JP2017097600A - Information processing apparatus, program, and image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus which can notify a user when a color cannot be reproduced as desired by the user, a program, and an image processing system.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes input means, evaluation means, and output means. The input means receives a print instruction input for printing document data. The evaluation means evaluates consistency between an input profile that indicates property on color management of a device generating image data of the document data, and an output profile on color management in printing the document data. The output means outputs absence of consistency when the evaluation means evaluates that there is no consistency.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a program, and an image processing system.

  Color management technology is known using a profile (for example, ICC profile) describing a correspondence relationship between a color space (for example, RGB or CMYK) depending on a specific device and a color space (for example, CIELAB or CIEXYZ) independent of the device. Yes.

  Cited Document 1 discloses a color management technique for performing a gamut mapping process using an input profile in order to suppress a color difference among a plurality of output devices. The technique described in Patent Document 1 suppresses a difference in output color among a plurality of output devices by deriving a PCS (Profile Connection Space) value based on an output profile of one or a plurality of output devices. Can do.

  However, when the document is data in a format having an input profile for each of a plurality of images, the intended color cannot be reproduced due to different output devices assumed between the plurality of input profiles and the output profile. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides an information processing apparatus, a program, and an image processing system that can notify a user when a color as intended by the user cannot be reproduced. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an input unit, an evaluation unit, and an output unit. The input means receives an input of a print instruction for printing document data. Whether the evaluation means has consistency between an input profile indicating characteristics relating to color management of an apparatus that has generated image data included in the original data and an output profile relating to color management when the original data is printed To evaluate. The output means outputs that there is no consistency when the evaluation means evaluates that there is no consistency.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to notify the user when the color as intended by the user cannot be reproduced.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the image processing system. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of document data. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the operation device. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the profile evaluation apparatus. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image data control apparatus. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the profile management apparatus. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the operation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the profile evaluation apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the image data control apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the profile management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the printing process. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the profile evaluation process. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the profile information acquisition process. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the object data evaluation process. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an input profile generation flow corresponding to a plurality of image forming apparatuses. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of profile information acquisition processing. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of profile information acquisition processing. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the object data evaluation process. FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a profile evaluation policy registration process. FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the profile evaluation process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing apparatus, a program, and an image processing system will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment described below is an embodiment of the information processing apparatus, the program, and the image processing system, and does not limit the configuration, specifications, or the like.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. The image processing system 1 is a system that performs color management for performing color matching of images output from one or a plurality of apparatuses. The image processing system 1 performs color matching based on a profile such as an ICC (International Color Consortium) profile that describes the correspondence between a color space that depends on a specific device and a color space that does not depend on the device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 1 includes an operation device 10, a profile evaluation device 20, an image data control device 30, a profile management device 40, and an image forming device 50. The operation device 10, the profile evaluation device 20, the image data control device 30, the profile management device 40, and the image forming device 50 are connected via a communication network 60 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The operation device 10 is a personal computer or the like on which a user using the image processing system 1 inputs various operations. The user uses the operation device 10 to create document data having one or a plurality of image data and text. Further, the user uses the operation device 10 for an operation for printing the document data on the image forming apparatus 50 and an operation for displaying the print status of the document data.

  The profile evaluation device 20 is an information processing device that evaluates an output profile embedded in document data and an input profile embedded in each of image data included in the document data. Here, the output profile is data indicating characteristics relating to color management of the image forming apparatus 50 when the document data is printed out. The image forming apparatus 50 can express the color intended by the user by performing color matching based on the output profile. More specifically, the output profile is set for a gamut mapping process for converting document data into a color that can be reproduced by the image forming apparatus 50 that prints document data via a device-independent color space (for example, CIELAB or CIEXYZ). The input profile is data indicating characteristics relating to color management of a device such as a digital camera or a scanner that generates image data. Then, the profile evaluation apparatus 20 uniquely sets the gamut mapping processing for the consistency of the input profile setting to the image data, the presence / absence of the setting of the gamut mapping processing of the input profile, and the entire document data having a plurality of image data. Evaluate whether or not.

  The image data control device 30 is a server device that controls print settings for image data. The image data control device 30 determines whether or not to cause the image forming device 50 to print document data based on the evaluation result by the profile evaluation device 20. When the image forming apparatus 50 does not print the document data, the image data control apparatus 30 notifies the operation apparatus 10 that printing is not performed. On the other hand, the image data control device 30 performs print settings such as for photographs at the time of printing, graphics, and minimum color difference when the image forming apparatus 50 prints document data.

  The profile management device 40 is a server device that manages profile information of output profiles and input profiles. Then, the profile management device 40 provides profile information and information about the image forming apparatus 50 to be output.

  The image forming apparatus 50 is an apparatus that prints document data. More specifically, the image forming apparatus 50 is an apparatus having a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, a printer function, and the like. Further, the image forming apparatus 50 may be a multifunction machine having at least two of these functions. The image forming apparatus 50 performs rendering on the document data using the input profile and the output profile. The image forming apparatus 50 prints an image formed using a color material such as ink or toner on a recording medium such as paper or an OHP (Over Head Projector) sheet.

  The image processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an operation device 10, a profile evaluation device 20, an image data control device 30, a profile management device 40, and an image forming device 50 in the same communication network 60. However, the operation device 10, the profile evaluation device 20, the image data control device 30, the profile management device 40, and the image forming device 50 do not necessarily have to be on the same communication network, but on communication networks of different segments connected to the network. May be arranged respectively.

  The operation device 10, the profile evaluation device 20, the image data control device 30, the profile management device 40, and the image forming device 50 may be configured by a plurality of devices that are independent for each function, or may be integrated as a single unit. It may be a device. Further, the operation device 10, the profile evaluation device 20, the image data control device 30, the profile management device 40, and the image forming device 50 need not be conscious of being a server group composed of a plurality of devices from the end user. It may be in the form of cloud computing.

  Next, an outline of the image processing system 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the image processing system 1. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the document data M1.

  The operating device 10 creates document data M1. As shown in FIG. 3, the document data M1 includes text data, one or a plurality of object data, and an output profile. Text data is text data. The object data is data relating to an image included in the document data M1. The object data has an input profile associated with the image data. The input profile is data indicating characteristics of a device such as a digital camera or a scanner that has created associated image data. The input profile includes header information and tag information. The header information is various information indicating the input profile. The header information includes, for example, information indicating the presence / absence of gamut mapping processing. The tag information is various information indicating each component of the input profile. The output profile has header information and tag information. The header information is various information indicating an output profile. The tag information is various information indicating each component of the output profile.

  When a print instruction for printing the document data M1 is input to the operation device 10, the profile evaluation device 20 acquires the profile information of the input profile and output profile of the document data M1 from the profile management device 40. Then, the profile evaluation apparatus 20 evaluates the consistency of setting of the input profile and output profile of the document data M1. If there is no consistency, the profile evaluation apparatus 20 notifies the operation apparatus 10 and the image data control apparatus 30 that there is no consistency. The controller device 10 notifies the user that the profile settings are not consistent. The image data control device 30 cancels the print output based on the notification. On the other hand, when there is consistency, the image data control device 30 executes the rendering intent based on the print instruction. The image forming apparatus 50 forms an image of the document data M1 that has been rendered intent on a recording medium such as paper.

  Next, the hardware configuration of each device included in the image processing system 1 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the controller device 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the controller device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a storage unit 14, a display unit 15, an input unit 16, and a communication interface. 17. The CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, storage unit 14, display unit 15, input unit 16, and communication interface 17 are connected to each other via a system bus 18.

  The CPU 11 comprehensively controls the operation of the operation device 10. The ROM 12 is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. The RAM 13 is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and rewrites various data. Then, the CPU 11 executes a program stored in the ROM 12 or the storage unit 14 using the RAM 13 as a work area (work area). Thereby, the CPU 11 controls the overall operation of the operation device 10 and realizes various functions of the operation device 10.

  The storage unit 14 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 14 stores a control program PR1 and the like that exert the functions of the controller device 10.

  The display unit 15 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device (LCD). The display unit 15 is not limited to a liquid crystal display device, and may be an organic EL display device or the like.

  The input unit 16 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The input unit 16 receives an operation of the image processing system 1.

  The communication interface 17 is an interface for connecting to the communication network 60.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the profile evaluation apparatus 20. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the profile evaluation device 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a storage unit 24, and a communication interface 25. The CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, storage unit 24, and communication interface 25 are connected to each other via a system bus 26.

  The CPU 21 controls the overall operation of the profile evaluation device 20. The ROM 22 is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. The RAM 23 is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and rewrites various data. Then, the CPU 21 executes a program stored in the ROM 22 or the storage unit 24 using the RAM 23 as a work area (work area). Thereby, the CPU 21 controls the overall operation of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 and realizes various functions of the profile evaluation apparatus 20.

  The storage unit 24 is, for example, a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The storage unit 24 stores a control program PR2 and the like that exerts the functions of the profile evaluation device 20.

  The communication interface 25 is an interface for connecting to the communication network 60.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image data control device 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the image data control device 30 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a storage unit 34, and a communication interface 35. The CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, storage unit 34, and communication interface 35 are connected to each other via a system bus 36.

  The CPU 31 comprehensively controls the operation of the image data control device 30. The ROM 32 is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. The RAM 33 is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and rewrites various data. Then, the CPU 31 executes a program stored in the ROM 32 or the storage unit 34 using the RAM 33 as a work area (working area). Thereby, the CPU 31 controls the overall operation of the image data control device 30 and realizes various functions of the image data control device 30.

  The storage unit 34 is, for example, a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The storage unit 34 stores a control program PR3 and the like that exerts the functions of the image data control device 30.

  The communication interface 35 is an interface for connecting to the communication network 60.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the profile management device 40. As shown in FIG. 7, the profile management device 40 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a storage unit 44, and a communication interface 45. The CPU 41, ROM 42, RAM 43, storage unit 44, and communication interface 45 are connected to each other via a system bus 46.

  The CPU 41 controls the overall operation of the profile management device 40. The ROM 42 is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. The RAM 43 is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and rewrites various data. Then, the CPU 41 executes a program stored in the ROM 42 or the storage unit 44 using the RAM 43 as a work area (work area). Thereby, the CPU 41 controls the overall operation of the profile management device 40 and realizes various functions of the profile management device 40.

  The storage unit 44 is, for example, a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The storage unit 44 stores a control program PR4 and the like that allows the profile management device 40 to perform its functions. The storage unit 44 stores profile information 441. The profile information 441 is a data entity indicated by header information or tag information of an input profile or an output profile. For example, the profile information 441 includes an input profile color space, output profile color gamut information, one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses 50 to be output, information on gamut mapping processing, a conversion table, and the like. The input profile conversion table is, for example, a conversion table for converting RGB data or the like that can be expressed by the apparatus that generated the image data included in the object data of the document data into a device-independent color space (for example, CIELAB or CIEXYZ). The output profile conversion table is, for example, a conversion table for gamut mapping processing that converts document data into a color space (CMYK) that can be reproduced by the image forming apparatus 50 via a device-independent color space.

  The communication interface 45 is an interface for connecting to the communication network 60.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 50. As shown in FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 50 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a storage unit 54, a communication interface 55, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 56, an image memory 57, and a print engine 58. With. The CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, storage unit 54, communication interface 55, ASIC 56, image memory 57 and print engine 58 are connected to each other via a system bus 59.

  The CPU 51 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 50. The ROM 52 is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. The RAM 53 is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and rewrites various data. Then, the CPU 51 executes a program stored in the ROM 52 or the storage unit 54 using the RAM 53 as a work area (working area). Thereby, the CPU 51 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 50 and realizes various functions of the image forming apparatus 50.

  The storage unit 54 is, for example, a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The storage unit 54 stores a control program PR5 and the like that exerts the functions of the image forming apparatus 50.

  The communication interface 55 is an interface for connecting to the communication network 60.

  The ASIC 56 performs various types of image processing on the document data M1 printed out by the print engine 58. The image memory 57 is a memory for storing document data M1 subjected to image processing by the ASIC 56 and document data M1 printed by the print engine 58. The print engine 58 prints out the document data M1.

  Next, an example of functional blocks of each device of the image processing system 1 will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the operation device 10 according to the embodiment. For convenience, FIG. 9 mainly illustrates the functions according to the embodiment, but the functions of the controller device 10 are not limited to these.

  The CPU 11 of the operation device 10 executes a program stored in a storage device (for example, the ROM 12, the storage unit 14 and the like), thereby performing a communication control unit 101, a notification control unit 102, an operation control unit 103, and a display control unit. 104 is realized.

  The communication control unit 101 controls communication with each device of the image processing system 1 via the communication network 60.

  When the communication control unit 101 receives an evaluation result indicating that the setting of the input profile or the output profile is not consistent, the notification control unit 102 serving as a notification unit performs error processing and reports the result. Specifically, the notification control unit 102 notifies the display unit 15 that the setting of the input profile or the output profile is not consistent. As a result, the notification control unit 102 requests correction of the setting of the input profile or the output profile.

  The operation control unit 103 receives various operations on each device of the image processing system 1 via the input unit 16. For example, the operation control unit 103 receives an input of a print instruction for printing the document data M1. The operation control unit 103 receives an input of a print instruction including print settings. For print settings, perceptual that reproduces gradation smoothly for photographs, saturation for vivid color reproduction for graphics, and colors that can be reproduced by the image forming apparatus 50 without intentional color correction The area has a minimum color difference that is reproduced as faithfully as possible.

  The display control unit 104 controls the display unit 15 to display various screens.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 according to the embodiment. For convenience, FIG. 10 mainly illustrates the functions according to the embodiment, but the functions of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 are not limited to these.

  The CPU 21 of the profile evaluation device 20 executes a program stored in a storage device (for example, the ROM 22, the storage unit 24, etc.) to thereby execute a communication control unit 201, an output profile acquisition unit 202, an object data determination unit 203, A document data determination unit 204 and a gamut mapping determination unit 205 are realized.

  The communication control unit 201 controls communication with each device of the image processing system 1 via the communication network 60. For example, the communication control unit 201 serving as an input unit receives a print instruction and document data M1 to be printed from the operation device 10. Alternatively, the communication control unit 201 that is an output unit transmits the evaluation results by the object data determination unit 203, the document data determination unit 204, and the gamut mapping determination unit 205 that are evaluation units. That is, when the object data determination unit 203, the document data determination unit 204, and the gamut mapping determination unit 205 determine that there is no consistency, the communication control unit 201 transmits an evaluation result indicating that there is no consistency. On the other hand, when the object data determination unit 203, the document data determination unit 204, and the gamut mapping determination unit 205 determine that there is consistency, the communication control unit 201 transmits an evaluation result indicating that there is consistency. Alternatively, the communication control unit 201 causes the image data control device 30 to transmit print setting change information described later.

  The output profile acquisition unit 202 acquires an output profile from the document data M1 received by the communication control unit 201.

  The object data determination unit 203 acquires object data from the document data M1 received by the communication control unit 201. Further, the object data determination unit 203 acquires image data and an input profile from the object data. Then, the object data determination unit 203 evaluates whether the image data of the object data and the input profile have setting consistency. In addition, the object data determination unit 203 evaluates the presence or absence of setting consistency for the output profile acquired by the output profile acquisition unit 202. That is, the object data determination unit 203 evaluates whether there is a setting consistency for the header information, tag information, and profile information 441 of the input profile and output profile.

  Specifically, the object data determination unit 203 matches the one or more image forming apparatuses 50 set in the input profile with the one or more image forming apparatuses 50 set in the output profile. Whether the setting is consistent or not is evaluated. Then, the object data determination unit 203 matches when one or more image forming apparatuses 50 set in the input profile match one or more image forming apparatuses 50 set in the output profile. Assess that there is sex. On the other hand, the object data determination unit 203 matches when one or more image forming apparatuses 50 set in the input profile and one or more image forming apparatuses 50 set in the output profile do not match. Assess that there is no sex. Alternatively, the object data determination unit 203 evaluates whether the color gamut of the conversion table of the output profile is included in the color gamut of the conversion table of the output profile. Then, the object data determination unit 203 evaluates that there is consistency when the color gamut of the conversion table of the input profile is included in the color gamut of the conversion table of the output profile. On the other hand, the object data determination unit 203 evaluates that there is no consistency when the color gamut of the conversion table of the output profile does not include the color gamut of the conversion table of the input profile.

  The document data determination unit 204 evaluates whether the entire document data M1 has setting consistency. That is, the document data determination unit 204 evaluates whether or not there is setting consistency among a plurality of input profiles included in the document data M1. For example, the document data determination unit 204 evaluates that there is no consistency when there is a setting conflict between a plurality of input profiles included in the document data M1. For example, the manuscript data determination unit 204 evaluates that there is no consistency when a plurality of input profiles including the manuscript data M1 are mixed with those having no gamut mapping.

  The gamut mapping determination unit 205 evaluates whether the setting of gamut mapping processing is included in the input profile from the header information or the conversion table. Then, the gamut mapping determination unit 205 changes the print setting so that the color difference is minimized regardless of the setting designated by the print instruction when the gamut mapping process setting is included in the input profile. Request. That is, the gamut mapping determination unit 205 causes the communication control unit 201 to transmit print setting change information requesting to change the print setting so that the color difference is minimized.

  Here, the print setting in the print instruction includes a setting called a perceptual that smoothly reproduces gradation when printing a photograph or the like. The perceptual conversion table places importance on gradation. That is, the perceptual conversion table is a table that converts data in the vicinity of the color gamut outline that can be expressed by the output device such as the image forming apparatus 50 to the inside of the color gamut outline that can be expressed by the output device. There may be. Therefore, if the input profile contains settings for gamut mapping processing and the output profile perceptual conversion table is used during printing, the data near the outline of the color gamut that can be represented by the output device Will be converted to the inside of the area. Therefore, the saturation is lowered more than necessary, and the intended color cannot be reproduced. Therefore, when the gamut mapping determination unit 205 includes settings for gamut mapping processing in the input profile, the intended color cannot be reproduced by changing the print settings so that the color difference is minimized. This can be prevented.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the image data control device 30 according to the embodiment. For convenience, FIG. 11 mainly illustrates the functions according to the embodiment, but the functions of the image data control device 30 are not limited to these.

  The CPU 31 of the image data control device 30 implements a communication control unit 301 and an output determination unit 302 by executing a program stored in a storage device (for example, ROM 32, storage unit 34, etc.).

  The communication control unit 301 controls communication with each device of the image processing system 1 via the communication network 60.

  The output determination unit 302 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 50 prints out the document data M1. When the output determination unit 302 receives an evaluation result indicating that there is no consistency from the profile evaluation device 20, the output determination unit 302 does not cause the image forming device 50 to print out the document data M1. Further, when receiving the print setting change information requesting to change the print setting so that the color difference is minimized, the output determination unit 302 changes the print setting and sends the original data M1 to the image forming apparatus 50. Is printed out. That is, the output determination unit 302 transmits a print request for requesting printing of the document data M1.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the profile management device 40 according to the embodiment. For convenience, FIG. 12 mainly illustrates the functions according to the embodiment, but the functions of the profile management apparatus 40 are not limited to these.

  The CPU 41 of the profile management device 40 executes a program stored in a storage device (for example, the ROM 42, the storage unit 44, etc.), thereby enabling the communication control unit 401, the profile information acquisition unit 402, and the device information acquisition unit 403. Realize.

  The communication control unit 401 controls communication with each device of the image processing system 1 via the communication network 60.

  The profile information acquisition unit 402 acquires profile information 441 from the storage unit 44. The apparatus information acquisition unit 403 acquires profile information 441 and the like from the image forming apparatus 50.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the image forming apparatus 50 according to the embodiment. For convenience, FIG. 13 mainly illustrates functions according to the embodiment, but the functions of the image forming apparatus 50 are not limited to these.

  The CPU 51 of the image forming apparatus 50 implements a communication control unit 501 and a print control unit 502 by executing a program stored in a storage device (for example, ROM 52, storage unit 54, etc.).

  The communication control unit 501 controls communication with each device of the image processing system 1 via the communication network 60.

  When the image data control device 30 receives an evaluation result indicating that there is consistency, the print control unit 502 serving as a printing unit prints the document data M1. Specifically, when the print control unit 502 receives a print request from the image data control device 30, the print control unit 502 executes rendering processing based on the print instruction and the document data M1 to generate raster data. The print control unit 502 executes printing for forming an image of the generated raster data on paper or the like.

  Next, a printing process executed by each device of the image processing system 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a printing process executed by each device of the image processing system 1 according to the embodiment.

  First, the communication control unit 201 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 determines whether or not a print instruction for printing the document data M1 is received from the operation apparatus 10 (step S1). When a print instruction for printing the document data M1 has not been received (step S10; No), the communication control unit 201 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 waits for a print process.

  On the other hand, when a print instruction for printing the document data M1 is received (step S10; Yes), the profile evaluation apparatus 20 executes a profile evaluation process described later (step S11).

  Next, the profile evaluation apparatus 20 determines whether there is consistency in the setting of the input profile or the output profile based on the evaluation result of the profile evaluation process (step S12).

  When the input profile or the output profile setting is not consistent (step S12; No), the communication control unit 201 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 transmits an evaluation result indicating consistency to the operation apparatus 10 and performs error processing. Is executed (step S13).

  On the other hand, when the settings of the input profile or the output profile are consistent (step S12; Yes), the gamut mapping determination unit 205 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 determines whether or not the input profile has a gamut mapping process setting. (Step S14).

  When the gamut mapping process is set (step S14; Yes), the output determination unit 302 of the image data control apparatus 30 outputs the print instruction and the document data M1 in which the rendering intent setting is changed to the minimum color difference to the image forming apparatus. 50 (step S15).

  On the other hand, when there is no gamut mapping process setting (step S14; No), the output determination unit 302 of the image data control apparatus 30 does not change the rendering intent setting to the minimum color difference, and print instruction and document data M1. Are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 50 (step S16).

  Next, the print control unit 502 of the image forming apparatus 50 executes a rendering process for converting the received print instruction, document data M1, and raster data (step S17).

  Next, the print control unit 502 of the image forming apparatus 50 executes a printing process for forming an image of raster data generated by the rendering process on paper or the like (step S18).

  As described above, each device of the image processing system 1 ends the printing process.

  Next, the profile evaluation process executed by the profile evaluation apparatus 20 will be described. Here, FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the profile evaluation process executed by the profile evaluation apparatus 20 according to the embodiment.

  First, the communication control unit 201 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 receives a print instruction and document data M1 (step S31).

  Next, the output profile acquisition unit 202 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 extracts an output profile from the document data M1 (step S32).

  Next, the communication control unit 201 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 transmits the extracted output profile to the profile management apparatus 40 to execute a profile information acquisition process described later (step S33). Next, the communication control unit 201 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 receives the profile information 441 of the output profile as the execution result of the profile information acquisition process (step S34).

  Next, the object data determination unit 203 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 creates an object data evaluation list of object data included in the document data M1 (step S35).

  Next, the object data determination unit 203 of the profile evaluation device 20 executes an object data evaluation process described later for each object data in the object data evaluation list (step S36).

  Next, the object data determination unit 203 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 determines whether or not there is no unevaluated object data in the object data in the object data evaluation list (step S37). When there is unevaluated object data (step S37; No), the object data determination unit 203 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 proceeds to step S35 and executes the object data evaluation process again.

  On the other hand, when there is no unevaluated object data (step S37; Yes), the communication control unit 201 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 transmits the evaluation result of the document data M1 to the operation apparatus 10 and the image data control apparatus 30 ( Step S38).

  Thus, the profile evaluation apparatus 20 ends the profile evaluation process.

  Next, profile information acquisition processing executed by the profile management apparatus 40 will be described. Here, FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of profile information acquisition processing executed by the profile management apparatus 40 according to the embodiment.

  First, the communication control unit 401 of the profile management device 40 receives an input profile or an output profile (step S51).

  Next, the profile information acquisition unit 402 of the profile management device 40 acquires identification information from the received header information of the input profile or output profile (step S52).

  Next, the profile information acquisition unit 402 of the profile management device 40 searches for the profile information 441 from the storage unit 44 based on the acquired identification information (step S53).

  Next, the profile information acquisition unit 402 of the profile management device 40 acquires profile information 441 that matches the acquired identification information (step S54).

  Next, the communication control unit 401 of the profile management device 40 transmits the acquired profile information 441 to the profile evaluation device 20 (step S55).

  Thus, the profile management device 40 ends the profile information acquisition process.

  Next, an object data evaluation process executed by the profile evaluation apparatus 20 will be described. Here, FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of object data evaluation processing executed by the profile evaluation apparatus 20 according to the embodiment.

  First, the object data determination unit 203 of the profile evaluation device 20 acquires image data included in the object data to be evaluated (step S71).

  Next, the communication control unit 201 of the profile evaluation device 20 transmits the input profile of the object data to be evaluated to the profile management device 40, and executes profile information acquisition processing (step S72). Next, the communication control unit 201 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 receives the profile information 441 of the input profile as the execution result of the profile information acquisition process (step S73).

  Next, the gamut mapping determination unit 205 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 extracts settings indicating the presence / absence of gamut mapping processing from the header information of the input profile (step S74). Next, the gamut mapping determination unit 205 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 registers the presence / absence of the gamut mapping process in the object data evaluation list based on the extracted setting (step S75).

  Next, the object data determination unit 203 of the profile evaluation device 20 determines whether or not the color space of the image data matches the color space of the input profile (step S76).

  When the color spaces do not match (step S76; No), the object data determination unit 203 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 determines that the setting of the input profile is not consistent (step S77).

  On the other hand, when the color spaces match (step S76; Yes), the object data determination unit 203 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 has one or more image forming apparatuses 50 set as the output profile and the input profile. It is determined whether or not it has been done (step S78).

  When the image forming apparatuses 50 do not match (step S78; No), the object data determination unit 203 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 determines that the setting of the input profile is not consistent (step S77).

  On the other hand, when it matches with the image forming apparatus 50 (step S78; Yes), the object data determination unit 203 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 determines that the profile setting is consistent (step S79).

  Next, the object data determination unit 203 of the profile evaluation device 20 registers the evaluation result in the object data evaluation list (step S80).

  Thus, the profile evaluation apparatus 20 ends the object data evaluation process.

  Here, generation of input profiles corresponding to a plurality of image forming apparatuses 50 will be described. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an input profile generation flow corresponding to a plurality of image forming apparatuses 50.

  The operation device 10 creates an input profile having settings for gamut mapping processing in which a color gamut common to the plurality of image forming devices 50 is extracted. The controller device 10 embeds the created input profile in the document data M1 in the production process. Then, the image data control device 30 outputs the document data M1 in which the created input profile is embedded to the image forming device 50. As a result, similar results can be obtained in the plurality of image forming apparatuses 50.

  An input profile generation flow corresponding to a plurality of image forming apparatuses 50 will be described. The operation device 10 creates an input profile based on the RGB profile of the document data M1 and each CMYK profile of the target image forming device 50. First, the controller device 10 acquires a color gamut in the XYZ color system from the conversion table of the input profile. The operation device 10 converts the acquired XYZ color gamut into the Lab color system using the CMYK profile conversion table of the first image forming apparatus 50, and acquires CMYK data. Further, the controller device 10 converts CMYK data into Lab data using the CMYK profile of the first image forming apparatus 50. Next, the obtained Lab data is converted by the conversion table of the second CMYK profile to obtain CMYK color gamut data. Then, the CMYK data is converted by the conversion table of the second CMYK profile, and Lab data is acquired. The operation apparatus 10 repeatedly executes the above-described processing for the target image forming apparatus 50. The controller device 10 incorporates the first RGB data and the finally obtained Lab data into the input profile as a lookup table. As a result, similar results can be obtained in the plurality of image forming apparatuses 50.

  As described above, according to the profile evaluation apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, the communication control unit 201 receives the print instruction and the document data M1 to be printed from the operation apparatus 10. When the print instruction and the document data M1 are received, the object data determination unit 203, the document data determination unit 204, and the gamut mapping determination unit 205 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 evaluate the consistency of the settings of the input profile and the output profile. . When the input profile or the output profile setting is not consistent, the communication control unit 201 transmits an evaluation result indicating that the setting is not consistent to the controller device 10. Accordingly, the controller device 10 displays on the display unit 15 that the setting of the input profile or the output profile is not consistent, and requests correction of the setting of the input profile or the output profile. Therefore, the profile evaluation device 20 can notify the user when the color as intended by the user cannot be reproduced. Further, the user can have the opportunity to correct the setting of the input profile or the output profile, so that the document data M1 can be printed in the intended color.

  Next, Modification 1 of the image processing system 1 will be described.

  The image processing system 1 of Modification 1 is different in that, in profile information acquisition processing, the profile information 441 is acquired from the image forming apparatus 50 and it is determined whether or not it is the latest profile information 441. Here, FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of profile information acquisition processing executed by the profile management device 40 according to the first modification.

  Steps S101 to S104 are the same as steps S51 to S54 described above.

  Next, the device information acquisition unit 403 of the profile management device 40 acquires the profile information 441 from one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses 50 that are the output targets of the acquired profile information 441 (step S105).

  Next, the device information acquisition unit 403 of the profile management device 40 compares the profile information 441 acquired from the storage unit 44 with the profile information 441 acquired from the image forming device 50 (step S106). Thereby, the device information acquisition unit 403 determines whether or not the profile information 441 in the storage unit 44 has been updated to the latest state.

  Next, the communication control unit 401 of the profile management device 40 transmits the profile information 441 acquired from the storage unit 44 and the update determination result information to the profile evaluation device 20 (step S107). Here, the update determination result information is information indicating a determination result of whether or not the profile information 441 has been updated to the latest state.

  Thereby, the profile management apparatus 40 can determine the presence or absence of consistency based on whether or not the profile information 441 has been updated to the latest state. Then, when the profile information 441 acquired from the storage unit 44 is not updated to the latest state, the profile management apparatus 40 determines that there is no consistency in the determination of the image forming apparatus 50 in step S78.

  As described above, the profile management device 40 according to the first modification ends the profile information acquisition process.

  Next, a second modification of the image processing system 1 will be described.

  The image processing system 1 of Modification 2 extracts the conversion table of the input profile and the output profile in the profile information acquisition process. Then, the image processing system 1 according to the modification 2 determines whether or not the color gamut of the conversion table of the input profile is included in the color gamut of the conversion table of the output profile in the object data evaluation process. Is different.

  Here, FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of profile information acquisition processing executed by the profile management device 40 according to the second modification.

  Steps S201 to S203 are the same as steps S51 to S53 described above.

  Next, the profile information acquisition unit 402 of the profile management device 40 acquires profile information 441 and a conversion table that match the acquired identification information (step S204). At this time, when acquiring an input profile conversion table, the profile information acquisition unit 402 acquires a conversion table for converting RGB data into Lab data. On the other hand, when acquiring an output profile conversion table, the profile information acquisition unit 402 acquires a conversion table for converting CMYK data into Lab data.

  Next, the communication control unit 401 of the profile management device 40 transmits the profile information 441 and the conversion table (step S205). In the profile information acquisition process according to the second modification, the device check may be performed.

  As described above, the profile management device 40 according to the second modification ends the profile information acquisition process.

  Here, FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the object data evaluation process executed by the profile evaluation apparatus 20 of the second modification.

  Steps S301 to S307 are the same as steps S71 to S77 described above.

  Next, the object data determination unit 203 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 determines whether or not the color gamut of the input profile conversion table is included in the color gamut of the output profile conversion table (step S308).

  When the color gamut of the input profile conversion table is not included in the color gamut of the output profile conversion table (step S308; No), the object data determination unit 203 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 sets the input profile. Is not consistent (step S307).

  If the color gamut of the conversion table of the input profile is included in the color gamut of the output profile conversion table (step S308; Yes), the object data determination unit 203 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 sets the input profile. Is not consistent (step S309).

  Next, the object data determination unit 203 of the profile evaluation device 20 registers the evaluation result in the object data evaluation list (step S310).

  As described above, the profile evaluation apparatus 20 according to the second modification ends the object data evaluation process.

  Next, a third modification of the image processing system 1 will be described.

  The image processing system 1 of Modification 3 is different in that the profile evaluation process is executed based on the profile evaluation policy. For example, in the object data included in the document data M1, when an input profile for CMYK is associated with image data in the CMYK format, the image forming apparatus 50 often prints out in the CMYK format. In this case, there is little difference between the color space of the input device and the color space of the output device. Therefore, in the case of image data in the CMYK format, the presence or absence of the gamut mapping process of the input profile does not have a significant effect, and thus does not need to be included in the evaluation criteria for the input profile.

  In such a case, the user registers that the evaluation of the presence / absence of the gamut mapping processing of the input profile is excluded from the evaluation criteria as the profile evaluation policy. The object data determination unit 203 then excludes the evaluation criteria registered in the profile evaluation policy, and evaluates the consistency of the input profile and output profile settings.

  Alternatively, when it is known that the storage unit 44 stores the latest profile information 441, the process of determining whether or not the latest profile information 441 is required is unnecessary. Also in this case, the user registers that the evaluation of whether or not the latest profile information 441 is excluded from the evaluation criteria as the profile evaluation policy. The object data determination unit 203 then excludes the evaluation criteria registered in the profile evaluation policy, and evaluates the consistency of the input profile and output profile settings. Thereby, unnecessary processing can be excluded.

  Here, FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a profile evaluation policy registration process executed by the controller device 10 according to the third modification.

  First, the display control unit 104 of the controller device 10 displays a profile evaluation policy registration screen (not shown) on the display unit 15 (step S401).

  Next, the operation control unit 103 of the controller device 10 serving as a registration unit accepts registration of a profile evaluation policy on the profile evaluation policy registration screen (step S402).

  Next, the communication control unit 101 of the controller device 10 transmits the registered profile evaluation policy to the profile evaluation device 20 (step S403). As a result, the profile evaluation device 20 stores the received profile evaluation policy in the storage unit 24.

  As described above, the controller device 10 of the third modification ends the profile evaluation policy registration process.

  Next, the profile evaluation process in the image processing system 1 according to Modification 3 will be described. Here, FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of profile evaluation processing executed by the profile evaluation apparatus 20 according to the third modification.

  First, the communication control unit 201 of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 receives the document data M1 (step S501).

  Next, the object data determination unit 203 of the profile evaluation device 20 reads the profile evaluation policy stored in the storage unit 24 (step S502). As a result, the profile evaluation apparatus 20 excludes the profile evaluation policy from the evaluation criteria.

  Steps S503 to S509 are the same as steps S32 to S38 described above.

  As described above, the profile evaluation device 20 of Modification 3 ends the profile evaluation process.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  The functions (communication control unit 101, notification control unit 102, operation control unit 103, display control unit 104) of each unit of the operation device 10 described above are stored in a storage device (for example, the ROM 12, the storage unit 14, etc.) by the CPU 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least a part of the functions of each unit of the operation device 10 may be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit (for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit). .

  The function of each unit of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 described above (communication control unit 201, output profile acquisition unit 202, object data determination unit 203, document data determination unit 204, gamut mapping determination unit 205) is stored by the CPU 21 in a storage device (for example, ROM 22). This is realized by executing a program stored in the storage unit 24 or the like, but is not limited to this. For example, at least a part of the functions of each unit of the profile evaluation apparatus 20 is a dedicated hardware circuit (for example, It may be realized by a semiconductor integrated circuit or the like.

  The functions (communication control unit 301, output determination unit 302) of each unit of the image data control device 30 described above are realized by the CPU 31 executing a program stored in a storage device (for example, the ROM 32, the storage unit 34, etc.). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least a part of the functions of each unit of the image data control device 30 may be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit (for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit).

  The functions (communication control unit 401, profile information acquisition unit 402, device information acquisition unit 403) of each unit of the profile management device 40 described above are the programs stored in the storage device (for example, ROM 42, storage unit 44, etc.) by the CPU 41. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least a part of the functions of each unit of the profile management device 40 may be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit (for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit).

  The functions (communication control unit 501 and print control unit 502) of each unit of the image forming apparatus 50 described above are realized by the CPU 51 executing a program stored in a storage device (for example, the ROM 52, the storage unit 54, etc.). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least a part of the functions of each unit of the image forming apparatus 50 may be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit (for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit).

  The program executed by each device of the above-described embodiment or modification is provided by being incorporated in advance in a storage medium (ROM or storage unit) included in each device, but is not limited thereto. For example, an installable or executable file is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). You may comprise. Furthermore, the storage medium is not limited to a medium independent of a computer or an embedded system, but also includes a storage medium that downloads and stores or temporarily stores a program transmitted via a LAN, the Internet, or the like.

  Further, the program executed by each device of the above-described embodiment or modification may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network, or the Internet It may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network. The program of each device of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing system 10 Operation apparatus 101 Communication control part 102 Notification control part 103 Operation control part 104 Display control part 20 Profile evaluation apparatus 201 Communication control part 202 Output profile acquisition part 203 Object data determination part 204 Original data determination part 205 Gamut mapping determination Unit 30 image data control device 301 communication control unit 302 output determination unit 40 profile management device 401 communication control unit 402 profile information acquisition unit 403 device information acquisition unit 50 image forming apparatus 501 communication control unit 502 print control unit

JP 2013-129097 A

Claims (8)

An input means for receiving an input of a print instruction for printing original data;
Evaluation means for evaluating whether or not there is consistency between an input profile indicating characteristics relating to color management of an apparatus that has generated image data included in the original data and an output profile relating to color management when the original data is printed When,
An output means for outputting that there is no consistency when the evaluation means evaluates that there is no consistency;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The evaluation unit evaluates the consistency of the input profile and the output profile based on information acquired from an image forming apparatus that prints the document data;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The evaluation unit is configured to match the setting depending on whether one or a plurality of the image forming apparatuses set in the input profile matches one or a plurality of the image forming apparatuses set in the output profile. Evaluate sex,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The evaluation unit is an apparatus that generates the document data that the input profile has in a color gamut of a conversion table that converts the device-independent color space that the output profile has into a color space that can be expressed by the image forming apparatus. Evaluate whether the color gamut of the conversion table that converts from the color space that can be expressed to the device-independent color space is included,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A registration unit for registering an evaluation criterion excluded from the evaluation criterion of the evaluation unit;
The evaluation means evaluates by excluding the evaluation criteria registered by the registration means.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The evaluation means evaluates whether or not the input profile has a setting for executing a gamut mapping process,
The output means outputs, when the input profile has a setting for executing the gamut mapping process, to change the print setting so that the color difference is minimized regardless of the setting specified by the print instruction. ,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Computer
An input means for receiving an input of a print instruction for printing original data;
Evaluation means for evaluating whether or not there is consistency between an input profile indicating characteristics relating to color management of an apparatus that has generated image data included in the original data and an output profile relating to color management when the original data is printed When,
An output means for outputting that there is no consistency when the evaluation means evaluates that there is no consistency;
Program to function as. An input means for receiving an input of a print instruction for printing original data;
Evaluation means for evaluating whether or not there is consistency between an input profile indicating characteristics relating to color management of an apparatus that has generated image data included in the original data and an output profile relating to color management when the original data is printed When,
An output means for outputting that there is no consistency when the evaluation means evaluates that there is no consistency;
Informing means for informing when the output means outputs that there is no consistency;
A printing unit that prints the document data when the evaluation unit determines that the consistency exists;
An image processing system comprising:

Images