JP2016163060A - Information processing apparatus, information processing method and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a preview image of high color reproducibility in relative to an actual print image.SOLUTION: A reference profile includes a first conversion table indicating a correspondence between a print color gamut of a device independent common color space obtained by converting a color space and a print color gamut of a print image to be printed by an image forming apparatus into the print color gamut of the common color space and a color gamut of a color space of document data. A first conversion part 30G converts the document data of a print object into the common color space of the print color gamut indicated in the reference profile identified based on first identification information that receives selection. A second conversion part 30H performs color conversion on the document data converted by the first conversion part 30G while using a display profile indicating a color space of a display part 32A and generates display image data. A second display control part 30I displays an image of the display image data on the display part 32A as a preview image that estimates a print result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

  A profile (for example, ICC profile) that describes the correspondence between a specific device-dependent color space (for example, RGB or CMYK) and a device-independent common color space (for example, CIELAB) is used. A color management technique for performing color matching among a plurality of apparatuses is known. For example, when printing an image with an image forming apparatus, the color space of document data is converted into a common color space using an input profile, and then converted into a color space specific to the image forming apparatus using an output profile. Then, after the converted document data is limited to a print color gamut that can be reproduced by the image forming apparatus, image printing is performed.

  Here, before printing is performed, a preview display of the print image is performed on the information processing apparatus that transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus. Specifically, the document data is converted into a common color space using an input profile embedded in the document data. Further, the image of the document data converted into the color space used in the display unit using the display profile of the display unit provided in the information processing apparatus is displayed as a preview image in which the print result is estimated.

  However, conventionally, conversion to a common color space without changing the color gamut of the document data or conversion to a common color space of the color gamut indicated by the input profile included in the document data has been performed. Further, an image converted into a color space used in the display unit is used as a preview image. For this reason, an image having a color different from the color of the actual print image is displayed as a preview image in which the print result is estimated. Therefore, conventionally, it has not been possible to provide a preview image with high color reproducibility for an actual printed image.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention converts the color space and print color gamut of a print image printed by the image forming apparatus into the print color gamut of a common color space independent of devices. A storage unit storing a plurality of reference profiles including a first conversion table indicating a correspondence relationship between the print color gamut of the common color space and the color gamut of the color space of the document data; and a plurality of the reference profiles A first display control unit that displays a list of first identification information on a display unit; a reception unit that accepts a selection of the first identification information from the displayed list of first identification information; and a document to be printed A first converter that converts data into the common color space of the print color gamut indicated by the reference profile identified by the first identification information that has received a selection; and the data converted by the first converter Manuscript data A second conversion unit that performs color conversion using a display profile indicating a color space of the display unit and generates display image data, and the display unit uses the image of the display image data as a preview image obtained by estimating a print result. And a second display control unit for displaying.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to display a preview image with high color reproducibility for an actual print image.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the reference profile. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of generation of the first conversion table. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the information processing apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of management information and history information. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the display screen. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of image processing performed on document data. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of image processing performed on document data. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of image processing performed on document data. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information processing procedure executed by the image forming apparatus. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information processing procedure executed by the information processing apparatus. FIG. 13 is a hardware configuration diagram.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing system 10. The information processing system 10 includes an information processing device 12 and an image forming device 14. The information processing apparatus 12 and the image forming apparatus 14 are connected via a network 16.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing system 10 is configured to include one information processing apparatus 12 and one image forming apparatus 14. However, the information processing system 10 may be configured to include a plurality of at least one of the information processing apparatus 12 and the image forming apparatus 14.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus 14. The image forming apparatus 14 includes a control unit 18, a storage unit 20, a UI (user interface) unit 21, and an image forming unit 22. The storage unit 20, the image forming unit 22, and the UI unit 21 are connected to the control unit 18 so as to be able to exchange signals.

  The UI unit 21 displays various images and accepts various instructions from the user. The UI unit 21 is, for example, a touch panel. The UI unit 21 may have a configuration in which a display unit that displays various images and an operation unit that receives various instructions from the user are separated.

  The storage unit 20 stores various data. The storage unit 20 is, for example, an HDD (hard disk drive).

  The image forming unit 22 is a known image forming apparatus that prints an image on a recording medium using output data received from the control unit 18. The image forming method of the image forming unit 22 may be an electrophotographic method or an ink jet method, and is not limited. The image forming unit 22 prints an image on a recording medium using, for example, CMYK toners or inks.

  The control unit 18 controls the image forming apparatus 14. The control unit 18 includes a communication unit 18A, a generation unit 18D, an image processing unit 18E, and a print control unit 18F. Some or all of the communication unit 18A, the generation unit 18D, the image processing unit 18E, and the printing control unit 18F may be realized by causing a processing device such as a CPU to execute a program, that is, by software, It may be realized by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), or may be realized by using software and hardware in combination.

  The communication unit 18 </ b> A communicates with other devices via the network 16. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 18A exchanges data with the information processing apparatus 12 via the network 16. The communication unit 18A includes a transmission unit 18B and a reception unit 18C. The transmission unit 18B transmits a reference profile (details will be described later) generated by the image forming apparatus 14, various data, various signals, and the like to the information processing apparatus 12. The receiving unit 18C receives print data and the like from the information processing apparatus 12.

  The generation unit 18D generates a reference profile. The reference profile includes at least a first conversion table. Specifically, the reference profile includes a first conversion table and first information.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the reference profile 24. The reference profile 24 includes a header 24A, first information 24B, and a first conversion table 24C. The reference profile 24 may further include other information.

  The header 24A includes various information indicating the reference profile 24. In the present embodiment, the header 24A includes first identification information for identifying the reference profile 24. The first identification information is, for example, the name of the reference profile 24.

  The first conversion table 24C converts the color space and print color gamut of a print image printed by the image forming apparatus 14 into the print color gamut of the common color space independent of the device. And a conversion table used for conversion between the color gamut of the color space of the document data.

  The generation unit 18D generates the first conversion table 24C and generates the reference profile 24 including the first conversion table 24C.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of generation of the first conversion table 24C.

  First, the flow of conversion processing for document data will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, it is assumed that the color space of the document data 40A is RGB. Assume that the color gamut of the color space of the document data 40A is the color gamut indicated by the color gamut 40B.

  When an image is printed by the image forming apparatus 14, the document data 40A in the RGB color space is converted into a common color space using the input profile embedded in the document data 40A, and the document data 40C is obtained (FIG. 4 (B)). The color gamut 40B of the document data 40C in the common color space (see FIG. 4B) is the same as the color gamut 40B (see FIG. 4A) of the document data 40A.

  The input profile includes a second conversion table indicating the correspondence between the color space of the document data and the common color space.

  The common color space is a device-independent color space, such as CIELAB. In the present embodiment, data in the common color space is represented as “Lab data” in the drawing.

  Then, the document data 40C in the common color space is further converted into output data 40D in the color space depending on the image forming apparatus 14 using the output profile (see FIG. 4C). The color space depending on the image forming apparatus 14 is, for example, a CMYK color space.

  The output profile includes a third conversion table indicating the correspondence between the color space of the print image printed by the image forming apparatus 14 and the common color space. The colors appearing in the print image show different shades depending on the medium type of the recording medium. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 14, output profiles corresponding to the type of recording medium handled by the image forming apparatus 14 are stored in the storage unit 20 in advance. In other words, the storage unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 14 stores an output profile corresponding to each medium type of a recording medium to be printed by the image forming apparatus 14 in the storage unit 20 in advance. Further, it can be said that the third conversion table is determined by the medium type of the recording medium to be printed by the image forming apparatus 14.

  Further, there are four types of color space conversion methods (rendering intents) for converting the document data 40C in the common color space into the output data 40D in the color space depending on the image forming apparatus 14. Specifically, these four methods are Perceptual (perception), Saturation (saturation), Relativistic Colorimetric (maintaining relative color gamut), and Absolute Colorimetric (maintaining absolute color gamut).

  The generation unit 18D converts the document data 40C in the common color space into the output data 40D using each of the four types of color space conversion methods for each output profile (see FIG. 4C). For this reason, the color gamut of the output data 40D indicates the print color gamut 40E of the print image. The output data 40D is used at the time of printing in the image forming apparatus 14.

  In the present embodiment, the generation unit 18D first creates an output profile corresponding to each medium type of recording medium that can be supported by the image forming apparatus 14. In other words, the generation unit 18D creates as many output profiles as the number of types of recording media that can be handled by the image forming apparatus 14. The output profile corresponding to the medium type of the recording medium may be stored in the storage unit 20 in advance.

  Further, the generation unit 18D adjusts each of the created output profiles. Specifically, the generation unit 18D performs adjustment by applying four types of color space conversion methods (rendering intents) to each of the created output profiles. Therefore, the generation unit 18D generates an adjusted output profile of the product of the number of types of recording media that can be handled by the image forming apparatus 14 and the number of types of rendering intents (four types). To do.

  Then, the generation unit 18D generates a reference profile for each one-to-one combination of the document data 40A and each of the created adjusted output profiles.

  Specifically, the generation unit 18D uses the document data 40C in the common color space (see FIG. 4B) obtained by converting the document data 40A in the RGB color space into the common color space using the input profile. As described above, the color gamut 40B of the document data 40C in the common color space is the same as the color gamut 40B of the document data 40A. Then, the generating unit 18D converts the document data 40C in the common color space into the output data 40D using the adjusted output profile (see FIG. 4C). For this reason, the color gamut of the output data 40D indicates the print color gamut 40E of the print image.

  Further, the generation unit 18D converts the output data 40D of the print color gamut 40E into a common color space, and generates output data 40F (see FIG. 4D). The output data 40F is common color space data indicating the print color gamut 40E of the print image.

  Then, the generation unit 18D includes a color gamut 40B (see FIG. 4A) of the color space depending on the image forming apparatus 14 of the document data 40A and a print color gamut 40E (common color space of the generated output data 40F). A first conversion table 24C showing the correspondence relationship with FIG. 4D is generated.

  Here, as described above, the number of adjusted output profiles generated by the generation unit 18D includes the number of types of recording media that can be supported by the image forming apparatus 14, and the color space conversion method (rendering intent). (4 types) and the product of these values.

  For this reason, the generation unit 18D generates the first conversion table 24C in the number corresponding to the multiplication value. Then, the generation unit 18D generates a reference profile 24 including the generated first conversion table 24C. Each reference profile 24 includes one first conversion table 24C. That is, the generation unit 18D has a number that matches the product of the number of types of recording media that can be supported by the image forming apparatus 14 and the number of color space conversion methods (rendering intents) (four types). The reference profile 24 is generated.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the first information 24B included in the reference profile 24 is information indicating the first conversion table 24C included in the reference profile 24 including the first information 24B. The generation unit 18D generates the first information 24B for each first conversion table 24C. Then, the reference profile 24 including the first conversion table 24C, the corresponding first information 24B, and the header 24A is generated.

  The first information 24B includes second identification information, third identification information, fourth identification information, a color space conversion method, and a medium type. The first information 24B may further include installation position information indicating the installation position of the image forming apparatus 14. In this embodiment, as an example, the first information 24B includes second identification information, third identification information, fourth identification information, fifth identification information, medium type information, and installation position information. The case where it includes is demonstrated.

  The second identification information is identification information for identifying the input profile of the document data 40A used to create the first conversion table 24C included in the reference profile 24. The second identification information is, for example, the name of the input profile.

  The third identification information is identification information for identifying the output profile used to create the first conversion table 24C included in the reference profile 24. The third identification information is, for example, the name of the output profile.

  The fourth identification information is identification information of the image forming apparatus 14.

  The fifth identification information included in the first information 24B is the print that uses the color gamut 40B of the document data 40A used to create the first conversion table 24C included in the reference profile 24 to create the first conversion table 24C. This is identification information of the color space conversion method (rendering intent) used when converting to the color gamut 40E. That is, the fifth identification information is identification information of each of Perceptual (perception), Saturation (saturation), Relative Colorimetric (maintaining relative color gamut), and Absolute Colorimetric (maintaining absolute color gamut). .

  The medium type information included in the first information 24B is information indicating the medium type corresponding to the output profile used to create the first conversion table 24C included in the reference profile 24.

  The installation position information is information indicating the installation position of the image forming apparatus 14 that has generated the reference profile 24.

  As described above, the generation unit 18D calculates the product of the number of medium types of the recording medium on which the image forming apparatus 14 forms an image and the number of color space conversion methods (four types) used in the image forming apparatus 14. A matching number of reference profiles 24 are generated.

  At this time, the generation unit 18D generates the reference profile 24 by including the first identification information for identifying each reference profile 24 in the header 24A of each reference profile 24.

  Note that the generation unit 18D may describe the first information 24B in an unused tag or a tag that can be freely set by the user among the tags constituting the reference profile 24.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the generation unit 18 </ b> D stores the generated reference profile 24 in the storage unit 20.

  The transmission unit 18B transmits the reference profile 24 generated by the generation unit 18D to the information processing apparatus 12 via the network 16.

  It is assumed that a user has instructed the generation of a new input profile or a reference profile corresponding to a new medium type by operating the UI unit 21. In this case, the generation unit 18D may generate a new reference profile according to the instructed input profile or the instructed medium type and store the reference profile in the storage unit 20. In addition, the generation unit 18D may transmit the newly generated reference profile to the information processing apparatus 12 via the transmission unit 18B.

  Further, it is assumed that a change instruction for changing a part of the description contents of the reference profile stored in the storage unit 20 is made by the user's operation of the UI unit 21. In this case, the generation unit 18D may update each reference profile by changing the description content of each reference profile stored in the storage unit 20 in accordance with the content instructed to change.

  The generation unit 18D transmits the newly generated reference profile and the updated reference profile to the image forming apparatus 14 via the transmission unit 18B each time a new reference profile is generated or the reference profile is updated. do it.

  The image processing unit 18E receives print data from the information processing apparatus 12 via the reception unit 18C. The print data includes, for example, document data 40A to be printed, medium type information to be printed, and fifth identification information for identifying a color space conversion method.

  The image processing unit 18E converts the document data 40A included in the print data into document data 40C in a common color space using an input profile embedded in the document data 40A (see FIG. 4B).

  Next, the image processing unit 18E is identified from the plurality of reference profiles 24 stored in the storage unit 20 by the medium type of the medium type information included in the print data and the fifth identification information included in the print data. The reference profile 24 corresponding to the color conversion method is specified. Then, the image processing unit 18E uses the output profile used when generating the first conversion table 24C included in the identified reference profile 24 to convert the document data 40C in the common color space into the color space that depends on the image forming apparatus 14. The output data 40D is converted (see FIG. 4C). At this time, the image processing unit 18E performs conversion using a color space conversion method (rendering intent) identified by the fifth identification information included in the print data.

  Then, the image processing unit 18E outputs the output data 40D to the print control unit 18F. The print control unit 18F controls the image forming unit 22 to print the print image represented by the output data 40D on the recording medium of the medium type identified by the medium type information included in the print data.

  For this reason, the image forming unit 22 prints the print image represented by the output data 40D on the recording medium of the medium type information included in the print data. Thereby, a recording medium on which a printed image is printed is obtained.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the information processing apparatus 12.

  The information processing apparatus 12 includes a control unit 30, a storage unit 34, and a UI unit 32. The memory | storage part 34 and UI part 32 are connected to the control part 30 so that signal transmission / reception is possible.

  The UI unit 32 displays various images and accepts various instructions from the user. The UI unit 32 is, for example, a touch panel. The UI unit 32 may have a configuration in which a display unit that displays various images and an input unit that receives various instructions from the user are separated.

  That is, the UI unit 32 may include a display unit 32A and an input unit 32B. The display unit 32A displays various images. The display unit 32A is a known display device such as a liquid crystal display. The input unit 32B receives various operation instructions from the user. The input unit 32B is, for example, a keyboard.

  The storage unit 34 stores various data and a plurality of reference profiles received from the image forming apparatus 14. The storage unit 20 is, for example, an HDD (hard disk drive). In the present embodiment, the storage unit 34 stores management information and history information.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of each of management information and history information. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of management information. The management information is information in which the reference profile 24 received from each information processing apparatus 12 connected to the network 16 is associated with the first information 24B included in the reference profile 24. That is, the management information includes a plurality of reference profiles 24. The data format of the management information may be a table or a DB (database), and is not limited.

  FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of history information. The history information is information indicating a selection history in which the user operating the information processing apparatus 12 has selected the first identification information of the reference profile 24. The history information includes, for example, user identification information, first identification information selected by the user identified by the user identification information (identification information of the reference profile 24), the number of selections of the first identification information, and the first identification information. This is information that associates the selected time with the selected time. The data format of the history information may be a table or a DB, and is not limited.

  The number of selections of the first identification information indicates the number of times that the user identified by the corresponding user identification information has selected the reference profile identified by the corresponding first identification information.

  The selection time of the first identification information indicates the time when the user identified by the corresponding user identification information selects the reference profile identified by the corresponding first identification information. The selection time may be a date and time, or a date. FIG. 6B shows, as an example, a case where the selection time indicates the selected month.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the control unit 30 controls the information processing apparatus 12. The information processing apparatus 12 includes a communication unit 30A, an acquisition unit 30B, a storage control unit 30C, an update unit 30D, a first display control unit 30E, a reception unit 30F, a first conversion unit 30G, and a third conversion A unit 30H, a second display control unit 30I, and a print data generation unit 30J.

  Communication unit 30A, acquisition unit 30B, storage control unit 30C, update unit 30D, first display control unit 30E, reception unit 30F, first conversion unit 30G, third conversion unit 30H, second display control unit 30I, and print data A part or all of the generation unit 30J, for example, causes a processing device such as a CPU to execute a program, that is, may be realized by software, may be realized by hardware such as an IC, and software and You may implement | achieve using hardware together.

  The communication unit 30 </ b> A communicates with other devices via the network 16. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 30 </ b> A exchanges data with the image forming apparatus 14 via the network 16.

  The acquisition unit 30B acquires a reference profile. In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 30 </ b> B acquires a plurality of reference profiles 24 from each of one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses 14 via the network 16. The storage control unit 30C stores the reference profile 24 acquired by the acquisition unit 30B in the storage unit 34.

  Specifically, the storage control unit 30C reads the first information 24B from the reference profile 24 acquired by the acquisition unit 30B, associates the read first information 24B with the reference profile 24, and registers them in the management information. . As a result, the storage control unit 30C stores the reference profile 24 in the storage unit 34.

  Further, the storage control unit 30C stores the reference profile 24 acquired by the acquisition unit 30B in a predetermined area (folder) of the storage unit 34. This folder is, for example, a folder installed in advance in the control unit 30 and referred to when a profile selection screen is displayed by a document data editing application.

  The update unit 30D updates the management information stored in the storage unit 34. The acquisition unit 30 </ b> B acquires the latest reference profile 24 from each of one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses 14 connected to the network 16 via the network 16.

  The update unit 30D associates the latest reference profile 24 acquired by the acquisition unit 30B with the first information 24B included in the reference profile 24 and registers it in the management information. By this registration process, the update unit 30D updates the management information.

  The accepting unit 30F accepts input of user identification information from the input unit 32B. The user identification information received by the receiving unit 30 </ b> F is user identification information of a user who creates or edits document data using the information processing apparatus 12.

  The first display control unit 30E displays a list of first identification information of the plurality of reference profiles 24 stored in the storage unit 34 on the display unit 32A.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the display screen.

  For example, when a document data editing application installed in advance in the control unit 30 is activated, the first display control unit 30E displays the display screen 60 on the display unit 32A (see FIG. 7A). .

  The display screen 60 includes at least a display area 60A and a display area 60C. The display area 60A is an original image display area of the original data 40A to be edited by the user. The document data 40A to be edited by the user is, for example, document data 40A selected by an operation instruction of the input unit 32B by the user. For example, the user operates the input unit 32B to select the document data 40A to be edited from the plurality of document data 40A stored in the storage unit 34.

  Then, the first display control unit 30E displays the original image of the selected original data 40A in the display area 60A.

  For example, it is assumed that the print color simulation selection field 60F is selected via the selection screen 60E for instructing execution of the detailed setting in accordance with an operation instruction of the input unit 32B by the user.

  Then, the first display control unit 30E displays a profile selection screen 60G on the display area 60C. The profile selection screen 60G includes at least a list of first identification information of the plurality of reference profiles 24 stored in the storage unit 34.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 7B, “AAA”, “BBB”, “CCC”, and “DDD” are listed as first identification information of the reference profile 24 on the profile selection screen 60G.

  In addition, when the display instruction of all the profiles is given by the operation instruction of the input unit 32B by the user, the first display control unit 30E displays the first identification information of the reference profile 24 and a profile other than the reference profile 24 (for example, All of the identification information of the output profile or input profile registered in advance in the information processing apparatus 12 may be displayed on the profile selection screen 60G.

  Further, when a display instruction for only the reference profile 24 is given by an operation instruction of the input unit 32B by the user, the first display control unit 30E lists the first identification information of the reference profile 24 stored in the storage unit 34. Are displayed on the profile selection screen 60G.

  For this reason, the information processing apparatus 12 can provide the user with easy confirmation of whether the profile is the reference profile 24 or a profile other than the reference profile 24.

  The first display control unit 30E includes the first identification information of the reference profile and the second identification information, the third identification information, the fourth identification information, the medium type information, and the first information included in the first information of the reference profile. At least one of the five pieces of identification information may be displayed in association with the display unit 32A. Further, the first display control unit 30E may display the installation position information on the display unit 32A in association with the first identification information.

  FIG. 7C shows the first identification information of the reference profile and the second identification information, the third identification information, the fourth identification information, the medium type information, the fifth identification information included in the first information of the reference profile, It is a figure which shows an example which matched and installation position information and displayed on the profile selection screen 60G of 32 A of display parts.

  As shown in FIG. 7C, the first identification information (reference profile identification information), the second identification information (input profile identification information), the third identification information (output profile identification information), and the medium Seed information, fourth identification information (identification information of the image forming apparatus 14, for example, the name of the image forming apparatus), fifth identification information (identification information of the color space conversion method (rendering intent)), installation position information, May be displayed in association with each other on the profile selection screen 60G.

  For this reason, the information processing apparatus 12 can provide information with which the reference profile 24 can be easily recognized. That is, the information processing apparatus 12 allows each reference profile 24 to be applied to what input profile, what output profile, what color space conversion method, and what kind of recording medium. Whether it is information or not can be provided so that it can be easily confirmed. Further, the information processing apparatus 12 can also provide an installation position of the image forming apparatus 14 that is a provider of each reference profile 24 so that it can be easily confirmed.

  Note that the display order of the first identification information of the reference profile 24 displayed on the profile selection screen 60G is not limited. However, it is preferable that the first display control unit 30E rearranges and displays the first identification information of the reference profile 24 on the display unit 32A according to the history information.

  For example, the first display control unit 30E specifies a list of first identification information corresponding to the user identification information received by the receiving unit 30F in the history information stored in the storage unit 34. Thereby, the first display control unit 30E specifies the first identification information of the reference profile 24 selected in the past by the user identified by the user identification information. Then, the first display control unit 30E rearranges the identified first identification information in ascending order or descending order in descending order of the corresponding selection count, and displays it on the profile selection screen 60G.

  The first display control unit 30E is a first identification in which the number of selections corresponding to the user identification information received by the receiving unit 30F is not registered among the first identification information of the reference profile 24 registered in the management information. Information may be rearranged on the assumption that the number of times of selection is “0” and included in the profile selection screen 60G.

  In addition, for example, the first display control unit 30E specifies a list of selected first identification information corresponding to the user identification information received by the receiving unit 30F in the history information stored in the storage unit 34. Thereby, the first display control unit 30E specifies the first identification information of the reference profile 24 selected in the past by the user identified by the user identification information. Then, the first display control unit 30E may display a list in which the identified first identification information is rearranged according to the selection time corresponding to the time when the input of the user identification information is received on the display unit 32A. Good.

  For example, the first display control unit 30E arranges the first identification information having a high degree of coincidence between the time when the input of the user identification information is accepted and the selection time stored in the history information in ascending or descending order, and the profile selection screen What is necessary is just to display on 60G.

  The first display control unit 30E is the first identification information in which the selection time corresponding to the user identification information received by the receiving unit 30F is not registered among the first identification information of the reference profile registered in the management information. Are selected as the time when the selection unit 30F is farthest from the time when the receiving unit 30F has received the user identification information, and may be displayed in the profile selection screen 60G.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the receiving unit 30 </ b> F further receives selection of one first identification information from the displayed list of first identification information.

  For example, it is assumed that the profile selection screen 60G shown in FIG. 7B or 7C is displayed on the display unit 32A. The user operates the input unit 32B to select the first identification information of the reference profile desired to confirm the print image from the list of first identification information displayed on the profile selection screen 60G. . Then, the accepting unit 30F accepts one first identification information selected by an instruction of the input unit 32B by the user.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the first conversion unit 30G converts the document data 40A to be printed into the common color space of the print color gamut 40E indicated by the reference profile 24 identified by the first identification information that has been selected. .

  The second conversion unit 30H performs color conversion on the document data 40C in the common color space of the print color gamut 40E converted by the first conversion unit 30G using a display profile indicating the color space of the display unit 32A, and displays a display image. Generate data. For this reason, the color gamut of the display image data indicates 42 print color gamuts 40E selected by the user. The display profile includes a conversion table indicating the correspondence between the color space of the display image displayed on the display unit 32A and the common color space.

  Here, the image processing applied to the document data 40A will be described in more detail. 8 to 10 are explanatory diagrams of image processing applied to the document data 40A.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of image processing performed on the document data 40A when printing is performed.

  For example, assume that the color space of the document data 40A to be printed is RGB as shown in FIG. Assume that the color gamut of the color space of the document data 40A is the color gamut indicated by the color gamut 40B.

  When an image is printed by the image forming apparatus 14, the original color data 40A in the RGB color space is converted into a common color space using the input profile embedded in the original data 40A, and the color gamut 40B in the common color space. Original data 40C (see FIG. 8B).

  Then, the original data 40C in the color gamut 40B of the common color space is further used by the designated color space conversion method (rendering intent) by using the output profile stored in the image forming apparatus 14 and the image forming apparatus 14. Is converted to output data 40D in the print color gamut 40E in the color space depending on the color (see FIG. 8C). The color space depending on the image forming apparatus 14 is, for example, a CMYK color space.

  Therefore, the color space and the print color gamut of the print image printed by the image forming apparatus 14 are, for example, the CMYK color space and the print color gamut 40E shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of conventional image processing when a preview image is displayed.

  Conventionally, when a preview image obtained by estimating the print result of the document data 40A is displayed on the display unit 32A, the document data 40A is a document in the color gamut 40B of the common color space using an input profile embedded in the document data 40A. It was converted to data 40C (see FIGS. 9A and 9B). Further, the original data 40C in the common color space of the color gamut 40B is converted into a color space (for example, RGB) depending on the display unit 32A using the display profile of the display unit 32A, and is displayed as display image data 420F. (See FIGS. 9B and 9C). The display image data 420F is displayed on the display unit 32A as a preview image.

  As described above, conventionally, the preview image is generated using the document data 40C of the common color space obtained by converting only the color space while maintaining the color gamut 40B of the document data 40A. For this reason, conventionally, the color gamut 40B of the display image data 420F used for the preview image is the color gamut 40B of the document data 40A and has a color gamut different from the print color gamut 40E of the print image printed by the image forming apparatus 14. there were.

  For this reason, conventionally, a preview image having a color different from the actual print image is displayed on the display unit 32A, and the color reproducibility may be inferior.

  On the other hand, in the information processing apparatus 12 of the present embodiment, the first conversion unit 30G has the print color gamut 40E indicated by the reference profile 24 identified by the first identification information that has received selection of the document data 40A to be printed. To the common color space.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of image processing when a preview image is displayed in the present embodiment.

  The first conversion unit 30G uses the reference profile 24 identified by the first identification information accepted for selection instead of the input profile embedded in the document data 40A to convert the document data 40A in the color gamut 40B to the reference data. Conversion is made to a common color space of the print color gamut 40E shown in the profile 24, and document data 50C of the common color space of the print color gamut 40E is generated (see FIGS. 10A and 10B).

  Therefore, the document data 50C in the common color space is represented not by the color gamut 40B of the document data 40A but by the print color gamut 40E of a print image obtained by printing the document data 40A by the image forming apparatus 14 (FIG. 10). (See (B)).

  Then, the second conversion unit 30H converts the document data 50C in the common color space of the print color gamut 40E into a color space (eg, RGB) depending on the display unit 32A using the display profile of the display unit 32A. Display image data 50F is generated.

  For this reason, the display image data 50F in the color space depending on the display unit 32A generated by the second conversion unit 30H is not the color gamut 40B of the document data 40A but the image data represented by the print color gamut 40E of the print image. It becomes.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the second display control unit 30I displays the image of the display image data 50F generated by the second conversion unit 30H on the display unit 32A as a preview image in which the print result is estimated.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, the second display control unit 30I displays the display image data 50F in the display area 60C of the display screen 60. For this reason, a preview image with high color reproducibility of the print result corresponding to the selected reference profile 24 is displayed in the display region 60C.

  The print data generation unit 30J generates print data. The print data generation unit 30J generates print data including document data 40A selected as a print target, medium type information to be printed, and fifth identification information for identifying a color space conversion method. The print data generation unit 30J reads the first information 24B of the reference profile 24 identified by the first identification information received by the reception unit 30F immediately before the print execution instruction. Then, the medium type information included in the read first information 24B and the fifth identification information for identifying the color space conversion method may be read to generate print data including these.

  If the selection of the first identification information of the reference profile by the user is not accepted, the print data generation unit 30J identifies the document data 40A and the medium type information and the color space conversion method that are predetermined as standard settings. Print data including the fifth identification information to be generated may be generated.

  Then, the print data generation unit 30J transmits the generated print data to the image forming apparatus 14.

  Next, an information processing procedure executed by the information processing system 10 will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information processing procedure executed by the image forming apparatus 14.

  First, the control unit 18 determines whether or not an instruction to create the reference profile 24 has been given (step S100). The control unit 18 performs the determination in step S <b> 100 by determining whether an instruction to create the reference profile 24 is received from the UI unit 21 by the user's operation of the UI unit 21.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S100 (step S100: Yes), the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, the generation unit 18D creates an output profile (step S102). Next, the generation unit 18D adjusts the output profile created in step S102 using each of the four types of color space conversion methods (rendering intents) (step S104).

  Next, the generation unit 18D creates the reference profile 24 (step S106). As described above, the generation unit 18D uses the color space 40B (see FIG. 4A) of the color space depending on the image forming apparatus 14 of the document data 40A and the common color space of the output data 40F adjusted in step S104. The first conversion table 24C showing the corresponding relationship between the print color gamut 40E (see FIG. 4D) is generated. Then, a reference profile 24 including each of the generated first conversion tables 24C is created. Then, the generation unit 18D stores the generated reference profile 24 in the storage unit 20.

  Next, the generation unit 18D transmits the generated reference profile 24 to the image forming apparatus 14 via the transmission unit 18B (step S108). Then, this routine ends.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S100 (step S100: No), the process proceeds to step S110.

  In step S110, the receiving unit 18C determines whether print data has been received from the information processing apparatus 12 (step S110). If a negative determination is made in step S110 (step S110: No), this routine ends.

  On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S110 (step S110: Yes), the process proceeds to step S112. In step S112, the image processing unit 18E performs the above-described image processing on the print data, and generates output data 40D (step S112). Next, the print control unit 18F controls the image forming unit 22 to print an image on a recording medium using the output data 40D generated in step S112 (step S114). Then, this routine ends.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information processing procedure executed by the information processing apparatus 12.

  First, the communication unit 30A of the information processing apparatus 12 determines whether or not the reference profile 24 is received from the image forming apparatus 14 (step S200). If an affirmative determination is made in step S200 (step S200: Yes), the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, the acquisition unit 30B acquires the reference profile 24 (step S202).

  Next, the storage control unit 30C stores the reference profile 24 acquired in step S202 in the storage unit 34 (step S204). In step S204, the update unit 30D may execute an update process for registering the reference profile 24 acquired in step S202 in the management information in the storage unit 34.

  Then, this routine ends.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S200 (step S200: No), the process proceeds to step S206.

  In step S206, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the document data editing application is activated in response to an operation instruction from the input unit 32B by the user and the document data 40A to be printed is selected (step S206). If a negative determination is made in step S206 (step S206: No), this routine ends.

  In step S206, the first display control unit 30E displays a user identification information input screen of the user who operates the application before starting the application for editing document data. Then, when user identification information is input by an operation instruction of the input unit 32B by the user, the reception unit 30F uses the received user identification information as the user identification information of the user who is operating the application to the storage unit 34. Remember. The user identification information may be deleted from the storage unit 34 by the updating unit 30D when the application is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S206 (step S206: Yes), the process proceeds to step S208.

  In step S208, the first display control unit 30E displays the display screen 60 on the display unit 32A, and displays the document image of the document data 40A selected in step S206 in the display area 60A (see FIG. 7A). ).

  Next, in step S210, the first display control unit 30E determines whether or not an instruction to execute a printing color simulation has been given (step S210). If a negative determination is made in step S210 (step S210: No), the process proceeds to step S226. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S210 (step S210: Yes), the process proceeds to step S212.

  In step S212, the first display control unit 30E displays a list of first identification information of each of the plurality of reference profiles 24 stored in the storage unit 34 on the display unit 32A (step S212). For example, as described above, the first display control unit 30E displays the profile selection screen 60G on the display area 60C. The profile selection screen 60G includes at least a list of first identification information of the plurality of reference profiles 24 stored in the storage unit 34.

  At this time, as described above, the first display control unit 30E responds to the user identification information of the user who is operating the document data editing application stored in the storage unit 34 in step S206 and the history information. The rearranged list of the first identification information may be displayed on the display unit 32A.

  Next, a negative determination is repeated until the reception unit 30F determines from the list of first identification information displayed in step S212 that the selection of one first identification information has been received (step S214: No). If the receiving unit 30F determines that the selection of one piece of first identification information has been received (step S214: Yes), the process proceeds to step S216.

  In step S216, the updating unit 30D stores the first identification information selected in step S214 and the selection time in the history information in association with the user identification information stored in the storage unit 34 in step S206. Further, the updating unit 30D counts up the number of selections corresponding to the first identification information selected in Step S214 by “1” in association with the user identification information stored in the storage unit 34 in Step S206. Thereby, the update unit 30D updates the history information.

  Next, the first conversion unit 30G displays the print color gamut 40E indicated by the reference profile 24 identified by the first identification information received in step S214 with the document data 40A to be printed selected in step S206. To the common color space (step S218).

  Next, the second conversion unit 30H converts the document data 40C in the common color space of the print color gamut 40E converted by the first conversion unit 30G in step S218 using a display profile indicating the color space of the display unit 32A. Color conversion is performed to generate display image data (step S220).

  Next, the second display control unit 30I displays the image of the display image data 50F generated by the process of step S220 on the display unit 32A as a preview image obtained by estimating the print result (step S222).

  Next, the control unit 30 determines whether or not to end the printing color simulation (step S224). The control unit 30 determines whether or not an end instruction is received from the input unit 32B according to an operation instruction of the input unit 32B by the user, thereby performing the determination in step S224.

  If a negative determination is made in step S224 (step S224: No), the process returns to step S212. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step 224 (step S224: Yes), the process proceeds to step S226.

  In step S226, it is determined whether or not the receiving unit 30F has received a print instruction (step S226). The determination in step S226 is performed by determining whether or not the receiving unit 30F has received a print instruction from the input unit 32B based on an operation instruction of the input unit 32B by the user.

If a negative determination is made in step S226 (step S226: No), this routine ends. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S226 (step S226: Yes), the process proceeds to step S228.

  In step S228, the print data generation unit 30J generates print data (step SS228). Then, the print data generating unit 30J transmits the generated print data to the image forming apparatus 14 (step S230), and this routine is finished.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment includes the storage unit 34, the first display control unit 30E, the reception unit 30F, the first conversion unit 30G, the second conversion unit 30H, 2 display control unit 30I. The storage unit 34 stores a plurality of reference profiles 24. The reference profile 24 includes a first conversion table 24C. The first conversion table 24C converts the color space and the print color gamut 40E of the print image to be printed by the image forming apparatus 14 into the print color gamut 40E of the device-independent common color space. A correspondence relationship between the area 40E and the color gamut 40B of the color space of the document data 40A is shown.

  The first display control unit 30E displays a list of first identification information of the plurality of reference profiles 24 on the display unit 32A. The accepting unit 30F accepts selection of one first identification information from the displayed list of first identification information. The first conversion unit 30G converts the document data 40A to be printed into a common color space of the print color gamut 40E indicated by the reference profile 24 identified by the first identification information that has been selected. The second conversion unit 30H performs color conversion on the document data 50C converted by the first conversion unit 30G using a display profile indicating the color space of the display unit 32A, and generates display image data 50F. The second display control unit 30I displays the image of the display image data 50F on the display unit 32A as a preview image in which the print result is estimated.

  As described above, in the information processing apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment, the first conversion unit 30G prints the document color 40A to be printed, which is indicated by the reference profile 24 identified by the first identification information that has been selected. Conversion to the common color space of the area 40E. Then, the second conversion unit 30H performs color conversion on the document data 50C converted by the first conversion unit 30G using a display profile indicating the color space of the display unit 32A, and generates display image data 50F. The second display control unit 30I displays the image of the display image data 50F on the display unit 32A as a preview image in which the print result is estimated.

  For this reason, the display image data 50F in the color space depending on the display unit 32A generated by the second conversion unit 30H is not the color gamut 40B of the document data 40A but the image data represented by the print color gamut 40E of the print image. It becomes. In the information processing apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment, the G image of the display image data 50F in the print color gamut 40E is displayed on the display unit 32A as a preview image.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment can display a preview image with high color reproducibility for an actual print image.

  The reference profile 24 preferably further includes first information 24B including second identification information, third identification information, fourth identification information, fifth identification information, and medium type information.

  The second identification information is identification information of an input profile including a second conversion table indicating the correspondence between the color space of the document data 40A and the common color space. The third identification information is identification information of the output profile. This output profile includes a third conversion table indicating the correspondence between the color space of the print image determined by the medium type of the recording medium to be printed by the image forming apparatus 14 from which the reference profile 24 is acquired and the common color space. The fourth identification information is identification information of the image forming apparatus 14. The fifth identification information is identification information of the color space conversion method used when the color gamut of the document data 40A is converted to the print color gamut 40E. The medium type information indicates the medium type of the recording medium.

  The first display control unit 30E includes the second identification information, the third identification information, the fourth identification information, the medium type information, and the first identification information of the reference profile 24 and the first information 24B of the reference profile 24. It is preferable that at least one of the fifth identification information is displayed in association with the display unit 32A.

  The first information 24 </ b> B preferably further includes installation position information indicating the installation position of the image forming apparatus 14. In this case, the first display control unit 30E includes the second identification information, the third identification information, the fourth identification information, and the medium type included in the first identification information of the reference profile 24 and the first information 24B of the reference profile 24. It is preferable that at least one of the information, the fifth identification information, and the installation position information is displayed in association with the display unit 32A.

  The accepting unit 30F accepts input of user identification information. The storage unit 34 further stores history information. The history information is information in which the user identification information, the first identification information selected by the user identified by the user identification information, and the number of selections of the first identification information are associated with each other. The first display control unit 30E preferably displays on the display unit 32A a list in which the first identification information included in the history information is rearranged according to the number of selections corresponding to the received user identification information.

  The storage unit 34 further stores history information in which the user identification information, the first identification information selected by the user identified by the user identification information, and the selection time of the first identification information are associated with each other. Also good. In this case, the first display control unit 30E displays a list in which the first identification information included in the history information is rearranged according to the selection time corresponding to the time when the input of the user identification information is received on the display unit 32A. It is preferable.

  FIG. 13 is a hardware configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus 12 and the image forming apparatus 14. The information processing apparatus 12 and the image forming apparatus 14 have, as hardware configurations, a CPU 2901 that controls the entire apparatus, a ROM 2902 that stores various data and various programs, a RAM 2903 that stores various data and various programs, and a display device 2904. The interface mainly includes an interface (I / F) unit 2905 such as a UI unit 21 and an I / F unit 2906 that communicates with an external device, and has a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

  The information processing program executed by the information processing apparatus 12 and the image forming apparatus 14 of the above embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD. It is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as (Digital Versatile Disk) and provided as a computer program product.

  In addition, the information processing program executed by the information processing apparatus 12 and the image forming apparatus 14 of the above-described embodiment is provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. It may be configured. Further, the information processing program executed by the information processing apparatus 12 and the image forming apparatus 14 of the above-described embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  Further, the information processing program executed by the information processing apparatus 12 and the image forming apparatus 14 according to the above-described embodiment may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The information processing program executed by the information processing apparatus 12 and the image forming apparatus 14 according to the above embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described units. As actual hardware, a CPU (processor) is used from the recording medium. By reading and executing the program, the above-described units are loaded on the main storage device, and the above-described units are generated on the main storage device.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined. Various modifications are possible.

12 Information processing device 30E First display control unit 30F Reception unit 30G First conversion unit 30H Second conversion unit 30I Second display control unit 34 Storage unit

JP 2014-207528 A

Claims (8)

The color space and print color gamut of a print image to be printed by the image forming apparatus are converted to the print color gamut of the device independent common color space, and the color of the print color gamut of the common color space and the color space of the document data A storage unit that stores a plurality of reference profiles, including a first conversion table that indicates a correspondence relationship between
A first display control unit for displaying a list of first identification information of the plurality of reference profiles on a display unit;
A receiving unit for receiving selection of one piece of the first identification information from the displayed list of the first identification information;
A first conversion unit that converts document data to be printed into the common color space of the print color gamut indicated by the reference profile identified by the first identification information that has been selected;
A second conversion unit configured to color-convert the original data converted by the first conversion unit using a display profile indicating a color space of the display unit and generate display image data;
A second display control unit that displays an image of the display image data on the display unit as a preview image obtained by estimating a printing result;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The reference profile is:
Second identification information of an input profile including a second conversion table indicating the correspondence between the color space of the document data and the common color space, and a recording medium medium to be printed by the image forming apparatus from which the reference profile is acquired Third identification information of the output profile including a third conversion table indicating the correspondence between the color space of the print image determined by the seed and the common color space, the fourth identification information of the image forming apparatus, and the color of the document data Further including first information including fifth identification information of the color space conversion method used when converting the area into the print color gamut and medium type information indicating the medium type.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The first display control unit includes:
The second identification information, the third identification information, the fourth identification information, the medium type information, and the fifth information included in the first identification information of the reference profile and the first information of the reference profile. Displaying at least one piece of identification information in association with the display unit;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. The first information includes installation position information indicating an installation position of the image forming apparatus,
The first display control unit includes:
The first identification information of the reference profile and the second identification information, the third identification information, the fourth identification information, the medium type information, and the fifth identification included in the first information of the reference profile Information and at least one of the installation position information are displayed on the display unit in association with each other.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. A reception unit for receiving input of user identification information;
The storage unit
Further storing history information associating the user identification information, the first identification information selected by the user identified by the user identification information, and the number of selections of the first identification information,
The first display control unit includes:
Displaying the list in which the first identification information included in the history information is rearranged according to the number of selections corresponding to the received user identification information, on the display unit;
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A reception unit for receiving input of user identification information;
The storage unit
Further storing history information associating the user identification information, the first identification information selected by the user identified by the user identification information, and the selection time of the first identification information;
The first display control unit includes:
Displaying the list in which the first identification information included in the history information is rearranged according to the selection time corresponding to the time when the input of the user identification information is received, on the display unit;
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The color space and print color gamut of a print image to be printed by the image forming apparatus are converted to the print color gamut of the device independent common color space, and the color of the print color gamut of the common color space and the color space of the document data Storing a plurality of reference profiles in a storage unit, including a first conversion table indicating a correspondence relationship with the area;
Displaying a list of first identification information of a plurality of the reference profiles on a display unit;
Receiving one selection of the first identification information from the displayed list of the first identification information;
Converting document data to be printed into the common color space of the print color gamut indicated by the reference profile identified by the first identification information that has been selected;
Color-converting the converted document data using a display profile indicating a color space of the display unit to generate display image data;
Displaying the image of the display image data on the display unit as a preview image with an estimated print result;
Including an information processing method. The color space and print color gamut of a print image to be printed by the image forming apparatus are converted to the print color gamut of the device independent common color space, and the color of the print color gamut of the common color space and the color space of the document data Storing a plurality of reference profiles in a storage unit, including a first conversion table indicating a correspondence relationship with the area;
Displaying a list of first identification information of a plurality of the reference profiles on a display unit;
Receiving one selection of the first identification information from the displayed list of the first identification information;
Converting document data to be printed into the common color space of the print color gamut indicated by the reference profile identified by the first identification information that has been selected;
Color-converting the converted document data using a display profile indicating a color space of the display unit to generate display image data;
Displaying the image of the display image data on the display unit as a preview image with an estimated print result;
An information processing program that causes a computer to execute.