JP2016129040A - Lookup table provision system, lookup table provision device, lookup table provision method, and lookup table provision program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that it is difficult for general users to create a color conversion table for achieving excellent color reproduction in a printing medium.SOLUTION: When a determination unit 16 determines that a lookout table (LUT) is stored, a LUT provision unit 18 provides the stored LUT to a user. When the determination unit 16 determines that the LUT is not stored, the LUT provision unit 18 acquires, by a LUT acquisition unit 17, LUT corresponding to user information 15a from a server 50 and provides the acquired LUT to the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a lookup table providing system, a lookup table providing apparatus, a lookup table providing method, and a lookup table providing program.

  The color conversion table (lookup table) is information indicating the correspondence between the input color system and the output color system. The coordinate value of the input color system of the color conversion table represents the position of a point (hereinafter referred to as “input grid point”) in the color space of the input color system, and the coordinate value of the output color system is This represents the position of a point in the color space of the output color system (hereinafter referred to as “output grid point”).

As a technique for smoothing the arrangement of the input grid points and the output grid points of the color conversion table, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1, for example. In this smoothing, the L ^* a ^* b ^* grid point is moved after the L ^* a ^* b ^* color system grid point is moved, and then the L ^* a ^* b ^* grid point after the shift is reproduced using an optimization process using an objective function. The optimum ink amount is determined. This optimum ink amount is determined as an ink amount that minimizes the objective function. In addition, among a plurality of types of print media whose conversion table serving as a reference for converting input image data to print data is known, a conversion table corresponding to a certain print medium is converted to a print medium whose type is unknown. A conversion table setting method for setting as a table is described in Patent Document 2, for example.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-197080 JP 2009-220356 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, the color development characteristics (color value characteristics) for the same ink amount are different for each type of print medium, and the ink amount (duty limit value) that can be adhered per unit area is also different. Therefore, in order to create a color conversion table for a plurality of print media, it is necessary to prepare an objective function for each type of print media. Further, the objective function includes a term for evaluating the image quality based on the color value of the color reproduced when each ink amount of ink is attached to the print medium, and therefore the color value is predicted based on the ink amount. Therefore, a color prediction model and the like must be prepared for each type of print medium. Therefore, until now, even if a general user tries to create a color conversion table that defines the amount of ink that realizes good color reproduction on a print medium arbitrarily selected at home or work, the above-mentioned Therefore, it is difficult to create a color conversion table that is adequately adapted to the print medium (the color prediction model corresponding to the arbitrarily selected print medium cannot be prepared).

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, since a conversion table corresponding to a medium among a plurality of types of media whose conversion table is known is used as a conversion table corresponding to a medium whose type is unknown, the user This is not to create a color conversion table that is sufficiently adapted to an arbitrarily selected print medium.

  Furthermore, when printing processing is performed using a color conversion table created by the user, the user may not be satisfied with the printing result (image quality). In such cases, the user tries to do something to get a satisfactory print result, but many users who are unfamiliar with the print process do what to do with what print result. There is a problem of not knowing what to do.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 Lookup including a first providing device that provides a user with a lookup table used for color conversion processing, and a second providing device that provides the lookup table to the first providing device. In the table providing system, the first providing device includes printing device information indicating identification of a printing device, printing medium information indicating a type of printing medium, printing condition information indicating printing conditions in the printing device, A user information receiving unit that receives user information from the user, a lookup table acquisition unit that acquires the lookup table from the second providing device, a storage unit that stores the acquired lookup table, and A determination unit that determines whether the lookup table corresponding to user information is stored in the storage unit; and A lookup table providing unit that provides the user with the lookup table corresponding to the user information, and the lookup table providing unit determines that the lookup table is stored by the determination unit The stored lookup table is provided, and when the determination unit determines that the lookup table is not stored, the lookup table acquisition unit provides the user information. A lookup table providing system, which obtains the corresponding lookup table and provides the obtained lookup table.

  According to the lookup table providing system described above, the user information receiving unit receives user information from the user. When the lookup table corresponding to the user information is stored in the storage unit, the lookup table providing unit provides the stored lookup table to the user. On the other hand, when the lookup table corresponding to the user information is not stored in the storage unit, the lookup table acquisition unit acquires the lookup table corresponding to the user information from the second providing device, and provides the lookup table The section provides the obtained lookup table to the user.

When a user needs a look-up table that is sufficiently adapted to the print medium, for example, the user outputs user information to the first providing device and requests a corresponding look-up table. The first providing device accepts user information from the user, and obtains a lookup table corresponding to the user information from the storage unit or, if it does not exist in the storage unit, from the second providing device to the user. provide.
This eliminates the need for the user to perform a difficult task by creating a lookup table by himself or diverting from another lookup table, for example, in order to realize good color reproduction for a print medium. Furthermore, the first providing device does not hold all of the lookup tables according to various user needs, but obtains the lookup tables that are not held from the second providing device and provides them to the user. Thereby, in the 1st provision apparatus, the memory capacity for holding a lookup table can be reduced, and the load concerning the data management of a lookup table can be reduced.

  Application Example 2 When the printing apparatus has an option, the lookup table acquisition unit corresponds to the lookup table corresponding to the case where the option is designated and the case where the option is not designated. The lookup table providing system, wherein the lookup table is acquired.

  According to the above-described lookup table providing system, the lookup table acquisition unit acquires both the lookup tables when the printing apparatus option is designated and when it is not designated, regardless of user needs. Accordingly, when a request for a look-up table is received from a user having a printing apparatus with an option, the look-up table corresponding to the option addition status of the user can be provided to the user in a short time.

  Application Example 3 The first providing apparatus further includes an editing unit that edits the stored lookup table, and the editing unit copies the stored lookup table, and then The lookup table providing system described above, wherein the lookup table is edited.

  According to the above-described lookup table providing system, the editing unit edits the lookup table after copying the stored lookup table. Thereby, the originally stored lookup table can be left as it is, and the lookup table can be edited according to various user needs.

  Application Example 4 The above-described lookup table providing system, wherein the printing condition information in the user information includes a drying time of ink that can be used by the printing apparatus.

  According to the above-described lookup table providing system, the printing condition information includes the usable ink drying time, so that the lookup table corresponding to the ink drying time in the user environment can be provided.

  Application Example 5 A lookup table providing device that provides a user with a lookup table used for color conversion processing, the printing device information indicating the identification of the printing device, the printing medium information indicating the type of the printing medium, A user information receiving unit that receives user information including printing condition information indicating printing conditions in the printing apparatus from the user, a lookup table acquisition unit that acquires the lookup table, and stores the acquired lookup table A storage unit; a determination unit that determines whether or not the lookup table corresponding to the user information is stored in the storage unit; and a lookup that provides the user with the lookup table corresponding to the user information A table providing unit, and the lookup table providing unit When the determination unit determines that the lookup table is stored, the determination unit provides the stored lookup table, and the determination unit determines that the lookup table is not stored. In some cases, the lookup table obtaining apparatus obtains the lookup table corresponding to the user information by the lookup table obtaining unit and provides the obtained lookup table.

  According to the lookup table providing apparatus described above, the user information receiving unit receives user information from the user. When the lookup table corresponding to the user information is stored in the storage unit, the lookup table providing unit provides the stored lookup table to the user. On the other hand, when the lookup table corresponding to the user information is not stored in the storage unit, the lookup table acquisition unit acquires the lookup table corresponding to the user information, and the lookup table providing unit acquires the lookup table. Provide a lookup table to the user.

For example, when a look-up table that is sufficiently adapted to the print medium is required, the user outputs user information to the look-up table providing apparatus and requests a corresponding look-up table. The lookup table providing device accepts user information from the user, acquires a lookup table corresponding to the user information from the storage unit or when it does not exist in the storage unit, and provides it to the user.
This eliminates the need for the user to perform a difficult task by creating a lookup table by himself or diverting from another lookup table, for example, in order to realize good color reproduction for a print medium. Furthermore, the lookup table providing apparatus does not hold all the lookup tables according to various user needs, but acquires and provides the lookup tables that are not held to the user. Thereby, in the lookup table providing apparatus, the storage capacity for holding the lookup table can be reduced, and the load related to the data management of the lookup table can be reduced.

  Application Example 6 A lookup table providing method for providing a user with a lookup table used for color conversion processing, the printing device information indicating the identification of the printing device, the printing medium information indicating the type of the printing medium, A user information receiving step for receiving user information including printing condition information indicating printing conditions in the printing apparatus from the user; a lookup table acquiring step for acquiring the lookup table; and the acquired lookup table. A storage step; a determination step for determining whether or not the lookup table corresponding to the user information is stored; and a lookup table provision step for providing the user with the lookup table corresponding to the user information; In the lookup table providing step, In the determination step, when it is determined that the lookup table is stored, the stored lookup table is provided, and in the determination step, it is determined that the lookup table is not stored. In the lookup table acquisition step, the lookup table corresponding to the user information is obtained, and the obtained lookup table is provided.

  According to the lookup table providing method described above, user information is received from the user in the user information receiving step. When a lookup table corresponding to the user information is stored, the stored lookup table is provided to the user in the lookup table providing step. On the other hand, when the lookup table corresponding to the user information is not stored, the lookup table corresponding to the user information is obtained in the lookup table obtaining step, and the obtained lookup table is obtained in the lookup table providing step. To users.

If a user needs a lookup table that is well adapted to the print media, for example, the user outputs user information and requests a corresponding lookup table. When the user information from the user is received by the lookup table providing method and the lookup table corresponding to the user information does not exist in the stored lookup table or in the stored lookup table Is obtained and provided to the user.
This eliminates the need for the user to perform a difficult task by creating a lookup table by himself or diverting from another lookup table, for example, in order to realize good color reproduction for a print medium. Furthermore, in the lookup table providing method, not all of the lookup tables corresponding to various user needs are held, but the lookup tables that are not held are acquired and provided to the user. As a result, the storage capacity for holding the lookup table can be reduced, and the load related to data management of the lookup table can be reduced.

  Application Example 7 A lookup table providing program for providing a user with a lookup table used for color conversion processing, the printing device information indicating the identification of the printing device, the printing medium information indicating the type of the printing medium, A user information receiving function that receives user information including printing condition information indicating printing conditions in the printing apparatus from the user, a lookup table acquisition function that acquires the lookup table, and the acquired lookup table. A storage function; a determination function for determining whether or not the lookup table corresponding to the user information is stored; and a lookup table provision function for providing the user with the lookup table corresponding to the user information; The lookup table providing function Provides the stored lookup table when it is determined by the determination function that the lookup table is stored, and if the lookup function is not stored by the determination function When determined, the lookup table acquisition function causes the computer to acquire the lookup table corresponding to the user information and provide the acquired lookup table. Table offer program.

  According to the above-described lookup table providing program, user information is received from the user by the user information receiving function. When the lookup table corresponding to the user information is stored, the stored lookup table is provided to the user by the lookup table providing function. On the other hand, when the lookup table corresponding to the user information is not stored, the lookup table corresponding to the user information is acquired by the lookup table acquisition function, and the acquired lookup table is acquired by the lookup table providing function. To users.

If a user needs a lookup table that is well adapted to the print media, for example, the user outputs user information and requests a corresponding lookup table. When the user information from the user is received by the lookup table providing program and the lookup table corresponding to the user information does not exist in the stored lookup table or in the stored lookup table Is obtained and provided to the user.
This eliminates the need for the user to perform a difficult task by creating a lookup table by himself or diverting from another lookup table, for example, in order to realize good color reproduction for a print medium. Further, in the lookup table providing program, not all lookup tables corresponding to various user needs are held, but the lookup tables that are not held are acquired and provided to the user. As a result, the storage capacity for holding the lookup table can be reduced, and the load related to data management of the lookup table can be reduced.

The figure which shows schematic structure, such as a LUT provision system. The block diagram which shows functional structure, such as a LUT provision system. The figure which shows the example of user information. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement in a server. The flowchart which shows the detail of the operation | movement which acquires LUT from a server. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the LUT provision system etc. which concern on 2nd Embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a lookup table (hereinafter abbreviated as “LUT”) providing system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Schematic configuration of LUT providing system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the LUT providing system 100 and the like. In the present embodiment, the LUT providing system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a server 10 (first providing apparatus or LUT providing apparatus) installed at a vendor and a server 50 (second providing apparatus) installed at a manufacturer. It is comprised including. The server 10 and the server 50 can be connected via a network such as the Internet network or a dedicated cable line.

  The server 10 can be connected to each computer 30 of a plurality of users via a network such as the Internet. A printer 40 is connected to the computer 30 via a USB cable or wireless. The printer 40 is an ink jet color printer that prints an image by ejecting ink to form ink dots on a sheet (print medium).

  A user of the computer 30 can connect to the server 10 from the computer 30 via the network, and can receive a necessary LUT from the server 10 in the computer 30. Here, the LUT is also called a color conversion table, and is a data table for converting image data to be printed into color data for printing of the printer 40 in the computer 30. The LUT occupies a major part of a printer driver, which will be described later, and has a different data structure for each printer type and paper type, for example.

<Functional configuration of LUT providing system>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the LUT providing system 100 and the like.
First, the functional configuration of the computer 30 for the user will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the computer 30 includes a control unit 31, a communication interface (I / F) 32, a display unit 33, an operation unit 34, an application 35, a printer driver 36, an LUT acquisition unit 37, a storage unit 38, and the like. ing.

  The control unit 31 is a control center in the computer 30 and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and controls each unit and each mechanism in the computer 30. The communication I / F 32 performs data communication with the printer 40 connected by wire or wireless. The communication I / F 32 performs data communication with the server 10 via the network. The display unit 33 is configured by a liquid crystal display or the like and displays information to the user. The operation unit 34 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and receives input from the user.

  The application 35 generates image data to be printed and stores it as image data 38 a in the storage unit 38. The application 35 outputs the image data 38a to the printer driver 36 and issues a print instruction. The printer driver 36 converts the image data 38 a received from the application 35 into print data in a printable format and transmits it to the printer 40. At this time, the printer driver 36 performs color conversion processing with reference to various LUTs stored in the LUT 38 b of the storage unit 38. In this color conversion process, the LUT corresponding to the paper type and ink type used in the printer 40 is referred to, and the image data 38a expressed by the RGB color coordinate values is converted into image data suitable for the printer 40. To do.

  The LUT acquisition unit 37 acquires the LUT necessary for the printer driver 36 from the server 10 and stores it in the LUT 38 b of the storage unit 38. The storage unit 38 is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk, and stores image data 38a, an LUT 38b in which various LUTs are stored, and the like.

  Here, in the LUT 38b of the storage unit 38, various LUTs corresponding to the commonly used paper types and ink types are stored in advance. When the LUT acquisition unit 37 requires an LUT corresponding to a paper type or ink type that is not stored in the LUT 38b, the LUT acquisition unit 37 sends user information including information such as the paper type and ink type together with the LUT acquisition request. 10 to send. Then, the LUT acquisition unit 37 acquires an LUT corresponding to the paper type and ink type from the server 10. Details of the user information will be described later.

Next, the functional configuration of the printer 40 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 40 includes a control unit 41, a communication I / F 42, an operation panel 43, a print head 44, a head drive unit 45, a carriage mechanism 46, a paper feed mechanism 47, and the like. In addition, the printer 40 is equipped with ink cartridges 48a to 48j that contain ink of each color. For each ink cartridge 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d, 48e, 48f, 48g, 48h, 48i, 48j, cyan (C), magenta (M), white (W), clear ink (CL), orange (OR), respectively. ), Green (GR), black (K), yellow (Y), light cyan (LC), and light magenta (LM), a total of 10 inks are accommodated.

  The control unit 41 is a control center in the printer 40, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and controls each unit and each mechanism in the printer 40. The communication I / F 42 performs data communication with the computer 30 connected by wire or wireless. The operation panel 43 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, buttons, and a touch panel, and displays information to the user and accepts input from the user.

  The print head 44 is composed of a plurality of nozzle rows provided corresponding to each ink type, and forms an image on a sheet by ejecting each ink contained in the ink cartridges 48a to 48j as ink droplets from the nozzle rows. . The head drive unit 45 generates and outputs a voltage pattern applied to the piezo elements built in each nozzle row of the print head 44 and causes the print head 44 to eject ink droplets for each ink type. The carriage mechanism 46 is a drive mechanism that reciprocates a carriage (not shown) on which the print head 44 is mounted along a guide rail (not shown) included in the printer 40. The paper feed mechanism 47 transports the paper at a predetermined speed in a paper transport direction which is one direction substantially orthogonal to the reciprocating direction of the carriage by a paper feed roller (not shown).

Next, the functional configuration of the server 10 installed in the vendor will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the server 10 includes a control unit 11, a communication I / F 12, a display unit 13, an operation unit 14, a user information reception unit 15, a determination unit 16, an LUT acquisition unit 17, an LUT provision unit 18, and a storage unit. 19 etc.

  The control unit 11 is a control center in the server 10 and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and controls each unit and each mechanism in the server 10. The communication I / F 12 performs data communication with the computer 30 via a network. The communication I / F 12 also performs data communication with the server 50 via the network. The display unit 13 includes a liquid crystal display and displays information. The operation unit 14 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and receives input to the server 10.

  The user information receiving unit 15 receives a LUT acquisition request from the computer 30 and receives user information 15 a regarding the computer 30. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the user information 15a. In the figure, the user information 15a includes a user identification 15a1, a printer identification 15a2, a paper type 15a3, an ink type 15a5 that becomes a printing condition 15a4, an ink drying time 15a6, and a print quality 15a7.

Specifically, the user identification 15a1 is data such as a user code for identifying the user of the computer 30. The printer identification 15a2 is data such as a model code of the printer 40 that identifies the printer 40. The paper type 15a3 is data on paper types such as plain paper, dedicated paper, recycled paper, and the like. The ink type 15a5 serving as the printing condition 15a4 is data such as ink color such as cyan (C), magenta (M), and white (W). The ink drying time 15a6 is data of the time required to dry the ink attached to the paper in the user's environment. The print quality 15a7 is, for example, data such as resolution for printing, color tone such as photo printing and graphic printing.
The contents of the user information 15a are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3, but include various conditions such as identification of dye-based inks and pigment-based inks, granularity required for printed matter, and the degree of color reproduction range, etc. Also good.

  The determination unit 16 uses the LUT corresponding to the user information 15 a received by the user information receiving unit 15, that is, the LUT corresponding to the combination of the printer identification 15 a 2, the paper type 15 a 3, and the printing condition 15 a 4, as the LUT identification information 19 a of the storage unit 19. It is determined whether or not it is stored. When the determination unit 16 determines that the LUT corresponding to the user information 15a is not stored in the LUT identification information 19a, the LUT acquisition unit 17 acquires the LUT from the server 50 and stores it in the LUT 19b of the storage unit 19 At the same time, the acquired identification of the LUT is registered in the LUT identification information 19a.

  Based on the LUT identification information 19a in the storage unit 19, the LUT providing unit 18 provides the user with an LUT corresponding to the user information 15a from the LUTs stored in the LUT 19b. That is, the LUT corresponding to the user information 15a is transmitted to the computer 30. The storage unit 19 is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk, and stores LUT identification information 19a, an LUT 19b in which various LUTs are stored, and the like. Here, in the LUT 19b, various types of LUTs corresponding to the paper types and ink types generally used by various users are stored in advance.

Next, in this embodiment, a functional configuration of the server 50 installed in the manufacturer will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the server 50 includes a control unit 51, a communication I / F 52, a display unit 53, an operation unit 54, a vendor information receiving unit 55, an LUT providing unit 56, a storage unit 57, and the like.

  The control unit 51 is a control center in the server 50, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and controls each unit and each mechanism in the server 50. The communication I / F 52 performs data communication with the server 10 via the network. The display unit 53 is configured by a liquid crystal display or the like and displays information. The operation unit 54 is configured with a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and receives an input to the server 50.

  The vendor information reception unit 55 receives a LUT acquisition request from the server 10 and also receives vendor information 55 a regarding the server 10. The configuration of the vendor information 55a is the same as the configuration except that the user identification 15a1 in the user information 15a shown in FIG. 3 is replaced with the vendor identification. The vendor identification is data such as a vendor code for identifying the vendor of the server 10.

  Based on the LUT identification information 57a stored in the storage unit 57, the LUT providing unit 56 provides the vendor with an LUT corresponding to the vendor information 55a from the LUTs stored in the LUT 57b. That is, the LUT corresponding to the vendor information 55a is transmitted to the server 10. The storage unit 57 is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk, and stores LUT identification information 57a, an LUT 57b in which various LUTs are stored, and the like. Here, the LUT 57b stores all the various LUTs corresponding to the paper type and ink type corresponding to the manufacturer.

<Operation in Server 10>
Next, the operation in the server 10 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation in the server 10.

First, the server 10 determines whether or not the user information receiving unit 15 has received user information 15a from the user, that is, whether or not a request for acquiring an LUT has been received from the computer 30 (step S10).
When the user information 15a is received (step S10: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S20. On the other hand, when the user information 15a is not received (step S10: NO), it waits until the user information 15a is received.

In step S20, the server 10 determines whether or not the LUT corresponding to the user information 15a received in step S10 is stored in the LUT 19b of the storage unit 19 by the determination unit 16, that is, the LUT corresponding to the user information 15a is stored. It is determined whether or not it is registered in the LUT identification information 19a of the unit 19.
When the LUT corresponding to the user information 15a is stored in the LUT 19b (step S20: YES), the process proceeds to step S50. On the other hand, when the LUT corresponding to the user information 15a is not stored in the LUT 19b (step S20: NO), the process proceeds to step S30, and the LUT acquisition unit 17 acquires the LUT corresponding to the user information 15a from the server 50. The acquired LUT is stored in the LUT 19b and registered in the LUT identification information 19a (step S40), and the process proceeds to step S50.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the operation of acquiring the LUT from the server 50 in step S30 of FIG. As shown in the figure, based on the printer identification 15a2 of the user information 15a received from the user, the server 10 is a printer with an option “present”, that is, a printer to which an option can be added. It is determined whether or not (step S31). Here, optional additional items include, for example, a colorimeter, roll paper, and an ink change that can replace an ink cartridge.

  If the printer has the option “Yes” (step S31: YES), the LUT acquisition unit 17 acquires the LUT corresponding to the condition for adding the option in addition to the condition of the user information 15a from the server 50. (Step S32). On the other hand, if it is a printer with the option “none” (step S31: NO), the process proceeds to step S33.

In step S33, the server 10 uses the LUT acquisition unit 17 from the server 50 to acquire an LUT corresponding only to the condition of the user information 15a, that is, an LUT corresponding to the condition when no option is added. In other words, when the printer 40 is a printer with the option “present”, both LUTs with and without the option are acquired. On the other hand, when the printer 40 is a printer with the option “none”, only the LUT corresponding to the case where the option is not added is acquired.
When the printer 40 is a printer to which a plurality of option items can be added, LUTs for both the case where options are added and the case where options are not added are acquired for each option item.

  Returning to FIG. 4, in step S50, the server 10 provides the user with the LUT corresponding to the user information 15a from the LUTs stored in the LUT 19b of the storage unit 19 by the LUT providing unit 18. Then, the server 10 returns to step S10 and waits until the user information 15a is received from the user next time.

  As described above, for example, when a new paper type to be printed by the printer 40 is newly added, the user of the computer 30 transmits user information including information on the new paper type to the server 10 together with the LUT acquisition request. . Then, the server 10 receives user information 15a from the user, and provides the user with an LUT corresponding to the user information 15a. At this time, if there is no LUT corresponding to the user information 15 a in the server 10, the server 10 acquires from the server 50. In this way, the user acquires the required LUT from the server 10 instead of generating it in the computer 30. Thereby, the computer 30 can easily realize good color reproduction in the newly added paper type by referring to the LUT acquired from the server 10.

  Further, in the server 10, when the user's printer 40 is a printer to which an option can be added, the server 50 acquires both LUTs when the option is added and when the option is not added. As a result, when the user newly adds an option to the printer 40, the user acquires the LUT corresponding to the case of adding the option directly from the server 10 without going through the server 50 in a short time. Can do.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the LUT providing system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the LUT providing system 100 according to the second embodiment, the diagram showing the schematic configuration shown in FIG. 1 and the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 can be applied as they are, but the block diagram showing the functional configuration shown in FIG. The contents of are different.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the LUT providing system 100 according to the second embodiment. In the block diagram showing the functional configuration in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the block diagram showing the functional configuration in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Only different configurations will be described.

  In the block diagram illustrating the functional configuration in the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, an editing unit 20 is added to the server 10 with respect to the block diagram illustrating the functional configuration in the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2. Further, user identification information 19 c is added to the storage unit 19 of the server 10. The editing unit 20 accepts editing of data contents for the LUT stored in the LUT 19 b of the storage unit 19. At this time, for the LUT registered in advance in the server 10 and the LUT acquired from the server 50, editing of the data content is accepted after copying once. For the edited LUT, the identification of the user who uses the edited LUT is registered in the user identification information 19c of the storage unit 19.

  As described above, in the server 10, the LUT registered in advance and the LUT acquired from the server 50 can be stored as they are, and the data contents of the LUT can be edited. Thereby, it is possible to provide the user with an LUT corresponding to the user's specific needs. In addition, the LUT can be managed in association with the user.

(Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the user computer 30, the server 10, and the server 50 are configured to exchange various data via the network. However, the present invention is not limited to a network, and various data may be exchanged via a portable storage medium such as a CD-RW, a USB memory, or an SD card.

  In the above-described embodiment, the server 10 is configured to receive the LUT acquisition request and the user information 15a from the computer 30 via the network. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and instead of receiving from the computer 30, it may be configured to receive the LUT acquisition request and the user information 15a via the operation unit 14 of the server 10.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,50 ... Server, 11, 31, 41, 51 ... Control part, 12, 32, 42, 52 ... Communication I / F, 13, 33, 53 ... Display part, 14, 34, 54 ... Operation part, 15 ... User information receiving unit, 15a ... user information, 15a1 ... user identification, 15a2 ... printer identification, 15a3 ... paper type, 15a4 ... printing conditions, 15a5 ... ink type, 15a6 ... ink drying time, 15a7 ... print quality, 16 ... determination unit 17 ... LUT acquisition unit, 18 ... LUT providing unit, 19 ... storage unit, 19a ... LUT identification information, 19b ... LUT, 19c ... user identification information, 20 ... editing unit, 30 ... computer, 35 ... application, 36 ... printer Driver 37 ... LUT acquisition unit 38 ... Storage unit 38a ... Image data 38b ... LUT 40 ... Printer 43 ... Operation Panel 44... Print head 45. Head drive unit 46. Carriage mechanism 47. Paper feed mechanism 48 a to 48 j Ink cartridge 55 55 Vendor information receiving unit 55 a Vendor information 56. LUT providing unit 57 ... storage unit, 57a ... LUT identification information, 57b ... LUT, 100 ... LUT providing system.

Claims (7)

A first providing device for providing a user with a lookup table used for color conversion processing;
A second providing device that provides the lookup table to the first providing device, and a lookup table providing system comprising:
The first providing device includes:
A user information receiving unit that receives user information from the user, including printing device information indicating the identification of the printing device, printing medium information indicating the type of printing medium, and printing condition information indicating printing conditions in the printing device;
A lookup table acquisition unit for acquiring the lookup table from the second providing device;
A storage unit for storing the acquired lookup table;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the lookup table corresponding to the user information is stored in the storage unit;
A lookup table providing unit that provides the user with the lookup table corresponding to the user information,
The lookup table providing unit includes:
When the determination unit determines that the lookup table is stored, the stored lookup table is provided.
When the determination unit determines that the lookup table is not stored, the lookup table acquisition unit acquires the lookup table corresponding to the user information, and obtains the acquired lookup table. A lookup table providing system characterized by providing. If the printing device has options,
The lookup table acquisition unit acquires the lookup table corresponding when the option is specified and the lookup table corresponding when the option is not specified. Item 4. The lookup table providing system according to Item 1. The first providing device further includes an editing unit for editing the stored lookup table,
The lookup table providing system according to claim 1, wherein the editing unit edits the lookup table after copying the stored lookup table.   4. The lookup table providing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing condition information in the user information includes a drying time of ink that can be used by the printing apparatus. 5. A lookup table providing device for providing a lookup table used for color conversion processing to a user,
A user information receiving unit that receives user information from the user, including printing device information indicating the identification of the printing device, printing medium information indicating the type of printing medium, and printing condition information indicating printing conditions in the printing device;
A lookup table acquisition unit for acquiring the lookup table;
A storage unit for storing the acquired lookup table;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the lookup table corresponding to the user information is stored in the storage unit;
A lookup table providing unit that provides the user with the lookup table corresponding to the user information,
The lookup table providing unit includes:
When the determination unit determines that the lookup table is stored, the stored lookup table is provided.
When the determination unit determines that the lookup table is not stored, the lookup table acquisition unit acquires the lookup table corresponding to the user information, and obtains the acquired lookup table. An apparatus for providing a lookup table, comprising: providing a lookup table. A lookup table providing method for providing a lookup table used for color conversion processing to a user,
A user information receiving step for receiving user information from the user, including printing device information indicating identification of the printing device, printing medium information indicating the type of printing medium, and printing condition information indicating printing conditions in the printing device;
A lookup table acquisition step of acquiring the lookup table;
A storage step of storing the acquired lookup table;
A determination step of determining whether or not the lookup table corresponding to the user information is stored;
Providing a lookup table corresponding to the user information to the user.
In the lookup table providing step,
When it is determined in the determination step that the lookup table is stored, the stored lookup table is provided,
When it is determined in the determination step that the lookup table is not stored, the lookup table acquisition step acquires the lookup table corresponding to the user information, and the acquired lookup table is A method for providing a lookup table, comprising: providing a lookup table. A lookup table providing program for providing a user with a lookup table used for color conversion processing,
A user information receiving function that receives user information from the user, including printing device information indicating the identification of the printing device, printing medium information indicating the type of printing medium, and printing condition information indicating printing conditions in the printing device;
A lookup table acquisition function for acquiring the lookup table;
A storage function for storing the acquired lookup table;
A determination function for determining whether or not the lookup table corresponding to the user information is stored;
A lookup table providing function for providing the user with the lookup table corresponding to the user information,
In the lookup table providing function,
When the determination function determines that the lookup table is stored, the stored lookup table is provided.
When the determination function determines that the lookup table is not stored, the lookup table acquisition function acquires the lookup table corresponding to the user information, and acquires the acquired lookup table. A program for providing a lookup table, which causes a computer to execute the provision.

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