JP2017103616A - Image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce user's labor when specifying target color to be color-matched.SOLUTION: A color matching specifying unit 302 extracts and creates a list of color values of drawing commands included in the print job from this print job at the time of selecting the target color to be subjected to color matching correction. A raster drawing command instructing the drawing of the raster image other than the natural image is preferentially rearranged in the list of the created color values. Then, the color matching specifying unit 302 presents the list of rearranged color values to the user as a target color candidate to be subjected to color correction. Then, the color matching specifying unit 302 accepts designation of a target color to be subjected to color correction from the presented candidates of the target color. A correction parameter generation unit 310 generates correction parameter for correcting the color of the image to which printing is instructed by the print job so that the target color of the color matching correction specified by the color matching specifying unit 302 is the output color closest to the target color.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a program.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133826 describes color processing for performing correction processing using a correction function so that a specific color designated by a user becomes a reference color after performing general color conversion processing on an input color signal. An apparatus is disclosed.

JP 2006-19956 A

  When performing partial correction so that the specific color of the image for which printing is instructed by the print job (print instruction) matches the target target color, the color correction is performed so that the specific color of the image approaches the target color. Do. However, when many colors are included in an image, the user has to specify whether the target color for color matching is selected from the many colors, and it takes time to specify the target color. There is.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a target color to be color-matched as compared to a case where a list of color values included in a print instruction is simply presented to a user and designation of a target color to be color-matched is input. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a program capable of reducing a user's trouble in designating.

[Image forming apparatus]
The present invention according to claim 1 is a creation unit that extracts and creates a list of color values of a drawing command included in a print instruction from the print instruction;
Reordering means for preferentially reordering a list of color values created by the creating means with priority given to a raster drawing command for drawing a raster image other than a natural image;
Presenting means for presenting a list of color values rearranged by the rearranging means as candidates for target colors to be subjected to color correction;
Designation accepting means for accepting designation of a target color to be subjected to color correction from among target color candidates presented by the presenting means;
Reading means for reading a target image having a target color that is a target of color correction for the target color;
Correction data generating means for generating correction data for correcting the color of the image instructed to be printed by the print instruction so that the target color received by the designation receiving means is an output color close to the target color. An image forming apparatus provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the rearranging means is created by the creating means in the order of a raster drawing command for instructing drawing of a raster image other than a natural image, a fill drawing command, a line drawing command, and a character drawing command. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the list of color values is rearranged.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, for the same kind of drawing command, the sorting unit gives priority to a drawing command having a large number of color value pixels, and arranges a list of color values created by the creating unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is replaced.

The present invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the correction data generating means is
A calculation means for calculating a virtual input color value that is output based on a standard characteristic and that obtains the target color when read based on the standard characteristic;
Output means for outputting a color sample including a virtual input color value calculated by the calculation means and a peripheral color value in a predetermined range of the virtual input color value on a recording medium;
An extraction means for extracting a plurality of colors from an image of a color sample on the recording medium read by the reading means;
The correction data generating means is an image instructed to be printed by the print instruction from a plurality of colors extracted by the extracting means so that the target color received by the designation receiving means is an output color close to the target color. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein correction data for correcting the color is generated.

The present invention according to claim 5 further includes correction means for correcting the color of an image instructed to be printed by the print instruction based on the correction data generated by the correction data generation means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs an image whose color is corrected by the correction unit.

[program]
The present invention according to claim 6 is a creation step of extracting and creating a list of color values of a drawing command included in a print instruction from the print instruction;
A reordering step for reordering the list of color values created in the creating step with priority given to a raster rendering command that instructs rendering of a raster image other than a natural image;
A presenting step of presenting a list of color values rearranged in the rearrangement step as candidates for a target color to be subjected to color correction;
A designation receiving step for accepting designation of a target color to be subjected to color correction from among target color candidates presented in the presenting step;
A reading step of reading a target image having a target color that is a target of color correction for the target color;
A correction data generation step for generating correction data for correcting the color of the image instructed to be printed by the print instruction so that the target color received in the designation reception step is an output color close to the target color. A program for causing a computer to execute.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, compared with a case where a list of color values included in a print instruction is simply presented to the user and designation of a target color to be color-matched is input, the color-matching target Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce the user's trouble in specifying the target color to be.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the list of color values included in the print instruction is simply presented to the user and the designation of the target color to be color-matched is input, the color-matching target Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce the user's trouble in specifying the target color to be.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the list of color values included in the print instruction is simply presented to the user and the designation of the target color to be the color matching is input, the color matching target Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce the user's trouble in specifying the target color to be.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, compared with a case where a list of color values included in a print instruction is simply presented to the user and designation of a target color to be color-matched is input, the color-matching target Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce the user's trouble in specifying the target color to be.

  According to the present invention of claim 5, in addition to the effect obtained by the present invention of any one of claims 1 to 4, it is possible to output an image whose color is corrected by the generated correction data. A possible image forming apparatus can be provided.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, compared with a case where a list of color values included in a print instruction is simply presented to the user and designation of a target color to be color-matched is input, the color-matching target It is possible to provide a program that can reduce the user's trouble when specifying the target color.

1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the electronic image data 100 in one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list of color values of a drawing command created by a color matching designation unit 302. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the color value list | wrist after a rearrangement process was performed. It is a figure which shows an example of the color matching object designation | designated screen in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the target image in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the method of calculating the virtual input color value of the target color in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the color patch image data in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the color patch image in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the color matching correction confirmation screen in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the production | generation method of the correction parameter in one Embodiment of this invention. 4 is a flowchart for explaining overall processing of the image forming apparatus 3 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the object color designation | designated process (step S101) in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the color matching correction process (step S104) in one Embodiment of this invention.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system in the present embodiment includes a terminal device 1, a target printer 2, and an image forming device 3. Further, the terminal device 1 and the image forming apparatus 3 are connected to each other via the network 4.

  The target printer 2 in this embodiment is, for example, a business-use printer that is used by a trader who prints images. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment is a so-called multifunction machine used in an office or the like, and has output characteristics different from those of the target printer 2. According to the target printer 2, an image including a specific color such as a corporate color can be output on paper with high quality. However, even if the same image data is printed by the image forming apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment, the same quality as the image printed by the target printer 2 cannot be ensured, and a specific color such as a corporate color is particularly faithful. It is difficult to reproduce. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment uses the image printed by the target printer 2 as the target image (target image), and the target color included in the target image includes a specific color of the image printed on the paper (recording medium). Perform processing to bring it closer to the target color.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 3 in the image forming system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU 11, a memory 12, a storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and the terminal device 10 and the server device 30 via the network 4. For a communication interface (IF) unit 14 for transmitting and receiving data, a user interface (UI) device 15 constituted by a touch panel and a liquid crystal display, an image reading unit 16 for reading an image such as a scanner, and a recording medium such as paper An image output unit 17 that outputs an image is provided. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 18.

  The CPU 11 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 3 by executing a predetermined process based on the print control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 3 realized by executing the above-described print control program.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 3 includes an image reading unit 300, a storage unit 301, a color matching designation unit 302, a virtual input color value calculation unit 307, a color patch image generation unit 308, a color patch image generation unit 308, A patch extraction unit 309, a correction parameter generation unit 310, a color correction unit 311, and an image output unit 312 are included.

  The image reading unit 300 reads a target image including a target color (target color) which is a correction target for the target color. In the present embodiment, the target printer 2 outputs a target image on paper in advance. The target image has a target color that is a target of color matching correction for the target color specified by the color matching specification unit 302.

  The storage unit 301 stores target image data read by the image reading unit 300. The storage unit 301 also stores (stores) correction parameters generated by a correction parameter generation unit 310 described later.

  The color matching designation unit 302 accepts designation of a target color to be subjected to color correction in the electronic image data transmitted from the terminal device 1. In the present embodiment, the color of a specific portion in the electronic image data instructed to be printed by the print job approaches the target color included in the target image (target image) output on the paper by the target printer 2. It is designated by the user as a target color to be subjected to color matching correction of electronic image data.

  At this time, the color matching designation unit 302 extracts and creates a list of color values of the drawing command (drawing command) included in the print job (printing instruction) from the print job, and creates the created list of color values. The raster drawing command for instructing drawing of a raster image other than the natural image is rearranged with priority. Then, the color matching designation unit 302 presents the rearranged list of color values to the user as a target color candidate to be subjected to color correction. Then, the color matching designation unit 302 accepts designation of a target color to be subjected to color correction from among the presented target color candidates.

  This is because the object of color matching correction is likely to be a drawing object such as a company logo mark, but the object such as a company logo is highly likely to be designated by a raster drawing command.

  However, in addition to the raster drawing command for instructing drawing of a raster image, the type of drawing command included in the print job includes a fill drawing command (Fill drawing for instructing drawing to fill a specified area with a specific color). Command), stroke drawing command (line drawing command) that instructs drawing to connect specified points with the specified line width, and text drawing command (character drawing command) that instructs character drawing To do.

  Therefore, the color matching designation unit 302 rearranges the list of generated color values in the order of a raster drawing command for instructing drawing of a raster image other than a natural image, a fill drawing command, a stroke drawing command, and a text drawing command. You may do it.

  Since a natural image includes various colors, it is almost impossible to make a natural image a target for color matching correction. Therefore, a raster drawing command for instructing a natural image drawing is not subject to color matching correction. To do.

  Furthermore, for the same type of drawing command, the color matching designation unit 302 may rearrange the created color value list by giving priority to a drawing command having a large number of color value pixels.

  In this way, the priority of color values with a large number of pixels is increased and the colors are matched and preferentially presented to the user as target colors for correction. This is because the possibility of being a target is high.

  When a plurality of color values are included in one drawing object, the color values having the largest number of pixels among the color values included in the drawing object are compared, and drawing including the color value having the largest number of pixels is performed. Increase object priority.

  The virtual input color value calculation unit 307 calculates a virtual input color value that is output based on the standard characteristics and that allows the target color to be obtained when read based on the standard characteristics. A specific method for calculating the virtual input color value will be described later.

  The color patch image generation unit 308 generates color patch image (color sample) data including the virtual input color value calculated by the virtual input color value calculation unit 307 and peripheral colors in a predetermined range of the virtual input color value. To do. The image output unit 312 outputs the color patch image data generated by the color patch image generation unit 308 to a sheet (recording medium). A specific description of the color patch image in the present embodiment will be described later.

  The color patch extraction unit 309 extracts a plurality of colors from the color patch image on the paper read by the image reading unit 300.

  Based on the plurality of colors extracted by the color patch extraction unit 309, the correction parameter generation unit 310 selects a target in the target image read by the image reading unit 300 from among the plurality of colors extracted by the color patch extraction unit 309. A color close to the color is selected, and a color matching correction target color designated by the color matching designation unit 302 is selected from a plurality of colors extracted by the color patch extraction unit 309 so as to be an output color closest to the target color. A correction parameter (correction data) for correcting the electronic image data is generated. A specific method for generating correction parameters will be described later.

  The color correction unit 311 corrects the electronic image data based on the correction parameter generated by the correction parameter generation unit 310.

  The image output unit 312 outputs the electronic image data corrected by the color correction unit 311 to a sheet. The image output unit 312 outputs the color patch image data generated by the color patch image generation unit 308 to a sheet.

[Color matching correction method]
First, the color matching correction method in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Specify target color]
First, the image forming apparatus 3 acquires electronic image data 100 as shown in FIG. 4 from the terminal device 1 via the network 4. Further, the target printer 2 outputs a target image described later on a sheet in advance.

  Then, the color matching designation unit 302 analyzes the acquired electronic image data 100 and extracts an object (drawing information) included in the electronic image data 100. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the electronic image data 100 includes five objects 51 to 55.

  Here, the object 51 is a so-called company logo, and a drawing instruction is given by a raster drawing command. The object 52 is instructed to draw by a stroke drawing command. The object 53 is instructed to draw by a raster drawing command. The object 54 is instructed to draw by a paint drawing command. Finally, the object 55 is a natural image, and a drawing instruction is given by a raster drawing command.

  Here, the color matching designation unit 302 extracts and creates a list of color values of drawing commands from a print job instructing printing of the electronic image data 100 as shown in FIG. An example of a list of color values created in this way is shown in FIG.

  In the list of color values shown in FIG. 5, it can be seen that information on the number of pixels and the type of drawing command is extracted together with each density value of RGB (red, green, blue).

  Then, the color matching designation unit 302 rearranges the list of used color values shown in FIG. 5 based on the types of drawing commands. FIG. 6 shows an example of the list after the rearrangement is performed in this way.

  Since the color matching designation unit 302 performs sorting by giving priority to a raster drawing command for instructing drawing of a raster image other than a natural image, in FIG. 6, two raster drawing commands for instructing drawing of a raster image other than a natural image are performed. The commands are the first and second priority.

  In addition, the color matching designation unit 302 rearranges drawing commands other than the raster drawing command so that the priorities are higher in the order of the fill drawing command, the stroke drawing command, and the text drawing command. Therefore, in FIG. 6, the fill drawing command has the third priority, and the stroke drawing command has the fourth priority.

  Note that raster rendering commands for instructing natural image rendering are not subject to color matching correction, and are therefore rearranged at the end of this list.

  Then, the color matching designation unit 302 performs screen display as shown in FIG. 7 on the user via the display unit based on the color value list as shown in FIG. The candidate for the target color is presented.

  In the screen example shown in FIG. 7, it can be seen that the RGB value of the target color to be subjected to color matching correction, the preview image of the color and the target object for color matching correction are shown for each priority order.

  The user selects one target color to be subjected to the color matching correction from among the plurality of color matching correction target candidates presented in this way. Then, the color matching designation unit 302 accepts the selection of the target color designated by the user.

  In the display screen example of FIG. 7, the user selects a target color to be subjected to color matching correction by selecting one of the check boxes displayed beside each color value. This shows a case where the user selects the object having the first color value as the target color.

  In the present embodiment, the object 51 shown in the image example shown in FIG. 4 has a constant quality when it is output on paper even when it is output by an output device having different characteristics such as a corporate color. In FIG. 7, the user designates the color value of the object 51 as the target color for color matching correction.

  Then, in the display screen example of FIG. 7, when the user presses the OK button, the color matching designation unit 302 confirms the selection with the color of the object 51 as the target color.

[Specify target color]
Next, the image reading unit 300 reads a target image that has been output to a sheet in advance by the target printer 2. An example of this target image is shown in FIG. It is assumed that the target image includes an object 60 that is a target color reference that is a target of color matching correction.

  Then, the target image read by the image reading unit 300 is displayed via a display unit or the like, and among the colors included in the target image, the color of the object designated by the user is set as the target color. Here, the following description is given on the assumption that the target image object 60 is designated by the user's operation. In the present embodiment, the description will be made assuming that the RGB value of the color of the object 60 is (180, 50, 50).

[Calculation of virtual input color value]
Next, a method for calculating the virtual input color value of the target color in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the target color is set by the method as described above, the virtual input color value calculation unit 307 converts the color value (dRGB value) of the set target color into an L * a * b value.

  Next, the virtual input color value calculation unit 307 calculates what color (CMYK value) is read by the virtual reading device and the target color becomes the converted L * a * b value. In the present embodiment, a virtual output color value (CMYK value) is calculated based on the standard characteristics of the virtual reading device so that the target color becomes the converted L * a * b value.

  Then, the virtual input color value calculation unit 307 calculates what kind of input image color value is output from the virtual output device to obtain the virtual output color value (CMYK value) calculated from the target color. In the present embodiment, a virtual input color value (sRGB value) that is a virtual output color value (CMYK value) calculated from the target color is calculated based on the standard characteristics of the virtual output device.

  In other words, the virtual input color value calculation unit 307 in the present embodiment calculates a virtual input color value that is output based on the standard characteristics and that allows the target color to be obtained when read based on the standard characteristics. To do.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the virtual input color value calculation unit 307 first converts the RGB values (180, 50, 50) of the set target color into L * a * b values. Next, the virtual input color value calculation unit 307 calculates a virtual output color value (CMYK value) from which an L * a * b value obtained by converting the target color is obtained when read by the virtual reading device. Then, the virtual input color value calculation unit 307 calculates the RGB values (241, 8, 12) of the virtual input color value for outputting the virtual output color value (CMYK value) by the virtual output device.

[Generate color patch image data]
Next, a specific example of the color patch image in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The color patch image generation unit 308 according to the present embodiment has a virtual input color value of the target color calculated by the virtual input color value calculation unit 307 as a center and a peripheral area within a predetermined range of the virtual input color value of the target color. Color patch image (color sample) data including colors is generated. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the virtual input color value of the target color calculated by the virtual input color value calculation unit 307 is set as the center reference color. Color patch image data including peripheral color values is generated. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, as the color values around the virtual input color value, a color whose brightness is changed from the reference color in the vertical direction is arranged, and the saturation and hue from the reference color in the horizontal direction. The color patch image data in which the changed color is arranged is generated.

  For example, in the left-right direction of the color patch image data in FIG. 10, from the virtual input color value in the left-right direction, such as 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% in order from the left. A color whose saturation is changed is arranged.

  Further, in the right direction from the center of the color patch image data in FIG. 10, among the RGB values of the virtual input color value, for example, a color whose hue has been changed by increasing the value of B is arranged, and left from the center. In the direction, the color whose hue is changed from the virtual input color value in the left-right direction is arranged such that the color whose hue is changed by increasing the value of G among the RGB values of the virtual input color value is arranged. Is placed.

  Further, in the vertical direction of the color patch image data in FIG. 10, the color whose brightness is changed from the virtual input color value in the vertical direction, such as 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20% in order from the top. Is placed.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the RGB values of the reference colors (virtual input color values) in the color patch image data are (241, 8, 12), the lightness is 60%, and the saturation is 50. % Is described.

  The storage unit 301 stores the generated color patch image data.

[Generate correction parameters]
Next, a specific method for generating correction parameters in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

  First, the image output unit 312 outputs a color patch image as shown in FIG. 11 on a sheet based on the color patch image data generated by the color patch image generation unit 308.

  Next, the image reading unit 300 reads the color patch image output on the paper by the image output unit 312.

  The color patch extraction unit 309 extracts a plurality of colors from the color patch image read by the image reading unit 300.

  Next, the correction parameter generation unit 310 identifies the color closest to the target color among the colors extracted by the color patch extraction unit 309. In the present embodiment, the correction parameter generation unit 310 identifies the color closest to the RGB value (180, 50, 50) of the target color among the colors extracted by the color patch extraction unit 309. In the present embodiment, the correction parameter generation unit 310 sets the color having the smallest distance from the RGB value of the target color among the plurality of colors extracted by the color patch extraction unit 310 as the color closest to the target color. Although it demonstrates as what identifies, it is not limited to such a method.

  Since the reference color in the color patch image is calculated from the target color based on the virtual output device and the virtual reading device having standard characteristics, the characteristics of the image output unit 312 and the image reading unit 300 are the same. In the case of a standard one, the RGB value of the reference color extracted by the color patch extraction unit 309 matches the RGB value of the target color. Therefore, the reference color extracted by the color patch extraction unit 309 is specified as the color closest to the target color. However, if the characteristics of the image output unit 312 and the image reading unit 300 are not standard, the reference color may not match the target color, and thus a plurality of colors extracted by the color patch extraction unit 309 may be used. Among them, the color closest to the target color is searched.

  In the present embodiment, a case where the RGB value of the reference color does not match the RGB value of the target color due to the characteristics of the devices of the image output unit 312 and the image reading unit 300 will be described.

  For example, the correction parameter generation unit 310 has the RGB value of the peripheral color A (182, 55, 42) among the plurality of colors extracted by the color patch extraction unit 309 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the peripheral color A, not the reference color, is specified as the color closest to the RGB value (180, 50, 50) of the target color.

  Then, the correction parameter generation unit 310 displays a color matching correction confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 12 to the user via the display unit or the like, and generates a correction parameter when the OK button is pressed.

  In the present embodiment, the correction parameter generation unit 310 causes the designated target color to approach the color used when outputting the color closest to the target color among the colors extracted by the color patch extraction unit 309. Then, a correction parameter for correcting the electronic image data 100 is generated.

  For example, the correction parameter generation unit 310 refers to the color patch image data generated by the color patch image generation unit 35 stored in the storage unit 301 and uses the color patch image used when outputting the color patch image. A color corresponding to the peripheral color A is specified in the data. In the present embodiment, the correction parameter generation unit 310 identifies RGB values (245, 13, 12) of colors corresponding to the peripheral color A by referring to the color patch image data shown in FIG.

  The correction parameter generation unit 310 is used when outputting the color closest to the target color among the plurality of colors in which the RGB value (255, 0, 0) of the target color is extracted by the color patch extraction unit 309. The electronic image data 100 is corrected so as to approach the color, and a correction parameter that corrects the peripheral color of the target color is generated.

  Specifically, when the target color and the peripheral colors of the target color are arranged in a color space as shown in FIG. 13A before correction, as shown in FIG. As the RGB value (255, 0, 0) of the target color approaches the RGB value (245, 13, 12) of the color patch image data corresponding to the peripheral color A closest to the target color, the target color is corrected. At the same time, a correction parameter for correcting the peripheral color of the target color is generated. Further, the correction parameter generation unit 310 stores the generated correction parameter in the storage unit 301.

  In this embodiment, since the color patch image is output to the paper based on the characteristics of the image output unit 312, the electronic image is corrected so as to approach the color of the color patch image data that is the input color value of the color patch image. When the data 100 is output onto a sheet by the image output unit 312 in the same manner as the color patch image, an image having a color close to the color patch image is output.

  When the RGB value of the reference color extracted by the color patch extraction unit 309 matches the RGB value of the target color, the correction parameter generation unit 310 determines the color of the color patch image data corresponding to the reference color as the target color. A correction parameter that approaches (virtual input color value of the target color) is generated.

  Then, the color correction unit 311 performs color matching correction of the electronic image data 100 based on the correction parameter generated by the correction parameter generation unit 310.

  Next, the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus 3 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the color matching designation unit 302 accepts designation of a target color to be subjected to color correction in the electronic image data 101 (step S101).

  Next, the image reading unit 300 reads a target image having a target color that is a target of color correction for the target color (step S102). Then, a target color is set from the read target image (step S103).

  Then, when the object designated as the color for color matching correction is output on the recording medium, color matching correction is performed so that the color is close to the set target color (step S104).

  Next, the flow of target color designation processing in step S101 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 14 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the color matching designation unit 302 analyzes a print job instructing printing of the electronic image data 100 as shown in FIG. 4 (step S201). Based on the analysis result, the color matching designation unit 302 extracts color value information of the drawing command from the print job (step S202), and creates a list of the extracted color values (step S203).

  Then, the color matching designation unit 302 rearranges the created color value list based on the type of drawing command (step S204).

  Then, based on the list of color values after the rearrangement, the color matching designation unit 302 presents the target color candidates to be subjected to color matching correction to the user via the display unit or the like (step S205). .

  Finally, the color matching designation unit 302 accepts selection of the target color designated by the user (step S206).

  Finally, the flow of color matching correction processing in step S104 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 14 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when a target color is set, the virtual input color value calculation unit 307 calculates a virtual input color value of the set target color (step S301).

  Then, the color patch image generation unit 308 generates color patch image data including the virtual input color value and the peripheral color value of the virtual input color value, and the image output 312 outputs the color patch image on the sheet (step S302). ).

  Next, the image reading unit 300 reads the output color patch image (step S303).

  Then, the color patch extraction unit 309 extracts the color of each patch from the read color patch image (step S304).

  Next, the correction parameter generation unit 310 generates a correction parameter for correcting the electronic image data 101 so that the target color for color matching correction approaches the target color, and the color correction unit 311 uses the generated correction parameter. Based on this, color matching correction of electronic image data is performed (step S305).

  Finally, the image output unit 312 outputs an image on a sheet based on the electronic image data 101 corrected by the color correction unit 311 (step S306).

1 Terminal Device 2 Target Printer 3 Image Forming Device 4 Network 11 CPU
12 Memory 13 Storage device 14 Communication IF
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 UI apparatus 16,300 Image reading part 17 Image output part 18 Control bus 51-55, 60 Object 100, 101 Electronic image data 301 Storage part 302 Color matching designation part 307 Virtual input color value calculation part 308 Color patch image generation part 309 Color patch extraction unit 310 Correction parameter generation unit 311 Color correction unit 312 Image output unit

Claims (6)

Creating means for extracting and creating a list of color values of drawing commands included in the print instruction;
Reordering means for preferentially reordering a list of color values created by the creating means with priority given to a raster drawing command for drawing a raster image other than a natural image;
Presenting means for presenting a list of color values rearranged by the rearranging means as candidates for target colors to be subjected to color correction;
Designation accepting means for accepting designation of a target color to be subjected to color correction from among target color candidates presented by the presenting means;
Reading means for reading a target image having a target color that is a target of color correction for the target color;
Correction data generating means for generating correction data for correcting the color of the image instructed to be printed by the print instruction so that the target color received by the designation receiving means is an output color close to the target color;
An image forming apparatus.   The rearranging means rearranges the list of color values created by the creating means in the order of a raster drawing command for instructing drawing of a raster image other than a natural image, a fill drawing command, a line drawing command, and a character drawing command. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1.   3. The image according to claim 1, wherein the rearranging unit rearranges a list of color values created by the creating unit with priority given to a rendering command having a large number of pixels of color values for the same type of rendering command. Forming equipment. The correction data generation means includes
A calculation means for calculating a virtual input color value that is output based on a standard characteristic and that obtains the target color when read based on the standard characteristic;
Output means for outputting a color sample including a virtual input color value calculated by the calculation means and a peripheral color value in a predetermined range of the virtual input color value on a recording medium;
An extraction means for extracting a plurality of colors from an image of a color sample on the recording medium read by the reading means;
The correction data generating means is an image instructed to print by the print instruction from a plurality of colors extracted by the extracting means so that the target color received by the designation receiving means is an output color close to the target color. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein correction data for correcting the color is generated. A correction unit that corrects a color of an image instructed to be printed by the print instruction based on the correction data generated by the correction data generation unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs an image whose color is corrected by the correction unit. A creation step of extracting and creating a list of color values of a drawing command included in the print instruction from the print instruction;
A reordering step for reordering the list of color values created in the creating step with priority given to a raster rendering command that instructs rendering of a raster image other than a natural image;
A presenting step of presenting a list of color values rearranged in the rearrangement step as candidates for a target color to be subjected to color correction;
A designation receiving step for accepting designation of a target color to be subjected to color correction from among target color candidates presented in the presenting step;
A reading step of reading a target image having a target color that is a target of color correction for the target color;
A correction data generation step for generating correction data for correcting the color of the image instructed to be printed by the print instruction so that the target color received in the designation reception step is an output color close to the target color. A program that causes a computer to execute.