Color chart generation device and color chart generation method

Abstract

To facilitate selection of a color patch indicating a color desired by a user from a color chart having the plurality of color patches.SOLUTION: A color chart generation device 100 is the device for generating a color chart CT1 having a plurality of color patches P1. The color chart generation device 100 includes: a generation section 113 for generating the color chart CT1 where the plurality of color patches P1 are aligned along a coordinate in a predetermined color space S1; and a hue information imparting section 117 for imparting hue information C10 corresponding to the alignment of the color patches P1 to the color chart CT1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a color chart generation device and a color chart generation method. Specifically, the present invention relates to a color chart generation device that generates a color chart having a plurality of color patches, and a color chart generation method for generating the color chart.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image processing apparatus that generates image data of a color chart including color patches of a plurality of colors. The image processing apparatus includes a setting unit that sets a measurement value of a specified color as a reference color, and an image data generation unit that generates image data of the color chart.

[0003] The image data generation unit arranges a plurality of color patches so that the plurality of color patches are two-dimensionally arranged around the reference color set by the setting unit. At this time, image data composed of pixel values calculated so that the color difference in the uniform color space is equally spaced is generated for adjacent color patches in the same row or the same column.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in the color chart disclosed in Patent Document 1, a plurality of color patches showing similar colors are arranged so as to be two-dimensionally adjacent to each other. Therefore, it has been difficult for the user to find a color patch showing a desired color from a plurality of color patches by looking at the color chart.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object thereof is to provide a color chart generation device and a color chart generation method capable of generating a color chart from which a user can easily select a color patch showing a desired color from a color chart having a plurality of color patches.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The color chart generation device according to the present invention is a color chart generation device that generates a color chart having a plurality of color patches. The color chart generation device includes a generation unit that generates the color chart in which the plurality of color patches are arranged along coordinates in a predetermined color space, and a hue information adding unit that adds hue information corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of color patches to the color chart.

[0008] The color chart generation method according to the present invention is a color chart generation method that generates a color chart having a plurality of color patches. The color chart generation method includes a generation step of generating the color chart in which the plurality of color patches are arranged along coordinates in a predetermined color space, and a hue information adding step of adding hue information corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of color patches to the color chart.

[0009] According to the color chart generation device and the color chart generation method, the user can visually understand the relationship between the arrangement of the plurality of color patches and the hue by looking at the hue information. Therefore, by looking at the hue information, it is possible to easily select a color patch showing a desired color from the plurality of color patches.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a color chart generation device and a color chart generation method capable of generating a color chart from which a user can easily select a color patch showing a desired color from a color chart having a plurality of color patches.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described here are not intended to particularly limit the present invention. Also, members and parts having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a printing system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes a printer 10 and a color chart generation device 100. In the printing system 1, a color chart CT1 (see FIG. 6), which will be described later, is generated by the color chart generation device 100. The color chart CT1 generated by the color chart generation device 100 is transmitted to the printer 10, and the printer 10 prints the color chart CT1.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 is communicably connected to the color chart generation device 100. In the present embodiment, the printer 10 and the color chart generation device 100 are connected to the Internet 200 and can communicate with each other via the Internet 200. The number of printers 10 and the number of color chart generation devices 100 included in the printing system 1 are not particularly limited, and each may be one or a plurality. Hereinafter, the printer 10 and the color chart generation device 100 will be described in order.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a front view of the printer 10. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 10 taken along the III-III cross-section of FIG. 2. In the drawings, the reference signs F, Rr, L, R, U, and D indicate the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the printer 10, respectively. The reference sign Y in the drawings indicates the main scanning direction, and the reference sign X indicates the sub-scanning direction. In the present embodiment, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The sub-scanning direction X intersects (here, is orthogonal to) the main scanning direction Y in a plan view and is, for example, the front-rear direction. However, these directions are merely defined for convenience and should not be interpreted restrictively.

[0016] Printer 10 is a so-called inkjet printer. However, the printing method of printer 10 is not limited to the inkjet method, and it may be, for example, a dot impact printer, a laser printer, or a thermal printer. Printer 10 is a so-called roll-to-roll type printer, and is configured to move the medium 5 supported by the support base 18 (see FIG. 2) in the sub-scanning direction X without moving the support base 18 in the sub-scanning direction X. However, printer 10 may be a so-called flatbed type printer, and may be configured to move the medium 5 in the sub-scanning direction X by moving the support base 18 in the sub-scanning direction X. Further, printer 10 may be a so-called gantry type printer, and the medium 5 itself supported by the support base 18 may not be moved, and the ink head 35 (see FIG. 3) described later may move in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, printer 10 performs printing on medium 5. The type of medium 5 is not particularly limited. For example, medium 5 is a roll-shaped recording paper, so-called roll paper.

[0018] Printer 10 includes a printer main body 11, a support base 18, a guide rail 20, a carriage 22, a medium conveyance mechanism 25, a head movement mechanism 30, an ink head 35 (see FIG. 3), and a control device 70.

[0019] Printer main body 11 extends in the main scanning direction Y. Legs 12 are provided on printer main body 11. Legs 12 support printer main body 11 and extend downward from printer main body 11. In FIG. 3, the illustration of legs 12 is omitted.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, an operation panel 13 is provided on the printer main body 11. The operation panel 13 is for the user to perform operations related to printing. The operation panel 13 has a display screen 14 on which information about various settings of the printer 10 and the like is displayed, and operation keys 15. The user can, for example, display information about various settings on the display screen 14 or determine the information about various settings by operating the operation keys 15. In the present embodiment, the operation keys 15 are constituted by physical buttons, but may be realized by, for example, a touch panel provided on the display screen 14.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the support base 18 supports the medium 5. Printing is performed on the medium 5 with the medium 5 supported by the support base 18. Here, the medium 5 is placed on the upper surface of the support base 18. The upper surface of the support base 18 extends in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the guide rail 20 is disposed above the support base 18 and extends in the main scanning direction Y. A carriage 22 is engaged with the guide rail 20. The carriage 22 is provided slidably with respect to the guide rail 20. The carriage 22 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 20.

[0023] The medium conveyance mechanism 25 is a mechanism that conveys the medium 5 supported by the support base 18 in the sub-scanning direction X. In the present embodiment, the medium conveyance mechanism 25 includes a pinch roller 26, a grit roller 27, and a feed motor 28. The pinch roller 26 is provided above the support base 18 and below the guide rail 20, and presses the medium 5 from above as shown in FIG. 3. The grit roller 27 is a cylindrical member provided on the support base 18. Here, the grit roller 27 is embedded in the support base 18 with its upper surface portion exposed. The grit roller 27 faces the pinch roller 26. As shown in FIG. 2, the grit roller 27 is connected to the feed motor 28. In FIG. 2, two pinch rollers 26 are arranged, but actually, a plurality of pinch rollers 26 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y. Also, in FIG. 2, two grit rollers 27 are arranged, but actually, a plurality of grit rollers 27 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y so as to be arranged below the pinch rollers 26. The plurality of grit rollers 27 are provided and connected to a shaft (not shown) extending in the main scanning direction Y, for example. The feed motor 28 is connected to one of the plurality of grit rollers 27 or to the above-mentioned shaft.

[0024] Here, the feed motor 28 is driven with the medium 5 sandwiched between the pinch roller 26 and the grit roller 27. By driving the feed motor 28, the shaft and the plurality of grit rollers 27 rotate, and the medium 5 supported by the support base 18 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0025] The head movement mechanism 30 is a mechanism that moves the carriage 22 and the ink head 35 (see FIG. 3) in the main scanning direction Y. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the head movement mechanism 30 includes left and right pulleys 31a, 31b, a belt 32, and a head motor 33. The left pulley 31a is provided around the left end of the guide rail 20. The right pulley 31b is provided around the right end of the guide rail 20. The belt 32 is an endless belt and is wound around the left and right pulleys 31a, 31b. The carriage 22 is attached to the belt 32. Here, the head motor 33 is connected to the right pulley 31b. When the head motor 33 is driven, the right pulley 31b rotates and the belt 32 runs. As a result, the carriage 22 and the ink head 35 move in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 20.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the ink head 35 is provided on the carriage 22. The ink head 35 is supported by the carriage 22 so that its bottom surface is exposed. The number of ink heads 35 is not particularly limited. For example, a plurality of ink heads 35 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y. Although not shown, a plurality of nozzles are formed on the bottom surface of the ink head 35. Ink is ejected from the nozzles. The ink ejected from the ink head 35 is, for example, process color ink or special color ink. The process color ink includes cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, black ink, and the like. The special color ink is ink of a color other than the process color ink, such as white ink, clear ink, and the like.

[0027] The control device 70 shown in FIG. 2 is a device that performs control related to printing. The control device 70 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited. For example, it includes an interface (I / F) for receiving print data and the like from an external device such as a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program, a read only memory (ROM) that stores the program executed by the CPU, a random access memory (RAM) used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as a memory that stores the above program and various data. Here, the control device 70 is provided inside the printer main body 11. However, the control device 70 does not necessarily have to be provided inside the printer main body 11. For example, the control device 70 may be installed outside the printer main body 11 and may be a computer or the like that is communicably connected to a control board (not shown) provided in the printer 10 via wire or wirelessly.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 70 is communicably connected to an operation panel 13 (specifically, a display screen 14 and operation keys 15), a medium conveyance mechanism 25 (specifically, a feed motor 28), a head movement mechanism 30 (specifically, a head motor 33), and an ink head 35. The control device 70 is configured or programmed to be able to control the operation panel 13, the medium conveyance mechanism 25, the head movement mechanism 30, and the ink head 35.

[0029] The configuration of the printer 10 has been described above. Next, the color chart generation device 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The color chart generation device 100 is a device that generates a color chart CT1 (see FIG. 6). The color chart CT1 generated by the color chart generation device 100 is so-called image data. The image data of the color chart CT1 generated by the color chart generation device 100 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the color chart CT1) is transmitted to the printer 10. The printer 10 prints the color chart CT1 on the medium 5 supported by the support base 18 along the color chart CT1 transmitted by the color chart generation device 100.

[0030] In the present embodiment, the color chart generation device 100 is configured separately from the printer 10. Here, the color chart generation device 100 is realized by an information processing device such as a computer (for example, a desktop type or a notebook type computer) installed outside the printer main body 11 of the printer 10. However, the color chart generation device 100 may be realized by a portable terminal such as a so-called smartphone or a tablet terminal. The computer that realizes the color chart generation device 100 may be a dedicated computer for the printer 10 or a so-called general-purpose computer. Note that the color chart generation device 100 may be provided inside the printer main body 11 or may be integrated with the printer 10 (specifically, the control device 70).

[0031] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the color chart generation device 100 includes a device display screen 101, a device operation mechanism 102, and a device control device 103. The type of the device display screen 101 is not particularly limited. For example, it may be a display of a desktop type or a notebook type computer, or a screen of a tablet terminal. The type of the device operation mechanism 102 is also not particularly limited. The device operation mechanism 102 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse of a computer. However, the device operation mechanism 102 may be a touch panel provided on the device display screen 101.

[0032] The device control device 103 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but it includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage device, and the like. The device control device 103 is communicably connected to the device display screen 101 and the device operation mechanism 102. Further, the device control device 103 is communicably connected to the control device 70 of the printer 10 via the Internet 200 (see FIG. 1).

[0033] In this embodiment, an application for generating the color chart CT1 is installed in the device control device 103. The user operates the device operation mechanism 102 to start the application and display it on the device display screen 101, and operates the application. By doing so, the color chart CT1 can be generated.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the color space S1. FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9 are diagrams showing the color chart CT1 when the position of the central patch P2 is in the first quadrant Q1, the second quadrant Q2, the third quadrant Q3, and the fourth quadrant Q4 of the color space S1, respectively. Next, the color chart CT1 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 will be described. The color chart CT1 is used when the user specifies a desired color. Based on the information of the color desired by the user specified by this color chart CT1, color adjustment is performed when printing is performed by the printer 10.

[0035] The color chart CT1 is generated based on a predetermined color space S1 (see FIG. 5). The type of the predetermined color space S1 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, as the color space S1, L * a * b * color space is used. However, the color space S1 may be, for example, L * C * h color space, Hunter Lab color space, Munsell color system, XYZ (Yxy) color system, or the like.

[0036] Here, as shown in FIG. 5, as the color space S1, L * a * b * The a of the color space * axis (hereinafter also referred to as the a * axis.) and the axis indicating b * axis (hereinafter also referred to as the b * axis.) will be described for the color chart CT1 based on the space shown. Here, the a * axis is an example of the first axis, and the b * axis is an example of the second axis. The a * axis and the b * axis intersect (orthogonally here). In the present embodiment, the direction in which the a * axis extends is referred to as the first direction D1. The direction in which the b * axis extends is referred to as the second direction D2. In the present embodiment, the value of L * in the color chart CT1 is constant.

[0037] In the color space S1, a * and b * indicate the direction of the hue of the color. Here, +a * indicates the red direction, and -a * indicates the green direction. +b * indicates the yellow direction, and -b * indicates the blue direction. Here, the larger the numerical value (for example, the absolute value), the more vivid the color. For example, when the absolute value increases in -a * , it indicates vivid green. In the color space S1, the hue angle is determined by the value of a * and the value of b * . The hue is uniquely determined by this hue angle.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the color space S1 is divided into a plurality of quadrants. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the color space S1 is divided into a first quadrant Q1, a second quadrant Q2, a third quadrant Q3, and a fourth quadrant Q4. The first quadrant Q1 is located in the upper right of FIG. 5, +a * and +b *It is a part of the color space S1 shown by. The first quadrant Q1 is a quadrant indicated by the red direction and the yellow direction, and is a quadrant including colors represented by red and yellow. The second quadrant Q2 is located in the upper left of FIG. 5, -a * and is a part of the color space S1 shown by +b*. The second quadrant Q2 is a quadrant indicated by the green direction and the yellow direction, and is a quadrant including colors represented by green and yellow. The third quadrant Q3 is located in the lower left of FIG. 5, -a * and -b * and is a part of the color space S1 shown by. The third quadrant Q3 is a quadrant indicated by the green direction and the blue direction, and is a quadrant including colors represented by green and blue. The fourth quadrant Q4 is located in the lower right of FIG. 5, +a * and -b * and is a part of the color space S1 shown by. The fourth quadrant Q4 is a quadrant indicated by the red direction and the blue direction, and is a quadrant including colors represented by red and blue.

[0039] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the color chart CT1 has a plurality of color patches P1. The color patch P1 indicates a color. The plurality of color patches P1 each indicate a different color. The color of the color patch P1 is a color value (for example, a * and b * values) that represents coordinates in the color space S1 of FIG. 5. Therefore, the plurality of color patches P1 are arranged along the relationship of the color values indicating the coordinates in the color space S1. Here, the direction in which the plurality of color patches P1 are arranged is not particularly limited. Here, the plurality of color patches P1 are arranged along the a * axis and the b * axis shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of color patches P1 are arranged in a matrix. For example, a part of the plurality of color patches P1 is arranged along the first direction D1 which is the direction in which the a * axis extends. Also, another part of the plurality of color patches P1 is arranged along the second direction D2 which is the direction in which the b * axis extends.

[0040] In this embodiment, the number of color patches P1 arranged along the first direction D1 is five, but it is not particularly limited. Similarly, the number of color patches P1 arranged along the second direction D2 is five, but it is not particularly limited. Here, the number of color patches P1 arranged along the first direction D1 and the number of color patches P1 arranged along the second direction D2 are the same, but they may also be different. In this embodiment, since the number of color patches P1 is arranged in a matrix of five in the first direction D1 and five in the second direction D2, the number is 25. However, the number of color patches P1 is not particularly limited and is determined according to the number of color patches P1 arranged in the first direction D1 and the number of color patches P1 arranged in the second direction D2. In this embodiment, the shape of the color patch P1 is rectangular (for example, square or rectangular), but it is not particularly limited.

[0041] In this embodiment, when the user views the color chart CT1, in order to make it easier to understand the hue direction of the colors of the plurality of arranged color patches P1, as shown in FIG. 6, hue information C10 is given to the color chart CT1. The hue information C10 is information regarding the hue of the colors corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of color patches P1. Here, the hue information C10 includes information regarding the hue direction of the colors along the first direction D1 and information regarding the hue direction of the colors along the second direction D2 in the color chart CT1. Here, the information regarding the hue direction of the colors refers to information indicating which color tone becomes stronger (or weaker) as it goes in which direction.

[0042] The hue information C10 has first hue information C11 and second hue information C12. The first hue information C11 is information regarding the hue of the colors along the a * axis (here, the axis extending in the first direction D1). The first hue information C11 includes information regarding the hue direction of the colors along the first direction D1. The second hue information C12 is the b of the color space S1 *It is information regarding the hue of a color along an axis (here, an axis extending in the second direction D2). The second hue information C12 includes information regarding the direction of the hue of the color along the second direction D2.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the hue information C10 includes a hue name C20 and a hue arrow C30. The hue name C20 is the name of the hue in the direction of the hue of the color when a plurality of color patches P1 are arranged. The hue name C20 is, for example, the name of the 24 hues that divide the color wheel into 24 equal parts. However, the hue name C20 may be, for example, the name of the 12 hues when the color wheel is divided into 12 equal parts. Here, the hue name C20 is the name of the hue indicating the four psychological primary colors of Hering. The four psychological primary colors of Hering include red, blue, yellow, and green.

[0044] As in the present embodiment, a * axis and b * In the case of the color chart CT1 in the color space S1 indicated by the two axes of the axis, as shown in FIG. 6, the hue name C20 has a first hue name C21 indicating the hue name of the a * axis and a second hue name C22 indicating the hue name of the b * axis. The first hue name C21 is the name of the hue in the direction of the hue of the color along the first direction D1. The second hue name C22 is the name of the hue in the direction of the hue of the color along the second direction D2. Here, the first hue name C21 is included in the first hue information C11. The second hue name C22 is included in the second hue information C12.

[0045] The hue arrow C30 is paired with the hue name C20. The hue arrow C30 indicates the direction of the hue indicated by the hue name C20. Along the direction indicated by the hue arrow C30, the degree of chroma is indicated. For example, along the direction indicated by the hue arrow C30, it is shown that the chroma of the color indicated by the paired hue name C20 becomes stronger. However, along the direction indicated by the hue arrow C30, it may be shown that the chroma of the color indicated by the hue name C20 becomes weaker.

[0046] As in the present embodiment, a * axis and b* In the case of the color chart CT1 in the color space S1 shown by two axes of the axis, as shown in FIG. 6, the hue arrow C30 is a * the first hue arrow C31 indicating the hue direction of the a-axis, and b * the second hue arrow C32 indicating the hue direction of the b-axis. The first hue arrow C31 is paired with the first hue name C21. The first hue arrow C31 is included in the first hue information C11, like the first hue name C21. The first hue arrow C31 indicates the hue direction of the color indicated by the first hue name C21. Here, the first hue arrow C31 is a * an arrow extending along the axis and extending in the first direction D1. The second hue arrow C32 is paired with the second hue name C22. The second hue arrow C32 is included in the second hue information C12, like the second hue name C22. The second hue arrow C32 indicates the hue direction of the color indicated by the second hue name C22. In the present embodiment, the second hue arrow C32 is b * an arrow extending along the axis and an arrow extending in the second direction D2. The second hue arrow C32 intersects (here, is orthogonal to) the first hue arrow C31. Here, the first hue arrow C31 and the second hue arrow C32 are provided on the color chart CT1 so that the starting point of the first hue arrow C31 and the starting point of the second hue arrow C32 coincide with each other.

[0047] In the present embodiment, among the plurality of color patches P1 arranged in the color chart CT1, the color patch P1 arranged at the center is referred to as the center patch P2. Here, the information given to the color chart CT1 as the hue information C10 is determined according to the position of the color (hereinafter, also referred to as the center color C60) indicated by the center patch P2 with respect to the color space S1 (hereinafter, also referred to as the position of the center patch P2). In other words, the content of the hue information C10 given to the color chart CT1 is determined according to the hue angle of the color indicated by the center patch P2 (hereinafter, also referred to as the hue angle of the center patch P2). The hue angle of the center patch P2 here means a * the value of and b * the hue angle determined by the value of.

[0048] In the following description, the hue angle of the central patch P2 can be read as the position of the central patch P2. For example, when the hue angle of the central patch P2 is within the first quadrant Q1 of the color space S1 in FIG. 5, as shown in FIG. 6, in the hue information C10, the first hue name C21 is +a * indicates red, and the first hue arrow C31 is a * in the positive direction of the a * axis, which is the right direction of the first direction D1 along the a * axis in FIG. 6. At this time, the second hue name C22 is +b * indicates yellow, and the second hue arrow C32 is b * in the positive direction of the b * axis, which is the upward direction of the second direction D2 along the b * axis in FIG. 6. For example, when the hue angle of the central patch P2 is within the second quadrant Q2 of the color space S1 in FIG. 5, as shown in FIG. 7, in the hue information C10, the first hue name C21 is -a * indicates green, and the first hue arrow C31 is a * in the negative direction of the a

[0049] axis (in FIG. 7, the left direction of the first direction D1). At this time, the second hue name C22 is +b * indicates yellow, and the second hue arrow C32 is b * in the positive direction of the b * axis (in FIG. 7, the upward direction). * For example, when the hue angle of the central patch P2 is within the third quadrant Q3 of the color space S1 in FIG. 5, as shown in FIG. 8, in the hue information C10, the first hue name C21 is -a * indicates green, and the first hue arrow C31 is a * in the negative direction of the a * axis (in FIG. 8, the left direction). At this time, the second hue name C22 is -b * indicates blue, and the second hue arrow C32 is b * in the negative direction of the b * axis (in FIG. 8, the downward direction of the second direction D2). Also, for example, when the hue angle of the central patch P2 is within the fourth quadrant Q4 of the color space S1 in FIG. 5, as shown in FIG. 9, in the hue information C10, the first hue name C21 is +a * indicates red, and the first hue arrow C31 is a * in the positive direction of the a * axis (in FIG. 9, the right direction). At this time, the second hue name C22 is -b * axis (in FIG. 9, the downward direction).

[0049] becomes blue as shown, and the second hue arrow C32 points in the negative direction of the b * axis (downward in FIG. 9). As described above, based on the position of the central patch P2 in the color space S1, the content of the hue information C10 (in other words, the first hue information C11 and the second hue information C12) is determined.

[0050] The position of the color chart CT1 to which the hue information C10 is assigned is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the position of the hue information C10 with respect to the color chart CT1 is determined according to the hue angle of the central patch P2. Here, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, in the color chart CT1, * the first hue information C11 is assigned to the side where the absolute value of a is small, and the second hue information C12 is assigned to the side where the absolute value of b* is small. In other words, in the color chart CT1, the first hue information C11 is assigned to the starting point side of the first hue arrow C31, and the second hue information C12 is assigned to the starting point side of the second hue arrow C32.

[0051] For example, when the hue angle of the central patch P2 is within the first quadrant Q1 of the color space S1 in FIG. 5, the hue information C10 is assigned to the side where the absolute value of +a * and the absolute value of +b * are small, i.e., the lower left side in FIG. 6. When the hue angle of the central patch P2 is within the second quadrant Q2 of the color space S1 in FIG. 5, the hue information C10 is assigned to the side where the absolute value of -a * and the absolute value of +b * are small, i.e., the lower right side in FIG. 7. When the hue angle of the central patch P2 is within the third quadrant Q3 of the color space S1 in FIG. 5, the hue information C10 is assigned to the side where the absolute value of -a * and the absolute value of -b * are small, i.e., the upper right side in FIG. 8. Also, when the hue angle of the central patch P2 is within the fourth quadrant Q4 of the color space S1 in FIG. 5, the hue information C10 is assigned to the side where the absolute value of +a * and the absolute value of -b * are small, i.e., the upper left side in FIG. 9.

[0052] Next, the color chart generation method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10. The color chart generation method is a method for generating a color chart CT1 having a plurality of color patches P1 (see, for example, FIG. 6). In the present embodiment, the color chart generation method is implemented by a color chart generation device 100 (see FIG. 1), which is an example of an information processing device in the printing system 1.

[0053] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the color chart generation device 100 (specifically, the device control device 103) includes a storage unit 110, a designated color acquisition unit 111, a generation unit 113, a central color acquisition unit 115, and a hue information imparting unit 117 in order to implement the color chart generation method. Each unit of the device control device 103 of the color chart generation device 100 may be realized by one or a plurality of processors or may be realized by a circuit.

[0054] In the color chart generation method, first, the designated color acquisition step S101 in FIG. 10 is executed. The designated color acquisition step S101 is implemented by the designated color acquisition unit 111 (see FIG. 4) of the color chart generation device 100. In the designated color acquisition step S101, the designated color acquisition unit 111 acquires the designated color C50 designated by the user. The specific method for acquiring this designated color C50 is not particularly limited. For example, on the device display screen 101 (see FIG. 4) of the color chart generation device 100, there is a color space S1 as shown in FIG. 5 (for example, L * a * b *A color space) is displayed. At this time, the user operates the device operation mechanism 102 to select a color from the color space S1 displayed on the device display screen 101. For example, the user clicks the mouse to select the color on the color space S1 indicated by the pointer on the device display screen 101. The color selected in this way becomes the specified color C50. In addition, for example, a color chart CT1 prepared in advance (for example, the color chart CT1 generated last time) is displayed on the device display screen 101, and the user may select one color patch P1 of the color chart CT1 via the device operation mechanism 102. In this case, the color indicated by the selected color patch P1 may become the specified color C50.

[0055] The specified color acquisition unit 111 acquires the specified color C50 specified by the user in this way. Note that the information regarding the specified color C50 acquired by the specified color acquisition unit 111 is stored in the storage unit 110 of FIG. 4.

[0056] Next, the generation step S103 of FIG. 10 is executed. The generation step S103 is embodied by the generation unit 113 of the color chart generation device 100 of FIG. 4. In the generation step S103, the generation unit 113 arranges a plurality of color patches P1 along the color value represented by the coordinates in a predetermined color space S1 (here, L * a * b * color space) to generate a color chart CT1 (see, for example, FIG. 6). The color chart CT1 generated by the generation unit 113 is the image data of the color chart CT1 in a data form.

[0057] In the present embodiment, the generation unit 113 generates the color chart CT1 based on the specified color C50 acquired by the specified color acquisition unit 111. The generation unit 113 determines the coordinates in the color space S1 (here, a * value and b *Along the coordinates indicated by the value of [[ID=]], as shown in FIG. 6, a color chart CT1 is generated in which a plurality of color patches P1 are arranged such that any one of the plurality of color patches P1 includes the specified color C50. Here, the generation unit 113 sets the color indicated by the central patch P2 among the plurality of color patches P1 as the specified color C50. As shown in FIG. 5, the generation unit 113 arranges the plurality of color patches P1 so that the plurality of color patches P1 are arranged within a predetermined generation range R1 centered on the specified color C50, for example, in the color space S1. At this time, the plurality of color patches P1 are arranged such that the central patch P2 is arranged at the center of the generation range R1. Further, the plurality of color patches P1 are arranged side by side in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 within the generation range R1 and are arranged in a matrix.

[0058] The generation unit 113 designates the colors indicated by the plurality of arranged color patches P1 based on the coordinates of the color space S1. For the plurality of color patches P1 other than the central patch P2, the surrounding colors on the color space S1 in the specified color C50 of the central patch P2 are designated. For the plurality of color patches P1, the colors indicated by the a* value and the b* value are designated at the positions when arranged in the generation range R1 of the color space S1. Here, the L* values of all the color patches P1 are constant. Therefore, in the plurality of arranged color patches P1, along the first direction D1, * the intensity of the hue indicated by [[ID=]] gradually changes, and along the second direction D1, * the intensity of the hue indicated by [[ID=]] gradually changes, and thus the colors indicated by the plurality of color patches P1 are determined. In this way, the image data of the color chart CT1 generated by the generation unit 113 is stored in the storage unit 110 of FIG. 4.

[0059] After generating the color chart CT1 in this way, in order to assign the hue information C10 to the color chart CT1, the central color acquisition step S105 in FIG. 10 is executed. The central color acquisition step S105 is implemented by the central color acquisition unit 115 of the color chart generation device 100 in FIG. 4. In the central color acquisition step S105, the central color acquisition unit 115 acquires, as the central color C60 (see FIG. 6), the color indicated by the central patch P2 disposed at the center among the plurality of color patches P1 arranged by the generation unit 113. In the present embodiment, as described above, the color indicated by the central patch P2 is the designated color C50 acquired by the designated color acquisition unit 111. Therefore, the central color acquisition unit 115 acquires the designated color C50 indicated by the central patch P2 as the central color C60. Information regarding this central color C60 is stored in the storage unit 110 in FIG. 4.

[0060] Next, the hue information assignment step S107 in FIG. 10 is executed. In the present embodiment, the hue information assignment step S107 is implemented by the hue information assignment unit 117 of the color chart generation device 100 in FIG. 4. In the hue information assignment step S107, the hue information assignment unit 117 assigns, as shown in FIG. 6, the hue information C10 corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of color patches P1 to the color chart CT1. Here, the hue information assignment unit 117 assigns, to the color chart CT1, the hue information C10 based on the hue angle of the central color C60 acquired by the central color acquisition unit 115 (here, the hue angle in the color space S1). As described above, the central color C60 is the same as the designated color C50 acquired by the designated color acquisition unit 111. Therefore, in other words, the hue information assignment unit 117 assigns, to the color chart CT1, the hue information C10 based on the hue angle of the designated color C50.

[0061] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the hue information assignment unit 117 assigns, as the hue information C10, the first hue information C11 regarding the hue of the color along the a * axis and the second hue information C12 regarding the hue of the color along the b * axis to the color chart CT1. Specifically, the hue information assignment unit 117 assigns, as the hue information C10, the first hue name C21 of the color indicated by the a * axis and the b* The color chart CT1 is provided with a hue name C20 having a second hue name C22 of the color indicated by the axis. Further, the hue information providing unit 117 provides the color chart CT1 with a hue arrow C30 having a first hue arrow C31 indicating the direction of the hue indicated by the first hue name C21 and a second hue arrow C32 indicating the direction of the hue indicated by the second hue name C22 as the hue information C10.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the content of the hue information C10 is determined according to the position of the central patch P2 or the hue angle of the central patch P2. For example, when the central patch P2 is arranged within the first quadrant Q1 of the color space S1 in FIG. 5, the hue information providing unit 117 provides the color chart CT1 with the hue information C10 as shown in FIG. 6. When the central patch P2 is arranged within the second quadrant Q2 of the color space S1 in FIG. 5, the hue information providing unit 117 provides the color chart CT1 with the hue information C10 as shown in FIG. 7. Similarly, when the central patch P2 is arranged within the third quadrant Q3 of the color space S1 in FIG. 5, the hue information providing unit 117 provides the color chart CT1 with the hue information C10 as shown in FIG. 8, and when the central patch P2 is arranged within the fourth quadrant Q4 of the color space S1, the hue information providing unit 117 provides the color chart CT1 with the hue information C10 as shown in FIG. 9.

[0063] In the above manner, a color chart CT1 with the hue information C10 provided is generated. The color chart CT1 with the hue information C10 provided is stored in the storage unit 110 in FIG. 4. In the present embodiment, the image data of the color chart CT1 generated by the color chart generation device 100 is transmitted to the control device 70 (see FIG. 4) of the printer 10. After receiving the image data of the color chart CT1, the printer 10 prints the color chart CT1 with the hue information C10 on the medium 5 along with the image data. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 controls the medium conveyance mechanism 25 and the head movement mechanism 30 to relatively move the medium 5 supported by the support base 18 and the ink head 35 two-dimensionally, and ejects ink from the ink head 35 to print the color chart CT1 on the medium 5.

[0064] The user can view the color chart CT1 printed on the medium 5 and specify the desired color. This color specification is the same as the specified color acquisition step S101 in FIG. 10. That is, on the device display screen 101, when the user selects the specified color C50 via the device operation mechanism 102, the flowchart in FIG. 10 can be executed multiple times. When the flowchart in FIG. 10, that is, the color chart generation method according to the present embodiment, is executed multiple times, the generation range R1 in FIG. 5 may be gradually narrowed as the number of executions increases. By this, the color desired by the user (hereinafter also referred to as the user's desired color) can be appropriately determined.

[0065] Thus, once or multiple times, when the color chart CT1 along the flowchart in FIG. 10 is generated and the user's desired color is determined, printing by the printer 10 is performed based on the information regarding this desired color. For example, a data processing device that creates print data by executing so-called RIP processing is communicably connected to the printer 10. The data processing device creates print data by replacing the specified color C50 included in the print image that the user wants to print with the above-mentioned desired color. This print data is transmitted to the printer 10. The printer 10 performs printing based on the print data. Therefore, the user can perform printing with the desired color tone on the medium 5. Note that the creation of the above-mentioned print data may be configured to be performed by the color chart creation device 100. That is, the color chart creation device 100 may be incorporated in the above-mentioned data processing device.

[0066] As described above, in this embodiment, the color chart generation device 100 in FIG. 1 is a device that generates a color chart CT1 (see FIG. 6) having a plurality of color patches P1. The color chart generation method is implemented by the color chart generation device 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the color chart generation device 100 includes a generation unit 113 and a hue information imparting unit 117. In the generation step S103 of the color chart generation method in FIG. 10, the generation unit 113 generates a color chart CT1 in which a plurality of color patches P1 are arranged along the coordinates in a predetermined color space S1 as shown in FIG. 6. In the hue information imparting step S107 of the color chart generation method in FIG. 10, the hue information imparting unit 117 imparts hue information C10 corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of color patches P1 to the color chart CT1 as shown in FIG. 6. By this, the user can visually and easily understand the relationship between the arrangement of the plurality of color patches P1 and the hue by looking at the hue information C10. Therefore, by looking at the hue information C10, it is possible to facilitate the user to select the color patch P1 that shows the color desired by the user from the plurality of color patches P1.

[0067] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the color chart generation device 100 includes a central color acquisition unit 115. In the central color acquisition step S105 of the color chart generation method in FIG. 10, the central color acquisition unit 115 acquires, as the central color C60 (see FIG. 6), the color shown by the central patch P2 arranged at the center among the plurality of color patches P1 arranged by the generation unit 113. In the hue information imparting step S107, the hue information imparting unit 117 imparts hue information C10 based on the hue angle of the central color C60 acquired by the central color acquisition unit 115 to the color chart CT1. In this way, since the central patch P2 is arranged at the center of the plurality of arranged color patches P1, it is presumed that the colors shown by the color patches P1 around the central patch P2 are similar to the color shown by the central patch P2. Therefore, by using the hue information C10 based on the hue angle of the central color C60 of the central patch P2, the relationship of the overall hue of the color chart CT1 can be made easier to understand from the hue information C10.

[0068] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the color chart generation device 100 includes a designated color acquisition unit 111. In the designated color acquisition step S101 of the color chart generation method shown in FIG. 10, the designated color acquisition unit 111 acquires the designated color C50 designated by the user. In the generation step S103, as shown in FIG. 6, the generation unit 113 generates a color chart CT1 in which a plurality of color patches P1 (here, the central patch P2) are arranged along the coordinates in the color space S1 so that the designated color C50 is included in one of the plurality of color patches P1. By this, a color chart CT1 based on the designated color C50 can be generated. Therefore, the possibility that the color desired by the user is included in the plurality of color patches P1 in the generated color chart CT1 can be increased. Thus, it is easy for the user to find the desired color.

[0069] In this embodiment, in the hue information addition step S107 shown in FIG. 10, the hue information addition unit 117 adds hue information C10 based on the hue angle of the designated color C50 acquired by the designated color acquisition unit 111 to the color chart CT1. In this way, by setting the hue information C10 as information based on the hue angle of the designated color C50 designated by the user, the relationship between the arrangement of the plurality of color patches P1 and the hue is shown based on the designated color C50, which is visually easy to understand.

[0070] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the plurality of color patches P1 are arranged along an a * axis, which is an example of a first axis, and a b * axis, which is an example of a second axis intersecting the first axis. In the hue information addition step S107 shown in FIG. 10, as shown in FIG. 6, the hue information addition unit 117 adds, as the hue information C10, first hue information C11 regarding the hue of the color along the a * axis and second hue information C12 regarding the hue of the color along the b * axis to the color chart CT1. By this, the user can easily understand the hue of the a * axis by looking at the first hue information C11. Also, the user can easily understand the hue of the b * axis by looking at the second hue information C12. Thus, the a* Axis and b * The hue of the axis can be made visually easy to understand.

[0071] In this embodiment, in the hue information providing step S107 of FIG. 10, the hue information providing unit 117 provides, as the hue information C10, the hue names C20 (see FIG. 6) of 24 hues that are the hues obtained by equally dividing the hue circle into 24 parts, to the color chart CT1. By this, the user can visually and easily understand, by looking at the hue name C20, with which hue among the 24 hues the arrangement of the plurality of color patches P1 is based on.

[0072] In this embodiment, in the hue information providing step S107 of FIG. 10, the hue information providing unit 117 provides, as the hue information C10, a hue arrow C30 (see FIG. 6) indicating the direction of the hue indicated by the hue name C20, to the color chart CT1. By this, the user can visually and easily understand the direction of the hue indicated by the hue name C20 by looking at the direction of the hue arrow C30. Therefore, since the direction of the hue of the colors in the arrangement of the plurality of color patches P1 is visually easy to understand, it is easier to appropriately select a desired color.

[0073] In this embodiment, the color chart CT1 is a * Axis and b * A plurality of color patches P1 were arranged along the color space S1 indicated by two axes of the axis and b * Axis and b * A plurality of color patches P1 may be arranged along the color space S1 indicated by any one axis of the axis and b * The value of is fixed, and a * A plurality of color patches P1 may be arranged so as to line up in the first direction D1 only along one axis of the axis. In this case, among the hue information C10, the provision of the second hue information C12 may be omitted, and the first hue information C11 may be provided to the color chart CT1.

[0074] Also, for example, a * The value of is fixed, and b* A plurality of color patches P1 may be arranged along only one axis of the axis so as to be aligned in the second direction D2. In this case, among the hue information C10, the provision of the first hue information C11 may be omitted, and the second hue information C12 may be provided to the color chart CT1.

Explanation of symbols

[0075] 1 Printing system 10 Printer 100 Color chart generation device 110 Storage unit 111 Specified color acquisition unit 113 Generation unit 115 Central color acquisition unit 117 Hue information provision unit C10 Hue information C11 First hue information C12 Second hue information C20 Hue name C30 Hue arrow C50 Specified color C60 Central color CT1 Color chart P1 Color patch P2 Central patch S1 Color space S101 Specified color acquisition step S103 Generation step S105 Central color acquisition step S107 Hue information provision step

Claims

1. A color chart generation device that generates a color chart having a plurality of color patches, a generation unit that generates the color chart in which the plurality of color patches are arranged along coordinates in a predetermined color space; a hue information adding unit that adds hue information corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of color patches to the color chart; A color chart generation device comprising:

2. A central color acquisition unit that acquires, as a central color, a color indicated by a central patch arranged at the center among the plurality of color patches arranged by the generation unit, The color chart generation device according to claim 1, wherein the hue information adding unit adds the hue information based on the hue angle of the central color acquired by the central color acquisition unit to the color chart.

3. A designated color acquisition unit that acquires a designated color specified by a user, The color chart generation device according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates the color chart in which the plurality of color patches are arranged such that the designated color is included in any one of the plurality of color patches along coordinates in the color space.

4. The color chart generation device according to claim 3, wherein the hue information adding unit adds the hue information based on the hue angle of the designated color acquired by the designated color acquisition unit to the color chart.

5. The plurality of color patches are arranged along a first axis and a second axis intersecting the first axis, The color chart generation device according to claim 1, wherein the hue information adding unit adds, as the hue information, first hue information regarding the hue of a color along the first axis and second hue information regarding the hue of a color along the second axis to the color chart.

6. The color chart generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hue information adding unit adds, as the hue information, hue names of 24 hues that are hues obtained by equally dividing a hue circle into 24 parts to the color chart.

7. The color chart generation device according to claim 6, wherein the hue information adding unit adds, as the hue information, a hue arrow indicating the direction of the hue indicated by the hue name to the color chart.

8. A color chart generation method for generating a color chart having a plurality of color patches, A generation step of generating the color chart in which the plurality of color patches are arranged along coordinates in a predetermined color space; A hue information adding step of adding hue information corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of color patches to the color chart; A color chart generation method including the above steps.

Images