Control device, control method, and program

Abstract

To perform control so as to also apply a result of color calibration of custom paper to another paper.SOLUTION: A control device includes setting means for setting an application range of a result of color calibration for target paper, wherein when the target paper is custom paper enabling a user to edit information on the paper, the setting means sets the application range to a first range in which the result of the color calibration is also commonly applicable to another paper different from the target paper, or a second range in which the result of the color calibration is inapplicable to another paper different from the target paper.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to controlling the coverage of color calibration performed by an image forming device. [Background technology]

[0002] In image forming devices such as printers, the amount of ink ejected changes due to factors such as deterioration of the print head over time, which can cause variations in the colors displayed on a recording medium such as paper, even when an image is formed based on the same image data. To address this issue, a method known as color calibration (hereinafter referred to as "calibration") is known, which corrects image data input to an image forming device in order to display stable colors on the recording medium. In calibration, a color patch is printed on a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as "paper") using a print head, the color of the color patch is measured, and the input image data is corrected based on the color measurement results.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, paper to which the calibration results are commonly applied to other paper is called a "common calibration paper," and paper to which the calibration results are applied only to the paper used when the calibration was performed is called an "individual calibration paper." This discloses a technology for separating the application range of the values obtained by calibration.

[0004] Incidentally, for genuine paper for image forming devices and specific paper for which the printing results have been confirmed by the manufacturer, paper data is provided for each paper type, with device control parameters and other settings corresponding to the paper's characteristics. For third-party paper for which such paper data is not provided, users can create new paper data as "custom paper." This "custom paper" is created by users customizing existing paper data. Users can add and edit "custom paper" when they want to improve the print quality or transportability of unspecified paper, such as third-party paper. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-212842 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the case of "custom paper," Patent Document 1 requires that paper data be created as an "individual calibration paper," making it impossible to create custom paper as a "common calibration paper." This is because applying calibration results to other paper requires paper that can accurately detect differences in printhead ink ejection volume—that is, paper with predetermined standard characteristics that allow accurate measurement of reflected light during color patch colorimetry. However, the characteristics of third-party paper vary widely, and it is not always possible to accurately measure reflected light during color patch colorimetry. Applying calibration results using paper with unknown characteristics to other paper does not necessarily result in accurate output of the original color, and the calibration function is not effective. However, even custom paper can have predetermined standard characteristics, and uniformly treating all custom paper as individual calibration paper limits the ways in which paper data can be used.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to control color calibration so that the results of color calibration for custom paper can be applied to other paper types. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the control device of the present disclosure includes a setting means for setting the range of application of the color calibration results for the target paper, and when the target paper is a custom paper for which the user can edit information about the paper, the setting means sets either a first range that makes the color calibration results applicable to other paper of a different type than the target paper, or a second range that makes the color calibration results inapplicable to other paper of a different type than the target paper. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, the results of color calibration for custom paper can also be commonly applied to other paper types, broadening the range of ways in which paper data can be used and improving convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control system including a control device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a paper data management device. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control system including a control device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of paper data. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of paper data editing processing. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a calibration type setting process. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI for setting a calibration type. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a calibration process. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of paper data according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a calibration type setting process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 14] 11 is a flowchart showing a calibration type setting process according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI for instructing execution of calibration. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a calibration control process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present disclosure according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present disclosure.

[0012] First Embodiment The control system according to this embodiment executes processing to assist users in creating and editing custom paper. Custom paper is paper data created by users customizing existing paper data. Custom paper is created and edited to improve print quality and transportability for unspecified paper other than, for example, manufacturer-specified paper and specific paper whose print quality, etc., has been confirmed by the manufacturer when used with the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The control system according to this embodiment controls the scope of application of correction data obtained in color calibration (hereinafter referred to as calibration) for custom paper, which is performed to maintain consistent image color. Calibration is performed in the image forming apparatus. First, the types of paper used in this specification and the scope of application of correction data obtained by calibration will be described. Note that color calibration is not limited to colors such as RGB, and includes black only.

[0013] "Common calibration paper" refers to paper on which the results of calibration (correction data or density values) performed using that paper can be commonly applied to other paper of a different type. Calibration performed using common calibration paper is hereinafter referred to as "common calibration." When the calibration results obtained by common calibration are applied to other paper, the color tone of the other paper is maintained constant.

[0014] "Individual calibration paper" means paper on which the results of calibration (correction data or density values) performed using that paper can be applied only to that paper and cannot be applied to other paper of a different type. Calibration performed using individual calibration paper is hereinafter referred to as "individual calibration." When individual calibration is performed using individual calibration paper, the calibration results obtained by common calibration are not applied to that individual calibration paper. The results of individual calibration performed using individual calibration paper are applied. However, if individual calibration using individual calibration paper is not performed, the results of common calibration are applied to that individual calibration paper.

[0015] Paper that is not suitable for either common calibration or individual calibration and for which calibration cannot be performed is determined to be paper for which calibration cannot be performed.

[0016] As described above, when common calibration is performed using common calibration paper, the results obtained by common calibration of that common calibration paper are applied to other types of paper. If the target paper is paper on which common calibration can be performed but calibration has not been performed, the common calibration results obtained using another common calibration paper are applied to the target paper. In other words, if the target paper is a common calibration paper, the results of calibration performed using the target paper take priority. And if calibration using the target paper has not been performed, the results of calibration performed using another common calibration paper are applied to the target paper.

[0017] Furthermore, calibration cannot be performed on distinctive paper, such as translucent paper, film, or paper with an uneven surface (canvas, etc.). However, by applying the results of common calibration performed on common calibration paper to such distinctive paper, it is possible to maintain a certain level of color. For this reason, the results of common calibration are applied to paper on which calibration cannot be performed. In this specification, paper does not only refer to paper used in general image forming devices, but also broadly refers to media including vinyl, cloth, plastic film, metal plates, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, etc.

[0018] Furthermore, in the control system according to this embodiment, the user can also create new paper type data called "custom paper" based on the paper type data of the common calibration paper and the individual calibration paper. The paper type data includes information such as the paper name, paper ID, and paper category, as well as control parameters suitable for the paper in the image forming device. Examples of control parameters include head height, paper feed adjustment, and suction force. For custom paper, these parameters can be edited by the user. Paper type data will be described later.

[0019] In this embodiment, one of the parameters of the paper type data is a "calibration type," which indicates the range of application of the correction data obtained by calibration. The control system according to this embodiment allows the user to edit the "calibration type" when the paper type data to be edited is custom paper. The "calibration type" is set to either "common" or "individual."

[0020] In the first embodiment, if a "calibration target value" is set in the paper type data for custom paper, the user can set the "calibration type" value to either "common" or "individual." On the other hand, if a "calibration target value" is not set in the paper type data for custom paper, the user can only set the "calibration type" value to "individual." When the calibration type is "common," the paper is treated as the "common calibration paper" described above. That is, common calibration is performed, and the calibration results can be applied not only to the calibration paper but also to other paper types (common / individual calibration paper). When the calibration type is "individual," the paper is treated as the "individual calibration paper" described above. That is, individual calibration is performed, and the calibration results are exclusive to paper of the same type as the calibration paper, and are not applied to other paper types. This allows custom paper, whose application range for calibration results was previously limited to calibration paper (second range), to be treated as a "common calibration paper," and the application range for calibration results can be used in common for other paper types (first range).

[0021] (Hardware configuration) The configuration of a control system including a control device according to the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control system including a control device according to the present disclosure.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the control system includes a paper data management device 100 and an image forming device 102 communicatively connected via a network 105. The image forming device 102 is, for example, an inkjet printer capable of large-format printing. Note that the image forming device 102 is not limited to an inkjet printer capable of large-format printing, and may be other types of image forming devices. For example, it may be an inkjet printer for printing on normal-sized paper. Furthermore, the recording material is not limited to ink, and the image forming device may be applicable to image forming devices using various printing methods, such as thermal printers (sublimation type, thermal transfer type, etc.), dot impact printers, LED printers, laser printers, and other electrophotographic methods. Furthermore, the image forming device 102 may be a multifunction peripheral (MFP) equipped with a copy function, a transmission function, a fax function, a storage function, and the like in addition to a printing function.

[0023] The image forming device 102 has a calibration function in addition to a printing function. In the calibration function, the image forming device 102 performs calibration corresponding to the type of paper. That is, the image forming device 102 stores paper type data in which multiple parameter values are set, including a "calibration target value" and a "calibration type" corresponding to the paper type. Then, the image forming device 102 performs calibration corresponding to the calibration type based on the calibration target value. Details of the functions of the image forming device 102 will be described later.

[0024] The paper data management device 100 is a control device that manages paper data stored in the image forming device 102, and is configured by a computer such as a PC. The paper data stored in the image forming device 102 includes paper type data corresponding to each of a plurality of paper types, and is managed by the paper data management device 100. For example, the paper data management device 100 can add or delete paper data for each paper type in the image forming device 102. The paper data management device 100 also has an editing function that allows the user to edit the paper data.

[0025] When editing paper data, the paper data management device 100 acquires paper data stored in the image forming device 102, performs editing processing on the acquired paper data, and updates the paper data. The updated paper data is distributed from the paper data management device 100 to the image forming device 102, and the paper data in the image forming device 102 is updated. Details of the functions of the paper data management device 100 will be described later.

[0026] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 102. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 102 includes a CPU 200, a ROM 201, a RAM 202, an HDD 203, a communication I / F 204, a printing unit 205, an operation unit 206, and a sensor unit 208.

[0027] The CPU 200 performs overall control of each unit of the image forming apparatus 102. The CPU 200 loads a control program stored in a program ROM of the ROM 201 or a control program stored in a hard disk drive (HDD) 203, loads the program into the RAM 202, and executes processing based on the program. When performing calibration, the CPU 200 prints color patches using the printing unit 205 and reads the density values of the color patches using the sensor unit 208. The CPU 200 creates a lookup table for correcting the read density values to target density values (calibration target values), and stores the lookup table in the HDD 203 for each paper type. Hereinafter, this lookup table will be referred to as correction data or the calibration result.

[0028] At this time, CPU 200 associates the correction data with the application range of the correction data and stores it in HDD 203. If the "calibration type" of the calibration execution sheet is "individual," CPU 200 stores the application range of the correction data as exclusive to the execution sheet. If the "calibration type" of the calibration execution sheet is "common," CPU 200 stores the application range of the correction data as common to all sheets that have not yet been calibrated.

[0029] When printing on paper of the same type as the paper used for calibration, CPU 200 retrieves the stored correction data from HDD 203, corrects the print data, and applies the corrected data to the print data. CPU 200 outputs an image signal generated from the print data corrected using the correction data to print unit 205 as output information to print unit 205.

[0030] Although an example has been shown in which correction data obtained by calibration is stored in HDD 203 in association with the application range, density values obtained by calibration may also be stored in HDD 203 in association with the application range. In this case, CPU 200 acquires density values from HDD 203 during printing, creates a lookup table for correcting to target density values (calibration target values), and applies this to the print data.

[0031] The CPU 200 is capable of performing communication processing with the paper data management device 100 via the communication I / F 204 and can transmit information in the image forming device 102 to the paper data management device 100 .

[0032] The ROM 201 is a non-volatile storage area that stores the program according to this embodiment, an OS (Operating System), and the like. The RAM 202 is a volatile or non-volatile memory that functions as the main memory, work area, and the like of the CPU 200. The memory capacity of the RAM 202 can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The RAM 202 is also used as an output information expansion area and an environmental data storage area when executing printing according to a print job. The HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 203 is a storage device that stores font data, paper data, print jobs, and the like. The HDD 203 may be replaced with another type of storage device, such as an SSD.

[0033] The operation unit 206 has an input unit including a touch panel, various keys, buttons, etc., and a display unit such as a display. A user can input operations for the image forming apparatus 102 via the operation unit 206, and various information indicating the status of the image forming apparatus 102 can be displayed. The communication I / F 204 is an interface for sending and receiving data to and from external devices. The external devices include the paper data management device 100.

[0034] The printing unit 205 includes a recording head that ejects ink, a tank that supplies ink to the recording head, a paper feed unit that supplies paper, a transport unit that transports paper, etc. The printing unit 205 forms an image by ejecting ink onto paper that has been transported to a position opposite the head, in accordance with print data supplied from the CPU 200. After the image is formed on the paper, it is transported along a transport path and undergoes processes such as drying, hardening, and cooling before being discharged from a paper outlet. The sensor unit 208 includes various sensors, such as a colorimetric sensor that detects the density value of a color patch when calibration is performed, a sensor that measures reflectance to measure the glossiness of the paper, a sensor that detects the amount of ink remaining in a tank, a sensor that detects the transport position of the paper, etc. Detection signals detected by the sensor unit 208 are input to the CPU 200.

[0035] In the image forming apparatus 102 of this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the CPU 200 controls each unit connected to the system bus 207 via the system bus 207. Each unit included in the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 102 shown in FIG. 4, which will be described later, can be configured as a program module. In this case, for example, each program module is stored in the ROM 201 or the HDD 203. Each program module read into the RAM 202 by the CPU 200 is executed by the CPU 200.

[0036] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer used as paper data management device 100. Note that the configuration of paper data management device 100 is not limited to the example in Fig. 3 and may be different. The computer has a CPU 300, ROM 301, RAM 302, HDD 303, keyboard controller 304, display controller 305, and communication I / F 306 inside 308. Each internal part is connected to CPU 300 via system bus 307.

[0037] The CPU 300 reads various programs such as control programs, system programs, and application programs from the ROM 301 or the HDD 303 into the RAM 302. The CPU 300 executes the various programs read into the RAM 302 to perform various data processing. The CPU 300 may be a dedicated circuit such as an ASIC. The CPU 300 is an example of a hardware circuit or a hardware processor.

[0038] In this embodiment, the CPU 300 of the paper data management device 100 executes processing for managing and editing paper data used in the image forming device 102. In the processing for managing and editing paper data, the CPU 300 acquires paper data stored in the image forming device 102 via the communication I / F 306 and loads it into the RAM 302. The CPU 300 performs various processes, including editing, on the paper data loaded into the RAM 302, and transmits (distributes) the data to the image forming device 102 again via the communication I / F 306. Details of the paper data editing processing will be described later.

[0039] The ROM 301, RAM 302, HDD 303, and communication I / F 306 are the same as the ROM 201, RAM 202, HDD 203, and communication I / F 204 described above.

[0040] A keyboard controller 304 controls input from a keyboard 309, a pointing device (not shown), etc. A display controller 305 controls display on a display 310.

[0041] In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, CPU 300 controls each unit connected to system bus 307 via system bus 307. Each functional block of paper data management device 100 shown in Fig. 4, which will be described later, can be configured as a program module. In this case, for example, each program module is stored in ROM 301 or HDD 303. Each program module read into RAM 302 by CPU 300 is executed by CPU 300 to realize the respective function.

[0042] (Functional configuration) 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control system according to this embodiment. As described above, in the control system, the paper data management device 100 and the image forming device 102 are connected for communication via the network 105. Below, the functions of each device will be explained in the order of the paper data management device 100 and the image forming device 102.

[0043] First, we will explain the functional configuration of the paper data management device 100. As shown in Fig. 4, the paper data management device 100 includes a paper data setting unit 401, a paper data communication unit 402, an image forming device management unit 403, a distribution unit 404, and the like.

[0044] The paper data setting unit 401 has a function for editing paper data, which includes, for example, adding, deleting, creating new paper data, and changing paper data.

[0045] In the paper data addition function, the paper data setting unit 401 acquires paper type data corresponding to various paper types distributed by a web server via the Internet, and adds the acquired paper type data to the image forming apparatus 102. Note that the paper data setting unit 401 may acquire paper type data via a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, rather than via the Internet. Paper data and paper type data will be described later (FIG. 5).

[0046] In the paper data deletion function, the paper data setting unit 401 deletes the paper data that has been registered in the paper data management unit 412 of the image forming apparatus 102 .

[0047] In the new paper data creation function, the paper data setting unit 401 accepts the selection of paper type data to be used as a reference from the paper type data acquired by the above-mentioned additional functions, and creates new paper type data based on the selected paper type data. In this way, paper type data created by the user is called custom paper. When printing using a paper of a different type from the paper already added to the paper data, the user creates custom paper using the new paper data creation function. It is preferable that the paper type data used as the reference for custom paper (hereinafter referred to as reference paper) is paper with similar paper quality, paper weight, paper thickness, etc.

[0048] When creating a new custom paper, the paper data setting unit 401 copies the paper type data 510 of the standard paper and then changes some of the data in the following procedure to create the new custom paper. (1) First, the paper data setting unit 401 creates a new paper ID that can be uniquely identified within the paper data, and changes the value of the paper ID 512 in the paper type data 510 for custom paper to the newly created paper ID. (2) Next, the paper data setting unit 401 changes the value of the paper name 515 of the paper type data 510. The paper data setting unit 401 displays, for example, a UI (user interface) for setting the paper name on the display 310, and sets the paper name specified by the user via the UI as the paper name 515 of the copied paper type data 510. (3) Furthermore, the paper data setting unit 401 changes the value of the paper category 521 of the paper type data 510 to the value "custom" indicating that the paper is a custom paper. (4) Furthermore, since custom paper does not have completely identical characteristics to the reference paper, the paper data setting unit 401 deletes the value of the calibration target value 520 in the paper type data 510 and sets the calibration type 522 to “not created.”

[0049] The paper data setting unit 401 adds the paper type data 510 with the above changes to the paper data, and adds the paper ID newly created in the above step (1) to the paper ID list 500. This creates a template for the paper type data 510 for custom paper. The paper data setting unit 401 accepts editing of this template by user operation.

[0050] In the custom paper editing process, the paper data setting unit 401 accepts user adjustments to printing device parameters 519, such as the paper feed amount and ink deposition amount. The paper data setting unit 401 also accepts the setting of a new calibration target value for custom paper. When the user performs an operation to create a calibration target value 520 for custom paper via the calibration target value setting UI, the paper data setting unit 401 sets the new value to the calibration target value 520 for custom paper. Then, the paper data setting unit 401 sets a value for the calibration type 522.

[0051] In the present disclosure, the paper data setting unit 401 determines whether the target paper is custom paper for which the user can edit paper-related information, and if it is custom paper, sets the calibration type 522 to either "common" or "individual." In the first embodiment, the calibration type 522 for custom paper is set to either "common" or "individual" according to a user's specified operation. The calibration type 522 is a parameter for determining the scope of application of the calibration results. When the calibration type 522 is set to "common," common calibration is performed, and the calibration results are applied not only to the calibration-executed paper but also to paper types other than the calibration-executed paper. When the calibration type 522 is set to "individual," individual calibration is performed, and the calibration results are used exclusively for paper of the same type as the calibration-executed paper and are not applied to other paper types.

[0052] Furthermore, the paper data setting unit 401 accepts the setting of the calibration type 522 for custom paper when the following condition is met: In the first embodiment, the condition is that at least the target paper is paper on which color calibration can be performed, and a value is set in the calibration target value 520 of the paper type data 510 for the custom paper. In the first embodiment, whether the target paper is paper on which the results of calibration can be applied to paper types other than the paper on which calibration is performed is determined by judgment and operation by the user.

[0053] If the above-mentioned conditions are met, the paper data setting unit 401 allows the user to select either "common" or "individual" as the calibration type 522. If the above-mentioned conditions are not met, the paper data setting unit 401 allows the user to select only "individual" as the calibration type 522 and does not accept the selection of "common."

[0054] It is preferable that the paper data setting unit 401 provides a UI 800 for setting the calibration type 522 for custom paper. When the above-mentioned conditions are met, the paper data setting unit 401 sets the display state of the UI 800 to a display state (first display state) in which either "common calibration" or "individual calibration" can be selected. When the above-mentioned conditions are not met, the display state of the UI 800 sets to a display state (second display state) in which only "individual calibration" can be selected and "common calibration" cannot be selected. A specific example of the UI 800 will be described later (FIG. 8).

[0055] Furthermore, in the paper data editing function, the paper data setting unit 401 also accepts changes to the calibration type 522 by the user for existing custom paper. For example, a custom paper whose calibration type 522 is set to "individual" can be changed to "common."

[0056] Furthermore, the paper data setting unit 401 also accepts settings for custom paper and paper type data other than custom paper, such as changing the order of paper names in the paper list displayed on the image forming apparatus 102 and switching between displaying and hiding paper names.

[0057] The paper data communication unit 402 has a function of receiving paper data held by the paper data management device 100 and the image forming device 102 via the network 105, and transmitting paper data to the image forming device 102. The paper data communication unit 402 transmits and receives data to and from the image forming device 102 using, for example, the HTTP protocol. Note that the protocol is not limited to the HTTP protocol, and any protocol may be used as long as it allows data to be transmitted and received between devices.

[0058] The image forming device management unit 403 manages the image forming devices 102 that are communicatively connected to the paper data management device 100. The image forming device management unit 403, for example, sends a broadcast packet to the network 105 and queries one or more image forming devices 102, 102, ... that have responded to inquire whether a predetermined function exists. If the predetermined function exists, the image forming device management unit 403 registers the identification information (device ID, etc.) of that image forming device 102 in image forming device list data (not shown). Examples of the predetermined function include a paper data management function and a calibration function. When querying the image forming device 102 about the predetermined function, for example, the HTTP protocol is used, but the protocol is not limited to the HTTP protocol and any protocol may be used as long as it allows information to be exchanged between devices.

[0059] A distribution unit 404 distributes the paper data set by the paper data setting unit 401 to the image forming apparatus 102 managed by the image forming apparatus management unit 403 via the paper data communication unit 402 .

[0060] Next, we will explain the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 102. As shown in Fig. 4, the image forming apparatus 102 includes a paper data communication unit 411, a paper data management unit 412, a calibration control unit 413, a sensor unit 414, a printing unit 415, and a print job communication unit 416.

[0061] A paper data communication unit 411 transmits and receives paper data managed by a paper data management unit 412 to and from the paper data management device 100 via the network 105 .

[0062] The paper data management unit 412 holds the paper data shown in Fig. 5. The paper data held by the paper data management unit 412 is displayed on the operation unit 206 of the image forming apparatus 102 and is used by the calibration control unit 413 and the printing unit 415.

[0063] The calibration control unit 413 performs calibration using any paper. Of the paper data held by the paper data management unit 412, the calibration control unit 413 prints color patches using paper type data corresponding to the paper to be used for calibration. The calibration control unit 413 then acquires the density values of the patch printing results, creates a lookup table (correction data) for correcting the density values to target density values (calibration target values), and saves the result of calibration in the HDD 203. When printing, this correction data is applied to the print data. When saving the results of calibration in the HDD 203, the calibration control unit 413 saves the results of calibration in association with the range of application of the results of calibration (a first range common to all papers, or a second range dedicated to the paper to be used).

[0064] The sensor unit 414 measures the density value of the print result when performing calibration and when creating calibration target values for custom paper.

[0065] A print job communication unit 416 receives print job data transmitted from a print job generation device (not shown) via the network 105. The printing unit 415 performs printing based on the print job data received by the print job communication unit 416. The printing unit 415 corrects the print data included in the print job data using the correction data described above, and applies the paper type data held by the paper data management unit 412 to the corrected print data to print it.

[0066] (Paper data) Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of paper data. The paper data is stored in the paper data management unit 412 of the image forming device 102. The paper data can also be edited by the paper data setting unit 401 of the paper data management device 100. As shown in Fig. 5, the paper data includes a paper ID list 500 and one or more types of paper type data 510a, 510b, ...

[0067] Paper type data 510a, 510b, ... are data that store information about paper for each different type of paper. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the individual paper type data 510a, 510b, ..., they will be referred to as 510. The paper type data 510 includes information such as a model ID 511, a paper ID 512, a version 513, an update date and time 514, a paper name 515, a hidden attribute 516, a print setting item 517, an image processing lookup table 518, printing device parameters 519, a calibration target value 520, a paper category 521, and a calibration type 522.

[0068] The paper ID list 500 is data for managing a plurality of paper type data 510a, 510b, . . . , and includes information such as a model ID 501, a version 502, an update date and time 503, and paper IDs 504a, 504b, .

[0069] The model ID 501 is information for identifying the model of the image forming device 102. When the image forming device 102 receives the paper ID list 500 from the paper data management device 100, it determines whether the paper ID list 500 matches the model ID of the image forming device 102. If the image forming device 102 receives a paper ID list 500 with a different model ID, it discards the received paper data. Thereafter, it displays, for example, on the operation unit 206, a message indicating that incompatible paper data has been received.

[0070] Version 502 indicates the version of the data format of paper ID list 500. Image forming device 102 determines whether version 502 listed in paper ID list 500 sent from paper data management device 100 matches the version listed in the paper ID list already existing in image forming device 102. If version 502 of the received paper ID list 500 differs from a version supported by image forming device 102, image forming device 102 discards the received paper data. After that, for example, operation unit 206 displays a message indicating that paper data of a version other than the supported version has been received. Note that version 502 of paper ID list 500 is the version of the data format and is not changed by adding or editing paper type data 510.

[0071] The update date and time 503 indicates the date and time when the paper ID list 500 was updated. Paper IDs 504a, 504b, ... are paper IDs 512 of at least one or more paper type data 510a, 510b, ... included in the paper data. The order in which paper ID list 500 holds two or more paper IDs 504a, 504b, ... controls the order in which paper names are arranged in the paper list displayed on operation unit 206 of image forming apparatus 102.

[0072] Next, the contents of the paper type data 510 will be described. The model ID 511 is set to the same value as the model ID 501 in the paper ID list 500. When the image forming device 102 receives paper type data 510 from the paper data management device 100, it determines whether the paper type data 510 matches the model ID of the image forming device 102. If the image forming device 102 receives paper type data 510 with a different model ID, it discards the received paper data. Thereafter, it displays, for example, on the operation unit 206, a message indicating that incompatible paper data has been received.

[0073] The paper ID 512 has the same value as one of the paper IDs 504 stored in the paper ID list 500 . Version 513 indicates the version of the data format of the paper type data 510. The image forming apparatus 102 determines whether the version 513 of the paper type data 510 received from the paper data management device 100 is equal to or higher than the version of the paper type data already existing in the image forming apparatus 102. If the version 513 of the received paper type data 510 is an older version, the received paper type data 510 is discarded. This process is performed to prevent downgrading to paper type data with an older version. After that, for example, a message is displayed on the operation unit 206 indicating that paper data of an incompatible version has been received.

[0074] The update date and time 514 indicates the date and time when the paper type data was updated. The paper name 515 is the paper name of the paper type data 510, and includes paper names in at least one language. In the non-display attribute 516, a flag is set that indicates whether or not the paper name 515 is to be displayed in the paper list displayed on the operation unit 206 of the image forming apparatus 102. When a flag indicating "do not display" is set in the non-display attribute 516, the paper name 515 is not displayed in the paper list on the operation unit 206.

[0075] The print setting item 517 indicates various print setting information that can be used in the paper type data 510. For example, the print purpose includes information that can be set, such as a photograph, a CAD drawing, and the like. The image processing lookup table 518 is a variety of image processing tables used during printing. For example, it includes tables for separating ink colors. Since the image processing lookup table is used during printing, it is also used when printing patches during calibration.

[0076] The printing device parameters 519 are a group of mechanical parameters of the printing unit 205 of the image forming device 102, and include, for example, data such as head height and paper feed amount. The calibration target values 520 are target data when the image forming device 102 performs calibration using the paper, and a density value corresponding to the ink deposition amount (number of dots) is set for each ink color. Note that the calibration target values 520 are deleted from the template for the newly created custom paper (paper type data copied from the reference paper), and are newly created in accordance with operations by the user when editing the custom paper. When the paper data of the image forming device 102 is updated to paper data including the paper type data 510 for which the calibration target values 520 were created, calibration of that custom paper can be performed.

[0077] The paper category 521 is information indicating a group of similar paper types, such as plain paper, coated paper, photo paper, etc. Custom paper is categorized as "custom."

[0078] The calibration type 522 is information indicating the range of application of the calibration results. If the range of application of the calibration results is to be applicable to other paper types different from the target paper (paper on which calibration was performed) (first range), the calibration type 522 is set to "common." If the calibration results are to be inapplicable to other paper types different from the target paper (second range), the calibration type 522 is set to "individual." Conventionally, the calibration type 522 for custom paper was limited to "individual," but in this embodiment, the user can also set "common" for custom paper at their discretion. This makes it possible to print by applying the calibration results for custom paper to other types of paper. The method for setting the range of application of the calibration results will be described later.

[0079] (Overall flow of paper data editing function) Next, the paper data editing process executed by the paper data management device 100 will be described. 6 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of the paper data editing process. The process shown in this flowchart is written in a program stored in the ROM 301 or HDD 303 of the paper data management device 100. The program is called by the CPU 300, loaded into the RAM 302, and executed by the CPU 300. When a user instructs the paper data management device 100 to start editing the paper data, the CPU 300 starts this process. In the following explanation, the symbol "S" means step.

[0080] In step S601, the CPU 300 of the paper data management device 100 searches for the image forming device 102 present in the control system shown in FIG. In S602, the CPU 300 acquires the paper data stored in the searched image forming apparatus 102.

[0081] In S603, the CPU 300 executes editing processing for the acquired paper data. In the editing processing in S603, the CPU 300 executes editing processing for custom paper, for example. In the editing processing for custom paper, the CPU 300 accepts the setting of the calibration type 522 for custom paper by the user. Details of the processing will be described later. In S604, the CPU 300 distributes the edited paper ID list 500 and paper type data 510 to the image forming apparatus 102 from which they were obtained, and then the process of this flowchart ends.

[0082] Here, the calibration type setting process of the custom paper editing process executed in S603 will be described. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the custom paper calibration type setting process in the paper data editing process. The process shown in this flowchart is executed by the paper data setting unit 401 (CPU 300) of the paper data management device 100.

[0083] In S701, the CPU 300 displays a screen showing a paper list and accepts the user's selection of the paper to be edited. The CPU 300 refers to the paper type data 510 of the paper to be edited selected by the user. In S702, the CPU 300 determines whether the paper category 521 of the paper type data 510 to be edited is "custom paper." If it is "custom paper," the process proceeds to S703. If it is not "custom paper," the process proceeds to S708, where editing processing for paper other than custom paper begins. In editing processing for paper other than custom paper, editing of the paper name, the order of paper in the paper list, and the like is possible.

[0084] In S703, the CPU 300 determines whether a value is set in the calibration target value 520 of the paper type data 510 to be edited. If a value is set in the calibration target value 520, the process proceeds to S704, and if a value is not set in the calibration target value 520, the process proceeds to S705.

[0085] In S704, the CPU 300 enables the value of the calibration type 522 of the paper type data 510 to be edited to be set to either “common” or “individual.” Specifically, the CPU 300 displays a UI 800 for setting the calibration type 522.

[0086] (UI for setting calibration type) FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a UI 800 for setting a calibration type. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a calibration type setting field 804 is provided in a "Calibration Target" tab 802 on the custom paper editing screen (UI 800). Calibration type candidates are displayed in the setting field 804, for example, in the form of a pull-down list. Also, the type of paper (paper name) 801 to be calibrated is displayed, such as "Custom Glossy Paper." Also displayed are an "Execute" button 803 that is operated by the user when creating a calibration target, and a "Cancel" 804 that is operated to return to the previous screen.

[0087] In S704, the CPU 300 displays both "individual calibration" and "common calibration" in the pull-down list of the setting field 804 of the UI 800. This allows the user to select and set either "individual" or "common" as the calibration type 522 for the custom paper to be edited, selected in S701.

[0088] Returning to the explanation of Figure 7. If the paper category 521 of the paper type data 510 is "custom paper" but the calibration target value 520 is not set, the process proceeds to S705. In S705, the CPU 300 allows the value of the calibration type 522 in the paper type data 510 to be set only to "individual." Specifically, the CPU 300 displays the UI 800 for setting the calibration type 522, and displays only "individual calibration" as a selection option in the pull-down list of the setting field 804. This allows the user to set the calibration type 522 of the custom paper to be edited, selected in S701, only to "individual," and prevents the user from setting it to "common."

[0089] In S706, the CPU 300 accepts the selection of a calibration type from the pull-down list in the setting field 804 of the UI 800. If the update button 805 of the UI 800 is operated with the calibration type selected, the process proceeds to S707. If the cancel button 806 is operated, the process returns to the previous screen (paper list display screen).

[0090] In S707, the CPU 300 updates the calibration type 522 of the paper type data 510 in accordance with the setting selected by the user, and then ends this flowchart.

[0091] Through the above processing, the calibration type 522 for custom paper is set to either "common" or "individual" by user operation. When calibration type 522 is "common," the results of calibration performed using the custom paper to be edited can be commonly applied to other paper. On the other hand, when calibration type 522 is "individual," the results of calibration performed using the custom paper to be edited are not applied to other paper, but are applied exclusively to that custom paper. In this way, the range of application of the calibration results for the custom paper to be edited is set at the discretion of the user.

[0092] (Calibration process) Next, the calibration process executed by the image forming apparatus 102 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of calibration processing. The processing shown in this flowchart is written in a program stored in the ROM 201 or HDD 203 of the image forming apparatus 102. The program is called by the CPU 200, loaded into the RAM 202, and executed by the CPU 200. It is also assumed that paper data including paper type data 510 for custom paper created in the paper data management device 100 has been delivered to the image forming apparatus 102 and stored in the HDD 203 of the image forming apparatus 102. When a user inputs an instruction to perform calibration via the operation unit 206 of the image forming apparatus 102, the CPU 200 starts this processing. The paper to be calibrated is custom paper. It is also assumed that the calibration type 522 of the paper type data 510 is set to either "individual" or "common" before the calibration processing shown in this flowchart is started.

[0093] In S901, the calibration control unit 413 (CPU 200) prints a color patch and acquires a density value. Specifically, the CPU 201 instructs the printing unit 205 to print the patch. When the printing unit 205 prints the patch, the density value of the print result is detected by the sensor unit 208 and input to the CPU 200.

[0094] In S902, the CPU 200 determines whether the calibration type 522 of the paper type data 510 used when the calibration is performed is “common.” If the calibration type 522 is not “common,” the process proceeds to S903. In S903, the CPU 200 stores the calibration results as a second range dedicated to the paper on which the calibration was performed in the HDD 203. The calibration results are the density values acquired in S901 or a lookup table (correction data) determined from the density values and the calibration target values.

[0095] If it is determined in S902 that the calibration type 522 is "common," the process proceeds to S904. In S904, the CPU 200 stores the calibration results in the HDD 203 as common to all paper types (first range), and ends this flowchart.

[0096] Although the correction data is stored in the HDD 203 as the calibration result, density values may be stored instead. In this case, a lookup table (correction data) determined from the density values and calibration target values is created and applied to the print data when printing is performed. Also, while an example has been shown in which the calibration results are stored in the HDD 203 of the image forming apparatus 102, the storage destination is not limited to the HDD 203 and may be any storage area that holds the stored data and is accessible when printing is performed.

[0097] The CPU 200 applies the results of the above-described calibration to the print data when executing printing of the print job received by the print job communication unit 416. This achieves color matching through color calibration.

[0098] As described above, the image forming device 102 can perform calibration based on the calibration type 522 included in the paper type data 510, which is set by the user in the paper data management device 100. In other words, even for custom paper, if the calibration type 522 is set to "common," the applicable range of the calibration results can be stored as information common to all papers (first range). Therefore, if the user determines that a paper is suitable for common calibration, the paper can be used as common calibration paper by editing the value of calibration type 522 in paper type data 510. In this way, the results of color calibration for custom paper can also be applied to other paper types, which broadens the range of ways in which paper data can be used and improves convenience.

[0099] 4 (paper data setting unit 401, paper data communication unit 402, etc.) may be configured to be included in the image forming device 102. Also, the UI display examples and the data configuration of the paper type data are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate.

[0100] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when no value is set in the calibration target value 520, the calibration type 522 can be set to "individual," but since calibration is disabled, it is also possible not to accept changes to the calibration type. In other words, the pull-down list in the setting field 804 of the UI 800 may be grayed out or hidden, and the calibration type 522 may remain at "unset," which is the initial value when a template for custom paper is created. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been shown in which the user sets the applicable range of the calibration results (calibration type 522) before executing the calibration process, but the present invention is not limited to this. After executing the calibration, the user may edit the paper type data 510 to set the applicable range of the calibration results (calibration type 522). In this case, CPU 300 updates the paper data (paper type data) stored in HDD 203 of image forming apparatus 200 to the edited information. CPU 300 also updates the applicable range of the calibration results (correction value data) stored in HDD 203 to the edited information.

[0101] <Second embodiment> In the first embodiment, the user can change the calibration type 522 to "common" at their discretion for any custom paper for which a calibration target value 520 is set in the paper type data 510. Furthermore, the conditions for the paper data setting unit 401 to accept the setting of the calibration type 522 for custom paper are that the target paper is a paper for which calibration can be performed and that a calibration target value 520 is set.

[0102] In the second embodiment, predetermined conditions regarding the physical property information of the custom paper are further determined, and based on the determination result, the calibration type 522 can be changed to "common." That is, in the second embodiment, the papers for which the calibration type 522 can be changed to "common" are limited by the physical property information of the paper.

[0103] The second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, since the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the control system, image forming device 102, and paper data management device 100 in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same parts are given the same symbols and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0104] 10 is a diagram showing an example of paper data in the second embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the paper data is held in the paper data management unit 412 of the image forming apparatus 102, and can be edited by the paper data setting unit 401 of the paper data management device 100. The difference from the paper data in the first embodiment is that the paper type data 510 includes information on the common calibration paper suitability 1000.

[0105] The common calibration paper suitability 1000 is information indicating whether the target paper can be used as a common calibration paper when the target paper is a custom paper. If the target custom paper can be used as a common calibration paper, information indicating "yes" is set. If the target custom paper cannot be used as a common calibration paper, information indicating "no" is set.

[0106] In the second embodiment, the common calibration paper suitability 1000 is assumed to be set in advance in the paper type data 510 of the reference paper of the custom paper. As described above, when creating a new custom paper, the CPU 300 copies the paper type data 510 of the reference paper. Therefore, the common calibration paper suitability 1000 of the custom paper is set to the value of the common calibration paper suitability 1000 set in the paper type data 510 of the reference paper.

[0107] Even if the paper is made by a third party, if it is glossy paper or semi-glossy paper that is less prone to cockling, "Yes" is preset in the common calibration paper suitability 1000. This allows the common calibration paper suitability 1000 to be set according to the reference paper for custom paper as well.

[0108] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the process of setting the calibration type for custom paper in the second embodiment. The process shown in this flowchart is executed in S603 of Fig. 6 by the paper data setting unit 401 (CPU 300) of the paper data management device 100. Note that the process in Fig. 11 is a flowchart in which a new step S1101 is added between S703 and S704 of Fig. 7. In other words, the process other than S1101 is the same as in Fig. 7. Note that in Fig. 11, steps that are the same as those in the flowchart of Fig. 7 are assigned the same step numbers as those in Fig. 7.

[0109] First, in S701 to S703, the CPU 300 accepts the selection of the paper to be edited from the paper list, and determines whether the paper to be edited is custom paper and whether a calibration target value 520 has been set. If it is not custom paper, the process proceeds to S708. If it is custom paper but the calibration target value 520 has not been set, the process proceeds to S705. If it is custom paper and the calibration target value 520 has been set, the process proceeds to S1101.

[0110] In S1101, the CPU 300 determines whether the common calibration paper suitability 1000 in the paper type data 510 for the paper to be edited is set to "Yes." If "Yes" is set, the process proceeds to S704, and if "No" is set, the process proceeds to S705.

[0111] That is, if the common calibration paper suitability 1000 is set to "Yes," in S704 the CPU 300 allows the value of the calibration type 522 in the paper type data 510 to be set to either "common" or "individual." Specifically, the CPU 300 displays a UI 800 (FIG. 8) for setting the calibration type 522, and displays both "individual calibration" and "common calibration" in the pull-down list of the calibration type setting field 804.

[0112] If the common calibration paper suitability 1000 is set to "none," in S705 the CPU 300 allows the value of the calibration type 522 in the paper type data 510 to be set only to "individual." Specifically, the CPU 300 displays only "individual calibration" and does not display "common calibration" in the pull-down list of the calibration type setting field 804 in the UI 800.

[0113] Thereafter, in S706, the CPU 300 accepts the user's selection of the calibration type. In S707, the CPU 300 updates the calibration type 522 of the paper type data 510 in accordance with the setting selected by the user, and ends this flowchart.

[0114] With the processing of the second embodiment, for custom paper in which the common calibration paper suitability 1000 is set to "none," only paper type data 510 in which the calibration type 522 is set to "individual" can be created. On the other hand, for custom paper in which the common calibration paper suitability 1000 is set to "yes," the calibration type 522 can be set to "common." Note that when the common calibration paper suitability 1000 is set to "yes," the user can also set the calibration type 522 to "individual."

[0115] As described above, in the second embodiment, the paper types for which the calibration type 522 in the paper type data 510 can be changed to "common" are limited based on the information on the common calibration paper suitability 1000. This allows the user to set the scope of application of the calibration results for custom paper at their discretion, just as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, for custom paper that is not suitable for common calibration, only "individual" can be selected for the calibration type 522, which prevents common calibration from being performed using paper that is not suitable as common calibration paper. This allows custom paper to be used appropriately as common calibration paper. Note that the functions of the paper data management device 100 in this embodiment may be configured to be provided by the image forming device 102.

[0116] <Third embodiment> In the second embodiment, the paper suitability for common calibration of custom paper is determined based on the value of the common calibration paper suitability 1000 preset as physical property information for the custom paper in the paper type data 510. Furthermore, the information for the common calibration paper suitability 1000 is the same as the information preset in the paper type data 510 for the reference paper of the custom paper.

[0117] In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which the paper data management device 100 sets the common calibration paper suitability 1000 based on the physical property information of the actual physical paper of the custom paper to be edited. Also, the paper data management device 100 sets the calibration type 522 of the paper type data 510 of the custom paper to be edited based on the value of the common calibration paper suitability 1000.

[0118] The third embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. 12 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 102A of the third embodiment. In addition to the configuration of the image forming apparatus 102 of the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 102A has a reflectance measurement unit 1201. The configuration other than the reflectance measurement unit 1201 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the system configuration of the control system in the third embodiment and the hardware configuration of the paper data management device 100 are also the same as those of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 3). In the following explanation, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same parts as those in the first embodiment, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0119] The reflectance measuring unit 1201 measures the reflectance of paper being fed. A plurality of reflectance measuring units 1201 may be provided for each paper feed port of the image forming apparatus 102, or only one may be provided at a predetermined position. When only one reflectance measuring unit is provided, the CPU 200 may be configured to control the reflectance measuring unit 1201 so that paper is always loaded at the position where the reflectance measuring unit 1201 is provided. Alternatively, the user may set paper at the position where the reflectance measuring unit 1201 is provided. Note that "paper being fed" means that paper is set in the image forming apparatus 102. In other words, this means that the target paper is present in the image forming apparatus 102.

[0120] Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control system according to the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 13, a paper data management device 100A and an image forming device 102A are connected via a network 105. The difference from the control system according to the first embodiment (Fig. 4) is that the paper data management device 100A has a paper feed information acquisition unit 1301, and the image forming device 102A has a paper feed information management unit 1311 and a physical property information acquisition unit 1312. In Fig. 13, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0121] The paper data setting unit 401 of the paper data management device 100A acquires information about the paper being fed in the image forming device 102 from the paper feed information acquisition unit 1301. In the third embodiment, the information about the paper includes the type of paper (paper ID) and physical property information.

[0122] The paper feed information acquisition unit 1301 receives information about the paper being fed from the image forming apparatus 102A via the network 105.

[0123] When a paper feed information management unit 1311 of the image forming apparatus 102A receives a request from the paper feed information acquisition unit 1301 of the paper data management device 100A via the network 105, the paper feed information management unit 1311 transmits the type of paper being fed or the glossiness of the paper being fed. The glossiness is calculated by the paper feed information management unit 1311 based on the reflectance acquired from the physical property information acquisition unit 1312.

[0124] A physical property information acquisition unit 1312 acquires the reflectance of the paper being fed, measured by the reflectance measurement unit 1201 , and transmits it to a paper feed information management unit 1311 .

[0125] Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the process of setting the calibration application range for custom paper in the third embodiment. The process shown in this flowchart is executed in S603 of Fig. 6 by the paper data setting unit 401 (CPU 300) of the paper data management device 100A. Note that the process in Fig. 14 is a flowchart in which new steps S1401 to S1404 have been added between S703 and S704 of Fig. 7. In other words, the process other than S1401 to S1404 is the same as in Fig. 7. Note that in Fig. 14, the same steps as in the flowchart in Fig. 7 are assigned the same step numbers as in Fig. 7.

[0126] First, in S701 to S703, CPU 300 accepts the selection of paper to be edited from the paper list, and determines whether the paper to be edited is custom paper and whether a calibration target value 520 has been set. If it is not custom paper, the process proceeds to S708. If it is custom paper but the calibration target value 520 has not been set, the process proceeds to S705. If it is custom paper and the calibration target value 520 has been set, the process proceeds to S1401.

[0127] In S1401, the CPU 300 determines whether the common calibration paper suitability 1000 of the paper type data 510 to be edited is set to "Yes." If "Yes" is set, the process proceeds to S1402, and if "No" is set, the process proceeds to S705.

[0128] If the common calibration paper suitability 1000 is set to "Yes," the CPU 300 determines in S1402 whether the custom paper to be edited is currently being fed. That is, the CPU 300 (paper feed information acquisition unit 1301) sends a paper feed information acquisition request to the image forming apparatus 102A. The paper feed information acquisition request includes a request to acquire the paper ID and gloss level of the paper to be edited. When the CPU 200 (paper feed information management unit 1311) of the image forming apparatus 102A receives the paper feed information acquisition request, it first determines whether the paper ID of the paper being fed matches the paper ID included in the paper feed information acquisition request. If the paper IDs do not match, the CPU 300 (paper feed information acquisition unit 1301) transmits information indicating that the paper IDs do not match as a response to the paper feed information acquisition request. When the CPU 300 (paper feed information acquisition unit 1301) receives information indicating that the paper IDs do not match, the process proceeds to S704. The processing from S704 onwards is the same as the processing from S704 onwards in FIG. 7.

[0129] If the paper IDs match, that is, if the custom paper to be edited is currently being fed, the process proceeds to S1403. In S1403, the physical property information acquisition unit 1312 of the image forming apparatus 102A acquires the reflectance of the paper being fed and sends it to the paper feed information management unit 1311. The paper feed information management unit 1311 (CPU 200) calculates the glossiness based on the acquired reflectance in accordance with the JIS standard. The paper feed information management unit 1311 sends the calculated glossiness to the paper data management device 100A as a response to the paper feed information acquisition request.

[0130] In S1404, the paper feed information acquisition unit 1301 (CPU 300) of the paper data management device 100A compares the acquired glossiness with a predetermined threshold value. The threshold value is a glossiness appropriate for "common calibration paper," and is, for example, a value that serves as a criterion for determining whether or not the paper is glossy. Glossy paper is a type of paper that has high color development and is suitable for common calibration paper. For example, the reference glossiness for glossy paper is assumed to be a predetermined appropriate value, such as "50." Note that the reference glossiness value is not limited to 50 and may be any other value.

[0131] In the determination of S1404, if the acquired gloss level does not exceed the threshold value (S1404; NO), the paper is determined to be unsuitable for common calibration, and the process proceeds to S705. In the determination of S1404, if the acquired gloss level is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S1404; YES), the paper is determined to be suitable for common calibration, and the process proceeds to S704.

[0132] That is, if the common calibration paper suitability 1000 is set to "Yes," in S704 the CPU 300 allows the value of the calibration type 522 in the paper type data 510 to be set to either "common" or "individual." Specifically, the CPU 300 displays a UI 800 (FIG. 8) for setting the calibration type 522, and displays both "individual calibration" and "common calibration" in the pull-down list of the calibration type setting field 804.

[0133] If the common calibration paper suitability 1000 is set to "none," in S705 the CPU 300 allows the value of the calibration type 522 in the paper type data 510 to be set only to "individual." Specifically, the CPU 300 displays only "individual calibration" and does not display "common calibration" in the pull-down list of the calibration type setting field 804 in the UI 800.

[0134] Thereafter, in S706, the CPU 300 accepts the user's selection of the calibration type. In S707, the CPU 300 updates the calibration type 522 of the paper type data 510 in accordance with the setting selected by the user, and ends this flowchart.

[0135] As described above, in the third embodiment, the paper data management device 100A acquires the glossiness of the paper as the actual physical property information of the paper to be edited, and controls the range of application of calibration based on the acquired glossiness. This not only achieves the effects of the second embodiment, but also makes it possible to determine with high accuracy whether the common calibration paper is suitable. Note that the functions of the paper data management device 100A in this embodiment may also be configured to be possessed by the image forming device 102A.

[0136] <Fourth embodiment> In the first to third embodiments, the calibration type 522 of the paper type data 510 was changed using the paper data editing function in the paper data management device 100. Then, paper data including the changed paper type data 510 was delivered to the image forming device 102, and the paper data in the image forming device 102 was updated to the new paper data, and then calibration was performed. In the fourth embodiment, an example will be described in which the paper data is not updated, and the calibration type 522 of the paper type data 510 is set when calibration is performed.

[0137] The fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The system configuration of the control system of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 1). The hardware configuration and functional configuration of the image forming device 102A of the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the third embodiment (FIGS. 12 and 13). The hardware configuration of the paper data management device 100B of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 3).

[0138] 15 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control system according to the fourth embodiment. In the control system, a paper data management device 100B and an image forming device 102A are connected via a network 105.

[0139] The image forming apparatus 102A has the same functional configuration as the image forming apparatus 102A of the third embodiment (FIG. 13). The paper data management device 100B has a paper data communication unit 402, an image forming device management unit 403, a physical property information acquisition unit 1501, a paper feed information acquisition unit 1502, a paper data acquisition unit 1503, a calibration type management unit 1504, and a calibration execution management unit 1505. What differs from the paper data management device 100 of the first embodiment is that the paper data setting unit 401 is omitted and the physical property information acquisition unit 1501, the paper feed information acquisition unit 1502, the paper data acquisition unit 1503, the calibration type management unit 1504, and the calibration execution management unit 1505 are added. The paper data communication unit 402 and the image forming device management unit 403 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0140] The paper feed information acquisition unit 1502 acquires information about the paper being fed from the image forming apparatus 102A via the network 105. In the fourth embodiment, the information about the paper includes the type of paper (paper ID) and physical property information. The physical property information is, for example, glossiness.

[0141] The paper data acquisition unit 1503 acquires the value of the common calibration paper suitability 1000 set in the paper type data 510 of the paper being fed.

[0142] A physical property information acquisition unit 1501 acquires the paper type (paper ID) and physical property information (glossiness) of the paper being fed acquired by a paper feed information acquisition unit 1502, and the common calibration paper suitability 1000 of the paper being fed acquired by a paper data acquisition unit 1503. Hereinafter, the information on the paper type (paper ID), glossiness, and common calibration paper suitability 1000 of the paper being fed acquired by the physical property information acquisition unit 1501 will be referred to as "information related to the paper being fed."

[0143] The calibration type management unit 1504 determines whether the paper being fed is a paper on which common calibration can be performed, based on the information about the paper being fed acquired by the physical property information acquisition unit 1501 .

[0144] The calibration execution management unit 1505 controls the execution and stop of calibration in the image forming apparatus 102A. The calibration execution management unit 1505 displays a UI 1600 that allows the user to instruct which type of calibration to execute. The UI 1600 allows the user to select the type of calibration to execute. The calibration execution management unit 1505 instructs the image forming apparatus 102A to execute the type of calibration selected by the user on the UI 1600.

[0145] 16 is a diagram showing an example of a UI 1600 for a user to instruct the execution of calibration. The UI 1600 has a setting field 1601 for selecting a paper type and a setting field 1602 for selecting a calibration type. The setting field 1602 for selecting a calibration type displays executable calibration types in the form of a pull-down list. The display contents of the pull-down list are controlled by the CPU 300 of the paper data management device 100B in accordance with the processing shown in the flowchart described next.

[0146] 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of calibration control processing in the fourth embodiment. S1701 to S1708 shown in this flowchart are executed by the calibration execution management unit 1505 (CPU 300) of the paper data management device 100B. S1709 to S1712 are executed by the calibration control unit 413 (CPU 200) of the image forming device 102A. When a user of the paper data management device 100B instructs execution of calibration, the calibration execution management unit 1505 (CPU 300) of the paper data management device 100B starts the calibration control processing shown below.

[0147] In S1701, the CPU 300 of the paper data management apparatus 100B acquires the type of paper (paper ID) being fed from the paper feed information management unit 1311 of the image forming apparatus 102A via the network 105.

[0148] Next, in S1702, CPU 300 refers to paper type data 510 corresponding to the acquired paper type (paper ID) of the paper being fed, and determines whether the paper being fed is suitable as a paper for common calibration based on the value of common calibration paper suitability 1000 included in paper type data 510.

[0149] If the value of the common calibration paper suitability 1000 indicates "none" (S1702; NO), proceed to S1703. In S1703, the CPU 300 displays the UI 1600 for instructing the execution of calibration. The CPU 300 displays only "individual calibration" in the pull-down list in the setting field 1602 of the UI 1600 as a candidate type of calibration.

[0150] If the value of the common calibration paper suitability 1000 indicates "yes" (S1702; YES), the process proceeds to S1704. In S1704, the CPU 300 acquires the glossiness of the paper being fed. The process of acquiring the glossiness is the same as the process of S1403 in the third embodiment. That is, the CPU 300 (paper feed information acquisition unit 1502) transmits a glossiness acquisition request to the image forming apparatus 102A. When the CPU 200 (paper feed information management unit 1311) of the image forming apparatus 102A receives the glossiness acquisition request, it acquires the reflectance of the paper being fed to be used for calibration from the physical property information acquisition unit 1312 and transmits it to the paper feed information management unit 1311. The paper feed information management unit 1311 (CPU 200) calculates the glossiness based on the acquired reflectance in accordance with the JIS standard. The paper feed information management unit 1311 transmits the calculated glossiness to the paper data management device 100B as a response to the paper feed information acquisition request.

[0151] In S1705, the paper feed information acquisition unit 1502 (CPU 300) of the paper data management device 100B compares the acquired glossiness with a predetermined threshold value. As in the third embodiment, the threshold value is a glossiness appropriate for common calibration paper, and is a value that serves as a criterion for determining whether or not the paper is glossy.

[0152] In the determination of S1705, if the acquired gloss level does not exceed the threshold value (S1705; NO), the paper is determined to be unsuitable for common calibration, and the process proceeds to S1703.

[0153] In the determination in S1705, if the acquired glossiness is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S1705; YES), the paper is determined to be suitable for common calibration, and the process proceeds to S1706. In S1706, the CPU 300 displays the above-described UI 1600, and displays "individual calibration" and "common calibration" in a pull-down list in the setting field 1602 of the UI 1600 as candidates for the type of calibration.

[0154] Thereafter, in step S1707, the CPU 300 accepts the selection of the type of calibration to be performed from the pull-down list on the UI 1600. In S1708, CPU 300 instructs image forming apparatus 102A to execute the type of calibration selected by the user. Note that if only "individual calibration" is displayed in the pull-down list of setting field 1602, CPU 300 may skip S1703 and S1707 and instruct the start of individual calibration in S1708.

[0155] The CPU 200 of the image forming apparatus 102A executes the type of calibration selected by the user in accordance with the instruction transmitted from the paper data management device 100. That is, the calibration control unit 413 (CPU 200) instructs the printing unit 415 to print a patch, and the printing unit 415 prints the patch. In S1709, the sensor unit 414 of the image forming apparatus 102A acquires density values of the print result. The calibration control unit 413 (CPU 200) determines correction data based on the acquired density values and the calibration target values 520. Hereinafter, this correction data will be referred to as the calibration result.

[0156] In S1710, the calibration control unit 413 (CPU 200) determines whether the calibration start instruction sent from the paper data management device 100 in S1708 is "common calibration" or "individual calibration." If it is not "common calibration," the process proceeds to S1711. In S1711, the calibration control unit 413 (CPU 200) stores the calibration result determined in S1709 in the HDD 203 as a calibration result dedicated to the paper on which the calibration was executed.

[0157] If it is determined in step S1710 that the calibration is "common calibration," the process proceeds to step S1712. In S1712, the calibration control unit 413 (CPU 200) stores the calibration result determined in S1709 in the HDD 2003 as a calibration result common to all paper types, and then ends this flowchart.

[0158] Although the correction data is stored in the HDD 203 as the calibration result, density values may be stored instead. In this case, a lookup table (correction data) determined from the density values and calibration target values is created and applied to the print data when printing is performed. Also, while an example has been shown in which the calibration results are stored in the HDD 203 of the image forming apparatus 102, the storage destination is not limited to the HDD 203 and may be any storage area that holds the stored data and is accessible when printing is performed.

[0159] As described above, in the fourth embodiment, when an instruction to perform calibration is issued, the paper suitability for common calibration is determined based on the actual physical property information (e.g., glossiness) of the paper being fed. Then, a UI is provided that allows common calibration to be performed only on paper that has been determined to be suitable for common calibration. This prevents common calibration from being performed on custom paper that is not suitable for common calibration, and as a result, the problem of correction data that cannot be applied to other types of paper being applied to other types of paper is eliminated. This makes it possible to properly use custom paper as paper for common calibration.

[0160] Furthermore, according to the fourth embodiment, the user can select the type of calibration for custom paper on the UI that instructs the execution of calibration, without having to edit the paper type data 510 as in the first to third embodiments. This makes it possible to use either individual calibration or common calibration for the same custom paper.

[0161] In this embodiment, the functions of the paper data management device 100B may be configured to be provided in the image forming device 102A.

[0162] Needless to say, the object of the present disclosure can also be achieved by supplying a recording medium on which program code for software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or device, and having the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or device read and execute the program code stored on the recording medium. In this case, the program code read from the recording medium itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the recording medium on which the program code is stored constitutes the present disclosure.

[0163] Examples of storage media that can be used to supply 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.

[0164] Furthermore, it goes without saying that not only are the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments realized by the computer executing the program code it has read, but also cases where an Operating System (OS) running on the computer performs some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, and the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized through that processing.

[0165] Furthermore, it goes without saying that this also includes cases where the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory of a function expansion board inserted into a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then the CPU or the like on the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, and the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized through this processing.

[0166] <Other embodiments> The present disclosure can also be realized by providing a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0167] The disclosure of the above-described embodiment includes the following configurations.

[0168] (Configuration 1) a setting unit for setting an application range of the result of color calibration for the target paper; When the target paper is a custom paper for which the user can edit information about the paper, the setting unit sets either a first range that allows the results of color calibration to be commonly applied to other paper of a different type from the target paper, or a second range that prevents the results of color calibration from being applied to other paper of a different type from the target paper. A control device characterized by:

[0169] (Configuration 2) a determination unit for determining whether the target paper satisfies a predetermined condition; a receiving means for receiving a selection of either the first range or the second range by a user when the determining means determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied; 2. The control device according to configuration 1, further comprising:

[0170] (Configuration 3) The receiving means When the determining means determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the selection of the first range by the user is not accepted. 3. The control device according to configuration 2.

[0171] (Configuration 4) the application range is user-configurable via a user interface; When the determining means determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the user interface is displayed in a first display state in which selection of either the first range or the second range is accepted. 3. The control device according to configuration 2.

[0172] (Configuration 5) The control device described in configuration 4, characterized in that the user interface is displayed in a second display state in which selection of the second range is accepted and selection of the first range is not accepted when the determination means determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

[0173] (Configuration 6) 6. The control device according to any one of configurations 2 to 5, wherein the predetermined condition is that the target paper is a paper on which color calibration can be performed.

[0174] (Configuration 7) The method further includes a first acquisition means for acquiring paper type data in which values for a plurality of parameters are set for each type of paper as the information related to paper, 6. The control device according to any one of configurations 2 to 5, wherein the predetermined condition is that a target value for color calibration is set in the paper type data acquired by the first acquisition means.

[0175] (Configuration 8) The method further includes a first acquisition means for acquiring paper type data in which values for a plurality of parameters are set for each type of paper as the information related to paper, The control device according to any one of configurations 2 to 5, wherein the predetermined condition is that suitability information indicating that the results of the color calibration can be applied to other paper of a different type is set in the paper type data acquired by the first acquisition means.

[0176] (Configuration 9) The control device described in configuration 8, wherein the suitability information is set in advance in the paper type data of a paper that serves as a reference for the custom paper, and is the suitability information when the reference paper becomes the custom paper, and the suitability information set in the reference paper is copied to the paper type data of the custom paper.

[0177] (Configuration 10) a second acquisition means for acquiring physical property information of the target paper as the information related to the paper; a determination unit that determines whether the result of color calibration of the target paper can be applied to other paper of a different type based on the physical property information acquired by the second acquisition unit, The control device according to any one of configurations 2 to 5, wherein the predetermined condition is that the determination means determines that the results of color calibration of the target paper can be applied to other paper of a different type.

[0178] (Configuration 11) 11. The control device according to configuration 10, wherein the physical property information is glossiness.

[0179] (Configuration 12) 11. The control device according to configuration 10, wherein the physical property information is measured by an image forming device that executes color calibration.

[0180] (Configuration 13) a distribution unit that distributes, by the setting unit, paper type data in which information indicating the application range and a plurality of parameter values including a target value of color calibration for the target paper are set to the image forming device; 13. The control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, further comprising: an execution control unit that causes the image forming device to execute color calibration of the target paper based on the paper type data distributed by the distribution unit.

[0181] (Configuration 14) further comprising an execution control unit that causes the image forming apparatus to execute color calibration of the target paper; The control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the setting means sets an application range of the results of color calibration for the target paper when the image forming device performs color calibration.

[0182] (Configuration 15) a setting step for setting an application range of the color calibration result for the target paper; In the setting step, when the target paper is a custom paper for which the user can edit information about the paper, control is performed to set either a first range that allows the results of the color calibration to be commonly applied to other paper of a different type from the target paper, or a second range that prevents the results of the color calibration from being applied to other paper of a different type from the target paper. A control method comprising:

[0183] (Configuration 16) A program executed by a computer, a setting step for setting an application range of the color calibration result for the target paper; In the setting step, if the target paper is a custom paper for which the user can edit information about the paper, the program controls to set either a first range in which the results of the color calibration can be commonly applied to other paper of a different type than the target paper, or a second range in which the results of the color calibration cannot be applied to other paper of a different type than the target paper.

Claims

1. a setting unit for setting an application range of the result of color calibration for the target paper; When the target paper is a custom paper for which the user can edit information about the paper, the setting unit sets either a first range that allows the results of color calibration to be commonly applied to other paper of a different type from the target paper, or a second range that prevents the results of color calibration from being applied to other paper of a different type from the target paper. A control device characterized by:

2. a determination unit for determining whether the target paper satisfies a predetermined condition; a receiving means for receiving a selection of either the first range or the second range by a user when the determining means determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied; The control device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. The receiving means When the determining means determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the selection of the first range by the user is not accepted.

3. The control device according to claim 2.

4. the application range is configurable by a user via a user interface; When the determining means determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the user interface is displayed in a first display state in which selection of either the first range or the second range is accepted.

3. The control device according to claim 2.

5. The control device according to claim 4, characterized in that, when the determination means determines that the specified condition is not satisfied, the user interface is displayed in a second display state in which selection of the second range is accepted and selection of the first range is not accepted.

6. 6. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined condition is that the target paper is a paper on which color calibration can be performed.

7. The printing method further includes a first acquisition unit that acquires paper type data in which values for a plurality of parameters are set for each type of paper as the information related to paper, 6. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined condition is that a target value for color calibration is set in the paper type data acquired by the first acquisition unit.

8. The printing method further includes a first acquisition unit that acquires paper type data in which values for a plurality of parameters are set for each type of paper as the information related to paper, The control device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the predetermined condition is that suitability information indicating that the results of the color calibration can be applied to other paper of a different type is set in the paper type data acquired by the first acquisition means.

9. The control device described in claim 8, characterized in that the suitability information is pre-set in the paper type data of the paper that serves as the basis for the custom paper, and is the suitability information when the basis paper becomes the custom paper, and the suitability information set in the basis paper is copied to the paper type data of the custom paper.

10. a second acquisition means for acquiring physical property information of the target paper as the information related to the paper; a determination unit that determines whether the result of color calibration of the target paper can be applied to other paper of a different type based on the physical property information acquired by the second acquisition unit, 6. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined condition is that the determination means determines that the results of color calibration of the target paper can be applied to other paper of a different type.

11. The control device according to claim 10, wherein the physical property information is glossiness.

12. 11. The control device according to claim 10, wherein the physical property information is measured by an image forming apparatus that performs color calibration.

13. a distribution unit that distributes, by the setting unit, paper type data in which information indicating the application range and a plurality of parameter values including a target value of color calibration for the target paper are set to the image forming device; 2. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising: an execution control unit that causes the image forming device to execute color calibration of the target paper based on the paper type data distributed by the distribution unit.

14. further comprising an execution control unit that causes the image forming apparatus to execute color calibration of the target paper; 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets an application range of the result of color calibration for the target paper when the image forming device executes color calibration.

15. a setting step for setting an application range of the color calibration result for the target paper; In the setting step, when the target paper is a custom paper for which the user can edit information about the paper, the setting is controlled to be set to either a first range that allows the results of the color calibration to be commonly applied to other paper of a different type from the target paper, or a second range that prevents the results of the color calibration from being applied to other paper of a different type from the target paper. A control method comprising:

16. A program executed by a computer, a setting step for setting an application range of the color calibration result for the target paper; In the setting step, if the target paper is a custom paper for which the user can edit information about the paper, the program controls to set either a first range in which the results of the color calibration can be commonly applied to other paper of a different type than the target paper, or a second range in which the results of the color calibration cannot be applied to other paper of a different type than the target paper.

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