JP2003122544A - Server device for pre-view service - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server device for pre-view service capable of performing print preview regardless of a platform and capability of a computer as a client. SOLUTION: The server device 1 obtains an image data as an object for preview from a database 4 according to a designation from a client device 2, and performs designated image processing including color correction processing for the obtained image data by use of a color conversion coefficient profile of the client device 2. The corrected image data obtained as the result of the processing is generated, and the corrected image data is provided as a Web page to the client device 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a server device that executes a service that provides a preview of a print result before print processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of color printers in recent years,
In many cases, technical specifications and office documents created on a computer will be printed in color.In addition, completed drawings such as those used in the construction industry, natural images, and other color output that used to be done at traditional printing presses will be produced. It is becoming more and more popular to use printers at hand. Furthermore, there are many requests to output these various documents collectively.

From the viewpoint of cost of color printing, it is necessary to confirm in advance how the printed image will look like before printing.
It is desirable to do a so-called preview. However,
In the handling of color documents, it is usual that the color reproduction characteristics are different for each printer or display. This depends not only on the color gamut of the device itself, but also on environmental factors such as visual characteristics and the spectral characteristics of the observation light source.

Conventionally, for example, when printing image data drawn on a display by a color printer, a color management system (Color Mana) incorporated in an OS is used.
gement System; Apple Computer Color Sync
(Trademark) and ICM of Microsoft Corporation are typical. Hereinafter, there is a mechanism in which the color reproduction faithful to the electronic original can be performed by appropriately performing the color correction processing on the electronic original by the CMS.

[0005]

However, in the conventional color printing system described above, the environment in which color correction processing is performed is different for each platform such as the OS of a computer. For example, the method of CMM (color matching module), which is a color conversion engine, is OS
It is different for each. In addition, in an environment in which computers with a plurality of OSs coexist, there may be a case where an OS computer that does not have a CMS is included.
The function may not be available in some cases. Therefore, it is not possible to preview the printed image on the display with high accuracy. Furthermore, in the engineering drawing,
Color printing in large size such as A0 and A1 is required, and a higher performance computer is required to process such large size image data. But,
In an actual usage environment, it is rare that the entire system is configured with only high-performance computers due to cost problems, and there is also a problem that the processing load cannot be increased due to the performance problems of the computers themselves.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a preview service server device capable of performing a print preview when outputting such a color document regardless of the computer platform and capabilities. I am trying.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention for solving the problems of the above-mentioned conventional example is a server device for a preview service which provides a preview of a print result before a printing process, and is designated by a client side. Further, means for acquiring image data to be previewed, means for performing predetermined image processing including at least color correction processing on the image data, and generating corrected image data obtained as a result of the processing. And means for providing the corrected image data to the client side.

According to this, since the image data for preview is generated on the server side, the print preview can be performed regardless of the platform or capability of the computer serving as the client.

Further, the apparatus further includes means for acquiring information on color reproduction characteristics on the client side, and the means for generating the corrected image data can execute the color correction processing using the information on the color reproduction characteristics. preferable. Further, it is preferable that the means for generating the corrected image data changes the resolution of the image data before the color correction processing.
At this time, by reducing the resolution, the load of color correction processing can be reduced.

Further, when the image data is vector data, the means for generating the corrected image data preferably converts the image data into raster image data and then executes the predetermined image processing. . As a result, the server device can be used regardless of whether it is a vector image or a raster image, and convenience can be improved. Further, it is preferable that the means for generating the corrected image data provides the image data that is the object of the preview to the printing process according to an instruction from the client side.

Further, the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems of the conventional example is a method of providing a preview service for providing a preview of a print result before a printing process, which is an object of preview specified by a client side. And a step of performing predetermined image processing including at least color correction processing on the image data to generate corrected image data obtained as a result of the processing, and the corrected image And a step of providing data to the client side.

Further, the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems of the conventional example is a program for providing a preview service for providing a preview of a print result before print processing, which is specified by a computer from a client side. Was
The procedure to acquire the image data to be previewed,
A step of performing predetermined image processing including at least color correction processing on the image data and generating corrected image data obtained as a result of the processing; and a step of providing the corrected image data to the client side, It is characterized by including.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the server device 1 for preview service according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a disk device 13.
And a communication unit 14, which are bus-connected to each other. Further, the server device 1 is a LAN
A database for storing image data is connected to the client device 2 and the printer 3 via a (local area network), this LAN is provided on the output center side, and is connected to the Internet via the gateway GW. 4 is connected. This database 4 is arranged outside the output center.

The control unit 11 executes a program stored in the disk device 13, and responds to an instruction received from the client device 2 via the LAN to acquire image data and predetermined image processing. Run. The control unit 11 also performs a process of transmitting image data to the printer 3 and causing the printer 3 to print the image data according to an instruction. Furthermore, the control unit 11
Is also running a program as a web server,
Processing for providing image data via a LAN or the Internet is executed. Each processing of these control units 11 will be described in detail later.

The storage unit 12 is used as a work memory during the processing of the control unit 11. The disk device 13 is a hard disk device or the like, and stores a program executed by the control unit 11. The communication unit 14 is LA
It is connected to N and transmits data via the LAN according to an instruction input from the control unit 11 and outputs data received via the LAN to the control unit 11.

The client device 2 is an ordinary personal computer and has a Web browser installed. A display is connected to the client device 2, and a color conversion coefficient profile for faithfully performing color reproduction is set in accordance with the color reproduction characteristic of the display. The printer 3 is, for example, a color printer, and prints image data received via the LAN. In the printer 3, a color conversion profile for faithfully performing color reproduction is set in accordance with the color reproduction characteristic of the printer. Database 4
Is connected to the server device 1 or the like via the Internet and stores image data.

Now, each processing of the control unit 11 will be described. The control unit 11 starts executing the process shown in FIG. 2 according to an instruction received from the client device 2 and acquires a color conversion coefficient profile from the client device 2 (S
1) Further, reference information (for example, URL (uniform resource locator) of image data) indicating the storage location of image data to be previewed is acquired from the client device 2 (S2). Then, based on the reference information of this image data, the image data is acquired via the network (S
3), and store it in the storage unit 12.

Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the image data stored in the storage unit 12 is in vector format or raster format (S4). It is converted (S5), and the converted image data is stored in the storage unit 12. Then, the resolution of the image data in the raster format is reduced and changed (S6), and the changed image data is stored in the storage unit 12. If the image data is in raster format in process S4, the process directly proceeds to process S6. The raster image data format is, for example, TIFF.

The control unit 11 is stored in the storage unit 12,
With respect to the raster-format image data after the resolution change, color correction processing is executed based on the color conversion coefficient profile acquired in step S1 to correct image data (this corrected image data corresponds to a preview showing the appearance of the print result). Is generated (S7), and the corrected image data is stored in the storage unit 12. Then, the control unit 11 controls the W including the corrected image data.
An eb page is generated (S8), the Web page is distributed to the client device 2 (S9), and the process is ended.

Although the color conversion coefficient profile of the client device 2 is acquired in step S1 here,
The color conversion coefficient profile stored in the disk device 13 may be used in step S7 after receiving the upload and storing it in the disk device 13 in advance. In this case, the process S1 is not always necessary. Furthermore, process S
Although the image data to be previewed is acquired based on the reference information in step 2 and step S3, the image data to be previewed may be directly received from the client device 2.

The color conversion coefficient profile may be prepared in advance by the maker or may be created by a dedicated color conversion coefficient creating program. For example, the standard color conversion coefficient profile format (ICC (Internation
al Color Consortium) is known as an industry standard) or extended standard color conversion coefficient profile format.

Here, the color correction processing of the processing S7 will be specifically described. In step S7, the electronic document is displayed faithfully in the color reproduction range of the printer and under the illumination of the light source for observing the print (the color of the image naturally changes the chromaticity depending on the color temperature of the light source). In order to reproduce, the color conversion is performed using the print and display color conversion coefficients calculated in advance. In this case, the image data represented in the input device-dependent color space (RGB) is once converted into the device-independent color space (CIEXY).
Z, CIEL * a * b), and converted into image data expressed in a color space (YMCK) depending on the output device. At this stage, it is converted into color data under a light source (of color temperature) for observing the print within the color reproduction range of the printer. Then, again, it is converted to a device-independent color space and finally a display-dependent color space (RG
It is converted into the image data of B). Even if the display is reproduced with the same chromaticity as the print due to the influence of the illumination light source in the room, the color appearance may change slightly due to the visual characteristics. May also be performed in the conversion from a device-independent color space to a display-dependent color space.

That is, when the standard color conversion coefficient profile is used, in order to faithfully reproduce the print image on the display, the color conversion coefficient profile for the input device (scanner or display) and the color conversion coefficient profile for the printer are used. And a color conversion coefficient profile for the display are used. Here, the color conversion coefficient profile for the input device includes the coefficient when converting the RGB signal into the L * a * b * signal, and the color conversion coefficient profile for the printer is from the L * a * b * signal to YMCK. Conversion coefficient (3D LUT and TRC (Tone Reproduction Curv
e, gradation reproduction curve)), and the color conversion coefficient profile for the display includes conversion coefficients (matrix conversion and TRC) from XYZ to RGB.

When the extended color conversion coefficient profile is used, it is used for scanner color conversion, color conversion for print observation light source correspondence, printer color gamut clipping (or color gamut compression), and display color appearance. The color conversion coefficient profiles for correction and display color conversion are used. If the LUT is converted many times, the effect of quantization error (rounding error) becomes large. Therefore, for example, the color conversion for the observation light source of the print, the color gamut clipping of the printer (or the color gamut compression), and the display color Appearance correction may be combined into one LUT and used.

In any case, color correction processing is performed on the image data to generate corrected image data that approximates the printed result and is displayed on the display of the client device 2.

The normal print output is as follows. Upon receiving the print instruction, the control unit 11 generates print image data in a page description language that can be printed by the printer 3 based on the corrected image data, and sends the print image data to the printer 3. Here, as a page description language, there is Postscript (trademark) of Adobe Systems Incorporated. Further, a process of giving a print attribute may be performed here. For example, the printing attributes required by the user for the printer (portrait or landscape, how many copies to print, stapling, etc.)
A script that specifies is attached to the print image data and transmitted to the printer 3.

Next, the operation of the server device of this embodiment will be described. In this example, the server device 1, the client device 2, and the printer 3 are provided in the output center, and the user creates the image data in vector format stored in the in-house database 4 and printed in the output center by the output center. As described below. Further, here, it is assumed that the color conversion coefficient profile is set before the processing shown in FIG. 2 is started.

That is, the operator of the output center uploads the color conversion coefficient profile from the client device 2 to the server device 1 in advance. For this purpose, the server device 1 presents a window serving as an interface, and displays two buttons of “display setting” and “color conversion coefficient registration” on this window.

When the "color conversion coefficient registration" button is clicked, a sub-window (dialog) as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. In this subwindow, a radio button group (A) for setting whether the color conversion coefficient profile is in the standard color conversion coefficient profile format or the extended standard color conversion coefficient profile format, a scanner button, a printer button, A column (B) for registering a path (reference information) to a file holding each color conversion coefficient profile for display and a column (C) for setting a registration name
And are displayed. The operator enters the respective information into these interfaces and clicks the "Register" button (D).
Click. Then, the server device 1 acquires the corresponding color conversion coefficient profile and stores it in the disk device 13.

Further, in the display setting, a sub-window (FIG. 4) for designating the surrounding conditions (color, window size) of the image to be displayed is displayed. What is shown here is merely an example, and general display conditions other than this may be settable.

The user uses the client device 2 to give a preview instruction to the server device 1. Then, the server device 1 provides an interface (for example, a text input field) for inquiring the storage location of the image data, and the user uses the interface to display information indicating the storage location of the image data, that is, the print stored in the database 4. Enter the URL of the target image data. Then, when the server device 1 acquires the image data stored in the database, if the image data is in vector format, it is converted into raster format image data. Further reduce the resolution. Then, by the preset color conversion coefficient profile,
Color correction processing is executed, and an HTML file that presents the corrected image data after this color correction is generated. And this H
The TML file is provided to the client device 2 by the Web server.

In the client device 2, the provided HTML file is presented on the display by the Web browser, and the user can confirm the corrected image data after color correction as a preview on the display. If it is acceptable to print as a result of the preview, the user gives an instruction to print from the preview screen, and the server device 1 receives this instruction, and if necessary, the input data color conversion coefficient profile of the image data ( If the input device cannot be specified, it is regarded as data on the sRGB color space) and color correction processing is performed on the image data acquired using the color conversion coefficient profile of the printer 3, and the image data after this color correction processing is performed. Send to printer 3. Then, the printer 3 executes printing with this image data.

In the above description, one server device 1 executes the image processing and the printing process (printer management) for the printer 3, but it may be constituted by a plurality of server devices. For example, holding image data and W
It may be divided into a first server that operates as an eb server and a second server that performs color correction processing, or this second server may perform print output processing to the printer 3. Further, as an example of software implementation, color correction processing of image data may be executed as a part of software that performs print output processing to a printer, or as a function expansion module thereof.

Further, although only the case where the color correction processing is performed as the image processing is shown here, other known image processing may be performed. Although the CMS of the OS is assumed here, the application may control the CMS.

[0035]

According to the present invention, the server device for the preview service, which provides the preview of the print result before the printing process, acquires the image data to be previewed, which is designated by the client side, and acquires the image data. Predetermined image processing including at least color correction processing is performed on the obtained image data, corrected image data obtained as a result of the processing is generated, and the corrected image data is provided to the client side. As a result, the image data for preview is generated on the server device side, so that the print preview can be performed regardless of the platform or capability of the computer that is the client.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a server device and a system including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by a control unit 11.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an interface provided to the client device 2 by the control unit 11.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an interface provided to the client device 2 by the control unit 11.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 server device, 2 client device, 3 printers, 4 database, 11 control unit, 12 storage unit,
13 disk device, 14 communication unit.

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C087 AA09 AA15 AB06 BA03 BA07                       BB10 BD24 BD36                 5B021 AA01 AA26 BB02 PP08                 5C062 AA05 AA14 AA35 AB38 AC43                       AE03 AF00 BA04

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A server device for a preview service that provides a preview of a print result before print processing, a unit for acquiring image data to be previewed, which is designated by a client, and the image data On the other hand, a means for performing predetermined image processing including at least color correction processing and generating corrected image data obtained as a result of the processing, and a means for providing the corrected image data to the client side are included. Characteristic server device. 2. The server device according to claim 1, further comprising means for acquiring information regarding color display characteristics on the client side, wherein the means for generating the corrected image data uses information regarding the color display characteristics. A server device, which executes the color correction process. 3. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the means for generating the corrected image data changes the resolution of the image data before color correction processing. 4. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the means for generating the corrected image data converts the image data into raster image data when the image data is vector data. After that, the server device executes the predetermined image processing. 5. The server device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means for generating the corrected image data provides the image data as a preview target for print processing according to an instruction from the client side. A server device characterized by the above. 6. A preview service providing method for providing a preview of a print result before print processing, the method comprising: acquiring image data to be previewed, which is designated by a client side; A step of performing predetermined image processing including at least color correction processing to generate corrected image data obtained as a result of the processing, and a step of providing the corrected image data to the client side. How to provide preview service. 7. A program for providing a preview service that provides a preview of a print result before print processing, and a procedure for acquiring image data to be previewed, which is designated by a client side on a computer. A step of performing predetermined image processing including at least color correction processing on the image data, and generating corrected image data obtained as a result of the processing; a step of providing the corrected image data to the client side; A program for providing a preview service, which includes: