Printing system

Abstract

To register sheet characteristics and a color profile on the basis of an instruction according to one user operation.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus has: instruction means that, on the basis of an instruction according to one user operation, instructs, to an image forming apparatus, detection of sheet characteristics of a sheet to be supplied with sheet characteristic detection means of the image forming apparatus, control of printing of a chart arranged with color patches on the sheet to be supplied with printing control means of the image forming apparatus, and color measurement of the color patches arranged in the printed chart with colorimetric means of the image forming apparatus; receiving means that receives the detected sheet characteristics and a result of color measurement from the image forming apparatus; and registration means that creates a color profile for adjusting colors to be printed by the image forming apparatus on the basis of the result of the color measurement, and registers the detected sheet characteristics and the color profile in association with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing system, an information processing device, a processing method for a printing system, a processing method for an information processing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In image forming devices, which develop an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum with a laser beam using toner to form a toner image, transfer the toner image to paper, and then thermally fix it, characteristic information about the media, such as the thickness and surface properties, of the paper is an important control parameter. By using the media characteristic information, it is possible to achieve the optimal fixing temperature and conveyance speed for the paper. It is generally known that the paper characteristic information is set by the user through an operation unit or driver screen on the image forming device.

[0003] However, in recent years, a configuration has been proposed in which a sensor that detects media characteristics (hereinafter referred to as a media sensor) is installed inside the image forming device, which increases convenience by eliminating the need for user operation, etc. For example, a media sensor that detects the characteristics of paper on the conveyance path of the image forming device can be installed, and the detected paper characteristics can be set and registered as paper information.

[0004] In addition, in the commercial printing field, high-quality print output is required, so color profiles for converting the color space of an input image into signals in the CMYK color space of the image forming device can be registered for each paper characteristic.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a method of applying an existing profile to each type of paper.

[0006] A color profile can be created, for example, by printing a chart with color patches corresponding to target colors on the paper for which the color profile is to be created, measuring the color value of each color patch with a colorimeter, and comparing the target color with the measured value. Hereinafter, this colorimeter will be referred to as a colorimetric sensor.

[0007] In recent years, a configuration has been proposed in which a colorimetric sensor that measures color patches arranged on paper is installed inside the image forming device. This allows the process from measurement by the colorimetric sensor to the creation of a color profile to be carried out automatically by simply printing the color patches, eliminating the need for user operation and improving convenience. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-218803 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] By measuring with a media sensor during printing, it is possible to automatically register paper characteristics as paper information, and by printing color patches on the target paper and measuring them with a colorimetric sensor, it is possible to automatically create a color profile for each paper characteristic.

[0010] Conventionally, color profiles are created for paper information that has already been registered, and users have had to create a color profile separately after completing the paper information settings using a media sensor.

[0011] An object of the present disclosure is to enable paper characteristics and a color profile to be registered based on an instruction from a single user operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The printing system includes an image forming device and an information processing device. The image forming device includes a paper characteristic detection means for detecting paper characteristics of paper being fed, a print control means for controlling printing of a chart with color patches arranged on the fed paper, and a colorimetric means for measuring the color patches arranged on the printed chart. The information processing device includes an instruction means for instructing the image forming device, based on an instruction from a single user operation, to detect the paper characteristics of the paper being fed by the paper characteristic detection means of the image forming device, control the printing of the chart with color patches arranged on the fed paper by the print control means of the image forming device, and measure the color patches arranged on the printed chart by the colorimetric means of the image forming device, a receiving means for receiving the detected paper characteristics and the results of the colorimetric measurement from the image forming device, and a registration means for creating a color profile for adjusting colors printed by the image forming device based on the results of the colorimetric measurement, and registering the detected paper characteristics in association with the color profile. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present disclosure, paper characteristics and a color profile can be registered based on an instruction from a single user operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a printing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of a printing system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the printing system. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper information registration screen. [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper information registration screen. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color profile registration screen. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color profile registration screen. [Figure 5C] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color profile registration screen. [Figure 6A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of paper information management. [Figure 6B] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of paper information management. [Figure 6C] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of paper information management. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the information processing device. [Figure 8A] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 8B] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a colorimetric sensor prohibition screen when creating a color profile. [Figure 10A] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the information processing device. [Figure 10B] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the information processing device. [Figure 11A] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 11B] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting a colorimetric sensor capable of color measurement. [Figure 13A] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the information processing device. [Figure 13B] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the information processing device. [Figure 14A] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 14B] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a colorimetric sensor determination result screen. [Figure 16A] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the information processing device. [Figure 16B]10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the information processing device. [Figure 16C] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the information processing device. [Figure 17A] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 17B] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The following describes embodiments with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution.

[0016] (First embodiment) 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system 110 according to the first embodiment. The printing system 110 includes a network 100, an image forming apparatus 101, a network 102, an information processing apparatus 103, a monitor 104, a personal computer (PC) 105, an external color measurement device 106, and a serial bus 107.

[0017] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 101 and the information processing apparatus 103 are interconnected so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network 102. Note that, although Fig. 1 illustrates an example in which one information processing apparatus 103 is provided in the printing system 110, the image forming apparatus 101 and a plurality of information processing apparatuses 103 may be connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via the network 100. Furthermore, although the printing system 110 of this embodiment illustrates an example in which the image forming apparatus 101 and the information processing apparatus 103 are included, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0018] The image forming apparatus 101 has a reading function for reading an image on a sheet and a printing function for printing an image on a sheet. The image forming apparatus 101 also has a post-processing function for binding multiple sheets on which images have been printed, aligning multiple sheets, and discharging multiple sheets into multiple trays.

[0019] The sheets include paper such as plain paper, cardboard, coated paper, and film. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 101 is described as an example of an image forming apparatus, but the image forming apparatus may be, for example, a printer or other image forming apparatus that does not have a reading function.

[0020] The information processing device 103 is a device that mainly processes print job data input to the image forming device 101. Specifically, the information processing device 103 provides functions as a kind of server device that corrects, edits, performs high-speed RIP processing on, and stores and manages print job data input from a PC 105 or the like connected via the network 100.

[0021] The functions of the information processing device 103 may be implemented as part of the functions of the main body of the image forming device 101. The information processing device 103 may also be equipped with various input / output devices, such as a monitor 104, similar to those of the PC 105.

[0022] The external colorimetric device 106 is connected to the information processing device 103 via a serial bus 107. The external colorimetric device 106 measures colors and inputs the measured color values ​​to the information processing device 103. The information processing device 103 adjusts color accuracy and the like in accordance with the values.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a printing system 110 according to the first embodiment.

[0024] The image forming apparatus 101 is, for example, an MFP. The image forming apparatus 101 includes a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, a storage unit 204, a video I / F 205, a NW I / F 206, an accessory I / F 207, a paper feed deck I / F 208, an engine I / F 209, and a display unit 214. The image forming apparatus 101 transfers data signals and control signals via a bus 220.

[0025] The video I / F 205 is connected to a video I / F 235 provided in the information processing device 103 via a video cable 291, and can transmit and receive image data.

[0026] The NW I / F 206 is connected to the NW I / F 236 provided in the information processing apparatus 103 via a LAN cable 290, and can communicate various types of information, such as sending and receiving print jobs.

[0027] The accessory I / F 207 can connect a paper discharge device that performs paper discharge processing, a post-processing device that performs post-processing on printed paper, and the like to the image forming apparatus 101 and perform communication.

[0028] The paper feed deck I / F 208 can be connected to and communicate with a paper feed deck 211 that can load paper sheets therein and continuously feed paper sheets at appropriate timing.

[0029] The engine I / F 209 is connected to a printer engine 210 that controls image output, paper transport, and the like, and is capable of communicating with the printer engine 210.

[0030] The printer engine 210 also controls and operates various sensors such as a media sensor 212 and a colorimetric sensor 213. Information measured by the media sensor 212 and values ​​measured by the colorimetric sensor 213 can be notified to the information processing apparatus 103 via, for example, the NW I / F 206.

[0031] The information processing device 103 includes a CPU 231, a RAM 232, a ROM 233, a storage unit 234, a video I / F 235, a NW I / F 236, an external NW I / F 237, a display unit I / F 238, and a serial I / F 239. The information processing device 103 transmits data signals and control signals via a bus 240.

[0032] The video I / F 235 is connected to the video I / F 205 provided in the image forming apparatus 101 via a video cable 291, and can transmit and receive image data.

[0033] The NW I / F 236 is connected to the NW I / F 206 provided in the image forming apparatus 101 via a LAN cable 290, and is capable of communicating various types of information, such as sending and receiving print jobs.

[0034] The external NW I / F 237 is connected to the network 100 and can control communications with the PC 105 and the like.

[0035] The display unit I / F 238 can be connected to a display unit 250 included in the monitor 104 via a video cable 292 and output a screen.

[0036] The serial I / F 239 can be connected to a serial I / F 270 provided in the external colorimetric device 106 via a serial bus 293 to perform communication.

[0037] The external color measurement device 106 includes a color measurement sensor 271 and can notify the information processing device 103 of color values ​​measured by the color measurement sensor 271 via a serial I / F 270 .

[0038] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a printing system 110 according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 101 includes a print job control unit 301, a printer control unit 302, a color measurement unit 307, a paper characteristics detection unit 308, and a paper information management unit 309.

[0039] The print job control unit 301 is executed according to a program stored in the ROM 203 of the image forming apparatus 101. The print job control unit 301 receives a print job from, for example, a print job control unit 311 of the information processing apparatus 103, interprets the received print job, and issues a print control instruction to the printer control unit 302 based on the contents of the print job.

[0040] The printer control unit 302 has a print control unit 303, a paper feed control unit 304, a conveyance control unit 305, and a reading control unit 306, each of which is executed according to a program stored in the ROM 203 provided in the image forming apparatus 101. The printer control unit 302 also operates according to instructions from the print job control unit 301.

[0041] The print control unit 303 processes the image data received from the print job control unit 301 and controls the printing operation.

[0042] The paper feed control unit 304 acquires paper information of the paper feed unit from, for example, the paper information management unit 309, selects a paper feed unit based on the designation in the print job, and controls the feeding of sheets from the selected paper feed unit to the conveyance path.

[0043] The transport control unit 305 controls the transport of the sheet on the transport path based on the selected paper information.

[0044] The reading control unit 306 controls reading by various sensors included in the image forming apparatus 101. For example, the colorimetric unit 307 executes colorimetric operation by the colorimetric sensor 213 in response to an instruction from the reading control unit 306, and notifies the color precision control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103 of the colorimetric value.

[0045] In addition, the paper characteristic detection unit 308 executes a paper characteristic detection operation using the media sensor 212 in response to instructions from the reading control unit 306, and notifies the detection result to the paper information management unit 309 provided in the image forming device 101 or the paper information management unit 312 provided in the information processing device 103.

[0046] The paper information management unit 309 is executed according to a program stored in the ROM 203 of the image forming apparatus 101. The paper information management unit 309 manages paper information handled by the image forming apparatus 101. For example, the paper information management unit 309 manages information relating to paper fed to the paper feed deck 211 of the image forming apparatus 101. This paper information may be created according to an instruction from a paper information management unit 312 of the information processing apparatus 103, or may be created based on the detection result of the paper characteristic detection unit 308.

[0047] The information processing apparatus 103 includes a print job control unit 311 , a paper information management unit 312 , and a color accuracy control unit 315 .

[0048] The print job control unit 311 is executed according to a program stored in the ROM 233 of the information processing apparatus 103. The print job control unit 311 performs control such as generating a print job and inputting the print job to the print job control unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 101.

[0049] The paper information management unit 312 is executed according to a program stored in the ROM 233 provided in the information processing apparatus 103. The paper information management unit 312 has a color profile management unit 313 and a paper characteristics management unit 314, and manages the paper characteristics controlled by the image forming apparatus 101.

[0050] A color profile management unit 313 manages color profiles corresponding to each piece of paper information managed by a paper characteristics management unit 314 .

[0051] The color accuracy control unit 315 is executed according to a program stored in the ROM 233 provided in the information processing device 103. The color accuracy control unit 315 instructs, for example, the print job control unit 311 to create a chart job for creating a color profile, and receives a notification of the color measurement result from the colorimetric unit 307 provided in the image forming device 101.

[0052] Furthermore, the color measurement results of the chart job may be notified from a color measurement unit 321 provided in the external color measurement device 106, rather than from a color measurement unit 307 provided in the image forming apparatus 101. The color precision control unit 315 can create a new color profile from the received color measurement values ​​and register the color profile in a color profile management unit 313 provided in the paper information management unit 312.

[0053] The external colorimetric device 106 has a colorimetric unit 321. In response to a user operation, the external colorimetric device 106 measures the color of a chart on which color patches are arranged, output by the image forming apparatus 101, using the colorimetric unit 321, and notifies the colorimetric result to a color precision control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103.

[0054] 4A and 4B show an example of a paper information registration screen 400 displayed on the display unit 250 of the monitor 104 connected to the information processing device 103. However, the paper information registration screen 400 may be configured to be displayed on the display unit 214 of the image forming device 101.

[0055] 4A shows a paper information registration screen 400 for inputting paper information settings. The paper information registration screen 400 includes a paper name 401, a paper size 402, a paper width 403, a paper height 404, an automatic paper characteristic detection switch 405, a paper feed tray for automatic detection 406, a basis weight 407, a surface property 408, and a color profile 409.

[0056] The paper characteristic information, such as paper name 401, paper size 402, paper width 403, paper height 404, basis weight 407, and surface property 408, entered on the paper information registration screen 400 is confirmed by pressing an OK button 411. The paper characteristic information is then registered as paper information in a paper characteristic management unit 314 provided in the information processing device 103. Alternatively, the paper characteristic information may be configured to be registered in a paper information management unit 309 provided in the image forming device.

[0057] An automatic paper characteristic detection switch 405 detects paper characteristics using the media sensor 212 provided in the image forming apparatus 101, and can automatically switch whether or not to register paper characteristics based on the detection result.

[0058] In this embodiment, the paper characteristic information that can be detected by the media sensor 212 is assumed to be basis weight 407 and surface property 408. When the automatic paper characteristic detection switch 405 is on, the input of basis weight 407 and surface property 408, which are paper characteristic information that can be detected by the media sensor 212, is not accepted. Furthermore, when the automatic paper characteristic detection switch 405 is on, the paper feed deck 211 provided in the image forming apparatus 101 to which the paper to be registered is assigned is selected in the automatic detection paper feed tray 406.

[0059] The color profile 409 specifies a color profile associated with the paper characteristics to be registered on the paper information registration screen 400. The color profile 409 can also specify an existing color profile stored in color profile information 620 stored in the storage unit 234 of the information processing device 103 shown in FIG. 6B and already managed by the color profile management unit 313.

[0060] The paper information to be registered is confirmed by pressing the OK button 411. When the automatic paper characteristic detection switch 405 is off, the paper information is managed by the paper characteristic management unit 314 provided in the information processing device 103 according to the input value, and the contents are held in the paper characteristic information 600 stored in the memory unit 234 provided in the information processing device 103 shown in FIG. 6A.

[0061] Alternatively, if the automatic paper characteristic detection switch 405 is on, the basis weight 407 and surface texture 408 have not been input. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 103 instructs the print job control unit 311 to create a paper characteristic detection job. The image forming apparatus 101 detects the paper characteristics with the media sensor 212, and determines the paper information based on the paper characteristic information received from the paper characteristic detection unit 308.

[0062] 4B shows a paper property detection result screen 421 when the paper properties are confirmed while the automatic paper property detection switch 405 is on. The paper property information received from the paper property detection unit 308 of the image forming apparatus 101, that is, basis weight 407 and surface property 408, is displayed.

[0063] However, if new creation is selected in the color profile 409 on the paper information registration screen 400 in FIG. 4A, even if the automatic paper characteristic detection switch 405 is on, a paper characteristic detection job is not created, and the screen transitions to the new color profile creation screen 500 shown in FIG. 5A.

[0064] 5A to 5C show an example of a new color profile creation screen 500 displayed on the display unit 250 of the monitor 104 connected to the information processing device 103. However, the new color profile creation screen 500 may also be configured to be displayed on the display unit 214 of the image forming device 101.

[0065] 5A shows a new color profile creation screen 500 for inputting setting values ​​when creating a new color profile. The new color profile creation screen 500 is composed of a color profile name 501, a paper feed tray 502, and a colorimetric sensor 503. The new color profile creation screen 500 can also be transitioned to when a new creation is instructed in the color profile 409 provided on the paper information registration screen 400 in FIG.

[0066] The paper feed stage 502 specifies the paper feed deck 211 provided in the image forming apparatus 101 to which the paper for which the color profile is to be created is assigned.

[0067] The colorimetric sensor 503 selects a colorimetric means capable of measuring the color chart output from the image forming apparatus 101. Fig. 5A shows an example in which the external colorimetric device 106 is available and the image forming apparatus 101 is further equipped with the colorimetric sensor 213.

[0068] Pressing the OK button 511 transitions to a new color profile creation processing flow, and transitions to a measurement chart preparation screen 520 shown in FIG. 5B.

[0069] In the measurement chart preparation processing flow, the color accuracy control unit 315 included in the information processing device 103 instructs the print job control unit 311 to print a measurement preparation chart 521. The measurement preparation chart 521 is a chart used for preprocessing of the color accuracy adjustment processing, and has the purpose of warming up to improve toner adhesion to the paper and checking for dirt on the output chart, and is a chart used on paper for which a new color profile is to be created.

[0070] As shown on measurement chart preparation screen 520, measurement preparation chart 521 is discarded by the user after checking for dirt. The user checks measurement preparation chart 521, and if it is confirmed that there is dirt, the user presses cancel button 512 to exit the new color profile creation processing flow. If it is confirmed that there is no dirt, the user presses OK button 511 to continue the new color profile creation processing flow.

[0071] If the new color profile creation process flow continues, the color accuracy control unit 315 provided in the information processing apparatus 103 instructs the print job control unit 311 to create a measurement preparation chart job that can be measured by the colorimetric sensor specified by the colorimetric sensor 503.

[0072] When the colorimetric sensor 213 included in the image forming apparatus 101 is designated, the color precision control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103 receives colorimetric values ​​from the colorimetric unit 307 included in the image forming apparatus 101 .

[0073] Alternatively, if the colorimetric sensor 271 included in the external colorimetric device 106 is designated, the color precision control unit 315 included in the information processing device 103 receives colorimetric values ​​from the colorimetric unit 321 included in the external colorimetric device 106 .

[0074] When the color precision control unit 315 included in the information processing device 103 receives the colorimetric values, it executes a new color profile creation process according to the colorimetric values ​​and transitions to a new color profile creation completion screen 530 shown in FIG. 5C.

[0075] The new color profile creation completion screen 530 includes a new color profile screen 531 that displays the new color profile information for which creation has been completed. Furthermore, if the automatic paper characteristics detection switch 405 is turned on on the paper information registration screen 400 in Fig. 4A and the screen has transitioned to the new color profile creation processing flow, the new color profile creation completion screen 530 includes the paper characteristics detection result screen 421.

[0076] When the user presses the OK button 511, the paper information is held in paper characteristic information 600 stored in the memory unit 234 of the information processing device 103 shown in FIG. 6A, which is managed by the paper characteristic management unit 314 of the information processing device 103.

[0077] Furthermore, the new color profile is held in color profile information 620 managed by the color profile management unit 313 and stored in the storage unit 234 of the information processing device 103 shown in FIG. 6B.

[0078] Then, the new color profile creation processing flow is completed. When the user presses the cancel button 512, the paper information and the new color profile are discarded, and the new color profile creation processing flow is completed.

[0079] 6A shows an example of paper characteristic information 600 stored in the storage unit 234 of the information processing device 103. The paper characteristic information 600 is managed by the paper characteristic management unit 314 of the paper information management unit 312 of the information processing device 103. However, the paper characteristic information 600 may also be stored in the storage unit 204 of the image forming device 101 and managed by the paper information management unit 309.

[0080] The paper characteristic information 600 includes a paper ID 601 , a paper name 602 , a paper size 603 , a paper width 604 , a paper height 605 , a basis weight 606 , and a surface property 607 , and is held in the paper characteristic management unit 314 of the information processing apparatus 103 .

[0081] Furthermore, the paper characteristic information 600 has an associated color profile ID 608. The color profile ID 608 indicates, by a color profile ID 621, which color profile to assign from among the color profiles held in the color profile information 620 stored in the storage unit 234 of the information processing device 103 shown in FIG.

[0082] The paper ID 601 is an internal ID that can uniquely determine paper information. The paper name 602, paper size 603, paper width 604, and paper height 605 respectively hold the values ​​entered in the paper name 401, paper size 402, paper width 403, and paper height 404 on the paper information registration screen 400 in FIG. 4A.

[0083] When the automatic paper characteristic detection switch 405 on the paper information registration screen 400 in FIG. 4A is off, the values ​​entered in the basis weight 407 and surface property 408 on the paper information registration screen 400 are retained as the basis weight 606 and surface property 607.

[0084] When the automatic paper characteristic detection switch 405 on the paper information registration screen 400 is turned on, the paper characteristic detection unit 308 of the image forming apparatus 101 detects the basis weight 606 and surface property 607. Then, based on the paper characteristic information notified to the paper information management unit 312 of the information processing apparatus 103, the values ​​of the basis weight 606 and surface property 607 are stored.

[0085] A color profile ID 608 indicates the ID assignment of a color profile managed by the color profile management unit 313 included in the information processing apparatus 103 to the target paper ID 601 .

[0086] 6B shows an example of color profile information 620 stored in the storage unit 234 of the information processing device 103. The color profile information 620 is managed by a color profile management unit 313 included in a paper information management unit 312 of the information processing device 103. However, the color profile information 620 may also be stored in the storage unit 204 of the image forming device 101 and managed by a paper information management unit 309.

[0087] The color profile information 620 includes a color profile ID 621 , a color profile name 622 , and a plurality of conversion parameters 623 .

[0088] The color profile ID 621 is an internal ID that can uniquely determine the color profile information.

[0089] Color profile name 622 holds the value entered in color profile name 501 on new color profile creation screen 500 in FIG. 5A.

[0090] The conversion parameters 623 are created by the color precision control unit 315 in accordance with the colorimetric values ​​received in the new color profile creation process.

[0091] 6C shows an example of a colorimetric sensor colorimetry feasibility table 640 stored in the storage unit 234 of the information processing apparatus 103. The colorimetric sensor colorimetry feasibility table 640 is managed by a color profile management unit 313 included in a paper information management unit 312 of the information processing apparatus 103. However, the colorimetric sensor colorimetry feasibility table 640 may also be configured to be stored in the storage unit 204 of the image forming apparatus 101 and managed by the paper information management unit 309.

[0092] The colorimetric sensor colorimetry availability table 640 includes a paper size 641 , a paper surface property 642 , a paper basis weight 643 , an inline colorimetric sensor colorimetry availability 644 , and an external colorimetry device colorimetry availability 645 .

[0093] Inline colorimetric sensor colorimetry availability 644 is information indicating whether the paper characteristics can be measured by the colorimetric sensor 213 included in the image forming apparatus 101. In the example shown in Fig. 6C, it is indicated that colorimetry is possible for the paper characteristics indicated by paper characteristics 651, 652, 654, and 655. On the other hand, it is indicated that colorimetry is not possible for the paper characteristics indicated by paper characteristics 653 and 656.

[0094] External colorimetric device colorimetry availability 645 is information indicating whether the paper characteristics can be measured by the colorimetry sensor 271 included in the external colorimetric device 106. In the example shown in Fig. 6C, it is indicated that all of the paper characteristics 652 to 656 can be measured.

[0095] 7 is a flowchart showing a processing method in the information processing apparatus 103 for detecting paper characteristics and registering a paper type during an output profile creation flow. 8A and 8B are flowcharts showing a processing method in the image forming apparatus 101.

[0096] 7 is realized by executing a program stored in a ROM 233 included in the information processing device 103. Also, the processing in the image forming device 101 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B is realized by executing a program stored in a ROM 203 included in the image forming device 101.

[0097] When the OK button 511 is pressed on the new color profile creation screen 500 in FIG. 5A, the flow in FIG. 7 starts.

[0098] In step S701, the color accuracy control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103 instructs the print job control unit 311 to create a measurement preparation chart job. At this time, the color accuracy control unit 315 assigns media sense settings for detecting paper characteristics to the measurement preparation chart job.

[0099] In step S702, the print job control unit 311 included in the information processing apparatus 103 transmits the measurement preparation chart job to which the media sense setting has been added to the print job control unit 301 included in the image forming apparatus 101.

[0100] In step S 703 , the print job control unit 311 included in the information processing apparatus 103 waits for receipt of paper characteristic information from the paper characteristic detection unit 308 included in the image forming apparatus 101 .

[0101] In step S801 of FIG. 8A, the print job control unit 301 provided in the image forming apparatus 101 receives the measurement preparation chart job transmitted from the print job control unit 311 provided in the information processing apparatus 103 in step S702.

[0102] In step S802, the print job control unit 301 interprets the received measurement preparation chart job and instructs the printer control unit 302 to print the measurement preparation chart job.

[0103] In step S803, the reading control unit 306 included in the printer control unit 302 instructs the paper characteristics detection unit 308 to detect paper characteristics because the measurement preparation chart job has been assigned a media sense setting for detecting paper characteristics. The paper characteristics detection unit 308 detects the paper characteristics of the fed paper using the media sensor 212. The paper characteristics detection unit 308 transports the paper on the transport path, and detects the paper characteristics of the paper on the transport path using the media sensor 212.

[0104] In step S804, the paper characteristic detection unit 308 transmits the detected paper characteristic information to the paper information management unit 312 provided in the information processing apparatus 103, and the processing in FIG. 8A ends.

[0105] In step S703 of FIG. 7, the paper information management unit 312 included in the information processing apparatus 103 functions as a receiving unit, and receives the paper characteristic information transmitted from the paper characteristic detection unit 308 included in the image forming apparatus 101 in step S804.

[0106] In step S704, the paper information management unit 312 registers the received paper characteristic information in the paper characteristic management unit 314.

[0107] In step S705, the color accuracy control unit 315 instructs the print job control unit 311 to create a chart colorimetry job. At this time, the color accuracy control unit 315 assigns the colorimetry sensor selected by the colorimetry sensor 503 provided on the new color profile creation screen 500 in FIG. 5A as the colorimetry sensor setting for the chart colorimetry job.

[0108] In step S706, the print job control unit 311 transmits the chart colorimetry job with the colorimetry sensor settings to the print job control unit 301 included in the image forming apparatus 101. Furthermore, if the colorimetry sensor 271 is selected as the colorimetry sensor 503 in FIG. 5A, the print job control unit 311 transmits the chart colorimetry job to the external colorimetry device 106.

[0109] In step S707, the print job control unit 311 waits for reception of colorimetric values ​​from the colorimetric unit 307 included in the image forming apparatus 101 or the colorimetric unit 321 included in the external colorimetric device .

[0110] In step S811 of FIG. 8B, the print job control unit 301 included in the image forming apparatus 101 receives the chart colorimetry job transmitted from the print job control unit 311 included in the information processing apparatus 103 in step S706.

[0111] In step S812, the print job control unit 301 interprets the received chart color measurement job and instructs the printer control unit 302 to print the chart measurement job. The printer control unit 302 is a print control unit that controls printing of a chart on which color patches are arranged on fed paper.

[0112] In step S813, the printer control unit 302 determines, based on the colorimetric sensor settings, whether the chart colorimetric job specifies the colorimetric sensor 213 included in the image forming apparatus 101. If the colorimetric sensor 213 included in the image forming apparatus 101 has been specified (S813: Yes), the process proceeds to step S814. If the colorimetric sensor 213 included in the image forming apparatus 101 has not been specified (S813: No), the process of FIG. 8B ends.

[0113] In step S814, the reading control unit 306 instructs the colorimetric unit 307 to perform colorimetric measurement of the chart colorimetric job, and performs colorimetric measurement of the chart with the colorimetric sensor 213. The colorimetric sensor 213 measures the color patches arranged on the chart printed in step S812.

[0114] In step S815, the colorimetric unit 307 transmits the colorimetric values ​​resulting from the color measurement to the color precision control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103.

[0115] In step S707 of FIG. 7, the color precision control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103 receives colorimetric values ​​from the colorimetric unit 307 or 321.

[0116] 5A on the new color profile creation screen 500, the colorimetric sensor 213 (inline) provided in the image forming apparatus 101 is specified. In this case, in step S707, the color precision control unit 315 receives the colorimetric values ​​obtained by measuring the chart with the colorimetric sensor 213 of the colorimetric unit 307 provided in the image forming apparatus 101.

[0117] Next, a case will be described in which the colorimetric sensor 271 included in the external colorimetric device 106 is specified as the colorimetric sensor setting specified in the colorimetric sensor 503 on the new color profile creation screen 500 in Fig. 5A. In this case, in step S707, the color accuracy control unit 315 receives colorimetric values ​​obtained by measuring the chart with the colorimetric sensor 271 of the colorimetric unit 321 included in the external colorimetric device 106.

[0118] In step S708, the color precision control unit 315 creates a new color profile based on the color measurement values ​​received in step S707, and registers it in the color profile management unit 313 included in the paper information management unit 312.

[0119] The color accuracy control unit 315 functions as a registration unit, and creates a color profile for adjusting the colors printed by the image forming device 101 based on the colorimetric values, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, and registers the paper characteristics and color profile in association with each other in step S703.

[0120] According to the present embodiment described above, the printing system 110 is able to perform automatic paper information registration during the automatic color profile creation process, and the paper information registration in step S704 and the color profile registration in step S708 can be performed in one step.

[0121] In FIG. 7, the print job control unit 311 transmits a measurement preparation chart job in step S702 and a chart color measurement job in step S706 to the image forming apparatus 101 based on an instruction from a single user operation.

[0122] The one user operation is pressing the OK button 511 on the new color profile creation screen 500 in Fig. 5A, which is an instruction including the selection of the colorimetric sensor 503 in Fig. 5A. The selection of the colorimetric sensor 503 in Fig. 5A is the selection of either the colorimetric sensor 213 of the image forming apparatus 101 or the colorimetric sensor 271 of the external colorimetric device 106.

[0123] The measurement preparation chart job in step S702 is a job for instructing the paper characteristics detection unit 308 of the image forming apparatus 101 to detect the paper characteristics of the paper to be fed. The chart colorimetry job in step S706 is a job for instructing the print control unit 303 of the image forming apparatus 101 to control printing of a chart with color patches arranged on the paper to be fed, and the colorimetry sensor 213 of the image forming apparatus 101 to measure the color patches arranged on the printed chart.

[0124] According to this embodiment, it is possible to register paper characteristic information during the automatic color profile creation process, and paper characteristic information and a color profile can be registered in one step, thereby improving user convenience.

[0125] (Second embodiment) In the first embodiment, an embodiment was shown in which paper information registration and color profile registration are performed in one step. However, there are cases in which paper whose color can be measured by the color measurement sensor 213 provided in the image forming apparatus 101 cannot be measured depending on the paper characteristics due to the influence of the internal mechanism of the device, etc. In the first embodiment, because the paper characteristics are determined after the start of the new color profile creation flow, it is not possible to determine whether the color can be measured by the color measurement sensor 213 provided in the image forming apparatus 101 before the start of the new color profile creation flow.

[0126] In the second embodiment, a configuration for determining whether color measurement is possible with the color measurement sensor 213 provided in the image forming apparatus 101 before submitting a chart color measurement job will be described.

[0127] FIG. 9 shows an example of the new color profile creation screen 500 in which the characteristics of the paper for which a new color profile is to be created cannot be measured by the color measurement sensor 213 (inline) provided in the image forming apparatus 101.

[0128] In the second embodiment, when creating a new color profile, the paper characteristics are already determined when transitioning to the new color profile creation screen 500, so it is possible to determine whether the paper characteristics can be measured by each of the colorimetric sensors 213 and 217 depending on the paper characteristics.

[0129] If the characteristics of the paper for which a new color profile is to be created cannot be measured by the colorimetric sensor 213 included in the image forming apparatus 101, the colorimetric sensor 213 cannot be specified as the colorimetric sensor 503 in Fig. 9. For this reason, for example, the colorimetric sensor 213 is grayed out as a colorimetric incapable sensor 901 so that it cannot be specified. This embodiment describes a configuration for solving this problem.

[0130] Next, a flowchart is shown for determining whether color measurement is possible using the color measurement sensor 213 provided in the image forming apparatus 101 before submitting a chart color measurement job when detecting paper characteristics during the output profile creation flow and registering the paper type.

[0131] 10A and 10B are flowcharts showing a processing method in the information processing apparatus 103. FIGS. 11A and 11B are flowcharts showing a processing method in the image forming apparatus 101.

[0132] 10A and 10B in the information processing device 103 is realized by executing the program stored in the ROM 233 of the information processing device 103. Also, the process in the image forming device 101 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B is realized by executing the program stored in the ROM 203 of the image forming device 101.

[0133] When the OK button 511 is pressed on the new color profile creation screen 500 in FIG. 5A, the flow in FIG. 10A starts.

[0134] In step S701, the color accuracy control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103 instructs the print job control unit 311 to create a measurement preparation chart job. At this time, the color accuracy control unit 315 assigns media sense settings for detecting paper characteristics to the measurement preparation chart job.

[0135] In step S702, the print job control unit 311 included in the information processing apparatus 103 transmits the measurement preparation chart job to which the media sense setting has been added to the print job control unit 301 included in the image forming apparatus 101.

[0136] In step S 703 , the print job control unit 311 included in the information processing apparatus 103 waits for receipt of paper characteristic information from the paper characteristic detection unit 308 included in the image forming apparatus 101 .

[0137] In step S1101 of FIG. 11A, the print job control unit 301 provided in the image forming apparatus 101 receives the measurement preparation chart job transmitted from the print job control unit 311 provided in the information processing apparatus 103 in step S702.

[0138] In step S1102, the print job control unit 301 interprets the received measurement preparation chart job and instructs the printer control unit 302 to print the measurement preparation chart job.

[0139] In step S1103, because the measurement preparation chart job has a media sense setting for detecting paper characteristics, the reading control unit 306 included in the printer control unit 302 instructs the paper characteristics detection unit 308 to detect paper characteristics. The paper characteristics detection unit 308 uses the media sensor 212 to detect the paper characteristics of the paper being fed.

[0140] In step S1104, the paper characteristic detection unit 308 transmits the detected paper characteristic information to the paper information management unit 312 provided in the information processing apparatus 103, and the processing in FIG. 11A ends.

[0141] In step S703 of FIG. 10A, the paper information management unit 312 included in the information processing apparatus 103 receives the paper characteristic information transmitted from the paper characteristic detection unit 308 included in the image forming apparatus 101 in step S1104.

[0142] In step S704, the paper information management unit 312 registers the received paper characteristic information in the paper characteristic management unit 314.

[0143] In step S1001, the color precision control unit 315 determines which of the color measurement sensors 213 and 271 is capable of color measurement, based on the paper characteristic information registered in step S704.

[0144] Fig. 10B is a flowchart showing the details of step S1001 in Fig. 10A. In step S1011, the color accuracy control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103 acquires, from the paper characteristic management unit 314, paper characteristic information for which a new color profile is to be created.

[0145] In step S1012, the color precision control unit 315 determines which of the colorimetric sensors 213 and 271 is capable of color measurement, based on the acquired paper characteristic information and the colorimetric sensor colorimetric measurement availability table 640 in FIG. 6C.

[0146] That is, the color precision control unit 315 functions as a determination unit and determines whether the color measurement sensor 213 of the image forming apparatus 101 and the color measurement sensor 271 of the external color measurement device 106 are capable of measuring the color of the acquired paper characteristic information.

[0147] In step S1002 of Fig. 10A, the color accuracy control unit 315 displays the new color profile creation screen 500 shown in Fig. 12. The new color profile creation screen 500 includes a paper characteristic detection result screen 1201. The color accuracy control unit 315 displays the paper characteristic information received in step S703 on the paper characteristic detection result screen 1201 as basis weight 407 and surface property 408.

[0148] The new color profile creation screen 500 also includes a colorimetric sensor selection screen 1202. The color accuracy control unit 315 displays the determination result of the sensor capable of color measurement determined in step S1012 of FIG.

[0149] That is, the color accuracy control unit 315 functions as a display control unit and controls the display of a color measurement sensor selection screen 1202 on which only the color measurement sensor capable of color measurement can be selected from the color measurement sensor 213 of the image forming device 101 and the color measurement sensor 271 of the external color measurement device 106.

[0150] Figure 12 shows an example of a case where color measurement is not possible using the color measurement sensor 213 (inline) provided in the image forming device 101, and since it cannot be specified as the color measurement sensor 503, for example, the color measurement sensor 213 is grayed out as a color measurement incapable sensor 901 so that it cannot be specified.

[0151] In step S1003, the user selects the colorimetric sensor 503 on the new color profile creation screen 500 and presses the OK button 511. Then, the color accuracy control unit 315 included in the information processing device 103 accepts the colorimetric sensor 213 or 271 selected by the user in the colorimetric sensor 503 on the colorimetric sensor selection screen 1202 included in the new color profile creation screen 500.

[0152] In step S705, the color accuracy control unit 315 instructs the print job control unit 311 to create a chart colorimetry job. At this time, the color accuracy control unit 315 assigns the colorimetry sensor selected in the colorimetry sensor 503 on the colorimetry sensor selection screen 1202 provided on the new color profile creation screen 500 as the colorimetry sensor setting for the chart colorimetry job.

[0153] In step S706, the print job control unit 311 transmits the chart colorimetry job with the colorimetry sensor settings to the print job control unit 301 included in the image forming apparatus 101. Furthermore, if the colorimetry sensor 271 is selected in step S1003, the print job control unit 311 transmits the chart colorimetry job to the external colorimetry device 106.

[0154] In step S707, the print job control unit 311 waits for reception of colorimetric values ​​from the colorimetric unit 307 included in the image forming apparatus 101 or the colorimetric unit 321 included in the external colorimetric device .

[0155] In step S1111 of FIG. 11B, the print job control unit 301 included in the image forming apparatus 101 receives the chart colorimetry job transmitted from the print job control unit 311 included in the information processing apparatus 103 in step S706.

[0156] In step S1112, the print job control unit 301 interprets the received chart color measurement job and instructs the printer control unit 302 to print the chart measurement job. The printer control unit 302 controls printing of a chart on which color patches are arranged on fed paper.

[0157] In step S1113, the printer control unit 302 determines, based on the colorimetric sensor settings, whether the chart colorimetric job specifies the colorimetric sensor 213 included in the image forming apparatus 101. If the colorimetric sensor 213 included in the image forming apparatus 101 has been specified (S1113: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1114. If the colorimetric sensor 213 included in the image forming apparatus 101 has not been specified (S1113: No), the process of FIG. 11B ends.

[0158] In step S1114, the reading control unit 306 instructs the colorimetric unit 307 to perform colorimetric measurement of the chart colorimetric job, and performs colorimetric measurement of the chart with the colorimetric sensor 213. The colorimetric sensor 213 measures the color patches arranged on the chart printed in step S1112.

[0159] In step S1115, the colorimetric unit 307 transmits the colorimetric values ​​resulting from the color measurement to the color precision control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103.

[0160] In step S707 of FIG. 10A, the color precision control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103 receives colorimetric values ​​from the colorimetric unit 307 or 321.

[0161] First, a case will be described in which the colorimetric sensor 213 (inline) provided in the image forming apparatus 101 is specified as the colorimetric sensor setting specified in the colorimetric sensor 503 on the new color profile creation screen 500 in Fig. 12. In this case, in step S707, the color precision control unit 315 receives the colorimetric values ​​obtained by measuring the chart with the colorimetric sensor 213 of the colorimetric unit 307 provided in the image forming apparatus 101.

[0162] Next, a case will be described in which the colorimetric sensor 271 included in the external colorimetric device 106 is specified as the colorimetric sensor setting specified in the colorimetric sensor 503 on the new color profile creation screen 500 in Fig. 12. In this case, in step S707, the color precision control unit 315 receives colorimetric values ​​obtained by measuring the chart with the colorimetric sensor 271 of the colorimetric unit 321 included in the external colorimetric device 106.

[0163] In step S708, the color precision control unit 315 creates a new color profile based on the color measurement values ​​received in step S707, and registers it in the color profile management unit 313 included in the paper information management unit 312.

[0164] The color precision control unit 315 creates a color profile for adjusting the colors printed by the image forming device 101 based on the colorimetric values, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, and registers the paper characteristics and color profile in association with each other in step S703.

[0165] According to the present embodiment described above, even if the paper characteristics are determined after the start of the new color profile creation flow, the printing system 110 can determine whether the color can be measured by the color measurement sensor 213 provided in the image forming apparatus 101 before the start of the new color profile creation flow.

[0166] (Third embodiment) In the second embodiment, before submitting a chart color measurement job, it is determined whether color measurement is possible with the color measurement sensor 213 provided in the image forming apparatus 101, and the user can specify the color measurement sensor.

[0167] In the third embodiment, a configuration is shown in which, before submitting a chart color measurement job, it is determined whether color measurement is possible using the color measurement sensor 213 provided in the image forming apparatus 101, and a color accuracy control unit 315 provided in the information processing apparatus 103 switches the color measurement sensor.

[0168] Before submitting a chart color measurement job, it is determined whether color measurement is possible with the color measurement sensor 213 provided in the image forming apparatus 101, and a color precision control unit 315 provided in the information processing apparatus 103 switches the color measurement sensor.

[0169] 13A and 13B are flowcharts showing a processing method in the information processing apparatus 103. FIGS. 14A and 14B are flowcharts showing a processing method in the image forming apparatus 101.

[0170] 13A and 13B in the information processing device 103 is realized by executing the program stored in the ROM 233 of the information processing device 103. Also, the process in the image forming device 101 shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B is realized by executing the program stored in the ROM 203 of the image forming device 101.

[0171] When the OK button 511 is pressed on the new color profile creation screen 500 in FIG. 5A, the flow in FIG. 13A starts.

[0172] In step S701, the color accuracy control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103 instructs the print job control unit 311 to create a measurement preparation chart job. At this time, the color accuracy control unit 315 assigns media sense settings for detecting paper characteristics to the measurement preparation chart job.

[0173] In step S702, the print job control unit 311 included in the information processing apparatus 103 transmits the measurement preparation chart job to which the media sense setting has been added to the print job control unit 301 included in the image forming apparatus 101.

[0174] In step S 703 , the print job control unit 311 included in the information processing apparatus 103 waits for receipt of paper characteristic information from the paper characteristic detection unit 308 included in the image forming apparatus 101 .

[0175] In step S1401 of FIG. 14A, the print job control unit 301 provided in the image forming apparatus 101 receives the measurement preparation chart job transmitted from the print job control unit 311 provided in the information processing apparatus 103 in step S702.

[0176] In step S1402, the print job control unit 301 interprets the received measurement preparation chart job and instructs the printer control unit 302 to print the measurement preparation chart job.

[0177] In step S1403, the reading control unit 306 included in the printer control unit 302 instructs the paper characteristics detection unit 308 to detect paper characteristics because the measurement preparation chart job has a media sense setting for detecting paper characteristics. The paper characteristics detection unit 308 uses the media sensor 212 to detect the paper characteristics of the paper being fed.

[0178] In step S1404, the paper characteristic detection unit 308 transmits the detected paper characteristic information to the paper information management unit 312 provided in the information processing apparatus 103, and the processing in FIG. 14A ends.

[0179] In step S703 of FIG. 13A, the paper information management unit 312 included in the information processing apparatus 103 receives the paper characteristic information transmitted from the paper characteristic detection unit 308 included in the image forming apparatus 101 in step S1404.

[0180] In step S704, the paper information management unit 312 registers the received paper characteristic information in the paper characteristic management unit 314.

[0181] In step S1301, the color precision control unit 315 determines the color measurement capable sensor according to the paper characteristic information registered in step S704.

[0182] Fig. 13B is a flowchart showing the details of step S1301 in Fig. 13A. In step S1011, the color accuracy control unit 315 provided in the information processing apparatus 103 acquires, from the paper characteristic management unit 314, paper characteristic information for which a new color profile is to be created.

[0183] In step S1012, the color precision control unit 315 determines which of the colorimetric sensors 213 and 271 is capable of color measurement, based on the acquired paper characteristic information and the colorimetric sensor colorimetric measurement availability table 640 in FIG. 6C.

[0184] In step S1311, the color accuracy control unit 315 sets the colorimetric sensor 213 or 271 selected in the colorimetric sensor 503 on the new color profile creation screen 500 in Fig. 5A as the colorimetric sensor setting. Then, based on the determination result of step S1012, the color accuracy control unit 315 determines whether the colorimetric sensor in the above colorimetric sensor setting can measure the paper characteristic information acquired in step S1011.

[0185] That is, the color accuracy control unit 315 determines whether the color measurement sensor 213 of the image forming device 101 or the color measurement sensor 271 of the external color measurement device 106 selected by the color measurement sensor 503 in Figure 5A is capable of measuring the acquired paper characteristic information.

[0186] If it is determined that colorimetry is not possible (S1311: No), the process proceeds to step S1312. If it is determined that colorimetry is possible (S1311: Yes), the process of FIG. 13B ends.

[0187] In step S1312, the color precision control unit 315 overwrites the settings of the colorimetric sensor 271 of the external colorimetric device 106 as the colorimetric sensor settings.

[0188] In step S1302 of Fig. 13A, the color accuracy control unit 315 displays the new color profile creation screen 500 shown in Fig. 15. The new color profile creation screen 500 includes a paper characteristic detection result screen 1201. The color accuracy control unit 315 displays the paper characteristic information received in step S703 on the paper characteristic detection result screen 1201 as basis weight 407 and surface property 408.

[0189] The new color profile creation screen 500 also includes a paper characteristic detection result screen 1501. The color accuracy control unit 315 displays the colorimetric sensor of the above colorimetric sensor setting as a colorimetric sensor 1502 on the paper characteristic detection result screen 1501.

[0190] FIG. 15 shows an example in which, when it is determined that color measurement is possible using the color measurement sensor 213 (inline) provided in the image forming apparatus 101 (S1311: Yes), the color measurement sensor 213 (inline) is displayed as the color measurement sensor 1502.

[0191] However, if it is determined that color measurement is not possible with the color measurement sensor 213 (inline) included in the image forming apparatus 101 (S1311: No), the color measurement sensor 271 included in the external color measurement device 106 is displayed as the color measurement sensor 1502.

[0192] In step S705, the color accuracy control unit 315 instructs the print job control unit 311 to create a chart colorimetry job. At this time, the color accuracy control unit 315 assigns the above colorimetry sensor settings to the chart colorimetry job.

[0193] In step S706, the print job control unit 311 transmits the chart colorimetry job to which the colorimetry sensor settings have been assigned to the print job control unit 301 included in the image forming apparatus 101. Furthermore, if the chart colorimetry job settings are the settings of the colorimetry sensor 271, the print job control unit 311 transmits the chart colorimetry job to the external colorimetry device 106.

[0194] In step S707, the print job control unit 311 waits for reception of colorimetric values ​​from the colorimetric unit 307 included in the image forming apparatus 101 or the colorimetric unit 321 included in the external colorimetric device .

[0195] In step S1411 of FIG. 14B, the print job control unit 301 provided in the image forming apparatus 101 receives the chart colorimetry job transmitted from the print job control unit 311 provided in the information processing apparatus 103 in step S706.

[0196] In step S1412, the print job control unit 301 interprets the received chart color measurement job and instructs the printer control unit 302 to print the chart measurement job. The printer control unit 302 controls printing of a chart on which color patches are arranged on fed paper.

[0197] In step S1413, the printer control unit 302 determines, based on the colorimetric sensor settings of the chart colorimetric job, whether the chart colorimetric job specifies the colorimetric sensor 213 included in the image forming apparatus 101. If the colorimetric sensor 213 included in the image forming apparatus 101 has been specified (S1413: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1414. If the colorimetric sensor 213 included in the image forming apparatus 101 has not been specified (S1413: No), the process of FIG. 14B ends.

[0198] In step S1414, the reading control unit 306 instructs the colorimetric unit 307 to perform colorimetric measurement of the chart colorimetric job, and performs colorimetric measurement of the chart with the colorimetric sensor 213. The colorimetric sensor 213 measures the color patches arranged on the chart printed in step S1412.

[0199] In step S1415, the colorimetric unit 307 transmits the colorimetric values ​​resulting from the color measurement to the color precision control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103.

[0200] In step S707 of FIG. 13A, the color precision control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103 receives colorimetric values ​​from the colorimetric unit 307 or 321.

[0201] First, a case will be described in which the colorimetric sensor setting is set to the colorimetric sensor 213 (inline) provided in the image forming apparatus 101. In this case, in step S707, the color accuracy control unit 315 receives colorimetric values ​​obtained by measuring the color of the chart with the colorimetric sensor 213 of the colorimetric unit 307 provided in the image forming apparatus 101.

[0202] Next, a case will be described in which the colorimetric sensor setting is the colorimetric sensor 271 included in the external colorimetric device 106. In this case, in step S707, the color accuracy control unit 315 receives colorimetric values ​​obtained by measuring the color of the chart with the colorimetric sensor 271 of the colorimetric unit 321 included in the external colorimetric device 106.

[0203] In step S708, the color precision control unit 315 creates a new color profile based on the color measurement values ​​received in step S707, and registers it in the color profile management unit 313 included in the paper information management unit 312.

[0204] The color precision control unit 315 creates a color profile for adjusting the colors printed by the image forming device 101 based on the colorimetric values, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, and registers the paper characteristics and color profile in association with each other in step S703.

[0205] According to the present embodiment described above, when paper characteristics are determined after the start of the new color profile creation flow, the printing system 110 determines, before the start of the new color profile creation flow, whether color measurement is possible using the color measurement sensor 213 provided in the image forming apparatus 101. This allows the color accuracy control unit 315 provided in the information processing apparatus 103 to switch color measurement sensors.

[0206] (Fourth embodiment) In the third embodiment, a configuration has been shown in which, before submitting a chart color measurement job, it is determined whether color measurement is possible with the color measurement sensor 213 provided in the image forming apparatus 101, and the color accuracy control unit 315 provided in the information processing apparatus 103 switches the color measurement sensor. On the other hand, in a configuration in which there is no measurement preparation chart job, it is not possible to determine whether color measurement is possible with the color measurement sensor 213 provided in the image forming apparatus 101 before submitting a chart color measurement job.

[0207] In the fourth embodiment, a configuration is shown in which paper characteristics are detected in a chart color measurement job, and whether color measurement is possible using the color measurement sensor 213 provided in the image forming device 101 is determined, and a color accuracy control unit 315 provided in the information processing device 103 switches the color measurement sensor.

[0208] 10 shows a flowchart for detecting paper characteristics in a chart color measurement job, determining whether color measurement is possible with the color measurement sensor 213 included in the image forming apparatus 101, and for the color precision control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103 to switch the color measurement sensor.

[0209] 16A to 16C are flowcharts showing a processing method in the information processing apparatus 103. FIGS. 17A and 17B are flowcharts showing a processing method in the image forming apparatus 101.

[0210] 16A to 16C in the information processing device 103 is realized by executing the program stored in the ROM 233 of the information processing device 103. In addition, the processing in the image forming device 101 shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B is realized by executing the program stored in the ROM 203 of the image forming device 101.

[0211] When the OK button 511 is pressed on the new color profile creation screen 500 in FIG. 5A, the flow in FIG. 16A starts.

[0212] In step S1601, the color accuracy control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103 instructs the print job control unit 311 to create a chart colorimetry job. At this time, the color accuracy control unit 315 assigns media sense settings for detecting paper characteristics to the chart colorimetry job. The color accuracy control unit 315 also assigns colorimetry sensor settings specified in the colorimetry sensor 503 on the new color profile creation screen 500 in FIG. 5A to the chart colorimetry job.

[0213] In step S1602, the print job control unit 311 included in the information processing apparatus 103 transmits a chart color measurement job to which the media sense setting and the color measurement sensor setting have been assigned to the print job control unit 301 included in the image forming apparatus 101.

[0214] This chart color measurement job is a job for detecting the paper characteristics of the paper being fed by the paper characteristic detection unit 308 of the image forming device 101, controlling the printing of a chart with color patches arranged on the fed paper by the print control unit 303 of the image forming device 101, and instructing the color measurement unit 307 of the image forming device 101 to measure the color patches arranged on the printed chart.

[0215] The print job control unit 311 functions as an instruction unit, and based on an instruction from a single user operation, instructs the image forming device 101 to detect the paper characteristics of the paper being fed using the paper characteristic detection unit 308 of the image forming device 101, to control the printing of a chart with color patches arranged on the paper being fed using the print control unit 303 of the image forming device 101, and to measure the color of the color patches arranged on the printed chart using the color measurement unit 307 of the image forming device 101.

[0216] The one user operation is pressing the OK button 511 on the new color profile creation screen 500 in Fig. 5A, which is an instruction including the selection of the colorimetric sensor 503 in Fig. 5A. The selection of the colorimetric sensor 503 in Fig. 5A is the selection of either the colorimetric sensor 213 of the image forming apparatus 101 or the colorimetric sensor 271 of the external colorimetric device 106.

[0217] In step S 703 , the print job control unit 311 included in the information processing apparatus 103 waits for receipt of paper characteristic information from the paper characteristic detection unit 308 included in the image forming apparatus 101 .

[0218] In step S1701 of FIG. 17A, the print job control unit 301 provided in the image forming apparatus 101 receives the chart colorimetry job transmitted from the print job control unit 311 provided in the information processing apparatus 103 in step S1602.

[0219] In step S1702, the print job control unit 301 interprets the received chart color measurement job and instructs the printer control unit 302 to print the chart color measurement job.

[0220] In step S1703, because the chart colorimetry job has a media sense setting for detecting paper characteristics, the reading control unit 306 included in the printer control unit 302 instructs the paper characteristics detection unit 308 to detect paper characteristics. The paper characteristics detection unit 308 uses the media sensor 212 to detect the paper characteristics of the paper being fed.

[0221] In step S1704 , the paper characteristic detection unit 308 transmits the detected paper characteristic information to the paper information management unit 312 provided in the information processing apparatus 103 .

[0222] In step S1705, the printer control unit 302 continues printing the chart color measurement job. Details of step S1705 will be described later with reference to the flowchart in Figure 17B.

[0223] In step S703 of FIG. 16A, the paper information management unit 312 included in the information processing apparatus 103 receives the paper characteristic information transmitted from the paper characteristic detection unit 308 included in the image forming apparatus 101 in step S1704.

[0224] In step S704, the paper information management unit 312 registers the received paper characteristic information in the paper characteristic management unit 314.

[0225] In step S 1603 , the print job control unit 311 sends a command to suspend printing to the print job control unit 301 included in the image forming apparatus 101 .

[0226] In step S1711 of FIG. 17B, the print job control unit 301 provided in the image forming apparatus 101 receives the printing pause command and pauses the chart color measurement job.

[0227] In step S1604 in FIG. 16A, the color accuracy control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103 determines the sensor capable of color measurement.

[0228] Fig. 16B is a flowchart showing the details of step S1604 in Fig. 16A. In step S1011, the color accuracy control unit 315 provided in the information processing apparatus 103 acquires, from the paper characteristic management unit 314, paper characteristic information for which a new color profile is to be created.

[0229] In step S1012, the color precision control unit 315 determines which of the colorimetric sensors 213 and 271 is capable of color measurement, based on the acquired paper characteristic information and the colorimetric sensor colorimetric measurement availability table 640 in FIG. 6C.

[0230] In step S1311, the color accuracy control unit 315 sets the colorimetric sensor 213 or 271 selected in the colorimetric sensor 503 on the new color profile creation screen 500 in Fig. 5A as the colorimetric sensor setting. Then, based on the determination result of step S1012, the color accuracy control unit 315 determines whether the colorimetric sensor in the above colorimetric sensor setting can measure the paper characteristic information acquired in step S1011.

[0231] That is, the color accuracy control unit 315 determines whether the color measurement sensor 213 of the image forming device 101 or the color measurement sensor 271 of the external color measurement device 106 selected by the color measurement sensor 503 in Figure 5A is capable of measuring the acquired paper characteristic information.

[0232] If it is determined that colorimetry is not possible (S1311: No), the process proceeds to step S1611. If it is determined that colorimetry is possible (S1311: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1612.

[0233] In step S1611, the color precision control unit 315 determines that colorimetry is not possible.

[0234] In step S1612, the color precision control unit 315 determines that colorimetry is possible.

[0235] In step S1605 in FIG. 16A, the print job control unit 311 starts the print resume instruction process.

[0236] Fig. 16C is a flowchart showing the details of step S1605 in Fig. 16A. In step S1621, the print job control unit 311 determines whether the determination result in step S1611 or S1612 in Fig. 16B is that colorimetry is possible. If the determination result is that colorimetry is possible (S1621: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1622. If the determination result is that colorimetry is not possible (S1621: No), the process proceeds to step S1623.

[0237] In step S1622, the print job control unit 311 transmits a print resume command to the print job control unit 301 provided in the image forming apparatus 101, and the process of FIG. 16C ends.

[0238] In step S1623 , the print job control unit 311 functions as a transmission unit and transmits a chart colorimetry job cancel command to the print job control unit 301 included in the image forming apparatus 101 .

[0239] In step S1624, the print job control unit 311 regenerates a chart color measurement job to which the color measurement sensor settings of the color measurement sensor 271 of the external color measurement device 106 have been added.

[0240] In step S1625, the print job control unit 311 transmits the re-created chart colorimetry job to the print job control unit 301 included in the image forming apparatus 101, and the processing in FIG. 16C ends.

[0241] This chart color measurement job is a job for controlling the printing of a chart with color patches arranged on fed paper by the print control unit 303 of the image forming device 101, and for instructing the color measurement of the color patches arranged on the printed chart by the color measurement sensor 213 of the image forming device 101.

[0242] Next, in step S1302 of Fig. 16A, the color accuracy control unit 315 displays the new color profile creation screen 500 shown in Fig. 15. The new color profile creation screen 500 includes a paper characteristic detection result screen 1201. The color accuracy control unit 315 displays the paper characteristic information received in step S703 on the paper characteristic detection result screen 1201 as basis weight 407 and surface property 408.

[0243] The new color profile creation screen 500 also includes a paper characteristic detection result screen 1501. The color accuracy control unit 315 displays the colorimetric sensor of the above colorimetric sensor setting as a colorimetric sensor 1502 on the paper characteristic detection result screen 1501.

[0244] FIG. 15 shows an example in which, when it is determined that color measurement is possible using the color measurement sensor 213 (inline) provided in the image forming apparatus 101 (S1621: Yes), the color measurement sensor 213 (inline) is displayed as the color measurement sensor 1502.

[0245] However, if it is determined that color measurement is not possible with the color measurement sensor 213 (inline) included in the image forming apparatus 101 (S1621: No), the color measurement sensor 271 included in the external color measurement device 106 is displayed as the color measurement sensor 1502.

[0246] In step S707, the print job control unit 311 waits for reception of colorimetric values ​​from the colorimetric unit 307 included in the image forming apparatus 101 or the colorimetric unit 321 included in the external colorimetric device .

[0247] In step S1712 in FIG. 17B, the print job control unit 301 provided in the image forming apparatus 101 waits to receive a command in step S1622 or S1623 in FIG. 16C from the print job control unit 311 for the paused chart colorimetry job.

[0248] If the print job control unit 301 receives the chart colorimetry job cancel command in step S1623, the process proceeds to step S1714. If the print job control unit 301 receives the print resume command in step S1622, the process proceeds to step S1713.

[0249] In step S1713, the printer control unit 302 resumes printing of the chart based on the paused chart color measurement job, and proceeds to step S1413. The printer control unit 302 controls printing of the chart on which color patches are arranged on the fed paper.

[0250] In step S1714, the print job control unit 301 cancels the printing of the paused chart color measurement job.

[0251] In step S1715, the print job control unit 301 receives the chart colorimetry job transmitted from the print job control unit 311 included in the information processing apparatus 103 in step S1625 of FIG. 16C.

[0252] In step S1716, the print job control unit 301 interprets the received chart color measurement job and instructs the printer control unit 302 to print the chart measurement job. The printer control unit 302 controls printing of a chart on which color patches are arranged on fed paper.

[0253] In step S1413, the printer control unit 302 determines, based on the colorimetric sensor settings of the chart colorimetric job, whether the chart colorimetric job specifies the colorimetric sensor 213 included in the image forming apparatus 101. If the colorimetric sensor 213 included in the image forming apparatus 101 has been specified (S1413: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1414. If the colorimetric sensor 213 included in the image forming apparatus 101 has not been specified (S1413: No), the process of FIG. 17B ends.

[0254] In step S1414, the reading control unit 306 instructs the colorimetric unit 307 to perform colorimetric measurement of the chart colorimetric job, and performs colorimetric measurement of the chart with the colorimetric sensor 213. The colorimetric sensor 213 measures the color patches arranged on the chart printed in step S1713.

[0255] In step S1415, the colorimetric unit 307 transmits the colorimetric values ​​resulting from the color measurement to the color precision control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103.

[0256] In step S707 of FIG. 16A, the color precision control unit 315 included in the information processing apparatus 103 receives colorimetric values ​​from the colorimetric unit 307 or 321.

[0257] First, a case will be described in which the colorimetric sensor setting is set to the colorimetric sensor 213 (inline) provided in the image forming apparatus 101. In this case, in step S707, the color accuracy control unit 315 receives colorimetric values ​​obtained by measuring the color of the chart with the colorimetric sensor 213 of the colorimetric unit 307 provided in the image forming apparatus 101.

[0258] Next, a case will be described in which the colorimetric sensor setting is the colorimetric sensor 271 included in the external colorimetric device 106. In this case, in step S707, the color accuracy control unit 315 receives colorimetric values ​​obtained by measuring the color of the chart with the colorimetric sensor 271 of the colorimetric unit 321 included in the external colorimetric device 106.

[0259] In step S708, the color precision control unit 315 creates a new color profile based on the color measurement values ​​received in step S707, and registers it in the color profile management unit 313 included in the paper information management unit 312.

[0260] The color precision control unit 315 creates a color profile for adjusting the colors printed by the image forming device 101 based on the colorimetric values, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, and registers the paper characteristics and color profile in association with each other in step S703.

[0261] According to the above embodiment, the printing system 110 detects paper characteristics in a chart color measurement job, and further determines whether color measurement is possible using the color measurement sensor 213 provided in the image forming device 101, and the color accuracy control unit 315 provided in the information processing device 103 can switch the color measurement sensor.

[0262] (Other embodiments) The present disclosure can also be realized by a process in which a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present disclosure can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0263] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments merely illustrate specific examples of implementing the present disclosure, and the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited by these embodiments. In other words, the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features.

[0264] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. (Configuration 1) an image forming apparatus; an information processing device; the image forming apparatus, a paper characteristic detecting means for detecting the paper characteristics of the paper to be fed; a print control means for controlling printing of a chart on which color patches are arranged on the fed paper; a color measurement unit for measuring the color of the color patches arranged on the printed chart, The information processing device includes: an instruction means for instructing the image forming device, based on an instruction by a single user operation, to detect paper characteristics of the paper being fed by the paper characteristic detection means of the image forming device, control printing of a chart on which color patches are arranged on the paper being fed by the print control means of the image forming device, and measure the color of the color patches arranged on the printed chart by the color measurement means of the image forming device; a receiving unit that receives the detected paper characteristics and the color measurement results from the image forming apparatus; a registration means for creating a color profile for adjusting the colors printed by the image forming apparatus based on the results of the colorimetry, and registering the color profile in association with the detected paper characteristics; A printing system comprising: (Configuration 2) the instruction by the user operation is an instruction including a selection of either the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus or an external color measurement unit, The registration means When the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus is selected, the color profile is created based on the result of color measurement of the color patch by the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus; The printing system according to configuration 1, characterized in that, when the external colorimetric means is selected, the color profile is created based on the results of colorimetric measurement of the color patches by the external colorimetric means. (Configuration 3) the instruction means transmits information of the selection to the image forming device; The printing system according to configuration 2, wherein the color measurement unit of the image forming device measures the color of color patches arranged on the printed chart when the color measurement unit of the image forming device is selected. (Configuration 4) the instruction unit transmits a first job for instructing the image forming device to detect the paper characteristics, and the receiving unit receives the detected paper characteristics from the image forming device; The printing system according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the instruction unit transmits a second job to the image forming device for controlling printing of the chart and for instructing the colorimetry, and the receiving unit receives the results of the colorimetry from the image forming device. (Configuration 5) The information processing device includes: a determining unit that determines whether the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus and the external color measurement unit are capable of measuring the color of the detected paper characteristics; a display control unit that controls the display of a selection screen that allows selection of only the color measurement unit capable of measuring color from among the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus and the external color measurement unit; the instruction unit transmits the second job including information of the selection on the selection screen to the image forming device; When the color measurement unit of the image forming device is selected, the color measurement unit of the image forming device measures the color of the color patches arranged on the printed chart, The registration means When the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus is selected, the color profile is created based on the result of color measurement of the color patch by the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus; A printing system according to configuration 4, characterized in that, when the external colorimetric means is selected, the color profile is created based on the results of colorimetric measurement of the color patches by the external colorimetric means. (Configuration 6) the instruction by the user operation is an instruction including a selection of either the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus or an external color measurement unit, the information processing apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines whether the color measurement unit of the selected image forming apparatus or the external color measurement unit is capable of measuring the color of the detected paper characteristics; The printing system described in configuration 1 or 4, characterized in that when the determination means determines that colorimetry is possible, the registration means creates the color profile based on the results of colorimetry of the color patches by the colorimetry means of the selected image forming device or the external colorimetry means. (Configuration 7) The printing system according to configuration 6, wherein the registration means, when it is determined by the determination means that colorimetry is not possible, creates the color profile based on the results of colorimetry of the color patch by the external colorimetry means. (Configuration 8) The printing system according to configuration 1, wherein the instruction unit transmits a third job to the image forming device for detecting the paper characteristics, controlling the printing of the chart, and instructing the colorimetry. (Configuration 9) the instruction by the user operation is an instruction including a selection of either the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus or an external color measurement unit, the information processing apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines whether the color measurement unit of the selected image forming apparatus or the external color measurement unit is capable of measuring the color of the detected paper characteristics; The printing system described in configuration 8, wherein when the determination means determines that colorimetry is possible, the registration means creates the color profile based on the results of colorimetry of the color patches by the colorimetry means of the selected image forming device or the external colorimetry means. (Configuration 10) the information processing device further comprises a transmission means for transmitting to the image forming device, when the determination means determines that colorimetry is not possible, a cancellation command for the third job and a fourth job for controlling printing of the chart and instructing colorimetry by the external colorimetry means; The printing system described in configuration 9 is characterized in that, when the determination means determines that colorimetry is not possible, the registration means creates the color profile based on the results of colorimetry of the color patch by the external colorimetry means. (Configuration 11) The printing system described in configuration 10, wherein the transmitting means transmits a printing pause command to the image forming device after the receiving means receives the detected paper characteristics, and if the determining means determines that color measurement is possible, transmits a printing resume command to the image forming device. (Configuration 12) an instruction means for instructing an image forming apparatus, based on an instruction by a single user operation, to detect paper characteristics of a paper sheet to be fed by a paper characteristics detection means of the image forming apparatus, to control printing of a chart on which color patches are arranged on the paper sheet to be fed by a print control means of the image forming apparatus, and to measure the color of the color patches arranged on the printed chart by a color measurement means of the image forming apparatus; a receiving unit for receiving the detected paper characteristics and the color measurement results from the image forming apparatus; a registration means for creating a color profile for adjusting the colors printed by the image forming apparatus based on the results of the colorimetry, and registering the color profile in association with the detected paper characteristics; An information processing device comprising: (Method 1) an image forming apparatus; A processing method for a printing system having an information processing device, a paper characteristic detecting step in which a paper characteristic detecting means of the image forming apparatus detects paper characteristics of paper to be fed; a print control step in which a print control unit of the image forming apparatus controls printing of a chart on which color patches are arranged on the fed paper; a color measurement step in which a color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus measures the color of color patches arranged on the printed chart; an instruction step in which the information processing device instructs the image forming device, based on an instruction by one user operation, to detect paper characteristics of the paper to be fed by the paper characteristic detection means of the image forming device, control printing of a chart on which color patches are arranged on the paper to be fed by the print control means of the image forming device, and measure the color of the color patches arranged on the printed chart by the color measurement means of the image forming device; a receiving step in which the information processing device receives the detected paper characteristics and the color measurement results from the image forming device; a registration step in which the information processing device creates a color profile for adjusting colors to be printed by the image forming device based on the colorimetric results, and registers the detected paper characteristics in association with the color profile; A processing method for a printing system, comprising: (Method 2) an instruction step of instructing an image forming apparatus, based on an instruction by a single user operation, to detect paper characteristics of a paper sheet to be fed by a paper characteristics detection means of the image forming apparatus, control printing of a chart on which color patches are arranged on the paper sheet to be fed by a print control means of the image forming apparatus, and measure the color of the color patches arranged on the printed chart by a color measurement means of the image forming apparatus; a receiving step of receiving the detected paper characteristics and the color measurement results from the image forming device; a registration step of creating a color profile for adjusting the colors printed by the image forming apparatus based on the results of the color measurement, and registering the detected paper characteristics and the color profile in association with each other; 1. A processing method for an information processing device, comprising: (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device described in configuration 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0265] 301 print job control unit, 302 printer control unit, 307 color measurement unit, 308 paper characteristic detection unit, 309 paper information management unit, 311 print job control unit, 312 paper information management unit, 315 color accuracy control unit

Claims

1. an image forming apparatus; an information processing device; the image forming apparatus, a paper characteristic detecting means for detecting the paper characteristics of the paper to be fed; a print control means for controlling printing of a chart on which color patches are arranged on the fed paper; a color measurement unit for measuring the color of the color patches arranged on the printed chart, The information processing device includes: an instruction means for instructing the image forming device, based on an instruction by a single user operation, to detect paper characteristics of the paper being fed by the paper characteristic detection means of the image forming device, control printing of a chart on which color patches are arranged on the paper being fed by the print control means of the image forming device, and measure the color of the color patches arranged on the printed chart by the color measurement means of the image forming device; a receiving unit that receives the detected paper characteristics and the color measurement results from the image forming apparatus; a registration means for creating a color profile for adjusting the colors printed by the image forming apparatus based on the results of the colorimetry, and registering the color profile in association with the detected paper characteristics; A printing system comprising:

2. the instruction by the user operation is an instruction including a selection of either the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus or an external color measurement unit, The registration means When the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus is selected, the color profile is created based on the result of color measurement of the color patch by the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus; 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein, when the external colorimetric measurement means is selected, the color profile is created based on the results of colorimetric measurement of the color patches by the external colorimetric measurement means.

3. the instruction means transmits information of the selection to the image forming device; 3. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the color measurement unit of the image forming device measures the color of color patches arranged on the printed chart when the color measurement unit of the image forming device is selected.

4. the instruction unit transmits a first job for instructing the image forming device to detect the paper characteristics, and the receiving unit receives the detected paper characteristics from the image forming device; 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit transmits a second job to the image forming device for controlling printing of the chart and for instructing the color measurement, and the receiving unit receives the results of the color measurement from the image forming device.

5. The information processing device includes: a determining unit that determines whether the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus and the external color measurement unit are capable of measuring the color of the detected paper characteristics; a display control unit that controls the display of a selection screen that allows selection of only the color measurement unit capable of measuring color from among the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus and the external color measurement unit; the instruction unit transmits the second job including information of the selection on the selection screen to the image forming device; When the color measurement unit of the image forming device is selected, the color measurement unit of the image forming device measures the color of the color patches arranged on the printed chart, The registration means When the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus is selected, the color profile is created based on the result of color measurement of the color patch by the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus; 5. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein, when the external colorimetric measurement means is selected, the color profile is created based on the results of colorimetric measurement of the color patches by the external colorimetric measurement means.

6. the instruction by the user operation is an instruction including a selection of either the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus or an external color measurement unit, the information processing apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines whether the color measurement unit of the selected image forming apparatus or the external color measurement unit is capable of measuring the color of the detected paper characteristics; The printing system described in claim 1, characterized in that, when the judgment means determines that color measurement is possible, the registration means creates the color profile based on the results of color measurement of the color patch by the color measurement means of the selected image forming device or the external color measurement means.

7. The printing system according to claim 6, characterized in that, when the determination means determines that color measurement is not possible, the registration means creates the color profile based on the results of color measurement of the color patch by the external color measurement means.

8. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit transmits a third job to the image forming apparatus for detecting the paper characteristics, controlling the printing of the chart, and instructing the color measurement.

9. the instruction by the user operation is an instruction including a selection of either the color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus or an external color measurement unit, the information processing apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines whether the color measurement unit of the selected image forming apparatus or the external color measurement unit is capable of measuring the color of the detected paper characteristics; The printing system according to claim 8, characterized in that, when the determination means determines that colorimetry is possible, the registration means creates the color profile based on the results of colorimetry of the color patch by the colorimetry means of the selected image forming device or the external colorimetry means.

10. the information processing device further comprises a transmission means for transmitting, when the determination means determines that colorimetry is not possible, a cancellation command for the third job and a fourth job for controlling printing of the chart and for instructing colorimetry by the external colorimetry means to the image forming device; The printing system according to claim 9, characterized in that, when the determination means determines that color measurement is not possible, the registration means creates the color profile based on the results of color measurement of the color patch by the external color measurement means.

11. The printing system according to claim 10, characterized in that after the receiving means receives the detected paper characteristics, the transmitting means transmits a printing pause command to the image forming device, and if the determining means determines that color measurement is possible, transmits a printing resume command to the image forming device.

12. an instruction means for instructing an image forming apparatus, based on an instruction by a single user operation, to detect paper characteristics of a paper sheet to be fed by a paper characteristics detection means of the image forming apparatus, to control printing of a chart on which color patches are arranged on the paper sheet to be fed by a print control means of the image forming apparatus, and to measure the color of the color patches arranged on the printed chart by a color measurement means of the image forming apparatus; a receiving unit for receiving the detected paper characteristics and the color measurement results from the image forming apparatus; a registration means for creating a color profile for adjusting the colors printed by the image forming apparatus based on the results of the colorimetry, and registering the color profile in association with the detected paper characteristics; An information processing device comprising:

13. an image forming apparatus; A processing method for a printing system having an information processing device, a paper characteristic detecting step in which a paper characteristic detecting means of the image forming apparatus detects paper characteristics of paper to be fed; a print control step in which a print control unit of the image forming apparatus controls printing of a chart on which color patches are arranged on the fed paper; a color measurement step in which a color measurement unit of the image forming apparatus measures the color of color patches arranged on the printed chart; an instruction step in which the information processing device instructs the image forming device, based on an instruction by one user operation, to detect paper characteristics of the paper to be fed by the paper characteristic detection means of the image forming device, control printing of a chart on which color patches are arranged on the paper to be fed by the print control means of the image forming device, and measure the color of the color patches arranged on the printed chart by the color measurement means of the image forming device; a receiving step in which the information processing device receives the detected paper characteristics and the color measurement results from the image forming device; a registration step in which the information processing device creates a color profile for adjusting colors to be printed by the image forming device based on the colorimetric results, and registers the detected paper characteristics in association with the color profile; A processing method for a printing system, comprising:

14. an instruction step of instructing an image forming apparatus, based on an instruction by a single user operation, to detect paper characteristics of a paper sheet to be fed by a paper characteristics detection means of the image forming apparatus, control printing of a chart on which color patches are arranged on the paper sheet to be fed by a print control means of the image forming apparatus, and measure the color of the color patches arranged on the printed chart by a color measurement means of the image forming apparatus; a receiving step of receiving the detected paper characteristics and the color measurement results from the image forming device; a registration step of creating a color profile for adjusting the colors printed by the image forming apparatus based on the results of the color measurement, and registering the detected paper characteristics and the color profile in association with each other; 1. A processing method for an information processing device, comprising:

15. A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to claim 12.

Images