Program, information processing device, and information processing method

Abstract

Provided is a program for causing a computer (1) to execute a function for acquiring a first measurement condition for measurement to be performed by a measuring instrument, a function for acquiring a second measurement condition to be satisfied when measuring a sample color associated with each reference color, a function for determining whether the first measurement condition and the second measurement condition match, and a function for performing a warning display that the first measurement condition and the second measurement condition do not match when it is determined that the first measurement condition and the second measurement condition do not match.

Description

Program, information processing device and information processing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a program used by a computer when measuring color using a measuring instrument connected to the computer, and also to an information processing device and an information processing method.

[0002] Examples of such computer programs (software) include "SpectraMagic NX" and "SpectraMagic DX" manufactured by Konica Minolta, Inc. These software programs have the functions of controlling measuring devices connected to a personal computer to perform color measurements, and of comparing and judging the measured colors.

[0003] When comparing colors, the reference color is compared with the sample color, and a pass / fail judgment is made based on the comparison results. The reference color is also called the target color, and is a color that has been measured in advance or a color that has been manually set to values ​​such as L*a*b*. The sample color is the actual measured color of the object whose color you want to evaluate.

[0004] However, if the measurement conditions set by the operator when measuring the sample color are incorrect, the sample color cannot be evaluated correctly.

[0005] Furthermore, because the measurement conditions used to measure each color are linked in the data for the reference color and sample color, it is possible for an operator to notice the problem later. However, if the operator notices the problem later, the measurement work will have to be redone, resulting in unnecessary man-hours. Furthermore, there are cases where the measurement results of an operator are later confirmed by a supervisor in another office, rather than by the measurement operator on-site at the factory or other location. For this reason, there is a demand for a way to prevent errors in setting measurement conditions from occurring in the first place.

[0006] Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose technologies for performing accurate measurements using a three-dimensional measuring instrument that performs measurements by contacting a measurement probe with an object to be measured. Specifically, they describe a technique for issuing a warning if the speed, acceleration, angle, etc., of the probe when it is brought into contact affect the measurement results, and the speed, acceleration, angle, etc., of the probe when it is brought into contact. Patent Document 4 also discloses a technique for printing a chart image using a printing device, and when measuring the color of the chart image, checking whether the print settings of the chart image and the paper in the paper feed tray are correct, and issuing a warning if any errors are detected.

[0007] JP 2015-105865 A JP 2018-077249 A JP 2019-090821 A JP 2019-146038 A

[0008] However, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 involve measurements using a three-dimensional measuring device, and are not techniques related to measuring reference colors or sample colors. The technique described in Patent Document 4 checks whether printing conditions are appropriate and issues a warning, and is also not a technique related to measuring reference colors or sample colors.

[0009] For this reason, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 cannot provide a solution to the problem that, when comparing a reference color with a sample color, if the measurement conditions set by the operator are incorrect, the sample color cannot be correctly evaluated.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a program for operating a computer so as to prevent measurement under incorrect measurement conditions when comparing a reference color with a sample color.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing method that can prevent measurements under incorrect measurement conditions when comparing a reference color with a sample color.

[0012] The above object is achieved by the following means: (1) A program causing a computer to execute the following functions: acquiring first measurement conditions for performing measurements with a measuring device; acquiring second measurement conditions that must be met when measuring sample colors associated with each reference color; determining whether the first and second measurement conditions match; and, if it is determined that they do not match, displaying a warning indicating that they do not match. (2) The program recited in paragraph 1 above, which further causes the computer to execute the functions of controlling one or more models of measuring devices connected to the computer and performing measurements in accordance with the first measurement conditions. (3) A program causing a computer to execute the following functions: acquiring first measurement conditions for performing measurements with a measuring device; acquiring second measurement conditions that must be met when measuring sample colors associated with each reference color; enabling third measurement conditions that are different from the second measurement conditions; and, if the third measurement conditions are enabled, determining whether the first measurement conditions meet the third measurement conditions; and, if it is determined that they do not meet the third measurement conditions, disabling measurement with the measuring device or changing the first measurement conditions so that the third measurement conditions are met. (4) The program according to the preceding paragraph 3, which causes the computer to execute the following functions: a function to determine whether the first measurement conditions and the second measurement conditions match; and a function to, when it is determined that the first measurement conditions and the second measurement conditions do not match, display a warning indicating the mismatch if the third measurement condition is not enabled, and not display the warning if the third measurement condition is enabled. (5) The program according to the preceding paragraph 3 or 4, which causes the computer to execute processing to set some items of the third measurement conditions as prohibited / excluded items, and not disable measurement and not change the first measurement conditions for the prohibited / excluded items even if the first measurement conditions do not satisfy the third measurement conditions. (6) The program according to the preceding paragraph 5, in which the prohibited / excluded items are set in advance for each model of measuring instrument.(7) A program described in paragraph 1 or 2 above, which further causes the computer to execute the following functions: a function for managing one or more documents that can be saved and read independently, each of which registers one or more reference colors, second measurement conditions for each reference color, and sample color data; and a function for activating one of the one or more documents; and causes the computer to execute a process for determining whether the second measurement conditions and the first measurement conditions match for the activated document. (8) The program described in paragraph 3 above, which further causes the computer to execute the following functions: a function to manage one or more documents that can be saved and read independently, each of which registers one or more reference colors, a second measurement condition for each reference color, and sample color data; a function to associate the third measurement condition with one of the documents; a function to activate one of the one or more documents; and a function to enable the third measurement condition when the third measurement condition is associated with the activated document; and which causes the computer to execute a process to change the association of the third measurement condition to the changed document when the activated document is changed. (9) A program as described in the preceding paragraph 8, which causes the computer to execute a function of creating the document from one template that can be saved and read independently, wherein the template has at least one or more reference colors, one or more threshold values ​​for the reference colors, and a third measurement condition registered therein, and at least any of the multiple reference colors, the one or more threshold values ​​for the reference colors, and the third measurement condition can be input by a user, and the reference colors can be measured using a measuring instrument, and when a document is created from the template, causes the computer to execute a function of reflecting the reference colors, the multiple threshold values ​​for the reference colors, and the third measurement condition registered in the template in the created document.(10) The program according to the preceding paragraphs 3, 4, or 8, which causes the computer to execute a process to reject the instruction to enable the third measurement conditions when the third measurement conditions include a setting of the model of the measuring device, and when the third measurement conditions are not enabled and the measuring device is connected to the computer and a user instructs the computer to enable the third measurement conditions, if the model of the connected measuring device does not match the model of the measuring device set in the third measurement conditions. (11) The program according to the preceding paragraphs 3, 4, or 8, which causes the computer to execute a process to reject the connection to the measuring device when the third measurement conditions include a setting of the model of the measuring device, and when the third measurement conditions are enabled and the measuring device is not connected to the computer and a user instructs the computer to connect to the measuring device, if the model of the measuring device does not match the model of the measuring device set in the third measurement conditions. (12) The program according to the preceding paragraphs 3, 4, or 8, which causes the computer to execute a process of changing the first measurement conditions to satisfy the third measurement condition when the third measurement conditions are not enabled and the measurement device is connected to the computer and the user instructs the computer to enable the third measurement conditions, if the measurement device model matches the measurement device model specified in the third measurement conditions but the measurement conditions other than the measurement device model in the first measurement conditions do not satisfy the third measurement condition. (13) The program according to the preceding paragraphs 3, 4, or 8, which causes the computer to execute a process of connecting to the measurement device when the third measurement conditions are not enabled and the measurement device is not connected to the computer and the user instructs the computer to connect to the measurement device and the first measurement conditions to satisfy the third measurement condition when the measurement device model matches the measurement device model specified in the third measurement conditions but the measurement conditions other than the measurement device model in the first measurement conditions do not satisfy the third measurement condition.(14) An information processing device comprising: means for acquiring first measurement conditions for performing measurement with a measuring device; means for acquiring second measurement conditions to be satisfied when measuring sample colors associated with each reference color; means for determining whether the first measurement conditions and the second measurement conditions match; and means for displaying a warning indicating that they do not match if it is determined that they do not match. (15) An information processing device comprising: means for acquiring first measurement conditions for performing measurement with a measuring device; means for acquiring second measurement conditions to be satisfied when measuring sample colors associated with each reference color; means for enabling third measurement conditions different from the second measurement conditions; means for determining, when the third measurement conditions are enabled, whether the first measurement conditions satisfy the third measurement conditions; and means for disabling measurement with the measuring device or changing the first measurement conditions so that the third measurement conditions are satisfied if it is determined that the first measurement conditions do not match. (16) An information processing method in which an information processing device executes the steps of: acquiring first measurement conditions for performing measurement with a measuring device, acquiring second measurement conditions to be satisfied when measuring sample colors associated with each reference color, determining whether the first measurement conditions and the second measurement conditions match, and, if it is determined that they do not match, displaying a warning indicating that they do not match. (17) An information processing method in which an information processing device executes the steps of: acquiring first measurement conditions for performing measurement with a measuring device, acquiring second measurement conditions to be satisfied when measuring sample colors associated with each reference color, enabling third measurement conditions different from the second measurement conditions, and, if the third measurement conditions are enabled, determining whether the first measurement conditions satisfy the third measurement conditions, and, if it is determined that they do not satisfy the third measurement conditions, disabling measurement with the measuring device or changing the first measurement conditions to satisfy the third measurement conditions.

[0013] According to one program of the present invention, a computer acquires first measurement conditions for performing measurements with a measuring device and acquires second measurement conditions to be met when measuring a sample color associated with each reference color. The computer also determines whether the first and second measurement conditions match. If the computer determines that the first and second measurement conditions do not match, it displays a warning indicating this mismatch. This warning allows the user to easily recognize that the first measurement conditions are inappropriate. As a result, the user can take measures to match the first and second measurement conditions, such as changing the first measurement conditions. This prevents measurements under incorrect measurement conditions and enables accurate evaluation of the sample color relative to the reference color.

[0014] According to another program of the present invention, the computer enables a third measurement condition that is different from the second measurement condition. When the third measurement condition is enabled, the computer determines whether the first measurement condition satisfies the third measurement condition. If the computer determines that the first measurement condition does not satisfy the third measurement condition, the computer either disables measurement by the measuring device or changes the first measurement condition so that the third measurement condition is satisfied. This disablement of measurement or change in the conditions prevents measurement under incorrect measurement conditions, enabling proper evaluation of the sample color relative to the reference color.

[0015] According to one information processing device and one information processing method of the present invention, if the first measurement conditions for measurement by the measuring device do not match the second measurement conditions that must be met when measuring the sample colors associated with each reference color, a warning message is displayed to indicate this mismatch. This warning message allows the user to easily recognize that the first measurement conditions are inappropriate. This prevents measurements under incorrect measurement conditions, enabling the sample colors to be properly evaluated relative to the reference colors.

[0016] According to another information processing device and another information processing method of the present invention, if the first measurement conditions do not satisfy the third measurement conditions, the measurement by the measuring device is disabled or the first measurement conditions are changed so that the third measurement conditions are satisfied. By disabling the measurement or changing the conditions, measurement under incorrect measurement conditions is prevented, and the sample color can be properly evaluated relative to the reference color.

[0017] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a color measurement system using an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a document creation screen D1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a measurement condition setting screen D2. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a warning display screen D3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a registration screen D4. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an editing screen D5. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a warning display screen D6. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a document screen D7. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an initial screen D11 of the QC template creation wizard. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a QC measurement condition setting screen D12. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a reference color registration screen D13. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a measurement condition setting screen D14. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a threshold setting screen D15. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a document generation screen D16. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a screen D17 of the document "QCdoc2". FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a measurement condition setting screen D16. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a screen D17 of the document "QCdoc2". FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a measurement condition setting screen D18. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a screen D19 of the document "QCdoc2" after setting measurement conditions on the measurement condition setting screen D18. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a registration screen D20 after measuring a sample color. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a screen D21 when the measuring instrument CM-36dG is connected with the document "QCdoc3" active. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an error screen D22. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a measurement condition setting screen D23. 10 is a diagram showing a measurement condition setting screen D24 after setting values ​​have been changed. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen D31 for a document "QCdoc2". FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an error screen D32.

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a color measurement system using an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] The color measurement system includes an information processing device 1 and a measuring device 2 connectable to the information processing device 1 .

[0021] The information processing device 1 is configured as a personal computer and includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a storage unit 14, a display device 15, an input device 16, a communication interface unit (communication I / F unit) 17, and the like, which are connected to one another via a system bus 18.

[0022] The CPU 11 executes programs stored in the ROM 12, the storage unit 14, etc., to comprehensively control the entire information processing device 1. In particular, in this embodiment, the CPU 11 controls the measuring device 2 connected to the information processing device 1. The CPU 11 also acquires first measurement conditions (hereinafter also referred to as effective measurement conditions) for measurement by the measuring device 2 and second measurement conditions (hereinafter also referred to as sample measurement conditions) that must be met when measuring a sample color associated with a reference color. The CPU 11 then compares the acquired effective measurement conditions with the sample measurement conditions to determine whether they match. The CPU 11 also sets third measurement conditions separate from the sample measurement conditions and determines whether the first measurement conditions (effective measurement conditions) meet the third measurement conditions. If the result of the match determination indicates a mismatch, the CPU 11 displays a warning, prohibits measurement, or performs other actions. Specific control operations will be described later.

[0023] The ROM 12 is a storage medium that stores programs to be executed by the CPU 11 and other data.

[0024] The RAM 13 is a storage medium that provides a working area when the CPU 11 operates according to an operating program.

[0025] The storage unit 14 is made up of a storage medium such as a hard disk, and stores various management data such as documents and templates, which will be described later, application programs, and the like.

[0026] The display device 15 is made up of a CRT, a liquid crystal display, or the like, and displays various messages, input acceptance screens for the user, selection screens, warning screens, and the like.

[0027] The input device 16 is used for input operations by the user and includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like.

[0028] The connection unit 17 is for connecting the measuring device 2 and is configured by, for example, a USB connector.

[0029] In this embodiment, the measuring device 2 is a colorimeter, and is connected to the information processing device 1 via a connection unit 17. The measuring device 2 and the information processing device 1 may be connected by wire, or may be connected wirelessly via a network or the like.

[0030] Next, the operation of the information processing device 1 will be described using a screen displayed on the display device 15. The operation of the information processing device is executed by the CPU 11 operating in accordance with an operation program stored in the ROM 12 or the like.

[0031] First, the premise of this embodiment will be described.

[0032] This operating program can handle files called color management documents (or simply documents). A document is a file that can contain reference color data and sample color data. As mentioned above, a reference color is also called a target color, and is a color that has been measured in advance or a color that has been manually set to values ​​such as L*a*b*. A sample color is the actual measured color of the object whose color you want to evaluate.

[0033] The reference color data and sample color data have color value information and information about the measurement conditions at the time of measurement.

[0034] The color value information can be displayed as values ​​in the CIE color system (L*, a*, b*), but other color systems may also be used, and may be recorded in the form of spectral reflectance for each wavelength.

[0035] Each sample color data is always associated with reference color data.

[0036] The color difference between each sample color data and the associated reference color is calculated.

[0037] If there is any sample color data whose color difference from the associated reference color exceeds a reference value, the user can easily know this.

[0038] Each reference color data is associated with a measurement condition (sample measurement condition) that must be met when measuring a sample color to be compared with the reference color.

[0039] Unless otherwise specified, the sample measurement conditions are those under which the associated reference color was measured.

[0040] However, the sample measurement conditions and the reference color measurement conditions may be different. The reason for this is as follows: The measuring instrument used to measure the reference color may be a different model from the measuring instrument used to measure the sample. For example, this may occur when a company outsources the production of a product it has developed to another company. Even if the outsourcing company measures the reference color using a high-performance measuring instrument, the outsourced manufacturer may not have the same model of measuring instrument. As a result, it may be necessary to measure the sample color using a measuring instrument different from the one used to measure the reference color.

[0041] On the other hand, when measuring a sample color to be compared with a reference color, the measurement must be performed under sample measurement conditions (second measurement conditions) defined for each reference color. If the effective measurement conditions set by the operator (user) for the measuring device 2 are incorrect for the sample measurement conditions, the sample color cannot be evaluated correctly. [First Embodiment] In this embodiment, the information processing device 1 is connected to, for example, a measuring device "CM-36dG" manufactured by Konica Minolta, Inc. The connected state means that the devices are electrically connected, in other words, the information processing device 1 is in a state where it can control the measuring device 2.

[0042] (1) As shown in screen D1 of Figure 2, a new document 101 named "QCdoc1" is created, and two reference colors ("Target #00001" and "Target #00002") and one sample color ("Sample #00001") are measured using the following procedure.

[0043] On screen D1 of the created document "QCdoc1," the user operates the "Target Color Measurement" (labeled "Target Measurement" in FIG. 2) button 102 in the left pane to measure the target color "Target #00001." This registers the target color "Target #00001" and the measurement data resulting from the measurement in the document. Then, the "Classification by Target" (labeled "Classification by Target" in FIG. 2) area 104 of the tree window (labeled "Tree Window" in FIG. 2) 103 displays the fact that the target color "Target #00001" has been measured, as indicated by the "Target #00001:0" item 105. Furthermore, the measurement data 106 is displayed in the data list window (labeled "Data List Window" in FIG. 2) 107.

[0044] (2) Next, the sample color associated with the reference color "Target #00001" is measured. To do this, the user selects the "Reference Color "Target #00001"" item 105 displayed in the "Classification by Reference Color" area 104 on screen D1. Screen D1 in FIG. 2 shows the selected state.

[0045] (3) In this state, the user operates the "Measurement Condition Setting (indicated as "Measurement Condition" in the figure)" button 108 in the left pane of screen D1.

[0046] This will transition to the measurement condition setting screen D2 in Fig. 3. In the measurement condition setting screen D2, the measurement conditions (i.e., valid measurement conditions) set in the measuring instrument 2 are displayed in an area 121 opened by the tab "Measurement Condition Setting (denoted as "Measurement Condition" in Fig. 3)."

[0047] In the example of the measurement condition setting screen D2, the following condition items are displayed: Measurement mode (Meas. Mode), Measurement type (Meas. Type), Measurement area automatic detection (Select Measurement Area Automatically), Measurement area (Meas. Area), Specular reflected light processing (Spec. Comp.), UV conditions (UV Cond.), UV cut (UV Cut), Geometry (Geometry), Wavelength range (Wavelength Range), and Output minus value (Output Minus). Specific setting values ​​are also displayed to the right of each item. Regarding setting values, pull-down menus and check boxes are displayed for some condition items. The user can change the setting value by selecting a different setting value from the pull-down menu or by checking or unchecking the check box.

[0048] In this embodiment, since the measuring instrument 2 is the measuring instrument that measured the reference color, the displayed valid measurement conditions match the measurement conditions of the selected reference color, but they do not have to match.

[0049] In this embodiment, the valid measurement conditions for the measuring device 2 are acquired when the device is connected to the measuring device 2. The acquired valid measurement conditions are then stored in the memory unit 14 or the like, and are read out from the memory unit 14 as needed and displayed as shown on the measurement condition setting screen D2. The valid measurement conditions may be acquired from the measuring device 2 each time a measurement is performed. Alternatively, they may be acquired only during the first measurement and stored in the memory unit 14 or the like. Alternatively, a list of valid measurement conditions may be created for each model, and this may be stored as a table in the memory unit 14 or the like, and the corresponding measurement conditions may be read out from the list depending on the measuring device 2 being used.

[0050] In the right area 122 of the measurement condition setting screen D2, the sample measurement conditions associated with the selected reference color (reference color "Target #00001" in this example) are displayed.

[0051] Before the change, the setting values ​​for the sample measurement conditions are the same as the setting values ​​for the measurement conditions for the target color "Target #00001." The sample measurement conditions may be acquired and displayed from the measurement conditions for the selected target color, or may be acquired and displayed based on input from a user such as an administrator.

[0052] In this state, the user changes the setting value of, for example, the UV condition (UV Cond.) among the valid measurement conditions displayed on the measurement condition setting screen D2. Before the change, the setting is "100% Full," the same as the measurement condition for the reference color "Target #00001."

[0053] As shown in the measurement condition setting screen D2, when the user displays the pull-down menu for the UV condition (UV Cond.) item in the effective measurement conditions in the left area 121, three options are displayed: "100% Full," "400 nm Cut Normal," and "420 nm Cut Normal." If the user selects, for example, "400 nm Cut Normal," "400 nm Cut Normal" is displayed instead of "100% Full." At this time, among the sample measurement condition items associated with the reference color displayed in the right area 122 of the measurement condition setting screen D2, the "UV Cond." item 123 corresponding to the measurement condition that does not match the effective measurement condition is highlighted. In this example, the highlighting is displayed in bold, but the display color may also be changed. The key point is that the display should allow the user to recognize the mismatch.

[0054] When the user presses the "OK" button 124 on the measurement condition setting screen D2, the valid measurement conditions are changed and the screen returns to the original document screen.

[0055] When the effective measurement conditions are changed, the computer 1 determines whether the sample measurement conditions associated with the selected reference color match the changed effective measurement conditions. In this example, the sample measurement conditions for the UV condition (UV Cond.) item are "100% Full," but the effective measurement conditions are "400 nm Cut Normal," resulting in a mismatch between the sample measurement conditions and the effective measurement conditions. Therefore, when the "Reference Color "Target #00001"" item 105 on the original document screen is selected, a warning mark 110 appears near the "Sample Measurement" button 109 and the "Measurement Condition" button 108, as shown in the warning display screen D3 in FIG. 4.

[0056] In the warning display screen D3 of FIG. 4, the warning mark 110 is displayed as a "!" surrounded by a circle of a predetermined color (e.g., yellow). However, the warning display is not limited to this, and other warning marks may be used. Alternatively, a text message may be displayed. This warning display allows the user to recognize that the effective measurement conditions do not match the sample measurement conditions associated with the reference color. As a result, the user can take measures to match the sample measurement conditions with the effective measurement conditions before measuring the sample color. This prevents incorrect setting of measurement conditions and enables accurate comparison of sample color data with reference color data.

[0057] (4) Next, on screen D3, the valid measurement conditions are changed to match the sample measurement conditions, and the warning message disappears. When the user operates the "Target Measurement" button 102 on the left pane, the second target color "Target #00002" is measured. Then, as shown on registration screen D4 in FIG. 5, the fact that the target color "Target #00002" has been measured and the measurement data representing the measurement results are registered in the document. The registration of the measurement of the target color "Target #00002" is displayed in the "Target #00002:0" item 111. The measurement data 112 is also displayed in the Data List Window 107.

[0058] (5) Immediately after measuring the reference color "Target #00002," when the user selects the "Reference Color "Target #00002"" item 111 shown on registration screen D4, the sample measurement conditions for the reference color "Target #00002" become the measurement conditions for the reference color "Target #00002" itself. This also matches the valid measurement conditions set in the measuring instrument 2, so no warning mark is displayed.

[0059] (6) Next, the user changes the sample measurement conditions for the reference color "Target #00002" on the edit screen D5 shown in Fig. 6. In the example of Fig. 6, the user changes the condition item 131 for "Specular Reflection Light Processing (Spec. Comp.)" from the valid measurement condition "SCI, SCE" to "SCI."

[0060] In this case, the sample measurement conditions and the effective measurement conditions do not match, so when the "OK" button on screen D5 is pressed to reflect the changes and return to the document display screen, a warning mark 110 is displayed, as shown in warning display screen D6 in Figure 7.

[0061] (7) Next, the user changes the effective measurement conditions, not the sample measurement conditions. When the user changes the "Specular Reflection Processing (Spec. Comp.)" condition from "SCI, SCE" to "SCI" ​​among the effective measurement conditions of Measuring Instrument 2, the sample measurement conditions set in (6) above and the effective measurement conditions of Measuring Instrument 2 will match. As a result, the warning will no longer be displayed on the document screen.

[0062] (8) When the user presses the "Sample Measurement" button 109 on the left pane of the document screen, the measuring instrument 2 measures the sample color according to the valid measurement conditions. The measured sample color data is registered in the document. Figure 8 shows the document screen D7 named "QCdoc1" after sample measurement. The fact that the sample color has been registered is indicated by the notation "Sample #00001" in item 113. In addition, the measurement data 114 is displayed in the Data List Window 107. As mentioned above, the valid measurement conditions match the sample measurement conditions for the selected target color "Target #00002," so no warning mark is displayed.

[0063] The document can be stored in and read from the storage unit 14 or an external storage device as an independent file, and can also be sent or transferred to an external device.

[0064] If there are multiple documents, the user can simply select the tab of one of the documents on the screen to make it active and display the document contents. In the active document, it is determined whether the effective measurement conditions match the sample measurement conditions associated with the selected reference color.

[0065] In the first embodiment described above, the information processing device 1 determines whether the effective measurement conditions set in the measuring device 2 match the sample measurement conditions set in association with the currently selected reference color. If they do not match, the information processing device 1 displays a warning, allowing the user to recognize the mismatch between the sample measurement conditions and the effective colorimetric conditions. This allows the user to take measures, such as matching the sample measurement conditions with the effective colorimetric conditions, before measuring the sample. This prevents the setting of incorrect measurement conditions, enabling proper comparison and evaluation of the reference color and the sample color. [Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, in addition to the functions described in the first embodiment, the program can create a template file for creating a document. In the following description, this file is referred to as a QC template.

[0066] In other words, in addition to creating a new document, you can also create a document from a QC template.

[0067] Furthermore, the QC template can be configured with reference colors and threshold values ​​for each reference color. Furthermore, the QC template can be configured with third measurement conditions (also called QC measurement conditions) that are separate from the sample measurement conditions associated with the reference colors.

[0068] This program allows you to create QC templates using a wizard-style screen.

[0069] 9 shows the initial screen D11 of the QC template creation wizard. When the user presses the "QC Measurement Conditions" button 141 on the initial screen D11, the screen transitions to a QC measurement conditions setting screen D12 as shown in FIG.

[0070] On this setting screen D12, the user can select the model of the measuring instrument 2 using a pull-down menu in the measuring instrument model (Instrument) condition item 142. In FIG. 12, the measuring instrument "CM-3700A" manufactured by Konica Minolta, Inc. is selected. Depending on the selected model, the values ​​of the condition items after "Measurement Mode (Meas. Mode)" will change.

[0071] Additionally, items that are not available as a pull-down menu, such as "Wavelength Range," are automatically determined based on the settings of other conditions, such as "Instrument" and "Measurement Mode."

[0072] Furthermore, with the selected model, the CM-3700A, the setting value for the setting item 144 of "UV Light Intensity" can be set only when the setting value for the condition item 143 of "UV Condition (Uv Cond.)" is set to "UV Adjust." rather than "100% Full."

[0073] A message is displayed in the upper right area of ​​the QC measurement condition setting screen D12. This message states that the set measurement conditions will be saved as QC measurement conditions in the QC template. The message also states that documents created using a QC template in which QC measurement conditions have been set can only use the set measuring instrument and measurement conditions.

[0074] When the user presses the OK button 145 on the QC measurement condition setting screen D12, the QC measurement conditions are reflected in the QC template, and the screen returns to the initial screen D11 of the QC template creation wizard in Fig. 9. If the user further presses the OK button 146 on this screen D11, the screen transitions to the target registration screen D13 in Fig. 11. This target color registration screen D13 displays a "By Measurement" button 151 and an "Input Manually" button 152, and the user can select whether to register the target color by measurement using the measuring instrument 2 or by manual input.

[0075] If the user selects measurement using the measuring device 2, the screen transitions to the measurement condition setting screen D14 shown in Fig. 12, where the user can set the measurement conditions for the reference color. After setting the measurement conditions, the user presses the Measure button 153 to perform measurement using the measuring device 2. At this time, the measurement conditions for the reference color can be set independently of the QC measurement conditions set earlier.

[0076] After measuring the reference color, the user can proceed further through the wizard to the reference color threshold (Tolerance) setting screen D15 shown in Fig. 13. On this threshold setting screen D15, the user can input information such as which judgment item to use when making a pass / fail judgment on the color difference between the reference color and the sample color, and the pass line (i.e., threshold) for each judgment item.

[0077] Based on the threshold values ​​set on this screen D15, judgments are made when the sample color is actually measured. In the example shown in Fig. 13, judgments are not made for ΔL*, Δa*, and Δb*, and the pass mark is set to ΔE*ab being within 1. If you proceed through the wizard as is, a QC template will be created.

[0078] The QC template created in this way can be stored in and read from the storage unit 14 or an external storage device as an independent file, and can also be sent or transferred to an external device. [Third Embodiment] In this embodiment, a method for creating a document using a QC template will be described.

[0079] A QC template with the following QC measurement conditions is prepared: Instrument: CM-3700A Measurement Mode: Reflectance Measurement Area: LAV (25.4 mm) Specular Reflection Processing (Spec. Comp.): SCE UV Conditions (UV Cond.): UV Adjust. UV Light Intensity: 40 As shown in Figure 14 , the user selects the "Document" item 162 from the menu that opens when the File tab 161 is operated on the document generation screen D16 of this program. Furthermore, the user selects the "New Document from QC Template" item 163 from the menu that opens when the "Document" item 162 is selected. When the created QC template is activated in this state, the template's contents, including the QC measurement conditions, reference colors, and pass lines for each evaluation item, are reflected in the document. A new document is created in this way.

[0080] In this example, the created document is saved in the storage unit 14 under the name "QCdoc2." Note that by disabling the QC template, the document "QCdoc2" can be made the same document as that used in the first embodiment, to which QC measurement conditions are not applied. In other words, it is possible to switch between enabling and disabling the QC template for a document.

[0081] Alternatively, the QC template may be configured to be enabled for the activated document, in which case the QC template can be switched between enabled and disabled by changing the activated document.

[0082] The user connects the measuring instrument CM-3700A to the connection unit 17 of the information processing device 1 and selects the tab 171 for the document "QCdoc2" to make it active, as shown in Fig. 15. This opens screen D17 for the document "QCdoc2" shown in Fig. 15. The reflected QC measurement conditions are valid in this document.

[0083] In this document, even if the sample measurement conditions set for the reference color "Target #00001" do not match the valid measurement conditions of the measuring device 2, no warning mark will be displayed. This is because QC measurement conditions take priority over valid measurement conditions. Therefore, in a document in which QC measurement conditions are set, it is practically impossible to set sample measurement conditions for each reference color. However, if the QC measurement conditions are not valid, a warning will be displayed in the same way as in the first embodiment if the sample measurement conditions do not match the valid measurement conditions.

[0084] When the user presses the "Measurement Condition" button 172 on screen D17, the screen transitions to measurement condition setting screen D18 shown in FIG. 16. On this screen D18, it is not possible to change any settings other than the condition item for UV light intensity. This is because the QC measurement conditions are forcibly applied. However, the condition item for UV light intensity is an excluded prohibited item that is not forcibly applied. Which condition items are to be excluded prohibited items is set for each model of measuring instrument 2 and is stored in the memory unit 14, etc.

[0085] Some measuring instruments are equipped with a UV adjustment function. UV adjustment involves adjusting the position of the UV-cut filter inside the measuring instrument so that measurements are accurate when measuring a calibrated fluorescent reference plate. The purpose is to adjust the degree to which UV energy affects measurements when measuring paper containing fluorescent materials or fluorescent brighteners. Even when using the same fluorescent reference plate, the amount of adjustment required to obtain the expected measurement results varies depending on the environment and the individual measuring instrument. For this reason, the amount of UV adjustment can be set for each measuring instrument.

[0086] The UV light intensity is adjusted using a UV filter inside the measuring instrument 2, but as mentioned above, there are individual differences between these filters depending on the measuring instrument. For this reason, the measuring instrument CM-3700A has this set as a changeable condition item, i.e., a prohibited / excluded item.

[0087] When the user changes the UV light intensity to 40, presses the OK button 173, and closes the measurement condition setting screen D18, the screen returns to the previous document "QCdoc2." This screen is shown as screen D19 in Figure 17. At this time, the effective measurement conditions set in the measuring instrument 2 do not match either the measurement conditions used during reference color measurement or the QC measurement conditions, but as shown in screen D19, no warning is displayed. The reason why there is no problem even if the conditions do not match the QC measurement conditions is because the UV light intensity condition item is a prohibited / excluded item in the QC measurement conditions on the CM-3700A.

[0088] On screen D19, the item 181 for the target color "Target #00001" is selected. When the user presses the measurement (Sample Measurement) button 182, a sample color is measured in association with this target color. The fact that the sample color "Sample #00001" has been measured and the measurement data that is the measurement result are registered in the document.

[0089] The registration screen D20 after sample color measurement is shown in Figure 18. The fact that sample color "Sample #00001" has been registered is indicated by the notation "Sample #00001" in item 183. In addition, measurement data 184 is displayed in a data list window 185. By moving scroll bar 186, the user can view all measurement data such as L*, a*, b*, ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*, and ΔE*ab.

[0090] Furthermore, in this example of the registration screen D20, although not shown in the drawing, the color difference ΔE*ab between the measurement results of the reference color and the sample color exceeds the threshold set on the threshold setting screen D15 of Fig. 13. For this reason, the evaluation result 187 of "Fail" is also displayed. [Fourth Embodiment] In this embodiment, the relationship between the QC measurement conditions and the connection of the measuring instrument 2 will be described.

[0091] Prepare the document "QCdoc2" created in the third embodiment. This document "QCdoc2" has QC measurement conditions set, and the measuring instrument specified is "CM-3700A." Also prepare another document "QCdoc3" that does not have QC measurement conditions set.

[0092] Figure 19 shows a screen D21 that appears when the "QCdoc3" tab 191 is clicked to activate the document "QCdoc3" and connect to the measuring instrument CM-36dG. If the user then clicks the tab 192 for the document "QCdoc2," the error screen D22 in Figure 20 appears, and the user is unable to activate the document "QCdoc2," to which the QC template is applied. The error screen D22 displays a message stating that the document cannot be switched because the measuring instrument is different from the one configured in the QC template. The message also includes a prompt to connect the measuring instrument CM-3700A, similar to the QC template configuration.

[0093] In other words, the QC measurement conditions applied to document "QCdoc2" specify that the model of measuring instrument 2 is "CM-3700A." Therefore, at the point where measuring instrument CM-36dG is connected, it is determined that the effective measurement conditions of measuring instrument CM-36dG do not satisfy the QC measurement conditions, the activation instruction is rejected, and measurement is prohibited.

[0094] Next, with the document "QCdoc3" still active, the user connects the measuring instrument "CM-3700A" and changes the setting value of UV Condition (UV Cond.) item 193 to "100% Full," as shown on the measurement condition setting screen D23 in Figure 21.

[0095] In this state, if the user selects the document "QCdoc2" tab, the effective measurement conditions will be changed to match the QC measurement conditions set in the document. When the "Measurement Condition Setting" screen is actually displayed, the UV conditions and UV light intensity items will be changed to match the QC measurement conditions, as shown in screen D24 of Figure 22. [Fifth Embodiment] This embodiment also describes the relationship between the QC measurement conditions and the connection of the measuring instrument 2.

[0096] In this embodiment, the user first clicks on the tab for the document “QCdoc2” to make it active, and then connects to the measuring instrument 2.

[0097] When not connected to the measuring instrument 2, the screen D31 of the document "QCdoc2" looks like Fig. 23. In this screen D31, a Connect button 194 is displayed in the upper ribbon section.

[0098] In this state, the user connects the "CM-36dG" instead of the "CM-3700A" to the USB connector of the connection unit 17 of the information processing device 1 and presses the connect button.

[0099] 24, an error screen D32 is displayed, and connection to measuring instrument 2 is not possible. Error screen D32 displays a message stating that connection to the measuring instrument is not possible because it is different from the measuring instrument set in the QC template. In other words, the enabled QC measurement conditions specify that the model of measuring instrument 2 is "CM-3700A," so connection to measuring instrument CM-36dG is rejected.

[0100] On the other hand, if the user presses the Connect button 194 while the CM-3700A is connected via USB to the connection unit 17, the connection is successful. If the measurement condition setting screen is checked in this state, the same setting screen as screen D24 in Fig. 22 is displayed, regardless of the measurement conditions previously set on the CM-3700A.

[0101] In other words, when the CM-3700A is connected, the effective measurement conditions set on the CM-3700A are changed to satisfy the QC measurement conditions set in the document.

[0102] In the second to fifth embodiments, a QC template is created, and a color management document is created using this template. Using the created document, it is possible to compare the QC measurement conditions, including the model settings of the measuring instrument 2, with the effective measurement conditions. If the effective measurement conditions do not satisfy the QC measurement conditions, measurement is prohibited. Alternatively, the effective measurement conditions are changed so that the QC measurement conditions are satisfied. This allows the user to avoid measuring sample colors under incorrect measurement conditions, enabling proper evaluation of the sample colors.

[0103] In particular, QC templates can be stored, saved, sent, and handled as independent files. Therefore, by distributing a QC template created by a job requester with QC measurement conditions to an evaluator, the evaluator can prevent the sample color from being measured under incorrect measurement conditions. Therefore, sample color can be measured under appropriate measurement conditions regardless of the location.

[0104] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-148750, filed on September 13, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0105] The present invention can be used, for example, when measuring color using a measuring device connected to a computer.

[0106] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Information processing device (computer) 2 Measuring instrument 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 14 Storage unit 15 Display device 16 Input device 17 Connection unit D1 to D7, D11 to D24, D31 to D32 Screen

Claims

1. A program for causing a computer to execute the following functions: a function for acquiring first measurement conditions for performing measurements using a measuring instrument; a function for acquiring second measurement conditions to be satisfied when measuring a sample color associated with each reference color; a function for determining whether the first measurement conditions and the second measurement conditions match; and a function for displaying a warning indicating that they do not match if it is determined that they do not match.

2. The program according to claim 1, further causing said computer to execute a function of controlling one or more models of said measuring instruments connected to said computer and performing measurements according to said first measurement conditions.

3. A program for causing a computer to execute the following functions: a function for acquiring first measurement conditions for performing measurements with a measuring instrument; a function for acquiring second measurement conditions to be satisfied when measuring a sample color associated with each reference color; a function for enabling a third measurement condition different from the second measurement condition; a function for determining whether the first measurement condition satisfies the third measurement condition when the third measurement condition is enabled; and a function for preventing measurement with the measuring instrument from being performed or for changing the first measurement condition so that the third measurement condition is satisfied if it is determined that the first measurement condition is not satisfied.

4. The program according to claim 3, which causes the computer to execute the following functions: a function for determining whether the first measurement conditions and the second measurement conditions match; and a function for, when it is determined that the first measurement conditions and the second measurement conditions do not match, displaying a warning indicating the mismatch if the third measurement conditions are not enabled, and not displaying the warning if the third measurement conditions are enabled.

5. A program as described in claim 3 or 4, which causes the computer to execute a process in which some of the items of the third measurement conditions are set as prohibited / excluded items, and even if the first measurement conditions do not satisfy the third measurement conditions, measurement is not made impossible for the prohibited / excluded items, and the first measurement conditions are not changed.

6. The program according to claim 5, wherein the prohibited and excluded items are preset for each model of measuring device.

7. A program as described in claim 1 or 2, further causing the computer to execute the following functions: a function for managing one or more documents that can be independently saved and read, in which one or more reference colors, second measurement conditions for each reference color, and sample color data are each registered; and a function for activating one of the one or more documents; and causing the computer to execute a process for determining whether the second measurement conditions and the first measurement conditions for the activated document match.

8. The program of claim 3, further causing the computer to execute the following functions: a function for managing one or more documents in which one or more reference colors, second measurement conditions for each reference color, and sample color data are registered, the documents being capable of being saved and read independently; a function for associating the third measurement condition with any one of the documents; a function for activating any one of the one or more documents; and a function for enabling the third measurement condition when the third measurement condition is associated with the activated document; and, when the activated document is changed, causing the computer to execute a process for changing the association of the third measurement condition with the changed document.

9. The program of claim 8, which causes the computer to execute a function of creating the document from a single template that can be saved and read independently, wherein at least one or more reference colors, one or more threshold values ​​for the reference colors, and a third measurement condition are registered in the template, and at least any of the multiple reference colors, the one or more threshold values ​​for the reference colors, and the third measurement condition can be input by a user, and the reference colors can be measured by a measuring instrument, when a document is created from the template, causes the computer to execute a function of reflecting the reference colors, the multiple threshold values ​​for the reference colors, and the third measurement condition registered in the template in the created document.

10. The program according to claim 3, 4 or 8, wherein the third measurement conditions also include settings for the model of a measuring instrument, and when the third measurement conditions are not enabled and a measuring instrument is connected to a computer, and a user instructs the computer to enable the third measurement conditions, if the model of the connected measuring instrument does not match the model of the measuring instrument set in the third measurement conditions, the program causes the computer to execute a process of rejecting the instruction to enable the third measurement conditions.

11. A program as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 8, wherein the third measurement conditions include a setting for the model of a measuring device, and when the third measurement conditions are enabled and the measuring device is not connected to the computer, when a user instructs the computer to connect to the measuring device, if the model of the measuring device does not match the model of the measuring device set in the third measurement conditions, the program causes the computer to execute a process to refuse connection to the measuring device.

12. The program according to claim 3, 4 or 8, wherein the third measurement condition also includes a setting of the model of the measuring device, and when the third measurement condition is not enabled and the measuring device is connected to the computer, when a user instructs the third measurement condition to be enabled, if the model of the measuring device matches the model of the measuring device set in the third measurement condition but the measurement conditions other than the model of the measuring device in the first measurement condition do not satisfy the third measurement condition, the program causes the computer to execute a process of changing the first measurement condition so that the third measurement condition is satisfied.

13. The program according to claim 3, 4 or 8, wherein the third measurement condition also includes a setting of the model of a measuring instrument, and when a user instructs the computer to connect to a measuring instrument while the third measurement condition is not enabled and the measuring instrument is not connected to the computer, if the model of the measuring instrument matches the model of the measuring instrument specified in the third measurement condition but the measurement conditions other than the model of the measuring instrument in the first measurement condition do not satisfy the third measurement condition, the program causes the computer to execute a process of connecting to the measuring instrument and changing the first measurement conditions so as to satisfy the third measurement condition.

14. An information processing device comprising: a means for acquiring first measurement conditions for performing measurements with a measuring instrument; a means for acquiring second measurement conditions to be satisfied when measuring a sample color associated with each reference color; a means for determining whether the first measurement conditions and the second measurement conditions match; and a means for displaying a warning indicating that they do not match if it is determined that they do not match.

15. An information processing device comprising: a means for acquiring first measurement conditions for performing measurement with a measuring device; a means for acquiring second measurement conditions to be satisfied when measuring a sample color associated with each reference color; a means for enabling a third measurement condition different from the second measurement condition; a means for determining whether the first measurement condition satisfies the third measurement condition when the third measurement condition is enabled; and a means for disabling measurement with the measuring device or changing the first measurement condition so that the third measurement condition is satisfied if it is determined that the first measurement condition is not satisfied.

16. An information processing method in which an information processing device executes the following steps: acquiring first measurement conditions for performing measurements with a measuring device; acquiring second measurement conditions to be satisfied when measuring a sample color associated with each reference color; determining whether the first measurement conditions and the second measurement conditions match; and, if it is determined that they do not match, displaying a warning indicating that they do not match.

17. An information processing method in which an information processing device executes the following steps: acquiring first measurement conditions for performing measurement with a measuring device; acquiring second measurement conditions to be satisfied when measuring a sample color associated with each reference color; enabling a third measurement condition different from the second measurement condition; and, if the third measurement condition is enabled, determining whether the first measurement condition satisfies the third measurement condition; and, if it is determined that the first measurement condition does not satisfy the third measurement condition, preventing measurement by the measuring device from being performed or changing the first measurement condition so that the third measurement condition is satisfied.

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