Information processing device, method of controlling the same, and program

Abstract

To resolve inconvenience by eliminating the need for switching between holding an input device, such as a mouse, and a colorimeter every time color of each row of a color chart is measured.SOLUTION: The present invention enables automatic determination as to which row was measured just by measuring color of a color chart with a colorimeter without using an input device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for measuring the color of a color chart. [Background technology]

[0002] Color management is carried out on commercial printed materials such as catalogs and pamphlets before printing. Color management includes, for example, color verification, which measures the color chart output by the printing device and compares the actual output results (colorimetric values) with a set target (reference value). In addition, calibration is carried out to adjust colors and color shifts when color verification determines that there is a color shift or when the color does not come out as expected in color printing.

[0003] In color verification, the color chart output from the image forming device is measured with a colorimeter to measure the color output status of the image forming device. A color chart is a printed material on which multiple color patches are arranged and the ink / toner mixture conditions of each color such as CMYK and each pattern of line thickness are compiled in order to check the printing condition of the image forming device. For example, a user measures the color patches of the color chart one line at a time.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a method of notifying a user when color patches arranged in the same row are being collectively measured, if the user makes an operational error and color patches in other rows are also measured. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-152552 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Conventionally, when measuring a color chart, the user would select which row or column to measure on the screen using an input device such as a mouse, and then switch to the colorimeter to measure the selected row. This requires the user to switch between the colorimeter and the input device every time they want to measure the color, which is poor usability.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a highly usable color measuring method for a color chart. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A program for causing a computer of an information processing device to execute a control method, the control method comprising: a first acquisition step of acquiring reference values ​​of patches of a color chart and information on the layout of the patches; a second acquisition step of acquiring colorimetric values ​​obtained by a colorimeter measuring the color chart; and an identification step of identifying a row of the color chart that has been measured by a user based on the reference values ​​of the patches and the information on the layout of the patches acquired in the first acquisition step and the colorimetric values ​​acquired in the second acquisition step. Effect of the Invention

[0009] This enables highly user-friendly color measurement of color charts. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an entire system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] Hardware configuration diagram of an information processing device according to a first embodiment [Diagram 3] Functional block diagram of the system according to the first embodiment [Figure 4] Example of a measurement screen in the first embodiment [Diagram 5] Example of setting values ​​in the first embodiment [Figure 6] Example of color chart in the first embodiment [Figure 7] Example of measured values ​​in the first embodiment [Figure 8] Example of measurement results in the first embodiment [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart showing a flow of row determination in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] Example of color chart in the second embodiment [Figure 11] Flowchart for acquiring setting values ​​in the second embodiment [Figure 12] Example of measured values ​​in the third embodiment [Figure 13] Flowchart for identifying measurement values ​​in the third embodiment [Figure 14] Flowchart for checking distinction patches in the fourth embodiment [Figure 15] Flowchart for checking a special patch in the fifth embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Color management can be broadly divided into the steps of printing a color chart with an image forming device, measuring the color of the printed color chart with a colorimeter, comparing the colorimetric values ​​obtained by colorimetric measurement with reference values, and color processing (calibration, etc.). The present invention is intended to be used in the colorimetric portion of the color chart. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the means of solving the problems of the invention.

[0012] Example 1 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a system including a computer according to the present embodiment. It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a single device or a system consisting of multiple devices, as long as the functions of the present invention can be executed. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a system in which devices are connected via a network such as a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN) and processes are performed between each other.

[0013] The system is roughly divided into a color measurement system 101 and a color management system 103 , which are connected to each other via the Internet 100 .

[0014] The color measurement system 101 is configured with an information processing device 102 and a colorimeter 107. The color measurement system 101 is assumed to have an on-premise configuration. However, as long as the present invention can be realized, a cloud configuration may also be used. The information processing device 102 is a device that communicates with the colorimeter 107 and executes processing related to color measurement. The colorimeter 107 is a device that measures the color of a color chart and may be a manual colorimeter or an automatic colorimeter.

[0015] In the color management system 103, an information processing device 104 and an image forming device 106 are mutually connected via a network 105. An application running on the information processing device 104 is mainly called a print controller, and controls the image forming device 106. The image forming device 106 is controlled under the control of a group of programs running on the information processing device 104, processes print settings and print data received from the information processing device 104, and outputs printed matter. The following description will be given assuming that the information processing device shown above is a computer (PC), but it may be another information processing device such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0016] Color verification is performed in the system shown here. Specifically, the user sets the reference values ​​for colorimetry, the image forming device on which color verification will be performed, various settings for colorimetry, etc. Next, the user instructs the image forming device to print a color chart. The settings shown above are reflected in the color chart printed here. Next, the user measures the output color chart using a colorimeter 107. The color management system 104 verifies the color output of the image forming device by comparing the values ​​obtained by colorimetry with the set reference values. If there is a large difference between the measured color values ​​and the reference values, an error is notified and the user performs tasks such as calibrating the image forming device.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the information processing devices 102 and 104. As shown in FIG.

[0018] In the figure, a CPU 201 executes an operating system (OS) or general application programs stored in a ROM 203 or loaded from a HDD 212 to a RAM 202. The RAM 202 functions as a main memory, a work area, etc. for the CPU 201. A USB controller 205 has a role of receiving instructions to the colorimeter 107 and colorimetric values ​​from the colorimeter 107. A keyboard controller (KBC) 206 controls inputs from a keyboard (KB) 210 and a pointing device (not shown). A display controller (CRTC) 207 controls the display of a display unit (CRT) 211. A disk controller (DKC) 208 has a function of communicating with a HDD 212 that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, etc. A network controller (NIC) 213 is connected to a network and executes communication control processing with other devices connected to the network. A bus 204 connects the CPU 201, the RAM 202, the ROM 203, and various controllers, and transfers data signals and control signals.

[0019] In the case of a mobile phone, a touch panel controller or the like may be provided instead of the keyboard controller (KBC) 206. Furthermore, the internal configuration of the network controller 213 differs depending on whether the device is compatible with a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, or both. However, these differences due to the internal configuration are hidden within the network controller (NIC) 213, and the other modules shown in the figure are configured to be equivalent and capable of controlling the system.

[0020] 3 is a functional block diagram of the system according to the present embodiment. The information processing device 102 includes a colorimetry processing control unit 300, a line determination unit 301, a colorimetry value acquisition unit 302, and a storage unit 303, and the information processing device 104 includes a colorimetry screen unit 304, a color management unit 305, a storage unit 306, and a color chart generation unit 307, but is not limited to this configuration. Each functional unit operates when the CPU 201 executes a program stored in the ROM 203 or HDD 212.

[0021] A color measurement processing control unit 300 communicates with a color management unit 305 via a color measurement screen unit 304, and controls various types of color measurement processing.

[0022] The row determination unit 301 receives setting values ​​and colorimetric values ​​from the colorimetry processing control unit 300, and determines which row in the color chart the colorimetric values ​​correspond to. Although details will be described later, the setting values ​​include reference values ​​for each patch of the color chart, and information such as the number of pages, number of rows, and number of columns of the color chart. The setting values ​​may be stored in the storage unit 303, or may be stored in the storage unit 306 and acquired via the colorimetry screen unit 304. The row determination unit 301 may be configured to be included in the information processing device 104.

[0023] A colorimetric value acquisition unit 302 communicates with the colorimetric device 107 , issues colorimetric measurement instructions to the colorimetric device 107 , and receives colorimetric values ​​from the colorimetric device 107 .

[0024] The storage unit 303 holds setting values ​​necessary for color measurement processing.

[0025] The color measurement screen unit 304 provides a screen related to color measurement of a color chart using the colorimeter 107. For example, it provides an image that imitates a color chart, a screen that shows which parts of the color chart have been measured, a screen that shows the results of the color measurement, etc. The information processing device 102 displays the screen provided by the color measurement screen unit 304 using a Web browser.

[0026] A color management unit 305 manages processes relating to color management, such as calibration and profile creation, performed by the information processing device 104. It also prints color charts necessary for color management in the image forming device 106. The storage unit 306 holds the setting values ​​of the color management unit 305 .

[0027] A color chart generation unit 307 generates a color chart in response to an instruction from a color management unit 305. Information on the generated color chart (reference values ​​for each patch, and the number of pages, rows, and columns of the color chart) is stored in storage units 303 and 306 and is used when performing color verification.

[0028] 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a color measurement screen provided by the color measurement screen unit 304 and displayed on the information processing device 102. The color measurement screen 400 is an example of a remote user interface of a print controller that operates on the information processing device 104. It is possible to open the color measurement screen 400 by specifying the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the print controller in a browser.

[0029] The color measurement screen 400 is composed of a color chart color measurement status 401 , a scan instruction 404 , a color measurement status 405 , a send button 406 , and a cancel button 407 .

[0030] Color chart color measurement status 401 displays an image simulating a color chart and an icon according to the color measurement status of each row. For example, there is a color-measured icon 402 and an unmeasured icon 403. As shown here, the color chart is composed of color patches of a predetermined number of rows and columns, and each color patch is composed of a different color.

[0031] Immediately after starting color measurement of the color chart, all rows have not yet been measured, and so an unmeasured icon 403 is displayed. When color measurement of a specific row is completed, the status becomes measured, and the display changes from the unmeasured icon 403 to a measured icon 403. If the same row is measured multiple times, the measured icon 403 remains displayed, and the number of times color measurement has been performed in the color measurement status 405 described below increases.

[0032] The scan instruction 404 indicates to the user that a predetermined row of the color chart is to be measured by sliding the colorimeter 107 on the color chart output by the image forming apparatus 106. A bar is displayed indicating that the colorimeter 107 is to be moved from right to left or left to right on the predetermined row.

[0033] Color measurement status 405 displays the number of times color measurement has been performed and the color measurement status for each row of the color chart. For example, the color chart in Fig. 6 is composed of four rows: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. For example, when the Black row is measured, the number of times color measurement has been performed for the Black row increases. Furthermore, when a row that shows a display indicating that color measurement has not been performed (e.g., waiting for scan) is measured, the display for the corresponding row changes to a display indicating that color measurement has been performed (Scanned).

[0034] When the send button 406 is pressed, the colorimetry process is completed and the colorimetry results are sent to the color management unit 305 . When the cancel button 407 is pressed, the color measurement process is stopped.

[0035] 5 shows an example of setting values ​​used in color measurement processing. The setting values ​​include the reference value of each patch of the color chart, and information on the number of pages, number of rows, and number of columns of the color chart. The setting values ​​are uniquely determined by the user selecting the color chart to be used, selecting the image forming device, setting the color measurement, etc. The setting values ​​are stored in, for example, the storage unit 303 or 306, and are acquired by the user's selection.

[0036] A reference numeral 500 denotes a setting value. This setting value corresponds to a color chart 600 shown in Fig. 6, and includes data necessary for color measurement processing.

[0037] Reference numeral 501 denotes metadata of a color chart. The metadata of a color chart is, for example, the name of the color chart, the color standard specification of the color chart, the name of the printer that printed the color chart, and the name of the paper that was used to print the color chart. 502 indicates the size of the color chart in terms of height and width. 503 is the number of copies of the color chart. 504 is the page number of the color chart. 505 is the number of columns in one page of the color chart. 506 is the number of lines in one page of the color chart.

[0038] In this embodiment, the arrangement of patches indicated by the number of columns 505 and the number of rows 506 is called a patch layout. It is possible to grasp the arrangement (layout) of patches on the color chart from the number of columns 505 and the number of rows 506.

[0039] Reference value 507 is the reference value of each color patch in one page of the color chart. If the color chart has multiple pages, there are multiple reference values ​​507. When initializing the color measurement process, the reference values ​​507 are arranged according to the number of rows 505 and the number of columns 506 to create a matrix as shown in the table below. Here, an example is shown in which the first page of the color chart has a 4×4 patch layout, and the second page also has a 4×4 patch layout. The values ​​of each cell are represented, for example, in a configuration of (black value, yellow value, magenta value, cyan value), but are not limited to this. They may also be represented in other forms, such as RGB values.

[0040] [Table 1]

[0041] [Table 2]

[0042] Furthermore, the reference values ​​507 are grouped for each certain range. For example, the reference values ​​507 are grouped such that the value increases by 2 as the column increases, such as 3, 5, and 7 (first page of the color chart), and grouped such as 15, 20, and 25 (second page of the color chart). In this embodiment, for example, a value of 7 in the first row, fourth column of the first page of the color chart is increased to 15 in the first row of the second page, and the value is increased by 8 between groups. By providing groups of reference values ​​whose values ​​increase at intervals of a predetermined value in this way, even if, for example, the color output of the image forming apparatus becomes lighter overall and the color measurement value of one color patch becomes smaller than the reference value, it is possible to know which row it is, since the interval between the color measurement values ​​of the multiple color patches constituting one row is a predetermined value. In addition, since different values ​​are used as intervals in different groups, it is also possible to distinguish between groups.

[0043] Numeral 508 indicates various values ​​of the color measurement mode. The color measurement mode includes values ​​such as mFactor set in the colorimeter 107, illuminant, field of view, model of the colorimeter, and mFactor assumed by the reference value. Note that mFactor is a standard of the ISO (International Organization For Standardization) and indicates the measurement lighting conditions.

[0044] FIG. 6 is an example of a color chart. Reference numeral 600 denotes a color chart generated by the information processing device 104 and printed by the image forming device 106. The color chart 600 is composed of four rows (601, 602, 603, 604). Row 601 is a row using only cyan, row 602 is a row using only magenta, row 603 is a row using only yellow, and row 604 is a row using only black. By using one of the color components of CMYK in rows 601 to 604, each row can be reliably distinguished from the others. Each row is composed of a color that gradually becomes darker toward the right. Here, each row is composed of 21 columns, but to simplify the explanation, the explanation will be given assuming that each row is composed of four columns as described above.

[0045] 7 shows an example of measurement values ​​acquired by measuring an arbitrary row of a color chart with the colorimeter 107. The colorimetric values ​​are acquired by the colorimetric value acquisition unit 302 and notified to the color management unit 305. When the colorimeter 107 measures the color of a predetermined row of the color chart, the colorimeter 107 acquires colorimetric values ​​for each color patch that makes up the row of the read color chart. The colorimetric values ​​are returned to the colorimetric value acquisition unit 302 as data in any one of the formats RGB, CMYK, or LAB. The colorimetric value acquisition unit 302 then creates colorimetric values ​​as shown in FIG. 7. Here, colorimetric values ​​corresponding to four color patches that make up one row are shown.

[0046] 8 shows an example of a colorimetry result generated by the colorimetry process control unit 300 when a line that has been measured is identified by the line determination unit 301. The colorimetry result 800 includes information indicating whether the colorimetry result was successful or unsuccessful, whether the line determination was successful, the colorimetry value, the colorimetry direction, and the line number. The colorimetry result is determined to be successful, for example, if the difference between the colorimetry value and the reference value is within a predetermined range, and is determined to be unsuccessful if it is not within the predetermined range. The colorimetry result 800 is notified to the color management unit 305.

[0047] 9 is a flow chart showing the flow from color measurement of a color chart to row determination. After a color chart required for color management processing such as color verification and calibration is printed, this flow chart starts when a user issues an instruction to start color measurement on a screen (not shown). The following processing is executed by the CPU 201.

[0048] In S900, the color management unit 305 identifies a color chart required for color management. For example, if it is desired to perform color verification targeting an industry standard color standard such as FOGRA or GRACOL, a color chart of the specified color standard is identified. Information on the identified color chart is notified to the colorimetry processing control unit 300 via the colorimetry screen unit 304. After the user sets various settings for color verification, a print instruction is issued, and a color chart reflecting the various settings is printed by the image forming apparatus 106. In S900, information on the color chart printed here is identified.

[0049] In S901, the color measurement process control unit 300 acquires setting values ​​corresponding to the color chart specified in S900, as shown in FIG.

[0050] In S902, the color measurement processing control unit 300 acquires a patch layout from the setting values ​​acquired in S901.

[0051] In S903, the color measurement process control unit 300 arranges the reference values ​​included in the setting values ​​based on the patch layout, and creates a matrix of reference values. That is, the matrix shown by 507 in FIG. 5 is created here.

[0052] In S904, the user measures a predetermined row of the printed color chart using a colorimeter, and the color measurement value acquisition unit 302 acquires the color measurement values of each patch arranged in one row of the color chart. At this time, the color measurement value acquisition unit 302 sets the settings necessary for color measurement (for example, the color measurement mode) included in the set value acquired in S901 in the colorimeter 107. Then, when the color measurement of the row by the user is completed, the color measurement value measured by the colorimeter 107 is acquired. The user slides a predetermined row of the color chart while pressing a predetermined button provided on the colorimeter to measure the color patches, and when the color measurement of the predetermined row is completed, the user stops pressing the predetermined button. It can also be determined that the color patches measured while the user is pressing the predetermined button constitute one row of the color chart. Also, it is assumed that one color measurement value can be acquired from one color patch.

[0053] In S905, the color measurement process control unit 300 compares the number of color measurement values acquired in S904 with the number of columns of the matrix created in S903.

[0054] In S906, if the number of color measurement values matches the number of columns, the color measurement process control unit 300 proceeds to S907, and if they do not match, it proceeds to S910. In the examples of FIGS. 5 and 7, since the number of color measurement values acquired in S904 is 4 and the number of columns of the matrix created in S903 is 4, it is determined that the numbers match.

[0055] In S907, the row determination unit 301 compares the colorimetric values ​​acquired in S904 with each row of the matrix of reference values ​​created in S903. Specifically, when one row is composed of four columns, there are four color patches. The acquired colorimetric values ​​are compared with each row of the matrix of reference values, such as the reference value of the first color patch with the first colorimetric value, and the reference value of the second color patch with the second colorimetric value, to identify the row of the reference value that is close to the colorimetric value. For example, the difference between the reference value and the colorimetric value is obtained for each row. Then, the row with the smallest total difference is determined to be the row measured by the user. A tolerance may be set in advance, and a row in which the difference between the colorimetric value of each color patch and the reference value is within the tolerance may be determined to be the row measured by the user, or a row in which the total difference between the colorimetric value of the entire row and the reference value is within the tolerance may be determined to be the row measured by the user. This tolerance may be configured to be variably set by the user. The method of identifying the row here is merely an example, and any other configuration may be used as long as it is possible to automatically determine the row whose color has been measured by the user.

[0056] In the above row determination, the row that best matches after all columns of one row are measured is determined to be the row that the user measured, but the row may be determined in the middle of measuring one row. For example, in the case of a color chart as shown in FIG. 6, the colors used in each row are clearly different, so it is possible to determine which row of the color chart has been measured at the time of measuring the first column. If it is not possible to determine the row using only the color measurement value of the first column, the row may be determined using the color measurement values ​​up to a specified column. In the case of a configuration in which the row is determined in the middle of color measurement, a warning may be issued to the user if the user measures a different row in the middle due to an operation error. In addition, since the user does not necessarily measure the color chart from left to right, but may also measure the color chart from right to left, a configuration may be used in which the color measurement value and the reference value are compared in reverse correspondence, such as the first color measurement value and the fourth reference value, and the second color measurement value and the third reference value, taking this into consideration. This comparison can also determine in which direction the user measured the color chart.

[0057] In S908, the color measurement process control unit 300 determines whether a row can be specified by comparing the color measurement value with the reference value by the row determination unit 301. If a row can be specified, the process proceeds to S909. If a row cannot be specified, the process proceeds to S910. For example, if the difference between the color measurement value and the reference value is within the allowable value, it is determined that the row has been specified. If it is not within the allowable value, it is determined that the row cannot be specified.

[0058] In S909, the color measurement process control unit 300 transmits the color measurement value acquired in S904, the row number of the row specified in S908, and the color measurement result information indicating the color measurement direction to the color management unit 305 via the color measurement screen unit 304. That is, the information shown in FIG. 8 is transmitted here. When the color measurement result information is transmitted, on the screen shown in FIG. 4, a measured color icon 402 is displayed in the corresponding row. And in the color measurement status 405, the display indicates that the color measurement status is measured. Also, when the same row is color-measured multiple times, the number of color measurements in the color measurement status 405 increases. When the color measurement process is completed, the color management system 103 provides a screen for reporting the result of color verification.

[0059] In S910, the color measurement process control unit 300 returns an error in row determination to the color measurement screen 304. The row determination error is displayed on the color measurement screen unit 304. A display indicating that row determination could not be made or a display indicating that the number of color measurement values does not match the number of columns of the color chart may be made. If a row with a high possibility of being color-measured can be specified by the comparison in S907, the configuration may be such that the display of that row is changed.

[0060] With the above configuration, the row of the color chart that the user has measured can be automatically determined without the user selecting or instructing it. Conventionally, when a user measures a specific row of a color chart, the user first selects the row to be measured on the color measurement screen with an input device such as a mouse. Then, the user switches from the mouse to a colorimeter to measure the selected row. This requires switching between the mouse and the colorimeter every time a row is measured, which is poor usability. With the configuration of this embodiment, even if the user measures a specific row of the color chart with a colorimeter without operating an input device, the row that has been measured is automatically identified, so the user does not need to select the row to be measured with a mouse or the like. In other words, the user can freely measure the color chart without complicated operations. For example, the user may start measuring the color from any row of the color chart, and may measure the color chart not only from left to right but also from left to right, and may measure the same row any number of times. Regardless of the type of color measurement performed, the row that has been measured can be automatically identified and the color measurement value can be appropriately recognized.

[0061] Example 2 In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the setting values ​​including the reference value and the patch layout are acquired from the storage unit 303 of the information processing device 102. However, there are cases in which the reference value and the patch layout are desired to be different depending on the image forming device performing the color verification and the situation in which the color verification is performed. There are also use cases in which the color management system creates a unique patch layout using the same reference value. The reason for adopting a unique layout is, for example, to improve the ease of color measurement by a colorimeter by making the patch size larger than the color standard. In addition, the arrangement of the patches is changed to make it easier to inspect color unevenness by arranging similar colors on both ends of the paper, and to make it easier to inspect the color gradation by arranging similar colors like a gradation.

[0062] Therefore, in the second embodiment, the present invention will be described using an example in which setting values ​​including reference values ​​and patch layouts are obtained from a color management system. That is, an example in which appropriate color charts and setting values ​​are generated according to a use case, and colorimetry and row determination are performed will be described. The basic configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, so only the differences will be described.

[0063] FIG. 10 is an example of a color chart that is generated and stored by the color management system 103. The color chart 1000 complies with the color standard IDEAlliance ISO 12647-7 Control Wedge 2011, but has its own layout. 1001 indicates the order of color measurement, and 1002 indicates points to note when measuring color. In the color chart 1000, as shown in 1003, the patch size is larger than that of the color chart of the color standard formula. This is to prevent users from misreading the rows when measuring the colors manually. Furthermore, in the color chart 1000, different colors are randomly arranged in each row. In some cases, a patch layout is used in which one of the CMYK colors is assigned to each row to make it easier to distinguish the rows, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0064] Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing the flow of acquiring setting values ​​from the color management system, measuring the color chart, and determining rows. As in the first embodiment, this flow chart starts when a user issues an instruction to start measuring the color on a screen (not shown). The basic configuration of the process of this flow chart is the same as that of the flow chart of Fig. 9, so only the differences are shown.

[0065] In S1100, the color chart generation unit 307 generates color chart data and setting values ​​including reference values ​​and patch layouts. When performing paper calibration, when creating a profile targeting a color standard, when performing color verification, etc., a color chart and setting values ​​are generated according to the purpose.

[0066] In step S1101 , the color measurement processing control unit 300 receives a connection request from the color management system 103 .

[0067] In S1102, after communication with the color management system 103 is established, the color measurement processing control unit 300 acquires the setting values ​​generated in S1100 from the color management system 103.

[0068] With the above configuration, it is possible to create appropriate color charts and setting values ​​depending on the image forming apparatus and use case, and to use them to perform color verification and automatic determination of the measured lines.

[0069] Example 3 In the first embodiment, an example was described in which only one colorimetric value can be obtained from the colorimeter 107 for one color patch. However, some recent colorimeters can return multiple colorimetric values ​​with one read. This is due to the function of the colorimeter to obtain multiple colorimetric values ​​while changing the light source of mFactor during reading. Therefore, in the third embodiment, a configuration will be described in which, in a case in which multiple colorimetric values ​​can be obtained from the colorimeter 107 for one color patch, an appropriate colorimetric value is identified and then a row is determined. The basic configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, so only the differences are shown.

[0070] Fig. 12 is an example of colorimetric values ​​acquired from the colorimetric device 107. As in Fig. 7, when a user measures the color of a row of a color chart with the colorimetric device 107, the colorimetric data is passed from the colorimetric device 107 to the colorimetric value acquisition unit 302, which then creates the colorimetric values.

[0071] Colorimetric value 1200 is made up of three colorimetric values. Colorimetric value 1201 is the colorimetric value when mFactor is M0. Colorimetric value 1202 is the colorimetric value when mFactor is M1. Colorimetric value 1203 is the colorimetric value when mFactor is M2. In other words, three measurement lighting conditions are set, and colorimetric values ​​are obtained under each condition.

[0072] Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of line determination from colorimetry of a color chart when multiple colorimetry values ​​can be obtained from a colorimeter. The basic configuration of the process of this flowchart is the same as that of the flowchart of Fig. 9, so only the differences are shown. This flowchart shows the process when the setting value of Fig. 5 (for example, colorimetry mode 508) is specified to obtain multiple colorimetry values ​​from the colorimeter 107.

[0073] In S1300, the colorimetry processing control unit 300 checks the colorimetry mode of the colorimeter 107 and determines whether or not the mode is one in which multiple colorimetry values ​​are returned. If the mode is one in which multiple colorimetry values ​​are returned for one color patch, the process proceeds to S1301, and if the mode is one in which multiple colorimetry values ​​are not returned, the process proceeds to S907.

[0074] In S1301, the color measurement process control unit 300 acquires mFactor that is assumed as the reference value from the setting value.

[0075] In S1302, the colorimetric processing control unit 300 specifies a colorimetric value to be used for row determination processing from among a plurality of colorimetric values ​​based on the mFactor assumed by the reference value. For example, when the mFactor assumed by the reference value is M0, only the colorimetric value corresponding to M0 is extracted from the acquired colorimetric values ​​and used for row determination.

[0076] In S1303 , the colorimetry processing control unit 300 returns the multiple colorimetry values, the line number, and the colorimetry direction acquired from the colorimeter 107 to the color management unit 305 via the colorimetry screen 304 .

[0077] With the above configuration, even if multiple colorimetric values ​​can be obtained from a colorimeter for one color patch, it is possible to identify which row of the color chart has been measured by identifying the colorimetric value to be used for row determination from among the multiple colorimetric values.

[0078] Example 4 In the first embodiment, an example was described in which similar colors are arranged in each row of a color chart as shown in Fig. 6. However, when different colors are randomly arranged in each patch as in the color chart of Fig. 10, it may be difficult to clearly distinguish the rows as in Fig. 6. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, a row determination process will be described when the patches of the color chart are randomly arranged. The basic configuration of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, so only the differences will be shown.

[0079] When the patches are randomly arranged, the color chart generating unit 307 arranges one or more patches among the patches arranged in each row of the color chart as a patch for distinguishing the row in the row. The patch for distinguishing the row is sufficient if it can distinguish the row, and for example, a color that does not overlap between rows is adopted from the colors used in the entire color chart. By arranging a row-specific patch for uniquely distinguishing such a row in each row and reading the patch, it is possible to clearly and uniquely identify the row even if the color patches are arranged randomly. Although it is possible to determine the row with the configuration of the first embodiment even if the color patches are arranged randomly, the accuracy can be further improved by providing a patch for uniquely distinguishing the row.

[0080] Fig. 14 is a flow chart showing the flow of line determination when a patch for distinguishing the lines is applied within each line of the color chart. As in the first embodiment, this flow chart starts when a user issues an instruction to start color measurement on a screen (not shown). The basic configuration of the process of this flow chart is the same as that of the flow chart of Fig. 9, so only the differences are shown.

[0081] In S1400, the color chart generating unit 307 arranges one or more patches that can uniquely identify a row in each row when arranging patches in the rows that make up the color chart. The reference values ​​of the one or more patches that can uniquely identify a row are stored in the storage unit and are used when determining the row.

[0082] In S1401, the row determination unit 301 compares the reference value with the color measurement value. At this time, the reference value and the color measurement value of the patch for distinguishing rows are compared to identify the row measured by the user. For example, if the difference between the patch and the color measurement value for uniquely identifying the row is within the allowable range, the row can be identified. For example, where the patch for distinguishing rows is arranged in a row may be described in the set value.

[0083] With the above configuration, even when the patches of the color chart are randomly arranged, by arranging patches for distinguishing rows in each row, it is possible to clearly identify which row of the color chart has been color-measured. (Example 5) In Example 1, an example in which colors of the same color system are arranged in each row of the color chart was described. However, when different color system colors are randomly arranged in each patch as in the color chart of FIG. 10, it may be difficult to clearly distinguish rows. Also, even when arranging colors of the same color system, if the image forming apparatus has not been adjusted, there is a possibility of incorrect row determination. Therefore, in this Example 5, an example will be described in which patches for distinguishing rows are arranged at both ends of each row, and the rows are determined by reading the patches. Since the basic configuration of Example 5 is the same as that of Example 1, only the differences are shown.

[0084] For example, in the color charts illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 10, patches for the purpose of discriminating rows are arranged at both ends of each row. The patches use colors not used in the color chart. And different colors are used in each row. Also, different colors may be specified at both ends to distinguish the start and end of row reading. Then, by passing the start patch and the end patch indicating start and end arranged at both ends of each row to the row determination unit 301, the row determination unit 301 can identify the patches and can determine the rows.

[0085] Fig. 15 is a flow chart showing the flow of line determination when patches for distinguishing the lines are arranged at both ends of each line of the color chart. As in the first embodiment, this flow chart starts when a user issues an instruction to start color measurement on a screen (not shown). The basic configuration of the process of this flow chart is the same as that of the flow chart of Fig. 9, so only the differences are shown.

[0086] In S1500, the color chart generating unit 307 places a start patch and an end patch for identifying each line on both ends of the line constituting the color chart. The reference values ​​of the start patch and the end patch are stored in the storage unit and are used for determining the line.

[0087] In S1501, the colorimetric value acquisition unit 302 reads one of the patches for distinguishing rows that are arranged on both ends of a row. When one of the patches on both ends is read, the patch is regarded as the start patch and reading of the row is started.

[0088] In S1502, the colorimetric value acquisition unit 302 reads one of the patches for distinguishing rows that is arranged on both ends of the row. When the other of the patches on both ends is read, the patch is regarded as the end patch, and reading of the row is considered to be completed.

[0089] In S1503, the line determination unit 301 checks the patches read in S1501 and S1502 and identifies the line.

[0090] By placing patches at both ends of each row to distinguish them, it is possible to identify which row of the color chart has been measured. (Other embodiments) It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which one or more of each of the first to fifth embodiments described above are combined.

[0091] A recording medium on which the program code of the software for realizing the above-mentioned functions is recorded may be supplied to the system or device, and the computer (CPU, MPU) of the system or device may read and execute the program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium will realize the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments, and the storage medium on which the program code is stored will constitute the above-mentioned device.

[0092] Examples of storage media for supplying the program code include flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, and DVDs.

[0093] In addition, the above-mentioned functions may be realized not only by the computer executing the read program code, but also by the OS running on the computer performing all or part of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code. OS is an abbreviation for Operating System.

[0094] Furthermore, the program code read from the storage medium may be written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and a CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit may perform part or all of the actual processing based on instructions in the program code to realize the above-mentioned functions.

[0095] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0096] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs.

[0097] (Configuration 1) A program for causing a computer of an information processing device to execute a control method, The control method includes: a first acquisition step of acquiring reference values ​​of patches of a color chart and information on the layout of the patches; a second acquisition step of acquiring color measurement values ​​obtained by measuring the color chart with a colorimeter; and a specification step of specifying a row of a color chart that has been measured by a user based on the reference values ​​of the patches and patch layout information acquired in the first acquisition step and the colorimetric values ​​acquired in the second acquisition step.

[0098] (Configuration 2) The program according to configuration 1, further comprising a display control step of displaying the line identified in the identifying step so that the line can be identified by a user.

[0099] (Configuration 3) 3. The program according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein patches are arranged in each row in the color chart so that the row can be uniquely identified.

[0100] (Configuration 4) 4. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein a patch for uniquely identifying a row in the color chart is arranged in each row.

[0101] (Configuration 5) The program described in any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the identification step identifies the row of the color chart measured by the user by comparing the reference value of the patch acquired in the first acquisition step with the color measurement value acquired in the second acquisition step.

[0102] (Configuration 6) The program described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that color verification is performed by comparing the reference value of the patch acquired in the first acquisition process with the colorimetric value acquired in the second acquisition process.

[0103] (Configuration 7) 7. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the specifying step further specifies a direction in which the user measures the color of the color chart.

[0104] (Configuration 8) The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the layout information includes the number of rows and the number of columns.

[0105] (Configuration 9) 9. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, further comprising a notification step of notifying an error if the row cannot be identified in the identification step.

[0106] (Configuration 10) The program described in any one of configurations 1 to 9, characterized in that in the identification process, if multiple colorimetric values ​​are acquired for one patch in the second acquisition process, a colorimetric value to be used is selected from the multiple colorimetric values, and a row is identified.

[0107] (Configuration 11) 11. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized in that in the color chart, patches are arranged using different color components for each row from four components of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

[0108] (Method 1) A method for controlling an information processing device, comprising: a first acquisition step of acquiring reference values ​​of patches of a color chart and information on the layout of the patches; a second acquisition step of acquiring color measurement values ​​obtained by measuring the color chart with a colorimeter; and an identification step of identifying a row of a color chart that has been measured by a user based on the reference values ​​of the patches and patch layout information acquired in the first acquisition step and the colorimetric values ​​acquired in the second acquisition step.

[0109] (device 1) An information processing device, A first acquisition means for acquiring reference values ​​of patches of a color chart and information on the layout of the patches; A second acquisition means for acquiring color measurement values ​​obtained by measuring the color chart with a colorimeter; and an identification means for identifying a row of a color chart that has been measured by a user based on the reference value of the patch and information on the layout of the patch acquired by the first acquisition means and the colorimetric value acquired by the second acquisition means.

Claims

1. A program for causing a computer of an information processing device to execute a control method, The control method includes: a first acquisition step of acquiring reference values ​​of patches of a color chart and information on the layout of the patches; a second acquisition step of acquiring color measurement values ​​obtained by measuring the color chart with a colorimeter; and a specification step of specifying a row of a color chart that has been measured by a user based on the reference value of the patch and information on the layout of the patch acquired in the first acquisition step and the colorimetric value acquired in the second acquisition step.

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, further comprising a display control step of displaying the line identified in said identifying step in a manner that allows a user to identify the line.

3. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein patches are arranged in each row in the color chart so that the row can be uniquely identified.

4. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein a patch for uniquely identifying a row in the color chart is arranged in each row.

5. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the identification step identifies the row of the color chart measured by the user by comparing the reference value of the patch acquired in the first acquisition step with the color measurement value acquired in the second acquisition step.

6. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein color verification is performed by comparing a reference value of the patch acquired in the first acquisition step with the colorimetric value acquired in the second acquisition step.

7. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the specifying step further specifies a direction in which the user measures the color of the color chart.

8. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the layout information includes the number of rows and the number of columns.

9. 2. The program according to claim 1, further comprising a notification step of notifying an error if the row cannot be identified in the identification step.

10. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that in the identification step, when multiple colorimetric values ​​are acquired for one patch in the second acquisition step, a colorimetric value to be used is selected from the multiple colorimetric values, and a row is identified.

11. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein in the color chart, patches are arranged using a different color component for each row from four components of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

12. A method for controlling an information processing device, comprising: a first acquisition step of acquiring reference values ​​of patches of a color chart and information on the layout of the patches; a second acquisition step of acquiring color measurement values ​​obtained by measuring the color chart with a colorimeter; and an identification step of identifying a row of a color chart that has been measured by a user based on the reference values ​​of the patches and patch layout information acquired in the first acquisition step and the colorimetric values ​​acquired in the second acquisition step.

13. An information processing device, A first acquisition means for acquiring reference values ​​of patches of a color chart and information on the layout of the patches; A second acquisition means for acquiring color measurement values ​​obtained by measuring the color chart with a colorimeter; and an identification means for identifying a row of a color chart that has been measured by a user based on the reference value of the patch and information on the layout of the patch acquired by the first acquisition means and the colorimetric value acquired by the second acquisition means.

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