JP2012205221A - Colorimetry data processing device, colorimetry device, program, and printing medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To have information on whether a colorimetry device has passed the inside of calibration patches reflected in the processing of colorimetry values obtained by measuring the colors of the calibration patches.SOLUTION: Color measurement is performed by sliding a colorimetry device over a color chart having printed thereon calibration patches 51, 51, 51, 51, 51, 51, etc. and reference patches 52, 52, 52, 52, 52, 52, 52, etc. arranged in front and behind the respective calibration patches and whose width is equal to or less than that of the calibration patches minus a length twice the aperture size of the colorimetry device. Then, the colorimetry device determines, on the basis of a colorimetry value of reference patches in front and behind some calibration patch and a colorimetry value of their undercoat, whether it has passed the inside of that calibration patch, in which way it processes colorimetry values of the calibration patches according to the result of the determination.

Description

  The present invention relates to a colorimetric data processing device, a colorimetric device, a program, and a print medium.

Output a density adjustment sheet on which a plurality of patches with a predetermined reference density are formed at a preset position in the paper, read the patches on the output density adjustment sheet, and read the image from the density of the read patches. When changing the density conversion characteristics at the time of formation, the density adjustment sheet is dispersed from the lowest density, and patches are regularly arranged in the paper so that highlight, middle, and shadow areas do not concentrate and read. A technique for changing density conversion characteristics using the average of the density of each patch as a measurement value of the reference density is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Print and measure the check patch for checking the calibration accuracy, grasp the color shift amount between the reference value and the initial colorimetric value for the base patch of the check patch, and based on this base color shift amount The initial colorimetric values are corrected so as to compensate for the color misregistration amount due to the difference in printing / colorimetric conditions, and the color misregistration amount between the corrected colorimetric value after correction and the reference value of each check patch is evaluated. Thus, a technique for evaluating the calibration accuracy is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-226844 A JP 2008-72366 A

  An object of the present invention is to reflect whether or not the colorimeter has passed through the inside of the color sample in the processing of the color measurement data obtained by measuring the color sample.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of color sample images arranged continuously and a width equal to or less than the width of the adjacent color sample image respectively arranged in a plurality of gaps generated by the plurality of color sample images. Acquiring means for acquiring colorimetric data obtained by measuring the color of the moved area on the medium according to an operation of moving the colorimeter on the medium on which a plurality of gap images are printed. And the gap colorimetric data acquired by the acquisition unit in response to an operation of moving the colorimeter along a specific gap image of the plurality of gap images, and a reference acquired in advance. Based on the reference colorimetric data, determination means for determining whether the colorimeter has passed through a specific color sample image adjacent to the specific gap image, and along the specific color sample image The acquisition according to the operation of moving the colorimeter The swatch colorimetric data obtained by the step a colorimetric data processing apparatus characterized by comprising a processing means for processing in accordance with a determination result by the determination unit.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of gap images is equal to or less than a length obtained by subtracting twice the width of the color measurement opening of the colorimeter from the width of the adjacent color sample image. The determination means includes the gap color measurement data acquired by the acquisition means and the reference color measurement data acquired in advance as color measurement data of the background of the medium. 2. The colorimetric data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the colorimeter is determined not to pass through the inside of the specific color sample image when similar to a predetermined degree or more. It is.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of gap images has a width equal to or greater than the width of the colorimetric opening of the colorimeter, and the determination unit is acquired by the acquisition unit. In addition, when the gap colorimetric data and the reference colorimetric data acquired in advance as the colorimetric data of the plurality of gap images are more than a predetermined degree, the colorimeter measures the specific color. 3. The colorimetric data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the color sample image has passed through.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the reference colorimetric data acquired in advance as the colorimetric data of the plurality of gap images is printed on the medium in association with the plurality of gap images. The colorimetric data processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the colorimetric data is acquired by the acquisition unit in response to an operation of moving the colorimeter.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the determination unit determines that at least a part of the colorimeter has not passed through the inside of the specific color sample image, the processing unit performs the acquisition by the acquisition unit. 5. The colorimetric data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the colorimetric data excluding the acquired color sample colorimetric data is processed.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the processing unit determines that the determination unit determines that at least a part of the colorimeter has not passed through the inside of the specific color sample image, the processing unit The acquired color sample colorimetric data is determined based on the gap colorimetric data acquired by the acquisition means, and the size of the portion of the colorimeter that has not passed through the inside of the specific color sample image. 6. The colorimetric data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the colorimetric data processing apparatus is corrected in accordance with the correction.
The invention according to claim 7 has a plurality of color sample images arranged continuously and a width equal to or smaller than the width of the adjacent color sample image respectively arranged in a plurality of gaps generated by the plurality of color sample images. In accordance with movement on a medium on which a plurality of gap images are printed, colorimetric means for measuring the color of the moved area on the medium, and movement along a specific gap image among the plurality of gap images In response to the gap color measurement data that is the result of the color measurement performed by the color measurement unit, and the reference color measurement data that is a reference that has been acquired in advance, the device itself identifies the specific gap image. A determination unit that determines whether or not the color sample image has passed through the color sample image, and the determination unit determines that the device has passed through the specific color sample image. The colorimetric means measured in accordance with the movement along Color sample colorimetric data, which is a result, is output to another device that processes the result of color measurement by the colorimetric means, and at least a part of the device does not pass through the inside of the specific color sample image The colorimetric apparatus comprises an output unit that outputs at least information to that effect when determined by the determining unit.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a computer includes a plurality of color sample images arranged continuously and a width equal to or smaller than a width of an adjacent color sample image respectively disposed in a plurality of gaps generated by the plurality of color sample images. Acquires colorimetric data obtained by measuring the color of the moved area on the medium according to the operation of moving the colorimeter on the medium printed with a plurality of gap images. Acquisition means, gap colorimetric data acquired by the acquisition means in response to an operation of moving the colorimeter along a specific gap image of the plurality of gap images, and previously acquired Based on the reference colorimetric data serving as a reference, determination means for determining whether the colorimeter has passed through a specific color sample image adjacent to the specific gap image, and the specific color sample image To move the colorimeter along The swatch colorimetric data obtained by the obtaining means in response, a program to function as processing means for processing in accordance with a determination result by the determination unit.
In the invention according to claim 9, a plurality of color sample images arranged continuously and a plurality of gap images respectively arranged in a plurality of gaps generated by the plurality of color sample images are printed, Each of the gap images has a width equal to or less than a length obtained by subtracting twice the width of the color measurement opening of the colorimeter from the width of the adjacent color sample image. It is.
The invention according to claim 10 prints a plurality of color sample images arranged continuously and a plurality of gap images respectively arranged in a plurality of gaps generated by the plurality of color sample images. Each of the gap images is a print medium characterized by having a width not less than the width of the color measurement opening of the colorimeter and not more than the width of the adjacent color sample image.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, whether or not the colorimeter has passed through the inside of the color sample can be reflected in the processing of the colorimetric data obtained by the colorimeter measuring the color sample.
According to the invention of claim 2, at least a part of the colorimeter did not pass through the inside of the color sample while suppressing the amount of image forming material used compared to the case where the present configuration is not provided. Can be detected.
According to the invention of claim 3, when at least a part of the colorimeter does not pass through the inside of the color sample, there is room for grasping the size of the portion of the colorimeter that does not pass through the inside of the color sample. While leaving, it is possible to detect that the colorimeter has passed through the inside of the color sample.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the color selection range of the image forming material used for detecting that the colorimeter has passed through the inside of the color sample is larger than that in the case where the present configuration is not provided. spread.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when there is a possibility that the colorimetric data obtained by measuring the color sample by the colorimeter may be incorrect, the occurrence of problems caused by including the colorimetric data as a processing target. Can be prevented.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when there is a possibility that the colorimetric data obtained by the colorimeter measuring the color sample is erroneous, the color is compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. It is possible to reduce the trouble of performing the operation of measuring the color of the sample again.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reflect whether or not the own apparatus has passed through the inside of the color sample in the processing of the color measurement data obtained by measuring the color sample.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, whether or not the colorimeter has passed through the inside of the color sample can be reflected in the processing of the colorimetric data obtained by the colorimeter measuring the color sample.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the colorimeter did not pass through the inside of the color sample while suppressing the amount of the image forming material used as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. Can be made detectable.
According to the invention of claim 10, when at least a part of the colorimeter does not pass through the inside of the color sample, there is room for grasping the size of the portion of the colorimeter that does not pass through the inside of the color sample. It is possible to detect that the colorimeter has passed through the inside of the color sample while leaving it.

It is a figure showing an example of composition of a calibration system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is the figure shown about the color chart used in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which illustrated the path | route when sliding a colorimetry apparatus on the color chart of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the function structural example of the colorimetry apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the colorimetry apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the colorimetry apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure shown about the color chart used in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which illustrated the path | route when a colorimetry apparatus is slid on the color chart of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the function structural example of the color measurement apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the colorimetry apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the colorimetry apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the correction process in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a calibration system to which the present embodiment is applied.
As shown in the figure, this calibration system includes a colorimetric device 10 and an image processing device 20.

The color measurement device 10 is a device that measures the color of an image recorded on a recording medium and transmits the color measurement result to the image processing device 20 in accordance with an operation of sliding on a recording medium such as paper. Here, the colorimetric device 10 is a filter type that measures the color by receiving reflected light with respect to the light irradiated to the recording medium from the light source through a plurality of color filters, and reflects the light irradiated to the recording medium from the light source. A spectroscopic type may be used in which light is spectrally separated into each wavelength component by a diffraction grating and light is received.
The image processing apparatus 20 is an apparatus that performs a calibration process for adjusting a color output by an image forming apparatus (not shown) based on a color measurement result received from the color measurement apparatus 10. Here, the image processing apparatus 20 may be a PC (Personal Computer) or an image processing unit constituting a part of the image forming apparatus. In the present embodiment, an image processing apparatus 20 is provided as an example of another apparatus that processes the result of color measurement.

Among these, the color measuring device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, a light emitting circuit 14, a light source 15, a light receiving element 16, An A / D conversion circuit 17 and a communication interface controller (hereinafter referred to as “communication I / F controller”) 18 are provided.
The CPU 11 implements each function described later by loading various programs stored in the ROM 13 and the like into the RAM 12 and executing them.
The RAM 12 is a memory used as a working memory for the CPU 11.
The ROM 13 is a memory that stores various programs executed by the CPU 11.
The light emitting circuit 14 is a circuit that supplies a current for causing the light source 15 to emit light.
The light source 15 is a lamp that irradiates the recording medium with light.
The light receiving element 16 is an element that receives reflected light with respect to light irradiated on the recording medium and converts the reflected light into an analog electric signal. In the present embodiment, the light receiving element 16 is provided as an example of the color measuring means.
The A / D conversion circuit 17 is a circuit that converts an analog electric signal output from the light receiving element 16 into a digital electric signal.
The communication I / F controller 18 is a controller that controls transmission of various information to other devices and reception of various information from other devices. In particular, in this embodiment, the A / D conversion circuit 17 outputs The digital electric signal thus transmitted is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 20 as a color measurement result.

By the way, when measuring a plurality of calibration color patches (hereinafter referred to as “calibration patches”) arranged in a line on the color chart using the color measurement device 10 of FIG. An operation for color measurement is performed by sliding the plurality of calibration patches along the direction to be measured (hereinafter referred to as “measurement method”). Depending on the level of skill of the measurer, the color measurement device 10 In some cases, there is a problem in operation such as so-called reading that causes the direction in which the slide is actually slid from the measurement direction. In such a case, since the color measurement result may be incorrect, if the process is performed using the color measurement result as it is, the image quality may be further deteriorated.
As a method for preventing such a malfunction in the operation such as reading, it is conceivable to increase the width of the color patch. However, in this method, since the number of color patches that can be printed is limited, the calibration accuracy decreases. Further, when the width of the color patch is increased, there is a problem that the amount of toner consumption increases.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, color measurement is performed using a color chart printed with a reference patch (hereinafter referred to as “reference patch”) for preventing misreading in addition to a plurality of calibration patches. As such a color chart, two modes can be considered. Therefore, the first mode will be described as the first embodiment and the second mode will be described as the second embodiment. The calibration patch is an example of a color sample image, and the reference patch is an example of a gap image.

[First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, a color chart is used in which a reference patch symmetric with respect to the center line is printed in a region sandwiched between calibration patches. Here, the width of the reference patch is equal to or less than the length obtained by subtracting twice the aperture size (width of the measurement opening) of the color measurement device 10 from the width of the calibration patch.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of such a color chart.
As shown in the figure, calibration patches 51 ₁ , 51 ₂ , 51 ₃ ,... And reference patches 52 ₁ , 52 ₂ , 52 ₃ ,. Although the reference patch is shown in black here, it is not limited to black.

FIG. 3 shows an example when the color measuring device 10 is actually slid on the color chart of FIG. In the figure, a region sandwiched by white broken lines is a region through which the aperture has passed when the colorimetric device 10 is slid.
In (a), the area through which the aperture has passed is generally coincident with the reference patch. In this case, the aperture passes through the inside of the color patch.
In (b), the area through which the aperture has passed does not coincide with the reference patch, but partially overlaps. Since the right edge of the calibration patch does not exceed the right edge even if it is shifted to the right by the aperture size from the right edge of the reference patch, in this case, the aperture passes through the inside of the color patch.
On the other hand, in (c) and (d), the area through which the aperture has passed does not overlap the reference patch at all. If the right edge of the reference patch is shifted to the right by the aperture size or more, it may exceed the right edge of the calibration patch. In this case, the aperture may pass through a portion including the outside of the color patch.

  In other words, in this embodiment, if the colorimetric device 10 detects the reflected light from the reference patch even a little, the colorimetric device 10 performs the colorimetric measurement correctly without reading the color patch and detects only the reflected light from the background. Otherwise, there is a possibility that the color measurement is not performed correctly because the color patch is read out.

Next, the color measurement device 10 that performs color measurement using the color charts of FIGS. 2 and 3 will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the color measurement device 10 according to the first embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the colorimetric device 10 includes a control unit 31, a calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32, a preceding colorimetric value storage unit 34, a subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35, and a colorimetric value acquisition unit. 36, a colorimetric value comparison unit 37, an operation determination unit 38, and an information output unit 39.

  The control unit 31 writes and erases data in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32 and the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35, and copies data from the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 to the previous colorimetric value storage unit 34. And the like, and the operations of the colorimetric value acquisition unit 36, the colorimetric value comparison unit 37, the operation determination unit 38, and the information output unit 39 are controlled.

The calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32 stores the colorimetric values of the calibration patch.
The pre-stage colorimetric value storage unit 34 stores the colorimetric values of the reference patch printed in the pre-stage (upstream in the measurement direction) of the calibration patch whose colorimetric values are stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32. To do.
The post-stage colorimetric value storage unit 35 stores the colorimetric values of the reference patch printed downstream of the calibration patch in which the colorimetric values are stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32 (downstream in the measurement direction). To do.

The colorimetric value acquisition unit 36 acquires the digital electrical signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 17 (see FIG. 1) as a colorimetric value. In the present embodiment, colorimetric values are used as examples of colorimetric data, color sample colorimetric data, and gap colorimetric data, and the colorimetric value acquisition unit 36 is an example of an acquisition unit that acquires colorimetric data. Is provided.
The colorimetric value comparison unit 37 manages whether the calibration patch is currently being measured or the reference patch is being measured, and the colorimetric value acquisition unit 36 has acquired the calibration patch while measuring the color. The colorimetric value is compared with the previous colorimetric value stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32, and the colorimetric value acquired by the colorimetric value acquisition unit 36 and the subsequent measurement are measured during the color measurement of the reference patch. The previous colorimetric value stored in the color value storage unit 35 is compared. As a result of this comparison, if the colorimetric value has changed significantly, the patch being measured is switched.

The operation determination unit 38 is based on the colorimetric values of the reference patch stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 34 and the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 and the colorimetric values of the background of the color chart held in advance. Then, it is determined whether or not the calibration patch has been missed. Specifically, the colorimetric value of the reference patch preceding the calibration patch stored in the previous colorimetric value storage unit 34 and the latter part of the calibration patch stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 are stored. If any of the colorimetric values of the reference patch is the colorimetric value of the background, it is determined that there has been a misreading. In the present embodiment, an operation determination unit 38 is provided as an example of a determination unit that determines whether the colorimeter has passed through the color sample image.
When the operation determination unit 38 determines that the information output unit 39 has not misread, the information output unit 39 displays the colorimetric value of the calibration patch stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32 as shown in FIG. 1), and when the operation determination unit 38 determines that there has been a reading error, the fact is displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the colorimetric device 10. In this embodiment, the information output unit 39 is used as an example of a processing unit that processes the color sample colorimetric data and an output unit that outputs information indicating that the color sample colorimetric data or the color sample image has not been passed. Provided.

5 and 6 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the colorimetric device 10 according to the first embodiment. In this flowchart, the color of the reference patch is black and the color of the calibration patch is distinguishable from white to black (white, light gray, dark gray, black). An example of operation when the number of calibration patches arranged is N is shown. In the following, as to start colorimetry from a position on the reference patch 52 _1, an exemplary operation of the colorimetric device 10.
As shown in FIG. 5, in the colorimetric apparatus 10, first, the control unit 31 substitutes 0 for a variable i for counting the number of color patches (step 301).

Next, the control shifts to the colorimetric value acquisition unit 36, and the colorimetric value acquisition unit 36 acquires the digital electrical signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 17 (see FIG. 1) as a colorimetric value (step 302). ).
Then, the colorimetric value comparison unit 37 determines whether or not the patch flag has been set (step 303). Here, the patch flag is a flag indicating whether a patch for which a colorimetric value is currently being acquired is a calibration patch or a reference patch. When the patch is a calibration patch, “Cali” is set. If it is a reference patch, “Ref” is set.
Since the patch flag is not set at the start of the color measurement operation, the determination in step 303 is No, and the color measurement value comparison unit 37 sets “Ref” in the patch flag (step 304).
Then, the control returns to the control unit 31, and the control unit 31 stores the colorimetric value acquired in step 302 in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 (step 312), and returns to step 302.

Next, the control shifts to the colorimetric value acquisition unit 36, and the colorimetric value acquisition unit 36 acquires the digital electrical signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 17 (see FIG. 1) as a colorimetric value (step 302). ).
Then, the colorimetric value comparison unit 37 determines whether or not the patch flag has been set (step 303).
Since the patch flag has already been set to “Ref” in step 304, the determination in step 303 is Yes, the determination in step 307 is “Ref”, and the colorimetric value comparison unit 37 obtains the measurement value acquired in step 302. It is determined whether the color value is significantly different from the colorimetric value stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 (step 308). For example, it is determined whether the color difference between the colorimetric value acquired in step 302 and the colorimetric value stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.
If it is determined that these colorimetric values are not significantly different, control returns to the control unit 31, and the control unit 31 stores the colorimetric values acquired in step 302 in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 ( Step 312) and return to Step 302.

Such process is, while the reference patch 52 ₁ is colorimetry, are repeated. Thereafter, when the colorimeter 10 reaches over the calibration patches 51 ₁ by the slide operation, colorimetric values greatly changes, i is not N, the obtained colorimetric values measured color from white to black Since it is not a color value, the determination at Step 308 is Yes, the determination at Step 309 is No, and the determination at Step 310 is No.

In this operation example, since it was decided to start colorimetry from a position on the reference patch 52 _1, if the colorimetric values is determined largely different from that in step 308, the acquired colorimetric values for calibration When there was no color in the colorimetric value from is white patches 51 ₁ of colorimetric values to black, and initiating a color measurement from the reference patches 52 ₁ position of the preceding underlying colorimetric values in step 308 when it is determined largely different from, also conceivable obtained colorimetric value is the color of the colorimetric values from and white colorimetric values of the reference patches 52 ₁ to black. In this case, the determination in step 310 is Yes, control is transferred to the control unit 31, and the control unit 31 once clears the colorimetric values stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 (step 311). The colorimetric values acquired in step 302 are newly stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 (step 312).

If the determination in step 310 is No, as shown in FIG. 6, in the colorimetric device 10, first, the colorimetric value comparison unit 37 sets “Cali” in the patch flag (step 351). .
Then, the control moves to the operation determination unit 38, and the operation determination unit 38 determines whether or not the colorimetric value is stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 34 (step 352).

At the start of color measurement for the first calibration patch, since the color measurement value is not stored in the previous color measurement value storage unit 34, the determination in step 352 is No, and the control returns to the control unit 31. The control unit 31 adds 1 to the variable i (step 356). In this case, since i is 0, it is set to 1. And the control part 31 determines whether i exceeded N (step 357), and if it exceeds, it will complete | finish a process. In this case, since i is 1, it does not exceed N and the processing is continued.
Thereafter, the control unit 31 copies the colorimetric values stored in the post-stage colorimetric value storage unit 35 to the pre-stage colorimetry value storage unit 34 (step 358), and the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32 and the post-stage colorimetry value measurement unit. The contents of the value storage unit 35 are cleared (step 359), the colorimetric values acquired in step 302 are stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32 (step 360), and the process returns to step 302.

Next, referring again to FIG. 5, the control shifts to the colorimetric value acquisition unit 36, and the colorimetric value acquisition unit 36 performs colorimetry on the digital electrical signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 17 (see FIG. 1). Obtained as a value (step 302).
Then, the colorimetric value comparison unit 37 determines whether or not the patch flag has been set (step 303).
Since the patch flag has already been set to “Cali” in step 351, the determination in step 303 is Yes and the determination in step 307 is “Cali”. Referring to FIG. 6 again, the colorimetric value comparison unit 37 It is determined whether or not the colorimetric value acquired in step 302 is significantly different from the colorimetric value stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32 (step 361). For example, it is determined whether the color difference between the colorimetric value acquired in step 302 and the colorimetric value stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.
If it is determined that these colorimetric values are not significantly different, control returns to the control unit 31, and the control unit 31 stores the colorimetric values acquired in step 302 in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32. (Step 360), the process returns to step 302.

Such process is, while the calibration patches 51 ₁ is colorimetry, are repeated. Thereafter, when the colorimeter 10 reaches on the reference patch 52 ₂ by the slide operation, the colorimetric values acquired in step 302, significantly different between the stored colorimetric values measured for the calibration color value storage unit 32 Therefore, the determination at step 361 is Yes.
In this case, referring to FIG. 5 again, the colorimetric value comparison unit 37 sets “Ref” in the patch flag (step 304).
Then, the control shifts to the control unit 31, stores the colorimetric values acquired in step 302 in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 (step 312), and returns to step 302.

Next, the control shifts to the colorimetric value acquisition unit 36, and the colorimetric value acquisition unit 36 acquires the digital electrical signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 17 (see FIG. 1) as a colorimetric value (step 302). ).
Then, the colorimetric value comparison unit 37 determines whether or not the patch flag has been set (step 303).
Since the patch flag has already been set to “Ref” in step 304, the determination in step 303 is Yes, the determination in step 307 is “Ref”, and the colorimetric value comparison unit 37 obtains the measurement value acquired in step 302. It is determined whether the color value is significantly different from the colorimetric value stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 (step 308). For example, it is determined whether the color difference between the colorimetric value acquired in step 302 and the colorimetric value stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.
If it is determined that these colorimetric values are not significantly different, control returns to the control unit 31, and the control unit 31 stores the colorimetric values acquired in step 302 in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 ( Step 312) and return to Step 302.

Such process is, while the reference patch 52 ₂ are colorimetric, is repeatedly performed. Thereafter, when the colorimeter 10 reaches over the calibration patches 51 ₂ by the slide operation, colorimetric values greatly changes, i is not N, the obtained colorimetric values measured color from white to black Since it is not a color value, the determination at Step 308 is Yes, the determination at Step 309 is No, and the determination at Step 310 is No.
In this case, referring to FIG. 6 again, the colorimetric value comparison unit 37 sets “Cali” in the patch flag (step 351).
Then, the control moves to the operation determination unit 38, and the operation determination unit 38 determines whether or not the colorimetric value is stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 34 (step 352).

  At the start of color measurement for the second and subsequent calibration patches, the color measurement value is written in the previous color measurement value storage unit 34 in step 358, so the determination in step 352 is Yes, and the operation determination unit 38 Then, it is determined whether any one of the colorimetric values stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 34 and the colorimetric values stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 is the colorimetric value of the background (step 353). . Here, whether or not the colorimetric values stored in each storage unit are the colorimetric values of the background is determined based on the colorimetric values acquired at predetermined time intervals stored in each storage unit. It may be performed by checking whether or not the color value is greater than or equal to a threshold value, or the average of the colorimetric values acquired at a predetermined time interval stored in each storage unit is measured over a predetermined reference. This may be done by checking whether it is close to the color value.

As a result, if it is determined that both the colorimetric values stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 34 and the colorimetric values stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 are not the colorimetric values of the background, the information output unit 39 outputs the variable i (1 in this case) and the colorimetric values stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32 to the image processing apparatus 20 (see FIG. 1) (step 354).
On the other hand, if it is determined that any one of the colorimetric values stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 34 and the colorimetric values stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 is the background colorimetric value, information output is performed. The unit 39 outputs the variable i (1 in this case) and information indicating that the operation has failed to a display unit (not shown) of the colorimetric device 10 (step 355). In this case, it is desirable to exclude the colorimetric values stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32 from the processing target so that the process based on the incorrect colorimetric values is not performed.

Next, the control returns to the control unit 31, and the control unit 31 adds 1 to the variable i (step 356). In this case, since i is 1, it is set to 2. And the control part 31 determines whether i exceeded N (step 357), and if it exceeds, it will complete | finish a process. In this case, since i is 2, N does not exceed N and the processing is continued.
Thereafter, the control unit 31 copies the colorimetric values stored in the post-stage colorimetric value storage unit 35 to the pre-stage colorimetry value storage unit 34 (step 358), and the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32 and the post-stage colorimetry value measurement unit. The contents of the value storage unit 35 are cleared (step 359), the colorimetric values acquired in step 302 are stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32 (step 360), and the process returns to step 302.

Thereafter, similarly, the colorimetric values of the calibration patches 51 ₂ , 51 ₃ ,..., 51 _N−1 or the information indicating that the operation has failed is output, and the colorimetric values of the calibration patch 51 _N are output. It is assumed that it is stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32. Here, when the colorimetric device 10 deviates from the reference patch 52 _{N + 1} by the slide operation, the colorimetric values acquired in step 302 are greatly different from the colorimetric values stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35. The determination at step 308 in FIG. 5 is Yes. Alternatively, when the color measurement is completed by sliding the left or right base portion of the reference patch 52 _{N + 1} , the color change is detected, and the determination in step 308 is Yes. Then, the colorimetric value comparison unit 37 determines whether i is N (step 309).
In this case, since i is N, referring to FIG. 6 again, the colorimetric value comparison unit 37 sets “Cali” in the patch flag (step 351).
Then, the control moves to the operation determination unit 38, and the operation determination unit 38 determines whether or not the colorimetric value is stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 34 (step 352).

  At the start of color measurement for the second and subsequent calibration patches, the color measurement value is written in the previous color measurement value storage unit 34 in step 358, so the determination in step 352 is Yes, and the operation determination unit 38 Then, it is determined whether any one of the colorimetric values stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 34 and the colorimetric values stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 is the colorimetric value of the background (step 353). .

As a result, if it is determined that both the colorimetric values stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 34 and the colorimetric values stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 are not the colorimetric values of the background, the information output unit 39 outputs the variable i (N in this case) and the colorimetric values stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 32 to the image processing apparatus 20 (see FIG. 1) (step 354).
On the other hand, if it is determined that any one of the colorimetric values stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 34 and the colorimetric values stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 35 is the background colorimetric value, information output is performed. The unit 39 outputs the variable i (N in this case) and information indicating that the operation has failed to a display unit (not shown) of the colorimetric device 10 (step 355).

  Next, the control returns to the control unit 31, and the control unit 31 adds 1 to the variable i (step 356). In this case, since i is N, it is set to N + 1. And the control part 31 determines whether i exceeded N (step 357), and if it exceeds, it will complete | finish a process. In this case, since i is N + 1, it exceeds N, and the process ends.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, a reference patch is printed over a wide range at the colorimetric start position of the calibration patch, and a reference patch that is symmetrical with respect to the center line is printed in an area sandwiched between the calibration patches. Use a color chart. Here, the width of the reference patch between the calibration patches is equal to or larger than the aperture size (width of the measurement opening) of the color measuring device 10 and smaller than the width of the calibration patch.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of such a color chart.
As shown, the color chart, patches for calibration _{61 1,} 61 2, 61 _3, ... and the reference patch 62 ₀ the measurement start position, the reference patch ₆₂ 1 between the patches for calibration, ₆₂ 2, 62 ₃ ,... Are printed. Although the reference patch is shown in black here, it is not limited to black.
The width of the reference patch 62 ₀ the measurement start position is only to slightly longer than the width of the patches for calibration, when a row of the calibration patches have more than one reference patch in adjacent column 62 ₀ linked colorimetric device 10 is desirable so as to pass through the always reference patch 62 ₀ on at the start of colorimetry. In this embodiment, the colorimetric values of the reference patches 62 _0, as an example of a reference colorimetric data to determine colorimetric device 10 reference patches 62 _1, 62 2, 62 _3, passes over _... This is because the reference colorimetric value is used. However, without providing the reference patch 62 _0, the reference patch 62 _1, 62 2, 62 _{3, ...} may be used as the reference colorimetric value of colorimetric value of another image associated with, measurement is previously held A color value (for example, black colorimetric value) may be used as the reference colorimetric value.

FIG. 8 shows an example when the color measuring device 10 is actually slid on the color chart of FIG. In the figure, a region sandwiched by white broken lines is a region through which the aperture has passed when the colorimetric device 10 is slid.
In (a) and (b), the area through which the aperture has passed overlaps with the reference patch. Since the right end of the reference patch does not exceed the right end of the calibration patch, in this case, the aperture passes through the inside of the color patch.
On the other hand, in (c), the area through which the aperture has passed does not overlap at all with the reference patch. If the right edge of the reference patch is shifted to the right even a little, it may exceed the right edge of the calibration patch. In this case, the aperture may pass through a portion including the outside of the color patch.
In (d), the area through which the aperture has passed does not overlap at all with the reference patch, but partially overlaps. Since the right edge of the calibration patch may be exceeded if it is slightly shifted from the right edge of the reference patch, the aperture may also pass through the portion including the outside of the color patch.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, if the colorimetric device 10 detects only the reflected light from the reference patch, it correctly measures the color without reading the color patch, and detects even the reflected light from the background. If so, there is a possibility that the color measurement is not performed correctly because the color patch is read out.

Next, the color measurement device 10 that performs color measurement using the color charts of FIGS. 7 and 8 will be described in detail.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the color measurement device 10 according to the second embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the colorimetric device 10 includes a control unit 41, a calibration colorimetric value storage unit 42, an initial colorimetric value storage unit 43, a preceding colorimetric value storage unit 44, and a subsequent colorimetric value storage. A unit 45, a colorimetric value acquisition unit 46, a colorimetric value comparison unit 47, an operation determination unit 48, and an information output unit 49.

The control unit 41 writes and deletes data to / from the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 42, the initial colorimetric value storage unit 43, and the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45, and the previous colorimetric value storage unit 45 reads the previous colorimetric value. It performs processing for each storage unit such as copying of data to the storage unit 44 and controls operations of the colorimetric value acquisition unit 46, the colorimetric value comparison unit 47, the operation determination unit 48, and the information output unit 49.
The initial colorimetric value storage unit 43 stores the colorimetric value of the reference patch at the measurement start position (hereinafter referred to as “initial colorimetric value”).

The operation determination unit 48 uses the colorimetric values of the reference patches stored in the previous colorimetric value storage unit 44 and the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45 and the initial colorimetric values stored in the initial colorimetric value storage unit 43. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the calibration patch has been missed. Specifically, the colorimetric value of the reference patch preceding the calibration patch stored in the previous colorimetric value storage unit 44 and the latter part of the calibration patch stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45 are stored. If any of the colorimetric values of the reference patch is not the initial colorimetric value, it is determined that there has been a reading error. In the present embodiment, the operation determination unit 48 is provided as an example of a determination unit that determines whether the colorimeter has passed through the color sample image.
Since the other components have already been described in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

10 and 11 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the colorimetric device 10 according to the second embodiment. In this flowchart, the color of the reference patch is black and the color of the calibration patch is distinguishable from white to black (white, light gray, dark gray, black). An example of operation when the number of calibration patches arranged is N is shown. In the following, it starts colorimetry from a position on the reference patch 62 _0, as advancing the colorimetry to a position on the reference patch 62 _1, an exemplary operation of the colorimetric device 10.
As shown in FIG. 10, in the colorimetric apparatus 10, first, the control unit 41 substitutes 0 for a variable i for counting the number of color patches (step 401).

Next, the control shifts to the colorimetric value acquisition unit 46, which acquires the digital electrical signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 17 (see FIG. 1) as a colorimetric value (step 402). ).
Then, the colorimetric value comparison unit 47 determines whether or not the patch flag has been set (step 403). Here, the patch flag is a flag indicating whether a patch for which a colorimetric value is currently being acquired is a calibration patch or a reference patch. When the patch is a calibration patch, “Cali” is set. If it is a reference patch, “Ref” is set.
Since the patch flag is not set at the start of the color measurement operation, the determination in step 403 is No, and the color measurement value comparison unit 47 sets “Ref” in the patch flag (step 404).
And control returns to the control part 41, and the control part 41 determines whether i is 0 (step 405). In this case, since i is 0, the colorimetric value acquired in step 402 is stored in the initial colorimetric value storage unit 43 (step 406) and also stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45 (step 412), the process returns to step 402.

Next, the control shifts to the colorimetric value acquisition unit 46, which acquires the digital electrical signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 17 (see FIG. 1) as a colorimetric value (step 402). ).
Then, the colorimetric value comparison unit 47 determines whether or not the patch flag has been set (step 403).
Since the patch flag has already been set to “Ref” in step 404, the determination in step 403 is Yes, the determination in step 407 is “Ref”, and the colorimetric value comparison unit 47 acquires the measurement value acquired in step 402. It is determined whether the color value is significantly different from the color measurement value stored in the subsequent color measurement value storage unit 45 (step 408). For example, it is determined whether the color difference between the colorimetric value acquired in step 402 and the colorimetric value stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.
If it is determined that these colorimetric values are not significantly different, control returns to the control unit 41, and the control unit 41 determines whether i is 0 (step 405). In this case, since i is 0, the colorimetric value acquired in step 402 is stored in the initial colorimetric value storage unit 43 (step 406) and also stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45 (step 412), the process returns to step 402.

Such process is, while the reference patch 62 ₀ and the reference patch 62 ₁ is colorimetry, are repeated. Thereafter, when the colorimeter 10 reaches on calibration patches 61 ₁ by the slide operation, colorimetric values greatly changes, i is not N, the obtained colorimetric values measured color from white to black Since it is not a color value, the determination at Step 408 is Yes, the determination at Step 409 is No, and the determination at Step 410 is No.

In this operation example, since it was decided to start colorimetry from the preceding position of the reference patches 62 ₁ of a position on the reference patch 62 _0, if the colorimetric values in step 408 is determined largely different from, the obtained colorimetric values were not in the color of the colorimetric value from is white colorimetric values of the calibration patches 61 ₁ to black, but out of the reference patches 62 ₁ of a position on the reference patch 62 ₀ Assuming that colorimetry is started from the position in the previous stage of the area, if it is determined in step 408 that the colorimetric values are significantly different, the acquired colorimetric values are the colorimetric values of the background, and the colors from white to black It is also possible that the colorimetric value is. In this case, the determination in step 410 is Yes, control is transferred to the control unit 41, and the control unit 41 once clears the color measurement values stored in the subsequent color measurement value storage unit 45 (step 411). The colorimetric values acquired in step 402 are stored again in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45 (step 412).

If the determination in step 410 is No, as shown in FIG. 11, in the colorimetric device 10, first, the colorimetric value comparison unit 47 sets “Cali” in the patch flag (step 451). .
Then, the control shifts to the operation determination unit 48, and the operation determination unit 48 determines whether or not the colorimetric value is stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 44 (step 452).

At the start of color measurement for the first calibration patch, since the color measurement value is not stored in the previous color measurement value storage unit 44, the determination in step 452 is No, and the control returns to the control unit 41. The control unit 41 adds 1 to the variable i (step 456). In this case, since i is 0, it is set to 1. And the control part 41 determines whether i exceeded N (step 457), and if it exceeds, it will complete | finish a process. In this case, since i is 1, it does not exceed N and the processing is continued.
Thereafter, the control unit 41 copies the colorimetric values stored in the post-stage colorimetric value storage unit 45 to the pre-stage colorimetric value storage unit 44 (step 458), and the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 42 and the post-stage colorimetry value measurement unit. The contents of the value storage unit 45 are cleared (step 459), the colorimetric values acquired in step 402 are stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 42 (step 460), and the process returns to step 402.

Next, referring again to FIG. 10, the control shifts to the colorimetric value acquisition unit 46, and the colorimetric value acquisition unit 46 performs colorimetry on the digital electrical signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 17 (see FIG. 1). Obtained as a value (step 402).
Then, the colorimetric value comparison unit 47 determines whether or not the patch flag has been set (step 403).
Since the patch flag has already been set to “Cali” in step 451, the determination in step 403 is Yes and the determination in step 407 is “Cali”. Referring to FIG. 11 again, the colorimetric value comparison unit 47 It is determined whether or not the colorimetric values acquired in step 402 are significantly different from the colorimetric values stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 42 (step 461). For example, it is determined whether the color difference between the colorimetric value acquired in step 402 and the colorimetric value stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 42 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.
If it is determined that these colorimetric values are not significantly different, control returns to the control unit 41, and the control unit 41 stores the colorimetric values acquired in step 402 in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 42. (Step 460), the process returns to step 402.

Such process is, while the calibration patches 61 ₁ is colorimetry, are repeated. Thereafter, when the colorimeter 10 reaches on the reference patch 62 ₂ by the slide operation, the colorimetric values acquired in step 402 is greater different from the stored colorimetric value to the color value storage unit 42 measurement for calibration Thus, the determination at step 461 is Yes.
In this case, referring to FIG. 10 again, the colorimetric value comparison unit 47 sets “Ref” in the patch flag (step 404).
And control returns to the control part 41, and the control part 41 determines whether i is 0 (step 405). In this case, since i is 1, the colorimetric value acquired in step 402 is stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45 (step 412), and the process returns to step 402.

Next, the control shifts to the colorimetric value acquisition unit 46, which acquires the digital electrical signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 17 (see FIG. 1) as a colorimetric value (step 402). ).
Then, the colorimetric value comparison unit 47 determines whether or not the patch flag has been set (step 403).
Since the patch flag has already been set to “Ref” in step 404, the determination in step 403 is Yes, the determination in step 407 is “Ref”, and the colorimetric value comparison unit 47 acquires the measurement value acquired in step 402. It is determined whether the color value is significantly different from the color measurement value stored in the subsequent color measurement value storage unit 45 (step 408). For example, it is determined whether the color difference between the colorimetric value acquired in step 402 and the colorimetric value stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.
If it is determined that these colorimetric values are not significantly different, control returns to the control unit 41, and the control unit 41 determines whether i is 0 (step 405). In this case, since i is 1, the colorimetric value acquired in step 402 is stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45 (step 412), and the process returns to step 402.

Such process is, while the reference patch 62 ₂ are colorimetric, is repeatedly performed. Thereafter, when the colorimeter 10 reaches on calibration patch 61 ₂ by the slide operation, colorimetric values greatly changes, i is not N, the obtained colorimetric values measured color from white to black Since it is not a color value, the determination at Step 408 is Yes, the determination at Step 409 is No, and the determination at Step 410 is No.
In this case, referring to FIG. 11 again, the colorimetric value comparison unit 47 sets “Cali” in the patch flag (step 451).
Then, the control shifts to the operation determination unit 48, and the operation determination unit 48 determines whether or not the colorimetric value is stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 44 (step 452).

  At the start of color measurement for the second and subsequent calibration patches, the color measurement value is written in the previous color measurement value storage unit 44 in step 458, so the determination in step 452 is Yes, and the operation determination unit 48 Both the colorimetric value stored in the previous colorimetric value storage unit 44 and the colorimetric value stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45 are the initial colorimetric values stored in the initial colorimetric value storage unit 43. It is determined whether or not there is (step 453). Here, whether or not the colorimetric value stored in each storage unit is the initial colorimetric value is determined by the initial colorimetric value among the colorimetric values acquired at predetermined time intervals stored in each storage unit. It may be performed by checking whether or not there is a threshold value or more, or the average of the colorimetric values acquired at a predetermined time interval stored in each storage unit is close to a predetermined reference or more and the initial colorimetric value It may be done by checking whether or not.

As a result, if it is determined that both the colorimetric value stored in the previous colorimetric value storage unit 44 and the colorimetric value stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45 are initial colorimetric values, the information output unit 49 outputs the variable i (1 in this case) and the colorimetric values stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 42 to the image processing apparatus 20 (see FIG. 1) (step 454).
On the other hand, if it is determined that any one of the colorimetric values stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 44 and the colorimetric values stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45 is not the initial colorimetric value, the information output unit 49 Outputs the variable i (1 in this case) and information indicating that the operation has failed to a display unit (not shown) of the colorimetric device 10 (step 455). In this case, it is desirable to exclude the colorimetric values stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 42 from the processing target so that the process based on the incorrect colorimetric values is not performed.

Next, the control returns to the control unit 41, and the control unit 41 adds 1 to the variable i (step 456). In this case, since i is 1, it is set to 2. And the control part 41 determines whether i exceeded N (step 457), and if it exceeds, it will complete | finish a process. In this case, since i is 2, N does not exceed N and the processing is continued.
Thereafter, the control unit 41 copies the colorimetric values stored in the post-stage colorimetric value storage unit 45 to the pre-stage colorimetric value storage unit 44 (step 458), and the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 42 and the post-stage colorimetry value measurement unit. The contents of the value storage unit 45 are cleared (step 459), the colorimetric values acquired in step 402 are stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 42 (step 460), and the process returns to step 402.

Thereafter, similarly, the calorimetric values of the calibration patches 61 ₂ , 61 ₃ ,..., 61 _N−1 or the information indicating that the operation has failed is output, and the calorimetric values of the calibration patch 61 _N are output. It is assumed that it is stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 42. Here, when the colorimetric device 10 deviates from the reference patch 62 _{N + 1} by the slide operation, the colorimetric values acquired in step 402 are greatly different from the colorimetric values stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45. The determination at step 408 in FIG. 10 is Yes. Alternatively, when the color measurement is completed by sliding the left or right background portion of the reference patch 62 _{N + 1} , the color change is detected, and the determination in step 408 is Yes. Then, the colorimetric value comparison unit 47 determines whether i is N (step 409).
In this case, since i is N, referring to FIG. 11 again, the colorimetric value comparison unit 47 sets “Cali” in the patch flag (step 451).
Then, the control shifts to the operation determination unit 48, and the operation determination unit 48 determines whether or not the colorimetric value is stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 44 (step 452).

  At the start of color measurement for the second and subsequent calibration patches, the color measurement value is written in the previous color measurement value storage unit 44 in step 458, so the determination in step 452 is Yes, and the operation determination unit 48 Both the colorimetric value stored in the previous colorimetric value storage unit 44 and the colorimetric value stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45 are the initial colorimetric values stored in the initial colorimetric value storage unit 43. It is determined whether or not there is (step 453).

As a result, if it is determined that both the colorimetric value stored in the previous colorimetric value storage unit 44 and the colorimetric value stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45 are initial colorimetric values, the information output unit 49 outputs the variable i (N in this case) and the colorimetric values stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 42 to the image processing apparatus 20 (see FIG. 1) (step 454).
On the other hand, if it is determined that one of the colorimetric values stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 44 and the colorimetric values stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45 is not the initial colorimetric value, the information output unit 49 The variable i (N in this case) and the information indicating that the operation has failed are output to a display unit (not shown) of the colorimetric device 10 (step 455).

  Next, the control returns to the control unit 41, and the control unit 41 adds 1 to the variable i (step 456). In this case, since i is N, it is set to N + 1. And the control part 41 determines whether i exceeded N (step 457), and if it exceeds, it will complete | finish a process. In this case, since i is N + 1, it exceeds N, and the process ends.

  By the way, in this operation example, in step 453, either the colorimetric value stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 44 or the colorimetric value stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45 is not the initial colorimetric value. If it is determined, in step 455, information indicating that an operation failure has occurred is output, or the colorimetric values of the calibration patches stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 42 are excluded from the processing target. However, other operations may be performed. For example, a correction unit (not shown) converts the calorimetric value of the calibration patch stored in the calibration colorimetric value storage unit 42 into the colorimetric value of the reference patch stored in the previous colorimetric value storage unit 44 and It is conceivable to perform correction based on the colorimetric value of the reference patch stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45. Then, the corrected colorimetric value may be transmitted to the image processing apparatus 20.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a correction method by the correction unit. Although this figure is obtained by extracting the color patches for calibration 61 from Chart ₃ and the reference patch 62 _3, 62 ₄ parts of FIG. 7, for convenience of explanation, the relationship between the length of the patch and 7 It is shown changed. A white circle indicates a region where the aperture of the color measuring device 10 is located at a certain time. When this correction is performed, the width of the reference patch is longer than the length obtained by subtracting twice the aperture size from the width of the calibration patch. In addition, it is assumed that calibration patches having the same hue and different brightness are continuously arranged as calibration patches.

(A) is a case where the aperture of the color measurement device 10 is located inside the reference patches 62 ₃ and 62 ₄ . In this case, the determination is Yes in step 453, the aperture seems to have passed through the inside of the calibration patches 61 _3. Therefore, the colorimetric value of the calibration patches 61 ₃ stored in the color value storage unit 42 measurement for calibration is not corrected.

(B) is a case where a part of the aperture of the color measuring device 10 is located outside the reference patch ₆₂ 3, 62 _4. In this case, the determination in step 453 is No. Therefore, the correction unit calculates a deviation amount D ₃ of the aperture of the colorimetric device 10 from the reference patch 62 ₃ based on the brightness of the colorimetric value of the reference patch 623 ₃ stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 44. while, on the basis of the brightness of the colorimetric values of the reference patches 62 ₄ stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45, calculates a shift amount D ₄ from the reference patch 62 ₄ apertures of the colorimetric device 10. The deviation amounts D ₃ and D ₄ may be calculated with reference to, for example, correspondence between predetermined brightness and deviation amount. Thus, (b), the both deviation amount _{D 4} from the deviation amount _{D 3} and the reference patch 62 ₄ from the reference patch 62 _3, the reference patch ₆₂ 3, 62 ₄ rightmost from calibration patches 61 ₃ see that does not exceed the displacement P of to the right, the aperture seems to have passed through the inside of the calibration patches 61 _3. Accordingly, the correction unit does not correct the colorimetric values of the calibration patches 61 ₃ stored in the color value storage unit 42 measurement for calibration.

(C) it is also a case where a part of the aperture of the color measuring device 10 is located outside the reference patch ₆₂ 3, 62 _4. Also in this case, the determination in step 453 is No. Therefore, the correction unit calculates a deviation amount D ₃ of the aperture of the colorimetric device 10 from the reference patch 62 ₃ based on the brightness of the colorimetric value of the reference patch 623 ₃ stored in the preceding colorimetric value storage unit 44. while, on the basis of the brightness of the colorimetric values of the reference patches 62 ₄ stored in the subsequent colorimetric value storage unit 45, calculates a shift amount D ₄ from the reference patch 62 ₄ apertures of the colorimetric device 10. The deviation amounts D ₃ and D ₄ may be calculated with reference to, for example, correspondence between predetermined brightness and deviation amount. Thus, (c), the both deviation amount _{D 4} from the deviation amount _{D 3} and the reference patch 62 ₄ from the reference patch 62 _3, the reference patch ₆₂ 3, 62 ₄ rightmost from the patch 61 ₃ for calibration of found that exceeds the displacement P of the right edge, a portion of the aperture seems to have passed through an external calibration patch 61 _3. Accordingly, the correction unit, the colorimetric values of the calibration patches 61 ₃ stored in the color value storage unit 42 measurement for calibration, deviation amount obtained by subtracting the displacement P from the displacement amount D ₃ and shift amount D ₄ is corrected based on the average deviation amount of deviation amounts obtained by subtracting the deviation amount P from ₄ . For example, this correction may be performed with reference to a correspondence between a predetermined brightness and a deviation amount. That is, it is the brightness corresponding to the amount of deviation of the average, when it is X times when no deviation, when the correction for the brightness of the calibration patches 61 ₃ (1 / X) times.

This is the end of the description of the first embodiment and the second embodiment.
In the first embodiment, the width of the reference patch between the calibration patches is equal to or less than the length obtained by subtracting twice the aperture size of the color measuring device 10 from the width of the calibration patch. In the embodiment, the size is not less than the aperture size of the colorimetric device 10 and not more than the width of the calibration patch. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, in order to determine the possibility of unreading the calibration patch based on the colorimetric value of the reference patch, the width of the reference patch may be at least equal to or smaller than the width of the calibration patch.

  In the present embodiment, the process for determining the possibility of unreading the calibration patch based on the colorimetric value of the reference patch is performed in the colorimetric device 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, it may be performed in the image processing apparatus 20 that receives the colorimetric values from the colorimetric apparatus 10. Alternatively, although not shown in FIG. 1, in the system in which the information processing apparatus transmits the colorimetric value received from the color measurement apparatus 10 to the image processing apparatus 20, such processing is performed in the information processing apparatus. Also good. In this case, the image processing device 20 and the information processing device are examples of a colorimetric data processing device.

  The program for realizing the present embodiment can be provided not only by communication means but also by storing it in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Colorimetry apparatus, 20 ... Image processing apparatus 31, 41 ... Control part, 32, 42 ... Colorimetric value storage part for calibration, 34, 44 ... Preceding colorimetric value storage part, 35, 45 ... Subsequent colorimetry Value storage unit, 36, 46 ... Colorimetric value acquisition unit, 37, 47 ... Colorimetric value comparison unit, 38, 48 ... Operation determination unit, 39, 49 ... Information output unit, 43 ... Initial colorimetric value storage unit

Claims (10)

A plurality of color sample images arranged in succession and a plurality of gap images each having a width equal to or smaller than the width of the adjacent color sample image are printed in a plurality of gaps generated by the plurality of color sample images. An acquisition means for acquiring colorimetric data obtained by measuring the color of the moved area on the medium according to an operation of moving the colorimeter on the medium;
The gap colorimetric data acquired by the acquisition unit in response to an operation of moving the colorimeter along a specific gap image of the plurality of gap images, and a reference measurement that is a reference acquired in advance. Determining means for determining whether the colorimeter has passed through a specific color sample image next to the specific gap image based on the color data;
Processing means for processing the color sample colorimetric data acquired by the acquisition means in response to an operation of moving the colorimeter along the specific color sample image according to the determination result by the determination means. A colorimetric data processing apparatus characterized by that. Each of the plurality of gap images has a width equal to or less than a length obtained by subtracting twice the width of the color measurement opening of the colorimeter from the width of the adjacent color sample image,
When the gap colorimetric data acquired by the acquisition unit and the reference colorimetric data acquired in advance as the colorimetric data of the background of the medium are similar to each other by a predetermined degree or more 2. The colorimetric data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the colorimeter is determined not to pass through the inside of the specific color sample image. Each of the plurality of gap images has a width equal to or greater than the width of the colorimetric opening of the colorimeter,
In the determination unit, the gap color measurement data acquired by the acquisition unit and the reference color measurement data acquired in advance as the color measurement data of the plurality of gap images are similar to each other by a predetermined degree or more. 3. The colorimetric data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the colorimeter determines that the colorimeter has passed through the inside of the specific color sample image.   The reference colorimetric data acquired in advance as the colorimetric data of the plurality of gap images corresponds to an operation of moving the colorimeter on the image printed in association with the plurality of gap images on the medium. The colorimetric data processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the colorimetric data is acquired by the acquisition unit.   The processing means is the color sample colorimetric data acquired by the acquisition means when the determination means determines that at least a part of the colorimeter has not passed through the inside of the specific color sample image. The colorimetric data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the colorimetric data excluding a color is processed.   The processing means is the color sample colorimetric data acquired by the acquisition means when the determination means determines that at least a part of the colorimeter has not passed through the inside of the specific color sample image. Is corrected according to the size of the part of the colorimeter that has not passed through the inside of the specific color sample image determined based on the gap colorimetric data acquired by the acquisition means. The colorimetric data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A plurality of color sample images arranged in succession and a plurality of gap images each having a width equal to or smaller than the width of the adjacent color sample image are printed in a plurality of gaps generated by the plurality of color sample images. A color measuring means for measuring the color of the moved area on the medium in accordance with the movement on the medium;
Gap color measurement data that is a result of color measurement performed by the color measurement unit in response to movement along a specific gap image among the plurality of gap images, and reference color measurement data that is a reference acquired in advance. A determination means for determining whether the device has passed through a specific color sample image next to the specific gap image;
A color which is a result of colorimetry performed by the colorimetric unit according to movement along the specific color sample image when the determination unit determines that the own apparatus has passed through the specific color sample image Sample colorimetric data is output to another device that processes the result of colorimetry by the colorimetric means, and the determination means determines that at least a part of the own device has not passed through the specific color sample image. And a colorimetric device comprising output means for outputting at least information to that effect. Computer
A plurality of color sample images arranged in succession and a plurality of gap images each having a width equal to or smaller than the width of the adjacent color sample image are printed in a plurality of gaps generated by the plurality of color sample images. An acquisition means for acquiring colorimetric data obtained by measuring the color of the moved area on the medium according to an operation of moving the colorimeter on the medium;
The gap colorimetric data acquired by the acquisition unit in response to an operation of moving the colorimeter along a specific gap image of the plurality of gap images, and a reference measurement that is a reference acquired in advance. Determining means for determining whether the colorimeter has passed through a specific color sample image next to the specific gap image based on the color data;
Causing the color sample colorimetric data acquired by the acquisition unit in response to an operation of moving the colorimeter along the specific color sample image to function as a processing unit that processes the color sample colorimetric data according to a determination result by the determination unit. Program for. A plurality of color sample images arranged sequentially;
Printed with a plurality of gap images respectively arranged in a plurality of gaps generated by the plurality of color sample images;
Each of the plurality of gap images has a width less than or equal to a length obtained by subtracting twice the width of the color measurement opening of the colorimeter from the width of the adjacent color sample image. To print media. A plurality of color sample images arranged sequentially;
Printed with a plurality of gap images respectively arranged in a plurality of gaps generated by the plurality of color sample images;
Each of the plurality of gap images has a width that is not less than the width of the color measurement opening of the colorimeter and not more than the width of the adjacent color sample image.

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