Colorimetric method, information processing apparatus, color verification system, and program

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: in performing automatic determination of color-measured rows, when there are rows formed of the plurality of same color patches, one of the rows cannot be specified.SOLUTION: A colorimetric method is provided which is performed by an information processing apparatus having first specification means and second specification means. In the method, on the basis of, in a color chart formed of a plurality of rows each including a plurality of color patches, a colorimetric value of a color-measured row whose color is measured by a user and a reference value of each of the color patches of the color chart, the first specification means specifies one or more candidate rows to be candidates for the color-measured row, and the second specification means specifies one of the candidate rows as the color-measured row.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a color measurement method for measuring the color of a color chart, an information processing device, a color verification system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] For commercial printed materials such as catalogs and brochures, customers have high demands for color accuracy, so color management is carried out before printing. Color management includes color verification, which measures the printed color chart and compares the actual output results (measured values) with a set target (reference value). There is also calibration, which adjusts the color and color shift when the color does not turn out as expected in color printing.

[0003] To perform this color management, it is necessary to measure the color chart output from the image forming device using a colorimeter and measure the color output status of the image forming device.A color chart is a printed document that compiles patterns of ink and toner mixtures for each CMYK color and line thickness in order to check the printing status of the image forming device.

[0004] Conventional color measurement methods include determining whether the measured color patches are arranged on a single line based on whether each of the color measurement values ​​of multiple color patches arranged on a single line is within a predetermined range of a reference value (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-152552 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, conventional technology only notifies the user if their hand slips while measuring a row and accidentally measures another row. Before measuring the color chart, the user must select which row to measure using an input device such as a mouse. Therefore, each time a row is measured, the user must switch between the input device and the colorimeter, which is inconvenient. Therefore, it is possible to automatically determine which row has been measured by simply measuring the color chart with a colorimeter without using an input device. However, if the same color patch is arranged in multiple rows on a color chart and it is difficult for the user to determine which row has been measured, automatic row determination is not possible.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a method for achieving color measurement without compromising the convenience of a system that automatically determines the color using only a colorimeter, even when it is difficult to identify a single measured row. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration: According to one aspect of the present invention, a first specifying means for specifying a candidate row that is a candidate for a measured row in a color chart configured with a plurality of rows, each row including a plurality of color patches, based on color measurement values ​​of the measured row measured by a user and reference values ​​of each color patch in the color chart; and a second specifying means for specifying the colorimetrically measured row using information other than the colorimetric value when the first specifying means does not determine that the colorimetrically measured row is one row. An information processing device characterized by the above features is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, when measuring a color chart on which identical color patches are arranged, color measurement can be achieved without compromising the convenience of a system that automatically determines the color using only a colorimeter as much as possible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]1 is a block diagram showing the entire color verification system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of hardware of a color measurement device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a measurement screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting values ​​according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a matrix representation of a reference value according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a color chart according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of colorimetric values ​​according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a color measurement result according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of a color measurement screen and transitions according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 1 is a flowchart for performing color measurement according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a color measurement screen according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart for performing color measurement according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart of a process for performing colorimetry and uniquely identifying a row according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart for performing color measurement according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17] 11 is a flowchart for performing colorimetry using history information according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart for performing color measurement according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a color measurement screen according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] 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.

[0012] [First embodiment] <System configuration> The image forming system, color verification system, and hardware configuration according to this embodiment will be described using the block diagram of Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the color verification system (or image forming system) according to this embodiment. The color verification system is broadly divided into a color measurement system 101 and a color management system 105, which are connected to each other via a network 100 such as the Internet.

[0013] The color measurement system 101 is composed of an information processing device 102 and a colorimeter 103. It is assumed that an on-premise application runs on the information processing device 102. However, as long as the present invention can be realised, embodiments other than on-premise applications may be used. For example, a service or application provided by a cloud server may perform processing equivalent to that of the above-mentioned application. The colorimeter 103 may be a manual colorimeter or an automatic colorimeter.

[0014] The color management system 105 includes an information processing device 104 and an image forming device 107, which are connected to each other via a network 106. The application that runs on the information processing device 104 is mainly called a print controller, and controls the image forming device 107. The image forming device 107 is controlled under the control of a group of programs that run on the information processing device 104, processes print settings and print data received from the information processing device 104, and produces printed materials.

[0015] ●Hardware for information processing devices 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing devices 102 and 104. The information processing devices 102 and 104 include a processor (CPU) 202 that executes programs and performs processes such as calculations, and a storage unit that is composed of a hard disk (HDD) 201, a ROM 203, and a RAM 204. The information processing devices 102 and 104 also include a display 205, a pointing device 207, and a keyboard 206 as input / output devices, and a data communication unit 208 as a group of controller devices that manage data buses on networks and hardware. Examples of such information processing devices include personal computers (PCs), smartphones, and tablet terminals. Each device can communicate data with each other through various controllers and buses within the information processing devices 102 and 104.

[0016] ●Color verification system functional blocks Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram realized by the information processing device 104 of the color management system 105 and the information processing device 102 of the color measurement system 101 that constitute the color verification system according to this embodiment. Note that the information processing device 104 has printing-related functions such as printing a color chart, but Fig. 3 shows the functions related to color management and omits the functions related to image formation. Each functional block shown in Fig. 3 is realized by the CPU 202 of the information processing devices 102 and 104 executing a program.

[0017] The colorimetry processing control unit 304 communicates with the color management unit 301 and controls various types of colorimetry processing in response to user operations via the colorimetry screen 300. The row determination unit 307 receives setting values ​​and colorimetric values ​​as input from the colorimetry processing control unit 304 and determines which row in the color chart the colorimetric value corresponds to. As will be described in detail later, the setting values ​​include reference values ​​for each patch in the color chart, the number of pages, the number of rows, the number of columns, etc. of the color chart. The setting values ​​may be stored in the storage unit 306 and acquired via the colorimetry screen 300.

[0018] A colorimetric value acquisition unit 305 communicates with the colorimetric device 103, issues colorimetric measurement instructions to the colorimetric device 103, and receives colorimetric values ​​from the colorimetric device 103. The colorimetric value acquisition unit 305 also receives input from a button provided on the colorimetric device 103 that is used to detect the start and end of colorimetric measurement. The structure of the colorimetric device 103 will be described later. A storage unit 306 stores setting values ​​required for colorimetric processing.

[0019] The colorimetry screen providing unit 300 provides a screen (colorimetry screen) for colorimetry operations of a color chart using the colorimeter 103 to an accessing terminal device or the like. The colorimetry screen providing unit 300 can provide a colorimetry screen to a web server (not shown) running on the information processing device 104, for example, in response to a URL specified by a browser. The browser displaying the colorimetry screen can accept operations using a pointing device or keyboard. Note that in this embodiment, the browser does not have to be an independent application, and may be incorporated into a program that realizes the colorimetry processing control unit 304, for example.

[0020] The color management unit 301 manages color management-related processes such as calibration and profile creation performed by the information processing device 104. It also sends a print command for a color chart required for color management to the image forming device 107. The storage unit 303 holds setting values ​​held by the color management unit 301. The color chart generation unit 302 generates a color chart in response to instructions from the color management unit 301. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the colorimeter 103. The colorimeter 103 has a colorimeter unit on its bottom surface, and reads the colors of the color patches on the color chart by reading the reflection of light emitted from the colorimeter unit. The colorimeter 103 has a button 401 on its side. The button 401 is mainly used by the colorimetric value acquisition unit 302 and the information processing device 102 to detect the start and end of color measurement by the colorimeter 103. For example, colorimetry is performed while the user is pressing the button 401, and when the user stops pressing the button 401, the colorimetry ends and the colorimeter 103 transmits the measured colorimetric values ​​to the colorimetric value acquisition unit 302. The colorimeter 103 can also transmit a signal indicating whether the button 401 is pressed to the colorimetric value acquisition unit 305 of the colorimetry system 101 separately from the measured colorimetric values.

[0021] The colorimeter 103 has an LED color generation unit 400 on top. When an error occurs, such as when color measurement fails, the colorimeter 103 causes the LED to emit color (light up) via the LED color generation unit 400, thereby notifying the user of the error. The LED can emit various colors and sequential patterns over time, so the colorimeter 103 can express multiple types of errors by combining colors and patterns. The colorimeter 103 may be an automatic colorimeter as long as it has the same structure and functions. For example, the input from the button 401 may be a touch panel or voice input, and the shape is not limited.

[0022] ●Color measurement screen FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a color measurement screen 500 provided by the color measurement screen providing unit 300 in the information processing device 104. As shown in FIG.

[0023] The colorimetry screen 500 is an example of a remote user interface for a print controller running on the information processing device 104. The colorimetry screen 500 can be opened by specifying the print controller's URL (Uniform Resource Locator) in a browser on the information processing device 102 or other device. The colorimetry screen providing unit 300 provides the colorimetry screen 500 via the browser to the information processing device 102 and other network-connected information processing devices, including the information processing device 104, and can be displayed and operated by those information processing devices. The colorimetry screen 500 includes a color chart colorimetry status 501, a scan instruction 503, a colorimetry status 508, a send button 507, and a cancel button 506. The color chart is composed of an array of color patches, each of which is made up of multiple rows of color patches arranged in series. Colorimetry is performed row by row. Immediately after the user begins colorimetry of the color chart, not a single row has been measured, and therefore, an unmeasured icon 504 is displayed for all rows. When colorimetry for one row is completed, the colorimetry status for that row changes from "unmeasured" to "measured." As the colorimetry status changes, the icon displaying the colorimetry status for that row changes from an "unmeasured" icon 504 to a "measured" icon 505. Note that instead of displaying the "unmeasured" icon 504, the "measured" icon 505 may not be displayed. If the user measures the same row multiple times, the "measured" icon 505 for that row remains displayed, and the number of times colorimetry is performed in the "colorimetry status" 508, which will be described later, increases. Note that the colorimetry status and the number of times colorimetry is performed may be collectively referred to as the "colorimetry status."

[0024] The scan instruction 503 displays a bar to move the colorimeter 103 in the row undergoing color measurement from left to right or right to left in accordance with the colorimeter 103's color measurement operation.

[0025] A colorimetry status 508 displays the number of times colorimetry has been performed and the colorimetry status, i.e., the colorimetry status, for each row of each patch on the color chart. The colorimetry status is switched between a display indicating that colorimetry has not been performed (e.g., waiting for scan) and a display indicating that colorimetry has been performed (scanned) depending on the colorimetry status.

[0026] When the Send button 507 is pressed, an instruction to complete the colorimetry processing is issued to the colorimetry processing control unit 304. In response, the colorimetry management control unit 304 completes the colorimetry processing and issues a command to execute color management processing in the color management system. The Send button 507 may be grayed out and made unpressable until all rows have been scanned at least once, in cooperation with the Colorimetry Status 508 and Color Chart Colorimetry Status 501. Alternatively, the Send button 507 may be grayed out and the colorimetry processing may be completed and color management processing may be executed even during scanning in response to pressing the Send button 507, without being grayed out. The Cancel button 506, when pressed, cancels the colorimetry processing. To cooperate with the Colorimetry Status 508 and Color Chart Colorimetry Status 501, it is sufficient to refer to the information indicating the colorimetry status that forms the basis of their display and determine whether all rows have been scanned at least once.

[0027] 6 shows an example of setting values ​​that the colorimetry processing control unit 304 acquires from, for example, the color management unit 301 when initializing the colorimetry processing. A character string 600 represents the setting value. This setting value is paired with the color chart shown in FIG. 8 and includes data necessary for the colorimetry processing. The setting value is generated when the color chart generation unit 302 generates a color chart. Alternatively, conversely, the color chart generation unit 302 may generate a color chart in accordance with the setting value.

[0028] Character string 601 is metadata of the color chart. Color chart metadata includes, for example, the color chart name, the color standard specifications of the color chart, the name of the printer that printed the color chart, and the name of the paper used to print the color chart. Character string 602 represents the size of the color chart in terms of height and width. Character string 603 represents the number of copies of the color chart. Character string 604 represents the number of pages of the color chart. Number of columns 605 represents the number of columns of color patches on one page of the color chart. Number of rows 606 represents the number of rows of color patches on one page of the color chart. In this embodiment, the number of columns 605 and the number of rows 606 are referred to as the patch layout. Reference value 607 represents the reference value on one page of the color chart. The reference value is determined for each color patch and may be a value that indicates the color of the corresponding color patch. Therefore, the reference value 607 is given according to the arrangement of color patches on one page of the color chart. If the color chart has multiple pages, multiple reference values ​​607 exist for each page. When initializing the color measurement process, the reference values ​​607 are arranged according to the number of rows 605 and the number of columns 606 to create a matrix like the table in Fig. 7. The table in Fig. 7(a) represents the matrix of reference values ​​for the first page, and the table in Fig. 7(b) represents the matrix of reference values ​​for the second page, and the values ​​for the number of rows 605 and the number of columns 606 represent 4 rows and 4 columns, making it a 4x4 matrix. The number of rows and columns depends on the layout of the color chart; for example, the chart on the screen shown in Fig. 5 would be a 5x5 matrix.

[0029] In color measurement systems, it is common to set an arbitrary threshold value for the reference value, and if the absolute value of the difference between the measured value and the reference value is within the threshold, the detected value is determined to be within the range of the reference value. The character string 508 represents various values ​​of the color measurement mode. The color measurement mode includes, for example, the mFactor set in the colorimeter 103, the illuminant, the field of view, the model of the colorimeter, and the mFactor assumed by the reference value. Note that mFactor is a standard of the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) that represents the measurement lighting conditions.

[0030] <Color chart explanation> FIG. 8 shows an example of a color chart. Color chart 800 is an example of a color chart generated by the information processing device 104 and printed by the image forming device 107. Color chart 800 consists of five rows (801, 802, 803, 804, and 805). The layout of the color patches on the color chart can be freely set for each of the five rows. For example, to check the shading of each color (CMYK) of the image forming device, a layout with a gradation of each color can be created and printed, making it visually easy to see. Another layout involves printing the same color patch pattern in multiple locations and multiple rows to check for density unevenness within a single page due to physical toner nonuniformity caused by the state of the image forming device. Note that if the same color patch is printed on a single page and the color measurement values ​​do not fall within the acceptable range of the reference values, the system and user can confirm that density unevenness has occurred. As mentioned above, the layout can be freely set according to the purpose, resulting in a variety of color patch combinations.

[0031] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of colorimetric values ​​obtained by measuring a color chart using the colorimeter 103. When a row of the color chart is measured using the colorimeter 103, the colorimeter 103 returns data measured in a predetermined color system for each color patch that makes up the row of the read color chart to the colorimetric value acquisition unit 305. The predetermined color system includes, for example, RGB, CMYK, or L*a*b* (sometimes written as Lab or lab in this embodiment). The colorimetric value acquisition unit 305 creates colorimetric values ​​such as those shown in FIG. 9 based on the received colorimetric data. Colorimetric value 900 is an example of the four measured color patches expressed as numerical values.

[0032] FIG. 10 shows an example of a colorimetry result generated by the colorimetry processing control unit 304. The colorimetry result 800 includes the success or failure result of the line determination generated by the line determination unit 307, the colorimetry value created by the colorimetry value acquisition unit 305, the colorimetry direction, and the line number. A character string 1000 included in the example of the colorimetry result indicates that it is a colorimetry result. A colorimetry success or failure 1001 indicates the success or failure of the colorimetry, and in the figure, indicates success. A colorimetric system 1003 indicates the colorimetric system value, such as RGB, CMYK, or lab, of the values ​​acquired from the colorimeter 103 and the colorimetry value acquisition unit 305. A colorimetric value 1004 indicates the colorimetry value acquired from the colorimetry value acquisition unit 305. A colorimetry direction 1005 indicates the result of identifying the colorimetry direction for the line of the color patch, and in the figure, it is identified as being measured from left to right. A line number count 1006 indicates the number of line numbers estimated by the line determination unit 307. The row number array 1007 represents an array of row numbers estimated by the row determination unit 307. Note that, for example, when multiple identical color patches exist on one page, the row determination unit 307 may return multiple rows as determination results for the color measurement results of one row. For example, if the row determination unit 307 returns two rows as measurement results, the row number count 1006 stores "2" and the row number array 1007 stores two row numbers. Note that the number of row numbers may also be referred to as the number of rows.

[0033] <Explanation of the processing flow when measuring color> FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow from colorimetric measurement of a color chart to line determination. After a color chart required for color management processes such as color verification and calibration has been printed, this flowchart begins when a user issues an instruction to start colorimetric measurement on a screen (not shown). Generally, the user has the printed color chart in front of them, and measures the color of the color chart using a colorimeter 103. The following process is realized by the CPU 202 of the information processing devices 102 and 104 executing a program loaded into the storage unit, and FIG. 12 shows the steps of that program. The information processing devices 102 and 104, described as the subject of each step, are, more specifically, their CPUs.

[0034] The color management unit 301 of the information processing device 104 identifies a color chart required for color management, for example, according to user specification or a pre-defined setting, and proceeds to S1201 (S1200). For example, if color verification is to be performed targeting a color standard such as FOGRA or GRACOL, a color chart of the specified color standard is identified. Color charts may be industry-standard, or color charts with layouts arbitrarily created by the user may also be identified. The color chart may be generated by the chart generation unit 302 according to specified specifications. Information about the identified color chart is notified to the colorimetry processing control unit 304 via colorimetry screen information (information about the colorimetry screen 500) provided by the colorimetry screen providing unit 300. Furthermore, if a print instruction is received, the identified color chart is printed by the image forming device 106.

[0035] The colorimeter 103 acquires setting values ​​corresponding to the color chart identified in S1200 via the colorimetric value acquisition unit 305 of the information processing device 102, and proceeds to S1202 (S1201). Specifically, in S1201, the colorimetric value acquisition unit 305 sets the settings necessary for colorimetry, which are included in the setting values ​​associated with the identified color chart, in the colorimeter 103. The setting values ​​include, for example, the layout of the color patches and the reference values ​​of each color patch. The colorimeter 103 reads the color chart and measures the color of each color patch according to the setting values. Note that, because the setting values ​​of the color chart are associated with the color chart, they may be generated together with the color chart, provided to the colorimetry processing control unit 302 via the colorimetry screen providing unit 300, and then passed to the colorimetric value acquisition unit 305.

[0036] The colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 acquires a patch layout from the setting values ​​and proceeds to S1203 (S1202). The colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 creates a matrix of reference values ​​by arranging the reference values ​​included in the setting values ​​based on the acquired patch layout and proceeds to S1204 (S1203). The colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 waits for the user to complete colorimetry (S1204). When the user completes colorimetry of each patch arranged in one row of the color chart using the colorimeter 103, the process proceeds to S1205, and continues to wait as long as colorimetry is not completed (S1204). The colorimetry processing control unit 401 may be configured to be notified of the completion of colorimetry, for example, by operating a button 401 on the colorimeter 103.

[0037] When colorimetry is complete, the colorimetry processing control unit 304 acquires the colorimetry values ​​from the colorimeter 103 via the colorimetry value acquisition unit 305, compares the number of columns of the colorimetry values ​​with the number of columns of the color chart described in the setting values, and proceeds to S1206 (S1205). The colorimetry processing control unit 304 determines whether the number of columns of the reference values ​​matches the number of columns of the colorimetry results. If the numbers of columns match, proceed to S1207. If the numbers of columns do not match, proceed to S1215 (S1206). If they match, the colorimetry processing control unit 304 compares the colorimetry values ​​with the corresponding reference values ​​for each color patch and proceeds to S1208 (S1207). In S1207, the colorimetry processing control unit 304 compares the colorimetry values ​​with the reference values ​​for each row included in the reference value matrix created in S1203. For example, if the layout of the color chart included in the measurement values ​​is 4x4, the measurement values ​​for one measured row are compared with each of the four rows of reference values ​​for each color patch. Furthermore, the order of the reference values ​​in one row may be reversed and compared with each patch of the measurement value, i.e., the difference may be calculated. In this case, if the layout is 4x4, in addition to each row of the four reference values, each row of the four reference values ​​in the reversed order is compared with the measurement value for each color patch.

[0038] Based on the comparison results, the row determination unit 307 then estimates the row with the smallest value difference as the row measured by the user (also referred to as the colorimetrically measured row) and proceeds to S1209 (S1208). The row estimated as having been measured (also referred to as the candidate row) may be identified, for example, by a row number determined by the color chart settings. The row with the smallest value difference may be, for example, the row with the smallest average difference between the measured value and the reference value for each patch included in each row of the reference value, or the row with the smallest variance of the difference. Alternatively, the determination may be based on a composite criterion, such as the row with the smallest average among rows with variances within a predetermined threshold. Furthermore, an estimation method may be employed in which a row with the average or variance of the difference from the reference value for each patch within a predetermined threshold is estimated as having been measured. Furthermore, when comparing the measured value with a row in which the reference values ​​for one row are reversed, the measurement direction is also estimated in addition to the row estimation. Even when estimating rows using the above method, multiple rows may be identified as corresponding rows.

[0039] The row determination unit 307 of the information processing apparatus 102 returns the colorimetry results, including the estimated row, to the colorimetry processing control unit 304, and the process proceeds to S1210 (S1209). The colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing apparatus 102 checks the number of matching rows in the received colorimetry results and determines whether the row of the colorimetry results can be uniquely identified. A uniquely identified row may be, for example, one estimated row. If the row can be uniquely identified, the process proceeds to S1214; if the row cannot be uniquely identified, the process proceeds to S1211 (S1210). If the estimated row can be uniquely identified, the colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing apparatus 102 returns the colorimetry values, the estimated row number, and the colorimetry direction to the color management unit 301 via the colorimetry screen providing unit 300. When the estimated measured row number and colorimetry values ​​are sent to the color management unit 301, the color management unit 301 saves this information. The colorimetry value screen providing unit 300 also updates the colorimetry screen 500 shown in FIG. 5, and displays a colorimetry completed icon 505 in the line of the color chart colorimetry status 501 that is estimated to be measured (S1214).

[0040] If the colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 cannot uniquely identify a measured row, i.e., if multiple rows are candidate rows for the measured row, it displays a message on the colorimetry screen 500 prompting the user to select one of the candidate rows (S1211). This message may be displayed directly by the colorimetry processing control unit 304 or by the colorimetry screen providing unit 300. In this case, the colorimetry processing control unit 304 transmits the colorimetry values, the estimated multiple row numbers, and the colorimetry direction to the colorimetry screen providing unit 300. The colorimetry screen providing unit 300 updates the colorimetry screen 500 and adds a message prompting the user to select one row. The estimated row may also be displayed with a frame, highlight, color, or other indication that it is a candidate for selection. This message is then displayed on the colorimetry screen 500. In this way, the user is instructed to select a row that the user actually measured using the colorimeter 103 for the rows that could not be identified. The display of the message prompting the user to select a row will be described in detail below. The method of selection by the user may be operation of a mouse pointer using a mouse, voice input, selection using a touch panel, etc. In this embodiment, the method is not limited to this. After the selection instruction is displayed, the process proceeds to S1212.

[0041] The colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 waits for user input and proceeds to S1213 after the user input is complete (S1211). If the user input is received, the colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 proceeds to S1214, where the colorimetry processing control unit 304 uniquely identifies a row of the colorimetry results based on the user input and returns the colorimetry values ​​and the identified colorimetry row to the color management unit 305 (S1213). Note that if it is determined in S1216 that the number of columns of the colorimetry results (i.e., the number of patches included in one row) does not match, the row cannot be identified, and the information processing device 102 returns a row determination error to the colorimetry screen providing unit 300. The colorimetry screen providing unit 300 may display an error screen, an error message, or the like depending on the returned error, although this is not specifically illustrated in this embodiment. For example, the colorimetry screen providing unit 300 may change the display to another error UI or display an icon indicating an error around the row on the colorimetry screen 500, which is an example. Alternatively, a pop-up message may be displayed, and the method is not limited (S1215).

[0042] In step S1209, the colorimetry processing control unit 304 transmits the colorimetry results including the colorimetry values ​​and the estimated rows to the color management unit 301, and the processing from step S1210 onwards may be performed by the information processing device 104, except for message display and user input. Alternatively, the information processing device 102 may be configured to control the colorimeter 103 and provide a user interface (colorimetry screen and message display and input), and the information processing device 104 may be configured to execute other processing.

[0043] The color management unit 301, which has acquired the colorimetric values ​​and their row numbers in the color chart in this way, may perform calibration based on the difference between the reference values ​​of the measured color patches of the color chart and the colorimetric values, and create a correction matrix to be used for color correction during image formation. Then, by generating an image using this correction matrix, it is possible to maintain a high level of color reproducibility. This is also true for other embodiments.

[0044] <Screen explanation for instructing the user to select a row> FIG. 11 illustrates a state in which a row selection instruction is displayed on the colorimetry screen 500 to the user when the row determination unit 307 returns multiple rows as the determination result after colorimetry of the color chart. Following the error message 1100 displayed on the colorimetry screen 500, the user uses a mouse or pointing device to select a row measured using the colorimeter 103 from the color chart colorimetry status 501. Note that when selecting a row, rows determined by the row determination unit 307, such as frames 1103 and 1104, may be displayed as candidates on the UI of the colorimetry screen 500 to assist the user's input. An example of this case is shown in FIG. 11(a). Displaying the candidates allows the user to narrow down the candidates for the row to be selected, and the system may or may not reject the selection of rows other than the candidates. This embodiment is not limited to this. After the user selects a row, the colorimetry screen providing unit 300 displays an icon 1101 in the row selected by the user, similar to the colorimetry completed icon 505, as shown in FIG. 11(b), and then hides the error message 1100.

[0045] As a result, the user measures one row of a color chart and compares the measured values ​​with the reference values ​​of each patch arranged in that row to determine the row. Even if it is not possible to uniquely determine the measured row, such as when there are rows of the same color patches on the color chart, the user can identify which row of the color chart they measured without compromising the convenience of determining the row of the color chart. In this way, when measuring a color chart with identical color patches arranged, color measurement can be achieved without compromising the convenience of a system that automatically determines the row using only the colorimeter as much as possible.

[0046] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, when identical color patches are present on a color chart, the user is prompted to select the color chart row that the user actually measured using a mouse or other device, thereby identifying which row of color patches the user measured. In this embodiment, the system that performs color measurement retains color chart layout information via the color management unit 103. Therefore, if the color patches of the rows above and below a row of color patches (referred to as a candidate row) estimated as a candidate for the measured row differ from the candidate row, colorimetry is performed on the rows above and / or below the color patches of the multiple candidate rows. Using the resulting colorimetry values, the row determination unit 307 and the colorimetry processing control unit 304 can estimate which row of the color chart the user measured. Furthermore, instructing the user to select a row through the colorimetry screen 500 requires the user to switch from the colorimeter 103 to a mouse, which disrupts the smooth colorimetry process and reduces convenience. However, if the row of colorimetry is estimated using layout information of the color chart to be measured and additional colorimetry information obtained using the colorimeter 103, the need to switch between the mouse and the mouse is eliminated, potentially further improving convenience. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a method for estimating a color measurement line using layout information of a color chart and additional color measurement information obtained using the colorimeter 103 will be described. Note that since the second embodiment shares many of the configurations with the first embodiment, a description of the configurations and processes that are common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the differences will be described.

[0047] <Explanation about the screen that instructs color measurement> 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a state in which a message instructing colorimetry is displayed on the colorimetry screen 500 when the line determination unit 307 returns multiple lines as the determination result (FIG. 13A), and a state in which a line is uniquely identified according to this embodiment (FIG. 13B). Note that in FIG. 13, the same color patch is used for the frame 1301 in the second line from the top of the color chart and the frame 1302 in the fourth line from the top. Furthermore, when displaying the message, the frame 1301 and the frame 1302 are displayed on the colorimetry screen 500 to indicate which line could not be identified, but in realizing this embodiment, there is no problem if they are not displayed, and the method for doing so is not limited.

[0048] In FIG. 13A, when the row determination unit 307 returns multiple rows as determination results, a row selection instruction is displayed on the colorimetry screen 500 to the user. Character string 1300 is a message instructing the user to measure the row below the row that was actually measured. The user performs colorimetry using the colorimeter 103 according to the message 1300 displayed on the colorimetry screen 500. If a row that could not be uniquely identified is identified as a result of the user's colorimetry and the processing of this embodiment described below, a measured icon similar to icon 505 is displayed, such as icon 1301 in FIG. 13B. Note that in FIG. 13A, the message 1300 reads, "Please measure the row below the row that was actually measured." However, as described in FIG. 15, the row that should be measured is not necessarily the row below the row that was actually measured. Therefore, the row variable i described in FIG. 15 may be applied to the message, such as "Please measure the row "i" rows below the row that was actually measured." Alternatively, the row to be measured may not be indicated in the message, but may be indicated in the chart 501.

[0049] <Processing flow for color measurement> FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow from colorimetric measurement of a color chart to line determination, and replaces FIG. 12 in the first embodiment. After a color chart required for color management processes such as color verification and calibration has been printed, this flowchart starts when a user issues an instruction to start colorimetric measurement on a screen (not shown). Generally, a user has a printed color chart in front of them, and measures the color of the color chart using the colorimeter 103. Many of the steps in the flowchart shown in FIG. 14 are the same as those in FIG. 12. The same reference numerals as in FIG. 12 are used for the common steps. In the second embodiment, the processes of S1411 and S1412 (described later) are significantly different from those in the first embodiment. Therefore, these steps will be particularly described. The following process is executed by the CPU 202 of the information processing devices 102 and 104.

[0050] Steps S1200 to S1210 are the same as those in Fig. 12 of the first embodiment. If the measured row cannot be uniquely identified in step S1210, the process proceeds to step S1411.

[0051] The line determination unit 307 of the information processing device 102 performs line determination processing, and the process proceeds to S1412 (S1411). The line determination processing will be described later with reference to FIG. 15. The colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 determines whether the line has been uniquely identified. If the line has been uniquely identified, the process proceeds to S1213. If the line has not been uniquely identified, the process proceeds to S1215 (S1412). Steps from S1213 onwards are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0052] <Details of line determination process> 15 is a flowchart showing details of the line determination process performed in the above-mentioned step S1411. The process of step S1411 is performed by the line determination unit 307 of the information processing apparatus 102, and is executed by the CPU 202 of the information processing apparatus 102 in terms of hardware.

[0053] The line determination unit 307 of the information processing device 102 stores the colorimetric values ​​of the lines that could not be identified as a single line (S1501), and proceeds to S1502. Note that the storage may be on a memory such as RAM, a disk such as an HDD, or a magnetic storage device. The information processing device 102 stores a list of line numbers of the color patch lines that could not be uniquely identified in the variable Array, and proceeds to S1503 (S1502).

[0054] The variable Array is a one-dimensional array, and the index range is the number of candidate rows of the colorimetric color patches. For example, if the number of candidate color patch rows is two, the index of the variable Array ranges from 0 to 1 and can be expressed as Array[0..1]. For example, if the candidate rows in S1502 are the second and fourth rows of the color chart, the variable Array stores two row numbers representing those rows. By storing these row numbers in association with indexes 0 and 1 of the variable Array, respectively, the information processing apparatus 102 can retrieve them at any time. To search for a row whose row number is shifted a specified number of rows from the row number stored in the variable Array, a row variable i is defined, initialized to 1, and the process proceeds to S1504 (S1503). The row variable i indicates the shift from the target row Array[i]. i=1 indicates the row below the target row. The information processing apparatus 102 defines an index variable j for accessing the value stored in the variable Array, initializes j to 0, and proceeds to S1505 (S1504).

[0055] For the sake of future explanation, we will explain the row variable i and index variable j. The variable j is used to extract one row number from the variable Array that could not be uniquely identified. For example, assume that row numbers 2 and 4 are stored corresponding to indexes 0 and 1 of the variable Array, respectively. In this case, if the index variable j is 0, 2 can be extracted from the variable Array, and if the index variable j is 1, 4 can be extracted. Furthermore, if the row variable i increases to 1, 2, and 3, a row number shifted by i rows from the row number extracted from the Array variable can be obtained. For example, the (Array[0]+i)th row number is (2+1), (2+2), and (2+3) for i=1, 2, and 3, respectively. In other words, the information processing device 102 can identify the third, fourth, and fifth rows of the color chart and obtain the values ​​of their color patches. Similarly, if the value of the index variable j is 1, and the value of the row variable i increases to 1, 2, and 3, (4+1), (4+2), and (4+3), i.e., the fifth, sixth, and seventh rows, can be identified. The information processing device 102 can then acquire the color patch values ​​for those rows of the color chart. By combining the variables Array, i, and j, it is possible to identify a color patch row that is shifted any row from a candidate row for the measured row, and the information processing device 102 can acquire information on the corresponding reference value. Furthermore, the identified reference value is compared with the colorimetric value obtained by user instruction (described later) to identify the row number corresponding to the colorimetric value. The identified row number is identified by the value of Array[j]+i, and the row number indicated by Array[j] can be identified as the measured row. In other words, in this embodiment, colorimetric measurements are performed not only on the candidate row for the measured row but also on rows a specified number of rows away from the candidate row, and the results are compared with the reference value of the corresponding row, thereby identifying one row from the candidate measured rows. Here, the row indicated by Array[j] is referred to as the target row, and the row indicated by Array[j]+i is referred to as the reference row.

[0056] The information processing apparatus 102 instructs the user to measure the row one row below via the colorimetry screen 500 shown in FIG. 13(a), and proceeds to S1506 (S1505). The row one row below is the row below the reference row whose colorimetry was last performed. This instruction may include a message and the row to be measured may be displayed on the color screen 500 as a frame, highlight, or icon. The message may also vary depending on the row to be measured. The information processing apparatus 102 waits for the user to complete colorimetry using the colorimeter 103 on the colorimetry screen 500, and proceeds to S1507 after the colorimetry is completed (S1506). Note that the colorimetry screen 500 is provided by the colorimetry screen providing unit 300, and therefore the processing of S1505 and S1506 may be performed, for example, by the color management unit 301 via the colorimetry screen providing unit 300 in response to an instruction from the information processing apparatus 102.

[0057] In S1507, the information processing apparatus 102 extracts the row number stored as the jth row in the variable Array as the row of interest. Then, the information processing apparatus 102 compares the Array[j]+ith row included in the color chart setting values ​​acquired from the color management unit 301, i.e., the reference value of the reference row, with the colorimetric value of the reference row measured by the user (S1507). Then, the process proceeds to S1508.

[0058] In S1508, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether the row can be uniquely identified through comparison. If the row can be uniquely identified, the process proceeds to S1514; if the row cannot be uniquely identified, the process proceeds to S1509 (S1514). A row can be uniquely identified when the colorimetric value matches the reference value of the reference row, and a match may include, for example, the difference being within a predetermined value. The difference being within a predetermined value may mean that the average value or variance of the difference is within a predetermined value.

[0059] The information processing apparatus 102 returns the row number Array[j] of the row of interest stored in the j-th position of the variable Array as the estimated result of the row determination together with a signal indicating successful identification, and ends the process (S1514).

[0060] On the other hand, if the user's additional colorimetry of the reference row fails to identify a single measured row from the candidate rows that have already been colorimetrated in S1508, then 1 is added to index variable j (S1509). This designates another candidate row as a new target row, which the information processing device 102 can extract, and the process proceeds to S1510. The information processing device 102 determines whether the number stored in variable Array is equal to or less than index variable j (S1510). The number stored in variable Array is the number of elements in the one-dimensional array Array, and since variable Array is one-dimensional, it can also be referred to as the size of variable Array. In an example where the array variable is Array[0..max], the size of variable Array is the value max+1. The number stored in Array being equal to or less than index variable j indicates that index variable j has exceeded the upper limit of the index of variable Array. If this is the case, the process proceeds to S1511. On the other hand, if the index variable j does not exceed the upper limit value of the index of the variable Array, the information processing device 102 can extract candidate row numbers from the variable Array, and proceeds to S1507. In S1507, the information processing device 102 compares the reference value of the reference row with the measured value for the new row of interest. Meanwhile, in S1511, the information processing device 102 adds 1 to the row variable i. That is, the reference row is changed from the current reference row to the row further below. Then, the information processing device 102 proceeds to S1512.

[0061] If the row number (reference row) obtained by adding i rows to the candidate row number (target row) extracted from the Array exceeds the number of rows in the color chart, the information processing apparatus 102 attempts to obtain colorimetric values ​​of a non-existent row from the color management unit 301. Therefore, it is necessary to check whether the row number exceeds the number. The information processing apparatus 102 determines whether the row number of the reference row obtained by adding i rows to the row number of the candidate target row extracted from the variable Array exceeds the number of rows in the color chart (S1512). If the row number of the reference row obtained by adding i rows to the row number of the candidate target row extracted from the variable Array exceeds the number of rows in the color chart, the information processing apparatus 102 proceeds to S1513 and performs error processing. This occurs when all candidate rows are set as target rows and colorimetry is performed on all possible reference rows, but a single row cannot be identified. Therefore, if the row number of the reference row exceeds the number of rows in the color chart, the information processing apparatus 102 returns a value including a signal indicating an error that the row number of the measured row could not be identified, and ends processing (S1513). On the other hand, if it is determined in S1512 that the row number of the reference row does not exceed the number of rows in the color chart, the process proceeds to S1504. In S1504, the row of interest is returned to the first row number stored in the variable Array, and the process of comparing the reference value and the measured value for the next reference row Array[j]+i is repeated.

[0062] As described above, the row of the color chart measured by the user is identified by comparing the reference value and colorimetric values ​​of each patch arranged in a row. If it is not possible to identify a single row because there are rows of the same color patch on the color chart, for example, the system measures the color of rows other than the candidate row. If it is confirmed that the reference values ​​for multiple rows correspond to the reference values, the candidate row is identified as the measured row. This eliminates the need for the user to switch from the colorimeter to a mouse. In this embodiment, the user performs additional colorimetric measurements, and the colorimetric system estimates the row number from the layout of the color chart. This allows the user to identify which row of the color chart the user measured without compromising the convenience of row determination on the color chart. Note that this embodiment is an example in which additional colorimetric measurements are instructed in one direction, either up or down, and therefore explanation is omitted. However, it goes without saying that this embodiment is not limited to the direction depending on the situation, and the essence remains the same regardless of whether either direction, or a combination of both, is implemented. If the reference row is above the target row, the sign of the row variable i can be set to negative.

[0063] [Third embodiment] In the first embodiment, when the same color patch is present on a color chart, the user is prompted to select the color patch that the user actually measured using a mouse or other device, thereby identifying which row of the color patch was measured. Generally, even in a color measurement system capable of measuring any row of a color chart, users often measure the color patches of the color chart in order, either from the top or bottom. Given this behavior, even if the color measurement system cannot uniquely identify the row that the user measured from the colorimetric values, it is possible for the user to estimate which row based on possible behavior. Therefore, when the same color patch is present on a color chart, by using historical information on the row numbers of the user's previous measurements, the row determination unit 307 and colorimetric processing unit 304 can estimate which row of the same color patch the user measured. Instructing the user to select a row through the colorimetric screen 500 requires the user to switch from the colorimeter 103 to the mouse, which disrupts the smooth color measurement process and reduces convenience. However, performing color measurement using historical information eliminates the need to switch between the mouse and mouse, further improving convenience. Therefore, in the third embodiment, a method for estimating a color measurement row using the user's color measurement history information will be described. Note that in the third embodiment, many parts of the system configuration and processing are common to the first embodiment, so a description of the parts common to the first embodiment will be omitted and only the differences will be described. Note that the same steps as in FIG. 12 are assigned the same reference numerals.

[0064] <Color measurement with historical information storage> 16 is a flowchart showing the flow from colorimetry of a color chart to line determination, and replaces FIG. 12 in the first embodiment. After a color chart necessary for color management processing such as color verification and calibration has been printed, this flowchart starts when a user issues an instruction to start colorimetry on a screen (not shown). In addition, the user generally has the printed color chart in hand, and measures the color of the color chart using the colorimeter 103.

[0065] Many of the steps in the flowchart shown in Fig. 16 are common to those in Fig. 12. In the third embodiment, the processes of S1611, S1612, and S1613 (to be described later) are the main differences from the first embodiment. The following processes are executed by the CPU 202 of the information processing devices 102 and 104.

[0066] In S1210, the information processing apparatus 102 checks the number of matching rows in the colorimetry results, and if the rows in the colorimetry results cannot be uniquely identified, the process proceeds to S1611.

[0067] In S1611, the information processing apparatus 102 estimates rows that the user measured but could not uniquely identify, using history information that stores the history of row numbers of rows that the user measured. The row estimation process will be described later. After the row estimation process, the process proceeds to S1612. In S1612, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether a row was uniquely estimated by the row estimation process using the history information. If a unique estimation was possible, the measured row is uniquely determined, and the process proceeds to S1213. If an estimation was not possible, the process proceeds to S1215.

[0068] In S1213, the information processing apparatus 102 uses the result of S1611 to uniquely determine the row whose color has been measured by the user from the rows that could not be uniquely identified, and proceeds to S1214.

[0069] In S1214, the information processing apparatus 102 returns the colorimetry values, line numbers, and colorimetry directions to the color management unit 305 via the colorimetry control unit 304 and the colorimetry screen 300. When the estimated measured line numbers and colorimetry values ​​are sent to the color management unit 301, the color management unit 301 saves this information. The colorimetry value screen providing unit 300 also updates the colorimetry screen 500 shown in FIG. 5, and displays a colorimetry-completed icon 505 on the line in the color chart colorimetry status 501 that is estimated to have been measured. Then, the process proceeds to S1613.

[0070] In S1613, the information processing device 102 saves the line numbers of the lines measured by the user in history information. The history information is saved in the form of a queue or array, and the history of the line numbers of the lines measured by the user is stored in order. For example, if the user measures the color patches in the order of line 1, line 2, and line 3, the values ​​are stored in the order of {1, 2, 3} in the history information. As another example, if the user measures the color patches in the order of line 4, line 3, and line 2, the values ​​are stored in the order of {4, 3, 2} in the history information. The history information is saved in the storage unit 303. After saving the history information, the information processing device 102 ends the processing.

[0071] <Row identification and estimation processing using historical information> The flow of processing in which the information processing device 102 uniquely estimates the colorimetrically measured row that the user measured from among multiple candidate rows (candidate rows) for the colorimetrically measured rows using the history information in S1611 of Fig. 16 will be described using the flowchart in Fig. 17. The information processing device described as the subject of the processing is, more specifically, its CPU 202.

[0072] The information processing apparatus 102 acquires history information from the storage unit 303 and proceeds to S1701 (S1700). The information processing apparatus 102 extracts two consecutive line numbers from the line numbers stored in the history information and calculates the difference between them (S1701). The history information includes the line numbers of the lines that have been measured in the order in which they were measured. In S1701, the value is calculated by subtracting the older line number from the newer line number. For example, if the history information stores the history of {1, 2, 3}, the consecutive color measurement histories for each line number are 3 and 2, and 2 and 1, which are the two lines of history information extracted in order from the end. The difference between these is calculated to be 1. If all the differences are equal, i.e., arithmetic, and the difference is 1, the color measurement system can confirm that the user is measuring the color patches on the color chart, line by line, from top to bottom. The information processing apparatus 102 proceeds to S1702 after calculating the difference via the colorimetry processing control unit 304. The absolute value of this difference is the difference between the line numbers where colorimetry was performed, and the sign indicates the direction in which colorimetry proceeded, for example, from top to bottom if positive, or from bottom to top if negative.

[0073] The information processing device 102 determines whether all differences in the history information are equal (S1702). If all differences are equal, the next line can be estimated, and the process proceeds to S1703. If even one difference is different, the process proceeds to S1704. Also, if the history information cannot be acquired, or if only one line number is saved in the history information and the difference cannot be found, the process may branch to S1704.

[0074] If the calculated differences are all equal, the colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 adds the difference calculated in S1701 from the history information to the number of the row where the colorimetry was last performed, saves the result as an estimated result, saves information indicating that the processing was successful, and ends the processing (S1703). If the calculated differences are not all equal, the colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 cannot uniquely identify the row where the user performed colorimetry, so saves information indicating that the processing failed and ends the processing (S1704). The information indicating the success or failure of the processing becomes the criterion for determination in S1612.

[0075] In S1703, it may be further determined whether the value obtained by adding the difference obtained in S1701 to the row number where the color was last measured matches any of the candidate row numbers. If the obtained value matches any of the candidates, the obtained value may be used as the estimation result and the estimation may be successful, and the process may end. Also, if the obtained value does not match any of the candidates, the identification may be determined to have failed.

[0076] The history information may be linked to the user's identification information, and the history information saved in association with the identification information of the user performing the colorimetry may be referenced in S1611, and the history information saved in association with the identification information of the user performing the colorimetry may be saved in S1613.

[0077] In this manner, in this embodiment, the history is referenced, and a measured row measured by the user is identified from among the candidate rows based on the periodicity of the colorimetric rows recorded in the history. More specifically, among the candidate rows, a row that is spaced apart from the previous measured row, i.e., the measured row identified immediately before the current candidate row, according to the periodicity expressed in the history information, is identified as a new measured row.

[0078] As described above, the user measures one row of a color chart and compares the measured values ​​with the reference values ​​of each patch arranged in that row to determine the row. Even if the same color patch appears on the color chart and a unique row cannot be determined, the user's color measurement tendency and history information can be used to make an inference and uniquely estimate the measured row without having to switch to the mouse. This allows the color measurement system to identify which row of the color chart was measured without compromising user convenience.

[0079] In this embodiment, one of multiple candidate rows for colorimetrically measured rows is identified on the assumption that the line numbers of at least two consecutively measured rows are recorded in the history information. Therefore, to ensure that the line numbers of at least two consecutively measured rows are recorded in the history information, for example, if a single line number cannot be identified in S1612, the process may branch to S1211 in FIG. 12 of the first embodiment without an error, allowing the user to select a row. In this case, the row selected by the user is also recorded as history information. This ensures that the line numbers of the measured rows can be reliably recorded as history information. Therefore, for the third and subsequent rows, it may be possible to identify the measured rows using the history information of this embodiment.

[0080] [Fourth embodiment] In the first embodiment, when the user was unable to uniquely identify the row of a color patch that had been measured, the information processing device 102 instructed the user to select using a mouse on the color measurement screen 300. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 4 , the color measurement device 103 is equipped with a button 401 as an operation unit. Furthermore, the color measurement value acquisition unit 401 can acquire information on whether the button 401 was pressed or not as an event, and can execute any process triggered by the event. If the mouse selection performed in the first embodiment could be replaced with input from the colorimeter 103, the user would no longer need to switch from the colorimeter 103 to a mouse, which would further improve convenience. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, a method for improving user convenience by measuring the row that the user measured using the colorimeter 103 on the color measurement screen 300 will be described. Note that the system configuration and many of the processing aspects of the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore, a description of the commonalities with the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the differences will be described.

[0081] <Explanation about the display of the row selection cursor> FIG. 19 is a diagram showing how the user selects a row that has actually been color-measured from among multiple rows that the row determination unit 307 has determined to be possibly color-measured rows on the color measurement screen 500.

[0082] Message 1900 prompts the user to select the row that has been measured by pressing a button on the colorimeter 103. Frame 1901 presents selectable rows; when the user presses the button on the colorimeter 103, the row enclosed by frame 1901 is selected. Similarly, frame 1902 presents selectable rows; when the user presses the button on the colorimeter 103, the row enclosed by frame 1902 is selected. The colorimeter screen 500 alternates between the screens shown in Figures 19(a) and 19(b) every certain number of seconds. By switching the screen, the selection frames 1901 and 1902 are moved, allowing the user to select the row that has actually been measured without releasing their hands from the colorimeter 103. After the user completes colorimeter measurement, the screen 500 removes message 1900 and frames 1901 and 1902, ending colorimeter measurement of the row.

[0083] Here, frames 1901, 1902, etc. are displayed for each of a plurality of rows that are candidates for colorimetrically measured rows that have been determined to be possible colorimetrically measured rows by the row determination unit 307. Therefore, if there are three or more applicable rows, frames are displayed for each of the three or more candidates in order.

[0084] <Processing flow for moving the row selection cursor> 18 is a flow diagram showing the processing flow when a user selects a row that has actually been measured using the colorimeter 103 on the screen 500. By performing this processing, even if the same color patch exists on the color chart and the colorimetric processing control unit 304 and row determination unit 307 cannot determine which row the user measured, it is possible to uniquely identify the row that has been measured.

[0085] This process is triggered by the line determination unit 307 returning multiple line numbers as lines measured to the colorimetry process control unit 304, and the colorimetry process control unit 304 receiving the multiple line numbers. The user performs operations according to the instructions on the colorimetry screen 500. Note that the subject of Fig. 18 is the colorimetry process control unit 304, which in terms of hardware is the CPU 202 of the information processing device 102.

[0086] The colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 acquires a list of row numbers that are candidates for the rows that have been subjected to colorimetry from the row determination unit 307, and proceeds to S1801 (S1800). The colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 displays a message 1900 on the colorimetry screen 500 that instructs the user to select a row to be measured by the colorimeter 103, and proceeds to S1802 (S1801). Here, the colorimetry screen 500 is the colorimetry screen 500, but the colorimetry processing control unit 304 may process the colorimetry screen 500 provided by the colorimetry screen providing unit 300. Alternatively, the acquired list of row numbers may be passed to the colorimetry screen providing unit 300, and the colorimetry screen providing unit 300 may add the message 1900 to the colorimetry screen 500 accordingly.

[0087] The colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 defines i, which is an index variable for the line number list, for acquiring a candidate line number from the list of candidate line numbers, initializes i to 1, and proceeds to S1803 (S1802). The index variable will now be explained. For example, if there are three candidates for the line number, the index variable is used in such a way that if i is 1, the first candidate is extracted, if i is 2, the second candidate is extracted, and if i is 3, the third candidate is extracted.

[0088] The colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 displays a frame serving as a selection cursor on the color patch of the i-th row number from among the candidate rows on the colorimetry screen 500, and proceeds to S1804 (S1803). In S1803, the i-th row is selected and displayed from among the candidate rows, and the candidate rows are sequentially displayed as selected rows one by one according to the value of i. The colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 waits for the user to press the button 401 of the colorimeter 103, and proceeds to S1805 (S18004). Note that, in practice, information indicating the pressing of the button 401 is input to the colorimetry processing control unit 304 via the colorimetry value acquisition unit 305. The colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 determines whether the button 401 of the colorimeter 103 has been pressed (S1805). If the button 401 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S1806; if the button 401 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to S1807.

[0089] The colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 can identify the value of the index variable i at that time by confirming that the button 401 of the colorimeter 103 has been pressed. This makes it possible to identify that the user has selected the ith row candidate. The colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 uniquely identifies the colorimetry row that was not uniquely identified using the identified value of the index variable i (S1806). At this time, the colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 displays the colorimetry completed icon 505 on the uniquely identified row on the colorimetry screen 500 based on the result of S1806, hides the message 1900 and the frame that serves as the selection cursor, and ends the processing.

[0090] If the button 401 of the colorimeter 400 is not pressed, the colorimetric processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 waits for three seconds for a user input to the colorimeter 103. The colorimetric processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 determines whether three seconds have elapsed (S1807). If three seconds have not elapsed, the process proceeds to S1805, and if three seconds have elapsed, the process proceeds to S1808.

[0091] The colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 adds 1 to the index variable i, allowing the cursor frame to move to the next candidate row on the colorimetry screen 500 (S1808). After S1808, the process proceeds to S1809. The colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 determines whether the index variable i is greater than the number of candidate rows (S1809). This determination is made so that if the index variable i is greater than the number of candidate rows, the index variable i is initialized again so that the first row of the candidate rows can be selected again. If the index variable i is greater than the number of candidate rows, the process proceeds to S1810. If the index variable i is equal to or less than the number of candidate rows, the process proceeds to S1803. In S1810, the colorimetry processing control unit 304 of the information processing device 102 initializes the index variable i to 1 so that the row with the first row number of the candidate rows can be selected again, as described above, and then proceeds to S1803 (S1810).

[0092] The row number identified in S1806 as the measured table is passed to the color management unit 301 of the information processing device 104 and stored in the storage unit 303. The colorimetry screen providing unit 300 may add a colorimetry-completed icon 500 to the colorimetry screen 500 in accordance with the identified row, and provide it to the information processing device 102 for display.

[0093] By performing the above processing, the selection made with the mouse in the first embodiment can be replaced with input from the colorimeter 103. When the user is asked to make a selection on the colorimeter screen 300, there is no need to switch from the colorimeter 103 to the mouse, which is expected to further improve convenience.

[0094] [Variations] In each of the first to fourth embodiments, the processing is performed by two information processing devices 102 and 104, but these may be performed by one information processing device. In other words, the functional configuration shown in Fig. 3 may be provided by one information processing device.

[0095] Alternatively, the functions provided by the information processing device 104 may be provided by the image forming device 107, for example.

[0096] [Other Examples] 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.

[0097] Summary of embodiments The above embodiments can be summarized as follows: (Item 1) a first specifying means for specifying a candidate row that is a candidate for the measured row based on the color measurement values ​​of the measured row measured by a user in a color chart composed of a plurality of rows, each row including a plurality of color patches, and the reference values ​​of each color patch of the color chart; and a second specifying means for specifying the colorimetrically measured row using information other than the colorimetric value when the first specifying means does not determine that the colorimetrically measured row is one row. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 2) Item 1. The information processing device according to item 1, The color chart further includes a display means for displaying the color chart and indicating that the candidate lines included in the color chart are the candidate lines. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 3) Item 2. The information processing device according to item 2, further comprising an input means for accepting an operation by a user; When there are a plurality of candidate rows, the second specifying means specifies one row from among the candidate rows as the colorimetrically measured row in response to an input from the input means. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 4) The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 3, When there are a plurality of candidate rows, the second specifying means specifies the measured row from among the candidate rows based on the color measurement values ​​of other rows that are a predetermined number of rows away from the candidate row and that are included in the color chart and the reference values ​​of the color patches of the other rows. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 5) Item 4. The information processing device according to item 4, The second specifying means specifies the candidate row as the colorimetrically measured row when the colorimetric values ​​of the candidate row and the other rows match the reference values ​​of the color patches of the respective rows. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 6) Item 1 to 5. An information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 5, The apparatus further includes a recording unit for recording a history of the colorimetrically measured rows identified by the second identifying unit, The second specifying means refers to the history and specifies the colorimetrically measured row from the candidate rows based on the periodicity of the colorimetrically measured rows recorded in the history. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 7) Item 6. The information processing device according to item 6, The second specifying means refers to the history, and based on the periodicity of the colorimetric rows recorded in the history, specifies, among the candidate rows, a row that conforms to the periodicity from the colorimetric rows specified by the second specifying means immediately before the current candidate row, as the colorimetric row. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 8) Item 2. The information processing device according to item 2, a color measurement unit for allowing a user to measure the color of the color chart, the color measurement unit having an operation unit operated by the user; The second specifying means specifies a row selected from the candidate rows as the colorimetrically measured row when an operation is performed by the operation unit. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 9) Item 8. The information processing device according to item 8, The display means further displays each of the candidate lines in turn as a selected line. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 10) Item 10. The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 9, The first specifying means compares the colorimetric value with a reference value for each row included in the color chart, and specifies, as the candidate row, a row of the color chart where the colorimetric value matches the reference value. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 11) Item 11. The information processing device according to item 10, The colorimetric value and the reference value matching includes the difference between the colorimetric value and the reference value being within a threshold value. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 12) Item 11: An information processing device according to item 11, The difference between the colorimetric value and the reference value being within a threshold value includes the average value of the difference between the colorimetric value and the reference value for each color patch included in one row being within a threshold value. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 13) Item 11: An information processing device according to item 11, The difference between the colorimetric value and the reference value being within a threshold value includes the variance of the difference between the colorimetric value and the reference value for each color patch included in one row being within a threshold value. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 14) 14. A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 13. (Item 15) An information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 13; an image forming apparatus; and a color verification system including: Color calibration is performed based on the color-measured line identified by the information processing device and the color chart image formed by the image forming device. A color verification system comprising: (Item 16) A colorimetric method using an information processing device having a first specifying means and a second specifying means, the first specifying means specifies one or more candidate rows that are candidates for the measured row based on the color measurement values ​​of the measured row measured by the user in a color chart composed of multiple rows, each row including multiple color patches, and the reference values ​​of each color patch of the color chart; The second specifying means specifies one of the candidate rows as the color-measured row. A color measurement method characterized by:

[0098] The present 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. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 102 information processing device, 102 colorimeter, 104 information processing device, 107 image forming device, 304 color measurement processing control unit, 307 line determination unit

Claims

1. a first specifying means for specifying a candidate row of a colorimetrically measured row based on the colorimetric values ​​of the measured row measured by a user in a color chart composed of a plurality of rows, each row including a plurality of color patches, and a reference value of each color patch of the color chart; and a second specifying means for specifying the colorimetrically measured row using information other than the colorimetric value when the first specifying means does not determine that the colorimetrically measured row is one row.

1. An information processing device comprising:

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The color chart further includes a display means for displaying the color chart and indicating that the candidate lines included in the color chart are the candidate lines.

1. An information processing device comprising:

3. 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, further comprising an input means for accepting an operation by a user; The second specifying means specifies one row from among the candidate rows as the colorimetrically measured row in response to an input from the input means when there are a plurality of candidate rows.

1. An information processing device comprising:

4. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, When there are a plurality of candidate rows, the second specifying means specifies the measured row from among the candidate rows based on the color measurement values ​​of other rows that are a predetermined number of rows away from the candidate row and that are included in the color chart and the reference values ​​of the color patches of the other rows.

1. An information processing device comprising:

5. 5. The information processing device according to claim 4, The second specifying means specifies the candidate row as the colorimetrically measured row when the colorimetric values ​​of the candidate row and the other rows match the reference values ​​of the color patches of the respective rows.

1. An information processing device comprising:

6. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The colorimeter further includes a recording unit that records the history of the colorimetrically measured rows identified by the second identifying unit, The second specifying unit refers to the history and specifies the colorimetrically measured row from the candidate rows based on the periodicity of the colorimetrically measured rows recorded in the history.

1. An information processing device comprising:

7. 7. The information processing device according to claim 6, The second specifying means refers to the history, and based on the periodicity of the colorimetric rows recorded in the history, specifies, among the candidate rows, a row that conforms to the periodicity from the colorimetric rows specified by the second specifying means immediately before the current candidate row, as the colorimetric row.

1. An information processing device comprising:

8. 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, a color measurement unit for allowing a user to measure the color of the color chart, the color measurement unit having an operation unit operated by the user; The second specifying means specifies a row selected from the candidate rows as the colorimetrically measured row when an operation is performed by the operation unit.

1. An information processing device comprising:

9. 9. The information processing device according to claim 8, The display means further displays each of the candidate lines in turn as a selected line.

1. An information processing device comprising:

10. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The first specifying means compares the color measurement value with a reference value for each row included in the color chart, and specifies a row of the color chart where the color measurement value matches the reference value as the candidate row.

1. An information processing device comprising:

11. The information processing device according to claim 10, The colorimetric value and the reference value matching includes the difference between the colorimetric value and the reference value being within a threshold value.

1. An information processing device comprising:

12. The information processing device according to claim 11, The difference between the colorimetric value and the reference value being within a threshold value includes the average value of the difference between the colorimetric value and the reference value for each color patch included in one row being within a threshold value.

1. An information processing device comprising:

13. The information processing device according to claim 11, The difference between the colorimetric value and the reference value being within a threshold value includes the variance of the difference between the colorimetric value and the reference value for each color patch included in one row being within a threshold value.

1. An information processing device comprising:

14. A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13; an image forming apparatus; and a color verification system including: Color calibration is performed based on the color-measured line identified by the information processing device and the color chart image formed by the image forming device. A color verification system comprising:

16. A colorimetric method using an information processing device having a first specifying means and a second specifying means, the first specifying means specifies one or more candidate rows that are candidates for the measured row based on the color measurement values ​​of the measured row measured by the user in a color chart configured with a plurality of rows, each row including a plurality of color patches, and the reference values ​​of each color patch of the color chart; The second specifying means specifies one of the candidate rows as the color-measured row. A color measurement method characterized by:

Images