Information processing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium

Abstract

To improve convenience of a user in a series of operations related to color verification.SOLUTION: A screen related to color measurement of a chart for performing color verification by comparing a result of color measurement of the chart with a color reference is displayed using a web browser, a color measurement result that is a result of color measurement of a printed chart by a color measurement device is acquired from the color measurement device, and the acquired color measurement result is displayed using the web browser.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for verifying the color quality of printed matter. [Background technology]

[0002] In the commercial printing industry, the importance and demand for a color verification process to periodically verify the color quality of image forming devices has increased in recent years. This is because when print output results do not meet the expectations of clients who are strict about color and jobs are rejected, costs increase and profits are reduced.

[0003] The color verification process consists of steps such as setting up color measurement and printing for color verification, printing a chart consisting of multiple color patches, measuring the color of the chart, comparing the color measurement results with a color standard to verify the color, and confirming the color verification results (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6422923 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] While user operations and color measurement instructions for measuring the color of a chart are performed using an information processing device connected to the colorimeter, color verification may be performed on an external device or in the cloud. In such cases, the user may need to use different applications for the series of operations related to color verification, which can be inconvenient for the user.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to improve user convenience in a series of operations related to color verification. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the information processing device has a web browser and an acquisition means for acquiring color measurement results, which are the results of measuring a printed chart with the colorimeter, from the colorimeter, and is characterized in that a screen related to the color measurement of the chart is displayed using the web browser to perform color verification by comparing the color measurement results of the chart with a color standard, and the color measurement results acquired by the acquisition means are displayed using the web browser. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve user convenience in a series of operations relating to color verification. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire color verification system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] Hardware configuration diagram of an information processing device according to the first embodiment [Figure 3] Functional block diagram of a color verification system according to a first embodiment [Figure 4] Example of a web page in the first embodiment [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a setting screen in the first embodiment; [Figure 6-1] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a color measurement screen in the first embodiment; [Figure 6-2] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a color measurement screen in the first embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a color verification screen in the first embodiment; [Figure 8] Example of color measurement settings in the first embodiment [Figure 9] Example of chart data in the first embodiment [Figure 10] Example of print settings in the first embodiment [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a chart printing process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12]Example of chart color measurement request in the first embodiment [Figure 13] Example of patch colorimetry request and patch colorimetry result in the first embodiment [Figure 14] Example of color measurement results in the first embodiment [Figure 15] 1 is a flowchart illustrating color measurement processing according to a first embodiment. [Figure 16] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a color verification process according to a first embodiment. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart illustrating color measurement processing according to a second embodiment. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating color measurement processing according to the third embodiment. [Figure 19] Examples of print instructions and color verification instructions in the first embodiment [Figure 20] Schematic diagram of patch layout in the first embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0012] (First embodiment) Here, using a specific example, the configuration of a color verification system for realizing the color verification process, chart printing, chart color measurement, and color verification will be explained in order, and the features of the present invention will be explained. The configuration of the color verification system will be explained using Figures 1 to 7.

[0013] 1 is a block diagram showing a color verification system according to this embodiment. The system is broadly divided into a web system 101 and a printing company system 103, which are interconnected via the Internet 100. The web system 101 may be built on the cloud or on an in-house server.

[0014] The internal configuration of the printing company system 103 will be described in detail below. As shown in Fig. 1, an information processing device 104 and an image forming device 106 are interconnected via a network 105. A colorimeter 107 is also interconnected via a serial bus 108. The image forming device 106 is controlled under the control of a group of programs running on the information processing device 104, processes the print settings and print data received from the web system 101, and produces a deliverable.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device (102, 104). In the figure, a CPU 201 executes an OS or general application program stored in a program ROM of a ROM 203 or loaded from a HDD 210 to a RAM 202. The ROM 203 includes a font ROM and a data ROM. The RAM 202 functions as the CPU 201's main memory, work area, etc. A keyboard controller (KBC) 205 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 208 or a pointing device (not shown). A display controller (CRTC) 206 controls display on a CRT 209. A disk controller (DKC) 207 controls access to the HDD 210, which stores a boot program, various applications, font data, etc. A network controller (NIC) 212 is connected to a network and executes communication control processing with other devices connected to the network. A bus 204 connects the CPU 201 to the RAM 202, ROM 203, and various controllers, etc., and transmits data signals and control signals.

[0016] In the case of a mobile phone, the configuration may include a touch panel controller or the like instead of the keyboard controller (KBC) 205. Also, a large-capacity storage device may be provided instead of the HDD 210. Furthermore, the internal configuration of the network controller (NIC) 212 differs depending on whether the device is a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, or both. However, these differences due to the internal configuration are hidden within the network controller (NIC) 212, and it is configured to be equivalent to the other modules shown in the same figure and be able to control the system.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the web system 101 and the printing company system 103 that constitute the color verification system according to this embodiment.

[0018] First, the functional blocks installed in the information processing device 104 of the printing service provider system 103 will be described. The web browser 300 communicates with the web server 310 and acquires content (screen information). The web browser 300 then analyzes the acquired content and formats and displays it (web page 302). The web browser 300 is also capable of executing programming languages ​​such as JavaScript.

[0019] The on-premise application 301 is an application that acts as a proxy that relays access between the web system 101 and the image forming apparatus 106, the colorimeter 107, and the web browser 300. For example, when printing a chart, the web system 101 prints the chart on the image forming apparatus 106 via the on-premise application 301. When measuring the color of the printed chart, the colorimeter 107 is controlled via the on-premise application 301. When printing a chart, the web system 101 may send the print data and print settings of the chart directly to the image forming apparatus 106 without relaying via the on-premise application 301. The decision as to whether to use the on-premise application 301 is made from the perspective of whether the printing company will connect the image forming apparatus to an external network, and either connection mode may be used in the present invention.

[0020] Web page 302 is content that web browser 300 retrieves from web server 310 and is displayed on web browser 300. Web page 302 may consist of a single piece of content as shown in Figure 4(A), or may display guest content 400 nested within it as shown in Figure 4(B).

[0021] 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, but it may be any program that runs on web browser 300, such as an applet, ActiveX, or a plug-in for web browser 300.

[0022] When the web browser 300 displays a web page 302 (for example, the chart colorimetry screen in FIG. 6-2(C) described later), the web component 303 accesses the colorimetry control unit 304 and establishes communication. Thereafter, the web component 303 sends instructions to the colorimetry control unit 304 in response to user operations on the web page 302, and controls the colorimeter 107 in response to the user operations. The web component 303 also receives the response of the colorimeter 107 to the instructions from the colorimetry control unit 304 and reflects the response in the web page 302.

[0023] In this embodiment, Web Socket is used as the communication method between the web component 303 and the colorimetry control unit 304. Therefore, the web component 303 and the colorimetry control unit 304 can maintain a constant connection through a specific port. This allows input by user operation to be transmitted to the colorimeter 107 in real time, and further allows the response of the colorimeter 107 to be reflected in the web page 302 in real time.

[0024] The colorimetry control unit 304 receives instructions from the web component 303 and controls the colorimeter 107 via the colorimeter linkage unit 306. Furthermore, when the colorimeter 107 reads a patch, the colorimetry control unit 304 transmits the read result to the web component 303. When reading of all patches that make up the chart is complete, the colorimetry control unit 304 stores the read result in the colorimetry result storage unit 309. Furthermore, when the colorimetry control unit 304 receives a colorimetry completion instruction from the web component 303, it obtains the colorimetry result that matches the ID in the colorimetry completion instruction from the colorimetry result storage unit 309 and transmits it to the web server 310 via the colorimetry communication unit 305.

[0025] The colorimetry communication unit 305 communicates between the colorimetry control unit 304 and the web server 310. When the colorimetry communication unit 305 receives the colorimetry results from the colorimetry control unit 304, it starts communication with the web server 310 and transmits the colorimetry results to the web server 310. Although the communication method is not specified, HTTP communication is used in this embodiment. This is because the web server 310 and the on-premise application 301 do not need to be constantly connected in real time.

[0026] The colorimeter control unit 306 is an interface with the colorimeter 107 and mediates communication between the colorimeter control unit 304 and the colorimeter 107 .

[0027] A print communication unit 307 communicates between a print control unit 308 and a web server 310. When a print instruction is given by a user, the print communication unit 307 receives a print job consisting of print settings and print data from the web server 310, and further receives the IP address of the destination image forming device, and passes it to the print control unit 308.

[0028] When the print control unit 308 receives a print job from the print communication unit 307, it transmits the print job to the image forming device 106 at the IP address. In this embodiment, the print job is transmitted using HTTP communication. However, as long as the print job can be transmitted to the image forming device 106, another print transmission method such as a hot folder may also be used.

[0029] The colorimetry result storage unit 309 is a location where the colorimetry control unit 304 stores the colorimetry results of the chart when the colorimetry of the chart is completed. The colorimetry result storage unit 309 may store the results as a file on the HDD of the information processing device 104, or may be configured as a database in a tabular format such as the one below.

[0030] [Table 1]

[0031] The above is a description of the functional blocks installed in the information processing device 104.

[0032] Next, a functional block diagram of the information processing device 102 of the web system 101 will be described. The web server 310 is a service program that performs HTTP communication with the web browser 300 and provides the web browser 300 with the display of HTML and objects (images, etc.). The web server 310 also performs HTTP communication with the print communication unit 307 and sends a print job to the on-premise application 301. The web server 310 also performs HTTP communication with the colorimetry communication unit 305 and receives the colorimetry results of the chart from the colorimetry control unit 304.

[0033] The color verification management unit 311 is a function for controlling the execution of each step in the color verification process. Based on user instructions entered on the web page 302, the color verification management unit 311 executes processes from chart printing to color measurement and color verification. It also causes the web server 310 to send a print job, and stores the color measurement results received by the web server 310 in the color measurement result storage unit 309.

[0034] The colorimetry settings storage unit 312 is a location where colorimetry settings input by the user are stored. When the user inputs and saves colorimetry settings on the web page 302 (settings screen in FIG. 5), the web component 303 passes the colorimetry settings to the web server 310 via the web browser 300. An example is shown as colorimetry settings 800 (described later) in FIG. 8. The web server 310 then passes the colorimetry settings 800 to the color verification management unit 311. Upon receiving the colorimetry settings 800, the color verification management unit 311 stores them in the colorimetry settings storage unit 312.

[0035] The colorimetry settings 800 stored in the colorimetry settings storage unit 312 are used for various purposes in the color verification system. Conventional printing systems are configured so that the user inputs print settings and uploads print data to a web server, but in the present invention, the user inputs the colorimetry settings 800, and the print settings and print data are generated based on the colorimetry settings 800. Furthermore, the colorimetry settings 800 are also used as criteria for judging colorimetry results in color verification.

[0036] Furthermore, the colorimetry setting saving unit 312 saves the colorimetry results sent from the on-premise application 301 by linking them to the colorimetry settings having the same identifier. An example of the colorimetry results (described later) is shown in Fig. 14. Then, the colorimetry setting saving unit 312 saves the color verification result 1400 of the color verification processing unit 314 by linking it to the colorimetry settings 800 based on the identifier.

[0037] For example, as shown in Table 1 below, the colorimetry setting 800 and the colorimetry result 1400 are linked based on the identifier (Test ID) "000001".

[0038] [Table 2]

[0039] The print job generation unit 313 has the function of generating print settings and print data. Specifically, a print instruction (pressing the print button 504) is issued by the user on the web page 302 (settings screen in FIG. 5). When the print instruction is issued, the web component 303 sends the print instruction to the web server 310 via the web browser 300. 1900 in FIG. 19A is an example of a print instruction, and the print instruction includes a command ("print-request") and an identifier ("test-id"). When the web server 310 passes the print instruction 1900 to the color verification management unit 311, the color verification management unit 311 obtains the colorimetry settings 800 from the colorimetry storage unit 309 based on the identifier (000001) specified by the print instruction.

[0040] The color verification management unit 311 passes the acquired colorimetry settings 800 to the print job generation unit 313. The print job generation unit 313 generates a print job consisting of print settings and print data for a chart that satisfy the colorimetry settings 800. 900 and 905 in FIG. 9A are examples of print data, and 1000 in FIG. 10 is an example of print settings.

[0041] When generating the print settings 1000, the print settings storage unit 315 associates the color reference with the print parameters in advance, for example, as shown in Table 3 below. The print job generation unit 313 acquires the related print parameters from the print settings storage unit 315 based on the color reference (FOGRA xxxx-yyyy) of the colorimetric settings 800, and generates the print settings 1000.

[0042] [Table 3]

[0043] The print job generation unit 313 then returns the generated print job to the color verification management unit 311. The color verification management unit 311 then transmits the print job to the on-premise application 301 via the web server 310.

[0044] The color verification processing unit 314 compares the color measurement results obtained by reading the printed chart with color standards in the printing industry or color standards independently established by the printing company, and determines whether the color meets the specified color standards.

[0045] Specifically, when a user presses the colorimetry completion button on the web page 302, the web component 303 sends a colorimetry result transmission to the colorimetry control unit 304, requesting that the colorimetry result 1400 be transmitted. FIG. 19B shows an example of a colorimetry result transmission instruction, which includes a command (“measurement-upload-request”) and an identifier (“test-id”). Upon receiving the instruction, the colorimetry control unit 304 acquires the colorimetry result 1400 stored in the colorimetry result storage unit 309 based on the identifier (000001) included in the instruction, and transmits the colorimetry result 1400 to the web server 310 via the colorimetry communication unit 305. The color verification management unit 311 stores the colorimetry result 1400 in the colorimetry setting storage unit 312, and then acquires the colorimetry settings 800 associated with the colorimetry result 1400 from the colorimetry setting storage unit 312 and passes them to the color verification processing unit 314. The color verification processing unit 314 executes color verification based on the colorimetry settings 800 and the colorimetry results 1400, and returns the determination result to the color verification management unit 311. The color verification management unit 311 then stores the determination result in the colorimetry settings storage unit 312.

[0046] Fig. 5 shows an example of a settings screen for web page 302 displayed on web browser 300. The settings screen in Fig. 5 is a screen for making settings used in three steps: printing, color measurement, and color verification.

[0047] The colorimetry settings list 505 displays colorimetry settings that have already been created. In this embodiment, the colorimetry settings list 505 displays the color reference used in color verification, the image forming device to be used for color verification, the printing conditions of the chart, and an identifier. The add colorimetry settings button 500 is used to add a new colorimetry setting to the colorimetry settings list 505. Pressing the add colorimetry settings button 500 displays a colorimetry settings editing area 506, in which the user inputs the necessary information. For example, the user specifies each required item. Specifically, there is a color reference selection section 507, an image forming device selection section 508, a paper type selection section 510, a paper basis weight selection section 511, a resolution selection section 512, an M factor selection section 513, a viewing light source selection section 514, a viewing angle selection section 515, and a colorimetry mode selection section 516.

[0048] The colorimetry setting edit button 501 is used to edit one colorimetry setting selected in the colorimetry setting list 505. When the colorimetry setting edit button 501 is pressed, a colorimetry setting edit area 506 is displayed, and the user inputs the necessary information.

[0049] The colorimetry setting deletion button 502 is used to delete the colorimetry setting selected in the colorimetry setting list 505. When the colorimetry setting deletion button 502 is pressed, the web browser 300 sends a colorimetry setting deletion request to the web server 310, and the web server 310 passes the deletion request to the color verification management unit 311. The color verification management unit 311 then deletes the specified colorimetry setting from the colorimetry setting storage unit 312.

[0050] The print data download button 503 is used to download the print data of the chart to a specified local folder. For example, if you want to perform color verification on an image forming device that is not supported by the color verification system, the color verification system may not be able to print on that image forming device. For this reason, you can download the print data of the chart to a local folder once and then print the print data using the printer driver.

[0051] The print button 504 is used to directly print a chart from the web system 101 to the image forming apparatus 106. For example, when the print button 504 is pressed, the web browser 300 sends a print instruction (shown in FIG. 19A) of the colorimetry settings 800 to the web server 310, and the web server 310 passes a print instruction 1900 to the color verification management unit 311. When the web server 310 passes the print instruction 1900 to the color verification management unit 311, the color verification management unit 311 acquires the colorimetry settings 800 from the colorimetry settings storage unit 312 based on the identifier 807 (000001) specified in the print instruction 1900. The color verification management unit 311 passes the acquired colorimetry settings 800 to the print job generation unit 313. The print job generation unit 313 generates a print job consisting of the print settings 1000 of the chart and print data 900-905 that satisfy the colorimetry settings 800. The print job generation unit 313 then returns the generated print job to the color verification management unit 311. The color verification management unit 311 then transmits the print job and the IP address of the image forming device 106 to the on-premise application 301 via the web server 310. The on-premise application 301 transmits the print job to the image forming device 106.

[0052] The colorimetry settings save button 517 is used to save the colorimetry settings edited in the colorimetry settings editing area 506. When the colorimetry settings save button 517 is pressed, the color verification management unit 311 assigns an identifier (e.g., 000001) to the colorimetry settings and saves them in the colorimetry settings save unit 312 in a JSON format (e.g., colorimetry settings 800 in FIG. 8 ) that is commonly used in web systems.

[0053] The color standard selection unit 507 is used to select either a standard print color standard or a user-defined print color standard. A standard print color standard refers to a standard established by an international standardization organization such as ISO. For example, there are color standards for each region, such as GRACOL in the United States, FOGRA in Europe, and Japan Color in Japan. A user-defined print color standard is a color standard defined independently by a printing company. For example, a printing company uses a user-defined print color standard when it wants to implement color management that is stricter than the standard print color standard. A user-defined print color standard may be created using a tool provided by the web system 101, or it may be created using a separate tool and imported into the web system 101. The imported user-defined print color standard is displayed in the color standard selection unit 507. Note that a detailed explanation of creating a user-defined print color standard is omitted here.

[0054] Traditionally, the quality of printed material has been determined by its appearance, and because printed materials were created without clear standards, printing companies often responded to color reproduction requests from clients, designers, etc. by making repeated revisions and reprints. Establishing standard color standards for print production can improve this situation.

[0055] The color standard selected by the color standard selection unit 507 is used when generating print data for the chart during printing. For example, in the case of Japan Color 2011, the number of patches is defined as ISO 12642-2 (1617 color patches), and the print data for the chart is generated to satisfy this number of patches. The printed chart is measured using the colorimeter 107, and the color measurement results are generated. Then, during color verification, the color standard selected by the color standard selection unit 507 is used as a comparison target with the color measurement results. As a result of this comparison, a judgment result can be obtained that the color measurement results pass or fail with respect to the color standard.

[0056] The image forming device selection unit 508 is used to select an image forming device for outputting print data for the chart. The chart output from the image forming device selected by the image forming device selection unit 508 is colorimetrically measured to obtain the color measurement results, thereby making it possible to grasp the current color status of the image forming device. During color verification, the color measurement results of the chart output from the image forming device are compared with the color standard selected by the color standard selection unit 507. This makes it possible to verify how the color status of the image forming device selected by the image forming device selection unit 508 compares with the color standard.

[0057] The paper type selection section 510 is used to select the paper type to be used when printing the print data for the chart. During printing, the image forming device prints the chart using the specified paper type. During color measurement, the paper type is one of the printing conditions that affects the color measurement results. For example, the color (LAB values) of the chart changes depending on whether the paper type is coated or uncoated. Therefore, the system must memorize the printing conditions under which the chart was printed. When displaying the color verification results, the system notifies the user that the color verification passed or failed when measuring the color of a chart printed under specified printing conditions, such as Test Condition 700 in Figure 7(A). This allows the user to obtain printed material that meets the color standard when printing using an image forming device that passed color verification, provided the printing conditions are similar to those used during color verification.

[0058] The paper basis weight selection section 511 is used to select the basis weight of the paper to be used when printing the print data for the chart on the image forming device. The color of the printed chart changes depending on whether the paper basis weight is large or small, so paper basis weight is also one of the printing conditions. The printing conditions are similar to the paper type, so they will not be described here.

[0059] The resolution selection section 512 is used to select the resolution when printing the chart print data on the image forming device. Images with insufficient resolution will appear coarse and blurry when printed, so the resolution specified when printing a chart is one of the printing conditions, just like the paper type and paper basis weight. The printing conditions are similar to the paper type, so they will not be discussed here.

[0060] The M factor selection unit 513 is used to select the intensity of ultraviolet light within the measuring device 107. The "M" in M ​​factor refers to the standard for lighting within the measuring device established by ISO13655 2009. In recent years, there has been a trend toward the widespread use of paper containing fluorescent whitening agents, and with such paper, the appearance of color changes depending on the intensity of the ultraviolet light component of the light source illuminating the sample. For this reason, ISO has specified the intensity of ultraviolet light within the measuring device as follows: M0: Lighting with the spectral distribution of a tungsten lamp M1: Lighting with UV power of D50 M2: Lighting with UV energy cut by a UV filter M3: Lighting with UV energy cut by a polarizing filter

[0061] The M factor selected by the M factor selection unit 513 is not used during printing. On the other hand, the M factor is transmitted to the colorimeter 107 during color measurement to control the intensity of ultraviolet light from the colorimeter 107. During color verification, it is also possible to transmit the M factor used in the color measurement results in the color verification results (not shown).

[0062] The observation illuminant selection unit 514 selects the observation illuminant used during color measurement. The observation illuminant is transmitted to the colorimeter 107 during color measurement and is used to control the colorimeter 107, but is not used during printing. The observation illuminant used for color measurement can also be transmitted in the color verification results (not shown).

[0063] The observation illuminant, also called an illuminant, is a mathematical representation of a virtual light source and is used to calculate tristimulus values ​​from spectral measurements in the colorimeter 107. D50 is commonly used in color verification in the commercial printing field.

[0064] The viewing angle selection unit 515 is used to select the viewing angle during color measurement. The viewing angle is transmitted to the colorimeter 107 during color measurement and used to control the colorimeter 107's sensor, but is not used during printing. The observation illuminant used for color measurement can also be transmitted in the color verification results (not shown). Generally, when the object to be evaluated uses a viewing angle of 4° or less to evaluate the color, a 2° viewing angle is used, and when the object to be evaluated uses a viewing angle of 4° or more, a 10° viewing angle is used. In the commercial printing field, a 2° viewing angle is generally used because uniform color areas are relatively small. On the other hand, when a uniform color is used over a large area, such as the body color of a car (automotive paint), a 10° viewing angle is used.

[0065] A color measurement mode selection section 516 is used to select a color measurement mode in which the chart printed by the colorimeter 107 is measured only once (Single Scan) or twice (Dual Scan).

[0066] 6A and 6B show examples of the color measurement execution screen of the web page 302 displayed on the web browser 300. FIG.

[0067] Figure 6-1(A) shows an example of a 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. Figure 6-1(A) is a screen for selecting colorimetry settings, so step 1 is highlighted.

[0068] An identifier input box 601 is for inputting an identifier of a colorimetry setting. When the user inputs the identifier of the colorimetry setting and presses an OK button 604, the colorimetry setting that matches the identifier can be selected in a colorimetry setting list 602.

[0069] The start colorimetry button 603 starts the colorimetry operation for the colorimetry settings selected in the colorimetry settings list 602. When the start colorimetry button 603 is pressed, the web browser 300 sends a colorimetry start instruction for the selected colorimetry settings to the web server 310, and the web server 310 passes the colorimetry start instruction to the color verification management unit 311. The color verification management unit 311 acquires the colorimetry settings from the colorimetry settings storage unit 312 based on the identifier specified by the print instruction. The color verification management unit 311 creates a chart colorimetry request, which will be described later in FIG. 12, based on the colorimetry settings and passes it to the web server 310. When the web server 310 sends the colorimetry device preparation screen shown in FIG. 6-1(B) to the web browser 300, it also sends the chart colorimetry request.

[0070] FIG. 6-1(B) shows an example of a colorimeter preparation screen (colorimeter selection screen).

[0071] The colorimeter preparation operation preview 604 has the role of conveying in an easy-to-understand manner, using an image, the preparation operation of the colorimeter 107. In this embodiment, a static preview image is displayed.

[0072] The colorimeter selection unit 605 displays a list of colorimeters connected to the information processing device 104 and allows the user to select one colorimeter.

[0073] The colorimeter preparation operation information 606 displays the preparation operation of the colorimeter selected by the colorimeter selection unit 605. If the preparation operation differs for each colorimeter, the text displayed in the colorimeter preparation operation information 606 is changed.

[0074] The colorimetry cancel button 607 is used to cancel the colorimetry work currently being performed. When the colorimetry cancel button 607 is pressed, the colorimetry work is canceled and the screen returns to the colorimetry setting selection screen of FIG. 6-1(A). The back button 608 is used to return to the screen immediately before the currently displayed screen. The next button 609 is used to advance to the screen immediately after the currently displayed screen.

[0075] FIG. 6-2(C) shows an example of the chart color measurement screen. The color measurement completion button 610 is used to complete the color measurement process. As shown in FIG. 6-2(D), this button is enabled when color measurement of all patches on the chart is complete. After the color measurement completion button 610 is enabled, pressing the color measurement completion button 610 completes color measurement of the chart. The web component 303 then instructs the color measurement control unit 304 to send the color measurement results.

[0076] The chart preview 611 displays a preview of the chart based on the colorimetry settings selected in Figure 6-1 (A). The patch 612 to be measured by the user is highlighted in the chart preview 611. The chart preview 611 in Figure 6-2 (C) is an example of a chart preview displayed based on the patch layout 803 of the colorimetry settings 800. The patch layout 803 of the colorimetry settings 800 consists of two pages (page 804 and page 805), and each page consists of 4x3 patches. Therefore, the chart preview 611 displays a preview of a 4x3 chart.

[0077] FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen that displays the color verification results after color measurement is completed.

[0078] Fig. 7(A) shows an example of a color verification result list screen. The color verification result list 700 displays the results of color verification that has been executed. The color verification result (Passed or Failed) is displayed in the Result column. The color verification result display button 701 is used to display a color verification report, which will be described later in Fig. 7(B).

[0079] The color verification result download button 702 is for downloading the color verification report to a local folder. The color verification result delete button 703 is for deleting the color verification result selected in the color verification result list 700.

[0080] FIG. 7B shows an example of a color verification report that describes the details of the color verification results.

[0081] 704 is an area that displays the image forming device used in the color verification and the date the color verification was performed. 705 compares the color reference information specified by the user in the color measurement settings with the color measurement result values ​​and displays specific LAB values. 706 displays the pass / fail judgment result of the color verification result. 707 displays the pass / fail judgment for each individual check item of the color verification. 708 graphically displays the color difference between the color reference selected by the user and the color measurement result of actually measuring the color of the chart.

[0082] The above is the configuration of the color verification system in this embodiment. This configuration realizes the three steps of the color verification process (printing the chart, measuring the color of the chart, and verifying the color).

[0083] From here on, chart printing will be explained using a concrete example.

[0084] An example of colorimetry settings 800 is shown in Fig. 8. The colorimetry settings 800 are generated by the color verification management unit 311 based on values ​​entered by the user on the setting screen in Fig. 5, and are saved in the colorimetry settings saving unit 312. The identifier 807 (000001) of the colorimetry settings 800 is automatically set when the user presses the save button 517 on the setting screen in Fig. 5.

[0085] A color reference 801 is a color reference designated by the user in the color reference selection section 507 in FIG.

[0086] The patch size 802 indicates the size at which patches in the chart are printed in accordance with the color standard 801 specified by the user.

[0087] The patch layout 803 is defined by a color standard 801 specified by the user, and determines the layout of patches within the chart. In this embodiment, the patch layout 803 is an array, and is configured hierarchically by page, row, and column. One column represents one patch, and CMYK signal values ​​are written in one patch.

[0088] In this embodiment, the patch layout 803 consists of two pages, page 804 and page 805. Page 804 and page 805 each consist of four rows vertically. Each row consists of three columns. In other words, each page of the two-page chart consists of 4x3 patches. The color verification management unit 311 uses the values ​​of the patch layout 803 to generate the chart preview 611 shown in FIG. 6-2(C) (a two-page chart consisting of 4 rows and 3 columns of patches).

[0089] The colorimetry mode 806 indicates the colorimetry mode in the colorimetry settings 800, and includes, for example, the lighting conditions, the colorimetry direction, and a scan mode that indicates how many times the patch is measured. There are two scan modes: one is a "single scan" that measures the colorimetry of the patch only once, and the other is a "dual scan" that measures the colorimetry of the patch twice. The colorimetry mode 806 is a value selected by the user in the colorimetry mode selection section 516 in FIG. 5.

[0090] FIG. 9A shows an example of print data for a chart in this embodiment.

[0091] The print data for the chart consists of two pages. Page 804 defined in the colorimetry settings 800 in FIG. 8 corresponds to chart 900, and page 805 corresponds to chart 905. Chart 900 is roughly composed of four blocks. Number of pages 901 indicates the number of pages of the print data for chart 900. In the example print data of this embodiment, since there are two pages of print data, the number "2" is assigned.

[0092] The identifier 902 is an identifier that is automatically issued when the user creates colorimetry settings on the setting screen in Figure 5. The identifier 902 is provided to make it easier to link the printed chart with the colorimetry settings on the screen. When issuing a command to print a chart, the identifier of the colorimetry settings selected by the user is assigned to the print data as the identifier 902.

[0093] The printing conditions 903 are the printing conditions entered by the user when the user created the colorimetry settings on the setting screen in Fig. 5. When issuing a command to print a chart, the printing conditions of the colorimetry settings selected by the user are assigned as the printing conditions 903.

[0094] The chart information 904 is the chart itself that the user measures colors on. The chart information 904 and the chart preview 611 displayed on the web page 302 represent the same chart.

[0095] The chart information 904 and the number of pages 901 are determined as follows: First, the paper size is determined from the print setting storage unit 315 based on the color standard selected by the user. Next, the patch size 802 and patch layout 803 are determined to match the paper size based on the patch layout specifications readable by the colorimeter and the color information defined in the color standard. Chart information 904 is created based on the color information defined in the color standard, patch size 802, and patch layout 803. Specifically, FIG. 20 shows the relationship between the colorimetry settings 800 and the charts 900 and 905. First, the chart information 904 is generated based on the 4x3 matrix of page 804 in the colorimetry settings 800 and the CMYK signal values. Next, the identifier (00001) of the colorimetry settings 800 is added to 902, and information such as the test specifications and image forming device is added to 903, creating the chart 900. Using a similar process, chart 905 is generated based on page 805.

[0096] For convenience of explanation, this embodiment will be described using the example of a 4-row x 3-column patch shown in Figure 9(A), but in reality, the patch size is often small and the number of batches is often large, as shown in Figure 9(B).

[0097] 10 shows an example of print settings in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the printing industry standard JDF (Job Definition Format) is used for explanation.

[0098] The page number 1001 indicates the number of pages of the print data specified in 1002. For example, since the print data for the chart 900 in FIG.

[0099] Print parameters 1003, 1004, and 1005 are generated based on values ​​stored in the print setting storage unit 315 in association with the color reference in Table 3. Specifically, the print job generation unit 313 acquires information about the color reference 801 from the colorimetry settings 800 passed from the color verification management unit 311. Based on the color reference 801, the print job generation unit 313 identifies the test specification from the "Test Specification" column in the print setting storage unit 315. For example, in the case of test specification 801 for the colorimetry settings 800, the "FOGRA xxxx-yyyy" column is identified in the print setting storage unit 312. The print job generation unit 313 then acquires print parameters from the identified test specification column. For example, 1003 is "Rotate0" in the Orientation column of the print setting storage unit 312, and 1004 is "AutoSelect" in the OutputBin column of the print setting storage unit 312. In this way, JDF parameters are generated based on the print parameters in the print setting storage unit 312.

[0100] 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the chart printing process. The following process is executed by the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 104.

[0101] FIG. 11A is a main flowchart for chart printing.

[0102] In S1100, the color verification management unit 311 accepts colorimetry settings input by the user via the web component 303 (settings screen in FIG. 5) and generates colorimetry settings 800. In S1101, the color verification management unit 311 saves the colorimetry settings 800 in the colorimetry settings save unit 312. In S1102, the color verification management unit 311 determines whether or not a print instruction 1900 has been received from the web component 303. If the print instruction 1900 has been received, the color verification management unit 311 proceeds to S1103, and if the print instruction 1900 has not been received, the color verification management unit 311 terminates this processing.

[0103] In step S1103, the color verification management unit 311 acquires the colorimetry settings 800 stored in the colorimetry settings storage unit 312 based on the identifier (000001) of the print instruction 1900. Then, the colorimetry settings 800 are passed to the print job generation unit 313, and the print data generation process and the print setting generation process are delegated to the print job generation unit 313.

[0104] In S1104, the print job generation unit 313 performs the process shown in FIG. 11B, which will be described later, to create print data (charts 900 and 905 in FIG. 9), and returns the print data to the color verification management unit 311.

[0105] In S1105, the print job generation unit 313 performs the process shown in FIG. 11C, which will be described later, creates print settings 1200, and returns the print settings 1200 to the color verification management unit 311.

[0106] In S1106, the color verification management unit 311 sends a print job consisting of the print data and print settings 1200 to the print communication unit 307 of the on-premise application 301 via the web server 310. Then, printing begins to be sent to the IP address of the image forming device 106 ("AAA printer" in FIG. 8) specified in the colorimetry settings 800. The print communication unit 307 passes the print job to the print control unit 308, and the print control unit 308 sends the print job to the image forming device 106 with the specified IP address.

[0107] FIG. 11B is a flowchart showing the flow of generating print data.

[0108] In step S1107 , the print job generation unit 313 acquires information about the patch layout 803 from the colorimetry settings 800 passed from the color verification management unit 311 .

[0109] In S1108, the print job generation unit 313 generates chart information (904 in FIG. 9) based on the patch layout 803. Specifically, in this embodiment, the patch layout 803 consists of two pages, page 804 and page 805. Pages 804 and 805 each consist of four rows vertically. Each row consists of three columns. In other words, each page of the two-page chart consists of 4x3 patches. The print job generation unit 313 uses the values ​​of the patch layout 803 to generate chart information 904 consisting of 4 rows x 3 columns of patches for the two-page chart.

[0110] In S1109, the print job generating unit 313 determines the number of pages based on the print data obtained in step S1108.

[0111] In S1110, the print job generation unit 313 generates print data based on the information determined in S1108 to S1109. Specifically, the print job generation unit 313 generates print data by adding an identifier (902 in FIG. 9) and printing conditions (903 in FIG. 9) to the print data based on the colorimetry settings, and also adding the number of pages (901 in FIG. 9) and chart information (904 in FIG. 9) to the print data.

[0112] FIG. 11C is a flowchart showing the flow of generating print settings.

[0113] In S1111, the print job generation unit 313 acquires the color reference 801 (FOGRA xxxx-yyyy) from the colorimetry settings 800.

[0114] In S1112, the print job generation unit 313 searches for the color reference 801 from the print setting storage unit 315 and acquires the associated print parameters. Specifically, the print job generation unit 313 identifies the test specification from the "Test Specification" column in the print setting storage unit 315 based on the color reference 801 (FOGRA xxxx-yyyy). For example, in the case of the test specification 801 of the colorimetry setting 800, the "FOGRA xxxx-yyyy" column is identified in the print setting storage unit 312. Then, the print job generation unit 313 acquires the print parameters from the identified test specification column.

[0115] 10 based on the print parameters. For example, 1003 is "Rotate0" in the Orientation column of the print setting storage unit 312, and 1004 is "AutoSelect" in the OutputBin column of the print setting storage unit 312. In this way, JDF parameters are generated based on the print parameters of the print setting storage unit 312.

[0116] The above is an explanation of an example of chart printing in this embodiment. As explained in the specific example, in chart printing in this embodiment, the user sets colorimetry settings rather than print settings on the web browser 300. The color verification system then automatically generates print data and print settings based on the colorimetry settings. Furthermore, the colorimetry settings are also used for chart preview display as shown in Figures 6-2(C) and (D) and for color verification as shown in Figures 7(A) and (B).

[0117] From here on, the color measurement process for a printed chart will be explained using a concrete example.

[0118] 12 shows an example of a chart colorimetry request. When a colorimetry start instruction is received from the browser 300 by pressing the colorimetry start button 603, a chart colorimetry request 1200 is created based on the colorimetry settings 800. The chart colorimetry request 1200 is also sent by the web server 310 together with the web page 302 of the colorimeter preparation screen in FIG. 6-1(B). In this embodiment, the data format of the chart colorimetry request is the JSON format, which is commonly used in web systems.

[0119] The chart colorimetry request 1200 is created based on the colorimetry settings 800, and therefore, 801 to 807 have the same content as the colorimetry settings 800. On the other hand, in the chart colorimetry request 1200, authentication information 1201 is added to the colorimetry settings 800. The authentication information 1201 is generated when a user logs in to the color verification system. In the flowchart described below, the colorimetry settings (801 to 807) included in the chart colorimetry request 1200 are used in processes such as determining whether colorimetry is complete by the colorimetry control unit 304. The authentication information 1201 is also used for user authentication when the colorimetry control unit 304 uploads the colorimetry results 1400 to the web server 310.

[0120] FIG. 13 shows an example of a patch colorimetry request and patch colorimetry results exchanged between the web component 303 and the colorimetry control unit 304.

[0121] 13A has a colorimetry setting identifier and a patch row number to be measured. In this embodiment, since color verification is performed on the colorimetry setting 800, the identifier of the patch colorimetry request 1300 contains the same value (000001) as the identifier 807 of the colorimetry setting 800. The patch row number to be measured represents the row selected by the user in the chart preview 611 displayed on the chart colorimetry screen in FIG. 6C.

[0122] 13(B) and 13(C) have a colorimetry setting identifier, colorimetry results, colorimetric values, and an error code in the event of an error occurring in the colorimeter 107. Here, the colorimetry results refer to the colorimetry processing results of the colorimeter 107. The patch colorimetry result 1301 in FIG. 13(B) represents the colorimetry result of the first row specified in the patch colorimetry request 1300.

[0123] 14 shows an example of the color measurement result generated when all the color measurements of the chart are completed. In this embodiment, the color measurement result 1400 is expressed in the CGAT format, which is an international standard, and includes the color measurement values ​​of the colorimeter 107 and metadata for identifying the color measurement result 1400 in a program.

[0124] 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of color measurement processing in this embodiment. The following processing is executed by the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatuses 102 and 104.

[0125] In S1500, the color verification management unit 311 receives a colorimetry start instruction input by the user from the web component 303 (pressing the colorimetry start button 603).

[0126] In S1501, the color verification management unit 311 determines whether or not a colorimetry start instruction (colorimetry instruction) has been received from the web component 303. If a colorimetry start instruction has been received, the process proceeds to S1502, and if not, the process does nothing and waits for a colorimetry start instruction to be received.

[0127] In S1502, the color verification management unit 311 acquires the color measurement settings 800 based on the identifier (000001) specified by the color measurement start instruction from the color measurement settings storage unit 312, and creates a chart color measurement request 1200. Then, the color verification management unit 311 passes the chart color measurement request 1200 to the web server 310 together with the web page 302 of the colorimeter preparation screen in FIG. 6-1(B).

[0128] In S1503, the web server 310 transmits the web page 302 to the browser 300, and the browser 300 displays the web page 302. Furthermore, the web server 310 transmits the chart colorimetry request 1200 of FIG. 12 together with the web page 302 to the browser 300. Note that here, only the host content as shown in FIG. 4(A) is displayed. Specifically, the colorimeter preparation screen of FIG. 6-1(B) is displayed. The colorimeter preparation screen does not change dynamically depending on the operation of the colorimeter 107, so only the host content is displayed.

[0129] Furthermore, the web page 302 sent from the web server 310 also includes a web component 303. When the web page 302 is displayed on the browser 300, the web component 303 establishes a connection with the colorimetry control unit 304, enabling mutual communication at all times. When establishing this connection, the web component 303 passes a chart colorimetry request 1200 to the colorimetry control unit 304.

[0130] In S1504, the web component 303 acquires a list of colorimeters managed by the colorimeter control unit 304. This list of colorimeters is displayed on the colorimeter selection unit 605 on the colorimeter preparation screen in FIG. 6-1(B).

[0131] In S1505, the web component 303 accepts the selection of the colorimeter by the user.

[0132] In S1506, the web component 303 determines whether the next button 609 has been pressed on the web page 302. If the next button 609 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S1507.

[0133] In S1507, the web component 303 communicates with the web server 310 and requests the web server 310 for a web page for the chart colorimetry screen. Upon receiving the request, the web server 310 asks the color verification management unit 311 to generate a web page. The color verification management unit 311 generates a web page (here, the chart colorimetry screen in Figure 6-2(C)) consisting of host content that displays information necessary for colorimetry of the printed chart, and guest content that displays a chart preview 611. In generating the chart preview 611, the color verification management unit 311 uses the number of patch rows, number of patches, and color signal values ​​defined in patch layout 03 of the colorimetry settings 800.

[0134] The web server 310 transmits the web page generated by the color verification manager 311 to the browser 300. As in S1503, the web page 302 includes a web component 303.

[0135] In S1508, the web browser 300 displays the web page 302 received in S1507. Here, the chart preview 611 portion of the chart colorimetry screen is treated as guest content. Then, based on a message from the colorimetry control unit 304, the web component 303 updates the display of the chart preview 611 and controls user operations on the chart preview 611.

[0136] In S1509, the web component 303 accepts the user's patch selection in the chart preview 611. The patch selected by the user becomes the patch to be measured. For example, by selecting the patch in the row marked "2:1" in Figure 6-2(C), patch 612 is selected as the patch to be measured.

[0137] In S1510, the web component 303 transmits a patch colorimetry request corresponding to the selected patch to the colorimetry control unit 304. For example, the patch colorimetry request 1300 in Fig. 13 is transmitted.

[0138] In S1511, the user measures the color of the patch using the colorimeter 107, and the colorimeter control unit 304 receives the colorimetric value from the colorimeter 107 via the colorimeter linkage unit 306. Then, the colorimeter control unit 304 creates the colorimetric result of the patch (for example, the patch colorimetric result 1301 in FIG. 13B) and transmits it to the web component 303.

[0139] In S1512, the web component 303 receives the patch colorimetry results from the colorimetry control unit 304.

[0140] In S1513, the web component 303 performs colorimetry result determination processing. Specifically, if the colorimetry result (Result) of the patch colorimetry result 1300 is "true," the web component 303 determines that the colorimetry of the patch was successful and proceeds to S1514, and if the result is "false," the web component 303 determines that the colorimetry of the patch was unsuccessful and proceeds to S1518.

[0141] In S1514, the web component 303 displays the corresponding colorimetric value (lab-value) of the patch color measurement result in each cell of the patch selected in the chart preview 611, which is the guest content.

[0142] In S1515, the web component 303 determines whether or not color measurement of all patches is complete in the chart preview 611. If color measurement of all patches is complete, the web component 303 proceeds to S1516, and if not, the web component 303 proceeds to S1509 and accepts selection of the next patch.

[0143] Furthermore, when the colorimetry control unit 304 has completed colorimetry for all patch lines specified in the chart colorimetry request 1200, it generates the colorimetry result 1400 in FIG.

[0144] In S1516, 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 a colorimetry result transmission instruction 1901, as shown in FIG. 19B, to the colorimetry control unit 304.

[0145] In S1517, the colorimetry control unit 304 acquires the colorimetry result 1400 stored in the colorimetry result storage unit 309 based on the identifier (000001) included in the colorimetry result transmission instruction 1901, and transmits the colorimetry result 1400 to the web server 310 via the colorimetry communication unit 305. In this embodiment, the colorimetry result 1400 is transmitted without going through a web browser. When transmitting the colorimetry result 1400 to the web server 310, the colorimetry control unit 304 performs authentication using the authentication information 1201 of the chart colorimetry request 1200, and transmits the colorimetry result 1400 after the authentication is successful.

[0146] The web server 310 passes the colorimetry result 1400 to the color verification manager 311. The color verification manager 311 stores the colorimetry result 1400 in the colorimetry setting storage unit 312, linking it to the colorimetry setting 800 that has the same identifier (000001).

[0147] In step S1518, the web component 303 displays a patch color measurement error warning message on the chart preview 611.

[0148] In step S1519, the web component 303 displays a patch remeasurement instruction on the chart preview 611.

[0149] The above is a description of an example of chart colorimetry processing in this embodiment. As explained in the specific example, in chart colorimetry of this embodiment, the web page 302 displayed on the web browser 300 is made up of host content and guest content (chart preview 611). The guest content is made up of the host content. The host content is transmitted from the web server 310, and the guest content portion is not a static display, but is dynamically updated with data transmitted from the on-premise application 301.

[0150] Hereinafter, the color verification process in this embodiment will be described using a specific example.

[0151] After the colorimetry of the chart is completed, the color verification process starts when the colorimetry results are saved in the colorimetry settings saving unit 312.

[0152] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of color verification processing in this embodiment.

[0153] In S1600, the color verification management unit 311 acquires the color measurement settings 800 that are the same as the identifier (000001) of the color measurement result 1400 from the color measurement settings storage unit 312, and passes the color measurement results 1400 and the color measurement settings 800 to the color verification processing unit 314.

[0154] In S1601, the color verification processing unit 314 compares the expected values ​​(CMYK signal values) of each patch defined in the patch layout 803 in the colorimetry settings 800 with the colorimetry values ​​of the colorimetry results 1400 obtained by measuring the printed chart with the colorimeter 107.

[0155] In S1602, the color verification processing unit 314 judges whether the comparison result is pass or fail. Specifically, if the color difference is within the threshold, it is judged as pass, and if it is not within the threshold, it is judged as fail.

[0156] In S1603, the color verification processing unit 314 passes the determination result to the color verification management unit 311, and the color verification management unit 311 associates the determination result with the colorimetry settings 800 and stores it in the colorimetry settings storage unit 312.

[0157] In S1604, the color verification management unit 311 creates a color verification report based on the determination result and stores it in the colorimetry setting storage unit 312.

[0158] In S1605, the color verification management unit 311 determines whether the user has pressed the color verification result display button 701. If the color verification result display button 701 has been pressed, the color verification management unit 311 proceeds to S1606.

[0159] In S1606, the color verification management unit 311 transmits the specified color verification report as a web page to the browser 300 via the web server 310. The browser 300 displays the color verification report. This web page is displayed as shown in FIG. 7(B).

[0160] As described above, by having the program running on the web browser communicate with the on-premise application, it becomes possible to control the image forming apparatus and colorimeter simply by operating the browser.

[0161] Specifically, when printing a chart in the color verification process, the web server sends the print job for the chart directly to the on-premise application, which then transfers the print job to the image forming device. When measuring the color of the chart, the web browser retrieves the host content from the web server, and the program running on the web browser controls the colorimeter via the on-premise application to update the display of the guest content.

[0162] This makes it possible to provide users with a color verification system that can be operated using only a web browser, and also improves user convenience when using the browser.

[0163] (Second embodiment) In the first embodiment, when measuring the color of a chart, a simple color measurement result determination process is performed in step S1513, and the process of receiving the color measurement results of the patch from the on-premise application is described. However, even if the web component 303 knows the line number of the patch selected by the user, the following problem may occur. That is, since the color measurement values ​​coming from the colorimeter 107 are signal values ​​obtained by scanning the patch of the printed chart, it is not possible to determine whether the user measured the correct patch using the colorimeter 107, and the incorrect patch color measurement values ​​are displayed in the chart preview 611.

[0164] Therefore, when updating the preview of the chart displayed in the guest content of the web page 302, it is necessary to perform a more detailed measurement result determination process for the selected patch to be measured, and display the patch color measurement results in the correct position. In the second embodiment, a characteristic process that is performed when the color measurement results of the patch are displayed in the chart preview of the web page will be described.

[0165] It should be noted that the description of the items already described in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0166] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of color measurement processing in this embodiment.

[0167] In S1512, the web component 303 receives the patch colorimetry results from the colorimetry control unit 304. As described in Fig. 13B, the patch colorimetry results include the colorimetry values ​​of the patch scanned by the colorimeter 107. The following processing is performed using the colorimetry values ​​of the patch.

[0168] In S1700, the web component 303 acquires the colorimetry values ​​of the patch colorimetry results 1301 and determines whether the number of patches is as expected. Specifically, the web component 303 counts the number of patches in the colorimetry values ​​of the patch colorimetry results 1301. Then, based on the line number of the patch colorimetry request issued in S1510, the web component 303 identifies the number of patches (expected value) described in the patch layout of the chart colorimetry request 1200 in Fig. 12 and compares it with the number of patches in the colorimetry values ​​obtained this time.

[0169] If the comparison shows that the patch counts match, the web component 303 determines that the correct number of patches have been scanned and proceeds to S1701. If the patch counts do not match, the web component 303 determines that the wrong patches have been scanned and proceeds to S1518.

[0170] In S1701, the web component 303 checks the colorimetry values ​​of the patch colorimetry results 1301 and determines whether the colorimetry values ​​match the expected values ​​of the patch selected by the user. Specifically, the web component 303 identifies the expected values ​​of the patch listed in the expected values ​​for the entire chart of the chart colorimetry request 1200 in Fig. 12 based on the line number of the patch colorimetry request issued in S1510, and compares them with the colorimetry values ​​obtained this time.

[0171] If the comparison shows that the colorimetric values ​​of the patch match the expected values, the web component 303 proceeds to S1514. If the colorimetric values ​​of the patch do not match the expected values, the web component 303 proceeds to S1702.

[0172] In S1702, the web component 303 displays a warning message on the chart preview 611, which is guest content, indicating that the color measurement values ​​do not match the expected values. Here, a warning message is displayed, not an error message. An instruction to remeasure the patches is not immediately displayed (S1519). This is because there is a possibility that the lighting environment at the time of color measurement was poor, or that the printed chart was dirty, and it cannot be said that the wrong patches were measured in general. On the other hand, when the patch counts do not match, as in S1700, it is possible to determine with certainty that the wrong patches were measured.

[0173] Note that the chart colorimetry request 1200 and patch colorimetry request 1300 are passed from the web component 303 to the colorimetry control unit 304, and therefore the above-described processing can also be performed by the colorimetry control unit 304. The features of the present invention remain unchanged even if the processing is performed by the colorimetry control unit 304. When the above processing is performed by the colorimetry control unit 304, the web component 303 only needs to look at the value written in Result of the patch colorimetry result and make a judgment.

[0174] As described above, by performing steps S1700, S1701, and S1702, it is possible to ensure that the patch selected by the user has been correctly measured. In other words, based on the line number of the selected patch, the success or failure of the color measurement operation for the patch selected by the user is determined in two stages, based on the number of patches and the expected value. This allows the web component 303 to display the patch color measurement results in the correct position for the patch to be measured.

[0175] (Third embodiment) In the first embodiment, an example of single scanning in which patch colorimetry is performed only once will be described. In the third embodiment, an example of dual scanning in which patch colorimetry is performed twice will be described. When dual scanning is performed, if the colorimetry control unit 304 simply sends the colorimetry values ​​obtained from the colorimeter 107 to the web component 303, the web component 303 will update the chart preview 611 multiple times. As a result, only the patch colorimetry result sent last will be displayed.

[0176] Therefore, in the third embodiment, a characteristic process performed during dual scanning will be described. Fig. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the color measurement process in the third embodiment.

[0177] In S1800, the colorimetry control unit 304 checks the scan mode of the chart colorimetry request 1200. If the scan mode is dual scan, the colorimetry control unit 304 proceeds to S1801.

[0178] In S1801, the colorimetry control unit 304 receives colorimetry values ​​from the colorimeter 107. Even after receiving the colorimetry values, the colorimetry control unit 304 does not immediately send them to the web component 303, but instead receives two sets of colorimetry values ​​from the colorimeter 107. The colorimetry control unit 304 then creates values ​​resulting from pseudo-spectroscopic measurement of an M1 factor (illumination with a UV power of D50) based on the two sets of colorimetry values. In this embodiment, data equivalent to a light source with an M1 factor is created, but a light source may be created under other conditions, such as an M0 factor, depending on the application of the system. Furthermore, the M1 and M0 conditions may be changeable in the settings.

[0179] As described above, dual scanning measures the color of a patch twice, but rather than sending two scan data, it creates and sends data equivalent to the M1 factor light source from the two scan data. This allows the web component 303 to display the results of one patch measurement in the chart preview 611, rather than displaying the results of two patch measurement.

[0180] The present invention can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-described embodiments are supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media. Then, the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the programs.

[0181] According to the embodiment described above, when measuring the color of a chart, the web browser retrieves the host content from the web server. The program executed on the web browser controls the colorimeter via an on-premise application and updates the display of the guest content. On the other hand, when printing a chart, the print data is not sent to the image forming apparatus via the browser. This improves user convenience in a color verification system that uses a web browser.

Claims

1. An information processing device, A web browser and an acquisition unit for acquiring a color measurement result from a colorimeter, the color measurement result being a result of measuring the color of the printed chart with the colorimeter; displaying, using the web browser, a screen relating to color measurement of the chart for performing color verification by comparing the result of color measurement of the chart with a color standard; The information processing device is characterized in that the color measurement results acquired by the acquisition means are displayed using the web browser.

2. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the web browser is used to display a screen including a button for receiving an instruction to transmit the color measurement results to an external device.

3. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a color verification result, which is a result of performing color verification by comparing the color measurement result with a color standard in an external device, is displayed using the web browser.

4. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the screen relating to the colorimetry of the chart is a screen for accepting settings relating to the colorimetry of the chart.

5. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the web browser generates host content based on information related to colorimetry of a chart, and generates guest content based on the colorimetry results within the host content.

6. A method for controlling an information processing device having a web browser, comprising: a step of displaying, using the web browser, a screen relating to color measurement of the chart for performing color verification by comparing the result of color measurement of the chart with a color standard; a step of acquiring a color measurement result from a colorimeter, the color measurement result being a result of measuring the color of the printed chart with the colorimeter; A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising the step of displaying the acquired color measurement results using the web browser.

7. 7. The method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising the step of displaying, by using the web browser, a screen including a button for receiving an instruction to transmit the color measurement results to an external device.

8. The control method for an information processing device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it further comprises a step of displaying, using the web browser, a color verification result, which is the result of performing color verification by comparing the color measurement result with a color standard in an external device.

9. 9. The method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the screen relating to the colorimetry of the chart is a screen for accepting settings relating to the colorimetry of the chart.

10. 10. The control method for an information processing device according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of generating host content based on information relating to colorimetry of a chart, and generating guest content within the host content based on the colorimetry results.

11. 6. A computer-readable program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to claim 1.

Images