Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, information processing system, information processing method and program which can improve the brilliant feeling with the color reproducibility kept while being set as using only one kind of brilliant color material even when the brilliant feeling of a reproduction color is lower than a target color.SOLUTION: An information processing device for obtaining a color material amount of a brilliant color material and a process color material used in image formation by an image formation device, comprises: a derivation unit which derives a color material amount of a process color material and another color material so as to replace a partial color material amount of at least a portion of the process color material with a color material amount of the other color material in order to reproduce a target color by using a dictionary in which the target color having the brilliant feeling is associated with the color material amount of the process color material and the brilliant color material for reproducing the target color; and an update unit which updates a color material amount of the target color in the dictionary with the color material amount derived by the derivation unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent electrophotographic printing, in addition to the conventionally used C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) color materials, special color materials are sometimes used to expand color expression. For example, by using metallic color materials with a metallic luster such as gold toner and silver toner, pearl color materials, and glitter color materials such as mica color materials, it is possible to form glossy color images. Hereinafter, colors produced by glitter color materials will be referred to as metallic colors for convenience. Traditionally, offset printing using glitter color materials has been the mainstream for printing metallic colors.

[0003] In offset printing, color sample patches are commercially available for the purpose of printing ideal metallic colors, and users specify colors using the color sample patches. As shown in Figure 15, color materials are mixed to reproduce the color sample patches, and printing companies use these mixed color materials for printing. Here, colors registered in color sample books are called spot colors.

[0004] On the other hand, in electrophotographic printing, an image is formed by overlapping layers of toner of each color, as shown in Figure 16. Unlike offset printing, this method has the advantage of not requiring the mixing of color materials and allowing for on-demand printing, but a disadvantage is that depending on the order in which the toners are overlapped, the toner color in the lower layer may be covered and shielded by the toner color in the upper layer. Also, metallic toner, which uses metal, generally has better shielding properties than process color toner, which uses pigments. Therefore, metallic toner is often placed in the bottom layer closest to the paper (underprinting).

[0005] As a technique for performing offset printing using such metallic toner, when metallic color is reproduced by using metallic color material as underprinting and overlaying CMYK color material, a configuration has been disclosed in which, in order to suppress a reduction in brilliance when the amount of process color material is large, two types of metallic color material are used for underprinting and overprinting, and the amount of metallic color material is changed without changing the amount of process color material, thereby adjusting the brilliance while maintaining a certain degree of color reproducibility (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0006] Furthermore, when reproducing metallic colors, in order to suppress a reduction in brilliance due to a decrease in the orientation of metallic color materials caused by a large amount of process color materials, a configuration has been disclosed in which the amount of process color materials is adjusted by UCR (Under Color Removal) processing, thereby adjusting the brilliance while maintaining a certain degree of color reproducibility (for example, Patent Document 2). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 requires a unit including six photosensitive drums to adjust the brilliance, and two types of metallic coloring materials must be prepared, resulting in high costs. Furthermore, the technology described in Patent Document 2 has the problem that it is unclear whether the brilliance of a metallic color that reproduces a target metallic color (reproduced metallic color) is sufficiently equivalent to that of the target metallic color.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that can improve the brilliance of the reproduced color while maintaining color reproducibility, even if the brilliance of the reproduced color is lower than the target color, by using only one type of brilliance colorant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an information processing device for determining amounts of process color materials and glitter color materials used in image formation by an image forming device, the information processing device including: a derivation unit that derives color material amounts of the process color materials and the other color materials so as to replace a portion of the color material amounts of at least some of the process color materials with a color material amount of another color material, in order to reproduce a target color having a glitter feel using a dictionary that associates the target color with the color material amounts of the process color materials and the glitter color materials for reproducing the target color; and an update unit that updates the color material amounts of the target color in the dictionary with the color material amounts derived by the derivation unit. The part of the coloring materials is cyan, magenta, and yellow coloring materials, and the other coloring material is black coloring material. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, even if the brilliance of the reproduced color is lower than the target color, it is possible to improve the brilliance while maintaining color reproducibility by using only one type of brilliance colorant. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the overall operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of replacing CMY color materials with K color materials to increase the sense of brilliance. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional block configuration of the information processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the color measurement operation in the colorimeter according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a color prediction model. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the spot color dictionary. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the target metallic color registration process of the information processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process of resetting the device value of the metallic color of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the operation of resetting the device value of the metallic color. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional block configuration of the information processing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process for resetting a device value of a metallic color in the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating offset printing. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating electrophotographic printing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and the components in the following embodiments include those that would be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the scope of what is called equivalents. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the following embodiments.

[0013] [First embodiment] (Overall configuration of information processing system) 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. The overall configuration of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0014] 1, the information processing system 1 includes an information processing device 10, a user PC (Personal Computer) 20, an image forming device 30, and a colorimeter 40. The information processing device 10, the user PC 20, the image forming device 30, and the colorimeter 40 are capable of communicating data with each other via a network N such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0015] The information processing device 10 is an information processing device such as a DFE (Digital Front End) composed of a PC (Personal Computer) or a workstation that receives colorimetric values ​​of a target metallic color (target color) measured by a colorimeter 40, calculates metallic and color values ​​from the colorimetric values, derives device values ​​(colorant amounts) including Si (metallic silver), and creates a spot color dictionary (dictionary) that associates the derived device values ​​with the target metallic color. Here, the target metallic color refers to, for example, color numbers 599 to 621 in the DIC Color Guide or the color of a metallic patch in a color swatch book formed by offset printing, such as the PANTONE Metallic Coated Guide. The device values ​​refer to the five device values ​​of the process colors C, M, Y, and K, plus Si (metallic silver). A "high metallic value" is synonymous with a "high brilliance," and "strong color" and "high color value" are synonymous with "high saturation" or "dark." Furthermore, the information processing device 10 receives a print job from the user PC 20, and performs color conversion processing to convert the spot colors specified in the print job into five-color device values ​​using a spot color dictionary.

[0016] The user PC 20 is an information processing device that transmits print jobs to the information processing device 10 and displays the status of the processing results and the like.

[0017] The image forming apparatus 30 is a printing apparatus that prints out image data under the control of the information processing apparatus 10. In this 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 spectrophotometer that measures the color of a metallic patch of a target metallic color from multiple directions and transmits the obtained colorimetric values ​​to the information processing device 10 .

[0019] (Hardware configuration of information processing device) 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device according to the first embodiment. The hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 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 a computing device that controls the overall operation of the information processing device 10. The ROM 602 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs for the information processing device 10. The RAM 603 is a volatile storage device that is used as a work area for the CPU 601.

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

[0023] The display 608 is a display device configured with a liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc., 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 user PC 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 in accordance with TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol) or the like.

[0025] The keyboard 611 is an input device for selecting letters, numbers, and various instructions, moving the cursor, etc. The mouse 612 is an input device for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving the cursor, etc.

[0026] The DVD drive 614 is a device that controls reading and writing of data from and 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 communicatively connected to each other via a bus 610 such as an address bus and a data bus.

[0028] 2 is an example, and does not necessarily include all of the components shown in Fig. 2, or may include other components. The hardware configuration of the user PC 20 is also assumed to be similar to the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 2.

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

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

[0031] The paper feed tray 700 is a tray that stores recording media such as paper to be fed. The transport rollers 701 are a pair of rollers that transport the recording media fed from the paper feed tray 700 along a transport path to the transfer roller 704.

[0032] Intermediate transfer belt 702 is an endless belt on which intermediate transfer images are formed by photosensitive drums 703C, 703M, 703Y, 703K, and 703S. Intermediate transfer belt 702 rotates clockwise as viewed on the paper in Figure 3, and toner images of each color are formed on photosensitive drums 703K, 703C, 703M, 703Y, and 703S in this order.

[0033] Photoconductor drum 703C is a photoconductor drum that forms a cyan toner image on intermediate transfer belt 702. Photoconductor drum 703M is a photoconductor drum that forms a magenta toner image on intermediate transfer belt 702. Photoconductor drum 703Y is a photoconductor drum that forms a yellow toner image on intermediate transfer belt 702. Photoconductor drum 703K is a photoconductor drum that forms a black toner image on intermediate transfer belt 702. Photoconductor drum 703S is a photoconductor drum that forms a special color toner image on intermediate transfer belt 702. Here, the special color refers to, for example, a metallic color material having a metallic luster such as gold toner or silver toner, a pearl color material, or a glitter color material such as mica color material. Note that in this embodiment, the special color material is described as being silver toner, which is a metallic color material, but other glitter color materials such as those described above may also be used. To form an intermediate transfer image on intermediate transfer belt 702, photoconductor drums 703S, 703Y, 703M, 703C, and 703K are arranged in this order from upstream in the rotation direction of intermediate transfer belt 702. As a result, toner images of each color are formed on the surface of intermediate transfer belt 702, resulting in a full-color image being formed as an intermediate transfer image. Note that photoconductor drums 703C, 703M, 703Y, 703K, and 703S will be referred to simply as "photoconductor drum 703" when referring to any one of the photoconductor drums or when referring to them collectively. Furthermore, photoconductor drum 703 is configured to use CMYK colors as process colors, but CMY colors may also 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 transported by the transport roller 701. By the function of this transfer roller 704, a full-color image is formed (printed) on the recording medium. In this case, due to the order in which the colors of the intermediate transfer image are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 702, the metallic color layer is the bottom layer of the full-color image formed on the recording medium, and is an "underprint" using the metallic color color material.

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

[0036] (Overall operation flow of the information processing system) Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the overall operation flow of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation for increasing the sense of brilliance by replacing CMY color materials with K color materials. The overall operation flow of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5.

[0037] <Step S11> First, the information processing device 10 calculates metallic values ​​and color values ​​from the colorimetric values ​​obtained by measuring the patches of the target metallic color using the colorimeter 40, and then associates the metallic values ​​and color values ​​with the five-color device values ​​of the image forming device 30 and registers them in the spot color dictionary. Details of the target metallic color registration process performed by the information processing device 10 will be described later with reference to Fig. 10. Then, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0038] <Step S12> Next, the information processing device 10 selects a metallic color that is registered in the spot color dictionary, and then proceeds to step S13.

[0039] <Step S13> Then, the information processing device 10 uses the five-color device values ​​corresponding to the selected metallic color in the spot color dictionary to transmit image data (metallic patch data, etc.) of the color (reproduced color) for reproducing the target metallic color (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the reproduced metallic color) to the image forming device 30, which prints it out. Then, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0040] <Step S14> The colorimeter 40 performs color measurement on the patches of the reproduced metallic color printed out by the image forming apparatus 30, and transmits the colorimetric values ​​to the information processing apparatus 10. Then, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0041] <Step S15> The information processing device 10 resets the five-color device values ​​of the metallic color selected in step S12 based on the colorimetric values ​​of the reproduced metallic color received from the colorimeter 40 and updates the spot color dictionary. Specifically, if the metallic value of the reproduced metallic color is lower than that of the target metallic color by a predetermined value or more, the information processing device 10 resets the five-color device values ​​to increase the metallic value without changing the color value. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the information processing device 10 replaces some of the device values ​​of C, M, and Y (an example of some colorants) with the device value of K (an example of another colorant) while maintaining the component ratio of the C, M, and Y device values ​​that make up the reproduced metallic color. Note that maintaining the component ratio of the C, M, and Y device values ​​does not only mean that the component ratios are strictly the same, but also means that the component ratios are maintained to an extent that they can be considered identical. Of FIG. 5, FIG. 5(a) shows the layer configuration of colorants when a target metallic color is printed out to be reproduced using the spot color dictionary created in step S13. Specifically, a silver toner layer SL is formed as an underprint on printing paper P, and a cyan toner layer CL1, a magenta toner layer ML1, and a yellow toner layer YL1 are formed on top of that in this order. Figure 5(b) shows the layer configuration of color materials when printing is performed in step S15 after some of the C, M, and Y device values ​​that make up the reproduced metallic color are replaced with K device values ​​while maintaining their component ratios. In this case, the amount of color materials corresponding to some of the C, M, and Y device values ​​replaced with K device values ​​is greater than the amount of color materials corresponding to the replaced K device values, so the total amount of process color color materials is reduced. That is, the device values ​​for forming the cyan toner layer CL2, magenta toner layer ML2, and yellow toner layer YL2 are maintained by maintaining the composition ratio of the device values ​​that form the cyan toner layer CL1, magenta toner layer ML1, and yellow toner layer YL1 that make up the reproduced metallic color in Figure 5(a), and some of the device values ​​that form the cyan toner layer CL1, magenta toner layer ML1, and yellow toner layer YL1 are replaced with device values ​​for forming the black toner layer KL.This reduces the amount of process color material that masks the metallic silver toner without changing the color value, bringing the metallic value closer to the target, thereby improving the sense of brilliance while maintaining color reproducibility. Details of the metallic color device value resetting process performed by the information processing device 10 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0042] The overall operation of the information processing system 1 is carried out through the flow of steps S11 to S15 described above.

[0043] (Configuration and operation of functional blocks of information processing device) Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of functional blocks of the information processing device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the color measurement operation of the colorimeter according to the first embodiment. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a color prediction model. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a spot color dictionary. The configuration and operation of functional blocks of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 9.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6, the information processing device 10 includes a colorimetric value acquisition unit 101 (first acquisition unit), a reproducibility characteristic acquisition unit 102 (calculation unit), a color material amount derivation unit 103 (derivation unit), a dictionary creation unit 104 (an example of an update unit), a memory unit 105, an operation unit 106, a print job acquisition unit 111, and a color conversion unit 112.

[0045] The colorimetric value acquisition unit 101 is a functional unit that acquires, via the network I / F 609, multiple colorimetric values ​​obtained by measuring patches of the target metallic color and the reproduced metallic color from multiple directions using the colorimeter 40, and sends these values ​​to the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102. Here, with reference to FIG. 7 , the colorimetric operation by the colorimeter 40 will be described in detail. The colorimeter 40 is a multi-angle spectral colorimeter, and through colorimetric processing, it acquires colorimetric values ​​in a 15-degree direction, a 45-degree direction resulting in diffusely reflected light, and a 110-degree direction resulting in diffusely reflected light, assuming that the direction of specular reflection is 0 degrees when light irradiated from a light source LS in an oblique direction (a direction at 45 degrees relative to the normal) is reflected by a color material layer CML formed on printing paper P (an example of a recording medium). These colorimetric values ​​are specifically values ​​based on the spectral reflectance in each direction.

[0046] Specifically, the colorimetric value acquisition unit 101 acquires colorimetric values ​​in the directions of 15 degrees, 45 degrees, and 110 degrees measured by the colorimeter 40 on the patches of the target metallic color and the reproduced metallic color as described above.

[0047] The reproducibility characteristic acquisition unit 102 is a functional unit that calculates two physical quantities (evaluation values), a metallic value and a color value, from multiple colorimetric values ​​received from the colorimetric value acquisition unit 101 and sends them to the color material amount derivation unit 103. The metallic value (first characteristic value) is a physical quantity that quantifies the degree of brilliance of the measurement object measured by the colorimeter 40, and is generally a value calculated using colorimetric values ​​measured in multiple directions. The color value (second characteristic value) is a physical quantity that quantifies the degree of color (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 commonly used as a method for measuring colors involving optical anisotropy. The metallic value and color value are used as values ​​that indicate the reproducibility characteristics of a target metallic color.

[0048] As shown in Figure 7, the flop index is calculated using the L value among the Lab values ​​obtained by measuring color at angles of 15 degrees, 45 degrees, and 110 degrees, with the direction of specular reflection of light irradiated by light source LS from a direction of 45 degrees to the normal, as shown in Figure 7. 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, as shown in Figure 7, using the following formula (1):

[0049]

number

[0050] In the above equation (1), FI 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 indicates the L value in the 110-degree direction. The flop index FI is a physical quantity in which the higher the value, the more brilliant the sense of brightness. On the other hand, the color value is assumed to be the Lab value, which is a conventional index that expresses saturation and depth in the 45-degree direction. Note that the metallic value is not limited to the flop index, and may be replaced by other index values ​​or evaluation values.

[0051] The color material amount derivation unit 103 is a functional unit that derives five-color device values ​​(CMYKSi values) corresponding to the image forming device 30, which is a reproduction printing machine, from the metallic values ​​and color values ​​calculated by the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102 using a color prediction model stored in the memory unit 105, and sends them together with the metallic values ​​and color values ​​to the dictionary creation unit 104.

[0052] Here, the processing of the color prediction model will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The color prediction model is a model that receives five-color device values ​​(C, M, Y, K, Si) as input and outputs metallic values ​​and color values ​​of metallic colors predicted to be reproduced by the image forming apparatus 30. Among the color prediction models, a model that outputs metallic values ​​of metallic colors predicted to be reproduced from the five-color device values ​​is referred to as a metallic value prediction model, and a model that outputs color values ​​of metallic colors predicted to be reproduced from the five-color device values ​​is referred to as a color value prediction model. In this embodiment, the metallic value prediction model outputs the flop index shown in the above-described formula (1) as the metallic value, and the color value prediction model outputs Lab values ​​that represent saturation and darkness in a 45-degree direction as the color value.

[0053] Next, a method for creating a color prediction model will be described. First, various combinations of color patches with five-color device values ​​are printed out by the image forming apparatus 30. Then, for each color patch, colorimetric values ​​are obtained by measuring the color in multiple directions using the colorimeter 40, as shown in FIG. 7 . As a result, metallic values ​​and color values ​​are obtained for each color patch. Then, based on these values, a metallic value prediction model that obtains metallic values ​​by inputting the five-color device values ​​and a color value prediction model that obtains color values ​​are created. Note that functions used in these color prediction models can be general functions for color prediction models, such as multiple regression equations, neural networks, and interpolation using direct lookup tables. The color prediction models created in this manner are stored in the storage unit 105. Note that the color prediction models may be models that correspond to each paper type used in the image forming apparatus 30.

[0054] The dictionary creation unit 104 is a functional unit that reads information about a target metallic color (spot color) from the storage unit 105, creates a spot color dictionary that associates the information about the target metallic color (e.g., the color name of the target metallic color) with the metallic value, color values, and five-color device values ​​received from the color material amount derivation unit 103, and stores the spot color dictionary in the storage unit 105. In this case, if a spot color dictionary for the target metallic color has already been created in the storage unit 105, the dictionary creation unit 104 only needs to update the five-color device values ​​in the spot color dictionary. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 , the dictionary creation unit 104 creates a spot color dictionary by associating information about the target metallic color (Color Name), color values ​​(L*, a*, b*), a metallic value (F1), and five-color device values ​​(C, M, Y, K, Si).

[0055] 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 metallic color (e.g., color name, etc.), a color prediction model, etc. The storage unit 105 is realized by the auxiliary storage device 605 shown in FIG.

[0056] The operation unit 106 is a functional unit that accepts operation input. Note that the operation unit 106 may accept not only operations for the information processing device 10 but also operations for the colorimeter 40. The operation unit 106 is realized by the keyboard 611 and mouse 612 shown in FIG. 2.

[0057] The print job acquisition unit 111 is a functional unit that acquires a print job from the user PC 20 or the like and sends it to the color conversion unit 112 .

[0058] Color conversion unit 112 is a functional unit that performs color conversion processing to convert spot colors specified in the print job received from print job acquisition unit 111 into five-color device values ​​using a spot color dictionary stored in storage unit 105. Color conversion unit 112 transmits image data obtained by the color conversion processing to image forming apparatus 30 via network I / F 609.

[0059] The above-described colorimetric value acquisition unit 101, reproducibility characteristic acquisition unit 102, colorant amount derivation unit 103, dictionary creation unit 104, print job acquisition unit 111, and color conversion unit 112 are realized by executing a program by the CPU 601 shown in Fig. 2. Note that at least a part of the functional units of the information processing device 10 shown in Fig. 6 that are realized by software (programs) may be realized by hardware circuits such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0060] Furthermore, the functional units of the information processing device 10 shown in Fig. 6 are conceptually shown, and are not limited to such a configuration. For example, the multiple functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the information processing device 10 shown in Fig. 6 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the function of a single functional unit in the information processing device 10 shown in Fig. 6 may be divided into multiple functional units, and configured as multiple functional units.

[0061] (Target metallic color registration process flow) 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the target metallic color registration process of the information processing device 10 according to the first embodiment. The flow of the target metallic color registration process of the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10. Note that this target metallic color registration process corresponds to the process of step S11 shown in FIG. 4.

[0062] <Step S111> The user selects multiple patches that will be the target metallic color from the color sample book and causes the colorimeter 40 to measure the colors. Then, the colorimetric value acquisition unit 101 of the information processing device 10 acquires multiple colorimetric values ​​obtained by measuring the patches of the target metallic color from multiple directions using the colorimeter 40 via the network I / F 609 and sends them to the reproducibility characteristic acquisition unit 102. Then, the process proceeds to step S112.

[0063] <Step S112> The reproducibility characteristic acquisition unit 102 of the information processing device 10 calculates a metallic value and a color value, which are two physical quantities (evaluation values), from the plurality of colorimetric values ​​received from the colorimetric value acquisition unit 101, and sends them to the color material amount derivation unit 103. Then, the process proceeds to step S113.

[0064] <Step S113> The colorant amount derivation unit 103 of the information processing apparatus 10 sets an arbitrary value as the K device value of the target metallic color, and then the process proceeds to step S114.

[0065] <Step S114> The color material amount derivation unit 103 then uses the color prediction model stored in the storage unit 105 to derive C, M, Y, and Si device values ​​without changing the set K device value so that the metallic value and color values ​​fall within their respective allowable ranges. For example, the color material amount derivation unit 103 defines the allowable ranges as ± a predetermined value for each of the acquired metallic value and color value, and if the metallic value and color value calculated using the color prediction model fall within their respective allowable ranges from the provisionally derived five-color device values ​​(with the K device value left unchanged), the color material amount derivation unit 103 considers the five-color device values ​​to have been officially derived. The color material amount derivation unit 103 then sends the derived five-color device values ​​(including the set K device value) and the metallic value and color value received from the reproducibility characteristic acquisition unit 102 to the dictionary creation unit 104. The process then proceeds to step S115.

[0066] <Step S115> The dictionary creation unit 104 of the information processing device 10 reads out information about the target metallic color (spot color) selected in step S111 from the storage unit 105, and registers the information about the target metallic color (e.g., the color name of the target metallic color) in the spot color dictionary in association with the metallic value, color value, and five-color device values ​​received from the color material amount derivation unit 103. Then, the process proceeds to step S116.

[0067] <Step S116> If the processing of steps S111 to S115 has been completed for all target metallic colors (step S116: Yes), the process proceeds to step S117, and if not (step S116: No), the process returns to step S111.

[0068] <Step S117> The dictionary creation unit 104 creates the spot color dictionary by registering all target metallic colors in the spot color dictionary through the processing of steps S111 to S115, and stores the spot color dictionary in the storage unit 105.

[0069] The process of registering the target metallic color is executed through the flow of steps S111 to S117 described above.

[0070] (Flow of process for resetting metallic color device values) 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process of resetting the metallic color device values ​​of the information processing device 10 according to the first embodiment. The flow of the process of resetting the metallic color device values ​​of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11. Note that this process of resetting the metallic color device values ​​corresponds to the process of step S15 shown in FIG.

[0071] <Step S151> The reproducibility characteristic acquisition unit 102 calculates a metallic value from the colorimetric value of the reproduced metallic color received from the colorimeter 40, and sends the calculated metallic value to the color material amount derivation unit 103. Then, the process proceeds to step S152.

[0072] <Step S152> The color material amount derivation unit 103 acquires the metallic value of the target metallic color corresponding to the reproduced metallic color from the spot color dictionary stored in the storage unit 105. Then, the process proceeds to step S153.

[0073] <Step S153> The color material amount derivation unit 103 determines whether the metallic value of the reproduced metallic color received from the reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 102 is lower than the metallic value of the acquired target metallic color by a predetermined value or more. If the metallic value of the reproduced metallic color is lower than the metallic value of the target metallic color by a predetermined value or more (step S153: Yes), the process proceeds to step S154, but if it is not lower by the predetermined value or more (step S153: No), the device value in the spot color dictionary is left as is and the process ends.

[0074] <Step S154> The color material amount derivation unit 103 acquires the K device value and color value corresponding to the target metallic color from the spot color dictionary stored in the storage unit 105. Then, the process proceeds to step S155.

[0075] <Step S155> Then, the colorant amount derivation unit 103 resets the K device value corresponding to the target metallic color to a value higher than the acquired K device value, and then the process proceeds to step S156.

[0076] <Step S156> The color material amount derivation unit 103 derives the C, M, and Y device values ​​so that the color values ​​fall within an allowable range without changing the reset K device value, using the color prediction model stored in the storage unit 105. For example, the color material amount derivation unit 103 defines the allowable range as being within ± a predetermined value of the acquired color value, and if the color values ​​calculated from the provisionally derived five-color device values ​​(with the K and Si device values ​​left unchanged) using the color prediction model fall within the allowable range, the five-color device values ​​are deemed to have been officially derived.

[0077] The color material amount derivation unit 103 may also obtain the C, M, and Y device values ​​corresponding to the target metallic color from the spot color dictionary, reset the C, M, and Y device values ​​to lower values, and derive the K device value so that the color value is within the allowable range without changing the reset C, M, and Y device values.

[0078] The color material amount derivation unit 103 may derive the C, M, and Y device values ​​by replacing some of the C, M, and Y device values ​​with the increased amount of the K device value that has been reset while maintaining the component ratio of the C, M, and Y device values ​​that correspond to the target metallic color in the spot color dictionary.The color material amount derivation unit 103 may also acquire the C, M, and Y device values ​​that correspond to the target metallic color from the spot color dictionary, and replace the device value that is the same as the smallest device value among the device values ​​of the three colors with the K device value that is the same as the smallest device value, thereby increasing the K device value and decreasing the C, M, and Y device values.

[0079] Then, the color material amount derivation unit 103 sends the derived five-color device values ​​(including the reset K device value) and the color values ​​received from the reproducibility characteristic acquisition unit 102 to the dictionary creation unit 104.

[0080] FIG. 12 shows an example of the configuration of the five-color device values ​​reset (re-derived) in steps S155 and S156. FIG. 12(a) shows an example of the five-color device values ​​before resetting, and FIG. 12(b) shows an example of the five-color device values ​​after resetting. As shown in FIG. 12, by resetting the K device value higher, it is necessary to lower the C, M, and Y device values ​​so that the color value falls within the acceptable range. This reduces the total amount of C, M, and Y colorants, thereby reducing the hiding rate of the Si colorant. As a result, it is possible to improve the metallic value (improve the sense of brilliance) while maintaining the color value. Note that, here, the C, M, and Y device values ​​are derived using a color prediction model for the reset K device value so that the color value falls within the acceptable range. However, the C, M, and Y device values ​​may also be derived using a simple UCR (Under Color Removal) process.

[0081] Then, the process proceeds to step S157.

[0082] <Step S157> The dictionary creation unit 104 updates the five-color device values ​​of the target metallic color corresponding to the reproduced metallic color in the spot color dictionary with the five-color device values ​​reset (re-derived) by the color material amount derivation unit 103.

[0083] The process of resetting the metallic color device values ​​is carried out through the flow of steps S151 to S157.

[0084] As described above, the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment determines the device values ​​of the process color materials and metallic color materials used in image formation (printing) by the image forming device 30. The color material amount derivation unit 103 reproduces a target metallic color using a spot color dictionary that associates a target metallic color having a brilliance with the device amounts of the process color materials and metallic color materials required to reproduce the target metallic color. The color material amount derivation unit 103 derives the device values ​​of the process color materials and other color materials by replacing some device values ​​of at least some of the process color materials (e.g., C, M, and Y color materials) with device values ​​of other color materials (e.g., K color material). The dictionary creation unit 104 updates the device values ​​of the target metallic color in the spot color dictionary with the device values ​​derived by the color material amount derivation unit 103. This allows the brilliance of the reproduced color to be improved while maintaining color reproducibility, even when only one type of metallic color material is used.

[0085] [Second embodiment] The information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described, focusing on differences from the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, an operation for automatically determining whether the metallic value of a reproduced metallic value is lower than the metallic value of a target metallic color by a predetermined value or more was described. In this embodiment, an operation for visually comparing the brilliance of a target metallic color with the brilliance of a reproduced metallic color and replacing the C, M, and Y device values ​​with a K device value based on the results of the comparison will be described. The overall configuration of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, and the hardware configurations of the information processing device 10a, user PC 20, and image forming device 30 are the same as those described in the first embodiment. The overall operation of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, and the target metallic color registration process of the information processing device 10a, are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

[0086] (Configuration and operation of functional blocks of information processing device) 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of functional blocks of an information processing device according to the second embodiment. The configuration and operation of the functional blocks of an information processing device 10a according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0087] 13, information processing device 10a includes colorimetric value acquisition unit 101 (first acquisition unit), reproducibility characteristic acquisition unit 102 (calculation unit), color material amount derivation unit 103 (derivation unit), dictionary creation unit 104 (an example of an update unit), storage unit 105, operation unit 106, glitter judgment result acquisition unit 107 (second acquisition unit), print job acquisition unit 111, and color conversion unit 112. A user compares a patch of a target metallic color in a color sample book with a patch of a reproduced metallic color printed out using the created spot color dictionary (step S13 shown in FIG. 4), and inputs a judgment result (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a glitter judgment result) as to whether the glitter of the reproduced metallic color is lower than the glitter of the target metallic color to user PC 20.

[0088] The glitter judgment result acquisition unit 107 is a functional unit that acquires the glitter judgment result from the user PC 20 via the network I / F 609 and sends the glitter judgment result to the color material amount derivation unit 103.

[0089] The operations of the functional units other than the glitter judgment result acquisition unit 107 in the information processing device 10a are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

[0090] (Flow of process for resetting metallic color device values) 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process of resetting the metallic color device values ​​of the information processing device 10a according to the second embodiment. The flow of the process of resetting the metallic color device values ​​of the information processing device 10a according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14. This process of resetting the metallic color device values ​​corresponds to the process of step S15 shown in FIG.

[0091] <Step S151a> The user visually compares the target metallic color patch in the color sample book with the reproduced metallic color patch printed out using the created spot color dictionary (step S13 shown in FIG. 4), and inputs the brilliance judgment result indicating whether the brilliance of the reproduced metallic color is lower than that of the target metallic color to user PC 20. The brilliance judgment result acquisition unit 107 of information processing device 10a acquires the brilliance judgment result from user PC 20 via network I / F 609, and sends the brilliance judgment result to colorant amount derivation unit 103. Then, the process proceeds to step S152a.

[0092] <Step S152a> The color material amount derivation unit 103 of the information processing device 10a determines whether or not resetting of the device values ​​is necessary based on the glitter judgment result acquired from the glitter judgment result acquisition unit 107. If resetting of the device values ​​is necessary (step S152a: Yes), the process proceeds to step S153a, and if resetting of the device values ​​is not necessary (step S152a: No), the process ends.

[0093] <Step S153a> The colorant amount derivation unit 103 acquires the C, M, Y, and K device values ​​of the target metallic color corresponding to the reproduced metallic color from the spot color dictionary stored in the storage unit 105. Then, the process proceeds to step S154a.

[0094] <Step S154a> The color material amount derivation unit 103 performs UCR processing on the acquired C, M, Y, and K device values, for example, to replace some of the C, M, and Y device values ​​with the K device value, thereby resetting (re-deriving) the C, M, Y, and K device values.The color material amount derivation unit 103 then sends the reset C, M, Y, and K device values ​​to the dictionary creation unit 104.Then, the process proceeds to step S155a.

[0095] <Step S155a> The dictionary creation unit 104 updates the C, M, Y, and K device values ​​of the target metallic color corresponding to the reproduced metallic color in the spot color dictionary using the C, M, Y, and K device values ​​reset (re-derived) by the color material amount derivation unit 103.

[0096] The process of resetting the metallic color device values ​​is carried out through the flow of steps S151a to S155a described above.

[0097] As described above, in the information processing device 10a according to this embodiment, the glitter judgment result acquisition unit 107 acquires from the user PC 20 the judgment result as to whether the glitter of a patch of a reproduced metallic color that reproduces a target metallic color, which is printed out by the image forming device 30 using the spot color dictionary, is lower than the glitter of a patch of the target metallic color. The colorant amount derivation unit 103 derives the amounts of C, M, Y, and K colorants by, for example, performing UCR processing on the device values ​​of the process colorants corresponding to the target metallic color in the spot color dictionary, based on the glitter judgment result acquired by the glitter judgment result acquisition unit 107. This achieves the same effects as the first embodiment, while using the glitter judgment result obtained by the user visually, making it possible to more accurately reproduce the glitter desired by the user.

[0098] In this modified example, the information processing device 10a does not use the colorimetric values ​​of the reproduced metallic color, nor does it calculate device values ​​based on the colorimetric values, and therefore may have a spot color dictionary acquisition unit that acquires an externally created spot color dictionary for the image forming device 30.

[0099] In the first and second embodiments described above, the amount of K colorant is increased to reduce the total amount of C, M, and Y colorants, thereby reducing the amount of colorants that conceal the metallic colorant, thereby improving the sense of brilliance. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the total amount of C, M, and Y colorants can also be reduced by using a colorant having a hue intermediate between two of C, M, and Y (examples of some colorants), such as an Or (orange) colorant or a Gr (green) colorant, instead of the K colorant, and replacing some of the amounts of the colorants of the two colors with the amount of the colorant having the intermediate hue (examples of other colorants).

[0100] In each of the above-described embodiments, when at least one of the functional units of the information processing device 10, 10a is realized by executing a program, the program is provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like. In each of the above-described embodiments, the program executed by the information processing device 10, 10a may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format 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 each of the above-described embodiments, the program executed by the information processing device 10, 10a may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. In each of the above-described embodiments, the program executed by the information processing device 10, 10a may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the program executed by the information processing device 10, 10a has a modular configuration including at least one of the above-described functional units, and in terms of actual hardware, the CPU 601 reads and executes the program from the above-described storage device (e.g., ROM 602, auxiliary storage device 605, etc.), thereby loading and generating each of the above-described functional units onto the main storage device (RAM 603). [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1. Information Processing Systems 10, 10a Information processing device 20 User PCs 30 Image forming device 40 Colorimeter 101 Color measurement value acquisition unit 102 Reproduction characteristic acquisition unit 103 Color material amount derivation part 104 Dictionary Creation Department 105 Storage section 106 Operation section 107 Brightness judgment result acquisition unit 111 Print job acquisition unit 112 Color conversion unit 601 CPU 602 ROM 603 RAM 605 Auxiliary storage 606 Recording Media 607 Media Drive 608 Display 609 Network I / F 610 Bus 611 keyboard 612 Mouse 613 DVD 614 DVD drive 700 Paper Tray 701 Conveyor roller 702 Intermediate transfer belt 703, 703C, 703K, 703M, 703S, 703Y Photoconductor Drum 704 Transfer roller 705 Fuser roller CL1, CL2 Cyan toner layer CML color material layer KL Black toner layer LS light source ML1, ML2 Magenta toner layer N Network P paper SL Silver toner layer YL1, YL2 Yellow toner layer [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0102] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5915444 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-061947

Claims

1. An information processing device for calculating amounts of process color materials and glitter color materials used in image formation by an image forming device, a derivation unit that derives amounts of the process color colorants and the other color materials so as to replace a portion of the color material amount of at least some of the process color colorants with a color material amount of another color material, in order to reproduce a target color having a glittering feel using a dictionary that associates the amount of the process color colorants and the glittering colorant for reproducing the target color; an updating unit that updates the color material amounts of the target color in the dictionary with the color material amounts derived by the derivation unit; Equipped with the some colorants are cyan, magenta, and yellow colorants, The other color material is a black color material.

2. An information processing device for calculating amounts of process color materials and glitter color materials used in image formation by an image forming device, comprising: a derivation unit that derives amounts of the process color colorants and the other color materials so as to replace a portion of the color material amount of at least some of the process color colorants with a color material amount of another color material, in order to reproduce a target color having a glittering feel using a dictionary that associates the amount of the process color colorants and the glittering colorant for reproducing the target color; an updating unit that updates the color material amounts of the target color in the dictionary with the color material amounts derived by the derivation unit; a first acquisition unit that acquires colorimetric values ​​obtained by measuring, with a colorimeter, patches of reproduction colors that reproduce the target colors and that are printed out by the image forming apparatus using the dictionary; a calculation unit that calculates a first characteristic value indicating a degree of brilliance and a second characteristic value indicating a degree of color tone from the colorimetric values ​​acquired by the first acquisition unit; Equipped with the dictionary associates the target color with amounts of the process color materials and the glitter color materials required to reproduce the target color, a first characteristic value of the target color, and a second characteristic value of the target color; When the first characteristic value of the reproduction color calculated by the calculation unit is lower than the first characteristic value of the target color specified in the dictionary by a predetermined value or more, the derivation unit sets the amount of color material of the other color material corresponding to the target color in the dictionary higher, and derives the amount of color material of the part of the color materials so that the second characteristic value is within an acceptable range.

3. An information processing device for calculating amounts of process color materials and glitter color materials used in image formation by an image forming device, comprising: a derivation unit that derives amounts of the process color colorants and the other color materials so as to replace a portion of the color material amount of at least some of the process color colorants with a color material amount of another color material, in order to reproduce a target color having a glittering feel using a dictionary that associates the amount of the process color colorants and the glittering colorant for reproducing the target color; an updating unit that updates the color material amounts of the target color in the dictionary with the color material amounts derived by the derivation unit; a first acquisition unit that acquires colorimetric values ​​obtained by measuring, with a colorimeter, patches of reproduction colors that reproduce the target colors and that are printed out by the image forming apparatus using the dictionary; a calculation unit that calculates a first characteristic value indicating a degree of brilliance and a second characteristic value indicating a degree of color tone from the colorimetric values ​​acquired by the first acquisition unit; Equipped with the dictionary associates the target color with amounts of the process color materials and the glitter color materials required to reproduce the target color, a first characteristic value of the target color, and a second characteristic value of the target color; When the first characteristic value of the reproduction color calculated by the calculation unit is lower than the first characteristic value of the target color specified in the dictionary by a predetermined value or more, the derivation unit sets the amounts of color materials of the some of the color materials corresponding to the target color in the dictionary to be low, and derives the amounts of color materials of the other color materials so that the second characteristic value is within an acceptable range.

4. An information processing device for calculating amounts of process color materials and glitter color materials used in image formation by an image forming device, comprising: a derivation unit that derives amounts of the process color colorants and the other color materials so as to replace a portion of the color material amount of at least some of the process color colorants with a color material amount of another color material, in order to reproduce a target color having a glittering feel using a dictionary that associates the amount of the process color colorants and the glittering colorant for reproducing the target color; an updating unit that updates the color material amounts of the target color in the dictionary with the color material amounts derived by the derivation unit; Equipped with The derivation unit derives the amounts of the process color materials and the other color materials while maintaining the component ratio of the amounts of each color material of the some color materials corresponding to the target color in the dictionary.

5. An information processing device for calculating amounts of process color materials and glitter color materials used in image formation by an image forming device, comprising: a derivation unit that derives amounts of the process color colorants and the other color materials so as to replace a portion of the color material amount of at least some of the process color colorants with a color material amount of another color material, in order to reproduce a target color having a glittering feel using a dictionary that associates the amount of the process color colorants and the glittering colorant for reproducing the target color; an updating unit that updates the color material amounts of the target color in the dictionary with the color material amounts derived by the derivation unit; Equipped with The derivation unit derives the amounts of the process color materials and the other color materials by replacing the amount of color materials of the part of the color materials in the dictionary that is equal to the minimum amount of color materials corresponding to the target color with the amount of color materials of the other color materials in the same amount.

6. An information processing device for calculating amounts of process color materials and glitter color materials used in image formation by an image forming device, comprising: a derivation unit that derives amounts of the process color colorants and the other color materials so as to replace a portion of the color material amount of at least some of the process color colorants with a color material amount of another color material, in order to reproduce a target color having a glittering feel using a dictionary that associates the amount of the process color colorants and the glittering colorant for reproducing the target color; an updating unit that updates the color material amounts of the target color in the dictionary with the color material amounts derived by the derivation unit; Equipped with The information processing device wherein the deriving unit derives the amounts of the process color materials and the other color materials by performing UCR (Under Color Removal) processing on the amounts of the process color materials corresponding to the target color in the dictionary.

7. An information processing device for calculating amounts of process color materials and glitter color materials used in image formation by an image forming device, comprising: a derivation unit that derives amounts of the process color colorants and the other color materials so as to replace a portion of the color material amount of at least some of the process color colorants with a color material amount of another color material, in order to reproduce a target color having a glittering feel using a dictionary that associates the amount of the process color colorants and the glittering colorant for reproducing the target color; an updating unit that updates the color material amounts of the target color in the dictionary with the color material amounts derived by the derivation unit; a second acquisition unit that acquires a determination result as to whether or not the brilliance of a patch of a reproduction color that reproduces the target color, which is printed out by the image forming device using the dictionary, is lower than the brilliance of a patch of the target color; Equipped with The derivation unit derives the amounts of color materials of the process color materials and the other color materials by performing UCR processing on the amounts of color materials of the process color materials corresponding to the target color in the dictionary based on the judgment result acquired by the second acquisition unit.

8. the some colorants are cyan, magenta, and yellow colorants, 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the other color material is a black color material.

9. An information processing device for calculating amounts of process color materials and glitter color materials used in image formation by an image forming device, comprising: a derivation unit that derives amounts of the process color colorants and the other color materials so as to replace a portion of the color material amount of at least some of the process color colorants with a color material amount of another color material, in order to reproduce a target color having a glittering feel using a dictionary that associates the amount of the process color colorants and the glittering colorant for reproducing the target color; an updating unit that updates the color material amounts of the target color in the dictionary with the color material amounts derived by the derivation unit; Equipped with the certain color materials are any two of cyan, magenta, and yellow color materials, The other colorant is a colorant having a hue intermediate between the two colorants.

10. The some color materials are any two of cyan, magenta, and yellow color materials, 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the other color material has a hue intermediate between the two color materials.

11. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10; the image forming apparatus; An information processing system including:

12. 1. An information processing method of an information processing device for calculating amounts of process color materials and glitter color materials used in image formation by an image forming device, comprising: a derivation step of deriving amounts of the process color colorants and the other color materials so as to replace a portion of the color material amount of at least some of the process color colorants with a color material amount of another color material in order to reproduce the target color using a dictionary that associates a target color having a glittering feel with the color material amount of the process color colorants and the glittering colorant for reproducing the target color; an updating step of updating the colorant amounts of the target color in the dictionary with the derived colorant amounts; and the some colorants are cyan, magenta, and yellow colorants, The information processing method, wherein the other color material is a black color material.

13. A computer that calculates the amounts of process color materials and glitter color materials used in image formation by an image forming apparatus a derivation step of deriving amounts of the process color colorants and the other color materials so as to replace a portion of the color material amount of at least some of the process color colorants with a color material amount of another color material in order to reproduce the target color using a dictionary that associates a target color having a glittering feel with the color material amount of the process color colorants and the glittering colorant for reproducing the target color; an updating step of updating the colorant amounts of the target color in the dictionary with the derived colorant amounts; Execute the some colorants are cyan, magenta, and yellow colorants, The other colorant is a black colorant.

Images