Information processing device, control method for information processing device, program, recording medium

Abstract

When judging color by visual inspection, differences in judgment can occur depending on the judge, and even the same judge may find it difficult to consistently reproduce the judgment. [Solution] The present invention comprises a printing means for printing print data including a sample of a specific color, a printed material printed by the printing means, a chart reading means for reading a chart including a patch of the specific color and a patch of a similar color to the specific color, and a determination means for determining which of the read patches is closest to the sample of the specific color, and a conversion means for converting the specific color in the print data to the color of the patch closest to the specific color based on the determination result of the determination means.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of color printing and color original reading.

Background Art

[0002] In conventional color printing, for a specific color, there is a method of setting a color appearance preferred by a user. For example, in Patent Document 1, a color chart including a plurality of patches of similar colors for a specific color is printed, and by visually determining the color number corresponding to each patch, a desired color appearance is set.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the visual determination of color appearance, there are problems such as differences in determination by different judges and difficulty in accurately reproducing the determination even by the same judge.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to automatically determine the patch closest to a sample of a specific color.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention includes printing means for printing print data including a sample of a specific color, chart reading means for reading a chart including the printed matter printed by the printing means, the patch of the specific color, and patches of similar colors of the specific color, determination means for determining the patch closest to the sample of the specific color among the read patches, based on the determination result of the determination means, the specific color of the print data, The system has a conversion means that converts the color of the patch to the color closest to the specified color. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, by reading a color chart containing multiple patches of similar colors for a specific color and comparing it with a sample of the specific color, it is possible to automatically determine the patch that is closest to the sample of the specific color. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the system configuration of the MFP100. [Figure 2] This is an external view of the MFP100. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the control panel 150 of the MFP100. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the structure of print job data 400. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the module configuration of program 500. [Figure 6] This figure shows the configuration of file system 600. [Figure 7] This figure shows a color chart of 800 containing multiple patches of similar colors for a specific color. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart explaining the reading process for the Color Chart 800. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart of the printing process. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of sample manuscript 1000. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart showing the scanning process for 1000 sample documents. [Figure 12] This flowchart shows the synchronized reading process for color chart 800 and sample document 1000. [Figure 13] This shows the screen displayed on the touch panel 301 of the control unit 150. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the components described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of this invention is not intended to be limited thereto only.

Example

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

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the MFP 100 used as an information processing apparatus in the present invention.

[0012] The control unit 110 is connected to a scanner (chart reading means) 130 which is an image input device and a printer 140 which is an image output device, and controls the input and output of image information. On the other hand, the control unit 110 is connected to a LAN and receives print job data 400 via this, etc.

[0013] Note that the control unit 110 includes a determination means for determining the patch closest to a sample (sample color) of a specific color.

[0014] The print job data 400 is composed of a header part 401 in which print information is stored and a data part 402 in which PDL data and image data are stored (FIG. 4).

[0015] The CPU 111 controls the operation of the MFP 100 and operates based on a program 500 stored in the RAM 112.

[0016] Note that print data and print job data are the same.

[0017] A scan processing module 501, a print processing module 502, etc. are stored in the program 500 (FIG. 5).

[0018] ROM113 is the boot ROM, and it stores the system's boot program.

[0019] The memory unit 114 stores system software, image data, programs for controlling the operation of the MFP 100, and the like.

[0020] The program 400 stored in the memory unit 114 is loaded into the RAM 112, and the CPU 111 controls the operation of the MFP 100 based on this.

[0021] To access the storage unit 114, a file system 600 is used that can handle image data and PDL data within the storage unit as files.

[0022] On file system 600, the file system can receive instructions from applications, and according to those instructions, it can open files by specifying a file name with a file path, write to files, and read data from files.

[0023] The file system 600 contains a PDL data management unit 610 for storing PDL data, a scan data management unit 620 for storing scan data, and a specific color processing management unit 630 for storing files related to specific color processing, all of which exist as different file paths (Figure 6).

[0024] The network interface 115 is connected to the LAN and communicates with external devices such as the PC160 via the network, handling the input and output of various types of information.

[0025] The device interface 116 connects the image input / output devices, such as the scanner 130 and printer 140, to the control unit 110 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

[0026] The control unit I / F 117 is an interface that connects the control unit 150 and the control unit 110, and outputs image data for display on the control unit 150 to the control unit 150.

[0027] Furthermore, the control unit I / F 117 transmits information entered by the user from the control unit 150 to the CPU 111.

[0028] The image processing unit 118 performs image processing on print job data received via LAN and image data input / output from the device I / F 116.

[0029] The image memory 119 is a memory for temporarily expanding image data processed by the image processing unit 118.

[0030] Figure 2 shows an external view of the MFP100. In the MFP100, the scanner 130 is located on top of the printer 140.

[0031] The scanner 130 consists of an automatic document feeder (ADF) 204 and a reader 205.

[0032] The automatic document feeder (ADF) 204 separates the stack of documents placed on the stacking surface of the document tray, page by page, starting from the first page, and transports them onto the document glass for scanning by the reader 205.

[0033] The reader 205 reads images of documents being transported on the document glass or placed on the document glass, and converts them into image data using a CCD.

[0034] The printer 140 is equipped with two types of paper holding sections: multiple cassettes 201 that can hold several hundred sheets of paper in a single tray, and a manual feed tray 202 that allows for easy paper replacement. The size and type of paper placed in the cassettes 201 are set by the user via an operation screen (not shown) and stored in the ROM 113, associated with each cassette. Alternatively, the printer may be configured to automatically detect the size and type of paper placed in the cassettes 201 and the manual feed tray 202.

[0035] The paper output device 203 can perform printing finishing such as stapling and punching on the image-formed paper output from the printer 140.

[0036] Figure 3 shows the operation unit 150 of the MFP100. The operation unit 150 has a hard key input unit (key input unit) 302 and a touch panel unit 301, through which it receives instructions from the user. The operation unit 150 also displays various information on the touch panel unit 301.

[0037] Figure 7 shows a color chart 800 containing multiple patches of similar colors for a specific color.

[0038] When the color chart 800 receives a command from the PC 160 via the LAN 170, the control unit 110 performs the printing.

[0039] Color chart 800 contains numerous patch images 810 of specific colors and similar colors, along with patch numbers 811. The color values ​​and positions on the paper of patch number 811 and patch image 811 are mapped in patch management table 632 as shown in Table A.

[0040] This color chart 800 allows you to measure the density of each patch image on the paper.

[0041] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the reading process of the color chart 800 in the MFP in this embodiment. The scan processing module 501 of the MFP 100 related to this flowchart is stored in the program 500, read into RAM 112, and executed by CPU 111.

[0042] In step S101, the control unit 110 displays a message on the operation unit 150 instructing the user to place the color chart 800 on the scanner 130, and then proceeds to step S102.

[0043] In step S102, once the scanner 130 detects the placement of the color chart 800, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0044] In step S103, the control unit 110 instructs the scanner 130 to read the color chart 800, and the process proceeds to step S103.

[0045] In step S104, once the scanner 130 has finished reading the color chart 800 and saved it as scan data 621 to the scan data management unit 520, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0046] In step S105, the control unit 110 obtains the density values ​​of the patches at positions X and Y stored in the patch management table 632 from the scan data 621 stored in the scan data management unit 520, associates them with the patch numbers, and saves them to the RAM 112.

[0047] In step S106, the control unit 110 compares the density values ​​of each patch position stored in RAM 112 with the density values ​​631 of the sample (sample color) previously stored in the setting management unit 630 to identify the patch position number that is closest to the sample density value. It then determines this as the patch number closest to the sample density value. The control unit 110 uses the patch management table 632 to obtain the corresponding density value from the determined patch number, saves it as the target color in the color replacement list 633 of the specific color processing management unit 630, and ends the step.

[0048] Here, the result is determined by the patch number (the number of the patch position closest to the sample density value), but the result is not limited to the patch number. For example, it could also be information representing the patch position on the chart (e.g., coordinate information on the chart).

[0049] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the printing process in the MFP in this embodiment. The printing processing module 502 of the MFP 100 related to this flowchart is stored in the program 500, read into RAM 112, and executed by CPU 111.

[0050] In step S201, when the print job data sent from PC160 is received via LAN170 through network I / F115, the control unit 110 saves it in the print job data management unit 610, and then proceeds to step S202.

[0051] In step S202, the control unit 110 analyzes the header section 401 and data section 402 of the print job data stored in the print job data management unit 610 and saves the results to the RAM 112. By analyzing the header section 401, it is possible to obtain print job setting information such as whether or not specific color processing is specified. Furthermore, by analyzing the data section 402, it is possible to obtain image information and color values ​​from the PDL data and generate control commands that will be used as input for image generation.

[0052] In step S203, if the print job data contains a specific color processing specification, proceed to step S203. If there is no specific color processing specification, proceed to step S204.

[0053] In step S204, the control unit 110 reads the color replacement list 633 from the specific color processing unit 602, and if the color value obtained in the aforementioned data analysis matches the color value of the specific color registered in the color replacement list 633, it converts it to the color value of the target color associated with the specific color (Table B).

[0054] In step S205, the control unit 110 generates raster image data in the RGB color space (hereinafter referred to as "RGB raster image data") based on the control commands generated in the data analysis described above. At this time, if the input image contains pixels with a specific color, the RGB values ​​of that specific color are replaced with the RGB values ​​of the target color.

[0055] After generating RGB raster image data, the control unit 110 converts the pixel values ​​in the RGB raster image data from RGB values ​​to CMYK values. This color conversion process generates raster image data expressed in the CMYK color space (hereinafter referred to as "CMYK raster image data").

[0056] After generating CMYK raster image data, the control unit 110 performs halftone processing on the generated CMYK raster image data to produce image data (halftone image data) that can be processed by the printer 140.

[0057] In step S206, the control unit 110 sends the generated halftone image data to the printer 140. After the halftone image data is sent, the printer 140 forms an image on the paper based on the halftone image data, and the paper with the image formed is transported to the paper output device 203, ending the step.

[0058] In Example 1, a color chart 800 containing multiple patches of similar colors for a specific color is read, and by comparing it with a sample of the specific color, it is possible to automatically determine the patch that is closest to the sample of the specific color. [Examples]

[0059] In Example 1, the density value 631 of a specific color sample was stored in advance. However, the result of reading the sample original 1000 (sample reading) may be saved as the density value of the sample. The reading flow and printing flow of the color chart 800 are almost the same as in Example 1, so only the differences will be explained below.

[0060] Figure 10 shows an example of sample manuscript 1000.

[0061] Sample manuscript 1000 has a sample image 1010, which serves as a sample of a specific color, placed on the paper.

[0062] By measuring the color of this sample image 1010, the density value of the sample can be obtained.

[0063] This sample document 1000 can be a printed document produced by the MFP100 itself, or it may not be.

[0064] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the scanning process of the sample document 1000 in the MFP in this embodiment 2. The scan processing module 501 of the MFP 100 related to this flow is stored in the program 500, read into RAM 112, and executed by CPU 111.

[0065] In step S301, the control unit 110 displays a message to the operation unit 150 prompting the user to position the sample document 1000 so that the image to be scanned is in the center of the document glass of the reader 205, and then proceeds to step S302.

[0066] In step S302, once the scanner 130 detects the placement of the sample document 1000, the process proceeds to step S303.

[0067] In step S303, the control unit 110 instructs the scanner 130 to read the sample document 1000, and the process proceeds to step S304.

[0068] In step S304, once the scanner 130 has finished reading the sample document 1000 and saved it as scan data 622 to the scan data management unit 520, the process proceeds to step S305.

[0069] In step S305, the control unit 110 obtains the density value at the center of the image position from the scan data 622 stored in the scan data management unit 520, saves it to the RAM 112, and proceeds to step S306.

[0070] In step S306, if the control unit 110 determines that the concentration value stored in RAM 112 is within a predetermined range, it proceeds to step S307. If it determines that the value is outside the predetermined range, it determines that it is an abnormal value and restarts from step S301.

[0071] This means that if the scanned density value is determined to be abnormal, the system will prompt the user to reposition the sample document, enabling scanning at the appropriate density (appropriate document placement).

[0072] In step S307, the control unit 110 saves the density value stored in the RAM 112 as the sample density value 631 of the specific color processing management unit 630, and then the step ends.

[0073] In Example 2, a color chart 800 containing multiple patches of similar colors for a specific color is read, and by comparing it with a sample of the specific color, it is possible to automatically determine the patch that is closest to the sample of the specific color. [Examples]

[0074] In Example 2, the user is instructed to position the sample document 1000 so that the image to be scanned is in the center of the document glass of the reader 205. However, the scanning position may also be specified using the touch panel 301 of the operation unit 150. The scanning and printing flows for the color chart 800 are almost the same as in Example 1, so only the differences will be explained below.

[0075] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the coordinated reading process of the color chart 800 and the sample document 1000 in the MFP in this embodiment 3. The scan processing module 501 of the MFP 100 related to this flow is stored in the program 500, read into RAM 112, and executed by CPU 111.

[0076] In step S401, the control unit 110 displays a message to the operation unit 150 instructing the user to place the sample document 1000 on the document glass of the automatic document feeder (ADF) 204 or the reader 205, and then proceeds to step S402.

[0077] In step S402, once the scanner 130 detects the placement of the sample document 1000, the process proceeds to step S403.

[0078] In step S403, the control unit 110 instructs the scanner 130 to read the sample document 1000, and the process proceeds to step S404.

[0079] In step S404, once the scanner 130 has finished reading the sample document 1000 and saved it as scan data 622 to the scan data management unit 520, the process proceeds to step S405. At the same time, the step of instructing the color chart to be set up, step S101 of the color chart reading flow, is started.

[0080] In step S405, after detecting the completion of the color chart setup in step S102 of the color chart reading flow, the touch panel 301 of the operation unit 150 displays a message to the user allowing them to specify the density reading position from the sample document 1000, and then proceeds to step S406.

[0081] Figure 13 shows the screen displayed on the touch panel 301 of the operation unit 150.

[0082] Image 1301 displays the image of scan data 622 stored in the scan data management unit 520.

[0083] 1302 represents the operation cursor 1302, which indicates the position on the image where the density of the scan data 622 is measured. The user can specify the position of the operation cursor 1302 on the touch panel 301.

[0084] 1303, 1304, and 1305 represent the RGB values ​​of the density at the image position of scan data 622 indicated by the operation cursor 1302, respectively.

[0085] In step S407, the control unit 110 obtains the density value at the center of the image position from the scan data 621 stored in the scan data management unit 520, saves it to the RAM 112, and proceeds to step S408.

[0086] In step S408, the control unit 110 saves the density value stored in RAM 112 as the sample density value 631 in the specific color processing management unit 630. At the same time, the step of calculating the difference between the density value of each patch and the sample density value in step S106 of the color chart reading flow is started, and the steps of the reading flow for the specific color sample original 1000 are completed.

[0087] In Example 3, by making it possible to specify the reading position of the sample document 1000 of a specific color, it is possible to reduce the need to reread the sample document due to incorrect placement of the sample document 100. Furthermore, by linking the reading flow of the color chart 800 with the reading flow of the sample document 1000 of a specific color, it is possible to perform the operation in a shorter time than if each were operated independently.

[0088] (Other examples) The present invention may be a program to be executed by a computer that realizes one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments, or it may be a recording medium that stores this program.

[0089] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications (including organic combinations of each embodiment) are possible based on the spirit of the invention, and these are not excluded from the scope of the invention. That is, all configurations that combine the above-described embodiments and their modified forms are included in the present invention.

[0090] [Table 1]

[0091] [Table 2] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0092] 100 MFP 110 Control Unit 111 CPU 130 Scanners 140 Printers 150 Operation section

Claims

1. A printing method for printing print data that includes a sample of a specific color, A printed material printed by the printing means, and a chart reading means for reading a chart that includes the patch of the specific color and the patch of a similar color to the specific color, The system includes a determination means for determining which of the read patches is closest to the sample of the specified color, Based on the determination result of the determination means, the specific color of the print data is determined It has a conversion means that converts the color of the patch to the color closest to the specified color. An information processing device characterized by the following:

2. The chart is a printed material produced by the printing means. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The determination means identifies the number assigned to the patch that is closest to the sample of the specific color. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

4. The conversion means converts the specified color in the print data to the color of the patch that is closest to the specified color, based on the number assigned to the patch identified by the determination means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The sample of the specified color is a printed material produced by the printing means described above. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

6. A sample reading method that reads sample color samples from a document, including samples of specific colors, A printing means for printing print data containing a specific color, and a printed material printed by the printing means, A chart reading means for reading a chart that includes the aforementioned specific color patch and patches of similar colors to the aforementioned specific color, The system includes a determination means for determining which of the read patches is closest to the sample of the specified color, Based on the determination result of the determination means, the specific color of the print data is determined The system has a conversion means that converts the color of the patch to the color closest to the specified color. An information processing device characterized by the following:

7. If the aforementioned sample reading means determines that the read density value is abnormal, it prompts the user to reposition the sample document. The information processing apparatus according to feature 6.

8. The chart is a printed material produced by the printing means. The information processing apparatus according to feature 6.

9. The determination means identifies the number assigned to the patch that is closest to the sample of the specific color. The information processing apparatus according to feature 6.

10. The conversion means converts the specified color in the print data to the color of the patch that is closest to the specified color, based on the number assigned to the patch identified by the determination means. The information processing apparatus according to feature 9.

11. The sample of the specified color is a printed material produced by the printing means described above. The information processing apparatus according to feature 6.

12. Based on the results of reading the chart using the aforementioned chart reading means, the position of a sample of a specific color is specified from the original document. A sample reading means that reads a sample of a specific color from a document, including a sample of a specific color, A printing method for printing print data containing a specific color, A printed material printed by the aforementioned printing means, A chart reading means for reading a chart that includes the aforementioned specific color patch and patches of similar colors to the aforementioned specific color, The system includes a determination means for determining which of the read patches is closest to the sample of the specified color, Based on the determination result of the determination means, the specific color of the print data is determined The system has a conversion means that converts the color of the patch to the color closest to the specified color. The information processing apparatus according to feature 6.

13. A method for controlling an information processing device, A process of reading a printed material containing a sample of a specific color, and a chart containing a patch of the specific color and a patch of a similar color to the specific color, The process of determining which of the scanned patches is closest to the sample of the specific color, Based on the result of the above determination, the process includes a conversion step of converting the specific color to the color of the patch that is closest to the specific color. An information processing device characterized by the following:

14. A program for an information processing device, A step of reading a printed material containing a sample of a specific color, and a chart containing a patch of the specific color and a patch of a similar color to the specific color, The steps include determining which of the scanned patches is closest to the sample of the specific color, The process includes a step of converting the specific color to the color of the patch that is closest to the specific color, based on the result of the above determination. A program characterized by the following features.

15. A recording medium for storing the program described in claim 14.

Images