Information processing device, its control method, and program

Abstract

When performing multiple color verifications simultaneously, if measurements are taken immediately after generating a measurement job, printing and color measurement must be repeated for each color verification, interrupting the color measurement process and resulting in poor user convenience. [Solution] Multiple measurement jobs are generated simultaneously, charts printed on different printers are color-measured together, and the system automatically determines which measurement job each chart corresponds to using the measurement job ID. The color measurement values ​​are then applied to the corresponding measurement job to perform color verification.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in a commercial color printer, color management (color calibration) is regularly performed to ensure a certain color reproducibility. Color management is performed by comparing a target color defined by a standard such as ISO (target color) with the color actually printed by the printer (printed color), and checking that the color accuracy meets the passing standard. If the color accuracy does not meet the passing standard, in order to improve the color accuracy, it is necessary to recreate the print profile or perform correction processing using the color correction function of the printer, but these are time-consuming tasks and thus it is required to perform them efficiently. In Patent Document 1, a technique is disclosed in which verification of the color accuracy (color verification) of a printer is performed at a plurality of printing times, and based on the verification results, the execution cycle of the correction work is determined and the history of the verification results is displayed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In color verification, when obtaining printable colors, a chart with color patches corresponding to the target color is printed using a printer, and the color value of each color patch is measured using a measuring instrument. Furthermore, when performing multiple color verifications simultaneously, multiple charts are printed using a printer, and multiple charts are set in the measuring instrument and measured. In this case, if multiple different charts are set in the measuring instrument in any order and measured, there is a possibility that color verification will be performed using different charts. Patent Document 1 does not describe the processing related to the above point, so in order to prevent color verification using different charts, measurement must be performed immediately after printing. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, printing and color measurement must be repeated for each color verification, and the color measurement work is interrupted, which is a problem in terms of user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, an information processing apparatus characterized by having a colorimetric means for measuring the color of a color chart on which a job identifier is printed by a printing apparatus, and a verification processing means for performing color verification of an image to be printed by a printing apparatus corresponding to the job identifier, based on the colorimetric values ​​measured by the colorimetric means and the job identifier. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, since the color measurement operation can be performed in a single operation for multiple color verifications, user convenience is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the color verification system. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of patch signal values ​​and color characteristics in a color verification chart. [Figure 3] A block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the color verification device and control device. [Figure 4] A block diagram showing the main functional configuration of a color verification device. [Figure 5]A sequence diagram showing the processing flow in a color verification system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] A diagram showing an example of the display unit 105 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of an error notification from the display unit 105 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] Diagram illustrating the color measurement and determination processing flow of S515 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] A diagram illustrating an example of a color verification chart according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 10] A sequence diagram showing the processing flow in a color verification system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 11] A diagram illustrating an example of a color verification chart according to Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as defined in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0009] [Embodiment 1] <System Configuration> Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the color verification system according to this embodiment. When verifying color accuracy, first, a predetermined chart is printed from the target printer. Next, the color patches on the printed chart are measured, and the obtained color measurement data is transmitted to the color verification device 100. The color verification device 100 then checks the difference (color accuracy) between the printed color and the target color. The color patches placed on the chart are also called color samples or color swatches, and in this specification they are simply referred to as "patches".

[0010] The color verification system shown in Figure 1 has a color verification device 100 connected to locations 1-3 via a network 160. Location 1 includes a control device 110, a monitor 120, printers 1-3 (130a-130c), and measuring instruments 1-3 (150a-150c). Locations 2 and 3 also include a control device, monitor, printer, and measuring instrument, respectively. The following explanation will use the relationship between location 1 and the color verification device 100 as an example.

[0011] The color verification device 100 compares a predefined target color (target color) with the color actually printed by the printer (printed color) to verify whether the color accuracy meets the acceptance criteria. The color verification device 100 is connected to the control device 110 via the network 160 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0012] The control device 110 is connected to printers 130a to 130c within site 1 via a communication network such as an intranet, enabling mutual communication. It issues print commands to each printer and also performs centralized management of the color accuracy of each printer. Furthermore, in issuing print commands, it is possible to receive print jobs from, for example, client terminals (not shown), divide the print job into predetermined units (e.g., copies or pages), and distribute the print commands to multiple printers. A print job includes a PDL data section that describes drawing commands for objects of various attributes such as text, graphics, and photographs on a page-by-page basis, and print setting information that specifies printing conditions such as paper size and type, and double-sided / single-sided printing. By distributing a single print job to multiple printers, the printing time and printing waiting time can be reduced.

[0013] The monitor 120 is connected to the control device 110 and displays various user interface (UI) screens.

[0014] Printers 1 to 3 (130a to 130c) print a color image on a sheet based on a print job from the control device 110, for example, using electrophotographic process technology. Printers 1 to 3 may be monochrome printers or printers based on other image forming technologies such as inkjet. Also, printers 1 to 3 may be multifunction devices having a copy function and a FAX function in addition to the print function.

[0015] Measuring devices 1 to 3 (150a to 150c) are spectrophotometers that measure the color value of an object based on the reflectance or transmittance of visible light having a wavelength of about 400 nm to 700 nm. Measuring devices 1 to 3 are prepared, for example, for each site, and convert the wavelengths obtained for each patch of the chart printed and output from printers 1 to 3 into values in, for example, the L*a*b* color space or the XYZ color space to obtain colorimetric data. FIG. 2(a) is an example of a chart, and FIG. 2(b) shows the target color values (RGB values) defined in the RGB color space corresponding to each patch (patch numbers 1 to 729) of the chart. Measuring devices 1 to 3 are measuring devices incorporating a line sensor or an area sensor for scanning the chart. For example, in the case of a sheet-through type original automatic reading type measuring device, by incorporating a line sensor, it is possible to pre-scan the chart, detect the position of the patch to be measured, and then measure. Also, in the case of a measuring device capable of automatic paper feeding and continuous measurement, by incorporating an area sensor, it is possible to pre-scan the chart and, similarly, detect the position of the patch to be measured and then measure. A portable (handy type) measuring device is also possible, but in that case, a scanner for separately scanning the chart is connected to the control device 110. In the case of a sheet-through type original automatic reading type measuring device, it is connected to the control device 110 by, for example, USB, measures the color value of each patch on the chart printed and output from the target printer, and obtains colorimetric data as shown in FIG. 2(c). The acquired colorimetric data is transmitted to the color verification device 100 via the control device 110. Also, when the color verification device 100 is installed at one of sites 1 to 3, a configuration in which the color verification device 100 and the measuring device are directly connected and the color verification device can obtain colorimetric data without going through the control device 110 may be adopted.

[0016] The network 160 is, for example, a local area network (LAN), the Internet, an intranet, etc., and may be wired or wireless.

[0017] The bases 1 to 3 (170a to 170c) correspond to the locations where printing companies with printers installed are located. For example, base 1 is a printing base in Tokyo, base 2 is a printing base in Osaka, and base 3 is a printing base in Fukuoka.

[0018] Note that the configuration of the color verification system shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the number of bases and the configuration of the devices within each base can be appropriately changed. For example, the color verification device 100 can be directly connected to the control device 110 and the measuring instruments 1 to 3 via a communication network such as an intranet to manage the color accuracy of the plurality of printers 1 to 3. Also, for example, an information processing device having the functions of both the color verification device 100 and the control device 110 can be provided for each base, and the information processing device can manage the color accuracy of the plurality of printers within the base.

[0019] <Hardware Configuration of Color Verification Device / Control Device> Both the above-described color verification device 100 and control device 110 are information processing devices and are realized by, for example, a general-purpose notebook / desktop personal computer or a tablet terminal. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the color verification device 100 / control device 110, and includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an HDD 104, a display unit 105, an operation unit 106, a network I / F 107, and an external device I / F 108. Each of the units 101 to 108 shown in FIG. 3 is interconnected via a system bus 109.

[0020] The CPU 101 is an arithmetic processing unit that controls the entire device and executes the image processing described later based on the program stored in the ROM 102. The ROM 102 is a read-only memory that stores boot programs, processing programs, character data, character code information, etc. The RAM 103 is a random access memory and is used as work memory when the CPU 101 executes various programs. It is also used as a data storage area for image files received from the network I / F 109. The HDD 104 is used to store the results of arithmetic processing performed by the CPU 101, various programs, various information files, etc. The display unit 105 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays a user interface screen for making various settings and checking the device status. The operation unit 106 is composed of a keyboard and buttons and is used by the user to input various setting values ​​and resets, etc. The network I / F 107 is an interface for connecting the device to the network 160. Through this network I / F 107, the color verification device 110 and the control device 110 can send and receive various information with external devices, respectively.

[0021] External device I / F108 is an interface for connecting external devices such as measuring instruments 1-3 via a communication bus such as USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0022] <Software configuration of color verification device> Next, the software configuration of the color verification device 100 / control device 110 will be described. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the color verification device 100 / control device 110 according to this embodiment. The color verification device 100 / control device 110 includes a color verification specification registration unit 401, a UI control unit 402, a data acquisition unit 403, a measurement job generation unit 404, a color measurement determination unit 405, a verification processing unit 406, and a setting processing unit 407. Each of these functional units is realized by the CPU 101 executing a predetermined program. Each functional unit will be described below.

[0023] The color verification specification registration unit 401 registers charts containing patches of various colors corresponding to target color values, printers for performing color verification, measuring instruments used for color verification, and tolerance values ​​for color verification for each type of color verification. Specifically, for charts to be registered, the image data is associated with information indicating the structure of the chart, such as the number and size of patches in the chart (chart configuration information), and the chart is saved on the HDD 104. Charts are broadly classified into default charts that conform to standards such as the International Standards Organization (IOC) and custom charts that are uniquely defined by the user. Default charts are registered in advance, for example, when installing the color verification program, prior to the start of use. Custom charts are registered at any time based on user input via the operation unit 106. For printers to perform color verification, the unit registers the printer to be used for color verification from among the printers 130a, 130b, and 130c connected to the control device 110. For measuring instruments used for color verification, the unit registers the measuring instrument to be used for color verification from among the measuring instruments 150a, 150b, and 150c used for color verification. The tolerance value used in color verification is a value used to check whether the color accuracy meets the acceptance criteria by comparing the target color (target color) defined in standards such as ISO with the color actually printed by the printer (printed color). For example, when making a judgment based on the difference (color difference) between the color value (target value) of the target color and the color value (measured value) of the printed color, the color difference value is registered as the tolerance value, and if it is within the tolerance value, it is determined that the color accuracy meets the acceptance criteria. When performing color verification, the user selects a color verification specification from among the color verification specifications registered in the color verification specification registration unit 401, and the color verification starts when the measurement job generation unit 404 generates a measurement job.

[0024] The UI control unit 402 controls the display of a user interface screen that allows the user to check the status of each device in the color verification system, input and select various setting values, and issue commands to start various processes. The user interface screen that is displayed will be described later.

[0025] The data acquisition unit 402 acquires various information and data to be used by the colorimetric determination unit 405 and the verification processing unit 406, which will be described later.

[0026] The measurement job generation unit 404 selects multiple color verification specifications from those registered by the user in the color verification specification registration unit 401 and generates them as measurement jobs.

[0027] The colorimetric determination unit 405 determines whether the chart to be measured corresponds to a measurement job when multiple charts corresponding to multiple measurement jobs are output. In this embodiment, a barcode with an embedded measurement job ID (job identifier) ​​is attached to the chart, and the barcode information is used to determine whether the chart to be measured corresponds to a measurement job.

[0028] The verification processing unit 406 uses the color measurement data received from the measuring instrument to perform a verification process to determine whether the color accuracy of the target printer meets the acceptance criteria.

[0029] The configuration processing unit 407 sets various parameters related to the verification process based on user selections made via a predetermined user interface screen.

[0030] <Overall system processing flow> Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow in the color verification system according to this embodiment. Below, the overall processing flow of the color verification system will be explained following the sequence diagram in Figure 5, using the case where multiple color verifications are performed by outputting multiple charts to the printer 1 using the measuring instrument 1 as an example. In the following explanation, the symbol "S" means step.

[0031] In step S501, the color verification specification registration unit 401 starts registering the color verification specification based on user input. When a user who wishes to register a color verification specification presses the color verification specification registration button 601 on the main menu screen shown in Figure 6(a), the user transitions to the color verification specification registration screen shown in Figure 6(b). These UI screens are controlled by the UI control unit 402.

[0032] In the display area 603-606 of the color verification specification registration screen in Figure 6(b), clicking on the color verification specification to be registered / edited will transition to the detailed color verification specification selection screen shown in Figure 6(c).

[0033] Next, clicking "Select Chart" in display area 607 of the detailed color verification specification selection screen in Figure 6(c) transitions to the chart selection screen shown in Figure 6(d). The user selects the chart to be used for color verification from display areas 611 to 614 of the chart selection screen shown in Figure 6(d). "Chart 1" and "Chart 2" in display areas 611 and 612 of the chart selection screen in Figure 6(d) are pre-registered standard charts defined by ISO and other standards. When the user clicks the chart input button 615, the user enters various information necessary for registering a custom chart. Specifically, the user enters the name, number of patches, patch size, and paper size / type for the custom chart to be registered, and uploads the image data to complete the registration. The chart image is created in file formats such as TIFF, PDF, and JPEG. As a result, the chart is registered in "Unregistered" in display areas 613 and 614 of the chart selection screen in Figure 6(d). The list of registered charts and the chart configuration information for each chart are collectively referred to as "chart information."

[0034] In step S502, the data acquisition unit 403 acquires a list of printers 1 to 3 managed by the control device 110, and information indicating the status of each printer (hereinafter referred to as "printer status information"). Here, the printer status information includes, for example, power status (ON / OFF), whether there is a malfunction, and the processing status of the print job (printing / waiting). This printer status information is assumed to be acquired and maintained by the control device 110 by periodically accessing printers 1 to 3. The list of printers and the printer status information for each printer are collectively referred to as "printer information".

[0035] In step S503, the color verification registration unit 401 accepts the press of "Select Printer" in the display area 608 of the detailed color verification specification selection screen shown in Figure 6(c). Subsequently, the system transitions to the printer selection screen shown in Figure 6(e), where the selection of the printer to be color-verified (hereinafter referred to as "target printer") is accepted. Specifically, the UI control unit 402 accepts the user's selection via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, and the setting processing unit 407 sets the printer related to the selection (in this case, printer 1) as the target printer. Figure 6(e) shows the printer selection screen when the user selects the target printer. In the display areas 616 to 618 of the printer selection screen, a list of printers that may be processed (in this case, printers 1 to 3) is displayed according to the printer information acquired in S502. At this time, based on the printer status information, a display process is performed to indicate whether the printer is printable or not, for example, printers that are not printable are grayed out. In the printer selection screen shown in Figure 6(e), only printer 2 is grayed out, indicating that printer 2 is unable to print.

[0036] In step S504, the data acquisition unit 403 acquires a list of measuring instruments 1 to 3 managed by the control device 110, along with spec information for each measuring instrument and information indicating the status of each measuring instrument (hereinafter referred to as "measuring instrument status information"). Here, spec information is information indicating the specifications of each measuring instrument, such as the compatible paper size, minimum patch size, and minimum / maximum number of patches per sheet of paper (per page). In addition, for measuring instruments with accessories, the difference in specifications due to the presence or absence of accessories is also included in the spec information. Here, accessories refer to measuring rulers, automatic paper feed units, etc. A measuring ruler is a device that assists the sliding motion during measurement, enabling stable color measurement in handheld measuring instruments. A sensor installed on the back of the measuring instrument detects the stripe pattern of the measuring ruler, allowing the user to detect the direction in which they are measuring (measuring from left to right, or from right to left, etc.). The automatic paper feed unit is a device that automatically takes in charts printed from a printer into the measuring instrument, enabling continuous color measurement. The instrument status information includes, for example, information such as power status (ON / OFF) and connection status. The control device 110 is assumed to have acquired and retained the specification information and instrument status information by accessing instruments 1-3 in advance or periodically. The list of instruments, along with the specification information and instrument status information for each instrument, will be collectively referred to as "instrument information."

[0037] In step S505, the color verification registration unit 401 accepts the press of "Select Measuring Instrument" in the display area 609 of the detailed color verification specification selection screen shown in Figure 6(c). Subsequently, the system transitions to the measuring instrument selection screen shown in Figure 6(f), where the selection of a measuring instrument to be used to measure the color values ​​of the chart is accepted. Specifically, the UI control unit 402 accepts the user's selection via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, and the setting processing unit 407 sets the selected measuring instrument as the measuring instrument to be used for chart measurement. Figure 6(f) shows the measuring instrument selection screen when the user selects a measuring instrument. In the display areas 619 to 621 of the measuring instrument selection screen, measuring instruments that may be processed (here, measuring instruments 1 to 3) are displayed in a list according to the measuring instrument information acquired in S504. At this time, based on the measuring instrument status information, a display process is performed to indicate whether the instrument is usable or unusable; for example, unusable measuring instruments are grayed out. In the instrument selection screen shown in Figure 6(f), only instrument 2 is grayed out, indicating that instrument 2 is unavailable.

[0038] In step S506, the color verification registration unit 401 accepts the press of "Enter Tolerance" in the display area 610 of the detailed color verification specification selection screen shown in Figure 6(c). Subsequently, it transitions to the tolerance input screen shown in Figure 6(g), where it receives data such as the target color value for each patch and the tolerance values ​​for the verification items in the chart used. Specifically, the UI control unit 402 accepts the user's selection via the UI screen displayed on the display unit 105, and the setting processing unit 407 sets the target color value and the tolerance values ​​for the verification items related to that selection. Figure 6(g) shows the tolerance input screen when the user enters the tolerance values ​​for the verification items. Verification items include, for example, the average value of the color difference ΔE for each patch, the maximum value of the color difference ΔE, and the color difference ΔE of the primary colors (CMYK), and tolerance values ​​are set according to each verification item. Figure 6(g) shows the color verification setting screen for setting tolerance values ​​according to the verification items. The user pre-sets tolerance values ​​according to the verification items via such a UI screen. Here, the color difference ΔE is the straight-line distance between the target color value in the L*a*b* color space and the color value (measured value) indicated by the colorimetric data, and can be calculated, for example, by the following equation (1).

[0039]

number

[0040] Let's assume that, as shown in the color verification settings screen in Figure 6(g), tolerance values ​​for color difference are set for each verification item. In this case, if the average color difference ΔE for each patch is within ±4.0, the maximum color difference ΔE is within ±10.0, and the color difference ΔE of the primary colors (CMYK) is within ±5.0, then it is considered a pass (OK). If any of the verification items exceed the tolerance value, it is considered a fail (NG).

[0041] In step S507, the measurement job generation unit 404 starts color verification based on user input. When a user who wants to start color verification presses the color verification button 602 on the main menu screen shown in Figure 6(a), the system transitions to the color verification specification selection screen shown in Figure 6(h). These UI screens are controlled by the UI control unit 402.

[0042] In step S508, when the measurement job generation unit 404 presses "Color Verification Specification 1" or "Color Verification Specification 2" in the display areas 625 and 626 of the color verification specification selection screen in Figure 6(h), it performs the process of generating a measurement job corresponding to each color verification specification. It is possible to generate multiple measurement jobs by selecting multiple color verification specifications simultaneously. Once the measurement jobs are generated, the printer to be color-verified, the measuring instrument to be used, the chart to be used for color verification, and the tolerance values, which were registered in steps S501 to S506, are uniquely determined.

[0043] Here, a measurement job ID (job identifier) ​​is assigned to the image data of the chart. The chart shown in Figure 9(a) is a color chart to which a measurement job ID has been assigned. 901 represents the page number of the color chart, and if the color chart used for color verification consists of multiple pages, the number 901 is incremented. 902 is the display ID for the measurement job ID, and an ID code associated with each measurement job is assigned. By looking at this display ID, the user can recognize which color chart is associated with which measurement job. 903 is the detailed ID for the measurement job ID, and is used in the measurement judgment process in step S515, described later, to automatically determine which measurement job the chart corresponds to. Note that 903 is an example of the detailed ID for a one-dimensional barcode, which is a one-dimensional code. Table 1 shows an example of a one-dimensional barcode format. In a one-dimensional barcode, the first eight digits contain chart layout information. In the case of RRCCXXYY, RR represents the number of rows in the chart, CC represents the number of columns, XX represents the horizontal patch size, and YY represents the vertical patch size. Next, the ninth digit represents the chart page number, and the eleventh to forty-sixth digits represent the number associated with the measurement job ID. The forty-eighth to fifty-one digits are the checksum, which is used to distinguish the barcode from others and to prevent tampering. The regular expressions for each digit are shown in Table 1.

[0044] [Table 1]

[0045] In addition, there are cases where multiple copies of a chart are printed for a single measurement job to perform color verification. This is because the density tends to fluctuate when the printer starts printing, and it is desirable to perform color verification after printing multiple copies and the density has stabilized. For example, if three copies of the same chart are printed and the second copy is to be used for color verification after removing the first and last copies, the same measurement job ID is assigned to each chart, so there is a problem in that it is not possible to determine which copy of the chart was printed using the measurement job ID listed in Table 1. Therefore, as shown in Table 2, it may be possible to assign different measurement job IDs that incorporate the number of copies, so that it is possible to determine which copy of the chart was printed. By using the measurement job ID in Table 2, it becomes possible to send only the measurement values ​​of the second copy of the chart to the color verification device 100.

[0046] [Table 2]

[0047] 904 is a color patch placed on the chart, and color verification is performed by measuring the color of the patch.

[0048] The multiple charts used when performing multiple color verifications are charts assigned different measurement job IDs, as shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b). 902 and 906 are display IDs for the measurement job IDs, and since each measurement job is assigned an associated ID code, 902 and 906 are assigned different display IDs. By looking at these display IDs, the user can recognize whether the chart was printed by printer 1 or printer 2. Similarly, 903 and 907 are detail IDs for the measurement job IDs, and since each measurement job is assigned an associated ID code, 903 and 907 are assigned different detail IDs. 904 and 908 are color patches, consisting of patches based on different signal values.

[0049] 909 in Figure 9(c), like 903, is a detail ID used in the measurement judgment process of step S515 described later, but in this case, a detail ID of a two-dimensional code, QR code (registered trademark), is used as an example. Note that the configuration may be such that a barcode (see 903) or a QR code (see 905) is assigned to the chart as a detail ID, depending on the sensor of the measuring instrument. In other words, if the sensor built into the measuring instrument used when pre-scanning the chart is a line sensor (linear sensor) with elements arranged in a horizontal line, only barcodes can be read, so a barcode is assigned to the chart. On the other hand, if the measuring instrument has elements called area sensors arranged in two dimensions vertically and horizontally, a QR code that can embed more information is assigned. The chart with the previously assigned measurement job ID (two types: display ID and detail ID) is provided to the target printer. In this embodiment, the image data of the determined chart is first transmitted to the control device 110 via the network I / F 107.

[0050] In step S509, the control device 110 sends print jobs for multiple charts to the target printer based on the received image data.

[0051] In step S510, the target printer that receives the print job performs the printing process based on the print job and outputs multiple charts.

[0052] In step S511, the control device 110 prompts the user to measure the color of multiple charts printed from the target printer. Specifically, it displays a guidance screen as shown in Figure 6(j) and prompts the user to set the multiple printed charts on the measuring instrument.

[0053] In step S512, the control device 110 instructs the selected measuring instrument (here, measuring instrument 1) to pre-scan the multiple charts printed from the target printer. In step S513, the selected measuring instrument performs the pre-scan of the multiple charts. In step S514, after the pre-scan is complete, the selected measuring instrument transmits the image data corresponding to the obtained multiple charts to the control device 110.

[0054] In step S515, the colorimetric determination unit 405 acquires a pre-scan image and then performs a process to determine whether the chart to be measured, which was set in the measuring instrument in step S511, is the chart corresponding to the measurement job generated in step S508. Details of this measurement determination process will be described later.

[0055] In step S516, the UI control unit 402 displays an error notification on the display unit 105. Figure 7 shows the error notification screen displaying the error notification. If the measurement target chart set in the measuring instrument has a different ID from any of the measurement jobs generated in step S508, the correct ID is displayed on the display unit 105 as shown in Figure 7, prompting the user to start the measurement again.

[0056] In step S517, the control device 110 performs color measurement of multiple charts printed from the target printer. In step S518, when the user sets the multiple charts and instructs the start of measurement, the selected measuring instrument (in this case, measuring instrument 1) measures the color value of each patch on the chart.

[0057] In step S519, after the measurement is completed, the selected measuring instrument stores the obtained color measurement data and the measurement job ID as a set of data and transmits it to the control device 110. In step S520, the control device 110 receives the data containing the color measurement data and the measurement job ID from the selected measuring instrument and transfers the data to the color verification device 100.

[0058] In step S521, the verification processing unit 406 uses the data to perform a process to verify the color accuracy of the printer associated with the corresponding measurement job ID. If the data consists of multiple measurement job IDs, the color verification process is performed for each measurement job ID.

[0059] In step S522, the UI control unit 402 displays the verification results on the display unit 105. Figure 6(i) shows the report results screen displaying the verification results. As shown in Figure 6(i), the average value, maximum value, and primary color (CMYK) color difference for each patch are displayed, along with the pass / fail (OK / NG) result for each verification item. This report results screen allows the user to understand the color variation status of the target printer. If the verification result is unsuccessful (NG), the printer's color variation can be suppressed to within specifications by recreating the print profile or performing correction work using the printer's color correction function.

[0060] The above describes the overall processing flow in the color verification system according to this embodiment. The control device 110 may, in conjunction with a display prompting the user to measure the color of the chart, issue a preparation instruction to the selected measuring instrument and perform calibration before the start of measurement.

[0061] <Measurement judgment process> Next, the color measurement and determination process (S515) will be explained in detail with reference to the flowchart in Figure 8. The series of processes shown in the flowchart in Figure 8 are realized when the CPU 101 of the color verification device 100 loads the program corresponding to the color measurement and determination unit 404 from the ROM 102 into the RAM 103 and executes it. In the following explanation, the symbol "S" means step.

[0062] In step S801, the measurement determination unit 405 acquires pre-scan image data transmitted from the selected measuring instrument in step S514.

[0063] In step S802, the measurement determination unit 405 determines whether or not there is a barcode in the image data obtained from the pre-scan of the chart acquired in step S801. Specifically, it performs a binarization process on the image data, performs a labeling process by sequentially scanning the image data, and detects areas (holes) surrounded by black. Next, it counts the number of white areas within the holes, and if the number is predetermined, it determines that there is a barcode label and proceeds to step S803. If the number is not predetermined, it determines that there is no barcode label and proceeds to step S806. Note that the barcode discrimination method is not limited to the method of this embodiment, and known techniques can be used.

[0064] In step S803, the measurement determination unit 405 determines the barcode code system for the area that was determined to be a barcode label in step S802, and decodes it to obtain the barcode data shown in Table 1.

[0065] In step S804, the measurement determination unit 405 determines whether the measurement job ID number corresponding to digits 11-46 of the barcode data acquired in step S803 (see Table 1) corresponds to one of the multiple measurement job IDs generated in step S508. If yes, proceed to step S517; otherwise, proceed to step S516.

[0066] As described above, according to this embodiment, when performing multiple color verifications simultaneously on the same printer, multiple measurement jobs are generated at once, and multiple printed charts are color-measured together at one time. At that time, the system automatically determines which measurement job corresponds to each of the multiple charts using the measurement job ID, and applies the color measurement values ​​to the corresponding measurement job to perform the color verification. This makes it possible to perform the color measurement operation for multiple color verifications on the same printer in a single operation, thereby improving user convenience.

[0067] [Embodiment 2] In Embodiment 1, when performing multiple color verifications simultaneously on a single printer, multiple measurement jobs are generated at once, and multiple printed charts are measured together. In this case, the system automatically determines which measurement job corresponds to each chart using the measurement job ID, and then applies the measured values ​​to the corresponding measurement job to perform color verification. However, there are cases where it is necessary to perform multiple color verifications simultaneously on multiple different printers. Embodiment 2 focuses on this point and describes a method for performing multiple color verifications simultaneously on multiple different printers by applying the measured values ​​to the corresponding measurement jobs to perform color verification. Note that the explanation of the basic configuration of the color verification system, which is the same as in Embodiment 1, will be omitted.

[0068] The conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the color verification system according to Embodiment 2 is the same as that of Embodiment 1, so its explanation is omitted. The block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the color verification device 100 and control device 110 according to Embodiment 2 is the same as that of Embodiment 1, so its explanation is omitted. The block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the color verification device 100 and control device 110 according to Embodiment 2 is the same as that of Embodiment 1, so its explanation is omitted.

[0069] <Overall system processing flow> Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow in the color verification system according to this embodiment. Below, the overall processing flow of the color verification system in this embodiment will be explained following the sequence diagram in Figure 10, focusing on the differences from Embodiment 1.

[0070] The process from the start of registration of the color verification specification (S1001) to the start of color verification (S1007) is the same as in Embodiment 1 (corresponding to S501 to S507 in the sequence diagram of Figure 5), so the explanation is omitted.

[0071] In step S1008, when the measurement job generation unit 404 presses "Color Verification Specification 1" or "Color Verification Specification 2" in the display areas 625 and 626 of the color verification specification selection screen in Figure 6(h), it performs the process of generating a measurement job corresponding to each color verification specification. It is possible to generate multiple measurement jobs by selecting multiple color verification specifications simultaneously. Once a measurement job is generated, the printer to be color verified, the measuring instrument to be used, the chart to be used for color verification, and the tolerance values, which were registered in steps S1001 to S1006, are uniquely determined. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, an example of performing multiple color verifications by outputting the same chart to multiple printers (printer 1 and printer 2) using measuring instrument 1 will be described. Even if the chart is the same, different measurement job IDs are assigned, as shown in Figures 11(a) and 11(b). Specifically, the chart shown in Figure 11(a) is output to printer 1, and the chart shown in Figure 1(b) is output to printer 2. In Figures 11(a) and 11(b), 1101 and 1105 are chart page numbers and are therefore assigned the same number. Similarly, 1104 and 1108 are color patches and consist of patches based on the same signal value. On the other hand, 1102 and 1106 are display IDs for the measurement job ID, and are assigned ID codes associated with each measurement job, so 1102 and 1106 are assigned different display IDs. By looking at these display IDs, the user can recognize whether the chart was printed by printer 1 or printer 2. Similarly, 1103 and 1107 are detail IDs for the measurement job ID, and are assigned ID codes associated with each measurement job, so 1103 and 1107 are assigned different detail IDs. These are then used in the measurement determination process in step S1015, described later, to automatically determine which measurement job the chart corresponds to (which printer the chart was printed on).

[0072] In step S1009, the control device 110 sends a print job for the chart shown in Figure 11(a) to printer 1 and a print job for the chart shown in Figure 12(b) to printer 2, based on the received image data.

[0073] In step S1010, printer 1, upon receiving a print job, performs the printing process based on the print job and outputs the chart shown in Figure 11(a). Similarly, printer 2, upon receiving a print job, performs the printing process based on the print job and outputs the chart shown in Figure 11(b).

[0074] In step S1011, the control device 110 prompts the user to perform color measurement on the multiple charts shown in Figures 11(a) and 11(b) that have been printed from printers 1 and 2. Specifically, it displays a guidance screen as shown in Figure 6(j) to prompt the user to set the printed multiple charts on the measuring instrument.

[0075] In step S1012, the control device 110 instructs the selected measuring instrument (in this case, measuring instrument 1) to pre-scan the multiple charts shown in Figures 11(a) and 11(b) that have been printed from printers 1 and 2.

[0076] In step S1013, the selected measuring instrument performs a pre-scan of the multiple charts shown in Figures 11(a) and 11(b).

[0077] In step S1014, after the pre-scan is complete, the selected measuring instrument transmits image data corresponding to the multiple charts shown in Figures 11(a) and 11(b) to the control device 110.

[0078] In step S1015, the colorimetric determination unit 405 acquires a pre-scan image and then performs a process to determine whether the chart to be measured, which was set in the measuring instrument in step S1011, is the chart corresponding to the measurement job generated in step S1008. The details of this measurement determination process are the same as in Embodiment 1, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0079] In step S1016, the UI control unit 402 displays an error notification on the display unit 105. In step S1017, the control device 110 performs color measurement on the multiple charts shown in Figures 11(a) and 11(b) that are printed from printer 1 and printer 2.

[0080] The steps from chart measurement (S1018) to display of color verification results (S1022) are the same as in Embodiment 1 (corresponding to S518 to S522 in the sequence diagram of Figure 5), so the explanation is omitted.

[0081] As described above, according to this embodiment, when performing multiple color verifications simultaneously for multiple different printers, multiple measurement jobs are generated at once, and charts printed on different printers are measured together at once. At that time, the measurement job ID is used to automatically determine which measurement job (which printer) each chart corresponds to, and the measured color values ​​are applied to the corresponding measurement job to perform color verification. Specifically, as described in step S1008, when performing color verification on different printers, different detail IDs are assigned to the charts. Then, in the measurement determination process in step S1015, the measurement job ID number corresponding to the 11th to 46th digits of the barcode data obtained from the chart is automatically determined to correspond to one of the multiple measurement job IDs (which printer the chart was printed on). As a result, the color measurement operation can be performed in a single operation for multiple color verifications on different printers, improving user convenience.

[0082] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

Claims

1. A colorimeter means for measuring the color of a color chart on which a job identifier has been printed by a printing device, An information processing apparatus characterized by having a verification processing means that performs color verification of an image to be printed by a printing device corresponding to the job identifier, based on the color measurement value measured by the color measurement means and the job identifier.

2. Furthermore, a means for generating a job to perform color verification and an identifier for said job, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a means for assigning an identifier for the job to the color chart.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the job identifier includes at least an identifier for determining the job corresponding to the color chart and an identifier used as an error notification when the chart is incorrect and does not correspond to any job.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the assigning means switches the identifier of the job to be assigned according to the type of sensor built into the measuring instrument that performs the color measurement.

5. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the job identifier embeds chart layout information, page number, measurement job ID number, and checksum.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the assignment means embeds the number of copies in the identifier when printing multiple copies for a single job.

7. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the identifier of the job is a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the generation means generates multiple jobs at once.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the verification processing means decodes the job identifier assigned to the chart, determines whether or not it is a chart corresponding to the job, starts color measurement if it is a corresponding chart, and if it is not a corresponding chart, displays the identifier used as an error notification as an error notification.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the colorimetric means measures the color of charts to which identifiers for multiple jobs have been assigned at once.

11. A colorimetric step in which a color chart on which a job identifier has been printed by a printing device is measured, A control method for an information processing device, characterized by comprising: a verification processing step that performs color verification of an image to be printed by a printing device corresponding to the job identifier, based on the color measurement values ​​measured by the color measurement step and the job identifier.

12. A program for causing a computer to function as one of the means of an information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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