Information processing apparatus, method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus that improves convenience in resumption of colorimetric processing.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus comprises: colorimeter control means that controls a colorimeter to perform color measurement on a color measurement target, and stores a color measurement result from the colorimeter; and display control means that corresponds to a plurality of servers, and performs control to display the color measurement result from the colorimeter stored by the colorimeter control means. When color measurement corresponding to a first server, of the plurality of servers, is performed, a color measurement result from the colorimeter is displayed by the display control means corresponding to the first server. When the color measurement corresponding to the first server is switched to color measurement corresponding to a second server, if the color measurement corresponding to the first server is interrupted, the colorimeter control means stores results of color measurement conducted by the colorimeter before the interruption.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device capable of communicating with a color verification server, a method for the information processing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In the commercial printing field, a color verification system is known that uses a web browser on an information processing device to perform a color verification process that periodically verifies the color quality of an image forming device (see Patent Document 1). In such a color verification system, a color verification application runs on the server side. The web browser connected via a network acts as a client and communicates with the color verification application. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-102149 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Depending on the configuration of the color verification system, it is expected that the connection of the colorimeter will be switched between multiple color verification servers. Such switching may cause the colorimeter process to be interrupted, but when the colorimeter process is resumed, the colorimeter device must be reinitialized, which reduces convenience.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, method, and program that improves convenience when restarting color measurement processing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device capable of communicating with multiple servers, and is equipped with a colorimeter control means that controls a colorimeter to perform colorimetric measurement on a color measurement object and stores the colorimeter's colorimetric results, and a display control means that corresponds to each of the multiple servers and controls the colorimeter's colorimetric results stored by the colorimeter control means to be displayed.When performing colorimetric measurement corresponding to a first server among the multiple servers, the colorimeter's colorimetric results are displayed by the display control means corresponding to the first server, and when switching from colorimetric measurement corresponding to the first server to colorimetric measurement corresponding to a second server, if the colorimeter's colorimetric measurement corresponding to the first server is interrupted, the colorimeter control means stores the colorimeter's colorimetric results performed up to the interruption. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve convenience in restarting the color measurement process. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a color verification system configuration. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional block configuration of a color verification system. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a web page. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a color measurement setting screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a color measurement execution screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a color measurement execution screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen showing a color verification result. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of color measurement processing. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sequence of color measurement processing. [Figure 11]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sequence of color measurement processing. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a message screen. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of color measurement processing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] FIG. 1(b) is a diagram showing an example of a color verification system configuration in this embodiment. FIG. 1(a) will be described later. In commercial printing, there are large image forming apparatuses that print on roll paper or A1-size paper. FIG. 1(b) shows an example of such a configuration, including an image forming apparatus and a digital front end that manages and controls the image forming apparatus. In the configuration of FIG. 1(b), for example, the system 113 and the client device 104 are located in physically separate locations, and the color verification application is executed by the digital front end 110 of the system 113. In a user environment such as that shown in FIG. 1(b), where multiple image forming apparatuses and digital front end servers are operated, multiple web servers exist, each in an independent environment, and parallel use is expected.

[0011] The web server is a web server that provides web applications (e.g., color verification applications). In this case, the web server software includes a front end that controls the display of a web browser on a client device, and a back end. The front end manages and stores programs (JavaScript) that run on the web browser, and by sending (downloading) the programs to, for example, the client device, the corresponding display is performed in the web browser on the client device. The front end includes, for example, a program for user authentication and a program for creating and editing content. Note that when a front end program is downloaded to a client device, the program becomes part of the software configuration of the client device.

[0012] The color verification system 103 in FIG. 1(b) shows a configuration in which a color verification application is run on server devices 110, 114, and 118 in a local intranetwork 122 (hereinafter referred to as the network) within a company. The server devices 110, 114, and 118 are connected to a color verification local system 109 (hereinafter referred to as the local system) via the network 122. In the local system 109, a user can operate a web browser on a client device 104. When the user operates a colorimeter 107 connected to the client device 104, color measurement processing is performed in cooperation with the server devices 110, 114, and 118. The server devices 110, 114, and 118 are color verification servers in the color verification system.

[0013] The server devices 110, 114, and 118 are information processing devices called digital front-ends that correspond to the image forming devices 112, 116, and 120, respectively. In addition to controlling printing for the image forming devices 112, 116, and 120, the server devices 110, 114, and 118 also function as color verification servers. Note that FIG. 1B illustrates an example in which three server devices (110, 114, and 118) exist. When multiple color verification servers exist, multiple client applications corresponding to the number of servers are required. In a client device using a web browser, multiple web browsers may operate in parallel. Furthermore, by switching the connection settings of the colorimeter 107 to the server device and having the system re-recognize the colorimeter 107, the colorimeter 107 can be shared among multiple server devices. The local system 109 is an example of a configuration in which the colorimeter 107 is shared among multiple server devices. The color verification system in FIG. 1B is a system in which server devices and client devices cooperate to perform color verification, and a server device corresponding to each image forming device exists. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need to specify the image forming device in the color verification application.

[0014] The color verification process performed in the color verification system includes the following three steps:

[0015] (1) A step of printing a chart consisting of a plurality of color patches using an image forming device. (2) Step to measure the color of the chart (3) The step of comparing the chart color measurement results with the color standard to check whether the product passes or fails. The color standard may be a color standard established by the printing industry or a standard established independently by a printing company.

[0016] The web page displayed on the web browser during the color verification process is composed of content (host content) obtained from the web server. In other words, the colorimetric process is controlled primarily by the web server, and the entire colorimetric process (display, communication with the colorimeter, sending and receiving of colorimetric results, etc.) is controlled by instructions from the host content.

[0017] On the other hand, in measuring the color of a chart, in order to reflect the color measurement results obtained by color measurement on a web page, content (guest content) obtained from an on-premise application running on a client device connected to the colorimeter 107 is displayed in a nested structure within the host content. At this time, the color measurement results displayed as guest content are not shared with the web server but are displayed on the client device. Here, "on-premise" refers to operational control on an information processing device (client device) actually managed and operated by a user within a so-called corporate local environment. An on-premise application is an application program executed on an information processing device managed and operated by the user himself. The color measurement results are transmitted from the client device 104 to the web server after the color measurement is completed, in response to a command from the web server. Here, the web server corresponds to the server devices 110, 114, and 118.

[0018] In the step of measuring the color chart described above, there is a possibility that the connection with the web server may be interrupted, for example, by accidentally closing the web page during color measurement using the colorimeter. When reconnecting, the colorimeter must be reinitialized, and the colorimeter must be restarted. Furthermore, in a configuration such as that shown in Figure 1(b), switching the application on the server device to which the client device is connected may also require reconnection and reinitialization of the colorimeter. In this case, the colorimeter must be restarted from the beginning, and the procedure for reconnecting the colorimeter itself is not simple. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to resume colorimeter measurement from the state it was in when it was last disconnected when the colorimeter is reconnected. Similarly, it is desirable to minimize the user load associated with switching from a client device to a server device.

[0019] A client to the web server operates on a client device 104 on a company's intranetwork. A colorimeter 107 is connected via a serial bus 108, and the user operates the colorimeter 107 to proceed with the colorimeter processing. Note that the connection method may not be via a serial bus, but may be another type of interface.

[0020] Servers 110, 114, and 118 provide a digital front end to each imaging device, controlling the imaging devices that produce the commercial deliverables and also acting as color verification servers.

[0021] 1(b), devices that are connected and installed in close physical proximity are each surrounded by a dotted line frame. For example, systems 109, 113, 117, and 121 are each located in a different room and are connected to each other via a network so that they can communicate with each other. Furthermore, although not shown, multiple information processing devices that perform business processes, general office image forming devices, file servers, and business servers may also be connected to network 122.

[0022] In system 113, digital front-end server device 110 and image forming device 112 are connected by dedicated connection line 111. In system 117, digital front-end server device 114 and image forming device 116 are connected by dedicated connection line 115. In system 121, digital front-end server device 118 and image forming device 120 are connected by dedicated connection line 119. However, a general network connection may be used instead of a dedicated line connection. In this case, image forming devices 112, 116, and 120 are connected to network 122 and similarly controlled by programs running on server devices 110, 114, and 118.

[0023] The print settings and print data received from the client device 104 or a group of information processing devices (not shown) are processed by server devices 110, 114, and 118, which are digital front ends, or image forming devices 112, 116, and 120. Then, print products are produced in the image forming devices 112, 116, and 120. In an environment with multiple image forming devices as shown in FIG. 1(b), the colorimeter 107 may be shared, and in that case, the colorimeter 107 is shared with multiple color verification servers to perform color measurement processing.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device. The configuration in FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the client device 104 and the server devices 110, 114, and 118. The CPU 201 is a central processing unit for controlling the functions of various blocks connected to the bus 204. Control signals and data for the control processing are transmitted between the blocks over the bus 204. The CPU 201 reads and executes programs stored or allocated in program areas on the RAM 202 or ROM 203. Application programs are loaded into the RAM 202 from the ROM 203 or HDD 209 by an operating system that controls the overall control of the information processing device, and are then executed by the CPU 201. The operation of the information processing device 200 in this embodiment is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 reading and executing programs stored in the ROM 203 into the RAM 202. The ROM 203 may, for example, include not only a program ROM but also a font ROM and a data ROM. The RAM 202 not only stores programs but also functions as the CPU 201's main memory, work area, and other auxiliary memory.

[0025] A keyboard controller (KBC) 205 controls key input from a keyboard (KB) 213 connected to the device. A mouse controller (MOC) 206 controls input from a mouse pointing device (MOU) 214. A display controller (CRTC) 207 controls display on a display unit (CRT) 215. A disk controller (DKC) 208 controls access (reading and writing) to a storage device (HDD) 209. The storage device 209 stores a boot program, an operating system program, various applications, font data, etc. A network controller (NIC) 210 connects the information processing device 200 to a network. The information processing device 200 communicates with other devices via a network 217.

[0026] If the information processing device 200 is a smart device such as a mobile terminal, the keyboard controller (KBC) 205 may be replaced with a touch panel controller or the like. Also, a storage device may be provided in place of or in addition to the HDD 209, or a removable storage device may be provided. The detailed internal configuration of the network controller (NIC) 210 differs depending on whether it is a wired LAN or a wireless LAN, or whether it is both. However, they function as a similar block in terms of communicating with the outside world. These differences in internal configuration are hidden within the network controller (NIC) 210, and are configured as equivalents to the other modules shown in the same figure.

[0027] The information processing device 200 includes an external expansion control unit (EXC) 211 for mounting and controlling a device (EXT) 216 that performs an expansion function not included in the above. In this embodiment, the colorimeter 107 corresponds to the expansion function, and its function is available within the information processing device 200. The external expansion control unit 211 may use a general-purpose standard interface, such as a USB interface or a SCSI interface.

[0028] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional block configuration of a color verification system. Below, system 113 will be described as a representative example of systems 113, 117, and 121. That is, the operations of server device 110 and image forming device 112 included in system 113 can also be applied to each device included in systems 117 and 121.

[0029] The functional blocks of the client device 104 of the color verification system 103 will now be described.

[0030] Web browser 300 performs display control operations on client device 104 and acquires content written in HTML or the like by communicating with web server 311 of server device 110. Web browser 300 then performs syntax analysis of the acquired content and displays it as web page 302. Web browser 300 can also display received image files and receive and execute scripts written in programming languages ​​such as JavaScript (registered trademark) as web components.

[0031] The on-premise application 301 running on the client device 104 has a proxy function that relays or assists in controlling access between the server device 110, the colorimeter 107, and the web browser 300. For example, when measuring the color of a printed chart, the colorimeter 107 is controlled via the on-premise application 301. In other words, the on-premise application 301 has a function for controlling the colorimeter. Note that in the configuration of FIG. 1(b), the server device 110 transmits the print data and print settings of the chart directly to the image forming device 112 without relaying through the on-premise application 301.

[0032] Web page 302 is displayed when a URL is specified. In communication with a server device identified by the URL, the web content identified by the URL is acquired, and web browser 300 interprets the content and displays web page 302. Web page 302 may be configured as a single piece of content as shown in FIG. 4(a), or may be configured and displayed with guest content 400 nested as shown in FIG. 4(b). In this embodiment, for example, a chart preview is displayed as guest content 400.

[0033] Web component 303 is a program linked to web page 302 and is executed on web browser 300. In this embodiment, web component 303 is assumed to be JavaScript (registered trademark), but it may be any program that runs on web browser 300. For example, it may be an applet, ActiveX, a plug-in program for web browser 300, a library, or the like. When web browser 300 specifies a colorimetry service by, for example, a URL, web component 303 is downloaded as web content or as part of that content from the specified URL, and is displayed as a result.

[0034] When the web browser 300 displays a web page 302, the web component 303 accesses the colorimetry control unit 304 and establishes communication to control the colorimeter 107. The web component 303 then sends an interactive instruction to the colorimetry control unit 304 in response to a user operation on the web page 302. The colorimetry control unit 304 then controls the colorimeter 107 to respond to the user operation or to input data. The web component 303 also receives the colorimeter 107's response to the instruction from the colorimetry control unit 304 and reflects the response on the web page 302. Specifically, for example, the progress of the colorimetry process is displayed. Note that communication between the web component 303 and the colorimetry control unit 304 is realized, for example, by a WebSocket function. This function allows the web component 303 and the colorimetry control unit 304 to maintain a constant connection via a specific network port, enabling communication via bidirectional requests. This allows inputs from user operations to be transmitted to the colorimeter 107 in real time, and further allows responses from the colorimeter 107 to be reflected in the web page 302 in real time.

[0035] The colorimetry control unit 304 receives instructions from the web component 303 and controls the colorimeter 107 via the colorimeter linking unit 306. When the colorimeter 107 reads a patch for colorimetry scanning, the colorimetry control unit 304 transmits a flag and identification information of the read result to the web component 303. The colorimetry control unit 304 also stores the read data of the patch in a patch colorimetry result storage unit 310. When reading of all patches constituting a test chart (also simply referred to as a chart) for color verification (colorimetry) is completed, the colorimetry control unit 304 stores the read results (colorimetry results of the chart) in a colorimetry result storage unit 309. Patch reading is performed, for example, by a user operating the colorimeter 107 for each patch. Furthermore, when the colorimetry control unit 304 receives a colorimetry completion instruction from the web component 303, it obtains colorimetry results that match the identification information included in the colorimetry completion instruction from the colorimetry result storage unit 309 and transmits them to the web server 311 via the colorimetry communication unit 305. The identification information is information that identifies the color measurement process corresponding to each color standard.

[0036] The colorimetry communication unit 305 communicates between the colorimetry control unit 304 and the web server 311. When the colorimetry communication unit 305 receives colorimetry results from the colorimetry control unit 304, it starts communication with the web server 311 and transmits colorimetry results that match the identification information included in the colorimetry completion instruction to the web server 311. Communication between the colorimetry communication unit 305 and the web server 311 is performed, for example, by HTTP. Note that the web server 311 and the on-premise application 301 do not need to be constantly connected in real time. The colorimetry device linkage unit 306 is an interface with the colorimetry device 107 and mediates communication between the colorimetry control unit 304 and the colorimetry device 107.

[0037] When reading of all patches constituting the chart is completed, the colorimetry control unit 304 stores the colorimetry results of the chart in a colorimetry result storage unit 309. The colorimetry result storage unit 309 may store the results as a file on the HDD 209 of the client device 104, or may be configured as a tabular database. The patch colorimetry result storage unit 310 is an area for storing the patch colorimetry results in case the connection between the web browser 300 and the web server 311 is disconnected or switched during colorimetry of the chart. The patch colorimetry result storage unit 310 may store the results as a file on the HDD 209 of the client device 104, or may be configured as a tabular database.

[0038] Next, the functional blocks of the server device 110 of the color verification system 103 will be described.

[0039] The web server 311 is a program that performs HTTP communication with the web browser 300 and provides the display of HTML and objects (images, programs, etc.) to the web browser 300. The web server 311 also performs communication such as HTTP with the colorimetry communication unit 305 and receives the colorimetry results of the chart from the colorimetry control unit 304.

[0040] The color verification management unit 312 is a function for controlling the execution of each step in the color verification process and corresponds to the color verification application. Based on user instructions entered on the web page 302, the color verification management unit 312 controls the execution of chart printing, color measurement, and color verification processes. The color verification management unit 312 also controls the storage of color measurement results received by the web server 311 in the color measurement status storage unit 317.

[0041] The colorimetry settings storage unit 313 is a location where colorimetry settings input by the user are stored. When the user inputs colorimetry settings on the web page 302, information about the colorimetry settings is sent from the web component 303 to the web server 311 via the web browser 300. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a colorimetry settings screen, which will be described later. The web server 311 passes the received colorimetry settings to the color verification management unit 312. Upon receiving the colorimetry settings, the color verification management unit 312 stores the colorimetry settings in the colorimetry settings storage unit 313.

[0042] The colorimetry settings saved in the colorimetry settings save unit 313 are used for various purposes in the color verification system. In this embodiment, the user inputs the colorimetry settings, and print settings and print data are generated based on the colorimetry settings. The colorimetry settings are also used as criteria for determining the colorimetry results in color verification.

[0043] The colorimetry setting saving unit 313 saves the colorimetry results sent from the on-premise application 301, linking them to the colorimetry settings having the same identification information. Then, the colorimetry setting saving unit 313 saves the color verification results of the color verification processing unit 315, linking them to the colorimetry settings based on the identification information. For example, the colorimetry settings and the colorimetry results are linked to the identification information "000001" and "00002" in FIG. 5. The identification information is generated by the client device 104 and transmitted to the color verification management unit 312 of the server device 110. As a result, the identification information is shared between the server device 110 and the client device 104.

[0044] The print job generation unit 314 has a function of generating print settings and print data. Specifically, for example, when a print instruction is received from a user on the web page 302, the web component 303 sends the print instruction to the web server 311 via the web browser 300. The print instruction includes a command and identification information that identifies the colorimetry process. When the web server 311 passes the print instruction to the color verification management unit 312, the color verification management unit 312 acquires colorimetry settings from the colorimetry setting storage unit 313 based on the identification information (e.g., "000001") specified in the print instruction.

[0045] The color verification management unit 312 passes the acquired colorimetry settings to the print job generation unit 314. The print job generation unit 314 generates a print job that can execute the received colorimetry settings and includes print settings and print data for the chart. The print setting storage unit 316 associates color standards with print parameters in advance for generating print settings. The print job generation unit 314 acquires related print parameters from the print setting storage unit 316 based on the color standard of the colorimetry settings (e.g., "FOGRAxxxx-yyyy") and generates print settings.

[0046] The print job generation unit 314 then returns the generated print job to the color verification management unit 312. The color verification management unit 312 then passes the print job, which includes print settings and print data, to the print communication unit 307. The print communication unit 307 receives the print job and passes it to the print control unit 308. At this time, the print communication unit 307 may pass the IP address of the image forming apparatus 112 to the print control unit 308. Upon receiving the print job from the print communication unit 307, the print control unit 308 transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus 112. The method for transmitting the print job is not particularly limited, and methods such as the LPR protocol or a hot folder may be used, for example. In addition to the print job, data (such as PJL data) for managing and controlling the image forming apparatus 112 may also be transmitted.

[0047] The color verification processing unit 315 compares the color measurement results obtained by scanning the printed chart with color standards established by the printing industry or the printing company itself, and determines whether the results meet the specified color standards. Specifically, for example, when a user presses the colorimetry completion button on the web page 302, the web component 303 sends a transmission instruction to the colorimetry control unit 304 to transmit the colorimetry results. The transmission instruction includes a command and identification information. Upon receiving the transmission instruction, the colorimetry control unit 304 acquires the colorimetry results stored in the colorimetry result storage unit 309 based on the identification information (e.g., "000001") included in the transmission instruction, and transmits the colorimetry results to the web server 311 via the colorimetry communication unit 305. The color verification management unit 312 then stores the colorimetry results in the colorimetry setting storage unit 313, acquires the colorimetry settings associated with the colorimetry results from the colorimetry setting storage unit 313, and passes them to the color verification processing unit 315. The color verification processing unit 315 executes color verification based on the color measurement settings and the color measurement results, and returns the determination result to the color verification management unit 312. Then, the color verification management unit 312 stores the determination result in the color measurement settings storage unit 313.

[0048] The colorimetry status saving unit 317 saves identification information of the colorimetry process currently being performed on the client device 104. Specifically, for example, when the user presses the "Next" button on the screen shown in FIG. 6B (described later) to proceed to control for operating the scan process of the colorimeter, a web page for patch colorimetry is sent from the web server 311 to the web browser 300. At that time, the color verification management unit 312 saves the identification information in the colorimetry status saving unit 317 as information indicating the colorimetry status. Furthermore, when the user presses the "Colorimetry Completed Button" 611 on the screen shown in FIG. 7B (described later) to indicate that the scan process of the colorimeter has been completed and the transmission of the colorimetry results from the on-premise application 301 to the color verification management unit 312 is completed, the color verification management unit 312 erases the identification information from the colorimetry status saving unit 317.

[0049] If the connection between the web server 311 and the web browser 300 is disconnected (including a momentary interruption or a connection switch) during colorimetry of a chart, the color verification management unit 312 determines whether to perform restoration processing of the patch colorimetry results at the next connection based on the information stored in the colorimetry status storage unit 317. Note that the above-mentioned disconnection includes a momentary interruption or a disconnection due to a connection switch. In this embodiment, the restoration processing includes redisplaying the saved patch colorimetry results. The determination of whether to perform restoration processing will be described later. In this embodiment, colorimetry processing that is interrupted or put into a waiting state due to the above-mentioned disconnection during colorimetry is referred to as "during colorimetry." In particular, colorimetry processing that is interrupted during colorimetry may be referred to as "colorimetry in progress," "interrupted colorimetry processing," or "switched colorimetry processing."

[0050] The color verification management unit 312 may perform control so as to associate address information (e.g., IP address) of the connection destination (client device) that transmitted the web page 302. Specifically, for example, the color verification management unit 312 stores information indicating the colorimetry status in the colorimetry status storage unit 317 based on the IP address. By associating with the address information of the client device, if there are multiple client devices, it is possible to store information indicating the colorimetry status of the chart that was being executed when the connection was disconnected in each client device.

[0051] Furthermore, when the connection between the web server 311 and the web browser 300 is disconnected, the colorimetry communication unit 305 of the on-premise application 301 associates the address information (e.g., URL) of the server device transmitting the web page 302 with the information on the ongoing colorimetry. By associating the address information of the server device, if there are multiple server devices, it is possible to save information indicating the colorimetry status of the chart that was being executed when the connection with each server device was switched.

[0052] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a colorimetry setting screen of web page 302 displayed on web browser 300. Created colorimetry settings are displayed in colorimetry setting list 505. In this embodiment, colorimetry setting list 505 displays the color standard used in color verification, the image forming device to be subjected to color verification, the printing conditions of the chart, and identification information.

[0053] The colorimetry setting list includes a button 500 for adding a colorimetry setting to the colorimetry setting list 505, a button 501 for selecting and editing a colorimetry setting from the colorimetry setting list 505, a button 502 for deleting a colorimetry setting from the colorimetry setting list 505, a button 503 for downloading a colorimetry setting, and a button 504 for receiving an instruction to print a chart. Each edit button in the edit area 506 becomes active when button 501 is pressed. For example, buttons for selecting each colorimetry process, a button for selecting an image forming device, a button for selecting paper type / weight / resolution as printing conditions, and a button for selecting M factor / brightness / scan mode as a colorimetry mode are displayed as active. Colorimetry settings are input by user operations on the colorimetry setting screen of FIG. 5.

[0054] 6(a), 6(b), 7(a), and 7(b) are diagrams showing an example of a color measurement execution screen of a web page 302 displayed on a web browser 300. The color measurement execution screen is made up of four-step screens corresponding to the four steps shown in FIGS. 6(a), 6(b), 7(a), and 7(b). The four steps are: selecting color measurement settings, preparing the colorimeter, measuring the color of the chart, and completing color measurement of the chart.

[0055] FIG. 6(a) shows the colorimetry setting selection screen. The colorimetry step display area 600 visually displays which of the four steps of the colorimetry work is currently being performed. The identification information for the colorimetry process is entered in the identification information input box 601, and the OK button 603 confirms the selection of the colorimetry process that matches the identification information. Note that the colorimetry process is a process that can be identified by the colorimetry settings, so in other words, it corresponds to the colorimetry settings. The start colorimetry button 604 starts the colorimetry process selected on the colorimetry settings list 602.

[0056] FIG. 6B shows a preview screen for the colorimeter preparation operation. The preview 605 serves to clearly convey the preparation operation of the colorimeter 107 using an image. In this embodiment, a static preview image is displayed. The colorimeter selection area 606 displays a list of colorimeters connected to the client device 104 and allows the user to select one colorimeter. The colorimeter preparation operation information 607 displays the preparation operation of the colorimeter selected in the colorimeter selection area 606. If the preparation operation differs for each colorimeter, the text displayed in the colorimeter preparation operation information 607 changes with each selection. The colorimeter cancel button 608 is used to cancel the colorimeter processing currently in progress. Pressing the colorimeter cancel button 608 cancels the colorimeter processing and returns the user to the colorimeter setting selection screen shown in FIG. 6A. The back button 609 is used to return to the screen immediately before the currently displayed screen. The next button 610 is used to advance to the screen immediately after the currently displayed screen.

[0057] FIG. 7(a) shows the chart colorimetry screen. In the chart preview 612 on the chart colorimetry screen in FIG. 7(a), patches that have been measured are displayed in a color corresponding to the colorimetry value. Patches that have not been measured are displayed in gray, for example, so that this fact can be visually confirmed. This displays the progress of the colorimetry process, allowing the user to immediately grasp the progress of the colorimetry process from the screen. The colorimetry completion button 611 is used to complete the colorimetry process, but is displayed in an inoperable state at the time of FIG. 7(a).

[0058] FIG. 7B shows the chart color measurement screen with the color measurement completion button 611 enabled. As shown in FIG. 6D, the color measurement completion button 611 is enabled when color measurement of all patches on the chart is completed. At this time, the color measurement step display area 600 displays step 4. When the enabled color measurement completion button 611 is pressed, color measurement of the chart is completed. Then, the web component 303 instructs the color measurement control unit 304 to send the color measurement results to the web server 311.

[0059] 8A and 8B are diagrams showing examples of screens showing color verification results displayed after color measurement is completed. FIG. 8A shows a color verification result list screen. The color verification result list 800 is an area displaying the executed color verification results. Color verification is a process in which, for example, the color measurement values ​​of each patch on a printed test chart are compared with the reference values ​​for each patch. If the color difference falls within an acceptable range, the result is determined as passed; otherwise, it is determined as failed. The color verification result indicates the verification result. Specifically, for example, the color verification result (Passed or Failed) is displayed in the Result column. The color verification result display button 801 is a button for displaying a color verification report, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 8B. The color verification result download button 802 is a button for downloading the color verification report to a local folder. The color verification result delete button 803 is a button for deleting a color verification result selected in the color verification result list 800.

[0060] FIG. 8(b) shows an example of a color verification report that lists the details of the color verification results. The device and date 804 is an area that displays the image forming device used in the color verification and the date the color verification was performed. The color measurement value 805 displays the comparison result between the color standard information specified by the user in the color measurement settings and the color measurement result value, and displays the specific LAB value. The overall judgment result 806 displays the pass / fail judgment result of the color verification result. The item-specific judgment result 807 displays the pass / fail judgment result for each check item in the color verification. The color difference graph 808 graphically displays the color difference between the color standard selected by the user and the color measurement result of actually measuring the chart.

[0061] The above is the configuration of the color verification system in this embodiment. This configuration realizes the three steps of the color verification process, namely, printing the chart, measuring the color of the chart, and verifying the color.

[0062] Here, we will explain the flow of colorimetry processing, which is a prerequisite for the processing of this embodiment and is performed by cooperative operation between the server device 110 and the client device 104. Note that the colorimetry processing is a processing included in the color verification process (color verification processing) as described above.

[0063] 9(a) and 9(b) are flowcharts for explaining the flow of colorimetry processing. The following processing is realized by the CPU 201 of each of the server device 110 and the client device 104 reading a program stored in the ROM 203 into the RAM 202 and executing it. The processing of FIG. 9(a) starts when the colorimetry setting selection screen of FIG. 6(a) is displayed.

[0064] 9A, the color verification management unit 312 waits for a colorimetry start instruction from the user on the colorimetry setting selection screen of FIG. 6A. In S901, the color verification management unit 312 determines whether the colorimetry start instruction has been received. If it is determined that the colorimetry start instruction has been received, the process proceeds to S902. If it is determined that the colorimetry start instruction has not been received, the process of S901 is repeated.

[0065] In S902, the color verification management unit 312 acquires colorimetry settings based on the identification information (e.g., "000001") specified by the colorimetry start instruction from the colorimetry setting storage unit 313 and creates a chart colorimetry request. The color verification management unit 312 then passes the chart colorimetry request to the web server 311 along with the web page 302 of the colorimeter preparation screen in FIG. 6(b).

[0066] In S903, the web server 311 transmits the web page 302 to the web browser 300. The web browser 300 displays the web page 302 received from the web server 311. At this time, the web server 311 transmits a chart colorimetry request along with the web page 302 to the web browser 300. The web browser 300 displays only the host content as shown in FIG. 4(a). Specifically, for example, the colorimeter preparation screen of FIG. 6(b) is displayed. The colorimeter preparation screen does not change dynamically in response to operations on the colorimeter 107, so only the host content is displayed.

[0067] The web page 302 sent from the web server 311 also includes a web component 303. When the web page 302 is displayed by the web browser 300, the web component 303 establishes a connection with the web server 311 and the colorimetry control unit 304, enabling mutual communication. When this connection is established, the web component 303 passes a chart colorimetry request to the colorimetry control unit 304.

[0068] In S904, the web component 303 passes a list of colorimeters managed by the colorimeter control unit 304 to the web server 311, and acquires the web page 302 of the colorimeter preparation screen reflecting the list of colorimeters from the web server 311. The list of colorimeters is displayed in the colorimeter selection area 606 of the colorimeter preparation screen in FIG. 6B. In S905, the web component 303 accepts the selection of a colorimeter by the user.

[0069] In S906, the web component 303 determines whether the Next button 610 has been pressed on the colorimeter preparation screen. If it is determined that the Next button 610 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S907. If it is determined that the Next button 610 has not been pressed, the process of S906 is repeated.

[0070] In S907, the web component 303 communicates with the web server 311 and requests the web server 311 to generate the web page 302 of the chart colorimetry screen. Upon receiving the request, the web server 311 requests the color verification management unit 312 to generate the web page 302 of the chart colorimetry screen. The color verification management unit 312 generates the web page 302, which includes host content that displays information necessary for colorimetry processing of the printed chart, and guest content that displays a chart preview 612. FIG. 7A shows an example of the chart colorimetry screen. The color verification management unit 312 generates the chart preview 612 using information such as the number of patch rows, the number of patches, and color signal values ​​defined in the patch layout of the colorimetry settings. The web server 311 transmits the web page 302 of the chart colorimetry screen generated by the color verification management unit 312 to the web browser 300. As in S903, the web page 302 includes the web component 303. However, this web component is different from the web component sent from the web server 311 in S903.

[0071] In S908, the web browser 300 displays the web page 302 received in S907. Here, the chart preview 612 on the chart colorimetry screen is treated as guest content. The web component 303 updates the display of the chart preview 612 and accepts user operations on the chart preview 612 based on data from the colorimetry control unit 304.

[0072] 9B, the web component 303 accepts a patch selection by the user on the chart preview 612. The patch selected by the user becomes the patch to be subjected to color measurement.

[0073] In S910, the web component 303 sends a patch colorimetry request corresponding to the selected patch to the colorimetry control unit 304. In S911, when the user measures the color of the patch using the colorimetry device 107, the colorimetry control unit 304 receives the colorimetry values ​​from the colorimetry device 107 via the colorimetry device cooperation unit 306. Then, the colorimetry control unit 304 creates a colorimetry result for the patch and sends it to the web component 303. In S912, the web component 303 receives the patch colorimetry result from the colorimetry control unit 304.

[0074] In S913, the web component 303 performs a process of determining the colorimetry result. Specifically, for example, if the colorimetry result (Result) of the patch colorimetry result is "true", the web component 303 determines that the colorimetry of the patch was successful and proceeds to S914. On the other hand, if the result is "false", the web component 303 determines that the colorimetry of the patch was unsuccessful and proceeds to S918.

[0075] In S914, the web component 303 displays values ​​corresponding to the colorimetric values ​​(lab-values) of the patch colorimetry results in each cell of the patch selected in the chart preview 612, which is guest content. The colorimetric values ​​may be displayed as numerical values, or as colors corresponding to the colorimetric values. Alternatively, each patch may display a color corresponding to the colorimetric value, and when the cursor is hovered over the colorimetric value, the colorimetric value of the patch may be displayed as a numerical value.

[0076] In S915, the web component 303 determines whether colorimetry of all patches on the chart preview 612 has been completed. If it is determined that colorimetry of all patches has been completed, the process proceeds to S916. If it is determined that colorimetry of all patches has not been completed, the process proceeds to S909, where the selection of the next patch is accepted. This determination is made, for example, by comparing the colorimetry settings with the progress of colorimetry. When colorimetry of all patch rows specified in the chart colorimetry request has been completed, the colorimetry control unit 304 generates colorimetry results and stores them in the colorimetry result storage unit 309, and the process proceeds to S916.

[0077] In S916, the web component 303 determines whether the user has pressed the colorimetry completion button. If the colorimetry completion button has been pressed, the web component 303 transmits an instruction to the colorimetry control unit 304 to transmit the colorimetry results.

[0078] In S917, the colorimetry control unit 304 acquires the colorimetry results stored in the colorimetry result storage unit 309 based on identification information (e.g., "000001") that identifies the colorimetry process and is included in the instruction to transmit the colorimetry results, and transmits the colorimetry results to the web server 311 via the colorimetry communication unit 305. When transmitting the colorimetry results to the web server 311, the colorimetry control unit 304 performs authentication using the authentication information in the chart colorimetry request, and transmits the colorimetry results after the authentication is successful. The web server 311 passes the colorimetry results to the color verification management unit 312. The color verification management unit 312 associates the colorimetry results with colorimetry settings that have the same identification information (e.g., "000001") and stores them in the colorimetry setting storage unit 313.

[0079] In S918, the web component 303 displays a warning message of the patch color measurement error on the chart preview 612. In S919, the web component 303 displays an instruction to remeasure the patch on the chart preview 612.

[0080] In the chart colorimetry of this embodiment, a web page 302 displayed on a web browser 300 includes host content and guest content. The host content is transmitted from a web server 311. On the other hand, the guest content is not displayed statically, but is dynamically updated with data transmitted from an on-premise application 301.

[0081] The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIGS. 10 and 11 show the sequence of colorimetry processing between server device 110 and client device 104. Server device 110 here will be described as a representative example of server devices 110, 114, and 118. Web browsers 1 to n in FIGS. 10 and 11 are web browsers 300 that access each server device within client device 104. The processing by web browser 300 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 includes processing that is realized when web browser 300 executes web component 303. In the description of FIGS. 10 and 11, web browser 300 will be described as web browser 1 and web browser n.

[0082] In S1000, the web browser 1 accesses the web server 311 of the server device 110 in response to a user's request to access a predetermined URL. The predetermined URL here is the URL of the color verification service provided by the server device 110.

[0083] In S1001, the server device 110 determines whether information indicating the colorimetry status (hereinafter referred to as the colorimetry status) is stored in the colorimetry status storage unit 317 in response to access from the web browser 1. The colorimetry status is information indicating that the colorimetry process is currently being processed, and specifically, for example, is information including identification information of the colorimetry process.

[0084] A case where it is determined that the color measurement status has not been saved will now be described. If it is determined that the color measurement status has not been saved, the process proceeds to S1002.

[0085] In S1002, the server device 110 determines whether to perform the colorimetry process from the beginning (new) or from the middle. Here, it is determined that the colorimetry process is to be performed from the beginning based on the determination that the colorimetry status has not been saved.

[0086] In S1003, the server device 110 transmits a web page 302, which is a screen capable of accepting a colorimetry start instruction and includes a web component 303, to the web browser 1. The screen capable of accepting a colorimetry start instruction is, for example, the colorimetry setting selection screen in FIG.

[0087] In S1004, the web browser 1 executes the web component 303, displays a colorimetry setting selection screen, accepts a colorimetry start instruction from the user, and in S1005 transmits the colorimetry instruction to the server device 110 together with identification information for the colorimetry process.

[0088] In S1006, the server device 110 references the colorimetry setting storage unit 313 and creates a colorimetry request for the chart based on the colorimetry settings corresponding to the identification information of the colorimetry process transmitted from the web browser 1. Then, the server device 110 stores in the colorimetry status storage unit 317 the colorimetry status indicating that the colorimetry process is in progress.

[0089] In S1007, the server device 110 transmits to the web browser 1 a colorimetry request for the created chart, identification information for the colorimetry process, and a web page 302 of a colorimetry preparation screen including a web component 303. In S1008, the web browser 1 executes the web component 303 and displays the colorimetry preparation screen. The colorimetry preparation screen is, for example, the colorimetry preparation screen of FIG. 6B. In S1009, the web browser 1 establishes a connection with the server device 110. In S1010, the server device 110 transmits to the web browser 1 the web page 302 of the colorimetry preparation screen reflecting the list of colorimetry devices transmitted from the web browser 1.

[0090] In S1011, the web browser 1 displays a colorimetry preparation screen reflecting a list of colorimetry devices and accepts the selection of a colorimetry device from the user. Then, the web browser 1 transmits information about the selected colorimetry device to the server device 110.

[0091] In S1012, the server device 110 transmits to the web browser 1 a web page 302 of a chart colorimetry screen corresponding to the selected colorimeter, including a web component 303. In S1013, the web browser 1 executes the transmitted web component 303 and displays the chart colorimetry screen. The chart colorimetry screen is, for example, the chart colorimetry screen of FIG. 7(a). When the web browser 1 receives a patch selection in the chart preview 612 of the chart colorimetry screen, colorimetry of the patch is performed in cooperation with the colorimetry control unit 304 of the on-premise application 301, as shown in the following S1014 to S1016. The patch selected by the user is the patch to be measured.

[0092] In S1014, the web browser 1 executes the web component 303 and transmits a patch colorimetry request corresponding to the selected patch to the colorimetry control unit 304 of the on-premise application 301. At that time, the web browser 1 transmits the IP address of the server device 110 that the web browser 1 is accessing.

[0093] In S1015, the user measures the color of the patch using the colorimeter 107, and the colorimeter control unit 304 of the on-premise application 301 receives the colorimeter values ​​from the colorimeter 107 via the colorimeter linkage unit 306. The colorimeter control unit 304 then stores the colorimeter values ​​of the patch together with the identification information as the patch colorimeter results in the patch colorimeter result storage unit 310, and transmits the colorimeter values ​​of the patch to the web component 303. The patch colorimeter results are stored in association with the IP address of the server device 110. The web component 303 determines whether the colorimeter has succeeded or failed based on the patch colorimeter results received from the colorimeter control unit 304. Specifically, for example, if the colorimeter result (Result) of the patch colorimeter results is "true", the web component 303 determines that the colorimeter has succeeded, and if the result is "false", the web component 303 determines that the colorimeter has failed.

[0094] In S1016, the web browser 1 executes the web component 303 and displays the colorimetry values ​​(lab-values) of the patch colorimetry results in each cell of the patch selected in the chart preview 612, which is the guest content. The display corresponding to the colorimetry values ​​may be, for example, a numerical value or a color corresponding to the colorimetry value. Alternatively, for each patch, a color corresponding to the colorimetry value may be displayed, and when the cursor is hovered over the colorimetry value, the colorimetry value of the patch may be displayed numerically.

[0095] In S1017, the web browser 1 executes the web component 303 and determines whether or not colorimetry has been completed for all patches in the chart preview 612. If it is determined that colorimetry has been completed for all patches, the process proceeds to S1018.

[0096] A case where it is determined that color measurement of all patches has been completed will be explained.

[0097] In S1018, the web browser 1 executes the web component 303, and when the colorimetry completion button 611 on the chart colorimetry screen is pressed, sends an instruction to send the colorimetry results to the colorimetry control unit 304 of the on-premise application 301.

[0098] In S1019, the colorimetry control unit 304 of the on-premise application 301 saves the colorimetry results in the colorimetry result saving unit 309 based on the identification information (for example, "000001") included in the instruction to send the colorimetry results, and in S1020 transmits the colorimetry results to the web server 311 via the colorimetry communication unit 305. When transmitting the colorimetry results to the web server 311, the colorimetry control unit 304 performs authentication using the authentication information used during the access in S1000, and transmits the colorimetry results after the authentication is successful.

[0099] In S1021, the web browser 1 executes the web component 303 and instructs the colorimetry control unit 304 of the on-premise application 301 to delete the patch colorimetry results. In response to the instruction from the web component 303, the colorimetry control unit 304 deletes the patch colorimetry results from the patch colorimetry result storage unit 310. In S1022, the server device 110 stores the received colorimetry results in the colorimetry setting storage unit 313, and deletes the colorimetry status from the colorimetry status storage unit 317.

[0100] A case where it is determined in S1017 that colorimetry of all patches has not been completed will be described below. If it is determined in S1017 that colorimetry of all patches has not been completed, the process proceeds to S1023.

[0101] In S1023, the web browser 1 determines whether or not the connection with the server device 110 has been disconnected. Specifically, the disconnection with the server device 110 is caused by a timeout, for example.

[0102] A case will be described where it is determined that the connection with the server device 110 has not been disconnected. If it is determined that the connection with the server device 110 has not been disconnected, the process proceeds to S1024.

[0103] In S1024, the web browser 1 determines whether a switch has occurred in the server device 110 to which the on-premise application 301 is connected. Specifically, for example, the determination is made based on the detection of an event indicating that the mouse focus has moved from the current web browser 1 and control has been transferred to another web browser n.

[0104] A case where it is determined that no switching of the server device 110 has occurred will be described. If it is determined that no switching of the server device 110 has occurred, the processing from S1013 is repeated. If it is determined in S1017 as a result of repeating the processing from S1013 that colorimetry of all patches has been completed, the processing from S1018 to S1022 is executed.

[0105] A case will be described where it is determined in S1023 that the connection with the server device 110 has been disconnected. If it is determined that the connection with the server device 110 has been disconnected, the process proceeds to S1025.

[0106] In S1025, the web browser 1 displays a message screen indicating that the on-premise application 301 is currently disconnected on its display screen. The message screen is, for example, screen 1206 in FIG. 12(c). In addition to the message indicating that the on-premise application 301 is currently disconnected, screen 1206 in FIG. 12(c) includes a button 1208 that can accept an instruction from the web browser 1 to delete the patch colorimetry results saved in S1015 in the on-premise application 301, and a button 1207 that can accept an instruction to continue with the patch colorimetry results saved in S1015. When button 1208 is pressed, the patch colorimetry results saved in S1015 are deleted and the screen is closed. When button 1207 is pressed, the screen is closed as is.

[0107] <When re-accessing the server device 110 after disconnection> Next, a case will be described in which the web browser 1 accesses the server device 110 again after it is determined in S1023 that the connection with the server device 110 has been disconnected. This corresponds to a case in which, for example, the user views the screen 1206 in Fig. 12(c) and accesses the server device 110 again using the web browser 1. In this case, the processing of S1000 is executed again.

[0108] After S1000, a determination is made in S1001. In this case, in S1006, the colorimetry situation has already been saved in the colorimetry situation saving unit 317. Therefore, in S1001, it is determined that the colorimetry situation has been saved, and the process proceeds to S1027.

[0109] In S1027, the color verification management unit 312 of the server device 110 passes the web page 302, including the web component 303 for determination, to the web server 311. The web server 311 transmits the web page 302 to the web browser 1. The web page 302 here is not used for the purpose of displaying content by the web browser 1. The web page 302 is transmitted in order to transmit the web component 303 to the web browser 1 so that the web browser 1 can perform a process of determining whether the identification information matches and a process of determining whether the colorimeter 107 is connected. In S1028, the web browser 1 executes the web component 303 and performs a process of determining whether the identification information matches and a process of determining whether the colorimeter 107 is connected. The process of determining whether the identification information matches and the process of determining whether the colorimeter 107 is connected will be described later. The process of determining whether the identification information matches is, in other words, a process of determining whether patch colorimetry results corresponding to the server device 110 are stored in the patch colorimetry result storage unit 310. In this case, since the patch color measurement results already saved in S1015 correspond to the server device 110, it is determined that the patch color measurement results corresponding to the server device 110 are saved, and the determination result is sent to the server device 110.

[0110] In S1002, it is determined that the color measurement process is to be resumed from the middle based on the determination result sent in S1028, and the process proceeds to S1101 in FIG.

[0111] In S1101, the server device 110 creates a chart colorimetry request based on the colorimetry settings corresponding to the identification information, based on the stored colorimetry status. In S1102, the color verification management unit 312 of the server device 110 sends the created chart colorimetry request and the web page 302 of the chart colorimetry screen including the web component 303 to the web browser 1 via the web server 311.

[0112] In S1103, the web browser 1 executes the web component 303 and performs restoration processing of the patch colorimetry results (re-displaying the colorimetry values) in cooperation with the colorimetry control unit 304. The web browser 1 executes the web component 303 and instructs the colorimetry control unit 304 of the on-premise application 301 to restore the patch colorimetry results.

[0113] In S1104, the colorimetry control unit 304 transmits the patch colorimetry results stored in the patch colorimetry result storage unit 310 one by one to the web component 303. At this time, when the colorimetry control unit 304 has finished transmitting all of the patch colorimetry results, it also transmits a restoration completion flag.

[0114] In S1105, the web browser 1 executes the web component 303 and performs restoration processing for each patch colorimetry result sent from the colorimetry control unit 304. That is, when the web component 303 receives the patch colorimetry result from the colorimetry control unit 304, it performs a colorimetry result determination process. Specifically, for example, if the colorimetry result (Result) of the patch colorimetry result is “true,” the web component 303 determines that the patch colorimetry was successful; if the result is “false,” the web component 303 determines that the patch colorimetry was unsuccessful. Then, the web component 303 displays a value corresponding to the colorimetry value (lab-value) of the patch colorimetry result in each cell of the patch selected on the chart preview 612, which is guest content. The corresponding value may be displayed as a numerical value, or a color corresponding to the colorimetry value. The screen displayed here is, for example, the chart colorimetry screen shown in FIG. 7A. Furthermore, each patch may display a color corresponding to the colorimetry value, and when the cursor is hovered over the patch, the colorimetry value of the patch may be displayed numerically.

[0115] In this way, in this embodiment, the restoration process reproduces and displays the progress of the colorimetry process for each patch by the web browser 1 that was interrupted due to the disconnection from the server device 110.

[0116] In S1106, the web browser 1 executes the web component 303 and determines whether the restoration process is complete based on whether a restoration completion flag has been sent along with the patch colorimetry results. If it is determined that the restoration process is complete, the process proceeds to S1107. If it is determined that the restoration process is not complete, the process repeats from S1105. In S1107, the web browser 1 determines whether the colorimetry is complete.

[0117] A case where it is determined that color measurement is not complete will be described below. If it is determined that color measurement is not complete, the process proceeds to S1108.

[0118] In S1108, S1109, S1110, S1111, and S1112, the same processing as in S1013, S1014, S1015, and S1016 is executed. That is, colorimetry of the patches is performed in cooperation with the colorimetry control unit 304 of the on-premise application 301. In S1105, the measurement values ​​of the patches for which colorimetry was completed before the connection with the server device 110 was disconnected by the restoration process are displayed. Therefore, the user can easily select a patch after the interruption in S1108 and resume colorimetry.

[0119] In S1113, the web browser 1 determines whether colorimetry of all patches on the chart preview 612 has been completed. S1113 is the same as the processing of S1017. If it is determined that colorimetry of all patches has been completed, the processing of S1114, S1115, S1116, S1117, and S1118 is executed. These processing steps are the same as S1018, S1019, S1020, S1021, and S1022. Also, if it is determined in S1107 that colorimetry has been completed, the processing of S1114, S1115, S1116, S1117, and S1118 is executed.

[0120] If it is determined in S1113 that colorimetry of all patches has not been completed, the process proceeds to S1119. In S1119, the web browser 1 determines whether the connection with the server device 110 has been disconnected. Specifically, the disconnection with the server device 110 is due to a timeout, for example.

[0121] A case will be described where it is determined that the connection with the server device 110 has not been disconnected. If it is determined that the connection with the server device 110 has not been disconnected, the process proceeds to S1120.

[0122] In S1120, the web browser 1 determines whether or not a switch of the server device 110 to which the on-premise application 301 is connected has occurred.

[0123] A case where it is determined that switching of the server device 110 has not occurred will be described. If it is determined that switching of the server device 110 has not occurred, the process is repeated from S1108. If it is determined in S1113 that colorimetry of all patches has been completed by repeating the process from S1108, the processes of S1114 to S1118 are executed.

[0124] A description will be given of the case where it is determined in S1119 that the connection with the server device 110 has been disconnected. If it is determined that the connection with the server device 110 has been disconnected, the process proceeds to S1121.

[0125] In S1121, the web browser 1 displays a message screen indicating that the on-premise application 301 is currently disconnected on its display screen. The message screen is, for example, screen 1206 in FIG. 12C. In addition to the message indicating that the on-premise application 301 is currently disconnected, screen 1206 in FIG. 12C includes a button 1208 capable of receiving an instruction to delete the patch colorimetry results saved in S1015 and S1110 by the on-premise application 301 in response to the web browser 1, and a button 1207 capable of receiving an instruction to continue with the patch colorimetry results saved in S1015 and S1110. When button 1208 is pressed, the patch colorimetry results saved in S1015 and S1110 are deleted and the screen is closed. When button 1207 is pressed, the screen is closed as is. If the web browser 1 accesses the server device 110 again after it is determined in S1119 that the connection with the server device 110 has been disconnected, the above-described processing from S1000 is repeated.

[0126] <When the server device to which the on-premise application 301 is connected is switched> Next, a case where the server device to which the on-premise application 301 is connected is switched will be described. This is, for example, the case where it is determined in S1024 that a switch in the server device 110 to which the on-premise application 301 is connected has occurred. The determination in S1024 is made based on event information that the web browser acquires from the OS. Specifically, for example, the determination is made based on the detection of an event indicating that the mouse focus has moved from the current web browser 1 and control has been transferred to another web browser n. Here, the description will be made assuming that a switch has occurred from web browser 1 to web browser n. In other words, this means that web browser 1 has changed from enabled to disabled, and web browser n has changed from disabled to enabled.

[0127] When the web browser 1 detects the above event, in S1026, it displays a message screen indicating that the connected server device 110 has been switched. The screen displayed here is, for example, screen 1203 in Fig. 12(b). The data on screen 1203 in Fig. 12(b) may be, for example, data sent to the web browser 1 by the web server 311 that received a notification of the event detection from the web browser 1.

[0128] In addition to a message indicating that the server device 110 to which the connection is made has been switched, the screen 1203 in FIG. 12B also includes a button 1205 that can accept an instruction to delete the patch colorimetry results saved in S1015 by the on-premise application 301 corresponding to the web browser 1, and a button 1204 that can accept an instruction to continue with the patch colorimetry results saved in S1015. When the button 1205 is pressed, the patch colorimetry results saved in S1015 are deleted and the screen is closed. When the button 1204 is pressed, in S1029, the web browser 1 enters a switching state (waiting state). This notifies the user that switching has occurred during colorimetry. Here, for example, if switching from web browser n to web browser 1 occurs again and web browser 1 becomes active, the process of S1029 ends and the process from S1000 is repeated. Thereafter, the same process as that described in <When Re-Accessing the Server Device 110 After Disconnecting from the Server Device 110> is executed.

[0129] Next, the processing in the web browser n will be described. In S1030, the web browser n detects that the web browser n has been activated, for example, based on the mouse being focused. In S1031, the web browser n transmits the IP address of the server device 110 that the web browser n is accessing to the on-premise application 301, and requests the on-premise application 301 to perform restoration processing of the patch colorimetry results. At this time, the web browser n may display a screen that can accept an instruction as to whether to perform restoration processing or to execute colorimetry processing from the beginning.

[0130] In S1032, the on-premise application 301 suspends the process of saving the chart colorimetry results that was being performed by the pre-switching web browser 1. At this time, in S1015, the patch colorimetry results have already been associated with the identification information and the IP address of the server device 110 and saved in the patch colorimetry result saving unit 310. In S1033, the on-premise application 301 performs a process of stopping the colorimetry device 107 in order to switch the server device 110 to which the colorimetry device 107 is connected.

[0131] In S1034, the on-premise application 301 searches the patch colorimetry result storage unit 310 for colorimetry results corresponding to the IP address received in S1031. If corresponding colorimetry results are found, in S1035 the on-premise application 301 restores the colorimetry results. Here, the same processing as in S1104 and S1105 is performed. Furthermore, since the colorimetry results are linked to the setting information of the colorimeter 107 at the time the colorimetry was performed, in S1036 the on-premise application 301 acquires the setting information and sets it in the measurement device 107. In S1037, the on-premise application 301 resumes operation of the colorimeter 107. Then, in S1038, the on-premise application 301 notifies the web browser n of the completion of the restoration.

[0132] After S1038, the web browser n executes the same processing as the processing by the web browser 1 from S1000 described above. That is, when a re-access is attempted after the connection with the server device corresponding to the web browser n is disconnected, the web browser n executes the same processing as described above in <When re-accessing after disconnecting from the server device 110>. Furthermore, when the web browser is switched, the web browser executes the same processing as described above in <When the server device to which the on-premise application 301 is connected is switched>.

[0133] A case where it is determined in S1120 that a switch has occurred in the server device 110 to which the on-premise application 301 is connected will be described. In this case, the process proceeds from S1120 to S1122. Here, the description will be made assuming that a switch has occurred from web browser 1 to web browser n.

[0134] In S1122, the web browser 1 displays a message screen indicating that the destination server device 110 has been switched. The screen displayed here is, for example, screen 1203 in Fig. 12(b). The data on screen 1203 in Fig. 12(b) is, for example, data that the web server 311 sends to the web browser 1 when it receives a notification of event detection from the web browser 1.

[0135] In addition to a message indicating that the destination server device 110 has been switched, the screen 1203 in FIG. 12B includes a button 1205 that can accept an instruction to delete the patch colorimetry results saved in S1015 and S1110 by the on-premise application 301 corresponding to web browser 1, and a button 1204 that can accept an instruction to continue with the patch colorimetry results saved in S1015 and S1110. When button 1205 is pressed, the patch colorimetry results saved in S1015 and S1110 are deleted and the screen is closed. When button 1204 is pressed, web browser 1 enters a switching state (waiting state) in S1123. This notifies the user that switching has occurred during colorimetry. Here, for example, if switching from web browser n to web browser 1 occurs again and web browser 1 becomes active, the process of S1123 ends and the process from S1000 is repeated. Thereafter, the same process as that described in <When re-accessing server device 110 after disconnection from server device 110> is executed.

[0136] The processing in web browser n in S1124 will be described. In S1124, web browser n detects that web browser n has been enabled, for example, based on the mouse being focused. In S1125, web browser n transmits the IP address of the server device 110 that web browser n is accessing to on-premise application 301, and requests restoration processing of the patch colorimetry results from on-premise application 301. At this time, web browser n may display a screen that can accept an instruction as to whether to perform restoration processing or to execute colorimetry processing from the beginning.

[0137] In the on-premise application 301, the processes of S1126 to S1132 are performed in the same manner as in the description of S1032 to S1038.

[0138] After S1132, web browser n executes the same processing as that executed by web browser 1 from S1000 described above. That is, when re-access is attempted after the connection with the server device corresponding to web browser n is disconnected, web browser n executes the same processing as that described above in <When re-accessing after disconnection from server device 110>. Furthermore, when the web browser is switched, web browser executes the same processing as that described above in <When the server device to which on-premise application 301 is connected is switched>.

[0139] Fig. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of colorimetry processing in this embodiment, and includes the restoration processing described in the processing of Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. The following processing is realized by the CPU 201 of each of the server device 110 and the client device 104 reading a program stored in ROM 203 into RAM 202 and executing it.

[0140] In S1301, the web server 311 of the server device 110 accepts a connection request from the web browser 300 of the client device 104. This corresponds to, for example, S1000 in FIG.

[0141] In S1302, the color verification management unit 312 of the server device 110 determines whether the colorimetry status is stored in the colorimetry status storage unit 317. If it is determined that the colorimetry status is stored, the process proceeds to S1303. If it is determined that the colorimetry status is not stored, the process proceeds to S1308. Note that if the colorimetry status storage unit 317 has not stored the colorimetry status in association with the IP address of the client device 104, S1303 may be skipped and the process may proceed to S1304. Furthermore, if a certain amount of time has passed since colorimetry was performed, it may be determined that the status of the printing device that printed the chart has also changed, and the colorimetry status stored in the colorimetry status storage unit 317 of the server device 110 and the patch colorimetry results stored in the patch colorimetry result storage unit 310 of the client device 104 may be deleted. To this end, the server device 110 may transmit a web page 302 including a web component 303 to the web browser 300 via the web server 311, and delete the patch colorimetry results. Specifically, for example, when a certain time has elapsed since colorimetry was performed, for example, a predetermined time has elapsed since the colorimetry status was saved, the server device 110 deletes the colorimetry status from the colorimetry status saving unit 317. Then, the server device 110 transmits a web page 302 including a web component 303 for deleting the patch colorimetry results to the web browser 300 of the client device 104, and deletes the saved patch colorimetry results.

[0142] In S1303, the color verification management unit 312 of the server device 110 determines whether the IP address of the client device 104 on which the web browser 300 that accepted the connection is running matches one or more IP addresses stored in the colorimetry status storage unit 317. If it is determined that the IP address matches any of the IP addresses, the process proceeds to S1304; if it is determined that the IP address does not match any of the IP addresses, the process proceeds to S1308. The IP address here is the IP address of the client device 104 that performs the colorimetry processing, and is part of the context used in the colorimetry processing. S1302 and S1303 correspond to, for example, S1001 in FIG. 10.

[0143] In S1304, the color verification management unit 312 of the server device 110 passes the web page 302 including the determination web component 303 to the web server 311. The web server 311 transmits the web page 302 to the web browser 300 of the client device 104. As described above, the web page 302 is transmitted for the purpose of transmitting to the web browser 300 the web component 303 that causes the process of determining whether the identifiers match in S1305 and the process of determining whether the colorimeter 107 is connected in S1306. The destination web browser 300 is the web browser running on the client device 104 whose IP address was determined to match in S1303. In addition, the identification information stored in the colorimetry status storage unit 317 becomes part of the content transmitted to the web browser 300.

[0144] In S1305, the web browser 300 of the client device 104 executes the web component 303 and queries the colorimetry control unit 304 for identification information of the patch colorimetry results stored in the patch colorimetry result storage unit 310. The colorimetry control unit 304 acquires the identification information of the patch colorimetry results stored in the patch colorimetry result storage unit 310 and notifies the web component 303. The web component 303 determines whether the identification information acquired from the patch colorimetry result storage unit 310 matches the identification information stored in the colorimetry status storage unit 317 and transmitted from the server device 110 in S1304. If it is determined that they match, the process proceeds to S1306. If it is determined that they do not match, the process notifies the color verification management unit 312 via the web server 311 of the server device 110 that the identification information does not match, and the process proceeds to S1308. In other words, the process proceeds from S1305 to S1308 when an inconsistency occurs between the data stored in the colorimetry status storage unit 317 of the server device 110 and the data stored in the patch colorimetry result storage unit 310 of the client device 104.

[0145] If it is determined in S1305 that they match, in other words, if there is consistency between the data stored in the colorimetry status storage unit 317 of the server device 110 and the data stored in the patch colorimetry result storage unit 310 of the client device 104, the process proceeds to S1306. In S1306, the web browser 300 of the client device 104 executes the web component 303 and determines whether the colorimetry device 107 is connected to the colorimetry control unit 304. If it is determined that the colorimetry device 107 is connected, the web browser 300 of the client device 104 executes the web component 303 and notifies the color verification management unit 312 via the web server 311 of the server device 110 that restoration processing is possible, and the process proceeds to S1311. On the other hand, if it is determined that the colorimetry device 107 is not connected, the process proceeds to S1307. S1305 and S1306 correspond to S1028 in FIG. 10 .

[0146] In S1311, the color verification management unit 312 of the server device 110 references the identification information of the colorimetry process that has been linked to and saved with the colorimetry status, and creates a chart colorimetry request based on the colorimetry settings. In S1312, the color verification management unit 312 of the server device 110 transmits the created chart colorimetry request and the web page 302 of the chart colorimetry screen including the web component 303 to the web browser 1 via the web server 311. This corresponds to, for example, S1101 in FIG. 11.

[0147] In S1313, the web browser 300 of the client device 104 executes the transmitted web component 303 and displays the chart color measurement screen. The chart color measurement screen is, for example, the chart color measurement screen in FIG.

[0148] In S1314, the web browser 300 of the client device 104 executes the web component 303 and instructs the colorimetry control unit 304 to restore the patch colorimetry results. This corresponds to, for example, S1103 in FIG. 11. The colorimetry control unit 304 transmits the patch colorimetry results stored in the patch colorimetry result storage unit 310 to the web component 303 one by one. At this time, if the colorimetry control unit 304 has finished transmitting all patch colorimetry results, it also transmits a restoration completion flag. This corresponds, for example, to S1104 in FIG. 11. In S1315, the web browser 300 of the client device 104 executes the web component 303 and receives each of the patch colorimetry results transmitted from the colorimetry control unit 304. The restoration process of the following S1316 to S1320 displays the measurement values ​​of patches up to those for which colorimetry has been completed. S1316 to S1320 correspond, for example, to S1105 in FIG. 11.

[0149] In S1316, the web browser 300 of the client device 104 executes the web component 303 and performs a process of determining the colorimetry result. Specifically, for example, if the colorimetry result (Result) of the patch colorimetry result is "true", the web component 303 determines that the colorimetry of the patch was successful and proceeds to S1317, and if it is "false", it determines that the colorimetry of the patch was unsuccessful and proceeds to S1318.

[0150] In S1317, the web browser 300 of the client device 104 executes the web component 303 and displays the corresponding colorimetric values ​​(lab-values) of the patch colorimetry results in each cell of the patch selected in the chart preview 612, which is the guest content. The colorimetric values ​​may be displayed as numerical values, or as colors corresponding to the colorimetric values. Alternatively, each patch may be configured to display a color corresponding to the colorimetric value, and when the cursor is hovered over the patch, the colorimetric value of the patch may be displayed as a numerical value.

[0151] In S1318, the web browser 300 of the client device 104 executes the web component 303 and displays a warning message of the patch colorimetry error on the chart preview 612. In S1319, the web browser 300 of the client device 104 executes the web component 303 and displays on the chart preview 612 a button that can accept an instruction to remeasure the patch.

[0152] In S1320, the web browser 300 of the client device 104 executes the web component 303 and determines whether the restoration process is complete based on whether a restoration completion flag has been sent along with the patch colorimetry results. If it is determined that the restoration process is complete, the process proceeds to S1321. If it is determined that the restoration process is not complete, the process repeats from S1314. This corresponds to, for example, S1106 in FIG. 11.

[0153] In S1321, the colorimetry control unit 304 of the client device 104 determines whether colorimetry is complete. If it is determined that colorimetry is complete, the process proceeds to S1322. If it is determined that colorimetry is not complete, the process proceeds to S1325. This corresponds to, for example, S1107 in FIG. 11.

[0154] In S1325, web server 311 of server device 110 determines whether client device 104 has switched the destination server device 110. This corresponds to, for example, S1120. If it is determined that the destination server device 110 has not been switched, processes S1327, S1328, and S1329 are performed, and the process proceeds to S1315. S1327, S1328, and S1329 correspond to S1108, S1109, and S1110 in FIG. 11. On the other hand, if it is determined that the destination server device 110 has been switched, in S1326 web browser 300 displays a screen indicating that the destination server device 110 has been switched. This corresponds, for example, to S1122 in FIG. 11.

[0155] If it is determined in S1321 that the colorimetry is complete, the processes of S1322 and S1323 are performed. This corresponds to, for example, S1114 and S1116 in FIG. 11. Then, in S1324, the web browser 300 executes the web component 303 and instructs the colorimetry control unit 304 to delete the patch colorimetry results. In response to the instruction from the web component 303, the colorimetry control unit 304 deletes the patch colorimetry results from the patch colorimetry result storage unit 310. This corresponds, for example, to S1117 in FIG. 11. Furthermore, the color verification management unit 312 may store the chart colorimetry results upon receiving them and delete the colorimetry status of the colorimetry process related to the colorimetry results.

[0156] If it is determined in S1306 that the colorimeter 107 is not connected, in S1307 the web browser 300 executes the web component 303 and determines whether or not to execute restoration processing. Specifically, for example, a message screen 1200 such as that shown in FIG. 12A is displayed, and if the continue button 1201 is pressed, the process proceeds to S1306 and waits for connection of the colorimeter 107. On the other hand, if the end button 1202 is pressed, the process proceeds to S1308. Note that if the process proceeds to S1308, the process of S1324 may be executed.

[0157] 10 and 11, the process proceeding to S1307 is not shown. However, with the above configuration, when the server device 110 is accessed again after being disconnected and the device is not ready to perform the restoration process, a screen that can accept instructions as to whether or not to perform (continue) the restoration process can be displayed. Furthermore, if the device is ready to perform the restoration process, the restoration process is performed without any user operation, thereby improving convenience.

[0158] If it is determined in S1302 that the colorimetry status has not been saved, if it is determined in S1303 that the IP addresses do not match, or if it is determined in S1305 that the identifiers do not match, the process proceeds to S1308. In S1308, the web browser 300 executes the web component 303 and notifies the color verification management unit 312 via the web server 311 that the restoration process has failed. The color verification management unit 312 transmits the web page 302 of the colorimetry setting selection screen of FIG. 6A to the web browser 300 via the web server 311. The web browser 300 displays the received web page 302. Thereafter, the processes of S1309 and S1310 are performed. The processes of S1309 and S1310 are similar to those of S900 and S901.

[0159] As described above, in a configuration in which a program running on a web server and a web browser communicates with an on-premise application, colorimetry results can be restored when the network is restored after an unintended disconnection. Specifically, for example, by executing a web component, the web server and the on-premise application can cooperate to execute a restoration process without user intervention, thereby redisplaying the colorimetry results. Note that, although not shown in FIG. 13, if the network between the server device and the client device is disconnected, instructions are not sent from the server device 110, and the screen shown in FIG. 12(c) may be displayed within the guest content on the client device 104.

[0160] Although this embodiment has been described with the configuration shown in FIG. 1(b), the operation of this embodiment can also be applied to a color verification system configured as shown in FIG. 1(a).

[0161] FIG. 1A shows another example of the configuration of a color verification system. A server device 102 exists on the Internet cloud 101 side, and a client device 104 exists within an in-company local network 122. The in-company local network 122 and the Internet cloud 101 are connected via a network such as the Internet. Note that multiple systems 124 may be configured within the in-company local network 122. In the system 124, a user operates a web browser on the client device 104 and a colorimeter 107 connected to the client device 104. Then, colorimetric processing is performed in cooperation with the server device 102 on the Internet cloud 101 side. The configuration of FIG. 1A differs from that of FIG. 1B in that the image forming device 106 is configured on the client device 104 side. Therefore, the print communication unit 307 and print control unit 308 described in FIG. 2 are configured in the on-premise application 301 of the client device 104.

[0162] In the configuration of FIG. 1A, a print communication unit 307 relays communication between a print control unit 308 that controls the image forming apparatus 106 and a web server 311. When a user issues a print instruction, the print communication unit 307 receives a print job including print settings and print data from the web server 311, as well as the IP address of the image forming apparatus, and passes these to the print control unit 308. Upon receiving the print job from the print communication unit 307, the print control unit 308 transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus 106 at the received IP address. HTTP communication, for example, is used as a method for transmitting the print job. Alternatively, other print transmission methods such as the LPR protocol or a hot folder may be used as long as the print job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 106. In addition to the print job, data (such as PJL data) for managing and controlling the image forming apparatus may also be transmitted.

[0163] In the configuration of FIG. 1(a), it is assumed that the web browser 300 of the client device 104 is a single web browser corresponding to the server device 102. In other words, in the configuration of FIG. 1(a), switching from web browser 1 to web browser n as described in FIGS. 10 and 11 is not expected. However, depending on the state of the network 100, the connection between the server device 102 and the client device 104 may be disconnected. In that case, the processing described for the server device 110, web browser 1, and on-premise application 301 in FIGS. 10 and 11 can be applied to the server device 102, the web browser 1, and the on-premise application 301 of the client device 104. Therefore, even when a color verification system is constructed using the configuration of FIG. 1(a), it is possible to restore color measurement results.

[0164] The above describes the restoration of colorimetry processing in the color verification system of this embodiment. It is assumed that colorimetry of all patches on a chart has been completed, but the colorimetry results of the chart have not been sent to the server device 110 in S1020 and S1116. In this case, restrictions may be placed on not accepting requests for other colorimetry processing. Alternatively, restrictions may be placed on not accepting instructions from the user to perform colorimetry again via a web browser. This prevents the colorimetry results in the patch colorimetry result storage unit 310 from being overwritten by the colorimetry results of other colorimetry processing. Alternatively, the patch colorimetry result storage unit 310 may be configured to be able to store colorimetry results independently for each of multiple colorimetry processings.

[0165] In this embodiment, the colorimetry status is stored in the server device 110 as a context of the colorimetry process during the colorimetry. Also, the IP address of the client device 104 that executes the colorimetry process is stored in the server device 110. Then, by referring to these, it is determined whether or not the colorimetry process is in progress.

[0166] However, the patch colorimetry results stored in the client device 104 may be referenced as the context of the colorimetry process. In this case, the server device 110 does not need to store the colorimetry status and the IP address of the client device 104 that performs the colorimetry process. That is, when accessed by the client device 104, the server device 110 inquires of the client device 104 in response to the access whether the patch colorimetry results and identification information of the colorimetry process that are currently being performed are stored. If the response from the client device 104 indicates that the results are stored, the server device 110 continues the restoration process using the identification information received with the response. For example, the process begins with S1304 in FIG. 13 . In this case, the client device 104 that accessed the server device 110 may have multiple colorimetry processes currently being performed. In this case, the server device 110 may prompt the client device 104 to select a colorimetry process from the user, and the restoration process of the colorimetry process may continue according to the selection.

[0167] Furthermore, when a certain period of time has passed since the server device 110 saved the colorimetry status, the server device 110 may delete the saved colorimetry status and transmit an instruction to delete the colorimetry values ​​for each patch to the client device 104. In this case, the client device 104 deletes the saved colorimetry values ​​for each patch in response to the deletion instruction. Since old colorimetry values ​​obtained during colorimetry may differ from current colorimetry values ​​due to changes over time, this configuration makes it possible to prevent color shifts and the like caused by reusing old information.

[0168] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0169] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following information processing device, method, and program. (Item 1) An information processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of servers, a colorimeter control means for controlling the colorimeter to perform color measurement on the object to be measured and storing the colorimeter's color measurement results; a display control unit corresponding to each of the plurality of servers, the display control unit controlling the display of the color measurement results of the colorimeters stored by the colorimeter control unit; Equipped with When performing colorimetry corresponding to a first server among the plurality of servers, the display control means corresponding to the first server displays the colorimetry result of the colorimeter, When switching from colorimetry corresponding to the first server to colorimetry corresponding to the second server, if the colorimetry corresponding to the first server is interrupted, the colorimetry device control means stores the colorimetry results of the colorimetry device performed up until the interruption. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 2) The information processing device described in item 1 is characterized in that, when colorimetry corresponding to the first server is switched to colorimetry corresponding to the second server and then switched back to colorimetry corresponding to the first server, the display control means corresponding to the first server controls the display to display the colorimetry results of the colorimeter performed up to the interruption. (Item 3) The information processing device described in item 2 is characterized in that when colorimetry corresponding to the first server is switched to colorimetry corresponding to the second server and then switched back to colorimetry corresponding to the first server, the display control means corresponding to the first server controls the display of a screen that can accept instructions as to whether or not to display the colorimetry results of the colorimeter performed up to the interruption. (Item 4) The information processing device described in item 3 is characterized in that, when a display control means corresponding to the first server receives an instruction to display the colorimetric results of the colorimeter performed up to the interruption, it displays the colorimetric results of the colorimeter performed up to the interruption. (Item 5) The information processing device described in item 3 or 4, characterized in that the display control means corresponding to the first server controls the information processing device to display a screen that can accept instructions on whether or not to display the color measurement results of the colorimeter performed up until the interruption when the information processing device is in a predetermined state. (Item 6) 6. The information processing device according to item 5, wherein the predetermined state includes a state in which the colorimeter is connected to the information processing device. (Item 7) An information processing device described in any one of items 2 to 6, characterized in that after the colorimeter's colorimetric measurement results performed up until the interruption are displayed, the colorimeter control means controls the colorimeter to perform subsequent colorimetric measurements corresponding to the first server. (Item 8) An information processing device described in any one of items 1 to 7, characterized in that when colorimetry corresponding to the first server is switched to colorimetry corresponding to the second server, the display control means corresponding to the first server controls the display of a screen indicating that the colorimetry has been interrupted. (Item 9) 9. The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the colorimeter control means deletes the colorimeter results when a predetermined time has elapsed since the colorimeter saved the colorimeter results. (Item 10) An information processing device described in any one of items 1 to 9, characterized in that when the connection between the first server and the information processing device is disconnected, the colorimeter control means stores the colorimeter's colorimeter results performed up to the interruption if the colorimeter corresponding to the first server has been interrupted. (Item 11) Item 11. The information processing device according to item 10, characterized in that when the connection between the first server and the information processing device is disconnected, the display control means corresponding to the first server controls the display of a screen indicating the interruption. (Item 12) 12. The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 11, wherein the object to be measured is a chart including a plurality of patches. (Item 13) Item 13. The information processing device according to item 12, wherein the colorimeter control means controls the colorimeter to store the colorimetric results of each of the plurality of patches each time the colorimeter completes color measurement of the patch. (Item 14) As the colorimetry corresponding to the first server, colorimetry is performed on a chart including the plurality of patches, If the color measurement corresponding to the first server is interrupted, the colorimeter control means stores the color measurement results of the patches performed up until the interruption. Item 14. The information processing device according to item 13. (Item 15) An information processing device described in item 13 or 14, characterized in that when color measurement is performed on the multiple patches, a display control means corresponding to the first server controls the color measurement results of the multiple patches to be sent to the first server. (Item 16) Item 16. The information processing apparatus according to item 15, wherein the display control means corresponding to the first server instructs the colorimeter control means to transmit the color measurement results of the plurality of patches to the first server. (Item 17) 17. The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 16, wherein the plurality of servers are color verification servers, and color measurement by the colorimeter is a process included in a color verification process performed by the color verification server. (Item 18) A method executed in an information processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of servers, a colorimeter control step of controlling a colorimeter to perform color measurement on a color measurement object and saving the colorimeter's colorimeter measurement results; a display control step corresponding to each of the plurality of servers, the display control step controlling the servers to display the color measurement results of the colorimeters stored in the colorimeter control step; and When performing colorimetry corresponding to a first server among the plurality of servers, the colorimetry result of the colorimeter is displayed in the display control step corresponding to the first server, When switching from colorimetry corresponding to the first server to colorimetry corresponding to the second server, if the colorimetry corresponding to the first server is interrupted, the colorimetry device control step stores the colorimetry results of the colorimetry device performed up until the interruption. A method characterized by: (Item 19) 18. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 17.

[0170] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0171] 104 Client device: 110 Server device: 201 CPU: 202 RAM: 203 ROM

Claims

1. An information processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of servers, a colorimeter control means for controlling the colorimeter to perform color measurement on the object to be measured and storing the colorimeter's color measurement results; a display control unit corresponding to each of the plurality of servers, the display control unit controlling the display of the color measurement results of the colorimeters stored by the colorimeter control unit; Equipped with When performing colorimetry corresponding to a first server among the plurality of servers, the display control means corresponding to the first server displays the colorimetry result of the colorimeter, When switching from colorimetry corresponding to the first server to colorimetry corresponding to the second server, if the colorimetry corresponding to the first server is interrupted, the colorimetry device control means stores the colorimetry results of the colorimetry device performed up until the interruption.

1. An information processing device comprising:

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when colorimetry corresponding to the first server is switched to colorimetry corresponding to the second server and then switched back to colorimetry corresponding to the first server, the display control means corresponding to the first server controls the display of the colorimetry results of the colorimeter performed up to the interruption.

3. The information processing device described in claim 2, characterized in that when colorimetry corresponding to the first server is switched to colorimetry corresponding to the second server and then switched back to colorimetry corresponding to the first server, the display control means corresponding to the first server controls to display a screen that can accept instructions as to whether or not to display the colorimetry results of the colorimeter performed up to the interruption.

4. The information processing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, when a display control means corresponding to the first server receives an instruction to display the color measurement results of the colorimeter performed up to the interruption, the display control means displays the color measurement results of the colorimeter performed up to the interruption.

5. The information processing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the display control means corresponding to the first server controls the information processing device to display a screen capable of accepting instructions as to whether or not to display the color measurement results of the colorimeter performed up until the interruption when the information processing device is in a predetermined state.

6. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined state includes a state in which the colorimeter is connected to the information processing apparatus.

7. 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein after the color measurement results of the colorimeter performed up until the interruption are displayed, the colorimeter control means controls the colorimeter to perform subsequent color measurements corresponding to the first server.

8. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein when colorimetry corresponding to the first server is switched to colorimetry corresponding to the second server, a display control means corresponding to the first server controls the display of a screen indicating that the colorimetry has been interrupted.

9. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the colorimeter control means deletes the colorimeter results when a predetermined time has elapsed since the colorimeter saved the colorimeter results.

10. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the connection between the first server and the information processing device is disconnected, the colorimeter control means stores the colorimeter's colorimetric results performed up until the interruption if the colorimetric measurement corresponding to the first server has been interrupted.

11. 11. The information processing device according to claim 10, wherein, when the connection between the first server and the information processing device is disconnected, a display control means corresponding to the first server controls the display of a screen indicating the interruption.

12. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object of color measurement is a chart including a plurality of patches.

13. 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the colorimeter control means controls the colorimeter so that each time color measurement by the colorimeter is completed for each of the plurality of patches, the colorimeter control means stores the colorimetric result of the completed patch.

14. colorimetry corresponding to the first server is performed on a chart including the plurality of patches; If the color measurement corresponding to the first server is interrupted, the color measurement device control means stores the color measurement results of the patches performed up until the interruption.

14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13,

15. 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein when colorimetry is performed on the plurality of patches, a display control unit corresponding to the first server controls so that the colorimetry results of the plurality of patches are transmitted to the first server.

16. 16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the display control means corresponding to the first server instructs the colorimeter control means to transmit the color measurement results of the plurality of patches to the first server.

17. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of servers are color verification servers, and the color measurement by the colorimeter is a process included in a color verification process performed by the color verification server.

18. A method executed in an information processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of servers, a colorimeter control step of controlling a colorimeter to perform color measurement on a color measurement object and saving the colorimeter's colorimeter measurement results; a display control step corresponding to each of the plurality of servers, the display control step controlling the servers to display the color measurement results of the colorimeters stored in the colorimeter control step; and When performing colorimetry corresponding to a first server among the plurality of servers, the colorimetry result of the colorimeter is displayed in the display control step corresponding to the first server, When switching from colorimetry corresponding to the first server to colorimetry corresponding to the second server, if the colorimetry corresponding to the first server is interrupted, the colorimetry device control step stores the colorimetry results of the colorimetry device performed up until the interruption. A method characterized by:

19. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

Images