Information processing device, image forming system including the information processing device, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique to prevent deterioration in colorimetric accuracy.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus comprises: selection means that selects, based on image data, one or more first color measurement areas in an image formed from the image data; input and output control means that receives a first user input for selecting one or more second color measurement areas from the one or more first color measurement areas selected by the selection means; and transmission means that transmits, to an image forming apparatus, a print job including information indicating the one or more second color measurement areas and the image data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device for suppressing deterioration of color measurement accuracy, an image forming system including the information processing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In an image forming apparatus that forms an image using an electrophotographic process, the density and color of an output image may change due to changes over time or environmental changes. For this reason, the image forming apparatus performs image stabilization control. For example, in density stabilization control, the image forming apparatus forms a test image on a photoconductor or intermediate transfer belt, and detects the density of the test image using an optical sensor or the like. Then, based on the density detection result of the test image, the image forming apparatus sets image forming conditions for making the output image have an appropriate density. Note that the detection result of the test image formed on the photoconductor or intermediate transfer belt cannot be used to judge the quality of the image finally formed on the recording material. For this reason, the image forming conditions are also set based on the detection result of the test image formed on the recording material.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a user visually checks an image formed on a recording material, and specifies and adjusts a color that the user wishes to correct. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-92050 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A sensor that measures the color of an image formed on a recording material irradiates light onto the recording material and detects the color of the color measurement area based on the reflected light. In principle, this can cause a phenomenon called "reflection" in which the color of the detected color measurement area is blurred due to reflected light from the vicinity of the color measurement area. When reflection occurs, the color measurement accuracy deteriorates, and it may become impossible to set appropriate image formation conditions.

[0006] The present invention provides a technique for suppressing deterioration of color measurement accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing device includes: a first reception unit for receiving information for identifying a color to be measured; Formed by image data Should image determining means for determining an area having the color to be measured as a candidate for a color measurement area; and, User instruction information regarding a selection result selected as a color measurement area from the candidates determined by the determination unit. Accept Second reception method And the above Selected colorimetric area and a transmitting means for transmitting the Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, deterioration of color measurement accuracy can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a reading device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a line sensor unit according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a host computer according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart of a process for setting a color measurement area according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed to a user in a process of setting a color measurement area. [Figure 8]11 is a flowchart of a process for setting a color measurement area according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed to a user in a process of setting a color measurement area. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart of a process for setting a color measurement area according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed to a user in a process of setting a color measurement area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0011] First Embodiment 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus 100. The image forming system includes the image forming apparatus 100 and a host computer 101. The image forming apparatus 100 and the host computer 101 can communicate with each other via a network 105. The network 105 is, for example, a LAN or a WAN. In FIG. 1, one image forming apparatus 100 and one host computer 101 are connected to the network 105, but a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 and a plurality of host computers 101 can be connected to the network 105.

[0012] A host computer 101, which is an information processing apparatus, transmits a print job to an image forming apparatus 100 via a network 105. The print job includes various information necessary for printing, such as image data of an image to be formed, the type of sheet on which printing (image formation) is performed, the number of copies to be printed, whether double-sided printing or single-sided printing is performed, etc.

[0013] Image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a sheet based on a print job received from a host computer 101. A sheet is an object on which an image is formed by image forming apparatus 100, such as recording paper or an OHP sheet, and may be made of any material. Image forming apparatus 100 includes a controller 110, an operation panel 120, a feeder 140, a printer 150, and a reader 160, which are capable of communicating with each other via a system bus 116.

[0014] The ROM 112, which is a non-volatile memory of the controller 110, stores various control programs. The RAM 113 is a volatile memory, and functions as a system work memory that reads and stores the control programs stored in the ROM 112. The CPU 114 executes the control programs read into the RAM 113 to centrally control the entire image forming apparatus 100. The HDD 115 is a large-capacity storage device. The HDD 115 stores various data such as the control programs and image data used in the image forming process (printing process). The I / O control unit 111 is an interface that communicates with the host computer 101 and the like via the network 105. Note that these functional blocks in the controller 110 can also communicate with each other via a system bus 116.

[0015] 2, operation panel 120 has operation buttons 121 and a display unit 122. Operation buttons 121 are an input interface for a user to operate image forming apparatus 100. Display unit 122 is an output interface for displaying the status of the image forming apparatus to the user.

[0016] Returning to Fig. 1, the feeding device 140 includes a plurality of feeding units that store sheets, and feeds the sheets from the feeding units to the printer 150. The printer 150 forms an image on the sheet fed by the feeding device 140 based on image data from the host computer 101. The configuration of the printer 150 will be described in detail later with reference to Fig. 2. The reading device 160 reads the front surface of the sheet and outputs the reading result to the controller 110.

[0017] 2 is a configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a feeding device 140, a printer 150, a reading device 160, and a finisher 190.

[0018] The printer 150 includes four image forming units 222 that form images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The configuration of each image forming unit 222 is basically the same. The photoconductor 153 of the image forming unit is rotated counterclockwise in the figure during image formation. The charger 220 charges the surface of the photoconductor 153. The exposure device 223 exposes the photoconductor 153 based on image data to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 153. The developer 152 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 153 using a developer (toner). As a result, the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 153 is visualized, and an image is formed on the photoconductor 153.

[0019] During image formation, the intermediate transfer belt 154 is driven to rotate in a clockwise direction in the drawing. Images formed by the image forming units 222 are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 154. Note that a full-color image can be formed on the intermediate transfer belt 154 by transferring the images formed by the image forming units 222 in an overlapping manner onto the intermediate transfer belt 154. The image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 154 is transported toward a position facing the transfer roller 221.

[0020] The feeding device 140 has feeding units 140a, 140b, 140c, 140d, and 140e that accommodate sheets. The feeding device 140 feeds a sheet from any one of the feeding units to the printer 150. The printer 150 transports the fed sheet toward a position facing the transfer roller 221. The transfer roller 221 transfers the image on the intermediate transfer belt 154 onto the sheet.

[0021] The printer 150 has a first fixing device 155 and a second fixing device 156 that heat and pressurize an image transferred to a sheet to fix the image on the sheet. The first fixing device 155 has a fixing roller having a heater therein and a pressure belt for pressing the sheet against the fixing roller. These rollers are driven by a motor (not shown) to transport the sheet. The second fixing device 156 is disposed downstream of the first fixing device in the sheet transport direction. The second fixing device 156 is provided to increase the gloss of the image on the sheet that has passed the first fixing device 155 and to ensure fixability. The second fixing device 156 has a fixing roller having a heater therein and a pressure roller having a heater therein. Depending on the type of sheet, it is not necessary to use the second fixing device 156. In this case, the sheet is transported to the transport path 130 and does not pass through the second fixing device 156. The flapper 131 switches between guiding the sheet to the transport path 130 or to the second fixing device 156.

[0022] The flapper 132 switches between guiding the sheet to the transport path 135 and guiding the sheet to the discharge path 139. For example, in a double-sided printing mode, the flapper 132 guides a sheet having an image formed on its first side to the transport path 135. Also, for example, in a face-up discharge mode, the flapper 132 guides a sheet having an image formed on its first side to the discharge path 139. Also, for example, in a face-down discharge mode, the flapper 132 guides a sheet having an image formed on its first side to the transport path 135.

[0023] The sheet conveyed to the conveying path 135 is conveyed to the inversion unit 136. After being conveyed to the inversion unit 136, the conveying direction of the sheet is reversed. The flapper 133 switches between guiding the sheet at the inversion unit 136 to the conveying path 138 or to the conveying path 135. For example, the flapper 133 guides the sheet to the conveying path 138 in a double-sided printing mode. Also, for example, the flapper 133 guides the switched-back sheet to the conveying path 135 in a face-down discharge mode. The sheet conveyed to the conveying path 135 by the flapper 133 is guided to the discharge path 139 by the flapper 134. The sheet conveyed to the conveying path 138 by the flapper 133 is conveyed again to a position facing the transfer roller 221, whereby images are formed on both sides of the sheet.

[0024] The sheet guided to the discharge path 139 is transported along a transport path 313 of the reading device 160. The document detection sensor 311 of the reading device 160 detects the sheet transported along the transport path 313. The document detection sensor 311 is, for example, an optical sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The line sensor unit 312a reads one side of the sheet through a flow reading glass 314a. The line sensor unit 312b reads the other side of the sheet through a flow reading glass 314b. The controller 110 controls the reading timing of the line sensor units 312a and 312b based on the detection timing of the leading edge of the sheet by the document detection sensor 311.

[0025] The sheet that has passed through the reading device 160 is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 via the finisher 190. The finisher 190 is a post-processing device that performs post-processing on the printed matter of the printer 150. The finisher 190 can perform stapling and sorting on multiple sheets on which images have been formed in accordance with a print job.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the reading device 160. The line sensor units 312a and 312b have the same configuration, and each includes a memory 300, a line sensor 301, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 302. The line sensor 301 is, for example, a contact image sensor (CIS). FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the line sensor 301. The LEDs 400a and 400b are light sources and emit white light. The LEDs 400a and 400b are disposed at different ends in the longitudinal direction of the light guide 402a. The line sensor 301 is disposed so that the longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction is also referred to as the main scanning direction, and the sheet conveying direction is also referred to as the sub-scanning direction. The light emitted by the LEDs 400a and 400b is diffused in the main scanning direction inside the light guide 402a, and the sheet is irradiated from the entire main scanning direction of the light guide 402a. The light reflected from the sheet is incident on a plurality of light receiving elements 401a arranged along the main scanning direction via a lens array 403a. The position on the sheet where the reflected light incident on each light receiving element 401a is reflected is also called a pixel. The light receiving elements 401a are arranged in three lines coated with red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color filters. The line sensor 301 of this embodiment has a "double-sided illumination configuration" in which light is irradiated from both sides of the lens array 403a in the sub-scanning direction.

[0027] Returning to FIG. 3, the memory 300 stores correction information for correcting variations in the amount of light of the multiple light receiving elements 401a of the corresponding line sensor 301. The line sensor 301 corrects the amount of light received by each light receiving element 401a using the correction information, and outputs analog signals indicating the corrected amount of light received by each light receiving element 401a to the ADC 302 in sequence as the amount of light received by a pixel. The ADC 302 converts the analog signal output by the corresponding line sensor 301 into a digital signal, and outputs it to the color detection processing unit 305 as read data. The read data indicates the luminance values ​​of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) of each pixel. The line sensor 301 reads the image of the entire sheet by repeatedly reading an image of one line in the main scanning direction while the sheet is being conveyed.

[0028] The color detection processing unit 305 outputs color information of the color measurement area from the RGB read data of the entire sheet as detected color information to the CPU 114. The color measurement area is notified from the CPU 114 as described later. The color detection processing unit 305 is configured with an FPGA, an ASIC, or a combination thereof. The image memory 303 is used to temporarily store the read data in the processing in the color detection processing unit 305. In this way, the reading device 160 is also a color measurement device that measures the color measurement area of ​​the sheet.

[0029] In this embodiment, the user operates the host computer 101 to set a color (hereinafter, a target color) to be subjected to image stabilization control and a colorimetric area of ​​the target color on a sheet. The host computer 101 includes colorimetric area information indicating the colorimetric area in a print job and transmits the print job to the controller 110 of the image forming apparatus 100. The CPU 114 notifies the reading device 160 of the colorimetric area, and the reading device 160 outputs detected color information of the colorimetric area to the CPU 114. The CPU 114 performs image stabilization control of the target color by comparing detected color information, which is a colorimetric result of the colorimetric area, with a data value (color information) of the colorimetric area indicated by image data included in the print job. More specifically, the CPU 114 sets and adjusts image forming conditions so that the target color of the image formed by the image forming apparatus 100 approaches a color indicated by the image data.

[0030] The host computer 101 will be described below. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the host computer 101. The communication unit 101f performs communication processing via the network 105. The input / output unit 101d has, for example, an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard, and an output device such as a display. If the host computer 101 is not a personal computer but, for example, a tablet, the input / output unit 101d can be a touch panel display. The setting unit 101e has a color information determination unit 101a, a selection unit 101b, and an input / output control unit 101c. The setting unit 101e is a functional block that can be realized by causing one or more processors (not shown) of the host computer 101 to execute an appropriate program. The program is stored in a memory device (not shown) of the host computer 101.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a flowchart of the process of setting the colorimetry area. The process of Fig. 6 is executed when the user transmits a print job for performing stabilization control to the image forming apparatus 100. In S101, the input / output control unit 101c displays an image formed from image data included in the print job on the display of the input / output unit 101d. Fig. 7 is an example of a screen displayed on the display of the input / output unit 101d. As shown in Fig. 7, an image 501 formed from image data is displayed on the display.

[0032] In S102, the input / output control unit 101c judges whether or not the confirmation button 504 in FIG. 7 has been clicked with the mouse. If the confirmation button 504 has not been clicked with the mouse, the input / output control unit 101c accepts the input (user input) of designation information designating the target color in S103. In this example, the user inputs the designation information by designating an area to be the target color in the image 501 displayed on the display by operating the mouse. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the user has designated the area 507. When the designation information is input, the color information determination unit 101a determines the color value of the area 507 based on the image data. The input / output control unit 101c displays the color value determined by the color information determination unit 101a as the color value of the target color in the area 502 in FIG. 7. In addition, the input / output control unit 101c displays the area 507 designated by the user by superimposing it on the image 501. In FIG. 7, the color values ​​of the target colors are displayed as color values ​​in the Lab color space, but the color values ​​may be displayed as color values ​​in a different color space, such as color values ​​in the RGB color space.

[0033] Here, when the color values ​​of a plurality of pixels in the area 507 designated by the user are different, the color information determination unit 101a can be configured to count the pixels in the area 507 for each color value and determine that the color value with the largest number of pixels is the target color. The color information determination unit 101a can also be configured to determine that the color value with a ratio of the number of pixels in the area 507 greater than a threshold value is the target color. If the color information determination unit 101a cannot determine the target color, for example, there is no color value with a ratio greater than the threshold value, the input / output control unit 101c can be configured to display a message on the display prompting the user to re-input the designated information and cancel the previously input designated information. Also, although not shown in FIG. 7, the color determined by the color information determination unit 101a to be the target color can be displayed in the area 502.

[0034] When the designation information is input, the selection unit 101b selects a colorimetric area of ​​the target color from the image 501 based on the selection criteria in S104. Then, the input / output control unit 101c displays the colorimetric areas selected by the selection unit 101b as candidates for the colorimetric area in an area 503 in FIG. 7. The area 503 in FIG. 7 shows that the selection unit 101b has selected three colorimetric areas #1, #2, and #3. The input / output control unit 101c also displays the colorimetric areas selected by the selection unit 101b by superimposing them on the image 501. The input / output control unit 101c can be configured to display each area on the image 501 so that the user can distinguish between the area 507 designated by the user and the colorimetric area selected by the selection unit 101b. This can be done, for example, by making the color of the frame indicating the area 507 different from the color of the frame indicating the colorimetric area. If the area 507 specified by the user can also be a colorimetry area, it can be configured to be displayed with a frame of a different color to indicate that it is a user-specified area and also a colorimetry area.

[0035] The selection criterion is a criterion for the selection unit 101b to select a colorimetric region from the image 501. This selection criterion is determined in advance and stored in a memory device (not shown) of the host computer 101. First, the selection criterion includes a condition related to color values. The condition related to color values ​​is a condition that a region in which the variation in color value is equal to or less than a predetermined value is selected as the selected region. For example, a maximum allowable color difference ΔE is determined in advance and stored in a memory device (not shown) of the host computer 101. Then, the selection unit 101b selects, as the selected region, a region consisting only of pixels whose color values ​​have a color difference of ΔE / 2 or less with respect to the color value of the target color. In other words, due to the condition related to color values, the maximum value of the color difference between any two pixels in the selected region is equal to or less than the maximum allowable color difference ΔE. Note that the maximum allowable color difference ΔE can also be set to 0.

[0036] Furthermore, the selection criteria include a condition regarding the number of consecutive pixels. The condition regarding the number of consecutive pixels is a condition for making the colorimetry area less susceptible to the influence of glare. For example, the condition regarding the number of consecutive pixels may include a first condition that the colorimetry area is selected from an area where the number of consecutive pixels in the main scanning direction is greater than a first predetermined number among areas that satisfy the condition regarding the color value. The first predetermined number may be, for example, 8 mm in distance conversion. Furthermore, the condition regarding the number of consecutive pixels may include a second condition that the colorimetry area is selected from an area where the pixel rows that satisfy the first condition are more than a second predetermined number in the sub-scanning direction. Note that it is not necessary for the positions and ranges in the main scanning direction of two pixel rows that are adjacent in the sub-scanning direction and satisfy the first condition to be the same, and it is sufficient that the ranges in the main scanning direction of the two pixel rows have a section where a predetermined number of pixels overlap. Furthermore, the condition regarding the number of consecutive pixels may include a third condition that the colorimetry area is selected from an area where a third predetermined number of pixels are removed from the edge of the area of ​​pixels that satisfy the second condition. The third predetermined number is smaller than the first predetermined number and the second predetermined number. In this embodiment, the range of color values ​​of pixels in the colorimetric region selected by the selection unit 101b is equal to or smaller than the maximum allowable color difference ΔE and includes the color value of the target color.

[0037] The size and shape of the colorimetry area may be any as long as the selection criteria are satisfied, but for example, the largest area that satisfies the selection criteria may be selected as the colorimetry area. Note that when there are multiple areas that satisfy the selection criteria, the selection unit 101b may be configured to select only some of the areas that satisfy the selection criteria as the colorimetry areas, rather than selecting all of the areas that satisfy the selection criteria as the colorimetry areas. For example, the selection unit 101b may select a predetermined number of areas with large areas as the colorimetry areas from among the multiple areas that satisfy the selection criteria.

[0038] When the selection unit 101b selects a colorimetric area, the input / output control unit 101c accepts a selection input (user input) of whether or not the colorimetric area selected by the selection unit 101b is actually used in the image stabilization control in S105. As shown in FIG. 7, a check box corresponding to each candidate colorimetric area selected by the selection unit 101b is displayed in the area 503. The user can input whether or not the corresponding colorimetric area is actually used in the image stabilization control by operating the check box with, for example, a mouse. Thereafter, the input / output control unit 101c repeats the process from S102. This allows the user to input another target color. Furthermore, if no designation information is input in S103, the input / output control unit 101c repeats the process from S102. Furthermore, when the confirmation button 504 is clicked in S102, the input / output control unit 101c ends the process of FIG. 6.

[0039] Thereafter, when the user inputs a command to execute printing to the input / output control unit 101c via the input / output unit 101, the input / output control unit 101c transmits a print job including colorimetric area information indicating the colorimetric area selected to be used to the image forming device 100 via the communication unit 101f.

[0040] As described above, in this embodiment, the host computer 101 presents to the user, as the colorimetry area, an area that is less susceptible to the influence of glare for the target color specified by the user. With this configuration, it is possible to set appropriate image formation conditions while suppressing deterioration of colorimetry accuracy. Note that, in this embodiment, the user selects the target color on the image 501, but the color value of the target color may be inputted numerically. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which the user can set the maximum allowable color difference ΔE used as the selection criterion by user input. By increasing the maximum allowable color difference ΔE, the number of selected colorimetry areas can be increased. Conversely, by decreasing the maximum allowable color difference ΔE, the number of selected colorimetry areas can be narrowed down.

[0041] Second Embodiment Next, the second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the user inputs designation information for designating a target color. In this embodiment, the host computer 101 selects a colorimetric area that satisfies a selection criterion based on image data, and the user selects a colorimetric area of ​​a target color from the selected colorimetric areas.

[0042] Fig. 8 is a flowchart of the colorimetry area setting process according to this embodiment. In the flowchart of Fig. 8, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processing steps as those in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 6. In S101, the input / output control unit 101c displays an image formed from image data included in a print job on the display of the input / output unit 101d. Fig. 9 is an example of a screen displayed on the display of the input / output unit 101d. As shown in Fig. 9, an image 501 formed from image data is displayed on the display.

[0043] In S104, the selection unit 101b selects a colorimetric area from the image 501 based on the selection criteria. In the first embodiment, the selection unit 101b selects a colorimetric area corresponding to a target color, but in this embodiment, there is no limitation on the color, and the selection unit 101b selects an area of ​​one or more colors that satisfy the selection criteria as a colorimetric area. Therefore, although the maximum value of the color difference of each pixel in the colorimetric area selected in S104 is equal to or less than the maximum allowable color difference ΔE, colorimetric areas of various colors may be selected. The input / output control unit 101c displays the colorimetric area selected by the selection unit 101b as a candidate for the colorimetric area in the area 505 of FIG. 9. The area 505 of FIG. 9 shows that the selection unit 101b has selected five colorimetric areas #1 to #5. The input / output control unit 101c also displays the colorimetric area selected by the selection unit 101b by superimposing it on the image 501. Furthermore, the color information determination unit 101a determines the color value of each color measurement area selected by the selection unit 101b based on the image data. The input / output control unit 101c displays the color value determined by the color information determination unit 101a in an area 505 in FIG.

[0044] When the color values ​​of the pixels in the colorimetric region are the same, the color values ​​are displayed in area 505 as the color values ​​of the colorimetric region. On the other hand, when there is variation in the color values ​​of the pixels in the colorimetric region, a representative color value is displayed in area 505 as the color value of the colorimetric region. The representative color value is, for example, the color value with the largest number of pixels in the colorimetric region. In addition, the representative color value is, for example, the average color value of the color values ​​of the pixels in the colorimetric region. Although not shown in FIG. 9, a configuration in which a color corresponding to the color value displayed in area 505 is displayed in area 505 may also be used.

[0045] Thereafter, in S105, the input / output control unit 101c accepts a selection input as to whether or not the colorimetric area selected by the selection unit 101b is actually used in the image stabilization control. As shown in Fig. 9, a check box corresponding to each candidate colorimetric area selected by the selection unit 101b is displayed in the area 505. The user can input that the colorimetric area of ​​the target color is actually used in the image stabilization control by, for example, operating the check box corresponding to the colorimetric area of ​​the target color with the mouse.

[0046] In S200, the I / O control unit 101c determines whether or not the Confirm button 504 in Fig. 9 has been clicked with the mouse. If the Confirm button 504 has not been clicked with the mouse, the I / O control unit 101c repeats the process from S105. On the other hand, if the Confirm button 504 is clicked in S200, the I / O control unit 101c ends the process in Fig. 8. Thereafter, when the user inputs a command to execute printing to the I / O control unit 101c via the I / O unit 101, the I / O control unit 101c transmits a print job including colorimetric area information indicating the colorimetric area selected to be used to the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication unit 101f.

[0047] As described above, in this embodiment, the host computer 101 presents an area that is less susceptible to the effects of glare to the user as the colorimetry area, and the user selects the target color from the presented colorimetry area. This configuration makes it possible to set appropriate image formation conditions while suppressing deterioration of colorimetry accuracy. Also, compared to the first embodiment, the user does not need to input designated information, reducing the amount of user operation.

[0048] The first embodiment and the second embodiment can be combined. That is, first, as described in the second embodiment, the host computer 101 presents an area that is less susceptible to the influence of glare to the user as a colorimetric area. If the presented colorimetric area includes the target color, the user selects a colorimetric area to be used from the presented colorimetric areas. On the other hand, if the presented colorimetric area does not include the target color, the configuration can be such that the user specifies the color value of the target color according to the first embodiment. For example, if the number of colorimetric areas selected by the selection unit 101b is limited, the configuration of the second embodiment may not present the colorimetric area of ​​the color that the user wants to use as the target color. In such a case, the configuration can be such that the user specifies the color value of the target color according to the first embodiment.

[0049] Furthermore, when the user specifies the color value of the target color because the colorimetry area selected by the selection unit 101b does not include the color that the user wants to use as the target color, the selection criteria for the colorimetry area can be looser than the selection criteria before the user specified the color value of the target color. For example, when the user specifies the color value of the target color, the maximum allowable color difference ΔE used in the condition related to the color value can be increased. Alternatively, when the user specifies the color value of the target color, at least one of the first to third predetermined numbers used in the first to third conditions related to the number of consecutive pixels can be decreased.

[0050] <Third embodiment> Next, the third embodiment will be described with a focus on the differences from the second embodiment. Fig. 10 is a flowchart of the colorimetric area setting process according to this embodiment. Note that the same step numbers are given to the same processing steps as those in the flowchart of the setting process in the second embodiment shown in Fig. 8, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0051] After image 501 formed from image data is displayed in S101, a user input for designating a selection area is accepted in S300. The selection area is determined by the user designating an area on image 501 with a mouse. Fig. 11 shows a state in which the user has selected area 506 as the selection area in S300. In this case, selection unit 101b selects a candidate colorimetry area from selection area 506 in S301.

[0052] As described above, the selection unit 101b selects a colorimetric area from the selection area 506 specified by the user. By limiting the area for selecting the colorimetric area to within the selection area, the number of colorimetric areas selected by the selection unit 101b can be narrowed down. Furthermore, by the user specifying an area that includes the target color as the selection area, the colorimetric area selected by the selection unit 101b is more likely to include the target color. Therefore, an area that is less susceptible to the effects of glare can be set as the colorimetric area, and degradation of colorimetric accuracy can be suppressed, making it possible to set appropriate image formation conditions.

[0053] [Other embodiments] The functions of the host computer 101 can be incorporated into the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, the CPU 114 of the image forming apparatus 100 displays an image formed from image data stored in the HDD 115 on the operation panel 120. Then, the user can operate the operation panel 120 to set a colorimetric area.

[0054] [Other embodiments] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0055] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 101b: selection unit, 101c: input / output control unit

Claims

1. A first receiving means for receiving information for identifying a color to be measured; a determining unit for determining an area having the color to be measured in an image to be formed from image data by an image forming apparatus as a candidate for a color measurement area; a second receiving means for receiving user instruction information regarding a selection result selected as a color measurement area from the candidates determined by the determining means; A transmitting means for transmitting the selected color measurement area; An information processing device comprising:

2. The image forming apparatus further comprises a display means for displaying the image to be formed from the image data, 2 . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first accepting means accepts, as the information, a user input relating to a specified area in the image displayed on the display means.

3. the determining means counts the number of pixels in the area specified by the user input for each color value, and determines the color value with the largest number of pixels as the color to be measured; 3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said display means displays said color to be measured determined by said determination means.

4. the determining means counts the number of pixels in the area specified by the user input for each color value, and determines the color value for which the ratio of the number of pixels is greater than a threshold as the color to be measured; 3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said display means displays said color to be measured determined by said determination means.

5. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said display means displays a screen prompting the user to specify the area when there is no color value for which the ratio of the number of pixels is greater than the threshold value.

6. The determining means determines the candidate based on a selection criterion, 6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the selection criteria include a first condition that the image to be formed from the image data is an area in which a maximum color difference from the color to be measured is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

7. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the selection criteria include a second condition that, of the regions that satisfy the first condition, the region is one in which a number of consecutive pixels in a first direction is greater than a predetermined number.

8. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first direction is a direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of the sheet when the image forming apparatus forms the image on the sheet based on the image data.

9. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits a print job including the selected color measurement area and the image data to the image forming apparatus.

10. A program, when executed by one or more processors of a computer having one or more processors, causing the computer to function as the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. An image forming system including an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet based on image data, and a colorimetric means that measures the color of the image formed on the sheet, A first receiving means for receiving information for identifying a color to be measured; a determining means for determining an area having the color to be measured in an image to be formed based on image data as a candidate for a color measurement area; a second receiving means for receiving user instruction information regarding a selection result selected as a color measurement area from the candidates determined by the determining means; a control unit that controls an image forming condition for adjusting a density of an output image of the image forming apparatus based on a color measurement result of the selected color measurement area by the color measurement unit and color information of the selected color measurement area indicated by the image data; An image forming system comprising:

Images