Colorimeter, colorimetric system, and communication method

Abstract

To provide a colorimeter or the like that can transmit colorimetric data through appropriate wireless communication according to each colorimetric mode.SOLUTION: A colorimeter 10 includes a color measuring unit 12 that performs colorimetry, a first wireless communication unit 41 that performs first wireless communication according to a first wireless communication standard, a second wireless communication unit 42 that performs second wireless communication according to a second wireless communication standard, and a processing unit 20 that performs control processing on the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit. When performing colorimetry in a first colorimetric mode, the processing unit 20 performs processing of transmitting colorimetric data obtained through the colorimetry in the first colorimetric mode through the first wireless communication, and when performing colorimetry in a second colorimetric mode, performs processing of transmitting colorimetric data obtained through the colorimetry in the second colorimetric mode through the second wireless communication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a colorimeter, a colorimetric system, a communication method, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, colorimeters that measure the color of a measurement target such as a printed material have been known. Colorimeters are used in a wide variety of locations, such as during business negotiations in a conference room or during inspections at a printing factory, so it is desirable for them to be usable without cables. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a colorimeter that can be connected to a personal computer via a wireless LAN. In Patent Document 1, the colorimeter and personal computer are connected via one type of wireless communication. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-71083 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some colorimeters are capable of measuring colors in multiple colorimeter modes. However, no method has been proposed for achieving appropriate wireless communication in accordance with the colorimeter mode. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a colorimeter that includes a colorimetric unit that performs colorimetric measurement, a first wireless communication unit that performs first wireless communication according to a first wireless communication standard, a second wireless communication unit that performs second wireless communication according to a second wireless communication standard, and a processing unit that performs control processing of the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit, wherein the processing unit, when performing colorimetric measurement in a first colorimetric mode, performs processing to transmit colorimetric data obtained by colorimetric measurement in the first colorimetric mode via the first wireless communication, and, when performing colorimetric measurement in a second colorimetric mode, performs processing to transmit the colorimetric data obtained by colorimetric measurement in the second colorimetric mode via the second wireless communication.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a color measurement system including the above-described color measurement device and a terminal device that communicates with the color measurement device.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a communication method for a colorimeter, which, when performing color measurement in a first colorimeter mode using a colorimeter unit of the colorimeter, transmits colorimeter data obtained by color measurement in the first colorimeter mode via a first wireless communication that is wireless communication according to a first wireless communication standard, and, when performing color measurement in a second colorimeter mode using the colorimeter unit, transmits colorimeter data obtained by color measurement in the second colorimeter mode via a second wireless communication that is wireless communication according to a second wireless communication standard. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] An example of a colorimeter configuration. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the appearance of a colorimeter and the configuration of a colorimeter system including the colorimeter and a terminal device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a colorimeter. [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a specific process of the present embodiment. [Figure 6] An example of the color measurement mode setting screen. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart illustrating detailed processing of the present embodiment. [Figure 8]An example of the screen after powering on. [Figure 9] An example of the line color measurement mode screen. [Figure 10] Example screen for the first group color measurement mode. [Figure 11] Example screen of the second group color measurement mode. [Figure 12] Example screen of the second group color measurement mode. [Figure 13] Example screen of the second group color measurement mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the claims, and not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are necessarily essential components.

[0010] 1. Colorimeter 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a colorimeter 10 of this embodiment. The colorimeter 10 includes a colorimeter unit 12, a processing unit 20, and a communication unit 40. The colorimeter 10 may also include an operation unit 13, a storage unit 30, and a display unit 36. The colorimeter 10 is also connected to a terminal device 60 via wireless communication, and the terminal device 60 includes a processing unit 62, a display unit 66, and a communication unit 70. Note that the colorimeter 10 and the terminal device 60 are not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and various modifications are possible, such as omitting some of the components or adding other components.

[0011] The colorimetric unit 12 performs colorimetry. For example, the colorimetric unit 12 measures the color of a measurement target, such as a printed material, and outputs colorimetric values, which are the colorimetric measurement results. The colorimetric unit 12 can be implemented using a colorimetric sensor or the like. Examples of colorimetric sensors include spectroscopic sensors. For example, spectroscopic sensors based on MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems), which can be mass-produced using wafer-level processes, can be used. The spectroscopic sensor measures, for example, a reflected spectral spectrum. Specifically, the spectroscopic sensor can be implemented using a light source, such as an LED, an optical filter that reflects light from the light source on a measurement surface, selects and switches wavelengths based on the reflected light, and a light-receiving device that measures the amount of reflected light that passes through the optical filter. Examples of optical filters include a Fabry-Perot etalon element, which is a wavelength filter that utilizes the multiple interference of two opposing reflecting surfaces. The spectroscopic sensor measures the reflected spectral spectrum, which measures the amount of reflected light at each wavelength, thereby achieving colorimetry of the target color. The colorimetric sensor that realizes the colorimetric unit 12 is not limited to such a spectroscopic sensor, and may be realized by, for example, an image sensor, etc. Furthermore, the colorimetric unit 12 may not only measure the color of reflected light, but also measure the color of transmitted light.

[0012] The processing unit 20 performs various processes, such as control of each unit of the colorimeter 10. For example, the processing unit 20 controls the communication unit 40. The processing unit 20 also processes input of operation information from the operation unit 13, reads information from the memory unit 30, writes information to the memory unit 30, and displays information on the display unit 36. The processing unit 20 can be implemented by a processor. For example, each process in this embodiment can be implemented by a processor that operates based on information such as a program and a memory that stores information such as a program. The memory is the memory unit 30. The functions of each unit of the processor may be implemented by separate hardware, or the functions of each unit may be implemented by integrated hardware. For example, the processor includes hardware, and the hardware may include at least one of a circuit for processing digital signals and a circuit for processing analog signals. For example, the processor may be configured by one or more circuit devices mounted on a circuit board or one or more circuit elements. The processor may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). However, the processor is not limited to a CPU, and various other processors such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) can be used. The processor may also be a hardware circuit using an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The processor may also include an amplifier circuit or a filter circuit that processes analog signals.

[0013] The operation unit 13 is an operation interface for inputting user operation information. The operation unit 13 can be realized by an operation device. Taking the example of FIG. 2 described below, the operation unit 13 can be realized by operation devices such as a color measurement button 14, a cross key 15, a power button 16, and a back button 17. However, the operation devices that realize the operation unit 13 are not limited to these operation devices.

[0014] The storage unit 30 stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 30 stores programs and data. The storage unit 30 functions as a work area for the processing unit 20 and the communication unit 40, for example. For example, the storage unit 30, which is a memory, may be a semiconductor memory such as SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or may be a register or a hard disk drive. For example, the storage unit 30, which is a memory, stores computer-readable instructions, and the instructions are executed by the processing unit 20, which is a processor, to realize the processing of each unit of the processing unit 20. The instructions here may be an instruction set constituting a program, or may be instructions that instruct the hardware circuitry of the processor to operate.

[0015] The display unit 36 ​​displays various types of information to the user. The display unit 36 ​​can be realized by various types of displays, such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc. The display unit 36 ​​displays, for example, information necessary for the user to operate the colorimeter 10, various types of status information of the colorimeter 10, etc.

[0016] The communication unit 40 is a communication interface that performs wireless or wired communication with an external device such as the terminal device 60. The communication unit 40 can be realized by, for example, a communication integrated circuit (IC) such as a communication ASIC or a communication processor, or communication firmware. In this embodiment, the processing unit 20 performs communication control processing, such as information transmission processing and information reception processing, on the communication unit 40, so that the communication unit 40 transmits information to the external device or receives information from the external device.

[0017] The communication unit 40 includes a first wireless communication unit 41 and a second wireless communication unit 42. The first wireless communication unit 41 performs first wireless communication according to a first wireless communication standard. The second wireless communication unit 42 performs second wireless communication according to a second wireless communication standard. For example, the first wireless communication unit 41 may be realized by a first communication IC, and the second wireless communication unit 42 may be realized by a second communication IC, so that each wireless communication unit is realized by a single IC. In this case, the first communication IC is provided with a first wireless circuit that realizes the first wireless communication unit 41, and the second communication IC is provided with a second wireless circuit that realizes the second wireless communication unit 42. The first wireless circuit is provided with a physical layer circuit, a link layer circuit, etc. that realize the first wireless communication, and the second wireless circuit is provided with a physical layer circuit, a link layer circuit, etc. that realize the second wireless communication. Alternatively, the first wireless communication unit 41 and the second wireless communication unit 42 may be realized by a single communication IC. In this case, the communication IC is provided with a first wireless circuit that realizes the first wireless communication unit 41 and a second wireless circuit that realizes the second wireless communication unit 42. Details of the first wireless communication unit 41 and the second wireless communication unit 42 will be described later.

[0018] The colorimeter 10 is communicatively connected to a terminal device 60. The terminal device 60 is a communication terminal capable of wirelessly communicating information, and is realized by, for example, a smartphone, a tablet PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, etc. The terminal device 60 is communicatively connected to the colorimeter 10 by, for example, wireless communication.

[0019] The terminal device 60 includes a processing unit 62, a display unit 66, and a communication unit 70. The processing unit 62 performs various processes, such as control processes for each unit of the terminal device 60. For example, the processing unit 62 performs control processes for the communication unit 70. The processing unit 62 also performs processes such as inputting operation information from an operation unit (not shown) of the terminal device 60, reading information from a storage unit (not shown) of the terminal device 60, writing information to the storage unit, and displaying information on the display unit 66. The processing unit 62 can be implemented by a processor. The display unit 66 displays various information to the user. The display unit 66 can be implemented by various displays such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The communication unit 70 is a communication interface that performs wireless or wired communication with an external device such as the colorimeter 10. Similar to the communication unit 40 of the colorimeter 10, the communication unit 70 can include a first wireless communication unit that performs first wireless communication according to a first wireless communication standard and a second wireless communication unit that performs second wireless communication according to a second wireless communication standard.

[0020] 2 and 3 are external views of the colorimeter 10 and the terminal device 60, and show an example of the configuration of the colorimeter system 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the colorimeter system 100 of this embodiment includes the colorimeter 10 and the terminal device 60 that communicates with the colorimeter 10. For example, the colorimeter 10 and the terminal device 60 are connected via a first wireless communication or a second wireless communication. This colorimeter system 100 makes it possible to display the color measurement results of the colorimeter 10 on the display unit 66 of the terminal device 60. Furthermore, the colorimeter system 100 allows the user to operate the terminal device 60, for example, to cause the colorimeter 10 to perform color measurement or to set the colorimeter 10 to various modes.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the colorimeter 10 has, for example, a substantially cubic shape, and is provided on its top surface with a display unit 36, a colorimetric button 14, and a cross key 15. The top surface of the colorimeter 10 also has a power button 16 and a back button 17. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3, the bottom surface of the colorimeter 10 has a colorimetric unit 12 and a shutter 18. The display unit 36 ​​displays various information to the user. The colorimetric button 14 is an operation device that the user uses to instruct the colorimeter 10 to perform colorimetric measurement. For example, when the user presses the colorimetric button 14, the colorimeter 10 performs colorimetric measurement using the colorimetric unit 12. The cross key 15 is an operation device that instructs, for example, up, down, left, right, etc. The power button 16 is a button for turning the colorimeter 10 on and off. The back button 17 is a button for performing a back operation, also known as a back operation. The colorimetric unit 12 is realized by a colorimetric sensor as described above, and is, for example, approximately circular in shape in a plan view. The shutter 18 protects the colorimetric unit 12 when the colorimetric device 10 is not in use. For example, when the colorimetric device 10 is not in use, the user moves the shutter 18 toward the colorimetric unit 12 and closes the shutter 18 to protect the colorimetric unit 12 from external impacts.

[0022] The colorimeter 10 has a handy shape that allows a user to hold it in one hand and perform color measurement operations. For example, a user holds the side of the colorimeter 10 with the thumb and middle finger, ring finger, little finger, etc., and performs operations such as pressing the colorimeter button 14 with the index finger and indicating a direction with the cross key 15. The terminal device 60 is a communication terminal that can communicate with the colorimeter 10, and is communicatively connected to the colorimeter 10 via wireless communication. The terminal device 60 has a display unit 66 and is also provided with operation devices such as operation buttons. The display unit 66 is, for example, a touch panel, and the user performs various operations by touching the display unit 66, which is a touch panel.

[0023] As described above, the colorimeter 10 of this embodiment includes a colorimetric unit 12 that performs color measurement, a first wireless communication unit 41 that performs first wireless communication according to a first wireless communication standard, a second wireless communication unit 42 that performs second wireless communication according to a second wireless communication standard, and a processing unit 20 that performs control processing of the first wireless communication unit 41 and the second wireless communication unit 42.

[0024] When performing colorimetry in the first colorimetry mode, the processing unit 20 performs a process of transmitting colorimetry data obtained by colorimetry in the first colorimetry mode via the first wireless communication. For example, the processing unit 20 acquires colorimetry data obtained by colorimetry in the first colorimetry mode using the colorimetry unit 12. Then, the processing unit 20 performs a process of transmitting the acquired colorimetry data to the terminal device 60 via the first wireless communication using the first wireless communication unit 41. When performing colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode, the processing unit 20 performs a process of transmitting colorimetry data obtained by colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode via the second wireless communication. For example, the processing unit 20 acquires colorimetry data obtained by colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode using the colorimetry unit 12. Then, the processing unit 20 performs a process of transmitting the acquired colorimetry data to the terminal device 60 via the second wireless communication using the second wireless communication unit 42. The process of transmitting colorimetry data via the first wireless communication and the process of transmitting colorimetry data via the second wireless communication are performed by the communication processing unit 24 of the processing unit 20.

[0025] The first wireless communication and the second wireless communication may, for example, have different wireless communication standards. For example, the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication may have different wireless communication methods. Note that the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication may have different standard versions. Examples of the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication include various wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth (Bluetooth is a registered trademark; the same applies hereinafter), Wi-Fi (registered trademark; the same applies hereinafter), ZigBee (registered trademark), Wi-SUN (registered trademark), IP500 (registered trademark), wireless USB, and UWB. The first wireless communication and the second wireless communication may have different communication speeds. For example, the second wireless communication has a faster communication speed than the first wireless communication. The first wireless communication and the second wireless communication may also have different power consumptions. For example, the first wireless communication has lower power consumption than the second wireless communication.

[0026] The first colorimetric mode and the second colorimetric mode differ in the way they measure colorimetry on a colorimetry target called a patch. For example, the first colorimetric mode and the second colorimetric mode perform colorimetry using different methods. Examples of the first colorimetric mode and the second colorimetric mode include spot colorimetry mode, line colorimetry mode, first group colorimetry mode using spot colorimetry, and second group colorimetry mode using line colorimetry. The first colorimetric mode and the second colorimetric mode differ in the size of the colorimetry data acquired using the colorimetry unit 12. The first colorimetric mode and the second colorimetric mode also differ in the way the user operates the device when performing colorimetry. Note that the number of colorimetric modes is not limited to two, and three or more colorimetric modes may be provided.

[0027] Specifically, in this embodiment, the second wireless communication is wireless communication with a faster communication speed than the first wireless communication, and the second colorimetric mode is a colorimetric mode with a larger colorimetric data size than the first colorimetric mode. That is, when performing colorimetric measurement using the first colorimetric mode, which has a smaller colorimetric data size than the second colorimetric mode, the processing unit 20 performs processing to transmit the colorimetric data using the first wireless communication with a slower communication speed than the second wireless communication. Also, when performing colorimetric measurement using the second colorimetric mode, which has a larger colorimetric data size than the first colorimetric mode, the processing unit 20 performs processing to transmit the colorimetric data using the second wireless communication with a faster communication speed than the first wireless communication. In this way, colorimetric data in the second colorimetric mode, which has a larger colorimetric data size, can be transmitted using the second wireless communication with a faster communication speed, thereby enabling colorimetric data transmission processing using wireless communication with an appropriate communication speed depending on the colorimetric mode.

[0028] In this embodiment, the first wireless communication is, for example, Bluetooth communication, and the second wireless communication is, for example, Wi-Fi communication. For example, when performing colorimetry in the first colorimetry mode, the processing unit 20 transmits colorimetry data via Bluetooth communication, and when performing colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode, the processing unit 20 transmits colorimetry data via Wi-Fi communication. In this manner, colorimetry data obtained through colorimetry in the first colorimetry mode can be transmitted via Bluetooth communication, which has a slower communication speed but lower power consumption than Wi-Fi communication. Furthermore, colorimetry data obtained through colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode can be transmitted via Wi-Fi communication, which has a higher communication speed but higher power consumption than Bluetooth communication. Various versions of Bluetooth standards can be used, such as Ver. 4.X, Ver. 5.0, or further developed versions thereof. For example, the Bluetooth standard can be the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard. Furthermore, various versions of the Wi-Fi standard, such as IEEE802.11n, IEEE802.11ac, IEEE802.11ax, or further developed versions thereof, can be adopted.

[0029] In this embodiment, the first color measurement mode is, for example, a spot color measurement mode, and the second color measurement mode is, for example, a line color measurement mode. For example, when performing color measurement in the spot color measurement mode, the processing unit 20 transmits color measurement data via a first wireless communication, and when performing color measurement in the line color measurement mode, the processing unit 20 transmits color measurement data via a second wireless communication. As an example, when performing color measurement in the spot color measurement mode, the processing unit 20 transmits color measurement data via a first wireless communication such as Bluetooth communication, which has a slow communication speed, and when performing color measurement in the line color measurement mode, the processing unit 20 transmits color measurement data via a second wireless communication such as Wi-Fi communication, which has a fast communication speed. In this way, when performing color measurement in the spot color measurement mode, the processing unit 20 transmits color measurement data via a wireless communication suitable for the spot color measurement mode, and when performing color measurement in the line color measurement mode, the processing unit 20 transmits color measurement data via a wireless communication suitable for the line color measurement mode. The spot color measurement mode is a mode in which, for example, one color is measured by a single spot color measurement operation by the user. The line colorimetry mode is a mode in which, for example, multiple colors lined up along a given line are measured by, for example, a user's line colorimetry operation. The spot colorimetry operation is, for example, an operation in which the colorimeter 10 is placed at the position of the color to be measured and the colorimeter 10 is made to measure the color. The line colorimetry operation is, for example, an operation in which, when multiple colors are lined up along a given line, the colorimeter 10 is made to measure the color while moving the colorimeter 10 along the line.

[0030] Furthermore, when the first colorimetric mode is set on the colorimetric mode setting screen, the processing unit 20 performs a process of transmitting colorimetric data via the first wireless communication. For example, when the user selects the first colorimetric mode on the colorimetric mode setting screen, the processing unit 20 performs a process of transmitting colorimetric data via the first wireless communication. Furthermore, when the second colorimetric mode is set on the colorimetric mode setting screen, the processing unit 20 performs a process of transmitting colorimetric data via the second wireless communication. For example, when the user selects the second colorimetric mode on the colorimetric mode setting screen, the processing unit 20 performs a process of transmitting colorimetric data via the second wireless communication. In this way, when the user sets a colorimetric mode on the colorimetric mode setting screen, for example, the colorimetric data acquired in that colorimetric mode is transmitted via appropriate wireless communication according to the colorimetric mode. The colorimetric mode setting process is performed by the colorimetric mode setting unit 22. For example, the colorimetric mode setting unit 22 performs a process of setting the colorimetric mode to the first colorimetric mode or the second colorimetric mode based on a user's operation input using the colorimetric mode setting screen, etc.

[0031] In this case, the setting screen is, for example, a screen displayed on the display unit 66 of the terminal device 60 that communicates with the colorimeter 10. That is, a colorimeter mode setting screen is displayed on the display unit 66 of the terminal device 60, and when a user of the terminal device 60 selects a colorimeter mode on the displayed setting screen, colorimeter data is transmitted via wireless communication corresponding to that colorimeter mode. In this manner, the colorimeter system 100 effectively utilizes the display unit 66 of the terminal device 60 to display the colorimeter mode setting screen, and allows the user to select a colorimeter mode through operation using that setting screen. Then, the colorimeter 10 can transmit colorimeter data to the terminal device 60 via appropriate wireless communication corresponding to the selected colorimeter mode. Note that a variation in which the setting screen is displayed on the display unit 66 of the colorimeter 10 is also possible.

[0032] Furthermore, the processing unit 20 switches between the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication depending on the first color measurement mode or the second color measurement mode. For example, the processing unit 20 determines whether the current color measurement mode is the first color measurement mode or the second color measurement mode, and switches from the first wireless communication to the second wireless communication or from the second wireless communication to the first wireless communication depending on the determination result. For example, when the processing unit 20 determines that the color measurement mode has changed to the second color measurement mode while the first wireless communication is being performed, it switches from the first wireless communication to the second wireless communication. When the processing unit 20 determines that the color measurement mode has changed to the first color measurement mode while the second wireless communication is being performed, it switches from the second wireless communication to the first wireless communication. In this way, it is possible to switch from the first wireless communication to the second wireless communication or from the second wireless communication to the first wireless communication depending on the color measurement mode, thereby realizing an appropriate wireless communication switching process depending on the color measurement mode.

[0033] Furthermore, when colorimetry is to be performed in the second colorimetry mode, the processing unit 20 switches from the first wireless communication to the second wireless communication. For example, when the processing unit 20 determines that colorimetry will be performed in the second colorimetry mode based on the colorimetry mode setting on the setting screen, the user's voice input, various user operation inputs, or system settings, the processing unit 20 switches from the first wireless communication to the second wireless communication. For example, when colorimetry is performed in the second colorimetry mode while the colorimeter 10 is set to the first wireless communication, the colorimeter 10 switches from the first wireless communication to the second wireless communication. In this way, when colorimetry is to be performed in the second colorimetry mode, the colorimeter 10 switches from the first wireless communication to the second wireless communication, and the colorimetry data obtained by colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode can be transmitted via the second wireless communication.

[0034] Furthermore, the processing unit 20 switches from the second wireless communication to the first wireless communication when colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode is complete. For example, the processing unit 20 determines whether colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode is complete based on whether transmission of colorimetry data measured in the second colorimetry mode is complete or based on a user instruction to complete colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode. Then, when determining that colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode is complete, the processing unit 20 switches from the second wireless communication to the first wireless communication. In this manner, after transmission of colorimetry data in the second colorimetry mode via the second wireless communication is completed, the colorimeter 10 automatically switches from the second wireless communication to the first wireless communication. Therefore, the colorimeter 10 transmits colorimetry data in the second colorimetry mode via the second wireless communication, and when this is completed, the colorimeter 10 switches to the first wireless communication, for example, which is the default setting, improving convenience. For example, if the first wireless communication consumes less power than the second wireless communication, the colorimeter 10 can achieve lower power consumption.

[0035] Furthermore, the processing unit 20 starts wireless communication via the first wireless communication after the colorimeter 10 is powered on. That is, the processing unit 20 sets the wireless communication to the first wireless communication at startup. Then, when colorimeter measurement is performed in the second colorimeter mode, the processing unit 20 switches from the first wireless communication to the second wireless communication. That is, the processing unit 20 switches the wireless communication that was set to the first wireless communication after powering on to the second wireless communication. Then, when transmission of colorimeter data via the second wireless communication is completed, the processing unit 20 switches from the second wireless communication to the first wireless communication. That is, the processing unit 20 switches the second wireless communication that was used to transmit colorimeter data in the second colorimeter mode to the first wireless communication. In this way, the processing unit 20 sets the default wireless communication to the first wireless communication after powering on, for example, and when colorimeter measurement in the second colorimeter mode is performed, the processing unit 20 switches from the first wireless communication to the second wireless communication. Once colorimeter measurement in the second colorimeter mode is completed, the processing unit 20 can perform a switching process from the second wireless communication to the original first wireless communication. Therefore, when it is necessary to transmit colorimetric data in the second colorimetric mode, the wireless communication is set to the second wireless communication, and otherwise the wireless communication is set to the first wireless communication. Therefore, for example, if the first wireless communication is a wireless communication that consumes less power than the second wireless communication, it is possible to achieve low power consumption of the colorimeter 10.

[0036] 2. Processing example Next, the processing of this embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the basic processing of this embodiment. First, the processing unit 20 determines whether a colorimetry operation has been performed (step S1). For example, the processing unit 20 determines whether the colorimetry button 14 in FIG. 2 has been pressed. Alternatively, the processing unit 20 determines whether the icon of the colorimetry button C2 shown in FIG. 11 (described later) has been touched on the screen of the display unit 66 of the terminal device 60. This causes the colorimetry unit 12 to perform colorimetry of the object to be measured, and the processing unit 20 acquires colorimetry data based on the colorimetry values ​​of the colorimetry unit 12 (step S2). Next, the processing unit 20 determines which colorimetry mode the colorimeter 10 is in (step S3). If the processing unit 20 determines that the colorimetry mode is the first colorimetry mode, it transmits the colorimetry data via the first wireless communication (step S4). For example, the processing unit 20 controls the first wireless communication unit 41 to transmit the colorimetry data to the terminal device 60 via the first wireless communication of the first wireless communication standard. On the other hand, if the processing unit 20 determines that the colorimetric mode is the second colorimetric mode, it transmits the colorimetric data via the second wireless communication (step S5). For example, the processing unit 20 controls the second wireless communication unit 42 to transmit the colorimetric data to the terminal device 60 via the second wireless communication of the second wireless communication standard.

[0037] As described above, in the colorimeter 10 and communication method of this embodiment, when a user performs colorimetry in the first colorimetry mode using the colorimetry unit 12 of the colorimeter 10, the processing unit 20 transmits the colorimetry data obtained by the colorimetry in the first colorimetry mode via the first wireless communication, and when the user performs colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode, the processing unit 20 transmits the colorimetry data obtained by the colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode via the second wireless communication. In this way, the colorimeter 10 can transmit colorimetry data obtained in each colorimetry mode via wireless communication according to the colorimetry mode of the colorimeter 10, such as transmitting via the first wireless communication in the first colorimetry mode and transmitting via the second wireless communication in the second colorimetry mode. For example, suppose the colorimetry data size in the second colorimetry mode is larger than the colorimetry data size in the first colorimetry mode, and the communication speed of the second wireless communication is faster than the first wireless communication. In this case, the colorimeter 10 transmits colorimetric data in the first colorimetric mode, which has a small colorimetric data size, via the first wireless communication, which has a slow communication speed, and transmits colorimetric data in the second colorimetric mode, which has a large colorimetric data size, via the second wireless communication, which has a fast communication speed. It is also assumed that the first wireless communication consumes less power than the second wireless communication. In this case, the colorimeter 10 transmits colorimetric data in the first colorimetric mode, which can be transmitted safely in a low-power state, via the first wireless communication, which has a low power consumption, and transmits colorimetric data in the second colorimetric mode via the second wireless communication, which has a high power consumption. This makes it possible to realize a colorimeter 10 and its communication method that can transmit colorimetric data via wireless communication appropriate for each colorimetric mode.

[0038] Although this embodiment mainly illustrates a case in which the colorimeter 10 performs color measurement when the user presses the color measurement button 14 of the colorimeter 10, the colorimeter 10 may perform color measurement in response to another trigger instead of or in addition to this. The colorimeter 10 may perform color measurement in response to, for example, a voice instruction from the user or an instruction from the terminal device 60. The colorimeter 10 may also perform color measurement by detecting that it has been pressed against an object. Alternatively, the colorimeter 10 may constantly repeat color measurement until a predetermined time limit is reached, and if a color that matches the reference color is measured, the color may be considered to be the color to be measured. If a color that matches the reference color is not measured within the time limit, the colorimeter 10 may consider the color that is closest to the reference color among the colors measured during the time limit to be the color to be measured.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of processing in this embodiment. First, the processing unit 20 performs processing to display a colorimetry mode setting screen (step S21). Specifically, the colorimetry mode setting screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 66 of the terminal device 60, for example. Alternatively, the colorimetry mode setting screen may be displayed on the display unit 36 ​​of the colorimeter 10. Next, the processing unit 20 sets the colorimetry mode of the colorimeter 10 based on a user's operation input (step S22). For example, if the user selects spot colorimetry on the setting screen of FIG. 6, the colorimetry mode is set to spot colorimetry mode, and if the user selects line colorimetry, the colorimetry mode is set to line colorimetry mode.

[0040] Next, the processing unit 20 determines whether a colorimetry operation has been performed (step S23). If a colorimetry operation has been performed, the processing unit 20 acquires colorimetry data based on the colorimetry values ​​of the colorimetry unit 12 (step S24). The processing unit 20 then determines whether the colorimetry mode is the spot colorimetry mode or the line colorimetry mode (step S25). If the processing unit 20 determines that the colorimetry mode is the spot colorimetry mode, it transmits the colorimetry data to the terminal device 60 via Bluetooth communication (step S26). If the processing unit 20 determines that the line colorimetry mode is the line colorimetry mode, it transmits the colorimetry data to the terminal device 60 via Wi-Fi communication (step S27).

[0041] Since the colorimeter 10 is used in a variety of locations, it is required to be used wirelessly and without cables. To reduce the power consumption of the colorimeter 10, it is desirable to use Bluetooth communication such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for wireless communication. However, although Bluetooth such as BLE has low power consumption, it has a problem that the communication speed is slow and communication takes too long when the data size is large.

[0042] Meanwhile, the colorimeter 10 has various colorimetric modes, such as spot colorimetric and line colorimetric. In spot colorimetric measurement, the colorimeter 10 measures, for example, one patch, resulting in a colorimetric data size of approximately 4 KB. In line colorimetric measurement, the colorimeter 10 continuously measures multiple patches, resulting in a colorimetric data size of approximately 312 KB for 80 patches. Since the actual communication speed of Bluetooth Ver. 4.0 is approximately 10 Kbps, when the colorimeter 10 attempts to transmit colorimetric data to the terminal device 60, the communication time is approximately 3 seconds for spot colorimetric measurement and approximately 250 seconds for line colorimetric measurement. Therefore, when communicating large amounts of data, the colorimeter 10 must communicate via a wired connection, such as a USB cable. However, wired communication does not satisfy the user's desire to use the colorimeter 10 without cables.

[0043] Therefore, the colorimeter 10 of this embodiment performs Wi-Fi communication in addition to Bluetooth communication. The colorimeter 10 switches wireless communication depending on the colorimetric data to be transmitted. For example, when using the colorimeter 10 wirelessly, the colorimeter 10 and the terminal device 60 are connected via Bluetooth communication as a basic method. When transmitting line colorimetry results to the terminal device 60, the processing unit 20 switches from Bluetooth communication to Wi-Fi communication. This enables the colorimeter 10 to be used wirelessly without sacrificing usability and while minimizing power consumption. For example, with IEEE802.11ac Wi-Fi communication, the actual communication speed is approximately 110 Mbps when using a single antenna. Therefore, when the colorimeter 10 transmits 80-patch line colorimetry data, which has a colorimetric data size of approximately 312 KB, to the terminal device 60 via Wi-Fi communication, the communication time is approximately 0.02 seconds. That is, the colorimeter 10 can significantly reduce the communication time from approximately 250 seconds in Bluetooth communication to approximately 0.02 seconds, thereby improving user convenience.

[0044] In this way, by supporting Wi-Fi in addition to Bluetooth as a wireless connection interface, the colorimeter 10 can handle large data size communications wirelessly without inconvenience. According to this embodiment, the colorimeter 10 switches wireless communications depending on the colorimetric mode, which is the colorimetric method, and therefore can switch wireless communications more quickly, for example, even during colorimetric measurement. In this way, in this embodiment, the colorimeter 10 switches the interface used for wireless communications depending on the type of colorimetric method, making it possible to reduce the power consumption of the colorimeter 10 without sacrificing usability.

[0045] Furthermore, when updating the firmware installed in the spectrophotometer 10, the spectrophotometer 10 must communicate large data files. For example, the spectrophotometer 10 must communicate data of approximately 1024 KB in size. Therefore, for example, when performing a firmware update, usability can be further improved by automatically switching from Bluetooth communication to Wi-Fi communication.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing example of this embodiment. First, the processing unit 20 determines whether the colorimeter 10 has been powered on (step S31). For example, the processing unit 20 determines whether the power button 16 in FIG. 2 has been pressed to start up the colorimeter 10. Then, when the power is turned on, the processing unit 20 sets wireless communication to Bluetooth communication (step S32). That is, at startup, the wireless communication of the colorimeter 10 is set to Bluetooth communication by default. Then, the processing unit 20 sets the colorimeter mode (step S33). The colorimeter mode may be set by a user's selection operation on a colorimeter mode setting screen as shown in FIG. 6, or may be set by the user's voice input or a predetermined operation using an operating device.

[0047] Next, the processing unit 20 determines whether a colorimetry operation has been performed (step S34), and if a colorimetry operation has been performed, acquires colorimetry data (step S35). The processing unit 20 then determines whether the colorimetry mode set in step S33 is the line colorimetry mode (step S36). If it is determined that the set colorimetry mode is the line colorimetry mode, the processing unit 20 switches wireless communication to Wi-Fi communication (step S37). That is, the processing unit 20 switches the wireless communication set to Bluetooth communication in step S32 to Wi-Fi communication and transmits the colorimetry data via Wi-Fi communication (step S38). The processing unit 20 then determines whether transmission of the colorimetry data has been completed (step S39), and if transmission has been completed, switches wireless communication to Bluetooth communication (step S40). That is, in step S37, the processing unit 20 switches from Bluetooth communication to Wi-Fi communication to transmit the colorimetry data, and when transmission is complete, switches back to Bluetooth communication, which is the default wireless communication.

[0048] On the other hand, if the processing unit 20 determines in step S36 that the colorimetric mode is the spot colorimetric mode, it transmits the colorimetric data via Bluetooth communication (step S41), and when transmission of the colorimetric data is completed (step S42), the processing unit 20 ends the process. In this way, by transmitting the colorimetric data via Bluetooth communication, the colorimeter 10 can significantly reduce power consumption compared to when Wi-Fi communication is used.

[0049] As described above, in this embodiment, the processing unit 20 switches between the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication depending on whether the first color measurement mode is the spot color measurement mode or the second color measurement mode. For example, in the detailed example of FIG. 7 , the processing unit 20 switches between Bluetooth communication (the first wireless communication) and Wi-Fi communication (the second wireless communication) depending on whether the first color measurement mode is the spot color measurement mode or the line color measurement mode. For example, the processing unit 20 determines whether the current color measurement mode is the spot color measurement mode or the line color measurement mode, and switches from Bluetooth communication to Wi-Fi communication or from Wi-Fi communication to Bluetooth communication depending on the determination result. For example, if the processing unit 20 determines that the color measurement mode has changed to the line color measurement mode while performing Bluetooth communication, it switches from Bluetooth communication to Wi-Fi communication. Furthermore, if the processing unit 20 determines that the color measurement mode has changed to the spot color measurement mode while performing Wi-Fi communication, it switches from Wi-Fi communication to Bluetooth communication. In this way, the colorimeter 10 can appropriately switch between Bluetooth communication and Wi-Fi communication depending on the color measurement mode. As mentioned above, the first color measurement mode and the second color measurement mode are not limited to the spot color measurement mode or the line color measurement mode, and the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication are not limited to Bluetooth communication or Wi-Fi communication.

[0050] 7, when colorimetry is performed in the line colorimetry mode, which is the second colorimetry mode, the processing unit 20 switches from Bluetooth communication, which is the first wireless communication, to Wi-Fi communication, which is the second wireless communication. For example, when Bluetooth communication is set as the default wireless communication in step S32, if it is determined that the colorimetry mode is the line colorimetry mode, as shown in step S36, the processing unit 20 switches from Bluetooth communication to Wi-Fi communication. In this way, by setting the wireless communication to Bluetooth communication under normal circumstances, the colorimeter 10 can reduce power consumption, and by setting the wireless communication to Wi-Fi communication in the line colorimetry mode, the colorimeter 10 can transmit colorimetry data in the line colorimetry mode, which has a large data size, to the terminal device 60 via Wi-Fi communication, which has a high communication speed.

[0051] Furthermore, the processing unit 20 switches from Wi-Fi communication to Bluetooth communication after colorimetry in the line colorimetry mode is complete. For example, when the processing unit 20 determines in step S39 of FIG. 7 that transmission of colorimetry data via Wi-Fi communication has been completed and colorimetry in the line colorimetry mode has been completed, it switches from Wi-Fi communication to Bluetooth communication as shown in step S40. In this way, the colorimeter 10 transmits colorimetry data in the line colorimetry mode, which has a large data size, via Wi-Fi communication, which has a high communication speed. Once transmission of the colorimetry data is complete, the colorimeter 10 switches to Bluetooth communication, which has a slower communication speed but consumes less power than Wi-Fi communication. This prevents the colorimeter 10 from wasting power by leaving the wireless communication setting as Wi-Fi communication.

[0052] 7, the processing unit 20 starts Bluetooth communication after the colorimeter 10 is powered on. That is, the processing unit 20 sets the wireless communication to Bluetooth communication at startup. Then, after colorimetric measurement in the line colorimetric mode is performed, the processing unit 20 switches from Bluetooth communication to Wi-Fi communication. That is, the processing unit 20 switches the wireless communication that was set to Bluetooth communication after powering on to Wi-Fi communication. Then, after transmission of colorimetric data in the line colorimetric mode via Wi-Fi communication is completed, the processing unit 20 switches from Wi-Fi communication to Bluetooth communication. In this way, the processing unit 20 sets the default wireless communication after powering on to Bluetooth communication, for example, and when colorimetric measurement in the line colorimetric mode is performed, the processing unit 20 switches from Bluetooth communication to Wi-Fi communication. When colorimetric measurement in the line colorimetric mode is completed, the processing unit 20 performs a switching process from Wi-Fi communication back to the default Bluetooth communication. Therefore, when it is necessary to transmit colorimetric data in line colorimetric mode, the colorimeter 10 is set to Wi-Fi communication, which has a fast communication speed, and when it is necessary to transmit colorimetric data in modes other than line colorimetric mode, the colorimeter 10 is set to Bluetooth communication, which has a slower communication speed but consumes less power. Wi-Fi communication consumes a lot of power during standby periods, but Bluetooth communication such as BLE can significantly reduce power consumption during standby periods. Therefore, by setting the colorimeter 10 to Wi-Fi communication during line colorimetric mode and to Bluetooth communication during modes other than line colorimetric mode, it is possible to further reduce the power consumption of the colorimeter 10.

[0053] 3. Colorimetric mode Next, the colorimetric mode of the colorimetric device 10 of this embodiment will be described in detail. Fig. 8 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 36 ​​of the colorimetric device 10 after the colorimetric device 10 is powered on and before colorimetric measurement begins. A1 in Fig. 8 displays the status of the colorimetric device 10, such as the remaining battery level and communication status. As shown in A1, after the colorimetric device 10 is powered on, wireless communication is set to Bluetooth communication. Furthermore, because colorimetric measurement has not yet begun, the Lab values ​​and other colorimetric measurement results are not yet displayed, as shown in A2.

[0054] FIG. 9 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 36 ​​of the colorimeter 10 in the line colorimeter mode. In the line colorimeter mode, when a user operates and slides the colorimeter button 14, colorimeter 10 measures multiple colors arranged along a line. For example, the user presses the colorimeter button 14 at the start of the line and slides the colorimeter 10 along the line where multiple colors are arranged, thereby performing line colorimeter measurement. In this case, the user may press the colorimeter button 14 at the start of the line, slide the colorimeter 10, and then press the colorimeter button 14 again at the end of the line. Alternatively, the user may slide the colorimeter 10 from the start of the line while holding down the colorimeter button 14, and then release the finger from the colorimeter button 14 at the end of the line. Note that one or more colors to be measured by the colorimeter 10 are provided as patches, for example, in an area that will not be used when the object to be measured is finalized as a product. For example, when a user performs textile printing on a fabric, the user prints a patch in a test area for inspection and measures the color of this patch using the colorimeter 10. Then, when the fabric is cut to create a product, the area of ​​the test area is discarded by cutting.

[0055] In this embodiment, in the line colorimetric mode, wireless communication is set to Wi-Fi communication, as shown in A3 of Fig. 9. For example, as shown in A1 of Fig. 8, at startup after power-on, wireless communication is set to Bluetooth communication, but when the line colorimetric mode is entered, wireless communication switches from Bluetooth communication to Wi-Fi communication, as shown in A3 of Fig. 9. As a result, when the colorimeter 10 measures multiple colors in the line colorimetric mode, it becomes possible to transmit the colorimetric data in the line colorimetric mode, which has a large data size, via Wi-Fi communication, which has a high communication speed.

[0056] On the other hand, in the spot colorimetry mode, the user does not measure multiple colors on a line with a single operation as in the line colorimetry mode, but measures each color individually by pressing the colorimetry button 14. In this case, the colorimetry data in the spot colorimetry mode, which has a small data size, is transmitted via Bluetooth communication, which has a slow communication speed.

[0057] This embodiment also provides a group colorimetry mode for measuring multiple colors. FIG. 10 shows an example screen for the first group colorimetry mode, which measures the colors of a color group. The example screen in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 36. The following description will be given using the color comparison mode, in which a reference color, which is the color to be compared, is prepared and the measured color is compared with this reference color. For example, when a user performs inspection using the colorimeter 10, a color corresponding to the reference color is printed as a patch in the test area described above. The user performing the inspection then places the colorimeter 10 in the test area, performs colorimetry, and checks whether the color difference ΔE between the measured color and the reference color is within the tolerance.

[0058] When the first group colorimetry mode is set as the colorimetry mode, the display unit 36 ​​displays the screen shown in B1 of FIG. 10 . When the colorimetry start screen shown in B1 of FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 36, pressing the colorimetry button 14 as shown in B2 causes colorimetry of the first color in the color group to be performed, and a colorimetry result screen for the first color as shown in B3 is displayed on the display unit 36. On the B3 screen, a circular first marker for identifying the next color to be measured and number information for the next color to be measured are displayed as shown in B4 and B5. By looking at the number information in B5, the user can identify the number of the next color to be measured in the color group. On the B3 screen, the second color in the color group is the next color to be measured. Also, on the B3 screen, an outline of the next color to be measured is displayed within the circular first marker shown in B4 as shown in B6. Also, on the B3 screen, a triangular arrow second marker for identifying the currently measured color and number information for the currently measured color are displayed as shown in B7 and B8. For example, on screen B3, the first color in the color group is the color that was measured this time. Also on screen B3, an overview of the colors measured this time is displayed, as shown in B9. Also on screen B3, the color difference ΔE and the judgment result of the color difference ΔE are displayed, as shown in B10 and B11. The color difference ΔE shown in B10 is the color difference between the first measured color and the corresponding first reference color in the color group. The reference color is the color that is compared with the measured color. The judgment result shown in B11 is the judgment result against the color difference ΔE tolerance value, and in this case, the color difference ΔE is within the tolerance, so the judgment is OK.

[0059] When the colorimetry button 14 is pressed with the screen B3 displayed on the display unit 36, as shown in B13, the second color in the color group is measured, and the colorimetry result screen for the second color is displayed as shown in B14. On the screen B14, as shown in B15, a circular first marker, number information, and an outline of the color to be measured next are displayed. Also, as shown in B16, a triangular arrow second marker, number information, and an outline of the color measured this time are displayed, which are identification information for the color measured this time. For example, on the screen B14, the third color in the color group is the next color to be measured, and the second color in the color group is the color measured this time. Also, on the screen B14, the color difference ΔE and the color difference ΔE evaluation results are displayed as shown in B17 and B18. When the colorimetry button 14 is pressed with the screen B14 displayed on the display unit 36, as shown in B19, the third color in the color group is measured, and the colorimetry result screen for the third color is displayed as shown in B20.

[0060] As described above, in the first group colorimetry mode of FIG. 10, colorimetry is performed on a color group consisting of multiple colors. Spot colorimetry is performed on each color in the color group. In this first group colorimetry mode, the processing unit 20 transmits the colorimetry data of the color group obtained in the first group colorimetry mode via a second wireless communication such as Wi-Fi communication, which has a high communication speed. For example, if a color group consists of 16 colors, the colorimetry data for the 16 colors is transmitted via the second wireless communication. In this way, colorimetry data for a color group consisting of multiple colors, which has a large data size, can be transmitted in a short time via the second wireless communication, which has a high communication speed.

[0061] 11, 12, and 13 are example screens for the second group colorimetric mode, which measures the color of a color group of multiple lines. In the second group colorimetric mode, a color group is made up of multiple lines, and the color of each line is measured by line colorimetric measurement. Here, we will explain the case where group colorimetric measurement is performed on three lines.

[0062] When the second group colorimetric mode is selected as the colorimetric mode, the display unit 36 ​​displays the screen shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is an example of a screen displayed when colorimetric measurement begins. The screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed, for example, on the display unit 66 of the terminal device 60. Because colorimetric measurement has not yet been performed, the colorimetric results are not displayed in C1 of FIG. 11. Then, when the user touches the icon of the colorimetric measurement button C2, colorimetric measurement is performed by the colorimetric device 10. Alternatively, the user can also perform colorimetric measurement by pressing the colorimetric measurement button 14 of FIG. 2. Furthermore, when the user selects the “Colorimetric Measurement,” “Comparison,” “History,” or “Color Sample” icons shown in C3, the display transitions to a colorimetric result screen, a color comparison screen, a history screen of previously measured colors, and a color sample book selection screen. Furthermore, as shown in C4, status information such as the remaining battery level of the colorimetric device 10 is displayed on the screen.

[0063] After the colorimetry start screen shown in E1 of FIG. 12 is displayed on the display unit 66, colorimetry is performed by performing colorimetry on the first line. When colorimetry on the first line is complete, the processing unit 20 switches the wireless communication setting from Bluetooth to Wi-Fi and transmits the colorimetry data for the first line to the terminal device 60 via Wi-Fi. Upon receiving the colorimetry data for the first line, the terminal device 60 displays a screen showing the colorimetry results on the display unit 66 as shown in E2. As shown in E3, a first rectangular marker for identifying the color of the next line to be measured and an outline of the color of the next line to be measured are displayed. As shown in E4, a second triangular arrow marker for identifying the color of the currently measured line and an outline of the color of the currently measured line are displayed. As shown in E5, each of the measured colors is also displayed. Here, one line may consist of, for example, 12 colors, and these 12 colors are measured by the user's line colorimetry operation described in FIG. 9. Also, in FIG. 12, an outline of each of the 12 colors is displayed within a square frame. Specifically, the square frame is divided into two equal parts by a diagonal line, and the upper left triangular frame is filled with the color of the outline of the reference color, and the lower right triangular frame is filled with the color of the outline of the measured color.

[0064] The screen E6 in Figure 13 shows that color measurement of the last three lines has been performed, as shown in E7. Then, as shown in E8, a message is displayed informing users that there are no color groups to be measured next. The work result screen E9 shows that there were zero NG results, as shown in E10, and displays, for example, the average color difference value for all lines, as shown in E11. Furthermore, as shown in E12, the color difference ΔE and summary color for each color on each line are displayed.

[0065] 11, 12, and 13, colorimetry is performed on a color group consisting of multiple lines, and line colorimetry is performed on each line. In this second group colorimetry mode, the processing unit 20 transmits the colorimetry data of the color group obtained in the second group colorimetry mode via a second wireless communication such as Wi-Fi communication, which has a high communication speed. In this way, colorimetry data of a color group consisting of multiple lines, which has a large data size, can be transmitted in a short time via the second wireless communication, which has a high communication speed.

[0066] Furthermore, when colorimetry of all lines in a color group is completed, the processing unit 20 switches from the second wireless communication, such as Wi-Fi communication, which consumes a lot of power, to the first wireless communication, such as Bluetooth communication, which consumes less power. This allows the colorimetry data of a large-data-size color group to be transmitted via the second wireless communication, which has a high communication speed but consumes a lot of power, and then, after transmission of the colorimetry data of all lines in the color group is completed, to switch to the first wireless communication, which has a slower communication speed but consumes less power. This allows the colorimeter 10 to transmit colorimetry data at an appropriate communication speed while reducing its own power consumption. In the second group colorimetry mode, which performs colorimetry of a color group of multiple lines, the colorimetry data is transmitted via the second wireless communication each time colorimetry of each line in the color group is completed. However, the colorimetry data may be transmitted via the second wireless communication only after colorimetry of all lines in the group is completed.

[0067] As described above, the colorimeter of this embodiment includes a colorimetric unit that performs colorimetry, a first wireless communication unit that performs first wireless communication according to a first wireless communication standard, a second wireless communication unit that performs second wireless communication according to a second wireless communication standard, and a processing unit that performs control processing for the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit. When performing colorimetry in the first colorimetry mode, the processing unit performs processing to transmit colorimetry data obtained by colorimetry in the first colorimetry mode via the first wireless communication, and when performing colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode, the processing unit performs processing to transmit colorimetry data obtained by colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode via the second wireless communication.

[0068] As described above, according to this embodiment, colorimetric data in the first colorimetric mode is transmitted via the first wireless communication, and colorimetric data in the second colorimetric mode is transmitted via the second wireless communication, thereby realizing a colorimetric device that can transmit colorimetric data via wireless communication appropriate for each colorimetric mode.

[0069] In this embodiment, the second wireless communication may be wireless communication with a faster communication speed than the first wireless communication, and the second color measurement mode may be a color measurement mode with a larger color measurement data size than the first color measurement mode.

[0070] In this way, colorimetric data in the second colorimetric mode, which has a large colorimetric data size, can be transmitted via the second wireless communication, which has a faster communication speed, thereby enabling the transmission of colorimetric data via wireless communication at an appropriate communication speed according to the colorimetric mode.

[0071] In this embodiment, the first wireless communication may be Bluetooth communication, and the second wireless communication may be Wi-Fi communication.

[0072] In this way, colorimetric data obtained by colorimetry in the first colorimetry mode can be transmitted via Bluetooth communication, which has a slower communication speed but consumes less power than Wi-Fi communication, while colorimetric data obtained by colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode can be transmitted via Wi-Fi communication, which has a faster communication speed but consumes more power than Bluetooth communication.

[0073] In this embodiment, the first color measurement mode may be a spot color measurement mode, and the second color measurement mode may be a line color measurement mode.

[0074] In this way, in the spot colorimetry mode, colorimetry data can be transmitted by wireless communication suitable for the spot colorimetry mode, and in the line colorimetry mode, colorimetry data can be transmitted by wireless communication suitable for the line colorimetry mode.

[0075] In addition, in this embodiment, when the first colorimetric mode is set on the colorimetric mode setting screen, the processing unit may perform a process of transmitting colorimetric data via the first wireless communication, and when the second colorimetric mode is set on the colorimetric mode setting screen, the processing unit may perform a process of transmitting colorimetric data via the second wireless communication.

[0076] In this way, when a color measurement mode is set on the color measurement mode setting screen, color measurement data is transmitted by appropriate wireless communication according to the color measurement mode.

[0077] In this embodiment, the setting screen may be a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal device that communicates with the colorimeter.

[0078] In this way, the display unit of the terminal device can be used to display a colorimetry mode setting screen, and the user can select a colorimetry mode using that setting screen, and colorimetry data can be transmitted via wireless communication corresponding to the selected colorimetry mode.

[0079] In this embodiment, the processing unit may switch between the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication depending on the first color measurement mode or the second color measurement mode.

[0080] In this way, it becomes possible to switch from the first wireless communication to the second wireless communication, or from the second wireless communication to the first wireless communication, depending on the colorimetry mode, thereby realizing appropriate wireless communication switching processing depending on the colorimetry mode.

[0081] In this embodiment, when color measurement is performed in the second color measurement mode, the processing unit may switch from the first wireless communication to the second wireless communication.

[0082] In this way, when color measurement is performed in the second color measurement mode, the first wireless communication is switched to the second wireless communication, and the color measurement data can be transmitted via the second wireless communication.

[0083] In this embodiment, the processing unit may switch from the second wireless communication to the first wireless communication when color measurement in the second color measurement mode is completed.

[0084] In this way, after the transmission of the colorimetry data in the second colorimetry mode via the second wireless communication is completed, the second wireless communication is switched to the first wireless communication, which improves convenience.

[0085] In addition, in this embodiment, the processing unit may start wireless communication via the first wireless communication after the colorimeter is powered on, and when colorimeter is performed using the second colorimeter mode, switch from the first wireless communication to the second wireless communication, and when transmission of colorimeter data via the second wireless communication is completed, switch from the second wireless communication to the first wireless communication.

[0086] In this way, the wireless communication after power-on is set to the first wireless communication, and when colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode is performed, the wireless communication is switched from the first wireless communication to the second wireless communication, and when colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode is completed, the switching process is performed to return from the second wireless communication to the original first wireless communication.

[0087] This embodiment also relates to a color measurement system including the above-described color measurement device and a terminal device that communicates with the color measurement device.

[0088] According to such a color measurement system, for example, a user can operate a terminal device to cause the colorimeter to perform color measurement or set the colorimeter to various modes.

[0089] This embodiment also relates to a communication method for a colorimeter, in which, when colorimeter is used to perform colorimeter measurement in a first colorimeter mode using a colorimeter unit of the colorimeter, colorimeter data obtained by colorimeter measurement in the first colorimeter mode is transmitted via a first wireless communication that is wireless communication according to a first wireless communication standard, and when colorimeter is used to perform colorimeter measurement in a second colorimeter mode using the colorimeter unit, colorimeter data obtained by colorimeter measurement in the second colorimeter mode is transmitted via a second wireless communication that is wireless communication according to a second wireless communication standard.

[0090] This makes it possible to realize a communication method that can transmit color measurement data by wireless communication appropriate for each color measurement mode.

[0091] Although the present embodiment has been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily understand that many modifications are possible without substantially departing from the novel features and advantages of the present embodiment. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, a term described at least once in the specification or drawings together with a different term with a broader or equivalent meaning may be replaced with that different term anywhere in the specification or drawings. Furthermore, all combinations of the present embodiment and modifications are also intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the configurations and operations of the colorimeter, terminal device, colorimetric system, and colorimetric method are not limited to those described in the present embodiment, and various modifications are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 10...colorimeter, 12...colorimeter section, 13...operation section, 14...colorimeter button, 15...cross key, 16...power button, 17...back button, 18...shutter, 20...processing section, 22...colorimeter mode setting section, 24...communication processing section, 30...storage section, 36...display section, 40...communication section, 41...first wireless communication section, 42...second wireless communication section, 60...terminal device, 62...processing section, 66...display section, 70...communication section, 100...colorimeter system

Claims

1. a color measurement unit that performs color measurement; a first wireless communication unit that performs first wireless communication according to a first wireless communication standard; a second wireless communication unit that performs second wireless communication according to a second wireless communication standard; a processing unit that performs control processing of the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit; Including, The color measurement unit performing color measurement in a first color measurement mode and color measurement in a second color measurement mode different from the first color measurement mode; The processing unit determining whether the color measurement is performed in the first color measurement mode or the second color measurement mode; When performing colorimetry in the first colorimetry mode, performing a process of transmitting colorimetry data obtained by the colorimetry in the first colorimetry mode via the first wireless communication; A colorimeter characterized in that, when performing color measurement in the second colorimetric mode, the colorimetric data obtained by color measurement in the second colorimetric mode is transmitted via the second wireless communication.

2. In the colorimeter according to claim 1, the second color measurement mode is a group color measurement mode in which spot color measurement is performed for each color of a color group configured of a plurality of colors, The processing unit a colorimeter configured to transmit data of the plurality of colors that make up the color group via the second wireless communication in the group colorimetric mode;

3. In the colorimeter according to claim 2, The processing unit A colorimeter characterized by performing a process to display, on a display unit, a colorimetric result screen of the measured color and information for identifying the next color to be measured when a user performs a colorimetric operation in the group colorimetric mode.

4. The colorimeter according to claim 1 , the second wireless communication is wireless communication having a communication speed faster than that of the first wireless communication, The colorimeter, wherein the second colorimetric mode is a colorimetric mode in which the colorimetric data size is larger than that of the first colorimetric mode.

5. The colorimeter according to claim 4, the first wireless communication is Bluetooth communication; The colorimeter, wherein the second wireless communication is Wi-Fi communication.

6. 6. The colorimeter according to claim 4, the first color measurement mode is a spot color measurement mode, The colorimeter, wherein the second colorimetric mode is a line colorimetric mode.

7. 7. The colorimeter according to claim 1, The processing unit When the first color measurement mode is set on a color measurement mode setting screen, a process of transmitting the color measurement data via the first wireless communication is performed; a colorimeter that performs processing to transmit the colorimetric data via the second wireless communication when the second colorimetric mode is set on the setting screen of the colorimetric mode;

8. The colorimeter according to claim 7, The colorimeter, wherein the setting screen is a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal device that communicates with the colorimeter.

9. The colorimeter according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The processing unit A colorimeter, characterized in that the first wireless communication and the second wireless communication are switched depending on the first colorimetric mode or the second colorimetric mode.

10. The colorimeter according to claim 9, The processing unit The colorimeter, wherein when color measurement is performed in the second colorimetric mode, the colorimeter switches from the first wireless communication to the second wireless communication.

11. The colorimeter according to claim 9 or 10, The processing unit A colorimeter, characterized in that when color measurement in the second colorimetric mode is completed, the colorimeter switches from the second wireless communication to the first wireless communication.

12. The colorimeter according to claim 9, The processing unit After the power of the colorimeter is turned on, wireless communication by the first wireless communication is started; When color measurement is performed in the second color measurement mode, switching from the first wireless communication to the second wireless communication is performed; A colorimeter, characterized in that, when transmission of the colorimetric data via the second wireless communication is completed, the colorimeter switches from the second wireless communication to the first wireless communication.

13. The colorimeter according to any one of claims 1 to 12, a terminal device that communicates with the colorimeter; A color measurement system comprising:

14. A communication method for a colorimeter, comprising: a color measurement unit performing color measurement in a first color measurement mode and a second color measurement mode different from the first color measurement mode; a processing unit determining whether the color measurement is performed in the first color measurement mode or the second color measurement mode; When performing colorimetry in the first colorimetry mode using the colorimetry unit, a first wireless communication unit transmits colorimetry data obtained by the colorimetry in the first colorimetry mode via first wireless communication that is wireless communication in accordance with a first wireless communication standard; When colorimetry is performed in the second colorimetry mode using the colorimetry unit, a second wireless communication unit transmits the colorimetry data obtained by the colorimetry in the second colorimetry mode via second wireless communication that is wireless communication in accordance with a second wireless communication standard. A communication method comprising:

Images