Information Processing Apparatus, Information Processing System, Information Processing Method, and Program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that can perform reproduction with priority to hue when attaching importance to hue, and color reproduction with priority to a metallic feel when attaching importance to a metallic feel.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires a colorimetric value measured by a colorimeter for a patch in a target color with a metallic feel; a calculation unit that calculates, from the colorimetric value acquired by the acquisition unit, at least two or more physical quantities including a metallic value indicating the degree of metallic feel and a color value indicating the degree of hue; a first determination unit that determines the order of priority of the physical quantities of the target color; and a derivation unit that derives, from the two or more physical quantities, the amount of metallic coloring material and process color coloring material in an image forming apparatus according to the priority order.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent electrophotographic printing, in addition to the conventional color materials of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), color expression may be extended by using color materials of special colors. For example, by using color materials of metallic colors having metallic luster such as gold toner and silver toner, pearlescent color materials, and glittering color materials such as mica color materials, it has become possible to form a colorful image with a gloss. Hereinafter, the color by the glittering color material will be described as a metallic color for convenience. Conventionally, offset printing using a glittering color material has been the mainstream for printing metallic colors.

[0003] In offset printing, color sample patches are commercially available for the purpose of printing an ideal metallic color, and the user designates a color with the color sample patch. As shown in FIG. 17, color materials are prepared and created for the reproduction of the color sample patch, and a printing company performs printing using such prepared color materials. Here, the colors registered in the color sample book are called spot colors (special colors).

[0004] On the other hand, in electrophotographic printing, as shown in FIG. 18, an image is formed by overlapping toner layers of each color. Unlike offset printing, it has the advantage that printing can be performed on demand without preparing color materials, but it has the disadvantage that depending on the stacking order of the toners, the toner color of the lower layer is covered and shielded by the toner color of the upper layer. Also, generally, metallic toner using metal has higher shielding properties than process color toner using pigments. Therefore, metallic toner is often arranged in the lowermost layer closest to the paper.

[0005] Receiving means for receiving a plurality of color measurement values obtained by measuring a target color image printed by offset printing from a plurality of directions, and converting means for converting the plurality of color measurement values received by the receiving means into color values including a value indicating the amount of a fluorescent coloring material and a value indicating the amount of a coloring material other than the fluorescent coloring material for printing by electrophotographic printing are disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1). In this color conversion device, a target metallic color patch is color-measured from directions of 15 degrees, 45 degrees, and 110 degrees with respect to the specular reflection direction, and converted into a device value such that the weighted average value of the color differences in these three directions is minimized. That is, it aims to reproduce a metallic color considering components in the specular reflection direction and the diffusion direction.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Regarding metallic colors, generally offset printing has a wider range of expression. This is because in offset printing, metallic ink is created by mixing inks, while in electrophotographic printing, a metallic toner is formed in the bottom layer and a process color toner layer is formed thereon to create a metallic color. Therefore, if the amount of the coloring material of the upper layer process color toner is large, it will conceal the metallic toner layer in the lower layer. Also, since the colors in this case are high in chroma, it has been found that accurate reproduction of hue rather than metallic feeling is emphasized. Here, the metallic feeling is defined as the degree of glossiness like that of metal. That is, metallic colors have a classification of importance of reproduction characteristics that emphasizes metallic feeling and that emphasizes hue such as lightness and chroma. For example, high-chroma colors emphasize hue, and low-chroma colors such as highlights emphasize metallic feeling. Also, in electrophotographic printing, there is an upper limit to the total amount of toner that can be developed. Considering these, it is desirable to obtain device values by a method suitable for the reproduction characteristics to be emphasized. That is, it is desirable to devise such as changing the method of searching for device values according to colors that emphasize hue and colors that emphasize metallic feeling.

[0007] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1 described above, since the device value is calculated using only one evaluation value, i.e., the weighted average value of color differences, there is a problem that the search method for the device value cannot be changed in the reproduction when emphasizing color tone and the reproduction when emphasizing metallic feeling.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that enable reproduction prioritizing color tone when emphasizing color tone and color reproduction prioritizing metallic feeling when emphasizing metallic feeling.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires a colorimetric value measured by a colorimeter for a patch of a target color with a metallic feeling, and at least two physical quantities including a metallic value indicating the degree of metallic feeling and a color value indicating the degree of color tone are calculated from the colorimetric value acquired by the acquisition unit. A calculation unit, a first determination unit that determines the priority order of each physical quantity of the target color, and a derivation unit that derives the amounts of color materials of metallic color materials and process color materials in an image forming apparatus from the two or more physical quantities according to the priority order. It is characterized by comprising.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, reproduction prioritizing color tone when emphasizing color tone and color reproduction prioritizing metallic feeling when emphasizing metallic feeling are possible.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Further, the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments, and the constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art, substantially the same ones, and those within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, changes, and combinations of the constituent elements can be made without departing from the gist of the following embodiments.

[0013] (Overall Configuration of Information Processing System) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. With reference to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes an information processing apparatus 10, a controller 20, an image forming apparatus 30, and a colorimeter 40. The information processing apparatus 10, the controller 20, the image forming apparatus 30, and the colorimeter 40 can communicate with each other via a network N such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0015] The information processing apparatus 10 is an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a workstation that receives the color measurement value of a target color measured by the colorimeter 40, derives a device value including Si (metallic silver) from the color measurement value, and creates a spot color dictionary associating the derived device value with the target color. Here, the target color is, for example, the color of color numbers 599 to 621 of the DIC Color Guide, or the color of a color patch (metallic patch) in a color sample book formed by offset printing such as the PANTONE Metallic Coated Guide. Also, the device value indicates a five-color device value obtained by adding Si, which is metallic silver, to the process colors C, M, Y, and K. Further, "high metallic feeling" and "high metallic value" are synonymous with "high brilliance feeling", and "strong (high) color tone" and "high color value" are synonymous with "high chroma" or "dark".

[0016] The controller 20 is an information processing apparatus such as a DFE (Digital Front End) that performs color conversion on the received print job using the spot color dictionary from the information processing apparatus 10, and transmits the image data after color conversion to the image forming apparatus 30 for printing output.

[0017] The image forming apparatus 30 is a printing apparatus that performs printing output of image data according to the control by the controller 20. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 30 will be described as an apparatus that performs a printing operation by electrophotographic printing.

[0018] The colorimeter 40 is a device such as a multi-angle spectrocolorimeter that measures the color of a metallic patch of a target color from a plurality of directions and transmits the obtained color measurement values to the information processing apparatus 10.

[0019] (Hardware Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. The hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 601, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 602, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 603, an auxiliary storage device 605, a media drive 607, a display 608, a network I / F 609, a keyboard 611, a mouse 612, and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) drive 614.

[0021] The CPU 601 is an arithmetic unit that controls the operation of the entire information processing apparatus 10. The ROM 602 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs for the information processing apparatus 10. The RAM 603 is a volatile storage device used as a work area for the CPU 601.

[0022] The auxiliary storage device 605 is a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD that stores a color prediction model and a spot color dictionary, which will be described later, as well as various data and programs. The media drive 607 is a device that controls the reading and writing of data to and from a recording medium 606 such as a flash memory according to the control of the CPU 601.

[0023] The display 608 is a display device composed of a liquid crystal or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) or the like that displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, characters, or an image.

[0024] The network I / F 609 is an interface for communicating data with external devices such as the controller 20 and the colorimeter 40 using the network N. The network I / F 609 is, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) that supports Ethernet (registered trademark) and is capable of communication compliant with TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol).

[0025] The keyboard 611 is an input device for performing operations such as selecting characters, numbers, various instructions, and moving the cursor. The mouse 612 is an input device for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, and moving the cursor.

[0026] The DVD drive 614 is a device that controls reading and writing of data to a DVD 613 such as a DVD-ROM or a DVD-R (Digital Versatile Disk Recordable) as an example of a removable storage medium.

[0027] The above-mentioned CPU 601, ROM 602, RAM 603, auxiliary storage device 605, media drive 607, display 608, network I / F 609, keyboard 611, mouse 612, and DVD drive 614 are communicably connected to each other by a bus 610 such as an address bus and a data bus.

[0028] Note that the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and it is not necessary to include all the components shown in FIG. 2, or other components may be included. Also, the hardware configuration of the controller 20 shall conform to the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 2.

[0029] (Hardware Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 30 is, for example, a tandem type printing apparatus, and includes a paper feed tray 700, a conveyance roller 701, an intermediate transfer belt 702, photosensitive drums 703C, 703M, 703Y, 703K, 703S, a transfer roller 704, and a fixing roller 705.

[0031] The paper feed tray 700 is a tray in which a recording medium such as paper for paper feeding is stored. The conveyance roller 701 is a pair of rollers that conveys the recording medium fed from the paper feed tray 700 to the transfer roller 704 along the conveyance path.

[0032] The intermediate transfer belt 702 is an endless belt on which an intermediate transfer image is formed by the photosensitive drums 703C, 703M, 703Y, 703K, and 703S. The intermediate transfer belt 702 rotates clockwise in the view of the paper surface in FIG. 3, and toner images of each color are formed in the order of the photosensitive drums 703K, 703C, 703M, 703Y, and 703S.

[0033] The photosensitive drum 703C is a photosensitive drum that forms a cyan toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 702. The photosensitive drum 703M is a photosensitive drum that forms a magenta toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 702. The photosensitive drum 703Y is a photosensitive drum that forms a yellow toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 702. The photosensitive drum 703K is a photosensitive drum that forms a black toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 702. The photosensitive drum 703S is a photosensitive drum that forms a special color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 702. Here, the special color refers to, for example, a color of a metallic color material having a metallic luster such as a gold toner or a silver toner, a pearl color material, and a mica color material. Also, for the formation of the intermediate transfer image on the intermediate transfer belt 702, the photosensitive drums 703S, 703Y, 703M, 703C, and 703K are arranged in this order from the upstream in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 702. As a result, toner images of each color are formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 702, and a full-color image is formed as an intermediate transfer image. Note that for the photosensitive drums 703C, 703M, 703Y, 703K, and 703S, when indicating an arbitrary photosensitive drum or referring to them generically, they are simply referred to as "photosensitive drum 703". Also, although the photosensitive drum 703 is configured with CMYK colors as process colors, CMY colors may be used as process colors, or R (red), B (blue), and G (green) may be used as process colors instead of CMY colors.

[0034] The transfer roller 704 is a roller that transfers the full-color image (intermediate transfer image) formed on the intermediate transfer belt 702 onto the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance roller 701. Due to the function of this transfer roller 704, an image is formed (printed) in full color on the recording medium. In this case, depending on the formation order of each color of the intermediate transfer image on the above-described intermediate transfer belt 702, among the full-color images formed on the recording medium, the metallic color layer is the bottom layer, and it is a "pre-printing" with the metallic colorant.

[0035] The fixing roller 705 is a roller for fixing the image to the recording medium on which the full-color image is formed.

[0036] (Flow of the overall operation of the information processing system) FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the overall operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment. With reference to FIG. 4, the flow of the overall operation of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0037] (Step S11) The user selects one or more metallic color patches as the target color from the color sample book. Then, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0038] (Step S12) Then, the user causes the colorimeter 40 to perform a color measurement operation on the selected target color patch. In this case, the user may cause the color measurement operation to be performed, for example, by directly operating the colorimeter 40, or may cause the colorimeter 40 to perform the color measurement operation via an operation using the operation unit (keyboard 611, mouse 612) of the information processing apparatus 10. As a result, the information processing apparatus 10 receives the color measurement value from the colorimeter 40. Then, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0039] (Step S13) The information processing apparatus 10 determines the priorities regarding the hue and metallic feeling based on the colorimetric values received from the colorimeter 40. Then, it proceeds to step S14.

[0040] <Step S14> The information processing apparatus 10 determines (derives) the five-color device values based on the colorimetric values and the determined priorities. Then, it proceeds to step S15.

[0041] <Step S15> The information processing apparatus 10 registers the derived five-color device values in the spot color dictionary. Then, it proceeds to step S16.

[0042] <Step S16> The information processing apparatus 10 determines whether the derivation process for the five-color device values has been completed for all of the patches of the target color (metallic color) selected in step S11. If it has been completed (step S16: Yes), it proceeds to step S17; if not (step S16: No), it returns to step S12.

[0043] <Step S17> The information processing apparatus 10 registers the derived five-color device values for all of the selected target color patches in the spot color dictionary, thereby completing the creation of the spot color dictionary and storing the spot color dictionary in the auxiliary storage device 605. Then, it proceeds to step S18.

[0044] <Step S18> The controller 20 acquires a print job according to the user's instruction. Then, it proceeds to step S19.

[0045] <Step S19> The controller 20 determines whether spot color is specified for the color designation in the received print job. If spot color is specified (step S19: Yes), it proceeds to step S20. If spot color is not specified (step S19: No), it proceeds to step S22.

[0046] <Step S20> The controller 20 acquires the spot color dictionary stored in the auxiliary storage device 605 in the information processing apparatus 10. Then, it proceeds to step S21.

[0047] <Step S21> The controller 20 performs color conversion processing to convert the spot color specified in the print job into 5-color device values using the acquired spot color dictionary. Then, it proceeds to step S23.

[0048] <Step S22> The controller 20 performs color conversion processing to convert the RGB value, CMYK value, etc. specified in the print job into device values corresponding to the image forming apparatus 30 using a normal ICC (International Color Consortium) profile.

[0049] <Step S23> Then, the controller 20 transmits the image data obtained by the color conversion processing to the image forming apparatus 30. Then, it proceeds to step S24.

[0050] <Step S24> The image forming apparatus 30 executes printing on the image data received from the controller 20.

[0051] Through the flow of steps S11 to S24 above, the overall operation of the information processing system 1 is performed.

[0052] (Configuration and Operation of Functional Blocks of Information Processing Apparatus) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of functional blocks of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the color measurement operation in the colorimeter according to the embodiment. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the configuration and operation of the functional blocks of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 5, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a color measurement value acquisition unit 101 (acquisition unit), a reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102 (calculation unit), a colorant amount derivation unit 103, a dictionary creation unit 104 (creation unit), a storage unit 105, and an operation unit 106.

[0054] The color measurement value acquisition unit 101 is a functional unit that acquires a plurality of color measurement values obtained by measuring a patch of a target color (metallic color) from a plurality of directions by the colorimeter 40 via the network I / F 609 and sends them to the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102. Here, with reference to FIG. 6, the details of the color measurement operation by the colorimeter 40 will be described. The colorimeter 40 is a multi-angle spectrophotometer. In the color measurement process, when the light irradiated from the light source LS in the oblique direction (45 degrees with respect to the normal) is reflected by the colorant layer CL formed on the printing paper P (an example of a recording medium), taking the direction of the specular reflection light as 0 degrees, the color measurement values in the 15-degree direction, the 45-degree direction where the light becomes diffuse reflection light, and the 110-degree direction where the same diffuse reflection light is obtained are obtained. These color measurement values are specifically values based on the spectral reflectance in each direction.

[0055] Specifically, the color measurement value acquisition unit 101 acquires the color measurement values in the 15-degree, 45-degree, and 110-degree directions measured by the colorimeter 40 for the patch of the target color as described above.

[0056] The reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102 is a functional unit that calculates a "metallic value" and a "color value", which are two physical quantities (evaluation values), from a plurality of colorimetric values received from the colorimetric value acquisition unit 101 and sends them to the colorant amount derivation unit 103. The metallic value is a physical quantity obtained by quantifying the degree of metallic feeling of the measurement object measured by the colorimeter 40, and is generally a value calculated using colorimetric values measured in a plurality of directions. The color value is a physical quantity obtained by quantifying the degree of color tone (chromaticity) of the measurement object measured by the colorimeter 40. In this embodiment, for example, the metallic value will be described as a Flop Index, which is generally used as a method for measuring colors with optical anisotropy.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 6, the Flop Index uses the L value among the Lab values measured in the directions of 15 degrees, 45 degrees, and 110 degrees when the direction of the specularly reflected light of the light irradiated by the light source LS from a direction 45 degrees with respect to the normal is set to 0 degrees, and basically, the difference between the L value at 15 degrees and the L value at 110 degrees is normalized by the L value at 45 degrees and calculated by the following formula (1).

[0058]

Equation

[0059] In the above formula (1), F.I is the Flop Index, L * 15 is the L value in the 15-degree direction, L * 45 is the L value in the 45-degree direction, L * 110 is the L value in the 110-degree direction. This Flop Index F.I is a physical quantity with a higher value indicating a higher brilliance (metallic feeling). On the other hand, for the color value, it is assumed to be the Lab value representing the chroma and saturation in the 45-degree direction, which is a conventional index. Note that the metallic value is not limited to the Flop Index and may be replaced by other index values or evaluation values.

[0060] The colorant amount derivation unit 103 is a functional unit that determines the priority order of hue and metallic feeling using the metallic value and color value calculated by the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102, derives five-color device values (CMYKSi values) suitable for the priority order using the priority order and the color prediction model stored in the storage unit 105, and sends them to the dictionary creation unit 104. Details of the configuration and operation of the colorant amount derivation unit 103 will be described later.

[0061] The dictionary creation unit 104 is a functional unit that reads information on the target color (the target color that is the basis for the colorimetric value acquired by the colorimetric value acquisition unit 101) from the storage unit 105, creates a spot color dictionary (dictionary) associating the target color with the five-color device values derived by the colorant amount derivation unit 103, and stores it in the storage unit 105.

[0062] The storage unit 105 is a functional unit that stores the spot color dictionary created by the dictionary creation unit 104, information on the target color, the color prediction model, and the like. The storage unit 105 is realized by the auxiliary storage device 605 shown in FIG. 2.

[0063] The operation unit 106 is a functional unit that accepts operation inputs. Note that the operation unit 106 may accept not only operations on the information processing device 10 but also operations on the colorimeter 40. The operation unit 106 is realized by the keyboard 611 and the mouse 612 shown in FIG. 2.

[0064] The above-described colorimetric value acquisition unit 101, reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102, colorant amount derivation unit 103, and dictionary creation unit 104 are realized by a program being executed by the CPU 601 shown in FIG. 2. Note that among the functional units of the information processing device 10 shown in FIG. 5, at least a part of the functional units realized by software (program) may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0065] In addition, each functional unit of the information processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 5 conceptually shows the functions and is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a plurality of functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the information processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 5 may be configured as one functional unit. On the other hand, the functions of one functional unit in the information processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 5 may be divided into a plurality of functions and configured as a plurality of functional units.

[0066] (Configuration and Operation of Functional Blocks of Ink Amount Derivation Unit of Information Processing Apparatus) FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a functional block of an ink amount derivation unit of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an allowable value of a metallic difference. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an allowable value of a color difference. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a color prediction model. With reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, the configuration and operation of the functional block of the ink amount derivation unit 103 of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 7, the ink amount derivation unit 103 of the information processing apparatus 10 includes a tolerance determination unit 1031 (first determination unit, second determination unit), a color prediction model acquisition unit 1032, and a search unit 1033 (derivation unit).

[0068] The tolerance determination unit 1031 is a functional unit that determines allowable values for a metallic difference and a color difference, which will be described later. First, the tolerance determination unit 1031 determines which of the hue and metallic feeling, which are the reproduction characteristics of the target color, is to be prioritized based on the metallic value and color value calculated by the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102. Here, experimentally, the following views on the classification of the target color, which is a metallic color, have been obtained.

[0069] (Classification 1) Colors for which metallic feeling is prioritized are colors with a high metallic feeling, low saturation, or highlight-based colors. (Classification 2) Colors for which hue is prioritized are colors with high saturation or dark shadow-based colors.

[0070] That is, the tolerance determination unit 1031 determines which of (Classification 1) or (Classification 2) the target color belongs to based on the metallic value and color value of the target color. If it is (Classification 1), the tolerance determination unit 1031 determines that the metallic feeling has the highest priority and the hue has the second highest priority. On the other hand, if it is (Classification 2), the tolerance determination unit 1031 determines that the hue has the highest priority and the metallic feeling has the second highest priority.

[0071] Here, the graph shown in FIG. 8 represents the relationship between the allowable value (vertical axis) of the metallic difference (an example of the difference) with respect to the metallic value of the target color (horizontal axis). Here, the metallic difference is the difference value with respect to the metallic value of the target color for a certain metallic value. As shown in FIG. 8, the graph of the allowable value of the metallic difference has a valley shape, and the horizontal axis metallic value can be divided into regions A, B, and C. That is, with the bottom of the valley shape (the part corresponding to the boundary value X described later) as the boundary, the lower the metallic value (that is, the higher the color value), the larger the allowable value of the metallic difference, and the higher the metallic value (that is, the lower the color value), the larger the allowable value. As described above, the colors belonging to (Classification 1), namely, "colors with high metallic feeling, low chroma, or highlight-based colors", mainly belong to region C. Also, the colors belonging to (Classification 2), namely, "colors with high chroma or dark shadow-based colors", mainly belong to region A. The colors belonging to these regions A and C are difficult to reproduce by underprinting in electrophotographic printing. The reason is that the colors in region A have a large toner amount in the layer above the metallic layer, and the reflected light from the metallic layer is blocked, and the colors in region C have a high brilliance of the metallic patches of the target color formed by offset printing. On the other hand, the colors belonging to region B are easy to reproduce by underprinting in electrophotographic printing. Therefore, the shape of the allowable value of the metallic difference is set to a valley shape as shown in FIG. 8, and the allowable values belonging to regions A and C are set high. Then, the allowable value determination unit 1031 determines, from the graph shown in FIG. 8, the allowable value corresponding to the metallic value of the target color (the metallic value derived by the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102) as the allowable value of the metallic difference. Also, when the metallic value of the target color that is most easily reproduced by underprinting in electrophotographic printing (that is, the metallic value corresponding to the bottom of the valley-shaped graph in FIG. 8) is set as the boundary value X (a predetermined value, the second threshold value), the allowable value determination unit 1031 may prioritize the color tone (color value) if the metallic value derived by the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102 is less than the boundary value X, and prioritize the metallic feeling (metallic value) if it is greater than or equal to the boundary value X.Note that the method for determining the priority by the tolerance determination unit 1031 is not limited to the comparison between the metallic value and the boundary value X. For example, it may be determined by comparing the color value with a predetermined value Y (the third threshold value, the fourth threshold value). That is, if the color value derived by the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value Y, the tolerance determination unit 1031 may prioritize the hue (color value), and if it is less than the predetermined value Y, it may prioritize the metallic feeling (metallic value).

[0072] Further, the graph shown in FIG. 9 is a graph representing the relationship between the tolerance value (vertical axis) of the color difference (an example of the difference) with respect to the metallic value (horizontal axis) of the target color. Here, the color difference is the difference value with respect to the color value of the target value for a certain color value. As shown in FIG. 9, the tolerance value of the color difference takes a constant value regardless of the magnitude of the metallic value of the target color. The tolerance determination unit 1031 determines, from the graph shown in FIG. 9, the tolerance value (a constant value in the example shown in FIG. 9) corresponding to the metallic value of the target color (the metallic value derived by the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102) as the tolerance value of the color difference.

[0073] Then, the tolerance determination unit 1031 sends the determined priority, as well as the tolerance values of the metallic difference and the color difference, to the search unit 1033.

[0074] The color prediction model acquisition unit 1032 is a functional unit that acquires the color prediction model corresponding to the image forming apparatus 30 from the storage unit 105 and sends it to the color prediction model acquisition unit 1032. Here, FIG. 10 shows the content of the processing of the color prediction model. The color prediction model is a model that takes, as input, a physical quantity representing the amount of adhesion for five-color device values (C, M, Y, K, Si), and outputs a metallic value and a color value of a metallic color whose reproduction is predicted by the image forming apparatus 30. Among the color prediction models, a model that outputs the metallic value of a metallic color whose reproduction is predicted from the physical quantity indicating the amount of adhesion of the five-color device values is defined as the metallic value prediction model, and a model that outputs the color value of a metallic color whose reproduction is predicted from the physical quantity indicating the amount of adhesion of the five-color device values is defined as the color value prediction model. In the case of the present embodiment, the metallic value prediction model outputs the flop index represented by the above-described formula (1) as the metallic value, and the color value prediction model outputs the Lab value representing the chroma and density in the 45-degree direction as the color value.

[0075] Here, a method for creating the color prediction model will be described. First, color patches with various combinations of five-color device values are printed and output by the image forming apparatus 30. Then, for each color patch, as shown in FIG. 6, colorimetric values measured in a plurality of directions by the colorimeter 40 are acquired. As a result, for each color patch, a metallic value and a color value are obtained. Then, based on these values, a metallic value prediction model that obtains a metallic value by inputting the five-color device values, and a color value prediction model that obtains a color value are created. Note that, as the functions used for these color prediction models, general functions such as multiple regression equations, neural networks, and interpolation using a direct lookup table can be used as the color prediction models. In this way, the created color prediction model is stored in the storage unit 105.

[0076] Note that the color prediction model may be a model corresponding to each type of paper used in the image forming apparatus 30.

[0077] The search unit 1033 is a functional unit that derives five-color device values according to the priority order using the color prediction model received from the color prediction model acquisition unit 1032 from the metallic value and color value calculated by the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102, the priority order determined by the tolerance value determination unit 1031, and each tolerance value of the metallic difference and color difference, and sends them to the dictionary creation unit 104. Details of the processing by the search unit 1033 will be described later with reference to FIG. 15.

[0078] (Operation of the dictionary creation unit of the information processing apparatus) FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a spot color dictionary. With reference to FIG. 11, the operation of the dictionary creation unit 104 of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0079] First, the dictionary creation unit 104 reads information on the target color (the target color that is the basis for the colorimetric value acquired by the colorimetric value acquisition unit 101) from the storage unit 105. This information is, for example, a color name. Then, the dictionary creation unit 104 creates a spot color dictionary by associating the five-color device values calculated by the search unit 1033 with the read information (color name) of the target color.

[0080] FIG. 11(a) shows an example of a spot color dictionary associating a color name (Color name) with Lab values, and FIG. 11(b) shows an example of a spot color dictionary associating a color name with device values of four colors of CMYK. The dictionary created by the dictionary creation unit 104 of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is a spot color dictionary that associates the five-color device values obtained by adding Si (metallic silver) to the four-color device values shown in FIG. 11(b) with the color name. The dictionary creation unit 104 stores the created spot color dictionary in the storage unit 105.

[0081] (Configuration and operation of the functional blocks of the controller) FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the functional blocks of the controller according to the embodiment. With reference to FIG. 12, the configuration and operation of the functional blocks of the controller 20 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 12, the controller 20 includes a dictionary acquisition unit 201, a print job acquisition unit 202, and a color conversion unit 203.

[0083] The dictionary acquisition unit 201 is a functional unit that acquires the spot color dictionary stored in the storage unit 105 of the information processing apparatus 10 and sends it to the color conversion unit 203.

[0084] The print job acquisition unit 202 is a functional unit that acquires a print job from the outside (for example, the information processing apparatus 10, etc.) and sends it to the color conversion unit 203.

[0085] The color conversion unit 203 is a functional unit that performs color conversion processing to convert the spot color specified in the print job into a 5-color device value using the spot color dictionary received from the print job acquisition unit 202. The color conversion unit 203 transmits the image data obtained by the color conversion processing to the image forming apparatus 30.

[0086] The above-described dictionary acquisition unit 201, print job acquisition unit 202, and color conversion unit 203 are realized by executing a program by the CPU 601 shown in FIG. 2. Note that, among the functional units of the controller 20 shown in FIG. 12, at least a part of the functional units realized by software (program) may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an FPGA or an ASIC.

[0087] Also, each functional unit of the controller 20 shown in FIG. 12 conceptually shows the function and is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a plurality of functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the controller 20 shown in FIG. 12 may be configured as one functional unit. On the other hand, the function of one functional unit in the controller 20 shown in FIG. 12 may be divided into a plurality of functions and configured as a plurality of functional units.

[0088] (Flow of processing of the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit of the information processing apparatus) FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. With reference to FIG. 13, the processing flow of the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102 of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Note that the processing by the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102 is included in the processing of step S12 shown in FIG. 4 above.

[0089] <Step S121> The reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102 of the information processing apparatus 10 acquires a plurality of colorimetric values obtained by colorimetric measurement of a patch of a target color (metallic color) from a plurality of directions by the colorimeter 40, which are acquired by the colorimetric value acquisition unit 101. Then, the process proceeds to step S122.

[0090] <Step S122> The reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102 calculates the metallic value Sof and the color value Eof from the acquired plurality of colorimetric values by the above-described calculation method. Then, the process proceeds to step S123.

[0091] <Step S123> The reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102 sends the calculated metallic value Sof and color value Eof to the colorant amount derivation unit 103.

[0092] The processing of the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102 is executed in the flow of steps S121 to S123 above.

[0093] (Processing flow of the allowable value determination unit of the information processing apparatus) FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the allowable value determination unit of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. With reference to FIG. 14, the processing flow of the allowable value determination unit 1031 of the colorant amount derivation unit 103 of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Note that the processing by the allowable value determination unit 1031 is included in the processing of step S13 shown in FIG. 4 above.

[0094] <Step S131> First, the tolerance value determination unit 1031 of the colorant amount derivation unit 103 of the information processing apparatus 10 receives the metallic value Sof and the color value Eof corresponding to the metallic patch of the target color calculated by the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102. Then, it proceeds to step S132.

[0095] <Step S132> The tolerance value determination unit 1031 determines whether the metallic value Sof of the target color is greater than or equal to the boundary value X. Here, as described above, the boundary value X is the metallic value corresponding to the bottom of the graph of the tolerance value of the metallic difference in FIG. 8. If the metallic value Sof of the target color is greater than or equal to the boundary value (step S132: Yes), it proceeds to step S133. If it is less than the boundary value (step S132: No), it proceeds to step S134.

[0096] <Step S133> When the metallic value Sof of the target color is greater than or equal to the boundary value X, the tolerance value determination unit 1031 determines the metallic value Sof as the first priority and the color value Eof as the second priority. Then, it proceeds to step S135.

[0097] <Step S134> When the metallic value Sof of the target color is less than the boundary value X, the tolerance value determination unit 1031 determines the color value Eof as the first priority and the metallic value Sof as the second priority. Then, it proceeds to step S135.

[0098] <Step S135> The tolerance value determination unit 1031 determines the tolerance value corresponding to the metallic value Sof of the target color as the tolerance value ΔStol of the metallic difference from the graph shown in FIG. 8 above. Also, the tolerance value determination unit 1031 determines the tolerance value corresponding to the metallic value of the target color as the tolerance value ΔEtol of the color difference from the graph shown in FIG. 9 above. Then, it proceeds to step S136.

[0099] <Step S136> The tolerance value determination unit 1031 sends the determined priority order, as well as the tolerance value ΔStol for metallic difference and the tolerance value ΔEtol for color difference, to the search unit 1033.

[0100] In the flow of the above steps S131 to S136, the processing of the tolerance value determination unit 1031 is executed.

[0101] (Flow of processing of the search unit of the information processing apparatus) FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing of the search unit of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. With reference to FIG. 15, the flow of processing of the search unit 1033 of the colorant amount derivation unit 103 of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Note that the processing by the search unit 1033 is included in the processing of step S14 shown in FIG. 4 above.

[0102] <Step S141> First, the search unit 1033 of the colorant amount derivation unit 103 of the information processing apparatus 10 receives the priority order, as well as the tolerance value ΔStol for metallic difference and the tolerance value ΔEtol for color difference, from the tolerance value determination unit 1031. Then, it proceeds to step S142.

[0103] <Step S142> Also, the search unit 1033 receives the metallic value Sof and the color value Eof of the target color calculated by the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102. Then, it proceeds to step S143.

[0104] <Step S143> The color prediction model acquisition unit 1032 acquires the color prediction models (metallic value prediction model and color value prediction model) corresponding to the image forming apparatus 30 from the storage unit 105 and sends them to the search unit 1033. Then, the search unit 1033 receives the color prediction models from the color prediction model acquisition unit 1032. Then, it proceeds to step S144.

[0105] <Step S144> The search unit 1033 uses the color value prediction model to obtain N combinations of five-color device values (C, M, Y, K, Si) from the ones with smaller color differences from the color value Eof of the target color. As a result, the search unit 1033 obtains N color differences ΔErep_1, ΔErep_2, ···, ΔErep_N corresponding to each combination of five-color device values. Here, the reason for obtaining N combinations of five-color device values based on the color differences of color values is that if obtained based on the metallic differences of metallic values, the reproducibility of the target color may be greatly impaired. Then, it proceeds to step S145.

[0106] <Step S145> Next, the search unit 1033 calculates N metallic values Srep_1, Srep_2, ···, Srep_N from the N combinations of five-color device values using the metallic value prediction model. Then, it proceeds to step S146.

[0107] <Step S146> Then, the search unit 1033 calculates N metallic differences ΔSrep_1, ΔSrep_2, ···, ΔSrep_N, which are the differences between the metallic value Sof of the target color and the N metallic values Srep_1, Srep_2, ···, Srep_N. Then, it proceeds to step S147.

[0108] <Step S147> Next, the search unit 1033 determines whether there is a metallic difference that is less than or equal to the tolerance value ΔStol among the N metallic differences ΔSrep_1, ΔSrep_2, ···, ΔSrep_N corresponding to the N combinations of five-color device values. If there is a combination of five-color device values whose metallic difference is less than or equal to the tolerance value ΔStol (step S147: Yes), and the number thereof is M, it proceeds to step S148. On the other hand, if there is no combination of five-color device values whose metallic difference is less than or equal to the tolerance value ΔStol (step S: No), it proceeds to step S149.

[0109] <Step S148> Next, the search unit 1033 determines whether there is a color difference among the M color differences corresponding to the combinations of M five-color device values that is equal to or less than the allowable value ΔEtol. If there is a combination of five-color device values for which the color difference is equal to or less than the allowable value ΔEtol (step S148: Yes), the number of such combinations is set to Q, and the Q five-color device values are made the target of the processing in the next step S151, and the process proceeds to step S151. On the other hand, if there is no combination of five-color device values for which the color difference is equal to or less than the allowable value ΔEtol (step S148: No), the process proceeds to step S150.

[0110] <Step S149> If there is no metallic difference among the N metallic differences ΔSrep_1, ΔSrep_2, ···, ΔSrep_N corresponding to the combinations of N five-color device values that is equal to or less than the allowable value ΔStol, the search unit 1033 extracts the combination of five-color device values corresponding to the minimum color difference among the color differences corresponding to the combinations of the N five-color device values. That is, since there is no five-color device value for which the metallic difference is equal to or less than the allowable value ΔStol in step S147, the search unit 1033 extracts the combination of five-color device values with the minimum color difference regardless of the priority order determined by the allowable value determination unit 1031. Then, the process proceeds to step S154.

[0111] <Step S150> If there is no combination of five-color device values for which the color difference is equal to or less than the allowable value ΔEtol among the M color differences corresponding to the combinations of M five-color device values, the search unit 1033 makes the M five-color device values the target of the processing in the next step S151. Then, the process proceeds to step S151.

[0112] <Step S151> Next, the search unit 1033 determines whether the priority received from the tolerance determination unit 1031 indicates that the metallic value is ranked first (prioritizes the metallic value). When the priority of the metallic value is first (when prioritizing the metallic value) (step S151: Yes), the process proceeds to step S152. On the other hand, when the priority of the color value is first (when prioritizing the color value) (step S151: No), the process proceeds to step S153.

[0113] <Step S152> The search unit 1033 extracts (derives) the combination of five-color device values corresponding to the minimum metallic difference among the metallic differences corresponding to the Q (or M via step S150) combinations of five-color device values. Then, the process proceeds to step S154.

[0114] <Step S153> The search unit 1033 extracts (derives) the combination of five-color device values corresponding to the minimum color difference among the color differences corresponding to the Q (or M via step S150) combinations of five-color device values. Then, the process proceeds to step S154.

[0115] <Step S154> The search unit 1033 sends the extracted (derived) five-color device values to the dictionary creation unit 104.

[0116] The processing of the search unit 1033 is executed in the flow of steps S141 to S154 as described above.

[0117] Note that in step S142, when the color value Eof obtained by the search unit 1033 from the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102 is extremely high (for example, when it exceeds a predetermined value η (first threshold value) that can be determined to be extremely high), the search unit 1033 may derive five-color device values (setting the device value of Si to 0) so as not to use the toner material of Si (metallic silver) as an undercoat.

[0118] In addition, in the above-described information processing apparatus 10, the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102 calculates two physical quantities, i.e., a metallic value and a color value, from a plurality of colorimetric values acquired from the colorimetric value acquisition unit 101. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102 may calculate two or more physical quantities including a metallic value and a color value as evaluation values from a plurality of colorimetric values. In this case, the allowable value determination unit 1031 determines a priority order and an allowable value for each physical quantity, and the search unit 1033 may derive five-color device values based on each physical quantity and the allowable value according to the priority order.

[0119] As described above, in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the colorimetric value acquisition unit 101 acquires colorimetric values measured by the colorimeter 40 for a patch of a target color with a metallic feeling, and the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102 calculates at least two physical quantities including a metallic value indicating the degree of metallic feeling and a color value indicating the degree of color tone from the colorimetric values acquired by the colorimetric value acquisition unit 101. The allowable value determination unit 1031 determines the priority order of each physical quantity of the target color, and the search unit 1033 derives the colorant amounts (five-color device values) of the metallic colorant and the process colorant in the image forming apparatus 30 from two or more physical quantities according to the priority order. This enables color reproduction that prioritizes color tone when emphasizing color tone, and color reproduction that prioritizes metallic feeling when emphasizing metallic feeling.

[0120] (Modification example) Regarding the information processing system 1 according to the modification example, the description will focus on the differences from the information processing system 1 according to the above-described embodiment. In the information processing system 1 according to the above-described embodiment, it was assumed that the colorant amount derivation unit 103 of the information processing apparatus 10 determines whether to prioritize metallic feeling or color tone. In the information processing system 1 according to the present modification example, an operation of manually setting by the user whether to prioritize metallic feeling or color tone will be described. Note that the overall configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the present modification example and the hardware configuration of each component are the same as those described in the above-described embodiment.

[0121] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the functional blocks of the controller according to the modified example. With reference to FIG. 16, the configuration and operation of the functional blocks of the controller 20a according to this modified example will be described.

[0122] In this modified example, the allowable value determination unit 1031 of the colorant amount derivation unit 103 of the information processing apparatus 10 does not determine the priority based on the metallic value received from the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102. Then, the search unit 1033 of the colorant amount derivation unit 103 derives the five-color device values when the metallic value is prioritized and the five-color device values when the color value is prioritized by the same method as in the above-described embodiment, and sends both five-color device values to the dictionary creation unit 104. Then, the dictionary creation unit 104 creates a spot color dictionary prioritizing the metallic value (hereinafter, may be referred to as a metallic-sense-priority spot color dictionary) by associating the five-color device values prioritizing the metallic value received by the dictionary creation unit 104 with the information of the target color. Further, the dictionary creation unit 104 creates a spot color dictionary prioritizing the color value (hereinafter, may be referred to as a color-taste-priority spot color dictionary) by associating the five-color device values prioritizing the color value received by the dictionary creation unit 104 with the information of the target color. Then, the dictionary creation unit 104 stores the created metallic-sense-priority spot color dictionary and color-taste-priority spot color dictionary in the storage unit 105.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 16, the controller 20a includes a dictionary acquisition unit 201, a print job acquisition unit 202, a color conversion unit 203, and a priority setting unit 204 (setting unit). Note that the operations of the print job acquisition unit 202 and the color conversion unit 203 are the same as the operations described in the above-described embodiment.

[0124] The priority setting unit 204 is a functional unit that sets the priority of prioritizing metallic feeling or color according to the operations of the keyboard 611 and the mouse 612 of the controller 20a. The priority setting unit 204 sends the set priority to the dictionary acquisition unit 201. Note that the priority setting unit 204 may set the priority according to the operations of the keyboard 611 and the mouse 612 (i.e., the operation unit 106) of the information processing apparatus 10.

[0125] The dictionary acquisition unit 201 acquires the spot color dictionary corresponding to the priority received from the priority setting unit 204 from the storage unit 105 and sends it to the color conversion unit 203. Specifically, when the priority indicates prioritizing the metallic feeling, the dictionary acquisition unit 201 acquires the spot color dictionary with metallic priority from the storage unit 105, and when the priority indicates prioritizing the color, the dictionary acquisition unit 201 acquires the spot color dictionary with color priority from the storage unit 105.

[0126] Note that the color conversion unit 203 is assumed to convert the spot color specified in the print job into a 5-color device value using any spot color dictionary that prioritizes the reproduction characteristics acquired by the dictionary acquisition unit 201, but it is not limited to this. For example, it may be possible to set the priority of prioritizing the metallic feeling or the color for each object (each color) included in the print job by the function of the priority setting unit 204.

[0127] The above-described dictionary acquisition unit 201, print job acquisition unit 202, color conversion unit 203, and priority setting unit 204 are realized by the program being executed by the CPU 601 shown in FIG. 2. Note that among the functional units of the controller 20a shown in FIG. 16, at least a part of the functional units realized by software (program) may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an FPGA or an ASIC.

[0128] In addition, each functional part of the controller 20a shown in FIG. 16 conceptually shows the functions and is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a plurality of functional parts illustrated as independent functional parts in the controller 20a shown in FIG. 16 may be configured as one functional part. On the other hand, the functions of one functional part in the controller 20a shown in FIG. 16 may be divided into a plurality of functions and configured as a plurality of functional parts.

[0129] As described above, in the information processing system 1 according to this modification example, since the spot color dictionary is created according to the priority order specified by the user, it is possible to reproduce the metallic color, which is the target color, according to the reproduction characteristics intended by the user.

[0130] In this modification example, a metallic priority spot color dictionary and a hue priority spot color dictionary are created in advance by the dictionary creation unit 104, and one of the spot color dictionaries is used according to the priority order set by the priority order setting unit 204 of the controller 20a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the priority order setting function by the priority order setting unit 204 may be provided in the information processing apparatus 10, and according to this function, the priority order of giving priority to metallic feeling or hue is set according to the operations on the user's keyboard 611 and mouse 612, and the dictionary creation unit 104 may create a spot color dictionary corresponding to the set priority order.

[0131] In the above-described embodiments and modification examples, the description has been made with respect to the image forming apparatus 30 that prints using toners of metallic colors such as silver toner and gold toner. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to target an image forming apparatus that performs printing using a glittery coloring material whose hue varies depending on the viewing direction, such as a pearl coloring material.

[0132] In the above-described embodiments and modifications, when at least any one of the functional units of the information processing apparatus 10 and the controllers 20 and 20a is realized by executing a program, the program is provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like. Further, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the programs executed by the information processing apparatus 10 and the controllers 20 and 20a may be configured to be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R (Compact Disk-Recordable), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) in an installable format or an executable format file. Further, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the programs executed by the information processing apparatus 10 and the controllers 20 and 20a may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the programs executed by the information processing apparatus 10 and the controllers 20 and 20a may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Further, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the programs executed by the information processing apparatus 10 and the controllers 20 and 20a have a module configuration including at least any one of the above-described functional units, and as actual hardware, the CPU 601 reads the program from the above-described storage devices (for example, ROM 602, auxiliary storage device 605, etc.) and executes it, so that the above-described functional units are loaded and generated on the main storage device (RAM 603).

Explanation of Signs

[0133] 1 Information processing system 10 Information processing apparatus 20, 20a Controller 30 Image forming apparatus 40 Colorimeter 101 Color measurement value acquisition unit 102 Reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 103 Colorant Quantity Derivation Unit 104 Dictionary Creation Unit 105 Memory Unit 106 Operation Unit 201 Dictionary Acquisition Unit 202 Print Job Acquisition Unit 203 Color Conversion Unit 204 Priority Setting Unit 601 CPU 602 ROM 603 RAM 605 Auxiliary Storage Device 606 Recording Medium 607 Media Drive 608 Display 609 Network I / F 610 Bus 611 Keyboard 612 Mouse 613 DVD 614 DVD Drive 700 Paper Feeding Tray 701 Conveyor Roller 702 Intermediate Transfer Belt 703, 703C, 703K, 703M, 703S, 703Y Photoconductor Drum 704 Transfer Roller 705 Fixing Roller 1031 Tolerance Determination Unit 1032 Color Prediction Model Acquisition Unit 1033 Search Unit CL Colorant Layer LS Light Source N Network P Paper

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0134]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires colorimetric values measured by a colorimeter for a patch of a target color with a metallic feel; A calculation unit that calculates at least two or more physical quantities including a metallic value indicating the degree of metallic feel and a color value indicating the degree of color tone from the colorimetric values acquired by the acquisition unit; A first determination unit that determines the priority order of the respective physical quantities of the target color; A derivation unit that derives the amounts of metallic color materials and process color materials in an image forming apparatus from the two or more physical quantities according to the priority order; An information processing apparatus comprising the above.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit calculates the metallic value based on the colorimetric values in a plurality of directions of the patch.

3. Further comprising a second determination unit that determines allowable values corresponding to the respective physical quantities, The derivation unit Obtains amounts of a plurality of metallic color materials and process color materials using a color prediction model that predicts each physical quantity from the amounts of the metallic color materials and the process color materials, Of the amounts of color materials in which the difference between each physical quantity corresponding to the obtained amounts of color materials and each physical quantity of the target color is equal to or less than the allowable value for each physical quantity, the difference corresponding to the physical quantity with the highest priority is the smallest. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, which derives the amount of color material.

4. The calculation unit calculates the metallic value and the color value of the target color from the colorimetric values, The second determination unit determines a higher allowable value for the difference with respect to the metallic value as the metallic value of the target color is higher than a predetermined value, and determines a higher allowable value for the difference as the metallic value of the target color is lower than the predetermined value. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The image forming apparatus performs printing by undercoating with a metallic color material. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the derivation unit sets the amount of the metallic color material to 0 when the color value of the target color exceeds a first threshold value.

7. The first determination unit determines the priority order of the respective physical quantities of the target color based on at least any one of the two or more physical quantities of the target color. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The calculation unit calculates the metallic value and the color value of the target color from the colorimetric values, The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first determination unit determines the priority order of the metallic value and the color value of the target color based on the metallic value of the target color.

9. The calculation unit calculates the metallic value and the color value of the target color from the colorimetric value, The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first determination unit determines that the priority order of the metallic value is higher than the priority order of the color value if the metallic value of the target color is equal to or greater than a second threshold value, or if the color value of the target color is less than a third threshold value.

10. The calculation unit calculates the metallic value and the color value of the target color from the colorimetric value, The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first determination unit determines that the priority order of the color value is higher than the priority order of the metallic value if the color value of the target color is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold value.

11. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first determination unit determines the priority order of each physical quantity of the target color according to an operation on the operation unit.

12. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a creation unit that creates a dictionary associating the colorant amount derived by the derivation unit with the target color corresponding to the colorant amount.

13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, a controller that generates image data obtained by converting a target color specified in a print job into colorant amounts of a metallic colorant and a process colorant using the dictionary, an image forming apparatus that performs print output on the image data, An information processing system having

14. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a controller, the image forming apparatus, having The derivation unit derives the colorant amount in the case of prioritizing each physical quantity, The information processing apparatus further includes a creation unit that creates a dictionary associating each of the colorant amounts in the case of prioritizing each physical quantity with the target color corresponding to each colorant amount, The controller includes a setting unit that sets the priority order of each physical quantity of the target color according to an operation on the operation unit, An information processing system in which the controller generates image data obtained by converting a target color specified in a print job into colorant amounts of a metallic colorant and a process colorant using the dictionary according to the priority order set by the setting unit.

15. An acquisition step of acquiring colorimetric values measured by a colorimeter for a patch of a target color with a metallic feel; A calculation step of calculating at least two physical quantities including a metallic value indicating the degree of metallic feel and a color value indicating the degree of color tone from the acquired colorimetric values; A determination step of determining the priority order of each physical quantity of the target color; A derivation step of deriving the amounts of color materials of metallic color materials and process color materials in an image forming apparatus from the two or more physical quantities according to the priority order; An information processing method having the above.

16. A program for causing a computer to execute an acquisition step of acquiring colorimetric values measured by a colorimeter for a patch of a target color with a metallic feel; execute a calculation step of calculating at least two physical quantities including a metallic value indicating the degree of metallic feel and a color value indicating the degree of color tone from the acquired colorimetric values; execute a determination step of determining the priority order of each physical quantity of the target color; execute a derivation step of deriving the amounts of color materials of metallic color materials and process color materials in an image forming apparatus from the two or more physical quantities according to the priority order. ​

Images