Color management method, color management device, and program

Abstract

This system facilitates color management to ensure consistent color reproduction across multiple image forming machines. [Solution] The control unit of the PC (color management device) accepts the selection of a color management preset (second data set) (step S4), and accepts the selection of a single target configuration (first data set) to be used for color management. The control unit identifies n (n>1) printers (image forming devices) associated with the selected target configuration (step S5). For each of the n printers, the control unit performs color adjustment (color management) based on the selected target configuration (steps S6-S11).

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In the printing industry, distributed printing is used, where multiple image forming machines (printers) are used based on the same print data, in order to produce printed materials in a short period of time. In distributed printing, consistent color reproduction is required across multiple image forming machines.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a distributed printing server that generates a color conversion table using a reference lookup table prepared according to the type of printing medium and printing mode, and correction data prepared for each printer. This distributed printing server suppresses individual differences in printing results by sending the color conversion table corresponding to each of the multiple printers identified according to their operating status. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-46339 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] However, in conventional technology, color management is generally performed individually for each image forming machine. To ensure consistent color reproduction across multiple image forming machines, it was necessary to perform color adjustments, color verifications, and other color management tasks for each machine. As a result, color management tasks were cumbersome in distributed printing environments. Furthermore, matching the color reproduction of each image forming machine required advanced expertise, making it difficult for general operators to handle.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art described above, and aims to facilitate color management for ensuring consistent color reproduction across multiple image forming apparatuses. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1 is a color management method in which a color management device accepts the selection of a single first data set to be used for color management, identifies n (n>1) image forming apparatuses associated with the selected first data set, and performs color management for each of the n image forming apparatuses based on the first data set.

[0008] The invention described in claim 2 is a color management method according to claim 1, wherein the selection of a second data set associated with the n image forming apparatus and the first data set is accepted, and the color management is performed for each of the n image forming apparatus based on the selected second data set.

[0009] The invention described in claim 3 is a color management method according to claim 1, wherein for each of the n image forming apparatuses, the selection of n second data sets associated with the first data set is accepted, and for each of the n image forming apparatuses, the color management is performed based on the second data set corresponding to the image forming apparatus from among the n second data sets.

[0010] The invention described in claim 4 is a color management method described in claim 1, wherein the first dataset includes information indicating the color reproduction characteristics of a first image forming apparatus used as a standard for color management.

[0011] The invention described in claim 5 is a color management method according to claim 1, wherein the first dataset includes setting a CMYK target profile or setting an RGB source profile, and as color management, a color conversion profile is created for each of the n image forming apparatuses based on the first dataset.

[0012] The invention described in claim 6 is a color management method described in claim 1, wherein the first dataset includes setting a target profile or setting tolerance values ​​in color verification, and as color management, color reproduction is verified for each of the n image forming apparatuses based on the first dataset.

[0013] The invention described in claim 7 is a color management method according to claim 2, wherein the second dataset includes at least one setting of the type of paper, basis weight, and paper color used for the color management, and the color management is performed for each of the n image forming apparatuses based on the second dataset.

[0014] The invention described in claim 8 is a color management method described in claim 4, wherein the color management device is capable of cooperating with m (m>n) image forming apparatuses, and the n image forming apparatuses selected from the m image forming apparatuses based on the color reproduction characteristics of the first image forming apparatus are associated with the first data set.

[0015] The invention described in claim 9 is a color management device comprising a control unit that performs the color management method described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

[0016] The invention described in claim 10 is a program for causing a computer that controls a color management device to execute the color management method described in any one of claims 1 to 8. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, color management can be easily performed to ensure consistent color reproduction across multiple image forming apparatuses.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a system configuration diagram of a color management system in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a printer. It is an example of setting items of a color management preset. [Figure 6] It is an image diagram of a color management preset created in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a print server. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart showing the first color management process. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart showing the first color management process. [Figure 10] It is an example of a color management preset registration screen. [Figure 11] It is an example of a color management preset selection screen. [Figure 12] It is an example of a paper feed tray selection screen. ]] [Figure 13] It is an example of a chart printing screen in color adjustment. [Figure 14] It is an example of a color measurement screen. [Figure 15] It is an example of a profile registration screen. [Figure 16] It is an example of a chart printing screen in color verification. [Figure 17] It is an example of a color verification result screen. [Figure 18] It is an image diagram of a plurality of color management presets created in the second embodiment. [Figure 19] It is a flowchart showing the second color management process. <000,0121>​​​​​This is a flowchart showing the second color management process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The advantages and features provided by the embodiments will be understood from the following detailed description and drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments or illustrations disclosed below.

[0020] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 is a system configuration diagram of the color management system 100 in the first embodiment. The color management system 100 comprises a PC (Personal Computer) 10 as a color management device, multiple printers 20A, 20B, 20C, ..., a print server 30, and a colorimeter 40. The PC 10, the multiple printers 20A, 20B, 20C, ..., and the print server 30 are connected via a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) to enable data communication. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, each printer 20A, 20B, 20C, ... will be referred to as "printer 20".

[0021] PC10 manages the colors of each printer 20. PC10 has information such as target configuration and color management presets as settings used for color management.

[0022] The printer 20 is an image forming device that forms an image on paper. The printer 20 forms an image based on image data of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), for example.

[0023] The print server 30 performs distributed printing to two or more printers 20.

[0024] The colorimeter 40 is connected to the PC 10 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like. The colorimeter 40 measures the colors of the patch group contained in the chart printed by the printer 20 and calculates the colorimetric value (L * a * b * Outputs values, etc.

[0025] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the printer 20. The printer 20 comprises a control unit 21, a display unit 22, an operation unit 23, a communication unit 24, a storage unit 25, an image forming unit 26, and a controller unit 27.

[0026] The control unit 21 comprehensively controls the processing operations of each part of the printer 20. The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Specifically, the CPU reads various processing programs stored in the memory unit 25 and loads these programs into the RAM. The CPU then performs various processing operations according to these programs.

[0027] The display unit 22 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit 22 displays various screens according to the instructions of the display signals input from the control unit 21. The operation unit 23 receives various operations from the user and outputs an operation signal based on that operation to the control unit 21.

[0028] The communication unit 24 is comprised of a network interface and the like. The communication unit 24 transmits and receives data with external devices connected via a communication network. For example, the communication unit 24 receives print commands and the like from external devices such as a PC 10.

[0029] The storage unit 25 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), non-volatile memory, etc. The storage unit 25 stores various data such as various processing programs, parameters necessary for the execution of those programs, and files. For example, the storage unit 25 stores paper information related to the printer 20, adjustment values ​​for color adjustment, color conversion profiles, etc.

[0030] The image forming unit 26 forms an image on paper using an electrophotographic method. The image forming unit 26 includes a photosensitive drum, an intermediate transfer belt, a fuser unit, etc., corresponding to each color of toner used for image formation (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). For example, the image forming unit 26 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum corresponding to cyan, and then scans and exposes the photosensitive drum with a laser beam based on the cyan image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The image forming unit 26 then applies cyan toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum corresponding to cyan and develops it. The processing for other colors is the same as the processing for cyan. The image forming unit 26 sequentially transfers the toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drums corresponding to each color onto the intermediate transfer belt (primary transfer). That is, a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt in which the toner images of multiple colors are superimposed. The image forming unit 26 then transfers the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt onto the paper all at once (secondary transfer). The image forming unit 26 fixes the color toner image onto the paper using the fixing unit. The control unit 21 causes the image forming unit 26 to form an image based on the image data.

[0031] The controller unit 27 performs RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing on the print data received from an external device such as a PC 10 to generate raster data. The controller unit 27 provides the raster data to the image forming unit 26. Note that the controller unit 27 may be a separate device independent of the printer 20.

[0032] Some printers 20 are equipped with an inline colorimeter 28. The inline colorimeter 28 is located in the paper transport path within the printer 20, downstream of the image forming unit 26. The inline colorimeter 28 measures the color of the image on the paper after image formation and measures the colorimetric value (L * a * b * Outputs values, etc.

[0033] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of PC10. PC10 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.

[0034] The control unit 11 comprehensively controls the processing operations of each part of the PC 10. The control unit 11 includes a CPU, RAM, etc. Specifically, the CPU reads various processing programs stored in the memory unit 15 and loads these programs into the RAM. The CPU then performs various processing operations according to these programs.

[0035] The display unit 12 is equipped with a monitor such as an LCD. The display unit 12 displays various screens according to the instructions of the display signals input from the control unit 11. The operation unit 13 includes a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse. The operation unit 13 outputs operation signals to the control unit 11 based on key operations on the keyboard and operations on the pointing device.

[0036] 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.

[0037] The storage unit 15 includes an HDD, SSD, non-volatile memory, etc. The storage unit 15 stores various data such as various processing programs, parameters necessary for executing 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 execution instructions to each color management function of the printer 20, checking color measurement results, calculating adjustment values, etc.

[0038] The memory unit 15 stores the printer information table T1, the target configuration table T2, and the color management preset table T3.

[0039] Printer information table T1 is a table for managing printer information for multiple printers 20 located within the color management system 100. The printer information table T1 associates the printer name, IP address, authentication settings, paper type information, status, etc., for each of the 20 printers.

[0040] "Printer name" is the name of printer 20. "IP address" is the IP address assigned to printer 20. "Authentication Settings" is information that shows the authentication settings for printer 20. "Paper information" refers to information about the paper used by the printer 20. "Paper information" includes information such as the type of paper and which paper tray the paper is in. "Paper information" includes the paper tray, paper size, paper type, basis weight, paper color, paper feeding direction, punch holes, etc. "Status" is information indicating the state of printer 20. "Status" can be either online or offline.

[0041] The target configuration table T2 is a table for managing target configurations (color management settings). The target configuration is the primary data set used for color management of printer 20, and it contains the settings necessary for color management (color adjustment, color verification).

[0042] Figure 4 shows an example of target configuration settings managed in the target configuration table T2. The target configuration settings are categorized into "General," "Color Adjustment," and "Color Verification."

[0043] The "General" section includes settings for "Target Configuration" and "Color Measurement." The settings for "Target Configuration" include the "Target Configuration Name". "Target Configuration Name" is the name of the target configuration. The settings for "colorimetric measurement" include "colorimeter," "lighting conditions," and "number of colorimetric averaging trials." When obtaining colorimetric values, multiple copies of the chart are printed to ensure stability during printing, and the colorimetric values ​​are averaged for each patch. The "number of colorimetric averaging cycles" is the number of charts printed that are used for this averaging process.

[0044] "Color adjustment" refers to settings related to the creation of color conversion profiles. "Color adjustment" includes settings for "printer profiles" and "device link profiles." The settings for "Printer Profile" include "Profile Creation Chart" and "UCR / GCR". A "profile creation chart" is a chart used to create color conversion profiles (profiling). "UCR (Under Color Removal)" replaces the CMY in the shadow areas with the K (black) element. "GCR (Gray Component Replacement)" replaces the CMY in all tonal areas, from the highlights to the shadows, with the K (black) element. The settings for "Device Link Profile" include settings for "RGB-CMYK Device Link Profile" and "CMYK-CMYK Device Link Profile". The settings for the "RGB-CMYK Device Link Profile" include the "RGB Source Profile" and the "RGB Rendering Intent". Settings for the "CMYK-CMYK Device Link Profile" include "Target Profile," "CMYK Rendering Intent," "Midtone Desaturation," and "Solid Color Preservation." "Removing intermediate turbidity" is a setting that reproduces colors that were composed of only CMYK single colors before color conversion so that they remain composed of only those single colors 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.

[0045] "Color Verification" refers to settings related to color verification. "Color Verification" includes "Color Verification Settings" and "Tolerance Settings". The "Color Verification Settings" include the "Color Verification Chart" and the "Target Profile for Color Verification." A "color verification chart" is a chart used for color verification. The "target profile for color verification" is the profile that is targeted in color verification. The "Tolerance Setting" includes "Tolerance Name," "Substrate Consideration," "dE Calculation Method," and "Judgment Items and Tolerance Values." The "acceptable value name" is the name assigned to the dataset related to the setting of acceptable values. "Judgment items and tolerance values" refers to the judgment items used in color verification and the tolerance values ​​for those items.

[0046] The color management preset table T3 is a table for managing color management presets. A color management preset is information in which a target configuration, a printer to be color-managed, and paper printing information are associated. A color management preset is a second dataset used for color management.

[0047] FIG. 5 shows an example of setting items of a color management preset managed in the color management preset table T3. The setting items of the color management preset are classified into "General" and "Paper Printing Information".

[0048] "General" includes "Color Management Preset Name", "Target Configuration", and "Printer to be Color-Managed". The "Color Management Preset Name" is the name of the color management preset. The "Target Configuration" is information indicating the "Target Configuration" that constitutes the "Color Management Preset". The "Printer to be Color-Managed" is information indicating the "printer" that constitutes the "Color Management Preset". In the first embodiment, a plurality of printers 20 can be set as the "Printer to be Color-Managed".

[0049] "Paper Printing Information" includes "Paper Settings" and "Printing Settings". "Paper Settings" includes "Paper Size", "Paper Type", "Grammage", "Grammage Unit", "Paper Color", "Paper Feeding Direction", "Punch Holes", etc. "Printing Settings" includes "Number of Copies", "Screen", etc.

[0050] The colorimetric data receiving unit 16 receives data of colorimetric values (L * a * b * values, etc.) from the colorimeter 40.

[0051] The control unit 11, in cooperation with the color management application program, controls the color management (color adjustment, color verification) of each printer 20 connected via the communication network. The control unit 11 performs color adjustment based on settings such as target configuration and color management presets. Color adjustment includes processes such as printing charts, measuring the color of charts, and creating color conversion profiles. The control unit 11 performs color verification based on settings such as target configuration and color management presets. Color verification includes processes such as printing a chart, measuring the color of the chart, and calculating the verification results.

[0052] The control unit 11 accepts the selection of a single target configuration (first dataset) to be used for color management. The control unit 11 identifies the n printers 20 (image forming apparatus) associated with the selected target configuration, where n is an integer greater than 1. The control unit 11 performs color management for each of the n printers 20 based on the selected target configuration.

[0053] The control unit 11 accepts the selection of a color management preset (second data set) associated with n printers 20 and target configurations. The control unit 11 performs color management for each of the n printers 20 based on the selected color management preset.

[0054] The target configuration includes information indicating the color reproduction characteristics of the printer 20 (first image forming apparatus) that serves as the standard for color management.

[0055] Target configuration includes setting a CMYK target profile or an RGB source profile. The control unit 11 creates a color conversion profile for each of the n printers 20 based on the target configuration for color management.

[0056] Target configuration includes setting the target profile or setting tolerances in color verification. The control unit 11 verifies color reproduction for each of the n printers 20 based on the target configuration as part of color management.

[0057] A color management preset includes at least one setting for the paper type, basis weight, or paper color used for color management. The control unit 11 performs color management for each of the n printers 20 based on the color management preset.

[0058] The PC10 (color management device) is capable of cooperating with m printers 20 (image forming devices). Here, m is an integer greater than n. m is the number of printers 20 that can be connected to the PC10 via a communication network in the color management system 100. In the color management preset, n printers 20 selected from among m printers 20 based on the color reproduction characteristics of the printer 20 used as the standard for color management (the first image forming apparatus) are associated with the target configuration.

[0059] Figure 6 is an illustrative diagram of a color management preset created in the first embodiment. The color management preset is configured by associating a single target configuration with multiple printers 20 (n printers 20).

[0060] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the print server 30. The print server 30 comprises a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, and a storage unit 33.

[0061] The control unit 31 comprehensively controls the processing operations of each part of the print server 30. The control unit 31 includes a CPU, RAM, etc. Specifically, the CPU reads various processing programs stored in the memory unit 33 and loads these programs into the RAM. The CPU then performs various processing operations according to these programs.

[0062] The communication unit 32 is comprised of a network interface and the like. The communication unit 32 transmits and receives data with external devices connected via a communication network.

[0063] The storage unit 33 includes an HDD, SSD, non-volatile memory, etc. The storage unit 33 stores various data such as various processing programs, parameters necessary for the execution of those programs, and files.

[0064] The control unit 31 performs distributed printing using two or more printers 20 from among the multiple printers 20 located within the color management system 100, based on the same print data. The control unit 31 acquires various information (such as printer information) from the printer 20 that is the target of distributed printing. The control unit 31 selects multiple printers 20 to be used for distributed printing. The control unit 31 distributes the job to each printer 20 that is to be used for distributed printing.

[0065] Next, the operation of the color management system 100 in the first embodiment will be described. Figures 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the first color management process performed on PC10.

[0066] As a prerequisite for the first color management process, the control unit 11 performs color adjustment and color verification on the printer 20 (first image forming apparatus) that will be used as the standard for color management, and creates a printer profile in advance. Hereinafter, the printer 20 that will be used as the standard for color management will be referred to as the "standard printer". The standard printer is the printer 20 used as a reference when color matching so that multiple printers 20 (image forming apparatuses) can print in the same colors.

[0067] In the first color management process, the control unit 11 first creates a target configuration (first data set) (step S1). Specifically, the control unit 11 creates a target configuration using the color reproduction characteristics of a reference printer (first image forming apparatus) as the target. The control unit 11 creates the target configuration in order to match the colors of the multiple printers 20 that are to be used for distributed printing to the color space of the printer profile of the reference printer.

[0068] When a user instructs the creation of a target configuration via the operation unit 13, the control unit 11 displays the target configuration registration screen on the display unit 12. The user specifies the settings for each setting item of the target configuration (see Figure 4) by operating from the control unit 13.

[0069] For example, the user specifies the printer profile of the reference printer as the "Target Profile" included in the "CMYK-CMYK Device Link Profile" under "Device Link Profile" for "Color Adjustment" in "Target Configuration". This allows the control unit 11 to match the color reproduction characteristics of the printer 20 that is subject to color management to those of the reference printer.

[0070] The user specifies the printer profile of the reference printer as the "Target Profile for Color Verification" included in the "Color Verification Settings" under "Target Configuration" > "Color Verification". The user also specifies a customized tolerance name for the reference printer as the "Tolerance Name" included in the "Tolerance Settings" under "Color Verification" under "Target Configuration". These settings enable the control unit 11 to verify whether the printer 20, which is the subject of color management, can reproduce the color reproduction characteristics of the reference printer.

[0071] The user instructs the system to complete the registration of the target configuration via an operation on the control unit 13. The control unit 11 associates the set information and registers it as a single target configuration in the target configuration table T2 of the storage unit 15.

[0072] Next, the control unit 11 associates one target configuration with multiple printers 20 (n printers 20) to create a color management preset (second data set) (step S2). Specifically, the control unit 11 creates a color management preset that matches the color reproduction characteristics of a reference printer (first image forming apparatus).

[0073] When a user instructs the creation 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.

[0074] Figure 10 shows an example of the color management preset registration screen 50. The color management preset registration screen 50 includes a color management preset name input field 51, printer selection fields 52A, 52B, 52C, ..., target configuration selection field 53, details button 54, register button 55, etc. The user enters the color management preset name in the color management preset name input field 51 by operating from the control unit 13. The control unit 11 displays the printers 20 registered in the printer information table T1 as options in each of the printer selection fields 52A, 52B, 52C, etc. The user selects multiple printers 20 that they want to match the color of the reference printer in the printer selection fields 52A, 52B, 52C, etc. by operating from the operation unit 13. The control unit 11 displays the target configurations registered in the target configuration table T2 as options in the target configuration selection field 53. The user selects one target configuration in the target configuration selection field 53 by operating the operation unit 13. When the details button 54 is pressed, the contents of the selected target configuration are displayed.

[0075] Although not shown in Figure 10, the color management preset registration screen 50 also allows you to specify the "paper settings" and "print settings" of the "paper printing information" that make up the "color management preset". In this way, the user specifies the settings for each setting item of the color management preset (see Figure 5) by operating the control unit 13.

[0076] When performing color management to match the color reproduction characteristics of a reference printer, the user specifies a target configuration that targets the color reproduction characteristics of the reference printer as the "target configuration" that makes up the "color management preset". Furthermore, users can specify multiple printers 20 that have a color gamut greater than or equal to the color gamut of the reference printer set in the printer profile of the reference printer that makes up the "color management preset" as the "color-managed printers" that make up the "color management preset".

[0077] When a user presses the registration button 55 on the color management preset registration screen 50 via the operation unit 13, the control unit 11 associates the information set for the color management preset and registers it in the color management preset table T3 of the storage unit 15.

[0078] Next, the control unit 11 displays the color management function selection screen on the display unit 12. The color management function selection screen is for selecting either color adjustment or color verification. The user selects either color adjustment or color verification by operating the operation unit 13. The control unit 11 determines whether color adjustment or color verification has been selected on the color management function selection screen (step S3).

[0079] If color adjustment is selected (step S3; color adjustment), the control unit 11 accepts the selection of a color management preset (step S4). Figure 11 shows an example of the color management preset selection screen 60 displayed on the display unit 12. The color management preset selection screen 60 includes a color management preset list field 61. The control unit 11 displays a list of color management presets registered in the color management preset table T3 in the color management preset list field 61. The user selects one of the color management presets from the color management preset list section 61 by operating from the control unit 13.

[0080] Next, the control unit 11 identifies the target configuration included in the selected color management preset and the multiple printers 20 (n printers 20) (step S5). In other words, the target configuration is selected when the user selects a color management preset.

[0081] Next, the control unit 11 determines which printer 20 to process from among the identified printers 20 (multiple printers 20 specified in the color management preset) (step S6).

[0082] Here, the control unit 11 displays the paper tray selection screen 70 shown in Figure 12 on the display unit 12 for the printer 20 to be processed. The paper tray selection screen 70 includes a paper tray list section 71, a screen settings section 72, etc. The control unit 11 refers to the printer information table T1 to obtain the paper information corresponding to the printer 20 to be processed. The control unit 11 displays the paper information (paper profile, paper size, paper feeding direction, paper type, basis weight, paper color) corresponding to the printer 20 to be processed for each paper tray in the paper tray list section 71. In the paper tray list section 71, by default, the most suitable option (paper tray) is automatically selected based on the "Paper Settings" of the "Paper Printing Information" set in the selected color management preset. The control unit 11 refers to the color management preset table T3 to display the "Screen" of the "Print Settings" included in the selected color management preset in the screen settings section 72. The user selects one of the paper trays from the paper tray list section 71 by operating from the control unit 13. The color adjustment will then be performed using the paper in the selected paper tray.

[0083] The control unit 11 may also obtain the latest paper information from the printer 20 to be processed via the communication unit 14. Based on the obtained paper information, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the paper to be color adjusted is set in the paper tray of the printer 20 to be processed. If the paper to be color adjusted is not set in any of the paper trays of the printer 20, the control unit 11 may display a warning screen on the display unit 12 to prompt the user to check and set the paper. The control unit 11 may also display a warning screen on the display unit 12 if the user selects the wrong paper tray.

[0084] Next, the control unit 11 displays the chart print screen for color adjustment on the display unit 12. Figure 13 shows an example of the chart printing screen 80. The chart printing screen 80 includes a chart preview section 81, a colorimeter section 82, a number of copies section 83, a paper attributes section 84, a print start button 85, and the like. The chart preview area 81 displays a preview of the "profile creation chart" included in the "target configuration" identified in step S5. The colorimeter field 82 displays the colorimeter included in the target configuration identified in step S5. The "Number of Copies" field 83 displays the "Number of Copies" from the "Print Settings" included in the "Color Management Preset" selected in step S4. The paper attributes field 84 displays the "Paper Settings" included in the "Color Management Preset" selected in step S4. If the paper corresponding to the paper tray selected on the paper tray selection screen 70 does not match the "Paper Settings" included in the "Color Management Preset," the paper attributes field 84 will display the information for the paper corresponding to the paper tray selected on the paper tray selection screen 70.

[0085] The user initiates the printing of the chart by pressing the print start button 85 on the chart printing screen 80. The control unit 11 causes the printer 20 to be processed to print a profile creation chart (step S7). The control unit 11 prints the profile creation chart based on the "target configuration" and "paper printing information" included in the "color management preset" selected in step S4. The profile creation chart includes multiple color patch groups. The control unit 11 sends a print command for the profile creation chart to the printer 20 to be processed via the communication unit 14.

[0086] The control unit 21 of the printer 20 being processed controls the image forming unit 26 to print a profile creation chart. Here, the control unit 21 prints the profile creation chart without applying an existing profile. In other words, the control unit 21 does not perform color conversion when printing the profile creation chart. Furthermore, the control unit 21 prints the profile creation chart using the paper in the paper tray selected on the paper tray selection screen 70.

[0087] Next, the control unit 11 of the PC 10 displays the color measurement screen on the display unit 12. Figure 14 shows an example of the colorimeter screen 90. The colorimeter screen 90 includes a colorimeter section 91, a lighting conditions section 92, a chart section 93, a colorimeter result section 94, an operation navigation section 95, a colorimeter start button 96, and the like. The colorimeter field 91 displays the colorimeter included in the target configuration identified in step S5. The lighting conditions field 92 displays the lighting conditions included in the target configuration identified in step S5. Chart column 93 displays the "profile creation chart" included in the "target configuration" identified in step S5. The color measurement results column 94 displays the color measurement results for each patch included in the profile creation chart. Before color measurement, the color measurement results column 94 is blank. The operation navigation section 95 displays instructions for the user. The user places the profile creation chart in the colorimeter 40 and presses the start color measurement button 96 on the color measurement screen 90 to instruct the system to begin measuring the chart's color.

[0088] The control unit 11 causes the colorimeter 40 to measure the color of each patch on the profile creation chart (step S8). The control unit 11 measures the color of the profile creation chart based on the "target configuration" identified in step S5. The control unit 11 receives the color measurement results (color values) from the colorimeter 40 via the color measurement data receiving unit 16. The control unit 11 displays the color measurement results for each patch in the color measurement result column 94 of the color measurement screen 90.

[0089] If the printer 20 to be processed is equipped with an inline colorimeter 28, the following processing is performed in step S8. The control unit 11 of the PC 10 instructs the printer 20 to be processed to measure the color of each patch on the profile creation chart. The control unit 11 transmits a color measurement instruction for the profile creation chart to the printer 20 via the communication unit 14. The control unit 21 of the printer 20 to be processed controls the inline colorimeter 28 to measure the color of the profile creation chart. The inline colorimeter 28 measures the color of each patch of the profile creation chart. The control unit 21 obtains the color measurement results (color values) from the inline colorimeter 28. The control unit 21 transmits the color measurement results (color values) to the PC 10 via the communication unit 24. The control unit 11 of the PC 10 acquires the color measurement results from the printer 20 to be processed via the communication unit 14.

[0090] After step S8, the control unit 11 of the PC 10 creates a color conversion profile based on the color measurement results (step S9). The control unit 11 creates the color conversion profile based on the "target configuration" identified in step S5. For example, the control unit 11 creates a printer profile and a device link profile.

[0091] Next, the control unit 11 displays the profile registration screen on the display unit 12. Figure 15 shows an example of the profile registration screen 110. The profile registration screen 110 includes a printer profile field 111, an RGB-CMYK device link profile field 112, a CMYK-CMYK device link profile field 113, and a "Register Profile" button 114, etc. The printer profile field 111 is an area for entering a name to be assigned to the "printer profile" created in step S9. The RGB-CMYK device link profile field 112 is an area for entering a name to be assigned to the "RGB-CMYK device link profile" created in step S9. The CMYK-CMYK device link profile field 113 is an area for entering a name to be assigned to the "CMYK-CMYK device link profile" created in step S9.

[0092] When the user presses the "Register Profile" button 114 on the profile registration screen 110 via the operation unit 13, the control unit 11 registers the created color conversion profile to the printer 20 to be processed (step S10). The control unit 11 transmits the created color conversion profile and the instruction to register the color conversion profile to the printer 20 via the communication unit 14.

[0093] In the printer 20 being processed, the control unit 21 stores the color conversion profile sent from the PC 10 in the storage unit 25 and updates the color conversion profile.

[0094] Next, the control unit 11 of the PC 10 determines whether processing has been completed for all printers 20 (n printers 20) specified in the color management preset (step S11). If there is a printer 20 among the multiple printers 20 specified in the color management preset that has not yet finished processing (step S11; NO), the process returns to step S6. The control unit 11 selects a different printer 20 from the multiple printers 20 specified in the color management preset as the target for processing and repeats the process from steps S6 to S10. In step S11, if processing is completed for all printers 20 specified in the color management preset (step S11; YES), the first color management process ends.

[0095] If color verification is selected in step S3 (step S3; color verification), the process proceeds to step S12 in Figure 9. The processes in steps S12 and S13 are the same as those in steps S4 and S5, so their explanation is omitted. In step S12, as in step S4, the color management preset selection screen 60 shown in Figure 11 is displayed on the display unit 12.

[0096] Next, the control unit 11 determines which printer 20 to process from among the multiple printers 20 identified in step S13 (multiple printers 20 specified in the color management preset) (step S14). The selection of the paper tray is the same as in the case of "color adjustment," except that the color management is "color verification." The paper tray selection screen 70 shown in Figure 12 is displayed on the display unit 12.

[0097] Next, the control unit 11 displays the chart print screen for color verification on the display unit 12. Figure 16 shows an example of the chart printing screen 120. The chart printing screen 120 includes a chart preview field 121, a colorimeter field 122, a number of copies field 123, a paper attribute field 124, a color conversion specification field for color verification 125, a print start button 126, and the like. The chart preview area 121 displays a preview of the "color verification chart" included in the "target configuration" identified in step S13. The colorimeter field 122 displays the "colorimeter" included in the "target configuration" identified in step S13. The "Number of Copies" field 123 displays the "Number of Copies" from the "Print Settings" included in the "Color Management Preset" selected in step S12. The paper attributes field 124 displays the "paper settings" included in the "color management preset" selected in step S12. If the paper corresponding to the paper tray selected on the paper tray selection screen 70 does not match the "paper settings" included in the "color management preset," the paper attributes field 124 will display information about the paper corresponding to the paper tray selected on the paper tray selection screen 70. The color conversion specification field 125 for color verification is an area for specifying the profile (target profile, device link profile) to be used for color conversion during color verification.

[0098] The user initiates the printing of the chart by pressing the print start button 126 on the chart printing screen 120. The control unit 11 instructs the printer 20 to print a color verification chart (step S15). The control unit 11 prints the color verification chart based on the "target configuration" and "paper printing information" included in the "color management preset" selected in step S12. The color verification chart includes a group of patches of multiple colors. The control unit 11 sends a print command for the color verification chart to the printer 20 via the communication unit 14.

[0099] The control unit 21 of the printer 20 being processed controls the image forming unit 26 to print a color verification chart. Here, the control unit 21 performs a color conversion using the CMYK profile specified in the color conversion specification field 125 for color verification, and then prints the color verification chart.

[0100] Next, the control unit 11 of the PC 10 displays a screen on the display unit 12 that is similar to the color measurement screen 90 shown in Figure 14. However, in this case, the color verification chart is displayed in the chart column 93. In addition, the color measurement result column 94 displays the color measurement results for each patch included in the color verification chart. The user sets a color verification chart in the colorimeter 40 and instructs the start of color measurement of the chart via the operation unit 13.

[0101] The control unit 11 causes the colorimeter 40 to measure the color of each patch on the color verification chart (step S16). The control unit 11 measures the color of the color verification chart based on the "target configuration" identified in step S13. The control unit 11 receives the color measurement results (color values) from the colorimeter 40 via the color measurement data receiving unit 16.

[0102] Furthermore, if the printer 20 to be processed is equipped with an inline colorimeter 28, the control unit 11 obtains the color measurement results of the color verification chart from the printer 20 via the communication unit 14.

[0103] Next, the control unit 11 of the PC 10 performs color verification based on the color measurement results (step S17). The control unit 11 performs color verification based on the "target configuration" identified in step S13. The control unit 11 compares the color measurement results with the tolerance values ​​for each judgment item and determines whether the color printed by the printer 20 to be processed satisfies the color reproduction characteristics of the reference printer.

[0104] Next, the control unit 11 displays the color verification result on the display unit 12 (step S18). Figure 17 shows an example of the color verification results screen 130. The color verification results screen 130 includes a color verification conditions field 131, a verification details field 132, a verification results field 133, a report output button 134, etc. The color verification conditions column 131 displays the conditions used for color verification. The verification details section 132 displays the detailed results of the color verification. For example, the verification details section 132 displays the tolerance value, measured value, and judgment result (Fail / Pass) for each judgment item. Note that the measured value also includes values ​​calculated from the colorimetric values. The verification results column 133 displays either "Fail" or "Pass" as the overall result of the color verification. The report output button 134 is a button used to instruct the system to output a report related to color verification.

[0105] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether processing has been completed for all printers 20 (n printers 20) specified in the color management preset (step S19). If there is a printer 20 among the multiple printers 20 specified in the color management preset that has not yet finished processing (step S19; NO), the process returns to step S14. The control unit 11 selects a different printer 20 from the multiple printers 20 specified in the color management preset as the processing target and repeats the process from steps S14 to S18. In step S19, if processing is completed for all printers 20 specified in the color management preset (step S19; YES), the first color management process ends.

[0106] In the color management system 100 of the first embodiment, when performing distributed printing, a reference printer and printers 20 having a color gamut greater than or equal to that of the reference printer are registered with the print server 30 as printers 20 to be used for distributed printing. Among the printers 20 used for distributed printing, printers 20 other than the reference printer are color-matched (color adjustment, color verification) so that they can print in the same colors as the reference printer. The registration of printers 20 to be used for distributed printing with the print server 30 may be performed manually by the administrator of the color management system 100. Alternatively, a PC 10 or the print server 30 may automatically detect printers 20 in the network that meet the conditions and register them with the print server 30 as printers 20 to be used for distributed printing.

[0107] During distributed printing, when the control unit 11 of the PC 10 receives a specification of the print data to be printed from the user via the operation unit 13, it sends a distributed printing instruction including the specified print data to the print server 30 via the communication unit 14.

[0108] The control unit 31 of the print server 30 distributes print jobs based on print data to multiple printers 20 registered as printers 20 to be used for distributed printing, based on the distributed printing instruction received from the PC 10. For example, the control unit 31 may distribute the jobs evenly to each printer 20. Alternatively, the control unit 31 may distribute the jobs to each printer 20 considering the load on each printer 20, the job history, the usage status of consumables, etc. The control unit 31 sends a print instruction including print data to each printer 20 via the communication unit 32. By performing printing based on the same print data in each printer 20, it is possible to obtain printed materials with consistent color reproduction.

[0109] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the control unit 11 of the PC 10 accepts the selection of a color management preset (steps S4, S12), thereby accepting the selection of a target configuration (first data set) to be used for color management. The control unit 11 identifies the n printers 20 (image forming apparatus) associated with the selected target configuration (steps S5, S13). The control unit 11 performs color management for each of the n printers 20 based on the target configuration (steps S6-S11, S14-S19). Therefore, the control unit 11 can easily perform color management to ensure consistent color reproduction for multiple printers 20. The control unit 11 can reduce the complexity of color management for multiple printers 20 where distributed printing is performed. The control unit 11 can provide color management to ensure consistent color reproduction even to general operators without specialized knowledge.

[0110] In particular, in the first embodiment, a color management preset (second data set) is provided as setting information used for color management, which associates all of the n printers 20 with the target configuration. Therefore, by accepting the selection of a color management preset, the control unit 11 can easily perform color management based on the selected color management preset for each of the n printers 20.

[0111] Furthermore, the target configuration includes information indicating the color reproduction characteristics of the reference printer (first image forming apparatus). For example, in the "Color Adjustment" section of the "Target Configuration," the printer profile of the reference printer is included as the "Target Profile" in the "CMYK-CMYK Device Link Profile" of the "Device Link Profile." Also, in the "Color Verification" section of the "Target Configuration," the printer profile of the reference printer is included as the "Color Verification Target Target Profile" in the "Color Verification Settings." Furthermore, in the "Color Verification" section of the "Target Configuration," the tolerance value name customized for the reference printer is included as the "Tolerance Value Name" in the "Tolerance Value Settings." These settings enable the control unit 11 to match the color reproduction characteristics of the printer 20 that is subject to color management to those of the reference printer.

[0112] Furthermore, the target configuration includes setting a CMYK target profile or setting an RGB source profile. Specifically, in the "Color Adjustment" section of the "Target Configuration," the "Target Profile" is included in the "CMYK-CMYK Device Link Profile" under "Device Link Profile." In the "Color Adjustment" section of the "Target Configuration," the "RGB-CMYK Device Link Profile" under "Device Link Profile" is included in the "RGB Source Profile." Based on these settings, the control unit 11 can create a color conversion profile for each of the n printers 20.

[0113] Furthermore, the target configuration includes setting the target profile or setting tolerance values ​​in color verification. Specifically, in the "Color Verification" section of the "Target Configuration," the "Color Verification Settings" include the "Target Profile for Color Verification." Also, in the "Color Verification" section of the "Target Configuration," the "Tolerance Settings" include the "Tolerance Name" and the "Judgment Item and Tolerance." Based on these settings, the control unit 11 can verify color reproduction for each of the n printers 20.

[0114] Furthermore, the color management preset includes at least one setting from the paper type, basis weight, and paper color used for color management. Specifically, the "Paper Printing Information" of the "Color Management Preset" includes "Paper Settings." Based on these settings, the control unit 11 can perform color management for each of the n printers 20.

[0115] Furthermore, in the color management preset, the target configuration is associated with n printers 20 selected from among m printers 20 based on the color reproduction characteristics of the reference printer (first image forming apparatus). This allows the control unit 11 to ensure consistent color reproduction for the n printers 20.

[0116] Alternatively, instead of step S1 of the first color management process, the user may specify a reference printer, and the control unit 11 may automatically create a target configuration targeting the color reproduction characteristics of the specified reference printer. Specifically, the control unit 11 automatically sets the printer profile of the reference printer as the "Target Profile" included in the "CMYK-CMYK Device Link Profile" of the "Device Link Profile" in "Color Adjustment" for the "Target Configuration". The control unit 11 also automatically sets the printer profile of the reference printer as the "Color Verification Target Target Profile" included in the "Color Verification Settings" of "Color Verification" for the "Target Configuration". Furthermore, the control unit 11 automatically sets a customized tolerance name for the reference printer as the "Tolerance Name" included in the "Tolerance Settings" of "Color Verification" for the "Target Configuration".

[0117] Furthermore, in step S2 of the first color management process, the control unit 11 may automatically select n printers 20 capable of reproducing the color reproduction characteristics of a reference printer specified by the user. Specifically, the control unit 11 selects n printers 20 that have a color gamut greater than or equal to the color gamut of the reference printer's printer profile. The control unit 11 may also automatically create a color management preset by associating the selected n printers 20 with a target configuration targeting the reference printer.

[0118] When selecting n printers 20 capable of reproducing the color reproduction characteristics of a reference printer, selecting n printers 20 from m printers 20 based on their wide color gamut may result in the printers 20 having excessive performance for the required print quality. To avoid this, the control unit 11 should select n printers 20 from among those printers 20 with a color gamut greater than or equal to the color gamut of the reference printer's printer profile, starting with those with the narrowest color gamut.

[0119] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. Since the color management system in the second embodiment has the same configuration as the color management system 100 shown in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted. The configurations and processes characteristic of the second embodiment will be described below.

[0120] In the second embodiment, multiple printers 20 are associated with a single target configuration, similar to the first embodiment. However, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a color management preset, which associates the target configuration with the printer 20, is managed individually for each printer 20.

[0121] The target configuration settings managed in the target configuration table T2 (see Figure 4) are the same as in the first embodiment. The setting items for the color management presets managed in the color management preset table T3 (see Figure 5) are the same as in the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, it is not possible to set multiple printers 20 as "color management printers" for a single "color management preset"; only one printer 20 can be set.

[0122] The control unit 11 accepts the selection of a single target configuration (first dataset) to be used for color management. The control unit 11 identifies the n printers 20 (image forming apparatus) associated with the selected target configuration. The control unit 11 performs color management for each of the n printers 20 based on the selected target configuration.

[0123] The control unit 11 accepts the selection of n color management presets (second data set) for each of the n printers 20, each of which is associated with the printer 20 and the target configuration. The control unit 11 performs color management for each of the n printers 20 based on the color management preset corresponding to that printer 20 from among the n color management presets.

[0124] Of the m printers 20, each of the n printers 20 selected based on the color reproduction characteristics of the printer 20 (first image forming apparatus) used as the standard for color management is associated with a target configuration, and n color management presets are configured.

[0125] Figure 18 is an illustrative diagram of multiple color management presets (n color management presets) created in the second embodiment. Each color management preset is configured by associating the same target configuration with each individual printer 20.

[0126] Next, the operation of the color management system 100 in the second embodiment will be described. Figures 19 and 20 are flowcharts showing the second color management process performed on PC10.

[0127] As a prerequisite for the second color management process, the control unit 11 performs color adjustment and color verification on the reference printer (first image forming apparatus) in advance and creates a printer profile.

[0128] The creation of the target configuration (step S21) is the same as the process in step S1 of the first color management process, so the explanation will be omitted. The control unit 11 creates a target configuration to match the colors of the multiple printers 20 that are to be used for distributed printing to the color space of the printer profile of the reference printer.

[0129] Next, the control unit 11 associates one target configuration with each of the individual printers 20 to create multiple color management presets (step S22). The control unit 11 associates one target configuration with each of the n printers 20 to create n color management presets.

[0130] The user selects a target configuration from the control unit 13 and selects multiple printers 20 that they want to match the colors of to a reference printer. The user also inputs the name of the color management preset corresponding to each of the multiple color management presets from the control unit 13. Furthermore, the user specifies the "paper settings" and "print settings" of the "paper print information" that constitutes each "color management preset" as common settings for the multiple color management presets from the control unit 13.

[0131] Specifically, the control unit 11 creates a color management preset for each of the selected printers 20 that matches the color reproduction characteristics of the reference printer (first image forming apparatus). The user specifies a target configuration that targets the color reproduction characteristics of a reference printer as the "target configuration" that makes up each "color management preset". Furthermore, the user specifies a printer 20 that has a color gamut greater than or equal to the color gamut of the reference printer's printer profile, which is set in the "Target Configuration" that constitutes the "Color Management Preset," as the "Color Management Printer" that constitutes the "Color Management Preset."

[0132] The control unit 11 creates a color management preset for each of the selected printers 20 and registers it in the color management preset table T3 of the storage unit 15.

[0133] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether color adjustment or color verification has been selected on the color management function selection screen (step S23).

[0134] If color adjustment is selected (step S23; color adjustment), the control unit 11 accepts the selection of the target configuration (step S24). The control unit 11 displays a list of target configurations registered in the target configuration table T2. The user selects one of the target configurations from the list of target configurations by operating from the control unit 13.

[0135] Next, the control unit 11 refers to the color management preset table T3 and extracts multiple color management presets (n color management presets) that include the selected target configuration (step S25). In other words, by the user selecting a target configuration, multiple color management presets are selected.

[0136] Next, the control unit 11 determines which color management preset to process from among the extracted multiple color management presets (multiple color management presets that include the same target configuration) (step S26). Next, the control unit 11 identifies the printer 20 included in the determined color management preset as the printer 20 to be processed (step S27).

[0137] Here, the control unit 11 displays the paper feed tray selection screen 70 shown in Figure 12 on the display unit 12 for the printer 20 to be processed. The user selects one of the paper trays from the paper tray list section 71 on the paper tray selection screen 70 by operating from the control unit 13. The color adjustment will then be performed using the paper in the selected paper tray.

[0138] The processing in steps S28 to S31 is the same as the processing in steps S7 to S10 in the first color management process, so the explanation is omitted. The control unit 11 creates a color conversion profile based on the "target configuration" and "paper printing information" included in the "color management preset" determined in step S26.

[0139] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether processing has been completed for all color management presets (n color management presets) that include the same target configuration (step S32). If there is a color management preset among multiple color management presets containing the same target configuration that has not yet been processed (step S32; NO), the process returns to step S26. The control unit 11 selects a different color management preset from among multiple color management presets containing the same target configuration as the processing target and repeats the process from steps S26 to S31. In step S32, if processing is completed for all color management presets that include the same target configuration (step S32; YES), the second color management process is terminated.

[0140] If color verification is selected in step S23 (step S23; color verification), the process proceeds to step S33 in Figure 20. The processes in steps S33 and S34 are the same as those in steps S24 and S25, so their explanation is omitted.

[0141] Next, the control unit 11 determines which color management preset to process from among the multiple color management presets (multiple color management presets including the same target configuration) extracted in step S34 (step S35). Next, the control unit 11 identifies the printer 20 included in the determined color management preset as the printer 20 to be processed (step S36).

[0142] Here, the control unit 11 displays the paper feed tray selection screen 70 shown in Figure 12 on the display unit 12 for the printer 20 to be processed. The user selects one of the paper trays from the paper tray list section 71 on the paper tray selection screen 70 by operating from the control unit 13. The color verification will then be performed using the paper in the selected paper tray.

[0143] The processing in steps S37 to S40 is the same as the processing in steps S15 to S18 in the first color management process, so the explanation is omitted. The control unit 11 performs color verification based on the "target configuration" and "paper printing information" included in the "color management preset" determined in step S35.

[0144] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether processing has been completed for all color management presets (n color management presets) that include the same target configuration (step S41). If there is a color management preset among multiple color management presets containing the same target configuration that has not yet been processed (step S41; NO), the process returns to step S35. The control unit 11 selects a different color management preset from among multiple color management presets containing the same target configuration as the processing target and repeats the process from steps S35 to S40. In step S41, if processing is completed for all color management presets that include the same target configuration (step S41; YES), the second color management process is terminated.

[0145] In the color management system 100 of the second embodiment, the procedure is the same as in the first embodiment when distributed printing is performed.

[0146] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the control unit 11 of the PC 10 accepts the selection of a single target configuration (first data set) to be used for color management (steps S24, S33). The control unit 11 identifies n printers 20 (image forming apparatus) associated with the selected target configuration (steps S27, S36). The control unit 11 performs color management for each of the n printers 20 based on the target configuration (steps S28-S31, S37-S40). Therefore, the control unit 11 can easily perform color management to ensure consistent color reproduction for multiple printers 20. The control unit 11 can reduce the complexity of color management for multiple printers 20 where distributed printing is performed. The control unit 11 can provide color management to ensure consistent color reproduction even to general operators without specialized knowledge.

[0147] In particular, in the second embodiment, for each of the n printers 20, n color management presets (second data sets) are provided as setting information used for color management, with each printer 20 associated with a target configuration. The control unit 11 accepts the selection of a target configuration (steps S24, S33), and accepts the selection of n color management presets including the target configuration (steps S25, S34). As a result, the control unit 11 can easily perform color management for each of the n printers 20 based on the color management preset corresponding to the printer 20.

[0148] Furthermore, in the n color management presets that include a common target configuration, each of the n printers 20 selected from the m printers 20 based on the color reproduction characteristics of the reference printer (first image forming apparatus) is associated with the target configuration. This allows the control unit 11 to ensure consistent color reproduction for the n printers 20.

[0149] In the second embodiment, effects other than those resulting from the data configuration of the color management preset are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0150] Instead of step S21 of the second color management process, the user may specify a reference printer, and the control unit 11 may automatically create a target configuration targeting the color reproduction characteristics of the specified reference printer.

[0151] Furthermore, in step S22 of the second color management process, the control unit 11 may automatically select n printers 20 capable of reproducing the color reproduction characteristics of a reference printer specified by the user. Specifically, the control unit 11 selects n printers 20 that have a color gamut greater than or equal to the color gamut of the reference printer's printer profile. The control unit 11 may also automatically create n color management presets by associating each of the selected n printers 20 with a target configuration targeting the reference printer.

[0152] The descriptions in the above embodiments are examples of the color management method, color management apparatus, and program according to the present invention, and are not limited thereto. The detailed configuration and detailed operation of each device constituting the system can also be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0153] For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the creation of a color conversion profile was used as an example of color adjustment, but the invention is not limited to this. Color adjustment may also include maximum density adjustment, in-plane uniformity adjustment, tone curve adjustment, etc.

[0154] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the creation of the target configuration, the creation of the color management preset, and color management (color adjustment or color verification) were described as a continuous process in the first color management process or the second color management process. Alternatively, the control unit 11 of the PC 10 may execute the creation of the target configuration, the creation of the color management preset, color adjustment, and color verification as independent processes, individually.

[0155] In the embodiments described above, the printer 20 is described as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that uses toner to form images, but it is not limited to this. The printer 20 may be an image forming apparatus of another printing method, such as an inkjet printer.

[0156] The computer-readable medium used to store the programs for executing each process is not limited to the examples above. Furthermore, a carrier wave may be used as the medium for providing program data via a communication line.

[0157] The embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention should be interpreted as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0158] 10 PC 11 Control Unit 12 Display section 13 Control section 14 Communications Department 15 Storage section 16. Color measurement data receiving unit 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, ...) Printer 21 Control Unit 24 Communications Department 25 Memory section 26 Image forming unit 27 Controller section 28 Inline colorimeters 30 Print Servers 31 Control Unit 32 Communications Department 33 Storage section 40 Colorimeter 100-Color Management System T1 Printer Information Table T2 Target Configuration Table T3 Color Management Preset Table

Claims

1. The color management device, The system accepts the selection of a single primary dataset to be used for color management. Identify the n (n>1) image forming apparatuses associated with the selected first dataset, For each of the n image forming apparatuses, color management is performed based on the first dataset. Color management method.

2. The selection of a second dataset, to which the n image forming apparatuses and the first dataset are associated, is accepted. For each of the n image forming apparatuses, the color management is performed based on the selected second dataset. The color management method according to claim 1.

3. For each of the n image forming apparatuses, the selection of n second data sets, each associated with the first data set, is accepted. For each of the n image forming apparatuses, the color management is performed based on the second dataset corresponding to the image forming apparatus from among the n second datasets. The color management method according to claim 1.

4. The first dataset includes information indicating the color reproduction characteristics of the first image forming apparatus used as the standard for color management. The color management method according to claim 1.

5. The first dataset includes the setting of a CMYK target profile or an RGB source profile. As part of the color management, a color conversion profile is created for each of the n image forming apparatuses based on the first dataset. The color management method according to claim 1.

6. The first dataset includes setting the target profile or setting the tolerance values ​​in color verification. As part of the color management, the color reproduction is verified for each of the n image forming apparatuses based on the first dataset. The color management method according to claim 1.

7. The second dataset includes at least one setting among the paper type, basis weight, and paper color used for color management, For each of the n image forming apparatuses, the color management is performed based on the second dataset. The color management method according to claim 2.

8. The aforementioned color management device can be linked with m-scale (m > n) image forming apparatuses. Of the m image forming apparatuses, the n image forming apparatuses selected based on the color reproduction characteristics of the first image forming apparatus are associated with the first dataset. The color management method according to claim 4.

9. A color management device comprising a control unit that performs the color management method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A program for causing a computer that controls a color management device to execute the color management method described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images