Information processing device, information processing method

Abstract

To provide a technology that enables the display of images that accurately reproduce the print colors of multiple print targets without requiring complicated operations. [Solution] A production set is obtained that includes multiple print targets and their print settings. A preview image of each print target in the production set is generated based on the print settings of that target, and the generated preview images are displayed in a list.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image display technology.

Background Art

[0002] In order to create a worldview such as a brand, a unified design may be deployed on a plurality of different items such as advertising media, promotional materials, and products. Such a plurality of commercial materials having the same design are called collateral. When creating collateral, printing on various media may be performed using a plurality of types of printers. At this time, making the color impression uniform regardless of the printer or the medium is one of the important quality items. In order to achieve printing with a uniform color impression, it is important to perform a preview display that correctly reproduces the printing color of the content and check it in advance on the monitor.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a technique is disclosed in which preview image data of print data is generated corresponding to each printer based on the characteristic information of each printer, and a list of the preview image data is displayed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the above Patent Document 1, since a preview image is created only for the same image, it was not possible to display previews for a plurality of different images. The present invention provides a technique for enabling display of an image that accurately reproduces the printing colors of a plurality of printing targets without performing complicated operations.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: acquisition means for acquiring a production set including a plurality of print targets and print settings for the print targets; generation means for generating preview images of each print target in the production set based on the print settings for the print targets; and display control means for displaying a list of the preview images generated by the generation means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology that enables the display of images that accurately reproduce the print colors of multiple print targets without requiring complicated operations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram illustrating an example configuration of a printing system that prioritizes color impression consistency. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing an example configuration of a print color preview system. [Figure 3] A flowchart of the processes performed by the print color preview system. [Figure 4] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of production set 400, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of print setting data 403. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram illustrating the process of generating preview images. [Figure 6] A diagram showing an example of an application screen. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of an application screen. [Figure 8] A diagram showing an example of an application screen. [Figure 9] A flowchart of the processes performed by the print color preview system. [Figure 10] (a) is a diagram showing an example of an application screen, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of a color adjustment dialog. [Figure 11] A block diagram showing an example configuration of a print color preview system. [Figure 12](a) is a diagram showing an example of the application screen, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of the target color adjustment dialog screen. [Figure 13] A block diagram showing an example configuration of a print color preview system. [Figure 14] A schematic diagram showing the target color and the printer's color gamut, as well as the adjustment of the target color. [Figure 15] A block diagram showing an example of a computer device hardware configuration. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention to the claims. While the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any way. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0010] [First Embodiment] First, let's explain the term "original data" (sometimes referred to as "content") used in this embodiment and subsequent explanations. In the following explanation, "original data" refers to the "input digital data to be processed," and is data consisting of one or more pages.

[0011] If the manuscript data is a single-page document, the manuscript data may be an image containing the content of that page, or a set of drawing commands containing the content of that page. If the manuscript data is a set of drawing commands containing the content of that page, the image of that single page may be rendered based on the set of drawing commands, and processing may be performed on the rendered image. The same applies if the manuscript data is a set of drawing commands containing the content of multiple pages; the image of the multiple pages may be rendered based on the set of drawing commands, and processing may be performed on each of the rendered images of the pages.

[0012] Also, when the manuscript data is a group of drawing commands that describe the content of one page, the color processing may be performed on the image rendered based on the group of drawing commands, or may be performed on the color information included in the group of drawing commands.

[0013] Note that an image is a two-dimensional array of pixels, and each pixel holds information indicating a color in a prescribed color space. Information indicating a color includes RGB values, CMYK values, K values, CIE-L*a*b* values, LCH values, HSV values, HLS values, and the like.

[0014] <Color impression-matching emphasis printing system> When printing multiple contents of the same design for multiple different printing systems (printing systems including applications, printers, printing media such as paper, etc.), in order to print so that the colors of the printing targets appear to be aligned with the target color among the printing systems (perform printing that emphasizes impression matching with the target color), it is necessary to perform appropriate color settings and printer color adjustments for each printer whose color gamut may be different. That is, high knowledge and skills are required for colors and each printing system. Also, when printing multiple contents of the same design on multiple commercial materials, generally, one printing company alone cannot handle it, and multiple printing companies are used. In that case, since printing is performed with color adjustment based on the quality control of each printing company, it is difficult for the printing requester to make a request that emphasizes color consistency.

[0015] Therefore, in the present embodiment, a system (color impression-matching emphasis printing system) that enables printing that emphasizes color impression matching is provided, even if high knowledge and skills for individual printing systems are not sufficient.

[0016] A configuration example of the color impression-matching emphasis printing system according to the present embodiment will be described using FIG. 1. In the color impression-matching emphasis printing system, a job issuing device 100 and bases 170a, 170b, 170c are connected via a network 160.

[0017] Network 160 can be, for example, a local area network (LAN), the internet, or an intranet. Network 160 may be a wired network, a wireless network, or a network that includes both wired and wireless networks.

[0018] Locations 170a to 170c correspond to the locations of printing companies where printers are installed. For example, location 170a corresponds to a printing location in Tokyo, location 170b to a printing location in Osaka, and location 170c to a printing location in Fukuoka.

[0019] Site 170a has a control device 110, a monitor 120, printers 130a to 130c, and a measuring instrument 150. In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that sites 170b and 170c also have a control device 110, a monitor 120, printers 130a to 130c, and a measuring instrument 150. However, the system configuration is not limited to all sites being the same; any system capable of performing processing such as printing based on jobs transmitted (issued) from the job issuing device 100 may have different system configurations for each site. In the following explanation, site 170a will be used as an example, but this explanation is also applicable to sites 170b and 170c.

[0020] The job issuing device 100 is connected to the control device 110 via a network 160 so that they can communicate with each other. The job issuing device 100 sets color settings for printing that prioritize matching the impression with the target color (color impression matching priority setting) for one or more contents or jobs, and generates a job that instructs printing of the content based on the color settings. The job issuing device 100 then transmits the generated job to the control device 110.

[0021] The job issuing device 100 can generate jobs such as design generation jobs by applications, submission jobs to printing companies, monitor color proofing jobs to printing companies, and printing jobs to printers. The following describes a case in which the job issuing device 100 generates a print job and sends it to the control device 110.

[0022] If the color impression matching priority setting is enabled, the control device 110 generates a color impression matching priority color profile from two or more pieces of information, including content, target color, and printer profile, that correspond to the print job received from the job issuing device 100. The control device 110 then uses the generated color impression matching priority color profile as the color impression matching priority profile and includes this color impression matching priority profile in the content or print job.

[0023] The control device 110 is connected to the measuring instrument 150 at site 170a via a communication network such as a USB cable or an intranet, enabling mutual communication. The control device 110 controls the operation of the measuring instrument 150 and acquires measurement data output from the measuring unit 150.

[0024] The monitor 120 is connected to the control unit 110. The monitor 120 has an LCD screen or a touch panel screen and can display various user interface screens (UI screens) generated by the control unit 110.

[0025] Furthermore, the control device 110 is connected to printers 130a to 130c via a communication network such as an intranet, enabling it to communicate with each other. It acquires device information for each printer and issues printing instructions for content based on print jobs to each printer. The device information for each printer includes information such as paper type and printer profile.

[0026] Printers 130a to 130c print images onto a printing medium such as paper, for example, using electrophotographic process technology, based on print jobs from the control device 110. Printers 130a, 130b, and 130c may be color printers or monochrome printers. Printers 130a, 130b, and 130c may also be printers based on other image formation technologies such as inkjet.

[0027] Note that printers 130a, 130b, and 130c are just examples of printing devices; a multifunction device that includes copying and faxing functions in addition to printing functions may also be used as the printing device.

[0028] The 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. The measuring instrument 150 measures each color patch on a printed medium on which a chart (including multiple color patches) has been printed by printers 130a, 130b, and 130c, for example, which are provided at each site. The measuring instrument 150 converts the wavelength obtained for each patch through this measurement into a value in, for example, the L*a*b* color space or the XYZ color space, and outputs the converted value data as measurement data.

[0029] <Print Color Preview System> To create multiple pieces of content with the same design, where color consistency is paramount across different printing systems, it is crucial to accurately reproduce and verify the print colors on a monitor beforehand, considering the potentially different color gamuts of each printer.

[0030] Therefore, this embodiment provides a print color list preview system that can accurately display print colors in multiple different printing systems without requiring advanced knowledge or skills regarding printing systems or color management. In this embodiment, the case in which the print color list preview system is implemented in the control device 110 is described, but the print color list preview system may also be implemented in other devices at the base 170a (including devices not shown).

[0031] A block diagram in Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of the print color list preview system. When multiple contents of the same design are to be printed on multiple different printing systems, the process that the print color list preview system performs to generate and display preview images simulating the print colors of each content is explained according to the flowchart in Figure 3.

[0032] In step S301, the acquisition unit 201 acquires the production set specified by the user. In the following description, user operations such as specifying or selecting may be performed by the user operating an unillustrated control unit (keyboard, mouse, etc.), or, if the monitor 120 has a touch panel screen, by the user operating the touch panel screen, and are not limited to any particular form.

[0033] An example of the configuration of a production set is shown in Figure 4(a). Production set 400 shown in Figure 4(a) includes print manuscript sets 401a, 401b, and 401c. Print manuscript sets 401a, 401b, and 401c are all datasets that include content and the print settings for said content.

[0034] Print manuscript set 401a includes production manuscript data 402a, which is content data, and print settings data 403a, which is data on the print settings of the content. Print manuscript set 401b includes production manuscript data 402b, which is content data, and print settings data 403b, which is data on the print settings of the content. Print manuscript set 401c includes production manuscript data 402c, which is content data, and print settings data 403c, which is data on the print settings of the content.

[0035] In the following, when providing a common explanation for print manuscript sets 401a, 401b, and 401c, they will be referred to as print manuscript set 401. Similarly, when providing a common explanation for production manuscript data 402a, 402b, and 402c, they will be referred to as production manuscript data 402. Similarly, when providing a common explanation for print setting data 403a, 403b, and 403c, they will be referred to as print setting data 403. An example of the configuration of print setting data 403 is shown in Figure 4(b).

[0036] The target color profile 404 includes input / output color space mapping, white point, black point information, etc., and is provided, for example, in an ICC profile. The target color profile intent 405 is a setting item that indicates the mapping rules in the input / output color space mapping, and in the case of an ICC profile, it generally has four types: Perceptual, Saturation, Absolute Colorimetric, and Relative Colorimetric.

[0037] The printer profile 406 is the printer profile for printing an image based on the original artwork data 402, and is generally determined by the combination of printer and printing medium, and is given, for example, by an ICC profile.

[0038] Printer settings 407 include information about the settings for the printing medium (for example, paper size, print orientation, print quality, etc.) of the printer that prints the image based on the production document data 402.

[0039] The following explanation will describe the case where the target color profile 404 and printer profile 406 are ICC profiles. In the same design, it is preferable that the target color profile 404 and target color profile intent 405 are common to the print original sets 401a to 401c. The following explanation will describe, as an example, the case in step S301 where the acquisition unit 201 acquires the production set 400 shown in Figure 4(a).

[0040] In step S302, the reading unit 202 obtains the print manuscript set 401 from the production set 400 acquired in step S301. In step S303, the reading unit 203 obtains the production manuscript data 402 from the print manuscript set 401 acquired by the reading unit 202 in step S302. In step S304, the reading unit 204 obtains the print setting data 403 from the print manuscript set 401 acquired by the reading unit 202 in step S302.

[0041] In step S305, the generation unit 205 generates preview images of the content corresponding to the print manuscript sets 401a, 401b, and 401c acquired from the production set 400. The preview image generation process will be explained using the schematic diagram in Figure 5.

[0042] The following explanation will describe the case where the original artwork data 402 is an sRGB image, but it is not limited to this case; for example, the original artwork data 402 may also be an AdobeRGB or CMYK image.

[0043] The generation unit 205 converts the pixel values ​​sRGB501 of the sRGB image, which is the production manuscript data 402, into pixel values ​​L*a*b*503 using the input profile 502. The input profile 502 is, for example, a profile included in the production manuscript data 402.

[0044] Next, the generation unit 205 converts the pixel value L*a*b*503 to pixel value L*a*b*504 using the target color profile 404. At this time, the profile conversion is performed based on the intent specified by the target color profile intent 405.

[0045] Next, the generation unit 205 converts the pixel value L*a*b*504 to pixel value L*a*b*505 using the printer profile 406. In this embodiment, where color impression matching is important, it is preferable that the profile conversion is performed based on the Absolute Colorimetric intent.

[0046] Next, the generation unit 205 converts the pixel values ​​L*a*b*505 into device RGB pixel values ​​507 using the monitor profile 506 to obtain a preview image 508, which is an image having device RGB pixel values ​​507. Here, the monitor profile 506 is a profile that shows the display characteristics of the monitor 120 and is generated in advance by a measuring instrument (not shown).

[0047] For example, suppose printing based on print document set 401a is performed on printer 130a, printing based on print document set 401b is performed on printer 130b, and printing based on print document set 401c is performed on printer 130c. In this case, for print document set 401a, a preview image based on the profile of printer 130a is generated. For print document set 401b, a preview image based on the profile of printer 130b is generated. For print document set 401c, a preview image based on the profile of printer 130c is generated.

[0048] In step S306, the generation unit 205 stores the preview image generated in step S305 (the preview image corresponding to the print document set 401 acquired in step S302) in the storage unit 206.

[0049] In step S307, the reading unit 202 determines whether or not it has generated preview images for all print document sets 401 included in the production set 400 acquired in step S301.

[0050] As a result of this determination, if preview images have been generated for all print document sets 401 included in the production set 400 acquired in step S301, the process proceeds to step S308. On the other hand, if there are still print document sets 401 included in the production set 400 acquired in step S301 for which preview images have not yet been generated, the process proceeds to step S302. Then, from step S302 onward, the same process is performed on the print document sets 401 for which preview images have not yet been generated, and preview images corresponding to those print document sets 401 are generated.

[0051] In step S308, the display control unit 207 reads the preview images generated for all print document sets 401 included in the production set 400 from the storage unit 206 and generates a preview screen including the read preview images. Then, in step S309, the display control unit 207 displays the preview screen generated in step S308 on the monitor 120.

[0052] Figure 6 shows an example of the application screen of the print color list preview system in this embodiment. The application screen 600 in Figure 6 has a button 601 and preview screens 602a, 602b, and 602c. Such an application screen is displayed on the monitor 120.

[0053] Button 601 is a button for accepting user input to specify a production set 400. For example, if a user presses button 601, then specifies the path to the folder where the production set 400 is stored, and then inputs a load command, the acquisition unit 201 acquires the production set 400 corresponding to that path.

[0054] Preview screen 602a displays preview image 603a, which corresponds to print document set 401a. Preview screen 602b displays preview image 603b, which corresponds to print document set 401b. Preview screen 602c displays preview image 603c, which corresponds to print document set 401c.

[0055] In the case shown in Figure 6, the display control unit 207 generates preview screens 602a, 602b, and 602c, generates an application screen 600 that includes the preview screens 602a, 602b, and 602c, and displays the application screen 600 on the monitor 120.

[0056] In this embodiment, the system accepts the specification of a production set and generates preview images in bulk from the production material data and print setting data included in the production set, and displays them in a list. This makes it easy to check a list of print color simulations for multiple contents.

[0057] <Variation> If the job issuing device 100 is installed at each of the locations 170a to 170c, the printer and measuring instrument may be directly connected to the job issuing device 100, and the job issuing device 100 may generate a color impression matching priority profile and include it in the job before issuing a print command to the printer, without going through the control device 110.

[0058] Alternatively, the job issuing device 100 may issue a job to the control device 110, and the control device 110, upon receiving the job, may perform color settings for the job, such as prioritizing target color and color impression matching. In the case where the control device 110 performs color settings upon receiving the job, it is characterized by being able to perform color settings according to at least the printer and media, or the printer type and media type. Alternatively, if the control device 110 that receives the job holds a printer driver (not shown) corresponding to each printer, it may be configured to perform color settings for each printer driver. Furthermore, an information processing device equipped with the functions of both the job issuing device 100 and the control device 110 may be provided at each location.

[0059] [Second Embodiment] In the following embodiments, including this embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and unless otherwise specified below, they will be the same as the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, preview images were generated and displayed in a list for all print manuscript sets 401 included in the production set 400. However, it is also possible to configure the system to generate and display preview images in a list only for a specified selection of print manuscript sets 401 included in the production set 400.

[0060] This allows for more effective verification of print color simulation results when the number of print document sets 401 included in production set 400 is too large to display a list of preview images, or when specific print document sets 401 that you want to focus on are predetermined.

[0061] Figure 7 shows an example of the application screen of the print color list preview system in this embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, this application screen is generated by the display control unit 207 and displayed on the monitor 120. The application screen in Figure 7 is the same as the application screen in Figure 6, but with the addition of a designation unit 701 for specifying the product to display the preview image.

[0062] If a user wants to display preview images for all print document sets 401 included in production set 400, they should turn on radio button 701a. On the other hand, if a user wants to specify which print document set 401 from production set 400 they want to display preview images for, they should turn on radio button 701b and enter the index of the print document set 401 for which they want to display preview images in box 702.

[0063] If radio button 701a is selected, the reading unit 202 retrieves all print document sets 401 included in the production set 400. On the other hand, if radio button 701b is selected, the reading unit 202 retrieves the print document set 401 from the print document sets 401 included in the production set 400 that corresponds to the index entered in box 702.

[0064] Thus, in this embodiment, preview images can be generated and displayed in a list for only a specified set of print documents, thereby enabling more effective verification of print color simulation results.

[0065] [Third Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the system accepted the specification of a single production set 400 and displayed a preview corresponding to that production set 400. However, it is also possible to configure the system to accept multiple production sets 400 and display a preview for each production set 400. This makes it easy to compare production sets 400 with different designs or different target colors and to select the more preferable production set 400.

[0066] When multiple pieces of content with the same design are to be printed on multiple different printing systems, the process performed by the print color list preview system to generate and display preview images that simulate the print colors of each piece of content will be explained according to the flowchart in Figure 9. In Figure 9, processing steps that are the same as those shown in Figure 3 are given the same step numbers, and the explanation for these processing steps will be omitted.

[0067] In step S901, the acquisition unit 201 acquires multiple production sets specified by the user. For example, by repeating the method described in the first embodiment for acquiring one production set by operating the application screen in Figure 6, the acquisition unit 201 acquires multiple production sets.

[0068] In step S902, the acquisition unit 201 selects one of the multiple production sets acquired in step S901 that was not selected as the selected production set. Then, by performing the processing in steps S302 to S307 on the selected production set, a preview image corresponding to the selected production set is generated.

[0069] In step S903, the acquisition unit 201 determines whether or not all of the multiple production sets acquired in step S901 have been selected as a selected production set (i.e., a preview image has been generated for all of the multiple production sets acquired in step S901).

[0070] If, as a result of this judgment, all of the multiple production sets obtained in step S901 are selected as the selected production set (preview images have been generated for all of the multiple production sets obtained in step S901), the process proceeds to step S904.

[0071] On the other hand, if there are still production sets among the multiple production sets acquired in step S901 that have not yet been selected as the selected production set (i.e., there are still production sets among the multiple production sets acquired in step S901 that have not yet generated a preview image), the process proceeds to step S902.

[0072] In step S904, the display control unit 207 generates an application screen corresponding to each of the multiple production sets acquired in step S901.

[0073] For example, as shown in Figure 8, in step S901, an application screen 800 is generated for one of the multiple production sets acquired (for example, the production set initially selected as the production set), and for the other production sets, an application screen 802 is generated which displays the preview screens generated for each production set side by side. In step S905, the display control unit 207 displays the application screen generated in step S904 on the monitor 120.

[0074] Thus, in this embodiment, by accepting multiple production sets and displaying a preview for each production set, it becomes possible to easily compare production sets with different designs or different target colors and select the more preferable production set.

[0075] [Fourth Embodiment] This embodiment describes an application screen that has a function to change print settings while displaying a list of preview screens. With such an application screen according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily check print settings that give a more consistent color impression across multiple content items.

[0076] An example of an application screen according to this embodiment is shown in Figure 10(a). Similar to the first embodiment, this application screen is generated by the display control unit 207 and displayed on the monitor 120. In the following description, the differences between the application screen in Figure 10(a) and the application screen illustrated in Figure 6 will be explained. Note that when describing buttons 1005a, 1005b, and 1005c in a common manner, they will be referred to as button 1005.

[0077] An example of the configuration of the print color list preview system according to this embodiment is shown in the block diagram of Figure 11. In Figure 11, functional units similar to those shown in Figure 2 are given the same reference numbers, and the explanation of these functional units is omitted.

[0078] When the user operates the widget 1001, a list of target color profiles is displayed, and the modification unit 1101 updates (changes) the target color profile 404 to the target color profile specified by the user from the list of displayed target color profiles.

[0079] Furthermore, when the user operates the widget 1002, a list of target color profile intents is displayed, and the modification unit 1101 updates (changes) the target color profile intent 405 to the target color profile intent specified by the user from the displayed list of target color profile intents.

[0080] The generation unit 205 generates a preview image by performing the same processing as in the first embodiment using the modified target color profile 404 and target color profile intent 405, and stores the generated preview image in the storage unit 206.

[0081] The target color profile to be changed may be stored in advance by the print color preview system, or it may be configured to be read as an external file specified by the user. Alternatively, it may be configured to read the profile of the connected printer.

[0082] When the user presses button 1005, the display control unit 205 displays a color adjustment dialog on the monitor 120. An example of the color adjustment dialog is shown in Figure 10(b). In the color adjustment dialog, adjustments such as hue, brightness, and saturation can be made to the preview image 603. Specifically, the user can adjust the hue of the preview image 603 by moving the slider corresponding to hue left or right, adjust the brightness of the preview image 603 by moving the slider corresponding to brightness left or right, and adjust the saturation of the preview image 603 by moving the slider corresponding to saturation left or right.

[0083] Then, when the user presses button 1007, the modification unit 1101 updates the print settings data 403 to reflect the user's actions in the color adjustment dialog (adjustment values ​​such as hue, brightness, and saturation). At this point, the modification unit 1101 may update the printer profile 406 or the printer settings 407.

[0084] Furthermore, when the user presses button 1006, the modification unit 1101 saves the production set 400, which includes the updated print settings data 403, to the storage unit 1102.

[0085] Thus, in this embodiment, by providing an application screen that has a function to change print settings while displaying a list of preview screens, it becomes possible to easily check print settings that give a more consistent color impression.

[0086] [Fifth Embodiment] In this embodiment, an application screen with a target color adjustment function will be described while a preview screen list is displayed. With this application screen according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily check and adjust the degree of individual optimization and inter-product consistency when printing content using multiple devices and media.

[0087] An example of an application screen 1200 according to this embodiment is shown in Figure 12(a). Similar to the first embodiment, such an application screen 1200 is generated by the display control unit 207 and displayed on the monitor 120. In the following, the differences between the application screen in Figure 12 and the application screens illustrated in Figures 6 and 10 will be described.

[0088] An example of the configuration of the print color list preview system according to this embodiment is shown in the block diagram of Figure 13. In Figure 13, functional units similar to those shown in Figures 2 and 11 are given the same reference numbers, and the explanation of these functional units is omitted.

[0089] When the target color adjustment button 1201 is pressed in response to user operation, the display control unit 207 displays the target color adjustment dialog screen 1202 on the monitor 120. Figure 12(b) shows an example of the target color adjustment dialog screen 1202. The target color adjustment dialog screen 1202 includes a target color adjustment widget 1203.

[0090] When the target color adjustment widget 1203 is operated in response to user input, the target color adjustment unit 1301 obtains the target color profile and printer profile of the print setting data from the reading unit 202 and adjusts the target color.

[0091] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the target color, printer color gamut, and target color adjustment. Figure 14(a) shows the relationship between the target color and printer color gamut when individual optimization is maximized. When the target color encompasses all of printers 1-3, the color space mapping is performed to utilize the entire color gamut of each printer, thus maximizing individual optimization for each printer. Here, printers 1-3 represent the printer color gamuts of the first, second, and third production works, respectively.

[0092] Figure 14(b) shows the relationship between the target color and the printer color gamut when the degree of inter-product matching is maximized. When the target color is contained within all three printers (1-3), i.e., within the common area of ​​all three printers, the target color can be reproduced by each printer, resulting in the maximum degree of inter-product matching.

[0093] Figure 14(c) shows an example of an adjusted target color. The target color adjustment unit 1301 adjusts the size of the target color gamut from the maximum individual optimization to the maximum inter-product matching based on the specification of the target color adjustment widget 1203. Here, the target color adjustment may be performed by selecting an appropriate one from the preset target colors prepared in advance, or by generating a new one from a reference target color through geometric transformation or the like.

[0094] When the user presses button 1006, the target color adjustment unit 1301 reflects the adjusted target color in the target color profile 404 of the print setting data 403 and saves the production set 400, including the print setting data 403, to the save unit 1102. The target color adjustment dialog screen 1202 may also have a color gamut preview display unit 1204 and a comparison image display unit 1205, as shown in Figure 12(b).

[0095] The color gamut preview generation unit 1302 acquires the adjusted target color and printer color gamut information from the target color adjustment unit 1301 and generates a color gamut preview image. Next, the display control unit 207 displays the color gamut preview image on the color gamut preview display unit 1204.

[0096] The comparison image generation unit 1303 obtains the adjusted target color from the target color adjustment unit and the print original set reading unit, and generates a comparison image 1206. The comparison image 1206 is, for example, a color difference image between L*a*b* data 505 obtained by processing the original document data a of the first production based on the print setting data 403a of the first production and the print setting data 403b of the second production, as in the first embodiment, or it may be a saturation difference image between saturation images obtained based on the L*a*b* data 505. Next, the display control unit 207 displays the comparison image 1206 on the comparison image display unit 1205.

[0097] Thus, in this embodiment, by providing an application screen that has a function to adjust the target color while displaying a list of preview screens, it becomes possible to easily check and adjust the degree of individual optimization and inter-product consistency.

[0098] [Sixth Embodiment] Each functional unit shown in Figures 2, 11, and 13 (excluding storage unit 206 and storage unit 1102) may be implemented in hardware or in software (computer program). In the latter case, a computer device capable of executing such a computer program is applicable to the control device 110. An example of a hardware configuration of a computer device applicable to the control device 110 will be explained using the block diagram in Figure 15.

[0099] The CPU 1501 executes various processes using computer programs and data stored in the RAM 1502. In doing so, the CPU 1501 controls the operation of the entire computer system and also executes or controls the various processes described as being performed by the control device 110.

[0100] RAM 1502 has areas for storing computer programs and data loaded from ROM 1503 and storage device 1506, and areas for storing computer programs and data received from external devices via I / F 1507. Furthermore, RAM 1502 has a work area used by CPU 1501 when executing various processes. In this way, RAM 1502 can provide various areas as appropriate.

[0101] ROM1503 stores configuration data for the computer device, computer programs and data related to the startup of the computer device, computer programs and data related to the basic operation of the computer device, and so on.

[0102] The control unit 1504 is a user interface such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel, which allows the user to input various instructions and information to the computer device through user operation. For example, the user can perform the above user operations by operating the control unit 1504.

[0103] The display unit 1505 has an LCD screen or a touch panel screen and can display the processing results of the CPU 1501 as images, text, etc. For example, the display unit 1505 can be used as the monitor 120 described above. The display unit 1505 may also be a projection device such as a projector that projects images and text.

[0104] The storage device 1506 is a non-volatile memory, and it stores computer programs and data that cause the CPU 1501 to execute or control various processes described as being performed by the OS and the control device 110. The storage units 206 and 1102 mentioned above can be implemented using RAM 1502 and storage device 1506, respectively.

[0105] I / F1507 functions as an interface for data communication with external devices via networks such as LANs and the Internet. For example, a computer device communicates data with devices such as a job issuing device 100, measuring instrument 150, and printers 130a, 130b, and 130c via I / F1507.

[0106] The CPU 1501, RAM 1502, ROM 1503, operation unit 1504, display unit 1505, storage device 1506, and I / F 1507 are all connected to the system bus 1508. Note that the configuration shown in Figure 15 is merely one example of a computer device hardware configuration applicable to the control device 110, and can be modified or altered as appropriate.

[0107] Furthermore, the configuration and operation methods of UI screens such as application screens used in the above embodiments are merely examples, and the system is not limited to any specific configuration or operation method as long as it can achieve similar functionality.

[0108] The numerical values, processing timing, processing order, processing entity, data (information) structure / acquisition method / destination / source / storage location, etc., used in the above embodiments and modifications are given as examples for the purpose of providing specific explanations and are not intended to limit the scope to such examples.

[0109] Furthermore, some or all of the embodiments and modifications described above may be used in appropriate combinations. Alternatively, some or all of the embodiments and modifications described above may be used selectively.

[0110] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0111] The inventions described herein include the following information processing devices, information processing methods, and computer programs. (Item 1) A means for acquiring a production set that includes multiple print targets and print settings for those print targets, A generation means for generating preview images of each print target in the production set based on the print settings of the print target, A display control means that displays a list of preview images generated by the generation means. An information processing device characterized by comprising: (Item 2) The information processing apparatus according to item 1, characterized in that the generation means generates a preview image of the object to be printed based on the profile of the printing apparatus for printing the object and the setting of the target color. (Item 3) The information processing apparatus according to item 2, characterized in that the setting of the target color is common between the set including the print target and the print settings of the print target. (Item 4) moreover, The information processing device according to item 2 or 3, characterized by comprising a means for changing the setting of the target color in accordance with user operation. (Item 5) The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 4, characterized in that the printing target is a printing target to be printed as a product in collateral. (Item 6) The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 5, characterized in that the display control means displays a list of preview images of all print targets included in the production set. (Item 7) The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 5, characterized in that the display control means displays a list of preview images of print targets specified by the user from among the print targets included in the production set. (Item 8) The acquisition means acquires multiple production sets, The generation means generates a preview image for each production set acquired by the acquisition means. The display control means displays a preview image of each production set generated by the generation means. An information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 7, characterized by the above. (Item 9) The information processing device according to item 8, characterized in that the display control means displays a list of preview images of each production set on a different screen for each production set. (Item 10) moreover, The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 9, characterized by comprising an adjustment means for performing color adjustment of the aforementioned preview image. (Item 11) The information processing device according to item 2, characterized in that it adjusts the target color according to user operation. (Item 12) The adjustment of the aforementioned target color is as follows: The information processing device according to item 11, characterized in that it adjusts the size and shape of a target color based on the color gamut information of the printing device. (Item 13) The information processing device according to item 11, characterized by displaying a preview screen showing the target color and the color gamut size of the printing device. (Item 14) The information processing device according to item 11, characterized by displaying an image showing the differences between preview images for preview images of multiple printing devices. (Item 15) An information processing method performed by an information processing device, The acquisition means of the information processing device includes an acquisition step of acquiring a production set that includes a plurality of print targets and print settings for said print targets, The generation means of the information processing device includes a generation step of generating preview images of each print target in the production set based on the print settings of the print target, The display control means of the information processing device includes a display control step that displays a list of preview images generated in the generation step. An information processing method characterized by comprising: (Item 16) A computer program that causes a computer to function as one of the means of an information processing device described in any one of items 1 through 14.

[0112] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0113] 110: Control unit 120: Monitor 201: Acquisition unit 202: Reading unit 203: Reading unit 204: Reading unit 205: Generation unit 206: Storage unit 207: Display control unit

Claims

1. A means for acquiring a production set that includes multiple print targets and print settings for those print targets, A generation means for generating preview images of each print target in the production set based on the print settings of the print target, A display control means that displays a list of preview images generated by the generation means. An information processing device characterized by comprising:

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the generation means generates a preview image of the object to be printed based on the profile of a printing device that prints the object and the setting of a target color.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the setting of the target color is common between the set including the print target and the print settings of the print target.

4. moreover, The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a means for changing the setting of the target color in accordance with user operation.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the printing target is a printing target to be printed as each of the collateral products.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control means displays a list of preview images of all print targets included in the production set.

7. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control means displays a list of preview images of print targets specified by the user from among the print targets included in the production set.

8. The acquisition means acquires multiple production sets, The generation means generates a preview image for each production set acquired by the acquisition means. The display control means displays a preview image of each production set generated by the generation means. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

9. The information processing device according to claim 8, characterized in that the display control means displays a list of preview images of each production set on a different screen for each production set.

10. moreover, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising adjustment means for performing color adjustment of the preview image.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it adjusts the target color according to user operation.

12. The adjustment of the aforementioned target color is as follows: The information processing device according to claim 11, characterized in that it adjusts the size and shape of a target color based on the color gamut information of the printing device.

13. The information processing device according to claim 11, characterized in that it displays a preview screen showing the target color and the color gamut size of the printing device.

14. The information processing device according to claim 11, characterized in that it displays an image showing the differences between preview images for preview images of multiple printing devices.

15. An information processing method performed by an information processing device, The acquisition means of the information processing device includes an acquisition step of acquiring a production set that includes a plurality of print targets and print settings for said print targets, The generation means of the information processing device includes a generation step of generating preview images of each print target in the production set based on the print settings of the print target, The display control means of the information processing device includes a display control step that displays a list of preview images generated in the generation step. An information processing method characterized by comprising:

16. A computer program for causing a computer to function as one of the means of an information processing apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 14.

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