by the identification code analyzed by the analyzing unit; A color adjustment system having

2. the print management unit causes a second printed matter including an identification code for identifying the job data registered by the first registration unit to be printed out; a second acquisition unit that acquires second read image data of the second printed matter read by the reading device and print sample read image data of a print sample read together with the second printed matter by the reading device, The analyzing unit analyzes, based on an identification code included in the second read image data, which of the job data the second printed matter corresponds to; a first creating unit that creates the color sample data based on the print sample read image data, 2. The color adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein the second registration unit registers the color sample data created by the first creation unit in the memory unit in association with the job data indicated by the identification code analyzed by the analysis unit.

3. 2. The color adjustment system according to claim 1, further comprising a first creation unit that creates the color sample data based on the document file of the job data and a color conversion rule.

4. a reception unit that receives a selection of a method for creating the color sample data in association with the job data when the job data is registered by the first registration unit, The color adjustment system according to claim 2 , wherein the first generating unit generates the color sample data based on the generating method accepted by the accepting unit.

5. The color adjustment system according to claim 4 , wherein, when the creation method by reading a print sample is selected, the reception unit receives a designation of a representative page of the print sample to be read.

6. 4. The color adjustment system according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that performs a determination on a color difference between the first read image data and the color sample data.

7. 7. The color adjustment system according to claim 6, wherein when the determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred, the generation unit generates a new input profile corresponding to the job data based on the color sample data corresponding to the job data indicated by the identification code included in the first read image data analyzed by the analysis unit, the input profile, and the document file.

8. The color adjustment system according to claim 6, wherein when the judgment unit judges the document file of the job data to be normal, the printing management unit causes the printing device to print out a third printed material as a product using the input profile used to print out the first printed material.

9. The color adjustment system according to claim 6 , further comprising a second creation unit that creates a print report including a result of the determination by the determination unit.

10. 4. The color adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein the identification code is a color code composed of a combination of patches of a plurality of colors.

11. the first printed matter includes, together with the identification code, a control code indicating that the first printed matter is a printed matter printed out from the document file; 4. The color adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein the analysis section analyzes, from the control code, whether or not the printed matter is one that has been printed out from the document file.

12. the second printed matter includes, together with the identification code, a control code indicating that an object read by the reading device together with the second printed matter is the print sample; The color adjustment system according to claim 2 , wherein the analysis unit analyzes, from the control code, whether or not the object read by the reading device together with the second printed material is the print sample.

13. The color adjustment system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a display control unit that displays, for each of the job data, a progress status indicating the registration of the color sample data, the printing status of the first printed material, the reading status of the first printed material, and the reading status of the first printed material.

14. The color adjustment system according to claim 6 , further comprising a display control unit that displays details of the judgment results made by said judgment unit for each of said job data.

15. a reception unit for receiving a selection of a plurality of job data from a job list screen that displays a list of the job data, The color adjustment system according to claim 2 , wherein the print management unit causes the first printed matter, the second printed matter, or a third printed matter as a product to be printed out for the plurality of job data selected by the reception unit.

16. a reception unit that receives, from a job list screen that displays a list of the job data, a batch selection of the job data for which the color sample data is not registered by the second registration unit, The color adjustment system according to claim 2 , wherein the print management unit causes the second printout to be printed out for the job data collectively selected by the reception unit.

17. a reception unit that receives a batch selection of the job data waiting to be printed out of the first printed material from a job list screen that displays a list of the job data, 4. The color adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein the print management unit causes the first printout to be printed out for the job data collectively selected by the reception unit.

18. a reception unit that receives a batch selection of the job data determined to be normal by the determination unit from a job list screen that displays a list of the job data, The color adjustment system according to claim 8 , wherein the print management unit causes the third printed matter to be printed out for the job data collectively selected by the reception unit.

19. a first registration step of registering job data for requesting printing of a manuscript file in a storage unit; a second registration step of registering color sample data in the storage unit in association with the job data; a printing step of causing a printing device to print out the document file of the job data as a first printed matter including an identification code for identifying the job data by applying an input profile corresponding to the job data; an acquiring step of acquiring first read image data of the first printed matter read by a reading device; an analyzing step of analyzing which of the job data the identification code corresponds to based on the identification code included in the first read image data; a generating step of generating a new input profile corresponding to the job data based on the color sample data, the input profile, and the document file corresponding to the job data indicated by the analyzed identification code; The color adjustment method includes the steps of:

20. An identification code for identifying job data for requesting printing of a manuscript file; A control code for identifying the type of printed matter to be read by the reading device; Printed materials including.

21. On the computer, a first registration step of registering job data for requesting printing of a manuscript file in a storage unit; a second registration step of registering color sample data in the storage unit in association with the job data; a printing step of causing a printing device to print out the document file of the job data as a first printed matter including an identification code for identifying the job data by applying an input profile corresponding to the job data; an acquiring step of acquiring first read image data of the first printed matter read by a reading device; an analyzing step of analyzing which of the job data the identification code corresponds to based on the identification code included in the first read image data; a generating step of generating a new input profile corresponding to the job data based on the color sample data, the input profile, and the document file corresponding to the job data indicated by the analyzed identification code; A program for executing the above.

Images