JP2008044177A - Color tone management method, color tone management device, and color tone management program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color tone management method and the like, by which color tones of matter to be printed, before and after the drying of ink, are managed by using a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: This color tone management method comprises: the step of acquiring signal values for colors in a plurality of reference places of the printed matter of the past from the printed matter, of acquiring colorimetric values for the colors in the reference places, before and after the drying of the ink, respectively, and of generating information corresponding to the color tone; the step of storing a printing condition where the printed matter associated with the information corresponding to the color tone is printed; the step of designating the printing condition of the matter-to-be-printed as an inspection target; the step of acquiring the signal value for the color in the inspection place of the matter-to-be-printed as the inspection target; the step of acquiring the information corresponding to the color tone, which is stored in such a manner as to correspond to the same printing condition as the designated printing condition, from the storage means; the conversion step of acquiring the signal values by converting them to the colorimetric values for the color before and after the drying of the ink, on the basis of the acquired information corresponding to the color tone, respectively; and the step of computing a color difference between the acquired colorimetric values for the color before and after the drying of the ink, in each of the inspections places. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of color tone management in which the color tone before and after ink drying is grasped and managed before printing a printed matter.

  In offset printing, when printing is started, an operation for adjusting the color tone of a printed material to a target color tone called a color sample is performed. This color tone adjustment needs to be performed as quickly as possible in a short time, and is therefore performed by measuring the color of the printed material immediately after printing. However, for example, when an oxidation polymerization type printing ink is used, the color tone changes between the colored state of the printed matter before the ink immediately after printing is dried and the colored state of the printed matter after the ink is dried. When color adjustment is performed by measuring the color of a printed material immediately after printing, a so-called dry-down phenomenon occurs in which the color tone shifts after the ink is dried.

In order to cope with such a situation, Patent Document 1 discloses that test printing is performed, color measurement is performed before and after the ink of the test printing is dried, and a signal value (for example, C value) in the test printing is measured. , M value, Y value, K value) and each colorimetric value before and after ink drying are created to create an ICC profile (DRY, WET), and before ink drying and after ink drying based on the ICC profile A technology relating to a color tone management apparatus for presenting a color sample is disclosed.
JP 2004-251848 A

  The above-mentioned ICC profile is obtained by test printing a color chart in which CMYK as signal values are combined stepwise, and measuring the obtained printed matter.

  Therefore, when using this ICC profile to present the color sample before and after ink drying of the actual printed material, the actual printing material has the same printing conditions as when the color chart was printed at the time of ICC profile creation. Must be printed under

  When a printed matter is actually printed (produced), it is performed under various defined printing conditions such as printing media (paper, film, etc.), ink type, temperature, type of dampening water, etc. If it changes, the color change due to dry-down will fluctuate.

  In other words, when trying to grasp the color change of dry-down in actual printing (production), a huge number of color charts are printed under various printing conditions for the color change inspection. Since a large number of ICC profiles must be created, a large amount of printing materials such as paper and ink for color chart printing are required for inspection, and it takes time and effort to create ICC profiles. It is not realistic because of the problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and by using a printed matter that has been printed in the past under the same printing conditions, the color tone of the printed matter to be printed before ink drying and after ink drying can be simplified. An object is to provide a color management method and the like that are grasped and managed by the configuration.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a color management method for managing the color tone before and after ink drying of a printed matter, and for a plurality of printed matter printed in the past, Obtaining a color signal value at a reference location, and obtaining each colorimetric value before and after ink drying of the color at the reference location, the signal value, and each colorimetric value, A color tone correspondence information generating step for generating color tone correspondence information in association with each reference location; and storage means, the generated color tone correspondence information, and a printing condition for printing the printed matter relating to the color tone correspondence information; A storage control step for storing the information in association with each other, a printing condition designating step for designating printing conditions for the printed material to be inspected to be printed, and a color signal value at at least one inspection location of the printed material to be inspected. A signal value acquiring step, and a color tone correspondence information acquiring step for acquiring, from the storage means, the color tone correspondence information stored in association with the same printing condition as the printing condition specified in the printing condition specifying step; Based on the acquired color tone correspondence information, each signal value acquired in the signal value acquisition step is converted into a colorimetric value of a color before ink drying and after ink drying, and acquired, and A color difference calculation step of calculating a color difference between the colorimetric value of the color before ink drying obtained in the conversion step and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying for each of the inspection points. It is a color tone management method.

  According to this, since it is configured to calculate the color difference before and after ink drying of the printed material to be printed using the printed material actually printed in the past under the same printing conditions, it has a simple configuration. It is possible to provide a color management method for grasping and managing.

  In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 2 is the color tone management method according to claim 1, wherein the color difference calculated in the color difference calculation step is larger than a predetermined threshold value. Based on the colorimetric value of the color before ink drying and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying acquired in step 1, the color presenting the color reproduction before and after ink drying of the printed material to be inspected A color tone management method comprising a reproduction presentation step.

  According to this, when the color difference before and after ink drying of the printed material to be printed is larger than the predetermined threshold value, the color reproduction before and after ink drying can be presented to the operator.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 3 is the color tone management method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conversion step includes the signal values acquired in the signal value acquisition step. When there is a non-corresponding signal value that does not include a signal value corresponding to the color tone correspondence information acquired in the color tone correspondence information acquisition step, from the acquired color tone correspondence information, Measurement of the color before ink drying associated with two signal values that are close and larger than the uncorresponding signal value and closest to the uncorresponding signal value and smaller than the uncorresponding signal value. The color value and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying are extracted, respectively, and the colorimetric value of the extracted color before ink drying and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying are respectively interpolated. Thus, the non-corresponding signal value is The color management method is characterized by converting the colorimetric value of the color before ink drying and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying, respectively.

  According to this, even if there is no corresponding signal value in the color tone correspondence information generated based on the printed matter actually printed in the past under the same printing conditions, the ink drying before approximation is approximated by the interpolation calculation. Can be converted into a colorimetric value of the color and a colorimetric value of the color after drying the ink.

  In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 4 is the color tone management method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the color tone correspondence information generation step is acquired in the signal value acquisition step. New color tone correspondence information is generated from each of the signal values obtained, the colorimetric value of the color before ink drying obtained in the conversion step, and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying, and the storage control The step is a color management method, wherein the new color tone correspondence information is stored in the storage unit in association with the printing condition designated in the printing condition designation step.

  According to this, new color tone correspondence information can be stored in association with the printing condition, and the color tone correspondence information amount stored in the storage unit can be enhanced.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 5 is the color tone management method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the printing conditions include the type of printing medium, ink composition, temperature, humidity. It is a color tone management method characterized by being at least one of the types of shimizu.

  According to this, the ink of the printed matter to be printed using the printed matter actually printed in the past in which at least one of the types of printing medium, ink composition, temperature, and fountain solution type is the same. Since it is configured to calculate the color difference before drying and after ink drying, it is possible to provide a color tone management method and the like that can be grasped and managed with a simple configuration.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 6 is the color tone management method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the signal value includes a C value for cyan and an M value for magenta. , A Y value relating to yellow, a K value relating to black, and a special color value relating to a special color.

  According to this, it is possible to provide a color tone management method and the like that can be grasped and managed with a simple configuration by using a printed matter actually printed in the past with the same printing conditions without printing a color chart or the like. it can.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 7 is a color condition management device for managing the color tone before and after ink drying of a printed material, and the printing condition for specifying the printing condition of the printed material to be inspected to be printed. Stores color values before and after ink drying of a plurality of prints printed in the past, a specification unit, a signal value acquisition unit for acquiring a color signal value at at least one inspection location of the printed object to be inspected And a color tone correspondence information including color signal values at a plurality of reference locations of each printed matter, color measurement values before ink drying, and color measurement values after ink drying. The color correspondence information stored in association with the same printing condition as the printing condition specified by the printing condition specifying unit with reference to the storage unit stored in association with each printing condition of the printed matter Based on the acquired color tone correspondence information and the acquired color tone correspondence information, each signal value acquired by the signal value acquisition unit is converted into colorimetric values of the color before ink drying and after ink drying, respectively. The color difference calculation for calculating the color difference between the obtained conversion means, the colorimetric value of the color before ink drying before the ink drying and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying for each inspection location And a color tone management apparatus.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color tone management program that causes a computer to function as the color tone management device according to any one of the seventh to twelfth aspects.

  According to the present invention, the color difference before and after ink drying of the printed matter to be printed is calculated using the printed matter actually printed in the past under the same printing conditions. It is possible to provide a color management method and the like that can be grasped and managed in

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a color tone management method and apparatus according to the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present embodiment shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a color tone management system S configured by a plurality of computers.

<Configuration of color tone management system S>
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a color tone management system in the present embodiment.

  The color tone management system S includes a table creation device 1 that creates a color tone reference table as an example of color tone correspondence information of the present invention, and a database 2 as an example of storage means of the present invention for storing the created color tone reference table. And a printing condition of a printed material to be printed (an example of a printed material to be inspected according to the present invention) and a signal value of an inspection portion of the printed material, before ink drying after printing (wet) and after ink drying (dry) A color tone calculation device 3 that obtains a colorimetric value of each of the colors, a color tone determination device 4 that calculates a color difference between the colorimetric values of the color to be printed before printing (wet) and after ink drying (dry), And a color sample output device 5 for outputting a color sample.

<Create table>
The table creation device 1 includes a storage unit 11 configured by an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) that stores (stores) various data and programs, a display unit 12 configured by a CRT color display, a liquid crystal display monitor, and the like. An external device connection unit 13 for connecting to the colorimeter 20 for measuring the color of the actually printed matter, an input unit for inputting an operation instruction from an operator (operator) and outputting the instruction signal to the control unit 15 14 (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc.), a CPU (Central Processing Unit) having a calculation function, a working RAM (Random-Access Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory) for storing various data and programs, etc. Communication for exchanging information with other computers such as the control unit 15, the database 2, and the color tone calculation device 3 as a computer that is connected to the network 16 is configured with, each of these components are connected to each other via a bus 17.

  The input unit 14 is for inputting printing conditions of a printed matter printed in the past and signal values (halftone area ratio data) at a plurality of reference locations of the printed matter. The printing conditions are, for example, the type of printing medium (type of printing paper or printing film, etc.), ink composition (type of ink, etc.), temperature, type of dampening water, and the like. The signal value (halftone area ratio data) is input for each of a plurality of reference locations as shown in FIG. In order to grasp the reference location in a wider data range, it is preferable that signal values of as many reference locations as possible are input. However, after this, since it is necessary to measure the reference location with the colorimeter 20, the number of reference locations is determined based on the balance between the color measurement effort by the colorimeter 20 and the data range to be covered. It is more preferable.

  Then, the colorimeter 20 connected via the external device connection unit 13 performs colorimetry at each of the reference location before the ink is dried (Wet) and after the ink is dried (dry). Each acquired colorimetric value is taken into the table creation device 1, and the control unit 15 generates a color reference table TA in association with the signal value input by the input unit 14 and the position information indicating the reference location. (Color tone correspondence information generating step).

  Note that the colorimetric value measured by the colorimeter 20 is a color expression value in a common color space (reference color space) independent of a device such as a printing apparatus. In this embodiment, the International Lighting Committee It is acquired with the color signal L * a * b * in the 1976 CIELab space defined by (CIE). This colorimetric value is a representation value of a color in a common color space that does not depend on a device such as a printing apparatus, whereas a signal value (halftone area ratio data) is in a color space unique to a device such as a printing apparatus. For example, when a color is expressed with five colors of ink, such as CMYK special color 1 (for example, white, gold, silver, fluorescent color, etc.), the signal value is a C value, Y value, M value, K value, spot color value, and a total of five values. An example of the created color tone reference table TA is shown in FIG.

  Then, the control unit 15 generates a color tone reference table TA for each of a plurality of printed materials printed in the past, and associates each generated color tone reference table TA with the printing condition on which the printed material is printed in the database 2. (Printing control process). FIG. 4 shows an example of the color tone reference table TA stored in the database 2 in association with the printing conditions.

<Color tone management>
Next, enter the printing conditions and signal values of the printed material to be printed (printed object to be inspected) that is subject to color tone management, and obtain the colorimetric values of the color after printing and before ink drying The arithmetic device 3 will be described.

  The color tone calculation device 3 includes a storage unit 31 including a hard disk drive (HDD) that stores (stores) various data including a print data indicating a print product to be printed that is a target of color management, a CRT color, and the like. A display unit 32 constituted by a display, a liquid crystal display monitor, etc., an input unit 34 (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc.) for inputting an operation instruction from an operator (operator) and outputting the instruction signal to the control unit 35; A control unit 35 as a computer, a database 2 composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) having a calculation function, a working RAM (Random-Access Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory) storing various data and programs, and the like And a communication unit 36 for exchanging information with other computers such as the color tone judging device 4 through a network. Each component is connected to each other via a bus 37.

  The input unit 34 is operated by an operator, designates printing conditions of a printed material to be color tone managed (printing condition designating step), and outputs signal values of at least one inspection location of the printed material. This is for specifying the inspection location in order to obtain (dot area data). As shown in FIG. 5, it is desirable that a plurality of portions having different colors in the printed material are inspection locations, and at least the portions having different colors are preferably inspection locations, but the required accuracy of color tone inspection, etc. In consideration of the above, the number and location of the inspection locations may be determined as desired by the operator. Note that the printed matter to be printed that is subject to color tone management is a printed matter that is not actually printed (no substance) at this stage, and therefore the control unit 35 prints the printed matter stored in the storage unit 31. Printed matter data (including data such as signal values of the printed matter) and a print preview when the printed matter is printed based on the display monitor profile of the display unit 32 are displayed on the display unit 32, and the displayed printed matter While confirming the print preview, the operator operates the input unit 24 to select (determine) the inspection location, and acquires the position and signal value of the selected inspection location based on the control of the control unit 35 ( (Signal value acquisition step). In the case of the example shown in FIG. 5, the inspection location is specified and selected in the rectangular area. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. The inspection location may be specified and selected.

  Actually, the printed data (the data of the dot area ratio of the printed material and general-purpose image data such as tiff created during the plate making process) is digital signal data, so the operator must specify the inspection location. However, the entire printed matter data can always be inspected. Printed material data is input, and the control unit 35 performs an inspection for each section of the printed material data (for each pixel in view of resolution). In this case, it is preferable that the operator can determine the size of the section.

  Then, the control unit 35 refers to the database 2 and acquires a color tone reference table TA stored in association with the same printing condition as the printing condition specified by the input unit 34 (color tone correspondence information acquisition step). More specifically, referring to FIG. 4, the printing conditions (print medium type, ink type, temperature, dampening water type) designated by the input unit 34 are (coated paper, CMYK, 26 ° C., humidity In the case of water A), the control unit 35 obtains the color tone reference table TA1 stored in association with the same printing condition from the database 2.

Next, based on the acquired color tone reference table TA, the control unit 35 converts each signal value input by the input unit 34 into a colorimetric value of the color before ink drying and after ink drying (conversion). Process). More specifically, based on the case where the color tone reference table TA shown in FIG. 3 is the color tone reference table TA1, the signal values (CMYK) at the first to third total of three inspection locations in the input unit 34 ( 2, 20, 82, 0), (2, 22, 18, 0), (36, 59, 62, 1) are input, referring to the color tone reference table TA1 shown in FIG. The signal value is converted into a colorimetric value of a color before ink drying (wet) and after ink drying (dry) corresponding to the same signal value as each signal value. That is,
<1> The signal value (CMYK) = (2, 20, 82, 0) of the first inspection location corresponds to the same signal value (2, 20, 82, 0) as the signal value (that is, position Color information (wet) before drying ink (wet information (1, 1)) (76.90, 8.34, 61.06) and after ink drying (dry) (77.08, 8.05, 61.54) Converted,
<2> The signal value (CMYK) = (2, 22, 18, 0) of the second inspection location corresponds to the same signal value (2, 22, 18, 0) as the signal value (that is, position Color information (wet) (79.20, 14.23, 11.90) before ink is dried (according to information (1, 10)) and colorimetric values (79.28, 14.05, 11.97) after ink is dried (dry) Converted,
<3> The signal value (CMYK) = (36, 59, 62, 1) of the third inspection location corresponds to the same signal value (36, 59, 62, 1) as the signal value (that is, position) Color information (wet) (49.18, 12.59, 9.34) before ink is dried (related to information (1, 10)) and colorimetric values (50.20, 13.21, 10.08) after ink is dried (dry) Convert.

  In the case of the above-described example, the same signal value as the signal value of each inspection location is stored (registered) in the color tone reference table TA1, but if the signal value of the inspection location is stored (registered) in the color tone reference table TA1. If not, that is, if the signal value at the inspection location is a non-corresponding signal value, the signal value closest to the signal value at the inspection location and greater than the signal value, and the inspection location And the colorimetric value of the color before ink drying and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying associated with the signal value closest to and smaller than the signal value of By interpolating the two sets of colorimetric values, the signal value of the inspection location is converted into the colorimetric value of the color before ink drying and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying.

  And the control part 35 transmits the colorimetric value of the color before ink drying and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying for every test | inspection location converted and acquired from the communication part 36 to the color tone judgment apparatus 4 via a network. To do.

<Color tone change judgment>
The color tone judging device 4 is composed of a computer such as a personal computer including an arithmetic control unit, and the colorimetric value of the color before ink drying and the colorimetric color of the color after ink drying transmitted from the color tone computing device 3 for each inspection point. The value is received, and an arithmetic control unit (not shown) calculates a color tone change amount ΔE for each inspection location (color difference calculation step). The colorimetric value of the color before ink drying is L * (wet) a * (wet) b * (wet), and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying is L * (dry) a * (dry) b * (dry). ), The color tone change amount ΔE is obtained by the following equation 1.

When the obtained color tone change amount ΔE is larger than a predetermined threshold value ΔEth (for example, ΔEth = 2.0), the colorimetric value of the color before ink drying and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying are calculated as follows: It transmits to the color sample output device 5 and instructs to output a color sample of a printed material to be printed, which is a target of color tone management, based on the colorimetric value.

<Color sample output>
Next, the color sample output device 5 that outputs a color sample will be described.

  The color sample output device 5 includes a storage unit 51 configured by an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or the like that stores (stores) various data and programs, a display unit 52 configured by a CRT color display, a liquid crystal display monitor, or the like, a color An external device connection unit 53 for connecting to the printer 60 for outputting a sample, and an input unit 54 for inputting an operation instruction from an operator (operator) and outputting the instruction signal to the control unit 35 (for example, a keyboard, Control as a computer composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) having a calculation function, a working RAM (Random-Access Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory) storing various data and programs, etc. 55 and a communication unit 56 for exchanging information with other computers such as the database 2 and the color tone judging device 4 through a network. It is, each of these components are connected to each other via a bus 57.

  The control unit 55 receives the color measurement value of the color before the ink drying (wet) and the color measurement value of the color after the ink drying (dry) from the color tone determination device 4 (or from the color tone calculation device 3). When an instruction is issued to output a color sample of the printed material to be managed, the ink before drying is based on the received color measurement values before drying (wet) and after drying (dry). The color sample of the printed material and the color sample of the printed material after ink drying are printed (output) by the printing device 60 or displayed (output) on the display unit 52, and each color sample is presented to the operator (color reproduction) And a warning that the amount of color change is large (color reproduction presentation process). When the color sample is printed and presented, not only the color measurement values before and after ink drying (dry) corresponding to the signal value of each inspection location, but also the entire area of the printed material to be printed The colorimetric value is acquired for and printed (presented) as a color sample. It is assumed that the printer profile (or monitor profile) to be output by the printer 60 (or the display unit 52) is stored in advance in the working RAM of the storage unit 51 or the control unit 55 or the like.

  Although the color tone change amount ΔE by the color tone determination device 4 is calculated for each inspection location, the color sample output by the color sample output device 5 is shown in FIG. The color samples after drying are presented one by one, and the inspection location where the color tone change amount ΔE is larger than a predetermined threshold value ΔEth is displayed in a colored display, blinking display, etc. so that the operator can grasp it. May be.

  As described above, according to the color tone management system S in the present embodiment, the color tone before and after ink drying (wet) and after ink drying (dry) of a print to be printed can be grasped and managed with a simple configuration. it can.

  In addition, the signal value at each inspection location acquired by the color tone calculation device 3 described above is associated with the colorimetric values before ink drying (Wet) and after ink drying (dry) corresponding to the signal value. Alternatively, a new color tone reference table TA may be generated and stored in the database 2 in association with the printing conditions of the printed matter designated by the input unit 34 of the color tone computing device 3. In this case, a color tone reference table TA is newly generated with the inspection location as the reference location only for the printed matter in which the color tone change amount ΔE calculated by the color tone determination device 4 is determined to be equal to or less than the predetermined threshold ΔEth at all the inspection locations. The print condition may be stored in the database 2 in association with the print condition. Alternatively, for a printed matter in which the color tone change amount ΔE calculated by the color tone determination device 4 is determined to be larger than the predetermined threshold value ΔEth, The printed matter actually printed is subjected to color measurement by the colorimeter 20 connected to the table creation device 1, and a color tone reference table TA is newly generated with the inspection location as the reference location, and is associated with the printing conditions in the database 2. May be stored. This is because the database 2 can be enriched and prepared for later processing.

  In the present embodiment, the printing conditions are a total of four conditions including the type of printing medium (type of printing paper and printing film, etc.), ink configuration (type of ink, etc.), temperature, and type of dampening water. The determination may be made based on at least one of the above conditions.

  As described above, according to the color tone management system S in the present embodiment, the color change amount varies depending on the enormous combination of printing conditions by using the actually produced printed matter without printing the color chart or the like. I can grasp it. Furthermore, regardless of whether the ink type is composed of only CMYK or includes special colors, the color change amount before and after drying the ink is grasped with a simple configuration without printing a color chart or the like. be able to.

<Deformation>
In the above-described embodiment, the color management system S configured by a plurality of computers of the table creation device 1, the color tone calculation device 3, the color tone determination device 4, and the color sample output device 5 has been described, but a single computer 80 is used. Thus, the color tone management apparatus of the present invention can also be realized.

<Computer configuration and functions>
First, the configuration and functions of the computer 80 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of the computer 80.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a computer 80 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or the like that stores (stores) various data, programs, and the like, and is an example of a storage means of the present invention for storing a color tone reference table. For connection to a storage unit 81, a display unit 82 constituted by a CRT color display, a liquid crystal display monitor, etc., a colorimeter 20 for measuring colors actually printed in the past, and a printer 60 for outputting color samples. External device connection unit 83, an input unit 84 (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc.) for inputting an operation instruction from an operator (operator) and outputting the instruction signal to the control unit 85, and a CPU ( Central processing unit (ROM), work RAM (Random-Access Memory), various data and programs (including the color management program of the present invention) ROM (Read-Only Mem) ory) and the like, and a communication unit 86 for exchanging information with other computers through a network. These components are connected to each other via a bus 87. ing.

  In the storage unit 81, a color tone reference table TA already generated by the computer 80 is stored in association with each printing condition. The color tone reference table TA is generated by the computer 80 by inputting the printing conditions of the printed matter printed in the past by the input unit 84 and signal values at a plurality of reference locations, and connected through the external device connecting unit 83. At 20, colorimetric values are obtained before the ink at the reference location dries (wet) and after the ink dries (dry). Since the specific generation method is the same as the processing by the table creation device 1 in the above-described embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The control unit 85 cooperates with other members to print condition designation means, signal value acquisition means, color tone correspondence information acquisition means, conversion means, color difference calculation means, color reproduction presentation means, color tone correspondence information generation means of the present invention. And functions as storage control means.

<Tone management processing>
With reference to FIG. 9, the procedure of the color tone management process according to the present embodiment will be described. The color tone management process is performed by executing a color tone management program based on the control of the control unit 85 of the computer 80.

  First, the control unit 85 functions as a printing condition designation unit and a signal value acquisition unit, and designates the printing condition of a printed material to be printed that is to be subjected to color tone management by the input unit 34 (step S1), and at least one of the printed materials. The signal value of the inspection location is acquired (step S2).

  Subsequently, the control unit 35 functions as a color tone correspondence information acquisition unit, and acquires from the storage unit 81 a color tone reference table TA stored in association with the same print condition as the print condition specified in Step S1 (Step S1). S3).

  And the control part 35 functions as a conversion means and a color difference calculation means, and based on the acquired color tone reference table TA, each signal value input in the input part 34 is obtained before ink drying (wet) and after ink drying ( each color value is converted into a colorimetric value of the color (dry) (step S4), and a color tone change amount ΔE is calculated for each inspection location (step S5).

  When the calculated color change amount ΔE is equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold value ΔEth (step S6: No), the process is terminated. On the other hand, when the calculated color change amount ΔE is larger than the predetermined threshold value ΔEth. (Step S6: Yes), the control unit 35 functions as a color reproduction presentation unit, and ink drying is performed based on the colorimetric value of the color before ink drying (wet) and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying (dry). The color sample of the printed material before (wet) and the color sample of the printed material after drying (dry) are printed by the printer 60 (or displayed on the display unit 52), and each color sample (color reproduction) is displayed to the operator. To warn that the amount of color change is large (step S7), and the process is terminated.

  The control unit 85 functions as a color tone correspondence information generating unit and a storage control unit, and the signal value at each inspection location acquired in step S2 described above and the ink corresponding to the signal value converted (acquired) in step S4. A new color tone reference table TA is generated by associating the colorimetric values before drying (Wet) and after ink drying (dry) with each other, and associated with the printing conditions of the printed matter specified in step S1. 81 may be stored.

  The computer 80 described above also realizes a color management device and a color management method that can grasp and manage the color tone of the printed material to be printed before ink drying (Wet) and after ink drying (dry) with a simple configuration. can do.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the color tone management system S in this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the reference location of the printed matter printed in the past. It is an example of a color tone reference table TA. It is an example of a color tone reference table TA stored in the database 2 in association with printing conditions. It is explanatory drawing which shows the inspection location of the printed matter which is a printing schedule used as the object of color tone management. It is explanatory drawing which shows the inspection location of the printed matter which is a printing schedule used as the object of color tone management. It is an example of the color sample before the ink drying (Wet) and the color sample after the ink drying (dry). 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a computer 80. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the color tone management process which concerns on a deformation | transformation form.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Table preparation apparatus 11 Memory | storage part 12 Display part 13 External apparatus connection part 14 Input part 15 Control part 16 Communication part 17 Bus 2 Database 3 Color tone arithmetic device 31 Storage part 32 Display part 34 Input part 35 Control part 36 Communication part 37 Bus 4 Color tone judgment device 5 Color sample output device 51 Storage unit 52 Display unit 53 External device connection unit 54 Input unit 55 Control unit 56 Communication unit 57 Bus 80 Computer 81 Storage unit 82 Display unit 83 External device connection unit 84 Input unit 85 Control unit 86 Communication unit 87 Bus 20 Colorimeter 60 Printer

Claims (13)

In the color management method for managing the color tone of the printed material before and after ink drying,
For a plurality of printed materials printed in the past, obtain color signal values at a plurality of reference locations of the printed material, and obtain respective colorimetric values before and after ink drying of the color at the reference locations. A color tone correspondence information generating step of generating color tone correspondence information by associating the signal value and each colorimetric value with each reference location;
A storage control step of storing the generated color tone correspondence information in association with the printing conditions on which the printed matter related to the color tone correspondence information is printed;
A printing condition designating process for designating the printing conditions of the printed material to be inspected to be printed;
A signal value acquisition step of acquiring a signal value of a color at at least one inspection location of the printed material to be inspected;
A color tone correspondence information acquisition step of acquiring the color tone correspondence information stored in association with the same print condition as the print condition specified in the print condition specification step from the storage unit;
Based on the acquired color tone correspondence information, each signal value acquired in the signal value acquisition step is converted into a colorimetric value of the color before ink drying and after ink drying, and acquired, and
A color difference calculation step of calculating a color difference between the colorimetric value of the color before ink drying obtained in the conversion step and a colorimetric value of the color after ink drying for each inspection location;
A color tone management method comprising: In the color tone management method according to claim 1,
When the color difference calculated in the color difference calculation step is larger than a predetermined threshold, based on the color measurement value of the color before ink drying and the color measurement value of the color after ink drying acquired in the conversion step. A color tone management method comprising a color reproduction presentation step of presenting color reproduction before and after ink drying of the printed material to be inspected. In the color tone management method according to claim 1 or 2,
The conversion step includes an unsupported signal value that does not include a signal value corresponding to the color tone correspondence information acquired in the color tone correspondence information acquisition step among the signal values acquired in the signal value acquisition step. In some cases, from the acquired color tone correspondence information, a signal value closest to the uncorresponding signal value and larger than the uncorresponding signal value, and closest to the uncorresponding signal value and the uncorresponding signal value. Extract the colorimetric value of the color before ink drying and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying associated with the two signal values of the smaller signal value, respectively. By interpolating the colorimetric value and the colorimetric values of the two ink dried colors, the non-corresponding signal value is obtained as the colorimetric value of the color before ink drying and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying. Tones characterized by conversion into color values, respectively Management method. In the color tone management method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The color tone correspondence information generating step includes the signal values acquired in the signal value acquisition step, the colorimetric values of the color before ink drying acquired in the conversion step, and the colorimetry of the color after ink drying. New color tone correspondence information is generated based on the value,
The storage control step stores the new color tone correspondence information in the storage unit in association with the printing condition designated in the printing condition designation step. In the color tone management method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The color tone management method according to claim 1, wherein the printing condition is at least one of a printing medium type, an ink configuration, a temperature, and a dampening water type. In the color tone management method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The signal value includes at least one of a C value related to cyan, an M value related to magenta, a Y value related to yellow, a K value related to black, and a special color value related to a special color. Method. In the color tone management device that manages the color tone of the printed material before and after ink drying,
A printing condition designating means for designating the printing conditions of the printed material to be inspected to be printed;
A signal value acquisition means for acquiring a signal value of a color at at least one inspection location of the printed matter to be inspected;
Storage means for storing the color tone before and after ink drying of a plurality of printed materials printed in the past, and color signal values at a plurality of reference positions of each printed material and color measurement before ink drying The color condition correspondence information consisting of the value and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying is designated by the printing condition designating means with reference to the storage means stored in association with each printing condition of the printed matter Color tone correspondence information acquisition means for acquiring the color tone correspondence information stored in association with the same printing conditions as the printed printing conditions;
Based on the acquired color tone correspondence information, each of the signal values acquired by the signal value acquisition unit is converted to a colorimetric value of the color before ink drying and after ink drying, respectively, conversion means,
Color difference calculation means for calculating a color difference between the colorimetric value of the color before ink drying before the obtained ink drying and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying, for each inspection location;
A color tone management apparatus comprising: The color management device according to claim 7,
When the color difference calculated by the color difference calculating unit is larger than a predetermined threshold, based on the colorimetric value of the color before ink drying and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying obtained by the converting unit, A color tone management apparatus comprising color reproduction presentation means for presenting color reproduction before and after ink drying of a printed material to be inspected. In the color tone management apparatus according to claim 7 or 8,
In the case where there is an uncorresponding signal value that does not include a signal value corresponding to the color tone correspondence information acquired by the color tone correspondence information acquisition unit among the signal values acquired by the signal value acquisition unit. Includes a signal value closest to the non-corresponding signal value and larger than the non-corresponding signal value, and closest to the non-corresponding signal value and smaller than the non-corresponding signal value. The colorimetric value of the color before ink drying and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying associated with the two signal values of the signal value are extracted, respectively, and the colorimetry of the extracted two colors before ink drying Value and the colorimetric values of the two ink dried colors are interpolated to obtain the non-corresponding signal value, the colorimetric value of the color before ink drying and the colorimetric value of the color after ink drying. It is characterized by converting each Control management device. In the color management device according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
Each signal value acquired by the signal value acquisition unit, the color measurement value of the color before ink drying acquired by the conversion unit, and the color measurement value of the color after ink drying correspond to a new color tone Color tone correspondence information generating means for generating information;
Storage control means for storing the new color tone correspondence information in the storage means in association with the printing conditions designated by the printing condition designation means;
A color tone management apparatus comprising: In the color management device according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
The color management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing condition is at least one of a print medium type, an ink configuration, a temperature, and a dampening water type. In the color tone management device according to any one of claims 7 to 11,
The signal value includes at least one of a C value related to cyan, an M value related to magenta, a Y value related to yellow, a K value related to black, and a special color value related to a special color. apparatus.   A color management program for causing a computer to function as the color management device according to any one of claims 7 to 12.