JP2007068083A - Image processing system, printer, image processing apparatus, image processing method, control program and recording medium for recording the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system capable of obtaining information on printing from a patch sheet correctly by simple processing, a printer, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a control program and a recording medium with the program recorded thereon. <P>SOLUTION: A patch sheet for correcting the output characteristics of a printer comprises: a color correction part CD wherein a correcting patch is arranged; and a printing information management part PD wherein a management patch is arranged. Since a management patch is set to a color and a position which have a predetermined correspondence with printing management information on printing, the printing management information can be obtained from the printing management information part PD of the patch sheet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  Conventionally, when calibrating output characteristics in printer printing, a patch for calibration having a color and gradation value to be calibrated is printed on a patch sheet, and the patch of the patch sheet and a reference patch serving as a reference for calibration are printed on the patch sheet. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Also, when printing a patch sheet, an identification code for specifying the printer that printed the patch sheet may be printed on the patch sheet (see, for example, Patent Document 2). When an identification code is printed on a patch sheet, the printer that printed the patch sheet can be specified from the patch sheet. Therefore, even if there are multiple printers, the printer that printed the patch sheet can be accurately specified. it can. Since the correspondence between the patch sheet and the printer on which the patch sheet is printed is not mistaken, calibration can be reliably performed.

JP-A-10-817 JP 2001-180090 (refer to page 13, FIG. 11)

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, since the printer is specified by the identification code, when printing is performed under various printing conditions such as the printing resolution, information regarding printing such as the printing conditions cannot be obtained. .

  Further, the technique described in Patent Document 2 has a problem that the processing becomes complicated because it is necessary to perform a dedicated process for reading and recognizing the identification code represented by the character and the barcode. .

  Therefore, the present invention provides an image processing system, a printing apparatus, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a control program, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded, which can accurately obtain information about printing from a patch sheet by simple processing. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image processing system according to the present invention includes a printing unit that executes printing, a patch sheet that includes print management information related to printing, and includes a color patch having a predetermined correspondence relationship with the print management information. Patch sheet data generating means for generating the patch sheet data representing, a print processing means for printing the patch sheet on the printing means according to the generated patch sheet data, a color measuring means for performing color measurement, and a patch on the color measuring means Color measurement control means for measuring the color of the sheet and acquiring the color measurement data of the patch sheet; acquiring the color of the patch from the color measurement data of the patch sheet; and acquiring the print management information based on the acquired color of the patch Printing management information acquisition means.

  According to this configuration, a patch sheet including a color patch having a predetermined correspondence relationship with the print management information related to printing is printed. Then, the color of the patch is acquired from the data obtained by measuring the color of the printed patch sheet, and the print management information is acquired based on the color of the patch. Since the print management information is acquired from the color measurement data of the patch sheet, the print management information when the patch sheet is printed can be obtained accurately. Further, unlike the technique described in Patent Document 2, if the color of the patch can be measured, it can be processed, and can be realized by simple processing.

  Here, the patch sheet data generation unit generates patch sheet data in which a predetermined correspondence relationship with the print management information is provided in the color of the patch and the position in the patch sheet, and the print management information acquisition unit includes the color measurement data. It is preferable that the color and position of the patch are acquired from the printer, and the print management information is acquired based on the color and position of the patch.

  In this way, since the color of the patch and the position on the patch sheet are associated with the print management information, the print management information for each patch sheet can be accurately obtained based on the color and position of the patch. Further, since the position is used in addition to the color of the patch, the amount of print management information can be increased.

  Here, it is preferable to further include calibration information acquisition means for acquiring calibration information for calibrating output characteristics of printing executed by the printing means in accordance with the print management information acquired by the printing management information acquisition means.

  In this way, the correspondence between the print management information acquired from the patch sheet and the printing unit to be calibrated is not mistaken, so that the output characteristics of the printing unit can be correctly calibrated.

  Here, it is preferable that the calibration information acquisition means acquires the calibration information using the color of the patch.

  In this way, since the calibration information is acquired using the patch associated with the print management information, the printed patch can be effectively used in the calibration. Therefore, compared with the technique described in Patent Document 2, it is possible to eliminate unnecessary printing for calibration. In addition, since more patches are used, calibration can be performed more accurately.

  Here, it is preferable that the patch sheet data generation unit and the print management information acquisition unit associate the patch position with the print management information based on the position definition table that defines the correspondence between the patch position and the print management information.

  In this way, since the position where the patch is arranged is associated with the print management information by the position definition table, it can be associated with a simple process.

  Here, the patch sheet data generation unit and the print management information acquisition unit preferably associate the patch color with the print management information based on a color definition table that defines the correspondence between the patch color and the print management information.

  In this way, since the color of the patch is associated with the print management information by the color definition table, it can be associated with a simple process.

  The present invention can also be a printing apparatus or an image processing apparatus that constitutes an image processing system. A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a color measurement unit that performs colorimetry on a patch sheet to generate colorimetric data, and is a printing apparatus for an image processing system for acquiring print management information related to patch sheet printing from the colorimetric data. A printing unit that executes printing, and patch sheet data generation unit that acquires print management information relating to printing and generates patch sheet data of a patch sheet including a color patch having a predetermined correspondence relationship with the print management information And print processing means for causing the printing means to print the patch sheet according to the generated patch sheet data.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to obtain a printing apparatus that prints a patch sheet including a patch having a color associated with print management information related to printing.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a printing unit that prints a patch sheet including a color patch having a predetermined correspondence relationship with print management information related to printing, and a colorimetric data that generates colorimetric data by measuring the printed patch sheet. An image processing apparatus of an image processing system comprising color means, wherein the colorimetry means performs colorimetry on the patch sheet and acquires colorimetric data on the patch sheet, and patches from the colorimetry data on the patch sheet And print management information acquisition means for acquiring print management information based on the acquired patch color.

  According to this configuration, print management information can be accurately acquired from a patch sheet including a color patch having a predetermined correspondence relationship with print management information related to printing.

  The present invention can also be regarded as a method invention. That is, the image processing method of the present invention obtains print management information related to printing, and generates patch sheet data representing a patch sheet including a patch sheet of a color having a predetermined correspondence with the print management information. A printing processing step for causing the printing means to print the patch sheet according to the generated patch sheet data, a colorimetry control step for causing the colorimetric means to measure the color of the patch sheet and obtaining the colorimetric data of the patch sheet, and the patch sheet And a print management information acquisition step of acquiring the color of the patch from the colorimetric data and acquiring the print management information based on the acquired color of the patch.

  Furthermore, the present invention may be a program for controlling the printing apparatus and the image processing apparatus or a recording medium on which the program is recorded. That is, a program for controlling a printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a color measurement unit that generates color measurement data by measuring a patch sheet, and acquires print management information related to patch sheet printing from the color measurement data. A control program for controlling a printing apparatus of an image processing system, which acquires print management information related to printing to a computer and generates patch sheet data of a patch sheet including a color patch having a predetermined correspondence relationship with the print management information Then, a patch sheet data generation step stored in the patch sheet data storage unit and a print processing step for causing the printing unit to print the patch sheet according to the patch sheet data read from the patch sheet data storage unit are executed.

  The program for controlling the image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a printing unit that prints a patch sheet including a patch of a color having a predetermined correspondence relationship with print management information related to printing, color measurement, and color measurement data. A control program for controlling an image processing apparatus of an image processing system including a colorimetric unit to be generated, having a computer measure color of a patch sheet by a colorimetric unit, and measuring the colorimetric data of the patch sheet as a colorimetric data storage unit A colorimetry control step stored in the colorimetry, and a print management information acquisition step of acquiring the color of the patch from the colorimetric data read from the colorimetry data storage unit and acquiring the print management information based on the acquired color of the patch It is characterized by making it.

  As a recording medium on which the program is recorded, various computer-readable media such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an IC card, and a memory card can be used.

(Embodiment)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image processing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 1 is connected to a printer 3 and a scanner 4 with a host computer 2 as the center. As shown in FIG. 1, the host computer 2 is connected with a plurality of printers 3a, 3b.

  The image processing system 1 includes a plurality of printers 3 to be calibrated, a scanner 4 that reads a patch sheet printed by any one of the printers 3, and the printer 3 that has printed the patch sheet using the read data. This is to calibrate the output characteristics. Hereinafter, each configuration of the image processing system 1 will be described.

  The host computer 2 includes a CPU 20, a ROM 21, a RAM 22, a hard disk (hereinafter referred to as HD) 23, and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as communication I / F) 24, and the respective components are connected so as to be able to exchange data.

  The CPU 20 is a central part of the arithmetic processing performed by the host computer 2. The ROM 21 is a non-volatile memory that can read and write data, such as a flash ROM and an EEPROM. The RAM 22 is a general-purpose memory used as a working memory for various processes. The HD 23 is a part for recording a predetermined operation system, control program, and various data.

  The control program may be recorded in advance on the HD 23 or supplied by a recording medium such as a CD-ROM on which the control program is recorded, and the data read from the recording medium by the CPU 20 is stored in the HD 23 or the ROM 21. It may be recorded.

  The communication I / F 24 is a part that controls data transmission / reception with a device connected to the host computer 2.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the printer 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 3 includes a controller 10 that controls the operation of the entire printer 3, and a print engine 11 that executes printing using color toners of CMYK as color materials in accordance with the control of the controller 10. Yes. That is, in this embodiment, the printer 3 is described as a laser printer. The type of toner is not limited to four colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black).

  The controller 10 includes a CPU 12, a ROM 13, a RAM 14, and a communication I / F 15, and the respective components are connected so as to be able to exchange data.

  The CPU 12 is a central part of processing performed by the printer 3. The ROM 13 is a non-volatile memory that can read and write data, such as a flash ROM and an EEPROM, and records a control program for controlling the printer 3. The RAM 14 is a general-purpose memory used as a working memory for various processes.

  The control program for the printer 3 stored in the ROM 13 is supplied by a recording medium (not shown) such as a memory card in which the program is recorded, and the data read from the recording medium by the CPU is stored in the ROM 13. A control program is supplied.

  The communication I / F 15 is a part that controls data transmission / reception with the host computer 2.

  Next, processing performed by the controller 10 of the printer 3 will be described. FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the controller 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 10 roughly includes a patch sheet data generation unit 30 and a print processing unit 31. The components of the controller 10 shown in FIG. 2 function when the CPU 12 of the printer 3 reads out and executes a control program stored in the ROM 13.

  The patch sheet data generation unit 30 is a part that generates image data representing a patch sheet. FIG. 3 shows an example of a patch sheet generated by the patch sheet data generation unit 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the patch sheet has a color proofing part CD in which patches for color proofing are arranged, and a print management information part PD representing print management information regarding printing of the patch sheet.

  In the color calibration portion CD, a large number of patches made up of rectangular areas expressing one gradation and one color are arranged corresponding to combinations of multiple gradations and a plurality of colors. For example, patches of each color of K, C, M, and Y toners are arranged for the gradations of the toner recording rate “3%”, “5%”,... “100%” per unit area. However, the shape of the patch is not limited to this, and for example, the patch may be circular. As for the number of patches, a plurality of patches having the same recording rate and color may be arranged in order to improve the reliability of calibration.

  The print management information portion PD is configured by arranging a large number of management blocks B so as to surround the periphery of the color calibration portion CD. One patch sheet includes a predetermined number of management blocks. In the example of FIG. 3, the number of management blocks B is “n”, and one patch sheet includes management blocks B1 to Bn.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the management block B. As shown in FIG. 4, one management block B is divided into vertical and horizontal 4 × 4 matrix areas, and patches can be arranged in each divided area. In the management block B, the numbers “1 to 4” are sequentially assigned to the divided areas in the row direction and the column direction, so that the positions of the arranged patches are specified by the numbers in the row direction and the column direction. The

  Further, the patches arranged in the management block B are generated so that the color and position of the patches correspond to the print management information. Hereinafter, the patches arranged in the management block B are referred to as management patches. Here, the print management information includes “product model number”, “manufacturing number” of the printer 3 and “printing resolution”, “type of color conversion processing method”, “screen processing method” as printing conditions of printing performed by the printer 3 Examples include “type” and “paper type”.

  Of the many management blocks B included in the print management information portion PD, the first management block B1 corresponds to the layout information indicating the areas of the color calibration portion CD and the print management information portion PD, and the print management information portion. It is arranged at a predetermined position of the PD. For example, in the example of FIG. 3, the management block B1 is located at the upper left of the print management information portion PD.

  For example, the layout information is represented by a number indicating one of the plurality of selection candidates for the distribution of the color proofing portion CD and the print management information portion PD. Therefore, management patches of colors and positions corresponding to the layout information numbers are arranged in the management block B1.

  In order to generate the patch sheet described above, the patch sheet data generation unit 30 includes a layout determination unit 32 that determines the layout of the color calibration portion CD and the print management information portion PD, and a printer management that manages the print management information of the printer 3. A management patch generation unit 34 that generates a management patch associated with the print management information, and a calibration patch generation unit 35 that generates a calibration patch.

  The print processing unit 31 is a part that causes the print engine 11 to perform printing in accordance with the patch sheet data generated by the patch sheet data generation unit 30. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the print processing unit 31 includes a drawing processing unit 36, a color conversion unit 37, a halftone processing unit 38, and an engine control unit 39.

  The drawing processing unit 36 receives the generated patch sheet data and converts it into RGB data which is bitmap data in RGB format. The color conversion unit 37 converts the RGB data into CMYK data corresponding to the toner color according to the color conversion table. The halftone processing unit 38 converts the CMYK data into print data corresponding to the presence / absence of dots formed by the print engine 11. The engine control unit 39 transmits the generated print data in a signal format corresponding to the print engine 11 and causes the print engine 11 to print a patch sheet.

  Next, the image processing apparatus 40 that reads the printed patch sheet and calibrates the output characteristics of the printer 3 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the image processing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 5, the image processing apparatus 40 includes a scanner control unit 41, a layout analysis unit 42, a print management information acquisition unit 43, a color calibration information acquisition unit 44, and a printer control unit 45.

  5 functions when the CPU 20 of the host computer 2 reads and executes a control program stored in the HD 23 or the ROM 21. However, the control program may be stored in advance in the HD 23 or the ROM 21, or a program supplied from a recording medium such as a memory card and read from the recording medium may be stored in the HD 23 or the ROM 21.

  The scanner control unit 41 is a part that controls the scanner 4 connected to the host computer 2, and transmits an image capture command to the scanner 4 with the patch sheet shown in FIG. 3 set in the scanner 4. Thus, the scanner 4 measures the color of the patch sheet and reads the image. The scanner 4 transmits the read bitmap image data in the RGB format to the host computer 2. The scanner control unit 41 acquires the received image data as patch sheet image data (colorimetric data) representing a patch sheet.

  The layout analysis unit 42 analyzes the patch sheet image data and specifies the areas of the color proofing part CD and the print management information part PD. As described above, since the layout information is included in the management block B1 arranged at a predetermined position, the layout analysis unit 42 searches for the management block B1 and analyzes the management patch arranged in the management block B1. By doing so, layout information is acquired. The areas of the color proof portion CD and the print management information portion PD are specified by the layout information.

  The print management information acquisition unit 43 analyzes the color and position of the management patch included in the management block B for each of the management blocks B2 to Bn arranged in the print management information portion PD, excluding the management block B1, and performs print management. Get information.

  In analyzing the color and position of the management patch, the color definition table CT shown in FIG. 6 and the position definition table PT shown in FIG. 7 are used. The color definition table CT shows the correspondence between the color of the management patch and the patch ID value. The position definition table PT shows the correspondence between the position of the management patch in the management block B and the patch ID value. Therefore, the patch ID value can be acquired by using the color definition table CT and the position definition table PT. However, the color definition table CT and the position definition table PT shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are examples, and are not limited thereto.

  Here, the patch ID value is a number corresponding to the print management information, and the correspondence is shown in the patch ID table IDT shown in FIG. In the patch ID table IDT, the contents of the print management information are determined in advance for each management block B number. The print management information acquisition unit 43 acquires print management information corresponding to each management block B using the patch ID value.

  That is, the print management information acquisition unit 43 converts the patch sheet management block B into a patch ID value according to the color definition table CT and the position definition table PT, and converts the converted patch ID value into print management information according to the patch ID table IDT. Analysis is performed by conversion.

  Note that the patch ID table IDT, the color definition table CT, and the position definition table PT are also stored in the ROM 13 of the printer 3. The management patch generation unit 34 of the printer 3 converts the print management information into a patch ID value according to the patch ID table IDT, and generates a management patch of the corresponding color / position from the patch ID value according to the color definition table CT and the position definition table PT. Is generated.

  The color calibration information acquisition unit 44 performs a process of reading the color of the patch for each calibration patch of the specified color calibration part CD. Then, for each calibration patch, the color that becomes the reference for color calibration and the read color are compared in a predetermined color space such as the Lab color space, and color calibration information for calibrating the color output characteristics of the printer 3 is acquired. . Note that for the color that is the reference for color calibration, the image processing apparatus 40 may have reference color information in advance, or the scanner 4 reads a reference sheet on which correct color patches are arranged. You may get it. When reading the color of the patch, the colorimetric value at the center of the patch may be acquired, or may be acquired by averaging the colorimetric values of the central part excluding the edge part of the patch. .

  The color calibration information acquisition unit 44 performs processing for each calibration patch of the patch sheet, and acquires color calibration information for each color and each gradation of the calibration patch.

  The printer control unit 45 is a part that controls the printer 3 and transmits color calibration information to the printer 3 together with the print management information, and causes the printer 3 to perform color calibration.

  When the printer 3 receives the print management information and the color calibration information, the printer 3 records the received information in the ROM 13 and calibrates the output characteristics according to the print management information and the color calibration information. Specifically, for example, calibration is performed by reflecting color calibration information on the color conversion table, or by further correcting the CMYK data after color conversion according to the color calibration information.

  Next, the operation of processing performed by the image processing system 1 will be described in detail according to a flowchart. When color calibration is performed, the image processing apparatus 40 performs processing using the color patch sheet printed by the printer 3, and therefore, the processing from the printer 3 printing the patch sheet will be described here.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for printing a patch sheet. When the printing process is started, the patch sheet data generation unit 30 performs a process of generating patch sheet image data for printing. Therefore, in step S10, the layout determination unit 32 determines the layout of the areas of the color calibration part CD and the print management information part PD in the patch sheet. For example, a layout is determined from a plurality of predetermined layout candidates, and a number indicating the determined layout candidate is stored in the RAM 14 as layout information.

  Next, in step S11, the management patch generation unit 34 converts the layout information read from the RAM 14 into a patch ID value. For example, the number indicating the layout candidate stored as the layout information is stored in the RAM 14 as the patch ID value of the management block B1.

  Next, in step S <b> 12, the printer management unit 33 acquires print management information such as “printer model”, “manufacturing number”, and “printing resolution” from each configuration of the printer 3 such as the ROM 13. The acquired print management information is temporarily stored in the RAM 14.

  In step S13, the management patch generation unit 34 converts the acquired print management information into a patch ID value in accordance with the patch ID table IDT. For example, in the patch ID table of FIG. 8, the management block B2 corresponds to “product model number”, the management block B3 corresponds to “manufacturing number”, and the management block B4 corresponds to “printing resolution”. For each piece of information, a patch ID value is set according to the patch ID table IDT. Since each item of the print management information corresponds to each management block B, a patch ID value is set for each management block.

  Next, in step S14, the management patch generation unit 34 generates a management patch included in the management block B according to the color definition table CT and the position definition table PT from the patch ID value set for each management block B. Here, processing is performed for each of the management block B1 corresponding to the layout information and the management blocks B2 to Bn corresponding to the print management information.

  In step S15, the calibration patch generator 35 generates a calibration patch included in the color calibration part CD. However, since the calibration patch is not a feature of the present invention, a combination of gradation, color, and position may be determined in advance.

  Next, in step S16, the patch sheet data generation unit 30 arranges the management block B and the calibration patch according to the determined layout, and generates patch sheet data.

  Next, in step S17, the print processing unit 31 performs a process of printing the patch sheet according to the patch sheet data. First, the drawing processing unit 36 performs drawing processing on the patch sheet data and converts it into RGB data. The color conversion unit 37 converts RGB data into CMYK data according to the color conversion table, and the halftone processing unit 38 converts it into print data. Then, the engine control unit 39 delivers the print data to the print engine 11 in a predetermined signal format, so that the patch sheet is printed.

  A printed patch sheet can be obtained by the printing process described above.

  Next, the user sets the printed patch sheet in the reading unit (not shown) of the scanner 4 and then inputs an instruction to calibrate the printer 3 by operating the host computer 2. The host computer 2 (image processing apparatus 40) receives the input instruction and executes calibration processing. Hereinafter, the calibration process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the calibration process is started, first, in step S <b> 20, the scanner control unit 41 transmits a command for capturing an image to the scanner 4. When the scanner 4 receives the command, it reads the set patch sheet and generates image data (colorimetric data). The scanner 4 transmits the generated image data to the host computer 2 as patch sheet image data.

  Next, in step S21, the layout analysis unit 42 detects the management block B1 from the patch sheet image data received from the scanner 4. For example, since the management block B1 is arranged at the upper left upper end of the patch sheet, the management block B1 is determined from the management blocks B located at the four corners of the patch sheet in consideration of the influence of the reading direction. More specifically, among the four management blocks B, a management block B having a management patch or patch ID value that can be set as a layout information candidate is determined and set as a management block B1.

  However, the method of determining the management block B1 is not limited to this. For example, a predetermined mark may be printed around the position where the patch sheet management block B1 is arranged, or four management blocks B1 may be arranged at the four corners of the patch sheet.

  Prior to the processing in step S21, the inclination of the patch sheet when the patch sheet image data is set in the scanner 4 may be corrected so that the rectangular patches arranged in a matrix can be correctly recognized. .

  Next, in step S22, the print management information acquisition unit 43 acquires a patch ID value from the management block B1 according to the color definition table CT and the position definition table PT. Since the patch ID value of the management block B1 is layout information, the area of the color calibration portion CD and the print management information portion PD in the patch sheet is specified by acquiring the patch ID value.

  Here, an example of processing for obtaining the patch ID value from the management block B in FIG. 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the management block B includes “K100%” at the position (1,1), “C100%” at the position (4,1), and “M100% at the position (2,2). The position (4, 3) includes a total of four management patches such as “MY 100%”. First, when obtaining the patch ID from the color of the management patch, the color definition table CT is used. As shown in FIG. 6, in the color definition table CT, the management patch “K100%” corresponds to the patch ID value “2”. Similarly, management patches having color values of “C100%”, “M100%”, and “MY100%” correspond to patch ID values “4”, “8”, and “64” in order. Assuming that the patch ID value of the management block is the sum of the patch ID values in the block, the patch ID value “78 (= 2 + 4 + 8 + 64)” is obtained from the color of the patch according to the color definition table CT.

  The patch ID value is also obtained from the position of the management patch. In the position definition table PT, patch ID values are determined corresponding to the positions of the vertical and horizontal 4 × 4 areas obtained by dividing the management block B. In the position definition table PT of FIG. 7, both rows and columns are odd or even. The patch ID value “1” is given to the management patch at the position. Therefore, for the four management patches included in the management block of FIG. 4, the patch ID value obtained from the position is “2 (= 1 + 1 + 0 + 0)”.

  As the patch ID value of the management block, the total value of the patch ID values obtained from the color and position is set as the final value of the management block B. Therefore, the patch ID value of the management block B in FIG. 4 is “80 (= 78 + 2)”. Thus, when the patch ID value of the management block B1 is obtained, layout information having a predetermined correspondence relationship with the patch ID value can be obtained.

  However, as the patch ID value, the value obtained from the color may be the final value, or the value obtained from the position may be the final value.

  Next, in step S23, the color calibration information acquisition unit 44 acquires color calibration information from the calibration patch of the color calibration part CD. When the color calibration information acquired for the calibration patch for each color and each gradation is stored in the RAM 22, the process proceeds to step S24.

  Next, in step S24, it is determined whether or not there is an unprocessed management block B. When there is an unprocessed management block B (Yes), the process proceeds to step S25. When there is no unprocessed management block B, that is, when processing has been performed for all management blocks (No), the process proceeds to step S28.

  In the processing from step S25 to step S27, processing for acquiring print management information and color calibration information from the print management information portion PD of the patch sheet is performed. Therefore, first, in step S25, the print management information acquisition unit 43 detects one unprocessed management block B from the print management information portion PD.

  Next, in step S26, the print management information acquisition unit 43 converts the detected management block B into a patch ID value using the color definition table CT and the position definition table PT. The converted patch ID value is converted into print management information according to the patch ID table IDT.

  Next, in step S <b> 27, the color calibration information acquisition unit 44 acquires color calibration information from the detected color of the management patch of the management block B.

  When the processes in steps S25 to S27 are repeated for all the management blocks, the process proceeds from step S24 to step S28, and the print management information acquired by the print management information acquisition unit 43 is adjusted. For example, it is determined whether or not there is a contradiction in the contents of the acquired print management information. If there is a contradiction, the print management information is corrected.

  Next, in step S29, the color calibration information acquired by the color calibration information acquisition unit 44 is adjusted. Here, the final color calibration information is calculated from the color calibration information acquired from the calibration patch of the color calibration part CD and the color calibration information acquired from the management patch of the print management information part PD. For example, since the color calibration information acquired from the management patch is the calibration information with the recording rate “100%”, the patch with the recording rate “100%” is acquired from the color calibration information acquired from the calibration patch and the management patch. The color calibration information is corrected by averaging or weighting according to the position of the patch to obtain final color calibration information.

  Next, in step S30, print management information and color calibration information are transmitted to the printer 3. The printer 3 stores the received print management information and color calibration information in the ROM 21 and calibrates the output characteristics of printing by applying the color calibration information when printing corresponding to the print management information is performed. . Here, among the plurality of printers 3 a, 3 b... Connected to the host computer 2, the calibration is performed so as to be applied to the printer 3 in which conditions such as “product model number” and “manufacturing number” of the print management information match. . If the printing management information includes printing conditions such as “printing resolution”, the printer 3 calibrates the output characteristics when printing is performed according to the printing conditions. However, the print management information and the color calibration information may be recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card, and the print management information and the color calibration information may be applied to the printer 3 via the memory card.

  In step S30, the print management information and the color calibration information are displayed on a liquid crystal monitor (not shown) connected to the host computer 2 so that the user can check the results of the print management information and the color calibration information. Yes. When the process of step S30 is completed, the calibration process is terminated.

  Steps S10 to S16 correspond to the patch sheet data generation process, Step S17 corresponds to the printing process, Step S20 corresponds to the color measurement control process, Step S26 corresponds to the print management information acquisition process, and Steps S23 and S27 correspond to the calibration information acquisition process. To do.

  As described above, the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment prints a patch sheet in which print management information related to printing by the printer 3 is represented by the color and position of the management patch. Then, the print management information is specified from the color and position of the management patch of the printed patch sheet, and the conditions corresponding to the print management information are calibrated.

  Hereinafter, effects of the present embodiment will be described.

  (1) Since print management information can be obtained from a patch sheet, it is possible to know the printer that printed the patch sheet and the printing conditions when printing.

  (2) Since the calibration patch for calibration and the management patch representing the print management information are printed on one patch sheet, the correspondence between the color calibration information, the printer to be calibrated by the patch sheet, the printing condition, etc. The relationship will not be mistaken. Therefore, calibration can be performed accurately. It also saves printing paper.

  (3) As shown in FIG. 4, the print management information is acquired by reading a patch made up of a rectangular area of a certain size, so a sheet representing the print management information in characters, barcodes, etc. is read. Compared to the case, the resolution required for reading an image can be lowered. Therefore, simple processing can be realized using an apparatus with lower reading accuracy.

  (4) By adjusting the color calibration information acquired from the calibration patch of the color calibration part CD using the color calibration information acquired from the management patch, calibration is performed using more patches. Therefore, calibration can be performed with higher accuracy. In addition, since the management patch representing the print management information or the layout information is also used for color proofing, there is no need to perform useless printing for proofing, which is the original purpose of the proof sheet.

  (5) Since the management patch is located in the peripheral part of the patch sheet as compared with the color calibration part CD, the in-plane variation of the output characteristics is calibrated by calibrating using the color calibration information acquired from the management patch. can do.

  (6) Since the print management information cannot be obtained from the patch sheet unless the position definition table PT, the color definition table CT, and the patch ID table IDT are referred to, the print management information does not leak from the patch sheet. That is, confidentiality can be given to the print management information of the patch sheet.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Hereinafter, a modification will be described.

  (Modification 1) In the above embodiment, the image processing system 1 includes the host computer 2, the printer 3, and the scanner 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, an image processing device 40 may be included in the controller 10 of the printer 3. The patch sheet image data read by the scanner 4 is transferred to the image processing device 40 of the printer 3, and the image processing device 40 acquires color calibration information and print management information from the patch sheet image data. The image processing apparatus 40 calibrates the output characteristics of the print processing unit 31 using the acquired color calibration information and print management information. In this way, color calibration can be performed without requiring the host computer 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the printer 3 may include a scanner engine 100 in addition to the print engine 11 and have a patch sheet reading function. In this way, color calibration can be performed by the printer alone.

  (Modification 2) Instead of the scanner 4, the color measurement unit may perform color measurement using a digital camera, a mobile phone with a camera function, a colorimeter, or the like.

  (Modification 3) The printer 3 may be a printer of another printing system such as an ink jet system or a thermal transfer system in addition to a laser printer. Further, it may be a device such as a copying machine or a fax machine.

  (Modification 4) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the CPU 12 of the printer 3 and the CPU 20 of the host computer execute functions by executing the programs has been described. As a fourth modification, a function realized by software may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an ASIC. Of course, a part of the function may be given to the hardware circuit, and the function that the hardware circuit does not have may be realized by software.

1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image processing system in the present embodiment. The figure which showed the functional structure of the controller. The figure which showed an example of the patch sheet. The figure which showed an example of one management block B. The figure which showed the structure of the image processing apparatus. The figure which showed the color definition table. The figure which showed the position definition table. The figure which showed the patch ID table. The flowchart which showed the flow of the operation | movement of the process which prints a patch sheet. The flowchart which showed the flow of operation | movement of a calibration process. The figure explaining a 1st modification. (A), (b) is a figure showing an example of the 1st modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing system, 2 ... Host computer, 3 ... Printer, 4 ... Scanner as colorimetry means, 10 ... Controller, 11 ... Print engine as printing means, 12 ... CPU, 13 ... ROM, 14 ... Colorimetry data RAM as a storage unit, 15 ... Communication I / F, 20 ... CPU, 21 ... ROM, 22 ... RAM as a patch sheet data storage unit, 23 ... Hard disk, 24 ... Communication interface, 30 ... Patch sheet data generation means Patch sheet data generation unit 31... Print processing unit as a print processing means 32... Layout determination unit 33... Printer management unit 34... Management patch generation unit 35. ... color conversion unit, 38 ... halftone processing unit, 39 ... engine control unit, 40 ... image processing device, 41 ... measurement Scanner control section as control means, 42 ... layout analysis section, 43 ... print management information acquisition section as print management information acquisition means, 44 ... color calibration information acquisition section as calibration information acquisition means, 45 ... printer control section, 100 ... scanner engine, B ... management block, CT ... color definition table, PT ... position definition table, IDT ... patch ID table, PD ... print management information part, CD ... color calibration part.

Claims (12)

Printing means for executing printing;
Patch sheet data generating means for acquiring print management information related to printing and generating patch sheet data representing a patch sheet including a patch of a color having a predetermined correspondence relationship with the print management information;
Print processing means for causing the printing means to print a patch sheet according to the generated patch sheet data;
Colorimetric means for performing colorimetry; colorimetric control means for causing the colorimetric means to measure a color of a patch sheet and acquiring colorimetric data of the patch sheet;
An image processing system comprising: a print management information acquisition unit that acquires the color of the patch from the colorimetric data of the patch sheet and acquires the print management information based on the acquired color of the patch . The image processing system according to claim 1,
The patch sheet data generating means generates patch sheet data having a predetermined correspondence relationship with the print management information at the color of the patch and the position in the patch sheet;
The image processing system, wherein the print management information acquisition unit acquires the color and position of the patch from the colorimetric data, and acquires the print management information based on the color and position of the patch. The image processing system according to claim 1 or 2,
An image processing system, further comprising: calibration information acquisition means for acquiring calibration information for calibrating output characteristics of printing executed by the printing means in accordance with the print management information acquired by the print management information acquisition means. The image processing system according to claim 3.
The image processing system characterized in that the calibration information acquisition means acquires the calibration information using the color of the patch. An image processing system according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The patch sheet data generation unit and the print management information acquisition unit associate the patch position with the print management information based on a position definition table that defines a correspondence relationship between the patch position and the print management information. An image processing system. An image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The patch sheet data generation unit and the print management information acquisition unit associate the color of the patch with the print management information based on a color definition table that defines a correspondence relationship between the color of the patch and the print management information. An image processing system. A printing apparatus of an image processing system for obtaining print management information related to printing of the patch sheet from the color measurement data, comprising color measurement means for measuring the color of the patch sheet and generating color measurement data;
Printing means for executing printing;
Patch sheet data generating means for acquiring print management information relating to printing, and generating patch sheet data of a patch sheet including a patch of a color having a predetermined correspondence with the print management information;
A printing apparatus comprising: a printing processing unit that causes the printing unit to print the patch sheet according to the generated patch sheet data. Image processing comprising: a printing unit that prints a patch sheet that includes a color patch having a predetermined correspondence relationship with print management information relating to printing; and a colorimetric unit that performs colorimetry on the printed patch sheet and generates colorimetric data An image processing apparatus of the system,
Colorimetric control means for causing the colorimetric means to measure a color of a patch sheet and obtaining colorimetric data of the patch sheet;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a print management information acquisition unit that acquires the color of the patch from the colorimetric data of the patch sheet and acquires the print management information based on the acquired color of the patch . A patch sheet data generating step for acquiring print management information related to printing and generating patch sheet data representing a patch sheet including a patch of a color having a predetermined correspondence relationship with the print management information;
In accordance with the generated patch sheet data, a printing process step for causing the printing means to print the patch sheet;
A colorimetric control step of causing the colorimetric means to measure the color of the patch sheet and obtaining colorimetric data of the patch sheet;
A print management information acquisition step of acquiring the color of the patch from the colorimetric data of the patch sheet, and acquiring the print management information based on the acquired color of the patch. . A control program for controlling a printing apparatus of an image processing system for obtaining print management information relating to printing of the patch sheet from the colorimetric data, comprising a colorimetric unit that measures color of the patch sheet and generates colorimetric data Because
On the computer,
A patch sheet data generation step of acquiring print management information related to printing, generating patch sheet data of a patch sheet including a patch of a color having a predetermined correspondence relationship with the print management information, and storing the patch sheet data in a patch sheet data storage unit;
A control program for causing a printing means to execute a printing process step for printing the patch sheet in accordance with the patch sheet data read from the patch sheet data storage unit. Image processing of an image processing system comprising: a printing unit that prints a patch sheet that includes a patch of a color having a predetermined correspondence relationship with print management information relating to printing; and a colorimetric unit that executes colorimetry and generates colorimetric data A control program for controlling a device,
On the computer,
A colorimetric control step of causing the colorimetric means to measure the color of the patch sheet and storing the colorimetric data of the patch sheet in a colorimetric data storage unit;
A print management information acquisition step of acquiring the color of the patch from the colorimetric data read from the colorimetric data storage unit and acquiring the print management information based on the acquired color of the patch is executed. Control program. The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 10 or 11.

Images