Color management device, color management system, color management method, and program

Abstract

The objective is to provide a color management device, color management system, color management method, and program that enable more accurate color management in a shorter amount of time. [Solution] The color management device is a color management device capable of color management of at least one image forming apparatus, and includes a control unit that performs color verification on the image forming apparatus based on color management setting information which associates information on the image forming apparatus to be color managed, color management target setting information, and paper printing setting information, and when it is determined in the color verification that a predetermined standard is not met, it automatically performs color adjustment on the image forming apparatus based on the color management setting information at the time of the color verification.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a color management device, a color management system, a color management method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] As printer performance improves, user demands regarding QCD (Quality, Cost, Delivery) in printed materials are increasing. Specifically, businesses that provide printed materials to customers, such as print shops, are required to provide printed materials with short lead times, low prices, and high color reproduction.

[0003] Regarding techniques for determining the color of printed materials, a technique has been disclosed (Patent Document 1) that reads an image formed on recording paper, determines whether the color measurement result falls within a predetermined range, and inspects the printed material. By applying such a technique, it is possible to provide customers with printed materials of stable quality in terms of color. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-84496 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] However, with the above technology, if the color judgment (color verification) fails, the user needs to perform color calibration on the printer and then perform color verification again. Sometimes the problem is not resolved with a single color calibration, in which case the color calibration is repeated multiple times. Specifically, if color calibration is performed and color verification fails again, color calibration is performed under different conditions. Furthermore, after performing multiple color calibrations under different conditions consecutively, color verification is performed again.

[0006] In recent years, with the improvement of image forming equipment performance, the number of factors (parameters) that need to be considered for color adjustment has increased, leading to an increase in the frequency of color verification and adjustment. Since users need to perform predetermined settings each time color verification and adjustment are performed, the time required for color management is increasing.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a color management device, a color management system, a color management method, and a program that can manage colors more accurately in a shorter amount of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the color management device of the present invention is A color management device capable of color management for at least one image forming apparatus, Based on the color management setting information, which associates the color-managed information of the image forming apparatus with the color management target setting information and the paper printing setting information, a color verification is performed for the image forming apparatus. The system includes a control unit that, when it is determined in the color verification that the predetermined criteria are not met, automatically performs color adjustment on the image forming apparatus based on the color management setting information used during the color verification.

[0009] The invention described in claim 2 is, in the invention described in claim 1, When the control unit determines in the color verification that the predetermined criteria are not met, The system accepts the selection of at least one of the multiple types of items related to the aforementioned color management, The color adjustment is performed by automatically adjusting at least one of the selected items based on the color management setting information during the color verification.

[0010] The invention described in claim 3 is, in the invention described in claim 2, Of the multiple types of items related to color management mentioned above, at least one of the items is selected by the user.

[0011] The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the control unit proposes candidate items among a plurality of types of items related to the color management, at least one of the candidate items proposed by the control unit is selected by the user.

[0012] The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein the control unit proposes the candidate items based on a machine learning model trained by the history of the color adjustment associated with the verification result of the color verification executed in the past among the plurality of types of items related to the color management.

[0013] The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein when the control unit determines that a predetermined standard is not satisfied in the color verification, it accepts the selection of two or more of the items among the plurality of types of items related to the color management, and executes the color adjustment by automatically adjusting the two or more selected items based on the color management setting information at the time of the color verification.

[0014] [[ID=2,3]] The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 3, wherein when at least one of the items among the plurality of types of items related to the color management is selected by the user, the control unit calculates and displays the time required for the color adjustment.

[0015] The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein the control unit for the plurality of types of items related to the color management, calculates the time required for the color adjustment executed by adjusting each item, respectively, and calculates the success rate of the color adjustment executed by adjusting each item based on a machine learning model trained by the history of the color adjustment associated with the verification result of the color verification executed in the past, respectively. Propose the candidate items based on the required time and success rate of each item.

[0016] The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 8, wherein The control unit displays the required time and success rate of the color adjustment executed by adjusting each of a plurality of types of items related to the color management.

[0017] The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein The history of the color adjustment includes external environment information where the image forming apparatus is installed.

[0018] The color management system of the present invention is a color management system including at least one image forming apparatus and a color management apparatus capable of color management of the image forming apparatus, where the color management apparatus performs color verification on the image forming apparatus based on color management setting information in which information on the image forming apparatus to be color managed, color management target setting information, and paper printing setting information are associated, and includes a control unit that automatically performs color adjustment on the image forming apparatus based on the color management setting information at the time of the color verification when it is determined that a predetermined standard is not satisfied in the color verification.

[0019] The color management method of the present invention is a color management method executed by a color management apparatus capable of color management of at least one image forming apparatus, including a color verification step of performing color verification on the image forming apparatus based on color management setting information in which information on the image forming apparatus to be color managed, color management target setting information, and paper printing setting information are associated, and a color adjustment step of automatically performing color adjustment on the image forming apparatus based on the color management setting information at the time of the color verification when it is determined that a predetermined standard is not satisfied in the color verification.

[0020] The program of the present invention A computer in a color management device capable of color management for at least one image forming apparatus, Based on the color management setting information, which associates the color-managed information of the image forming apparatus with the color management target setting information and the paper printing setting information, a color verification is performed on the image forming apparatus. If the color verification determines that the predetermined criteria are not met, the image forming apparatus is automatically instructed to perform color adjustment based on the color management setting information used during the color verification. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, color control can be performed more accurately and in a shorter time using an image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0022] [Figure 1] This is a system configuration diagram for a color management system. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a printer configuration. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a color management device. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the data structure of a printer information table. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the data structure for a color management target setting table. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the data structure of a color management preset table. [Figure 7] This is an example of a printer information registration screen. [Figure 8] This is an example of the color measurement settings screen. [Figure 9] This is an example of the profile creation settings screen. [Figure 10] This is an example of the color verification settings screen. [Figure 11] This is an example of the color management preset registration screen. [Figure 12] This is an example of the paper size settings screen. [Figure 13] This is an example of the profile name setting screen. [Figure 14]This is an example of a menu screen. [Figure 15] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of how a color management system works. [Figure 16] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of how a color management system works. [Figure 17] This is a sequence diagram of the color verification process. [Figure 18] This is an example of a color management preset selection screen. [Figure 19] This is an example of a chart printing screen. [Figure 20] This is an example of a colorimetric screen. [Figure 21] This is an example of a judgment result screen. [Figure 22] This is an example of a judgment result screen. [Figure 23] This figure shows an example of a method for extracting color verification result-color adjustment history information that has color verification result data similar to the currently performed color verification result data. [Figure 24] This is an example of a judgment result screen. [Figure 25] This is an example of a judgment result screen. [Figure 26] This is an example of a judgment result screen. [Figure 27] This is a diagram illustrating a typical color conversion process. [Figure 28] This is a sequence diagram showing the process when performing maximum concentration adjustment or concentration balance adjustment. [Figure 29] This is an example of a chart printing screen. [Figure 30] This is an example of a colorimetric screen. [Figure 31] This is an example of a judgment result screen. [Figure 32] This is an example of an adjustment screen. [Figure 33] This is a sequence diagram showing the calibration or profiling process. [Figure 34] This is an example of a chart printing screen. [Figure 35] This is an example of a colorimetric screen. [Figure 36] This is an example of the results screen. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

[0024] [Configuration of the color management system] Figure 1 is a system configuration diagram of the color management system 100 in this embodiment. The color management system 100 comprises a color management device 10, a plurality of image forming devices, namely printers 20A, 20B, ..., and a colorimeter 60. The color management device 10 and each of the plurality of printers 20A, 20B, ..., are connected to each other via a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) to enable data communication. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, each printer 20A, 20B, ... will be referred to as "printer 20".

[0025] The color management device 10 includes a PC (Personal Computer), etc. A color management application program is installed on the color management device 10. The color management device 10 holds information regarding the color management target settings (target configuration) of each printer 20 and manages the colors of each printer 20.

[0026] Printer 20 prints an image on paper based on yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) image data. The printer 20 comprises an engine 30 (main unit) and a controller 40. The printer 20 may also be equipped with an inline colorimeter 50. In Figure 1, printer 20A is equipped with an inline colorimeter 50, while printer 20B is not. If the printer is not equipped with an inline colorimeter 50, color measurement is performed using a colorimeter 60.

[0027] The engine 30 is equipped with one or more paper trays. The engine 30 prints on paper supplied from the paper trays. The engine 30 includes an engine control unit 31, a memory unit 32, and the like. The engine control unit 31 controls various parts of the engine 30. The engine control unit 31 also has a color adjustment function for the engine 30. The memory unit 32 stores various data related to the color adjustment function of the engine 30. For example, the memory unit 32 stores paper information related to the printer 20 including the engine 30, adjustment values ​​related to maximum density adjustment, adjustment values ​​related to density balance adjustment, and so on.

[0028] The controller 40 generates raster data to be provided to the engine 30. The controller 40 performs RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing on print data created by various application software and converts it into raster data. The controller 40 includes a controller control unit 41, a storage unit 42, and the like. The controller control unit 41 has a color adjustment function for the controller 40. The memory unit 42 stores various data related to the color adjustment function of the controller 40. The memory unit 42 stores paper information related to the printer 20, including the controller 40, adjustment values ​​(calibration values) related to density adjustment for each paper type, and profiles for each paper type.

[0029] The inline colorimeter 50 is located in the paper transport path within the printer 20, downstream from the functional unit where printing is performed by the engine 30. The inline colorimeter 50 measures the color of the image printed by the printer 20 and calculates the colorimetric value (L * a * b * Outputs values, etc.

[0030] The colorimeter 60 is connected to the color management device 10 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like. The colorimeter 60 measures the colors of the patch group included in the chart printed by the printer 20 and calculates the colorimetric value (L * a * b * Outputs values, etc.

[0031] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of the printer 20. The printer 20 has a paper feeding unit 300, an image forming unit 320, and a reading unit 340. In Figure 2, the image forming unit 320 forms an image on the paper using a well-known electrophotographic method. However, the image forming method in the present invention is not particularly limited and may be a method other than electrophotography.

[0032] The paper feeding unit 300 supplies paper to a transport path 301 that transports the paper within the image forming unit 320. The transport path 301 has multiple rollers and extends from the paper feeding unit 300 through the image forming unit 320 and the reading unit 340 to the output tray 350. The image forming unit 320 has a paper reversal path 302 that reverses the front and back of the paper for double-sided printing. The timing of paper feeding by the paper feeding unit 300 and the paper transport speed are controlled by the control unit 310.

[0033] The image forming unit 320 includes a toner image forming unit 321 that transfers the toner image to the paper, and a fixing unit 322 that fixes the toner image to the paper. The image forming unit 320 is controlled by the control unit 310 to print in synchronization with the paper transport timing and transport speed.

[0034] The toner image forming unit 321 is a well-known tandem type and has multiple photoreceptor drums 324 and toner units 325, one for each color. Each of the multiple photoreceptor drums 324 has a toner image (latent image) of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) formed on it. The toner images are sequentially superimposed and primary transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 323. The toner images primary transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 323 are secondary transferred to the paper. The toner image forming unit 321 may further have photoreceptor drums 324 and toner units 325 for forming spot color toner images such as white (W).

[0035] The fuser unit 322 simultaneously fixes the toner image transferred to the paper at a predetermined fixing temperature. The fixing temperature is controlled by the control unit 310.

[0036] The reading unit 340 is located downstream of the image forming unit 320 in the paper transport direction. The reading unit 340 reads the image of the paper after printing. The reading unit 340 has a first scanner 341 that reads the top surface of the paper and measures the color of the image, and a second scanner 342 that reads the bottom surface of the paper and measures the color of the image. These function as an inline colorimeter 50. For example, when printing only on the top surface of the paper, the first scanner 341 reads the printed image, and the second scanner 342 reads the paper itself that has not been printed on. The reading unit 340 is controlled by the control unit 310. The colorimetric values ​​read by the reading unit 340 are transmitted to the color management device 10.

[0037] The control unit 310 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The control unit 310 comprehensively controls the processing operations of each part of the printer 20. Specifically, the CPU reads various processing programs stored in the memory, loads them into the RAM, and performs various processing operations in cooperation with those programs.

[0038] The display input unit 360 is equipped with a monitor such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display input unit 360 displays various screens according to the instructions of the display signals input from the control unit 310. The display input unit 360 is equipped with a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse. The display input unit 360 outputs operation signals input by key operations on the keyboard and operations on the pointing device to the control unit 310. In addition, if the display input unit 360 is equipped with a touch panel, it outputs operation signals to the control unit 310 according to the position of touch operations by the operator's finger, etc.

[0039] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the color management device 10. The color management device 10 comprises a control unit 11, a display unit 12, an operation unit 13, a communication unit 14, a storage unit 15, and a color measurement data receiving unit 16.

[0040] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The control unit 11 comprehensively controls the processing operations of each part of the color management device 10. Specifically, the CPU reads various processing programs stored in the memory unit 15, loads them into the RAM, and performs various processing operations in cooperation with those programs.

[0041] The display unit 12 is equipped with a monitor such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit 12 displays various screens according to the instructions of the display signals input from the control unit 11.

[0042] The operation unit 13 includes a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse. The operation unit 13 outputs operation signals input by key operations on the keyboard and operations on the pointing device to the control unit 11. Furthermore, if the operation unit 13 is equipped with a touch panel stacked on the display unit 12, it outputs operation signals to the control unit 11 according to the position of touch operations by the operator's finger or the like.

[0043] The communication unit 14 is comprised of a network interface and the like. The communication unit 14 transmits and receives data to and from external devices such as a printer 20 connected via a communication network.

[0044] The storage unit 15 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), non-volatile memory, etc. The storage unit 15 stores various data such as various processing programs, parameters necessary for the execution of those programs, and files. For example, the storage unit 15 stores a color management application program. The color management application provides a user interface for issuing commands to execute color verification, checking verification results, issuing commands to execute color adjustment, and inputting adjustment values. The color management application also guides the user according to the sequence of each step in color adjustment.

[0045] The memory unit 15 stores the printer information table T1, the color management target setting table T2, and the color management preset table T3.

[0046] Printer information table T1 is a table for managing printer information for multiple printers 20 of the color management system 100. Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure of the printer information table T1. For each printer 20, the printer information table T1 associates the following information: printer name, model name, serial number, IP address, main unit administrator password, status, installation location, communication settings, authentication settings, paper information, etc.

[0047] "Printer name" is the name of printer 20. "Model Name" is the model name of printer 20. The "serial number" is the serial number for printer 20. The "IP address" includes the "engine's IP address" and the "controller's IP address." The "engine's IP address" is an example of engine information indicating engine 30. The "controller's IP address" is an example of controller information indicating controller 40. The "Main Unit Administrator Password" is the administrator password for the printer 20 unit (engine 30). "Status" is information indicating the state of printer 20. "Status" can be either online or offline. "Installation location" refers to the location where printer 20 is installed. "Communication Settings" is information that indicates the communication settings of printer 20. "Communication Settings" include SSL (ON / OFF), SSL port, and RAW printing port. "Authentication Settings" is information that indicates the authentication settings for printer 20. "Authentication Settings" includes Authentication (ON / OFF) and Public User (ON / OFF). "Paper information" refers to information about the paper used by the printer 20. "Paper information" indicates the type of paper, which paper tray the paper is in, etc. "Paper information" includes the paper tray, paper profile, paper size, paper feeding direction, paper type, paper weight, paper color, punch holes, etc.

[0048] The color management target setting table T2 is a table for managing the color management target settings (target configuration) used by the color management device 10 (color management application). Figure 5 shows an example of the data structure of the color management target setting table T2. In the color management target setting table T2, each color management target setting is associated with the color management target setting name, color measurement settings, profile creation settings, color verification settings, etc.

[0049] "Color Management Target Setting Name" is the name of the color management target setting. "Colorimetric settings" are settings related to color measurement. These settings include the colorimeter used, color measurement conditions, and the number of color measurement averages. When obtaining colorimetric values, multiple copies of the wedge or chart are printed to ensure print stability, and the colorimetric values ​​are averaged for each patch. "Number of colorimetric averaging cycles" is the number of wedges or charts printed for this averaging process. "Number of colorimetric averaging cycles" is a value specified by the user.

[0050] "Profile Creation Settings" are settings related to profile creation. These settings include profiling charts, UCR / GCR, and Device Link Profile (DLP) creation settings. A "profiling chart" is a chart used to create a profile (profiling). "UCR (Under Color Removal)" replaces the CMY in the shadow areas with black (K). "GCR (Gray Component Replacement)" replaces the CMY in all tonal areas, from the highlights to the shadows, with black (K). The basic concept of UCR and GCR is the same. The "DLP creation settings" include RGB-CMYK DLP (RGB source profile, RGB rendering intent) and CMYK-CMYK DLP (target profile, CMYK rendering intent, midtone desaturation, solid color preservation). "Intermediate turbidity removal" is a setting that reproduces a color that was composed of only a single color before color conversion so that it remains composed of only that single color after color conversion. "Solid Color Retention" is a setting that reproduces the solid color areas from before the color conversion as solid colors after the color conversion.

[0051] "Color Verification Settings" refers to the settings related to color verification. "Color Verification Settings" include the standard name, color verification wedge, calculation settings, judgment items, and tolerance values. The "Calculation Settings" include consideration of the underlying structure (absolute / relative) and the dE calculation formula (dE00, dEab, etc.). "Judgment criteria and tolerance values" are the judgment criteria and tolerance values ​​defined in the standard. These criteria and tolerance values ​​may be set more strictly or more loosely depending on the customer's operational practices.

[0052] A color management preset (color management settings information) is information that associates color management target settings, printer information, and paper print settings information. A color management preset is a dataset for color management. Color management preset table T3 is a table for managing color management presets. Figure 6 shows an example of the data structure of the color management preset table T3. Each color management preset in the color management preset table T3 is associated with the color management preset name, color management target setting name, printer name, paper print setting information, and the name setting used when creating the profile.

[0053] "Color Management Preset Name" is the name of the color management preset. The "Color Management Target Setting Name" is information used to link the "Color Management Target Setting Information" that constitutes the color management preset. Details of the "Color Management Target Setting Information" are obtained from the Color Management Target Setting Table T2 based on the "Color Management Target Setting Name". The "Printer Name" is information used to link the printer to the "Printer Information" that makes up the color management preset. The details of the "Printer Information" are obtained from the printer information table T1 based on the "Printer Name".

[0054] "Paper print settings information" includes paper information for the paper to be color-managed, and print settings. "Paper information" includes the paper tray, paper profile, paper size, paper feeding direction, paper type, paper weight, paper color, and punch holes. "Print settings" include screen settings, number of copies (number of color averaging cycles), and the profile applied during color verification (DLP / target profile), etc.

[0055] The "Name setting when creating a profile" includes the default names for each profile (printer profile, CMYK-CMYK DLP, RGB-CMYK DLP).

[0056] The colorimetric data receiving unit 16 receives the colorimetric value (L) from the colorimeter 60. * a* b * Receives data such as values, etc.

[0057] The control unit 11 controls the color management of each printer 20 connected via the communication network in cooperation with the program of the color management application. The control unit 11 performs color management of the printer 20 having two elements, an engine 30 and a controller 40.

[0058] The control unit 11 has a management function in the printer. The control unit 11 holds each piece of information so as to be able to connect to the engine 30 and the controller 40 of the printer 20. The control unit 11 checks the connection availability status for each of the engine 30 and the controller 40, gives adjustment instructions to each, issues print instructions for wedges or charts, gives color measurement instructions to the in-line colorimeter 50, registers the created profile, etc.

[0059] The control unit 11 searches for the printer 20 in the communication network and acquires the printer information of the printer 20. Specifically, the control unit 11 searches for the engine 30 and the controller 40 of the printer 20 within the same network as the color management device 10. The control unit 11 acquires printer information from the engine 30 or the controller 40 and manages the acquired printer information. The printer information includes the IP address of the engine 30, the IP address of the controller 40, the printer name, the serial number, the paper information, etc.

[0060] The control unit 11 controls the color management functions, that is, the color verification function and the color adjustment function, externally to the printer 20 in the engine 30 and the controller 40.

[0061] The control unit 11 controls the color verification function and the color adjustment function externally to the printer 20 in the engine 30 and the controller 40 based on the color management preset (color management setting information). The control unit 11 receives the designation of the color management preset (color management setting information) stored in the storage unit 15. That is, the control unit 11 functions as a reception unit.

[0062] The control unit 11 performs color verification on the printer 20. The control unit 11 causes the engine 30 constituting the target printer 20 to print a color verification chart based on the color management target setting information associated with the target printer 20. The control unit 11 measures the color of each patch in the printed chart using a colorimeter and obtains the measured color value. Based on the obtained measured color value, the control unit 11 determines whether the color printed by the printer 20 satisfies the color management target setting. For example, the control unit 11 determines whether the value calculated for each judgment item based on the measured color value is below the allowable value. The control unit 11 notifies the user of the result of the color verification.

[0063] If the control unit 11 determines that the color management target setting is not met, it performs color adjustment on the printer 20. The color adjustment function of engine 30 includes an adjustment function for the maximum density of the image printed by engine 30, or an adjustment function for density balance. The color adjustment function of engine 30 may also include a density adjustment function (calibration function). The color adjustment function of the controller 40 includes a function to adjust the density of images printed by the engine 30 corresponding to the controller 40 for each paper type (calibration function), or a profile creation function.

[0064] [Registering color management presets] Before performing color management, users must register color management presets in advance. In this embodiment, "color management setting information" refers to information that associates information from the image forming apparatus (printer), color management target setting information, and paper printing setting information, and is also called a "color management preset." Color verification is performed based on the selected color management preset. When registering a color management preset, you register printer information, color management target settings, and paper printing settings.

[0065] (Printer information) First, let's explain how to register your printer information. The user registers the printer 20 owned by the company to which the user belongs or by the user themselves on the color management application in the color management device 10.

[0066] When a user initiates the registration of printer information via the operation unit 13, the control unit 11 of the color management device 10 searches for the target printer 20 within the same network. The control unit 11 displays a list of printers 20 within the same network on the display unit 12 as the search result.

[0067] The user selects the printer 20 they wish to register from a list of printers 20 by operating the control unit 13. The control unit 11 obtains information from the engine 30 and controller 40 of the selected printer 20 via the communication unit 14 and displays the obtained information on the display unit 12. For example, the control unit 11 obtains the IP address of the engine 30, the IP address of the controller 40, the serial number of the printer 20, the installation location, paper information, communication settings, authentication settings, etc., from the engine 30 or controller 40.

[0068] In this case, the control unit 11 basically obtains paper information stored in the storage unit 42 from the controller 40 via the communication unit 14. The paper information includes information about the paper trays provided by the printer 20, and information about the paper set for each paper tray. Specifically, the paper information includes paper profile, paper size, paper feeding direction, paper type, paper weight, paper color, punch holes, etc. However, if the control unit 11 is unable to obtain paper information from the controller 40, it obtains paper information stored in the storage unit 32 from the engine 30 via the communication unit 14.

[0069] The paper information is acquired in advance for future use. Therefore, the control unit 11 does not necessarily have to display the paper information on the display unit 12 at this point. The control unit 11 may, if necessary, display the paper information on the display unit 12 and allow the user to confirm it.

[0070] Next, the control unit 11 displays the printer information registration screen on the display unit 12. Figure 7 shows an example of the printer information registration screen 70. The printer information registration screen 70 includes a printer name input field 71, an administrator password input field 72, and so on.

[0071] The user enters any additional necessary information (printer name, administrator password, etc.) via the control panel 13. The control unit 11 associates the information obtained from the engine 30 or controller 40 with the information entered by the user and registers it in the printer information table T1 of the storage unit 15. In this way, the registration of printer information is completed.

[0072] (Color management goal setting information) Next, the user registers information about color management targets (target configuration) on the color management application. The color management targets define how the customer will manage colors, based on standards and other criteria, including color measurement settings, color verification settings, and profile creation settings.

[0073] When a user instructs the addition of a color management target setting via the operation unit 13, the control unit 11 displays the color measurement setting screen on the display unit 12. Figure 8 shows an example of the color measurement settings screen 80. The color measurement settings screen 80 includes a color management target setting name input field 81, a colorimeter selection field 82, a color measurement condition selection field 83, a color measurement averaging count input field 84, a next button 85, etc. The user sets various pieces of information, such as the color management target setting name, colorimeter, color measurement conditions, and number of color measurement averaging cycles, by operating from the control unit 13.

[0074] When the user presses the Next button 85 on the color measurement setting screen 80 via the operation unit 13, the control unit 11 displays the profile creation setting screen on the display unit 12. Figure 9 shows an example of the profile creation settings screen 90. The profile creation settings screen 90 includes a profiling chart selection field 91, a UCR / GCR selection field 92, an RGB source profile selection field 93, an RGB rendering intent selection field 94, a target profile selection field 95, a CMYK rendering intent selection field 96, a midtone turbidity removal selection field 97, a solid color preservation selection field 98, and a Next button 99, etc. The user sets various information such as the profiling chart, UCR / GCR, RGB-CMYK DLP creation conditions, and CMYK-CMYK DLP creation conditions by operating from the control unit 13.

[0075] When the user presses the Next button 99 on the profile creation settings screen 90 via the operation unit 13, the control unit 11 displays the color verification settings screen on the display unit 12. Figure 10 shows an example of the color verification settings screen 110. The color verification settings screen 110 includes a color verification chart selection field 111, a target profile selection field 112, a standard name selection field 113, a substrate consideration selection field 114, a custom level selection field 115, a dE calculation formula selection field 116, tolerance value input fields 117A to 117G for each judgment item, and a checkbox 118. Checkbox 118 can be checked when customizing tolerance values. When the user checks checkbox 118 and selects "Custom" in the custom level selection field 115, each tolerance value can be changed.

[0076] The user sets various information such as the color verification chart (color verification wedge), target profile, standard name, calculation settings (substrate consideration, dE calculation formula), and tolerance values ​​by operating from the control unit 13.

[0077] The user instructs the system to complete the registration of color management target setting information via the operation unit 13. The control unit 11 then associates the information set on the color measurement setting screen 80, the profile creation setting screen 90, and the color verification setting screen 110 and registers it in the color management target setting table T2 of the storage unit 15. In this way, the registration of color management target setting information is completed.

[0078] (Paper printing settings information) Next, the user registers the paper print settings information on the color management application. The paper print settings information defines the paper type to be printed on and the settings to be used during printing.

[0079] When a user instructs the addition of a color management preset via the operation unit 13, the control unit 11 displays the color management preset registration screen on the display unit 12. Figure 11 shows an example of the color management preset registration screen 120. The color management preset registration screen 120 includes a color management preset name input field 121, a printer selection field 122, a color management target setting selection field 123, a details button 124, a next button 125, etc.

[0080] The user inputs a color management preset name via the operation unit 13 and selects a registered printer 20 and color management target setting. The control unit 11 retrieves printer information corresponding to the selected printer 20 from the printer information table T1 in the storage unit 15. The control unit 11 also retrieves color management target setting information corresponding to the selected color management target setting from the color management target setting table T2 in the storage unit 15. When the details button 124 is pressed, the contents of the selected color management target setting information will be displayed.

[0081] When the user presses the Next button 125 on the color management preset registration screen 120 via the operation unit 13, the control unit 11 displays the paper printing settings screen on the display unit 12. Figure 12 shows an example of the paper print settings screen 130. The paper print settings screen 130 includes a chart paper information display field 131, a tray selection button 132, a paper profile selection button 133, a manual setting button 134, a copy input field 135, a screen selection field 136, a next button 137, and so on.

[0082] The chart paper information display area 131 displays the paper information of the paper on which the chart is printed. The charts include adjustment charts, profiling charts, color verification wedges, etc. When the tray selection button 132 is pressed, the paper information associated with each paper tray of the printer 20 selected in the printer selection field 122 (see Figure 11) is retrieved from the printer information table T1 and displayed. The user can set the paper information for the chart paper by selecting one of the displayed paper information options.

[0083] When the paper profile selection button 133 is pressed, the paper information associated with the paper profile of the printer 20 selected in the printer selection field 122 is retrieved from the printer information table T1 and displayed. The user can set the paper information for the chart paper by selecting one of the displayed paper information options. When the manual setting button 134 is pressed, the paper information setting screen is displayed. The user can set the paper information for the chart paper by selecting each item on the setting screen.

[0084] Furthermore, the control unit 11 can automatically determine whether the paper is coated or plain paper, etc., based on the "Target Profile" included in the "Color Management Target Setting" selected in the Color Management Target Setting Selection field 123 (see Figure 11). In addition, the control unit 11 can automatically determine whether the paper is A3 / Tabloid or A4 / Letter, etc., based on the "Color Verification Wedge". Based on these determination results, the control unit 11 may automatically specify the paper tray in which the appropriate paper is loaded.

[0085] The number of copies input field 135 is set to a value linked to the number of colorimetric averaging cycles. The user selects the screen for printing settings in the screen selection field 136 by operating from the control unit 13. The information set on the paper print settings screen 130 is registered as "Paper Information" or "Print Settings" in the "Paper Print Settings Information" that constitutes the color management preset.

[0086] When the user presses the Next button 137 on the paper print settings screen 130 via the operation unit 13, the control unit 11 displays the profile name setting screen on the display unit 12. Figure 13 shows an example of the profile name setting screen 140. The profile name setting screen 140 includes a printer profile name input field 141, a CMYK-CMYK device link profile input field 142, an RGB-CMYK device link profile input field 143, a color verification application profile selection field 144, a complete button 145, etc.

[0087] The user inputs the default names for each profile during profile creation via the control unit 13. Specifically, these profiles are the printer profile, the CMYK-CMYK device link profile, and the RGB-CMYK device link profile. The user then selects the profile to be applied during color verification, specifically the device link profile and the target profile, via the control unit 13.

[0088] The user presses the "Complete" button 145 on the profile name setting screen 140 via the operation unit 13. The control unit 11 then associates the information set on the color management preset registration screen 120, the paper printing settings screen 130, and the profile name setting screen 140 and registers it in the color management preset table T3 of the storage unit 15. In this way, the registration of the color management preset is completed.

[0089] By registering a color management preset, the color management device 10 becomes ready for color management (color verification and color adjustment).

[0090] The control unit 11 displays a list of printers 20 registered in the printer information table T1 of the storage unit 15 on the display unit 12. At this time, the control unit 11 checks the connection status (online / offline) of each printer 20 and displays the connection status in the status column on the list. In addition, the control unit 11 grays out printers 20 whose connection status is "offline" on the list so that they cannot be selected as targets for color management.

[0091] When the user selects one of the printers 20 to be color-managed from this list screen, the control unit 11 displays a menu screen on the display unit 12. The menu screen is a screen that displays various tools for color management, including color verification and color adjustment. The control unit 11 obtains the latest paper information from the selected printer 20 and updates the paper information corresponding to that printer 20 in the printer information table T1.

[0092] Figure 14 shows an example of the menu screen 150. The menu screen 150 includes icons such as "Maximum Density Adjustment" 151, "Density Balance Adjustment" 152, "Calibration" 153, "Profile Creation" 154, and "Color Verification" 155. Maximum density adjustment, density balance adjustment, calibration, and profile creation are items that are adjusted during color adjustment, and will be explained in more detail later.

[0093] [How the color management system works] Next, we will explain how color management works in the color management system 100. Figures 15 and 16 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the color management system 100. In this embodiment, color verification is performed first, followed by color adjustment. The control unit 11 may allow the user to choose whether or not to perform color adjustment, as shown in Figure 15, or it may automatically perform color adjustment based on the results of color verification, as shown in Figure 16.

[0094] The user presses the "Color Verification" icon 155 on the menu screen 150 via the operation unit 13. This starts the color verification process, and the following steps are executed. Note that in color management, color verification may be performed again after color adjustment is complete. Furthermore, depending on the results of that color verification, color adjustment may be performed again.

[0095] An example of the operation shown in Figure 15 will be explained. First, the control unit 11 accepts the selection of a color management preset (step S1). Next, the control unit 11 performs color verification based on the color management preset (step S2). Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the result of the color verification meets a predetermined standard (step S3). If the control unit 11 determines that the standard is met (step S3: NO), it determines that color adjustment is unnecessary and terminates the operation. If the control unit 11 determines that the standard is not met (step S3: YES), it displays a selection screen on the display unit 12 asking whether or not to perform color adjustment and proposes that the user perform color adjustment (step S4). Next, the user inputs whether or not to perform color adjustment from the operation unit 13, and the control unit 11 determines whether or not the proposal has been accepted (step S5). If the control unit 11 determines that the proposal has not been accepted (step S5: NO), it terminates the operation. If the control unit 11 determines that the proposal has been accepted (step S5: YES), it automatically applies the color management preset selected in step S1 (step S6). Finally, the control unit 11 performs color adjustment and terminates the operation (step S6).

[0096] In the example operation shown in Figure 16, step S8 is executed instead of steps S4 and S5. If the control unit 11 determines in step S3 that the criteria are not met (step S3: NO), it accepts a selection regarding color adjustment (step S8).

[0097] Next, we will explain the details of each step. Figure 17 is a sequence diagram of the color verification process, corresponding to steps S1 to S3 described above.

[0098] (S1: Accepts selection of color management presets) In the color management preset selection process, you select a suitable color management preset from the pre-registered presets.

[0099] The user presses the "Color Verification" icon 155 on the menu screen 150 of the color management application. The control unit 11 then performs color verification on the printer 20 that is subject to color management. The control unit 11 displays the color management preset selection screen on the display unit 12.

[0100] Figure 18 shows an example of the color management preset selection screen 400. The color management preset selection screen 400 includes a color management preset list field 401, a next button 402, etc. The control unit 11 refers to the color management preset table T3 of the storage unit 15 and displays a list of color management presets, including the printer 20 to be color managed, in the color management preset list field 401. The user selects one of the color management presets from the color management preset list 401 by operating from the control unit 13 (step S11). This means the user has specified the "color management target setting" to be used (step S12).

[0101] (S2: Color Verification) For color verification, a color verification chart is printed and the colors are measured.

[0102] When the user presses the Next button 402 on the color management preset selection screen 400 via the operation unit 13, the control unit 11 displays the chart printing screen on the display unit 12. Figure 19 shows an example of the chart printing screen 410. The chart printing screen 410 includes a chart preview area 411, a paper selection area 412, a colorimetric method selection area 413, and so on. The chart preview section 411 displays a preview of the chart for color verification. In the paper selection field 412, the paper to be used for color verification is selected. In the colorimetric measurement method selection field 413, you can choose whether to print the chart and measure its color, or to measure a pre-printed chart. The user selects the paper type and colorimetric method on the chart printing screen 410. The user then presses the Next button 414 on the chart printing screen 410 to instruct the color verification to be performed (step S13).

[0103] The control unit 11 transmits a color verification execution instruction to the engine 30 via the communication unit 14 (step S14). The color verification execution instruction includes the specification of a chart and an instruction to print the chart. The control unit 11 transmits a color verification execution instruction to the engine 30 in accordance with the "color management target setting information" and "paper printing setting information" included in the "color management preset".

[0104] The engine control unit 31 of the engine 30 controls various parts of the engine 30 to print a color verification chart (step S15). The color verification chart includes patches of solid density for each CMYK color. If the color measurement method selection field 413 selects to measure a printed chart, the chart will not be printed.

[0105] When the user presses the Next button 414 on the chart printing screen 410 via operation from the control unit 13, the control unit 11 displays the color measurement screen 420 on the display unit 12 (step S16). Figure 20 shows an example of the color measurement screen 420. The color measurement screen 420 includes a color measurement start button 421, a color measurement result field 422, a next button 423, etc. When the user presses the color measurement start button 421, color measurement begins.

[0106] The user measures the color of each patch on the color verification chart using the colorimeter 60 (step S17). By default, the colorimeter 60 used for color measurement is the one set in the "Color Measurement Settings" of "Color Management Target Settings". The control unit 11 connects to the colorimeter 60 via the color measurement data receiving unit 16 and receives color measurement results (color values ​​and density values) from the colorimeter 60. The control unit 11 displays the color measurement results for each patch in the color measurement result column 422 of the color measurement screen 420. The control unit 11 may also transmit the color measurement results to the printer 20 (engine 30) via the communication unit 14.

[0107] The user checks the color measurement values, and if there are no problems, presses the Next button 423 on the color measurement screen 420.

[0108] On the other hand, if the printer 20 is equipped with an inline colorimeter 50, the following process is performed instead of the process in steps S16 to S17. After the engine 30 prints the chart (step S15), the engine control unit 31 of the engine 30 instructs the inline colorimeter 50 to perform color measurement (step S20). By default, the "colorimeter" set in the "color measurement settings" of the "color management target setting" is selected as the inline colorimeter 50 used for color measurement.

[0109] The inline colorimeter 50 measures the color of each patch on the color verification chart. The engine control unit 31 of the engine 30 acquires the color measurement results (color value and density value) from the inline colorimeter 50 (step S21). The control unit 11 displays the color measurement results for each patch in the color measurement result column 422 of the color measurement screen 420.

[0110] (S3: Result judgment) In the result evaluation, it is determined whether the color measurement results obtained through color verification meet the specified criteria, such as the color verification standard and the set tolerance values.

[0111] The user presses the "Next" button 423 on the color measurement screen 420 via the operation unit 13. In response to the press of the "Next" button 423, the control unit 11 determines whether the color measurement result meets a predetermined standard for each verification item (steps S18 and S22). The control unit 11 displays the determination result screen on the display unit 12 (steps S19 and S23).

[0112] Figure 21 shows an example of the judgment result screen 430. The judgment result screen 430 includes a verification result field 431, an overall judgment result field 432, color adjustment item icons 433, a complete button 434, etc. The Verification Results column 431 includes the tolerance value, measured value, and judgment result for each verification item. The tolerance value is predetermined for each paper type. The Overall Judgment Results column 432 displays either "Fail" or "Pass" as the overall judgment result.

[0113] If the overall judgment result is "Pass," no color adjustment is necessary. Therefore, the user presses the complete button 434 via the operation unit 13 to finish the operation.

[0114] (S4: Color adjustment proposal) The color adjustment suggestion proposes performing color adjustments. The user can choose whether or not to perform the color adjustments. If the user chooses to perform the color adjustments, they can also select the items to adjust. Details about color adjustments will be described later.

[0115] If the overall judgment result is "Fail," the control unit 11 suggests to the user that color adjustment be performed. The judgment result screen 430 (see Figure 21) displays a "Complete" button 434 as well as color adjustment item icons 433. The color adjustment item icons 433 include the "Maximum Density Adjustment" icon 151, the "Density Balance Adjustment" icon 152, the "Calibration" icon 153, and the "Profile Creation" icon 154.

[0116] To perform color adjustments, the user presses one of the following icons: "Maximum Density Adjustment" icon 151, "Density Balance Adjustment" icon 152, "Calibration" icon 153, or "Create Profile" icon 154, and selects the item to adjust. If the user does not wish to perform color adjustments, they press the "Complete" button 434.

[0117] Color adjustment involves adjusting four items related to color management in this order: maximum density adjustment, density balance adjustment, calibration, and profile creation. Selecting an item to adjust by clicking an icon means selecting the item to begin the color adjustment process.

[0118] For example, if the user presses the "Maximum Density Adjustment" icon 151, this means that the color adjustment will start with maximum density adjustment, and will perform maximum density adjustment, density balance adjustment, calibration, and profile creation. Similarly, if the user presses the "Calibration" icon 153, this means that the color adjustment will start with calibration, and will perform calibration and profile creation.

[0119] The success rate of color adjustment improves as the number of items to be adjusted increases. On the other hand, the more items to be adjusted, the longer the time required. From the standpoint of work efficiency, users select the items to start color adjustment on based on both the time required and the success rate. Therefore, the control unit 11 may calculate the success rate and time required for color adjustment for each item and display them on the display unit 12.

[0120] The success rate and time required for color adjustment can be calculated based on a machine learning model trained on the history of past color verification and adjustments.

[0121] In the memory unit 15, the verification results of color verification performed before color adjustment, the color adjustment history, and the verification results of color verification performed after color adjustment are stored in a linked manner. In other words, they are linked as follows: pre-color adjustment color verification results - color adjustment history - post-color adjustment color verification results.

[0122] If color adjustments are performed multiple times, the verification results of each color check and the history of the color adjustments are all linked and stored. For example, if color adjustments are performed twice, the links will be: 1st color check result - 1st color adjustment history - 2nd color check result - 2nd color adjustment history - 3rd color check result. This type of information is also called "color check result - color adjustment history information".

[0123] The color adjustment history information includes the color management preset used, the items adjusted and their adjustment details, and the time taken. The time taken for each item is measured. The color adjustment history information also includes information about the external environment in which the printer 20 is installed. This external environment information includes temperature, humidity, etc. Including external environment information in the color adjustment history information improves the accuracy of the machine learning model.

[0124] Based on a machine learning model, the system extracts past color verification results that are similar to the currently performed color verification results. From the color adjustment history linked to the extracted color verification results, the success rate and time required for color adjustment can be calculated.

[0125] Machine learning may be reinforcement learning, deep learning, or deep reinforcement learning. "Reinforcement learning" refers to a learning method that learns the "optimal sequence of actions" through trial and error. "Deep learning" refers to a learning method that learns the features contained in a large amount of data in a stepwise, deeper way. "Deep reinforcement learning" refers to a learning method that combines reinforcement learning and deep learning.

[0126] Examples of linear regression prediction algorithms used in machine learning include principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (hierarchical clustering, k-means clustering, and normal mixture clustering), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and partial least squares regression (PLS regression). These algorithms may also be used in combination.

[0127] Other nonlinear regression prediction algorithms used in machine learning include decision trees, random forests, bootstrap forests, neural networks, K-nearest neighbors, simple Bayesian regression, support vector machines (SVMs), nominal logistic regression (multiple logits), and generalized regression (Ridge, Lasso).

[0128] (success rate) The control unit 11 may calculate the success rate of color adjustment for each item and display it on the display unit 12. Figure 22 shows an example of the judgment result screen 430. On the judgment result screen 430, the success rate 435 is displayed for each item below the color adjustment item icon 433.

[0129] The success rate of color adjustment can be calculated using the following method. In the currently running color management system, the color verification that has been performed is considered the nth color verification, and the color adjustment that is scheduled to be performed is considered the nth color adjustment. We then calculate the probability that the result of the (n+1)th color verification will be "pass".

[0130] (1) From the past color verification results - color adjustment history information, extract the past color verification results - color adjustment history information for which the color verification was performed using the same or similar color management preset as the color management preset used during the nth color verification currently performed.

[0131] (2) From the extracted color verification result-color adjustment history information, extract the color verification result-color adjustment history information that has color verification result data similar to the color verification result data of the nth color verification run that was performed. Figure 23 shows an example of a method for extracting color verification result-color adjustment history information that has color verification result data similar to the currently executed color verification result data. Figure 23 shows the currently executed color verification result data and past color verification result-color adjustment history information. Note that if all verification items are "Pass", the overall judgment result is "Pass". If even one of the verification items is "Fail", the overall judgment result is "Fail".

[0132] From the extracted color verification results - color adjustment history information, extract the color verification result data that has the same "Fail" item as the currently executed color verification result data. In Figure 23, Data 1 and Data 2 show "Fail" for the three items "Maximum," "dH Maximum CMYRGB," and "dCh CMY Gray Average," just like the color verification results data currently performed, so Data 1 and Data 2 are extracted. Data 3 is not extracted because the "Maximum" item is "Pass," which is different. The extracted color verification results and color adjustment history information may be further grouped and extracted according to the difference ΔE from the target value.

[0133] The extracted color verification results and color adjustment history information may be further grouped and extracted according to external environmental information. This allows for the calculation of a success rate corresponding to the installation environment of the printer 20.

[0134] The extracted color verification results and color adjustment history information are further grouped and extracted according to the items adjusted in the nth color adjustment history. This allows for the calculation of the success rate for each item being adjusted. For example, in Figure 22, a success rate of "82%" is displayed below the "Calibration" icon 153. This success rate represents the success rate when starting the nth color adjustment from calibration. From the extracted color verification results - color adjustment history information, group and extract the color verification results - color adjustment history information where the nth color adjustment started with calibration, i.e., where only calibration and profile creation were performed during the color adjustment.

[0135] (3) From the extracted color verification results - color adjustment history information, the success rate for each item in color adjustment is calculated using the following formula (I). Formula (I) Success rate (%)={Np / (Np+Nf)}×100 Let Np be the number of data points where the overall judgment result of the (n+1)th color verification is "Pass," and Nf be the number of data points where it is "Fail." The sum of Np and Nf corresponds to the total number of data points in the extracted color verification result - color adjustment history information.

[0136] For example, in Figure 23, the overall result of the (n+1)th color verification in Data 1 is "Pass," and in Data 2, the overall result of the (n+1)th color verification is "Fail." The number of data points where the overall result of the (n+1)th color verification is "Pass," as in Data 1, and the number of data points where the overall result of the (n+1)th color verification is "Fail," as in Data 2, are counted, and the success rate is calculated.

[0137] (Estimated time) The control unit 11 may calculate the time required for color adjustment for each item and display it on the display unit 12. Figure 24 shows an example of the judgment result screen 430. In the example shown in Figure 24, the required time 436 for each item is displayed. Figure 25 shows an example of the judgment result screen 430. In the example shown in Figure 25, in addition to the time required for each item 436, the total time required 437 is displayed in a graph. The user selects the items to be executed based on the time required and presses the corresponding icon.

[0138] Figures 24 and 25 show that the time required for "Maximum Density Adjustment" alone is 3 minutes, the time required for "Density Balance Adjustment" alone is 3 minutes, the time required for "Calibration" alone is 5 minutes, and the time required for "Profile Creation" alone is 8 minutes. As shown in Figure 25, for example, if you press the "Density Balance Adjustment" icon 152 and start the color adjustment from density balance adjustment, the third graph from the top corresponds to this, and the total time required for color adjustment is 16 minutes.

[0139] The time required for color adjustment can be calculated based on a machine learning model. Alternatively, it can be calculated based on the specifications of the items to be adjusted.

[0140] The control unit 11 may calculate the required time and success rate for color adjustment for each item and display both on the display unit 12. The user selects the item to perform based on the required time and success rate, and presses the corresponding icon.

[0141] The control unit 11 may calculate the time required for color adjustment and the success rate for each item, and then suggest candidate items to be adjusted based on the results. Figure 26 shows an example of the judgment result screen 430. As shown in Figure 26, only profile creation may be suggested as a candidate item to be adjusted, and only the "Profile Creation" icon 154 may be displayed on the judgment result screen 430. In this case, the success rate of performing only profile creation is sufficiently high, suggesting that color adjustment can be achieved by performing only profile creation. The user selects the item to perform from the candidate items and presses the corresponding icon.

[0142] (S5: Proposal adoption judgment) The proposal adoption decision determines whether or not the proposed color adjustments were adopted. When the user presses the icon corresponding to the item to be adjusted on the judgment result screen 430 via the operation unit 13, the control unit 11 determines that the proposed color adjustment has been adopted and proceeds to the next step.

[0143] When the user presses the complete button 434 on the judgment result screen 430 via the operation unit 13, the control unit 11 determines that the proposed color adjustment was not adopted and terminates the operation. Even after the operation has terminated, the user can perform color adjustment again by selecting the "Maximum Density Adjustment" icon 151, the "Density Balance Adjustment" icon 152, the "Calibration" icon 153, or the "Create Profile" icon 154 from the menu screen 150.

[0144] (S6: Automatic application of color management presets) The automatic application of color management presets automatically applies the color management preset selected during color verification to color adjustments. This reduces the time required to register color management presets. Furthermore, while setting various items in color management presets requires advanced knowledge, automatic application allows users to register the optimal color management preset without requiring advanced knowledge, thus reducing the burden on the user. As a result, optimal color adjustments can be performed, and color management can be performed more accurately in a shorter time.

[0145] The control unit 11 applies the color management preset selected by the user in step S1 to the color adjustment process and proceeds to the next step.

[0146] (S7: Color adjustment) Color adjustment involves selecting and adjusting at least one item from among several types of color management items.

[0147] The printer 20 consists of two elements: a printing engine 30 and a controller 40 that generates raster data used for printing by the engine 30. Regarding color representation in the printer 20, the engine 30 adjusts the maximum density and density balance, etc., from the perspective of machine stability. The controller 40 also has paper management functions, such as paper feed trays. The controller 40 creates profiles for each paper type and adjusts the density (calibration), etc.

[0148] Figure 27 shows a typical color conversion process. Print original data is represented, for example, by CMYK values. Let's assume the CMYK values ​​of the print original data are "C0M0Y0K0". In the controller 40, "C0M0Y0K0" is converted to "C1M1Y1K1", which is received by the engine 30, according to the profile registered in the controller 40. At this time, if calibration data is available on the controller 40 side, the calibration data is applied on the controller 40 side, and after being converted to "C2M2Y2K2", it is sent to the engine 30.

[0149] Depending on the design of the printer 20, calibration may be performed on the engine 30 side. In this case, the calibration data is applied to the "C1M1Y1K1" received from the controller 40 on the engine 30 side and converted to "C2M2Y2K2".

[0150] In engine 30, the maximum density and density balance are adjusted, and "C2M2Y2K2" is converted to "C3M3Y3K3". Maximum density adjustment is the adjustment of the density of solid CMYK areas (e.g., C=100%). Density balance adjustment is the adjustment of in-plane uniformity. In engine 30, the image is printed based on "C3M3Y3K3".

[0151] Thus, in a printer 20 consisting of an engine 30 and a controller 40, the engine 30 and the controller 40 need to be pre-adjusted in order to print the desired color during printing.

[0152] In color calibration, the engine 30, which is the foundation, is adjusted first, followed by the controller 40. In other words, there is a basic sequence to color calibration. As a foundation, the maximum density of each CMYK solid color is adjusted for the engine 30, and then the density balance (uniformity within the paper surface) is adjusted so that the density is maintained throughout the entire paper. Subsequently, calibration (density adjustment) for each standard and paper type, as well as the creation of each profile, is performed for the controller 40. Calibration also includes adjustments for daily fluctuations.

[0153] Let's look at some specific examples of color adjustment. For adjusting each item related to color management, a predetermined chart is printed and color-measured, and the adjustment values, calibration values, or profiles are updated based on the color measurement results. Alternatively, if the color measurement results from color verification can be used, the adjustment values, calibration values, or profiles may be updated based on those results. In this case, the chart is not printed and color measurement is not performed.

[0154] (Maximum density adjustment) First, let's explain Maximum Density adjustment. Figure 28 is a sequence diagram showing the process of performing maximum concentration adjustment or concentration balance adjustment. When the user presses the "Maximum Density Adjustment" icon 151 on the judgment result screen 430 or menu screen 150 in the color management application, the maximum density adjustment starts. In this embodiment, since a color management preset is automatically applied, the control unit 11 automatically applies the color management target setting information in the color management preset. The control unit 11 also sets the paper feed tray based on the paper printing setting information in the color management preset.

[0155] The control unit 11 displays the chart printing screen on the display unit 12. Figure 29 shows an example of the chart printing screen 170. The chart printing screen 170 includes a chart preview area 171, a paper selection area 172, a colorimetric method selection area 173, and so on. Chart preview section 171 displays a preview of the chart for adjusting the maximum concentration. In the paper selection field 172, the paper to be used for the highest density adjustment is selected. In the colorimetric measurement method selection field 173, you can choose whether to print the chart and measure its color, or to measure a pre-printed chart. On the chart printing screen 170, the user selects the paper type and colorimetric method.

[0156] The user presses the Next button 174 on the chart print screen 170 to instruct the system to perform the maximum density adjustment (step S31). The control unit 11 transmits an instruction to the engine 30 to perform maximum density adjustment via the communication unit 14 (step S32). The instruction to perform maximum density adjustment includes specifying a chart and instructing the engine 30 to print the chart. The control unit 11 transmits an instruction to the engine 30 to perform maximum density adjustment according to the "color management target setting information" and "paper printing setting information" included in the "color management preset".

[0157] The engine control unit 31 of the engine 30 controls each part of the engine 30 to print a chart for adjusting the maximum density (step S33). The chart for adjusting the maximum density includes patches of solid density for each CMYK color. If the color measurement method selection field 173 selects to measure a printed chart, the chart will not be printed.

[0158] Next, the control unit 11 displays the color measurement screen on the display unit 12 (step S34). Figure 30 shows an example of the colorimetric screen 180. The colorimetric screen 180 includes a colorimetric results field 181, a next button 182, etc.

[0159] The user measures the color of each patch on the chart for maximum density adjustment using the colorimeter 60 (step S35). By default, the "colorimeter" set in the "color measurement settings" of "color management target settings" is selected as the colorimeter 60 used for measurement. The control unit 11 connects to the colorimeter 60 via the colorimeter data receiving unit 16 and receives colorimeter results (colorimeter value and density value) from the colorimeter 60. The control unit 11 displays the colorimeter results for each patch in the colorimeter results section 181 of the colorimeter screen 180.

[0160] The control unit 11 may also transmit the color measurement results to the printer 20 (engine 30) via the communication unit 14.

[0161] The user checks the color measurement values, and if there are no problems, presses the Next button 182 on the color measurement screen 180. In response to the pressing of the next button 182, the control unit 11 determines whether the measurement result of the highest density for each CMYK color meets a predetermined standard (step S36).

[0162] Next, the control unit 11 displays the determination result screen on the display unit 12 (step S37). Figure 31 shows an example of the judgment result screen 190. The judgment result screen 190 includes a judgment details field 191, an overall judgment result field 192, a next button 193, etc. The detailed judgment section 191 includes a comparison of the target value (dD Max.) for each CMYK color with the measured result (density value), as well as the judgment result for each color. The target value is predetermined for each paper type. In the overall judgment result column 192, either "Fail" or "Pass" will be displayed as the overall judgment result.

[0163] When the user presses the "Next" button 193 on the judgment result screen 190 via the operation unit 13, the control unit 11 displays the adjustment screen on the display unit 12. Figure 32 shows an example of the adjustment screen 200. The adjustment screen 200 includes an adjustment value input field 201, etc. The user adjusts the concentration setting of engine 30 based on the judgment result. The user inputs the adjustment value for each CMYK color into the adjustment value input field 201 by operating from the control unit 13 (step S38). The control unit 11 transmits a registration instruction for the adjustment value of the maximum concentration adjustment to the engine 30 via the communication unit 14 (step S39).

[0164] If the previous judgment result is "Fail," the control unit 11 of the color management device 10 instructs the engine 30 to start the maximum density adjustment again, and repeats this process until all colors are "Pass."

[0165] The engine control unit 31 of the engine 30 stores the adjustment value for maximum density adjustment transmitted from the color management device 10 in the storage unit 32 and updates the adjustment value (step S43). This section describes the case where the user manually enters the adjustment values, but the control unit 11 (color management application) may also automatically predict the adjustment values ​​and set them.

[0166] On the other hand, if the printer 20 is equipped with an inline colorimeter 50, the following process is performed instead of the process in steps S34 to S39. After the engine 30 prints the chart (step S33), the engine control unit 31 of the engine 30 instructs the inline colorimeter 50 to perform color measurement (step S40). By default, the "colorimeter" set in the "color measurement settings" of the "color management target setting" is selected as the inline colorimeter 50 used for color measurement. The inline colorimeter 50 measures the color of each patch on the chart for maximum density adjustment. The engine control unit 31 of the engine 30 obtains the color measurement results (color value and density value) from the inline colorimeter 50 (step S41). The engine control unit 31 of the engine 30 automatically determines the adjustment value by comparing the measured concentration with the target value for each CMYK color (step S42).

[0167] The engine control unit 31 stores the determined maximum concentration adjustment value in the storage unit 32 and updates the adjustment value (step S43).

[0168] After step S43, the engine control unit 31 of the engine 30 transmits information to the color management device 10 indicating that the maximum density adjustment has been completed (step S44). The control unit 11 of the color management device 10 displays the completion screen for maximum density adjustment on the display unit 12 (step S45).

[0169] Furthermore, even if the printer 20 is equipped with an inline colorimeter 50, the control unit 11 of the color management device 10 may acquire the color measurement results from the printer 20 and display the color measurement results on the display unit 12. In addition, the control unit 11 may automatically determine the adjustment value by comparing the measured density with the target value for each CMYK color.

[0170] (Concentration balance adjustment) Next, we will explain density balance adjustment. The general procedure for adjusting the density balance is the same as for adjusting the maximum density (see Figure 28). Here, we will explain the case of manual color measurement.

[0171] When a user presses the "Density Balance Adjustment" icon 152 on the judgment result screen 430 or menu screen 150 of the color management application, density balance adjustment is started. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may automatically start density balance adjustment after acquiring information indicating that the maximum density adjustment is complete. In this embodiment, since a color management preset is automatically applied, the control unit 11 automatically applies the color management target setting information in the color management preset. The control unit 11 also sets the paper feed tray based on the paper printing setting information in the color management preset.

[0172] The control unit 11 displays the colorimeter and screen settings screens on the display unit 12. In the settings screen, the default value for the colorimeter is the "Colorimeter" included in the "Color Measurement Settings" of the "Color Management Target Settings" of the "Color Management Preset" corresponding to the printer 20 under color management. In the settings screen, the default value for the screen is the "Screen" included in the "Print Settings" of the "Paper Printing Settings Information" of the "Color Management Preset". The user can change the colorimeter and screen as needed by operating the control unit 13.

[0173] Next, the control unit 11 displays a preview of the concentration balance adjustment chart, similar to the maximum concentration adjustment. The control unit 11 may accept a selection of charts from among several types of charts. When the control unit 11 receives a print order for the chart, it transmits an instruction to the engine 30 via the communication unit 14 to perform density balance adjustment. The instruction to perform density balance adjustment includes specifying the chart and instructing the chart to be printed.

[0174] The engine control unit 31 of the engine 30 controls each part of the engine 30 to print a density balance adjustment chart. The density balance adjustment chart has patches of the same density placed at multiple positions on the paper for each CMYK color. The density balance adjustment chart is used to suppress density unevenness within the paper surface.

[0175] The control unit 11 displays the color measurement screen on the display unit 12. The user uses the colorimeter 60 to measure the color of each patch on the chart used for adjusting the density balance. The control unit 11 connects to the colorimeter 60 via the colorimeter data receiving unit 16, receives the colorimeter results from the colorimeter 60, and displays the colorimeter results. The control unit 11 may also transmit the color measurement results to the printer 20 (engine 30) via the communication unit 14.

[0176] Next, the control unit 11 calculates adjustment values ​​to adjust the density balance (uniformity within the paper surface) based on the color measurement results. Factors contributing to uniformity within the paper surface include the screen, paper type, or basis weight. The control unit 11 displays a screen on the display unit 12 that registers the adjusted concentration balance as a "profile". The control unit 11 registers the density balance adjustment value (profile) with the engine 30, along with the settings for screen, paper type, or basis weight, in response to a registration instruction from the user. This profile is automatically selected depending on the paper type during normal printing, or it can be manually specified when setting up the print environment.

[0177] Up to this point, the adjustments were made to the engine 30, and were based on the paper types that the engine 30 supports. The next step, calibration and profile creation (profiling), involves adjustments to the controller 40. The controller 40 adjusts and manages colors for a wide variety of paper types based on color management target setting information created to match the final print output.

[0178] (calibration) Next, let's discuss calibration. Calibration refers to the adjustment function related to density for each type of paper.

[0179] Figure 33 is a sequence diagram of the calibration or profiling process. Calibration begins when the user presses the "Calibration" icon 153 on the judgment result screen 430 or menu screen 150 of the color management application. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may automatically start calibration after acquiring information indicating that the density balance adjustment is complete. In this embodiment, since a color management preset is automatically applied, the control unit 11 automatically applies the color management target setting information in the color management preset. The control unit 11 also sets the paper feed tray based on the paper printing setting information in the color management preset.

[0180] The control unit 11 displays the chart printing screen on the display unit 12. Figure 34 shows an example of the chart printing screen 220. The chart printing screen 220 includes a chart preview field 221, a number of copies input field 222, a chart paper information display field 223, a color measurement method selection field 224, a next button 225, etc. Chart preview area 221 displays a preview of the calibration chart. The number of copies to be printed during calibration is entered in the number input field 222. The chart paper information display area 223 displays the paper information of the paper on which the chart will be printed. In the colorimetric measurement method selection field 224, you can choose whether to print the chart and measure its color, measure a printed chart, or load pre-measured colorimetric data. The user can make various settings on the chart printing screen 220 by operating from the control unit 13.

[0181] The user presses the Next button 225 to instruct the calibration to be performed (step S51). The control unit 11 sends a calibration execution instruction to the controller 40 via the communication unit 14 (step S52). The calibration execution instruction includes an instruction to print a chart. The controller control unit 41 of the controller 40 sends a print instruction for a calibration chart to the engine 30 (step S53).

[0182] The engine control unit 31 of the engine 30 controls various parts of the engine 30 to print a calibration chart (step S54). The calibration chart includes a group of patches showing multiple densities (gradations) for each CMYK color. Note that if the color measurement method selection field 224 selects to measure a printed chart or to read measured data, the chart will not be printed.

[0183] Next, the control unit 11 displays the color measurement screen on the display unit 12 (step S55). Figure 35 shows an example of the colorimetric screen 230. The colorimetric screen 230 includes a colorimetric results field 231, a next button 232, etc. The user measures the color of each patch on the calibration chart using the colorimeter 60 (step S56). The control unit 11 connects to the colorimeter 60 via the colorimeter data receiving unit 16 and receives colorimeter results (colorimeter value and density value) from the colorimeter 60. The control unit 11 displays the colorimeter results for each patch in the colorimeter result column 231 of the colorimeter screen 230.

[0184] The control unit 11 may also transmit the color measurement results to the printer 20 (controller 40) via the communication unit 14.

[0185] When the user presses the next button 232 on the color measurement screen 230, the control unit 11 calculates a calibration value to adjust the density based on the color measurement result (step S57). The control unit 11 displays the results screen on the display unit 12 (step S58). Figure 36 shows an example of the results screen 240. The results screen 240 includes an output concentration graph display area 241, a maximum concentration display area 242, a complete button 243, etc. The control unit 11 displays a graph of the output density relative to the input in the output density graph display area 241. Specifically, the control unit 11 displays a density graph for each CMYK color. It may be possible to switch whether or not to display the graphs for the density before calibration, the density after calibration, and the target density.

[0186] Initially, the output density graph display area 241 will show a density curve that has not been calibrated. If this density curve aligns with the target curve, no further action is required. However, if the density curve deviates from the target curve, the chart printing, color measurement, and density graph display will be repeated. The maximum density display area 242 shows the maximum density for each CMYK color.

[0187] Before reprinting the chart, the controller 40 may calculate and adjust the difference between the target curve and the density curve based on the measured colorimetric values. In this case, the control unit 11 of the color management device 10 only needs to request the controller 40 to reprint the chart and re-execute the calibration.

[0188] The user presses the complete button 243 on the results screen 240 to instruct the system to register the calibration values ​​(step S59). The control unit 11 transmits a calibration value registration instruction to the controller 40 via the communication unit 14 (step S60). The controller control unit 41 of the controller 40 stores the calibration value transmitted from the color management device 10 in the storage unit 42 and updates the calibration value (step S65).

[0189] On the other hand, if the printer 20 is equipped with an inline colorimeter 50, the following processing is performed instead of the processing in steps S55 to S60. After the engine 30 prints the chart (step S54), the engine control unit 31 of the engine 30 notifies the controller 40 that printing is complete (step S61). The controller control unit 41 of the controller 40 instructs the inline colorimeter 50 to perform color measurement (step S62). The inline colorimeter 50 measures the color of each patch on the calibration chart. The controller control unit 41 of the controller 40 obtains the color measurement results (color value and density value) from the inline colorimeter 50 (step S63). The controller control unit 41 of the controller 40 calculates a calibration value for adjusting the density based on the color measurement results (step S64).

[0190] The controller control unit 41 stores the calculated calibration value in the storage unit 42 and updates the calibration value (step S65).

[0191] After step S65, the controller control unit 41 of the controller 40 transmits information to the color management device 10 indicating that calibration is complete (step S66). The control unit 11 of the color management device 10 displays the calibration completion screen on the display unit 12 (step S67).

[0192] (Profile creation) Next, we will explain how to create profiles for each paper type. The general adjustment process for profile creation is similar to that for calibration (see Figure 33). Here, we will explain the case of manual color measurement.

[0193] When a user presses the "Create Profile" icon 154 on the judgment result screen 430 or menu screen 150 of the color management application, profile creation begins. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may automatically start profile creation after acquiring information indicating that calibration is complete. In this embodiment, since a color management preset is automatically applied, the control unit 11 automatically applies the color management target setting information in the color management preset. The control unit 11 also sets the paper feed tray based on the paper printing setting information in the color management preset.

[0194] The control unit 11 displays a preview of the chart for profile creation. The control unit 11 displays a setting screen related to printing or color measurement on the display unit 12. The user configures various settings related to printing or color measurement. The user instructs the system to perform profiling. The control unit 11 sends an instruction to the controller 40 to execute profile creation via the communication unit 14. The instruction to execute profile creation includes an instruction to print the chart. The controller control unit 41 of the controller 40 sends a print command for the profile creation chart to the engine 30. At this time, the controller control unit 41 issues the print command without applying an existing profile on the controller 40 side as a print setting.

[0195] The engine control unit 31 of the engine 30 controls various parts of the engine 30 to print a chart for profile creation. The chart for profile creation includes a group of patches of multiple colors. For each patch, the target chromaticity (L) is set. * a * b * The values ​​(etc.) are predetermined.

[0196] Next, the control unit 11 displays the color measurement screen on the display unit 12. The user uses the colorimeter 60 to measure the color of each patch on the chart for profile creation. The control unit 11 connects to the colorimeter 60 via the colorimeter data receiving unit 16, receives the colorimeter results from the colorimeter 60, and displays the colorimeter results on the display unit 12. The control unit 11 may also transmit the color measurement results to the printer 20 (controller 40) via the communication unit 14.

[0197] Based on the color measurement result, the control unit 11 calculates a profile. The control unit 11 causes the display unit 12 to display the result screen of profile creation. The user instructs the execution of profile registration. The control unit 11 transmits a profile registration instruction to the controller 40 via the communication unit 14. The controller control unit 41 of the controller 40 stores the profile transmitted from the color management device 10 in the storage unit 42 and updates the profile. Thereafter, when printing a printed matter, by the user designating a registered profile, printing with the profile applied becomes possible.

[0198] After acquiring information indicating that the profile creation has been completed, the control unit 11 terminates the operation. Note that after terminating the operation, color verification may be executed again to confirm whether the color adjustment has been correctly executed. Also, color verification may be executed every time the adjustment of each item related to color management is completed. It is preferable to automatically apply the color management preset at the time of the first color verification also in the color verification executed again.

[0199] In the present embodiment, the color management device 10 can perform color management of at least one image forming device (printer 20). The color management device 10 includes a control unit 11. The control unit 11 executes color verification for the image forming device based on color management setting information (color management preset) in which information on the image forming device to be color managed, color management target setting information, and paper printing setting information are associated. When the control unit 11 determines that a predetermined standard is not satisfied in the color verification, it automatically executes color adjustment for the image forming device based on the color management setting information at the time of color verification. Thereby, the color management device 10 can perform color management of the image forming device more accurately in a short time.

[0200] In this embodiment, when the control unit 11 determines that a predetermined standard is not met during color verification, it accepts the selection of at least one item from among several types of items related to color management. Preferably, the control unit 11 automatically performs color adjustment by adjusting the at least one item selected based on the color management setting information during the color verification. This allows the color management device 10 to efficiently manage the image forming apparatus in a short amount of time.

[0201] In this embodiment, it is preferable that at least one item from among several types of items related to color management is selected by the user. This allows the color management device 10 to efficiently manage the color of the image forming apparatus in a short amount of time.

[0202] In this embodiment, the control unit 11 proposes candidate items from among several types of items related to color management. Preferably, at least one item is selected by the user from among the candidate items proposed by the control unit 11. This allows the color management device 10 to efficiently manage the color of the image forming apparatus in a short amount of time.

[0203] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 11 proposes candidate items from among multiple types of items related to color management, based on a machine learning model trained on a history of color adjustments linked to the verification results of color verifications performed in the past. This allows the color management device 10 to manage the image forming apparatus efficiently in a short amount of time.

[0204] In this embodiment, when the control unit 11 determines that a predetermined standard is not met during color verification, it accepts the selection of two or more items from among several types of items related to color management. Preferably, the control unit 11 automatically adjusts the two or more items selected based on the color management setting information during color verification, thereby performing color adjustment. As a result, the color management device 10 can improve the success rate of color adjustment and manage the image forming apparatus more accurately in a shorter time.

[0205] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 11 calculates and displays the time required for color adjustment when at least one item from among several types of items related to color management is selected by the user. This allows the user to select the items to adjust while taking into account the time required for color adjustment.

[0206] In this embodiment, the control unit 11 calculates the time required for each of the multiple types of items related to color management, by adjusting each item. The control unit 11 also calculates the success rate of each of the multiple types of items related to color management, based on a machine learning model trained on the history of color adjustments linked to the verification results of previously performed color verifications. Preferably, the control unit 11 proposes candidate items based on the time required and success rate of each item. This enables the color management device 10 to efficiently manage the color of the image forming apparatus in a short amount of time.

[0207] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 11 displays the time required and success rate of color adjustment performed by adjusting each of several types of items related to color management. This allows the user to select the items to adjust while considering the time required and success rate of color adjustment.

[0208] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the color adjustment history includes information about the external environment in which the image forming apparatus is installed. This improves the accuracy of the machine learning model in the color management device 10, and enables efficient management of the image forming apparatus in a short amount of time.

[0209] In this embodiment, the color management system 100 comprises at least one image forming apparatus (printer 20) and a color management device 10 capable of color management of the image forming apparatus. The color management device 10 comprises a control unit 11. The control unit 11 performs color verification on the image forming apparatus based on color management setting information, which associates information on the image forming apparatus to be color-managed, color management target setting information, and paper printing setting information. When the control unit 11 determines that a predetermined standard is not met during color verification, it automatically performs color adjustment on the image forming apparatus based on the color management setting information at the time of color verification. As a result, the color management system 100 can manage the image forming apparatus more accurately and in a shorter amount of time.

[0210] The color management method of this embodiment is a method executed by a color management device 10 capable of color management of at least one image forming apparatus (printer 20). The color management method includes a color verification step and a color adjustment step. In the color verification step, the color management device 10 performs color verification on the image forming apparatus based on color management setting information, which associates information on the image forming apparatus to be color-managed, color management target setting information, and paper printing setting information. In the color adjustment step, if the color management device 10 determines that a predetermined standard is not met during color verification, it automatically performs color adjustment on the image forming apparatus based on the color management setting information used during color verification.

[0211] The program of this embodiment causes the computer of a color management device 10, which is capable of color management of at least one image forming apparatus (printer 20), to perform the following: The program causes the computer of the color management device 10 to perform color verification of the image forming apparatus based on color management setting information, which associates information on the image forming apparatus to be color-managed, color management target setting information, and paper printing setting information. When the program determines that the color verification does not meet a predetermined standard, it causes the computer of the color management device 10 to automatically perform color adjustment of the image forming apparatus based on the color management setting information at the time of color verification.

[0212] Note that the descriptions in the above embodiments are examples of the color management device, color management system, color management method, and program of the present invention, and are not limited thereto. Regarding the detailed configurations and detailed operations of each device constituting the system, they can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0213] In addition, the programs for executing each process in each device may be stored in a portable recording medium. Further, a carrier wave may be applied as a medium for providing program data via a communication line.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0214] 10 Color management device 11 Control unit 12 Display unit 13 Operation unit 14 Communication unit 15 Storage unit 16 Color measurement data reception unit 20 Printer 20A, 20B, ··· Printers 30 Engine 31 Engine control unit 32 Storage unit 40 Controller 41 Controller control unit 42 Storage unit 50 In-line colorimeter 60 Colorimeter 100 Color management system T1 Printer information table T2 Color management target setting table T3 Color management preset table

Claims

1. A color management device capable of color management for at least one image forming apparatus, Based on the color management setting information, which associates the color-managed information of the image forming apparatus with the color management target setting information and the paper printing setting information, a color verification is performed for the image forming apparatus. A color management device comprising a control unit that, when it is determined in the color verification that a predetermined standard is not met, automatically performs color adjustment on the image forming apparatus based on the color management setting information at the time of the color verification.

2. When the control unit determines in the color verification that the predetermined criteria are not met, The system accepts the selection of at least one of the multiple types of items related to the aforementioned color management, The color management device according to claim 1, which performs the color adjustment by automatically adjusting at least one of the selected items based on the color management setting information during the color verification.

3. The color management device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the multiple types of items relating to color management is selected by the user.

4. The control unit proposes candidate items from among the multiple types of items related to color management, The color management device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the candidate items proposed by the control unit is selected by the user.

5. The color management device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit proposes candidate items from among a plurality of items relating to color management, based on a machine learning model trained on the history of color adjustments linked to the verification results of color verifications performed in the past.

6. When the control unit determines in the color verification that the predetermined criteria are not met, The system accepts the selection of two or more of the aforementioned items related to color management. The color management device according to claim 2, which performs the color adjustment by automatically adjusting two or more items selected based on the color management setting information during the color verification.

7. The color management device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit calculates and displays the time required for color adjustment when at least one of the multiple types of items related to color management is selected by the user.

8. The control unit, Regarding the multiple types of items related to the aforementioned color management, The time required for each of the color adjustments performed by adjusting each item is calculated, The success rate of the color adjustment performed by adjusting each item is calculated based on a machine learning model trained on the history of the color adjustment linked to the verification results of the color verification performed in the past. The color management device according to claim 5, which proposes candidate items based on the time required and success rate for each item.

9. The color management device according to claim 8, wherein the control unit displays the time required and success rate of the color adjustment performed by adjusting each of the multiple types of items related to color management.

10. The color management device according to claim 5, wherein the color adjustment history includes external environmental information on which the image forming apparatus is installed.

11. A color management system comprising at least one image forming apparatus and a color management device capable of color management of the image forming apparatus, The aforementioned color management device is Based on the color management setting information, which associates the color-managed information of the image forming apparatus with the color management target setting information and the paper printing setting information, a color verification is performed for the image forming apparatus. A color management system comprising a control unit that, when it is determined in the color verification that a predetermined standard is not met, automatically performs color adjustment on the image forming apparatus based on the color management setting information at the time of the color verification.

12. In a color management method performed by a color management device capable of color management for at least one image forming apparatus, A color verification step in which the image forming apparatus is color-managed and the color management setting information is associated with the color management target setting information and the paper printing setting information, is performed to verify the color of the image forming apparatus. A color management method comprising: a color adjustment step, which, when it is determined in the color verification that a predetermined standard is not met, automatically performs color adjustment on the image forming apparatus based on the color management setting information at the time of the color verification.

13. A computer in a color management device capable of color management for at least one image forming apparatus, Based on the color management setting information, which associates the color-managed information of the image forming apparatus with the color management target setting information and the paper printing setting information, a color verification is performed on the image forming apparatus. A program that, when it is determined in the color verification that a predetermined standard is not met, automatically performs color adjustment on the image forming apparatus based on the color management setting information at the time of the color verification.

Images