Image formation system, method, and program

Abstract

To provide an image formation system that prevents a print job executed in a previous stage from causing an inappropriate print result of a print job executed in a subsequent stage.SOLUTION: An image formation system includes an information processor and an image formation system. The information processor includes: first execution means for causing the image formation system to execute printing for creating an output profile; second execution means for causing the image formation system to execute printing for color verification; and control means for causing, on the basis of the printing contents for creating the output profile, the image formation system to execute predetermined printing between the printing for creating the output profile and the printing for color verification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system, method, and program capable of executing printing. [Background technology]

[0002] In the commercial printing industry, the importance and demand for color verification processes to periodically verify the color quality of image forming devices has been increasing in recent years. In response to this demand, a system has been released that allows users to perform color verification processes using a web browser. The color verification process that realizes the color verification system involves three steps: (1) printing a color chart consisting of multiple color patches, (2) measuring the color chart, and (3) performing color verification by comparing the color measurement results with color standards in the printing industry or with color standards independently established by the printing company to determine whether the results pass or fail.

[0003] It is also recommended to perform printer calibration (tone correction and density unevenness correction) and calibration for each paper type to be used before the above three steps. In particular, when performing paper calibration, a color chart is printed to create an output profile. To create an output profile with a wide color gamut, the color chart is printed with a larger output ink amount than normal printing. The output ink amount includes not only ink but also toner. Patent Document 1 describes measuring the color of a printed color chart and automatically correcting any discrepancies in density between the reference value and the measured value of the color chart. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-074862 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When a print job for printing a relatively high-density printout and a print job for printing a relatively low-density printout are executed in that order, the latter print job may unintentionally be printed dark due to the printer's operating characteristics, and when the job is executed as a color task of the color verification system, the color verification results may be inappropriate.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide an image forming system, method, and program that prevent a print job executed in a previous stage from causing the print result of a subsequent print job to be inappropriate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the image forming system of the present invention is an image forming system including an information processing device and an image forming device, wherein the information processing device is characterized by having a first execution means for causing the image forming device to execute printing for output profile creation, a second execution means for causing the image forming device to execute printing for color verification, and a control means for causing the image forming device to execute predetermined printing between the printing for output profile creation and the printing for color verification based on the printing content for the output profile creation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a print job executed in a previous stage from causing the print result of a subsequent print job to be inappropriate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a color verification system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of each device. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates a process in a color verification system. [Figure 5]FIG. 1 illustrates a process in a color verification system. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 illustrates a process in a color verification system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] [First embodiment] This embodiment describes a color verification system that verifies the color quality of printed materials generated by an image forming apparatus by measuring the color of a chart on which multiple verification patches are printed using a color measurement device and comparing the color measurement results with industry standards or company-specific standards. In this embodiment, this verification is called "color verification." Below, the configuration of the color verification system for achieving color verification, printing of a color chart, color measurement of the color chart, and color verification are described.

[0012] 1 is a block diagram showing a color verification system (image forming system) according to this embodiment. The color verification system includes a web system 101 and a printing company system 103, which are interconnected via a network 100 such as the Internet so that they can communicate with each other. The web system 101 may be built on the cloud or on an in-house server.

[0013] The internal configuration of the printer system 103 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an information processing device 104 and an image forming device 106 are connected via a network 105 so that they can communicate with each other. The image forming device 106 is, for example, an electrophotographic printing device. The image forming device 106 includes, for example, a user interface (UI) panel, a paper feed deck, and a paper output device. The UI panel is a user interface including, for example, a capacitive touch panel. The paper output device stacks printouts on a paper output tray. The image forming device 106 is controlled under the control of a group of programs running on the information processing device 104, processes a print job (print settings and print data) received from the web system 101, and outputs printouts. There may be more than one image forming device 106 in the printer system 103.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 106 is capable of performing printer calibration. Printer calibration is the adjustment of CMYK density and CMYK gradation so that the image forming apparatus 106 can reproduce target colors on standard paper. CMYK is an example of colors that the image forming apparatus 106 can print, and represents cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). In this embodiment, CMYK is described as the colors that the image forming apparatus 106 can print, but other colors such as light cyan and light magenta may also be printable. Because CMYK density and CMYK gradation gradually change depending on the print volume and elapsed time, printer calibration must be periodically performed on the image forming apparatus 106 in order to reproduce target colors.

[0015] The image forming device 106 can perform paper calibration. Paper calibration is an adjustment performed for each paper type to absorb differences in color and surface properties between papers and output consistent colors. The adjustment is performed, for example, using a one-dimensional lookup table (1DLUT) set for each color material color. The color and surface properties of paper vary depending on the type. Therefore, if the same settings are used to print on all papers, the color will vary depending on the paper, and it will be impossible to achieve a color close to the target. Therefore, by performing paper calibration for each paper type, the color output by the image forming device 106 for each paper type is corrected to approach the target, and as a result, a color close to the target can be consistently achieved for each paper type.

[0016] If paper calibration is not performed for the paper being used, it will not be possible to reproduce the desired colors on the paper. Therefore, if paper calibration is not performed for the paper used in color verification, the color verification may fail. While printer calibration is an adjustment performed for a standard set of paper, paper calibration is an adjustment performed for each individual paper. The surface properties and color tones of paper used for printing vary depending on the type of paper, and the colors reproduced vary depending on the type of paper. Therefore, color quality adjustments and color verification must be performed for each type of paper.

[0017] The print data that the image forming apparatus 106 receives from the information processing apparatus 104 includes signal values of the color chart. However, the image forming apparatus 106 does not use the signal values of the color chart as the output ink amount directly, but adjusts the signal values of the color chart. This adjustment is made to adjust the signal values to a practical value because there are differences in the output ink amount that can be handled by each device, and a large output ink amount makes it difficult to dry and prone to smearing. For example, if the image forming apparatus 106 receives a signal value of 400% total for CMYK in the color chart, it adjusts the signal value of the color chart to 350%. Note that in this embodiment, the meaning of output ink amount is not limited to ink but also includes toner.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing devices 102 and 104. The information processing device 102 will be described below as a representative example of the information processing devices 102 and 104. The operation of the information processing device 102 in this embodiment is realized by the CPU 201 executing an operating system (OS) or general application programs stored in a program ROM of the ROM 203 or loaded from the HDD 210 to the RAM 202. The ROM 203 includes a font ROM and a data ROM. The RAM 202 functions as the CPU 201's main memory, work area, etc. The operation control unit 205 controls input from the operation unit 208. The operation unit 208 includes, for example, a keyboard and a pointing device. The display control unit 206 controls the display of the display unit 209. The disk control unit 207 controls access to a hard disk drive (HDD) 210 that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, etc. The communication control unit 212 is connected to an external network and executes communication control processing with other devices connected to the network. The communication control unit 212 is configured, for example, by a network interface controller (NIC). The network may be a wired network, a wireless network, or a combination of both. The bus 204 interconnects the CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM 203, and various control units to transmit data signals and control signals. If the information processing device 102 is a mobile phone, the information processing device 102 may include a touch panel controller or the like instead of the operation control unit 205. It may also include a large-capacity storage device instead of the HDD 210. The internal configuration of the communication control unit 212 differs depending on whether the device is a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, or both. However, these differences due to the internal configuration are hidden within the communication control unit 212, and it is configured to be equivalent to the other modules shown in the figure and be able to control the system.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of each of the information processing apparatus 102, the information processing apparatus 104, and the image forming apparatus 106 that constitute the color verification system according to this embodiment.

[0020] First, we will explain the information processing device 104. The information processing device 104 of the printing company system 103 has a color management application 300 that performs color verification. The color management application 300 has a color task control unit 301, a pre-printing execution determination unit 302, an automatic color task setting storage unit 303, a pre-printing condition storage unit 304, a color chart information storage unit 305, an output profile creation unit 306, and a density determination unit 316.

[0021] The color management application 300 is a digital front-end controller (DFE controller) that acts as a proxy relay, communicating with the color verification application 310 via a web server 315 over a network 100 such as the Internet, and also communicating with the image forming device 106 via the network 105. For example, when printing a color chart, the color verification application 310 relays the color management application 300 to cause the image forming device 106 to print the color chart. Note that when printing a color chart, the color verification application 310 may send the print data and print settings for the color chart directly to the image forming device 106 without relaying the data through the color management application 300. The decision on whether to use the color management application 300 is made based on, for example, whether the printing company connects the image forming device 106 to an external network, and either connection mode may be used in this embodiment.

[0022] The color task control unit 301 receives color task instructions from the color verification application 310 and instructs the image forming apparatus 106 to execute color tasks. At this time, the color task information stored in the automatic color task setting storage unit 303 and information received from the preprint execution determination unit 302 are used. In this embodiment, a color task refers to a job corresponding to a function executed in the color verification system. The functions executed in the color verification system are not fixed, but can change depending on the settings. For example, at least one of printer calibration, paper calibration, and printing a color chart related to color verification is set as a function to be executed by the image forming apparatus 106. In this embodiment, a job corresponding to a function set in this way is called a color task.

[0023] The automatic color task setting storage unit 303 stores the settings for calibration and color verification to be instructed to be executed by the image forming apparatus 106. The settings may be stored as a file in the HDD 210 of the information processing apparatus 104. The settings may also be organized as a database in tabular format, such as the color verification setting value storage table shown in Table 1 below. The color verification setting value storage table in Table 1 shows an example of information stored in the database.

[0024] (Table 1)

[0025] The types of color tasks stored in the TIFF2025114245000002.tif66129 color verification setting value storage table include printer calibration (e.g., gradation correction and density unevenness correction), paper calibration, and color verification, and ON / OFF information indicating whether each is to be performed as an automatic color task is stored. In this embodiment, a color task that is automatically executed by the image forming apparatus 106 without user operation is specifically referred to as an "automatic color task." The functions executed by the automatic color tasks are set by ON / OFF information in the color verification setting value storage table. For example, in the example of the color verification setting value storage table described above, when an instruction to execute an automatic color task in the image forming apparatus 106 is received from an external device, such as the information processing apparatus 102, the image forming apparatus 106 executes printer calibration (gradation correction), printer calibration (density unevenness correction), paper calibration, and color verification.

[0026] As described above, the content of the color task to be executed by the image forming device 106 in response to an instruction to execute an automatic color task from the color verification application 310 is determined based on the ON / OFF information in the color verification setting value storage table. The color verification setting value storage table also stores a number of other detailed setting information related to each color task (e.g., type of calibration, paper type, color standards for color verification, etc.).

[0027] The pre-printing execution determination unit 302 determines whether the output ink amount received by the color task control unit 301 from the print control unit 307 of the image forming apparatus 106 is equal to or greater than a threshold. In this embodiment, if the output ink amount received from the print control unit 307 of the image forming apparatus 106 is equal to or greater than the threshold, pre-printing, which will be described later, is performed.

[0028] A common operating characteristic of printers is that when a print job for printing a low-density print is printed after a print job for printing a high-density print, the toner and ink remaining in the developing unit are applied to the print, resulting in an unintended dark print result. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to stabilize the toner and ink output after the print job for printing a high-density print, a print job for printing a relatively low-density print is executed before the print job for printing the actual low-density print. In this embodiment, printing executed before the actual low-density print is referred to as "preprinting." Note that preprinting does not mean printing a blank sheet of paper, but rather means printing a print job such as a color chart with a relatively smaller amount of ink output than the print job for printing the high-density print executed in the previous stage.

[0029] The pre-printing condition storage unit 304 has an output ink amount threshold table that is referenced as a determination condition used when the pre-printing execution determination unit 302 makes a determination. The output ink amount threshold table has output ink amount thresholds. The output ink amount threshold table in Table 2 shows an example of output ink amount threshold information stored in the pre-printing condition storage unit 304. The output ink amount threshold is determined according to the performance of the image forming device 106. Specifically, for example, it is determined according to the performance of the toner fixing mechanism.

[0030] (Table 2)

[0031] The TIFF2025114245000003.tif2795 color chart information storage unit 305 stores the data of the color chart used in pre-printing. The color chart data is read when a command to print the color chart is issued and sent to the image forming apparatus 106. The output profile creation unit 306 uses the colorimetric values received from the image forming apparatus 106 during paper calibration to create an output profile for the paper that was the target of the paper calibration. The density determination unit 316 compares the density determined from the colorimetric results of pre-printing with a reference value (standard value) and determines whether the density printed in pre-printing is within the allowable range. The determination by the density determination unit 316 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5.

[0032] Next, the image forming apparatus 106 will be described.

[0033] The image forming apparatus 106 has a print control unit 307, a printing unit 308, and a colorimetric unit 309. The print control unit 307 receives an execution instruction for an automatic color task from the color management application 300 and controls the execution of the automatic color task. The printing unit 308 executes a print job to record an image on a recording medium such as paper. The printing unit 308 can be configured using various recording methods, such as an electrophotographic method in which recording is performed by adhering toner to the recording medium, or an inkjet recording method in which recording is performed by ejecting ink droplets onto the recording medium. The colorimetric unit 309 measures the color of the printed material using an inline colorimetric sensor built into the image forming apparatus 106. In this embodiment, the colorimetric measurement of the printed color chart is performed automatically without user operation.

[0034] Next, the information processing device 102 will be described.

[0035] The information processing device 102 includes a color verification application 310, a color verification setting storage unit 312, a color chart information storage unit 313, a web browser 314, and a web server 315. The color verification application 310 is a color verification application that runs on the web browser 314 and communicates with the color management application 300 via the web server 315. The color verification management unit 311 instructs the color management application 300 to execute a color task. This instruction is generated based on information stored in the color verification setting storage unit 312 and the color chart information storage unit 313. The color verification setting storage unit 312 stores setting information required for color verification. The color verification setting storage unit 312 stores, for example, information such as reference values for each color standard, measurement standard tolerances, paper information, and the printer used, as well as color verification job information that combines these information. The color chart information storage unit 313 stores color chart data for color verification, including color chart data for multiple color standards. The color chart data is, for example, CMYK signal values. Furthermore, the color chart data may include reference values for Lab values, tolerance values that indicate how much deviation is allowed when performing color verification, and the like.

[0036] This concludes the description of the configuration of the color verification system. Note that the configuration of the color verification system is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 3. For example, at least some of the functional blocks of the color management application 300 may be included in the color verification application 310. In this case, the print control unit 307 of the image forming apparatus 106 receives execution instructions for automatic color tasks from the color verification application 310 and controls their execution.

[0037] The sequence of the color verification system will now be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram of the color verification system. The processing of the color verification application 310 is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 of the information processing device 102 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 203. The processing of the color management application 300 is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 of the information processing device 104 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 203.

[0038] In S401, the color management application 300 receives input from the operator and creates an automatic color task. The settings are, for example, those shown in the color verification setting value storage table in Table 1, and include whether to enable or disable the execution of each color task and other detailed settings for each color task. Here, an automatic color task is created with settings that, for example, execute printer calibration, paper calibration, and color verification on the image forming device 106, and the created task is saved in the automatic color task setting storage unit 303.

[0039] In S402, the color verification application 310 instructs the color management application 300 to execute an automatic color task. The execution instruction from the color verification application 310 is sent to the color management application 300 remotely, for example.

[0040] After S402, in S403, the color management application 300 instructs the image forming apparatus 106 to execute printer calibration as the first color task set in the automatic color task.

[0041] In S404, the image forming apparatus 106 receives the instruction sent from the color management application 300 in S403 and performs printer calibration. Specifically, for example, the image forming apparatus 106 prints a chart for printer calibration using the printing unit 308 and performs color measurement using the color measurement unit 309. In S404, the color measurement results are sent to the color management application 300.

[0042] In S405, the color management application 300 instructs the image forming apparatus 106 to execute paper calibration as the second color task set in the automatic color task.

[0043] In S406, the image forming apparatus 106 receives the instruction sent from the color management application 300 in S405 and performs paper calibration. Specifically, for example, the image forming apparatus 106 prints a color chart for creating an output profile using the printing unit 308 and performs color measurement using the colorimetric unit 309. Note that when printing to create this output profile, printing is performed with a setting value for the output ink amount that is larger than normal under the control of the print control unit 307 of the image forming apparatus 106. For example, if the upper limit setting value for the output ink amount during normal printing is 300%, the upper limit setting value is raised to 370% only when printing to create the profile.

[0044] The reason for increasing the output ink amount is to create an output profile with a wider color gamut. For example, if the image forming device 106's output ink amount performance is limited to 300%, printing with an output ink amount setting of 370% will actually result in the value being adjusted and rounded to 300%. However, by analyzing how the value is rounded, it is possible to accurately determine the outermost boundary of the color gamut that the image forming device 106 can output, and as a result, it is possible to accurately create an output profile with a wider color gamut. Therefore, compared to the printing in subsequent steps S411 and S413, a higher density printed item is printed in S406, which makes it more likely that the color of the next printed item will be unintentionally darker due to the printer operating characteristics described above.

[0045] In S407, the image forming apparatus 106 transmits the output ink amount and colorimetric values for each patch of the color chart used to create an output profile for printing in S406 to the color management application 300. The colorimetric values are, for example, Lab values. The output ink amount is used to determine whether or not to perform pre-printing in the subsequent stage, and the colorimetric values are used to create an output profile for the paper.

[0046] The color chart for creating an output profile has multiple patches with defined CMYK signal values, for example. The image forming device 106 adjusts the signal values of the color chart for creating an output profile to determine the output ink amount for each patch. In S407, the color management application 300 receives the output ink amount values.

[0047] In S408, the color management application 300 causes the output profile creation unit 306 to create an output profile using the colorimetric values received in S407.

[0048] In S409, the color management application 300 determines whether to perform pre-printing, which is performed in the subsequent step S411. Specifically, for example, the pre-printing execution determination unit 302 acquires the output ink amount information received in S407, calculates the maximum output ink amount from the output ink amounts of each of the multiple patches, and compares the maximum output ink amount with the output ink amount threshold in the output ink amount threshold table in Table 2. In other words, the determination of whether to perform pre-printing is made using the results of printing for output profile creation. However, the determination of whether to perform pre-printing is not limited to using the results of printing for output profile creation. In other words, the determination of whether to perform pre-printing may be made using methods other than output ink amount information. For example, the print settings, etc., used when printing the color chart for output profile creation may be used to determine whether to perform pre-printing. In this way, in this embodiment, the determination of whether to perform pre-printing is made based on the results of printing for output profile creation and the print content, including the print settings, etc.

[0049] If the comparison result is greater than the threshold, in S410, the color management application 300 instructs the image forming apparatus 106 to perform preprinting. In S411, the image forming apparatus 106 performs preprinting based on the preprinting instruction received from the color management application 300. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 106 is instructed to print a color chart identical to the color chart for color verification used in S412. Note that the upper limit setting value for the output ink amount for preprinting is set to the same value as for normal printing. As described above, in this embodiment, performing preprinting has the effect of releasing recording material that has accumulated after executing a print job for printing a high-density print. This prevents the print result from being unintentionally dark due to excessive toner or ink accumulated in the developing device being applied to the print when a print job for printing a low-density print is printed. On the other hand, if the comparison result is less than the threshold, preprinting is not performed and the process proceeds to S412. Note that the comparison with the threshold may use other indicators, such as an average value, instead of the maximum value.

[0050] In S412, the color management application 300 instructs the image forming apparatus 106 to print a color chart for color verification as the third color task set in the automatic color task. In S413, the image forming apparatus 106 prints and measures the color of the color chart for color verification.

[0051] In S414, the image forming apparatus 106 transmits the colorimetry results of S413 to the color verification application 310. Note that the colorimetry results may be, for example, Lab values. Alternatively, the colorimetry results may be transmitted to the color verification application 310 via the color management application 300.

[0052] In S415, the color verification application 310 performs color verification based on the color measurement results received in S414. Specifically, for example, the difference between the reference value for each color standard stored in the color verification setting storage unit 312 and the color measurement results received in S414 is compared with the allowable error. If the difference is within the allowable error, the color verification result is deemed to be a pass; if the difference is greater than the allowable error, the color verification result is deemed to be a fail. This concludes the description of the sequence in Figure 4.

[0053] As described above, according to this embodiment, whether or not to perform pre-printing is controlled based on the output ink amount value received from the image forming apparatus 106 in S407. Then, pre-printing with a relatively small output ink amount is performed between printing for output profile creation with a relatively large output ink amount and printing for color verification with a relatively small output ink amount. This prevents the color from unintentionally becoming darker due to printer characteristics during printing for color verification, and prevents color verification from being inappropriately rejected.

[0054] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment will be described below, focusing on differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, after pre-printing in S411 is performed, it is determined that the toner in the developing unit has stabilized after one pre-printing, and then an instruction to print a color verification color chart in S412 is issued. However, because it is not confirmed whether the problem of unintended high density in the print result due to toner or the like remaining in the developing unit has been resolved as a result of pre-printing, there is a possibility that the problem has not yet been resolved. Therefore, in this embodiment, a density determination is performed before S412. In this embodiment, it is possible to issue an instruction to print a color verification color chart in S412 after confirming that the problem of unintended high density in the print result due to toner or the like remaining in the developing unit has been resolved.

[0055] A flowchart of the color verification system in this embodiment will be described using Figure 5. Figure 5 shows the flow from S408 onwards in Figure 4. That is, the processing in Figure 5 is performed instead of S409 to S414 in Figure 4. S501, S502, S506 to S509, and S513 indicate processing in the color management application 300, and are realized, for example, by the CPU 201 of the information processing device 104 reading a program stored in ROM 203 into RAM 202 and executing it. Furthermore, S503 to S505 and S510 to S512 indicate processing in the image forming device 106.

[0056] Table 3 is an example of a preprinting execution count table, and shows an example of information stored in the preprinting condition storage unit 304.

[0057] (Table 3)

[0058] In step S501, the color management application 300, via the preprinting execution determination unit 302, references the preprinting count table (Table 3) to determine whether the cumulative number of preprintings is equal to or less than the specified number. The preprinting count table stores the specified number of preprintings and the number of preprintings performed. The specified number of preprintings is a value used to determine how many preprintings must be performed before proceeding to error processing in step S513. The preprinting count is a value used to count how many preprintings are performed in a single color verification job. For example, the preprinting count table (Table 3) indicates that one preprinting was performed out of the specified number of two preprintings. If it is determined in step S501 that the number of preprintings performed is less than the specified number, the process proceeds to step S502. If it is determined that the specified number of preprintings has been reached, the process proceeds to step S513. In S502, the color management application 300 instructs the image forming apparatus 106 to execute preprinting.

[0059] In S503, the image forming device 106 receives the preprinting instruction sent from the color management application 300 in S502. In S504, the image forming device 106 executes preprinting. Specifically, for example, the image forming device 106 prints a color verification color chart and measures its color. In S505, the image forming device 106 sends the color measurement results of S504 to the color management application 300. The color measurement results are, for example, Lab values.

[0060] In S506, the color management application 300 receives the color measurement results sent from the image forming apparatus 106 in S505. In S507, the color management application 300 performs density determination using the density determination unit 316. Specifically, for example, the density is calculated from the color measurement results received in S506. The density may be obtained, for example, from the L value of the Lab value.

[0061] In S508, the color management application 300 compares the density acquired in S507 with the density obtained from the reference values of each patch of the color verification color chart to determine whether the density is within a predetermined acceptable range. If it is determined to be within the acceptable range, the process proceeds to S509. On the other hand, if it is determined to be outside the acceptable range, the pre-printing is deemed insufficient, and the process returns to S501 to retry the pre-printing. For example, if the density is higher than the density obtained from the reference values of each patch by an amount exceeding the acceptable range, it is determined that the release of retained toner, etc. is incomplete, and pre-printing is performed again.

[0062] In S509, the color management application 300 instructs the image forming apparatus 106 to print a color chart for color verification. In other words, it determines that the problem of unintended high density in the print result due to accumulation of toner, etc. has been resolved by executing pre-printing, and instructs the image forming apparatus 106 to print a color chart for color verification.

[0063] In S510, the image forming device 106 receives the instruction to print the color verification color chart sent from the color management application 300 in S509. In S511, the image forming device 106 prints the color verification color chart and measures the colors. In S512, the image forming device 106 sends the color measurement results to the color verification application 310. Note that the color measurement results may be, for example, Lab values. Alternatively, the color measurement results may be sent to the color verification application 310 via the color management application 300.

[0064] In S513, the color management application 300 sends a toner density abnormality error to the color verification application 310. This is because the problem of unintended high density print results due to toner accumulation has not been resolved even after preprinting has been performed the specified number of times.

[0065] As described above, in this embodiment, the color measurement results of the pre-printing are received in S506, and a density determination is performed in S507 to determine whether the problem of unintended high density in the print result due to accumulation of toner, etc. has been resolved by the pre-printing. If it is determined that the problem has been resolved, an instruction to print a color chart for color verification is issued to the image forming apparatus 106. In this way, by repeating the pre-printing process, it is possible to resolve the problem of unintended high density in the print result due to accumulation of toner, etc., and then issue an instruction to print a color chart for color verification.

[0066] [Third embodiment] The third embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first and second embodiments. In the first embodiment, the output ink amount received from the image forming device 106 in S407 was used only to determine whether or not to perform preprinting in S411. In this embodiment, the content of preprinting is changed based on the output ink amount. This makes it possible to further improve the effect of preprinting. In this embodiment, the color management application 300 performs the following processing using the output ink amount received from the image forming device 106.

[0067] First, the number of patches exceeding the threshold value in the output ink amount is counted, and the number of times pre-printing is performed is changed depending on this count. Table 4 shows an example of a pre-printing execution count determination table, and shows an example of information for determining the number of times pre-printing is performed that is stored in the pre-printing condition storage unit 304.

[0068] (Table 4)

[0069] TIFF2025114245000005.tif53109For example, if there are only 1 to 10 patches that exceed the output ink amount threshold in Table 2, the color management application 300 determines that the number of pre-printing operations will be 1.Also, if there are 100 or more patches that exceed the threshold, the color management application 300 determines that the number of pre-printing operations will be 10.In other words, the more patches that exceed the threshold, the more pre-printing operations are determined to be performed.With this configuration, this embodiment can more reliably issue a print instruction for a color verification color chart after solving the problem of unintended high density print results due to toner accumulation, etc.

[0070] Second, a threshold for the amount of output ink is set for each CMYK color, and the number of patches that exceed the threshold is calculated for each CMYK color. Then, the pre-printed printout is differentiated based on whether there is a bias in the number of patches that exceed the threshold between the CMYK colors. This configuration in this embodiment makes it possible to more reliably issue a print instruction for a color verification color chart after resolving the problem of unintended high density print results due to toner accumulation or the like.

[0071] Table 5 is a table of threshold values for each color of output ink amount, and shows an example of information on threshold values for each color of output ink amount stored in the previous printing condition storage unit 304.

[0072] (Table 5)

[0073] If there is a bias in the number of patches exceeding the threshold, a dedicated printout for each color is used in pre-printing to eliminate the bias. For example, if it is determined based on the output ink volume that there are many patches exceeding the C (cyan) threshold, a dedicated printout with many C (cyan) patches stored in advance in the color chart information storage unit 305 is used in pre-printing to quickly release C (cyan) toner and stabilize the toner output. That is, in this case, a printout using C (cyan) and low signal values, for example, CMYK=(10,0,0,0). Similarly, if it is determined that there are many patches exceeding the M (magenta) threshold, a dedicated printout with many M (magenta) patches is used in pre-printing. Similarly, if it is determined that there are many patches exceeding the Y (yellow) threshold, a dedicated printout with many Y (yellow) patches is used in pre-printing. Similarly, if it is determined that there are many patches exceeding the K (black) threshold, a special printed material having many K (black) patches is used in pre-printing.

[0074] A flowchart of the color verification system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The processing in Fig. 6 is implemented, for example, by the CPU 201 of the information processing device 104 reading a program stored in the ROM 203 into the RAM 202 and executing it. The processing in Fig. 6 is executed instead of steps S407, S409, and S410 in Fig. 4.

[0075] In S601, the color management application 300 receives output ink amounts from the image forming device 106. In S601, the color management application 300 also receives color measurement results from the image forming device 106. The processing of S408 in Fig. 4 using the color measurement results is also executed in the present embodiment.

[0076] In S602, the color management application 300 determines whether the maximum value of the output ink amount received in S601 is equal to or greater than a threshold value. The threshold value here is the output ink amount threshold value in the threshold value table of Table 2. If it is determined that the maximum value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the process proceeds to S603. On the other hand, if it is determined that the maximum value is less than the threshold value, the process of FIG. 6 ends, and the process of S412 in FIG. 4 is executed.

[0077] In S603, the color management application 300 counts the number of patches whose output ink amount exceeds the threshold.

[0078] In this embodiment, the number of times pre-printing is performed is determined based on the number of patches whose output ink amount exceeds the threshold, as shown in Table 4, and on the pre-printing execution count determination table. If the number of patches whose output ink amount exceeds the threshold is 1 to 10, the process proceeds to S604, and the color management application 300 sets the number of times pre-printing is performed to 1. If the number of patches whose output ink amount exceeds the threshold is 10 to 100, the process proceeds to S605, and the color management application 300 sets the number of times pre-printing is performed to 10. If the number of patches whose output ink amount exceeds the threshold is 100 or more, the process proceeds to S606, and the color management application 300 sets the number of times pre-printing is performed to 50. After S604 to S606, the process proceeds to S607. Note that the numbers in S604 to S606 are just examples, and other values may be used as long as the number of times increases as the number of patches increases.

[0079] In S607, the color management application 300 determines whether there is a bias between CMYK colors in the counting results of patches whose output ink amounts exceed the threshold. Any method can be used for the determination in S607 as long as it can determine a bias between CMYK colors. For example, if there is a color that accounts for more than half (or a predetermined percentage) of the total number of patches, it may be determined that there is a bias for that color. If it is determined that there is a bias, the process proceeds to S608, and if it is determined that there is no bias, the process proceeds to S609.

[0080] In S608, the color management application 300 sets a dedicated printout containing many patches of the biased color as the printout to be used in preprinting. For example, if there is a bias in C (cyan), a printout using C (cyan) and low signal values, for example, CMYK=(10,0,0,0), is set. If the bias is in a single color, one dedicated printout is set; however, if the bias is in multiple colors, multiple dedicated printouts may be set. In S609, the color management application 300 sets the color chart used in color verification, as described in the first embodiment, as the printout to be used in preprinting. In S610, the color management application 300 instructs the image forming apparatus 106 to perform preprinting.

[0081] As described above, according to this embodiment, the content of the preprinting process is changed based on the output ink amount received from the image forming apparatus 106 in S601, thereby improving the effect of preprinting.

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

[0083] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following information processing device, method, and program. (Item 1) An image forming system including an information processing device and an image forming device, The information processing device includes: a first execution unit that causes the image forming apparatus to execute printing for creating an output profile; a second execution means for causing the image forming apparatus to execute printing for color verification; a control unit that causes the image forming apparatus to execute predetermined printing between the printing for creating the output profile and the printing for color verification based on the printing content for creating the output profile; An image forming system comprising: (Item 2) 2. The image forming system according to item 1, wherein the predetermined print is a print that produces a print having a density lower than that of a print that is produced as a result of the print for producing the output profile. (Item 3) 3. The image forming system according to item 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined print is a print that produces a print having a density corresponding to the density of the print produced by the color verification print. (Item 4) further comprising a receiving means for receiving the result of the predetermined printing; The image forming system described in any one of items 1 to 3, characterized in that the second execution means causes the image forming device to execute the color verification printing based on whether the result of the specified printing satisfies the conditions. (Item 5) 5. The image forming system according to item 4, wherein the control unit repeats the predetermined printing until the result of the predetermined printing satisfies the condition. (Item 6) The image forming system described in item 5 is characterized in that the control means executes error processing if the result of the specified printing does not satisfy the condition even after causing the image forming device to repeatedly execute the specified printing a specified number of times. (Item 7) 7. The image forming system according to item 6, wherein the result of the predetermined printing is a color measurement result of a printed matter on which the predetermined printing has been performed. (Item 8) 8. The image forming system according to item 7, wherein the condition is that the density obtained from the color measurement result of the printed matter is within an allowable range from a reference value. (Item 9) 9. The image forming system according to any one of items 4 to 8, wherein the control unit changes the predetermined print content based on the print content for creating the output profile. (Item 10) 10. The image forming system according to item 9, wherein the print content for creating the output profile includes the amount of recording material output in the print. (Item 11) Item 11. The image forming system according to item 10, wherein the control means increases the number of times the specified printing is repeated until the result of the specified printing satisfies the condition, as the number of patches in which the amount of recording material is equal to or greater than the threshold value increases. (Item 12) The image forming system described in item 11 is characterized in that the second execution means changes the printed matter used in the color verification printing depending on whether or not there is a bias between the colors used in printing by the image forming device in terms of the number of patches in which the amount of recording material is greater than or equal to a threshold value. (Item 13) Item 13. The image forming system according to item 12, characterized in that the printed material used in the color verification printing, which is used when the number of patches in which the amount of recording material is equal to or greater than the threshold value is not biased between the colors used in printing by the image forming device, is a color chart for color verification. (Item 14) Item 14. The image forming system according to item 13, characterized in that the printed matter used for color verification printing, which is used when there is a bias between the colors used for printing in the image forming device in terms of the number of patches in which the amount of recording material is equal to or greater than a threshold, is a printed matter in which the proportion of the color of the patch in question is high. (Item 15) a second receiving means for receiving a job including the printing for creating the output profile and the printing for color verification, The image forming system described in any one of items 1 to 14, characterized in that when the job is received by the second receiving means, the first execution means causes the image forming device to execute printing for creating the output profile. (Item 16) a third execution unit that executes calibration of the image forming device on the image forming device when the job includes calibration of the image forming device; Item 16. The image forming system according to item 15, wherein the first execution unit causes the image forming device to execute printing for creating the output profile after calibration of the image forming device is executed. (Item 17) 17. The image forming system according to any one of items 1 to 16, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording medium. (Item 18) 17. The image forming system according to any one of items 1 to 16, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording apparatus that performs recording by adhering toner to a recording medium. (Item 19) 19. The image forming system according to any one of items 1 to 18, wherein the information processing device is a digital front-end controller of the image forming device. (Item 20) A method executed in an image forming system including an information processing device and an image forming device, The information processing device, a first execution step of causing the image forming apparatus to execute printing for creating an output profile; a second execution step of causing the image forming apparatus to execute printing for color verification; a control step of causing the image forming apparatus to execute predetermined printing between the printing for creating the output profile and the printing for color verification based on the printing content for creating the output profile; A method comprising: (Item 21) 20. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the image forming system according to any one of items 1 to 19.

[0084] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 102, 104 information processing device: 106 image forming device: 201 CPU: 202 RAM: 203 ROM

Claims

1. An image forming system including an information processing device and an image forming device, The information processing device includes: a first execution unit that causes the image forming apparatus to execute printing for creating an output profile; a second execution means for causing the image forming apparatus to execute printing for color verification; a control unit that causes the image forming apparatus to execute predetermined printing between the printing for creating the output profile and the printing for color verification based on the printing content for creating the output profile; An image forming system comprising:

2. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined print is a print that produces a print having a density lower than that of a print that is produced as a result of the print for creating the output profile.

3. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined print is a print that produces a print having a density corresponding to the density of the print produced by the color verification print.

4. further comprising a receiving means for receiving the result of the predetermined printing; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the second execution unit causes the image forming device to execute the color verification printing based on whether the result of the predetermined printing satisfies a condition.

5. 5. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein said control means repeats the predetermined printing until the result of the predetermined printing satisfies the condition.

6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the control means executes error processing if the result of the specified printing does not satisfy the condition even after causing the image forming device to repeatedly execute the specified printing a specified number of times.

7. 7. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the result of the predetermined printing is a color measurement result of a printed matter on which the predetermined printing has been performed.

8. 8. The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the condition is that the density obtained from the color measurement result of the printed matter is within an allowable range from a reference value.

9. 5. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the control means changes the predetermined print content based on the print content for creating the output profile.

10. 10. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the print content for creating the output profile includes an amount of recording material output in the print.

11. The image forming system according to claim 10, wherein the control unit increases the number of times the specified printing is repeated until the result of the specified printing satisfies the condition, as the number of patches in which the amount of recording material is equal to or greater than the threshold value increases.

12. The image forming system according to claim 11, characterized in that the second execution means changes the printed matter used in the color verification printing depending on whether or not there is a bias between the colors used in printing by the image forming device in terms of the number of patches whose amount of recording material is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

13. The image forming system according to claim 12, characterized in that the printed material used in the color verification printing, which is used when the number of patches in which the amount of recording material is equal to or greater than the threshold value is not biased between the colors used for printing in the image forming device, is a color chart for the color verification.

14. The image forming system described in claim 13, characterized in that the printed material used for color verification printing, which is used when there is a bias between the colors used for printing in the image forming device in terms of the number of patches in which the amount of recording material is greater than or equal to a threshold, is a printed material in which the proportion of the color of the patch is high.

15. a second receiving unit for receiving a job including the printing for creating the output profile and the printing for color verification; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the first execution unit, when receiving the job via the second reception unit, causes the image forming device to execute printing for creating the output profile.

16. a third execution unit that executes calibration of the image forming device on the image forming device when the job includes calibration of the image forming device; 16. The image forming system according to claim 15, wherein the first execution unit causes the image forming device to execute printing for creating the output profile after calibration of the image forming device is executed.

17. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording medium.

18. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording apparatus that performs recording by attaching toner to a recording medium.

19. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device is a digital front-end controller of the image forming apparatus.

20. A method executed in an image forming system including an information processing device and an image forming device, The information processing device, a first execution step of causing the image forming apparatus to execute printing for creating an output profile; a second execution step of causing the image forming apparatus to execute printing for color verification; a control step of causing the image forming apparatus to execute predetermined printing between the printing for creating the output profile and the printing for color verification based on the printing content for creating the output profile; A method comprising:

21. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

Images