JP2000020681A - Device and method for color proofreading and recording medium with color proofreading program recorded therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color proofreading device, in which a device for performing color proofreading is used as a server device and with which everyone can easily perform color proofreading. SOLUTION: This device is equipped with a reference color data storage means 11 for storing reference color data, a reference color data conversion means 12 for converting the reference color data into a format by which they are transmitted to each client side personal computer, a colorimetry data conversion means 14 which receives colorimetry data of each input equipment obtained by performing colorimetry at each client side personal computer or colorimetry data of each output equipment measured by using the reference color data and converts them into a format with which color proofreading processing is performed, a device characteristics preparation means 15 for preparing device characteristics for each input equipment or output equipment, on the basis of the received color data and the reference color data, and a conversion table preparation means 18 for preparing a conversion table for each input equipment or output equipment by using the device characteristics.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color proofing apparatus, a color proofing method, and a recording medium on which a color proofing program is recorded. In particular, one or more client personal computers and each of the client personal computers are provided. One or more output devices or one or more input devices to be used are connected to a display device of each client-side personal computer, a color proofing device for performing color proofing of each output device, or each input device via a network. Technology that is effective when applied to systems

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of computers, color images are handled as a part of data, and computer systems capable of displaying image data captured by a scanner or a digital camera on a display or outputting to a printer are known. Have been. In such a system, for example, when working with two or more types of devices such as a display and a printer at the same time, there may be inconsistencies in high-saturation colors due to differences in the color reproduction range of each device. . Usually, the color gamut of a display is much wider than that of a printer.
In many cases, the image on the display and the image actually printed out do not match at all.

As described above, the conventional computer system has a problem that colors displayed on a display such as a CRT do not match colors output to a printer. In addition, even if output devices of the same model have different characteristics, even if the same image is output to each output device, there is a problem that colors do not match. Furthermore, when an image input by a camera or a scanner is output to a display or a printer, there is a problem in that the image is displayed and output in a color different from the original image. Therefore, in the computer system described above, it is necessary to perform color calibration of an output device such as a display or a printer.

[0004]

Conventionally, the color calibration of the above-mentioned output device such as a display or a printer has been performed in a closed form in each system. However, this method requires specialized knowledge. There was a problem that it was very difficult and unmanageable by amateurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to realize an apparatus for performing color calibration in a color calibration apparatus and a color calibration method as a server apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technology that enables anyone to easily perform color proofing according to a predetermined procedure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a recording medium which stores a color calibration program for causing a computer used as a server device to execute the color calibration method.

[0007] The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, the outline of a representative one will be briefly described.
It is as follows.

That is, the present invention provides a system in which one or more client-side personal computers and a color proofing device that performs color proofing of a display device of each of the client-side personal computers are connected via a network.
Alternatively, one or more client-side personal computers, one or more output devices used by each of the client-side personal computers, and a color proofing device that performs color proofing of the one or more output devices via a network. In the connected system, in response to a request from each of the client-side personal computers, transmits reference color data stored inside the color proofing device to each of the client-side personal computers,
Using the transmitted reference color data, the reference color data displayed on the display device of each of the client-side personal computers, or receiving the colorimetric data of the reference color data output to each of the output devices, The colorimetric data and the reference color data are converted into an internal processing format, based on the colorimetric data received and further converted into the internal processing format, and the reference color data stored inside the color proofing device. As a function of, the display device of each of the client-side personal computers, or device characteristics of each of the output devices are created, and based on the created device characteristics, are actually displayed on the display device of each of the client-side personal computers. Color data to be output or color data actually output to each output device. Create a conversion table for the computer to create a conversion table created in the above, and transmits to the each client PC.

The present invention also provides one or more client personal computers, one or more input devices used by each of the client personal computers, and a color proofer for performing color proofing of the one or more input devices. In a system in which the apparatus is connected via a network, based on an instruction from each of the client-side personal computers, one or more reference color data of one or more color patches stored in the color proofing apparatus are selected. Selecting the reference color data of the color chart to be input from each of the input devices, receiving the colorimetric data of the color chart input from each of the input devices, converting the data into an internal processing format, A function of the colorimetric data and the reference color data of the color patch based on the colorimetric data converted into the processing format and the reference color data of the selected color patch. To the create a device characteristic of each input device, based on the created device characteristics, the color data is actually input from the respective input devices,
It is characterized in that a conversion table to be created by each of the client-side personal computers is created, and the created conversion table is transmitted to each of the client-side personal computers.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the created device characteristics are stored inside the color proofing device.

Further, the present invention provides a system in which one or more client-side personal computers and a color proofing device for performing color proofing of a display device of each of the client-side personal computers are connected via a network.
One or more client-side personal computers;
One or more output devices or one or more input devices used by each of the client-side personal computers, and a color proofing device that performs color proofing of the one or more output devices or one or more input devices are connected to a network. Or one or more client-side personal computers, one or more output devices and one or more input devices used by each of the client-side personal computers, and the one or more outputs In a system in which a device and a color proofing device for performing color proofing of one or more input devices are connected via a network, the color proofing device is stored inside the color proofing device based on an instruction from each of the client-side personal computers. Selecting one or more device characteristics from the one or more device characteristics It is determined whether the selected device characteristic is one or two or more. If the selected device characteristic is one according to the determination result, the display of each of the client personal computers is performed based on the selected device characteristic. A conversion table for each of the client personal computers to create color data to be actually displayed on the device, color data to be actually output to each of the output devices, or color data to be actually input from each of the input devices. And, if the selected device characteristics are two or more according to the determination result, the color actually displayed on the display device of each of the client-side personal computers based on the selected two or more device characteristics. ,
The colors actually output to the respective output devices, or the colors actually displayed on the display device of each of the client-side personal computers so that at least two of the colors actually input from the respective input devices appear to be the same color. Data, color data actually output to each output device, or color data actually input from each input device, create a device characteristic synthesis conversion table for each client-side personal computer to create, The created conversion table or device characteristic synthesis conversion table is transmitted to each of the client personal computers.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

In all the drawings for describing the embodiments, those having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their repeated description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example of a system to which a color proofing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a color proofing device according to the present embodiment, 20a and 20b denote printers, 30 denotes a scanner,
40a to 40n are personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs).
Called. ) And 50 are LAN (or WAN). In the system configuration shown in FIG.
And the PCs (40a to 40n) constitute a client-server system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of the color proofing device 10 of the present embodiment. The reference color data storage means 11 shown in FIG.
Reference color data necessary for acquiring device characteristics of a CRT (40a to 40n), a display such as a liquid crystal display device, or a printer (20a, 20b) is stored. The reference color data stored in the reference color data storage means 11 is numerical information corresponding to RGB or numerical information corresponding to the color of a color chart. Reference color data conversion means 1
2 acquires reference color data necessary for acquiring device characteristics from the reference color data storage unit 11 in response to a request from each of the client PCs (40a to 40n), and stores the reference color data in each of the Client PC (40a ~
40n) via a LAN (or WAN) 50 for conversion into a predetermined signal format. The reference color data converted into a predetermined signal format by the reference color data conversion means 12 is transmitted to the network interface unit 13 and the LA
The data is transmitted to each of the client PCs (40a to 40n) via the N (or WAN) 50.

Each of the client PCs (40a to 40n) uses the received reference color data to display a reference color on a display such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display, or
The reference colors are output from the printers (20a, 20b). A user operating each of the client PCs (40a to 40n) reads a reference color displayed on a display such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display device or a reference color output to a printer (20a, 20b) using a colorimeter or the like. And measure the color. In addition,
Instead of performing colorimetry using a colorimeter or the like, matching with a color chart may be performed. The measured colorimetric data is converted into a predetermined signal format for transmission via the LAN (or WAN) 50, and each client PC (40a-40)
n) to the color proofing device 10.

The colorimetric data converting means 14 performs color proofing processing in the color proofing device 10 on colorimetric data in a predetermined signal format from each of the client PCs (40a to 40n) received via the network interface unit 13. To colorimetric data for The device characteristic creation unit 15 calculates the reference color data stored in the reference color data storage unit 11 and the colorimetric data from the colorimetric data conversion unit 14.
Color data of a reference color displayed on a display of each client PC (40a to 40n) or color data of a reference color output to a printer (20a, 20b);
Create a device characteristic representing a function with the reference color data.
The device characteristics created by the device characteristic creating unit 15 are stored and stored in the device characteristic storing unit 16.

The conversion table creating means 18 is adapted to generate the client PCs (40a to 40a) based on the device characteristics created by the device characteristic creating means 15 or the device characteristics stored in the device characteristic storing means 16.
A conversion table is created for each of the client PCs (40a to 40n) to create the color data actually displayed on the display n) or the color data actually output to the printers (20a, 20b). The device characteristic synthesizing conversion table creating means 17 is
By combining two or more device characteristics stored in
A new device characteristic is created, and based on the new device characteristic, a color to be displayed on the display of each client PC (40a to 40n) or a printer (20a,
Color data actually displayed on the display of each client PC (40a to 40n) or color data actually output to the printers (20a, 20b) so that the color output to 20b) looks the same as the user sees. Is created by each of the client PCs (40a to 40n). The device characteristic synthesis conversion table creating means 17 uses, for example, a plurality of output devices in each of the client PCs (40a to 40n) to perform color calibration so that the color seen by the user can be seen as the same color in any of the devices. Required if you want to.

The conversion table created by the conversion table creating unit 18 or the device characteristic combining conversion table created by the device characteristic combining conversion table creating unit 17 is stored in the network interface unit 13 and the LA.
N (or WAN) 50 through each client P
C (40a to 40n). Thus, the client PCs (40a to 40n) output colors to the displays of the respective client PCs (40a to 40n) or the printers (20a, 20b) using the conversion table sent from the color proofing device 10. As a result, a color-calibrated output becomes possible.

Hereinafter, a specific example of the color proofing method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to an example in which the reference color data stored in the reference color data storage unit 11 is numerical information corresponding to RGB shown in FIG. I do.

Each of the client PCs (40a to 40n) uses the received reference color data to display a reference color on a display such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the printer (20a, 20b) outputs a reference color.

FIG. 4A shows the state of the reference colors displayed on the CRT. In FIG.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a reference color displayed in a strip shape. FIG.
(B) shows the state of the reference color output from the printer (20a, 20b), and in the figure, 43 denotes a print sheet output from the printer (20a, 20b);
Indicates a reference color printed on the print paper 43 in a grid pattern.

The colorimetric data transmitted from each of the client PCs (40a to 40n) to the color proofing device 10 is often tristimulus values (X, Y, Z). For example, if the reference color data stored in the reference color data storage unit 11 is numerical information corresponding to RGB, the device characteristic creation unit 15
Associates the tristimulus values (X, Y, Z) from the client PCs (40a to 40n) with the reference color data (R, G, B).

That is, the device characteristic creation means 15 calculates (γ _R , γ _G , γ _B , a _{i, j} ) in the following equation (1).

[0026]

(Equation 1)

The tristimulus values (X, X) from each of the client PCs (40a to 40n) are replaced with the neural network shown in FIG.
Y, Z) may be associated with the reference color data (R, G, B). In FIG. 5, (Ri
, Gi, Bi) are the i-th reference color data of the input layer,
(Xi, Yi, Zi) represents the i-th tristimulus value of the output layer, and (U1, U2,..., Un) represents the intermediate layer. Here, (U1, U2,..., Un), Xi, Yi, Zi
Is represented by the following equation (2).

[0028]

(Equation 2)

Here, ri, gi, bi, μx (i, j), μ
y (i, j) and μz (i, j) are weighting factors. In the method using the neural network, first, tristimulus values (X, Y, Z) are obtained from the reference color data (R, G, B) with an arbitrary weighting factor, and actual tristimulus values (X, Y, Z) are obtained. Y, Z)
The weight coefficient is corrected so as to be close to. This operation
Perform the same for all data sets and input the same data many times until the calculated tristimulus values (X, Y, Z) are close to the actual tristimulus values (X, Y, Z) By repeating, tristimulus values (X, Y, Z) from each client PC (40a to 40n) and reference color data (R, G,
B). In FIG. 5, the intermediate layer is 1
Although two cases have been described, it is also possible to provide a plurality of intermediate layers.

The device characteristic storage means 16 stores (γ _R , γ _G , γ _B , a _{i, j} ) in the above equation (1) or the number of intermediate layers in the method using a neural network. Weighting coefficients (μx (i, j), μ
y (i, j), μz (i, j)) are accumulated. In the conversion table creation unit 18, for example, based on the device characteristics created by the device characteristic creation unit 15 or the device characteristics stored in the device characteristic storage unit 16,
As shown in FIG. 6, numerical information corresponding to (R, G, B)
Each client PC (40a to 40a) is
n) or tristimulus values (X, X) of colors displayed on the display or colors output to the printers (20a, 20b).
(Y, Z) is created. By using this conversion table, each client PC
(40a-40n), each client PC (40a
To 40n) can display a color-calibrated color image on a display or output the color-calibrated color image to a printer (20a, 20b). In the device characteristic composition conversion table creating means 17, the CRT of each client PC (40a to 40n) and the printer (20
a, 20b), etc., to create a device characteristic synthesis conversion table in which two or more device characteristics are synthesized. For example, when synthesizing the device characteristics of the CRT of each client PC (40a to 40n) and the printer (20a, 20b), based on the device characteristics stored in the device characteristic storage means 16, FIG. And a conversion table for the printers (20a, 20b) shown in FIG. 7B. Next, in order to match the color viewed on the CRT with the color output to the printer (20a, 20b), numerical information (RC,
A device characteristic synthesis conversion table of numerical information (RP, GP, BP) corresponding to RGB of the printers (GC, BC) and the printers (20a, 20b) is created. That is, (R) shown in FIG.
(XC, YC, ZC) corresponding to (C, GC, BC) is obtained, and FIG. 7 corresponding to the (XC, YC, ZC) is obtained.
(Xp, Yp, Zp) shown in FIG. Finally,
(RP, GP, B) corresponding to the (XP, YP, ZP)
By calculating (P), (RP, GC, BC) is obtained from (RP
, GP, BP) can be created.

According to the device characteristic synthesizing conversion table, when the inputs (RC, GC, BC) to the CRT are output to the printers (20a, 20b), (RP, GP, BP)
), The color of the color image displayed on the CRT and the color of the color image output to the printer (20a, 20b) can be matched. As a result, the color reproduction range of the display such as the CRT of each client PC (40a to 40n) can be changed by the printer (20a, 20n).
The same color reproduction range as in b) can be obtained, and the printout can be performed in the colors as seen on the display.

In particular, each client PC (40a
In the case where the color reproduction range (the range of expressible colors) differs between the devices, as in the case of a combination of a CRT (.about.40n) and a printer (20a, 20b), the following method can be used. is there. In the conversion table of the printer, even if the value of (RP, GP, BP) increases, (XP, YP
, Z P) are detected where they hardly change.

For example, when j = k,..., N, (X
P, YP, ZP) hardly change. In this case, if j <k in the conversion table of the printer (20a, 20b), the aforementioned (R, G, B)
Create a device characteristics synthesis conversion table between values, and
If j ≧ k, the closest (R, G, B) value among (X, Y, Z) values in j <k of the conversion table of the printer (20a, 20b) is converted to the CRT conversion value. Correspond with the (R, G, B) value in the table.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the flow of processing at the time of color calibration in the system shown in FIG. As shown in FIG.
First, the client PCs (40a to 40n) access the color proofing device 10 and request display of a reference color based on the reference color data (A in FIG. 8). Next, the color proofing device 10
Indicates that the reference color data is to be transmitted to each client PC (40a to 4a).
0n) (B in FIG. 8).

Next, each client PC (40a-40)
The n) side uses the received reference color data to output the reference color to a display, a printer (20a, 20b), or the like. Then, the output color is transmitted to each client PC.
(40a-40n) is operated by a user using a color chart, a colorimeter, or the like, and colorimetric data obtained by the colorimetry is transmitted via a LAN (or WAN) 50 or the like. (C in FIG. 8).

Next, the color proofing device 10 creates a desired device characteristic representing a function of the color data actually seen by the user and the reference color data from the received color measurement data and the reference color data.

Further, the color proofing apparatus 10 uses each of the client PCs (40a to 40a) using the created device characteristics.
n) creates a conversion table for each client PC (40a to 40n) to create color data to be actually displayed on the display or color data to be actually output to the printer (20a, 20b). The conversion table is transmitted to each client PC (40a to 40n) (D in FIG. 8).

Each client PC (40a-40n)
Displays the color-calibrated color image on the display of each client PC (40a to 40n) using the conversion table transmitted from the color proofing device 10, or the color-calibrated color on the printer (20a, 20b). Images can be output.

In the color proofing device 10 of the present embodiment,
The conversion table transmitted to each client PC (40a to 40n) includes a conversion table created based on the device characteristics created by the device characteristic creating unit 15,
There are three types: a conversion table created based on the device characteristics stored in the device characteristic storage means 16 and a device characteristic synthesis conversion table created by the device characteristic synthesis conversion table creation means 17. FIG.
Is a color proofreading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment when the conversion table transmitted to each of the client PCs (40a to 40n) is a conversion table created based on the device characteristics created by the device characteristic creating unit 15. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of FIG. Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the color proofing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment when the conversion table transmitted to each of the client PCs (40a to 40n) is created based on the device characteristics created by the device characteristic creating unit 15. Will be described. First, in step 101, each client PC (40a-40)
From n), it is determined whether or not a transmission request for the reference color data has been made. In step 101, each client PC (40
From a to 40n), if there is no request for transmission of the reference color data, the above processing is repeated. In step 101, when there is a request for transmission of reference color data from each of the client PCs (40a to 40n), in step 102, the reference color data stored in the reference
Each of the client PCs is converted into a predetermined signal format by using the reference color data conversion means 14 via the network interface unit 13, the LAN (or WAN) 50 or the like.
(40a to 40n), the reference color data is transmitted.

Next, in step 103, it is determined whether or not each of the client PCs (40a to 40n) has transmitted colorimetric data. In step 103, if no colorimetric data is transmitted from each of the client PCs (40a to 40n), the above process is repeated. In step 103,
If colorimetric data is transmitted from each of the client PCs (40a to 40n), in step 104, the LAN
(Or WAN) 50, the colorimetric data received via the network interface unit 13 is converted by the colorimetric data conversion means 14 into data in a color proofing processing format inside the color proofing device. Next, in step 105, step 1
Based on the converted colorimetric data converted in step 04 and the reference color data stored in the reference color data storage means 11, a desired function representing a function of the color data of the color actually seen by the user and the reference color data is obtained. Are created by the device property creating means 15.

Next, in step 106, step 105
Is stored in the device storage means 16, and the client PC (40a) is converted by the conversion table creation means 18 using the created device characteristics.
-40n) color data actually displayed on the display,
A conversion table is created for each of the client PCs (40a to 40n) to create color data to be actually output to the printer (20a, 20b). Next, step 107
Then, the conversion table created in step 106 is sent to the network interface unit 13 and the LAN (or WA).
N) Each client PC (40a-4)
0n).

FIG. 10 shows each client PC (40a-
40n) is a conversion table created based on the device characteristics stored in the device characteristic storage means 16 or a device characteristic synthesis created by the device characteristic synthesis conversion table creation means 17 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the color proofing device 10 of the present embodiment when the conversion table is a conversion table. Hereinafter, each client PC (40a-40)
When the conversion table transmitted in n) is a conversion table created based on the device characteristics stored in the device characteristic storage means 16 or a device characteristic synthesis created by the device characteristic synthesis conversion table creation means 17 The processing procedure of the color proofing device 10 according to the present embodiment in the case of a conversion table will be described. First, in step 201, each client PC (40a-40)
It is determined whether or not an instruction to select a device characteristic stored in the device characteristic storage unit 16 has been issued from n).
In step 201, if there is no instruction to select the device characteristics stored in the device characteristics storage means 16,
The above process is repeated. In step 201, if there is an instruction to select the device characteristics stored in the device characteristic storage unit 16, in step 202, the instruction to select the device characteristics stored in the device characteristic storage unit 16 is: It is determined whether it is one device characteristic or two or more device characteristics. If the instruction to select a device characteristic stored in the device characteristic storage unit 16 in step 202 is one device characteristic, then in step 204, one device characteristic stored in the device characteristic storage unit 16 The conversion table creating means 18 uses the client PC (40
a to 40n), and creates a conversion table for each client PC (40a to 40n) to create color data to be actually displayed on the display and color data to be actually output to the printer (20a, 20b).

If the instruction to select the device characteristics stored in the device characteristic storage means 16 in step 202 is two or more device characteristics, then in step 203, a device characteristic synthesis conversion table is created. The means 17 combines two or more device characteristics stored in the device characteristic storage means 16 to create a new device characteristic, and based on the new device characteristic,
The colors displayed on the displays of the client PCs (40a to 40n) or the colors actually output to the printers (20a, 20b) are displayed in the same color by the user.
The color data actually displayed on the display of each client PC (40a to 40n), the printer (20a, 20n)
The color data to be actually output to b) is transmitted to each client PC.
(40a to 40n) create a device characteristic synthesis conversion table to be created. Finally, in step 205,
The created conversion table is stored in each client PC (40a-
40n).

In the above description, the devices to be subjected to color proofing are the client PCs (40a to 40n).
Although the description has been given of the case of the output device such as the display and the printer (20a, 20b), the present invention is also applicable to the case where the device to be subjected to color proofing is the input device such as the scanner 30 and the digital camera shown in FIG. Applicable.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the color proofing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment when the device to be subjected to color proofing is the scanner 30 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the color proofing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment when the device to be subjected to color proofing is the scanner 30 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, in step 301, it is determined whether or not each client PC (40a to 40n) has given an instruction of a color chart to be input from the scanner 30. In step 301, when there is no instruction for a color chart to be input from the scanner 30 from each of the client PCs (40a to 40n), the above processing is repeated. In step 301, each client PC (40a-
40n), when there is an instruction for a color chart to be input from the scanner 30, in step 302, there is an instruction to select from the reference color data of the color charts stored in the reference color data storage unit 11. Select the reference color data. Next, in step 303, each of the client PCs (40a-
From 40n), it is determined whether or not the colorimetric data has been transmitted. At step 303, each client PC (40a
-40n), if there is no transmission of colorimetric data, the above processing is repeated. In step 303, if the colorimetric data is transmitted from each of the client PCs (40a to 40n), in step 304, the LAN (or WA) is transmitted.
N) 50, the colorimetric data received via the network interface unit 13 is converted by the colorimetric data conversion means 14 into data in a color proofing processing format inside the color proofing device. Next, in step 305, the converted colorimetric data converted in step 304 and the reference color data
A desired device characteristic representing a function of the color data of the color actually input by the user from the scanner 30 and the reference color data is created by the device characteristic creating unit 15 from the reference color data stored in the scanner 30.

Next, in step 306, step 305
The device characteristics created by the device characteristic storage means 16
The conversion table creation means 18 uses the created device characteristics to store the color data actually input from the scanner 30 into each client PC (40a).
To 40n) are created.
Next, in step 307, the conversion table created in step 306 is
The data is transmitted to each client PC (40a to 40n) via an AN (or WAN) 50 or the like.

As described above, the device to be subjected to color proofing is
In the case of an input device such as the scanner 30 shown in FIG. 1, first, reference color data of a color patch is stored in the reference color data storage unit 11 in advance in association with a color patch identifier.
In this case, one or more data are accumulated as the reference color data of the color chart. Then, each client PC
(40a to 40n), the color proofreader 10 specifies the identifier of the color chart to be used for the color calibration of the input device to the color proofing device 10, thereby allowing the colorimetric data of the color chart actually input from the input device and the reference color The color proofing device 10 recognizes the correspondence between the color patches stored in the data storage unit 11 and the reference color data, so that the color proofing process can be performed. The color chart data in this case is an average (R, G, B) for each color area.
Further, the device characteristic synthesis conversion table creating means 17 stores the scanner 30 and each client PC (40a to 4a).
0n) CRT, digital camera and each client PC
It is possible to create a device characteristic synthesis conversion table in which two or more device characteristics such as CRTs (40a to 40n) are synthesized.

The color proofing device 10 of the present embodiment is
In addition to the system shown in FIG. 1, for example, the present invention can be applied to a system as shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of another example of a system to which the color proofing device of the present embodiment is applied. In the figure, 50a, 5
0b is a LAN, 60a and 60b are routers, and 70 is a network.

In the color proofing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the reference color data storage unit 11, the reference color data conversion unit 12, the network interface unit 13, the colorimetric data conversion unit 14, the device characteristic creation unit 15, the device The case has been described where the characteristic storage unit 16, the device characteristic combination conversion table creation unit 17, and the conversion table creation unit 18 are each configured by dedicated hardware. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
It is also possible to execute by software processing of a computer. In this case, according to the color proofing method of the present embodiment, the central processing unit (CPU) 110 shown in FIG.
20 is executed by executing the color proofreading program 121 read in. Also, reference color data conversion means 1
2, colorimetric data conversion means 14, device characteristic creation means 1
5. The device characteristic synthesis conversion table creating unit 17 and the conversion table creating unit 18 are functional units realized by a central processing unit (CPU) 110 as shown in FIG. Further, the reference color data storage unit 11 and the device characteristic storage unit 16 are configured by a hard disk 130, and the network interface unit 13 is connected to the communication control unit 1
40.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer that executes the color proofing program of the present embodiment, and 150 is a bus line. The color proofing program 121 is, for example, a floppy disk, C
The information is provided by a recording medium such as a D-ROM and a magneto-optical disk and stored in the memory 120.

As described above, the invention made by the present inventor is:
Although a specific description has been given based on the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0052]

The effects obtained by typical ones of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows.

According to the present invention, by implementing the color proofing device as a server device, anyone can easily perform color proofing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an example of a system to which a color proofing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of the color proofing device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of numerical information corresponding to RGB stored in a reference color data storage unit.

FIG. 4 shows a state of a reference color displayed on a CRT, or
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state of a reference color output from a printer.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a calculation in a device characteristic creation unit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conversion table created by a conversion table creating unit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a conversion table created by device characteristic means according to the embodiment.

8 is a diagram showing a flow of processing at the time of color proofing in the system shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the color proofing device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the color proofing device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the color proofing device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of another example of a system to which the color proofing device according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a computer that executes a color proofing program according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: color proofing device, 11: reference color data storage means, 12
Reference color data conversion means, 13 Network interface unit, 14 Colorimetric data conversion means, 15 Device characteristic creation means, 16 Device characteristic storage means, 17 Device characteristic synthesis conversion table creation means, 18 Conversion table creation Means, 20a, 20b printer, 30 scanner, 40a to 40n personal computer, 4
1 ... CRT, 42 ... Reference colors displayed in a strip shape, 43 ...
Print papers output from printers (20a, 20b), 44... Reference colors printed in a grid on print paper 43, 50... LAN (or WAN), 50a, 50b
... LAN, 60a, 60b router, 70 network, 110 central processing unit (CPU), 120 memory, 121 color calibration program, 130 hard disk, 140 communication control unit, 150 bus line.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme court ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/46 H04N 1/46 Z 5C079 (72) Inventor Noriaki Nakamura 3-19 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation F-term (reference) AB22 AB24 AE03 5C077 LL01 MM01 MP08 PP32 PP37 SS07 TT02 5C079 HB01 LB01 MA05 MA13 NA03 NA17 NA29 PA03 PA05

Claims (11)

[Claims] A system in which one or more client-side personal computers and a color proofing device that performs color proofing of a display device of each of the client-side personal computers are connected via a network, or one or more client-side personal computers. A client-side personal computer, and 1 used by each of the client-side personal computers.
One or more output devices or one or more input devices;
A color proofing device for performing a color proofing of one or more output devices or the one or more input devices is a color proofing device in a system connected via a network, and a reference color data storage for storing reference color data. Means, reference color data conversion means for converting the reference color data stored in the reference color data storage means into a format to be transmitted to each of the client personal computers, and performing colorimetry with each of the client personal computers The display device or each output of each client-side personal computer measured using the colorimetric data of each of the input devices obtained as described above or the standard color data in a format converted by the standard color data converting means. Colorimetric data conversion means for receiving colorimetric data of a device and converting it into a format for performing color proofing processing; A device characteristic creation unit that creates device characteristics of the input devices, the display devices of the client-side personal computers, or the output devices using the colorimetric data converted by the data conversion unit; A conversion table creating unit for creating a conversion table for each of the input devices, the display devices of the client-side personal computers, or the output devices using device characteristics created by the means. Color proofing device. 2. A system in which one or more client-side personal computers and a color proofing device for performing color proofing of a display device of each client-side personal computer are connected via a network, or one or more client-side personal computers. A client-side personal computer, and 1 used by each of the client-side personal computers.
One or more output devices or one or more input devices;
A color proofing device for performing a color proofing of one or more output devices or the one or more input devices is a color proofing device in a system connected via a network, and a reference color data storage for storing reference color data. Means, reference color data conversion means for converting the reference color data stored in the reference color data storage means into a format to be transmitted to each of the client personal computers, and performing colorimetry with each of the client personal computers The display device or each output of each client-side personal computer measured using the colorimetric data of each of the input devices obtained as described above or the standard color data in a format converted by the standard color data converting means. Colorimetric data conversion means for receiving colorimetric data of a device and converting it into a format for performing color proofing processing; A device characteristic creation unit that creates device characteristics of the input devices, the display devices of the client-side personal computers, or the output devices using the colorimetric data converted by the data conversion unit; Device characteristic storage means for storing device characteristics created by the means; and using the device characteristics stored in the device characteristic storage means, the input devices, the display devices of the client personal computers, or the output devices. A color proofing apparatus, comprising: a conversion table creating means for creating a conversion table for a device. 3. A system in which one or more client-side personal computers and a color proofing device for performing color proofing of a display device of each client-side personal computer are connected via a network, or one or more client-side personal computers. A client-side personal computer, and 1 used by each of the client-side personal computers.
One or more output devices or one or more input devices;
A color proofing device for performing a color proofing of one or more output devices or the one or more input devices is a color proofing device in a system connected via a network, and a reference color data storage for storing reference color data. Means, reference color data conversion means for converting the reference color data stored in the reference color data storage means into a format to be transmitted to each of the client personal computers, and performing colorimetry with each of the client personal computers The display device or each output of each client-side personal computer measured using the colorimetric data of each of the input devices obtained as described above or the standard color data in a format converted by the standard color data converting means. Colorimetric data conversion means for receiving colorimetric data of a device and converting it into a format for performing color proofing processing; A device characteristic creation unit that creates device characteristics of the input devices, the display devices of the client-side personal computers, or the output devices using the colorimetric data converted by the data conversion unit; A device characteristic storage unit configured to store the device characteristics created by the unit; and a display device of each of the input devices and the client personal computers, using two or more device characteristics stored in the device characteristic storage unit. Alternatively, a color proofing apparatus comprising: a device characteristic combination conversion table creating unit that creates a device characteristic combination conversion table for each output device. 4. A system in which one or more client-side personal computers and a color proofing device that performs color proofing of a display device of each of the client-side personal computers are connected via a network, or one or more client-side personal computers. A client-side personal computer, and 1 used by each of the client-side personal computers.
A color proofing method for a color proofing device in a system in which one or more output devices and a color proofing device for performing color proofing of the one or more output devices are connected via a network; A first step of transmitting reference color data stored inside the color proofing device to each of the client-side personal computers in response to a request from a computer; and a reference color transmitted in the first step. Using the data, the colorimetric data of the reference color data displayed on the display device of each of the client-side personal computers or the colorimetric data of the reference color data output to each of the output devices is received and converted into an internal processing format. A second step; colorimetric data received in the second step and further converted into an internal processing format; Thirdly, a display device of each of the client personal computers or a device characteristic of each of the output devices is created as a function of the colorimetric data and the reference color data based on the internally stored reference color data. Based on the device characteristics created in the third step, based on the color data actually displayed on the display device of each client-side personal computer, or the color data actually output to each output device, A fourth step of creating a conversion table to be created by each of the client-side personal computers; and a fifth step of transmitting the conversion table created in the fourth step to each of the client-side personal computers. A color proofing method comprising: 5. One or more client-side personal computers, one or more input devices used by each of the client-side personal computers, and a color proofing device that performs color proofing of the one or more input devices. A color proofing method for a color proofing device in a system connected via a network, wherein the color proofing device is stored inside the color proofing device based on an instruction from each client-side personal computer.
A first step of selecting, from among the reference color data of one or more color patches, the reference color data of the color patch to be input from each of the input devices; and measuring the colorimetric data of the color patch input from each of the input devices. A second step of receiving and converting to the internal processing format; and a colorimetric data received in the second step and further converted to the internal processing format, and a color chart selected in the first step. A third step of creating device characteristics of each of the input devices based on the reference color data as a function of the colorimetric data and the reference color data of the color chart; and a device characteristic created in the third step. Based on the color data actually input from each of the input devices,
A fourth step of creating a conversion table to be created by each of the client-side personal computers; and a fifth step of transmitting the conversion table created in the fourth step to each of the client-side personal computers. A color proofing method comprising: 6. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a sixth step of storing the device characteristics created in the third step inside the color proofing apparatus. Color proofing method. 7. A system in which one or more client-side personal computers and a color proofing device that performs color proofing of a display device of each of the client-side personal computers are connected via a network. A personal computer, one or more output devices or one or more input devices used by each of the client-side personal computers, and a color proofing device that performs color proofing of the one or more output devices or one or more input devices And are connected via a network,
Alternatively, one or more client-side personal computers, one or more output devices and one or more input devices used by each of the client-side personal computers, and the one or more output devices and one or more input devices A color proofing device that performs color proofing is a color proofing method of a color proofing device in a system connected via a network, based on an instruction from each of the client-side personal computers, inside the color proofing device. 1 stored
A first step of selecting one or more device characteristics from among one or more device characteristics; and a second step of determining whether one or more device characteristics are selected in the first step. And if the selected device characteristic is one according to the determination result in the second step, color data to be actually displayed on the display device of each of the client-side personal computers based on the selected device characteristic. A third step of creating a conversion table for each of the client-side personal computers to create color data actually output to each of the output devices or color data actually input from each of the input devices; According to the determination result in the second step, when the selected device characteristics are two or more, the selected two or more Based on device characteristics, at least two of the colors actually displayed on the display device of each of the client-side personal computers, the colors actually output to each of the output devices, or the colors actually input from each of the input devices are the same. Color data that is actually displayed on the display device of each client-side personal computer, color data that is actually output to each output device, or color data that is actually input from each of the input devices so that they look like colors. A fourth step of creating a device characteristic synthesis conversion table for creation by each of the client-side personal computers; and a conversion table created in the third step, or a device characteristic created in the fourth step. Sends the composite conversion table to each client-side personal computer Color calibration method characterized by comprising a fifth step that. 8. A system in which one or more client-side personal computers and a color proofing device that performs color proofing of a display device of each of the client-side personal computers are connected via a network, or one or more client-side personal computers. A client-side personal computer, and 1 used by each of the client-side personal computers.
One or more output devices, and a color proofing device that performs color proofing of the one or more output devices, wherein the color proofing device causes a computer used as a color proofing device in a system connected via a network to execute a color proofing method. A recording medium on which a calibration program is recorded, wherein the program stores, in response to a request from each of the client-side personal computers, reference color data stored in storage means in each of the client-side personal computers. Using the transmitted reference color data, receiving the reference color data displayed on the display device of each of the client-side personal computers or the colorimetric data of the reference color data output to each of the output devices. Then, it is converted to the internal processing format, the reception is performed, and further converted to the internal processing format. The display device of each of the client-side personal computers or the output device as a function of the colorimetric data and the reference color data based on the colorimetric data obtained and the reference color data stored in the storage unit. Based on the created device characteristics, the color data actually displayed on the display device of each client-side personal computer, or the color data actually output to each output device, A recording medium storing a color proofing program, wherein a conversion table to be created by a client personal computer is created, and the created conversion table is transmitted to each of the client personal computers. 9. One or more client-side personal computers, one or more input devices used by each of the client-side personal computers, and a color proofing device that performs color proofing of the one or more input devices, A recording medium recording a color proofing program for causing a computer used as a color proofing device in a system connected via a network to execute a color proofing method, wherein the program is executed by the computer from each of the client-side personal computers. The reference color data of one or more color patches stored in the storage means, the reference color data of the color patch to be input from each of the input devices is selected. Receiving the colorimetric data of the color chart, converting it into an internal processing format, Based on the colorimetric data converted into the format and the reference color data of the selected color patch, the device characteristics of each of the input devices are created as a function of the colorimetric data and the reference color data of the color patch. Based on the created device characteristics, color data actually input from each of the input devices, to create a conversion table for each of the client-side personal computer to create, the created conversion table, A recording medium storing a color proofing program, which is transmitted to each client-side personal computer. 10. The color proofreading program according to claim 8, wherein the color proofreading program further causes a computer to store the created device characteristics in the storage means. Recording medium. 11. A system in which one or more client-side personal computers and a color proofing device that performs color proofing of a display device of each of the client-side personal computers are connected via a network. A personal computer, one or more output devices or one or more input devices used by each of the client-side personal computers, and a color proofing device that performs color proofing of the one or more output devices or one or more input devices A system connected via a network, or one or more client-side personal computers, one or more output devices and one or more input devices used by each of the client-side personal computers, Calibrate one or more output devices and one or more input devices Color proofing device, and a recording medium that records a color proofing program that causes a computer used as a color proofing device in a system connected via a network to execute a color proofing method, wherein the program includes: Based on an instruction from each of the client-side personal computers, one or more device characteristics are selected from one or more device characteristics stored in a storage unit, and one or more of the selected device characteristics is If there is only one selected device characteristic based on the result of the determination, based on the selected device characteristic, color data to be actually displayed on the display device of each of the client-side personal computers, The color data actually output to each output device, or the color data actually output from each input device. A conversion table is created for each of the client-side personal computers to create the color data to be input to the above. If the determination result indicates that the selected device characteristics are two or more, the selected two or more are selected. At least two of the colors actually displayed on the display device of each client-side personal computer, the colors actually output to each output device, or the colors actually input from each input device, based on the device characteristics of So that they look the same color
The color data actually displayed on the display device of each client-side personal computer, the color data actually output to each of the output devices, or the color data actually input from each of the input devices, A computer is made to create a device characteristic synthesis conversion table, and the created conversion table or the device characteristic synthesis conversion table is transmitted to each of the client-side personal computers. recoding media.