Information processing device, color verification system, control method thereof, and program

Abstract

When performing color verification using multiple connected printers that perform double-sided printing, each printer must print a color verification chart on both sides. Generally, it is preferable to leave the back side of the color measurement chart blank, but setting up such a printout is a cumbersome process. [Solution] An information processing device performs color verification for a printer based on colorimetric data of patches arranged on a chart printed by the printer, generates a single color verification job including chart data for performing color verification for multiple printers, controls to display the color verification results based on the single color verification job, and displays the color verification results for the single color verification job and the color verification results for each of the multiple printers.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a color verification system, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] When performing double-sided printing using a commercial printer, there is a method for achieving high-speed double-sided printing by using multiple connected printers to print both the front and back sides of a document. Color management when using multiple printers in this manner involves verifying whether the colors printed by each printer meet the target color acceptance criteria defined by standards such as ISO. When performing double-sided printing using multiple connected printers in this manner, it is desirable for each printer to meet the acceptance criteria in color verification. However, color verification must be performed for each printer, which makes the color verification process time-consuming. Patent Document 1 describes a technique for performing color verification on multiple printers by simultaneously generating multiple color verification jobs corresponding to the multiple printers. Each of the multiple printers then executes a corresponding color verification job to print a chart, and the multiple charts are measured collectively, thereby reducing the number of color measurement operations and improving user convenience. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-122718 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Even when performing color verification using multiple connected printers that perform double-sided printing, the workload can be reduced by generating multiple color verification jobs corresponding to the multiple printers and performing color verification on the charts printed by each printer together. However, when performing color verification using multiple connected printers as described above, each printer must print color verification charts on both sides. While it is generally preferable to leave the back side of the color measurement chart blank, setting up such a printout requires a complex process.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the prior art.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency of color verification work by generating a chart that can be printed by all printers in a single color verification job for a plurality of printers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, an information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration: An information processing apparatus that performs color verification of a printer based on colorimetric data of patches arranged on a chart printed by the printer, a generating means for generating one color verification job including chart data for performing color verification on a plurality of printers; and a control means for controlling the display of the color verification result based on the one color verification job, wherein the control means displays the color verification result for the one color verification job and the color verification results of each of the plurality of printers. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, when color verification is performed using multiple printers, the color verification chart can be printed on multiple printers at once and the colors can be measured all at once, thereby making the color verification work more efficient.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. This simplifies the work. [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of a color verification system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a chart according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a color management device and a control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of a color management device and a control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5A] , [Figure 5B] , [Figure 5C] , [Figure 5D] , [Figure 5E] , [Figure 5F] FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of an operation screen displayed on a display unit by the color management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a setting function screen for color verification job specifications according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating the flow of processing in the color verification system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a color verification chart according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing when a color verification job generation unit generates chart data in the color verification system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10]10 is a flowchart for explaining processing when a color verification job generation unit 403 generates chart data in a color verification system according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of color measurement conditions according to the type of standard authentication, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of allowable values ​​according to the type of standard authentication, according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a setting screen for color verification job specifications according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing when a color verification job generation unit generates chart data in the color verification system according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0012] [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of a color verification system according to the first embodiment.

[0013] This color verification system centrally manages printer colors and periodically performs color verification on each printer. Color verification begins by printing and outputting a specified chart using the target printer. Next, the color patches on the printed chart are measured, and the deviation (color accuracy) between the resulting measured data of the printed colors and the reference colors is checked. The color patches on this chart are also called color charts or color samples, and are referred to simply as "patches" in this specification.

[0014] In the color verification system shown in Fig. 1, a color management device 100 and locations 1 to 3 (170a to 170c) are connected via a network 160. Location 1 (170a) includes a control device 110, a monitor 120, a printer 130, a linked printer 140, and a measuring device 150. Locations 2 and 3 are not shown, but each includes a control device, monitor, printer, and measuring device, just like location 1. The following description will be given taking the relationship between location 1 and color management device 100 as an example, and locations 2 and 3 have similar configurations, so their description will be omitted.

[0015] The color management device 100 is connected to the control device 110 via a network 160 so that they can communicate with each other. The color management device 100 has a function for setting color verification job specifications and issues a color verification job according to the set color verification job specifications. The color management device 100 generates color verification chart data (hereinafter referred to as chart data) to which an ID (identification information) associated with the color verification job is assigned, and provides the data to the control device 110. Then, via the control device 110, the color management device 100 prints a color verification chart (hereinafter also referred to as a chart) based on the chart data using a target printer corresponding to the printer information set in the color verification job specifications. The color management device 100 also compares a preset reference color (reference color) with the measured values ​​of the color (printed color) of the chart actually printed by the printer, acquired via the control device 110, to verify whether the color accuracy meets the acceptance criteria. Furthermore, the color management device 100 centrally manages the color verification results of each printer connected via the control device 110.

[0016] The control device 110 is connected to the printer 130 and the connected printer 140 at the base 1 via a communication network such as an intranet so that they can communicate with each other, and acquires printer device information and issues print instructions to the printers. The printer device information includes printing condition information such as available paper information and available print profiles. The print instructions to the printers also include an instruction to print chart data received from the color management device 100.

[0017] In addition, the control device 110 is connected to the measuring device 150 via a communication network such as a USB cable or an intranet so that they can communicate with each other, and in addition to controlling the measuring device 150, it also transmits acquired measurement data to the color management device 100.

[0018] The monitor 120 is connected to the control device 110 and displays various user interface screens (UI screens).

[0019] Printer 130 prints a color image on paper using, for example, electrophotographic process technology based on a print job from control device 110. Printer 130 may be a monochrome printer or a printer based on other image forming technology such as inkjet. Printer 130 may also be a multifunction device that has a copy function and a fax function in addition to a print function.

[0020] The linked printer 140 is a printer with multiple printing mechanisms, such as printers 1 and 2 (140a, 140b), and prints monochrome or color images on paper using printers 140a to 140b based on a print job from the control device 110. Like printer 130, printers 140a and 140b may each be used independently, or may be devices with only a printing mechanism. When performing double-sided printing with the linked printer 140, printers 140a and 140b each print a different side. When performing single-sided printing, printing is performed by either printer 140a or 140b, or by both printers 140a to 140b in a distributed manner. Here, the linked printer 140 prints on, for example, roll paper, and both printers 1 and 2 have hardware mechanisms capable of single-sided printing. When performing double-sided printing, printer 1 prints the front side and printer 2 prints the back side, achieving double-sided printing.

[0021] Measuring instrument 150 is a spectrometer that measures the color value of an object based on the reflectance or transmittance of visible light having a wavelength of approximately 400 nm to 700 nm. Measuring instrument 150 is provided, for example, at each location, measures charts printed out from printer 130 and connected printer 140, and converts the wavelengths obtained for each patch into values ​​in, for example, the L*a*b* color space or the XYZ color space to obtain measurement data.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a chart according to the first embodiment.

[0023] Chart 200 is an example of a chart. Reference numeral 201 indicates signal values ​​(RGB values) defined in the RGB color space corresponding to each patch (patch numbers 1 to 729) of chart 200. Reference numeral 202 indicates an example of measurement data obtained by a measuring instrument, which indicates the color values ​​of each patch on the chart printed by a printer. Note that the values ​​indicated by reference numeral 201 are not limited to signal values ​​in the RGB color space, but may also be signal values ​​(CMYK values) defined in the CMYK color space. Measuring instrument 150 is, for example, a measuring instrument with a built-in line sensor or area sensor for scanning the chart. A sheet-through type measuring instrument with an automatic document reading function has a built-in line sensor or area sensor, which allows the chart to be pre-scanned and the position of the patch to be measured to be detected before measurement. Note that sheet-through type measuring instruments include manual paper feeders that manually feed charts one by one, and automatic paper feeders that automatically feed charts one by one and measure consecutive pages by loading multiple charts and starting measurement. It should be noted that the measuring device 150 is not limited to a sheet-through type measuring device, but may be, for example, a portable (handy) measuring device that measures by manually moving it over the patches on the chart.

[0024] The network 160 may be, for example, a local area network (LAN), the Internet, an intranet, or the like, and may be wired or wireless.

[0025] Bases 1 to 3 (170a to 170c) correspond to the locations of printing companies where printers are installed. For example, base 1 is a printing base in Tokyo, base 2 is a printing base in Osaka, and base 3 is a printing base in Fukuoka.

[0026] The configuration of the color verification system shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the number of locations and the configuration of the devices at each location can be changed as appropriate. For example, if a color management device 100 is installed at each of locations 1 to 3, the color management device 100 is directly connected to a printer or a measuring device. The color management device 100 may then be configured to instruct the printer to print a chart or acquire measurement data from a measuring device without going through the control device 110. Alternatively, an information processing device equipped with the functions of both the color management device 100 and the control device 110 may be provided at each location, and the information processing device may perform color management for multiple printers at the location. In other words, an information processing device equipped with the functions of both the color management device 100 and the control device 110 may be provided at each location, and the information processing device may perform color management for multiple printers at the location.

[0027] The color management device 100 and the control device 110 described above are both information processing devices, and are realized by, for example, a general-purpose notebook or desktop personal computer, a server terminal, or a tablet terminal.

[0028] 3 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the color management device 100 and the control device 110 according to the first embodiment. Here, the hardware configuration of the color management device 100 will be described, but the same applies to the control device 110.

[0029] The color management device 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an HDD (hard disk drive) 104, a display unit 105, an operation unit 106, a network I / F (interface) 107, and an external device I / F 108. The units 101 to 108 shown in FIG. 3 are connected to one another via a system bus 109.

[0030] The CPU 101 is an arithmetic processing unit that controls the entire color management device 100 and executes various image processing operations (described later) based on programs stored in the ROM 102. The ROM 102 is a read-only memory (ROM) that stores a boot program, processing programs, character data, character code information, and the like. The RAM 103 is a random access memory (RAM) that serves as a program load area and work memory when the CPU 101 executes various programs. The RAM 103 also serves as a storage area for image files received via the network I / F 107. The HDD 104 is used to store the results of arithmetic processing performed by the CPU 101, various programs, various information files, and the like. The display unit 105, which may be implemented as an LCD display, displays a user interface screen for configuring various settings and checking the device status. The operation unit 106 includes a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like, and is used by the user to input various setting values, reset the device, and the like. The network I / F 107 is an interface for connecting the color management device 100 to a network 160. The color management device 110 can send and receive various information to and from external devices via this network I / F 107. The external device I / F 108 is an interface for connecting an external device such as a measuring instrument 150 via a communication bus such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0031] Next, the software configuration of the color management device 100 and the control device 110 will be described.

[0032] 4 is a block diagram showing the main functional configurations of the color management device 100 and the control device 110 according to the first embodiment. The following description will be given as a software configuration of the color management device 100, but the same applies to the control device 110. However, in the case of the control device 110, the acquisition of printer device information, printing instructions to the printer, etc. are directly performed by the control device 110.

[0033] The color management device 100 includes a color verification job specification setting unit 401, a UI control unit 402, a color verification job generation unit 403, a measurement control unit 404, a color verification processing unit 405, and a printer information acquisition unit 406. Each of these functional units is realized by the CPU 101 loading a predetermined program stored in the ROM 102 into the RAM 103 and executing it. Each functional unit will be described below.

[0034] The color verification job specification setting unit 401 sets the specifications for a color verification job. Specifically, it sets the printer to be used for color verification, the paper conditions for the paper on which the chart will be printed, the measuring instrument to be used for measuring the chart, and the color verification specifications. Because the color reproduction accuracy of a printer varies significantly depending on the combination of printer and paper, color verification and color management must be performed for each printer and paper condition. Therefore, the color verification job specification setting unit 401 identifies the printer to be used for color verification from among the printers connected to the control device 110. It also sets the paper to be used for color verification from predefined papers or from papers included in the printer device information received via the control device 110. In addition, chart design specifications, such as measurable patch size, patch placement taking margins into account, and marker specifications for understanding patch placement, are defined for each measuring device. Therefore, in order to generate measurable chart data and print it on a printer, it is necessary to specify the measuring device to be used. Therefore, the color verification job specification setting unit 401 sets a predefined type of measuring instrument or the measuring instrument 150 connected to the control device 110 as the measuring instrument to be used for color verification. A color verification job specification setting unit 401 sets details of color verification specifications (chart specifications (number of patches, patch signal values, etc.), reference value set, tolerance value set, evaluation mode, measurement conditions, printing conditions, etc.) required for color verification processing.

[0035] Chart specifications for color verification are broadly divided into default charts that comply with standards such as those of the International Standard Organization (ISO), and custom charts that are uniquely defined by the user. Default charts are registered in advance, for example, when a color management program is installed, prior to the start of use. Custom charts are set by the color verification job specification setting unit 401 at any time by accepting input of custom chart information from the operation unit 106.

[0036] The reference value set, tolerance set, evaluation mode, measurement conditions, and printing conditions used in color verification are set according to ISO-compliant JapanColor certification and other standards. Tolerances are values ​​used to determine color accuracy by comparing a specified reference color (reference color) with the measured value of a color actually printed by a printer (printed color), and to check whether the color accuracy meets the acceptance criteria. For example, when determining whether color accuracy meets the acceptance criteria based on the difference (color difference) between the color value (reference value) of the reference color and the color value (measured value) of the printed color, the allowable color difference value is registered as the tolerance, and if it is within the tolerance, the color accuracy is determined to meet the acceptance criteria. Note that when color verification is performed, the color verification job generation unit 403 (described later) generates a color verification job in response to a selection of the color verification job specifications set in the color verification job specification setting unit 401 and an instruction to start verification, thereby starting color verification.

[0037] The UI control unit 402 controls the display of a user interface screen for confirming the status of each device in the color verification system, inputting and selecting various setting values, receiving instructions to start various processes, etc. The user interface screen that is displayed will be described later.

[0038] The color verification job generation unit 403 selects the color verification job specifications set by the color verification job specification setting unit 401, and upon receiving an instruction to start verification, generates a color verification job based on the specifications. Then, the color verification job generation unit 403 issues a color verification job ID to each generated color verification job.

[0039] The color verification job generation unit 403 also generates chart data based on the measuring instrument and chart specifications corresponding to the specifications of the selected color verification job and transmits it to the control device 110. At this time, a color verification job ID is assigned to the chart data. In the first embodiment, the color verification job ID has two types: a 4-digit ID that is repeatedly used for short periods of time for human visual confirmation, and a 32-digit ID for system management by the color management device 100, but this is not limited to this. Furthermore, when the printer performing color verification has multiple printing mechanisms, such as the tethered printer 140, a chart is created taking into account imposition so that the chart is printed by all printing mechanisms. Details of the chart creation function related to the features of the first embodiment will be described later. The chart is then printed by the printer set in the color verification job specifications via the control device 110.

[0040] The measurement control unit 404 measures the color of the chart using the measuring device 150. The measurement control unit 404 also transmits the colorimetric data received from the measuring device 150 to the color verification processing unit 405. The color verification processing unit 405 uses the colorimetric data received from the measurement control unit 404 to perform verification processing to determine whether the color accuracy of the target printer that printed the chart meets the acceptance standard. The printer information acquisition unit 406 acquires printer setting values ​​such as duplex setting and paper type. Note that in the first embodiment, when the linked printer 140 performs duplex printing, information is acquired regarding which side printers 140a and 140b will print, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0041] 5A to 5F are diagrams showing an example of an operation screen 500 displayed on the display unit 105 by the color management device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0042] The operation screen 500 has a function card display area 501 that displays function cards used in color management, and a function display area 502 that displays the function of the card currently selected in the function card display area 501 .

[0043] First, we will provide an overview of the functions that can be used from each function card displayed in function card display area 501. Note that it is possible to activate and display multiple function cards, such as verification results and detailed verification reports, if they have different conditions.

[0044] With respect to the color verification function card 511, the UI control unit 402 has the function of setting color verification job specifications and starting a color verification job, and displays digest information such as the date and time when the color verification job was last performed on the card.

[0045] Regarding the measurement function card 521, the UI control unit 402 has functions to start a color verification job, prepare the measuring instrument, take measurements, send the measurement results, etc., and displays digest information such as the date and time when the color verification job was last performed on the card.

[0046] In the first embodiment, when the printer performing color verification is a printer with multiple printing mechanisms, such as the linked printer 140, the measurement control unit 404 executes a single color verification job for the multiple printers collectively in relation to the measurement function card 521. Then, the measurement results are notified.

[0047] Regarding the verification result function card 531, the UI control unit 402 has a function for displaying the verification results of the color verification job, and displays digest information such as the verification results of each printer on the card.

[0048] Regarding the verification detail report function card 532, the UI control unit 402 has the function of displaying a detailed report of the verification results of a color verification job, and displays digest information such as the verification results, quality level, target printer and paper on the card.

[0049] Next, referring to Fig. 5A, an overview of the color verification function screen displayed in the function display area 502 when the color verification function card 511 is selected will be described. The operation instruction area 503 displays how to operate the currently displayed function screen. Note that Fig. 5A shows the operation instructions for the color verification function screen.

[0050] The Add, Delete, and Edit Color Verification Job Specifications buttons 512 allow users to add, delete, and edit color verification job specifications to the Color Verification Job Specifications list 513. After selecting one color verification job specification from the Color Verification Job Specifications list 513, users can press the area to the left of the "Print Chart" button 514. This allows the selected color verification chart data to be printed on the printer set in the color verification job specifications. Users can also press the area to the left of the "Download Chart" button 515 to download the selected color verification chart data as an image file such as a PDF. Here, it is assumed that chart data corresponding to the measuring instrument 150 is generated. Pressing the arrow areas to the right of the "Print Chart" button 514 and "Download Chart" button 515 displays measuring instrument selection buttons 516 adjacent to the respective buttons. Pressing the measuring instrument selection button 516 generates chart data corresponding to the selected measuring instrument type, and printing or downloading begins. This allows users to select any measuring instrument from among the measuring instruments connected to the control device 110.

[0051] Next, an overview of the setting function screen for color verification job specifications will be described with reference to FIG.

[0052] When the user presses the add / edit button 512 of the color verification job specifications in FIG. 5A, the UI control unit 402 transitions to a setting screen 6000 of the color verification job specifications shown in FIG. 6(a).

[0053] On the color verification job specification setting screen 6000, the UI control unit 402 accepts settings for the printer and paper conditions on which color verification is to be performed, as well as settings for color verification specifications indicating the color verification method, measuring device information related to the chart print layout, etc. Then, the color verification job specification setting unit 401 arbitrarily registers color verification job specifications with a name specified in a color verification job specification name 601 for the various settings accepted from the UI control unit 402. Note that the color verification specification selection 604 allows color verification specifications to be added, deleted, or edited using a menu (not shown), and upon accepting an instruction to add or edit, the UI control unit 402 transitions to a color verification specification setting screen 6010 shown in FIG. 6(b).

[0054] The color verification specification setting screen 6010 accepts settings such as chart specifications used for color verification, reference values ​​and tolerances corresponding to the chart, evaluation mode in color verification processing, chart measurement conditions, and printing conditions. The color verification job specification setting unit 401 then registers color verification specifications with a name specified in a color verification specification name 611 for the various settings accepted from the UI control unit 402. Note that the settings for each item of the color verification specifications can be added, deleted, or edited using a menu (not shown), and upon accepting an instruction to add or edit, the UI control unit 402 transitions to the respective detailed setting screen, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6(c) to 6(e).

[0055] On the tolerance setting screen 6020 shown in FIG. 6( c), the UI control unit 402 accepts settings such as an evaluation value 622, a quality rank when the evaluation value is used, and a threshold setting for pass / fail judgment. It is assumed that multiple evaluation values ​​and quality ranks can be set. For example, if the evaluation value 622 is set to an average ΔE76, the color verification processing unit 405 calculates, for each patch, the linear distance (Equation (1)) between the reference color value in the L*a*b* color space (the value set in the reference value set selection 614) and the measurement value obtained by measuring the chart, and calculates an average value. The color verification processing unit 405 then compares the average ΔE76 with a quality A threshold 623 and a quality B threshold 624 corresponding to the quality rank. If the average ΔE76 value is 4 or less, the quality rank is determined to be A; if it is 6 or less, the quality rank is determined to be B; and if it is greater than the set threshold 6, the quality rank is determined to be fail. Note that the pass / fail judgment method is not limited to this. The UI control unit 402 may also be able to separately set the quality rank for pass judgment from a setting UI (not shown). For example, the pass judgment may be set to quality rank A, and only when the threshold value of quality rank A is satisfied, the pass judgment may be made.

[0056] ΔE=√(ΔL 2 +Δa 2 +Δb 2 ) …Formula (1) Here, ΔL=L1-L2, Δa=a1-a2, and Δb=b1-b2.

[0057] On the colorimetry condition setting screen 6030 shown in FIG. 6(d), the UI control unit 402 accepts settings such as white condition 632, lighting condition 634, illuminant 635, and viewing angle 636, but these are not limited thereto. The white condition 632 includes a "paper white standard" based on the white background of printing paper and an "absolute white standard" based on the white reference plate (white tile) of the colorimeter. Either one is selected for the white condition 632. The lighting condition 634 represents "M0," "M1," "M2," or "M3" as specified by ISO 13655, and one is selected. The illuminant (observation illuminant) 635 selects the type of illuminant data incorporated when calculating L*a*b*. Examples of such types include "A," "D50," and "D65." The viewing angle 636 relates to the viewing angle (object size) at which a human views an object, and is selected from ISO-specified options such as "2-degree viewing angle" and "10-degree viewing angle."

[0058] 6(e), the UI control unit 402 accepts settings such as a CMYK input profile 642, a rendering indent 643, black plate retention 644, black point correction 645, and double-sided settings 646, but is not limited to these. If an RGB image is set in the chart specification selection 613 in FIG. 6(b), the UI control unit 402 may accept settings for an RGB input profile, or may acquire device information about the printer and change the setting items to be accepted accordingly.

[0059] It should be noted that these color verification specifications are specification settings for the target of color verification, and are therefore not limited to those described above and may be appropriately customized and set depending on the use case.

[0060] When color verification is performed in accordance with JapanColor certification or Fogra certification, which conform to the ISO international standard, the color verification specifications are predetermined according to the type of standard certification. For example, in the case of measurement condition selection 617 in FIG. 6(b), color measurement conditions are selected according to the type of standard certification, as shown in FIG. 11(a). In addition, in the case of tolerance value set selection 615 in FIG. 6(a), tolerance values ​​are selected according to the type of standard certification, as shown in FIG. 11(b). In addition, printing condition selection 618 and the like are also predetermined, including the profile to be used. Therefore, it is assumed that the color verification job specification setting unit 401 stores color verification specification settings corresponding to the standard certification in advance.

[0061] If the printer selected in the printer selection 602 in Fig. 6(a) supports double-sided printing, the double-sided setting 646 in the printing conditions in Fig. 6(e) is displayed, making it possible to select the double-sided setting when printing the chart. On the other hand, if the printer selected in the printer selection 602 does not support double-sided printing, the double-sided setting 646 is hidden or cannot be selected.

[0062] Next, with reference to FIG. 5B, an overview of the measurement function screen displayed in function display area 502 when measurement function card 521 is selected will be described.

[0063] The function display area 502 for the measurement function has an area 5211 that displays all work steps in the measurement function, and a current work step item area 5212 that displays the current work step items. The current work step item area 5212 displays the color verification job to be executed and a measurement target selection that selects the printer to be used for that job. The work steps Step 1 to Step 4 displayed in the display area 5211 for all work steps in the measurement function will be outlined below with reference to FIGS. 5B to 5E. The UI control unit 402 highlights the current work step in the display area 5211 for the work step of the measurement function. FIG. 5B shows an example of an operation screen in the measurement target selection step, with the measurement target selection in Step 1 being highlighted.

[0064] In the measurement target selection step, the UI control unit 402 accepts the color verification job ID number assigned to the chart data via a text box 5213. Alternatively, the UI control unit 402 accepts the selection of a color verification job specification from a color verification job specification list 5214 registered on the color verification function card 511. The operation instruction area 503 explains how to select a color verification job specification. The UI control unit 402 may accept settings via either the text box 5213 or the color verification job list 5214, restricting operation so that both cannot be selected simultaneously. In FIG. 5B , color verification job specification 1 using the connected printer 140 with a color verification job ID of "5501" is selected. In the first embodiment, the job to be measured is not limited to a color verification job, but may be any job requiring chart measurement, such as a profile creation job. When the UI control unit 402 accepts the press of a color verification job start button 5215, the screen transitions to the next Step 2 screen.

[0065] FIG. 5C shows an example of an operation screen for the measuring instrument preparation step in Step 2 when measurement function card 521 is selected. Current work step item area 5212 in FIG. 5C displays that a measuring instrument to be used for the color verification job is to be prepared. In the measuring instrument preparation step, UI control unit 402 displays the ID of the color verification job currently being executed (5501 in this case) on measurement function card 521. Furthermore, based on the measuring instrument information included in the specification settings of the color verification job to be measured, it displays name 5221 and illustration 5222 of the measuring instrument to be used to measure the chart from among the measuring instruments connected to control device 110. If multiple measuring instruments of the same type are connected, the names of the measuring instruments are displayed as a list in measuring instrument name 5221. Furthermore, operation explanation area 503 explains the operation for preparing the measuring instrument.

[0066] Furthermore, when the measurement control unit 404 receives the specification of a measuring device from the UI control unit 402 using the measuring device name 5221, it requests connection to the target measuring device and performs calibration of the measuring device, etc. This prepares the parts related to the measuring device. Note that the measuring device preparation process described here is an example, and this preparation process will vary depending on the specifications of the measuring device. When the Next button 5223 is pressed, the UI control unit 402 transitions to the screen for the following Step 3.

[0067] FIG. 5D shows an example of an operation screen in the measurement process of Step 3 when the measurement function card 521 is selected.

[0068] As shown in the display area 5211 for all work steps in the measurement function, when the printer to be measured includes multiple printers, such as a connected printer, and charts are printed and measured, the UI control unit 402 generates measurement steps such as Step 3-1 and Step 3-2 for each printer. If there is only one printer to be measured, the above steps are not provided. The UI control unit 402 displays a measurement target chart 5231 to be used in the color verification job. The measurement control unit 404 then communicates with the measurement device specified in Step 2 and measures the patches using that measurement device. Note that the measurement method is an example and varies depending on the specifications of the measurement device. After completing the measurement, when the Next button 5232 is pressed, the UI control unit 402 transitions to the screen of the next Step. If the printer to be measured includes multiple printers, such as a connected printer, the UI control unit 402 transitions from Step 3-1 to Step 3-2. Then, Step 3-2 is executed, or if there is only one printer to be measured, the UI control unit 402 transitions to Step 4. In Step 3-2, similar to Step 3-1, the chart printed and output by the second printer (e.g., printer 140b) is measured. In operation explanation area 503 in Fig. 5D, an explanation is given of the operation for measuring the chart using a measuring device.

[0069] Next, the measurement completion process in Step 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 5E.

[0070] In the operation instruction area 503 in FIG. 5E, the UI control unit 402 explains that color measurement for color verification job ID "5501" has been completed. The UI control unit 402 also displays a comment field 5241 for the color verification job. Here, it explains that because the color verification job was executed using the linked printer 140, the measurement results of the charts printed by printer 1 and printer 2 of the linked printer 140 will be sent together. Then, when the UI control unit 402 accepts the pressing of the Complete button 5242, it ends the color verification job. When the measurement control unit 404 accepts the pressing of the Complete button 5242, it compiles the information to be displayed in the comment field 5241, the patch measurement results, and the like for the color verification job and sends them to the color verification processing unit 405.

[0071] 5F, an example of the operation screen when the verification result function card 531 is selected and the verification result is displayed is shown. Here, the function display area 502 displays the verification result corresponding to the color verification job.

[0072] The function display area 502 for the verification result confirmation function has a verification result 5321, a color verification result list 5324, and a verification result summary display area 5322 for the color verification job ID selected in the verification result list 5324. When the printer to be subjected to color verification is set in the target range filter 5323, the UI control unit 402 extracts only the color verification jobs that correspond to the specified printer and displays the color verification result list 5324. Note that the target range filter 5323 is not limited to the printer, and any information associated with the color verification job may be used.

[0073] In the first embodiment, when the printer associated with the color verification job is a printer with multiple printing mechanisms, such as the linked printer 140, the UI control unit 402 displays the color verification results of each printer of the linked printer 140. In FIG. 5F, the color verification results of each of the printers 140a and 140b are displayed in the verification result summary display area 5322. Reference numeral 5325 indicates the color verification results for each printer, and this is displayed for the number of printers for which color verification was performed. Furthermore, the quality status (pass, fail, measuring, not measured, etc.) related to the color verification results of each of the printers 140a and 140b is displayed. Furthermore, the quality level related to the color verification results of the linked printers is displayed according to each verification result. In the example of FIG. 5F, in the color verification corresponding to color verification job specification 1 corresponding to ID "5501," the inspection results of the charts printed by printer 1 and printer 2 of the linked printer 140 both passed, and the quality level was determined to be Level A.

[0074] In the first embodiment, the color verification processing unit 405 starts color verification processing when it receives the measurement results of the color verification job from the measurement control unit 404. In the first embodiment, if both printers 140a and 140b pass, the status of the linked printer is determined to be pass, but this is not limited to this, and the determination may be made based on the average or difference value of the respective results.

[0075] 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing flow in the color verification system according to the first embodiment. The following describes an example in which color verification is performed by a measurement job that collectively targets color verification of printers 140a and 140b of linked printer 140, and color measurement results from each printer are sent as needed to perform color verification. In the following description, the symbol "S" refers to the step in which processing is performed.

[0076] In S701, the color verification job specification setting unit 401 of the color management device 100 sets the color verification job specifications based on user input received from the UI control unit 402. Here, it is assumed that the specification setting of color verification job specification 1 for the linked printer 140 (plain paper) that is the target of color verification has been set, as shown in FIG.

[0077] Next, the process proceeds to S702, and the color verification job generation unit 403 generates a color verification job when the "Print Chart" button 514 or the "Download Chart" button 515 is pressed with color verification job specification 1 specified by the UI control unit 402, as shown in FIG. 5A. The color verification job generation unit 403 then issues a color verification job ID "5501" for color verification job specification 1 (FIG. 5B). The color verification job generation unit 403 then generates a color verification chart as shown in FIG.

[0078] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a color verification chart according to embodiment 1. In this example, printer 1 prints a chart on the front side of a sheet of paper, and printer 2 prints a chart on the back side of the sheet of paper, thereby performing double-sided printing.

[0079] Reference number 801 indicates the page number of the chart. If the chart used for color verification consists of multiple pages, the reference number 801 is counted up. Reference number 802 indicates the color verification job ID (5501 in this case). Reference number 803 indicates the printer that will print this chart, and is generated based on information acquired by the printer information acquisition unit 406 about which side printer 1 (140a) or 2 (140b) will print when the linked printer 140 performs double-sided printing. If the printer linked to the color verification job specification is not a linked printer, the printer name may or may not be entered. Reference number 804 indicates a patch, and is composed of signal values ​​based on the chart specification included in the color verification job specification. Furthermore, reference number 804 is composed of patch sizes and patch arrangements that can be measured by the specified measuring device, based on the measuring device information and print layout information included in the color verification job specification.

[0080] 8(a) shows an image file including chart data generated by the color verification job generation unit 403 when the printer linked to the color verification job is a printer with multiple printing mechanisms such as the linked printer 140 and the duplex setting is double-sided. Page 800 and pages 805 to 807 represent consecutive pages in the image file, and represent pages 1 to 4, respectively.

[0081] 8(b) shows the first page of the printout when the image file is printed on both sides, with reference number 808 indicating the front side of page 1 and reference number 809 indicating the back side of page 1. In this way, page 800 in the image file is printed on the front side of the first chart, and page 805 is printed on the back side of the first chart.

[0082] FIG. 8(c) shows the second page of the printout when the image file of FIG. 8(a) is double-sided printed, with reference numeral 810 indicating the front side of the second page and reference numeral 811 indicating the back side of the second page. Thus, page 806 in the image file is printed on the front side of the second chart, and page 807 is printed on the back side of the second chart. Here, the back side indicated by reference numeral 809 and the front side indicated by reference numeral 810 are left blank without a chart printed on them. For example, when generating a chart as a PDF, a file containing consecutive pages 800, 805, 806, and 807 is generated, as shown in FIG. 8(a). In this way, when double-sided printing is performed using the linked printer 140, printer 140a generates the first chart by printing only the front side indicated by reference numeral 808, and printer 140b generates the second chart by printing only the back side indicated by reference numeral 811.

[0083] In the first embodiment, by generating an image file that takes imposition into consideration as described above, it is possible to print a chart using all of the printing mechanisms of a printer that has multiple printing mechanisms. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if a connected printer can accept print imposition setting information (imposition information) separately from the image file, an image file containing only pages that contain chart data, such as pages 800 and 807, can be created. Then, printing can be performed by generating imposition setting information that will result in the print output shown in Figures 8(b) to 8(c).

[0084] 5A, the generated chart data and information included in the color verification job specification are sent to the control device 110 via the network I / F 107. When the "Download Chart" button 515 is pressed, the generated chart data is sent from the color management device 100 and can be downloaded via the color management application.

[0085] In step S703, the control device 110 generates a color verification job (print job) based on the printer, paper, and printing condition information included in the received color verification job specifications, based on the received chart data, and sends the print job to the target printer. In the first embodiment, the print job is sent to the linked printer 140.

[0086] In S704, upon receiving this print job, linked printer 140 performs printing processing in accordance with the print job using printer 1 and printer 2 to output a chart.

[0087] Then, in S705, when the color verification job start button 5215 is pressed from the UI control unit 402 with the color verification job ID or color verification job specifications specified as shown in FIG. 5B, the measurement job generation unit 404 starts the measurement job.

[0088] 5C, the control device 110 searches for a measuring device to be connected to the control device 110 based on the measuring device information included in the received color verification job specification, and sends a connection request to the corresponding measuring device 150. Then, the control device 110 cooperates with the measuring device 150 to perform measurement device preparation such as calibration.

[0089] Next, in S707, the control device 110 performs processing to prompt the user to measure the chart to which the measurement target ID has been assigned, as shown in FIG. 5D. Here, the user is prompted to set the chart in the measuring device 150. Then, in S708, the control device 110 instructs the measuring device 150 to measure the chart. As a result, in S709, the measuring device 150 measures the chart. Here, steps S707 to S709 are repeated for the number of printers 140a to 140b. Note that the instructions to the measuring device 150 to measure the chart, the measurement by the measuring device 150, and the notification of the measurement results to the control device 110 performed in S708 to S709 are merely examples. The method of instructing the measuring device and the measurement method, as well as the unit of notification of the measurement results (e.g., patch unit, patch line unit, page unit), will vary depending on the type of measuring device 150 and the measurement conditions.

[0090] Then, in S710, the control device 110 receives a press of the Complete button 5242 from the UI control unit 402, as shown in FIG. 5E, and notifies the color management device 100 of the measurement results for all printers 140a and 140b of the linked printer 140. Then, in S711 and S712, the color management device 100 receives the measurement results, performs color verification, and closes the color verification job. In this way, the linked printer can perform measurement work for multiple printers collectively. Finally, in S713, the color management device 100 displays the color verification results of the color verification job, as shown in FIG. 5F.

[0091] 9 is a flowchart illustrating the processing performed by the color verification job generation unit 403 to generate chart data in the color verification system according to the first embodiment. Here, the processing shown in this flowchart is achieved by the CPU 101 of the control device 110 loading a program stored in the ROM 102 into the RAM 103 and executing it. Note that this processing is started when the UI control unit 402 accepts pressing of the "Print Chart" button 514 or the "Download Chart" button 515 shown in FIG. 5A.

[0092] First, in S901, the CPU 101 determines whether the printer linked to the color verification job specifications is a linked printer. If it is determined that the printer linked to the color verification job specifications is a linked printer, the process proceeds to S902; otherwise, the process proceeds to S904. In S904, the CPU 101 generates an image file including chart data for a single-sided printout, for example, as shown in FIG. 8B, and ends this process. Also, in the case of a linked printer, the CPU 101 determines in S902 whether the duplex setting linked to the color verification job specifications is "double-sided." If it is not double-sided, the process proceeds to S905; if it is double-sided, the process proceeds to S903. In S903, the CPU 101 generates an image file including chart data for consecutive double-sided printing, such as when printer 1 prints pages 800 and 805 and printer 2 prints pages 806 and 807, as shown in FIG. 8A, and ends this process. If the printing is not double-sided, the CPU 101 generates chart data in S905 so that the printer 1 and the printer 2 will generate a single-sided printed product, and then this process ends.

[0093] The above is the overall processing flow in the color verification system according to embodiment 1. Note that in embodiment 1, the measurement object is a color verification job, but this is not limiting, and the measurement object may also be a profile creation chart generated by a profile creation job generation unit (not shown) that corrects the color of the printer.

[0094] As described above, according to the first embodiment, by generating chart data for a printer having multiple printing mechanisms that can be printed on both sides by all of the printing mechanisms, color verification can be performed with a single color verification job, enabling efficient measurement work.

[0095] [Variations] Next, as a modified example of the first embodiment, an example will be described in which when the color verification job generation unit 403 generates chart data, instead of creating chart data such as that shown in Figure 8 described above, the chart data is generated using imposition setting information such that the print output will be as shown in Figures 8(b) to 8(c).

[0096] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the processing performed by the color verification job generation unit 403 to generate chart data in a color verification system according to a modified example of the first embodiment. Here, the processing shown in this flowchart is achieved by the CPU 101 of the control device 110 loading a program stored in the ROM 102 into the RAM 103 and executing it. Note that this processing is started when the UI control unit 402 accepts pressing of the "Print Chart" button 514 or the "Download Chart" button 515 shown in FIG. 5A.

[0097] First, in S1001, the CPU 101 determines whether the printer linked to the color verification job specifications is a linked printer. If it is determined that the printer linked to the color verification job specifications is a linked printer, the process proceeds to S1002; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1004. In S1002, the CPU 101 determines whether the duplex setting linked to the color verification job specifications is "duplex." If it is not duplex, the process proceeds to S1004; if it is duplex, the process proceeds to S1003. In S1004, the CPU 101 generates an image file containing chart data that will result in a single-sided printout, such as that shown in FIG. 8B, and ends this process. The image file generated here is, for example, a page containing chart data shown as page 800 in FIG. 8A. Note that if the chart used for color verification consists of multiple pages, a page with the page number indicated by reference number 801 counted up is generated following page 800.

[0098] In S1003, CPU 101 determines whether the linked printer that performs double-sided printing can accept imposition setting information for imposing prints separately from the image file. If it determines that imposition is possible, the process proceeds to S1006, where CPU 101 generates imposition setting information for the print output shown in Figures 8(b) to 8(c) along with chart data for the single-sided printout created in S1004, and ends this process. If it determines that imposition is not possible in S1003, the process proceeds to S1005, where CPU 101 generates an image file including chart data for double-sided printing with consecutive pages 800, 805, 806, and 807 as shown in Figure 8(a), similar to S903 in Figure 9, and ends this process.

[0099] Similarly, in this embodiment, by generating chart data for a printer with multiple printing mechanisms that can be printed double-sided by all printing mechanisms, color verification can be performed with a single color verification job, enabling efficient measurement work.

[0100] [Embodiment 2] In the color verification system described in the first embodiment, an example was described in which a chart is generated for a printer having multiple printing mechanisms to be printed by all of the printing mechanisms in double-sided printing, thereby enabling color verification with a single color verification job. However, there may be cases in which color verification is performed only on some of the printers in a printer having multiple printing mechanisms, such as when the linked printer 140 is fed for single-sided printing or when re-verifying color after color correction. Therefore, in the second embodiment, an example is described in which color verification is performed by printing a chart on only some of the printers in a color verification system including multiple printers such as linked printers.

[0101] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen 1200 for color verification job specifications according to the second embodiment. This setting screen 1200 is the same as that shown in Fig. 6(a). In Fig. 12, the same components as those in Fig. 6(a) are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. The output destination 1201 can be selected when single-sided printing is set in the double-sided printing setting 646 in Fig. 6(e), and specifies which of the printers 140a and 140b of the linked printer 140 will print the chart.

[0102] In the measurement process of Step 3 shown in Fig. 5D, if the duplex setting in the color verification job specifications is set to single-sided, the UI control unit 402 displays only the step for measuring one printer in the display area 5211 for all work steps in the measurement function. Here, for example, if printer 2 (printer 140b) is specified as shown in Fig. 12, only "Step 3: Printer 2" is displayed. Then, the chart printed using the specified printer 140b is measured.

[0103] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the process performed by the color verification job generation unit 403 to generate chart data in the color verification system according to the second embodiment. Here, the CPU 101 of the control device 110 loads a program stored in the ROM 102 into the RAM 103 and executes it, thereby achieving the process illustrated in this flowchart. This process begins when the UI control unit 402 accepts a press of the "Print Chart" button 514 or the "Download Chart" button 515 shown in FIG. 5A. Here, the description assumes that the color verification job generation unit 403 can generate chart data using imposition setting information. However, if imposition setting information is not used, color verification chart data deployed for each printer, as shown in FIG. 8, may be generated. Before this process, the output printer is assumed to be specified on the setting screen 1200 in FIG. 12.

[0104] First, in S1301, the CPU 101 determines whether the printer linked to the color verification job specifications is a linked printer. If it is determined that the printer linked to the color verification job specifications is a linked printer, the process proceeds to S1302; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1304. In S1302, the CPU 101 determines whether the duplex setting linked to the color verification job specifications is "duplex." If it is not duplex, the process proceeds to S1307; if it is duplex, the process proceeds to S1303. In S1304, the CPU 101 generates an image file containing chart data that will generate a single-sided printout, such as that shown in FIG. 8B, on the printer specified as the output destination, and then ends this processing. At this time, the printer that prints the chart indicated by reference numeral 803 indicates the printer set in the output destination setting 1201 in FIG. 12. The image file to be generated is, for example, a page containing chart data shown as page 800 in FIG. 8A. If the chart used for color verification consists of multiple pages, a page with an incremented page number indicated by reference number 801 is generated following page 800. In step S1307, the CPU 101 generates an image file including chart data for printing so that the print output on the specified printer will be single-sided, and then ends this process.

[0105] In S1303, CPU 101 determines whether the linked printer that performs double-sided printing can accept imposition setting information for imposing prints separately from the image file. If it is determined that imposition is possible, the process proceeds to S1306, where CPU 101 generates imposition setting information such that the print output from the specified printer will be as shown in Figures 8(b) to 8(c) along with chart data that will result in a single-sided printout created in S1304, and then ends this process. If it is determined that imposition is not possible in S1303, the process proceeds to S1305, where CPU 101 generates an image file including chart data for printing such that the print output from the specified printer will be the front or back of both sides, as shown in Figure 8(a), as in the first embodiment, and then ends this process.

[0106] 5F, the UI control unit 402 assumes that the printer linked to the color verification job is a printer with multiple printing mechanisms, such as the linked printer 140, and that the duplex setting is single-sided printing. In this case, the color verification results of one printer that performed color verification are displayed in the verification result summary display area 5322. The printer color verification results 5325 then display the color verification results of the printer that performed the color verification, and displays the quality level of the color verification results of the linked printers according to the results.

[0107] Furthermore, when performing color verification again after color correction, for example, if there is a history of color verification jobs using the same color verification specifications, the color verification results of the multiple linked printers that did not perform color verification again may be referenced from the history and displayed in verification result summary display area 5322. In this case, the quality status (pass, fail, measuring, not measured, etc.) of the color verification results of each of printers 140a and 140b may be displayed, and further, the quality level of the color verification results of the linked printers may be displayed according to each result.

[0108] Thus, according to the second embodiment, by printing a chart using only some of the printers in a printer having multiple printing mechanisms and realizing color verification using single-sided printing, it becomes possible to more efficiently perform color verification of linked printers.

[0109] (Other embodiments) 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. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0110] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the chart fits on one page, but if the chart spans multiple pages, for example, in order to reduce the number of times the roll paper is cut, printer 1 may print multiple pages in succession on the front side of the roll paper, and printer 2 may print multiple pages in succession on the back side of the roll paper.

[0111] The present specification and drawings disclose the following information processing device, color verification system, control method thereof, and program.

[0112] <Item 1> An information processing apparatus that performs color verification of a printer based on colorimetric data of patches arranged on a chart printed by the printer, a generating means for generating one color verification job including chart data for performing color verification on a plurality of printers; a control means for controlling the display of a color verification result based on the one color verification job, The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the control means displays a color verification result for the one color verification job and a color verification result for each of the plurality of printers.

[0113] <Item 2> The information processing device described in item 1 is characterized in that the generation means generates the one color verification job including chart data for the front side or back side to be printed by each of the multiple printers when double-sided printing is possible by the multiple printers.

[0114] <Item 3> The information processing device described in item 1 is characterized in that, when double-sided printing by the multiple printers is possible, the generation means generates the one color verification job including chart data to be printed by the multiple printers and imposition information that specifies the side to be printed by each of the multiple printers.

[0115] <Item 4> further comprising an acquisition unit for acquiring information indicating which side each of the plurality of printers will print on when double-sided printing is possible by the plurality of printers; 4. The information processing device according to item 3, wherein the generating means generates the imposition information based on the information acquired by the acquiring means when double-sided printing is possible by the plurality of printers.

[0116] <Item 5> a designation means for designating a printer to be used for color verification from among the plurality of printers; 5. The information processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 4, further comprising: a unit for generating a color verification job including chart data for performing color verification of the printer specified by the specifying unit.

[0117] <Item 6> The information processing device described in any one of items 1 to 5, characterized in that the control means acquires color verification results for each of the multiple printers based on a difference value between a reference color value based on chart data printed from the chart and measurement data acquired by measuring the chart, and a threshold value for determining whether color verification is successful.

[0118] <Item 7> The information processing device described in item 6 is characterized in that the control means determines that the color verification result for the one color verification job in the multiple printers is a failure if at least one of the color verification results of each of the multiple printers does not satisfy the threshold.

[0119] <Item 8> 8. The information processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the color verification job includes settings for a printer to be used in the color verification job and a paper to be printed by the printer.

[0120] <Item 9> A color verification system having the information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 8 and a measuring instrument, A color verification system, wherein the measuring instrument measures patches printed by each of the plurality of printers to generate the color measurement data.

[0121] <Item 10> The color verification system described in item 9, characterized in that the chart data is generated based on the size of patches measurable by the measuring instrument and the arrangement of the patches, based on the information of the measuring instrument included in the color verification specifications.

[0122] <Item 11> 11. The color verification system according to item 10, wherein the back side of the chart on which the patches are arranged is blank.

[0123] <Item 12> 1. A control method for an information processing apparatus that performs color verification of a printer based on colorimetric data of patches arranged on a chart printed by the printer, comprising: a generating step in which a generating means of the information processing device generates one color verification job including chart data for performing color verification on a plurality of printers; a control step of controlling the control means of the information processing device to display a color verification result based on the one color verification job, A control method, wherein the control step displays a color verification result for the one color verification job and a color verification result for each of the plurality of printers.

[0124] <Item 13> 13. A program causing a computer to execute each step of the control method described in Item 12.

[0125] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 100...color management device, 101...CPU, 102...ROM, 103...RAM, 110...control device, 120...monitor, 130...printer, 140...connected printer, 140a...printer 1, 140b...printer 2, 150...measuring instrument, 160...network, 401...color verification job specification setting unit, 402...UI control unit, 403...color verification job generation unit, 404...measurement control unit, 405...color verification processing unit, 406...printer information acquisition unit

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus that performs color verification of a printer based on colorimetric data of patches arranged on a chart printed by the printer, a generating means for generating one color verification job including chart data for performing color verification on a plurality of printers; a control unit for controlling the display of a color verification result based on the one color verification job, The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the control means displays the color verification result for the one color verification job and the color verification results for each of the plurality of printers.

2. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generating unit generates the one color verification job including chart data for the front side or the back side to be printed by each of the plurality of printers when double-sided printing is possible by the plurality of printers.

3. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generating means generates the one color verification job including chart data to be printed by the plurality of printers and imposition information that specifies the side to be printed by each of the plurality of printers when double-sided printing is possible by the plurality of printers.

4. further comprising an acquisition unit for acquiring information indicating which side each of the plurality of printers will print on when double-sided printing is possible by the plurality of printers; 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said generating means generates said imposition information based on said information acquired by said acquiring means when double-sided printing is possible by said plurality of printers.

5. a designation means for designating a printer to be used for color verification from among the plurality of printers; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for generating a color verification job including chart data for performing color verification of the printer designated by the designation means.

6. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means acquires color verification results for each of the plurality of printers based on a difference value between a reference color value based on chart data printed from the chart and measurement data acquired by measuring the chart, and a threshold value for determining whether color verification is successful.

7. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control means determines that the color verification result for the one color verification job in the plurality of printers is a failure if at least one of the color verification results of the plurality of printers does not satisfy the threshold value.

8. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color verification job includes settings of a printer to be used in the color verification job and a paper to be printed by the printer.

9. A color verification system comprising the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a measuring instrument, A color verification system, wherein the measuring instrument measures patches printed by each of the plurality of printers to generate the color measurement data.

10. The color verification system according to claim 9, wherein the chart data is generated based on the size and arrangement of patches measurable by the measuring instrument, based on information about the measuring instrument included in the color verification specifications.

11. 11. The color verification system according to claim 10, wherein the reverse side of the chart on which the patches are arranged is blank.

12. 1. A control method for an information processing apparatus that performs color verification of a printer based on colorimetric data of patches arranged on a chart printed by the printer, comprising: a generating step in which a generating means of the information processing apparatus generates one color verification job including chart data for performing color verification on a plurality of printers; a control step of controlling the control means of the information processing apparatus to display a color verification result based on the one color verification job, A control method, wherein the control step displays a color verification result for the one color verification job and a color verification result for each of the plurality of printers.

13. A program causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 12.

Images