JP2018157542A - Information processor, image formation device, information processing method, and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve an image quality of a lamination image of color image data and characteristic image data.SOLUTION: An image formation device 12 forms a lamination image of characteristic image data from a characteristic color material and color image data from a color material by a two-path printing or a one-path printing. A specification part 60J of an information processor 10 specifies a target characteristic indicating a relation of a first color measurement value of a first patch image as the lamination image corresponding to each patch region formed by the two-path printing by the image formation device 12 and a color value while using correction chart image data that regulates a plurality of patch regions having a different color value. A formation part 60K generates a correction table for correcting the color value so that an actual characteristic indicating the relationship of a second color measurement value of a second patch image as the lamination image corresponding to each patch region formed by the one-path printing by the image formation device 12 and the color value while using the correction chart image data so as to be close to the target characteristic.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art There is known an apparatus that forms a laminated image in which a colored image using a colored material such as CMYK and a special color image using a special color material are laminated. The image forming method of a laminated image of a colored image and a spot color image includes two-pass printing in which a spot color image is formed and fixed on a medium and then formed and fixed, and a spot color image is formed on a medium. And one-pass printing in which a colored image is superimposed and formed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 1 enables one-pass printing regardless of the order of stacking of a special color image and a colored image by enabling switching between colorless transparent toner or white toner to be developed before the colored toner or lastly. The structure which was made is disclosed.

  By forming a laminated image by one-pass printing, it is possible to improve the ease of use for the user. However, when the 1-pass printing is adopted, the special color material and the color material are mixed, and the image quality may be deteriorated as compared with the case where the same laminated image is formed by the 2-pass printing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to improve the image quality of a laminated image of a colored image and a spot color image.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the information processing apparatus displays a laminated image of a special color image using a special color material and a color image using a color material as one of the special color image and the color image. Two-pass printing in which the other is laminated after being formed and fixed on the medium, or one of the spot color image and the colored image is formed on the medium and then the other is stacked without being fixed. An information processing apparatus for controlling an image forming unit to be formed by one-pass printing, wherein the two-pass printing is performed by the image forming unit using correction chart image data that defines a plurality of patch regions having different color values. A correction unit configured to specify a target characteristic indicating a relationship between a first colorimetric value of the first patch image as the laminated image corresponding to each of the patch regions and the color value, and the correction chart. The relationship between the second colorimetric value and the color value of the second patch image as the stacked image corresponding to each of the patch areas formed by the one-pass printing by the image forming unit using the image data. And a generation unit that generates a correction table for correcting the color value so that the actually measured characteristic indicating the value approaches the target characteristic.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to improve the image quality of a laminated image of a colored image and a spot color image.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing image data. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the stacking order. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of 1-pass printing and 2-pass printing. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the correction management DB. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of correction chart image data. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the medium management DB. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a calibration condition display screen. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a patch image. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of target characteristics and actual measurement characteristics. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of correction table generation. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information processing procedure. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information processing procedure. FIG. 17 is an example of a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of color correction chart image data. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of target characteristics. FIG. 20 is an example of a diagram showing target characteristics and actual measurement characteristics in a table. FIG. 21 is an example of a diagram showing target characteristics and actual measurement characteristics. FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the correction table. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the correction table and the colorimetric values after γ correction. FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of target characteristics, measured characteristics, and characteristics after γ conversion. FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a corrected correction table. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the corrected correction table, the correction table, and the third colorimetric value. FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of an example of correction characteristics. FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information processing procedure when the correction table is updated. FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the color management table. FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of correction characteristics. FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram of an example of correction characteristics. FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the medium management table. FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of correction characteristics. FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of an example of correction characteristics. FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the transfer order management table. FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating an example of the corrected color value. FIG. 38 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of correction characteristics. FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram of an example of correction characteristics. FIG. 40 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of correction characteristics. FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram of an example of correction characteristics. FIG. 42 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus.

  Exemplary embodiments of an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 10 is an apparatus that performs information processing according to the present embodiment. A host computer 16 is connected to the information processing apparatus 10. The host computer 16 is a PC (Personal Computer) or the like. The information processing apparatus 10 receives image data from the host computer 16. Then, the information processing apparatus 10 performs information processing on the image data and outputs it to the image forming apparatus 12.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing the image data 24. The image data 24 includes colored image data 20 and spot color image data 22. The image data 24 may further include a job command indicating image forming conditions in the image forming apparatus 12.

  The colored image data 20 is image data that defines colored density values such as RGB and CMYK. In the present embodiment, the colored image data 20 includes a plurality of types of color image data having different colors. In the present embodiment, the case where the color image data 20 includes each color image data (color image data 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20K) of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black will be described as an example.

  In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the color image data 20 is image data that defines a color density value for each pixel. For this reason, in the present embodiment, each of the color image data (color image data 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20K) constituting the colored image data 20 corresponds to each of the corresponding color (C, M, Y, K). This is image data in which a color density value is defined for each pixel. In the present embodiment, the case where the color image data 20 is data representing the density value of one pixel in 8 bits will be described as an example.

  The information processing apparatus 10 may receive image data 24 including R, G, and B color image data from the host computer 16. In this case, the information processing apparatus 10 may convert the R, G, and B color image data into C, M, Y, and K color image data (20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K).

  The spot color image data 22 is image data that defines the density value of the spot color for each pixel. A spot color is a color other than basic colors such as CMYK and RGB. The spot color is, for example, a metal color of metal, white, transparent, fluorescent color, or the like. The metal color is a color that reproduces the metallic luster. The metal color is, for example, gold or silver. Note that the metal color may be a color obtained by adding a color such as CMYK or RGB to a basic metal color such as gold or silver. Further, the fluorescent color may be any color that expresses a color such as CMYK in a fluorescent color. The spot color material may include a component that absorbs or reflects light in a specific wavelength region such as ultraviolet rays.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the spot color image data 22 is data representing the density value of one pixel in 8 bits will be described as an example.

  Returning to FIG. The information processing apparatus 10 performs information processing on the image data 24 received from the host computer 16. By this information processing, the information processing apparatus 10 performs various corrections on the image data received from the host computer 16 and converts the image data into a format that can be processed by the image forming apparatus 12. Then, the information processing apparatus 10 outputs the image data that has undergone processing such as conversion / correction to the image forming apparatus 12.

  That is, the information processing apparatus 10 controls the image forming apparatus 12 by transmitting image data that can be processed by the image forming apparatus 12 to the image forming apparatus 12.

  The information processing apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10A, a ROM 10B, a RAM 10C, an engine interface 10D, a panel interface 10E, a UI (user interface) unit 10J, a host interface 10F, and an HDD (hard disk drive). 10H. The CPU 10A, ROM 10B, RAM 10C, engine interface 10D, panel interface 10E, host interface 10F, and HDD 10H are connected via a bus 10K so as to be able to exchange data.

  The panel interface 10E is a connection interface for the UI unit 10J. The UI unit 10J includes an input function that receives an operation instruction from a user, and a display function that displays various images. Note that the UI unit 10J may have a configuration in which an input function and a display function are provided separately.

  An example of the input function is a touch panel. An example of the input function is a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. An example of the display function is a liquid crystal display device, a display device using an organic EL, or the like.

  The host interface 10 </ b> F is a connection interface for the host computer 16. The engine interface 10 </ b> D is a connection interface for the image forming apparatus 12.

  Next, the colorimeter 14 will be described. The colorimeter 14 is a device that measures the color of an image formed on a medium. A known colorimeter may be used for the colorimeter 14. For example, the colorimeter 14 measures the color by irradiating the measurement object with light and receiving reflected light. The colorimeter 14 may be an automatic scanning type or a manual scanning type. In the present embodiment, the colorimeter 14 measures each color of the patch image formed on the medium (details will be described later).

  For example, the colorimeter 14 is connected to the host computer 16. Specifically, the colorimeter 14 is connected to the host computer 16 by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like. The connection form between the colorimeter 14 and the host computer 16 is not limited to connection using a USB cable. Further, the colorimeter 14 may be connected to the information processing apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, a mode in which the colorimeter 14 is connected to the host computer 16 will be described as an example.

  Next, the image forming apparatus 12 will be described. The image forming apparatus 12 is an example of an image forming unit. The image forming apparatus 12 forms an image on a medium using the image data generated by the information processing apparatus 10.

  The medium may be any medium that can form an image. The medium is, for example, a known paper medium (paper), synthetic paper, vinyl paper, or the like.

  The image forming apparatus 12 is an apparatus that can form a laminated image of a special color image using a special color material and a colored image using a colored color material. The image forming apparatus 12 is, for example, an electrophotographic or inkjet image forming apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, a case where the image forming apparatus 12 is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described. In the present exemplary embodiment, a case will be described in which the image forming apparatus 12 includes CMYK colored toner and special color toner as the colored color material and the special color material. The special color toner is a toner used for realizing a special color. The special color toner is, for example, a metal toner, a transparent (colorless) toner, a white toner, a fluorescent toner, or the like. The image forming apparatus 12 may be an apparatus that forms an image using a CMYK colored ink and a special color special color ink as the colored color material and the special color material.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 12 includes a panel operation unit 31 and a main body unit 30. The panel operation unit 31 receives various operations by the user and displays various images. The main body 30 is provided with a mechanism used for image formation.

  Specifically, the main body 30 includes a colored image forming unit 32 and a spot color image forming unit 33.

  The colored image forming unit 32 includes colored image forming units 32C, 32M, 32Y, and 32K. Each of the color image forming units 32C, 32M, 32Y, and 32K includes an image carrier on which a color toner image is formed with each color toner of CMYK. The colored toner image formed on the image carrier of the colored image forming unit 32 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 39 by each of the primary transfer units 34C, 34M, 34Y, and 34K.

  The spot color image forming unit 33 includes an image carrier on which a spot color toner image is formed with the spot color toner. The special color toner image formed on the image carrier of the special color image forming unit 33 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 39 by the primary transfer unit 34S. The medium 40 stored in the paper feed tray 37 is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 35 one by one.

  The special color toner image and the colored toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 39 are secondarily transferred to the medium 40 by the secondary transfer unit 35 and fixed by the fixing unit 36. That is, the fixing unit 36 fixes the color image and the spot color image on the medium 40. Fixing is an example of immobilization.

  Note that when the special color ink and the color ink are used as the special color material and the color material, the fixing unit 36 dries the ink (special color ink, color ink) applied to the secondary transfer unit 35, What is necessary is just to fix to the medium 40. That is, drying is an example of immobilization.

  The medium 40 on which the laminated image of the spot color image and the color image is formed is discharged to the discharge tray 38.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 12 can exchange the positions of the color image forming unit 32 and the spot color image forming unit 33.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the image forming apparatus 12. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 12 can arrange the spot color image forming unit 33 on the upstream side in the moving direction X of the intermediate transfer belt 39 with respect to the colored image forming unit 32 (FIG. 4A). reference). Further, the image forming apparatus 12 can arrange the spot color image forming unit 33 on the downstream side in the moving direction X of the intermediate transfer belt 39 with respect to the colored image forming unit 32 (see FIG. 4B).

  The arrangement positions of the color image forming unit 32 and the spot color image forming unit 33 can be changed by, for example, a position exchange operation by a user. Further, the arrangement positions of the color image forming unit 32 and the spot color image forming unit 33 may be configured such that positions can be exchanged by the drive mechanism by providing a drive mechanism for exchanging these positions.

  That is, the image forming apparatus 12 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which the order of stacking the color image and the spot color image on the medium 40 is variable.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the stacking order. For example, the arrangement of the color image forming unit 32 and the spot color image forming unit 33 is an arrangement in which a laminated image 50 in which the color image 54 and the spot color image 52 are stacked in this order on the medium 40 can be formed. In this case, the laminated image 50 formed by the image forming apparatus 12 is an image in which the colored image 54 and the spot color image 52 are laminated in this order on the medium 40 as shown in FIG.

  In addition, the arrangement of the color image forming unit 32 and the spot color image forming unit 33 is an arrangement capable of forming a laminated image 50 in which the spot color image 52 and the color image 54 are stacked in this order on the medium 40. In this case, the laminated image 50 formed by the image forming apparatus 12 is a laminated image 50 in which the spot color image 52 and the colored image 54 are laminated in this order on the medium 40 as shown in FIG.

  Here, the method of forming these laminated images 50 with the image forming apparatus 12 includes one-pass printing and two-pass printing. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of 1-pass printing and 2-pass printing.

  FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram of 2-pass printing. The two-pass printing is a printing method in which one of the spot color image 52 and the color image 54 is formed on the medium 40 and fixed, and then the other is laminated on the one.

  Fixing means fixing the coloring material to the medium 40. Specifically, when the color material is toner (special color toner, colored toner), fixing means fixing. When the color material is ink (spot color ink, colored ink), immobilization means drying.

  For example, in the two-pass printing, as shown in FIG. 6A, a special color toner 52 ′ is applied on the medium 40 and then fixed to form a special color image 52, and further, a colored toner 54 ′ is applied thereon. By fixing later, a laminated image 50 in which the colored image 54 is laminated on the spot color image 52 is formed.

  FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram of one-pass printing. One-pass printing is a printing method in which one of the spot color image 52 and the colored image 54 is formed on the medium 40, and then the other is laminated on the one without being fixed.

  For example, in one-pass printing, as shown in FIG. 6B, after applying the special color toner 52 ′ on the medium 40, the colored toner 54 ′ is laminated on the special color toner 52 ′ without fixing. , Finally settle. As a result, a laminated image 50 in which the spot color image 52 and the colored image 54 are laminated on the medium 40 is formed.

  When the image forming apparatus 12 is used to form the laminated image 50 by two-pass printing, a toner image (colored toner image or special color toner image) is formed on the medium 40 by one of the color image forming unit 32 and the special color image forming unit 33. And fixed by the fixing unit 36. Then, the medium 40 is set in the image forming apparatus 12 again, and a toner image (colored toner image or spot color toner image) is transferred to the other unit (the other of the color image forming unit 32 and the spot color image forming unit 33). 40 and fixed by the fixing unit 36. For this reason, in the case of two-pass printing, the user's operability is poor, and wrinkles or the like may enter the medium 40 due to repeated conveyance of the medium 40 or the like.

  However, when the laminated image 50 is formed by two-pass printing, as shown in FIG. 6A, compared to the laminated image 50 formed by one-pass printing (see FIG. 6B), the color material and the special color Mixing of color materials is suppressed, and the image quality is good.

  On the other hand, when the laminated image 50 is formed by one-pass printing, since fixing (fixing) is not performed between the formation of the colored image and the formation of the special color image, the operability is improved and the image formation time is shortened. An effect is obtained. However, in the case of 1-pass printing, as shown in FIG. 6B, the color material and the special color material are mixed, and the image quality may be deteriorated as compared with the case of 2-pass printing.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment generates a correction table for correcting the color value of the image data in order to improve the image quality of the laminated image 50 formed by one-pass printing (details will be described later). . A correction table for correcting color values may be referred to as a γ correction table.

  Next, a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 10.

  The information processing apparatus 10 includes a control unit 60, a UI unit 64, and a storage unit 62. The UI unit 64 and the storage unit 62 are connected to the control unit 60 so as to exchange data and signals.

  The UI unit 64 is realized by the UI unit 10J (see FIG. 1). The storage unit 62 is realized by, for example, the HDD 10H (see FIG. 1). The storage unit 62 stores various data. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 62 stores a correction management DB 62A, a medium management DB 62B, and an initial correction table 70A (details will be described later).

  The control unit 60 includes a color conversion processing unit 60A, a γ correction unit 60B, a total amount regulating unit 60C, a halftone processing unit 60D, a transmission unit 60E, and an update processing unit 60F. The update processing unit 60F includes a UI control unit 60G, an acquisition unit 60H, a determination unit 60I, a specification unit 60J, a generation unit 60K, and an update unit 60L.

  Color conversion processing unit 60A, γ correction unit 60B, total amount regulation unit 60C, halftone processing unit 60D, transmission unit 60E, update processing unit 60F, UI control unit 60G, acquisition unit 60H, determination unit 60I, identification unit 60J, generation unit Part or all of 60K and the update unit 60L are realized by, for example, one or more processors. For example, each of the above units may be realized by causing a processor such as a CPU to execute a program, that is, by software. The above units may be realized by a processor such as a dedicated IC (Integrated Circuit), that is, hardware. Each of the above units may be realized by using software and hardware together. When using a plurality of processors, each processor may realize one of the respective units, or may realize two or more of the respective units.

  The color conversion processing unit 60 </ b> A acquires the image data 24 from the host computer 16. For example, the color conversion processing unit 60A acquires the image data 24 in which one pixel is represented by an 8-bit density value. Then, the color conversion processing unit 60A performs color conversion processing on the colored image data 20 included in the acquired image data 24. For example, it is assumed that the colored image data 20 included in the image data 24 acquired from the host computer 16 is an RGB color space. In this case, the color conversion processing unit 60A converts the color image data 20 in the RGB color space into the color image data 20 in the CMYK color space. Thereby, the color conversion processing unit 60A obtains the colored image data 20 (color image data 20C, 20M, 20Y, 20K) of each color of CMYK. Then, the color conversion processing unit 60A outputs the color-converted colored image data 20 to the γ correction unit 60B.

  The color conversion processing unit 60A outputs the spot color image data 22 included in the acquired image data 24 to the γ correction unit 60B as it is without performing image processing.

  The γ correction unit 60B performs γ correction on the color image data 20 (color image data 20C, 20M, 20Y, 20K) of each color of CMYK and the spot color image data 22. In the present embodiment, the γ correction unit 60B performs γ correction on the color values (density value and gradation value) of the colored image data 20 using the correction table. At this time, the γ correction unit 60B reads a correction table corresponding to a calibration condition described later from the storage unit 62, and performs γ correction using the read correction table (details will be described later).

  The γ correction unit 60B outputs the spot color image data 22 included in the acquired image data 24 as it is to the total amount regulating unit 60C without performing γ correction.

  This correction table is updated by the update processing unit 60F (details will be described later). That is, the γ correction unit 60B performs γ correction using the correction table corrected by the update processing unit 60F.

  The total amount restriction unit 60C performs the total amount restriction process using the color image data 20 and the spot color image data 22 that have been γ-corrected. Here, there is a limit to the amount of color material (toner amount) that can be placed on the image forming apparatus 12 in an area corresponding to one pixel on the medium 40. The total amount restriction refers to the pixel values (density values) of the color image data 20 and the spot color image data 22 so that the total amount of color material per area corresponding to one pixel on the medium 40 is equal to or less than the limit amount. ) Is corrected.

  Then, the total amount regulating unit 60C outputs the color image data 20 (color image data 20C, 20M, 20Y, 20K) and the spot color image data 22 subjected to the total amount regulation to the halftone processing unit 60D.

  The halftone processing unit 60D executes halftone processing. The halftone processing unit 60D performs halftone processing on the color image data 20 (color image data 20C, 20M, 20Y, 20K) received from the total amount regulating unit 60C and the spot color image data 22.

  In the halftone processing, each of the color image data 20 (color image data 20C, 20M, 20Y, 20K) and the spot color image data 22 in which the pixel value of each pixel is represented by a gradation value of 0 to 255 expressed in 8 bits. This is processing for reducing the pixel value (for example, binarization). The halftone process may be referred to as a screen process.

  Then, the transmission unit 60E outputs the image data 24 subjected to halftone processing by the halftone processing unit 60D to the image forming apparatus 12.

  Here, the storage unit 62 that stores the correction table used by the γ correction unit 60B will be described. As described above, the storage unit 62 stores the correction management DB 62A, the medium management DB 62B, and the initial correction table 70A.

  The correction management DB 62A is a database for managing a correction table used when the γ correction unit 60B performs γ correction. The data format of the correction management DB 62A is not limited to a database. For example, the data format of the correction management DB 62A may be a table.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the correction management DB 62A. The correction management DB 62A associates calibration conditions, correction chart image data, target characteristics, and a correction table. Calibration conditions, correction chart image data, target characteristics, and a correction table in the correction management DB 62A are registered and updated by an update processing unit 60F described later.

  The calibration condition indicates a condition at the time of γ correction by the γ correction unit 60B. The calibration conditions registered in the correction management DB 62A are defined according to the current settings of the image forming apparatus 12. In the present embodiment, the calibration condition includes a calibration ID, a medium ID, stacking order information, spot color type information, and information indicating whether or not a spot color is used for calibration.

  The calibration ID is identification information for calibration conditions. The medium ID is identification information that identifies medium information of the medium 40. The medium information is defined by a plurality of parameters for specifying the medium 40. For example, the medium information is defined by parameters such as medium name, size (width, height), weighing, color, type, and the like.

  The stacking order information is information indicating the stacking order of the spot color image 52 and the colored image 54 on the medium 40. The stacking order information includes stacking order information indicating that the spot color image and the colored image are stacked in this order on the medium, and stacking order information indicating that the color image and the spot color image are stacked in this order on the medium, There is.

  The spot color type information is information indicating the type of the spot color material mounted on the image forming apparatus 12. In the present embodiment, the spot color type information is information indicating, for example, white, gold, transparency (clear), or fluorescence.

  Whether or not a special color is used for calibration indicates “use” indicating that γ correction is performed using the special color or “not use” indicating that γ correction is performed without using the special color.

  Next, the correction chart image data will be described. The correction chart image data is data defining a plurality of patch areas having different color values. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the correction chart image data 78.

  FIG. 9A is an example of the correction chart image data 78. The correction chart image data 78 is data defining a plurality of patch regions P ′ having different color values. The patch region P ′ is a layered region of the spot color patch region A and the colored region B.

  Specifically, the correction chart image data 78 includes a plurality of patch areas PK ′, a plurality of patch areas PY ′, a plurality of patch areas PM ′, and a plurality of patch areas PC ′. 'Include as. Each of the plurality of patch regions P ′ is a stacked region of the spot color patch region A and the colored region B.

  The patch area PK ′ is an area in which a colored area B of K color is stacked on the patch area A of the special color. The K color density values of the plurality of patch areas PK ′ are different from each other. The patch area PY ′ is an area in which a Y-colored area B is stacked on the spot color patch area A. The Y density values of the plurality of patch areas PY ′ are different from each other. The patch area PM ′ is an area in which the M colored area B is stacked on the spot color patch area A. The M color density values of the plurality of patch regions PM 'are different from each other. The patch area PC 'is an area in which a colored area B of C color is laminated on the patch area A of a special color. The C color density values of the plurality of patch regions PC 'are different from each other.

  Since each of the patch areas P ′ is a stacked area, specifically, the correction chart image data 78 includes spot color correction chart image data 76 and color correction chart image data 77. The spot color correction chart image data 76 is data defining a spot color value of the patch area A of the spot color using the spot color material as shown in FIG. 9B. In the present embodiment, the case where the spot color patch area A is shown as a solid image (100% density) area will be described.

  The storage unit 62 stores in advance spot color correction chart image data 76 corresponding to the spot color type information for each spot color type information. For example, the storage unit 62 stores in advance the spot color correction chart image data 76 that defines the spot color value (white density value) of the patch area A of the white spot color corresponding to the spot color type information “white”. The storage unit 62 stores in advance the spot color correction chart image data 76 that defines the spot color value (gold density value) of the patch area A of the gold spot color corresponding to the spot color type information “gold”. The storage unit 62 stores in advance spot color correction chart image data 76 that defines the spot color value (density value) of the patch area A of the transparent spot color corresponding to the spot color type information “transparent”. The storage unit 62 stores in advance the spot color correction chart image data 76 that defines the spot color value (fluorescence density value) of the patch area A of the spot color of fluorescence corresponding to the spot color type information “fluorescence”.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9A, the color correction chart image data 77 is data defining the color value of the color region B by the color material. The color correction chart image data 77 defines a plurality of colored regions B having different density values of K, Y, M, and C colors.

  Returning to FIG. In the correction management DB 62A, correction chart image data 78 corresponding to the calibration conditions is registered. The correction chart image data 78 corresponding to the calibration condition is registered in the correction management DB 62A by the update processing unit 60F described later.

  The target characteristic indicates a target characteristic when the update processing unit 60F corrects the correction table. Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, the update processing unit 60F generates a correction table corresponding to the calibration condition by correcting the initial correction table 70A. The target characteristic indicates a target characteristic when the initial correction table 70A is corrected. The target characteristic may be referred to as a correction target. Details of the target characteristics will be described later.

  The correction table is a γ correction table used for γ correction. In the correction management DB 62A, for example, an initial correction table 70A is registered in advance. The initial correction table 70A is a γ correction table used for γ correction. The update processing unit 60F generates a correction table corresponding to the calibration condition by correcting the initial correction table 70A using the target characteristics. For example, correction tables (D1 to D4 in FIG. 8) corresponding to each of the calibration conditions are registered in the correction management DB 62A by the processing of the update processing unit 60F described later. The processing of the update processing unit 60F will be described later.

  Next, the medium management DB 62B will be described. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the medium management DB 62B. The medium management DB 62B associates a medium ID with medium information. The data format of the medium management DB 62B is not limited. The medium management DB 62B may be, for example, a database or a table. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the medium management DB 62B is registered in the storage unit 62 in advance.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the description will be continued. Next, the update processing unit 60F will be described.

  The update processing unit 60F is a functional unit that generates a correction table used for γ correction.

  The update processing unit 60F includes a UI control unit 60G, an acquisition unit 60H, a determination unit 60I, a specification unit 60J, a generation unit 60K, and an update unit 60L.

  First, the acquisition unit 60H will be described.

  The acquisition unit 60H acquires spot color type information. In the present embodiment, the acquiring unit 60H acquires spot color type information from the image forming apparatus 12. When the image forming apparatus 12 receives the acquisition request for the spot color type information from the acquisition unit 60H, the image forming apparatus 12 transmits the spot color type information indicating the type of the spot color material currently mounted on the image forming apparatus 12 to the information processing apparatus 10.

  For example, it is assumed that a memory that stores spot color type information indicating the type of the spot color material is mounted in the storage unit that stores the spot color material mounted in the image forming apparatus 12. In this case, the image forming apparatus 12 may read the spot color type information from the memory and transmit it to the information processing apparatus 10. Note that the user operating the image forming apparatus 12 inputs the special color type information of the special color material mounted on the image forming apparatus 12, thereby storing the special color type information in the memory of the image forming apparatus 12. Also good. When the image forming apparatus 12 receives the spot color type information acquisition request from the information processing apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 12 may read the spot color type information from the storage unit 62 and transmit it to the information processing apparatus 10.

  In this way, the acquisition unit 60H acquires the special color type information of the special color material currently installed in the image forming apparatus 12.

  In addition, the acquisition unit 60H acquires stacking order information. In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 60H acquires the stacking order information from the image forming apparatus 12. The stacking order information is information indicating the stacking order of the spot color image 52 and the colored image 54 with respect to the medium 40 in the stacked image 50 formed by the current configuration of the image forming apparatus 12.

  For example, in the image forming apparatus 12, the positions of the color image forming unit 32 and the spot color image forming unit 33 are in a positional relationship in which the stacked image 50 in the stacking order of the spot color image 52 and the color image 54 is formed on the medium 40. Or the positional relationship for forming the laminated image 50 in the order of lamination of the colored image 54 and the spot color image 52 with respect to the medium 40 is specified.

  Specifically, sensors for identifying the positions of the color image forming unit 32 and the spot color image forming unit 33 are arranged in the main body 30 of the image forming apparatus 12. Then, the image forming apparatus 12 specifies the stacking order information by specifying the positional relationship between the colored image forming unit 32 and the spot color image forming unit 33 using the detection signal from the sensor. When the image forming apparatus 12 receives an acquisition request for stacking order information from the information processing apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 12 may transmit the stacking order information to the information processing apparatus 10. Thus, the acquisition unit 60H acquires the stacking order information from the image forming apparatus 12.

  In addition, the acquisition unit 60H acquires a medium ID. In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 60H acquires the medium ID from the image forming apparatus 12. For example, the image forming apparatus 12 specifies the medium ID of the medium 40 stored in the paper feed tray 37. For example, the image forming apparatus 12 specifies the medium ID input by the operation of the panel operation unit 31 by the user. Note that the image forming apparatus 12 may identify the medium ID of the medium 40 by detecting the medium 40 stored in the paper feed tray 37 by a known method. Then, the image forming apparatus 12 transmits the specified medium ID to the information processing apparatus 10. Thereby, the acquisition unit 60 </ b> H of the information processing apparatus 10 acquires the medium ID from the image forming apparatus 12.

  Then, the acquiring unit 60H registers the acquired medium ID, stacking order information, and spot color type information in association with the correction management DB 62A as new calibration conditions (see FIG. 8).

  Here, as described with reference to FIG. 8, the calibration condition may further include information indicating whether or not a spot color is used for calibration. This information is updated by an operation instruction from the user.

  For example, the UI control unit 60G displays a display screen indicating calibration conditions on the UI unit 64. FIG. 11 is an example of the calibration condition display screen 80.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the calibration condition display screen 80 includes a medium information display area 80A, a selection window 80B, and an execution button 80C.

  The medium information display area 80A is an area for displaying medium information of the target medium 40 used for calibration. The UI control unit 60G reads the medium information corresponding to the medium ID acquired by the acquisition unit 60H from the medium management DB 62B and displays it in the medium information display area 80A. The calibration condition display screen 80 may further include at least one of stacking order information and spot color type information acquired by the acquisition unit 60H.

  The selection window 80B is a window for selecting whether to use a spot color for calibration. The user operates the selection window 80B using the UI unit 64 to input whether or not to use the spot color for calibration.

  The execution button 80 </ b> C is operated by the user when instructing the execution of calibration with the contents displayed on the calibration condition display screen 80. When the execution button 80C is operated by the user, the UI control unit 60G outputs, to the acquisition unit 60H, information indicating whether to use a spot color for calibration, which is input via the calibration condition display screen 80. To do.

  Thereby, the acquisition unit 60H acquires information indicating whether or not to use a spot color for calibration, and registers the information in the correction management DB 62A.

  Returning to FIG. The determination unit 60I determines the correction chart image data 78 according to the spot color type information acquired by the acquisition unit 60H.

  Specifically, the determination unit 60I determines the correction chart image data 78 by reading the spot color correction chart image data 76 corresponding to the spot color type information acquired by the acquisition unit 60H from the storage unit 62. Specifically, for example, when the spot color type information is information indicating white, the determining unit 60I sets the spot color value (white density value) of the patch area A of the white spot color corresponding to the spot color type information “white”. Is read from the storage unit 62.

  The storage unit 62 stores one type of color correction chart image data 77 (see FIG. 9A) in advance. Therefore, the determination unit 60I reads the color correction chart image data 77 from the storage unit 62.

  Thus, the determination unit 60I determines correction chart image data 78 including spot color correction chart image data 76 corresponding to the spot color type information acquired by the acquisition unit 60H and color correction chart image data 77.

  Here, the acquisition unit 60H may acquire information indicating that no special color is used for calibration from the user via the calibration condition display screen 80. In this case, the determination unit 60I may determine the correction chart image data 78 by reading only the color correction chart image data 77 from the storage unit 62.

  Next, the specifying unit 60J will be described.

  The specifying unit 60J specifies the target characteristic using the correction chart image data 78 determined by the determining unit 60I.

  The target characteristics include the first colorimetric value of the first patch image P1 formed by the two-pass printing by the image forming apparatus 12 using the correction chart image data 78, the color value of the correction chart image data 78, The relationship is shown. The relationship is represented by a diagram or function. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the target characteristic is represented by a diagram. Further, the color value of the correction chart image data 78 used for the target characteristic is specifically the color value of the color correction chart image data 77 included in the correction chart image data 78.

  12A and 12B are explanatory diagrams of an example of the first patch image P1 formed by two-pass printing using the correction chart image data 78. FIG.

  For example, it is assumed that the stacking order information acquired by the acquiring unit 60H indicates that the spot color image 52 and the colored image 54 are stacked on the medium 40 in this order. Then, it is assumed that the determination unit 60I has determined the spot color correction chart image data 76 and the color correction chart image data 77 as the correction chart image data 78.

  In this case, the specifying unit 60J transmits the determined spot color correction chart image data 76 to the image forming apparatus 12. The image forming apparatus 12 uses the received spot color correction chart image data 76 to form and fix the spot color image 52 corresponding to the spot color patch area A indicated in the spot color correction chart image data 76 on the medium 40. (First pass) (see FIG. 12A). The user sets the medium 40 on which the spot color image 52 is fixed on the paper feed tray 37 of the image forming apparatus 12 again.

  Next, the specifying unit 60J transmits the determined color correction chart image data 77 to the image forming apparatus 12. The image forming apparatus 12 uses the received color correction chart image data 77 to generate a color image 54 corresponding to the color area B indicated in the color correction chart image data 77 on the spot color image 52 on the medium 40. Form and fix (second pass) (see FIG. 12B). As a result, the laminated image 50 corresponding to the correction chart image data 78 determined by the determination unit 60I is formed on the medium 40 by two-pass printing.

  By the two-pass printing, the first patch image P1 as the laminated image 50 corresponding to each of the patch areas P ′ indicated in the correction chart image data 78 is formed on the medium 40 (FIG. 12 ( B)).

  The colorimeter 14 measures each of the first patch images P1 to obtain a first colorimetric value. The colorimeter 14 then outputs the first colorimetric values of each of the plurality of first patch images P1 to the information processing apparatus 10 via the host computer 16.

  Then, the specifying unit 60J of the information processing apparatus 10 includes the color values indicated by each of the plurality of patch regions P ′ and the plurality of patch regions P ′ indicated in the correction chart image data 78 determined by the determining unit 60I. A target characteristic indicating a relationship with the first colorimetric value of the first patch image P1 corresponding to each is specified.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the target characteristic 72 and the actual measurement characteristic 74. For example, the specifying unit 60J specifies the target characteristic 72 shown in FIG. The specifying unit 60J specifies a target characteristic 72 indicating a relationship between a color value (colored color value) and a colorimetric value (first colorimetric value).

  Returning to FIG. Next, the generation unit 60K will be described. The generation unit 60K generates a correction table using the correction chart image data 78 determined by the determination unit 60I.

  Specifically, first, the generation unit 60K determines the actual measurement characteristics using the correction chart image data 78 determined by the determination unit 60I.

  The actual measurement characteristics include the second colorimetric value of the second patch image P2 formed by the image forming apparatus 12 using the correction chart image data 78 determined by the determination unit 60I and the correction chart. The relationship with the color value of the image data 78 is shown. The relationship is represented by a diagram or function. In the present embodiment, a case where the actual measurement characteristic is represented by a diagram will be described. The color value of the correction chart image data 78 used for the actual measurement characteristic is specifically the color value of the color correction chart image data 77 included in the correction chart image data 78.

  FIG. 12C is an explanatory diagram of an example of the second patch image P2 formed by one-pass printing using the correction chart image data 78.

  For example, it is assumed that the stacking order information acquired by the acquiring unit 60H indicates that the spot color image 52 and the colored image 54 are stacked on the medium 40 in this order. Then, it is assumed that the determination unit 60I has determined the spot color correction chart image data 76 and the color correction chart image data 77 as the correction chart image data 78.

  In this case, the determination unit 60I transmits the determined correction chart image data 78 (spot color correction chart image data 76, color correction chart image data 77) to the image forming apparatus 12. The image forming apparatus 12 uses the spot color correction chart image data 76 included in the received correction chart image data 78 to form the spot color image 52 corresponding to the spot color patch area A on the medium 40, and then performs fixing. Instead, a color image 54 corresponding to the color region B is formed on the spot color image 52 using the color correction chart image data 77 and fixed (see FIG. 12C). As a result, the laminated image 50 corresponding to the correction chart image data 78 determined by the determination unit 60I is formed on the medium 40 by one-pass printing.

  By the one-pass printing, the medium 40 is in a state in which the second patch image P2 as the laminated image 50 corresponding to each of the patch regions P ′ indicated in the correction chart image data 78 is formed (FIG. 12 ( C)).

  The colorimeter 14 measures each of the second patch images P2 to obtain a second colorimetric value. The colorimeter 14 then outputs the second colorimetric values of each of the plurality of second patch images P2 to the information processing apparatus 10 via the host computer 16.

  Then, the generation unit 60K of the information processing apparatus 10 displays the color values indicated by each of the plurality of patch regions P ′ and the plurality of patch regions P ′ indicated in the correction chart image data 78 determined by the determination unit 60I. An actual measurement characteristic indicating a relationship with the second colorimetric value of the second patch image P2 corresponding to each is specified.

  For example, the generation unit 60K specifies the actual measurement characteristic 74 illustrated in FIG. The generation unit 60K specifies an actual measurement characteristic 74 indicating a relationship between a color value (colored color value) and a colorimetric value (second colorimetric value).

  When forming the first patch image P1 and the second patch image P2 used for specifying the target characteristic 72 and the actual measurement characteristic 74, the image forming apparatus 12 is indicated by the calibration condition acquired by the acquisition unit 60H. Is in a state. That is, the image forming apparatus 12 is mounted with the medium 40 identified by the medium ID indicated by the calibration condition acquired by the acquisition unit 60H and the spot color material of the type indicated by the spot color type information. The stacked image 50 can be formed in the stacking order indicated by the stacking order information included in the calibration condition.

  Therefore, the target characteristic 72 specified by the specifying unit 60J and the actually measured characteristic 74 specified by the generating unit 60K are formed by the image forming apparatus 12 having the same calibration conditions using the same correction chart image data 78. This is a characteristic obtained from the laminated image 50. The target characteristic 72 specified by the specifying unit 60J is a characteristic obtained from the laminated image 50 formed by one-pass printing, whereas the measured characteristic 74 specified by the generating unit 60K is a laminated image formed by two-pass printing. The difference is that it is a characteristic obtained from 50.

  Then, the generation unit 60K generates a correction table for correcting the color value defined in the color image data 20 so that the actual measurement characteristic 74 approaches the target characteristic 72. The generation unit 60K preferably generates a correction table for correcting the color value so that the actual measurement characteristic 74 matches the target characteristic 72.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of correction table generation by the generation unit 60K. In the present embodiment, the generation unit 60K generates the correction table 70B by correcting the initial correction table 70A stored in advance in the storage unit 62.

  Specifically, the generation unit 60K uses the color value in the target characteristic 72 as the input color value, and outputs the color value corresponding to the second colorimetric value indicating the first colorimetric value of the target characteristic 72 in the actual measurement characteristic 74 as the output color. A correction table 70B is generated as values.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the generation unit 60K has an actual measurement characteristic corresponding to the second colorimetric value a ′ having the same value as the first colorimetric value a corresponding to the color value b in the target characteristic 72. The color value b ′ at 74 is specified. 13 and 14, the generation unit 60K generates a correction table 70B in which the color value b in the target characteristic 72 is the input color value and the color value b ′ in the actual measurement characteristic 74 is the output color value. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the generation unit 60K sets the correction table 70B (see FIG. 14) for correcting the color value (colored color value) so that the actual measurement characteristic 74 shown in FIG. It is generated by correcting the correction table 70A.

  In the initial correction table 70A and the correction table 70B, the color value (colored color value, that is, the color density value) indicated in the color image data 20 is set as the input color value, and the color value after correction is set as the output color value. It is a table.

  In other words, the generation unit 60K performs color values (colored color values, colored density values) of the colored image data 20 in order to achieve the same level of image quality as the stacked image 50 formed by two-pass printing by one-pass printing. ) Is generated.

  The update unit 60L registers the correction table 70B generated by the generation unit 60K in the correction management DB 62A in association with the calibration condition acquired by the acquisition unit 60H. Thereby, the update unit 60L updates the initial correction table 70A to the correction table 70B.

  Therefore, the correction table 70B corresponding to the calibration condition is registered in the storage unit 62.

  In the γ correction unit 60B described above, the color image data 20 (color image data 20C, 20M, 20Y) of each color of CMYK included in the image data 24 received from the host computer 16 via the color conversion processing unit 60A. , 20K), γ correction is performed using the correction table 70B. At this time, the γ correction unit 60B acquires the calibration conditions in the same manner as the acquisition unit 60H, and performs the γ correction using the correction table 70B corresponding to the calibration conditions according to the current setting of the image forming apparatus 12. Do. Then, the transmission unit 60E outputs the image data 24 after being subjected to γ correction by the γ correction unit 60B and processed by the total amount regulating unit 60C and the halftone processing unit 60D to the image forming apparatus 12.

  Next, an example of an information processing procedure performed by the control unit 60 of the information processing apparatus 10 when the correction table is updated will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information processing procedure performed by the control unit 60 of the information processing apparatus 10 when the correction table is updated.

  First, the acquisition unit 60H acquires the stacking order information, the spot color type information, and the medium ID from the image forming apparatus 12 (step S100).

  Next, the acquisition unit 60H reads the medium information corresponding to the medium ID acquired in step S100 from the medium management DB 62B (step S102). Next, the acquisition unit 60H displays a calibration condition display screen 80 including the medium information read in step S102 on the UI unit 64 (step S104) (see FIG. 11).

  The user refers to the calibration condition display screen 80 and operates the selection window 80B to input information indicating whether to use a spot color for calibration. Then, the execution button 80C is operated.

  Next, the acquisition unit 60H repeats the negative determination (No at Step S106) until it is determined that the execution instruction has been received (Step S106: Yes). The acquisition unit 60H determines whether or not the execution button 80C has been operated, thereby determining step S106. If an affirmative determination is made in step S106 (step S106: Yes), the process proceeds to step S108.

  Next, the determining unit 60I determines whether or not the stacking order indicated by the stacking order information acquired in step S100 is the stacking order of the spot color image 52 and the colored image 54 on the medium 40 (step S108). ).

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S108 (step S108: Yes), the process proceeds to step S110. In step S110, the determination unit 60I determines whether to use a spot color for calibration (step S110). If an affirmative determination is made in step S110 (step S110: Yes), the process proceeds to step S112. In step S112, the determination unit 60I determines the color correction chart image data 77 and the spot color correction chart image data 76 as the correction chart image data 78 (step S112). At this time, the determination unit 60I determines the spot color correction chart image data 76 corresponding to the spot color type information acquired in step S100.

  Then, the determination unit 60I obtains the stacking order information, the spot color type information, the medium ID, and the information indicating that the spot color is “used” for calibration, and the correction chart image data 78 determined in step S112. Are stored in the correction management DB 62A (step S114). Then, the process proceeds to step S120.

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step S108 (step S108: No), the process proceeds to step S116. If a negative determination is made in step S110 (step S110: No), the process proceeds to step S116.

  In step S116, the determination unit 60I determines the color correction chart image data 77 as the correction chart image data 78 (step S116).

  Then, the determination unit 60I determines in step S116 the stacking order information, the spot color type information, the medium ID acquired in step S100, and the information indicating the determination result in step S110 ("not use spot color for calibration"). The corrected chart image data 78 is associated with each other and stored in the correction management DB 62A (step S118). Then, the process proceeds to step S120.

  In step S120, the determination unit 60I transmits the spot color correction chart image data 76 determined in step S112 to the image forming apparatus 12 (step S120). The image forming apparatus 12 uses the received spot color correction chart image data 76 to form and fix the spot color image 52 corresponding to the spot color patch area A indicated in the spot color correction chart image data 76 on the medium 40. (First pass) (see FIG. 12A). The user sets the medium 40 on which the spot color image 52 is fixed on the paper feed tray 37 of the image forming apparatus 12 again. When the image formation on the medium 40 is completed, the image forming apparatus 12 outputs an image formation completion signal to the information processing apparatus 10.

  The determination unit 60I of the information processing apparatus 10 repeats negative determination (step S122: No) until it is determined that the image formation completion signal has been received (step S122: Yes). If an affirmative determination is made in step S122 (step S122: Yes), the process proceeds to step S124.

  In step S124, the determination unit 60I transmits the color correction chart image data 77 determined in step S112 or step S116 to the image forming apparatus 12 (step S124). The image forming apparatus 12 uses the received color correction chart image data 77 to generate a color image 54 corresponding to the color area B indicated in the color correction chart image data 77 on the spot color image 52 on the medium 40. Form and fix (second pass) (see FIG. 12B).

  Through the processing in steps S120 to S124, the laminated image 50 corresponding to the correction chart image data 78 determined in step S112 or step S116 is formed on the medium 40 by two-pass printing. In step S116, only the color correction chart image data 77 is determined as the correction chart image data 78. In this case, only the color image 54 is formed on the medium 40.

  Next, the specifying unit 60J performs the first patch image P1 (see FIG. 12B) as the laminated image 50 formed on the medium 40 by the two-pass printing by the processing of Step S120 to Step S124. A colorimetric value is acquired from the colorimeter 14 (step S126).

  Then, the specifying unit 60J applies the color value indicated by each of the plurality of patch areas P ′ and the plurality of patch areas P ′ indicated in the color correction chart image data 77 determined in step S112 or step S116. A target characteristic 72 indicating the relationship with the first colorimetric value of the corresponding first patch image P1 is specified (step S128). By the process of step S128, for example, the target characteristic 72 shown in FIG. 13 is specified.

  The specifying unit 60J stores the target characteristic 72 specified in step S128 in the correction management DB 62A in association with the calibration conditions (stacking order information, spot color type information, medium ID) acquired in step S100 (step S130). ).

  Next, the generation unit 60K transmits the correction chart image data 78 determined in step S112 or step S116 to the image forming apparatus 12 (step S132).

  The image forming apparatus 12 uses the spot color correction chart image data 76 included in the received correction chart image data 78 to form the spot color image 52 corresponding to the spot color patch area A on the medium 40, and then performs fixing. Instead, a color image 54 corresponding to the color region B is formed on the spot color image 52 using the color correction chart image data 77 and fixed (see FIG. 12C). As a result, the laminated image 50 corresponding to the correction chart image data 78 determined by the determination unit 60I is formed on the medium 40 by one-pass printing. When the image formation on the medium 40 is completed, the image forming apparatus 12 transmits an image formation completion signal to the information processing apparatus 10.

  The generation unit 60K of the information processing apparatus 10 repeats the negative determination until it is determined that the image formation completion signal has been received from the image forming apparatus 12 (step S134: Yes) (step S134: No). If an affirmative determination is made in step S134 (step S134: Yes), the process proceeds to step S136.

  In step S136, the generation unit 60K performs each of the second patch images P2 (see FIG. 12C) as the laminated image 50 formed on the medium 40 by one-pass printing by the processing in steps 132 to S134. The second colorimetric value is acquired from the colorimeter 14 (step S136).

  Then, the generation unit 60K includes the color values indicated by each of the plurality of patch regions P ′ indicated in the correction chart image data 78 (color correction chart image data 77) determined in step S112 or step S116, and a plurality of color values. An actual measurement characteristic 74 indicating the relationship with the second colorimetric value of the second patch image P2 corresponding to each of the patch regions P ′ is specified (step S138) (see FIG. 13).

  Then, the generation unit 60K generates a correction table 70B for correcting the color value so that the actual measurement characteristic 74 specified in step S138 approaches the target characteristic 72 specified in step S128 (step S140).

  Next, the update unit 60L repeats the negative determination until it is determined that an update OK signal indicating update OK is acquired (step S142: Yes) (step S142: No). For example, the update unit 60L receives an update OK signal from the UI unit 64 when a button image indicating update OK is operated by the user operating the UI unit 64. Then, the update unit 60L determines whether or not an update OK signal has been received from the UI unit 64, thereby determining step S142.

  If a positive determination is made in step S142 (step S142: Yes), the process proceeds to step 144. In step S144, the correction table 70B generated in step S140 is registered in the correction management DB 62A in association with the calibration condition acquired in step S100. Thereby, the update unit 60L updates the correction table. Then, this routine ends.

  Next, an example of an information processing procedure executed by the information processing apparatus 10 when the image data 24 is received from the host computer 16 will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information processing procedure executed when the image data 24 is received.

  First, the color conversion processing unit 60A acquires the image data 24 from the host computer 16 (step S200). Next, the color conversion processing unit 60A performs color conversion processing on the colored image data 20 included in the image data 24 acquired in step S200 (step S202).

  Next, the γ correction unit 60B acquires calibration conditions (step S204). For example, the γ correction unit 60B acquires the stacking order information, the spot color type information, and the medium ID from the image forming apparatus 12 as calibration conditions. At this time, the γ correction unit 60B may acquire information indicating whether or not a special color is used for calibration from the image forming apparatus 12. Further, the γ correction unit 60B may acquire information indicating whether or not to use a spot color for calibration from the UI unit 64.

  Next, the γ correction unit 60B corrects the color value of the color image data 20 color-converted in step S202 (γ correction) using the correction table 70B corresponding to the calibration condition acquired in step S204 in the correction management DB 62A. (Step S206).

  Next, the total amount regulating unit 60C performs a total amount regulating process using the color image data 20 that has been γ-corrected in step S206 and the spot color image data 22 included in the image data 24 obtained in step S200 (step S200). S208).

  Next, the halftone processing unit 60D performs halftone processing on the color image data 20 (color image data 20C, 20M, 20Y, 20K) and the spot color image data 22 that have been subjected to the total amount restriction processing in step S208. (Step S210). Then, the transmission unit 60E transmits the image data 24 (colored image data 20, special color image data 22) subjected to the halftone processing by the halftone processing unit 60D to the image forming apparatus 12 (step S212). Then, this routine ends.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment controls the image forming apparatus 12 (image forming unit). The image forming apparatus 12 forms a laminated image 50 of a special color image 52 made of a special color material and a colored image 54 made of a colored color material by two-pass printing or one-pass printing. In the two-pass printing, one of the spot color image 52 and the color image 54 is formed on the medium 40 and fixed, and then the other is laminated. In the one-pass printing, one of the spot color image 52 and the color image 54 is formed on the medium 40, and then the other is stacked without fixing.

  The information processing apparatus 10 includes a specifying unit 60J and a generating unit 60K. The specifying unit 60J uses the correction chart image data 78 defining a plurality of patch regions P ′ having different color values, and corresponds to each of the patch regions P ′ formed by the image forming apparatus 12 by two-pass printing. A target characteristic 72 indicating the relationship between the first colorimetric value and the color value of the first patch image P1 as the laminated image 50 is specified. The generation unit 60K uses the correction chart image data 78 to generate the second patch image P2 as the laminated image 50 corresponding to each of the patch regions P ′ formed by the image forming apparatus 12 by one-pass printing. A correction table for correcting the color value is generated so that the actual measurement characteristic 74 indicating the relationship between the colorimetric value and the color value approaches the target characteristic 72.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment uses the correction chart image data 78 to determine the relationship between the second colorimetric value and the color value of the second patch image P2 formed by one-pass printing. The actual measurement characteristic 74 shown is close to the target characteristic 72 indicating the relationship between the first colorimetric value and the color value of the first patch image P1 formed by two-pass printing using the correction chart image data 78. A correction table 70B for correcting the color value is generated. That is, the information processing apparatus 10 uses color values (colored color values, colored density values) of image data in order to achieve the same level of image quality as the stacked image 50 formed by two-pass printing in one-pass printing. A correction table 70B for correction is generated.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 12 uses the image data whose color values have been corrected using the correction table 70B to form a laminated image 50 on the medium 40 by one-pass printing, thereby achieving an image quality equivalent to that of two-pass printing. The laminated image 50 can be formed by one-pass printing.

  Therefore, in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the image quality of the stacked image 50 of the spot color image 52 and the colored image 54.

  In other words, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can provide the correction table 70B that can improve the image quality of the laminated image 50 formed by one-pass printing.

  The acquisition unit 60H acquires spot color type information indicating the type of the spot color material used for image formation. The determination unit 60I determines the correction chart image data 78 according to the spot color type information. The specifying unit 60J determines the target characteristic 72 using the determined correction chart image data 78. The generation unit 60K generates the correction table 70B using the determined correction chart image data 78.

  The determination unit 60I determines correction chart image data 78 including spot color correction chart image data 76 and colored correction chart image data 77. The spot color correction chart image data 76 defines the spot color value of the patch area A of the spot color using the spot color material of the type indicated by the spot color type information. The color correction chart image data 77 defines the color value of the color region B by the color material.

  The image forming apparatus 12 is configured to be able to switch the stacking order of the colored image 54 and the spot color image 52 on the medium 40. The acquiring unit 60H acquires stacking order information indicating the stacking order from the image forming apparatus 12. The specifying unit 60J uses the correction chart image data 78 determined by the determining unit 60I to use the special color material of the type indicated by the special color type information acquired by the acquiring unit 60H, and the stack indicated by the acquired stacking order information. In order, a target characteristic 72 indicating the relationship between the first colorimetric value and the color value of the first patch image P1 formed on the medium 40 by the two-pass printing by the image forming apparatus 12 is specified. The generation unit 60K uses the correction chart image data 78 determined by the determination unit 60I, and uses the special color material of the type indicated by the special color type information acquired by the acquisition unit 60H, and the stack indicated by the acquired stacking order information. In order, the measured characteristic 74 indicating the relationship between the second colorimetric value and the color value of the second patch image P2 formed on the medium 40 by one-pass printing by the image forming apparatus 12 matches the target characteristic 72. Thus, the correction table 70B is generated.

  The γ correction unit 60B (correction unit) corrects the color value of the image data 24 to be formed using the correction table 70B. The transmission unit 60E transmits the corrected image data 24 to the image forming apparatus 12.

  The special color material is a color material showing any one of metallic color, white, transparent, and fluorescence.

  In addition, the information processing method according to the present embodiment forms a laminated image 50 of a special color image 52 using a special color material and a colored image 54 using a color material, and forms one of the special color image 52 and the color image 54 on the medium 40. Two pass printing in which the other is laminated after fixing, or one pass in which one of the spot color image 52 and the colored image 54 is formed on the medium 40 and the other is laminated without fixing. This is a control method for controlling the image forming apparatus 12 formed by printing.

  The information processing method according to the present embodiment uses the correction chart image data 78 defining a plurality of patch areas P ′ having different color values, and the patch area P ′ formed by the image forming apparatus 12 by two-pass printing. Using the correction chart image data 78, the step of specifying the target characteristic 72 indicating the relationship between the first colorimetric value and the color value of the first patch image P1 as the laminated image 50 corresponding to each of the image formation is performed. An actual measurement characteristic 74 indicating the relationship between the second colorimetric value and the color value of the second patch image P2 as the laminated image 50 corresponding to each of the patch regions P ′ formed by the apparatus 12 by one-pass printing has a target Generating a correction table 70B for correcting the color value so as to approach the characteristic 72.

  The information processing program of the present embodiment forms a laminated image 50 of a special color image 52 made of a special color material and a colored image 54 made of a colored color material, and forms one of the special color image 52 and the colored image 54 on the medium 40. Two-pass printing in which the other is laminated after being fixed, or one-pass printing in which one of the spot color image 52 and the colored image 54 is formed on the medium 40 and the other is laminated without being fixed, This is an information processing program for causing a computer that controls the image forming apparatus 12 to be executed by the computer to execute the program.

  The information processing program according to the present embodiment uses the correction chart image data 78 defining a plurality of patch areas P ′ having different color values, and the patch area P ′ formed by the image forming apparatus 12 by two-pass printing. Using the correction chart image data 78, the step of specifying the target characteristic 72 indicating the relationship between the first colorimetric value and the color value of the first patch image P1 as the laminated image 50 corresponding to each of the image formation is performed. An actual measurement characteristic 74 indicating the relationship between the second colorimetric value and the color value of the second patch image P2 as the laminated image 50 corresponding to each of the patch regions P ′ formed by the apparatus 12 by one-pass printing has a target Generating a correction table 70B for correcting the color value so as to approach the characteristic 72.

  In the above-described embodiment, as an example, the configuration in which the information processing apparatus 10 is connected to the host computer 16 in a communicable manner has been described. However, the host computer 16 may not be provided and the information processing apparatus 10 alone may be used. In this case, the colorimeter 14 may be configured to be connected to the information processing apparatus 10 so as to be able to exchange data and signals.

(Modification 1)
In the above embodiment, the update processing unit 60F has been described as generating the correction table 70B according to the calibration conditions of the image forming apparatus 12. However, when the setting of the image forming apparatus 12 is fixed, the correction table 70B corresponding to one type of calibration condition based on the fixed setting may be generated.

  For example, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 12 has a configuration in which white toner is loaded and the laminated image 50 is formed by forming the spot color image 52 and the color image 54 in this order on the medium 40. Further, it is assumed that only the medium 40 indicated by the medium information corresponding to the specific medium ID is mounted on the paper feed tray 37 as the medium 40.

  In this case, in the storage unit 62 of the information processing apparatus 10, as the correction chart image data 78, the color correction chart image data 77 and the spot color correction chart image data 76 corresponding to the spot color type information “white” are stored. What is necessary is just to memorize | store beforehand. Then, the update processing unit 60F of the information processing apparatus 10 does not perform the processing of Step S100 to Step S118 in FIG. 15 and stores the spot color correction chart image data 76 and the color correction chart image data stored in the storage unit 62. After the correction chart image data 78 is determined by reading 77, the processing in steps S120 to S144 may be executed.

  As described above, when the calibration conditions of the image forming apparatus 12 are fixed, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained, and the information processing of the information processing apparatus 10 can be simplified.

(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, a mode for further correcting the correction table 70B will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 11 includes a control unit 61, a UI unit 64, and a storage unit 63. The UI unit 64 and the storage unit 63 are connected to the control unit 61 so as to exchange data and signals.

  The UI unit 64 is the same as that in the first embodiment. The storage unit 63 is the same as the storage unit 62 of the first embodiment except that the correction color value is further stored.

  The control unit 61 includes a color conversion processing unit 60A, a γ correction unit 60B, a total amount regulating unit 60C, a halftone processing unit 60D, a transmission unit 60E, and an update processing unit 61F. The control unit 61 is the same as the control unit 60 of the first embodiment except that an update processing unit 61F is provided instead of the update processing unit 60F.

  The update processing unit 61F includes a UI control unit 60G, an acquisition unit 60H, a determination unit 60I, a specification unit 60J, a generation unit 60K, an update unit 61L, and a correction unit 61M. The UI control unit 60G, the acquisition unit 60H, the determination unit 60I, the specification unit 60J, and the generation unit 60K are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As in the first embodiment, the determination unit 60I determines the correction chart image data 78. Specifically, the determination unit 60I determines correction chart image data 78 including spot color correction chart image data 76 and colored correction chart image data 77.

  FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the color correction chart image data 77. As described above, the correction chart image data 78 is data defining a plurality of patch regions P ′ having different color values. The patch region P ′ is a layered region of the spot color patch region A and the colored region B. The color correction chart image data 77 defines a plurality of colored regions B having different color values for each of the K color, Y color, M color, and C color in each patch region P ′.

  In this embodiment, a case where a gradation value is used as a color value will be described as an example.

  As in the first embodiment, the specifying unit 60J specifies the target characteristic 72 using the correction chart image data 78 determined by the determining unit 60I. The diagram representing the target characteristic 72 is, for example, the diagram shown in FIG. Further, when the target characteristic 72 is represented by a table, for example, it is as shown in FIG. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of the target characteristic 72.

  As in the first embodiment, the generation unit 60K uses the correction chart image data 78 determined by the determination unit 60I to characterize the actual measurement characteristic 74. The diagram showing the actual measurement characteristic 74 is, for example, the diagram shown in FIG.

  FIG. 20 is an example of a diagram showing the target characteristic 72 and the actual measurement characteristic 74 in a table. FIG. 20 shows only the K-color target characteristic 72 and the actual measurement characteristic 74. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the target characteristic 72 and the actual measurement characteristic 74 shown in FIG.

  When the relationship between the color values shown in FIG. 20 and the first colorimetric values is obtained, a diagram showing the target characteristic 72 indicating these relationships is shown in FIG. When the relationship between the color values and the second colorimetric values shown in FIG. 20 is obtained, a diagram of the actual measurement characteristic 74 showing these relationships is as shown in FIG.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the generation unit 60K generates a correction table 70B for correcting the color value defined in the colored image data 20 so that the actual measurement characteristic 74 approaches the target characteristic 72 ( (See FIG. 14). FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 22, the generation unit 60K includes the color value b in the actual measurement characteristic 74 corresponding to the second color measurement value a ′ that is the same value as the first color measurement value a corresponding to the color value b in the target characteristic 72. 'Identify. Then, the generation unit 60K similarly uses the target characteristic 72 for the color measurement values (first color measurement value and second color measurement value) of the patch image P ′ indicated by the target characteristic 72 and the actual measurement characteristic 74. The color value b and the color value b ′ in the actual measurement characteristic 74 are derived.

  Then, the generation unit 60K uses the color value b in the target characteristic 72 as the input color value for each combination of the plurality of color values b and color values b ′ derived for each of the colorimetric values. A correction table 70B is generated using the color value b ′ as the output color value.

  For example, the description will be made using the color value “191”. The generation unit 60K specifies the first colorimetric value “0.96” corresponding to the color value “191” in the target characteristic 72 (see FIGS. 20 to 22). Then, the generation unit 60K specifies the color value “237” corresponding to the second colorimetric value of “0.96” in the actual measurement characteristic 74 (see FIGS. 20 to 22).

  Then, the generation unit 60K derives the color value “191” that is the color value b as the input color value and the color value “237” that is the color value b ′ as the output color value. Similarly, the generation unit 60K performs the same process for each colorimetric value of the other patch image P ′, thereby obtaining the color value b in the target characteristic 72 and the color value b ′ in the actual measurement characteristic 74. The correction table 70B is generated.

  Note that the second colorimetric value having the same value as the first colorimetric value may not be measured as the colorimetric value of the actual measurement characteristic 74. In this case, the generation unit 60K specifies the color value in the actual measurement characteristic 74 by interpolating between the color values corresponding to each of the two second colorimetric values that are closest to the first colorimetric value. Good. For the interpolation, for example, linear interpolation, spline interpolation, or the like may be used.

  For example, the generation unit 60K includes two second colorimetric values “0.85” that approximate the first colorimetric value “0.96” corresponding to the color value “191” in the target characteristic 72 of FIG. Specify “1.00”. Then, the generation unit 60K linearly interpolates a point indicating the second colorimetric value “0.85” and a point indicating the second colorimetric value “1.00” in the actual measurement characteristic 74. Thus, the generation unit 60K may specify the color value “237” corresponding to the second colorimetric value “0.96” in the actual measurement characteristic 74. Then, the generation unit 60K may generate the correction table 70B using the specified color value.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the correction table 70B. FIG. 23 is an example of the correction table 70B generated using the target characteristic 72 and the actual measurement characteristic 74 shown in FIGS.

  Returning to FIG. Here, as in the first embodiment, the γ correction unit 60B uses the correction table 70B to determine the color values (density values, gradations) of the color image data 20 (color image data 20C, 20M, 20Y, 20K). Value) is assumed to be γ-corrected. Then, it is assumed that the color image data 20 subjected to γ correction and the spot color image data 22 are output to the image forming apparatus 12 via the total amount regulating unit 60C, the halftone processing unit 60D, and the transmission unit 60E.

  Then, the colorimetric values of the laminated image 50 formed by one-pass printing using the color image data 20 subjected to γ correction become values corrected by γ correction.

  FIG. 24 shows a measurement of a laminated image 50 formed by one-pass printing using the correction table 70B indicating the relationship between the input color value and the output color value, and the color image data 20 with the color value corrected by the correction table 70B. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a color value (henceforth a colorimetric value after γ correction). Note that the number of gradations of the input color value and output color value represented by the gradation value and the value of the gradation value are not limited to the form shown in FIG.

  FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram showing the target characteristic 72, the actual measurement characteristic 74, and the post-γ conversion characteristic 75. The γ-converted characteristic 75 indicates the relationship between the color value and the γ-corrected colorimetric value using the correction table 70B.

  As shown in the post-γ conversion characteristic 75 of FIGS. 24 and 25, the post-γ correction measurement of the laminated image 50 formed by one-pass printing is performed using the color image data 20 that is γ-corrected using the correction table 70B. The color value becomes saturated as the color value approaches the maximum color value (for example, the gradation value “255”). This is because the correction table 70B is a correction table for realizing the same level of image quality as the stacked image 50 formed by two-pass printing in one-pass printing.

  For this reason, when the laminated image 50 is formed by one-pass printing using the color image data 20 that has been γ-corrected using the correction table 70B, the color value (gradation value) defined in the color image data 20 increases. In some cases, a difference corresponding to the color value difference of the colored image data 20 is less likely to occur in the colorimetric value after γ correction of the formed laminated image 50.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the correction table 70B is corrected. Returning to FIG. The correcting unit 61M corrects the correction table 70B generated by the generating unit 60K.

  This will be described with reference to FIG. The correcting unit 61M corrects the output color value in the correction range S from the predetermined corrected color value to the maximum color value in the correction table 70B to an output color value that monotonously increases.

  The correction range S is a range of output color values from a predetermined correction color value to a maximum color value that is the maximum value of the output color values of the correction table 70B.

  The correction color value is an output color value indicating the lower limit of the correction range S. FIG. 23 shows an example in which the corrected color value is “237”. The corrected color value may be determined in advance. For example, the corrected color value may be an output color value in the correction table 70B that starts saturation of the increase in the output color value with respect to the increase in the input color value.

  In the present embodiment, the update processing unit 61F measures in advance a corrected color value that satisfies the above conditions and stores it in the storage unit 63 in advance (see the corrected color value 63C in FIG. 17). Then, the correcting unit 61M may read the corrected color value from the storage unit 63 and use it for correcting the correction table 70B.

  The correcting unit 61M corrects the output color value in the correction range S in the correction table 70B to an output color value that is not constant or substantially constant but monotonously increases with an increase in the input color value.

  FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the corrected correction table 70C. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the corrected correction table 70C and the correction table 70B and a third colorimetric value to be described later. In FIG. 26 and FIG. 27, the case where the correction color value is “237” is shown as an example. When the correcting unit 61M corrects the output color value of the correction range S in the correction table 70B, the output color value of the correction range S changes from the input color value “191” corresponding to the correction color value “237” to the maximum color value “ The output color value is monotonically increased toward 255 ". By this correction processing, a corrected correction table 70C is generated.

  Returning to FIG. In the present embodiment, the correction unit 61M corrects the correction table 70B using the target characteristic 72 and the actual measurement characteristic 74 used for generating the correction table 70B and the corrected color value.

  Specifically, the correcting unit 61M includes a color value specifying unit 61N, a characteristic generating unit 61P, and a color value correcting unit 61Q.

  The color value specifying unit 61N specifies an input color value corresponding to the output color value indicating the corrected color value in the correction table 70B. For example, assume that the corrected color value is “237”. In this case, the color value specifying unit 61N specifies the input color value “191” corresponding to the output color value “237” from the correction table 70B shown in FIGS.

  The color value specifying unit 61N may read the corrected color value from the storage unit 63 to acquire the corrected color value and use it for specifying the input color value.

  The characteristic generation unit 61P generates a correction characteristic. The correction characteristic is a characteristic obtained by correcting a part of the characteristic 75 after γ conversion (see FIG. 25), and indicates the relationship between the colorimetric value (hereinafter referred to as the third colorimetric value) and the color value.

  FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the correction characteristic 71. FIG. 28 shows an example where the correction color value is “237”. The characteristic generation unit 61P generates the correction characteristic 71 using the target characteristic 72 and the actual measurement characteristic 74 used for generation of the correction table 70B and the correction color value.

  First, the characteristic generation unit 61P specifies a colorimetric value (for example, “0.96”) when an image having the corrected color value “237” is formed on the medium by one-pass printing by the image forming apparatus 12. Then, the characteristic generating unit 61P specifies the first point X1 indicating the colorimetric value “0.96” in the target characteristic 72. Further, the characteristic generation unit 61P specifies the second point X2 indicating the maximum color value “255” in the actual measurement characteristic 74. And the characteristic production | generation part 61P produces | generates the correction characteristic 71 by interpolating between the 1st point X1 and the 2nd point X2. For example, linear interpolation or spline interpolation may be used for the interpolation. Hereinafter, a case where linear interpolation is performed will be described as an example.

  Therefore, the correction characteristic 71 is a post-γ correction colorimetric value corresponding to the correction color value “237” in the post-γ conversion characteristic 75 indicating the relationship between the color value and the post-γ correction colorimetry value using the correction table 70B. The range from “0.96” to the second colorimetric value “1.2” corresponding to the maximum color value “255” is interpolated by linear interpolation.

  In other words, the characteristic generation unit 61P performs the γ-corrected colorimetric value shown in the range V1 in which the output color value corresponds to the corrected color value “237” to the maximum color value “255” in the γ-converted characteristic 75 shown in FIG. And the input color value are corrected to the relationship between the third colorimetric value in the range V2 and the input color value shown in FIG. Thereby, the characteristic generation unit 61P generates the correction characteristic 71.

  Returning to FIG. 17, the color value correction unit 61Q will be described next. The color value correcting unit 61Q corrects the output color value of the correction range S in the correction table 70B to a color value corresponding to the second colorimetric value indicating the third colorimetric value of the correction characteristic 71 in the actual measurement characteristic 74.

  This will be described with reference to FIGS. It is assumed that the output color value correction range S in the correction table 70B is between the corrected color value “237” and the maximum color value “255” (see region S1 in FIG. 27). In this case, the color value correcting unit 61Q corrects the output color value “237” to the maximum color value “255” in the correction table 70B to values shown in the region S2 of FIG.

  This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. The color value correcting unit 61Q specifies the color value d 'in the actual measurement characteristic 74 corresponding to the second colorimetric value c' having the same value as the third colorimetric value c corresponding to the color value d in the correction characteristic 71.

  Then, the color value correcting unit 61Q performs the same process as described above for each output color value in the correction range S in the correction table 70B, so that the color value d in the correction characteristic 71 and the color in the actual measurement characteristic 74 are processed. Identify a pair of values d ′. The color value correcting unit 61Q then sets the correction table 70B so that the color value d in the correction characteristic 71 in each of these pairs is the input color value and the color value d ′ in the actual measurement characteristic 74 is the output color value. The corrected correction table 70C is generated after correction.

  In this way, the correcting unit 61M corrects the output color value in the correction range S from the corrected color value to the maximum color value to the output color value that monotonously increases for the correction table 70B generated by the generating unit 60K ( (See FIG. 26). Thereby, the correcting unit 61M corrects the correction table 70B to the corrected correction table 70C.

  Returning to FIG. The updating unit 61L registers the corrected correction table 70C corrected by the correcting unit 61M in the correction management DB 62A (see FIG. 8) in association with the calibration condition acquired by the acquiring unit 60H. That is, the update unit 61L is the same as the update unit 60L of the first embodiment except that the corrected correction table 70C obtained by correcting the correction table 70B is used instead of the correction table 70B generated by the generation unit 60K. Similar processing is performed. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the corrected correction table 70C is registered in the correction management DB 62A of the storage unit 63 instead of the correction table 70B.

  Next, an example of an information processing procedure performed by the control unit 61 of the information processing apparatus 11 when the correction table is updated will be described.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information processing procedure executed by the control unit 61 of the information processing apparatus 11 when the correction table is updated.

  First, the control unit 61 executes a correction table generation process (step S300). The processing in step S300 is the same as that in steps S100 to S140 in FIG. 15 described in the first embodiment. For this reason, the correction table 70B is generated by the process of step S300.

  Next, the color value specifying unit 61N acquires a corrected color value (step S302). In the present embodiment, the color value specifying unit 61N reads the corrected color value from the storage unit 63 to acquire the corrected color value.

  Next, the color value specifying unit 61N specifies an input color value corresponding to the output color value indicating the corrected color value acquired in step S302 in the correction table 70B generated in step S300 (step 304).

  Next, the characteristic generation unit 61P uses the target characteristic 72 and the actual measurement characteristic 74 used for generation of the correction table 70B generated in step S300, and the correction color value acquired in step S302, thereby correcting the characteristic 71. Is generated (step S306).

  Next, the color value correcting unit 61Q corrects the correction table 70B generated in step S300 (step S308). The color value correcting unit 61Q corrects the output color value in the correction range S from the corrected color value acquired in step S302 to the maximum color value in the correction table 70B. At this time, the color value correcting unit 61Q changes the correction range to the color value corresponding to the second colorimetric value indicating the third colorimetric value of the correction characteristic 71 generated in step S306 in the actual measurement characteristic 74 specified in step S300. Correct the output color value of S.

  Next, the update unit 61L associates the corrected correction table 70C corrected in step S308 with the calibration conditions acquired in step S300 (specifically, step S100 in FIG. 15) to the correction management DB 62A. sign up. Thereby, the update unit 61L updates the correction table (step S310). Then, this routine ends.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the correction unit 61M converts the output color value in the correction range S from the predetermined correction color value to the maximum color value in the correction table 70B into a monotonically increasing output color value. Correct it.

  For this reason, the information processing apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment suppresses saturation of the colorimetric value of the formed image as the output color value approaches the maximum color value (for example, the gradation value “255”). can do.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment can further improve the image quality of the stacked image 50 of the spot color image 52 and the colored image 54.

  The correcting unit 61M includes a color value specifying unit 61N, a characteristic generating unit 61P, and a color value correcting unit 61Q. The color value specifying unit 61N specifies an input color value corresponding to the output color value indicating the corrected color value in the correction table 70B. The characteristic generation unit 61P includes a first point indicating a colorimetric value when the image of the corrected color value in the target characteristic 72 is formed on the medium by one-pass printing by the image forming apparatus 12, and a maximum color value in the actual measurement characteristic 74. And a correction characteristic 71 indicating the relationship between the colorimetric value and the color value is generated. The color value correcting unit 61Q corrects the output color value in the correction range S of the correction table 70B to a color value corresponding to the second colorimetric value indicating the colorimetric value of the correction characteristic 71 in the actual measurement characteristic 74.

(Third embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the mode in which the corrected color value of one value is stored in the storage unit 63 in advance has been described. In the present embodiment, a mode in which the correction table 70B is corrected for each color using a corrected color value corresponding to the color of the color material used for image formation will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 11A according to the present embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 11 </ b> A includes a control unit 65, a UI unit 64, and a storage unit 63. The UI unit 64 and the storage unit 63 are connected to the control unit 65 so as to be able to exchange data and signals.

  The UI unit 64 is the same as that in the first embodiment. The storage unit 63 is the same as that of the second embodiment, except that a color management table 63D (detailed later) is stored in advance instead of the corrected color value 63C.

  The control unit 65 is the same as the control unit 61 of the second embodiment except that an update processing unit 65F is provided instead of the update processing unit 61F. The update processing unit 65F is the same as the update processing unit 61F of the second embodiment, except that a correction unit 65M is provided instead of the correction unit 61M.

  The correcting unit 65M corrects the correction table 70B for each color of the color material, using the corrected color value corresponding to the color of the color material used for image formation.

  For example, the correction unit 65M acquires a correction color value corresponding to each color (for example, C, M, Y, K) of a colored material used by the image forming apparatus 12 for image formation.

  In this case, the storage unit 63 stores a color management table 63D in advance. FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the color management table 63D. The color management table 63D associates each color of C, M, Y, and K with a corrected color value corresponding to each color in advance.

  The corrected color value registered in the color management table 63D is a result of measurement using the image forming apparatus 12 and the colorimeter 14 so that the colorimetric value is a value that suppresses saturation on the higher color value side. It may be determined in advance.

  As shown in FIG. 30, the corrected color value is preferably a smaller value as the brightness of the image to be formed is lower. In other words, in the color management table 63D, it is preferable that a corrected color value having a smaller value is registered in advance in association with a color with lower lightness.

  In the present embodiment, in the color management table 63D, a corrected color value having a smaller value is registered in advance in association with colors of high lightness to low lightness (in this order of Y, C and M, K). Has been.

  Then, the correcting unit 65M reads the corrected color value corresponding to the color of the color material used for image formation from the color management table 63D. It is preferable that the correcting unit 65M corrects the correction table 70B for each color using the corrected color value acquired for each color.

  Specifically, the correction unit 65M of the present embodiment includes a color value specifying unit 65N, a characteristic generation unit 65P, and a color value correction unit 65Q.

  The correction unit 65M performs the same processing as that of the color value identification unit 61N of the second embodiment except that the correction color values corresponding to the colors C, M, Y, and K are used. That is, the correction unit 65M specifies, for each color of the color material used for image formation, an input color value corresponding to the output color value indicating the corrected color value of the color from the correction table 70B corresponding to the color.

  For example, the correcting unit 65M acquires the corrected color value “159” corresponding to the K color from the color management table 63D. Then, the correcting unit 65M specifies the input color value corresponding to the output color value “159” from the correction table 70B generated for the K color. Similarly, the correction unit 65M specifies the input color value for each color of C, M, and Y.

  The characteristic generation unit 65P specifies the correction characteristic 71. In the present embodiment, the characteristic generation unit 65P performs the same processing as the characteristic generation unit 61P of the second embodiment except that the correction characteristic 71 is specified for each color of C, M, Y, and K. .

  That is, the characteristic generation unit 65P for each color of C, M, Y, and K, the target characteristic 72 and the actual measurement characteristic 74 used for generating the correction table 70B for each color, and the corrected color value (“207”, “ 207 ”,“ 223 ”, and“ 159 ”) to generate the correction characteristic 71.

  The color value correcting unit 65Q is the second embodiment except that the correction table 70B corresponding to each color is corrected using the corrected color value corresponding to each color for each color of C, M, Y, and K. The same processing as that of the color value correcting unit 61Q is performed.

  That is, the color value correcting unit 65Q corrects the output color value in the correction range S in the correction table 70B corresponding to each of the C, M, Y, and K colors in the actually measured characteristic 74 corresponding to each color. The color value corresponding to the second colorimetric value indicating the third colorimetric value of the characteristic 71 is corrected.

  In this way, the correcting unit 65M corrects the correction table 70B corresponding to each color to the corrected correction table 70C using the corrected color value corresponding to each color.

  For this reason, the γ correction unit 60B applies the corrected correction table corresponding to each color to the color image data 20 (color image data 20C, 20M, 20Y, 20K) of each color of C, M, Y, and K. Γ correction can be performed using 70C.

  Here, when the corrected color value corresponding to each color of C, M, Y, and K is not used and one corrected color value is used, the color image data that has been γ-corrected using the corrected correction table 70C. In some cases, the saturation of the colorimetric values after γ correction of the laminated image 50 formed by one-pass printing using the No. 20 is not improved. This is because, when a corrected color value of one value is used regardless of the color, a corrected characteristic 71 showing a characteristic with a small change in measured value even when the color value changes may be generated.

  FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the correction characteristic 71. FIG. 31A is a schematic diagram showing a target characteristic 72, an actual measurement characteristic 74, and a correction characteristic 71 corresponding to the Y color. FIG. 31B is a schematic diagram showing a target characteristic 72, an actual measurement characteristic 74, and a correction characteristic 71 corresponding to the K color. FIGS. 31A and 31B are diagrams showing a case where the correction characteristic 71 is generated using the same correction color value “223”.

  As shown in FIG. 31A, when the same correction color value is used for each color, the correction characteristic 71 corresponding to the Y color with higher lightness has a colorimetric value that increases monotonously according to the change in the color value. It shows the relationship. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 31B, when the correction color 71 corresponding to the K color having a lower lightness uses the same correction color value as that of the Y color, the colorimetric value is substantially reduced regardless of the change of the color value. It may show a certain relationship. As described above, when the same corrected color value is used for each color, even if saturation of the colorimetric value is suppressed for a certain color, saturation of the colorimetric value may not be suppressed for another color.

  For this reason, when the correction table 70B is corrected for the K color using the correction characteristic 71 shown in FIG. 31B, the colorimetric value of the formed image is prevented from being saturated near the maximum color value. May not be possible.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the color value correction unit 65Q uses the correction color value corresponding to each color for each color of C, M, Y, and K, and the correction table 70B corresponding to each color. To correct. Therefore, the correction characteristic 71 generated using the correction color value corresponding to the K color is, for example, as shown in FIG. FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram of the correction characteristic 71 generated using the correction color value corresponding to the K color.

  As shown in FIG. 32, the correction characteristic 71 generated using the correction color value corresponding to the K color is the correction characteristic 71 generated using the same correction color value as the Y color (see FIG. 31B). Compared to the above, the relationship in which the colorimetric value monotonously increases in accordance with the change in the color value is shown.

  For this reason, a correction characteristic 71 is generated for each color using the correction color value corresponding to each color, and the correction table 70B is corrected for each color using the correction characteristic 71, thereby further improving the image quality. Can do.

  As described above, the correction unit 65M of the information processing apparatus 11A of the present embodiment uses the correction color value corresponding to the color of the color material used for image formation, and sets the correction table 70B for each color material color. Correct it.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus 11A according to the present embodiment can further improve the image quality of the stacked image 50 of the spot color image 52 and the colored image 54.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the mode in which the corrected color value of one value is stored in the storage unit 63 in advance has been described. In the present embodiment, a mode in which the correction table 70B is corrected using a correction color value corresponding to the image formation target medium 40 will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 11B according to the present embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 11B includes a control unit 66, a UI unit 64, and a storage unit 63. The UI unit 64 and the storage unit 63 are connected to the control unit 66 so as to be able to exchange data and signals.

  The UI unit 64 is the same as that in the first embodiment. The storage unit 63 is the same as that of the second embodiment except that a medium management table 63E (described later in detail) is stored in advance instead of the corrected color value 63C.

  The control unit 66 is the same as the control unit 61 of the second embodiment except that an update processing unit 66F is provided instead of the update processing unit 61F. The update processing unit 66F is the same as the update processing unit 61F of the second embodiment, except that a correction unit 66M is provided instead of the correction unit 61M.

  The correcting unit 66M corrects the correction table 70B using the corrected color value corresponding to the medium 40 to be image formed.

  In this case, the storage unit 63 stores a medium management table 63E in advance. FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the medium management table 63E. The medium management table 63E associates the medium ID of the medium 40 with the corrected color value. The medium ID is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  The corrected color value registered in the medium management table 63E is determined according to the medium ID by using the image forming apparatus 12 and the colorimeter 14 so that the colorimetric value is suppressed from being saturated on the higher color value side. What is necessary is just to predetermine using the result measured for every medium 40 to be identified.

  The correction unit 66M acquires the medium ID of the image formation target medium 40 from the image forming apparatus 12 via the acquisition unit 60H. Then, the correction unit 66M may acquire the correction color value corresponding to the medium 40 by reading the correction color value corresponding to the acquired medium ID from the medium management table 63E.

  Then, the correcting unit 66M may correct the correction table 70B using the acquired corrected color value. The correction of the correction table 70B by the correction unit 66M is the same as that of the second embodiment except that the correction color value corresponding to the medium 40 to be image-formed is used.

  Specifically, the correction unit 66M of the present embodiment includes a color value specifying unit 66N, a characteristic generation unit 66P, and a color value correction unit 66Q.

  The color value specifying unit 66N, the characteristic generating unit 66P, and the color value correcting unit 66Q use the corrected color value according to the medium 40, except that the color value specifying unit 61N and the characteristic generating unit 61P of the second embodiment. , And the same processing as each of the color value correction unit 61Q.

  When the correction unit 65M corrects the correction table 70B using the corrected color value corresponding to the medium 40, the γ correction unit 60B can perform γ correction using the corrected correction table 70C.

  Here, regardless of the medium 40, when one corrected color value is used, a laminated image formed by one-pass printing using the color image data 20 that has been γ corrected using the corrected correction table 70C. The saturation of 50 color correction values after γ correction may not be improved. This is because, depending on the color, type, weighing, and the like of the medium 40, there may be a case where a correction characteristic 71 is generated that shows a characteristic with a small change in the measured value even if the color value changes.

  FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the correction characteristic 71. FIG. 34A is a schematic diagram showing a target characteristic 72, an actual measurement characteristic 74, and a correction characteristic 71 corresponding to the medium 40 with the medium ID “A”. FIG. 34B is a schematic diagram showing a target characteristic 72, an actual measurement characteristic 74, and a correction characteristic 71 corresponding to the medium 40 with the medium ID “B”. FIGS. 34A and 34B are diagrams showing a case where the correction characteristic 71 is generated using the same correction color value “223”.

  As shown in FIG. 34A, when the same correction color value is used regardless of the medium 40, the correction characteristic 71 corresponding to the medium 40 with the medium ID “A” is a colorimetric value according to the change in the color value. Indicates a monotonically increasing relationship. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 34B, the correction characteristic 71 of the medium ID “B” generated using the same correction color value as the medium ID “A” is a colorimetric value regardless of the change of the color value. May show a substantially constant relationship. As described above, when the same corrected color value is used for each medium 40, the saturation of the colorimetric values may be suppressed in another medium 40 even if the saturation of the colorimetric values is suppressed in a certain medium 40.

  For this reason, depending on the type of the medium 40, when the correction table 70B is corrected using the same correction color value regardless of the medium 40, the colorimetric value of the formed image is saturated near the maximum color value. It may not be possible to suppress it.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the color value correcting unit 66Q corrects the correction table 70B using the corrected color value corresponding to the medium 40 to be image formed. Therefore, for example, the correction characteristic 71 generated using the correction color value “191” corresponding to the medium ID “B” is, for example, as shown in FIG. FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of the correction characteristic 71 generated using the correction color value corresponding to the medium ID “B” of the medium 40 to be formed.

  As shown in FIG. 34, the correction characteristic 71 generated using the correction color value “191” corresponding to the medium ID “B” is generated using the same correction color value “223” as the medium ID “A”. Compared with the correction characteristic 71 (see FIG. 34B), the colorimetric value monotonously increases in accordance with the change in the color value.

  For this reason, it is possible to further improve the image quality by generating the correction characteristic 71 using the correction color value corresponding to the medium 40 and correcting the correction table 70B using the correction characteristic 71.

  As described above, the correction unit 66M of the information processing apparatus 11B according to the present embodiment corrects the correction table 70B using the correction color value corresponding to the medium 40 as the image formation target.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus 11 </ b> B according to the present embodiment can further improve the image quality of the stacked image 50 of the spot color image 52 and the colored image 54.

(Fifth embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the mode in which the corrected color value of one value is stored in the storage unit 63 in advance has been described. In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a mode in which the correction table 70B is corrected for each color in the transfer order by using a corrected color value corresponding to the transfer order of the color material used for image formation onto the transfer member (intermediate transfer belt 39). .

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 11D according to the present embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 11D includes a control unit 68, a UI unit 64, and a storage unit 63. The UI unit 64 and the storage unit 63 are connected to the control unit 68 so as to exchange data and signals.

  The UI unit 64 is the same as that in the first embodiment. The storage unit 63 is the same as that of the second embodiment, except that a transfer order management table 63F (described later in detail) is stored together with the corrected color value 63C.

  The control unit 68 is the same as the control unit 61 of the second embodiment except that an update processing unit 68F is provided instead of the update processing unit 61F. The update processing unit 68F is the same as the update processing unit 61F of the second embodiment, except that a correction unit 68M is provided instead of the correction unit 61M.

  The correction unit 68M corrects the correction table 70B for each transfer order using the corrected color value corresponding to the transfer order of the primary transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 39. Specifically, the correction unit 68M corrects the correction table 70B by using a correction value corresponding to the color material transfer order for each color material transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 39 in the image forming apparatus 12. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the correction unit 68M corrects the correction table 70B for each transfer order using a corrected color value that is smaller than the reference value as the transfer order to the intermediate transfer belt 39 is earlier. The fast transfer order of the intermediate transfer belt 39 means that the intermediate transfer belt 39 is positioned closer to the intermediate transfer belt 39 when primary transfer is performed.

  For example, the correction unit 68M obtains the transfer order from the image forming apparatus 12 for each color of the color material used by the image forming apparatus 12 for image formation. The correction unit 68M may acquire the transfer order of each color from the image forming apparatus 12 via the acquisition unit 60H.

  Then, the correcting unit 68M acquires a corrected color value corresponding to each transfer order.

  For example, the storage unit 63 stores in advance a corrected color value 63C having one value and a transfer order management table 63F. One value of the corrected color value 63C is an example of a reference value.

  FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the transfer order management table 63F. The transfer order management table 63F associates the transfer order with the reference value correction amount in advance. In the transfer order management table 63F, a correction amount for correcting the reference value to a smaller value is registered in advance as the transfer order is earlier (value is smaller).

  The correcting unit 68M reads from the transfer order management table 63F the correction amounts corresponding to the transfer orders of the colors (C, M, Y, K) used for image formation. The correcting unit 68M corrects the corrected color value 63C, which is a reference value, with the read correction amount. Accordingly, the correction unit 68M calculates a correction color value having a value smaller than the reference value for each color that is primarily transferred in the transfer order as the transfer order to the intermediate transfer belt 39 is earlier. As a result, the correction unit 68M acquires the correction color value for each color material transfer order used for image formation.

  FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of corrected color values corresponding to the transfer order of colors of color materials used for image formation. As shown in FIG. 37, the correction unit 68M acquires a corrected color value having a smaller value as the transfer order of the primary transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 39 is earlier for each color.

  Then, the correction unit 68M corrects the correction table 70B for each transfer order (that is, for each color) using the corrected color value acquired for each color material transfer order used for image formation.

  Specifically, the correcting unit 68M of the present embodiment includes a color value specifying unit 68N, a characteristic generating unit 68P, and a color value correcting unit 68Q.

  The correcting unit 68M performs the same processing as the color value specifying unit 61N of the second embodiment, except that the corrected color value according to the transfer order of each of the C, M, Y, and K colors is used. In other words, for each transfer order of the colors of the color material used for image formation, the correction unit 68M receives an input color value corresponding to an output color value indicating the correction color value in the transfer order from the correction table 70B corresponding to the color. Identify color values.

  The characteristic generation unit 68P specifies the correction characteristic 71. In the present embodiment, the characteristic generation unit 68P is the same as the characteristic generation unit 61P of the second embodiment except that the correction characteristic 71 is generated for each transfer order of C, M, Y, and K colors. Similar processing is performed.

  The color value correcting unit 68Q uses the corrected color value corresponding to each transfer order for each transfer order of C, M, Y, and K colors, except that the correction table 70B corresponding to each color is corrected. The same processing as that of the color value correcting unit 61Q of the second embodiment is performed.

  In this way, the correction unit 68M corrects the correction table 70B corresponding to each color to the corrected correction table 70C using the corrected color value corresponding to the transfer order of each color.

  For this reason, the γ correction unit 60B applies the intermediate transfer belt 39 of the color material of each color to the color image data 20 (color image data 20C, 20M, 20Y, 20K) of each color of C, M, Y, and K. Γ correction can be performed by using the corrected correction table 70C corresponding to the transfer order of the primary transfer.

  Here, when the correction color value corresponding to the transfer order of each color of C, M, Y, and K is not used and one correction color value (for example, a reference value) is used, the corrected correction table 70C is used. In some cases, the saturation of the colorimetric values after γ correction of the laminated image 50 formed by one-pass printing using the color image data 20 that has been γ-corrected may not be improved. This is because, when a corrected color value having a single value is used regardless of the transfer order, a corrected characteristic 71 showing a characteristic with a small change in measured value even when the color value changes may be generated.

  FIG. 38 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the correction characteristic 71. FIG. 38A is a schematic diagram showing a target characteristic 72, an actual measurement characteristic 74, and a correction characteristic 71 corresponding to the color that is primarily transferred in the transfer order “4”. FIG. 38B is a schematic diagram showing a target characteristic 72, an actual measurement characteristic 74, and a correction characteristic 71 corresponding to the primary transfer color in the transfer order “1”. FIGS. 38A and 38B are diagrams showing a case where the correction characteristic 71 is generated using the same correction color value “207”. FIGS. 38A and 38B are diagrams showing the case where the same color material is used.

  As shown in FIG. 38A, when the same correction color value is used for the same color regardless of the transfer order, the correction characteristic 71 in the case of the slowest transfer order “4” corresponds to the change of the color value. This indicates a relationship in which the colorimetric value increases monotonously. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 38B, the correction characteristic 71 in the case of the earliest transfer order “1” may have a relationship in which the colorimetric values are substantially constant regardless of the change in the color values. is there. It is considered that the transfer property to the intermediate transfer belt 39 may be lowered as the transfer order of the primary transfer is earlier. For this reason, it is considered that as the transfer order of the primary transfer is earlier, the amount of the color material that is secondarily transferred to the medium 40 decreases, and the above result may be obtained.

  Therefore, when the same correction color value is used regardless of the transfer order, the correction table 70B is corrected by using the correction characteristic 71 shown in FIG. 38B for the color transferred in the earliest transfer order “1”. In some cases, it is impossible to suppress saturation of the colorimetric value of the measured image near the maximum color value.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the color value correcting unit 68Q performs the correction color corresponding to the transfer order for each transfer order of the primary transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 39 of the colors C, M, Y, and K. The correction table 70B corresponding to each color is corrected using the value. Therefore, the correction characteristic 71 generated using the correction color value corresponding to the earliest transfer order “1” is, for example, as shown in FIG. FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram of the correction characteristic 71 generated using the correction color value corresponding to the transfer order “1”.

  As shown in FIG. 39, the correction characteristic 71 generated using the correction color value corresponding to the transfer order “1” is the correction characteristic 71 (FIG. 39) generated using the same correction color value as that of the transfer order “4”. 38 (B)), the colorimetric value is monotonously increased in accordance with the change of the color value.

  For this reason, a correction characteristic 71 is generated for each color in the transfer order using the correction color value corresponding to the transfer order, and the correction table 70B is corrected for each color in the transfer order using the correction characteristic 71. Image quality can be improved.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 11 </ b> D according to the present embodiment transfers a plurality of images to the intermediate transfer belt 39 (transfer member) and performs primary transfer, and then secondary-transfers the image stack to the medium 40. The image forming apparatus 12 (image forming unit) is controlled. Then, the correction unit 68M of the information processing apparatus 11D uses the correction color value that is smaller than the reference value as the transfer order to the intermediate transfer belt 39 (transfer member) becomes earlier, and uses the correction table 70B for each color in the transfer order. To correct.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus 11 </ b> D according to the present embodiment can further improve the image quality of the stacked image 50 of the spot color image 52 and the colored image 54.

(Sixth embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the form in which the correction table 70B is corrected using the corrected color value of one value has been described. In the present embodiment, a mode in which the correction color value stored in the storage unit 63 is updated and the correction table 70B is corrected using the updated correction color value will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 11E according to the present embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 11E includes a control unit 69, a UI unit 64, and a storage unit 63. The UI unit 64 and the storage unit 63 are connected to the control unit 69 so as to be able to exchange data and signals.

  The UI unit 64 is the same as that in the first embodiment. The storage unit 63 is the same as the storage unit 62 of the first embodiment. That is, the correction color value of one value is stored in the storage unit 63 in advance.

  The control unit 69 is the same as the control unit 61 of the second embodiment except that an update processing unit 69F is provided instead of the update processing unit 61F. The update processing unit 69F is the same as the update processing unit 61F of the second embodiment, except that a correction unit 69M is provided instead of the correction unit 61M.

  When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the correcting unit 69M updates the corrected color value stored in the storage unit 63, and corrects the correction table 70B using the updated corrected color value.

  The correcting unit 69M of the present embodiment includes a color value specifying unit 69N, a characteristic generating unit 69P, and a color value correcting unit 69Q. The color value specifying unit 69N, the characteristic generating unit 69P, and the color value correcting unit 69Q are the same except that the corrected color value after update is used, and the color value specifying unit 61N, characteristic generating unit 61P, The same processing as that of the color value correcting unit 61Q is performed.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the correction unit 69M causes the target characteristic 72 in which the predetermined correction color value corresponds to the first colorimetric value indicating the second colorimetric value of the maximum color value in the actual measurement characteristic 74. If the color value is equal to or greater than the color value, the modified color value is updated to be less than the color value. Then, the correcting unit 69M corrects the correction table 70B using the updated corrected color value.

  FIG. 40 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the correction characteristic 71. FIG. 40 is a schematic diagram showing a target characteristic 72 and an actual measurement characteristic 74 when the predetermined correction color value is “218” or more.

  The color value “218” corresponds to the first colorimetric value indicating the second colorimetric value “1.00” of the maximum color value “255” in the actual measurement characteristic 74 shown in FIG. 218 ".

  When the corrected color value is greater than or equal to such a color value (color value “218” in the example shown in FIG. 40), the colorimetric values may exhibit a substantially constant relationship regardless of changes in the color values. is there. Therefore, in this case, when the correction table 70B is corrected using the corrected color value, it may not be possible to suppress saturation of the colorimetric value of the formed image near the maximum color value.

  Therefore, the corrected color value is preferably less than the color value in the target characteristic 72 corresponding to the first colorimetric value indicating the second colorimetric value of the maximum color value in the actual measurement characteristic 74.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the correction unit 69M causes the color in the target characteristic 72, in which the predetermined correction color value corresponds to the first colorimetric value indicating the second colorimetric value of the maximum color value in the actual measurement characteristic 74. If the value is greater than or equal to the value, the modified color value is updated to be less than the color value. Then, the correcting unit 69M corrects the correction table 70B using the updated corrected color value.

  It should be noted that the corrected color value is determined from the color value in the target characteristic 72 corresponding to the first colorimetric value indicating the second colorimetric value of the maximum color value in the actual measurement characteristic 74 and the color value of the actual measurement characteristic 74. The color value is preferably obtained by subtracting the difference between

  For this reason, the correction unit 69M determines the predetermined corrected color value from the color value in the target characteristic 72 corresponding to the first colorimetric value indicating the second colorimetric value of the maximum color value in the actual measurement characteristic 74. It is preferable to correct the color value by subtracting the difference between the maximum color value of 74 and the color value.

  In the example shown in FIG. 40, the correction unit 69M obtains a color value “181” obtained by subtracting a difference “37” between the maximum color value “255” of the actual measurement characteristic 74 and the color value “218” from the color value “218”. ”To update the corrected color value. Then, using the updated color value, the correction unit 69M corrects the correction table 70B.

  For this reason, for example, the correction characteristic 71 generated using the updated correction color value is as shown in FIG. FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram of the correction characteristic 71 generated using the corrected color value after update.

  As shown in FIG. 41, the correction characteristic 71 generated using the updated correction color value “181” is the correction characteristic 71 generated using the correction color value before the update (value of “218” or more). Compared to (see FIG. 40), the relationship in which the colorimetric value monotonously increases in accordance with the change in the color value is shown.

  Therefore, the image quality can be further improved by generating the correction characteristic 71 using the corrected color value after the update and correcting the correction table 70B using the correction characteristic 71.

  As described above, the correction unit 69M of the information processing apparatus 11E according to the present embodiment changes the predetermined correction color value to the first colorimetric value indicating the second colorimetric value of the maximum color value in the actual measurement characteristic 74. If the corresponding color value is equal to or greater than the target characteristic 72, the corrected color value is updated to less than the color value, and the correction table 70B is corrected using the updated corrected color value.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus 11E according to the present embodiment can further improve the image quality of the stacked image 50 of the spot color image 52 and the colored image 54.

  In addition, the corrected color value is determined from the color value in the target characteristic 72 corresponding to the first colorimetric value indicating the second colorimetric value of the maximum color value in the actual measurement characteristic 74 and the color value of the actual measurement characteristic 74. More preferably, the color value is obtained by subtracting the difference from

  The corrected color value is smaller as the difference between the first colorimetric value corresponding to the maximum color value in the target characteristic 72 and the second colorimetric value corresponding to the maximum color value in the actual measurement characteristic 74 is larger. Preferably there is.

(Modification 2)
In the said embodiment, the form which comprised the image forming apparatus 12 and the information processing apparatus 10, 11, 11A, 11B, 11D, and 11E as a different body was shown as an example. However, the image forming apparatus 12 and the information processing apparatuses 10, 11, 11A, 11B, 11D, or 11E may be configured integrally.

  FIG. 42 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the image forming apparatus 15 according to the present modification. The image forming apparatus 15 includes an information processing apparatus 10, 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, or 11E, an image forming unit 13, and a colorimeter 14. The information processing apparatuses 10, 11, 11A to 11E are the same as the information processing apparatuses 10, 11, 11A to 11E of the above embodiment. The image forming unit 13 is the same as the image forming apparatus 12 of the above embodiment. The colorimeter 14 is the same as the colorimeter 14 of the above embodiment. The information processing apparatuses 10, 11, 11A to 11E and the image forming unit 13 are connected so as to be able to exchange data and signals. The information processing apparatuses 10, 11, 11A to 11E and the colorimeter 14 are connected so as to be able to exchange data and signals.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 15 includes the information processing apparatus 10, 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, or 11E, the image forming unit 13 (image forming apparatus 12), and the colorimeter 14. It may be a configuration.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the colorimeter 14 is connected to the information processing apparatus 10, 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, or 11E has been described as an example. However, the colorimeter 14 and the image forming apparatus 12 may be directly connected.

  Note that the processing executed by the information processing apparatuses 10, 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E of the above-described embodiments and modifications is a file in an installable format or an executable format, a CD-ROM, The program is recorded on a computer-readable storage medium such as a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and the like, and is provided as a computer program product.

  Further, the programs executed by the information processing apparatuses 10, 11, 11A, 11B, 11D, and 11E according to the above-described embodiments and modifications are stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. You may comprise so that it may provide. Further, the program executed by the information processing apparatuses 10, 11, 11A, 11B, 11D, and 11E according to the above-described embodiments and modifications may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  Moreover, you may comprise so that the program performed with the information processing apparatus 10, 11, 11A, 11B, 11D, 11E of the said embodiment and modification may be provided by incorporating in ROM etc. previously.

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

10, 11, 11A, 11B, 11D, 11E Information processing apparatuses 12, 13, 15 Image forming apparatus 60B γ correction unit 60E Transmission unit 60H Acquisition unit 60I Determination unit 60J Identification unit 60K Generation unit 60L Update units 61M, 65M, 66M, 68M, 69M correction unit 61N, 65N, 66N, 68N, 69N color value identification unit 61P, 65P, 66P, 68P, 69P characteristic generation unit 61Q, 65Q, 66Q, 68Q, 69Q color value correction unit

JP 2009-031511 A

Claims (20)

Two-pass printing in which a laminated image of a special color image with a special color material and a colored image with a color material is formed by fixing one of the special color image and the colored image on a medium and then laminating the other Or an information processing apparatus that controls an image forming unit that is formed by one-pass printing in which one of the spot color image and the colored image is formed on a medium and then the other is stacked without being fixed. And
The first patch as the laminated image corresponding to each of the patch areas formed by the two-pass printing by the image forming unit using the correction chart image data defining a plurality of patch areas having different color values A specifying unit for specifying a target characteristic indicating a relationship between the first colorimetric value of the image and the color value;
Using the correction chart image data, the second colorimetric value and the color of the second patch image as the laminated image corresponding to each of the patch areas formed by the one-pass printing by the image forming unit. A generation unit that generates a correction table for correcting the color value so that an actual measurement characteristic indicating a relationship with a value approaches the target characteristic;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The generator is
The color value in the target characteristic is an input color value, and the color value corresponding to the second colorimetric value indicating the first colorimetric value of the target characteristic in the actual measurement characteristic is an output color value. Generate a correction table,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. An acquisition unit for acquiring special color type information indicating the type of the special color material used for image formation;
A determining unit that determines the correction chart image data according to the spot color type information;
With
The specifying unit determines the target characteristic using the determined correction chart image data,
The generation unit generates the correction table using the determined correction chart image data.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The determination unit is
Special color correction chart image data defining a special color value of a special color area by a special color material of the type indicated by the special color type information, and color correction chart image data defining a color value of a colored area by the colored color material Determining the correction chart image data defining the patch area in which the spot color area and the color area are stacked by the color value including the spot color value and the color color value.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3. The image forming unit is configured to be able to switch the stacking order of the colored image and the spot color image on a medium,
The acquisition unit acquires stacking order information indicating the stacking order from the image forming unit,
The specific part is:
Using the determined correction chart image data, the image forming unit performs the two passes in the stacking order indicated by the acquired stacking order information with the special color material of the type indicated by the acquired spot color type information. Identifying the target characteristic indicating a relationship between the first colorimetric value and the color value of the first patch image formed on the medium by printing;
The generator is
Using the determined correction chart image data, the special color material of the type indicated by the acquired special color type information is formed on the medium by the one-pass printing by the image forming unit in the acquired stacking order. Generating the correction table such that an actual measurement characteristic indicating a relationship between the second colorimetric value and the color value of the second patch image matches the target characteristic;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4. A correction unit that corrects the color value of the image data to be formed using the correction table;
A transmission unit that transmits the corrected image data to the image forming unit;
Comprising
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the special color material is a color material exhibiting any one of a metal color, white, transparent, and fluorescence. 2-pass printing in which a laminated image of a special color image by a special color material and a colored image by a colored color material is formed by laminating one of the special color image and the colored image on a medium and then laminating the other, or An image forming unit formed by one-pass printing in which one of the spot color image and the colored image is formed on a medium and then the other is stacked without the fixing, and information processing for controlling the image forming unit An image forming apparatus comprising:
The information processing apparatus includes:
The first patch as the laminated image corresponding to each of the patch areas formed by the two-pass printing by the image forming unit using the correction chart image data defining a plurality of patch areas having different color values A specifying unit for specifying a target characteristic indicating a relationship between the first colorimetric value of the image and the color value;
Using the correction chart image data, the second colorimetric value and the color of the second patch image as the laminated image corresponding to each of the patch areas formed by the one-pass printing by the image forming unit. A generation unit that generates a correction table for correcting the color value so that an actual measurement characteristic indicating a relationship with a value approaches the target characteristic;
An image forming apparatus. Two-pass printing in which a laminated image of a special color image with a special color material and a colored image with a color material is formed by fixing one of the special color image and the colored image on a medium and then laminating the other Or an information processing method for controlling an image forming unit formed by one-pass printing in which one of the spot color image and the colored image is formed on a medium and then the other is stacked without using the fixing. And
The first patch as the laminated image corresponding to each of the patch areas formed by the two-pass printing by the image forming unit using the correction chart image data defining a plurality of patch areas having different color values Identifying a target characteristic indicating a relationship between the first colorimetric value of the image and the color value;
Using the correction chart image data, the second colorimetric value and the color of the second patch image as the laminated image corresponding to each of the patch areas formed by the one-pass printing by the image forming unit. Generating a correction table for correcting the color value such that an actual measurement characteristic indicating a relationship with a value approaches the target characteristic;
An information processing method including: Two-pass printing in which a laminated image of a special color image with a special color material and a colored image with a color material is formed by fixing one of the special color image and the colored image on a medium and then laminating the other Or a computer that controls an image forming unit formed by one-pass printing in which one of the spot color image and the color image is formed on a medium and then the other is stacked without the fixing. Information processing program,
The first patch as the laminated image corresponding to each of the patch areas formed by the two-pass printing by the image forming unit using the correction chart image data defining a plurality of patch areas having different color values Identifying a target characteristic indicating a relationship between the first colorimetric value of the image and the color value;
Using the correction chart image data, the second colorimetric value and the color of the second patch image as the laminated image corresponding to each of the patch areas formed by the one-pass printing by the image forming unit. Generating a correction table for correcting the color value such that an actual measurement characteristic indicating a relationship with a value approaches the target characteristic;
Information processing program including A correction unit for correcting an output color value in a correction range from a predetermined correction color value to a maximum color value in the correction table to the output color value that monotonously increases;
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: The correction unit is
A color value specifying unit for specifying an input color value corresponding to the output color value indicating the corrected color value in the correction table;
A first point indicating a colorimetric value when the image of the corrected color value is formed on the medium by the one-pass printing by the image forming unit in the target characteristic, and a second point indicating a maximum color value in the actual characteristic And a characteristic generation unit that generates a correction characteristic that interpolates between the colorimetric value and the color value, and
A color value correction unit that corrects the output color value in the correction range of the correction table to the color value corresponding to the second colorimetric value indicating the colorimetric value of the correction characteristic in the actual measurement characteristic. When,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, comprising: The corrected color value is less than the color value in the target characteristic corresponding to the first colorimetric value indicating the second colorimetric value of the maximum color value in the actual measurement characteristic.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 11 or 12.   The corrected color value is determined from the color value in the target characteristic corresponding to the first colorimetric value indicating the second colorimetric value of the maximum color value in the actual characteristic and the maximum color value of the actual characteristic and the color value. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, which is a color value obtained by subtracting a difference from the color value.   The corrected color value is smaller as the difference between the first colorimetric value corresponding to the maximum color value in the target characteristic and the second colorimetric value corresponding to the maximum color value in the actual measurement characteristic is larger. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 14, which is:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the correction color value is a smaller value as the brightness of the image to be formed is lower. The correction unit is
Correcting the correction table for each color of the color material using the corrected color value according to the color of the color material used for image formation;
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 16. The correction unit is
Correcting the correction table using the correction color value corresponding to the image formation target medium;
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 17. The information processing apparatus controls the image forming unit that secondarily transfers the image laminate to a medium after first transferring a plurality of images on a transfer member and performing primary transfer.
The correction unit is
The earlier the transfer order to the transfer member, the more the correction table is corrected for each color in the transfer order using the corrected color value that is smaller than a reference value.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 18. The correction unit is
The corrected color value determined in advance is
If the color value is equal to or greater than the color value in the target characteristic corresponding to the first colorimetric value indicating the second colorimetric value of the maximum color value in the actual measurement characteristic, the modified color value is updated to be less than the color value; The correction table is corrected using the corrected color value after update.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 19.