Information processing device, control method, control program

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing device, a control method, and a control program that allow users to intuitively know the tolerance range for a specified color and easily determine the tolerance value regardless of their experience or knowledge. [Solution] A color accuracy verification device / control device for verifying the color accuracy of a printer comprises a display unit that displays information related to color accuracy verification, and a color accuracy verification condition setting unit that sets conditions related to color accuracy verification. The display unit displays a color that has been changed by the allowable value of the color to be checked relative to the allowable value, based on the allowable color difference for a specified color set by the color accuracy verification condition setting unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a control program.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in a commercial color printer, color management is periodically performed to ensure a certain color reproducibility.

[0003] Color management compares the target color (target color) defined by a standard such as ISO with the color (printed color) actually printed by the printer, and checks that the color accuracy meets the pass criteria (tolerance value, allowable color difference).

[0004] When the color accuracy does not meet the tolerance value, in order to improve the color accuracy, it is necessary to recreate the print profile or perform correction processing using the color correction function of the printer. However, these are time-consuming operations, so it is required to perform them efficiently.

[0005] In Patent Document 1, a color accuracy verification technique is proposed in which a specified color patch is printed at a specified position on paper, color measurement is performed, and the result is compared with the target value of the specified color patch. In this, it is also possible for the user to set the allowable range (hereinafter, tolerance value) for each selected specified color.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, the above tolerance settings present the following challenges. For example, when a user independently determines the tolerance for color accuracy verification, they need to input a numerical value. While it is easy to input a numerical value, it is not intuitively clear how much color difference is actually acceptable.

[0008] This invention has been made in view of at least one of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a mechanism that makes it intuitively clear how much color difference is acceptable when determining the tolerance value. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In this invention, an information processing device for verifying the color accuracy of a printer, A display means for displaying information related to the aforementioned color accuracy verification, The system includes setting means for setting conditions related to the aforementioned color accuracy verification, The display means displays a patch of the tolerance color difference for the specified color, based on the tolerance color difference for the specified color set by the setting means. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] This allows users to intuitively understand the tolerance range for specified colors, making it easy to determine tolerance values ​​regardless of their experience or knowledge. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of a color accuracy verification system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of patch signal values ​​and color characteristics of a color accuracy verification chart according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a color accuracy verification device and control device according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] Block diagram showing the main functional configuration of a color accuracy verification apparatus according to one embodiment. [Figure 5]Sequence diagram showing the processing flow in the color accuracy verification system according to an embodiment [Figure 6] Diagram showing an example of the display unit 105 according to an embodiment [Figure 7] Diagram explaining the flow of detailed setting of the tolerance value in S502 according to an embodiment [Figure 8] Colorimetric condition table corresponding to color authentication according to an embodiment [Figure 9] Tolerance value table corresponding to color authentication according to an embodiment [Figure 10] Calculation formula for calculating the color difference ΔE according to an embodiment [Figure 11] Calculation formula for calculating color values separated by a predetermined value according to an embodiment [Figure 12] Calculation formula for calculating color values separated by a predetermined value according to an embodiment

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these plurality of features are essential for the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0013] [Embodiment 1] In Embodiment 1, when performing color accuracy verification using tolerance values uniquely determined by the user, the flow of specifying the test content (tolerance values) at the time of registering a color accuracy verification test will be described.

[0014] Specifically, using the specified color and tolerance values, the colors within the tolerance range (acceptable to the user) are calculated and the colors within the tolerance range are displayed. Alternatively, using the specified color and tolerance values, the colors within the tolerance range (acceptable to the user) are calculated and the specified color and the colors within the tolerance range are displayed side by side. <00,00093>

[0015] As an example, based on the allowable color difference (allowable value) with respect to the specified color, a patch of the allowable color difference of the specified color is displayed. Alternatively, based on the allowable color difference (allowable value) with respect to the specified color, the specified color and a patch of the allowable color difference of the specified color are displayed side by side.

[0016] This makes the allowable color difference of the specified color visually easy to understand, and it becomes easy to specify the allowable value without relying on experience and knowledge. In particular, if the specified color and the color (patch) of the allowable color difference of the specified color are displayed side by side, it becomes even easier to specify the allowable value.

[0017] The following describes this flow.

[0018] <System Configuration> First, referring to FIG. 1, a configuration example of the color accuracy verification system according to this embodiment will be described. When verifying color accuracy in this color accuracy verification system, first, a predetermined chart is printed and output from the printer to be verified (the result of printing the chart is taken as a printed matter). Next, the color patches on the printed output chart are color-measured by a measuring instrument, and the obtained color measurement data (color patch color measurement information) is transmitted to the color accuracy verification device 100.

[0019] Then, the color accuracy verification device 100 checks the deviation (color accuracy) between the printed color and the target color. The color patches arranged on the chart are also referred to as color samples or color swatches, and are simply referred to as "patches" in this specification.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, this color accuracy verification system has the color accuracy verification device 100 and bases 1 to 3 connected by a network 160. Base 1 includes a control device 110, a monitor 120, printers 1 to 3 (130a to 130c), and measuring instruments 1 to 3 (150a to 150c). Also, bases 2 and 3 each include a control device, a monitor, a printer, and a measuring instrument. Hereinafter, the relationship between base 1 and the color accuracy verification device 100 will be described as an example.

[0021] The color accuracy verification device 100 compares a predefined target color (target color) with the color actually printed by the printer (printed color) to verify whether the color accuracy meets the acceptance criteria (tolerance, tolerance color difference). The color accuracy verification device 100 is connected to the control device 110 via the network 160 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0022] The control device 110 is connected to printers 130a to 130c within site 1 via a communication network such as an intranet, enabling mutual communication. It issues print commands to each printer and also performs centralized management of the color accuracy of each printer. Furthermore, in issuing print commands, it is possible to receive print jobs from, for example, client terminals (not shown), divide the print jobs into predetermined units (e.g., copies or pages), and distribute print commands to multiple printers.

[0023] A print job includes a PDL data section that describes drawing commands for objects of various attributes, such as text, shapes, and photographs, on a page-by-page basis, and print setting information that specifies printing conditions such as paper size and type, and double-sided / single-sided printing. By distributing a single print job across multiple printers, printing time and waiting time can be reduced.

[0024] The monitor 120 is connected to the control device 110 and displays various user interface (UI) screens.

[0025] Printers 1-3 (130a-130c) print color images onto paper based on print jobs from the control unit 110, for example, using electrophotographic process technology. Printers 1-3 may be monochrome printers or printers based on other image formation technologies such as inkjet. Printers 1-3 may also be multifunction devices that have copy and fax functions in addition to print functions.

[0026] Measurement instruments 1-3 (150a-150c) are spectrometers that measure the color value of an object based on the reflectance or transmittance of visible light with wavelengths of approximately 400nm to 700nm. Measurement instruments 1-3 are provided, for example, at each site, and the wavelengths obtained for each patch of a chart printed from printers 1-3 are converted to values ​​in, for example, the L*a*b* color space or XYZ color space to obtain color measurement data.

[0027] Figure 2(a) shows an example of a chart, and Figure 2(b) shows the target color values ​​(RGB values) defined in the RGB color space corresponding to each patch (patch numbers 1 to 729) of the chart. Measuring instruments 1 to 3 are measuring instruments that incorporate line sensors and area sensors for scanning the chart.

[0028] For example, a sheet-through type automatic document reading measuring instrument can incorporate a line sensor to pre-scan the chart, detect the position of the patch to be measured, and then take the measurement. Similarly, a measuring instrument that can automatically feed paper and perform continuous measurements can incorporate an area sensor to pre-scan the chart, detect the position of the patch to be measured, and then take the measurement.

[0029] A portable (handheld) measuring instrument can also be used, but in that case, a scanner for scanning the chart must be connected to the control device 110 separately. In the case of a sheet-through type automatic document reading measuring instrument, it is connected to the control device 110, for example via USB, and measures the color value of each patch on the chart printed out from the target printer to obtain color measurement data as shown in Figure 2(c). The acquired color measurement data is transmitted to the color accuracy verification device 100 via the control device 110.

[0030] Furthermore, if the color accuracy verification device 100 is installed at one of the sites 1 to 3, the color accuracy verification device 100 and the measuring instrument may be directly connected, and the color accuracy verification device 100 may acquire color measurement data without going through the control device 110.

[0031] Network 160 can be, for example, a local area network (LAN), the internet, or an intranet, and can be either wired or wireless.

[0032] Locations 1-3 (170a-170c) correspond to the locations of printing companies where printers are installed. For example, Location 1 might be a printing facility in Tokyo, Location 2 in Osaka, and Location 3 in Fukuoka.

[0033] Note that the configuration of the color accuracy verification system shown in Figure 1 is just one example, and the number of locations and the configuration of equipment within each location can be changed as appropriate. For example, the color accuracy verification device 100 can be directly connected to the control device 110 and measuring instruments 1-3 via a communication network such as an intranet, and the configuration can be used to manage the color accuracy of multiple printers 1-3.

[0034] Alternatively, for example, an information processing device equipped with both the functions of a color accuracy verification device 100 and a control device 110 may be provided at each site, and this information processing device may be configured to manage the color accuracy of multiple printers within the site.

[0035] [Hardware configuration of color accuracy verification device / control device] Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3. The information processing device according to this embodiment corresponds to at least one of the color accuracy verification device 100 and the control device 110 described above, and can be implemented, for example, by a general-purpose notebook / desktop personal computer or a tablet terminal. The color accuracy verification device 100 and the control device 110 may be provided as an integrated unit.

[0036] Therefore, the color accuracy verification device 100 and the control device 110 are examples of information processing devices. The color accuracy verification device 100 and the control device 110 each include a CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103, HDD 104, display unit 105, operation unit 106, network I / F 107, and external device I / F 108. Each of the units 101 to 108 is connected to each other via a system bus 109 so that data can be exchanged between them.

[0037] The CPU 101 is an arithmetic processing unit that controls the entire device and executes the image processing described later based on the programs stored in the ROM 102. The ROM 102 is a read-only memory that stores boot programs, processing programs, character data, character code information, etc. The RAM 103 is a random access memory that is used as work memory when the CPU 101 executes various programs.

[0038] It is also used as a data storage area for image files received from the network interface 109. The HDD 104 is used to store the results of calculations performed by the CPU 101, various programs, and various information files. The display unit 105 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays a user interface screen for making various settings and checking the device status.

[0039] The control unit 106 consists of a keyboard and buttons, and is used by the user to input various settings and perform resets. The network interface 107 is an interface for connecting the device to the network 160. Through this network interface 107, the color accuracy verification device 100 and the control device 110 can send and receive various information with external devices.

[0040] External device I / F108 is an interface for connecting external devices such as measuring instruments 1-3 via a communication bus such as USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0041] <Software configuration of color accuracy verification device> Next, with reference to Figure 4, the software configuration of the information processing device (color accuracy verification device 100 / control device 110) according to this embodiment will be described. Here, only the main functional configurations of the present invention will be described. Therefore, other configurations are not excluded.

[0042] The color accuracy verification device 100 / control device 110 includes a color accuracy verification condition setting unit 401, a UI control unit 402, a measurement job generation unit 403, a detailed tolerance value setting unit 404, a colorimetric control unit 405, a verification processing unit 406, and a setting processing unit 407. Each of these functional units is realized by the CPU 101 executing a predetermined program. Each functional unit will be described below.

[0043] The color accuracy verification condition setting unit 401 registers, for each type of color accuracy verification, a chart with patches of various colors corresponding to the target color values, a printer for performing color accuracy verification, measuring instruments and color measurement conditions used for color accuracy verification, and tolerance values ​​when performing color accuracy verification.

[0044] Specifically, for a chart to be registered, image data is associated with information indicating the chart's structure, such as the number and size of patches (chart configuration information), and the chart is saved on HDD104.

[0045] Charts are broadly categorized into default charts that conform to standards such as those of the International Standards Organization (IWMA), and custom charts defined by the user. Default charts are pre-registered before use, for example, when installing a color accuracy verification program.

[0046] Custom charts are registered at any time based on user input via the operation unit 106. The printer used for color accuracy verification is registered from among the printers 130a, 130b, and 130c connected to the control unit 110. The measuring instrument used for color accuracy verification is registered from among the measuring instruments 150a, 150b, and 150c.

[0047] The color measurement conditions used for accuracy verification will be those defined in the JapanColor certification or other ISO-compliant standards. Similarly, the tolerance values ​​used for color accuracy verification will be those defined in the JapanColor certification or other ISO-compliant standards.

[0048] Tolerance is a value used to check whether color accuracy meets the acceptance criteria (tolerance, tolerance color difference) by comparing a defined target color (target color) with the color actually printed by the printer (print color). For example, when judging based on the difference (color difference) between the color value of the target color (target value) and the color value of the printed color (measured value), the color difference value is registered as the tolerance, and if it is within the tolerance, it is determined that the color accuracy meets the acceptance criteria (tolerance, tolerance color difference).

[0049] When performing color accuracy verification, the user selects color accuracy verification conditions from those registered in the color accuracy verification condition setting unit 401, and the measurement job generation unit 403 generates a measurement job, thereby starting the color accuracy verification.

[0050] The UI control unit 402 controls the display of a user interface screen that allows the user to check the status of each device in the color accuracy verification system, input and select various setting values, and issue commands to start various processes. The user interface screen that is displayed will be described later.

[0051] The measurement job generation unit 403 selects multiple color accuracy verification tests from the color accuracy verification conditions registered by the user in the color accuracy verification condition setting unit 401, and generates them as measurement jobs. Subsequently, it generates a chart based on the chart configuration information corresponding to the selected color accuracy verification tests.

[0052] The detailed tolerance setting unit 404 sets tolerance values ​​for each patch color value of the chart registered in the color accuracy verification condition setting unit 401. The colorimetric control unit 405 performs a pre-scan when measuring the chart and performs the color measurement of the chart.

[0053] The verification processing unit 406 uses the color measurement data received from the measuring instrument 150a to perform a verification process to determine whether the color accuracy of the target printer meets the acceptance criteria (tolerance, tolerance color difference).

[0054] The configuration processing unit 407 sets various parameters related to the verification process based on user selections made via a predetermined user interface screen.

[0055] <Overall system processing flow> Next, with reference to Figure 5, the processing sequence for performing color accuracy verification in the color accuracy verification system according to this embodiment will be described.

[0056] The processing sequence described below assumes a case where multiple color accuracy verifications are performed by outputting multiple charts to printers 130a and 130b using the measuring instrument 150a. Furthermore, the various operation screens described below are examples of those displayed on the display unit 105 of the color accuracy verification device 100, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be displayed on the display unit 105 of the control device 110 or other display units. In the following description, the symbol "S" means step.

[0057] In step S501, the color accuracy verification condition setting unit 401 starts registering color accuracy verification conditions based on user input.

[0058] When a user who wishes to register color accuracy verification conditions presses the color accuracy verification condition registration button 601 on the main menu screen shown in Figure 6(a), the system transitions to the color accuracy verification condition registration screen shown in Figure 6(b). These UI screens are controlled by the UI control unit 402.

[0059] In the display area 603-605 of the color accuracy verification condition registration screen shown in Figure 6(b), clicking on the color accuracy verification condition to be registered / edited will transition to the detailed selection screen for the color accuracy verification condition shown in Figure 6(c).

[0060] Next, clicking "Select Chart" in display area 607 of the detailed selection screen for color accuracy verification conditions in Figure 6(c) will transition to the chart selection screen shown in Figure 6(d). The user selects the chart to be used for color accuracy verification from display areas 611 to 614 of the chart selection screen shown in Figure 6(d).

[0061] In Figure 6(d), the "Chart 1" and "Chart 2" in display areas 611 and 612 of the chart selection screen are pre-registered standard charts defined by ISO and other standards.

[0062] When a user presses the chart input button 615, they enter various information necessary for registering a custom chart. Specifically, they enter the name of the custom chart to be registered, the number of patches, the patch size, and the paper size / type, and upload the image data to complete the registration.

[0063] Chart images are created in file formats such as TIFF, PDF, and JPEG. This registers the chart in the "Unregistered" section of display areas 613 and 614 of the chart selection screen in Figure 6(d). The list of registered charts and the chart configuration information for each chart are collectively referred to as "chart information."

[0064] In step S502, the color accuracy verification condition setting unit 401 obtains a list of printers 1 to 3 managed by the control device 110 and information indicating the status of each printer (hereinafter referred to as "printer status information"). Here, the printer status information includes, for example, information such as power status (ON / OFF), presence or absence of malfunction, and the processing status of the print job (printing / standby).

[0065] This printer status information is assumed to be acquired and stored by the control device 110 periodically by accessing printers 1 to 3. The list of printers and the printer status information for each printer will be collectively referred to as "printer information."

[0066] Next, the color accuracy verification condition setting unit 401 accepts the press of "Select Printer" in the display area 608 of the detailed selection screen for color accuracy verification conditions shown in Figure 6(c). Subsequently, the unit transitions to the printer selection screen shown in Figure 6(e), where the selection of the printer to be subjected to color accuracy verification (hereinafter referred to as "target printer") is accepted.

[0067] Specifically, the UI control unit 402 accepts the user's selection via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, and the setting processing unit 407 sets the printer related to the selection (in this case, printer 1) as the target printer.

[0068] Figure 6(e) shows the printer selection screen when the user selects a target printer. In the display areas 616-618 of the printer selection screen, a list of printers that may be processed (in this case, printers 1-3) is displayed according to the printer information obtained in S502. At this time, based on the printer status information, a display process is performed to indicate whether a printer is printable or not, for example, printers that are not printable are grayed out.

[0069] In the printer selection screen shown in Figure 6(e), only printer 3 is grayed out, indicating that printer 3 is unable to print.

[0070] Next, the color accuracy verification condition setting unit 401 obtains a list of measuring instruments 1 to 3 managed by the control device 110, as well as specification information for each measuring instrument and information indicating the status of each measuring instrument (hereinafter referred to as "measuring instrument status information").

[0071] Here, the specifications information refers to details specific to each measuring instrument, such as the supported paper sizes, minimum patch size, and minimum / maximum number of patches per sheet of paper (per page). For measuring instruments with accessories, the specifications also include information about any differences in specifications due to the presence or absence of these accessories.

[0072] Here, accessories refer to items such as a measuring ruler and an automatic paper feed unit. A measuring ruler is a device used in handheld measuring instruments that assists in the sliding motion during measurement, enabling stable color measurement.

[0073] A sensor installed on the back of the measuring instrument detects the stripe pattern on the measuring ruler, allowing it to determine the direction in which the user is measuring (e.g., measuring from left to right, or from right to left).

[0074] The automatic paper feed unit is a device that automatically takes charts printed from a printer into the measuring instrument, enabling continuous color measurement.

[0075] The instrument status information includes, for example, information such as power status (ON / OFF) and connection status. The control device 110 is assumed to have acquired and retained the specification information and instrument status information by accessing instruments 1-3 in advance or periodically.

[0076] The list of measuring instruments, along with the specifications and status information for each instrument, will be collectively referred to as "measuring instrument information."

[0077] Next, the color accuracy verification condition setting unit 401 accepts the press of "Select measuring instrument" in the display area 609 of the detailed selection screen for color accuracy verification conditions shown in Figure 6(c). Subsequently, it transitions to the measuring instrument selection screen shown in Figure 6(f), where it accepts the selection of a measuring instrument to be used to measure the color values ​​of the chart.

[0078] Specifically, the UI control unit 402 accepts the user's selection via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, and the setting processing unit 407 sets the measuring instrument related to the selection as the measuring instrument to be used for chart measurement.

[0079] Figure 6(f) shows the instrument selection screen used when the user selects an instrument. Display areas 619 to 621 of the instrument selection screen display a list of instruments that may be processed (in this case, instruments 1 to 3) according to the instrument information acquired in S504.

[0080] In this case, based on the instrument status information, a display process is implemented to indicate whether an instrument is usable or unusable. For example, unusable instruments are grayed out. In the instrument selection screen in Figure 6(f), only instrument 2 is grayed out, indicating that instrument 2 is unusable.

[0081] Next, the system transitions to the color measurement condition input screen shown in Figure 6(k), where the process of receiving color measurement conditions is performed. Specifically, the UI control unit 402 receives the user's selection via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, and the setting processing unit 407 sets the color measurement conditions related to that selection.

[0082] Figure 6(k) shows the color measurement condition input screen where the user inputs various color measurement conditions. Examples of color measurement conditions include, but are not limited to, white condition 630, illumination condition 631, illuminant 632, and viewing angle 633. For white condition 630, there are two options: "paper white standard" which uses the white background of the printing paper as the reference, and "absolute white standard" which uses the white standard plate (white tile) of the colorimeter as the reference; the user must select one of these.

[0083] Illumination condition 631 represents "M0," "M1," "M2," or "M3" as standardized in ISO 13655, and one of these must be selected. Illuminant (observation light source) 632 selects the type of light source data incorporated when calculating L*a*b*.

[0084] Examples of types include "A," "D50," and "D65." The field of view 633 refers to the field of view (size of an object) as seen by humans, and is selected from ISO-defined fields of view such as "2-degree field of view" and "10-degree field of view."

[0085] Furthermore, when performing color accuracy verification in accordance with JapanColor certification or Fogra certification, which are compliant with ISO international standards, the color measurement conditions are predetermined according to the type of color certification. Therefore, it is also possible to have the user register only the type of color certification, and the color accuracy verification condition setting unit 401 automatically registers the color measurement conditions according to the type of color certification.

[0086] In that case, the color measurement conditions corresponding to the color authentication, as shown in Figure 8, are stored in advance as a table, and the color measurement conditions corresponding to the type of color authentication are registered by referring to the table.

[0087] Furthermore, the system may be configured to allow users or administrators conducting color accuracy verification to register and delete their own defined color measurement conditions.

[0088] For example, the administrator pre-adds a color authentication entry labeled "Custom: Profile A" as shown in Figure 8 to the table. Subsequently, when a user performing color accuracy verification selects "Custom: Profile A," the color accuracy verification condition setting unit 401 automatically registers the color measurement conditions. In this embodiment, since the available color measurement conditions may differ depending on the measuring instrument, the system is configured to register the color measurement conditions after selecting the measuring instrument. However, a "Select Color Measurement Conditions" menu could be provided on the screen shown in Figure 6(c) to register the measuring instrument and color measurement conditions separately.

[0089] Next, the color accuracy verification condition setting unit 401 accepts the press of the "Input Tolerance" button in the display area 610 of the detailed selection screen for color accuracy verification conditions shown in Figure 6(c). Subsequently, it transitions to the tolerance setting screen shown in Figure 6(g), where it receives data such as the tolerance values ​​for each verification item in the chart used.

[0090] Specifically, the UI control unit 402 receives the user's selection via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, and the setting processing unit 407 sets the tolerance values ​​for the verification items related to that selection.

[0091] Figure 6(g) shows the tolerance setting screen where the user sets tolerance values ​​for verification items. Verification items include, for example, the average value of the color difference ΔE for each patch using a specified color difference formula, the maximum value of the color difference ΔE, and the color difference ΔE of the primary colors (CMYK), and tolerance values ​​are set according to each verification item. Figure 6(g) shows the color accuracy verification setting screen for setting tolerance values ​​according to the verification items.

[0092] The user pre-sets tolerance values ​​according to the verification items via such a UI screen. Here, the color difference ΔE76 is the straight-line distance between the target color value in the L*a*b* color space and the color value (measured value) indicated by the colorimetric data, and can be calculated, for example, by equation (1) shown in Figure 10.

[0093] Let's assume that, as shown in the color accuracy verification settings screen in Figure 6(g), tolerance values ​​for color difference are set for each verification item. In this case, if the average color difference ΔE for each patch is within ±4.0, the maximum color difference ΔE is within ±10.0, and the color difference ΔE of the primary colors (CMYK) (ΔE_primary) is within ±5.0, then it is considered a pass (OK). If any of the verification items exceed the tolerance value, it is considered a fail (NG).

[0094] Here, by pressing the "Apply Average Value to All Colors" button 627, it is possible to apply the tolerance value entered in "Average Value 623" to all colors that make up the chart.

[0095] Furthermore, similar to the color measurement conditions described above, when performing color accuracy verification in accordance with JapanColor certification or Fogra certification, which are compliant with ISO international standards, tolerance values ​​are also defined according to the type of color certification. Therefore, it is also possible to have the user register only the type of color certification, and the color accuracy verification condition setting unit 401 automatically registers the tolerance values ​​according to the type of color certification.

[0096] In that case, tolerance values ​​corresponding to color authentication, as shown in Figure 9, are stored in advance as a table, and tolerance values ​​corresponding to the type of color authentication are registered by referring to the table.

[0097] Furthermore, pressing the details button 626 in Figure 6(g) transitions to the detailed tolerance setting screen shown in Figure 6(m-1). Figure 6(m-1) shows the tolerance setting screen where the user inputs tolerance values ​​for each verification item (each color).

[0098] Figure 6(m-1) consists of a chart display area 640, a tolerance value display / input area 641, a tolerance range color difference confirmation area 642, a button to provide specified tolerance values ​​to all 643, and a button to apply minimum tolerance values ​​to all 644. Figure 6(m-1) also consists of a patch distance adjustment slider 645, a background color adjustment slider 646, an OK button 647, and a Cancel button 648.

[0099] The chart display area 640 displays all or part of the chart selected in step S501 on the chart selection screen shown in Figure 6(d). Additionally, patches can be selected from the charts displayed in the chart display area 640.

[0100] Specifically, the UI control unit 402 accepts the user's selection via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, and obtains the average of the color values ​​of a predetermined pixel area from the center of the selected area as the color value of the patch.

[0101] The tolerance value display / input area 641 is an input area that displays the tolerance value specified for a selected patch from the chart displayed in the chart display area 640, and also allows input of the tolerance value for the selected patch. Specifically, it displays the tolerance value specified for the color value obtained during the operation of the chart display area 640.

[0102] Furthermore, the UI control unit 402 accepts numerical input from the user via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, associates the color value with the input numerical value, stores it in the RAM 103, and updates the numerical value in the tolerance value display / input area 641.

[0103] From the color values ​​obtained during the operation of the chart display area 640, color values ​​that are separated by the tolerance value displayed in the tolerance display / input area are calculated using the selected formula in the color difference formula selection 622. Then, the calculated color value patch is displayed on a grayscale background adjacent to the color value patch obtained during the operation of the chart display area 640.

[0104] Specifically, by modifying equation (1) above, for example, the equation for L which moves in the brightness direction and the equation for ab which moves in the color direction are to apply equation (2-1) in Figure 11 and equation (2-2) in Figure 12, respectively.

[0105] Here, L1a1b1 represents the color values ​​obtained during the operation of the chart display area 640, ΔE represents the tolerance value displayed in the tolerance value display / input area, and L2a2b2 represents the color values ​​separated by the tolerance value (a predetermined value).

[0106] The button 643, which provides specified tolerance values ​​to all, applies the tolerance values ​​displayed in the tolerance value display / input area 641 to all color values ​​of the chart selected in step S501 on the chart selection screen in Figure 6(d).

[0107] Specifically, when the button 643 is pressed to provide all specified tolerance values, the tolerance values ​​currently displayed in the tolerance value display / input area 641 are overwritten and stored in RAM 103 as the tolerance values ​​for all color values ​​in the color value list.

[0108] The button 644, which applies the minimum tolerance value registered at the time of pressing, applies it to the color values ​​of all patches in the chart.

[0109] Specifically, when the button 644 is pressed to apply the minimum tolerance value to all, the minimum tolerance value among all the color values ​​in the color value list stored in RAM 103 is obtained and overwritten and stored as the tolerance value for all of the color values ​​in the color value list.

[0110] The patch distance adjustment slider 645 is a slider for adjusting the distance between the following two patches. One of the two patches is the color value patch obtained by operating the chart display area 640 displayed in the tolerance color difference confirmation area 642. The other patch is the color value patch calculated using the color difference formula selected in the color difference formula selection 622, where the color value is separated by the tolerance amount displayed in the tolerance display / input area.

[0111] If you slide the patch distance slider towards the "large" direction, the distance between patches will appear to increase, for example, as shown in the tolerance color difference confirmation area 650 in Figure 6(m-2).

[0112] The background color adjustment slider 646 is a slider that adjusts the brightness of the achromatic background in the tolerance color difference confirmation area 642.

[0113] For example, if you slide this background color adjustment slider 646 to the right (to black), it will become darker than the background of the tolerance color difference confirmation area 642, as shown in the tolerance color difference confirmation area 650 in Figure 6(m-2).

[0114] The OK button 647 is used to activate the tolerance values ​​set for each patch. Specifically, when the OK button 647 is pressed, the list of color values ​​and their corresponding tolerance values ​​stored in RAM 301 is stored in HDD 104 as the tolerance values ​​for the color accuracy verification specification selected on the color accuracy verification condition registration screen Figure 6(b), and the system returns to the tolerance value setting screen Figure 6(g).

[0115] At this time, the average value of the updated tolerances is calculated and displayed as the average value 623, the maximum value of the updated tolerances is displayed as the maximum value 624, and the maximum value of the tolerance set for the primary color is displayed as the primary color 625.

[0116] The Cancel button 648 discards the tolerance value entered by operating the detailed tolerance value setting screen Figure 6(m-1) and returns to the tolerance value setting screen Figure 6(g).

[0117] By the way, the patch distance slider 645 in the detailed tolerance setting screen Figure 6(m-1) may also be used as the patch area slider 661 in Figure 6(n-1) to change the patch area. Here, it can be displayed as shown in the tolerance range color difference confirmation area 670 in Figure 6(n-2). That is, by operating the patch area slider 661, the following two patch sizes can be changed.

[0118] One patch is a patch of color values ​​obtained during the operation of the chart display area 640 displayed in the tolerance color difference confirmation area 642. The other patch is a patch of color values ​​calculated using the selected formula in the color difference formula selection 622, where the color values ​​are separated by the tolerance amount displayed in the tolerance display / input area.

[0119] Furthermore, the patch distance slider 645 in the detailed tolerance setting screen Figure 6(m-1) may also be used as the patch frame slider 681 in Figure 6(o-1), for example. Here, it can be displayed as shown in the tolerance range color difference confirmation area 690 in Figure 6(o-2). That is, by operating the patch frame slider 681, the width of the frame surrounding each of the following two patches can be changed and displayed.

[0120] Of these two patches, one patch is a patch of color values ​​obtained during the operation of the chart display area 640 displayed in the tolerance color difference confirmation area 642. The other patch is a patch of color values ​​calculated using the selected formula in the color difference formula selection 622, where the color values ​​are separated by the tolerance amount displayed in the tolerance display / input area.

[0121] In the example shown in Figure 6(o-2), the color of the frame surrounding the patch is the same as the background color of the tolerance color difference confirmation area 690, but this is not always the case.

[0122] Next, the color accuracy verification condition setting unit 401 accepts the press of "Enter Target Value" in the display area 606 of the detailed selection screen for color accuracy verification conditions shown in Figure 6(c). Subsequently, it transitions to the target value input screen shown in Figure 6(l), where it processes the input of target values ​​for each patch in the chart used.

[0123] Specifically, the UI control unit 402 accepts the user's selection via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, and the setting processing unit 407 sets the target color value related to that selection. Figure 6(m) shows the target value input screen when the user enters the target value.

[0124] In this embodiment, we will explain using color accuracy verification in accordance with ISO international standards such as JapanColor certification (634) and Fogra certification (635) as an example, and target values ​​are defined according to the type of color certification. Therefore, the user only needs to register the type of color certification, and the color accuracy verification condition setting unit 401 automatically registers the target values ​​according to the type of color certification.

[0125] In that case, target values ​​corresponding to color authentication are stored in HDD104 in advance, and by referring to the aforementioned data, target values ​​corresponding to the type of color authentication are registered.

[0126] In step S503, the measurement job generation unit 403 starts color accuracy verification based on user input. When a user who wants to start color accuracy verification presses the color accuracy verification button 602 on the main menu screen shown in Figure 6(a), the system transitions to the color accuracy verification condition selection screen shown in Figure 6(h).

[0127] These UI screens are controlled by the UI control unit 402.

[0128] In step S504, when the measurement job generation unit 403 presses "Color Accuracy Verification Condition 1" or "Color Accuracy Verification Condition 2" in the display areas 625 and 626 of the color accuracy verification condition selection screen in Figure 6(h), it performs the process of generating a measurement job corresponding to each color accuracy verification condition.

[0129] Furthermore, by selecting multiple color accuracy verification conditions simultaneously, it is possible to generate multiple measurement jobs. When a measurement job is generated, the printer to be color accuracy verification, the measuring instrument to be used, the color measurement conditions, the chart to be used for color accuracy verification, and the tolerance values, which were registered in steps S501 to S503, are uniquely determined.

[0130] In step S505, the control device 110 sends print jobs for multiple charts to the target printer based on the received image data. At this time, the received image data is color-converted using the input profile and output profile.

[0131] The input and output profiles are predetermined based on the color accuracy verification conditions selected in step S504.

[0132] For example, when performing color accuracy verification for JapanColor2011Lab certification, the input profile is set to a profile created based on JapanColor2011, and the output profile is set to an output profile created for the target printer.

[0133] JapanColor2011Lab certification is a digital certification.

[0134] This allows you to apply color conversion to image data for JapanColor2011Lab certification (digital certification).

[0135] In step S506, printer 1, having received the print job, performs the printing process based on the print job and outputs the chart.

[0136] In step S507, the control device 110 displays the chart measurement screen shown in Figure 6(j) and instructs the color measurement of multiple charts printed from the target printer.

[0137] In step S508, when the user sets up multiple charts and instructs the start of measurement, the selected measuring instrument (in this case) measures the color value of each patch on the chart.

[0138] In step S509, after the measurement is complete, the selected measuring instrument stores the obtained colorimetric data and transmits it to the control device 110.

[0139] In step S510, the control device 110 receives color measurement data from the selected measuring instrument and transfers the data to the color accuracy verification device 100.

[0140] In step S511, the verification processing unit 406 performs a process to verify the color accuracy of the printer using the data.

[0141] In step S512, the UI control unit 402 displays the verification results on the display unit 105. Figure 6(i) shows the report results screen displaying the verification results. As shown in Figure 6(i), the average value, maximum value, and color difference of the primary colors (CMYK) for each patch are displayed, along with the pass / fail (OK / NG) result for each verification item.

[0142] This report screen allows users to understand the color variation status of the target printer. If the verification result is unsatisfactory (NG), the printer's color variation can be suppressed to within specifications by recreating the print profile or performing correction work using the printer's color correction function.

[0143] The above describes the overall processing flow in the color accuracy verification system according to this embodiment. The control device 110 may, in conjunction with a display prompting the user to measure the color of the chart, issue a preparation instruction to the selected measuring instrument and perform calibration before the start of measurement.

[0144] <Detailed settings for tolerance values> Next, Figure 7 will be used to explain the specific flow for setting the tolerance values ​​in step S502. The flow in Figure 7 describes the process of setting the tolerance values ​​for the color values ​​of each patch that makes up the chart.

[0145] The series of processes shown in the flowchart of Figure 7 are achieved when the CPU 101 of the color accuracy verification device 100 loads a program corresponding to the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 from the ROM 102 into the RAM 103 and executes it. In the following explanation, the symbol "S" means step.

[0146] In step S701, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 checks whether the detail button 626 has been pressed on the tolerance setting screen Figure 6(g). If it has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S701 and repeats. On the other hand, if the detail button 626 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S702.

[0147] In step S702, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 acquires the chart information selected in step S501 and proceeds to step S703.

[0148] In step S703, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 obtains the color values ​​of each patch that make up the chart from the chart information acquired in step S702, and proceeds to step S704.

[0149] In step S704, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 obtains a list of tolerance values ​​for each patch's color value obtained in step S703 from the HDD 104 of the color accuracy verification device 100, stores it in the RAM 103, and proceeds to step S705.

[0150] In step S705, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 displays the detailed tolerance setting screen Figure 6(m-1) on the display unit 104 via the UI control unit 402, and proceeds to step S706.

[0151] In step S706, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 displays all or part of the chart in the chart display area 640 of the detailed tolerance setting screen Figure 6(m-1), and proceeds to step S707. Here, if the chart area is large, only a part of the chart may be displayed, and the display area of ​​the chart may be scrollable.

[0152] In step S707, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 automatically selects the top-left patch of the chart and proceeds to step S708.

[0153] In step S708, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 obtains the color value of the selected patch in the chart display area 640 and proceeds to step S709. Here, the color value may be obtained by taking the average of the pixel values ​​within a range of several pixels from the center of the selected position of the image of the chart displayed in the chart display area 640.

[0154] Alternatively, one could have a pre-existing list of color values ​​corresponding to the positional information of the chart image, and then retrieve the color value from the selected positional information.

[0155] In step S709, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 obtains the tolerance value corresponding to the color value obtained in step S708 from the list of tolerance values ​​for each patch obtained in step S704, and proceeds to step S710.

[0156] In step S710, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 displays the tolerance value obtained in step S709 in the tolerance value display / input area 641 of the detailed tolerance value setting screen Figure 6(m-1), and then proceeds to step S711.

[0157] In step S711, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 calculates one or more colors that are separated by the tolerance value obtained in step S709 from the color values ​​obtained in step S708, and proceeds to step S712. Here, if ΔE76 is selected in the color difference formula 622 of the tolerance setting screen Figure 6(g), the tolerance value is 3.0, and eight separated colors are calculated, the calculation is performed as follows.

[0158] For example, if the color value obtained in step S708 is (L,a,b)=(53,111,67), then the color obtained by shifting the brightness direction by 3.0 each is given by formula (2-1). That is, (L,a,b)=(56,111,67) and (L,a,b)=(50,111,67) can be obtained.

[0159] Furthermore, when the direction of b is fixed and the movement is in the direction of a, equation (2-2) can be used to find (L,a,b)=(53,114,67) and (L,a,b)=(53,108,67). Next, when the direction of a is fixed and the movement is in the direction of b, equation (2-2) can be used to find (L,a,b)=(50,111,70) and (L,a,b)=(50,111,64).

[0160] Furthermore, while varying both a and b, equation (2-2) is used to calculate (L,a,b)=(53,113,65), (L,a,b)=(53,109,65), etc. Then, for example, a color conversion from Lab to sRGB is performed and the result is stored.

[0161] In step S712, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 proceeds to step S713 if the tolerance value in the tolerance value display / input area 641 has been changed. On the other hand, if it has not been changed, it proceeds to step S714.

[0162] In step S713, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 overwrites the tolerance values ​​in the list of tolerance values ​​for each patch's color value obtained in step S703, corresponding to the color value obtained in step S708, with the tolerance values ​​changed in step S712. Then, the process proceeds to step S708 and is repeated.

[0163] In step S714, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 proceeds to step S715 if the "Apply specified tolerance to all" button 643 is pressed. On the other hand, if the "Apply specified tolerance to all" button 643 is not pressed, the unit proceeds to step S717.

[0164] In step S715, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 obtains the tolerance value for the tolerance display / input area 641 and proceeds to step S716.

[0165] In step S716, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 overwrites the tolerance values ​​for all color values ​​in the list of tolerance values ​​for each patch obtained in step S703 with the tolerance values ​​obtained in step S715, and proceeds to step S708, repeating this process.

[0166] In step S717, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 proceeds to step S718 if the button 644 to apply the minimum tolerance to all is pressed. On the other hand, if the button 644 to apply the minimum tolerance to all is not pressed, the unit proceeds to step S720.

[0167] In step S718, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 obtains the minimum value from the list of tolerance values ​​for each patch's color value obtained in step S703, and proceeds to step S719.

[0168] In step S719, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 overwrites the tolerance values ​​for all color values ​​in the list of tolerance values ​​for each patch acquired in step S703 with the minimum tolerance value acquired in step S718. Then, it proceeds to step S708 and repeats this process.

[0169] In step S720, if a patch is selected in the chart display area 640, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 proceeds to step S708 and repeats this process. On the other hand, if the chart display area 640 is not operated, the process proceeds to step S721.

[0170] In step S721, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 obtains the distance between patches from the position of the patch-to-patch distance slider 645 and proceeds to step S722.

[0171] In step S722, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 fixes the position of the central patch and places the eight surrounding patch positions at intervals equal to the distance between patches obtained in step S721, displays them in the tolerance range color difference confirmation area 642, and proceeds to step S723.

[0172] In step S723, if the inter-patch distance slider 645 is operated, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 proceeds to step S721 and repeats this process. On the other hand, if the inter-patch distance slider 645 is not operated, the process proceeds to step S724.

[0173] In step S724, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 obtains the background color from the position of the background color slider 646 and proceeds to step S725.

[0174] In step S725, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 fills the background of the tolerance range color difference confirmation area 642 with the background color acquired in step S724, and proceeds to step S726.

[0175] In step S726, if the background color slider 646 is operated, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 proceeds to step S724 and repeats this process. On the other hand, if the background color slider 646 is not operated, the process proceeds to step S727.

[0176] In step S727, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 fills the middle patch of the tolerance range color difference confirmation area 642 with the color value obtained in step S708, and fills the other eight patches with the color values ​​calculated in step S711, and then proceeds to step S728.

[0177] In step S728, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 proceeds to step S731 if the Cancel button is pressed. On the other hand, if the Cancel button is not pressed, it proceeds to step S729.

[0178] In step S729, if the OK button is pressed, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 proceeds to step S730. On the other hand, if the OK button is not pressed, it proceeds to step S708 and repeats.

[0179] In step S730, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 overwrites the list of tolerance values ​​for each patch's color value, stored in RAM 103, with the list of tolerance values ​​for each patch's color value, which is associated with the color accuracy verification condition selected on the color accuracy verification condition registration screen of HDD 104 (Figure 6(b)). It then stores this information. The process then proceeds to step S731.

[0180] In step S731, the detailed tolerance setting unit 404 returns to the tolerance setting screen Figure 6(g) and terminates.

[0181] As described above, this embodiment explains a flow for setting tolerance values ​​for the color values ​​of each patch constituting the chart while displaying multiple examples of the colors when the color shifts to the maximum tolerance value. This allows users to determine the tolerance value while checking on the screen how much the color can change from the original color, making it easy to set even without advanced skills or knowledge.

[0182] (Other examples) The present invention may be a control 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 control program.

[0183] 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. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0184] 100 Color Accuracy Verification Device 110 Control device 120 monitors 130a Printer 1 130b Printer 2 130c Printer 3 150a Measuring instrument 1 150b Measuring instrument 2 150c measuring device 3 160 Networks 170a Base 1 170b Base 2 170c Base 3

Claims

1. In an information processing device for verifying the color accuracy of a printer, A display means for displaying information related to the aforementioned color accuracy verification, The system includes setting means for setting conditions related to the aforementioned color accuracy verification, The display means displays a patch of the tolerance color difference for the specified color, based on the tolerance color difference for the specified color set by the setting means. An information processing device characterized by the following features.

2. The display means displays the patch of the specified color and the patch of the tolerance color difference for the specified color side by side, based on the tolerance color difference for the specified color set by the setting means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that

3. The color accuracy verification is performed using the printed output from the aforementioned printer. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that

4. The printed output from the printer is a color patch of the chart printed by the printer, and the color accuracy verification is performed based on the results of measuring the color of the color patch. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that

5. The permissible color difference for the specified color is calculated using a color difference formula. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that

6. The system has multiple color difference formulas for calculating the allowable color difference for the specified color. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that

7. Select one color difference formula from the multiple color difference formulas and calculate the acceptable color difference for the specified color. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that

8. The size of the patch with the aforementioned tolerance for color difference, the width of the frame surrounding the patch, the background color of the patch, or the color of the frame surrounding the patch can be changed. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that

9. The size of the patch with the aforementioned tolerance for color difference, the width of the frame surrounding the patch, the background color of the patch, or the color of the frame surrounding the patch are changed based on the magnitude of the aforementioned tolerance for color difference. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that

10. The distance between multiple patches of the aforementioned acceptable color difference can be changed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that

11. The distance between multiple patches of the aforementioned acceptable color difference, or the distance between a patch of the aforementioned acceptable color difference and a patch of the aforementioned specified color, can be changed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that

12. It is possible to set the color of the frame surrounding the patch to the same color as the background color of the patch. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that

13. The permissible color difference for the specified color can be applied to all colors, including the specified color. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that

14. It is possible to set the maximum, minimum, or average value of the tolerance color difference for all colors, including the specified color, as the tolerance color difference for the specified color or the tolerance color difference for all colors. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that

15. The display means displays patches of the tolerance color differences of a plurality of specified colors based on the tolerance color differences for a plurality of specified colors set by the setting means. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that

16. A control method for an information processing device that performs color accuracy verification of a printer, A display step that displays information related to the color accuracy verification, A setting step for setting conditions related to the aforementioned color accuracy verification, The display step is a step of displaying a patch of the tolerance color difference for the specified color, based on the tolerance color difference for the specified color set in the setting step. A control method for an information processing device, characterized by the features described herein.

17. A control program for an information processing device that performs color accuracy verification of a printer, A display step that displays information related to the color accuracy verification, A setting step for setting conditions related to the aforementioned color accuracy verification, The display step is a step of displaying a patch of the tolerance color difference for the specified color, based on the tolerance color difference for the specified color set in the setting step. A control program for an information processing device, characterized by the following features.

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

Images