JP2022015140A - Color material blending ratio setting support system, color material blending ratio setting support method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a color material blending ratio setting support system, capable of easily determining a combination of base color materials in a converted color material series for reproducing a feature by the base color materials of a color material series before being converted, and a blending ratio of respective base color materials used for the combination.SOLUTION: A color material blending ratio setting support system comprises: a color material series database for storing plural color material series having color feature information of base color materials of plural different base colors; a color feature information generating part for, when a first blending ratio of a first base color material belonging to a first color material series of the color material series database which forms a first feature color material being a color material having a prescribed first characteristic, is input, blending the first base color material at the first blending ratio for determining the first color feature information of the first characteristic; and a blending ratio adjusting part for adjusting a blending ratio of a second base color material belonging to a second color material series, and outputting as a second blending ratio, a blending ratio having a second feature at which, the first color feature information and the second color feature information are in a prescribed difference range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a color material blending ratio setting support system for setting a blending ratio of a color material to be printed on a print medium, a color material blending ratio setting support method, and a program.

Conventionally, a color material series (a combination of color materials having a set of color materials of a plurality of basic colors) having a color material of a base color of a plurality of basic colors (for example, ink, paint, toner, etc.) is used, and a plurality of bases are used. A color material (base color material) of a color is mixed at a predetermined blending ratio (blending ratio) to produce a color material (special color material) having a predetermined special color.
Then, the image is printed on the printing medium by using the base color material and the special color material.

When converting the color material series (or color material type) used to a color material series of a different type from this color material series, for example, the production of the color material series A is discontinued, and a similar base color material is provided. It may be updated to the color material series B.
However, in many cases, the colors of the base color materials (for example, the base ink in the case of ink) in the color material series A and the color material series B are not the same.

Therefore, when a plurality of base color materials are blended to generate a spot color material of a predetermined color, the blending ratio of the base color material of the color material series A having a track record of production or printing is used as it is in the color material series. It cannot be used as a blending ratio of the base color material of B.
Therefore, the base color material of the color material series B is selected so that the color of the special color material containing the base color material of the color material series A can be visually recognized, and the mixing ratio of the selected base color material is set. The color matching work to be adjusted needs to be performed by using a CCM (Computer Color Matching) system (see, for example, Patent Document 1) or by a skilled color matching worker (for example, a color matching technician).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-314772

However, as in Patent Document 1 described above, even if the processing for adjusting the blending ratio of the base color material of the color material series B is performed using the CCM system, the color material series A is blended with the base color material. It takes time to mix and reproduce the same color as the spot color ink with the base color material in the color material series B.
That is, the base color material of the color material series A is blended in a proven blending ratio to generate a special color material, the special color material is printed on a predetermined printing medium, and the spectral reflectance is measured.
Then, the base color material of the color material series B is selected so as to have the spectral reflectance of the printed matter of the measured spot color material, and the blending ratio of the selected base color material is calculated by the CCM system.

However, since the spot color material used for printing printed matter is usually not one color but multiple colors (for example, it may exceed several hundred colors), as the number of spot color materials increases, the above-mentioned spot color material is generated. The number of times of repeating a series of processes of printing the spot color material on a printing medium, measuring the spectral reflectance of the spot color material of the printed matter, and calculating the blending ratio by the CCM system using another color material series also increases.
Further, when converting from the ink series currently used to an ink series of a different type (color material type) and a different type of printing medium, such as when switching from offset printing to gravure printing, the same processing as described above is performed. In addition, in order to reproduce the special color of the ink series before conversion, it is necessary to perform a process of obtaining the mixing ratio of the base ink in the ink series after conversion.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is a base color material in the color material series after conversion, which reproduces the special color of the base color material of the color material series before conversion (for example, the base ink of the ink series). It is an object of the present invention to provide a color material blending ratio setting support system, a color material blending ratio setting support method, and a program that can easily obtain the blending ratio of each of the combination and the base color material used for the combination.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the color material mixing ratio setting support system of the present invention includes a plurality of color material series each having color characteristic information of a plurality of different base color base color materials. The first base color material belonging to the first color material series in the color material series database constituting the color material series database written and stored in advance and the first special color material which is a predetermined first special color material. When the first blending ratio of the above is input, the color characteristic information generation unit for blending the first base color material with the first blending ratio to obtain the first color characteristic information of the first special color, and the color material series. The blending ratio of the second base color material belonging to the second color material series in the database is adjusted, and the blending ratio in which the first color characteristic information and the second color characteristic information become the second special color within a predetermined difference range is obtained. It is provided with a blending ratio adjusting unit that outputs as a second blending ratio.

In the color material blending ratio setting support system of the present invention, in addition to each of the first blending ratio of the first color material series and the first base color material, attribute information indicating the attributes required for the second special color material is provided. When input, the blending ratio adjusting unit selects the second base color material used for blending the second special color material from the second base color material having the attribute in the second color material series. It is a feature.

The color material blending ratio setting support system of the present invention includes the first spot color and a plurality of the second spot colors together with the combination of the second base color material in the selected second spot color and the second blending ratio in the combination. It is further provided with a blending ratio notification unit for notifying the difference information of the color from the spot color.

The color material blending ratio setting support system of the present invention is characterized in that the blending ratio notification unit outputs all the second blending ratios, which are the second spot colors having the second color characteristic information within the predetermined difference range. And.

In the color material blending ratio setting support system of the present invention, the difference between the first color characteristic information and the second color characteristic information is the largest in the second color characteristic information within the predetermined difference range of the blending ratio notification unit. It is characterized by outputting the second blending ratio of the second feature, which is small.

In the color material blending ratio setting support system of the present invention, each color characteristic information of the base color material in each of the color material series is pre-written and stored corresponding to the blending ratio of the base color material. It is characterized by further providing a color material series database.

In the method for supporting the setting of the color material mixing ratio of the present invention, the color characteristic information generation unit is the first of the first base color materials belonging to the first color material series constituting the special color material which is the predetermined first special color material. When the blending ratio is input, each of the first base color materials is stored in a color material series database in which a plurality of color material series having color characteristic information of base color materials of a plurality of different base colors are pre-written and stored. The color characteristic information generation process for reading out each of the first color characteristic information of the above, blending the first base color material at the first blending ratio, and obtaining the first color characteristic information of the first special color, and the blending ratio adjusting unit. However, the blending ratio of the base color material belonging to the second color material series in the color material series database is adjusted, and the first color characteristic information and the second color characteristic information become the second special color within a predetermined difference range. It is characterized by including a blending ratio adjusting process in which the blending ratio is output as a second blending ratio.

In the program of the present invention, when a computer is input with a first blending ratio of a first base color material belonging to a first color material series constituting a special color material which is a predetermined first special color material, a plurality of colors are input. Each of the first color characteristic information of each of the first base color materials is read from the color material series database in which a plurality of color material series each having the color characteristic information of the base color materials of different base colors are written and stored in advance. , The color characteristic information generation means for obtaining the first color characteristic information of the first special color by blending the first base color material in the first blending ratio, the second color material series in the color material series database. The blending ratio of the base color material belonging to the above is adjusted, and the blending ratio in which the first color characteristic information and the second color characteristic information are the second special colors within a predetermined difference range is output as the second blending ratio. It is a program that functions as an adjustment means.

According to the present invention, the combination of the base color materials in the color material series after conversion and the base color used in the combination reproduces the special color of the base color material of the color material series before conversion (for example, the base ink of the ink series). It is possible to provide a color material blending ratio setting support system, a color material blending ratio setting support method, and a program that can easily obtain each blending ratio of the materials.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structural example of the color material mixing ratio setting support system by one Embodiment of this invention. The configuration example of the ink table index table in the color material series database 17 of this embodiment is shown. The configuration example of the ink table in the color material series database 17 of this embodiment is shown. It is a figure which shows the correspondence between the spectral reflectance measured from the printed film for each blending ratio of the base ink, and the optical density obtained from the spectral reflectance. It is a figure which shows the example of the profile data of the optical density | concentration of the base ink stored in the color material series database. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the generation of the profile of the compounding optical density of a spot color ink by adding the profile of the optical density corresponding to the compounding ratio of a base ink. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the process of selecting a base color material in another color material series performed by the color material compounding ratio setting support system by this embodiment, and finding the blending ratio of the selected base color material. It is a conceptual diagram of the process which selects the base color material in another color material series by this embodiment, and obtains the blending ratio of the selected base color material.

The color material mixing ratio setting support system of the present invention is used when converting a color material used for printing or the like from a predetermined color material series (conversion source color material series) to another color material series (conversion destination color material series). When the special color material used for printing is produced in another color material series, the other color material is similar to the special color material produced by blending the base color material of the predetermined color material series. It is a system to select the base color material in the series and to obtain the blending ratio of the selected base color material.

Hereinafter, the color material mixing ratio setting support system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration example of a color material mixing ratio setting support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the color material blending ratio setting support system 1 includes a data input unit 11, a color characteristic information generation unit 12, a blending ratio adjusting unit 13, a blending ratio notification unit 14, an image display unit 15, a storage unit 16, and a color material series. Each of the databases 17 is provided. Further, each of the color characteristic information generation unit 12 and the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 may be configured by using the function of the CCM system. In the following description, a printing ink will be used as an example of the coloring material. The color characteristic information in this embodiment indicates the optical density or the spectral reflectance.

The data input unit 11 acquires data input by the user to an external device (for example, a keyboard or a touch panel), and writes the acquired data in the storage unit 16 to store the data. Here, the input data is a mixture of ink series identification information (for example, series name, series number, product number, etc.), which is identification information for identifying the conversion source ink series, and a plurality of base inks of the conversion source ink series. The compounding information of the conversion source of the spot color ink generated in the above (hereinafter referred to as the conversion source compounding information, the combination of the base inks, the compounding ratio of each of the combined base inks, etc.), and the type of the printing medium (printing medium type). Contains conversion source information.
Further, the input data includes identification information (for example, series name, series number, product number, etc.) for identifying the conversion destination ink series and conversion destination information for each print medium type.

The color characteristic information generation unit 12 includes the ink series identification information of the conversion source ink series of the conversion source information, the conversion source compounding information of the special color ink generated by blending a plurality of base inks of the conversion source ink series, and the type of printing medium. Is read from the storage unit 16.
Then, the color characteristic information generation unit 12 refers to the ink table index table in the color material series database 17 corresponding to the ink series identification information and the print medium type.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of an ink table index table in the color material series database 17 of the present embodiment. The ink table index table shown in FIG. 2 is provided with a plurality of records indicating the correspondence between the print medium type and the ink table index for each ink series identification information. Here, the ink series identification information is identification information for individually identifying the ink series. As the print medium type, the type of the material of the print medium for printing the ink of the ink series, for example, paper, plastic, aluminum material, glass, vinyl, acrylic plate and the like is shown. The ink table index indicates an address indicating an area in which the ink table corresponding to each combination of the ink series identification information and the print medium type is written.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of an ink table in the color material series database 17 of the present embodiment. As already described, the ink table shown in FIG. 2 is provided for each combination of ink series identification information and print medium type. The ink table includes, for example, in the unit of the base ink number, a record column of the optical density index corresponding to each of the blending ratios, and a column of each of the attribute and the price range.

Here, the base ink number is identification information for identifying each of the base inks included in the ink series. The blending ratio indicates the blending ratio of the base ink in the blending of the base ink and a predetermined colorless solvent (resusulator or the like).
The optical density index is a profile of spectral reflectance measured by spreading an ink containing a base ink and a colorless solvent in a corresponding mixing ratio on a printing medium indicated by a printing medium type so as to form a constant film on the printing medium. It is an address indicating the recording area of the color material series database 17 in which the profile data of the optical density obtained from the above is stored.

The attribute is data indicating each function of the base ink in the ink series. In the present embodiment, as attribute data, for example, there is data indicating the presence or absence of light resistance, heat resistance, weather resistance, boil suitability, and the like. The light resistance is less susceptible to the influence of ultraviolet rays contained in light such as sunlight, and shows the property that the color is less likely to change even when posted for a long period of time. The heat resistance is produced based on a silicone resin or the like, and exhibits a property that color change is unlikely to occur even at a higher temperature than other inks. The weather resistance shows the property that the color is unlikely to change even if it gets wet due to rain in the field or is exposed to direct sunlight. Boil suitability is printed on a container of retort food, etc., and shows the property that the color does not easily change even if it is soaked in boiling water for a long time.
The price range indicates the price per unit (weight (gram or kilogram), capacity (cc, liter), etc.) of the base ink indicated by the base ink number.

Profile data of optical density is stored in the address indicated by the optical density index. This optical density is obtained from the spectral reflectance measured in advance from the print film on which the base ink blended in the blending ratio is pre-printed on the print medium of the print medium type.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the correspondence between the spectral reflectance measured from the printed film for each blending ratio of the base ink and the optical density obtained from the spectral reflectance.
FIG. 4A shows the profile of the spectral reflectance, the horizontal axis shows the wavelength (λ), and the vertical axis shows the spectral reflectance (%).
FIG. 4B shows the optical density profile, the horizontal axis shows the wavelength (λ), and the vertical axis shows the optical density (%).

Further, for example, the following equation (1) is an example of the equation for converting the spectral reflectance to the optical density, and the equation (2) is an example of the equation for converting the optical density to the spectral reflectance. The spectral reflectance of FIG. 4A and the optical density of FIG. 4B are converted by the equations (1) and (2).
N (λ) is the optical density (non-dimensional) at the wavelength λ, R (λ) is the spectral reflectance at the wavelength λ, and x is an arbitrary coefficient.

Each of the above-mentioned equations (1) for converting spectral reflectance to optical density and equation (2) for converting optical density to spectral reflectance are examples of conversion equations. Therefore, in the present embodiment, any commonly used conversion formula may be used as long as it is a conversion formula capable of converting the spectral reflectance and the optical density, and the spectral reflectance and the optical density can be used. The equation for the conversion of is not limited to the equation (1) and the equation (2).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of profile data of the optical density of the base ink stored in the color material series database.
In FIG. 5, the blending ratios of the black (Black), cyan (Cyan), green (Green), red (Red), and yellow (Yellow) base inks are 5%, 10%, 30%, 70%, and 100, respectively. The profile data of the optical density obtained by converting from the spectral reflectance obtained by measuring each printed matter of% is shown.

Returning to FIG. 1, the color characteristic information generation unit 12 creates each combination of the base inks indicated by the base ink numbers, changes the mixing ratio of each of the base inks in the combination, and optics corresponding to each mixing ratio. The densities are added, and the compounded optical density is obtained as the addition result.
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the generation of the profile of the compounding optical density of the spot color ink by adding the profile of the optical density corresponding to the compounding ratio of the base ink.

In FIG. 6, the profile of the optical density of 30% of the base ink Cyan and the profile of the optical density of the base ink of yellow (Yellow) of 30% are added, and the spot color ink (spot color ink) is added. It produces a profile of the optical density of Green as a blended ink. At this time, the color characteristic information generation unit 12 sets the profile of each optical density of the base ink according to the following equation (3), which is an example of the equation for obtaining the optical density of the spot color ink according to the blending ratio of the base ink. From each, the profile of the optical density of the spot color ink is calculated. Further, resume is added at a blending ratio of 40% with respect to the blending ratio of cyan and yellow. Although omitted in the description, an optical density profile corresponding to a 40% proportion of resume is also added.

In the above equation (3), it is an optical density (blended optical density) at a wavelength λ of a spot color ink containing Nc (λ). Ni (λ) is the optical density at the wavelength λ corresponding to the mixing ratio of the base ink used for blending the spot color ink. N is a natural number and indicates the total number of base inks to be blended. N indicates the total number of base inks to be blended. For example, when the number of base inks to be blended is two, N = 2. i is a natural number and indicates each of the base inks to be blended.

Equation (3) for calculating the compounded optical density described above is an example. In the present embodiment, any formula may be used as long as the blended optical density is obtained by the blending ratio of the optical concentration and the spectral reflectance is obtained from the blended optical concentration, and any formula may be used as the formula for calculating the blended optical density (3). ) Is not limited to the formula.
For example, as a method of determining the mixing ratio of other base inks, the relative amount is changed from the reference of the base ink, samples of several stages of concentration and mixing ratio are prepared, and the optical concentration and the mixing ratio are used as the basis. As data, there is also a method of obtaining the mixing ratio of the base ink with respect to the desired spectral reflectance by using the Kubelkar-Munk's formula, Duncan's color mixture theory formula, and Sanderson's reflectance correction formula as necessary. (For example, an algorithm for obtaining a blending ratio in a general CCM described in Japanese Patent No. 5694655).

The color characteristic information generation unit 12 uses the above equation (2) to convert the profile of the reference optical density, which is the compounding optical density of the special color ink calculated in the above (3) color, into the profile of the spectral reflectance Rc (λ). It is converted and written to and stored in the storage unit 16 as a reference profile having a spectral reflectance.

The blending ratio adjusting unit 13 includes the ink series identification information of the conversion destination ink series of the conversion destination information, the print medium type, and the profile (color characteristics) of the spectral reflectance of the spot color ink generated by the base ink of the conversion source ink series. The profile calculated by the information generation unit 12 according to the equation (3), hereinafter referred to as a reference profile) is read from the storage unit 16.
Then, the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 searches the color material series database 17 for an ink table corresponding to the combination of the conversion destination ink series indicated by the ink series identification information and the print medium type.

The blending ratio adjusting unit 13 refers to the searched ink table, sequentially extracts the combinations of the base inks in the ink table, and uses the above equation (3) to blend the special color inks in each combination with the optical density (in the blending optical density). (A certain candidate optical density) is calculated.
Here, as the type of base ink to be combined, each of the blending ratios of each base ink is also one type. For example, as the cyan of the base ink, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% are also used as one type in the combination. Therefore, when yellow also has the same number of blending ratios (8 pieces) as cyan, there are 64 combinations of cyan and yellow.

Then, the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 calculates the candidate optical density according to the combination of the base inks for each combination of the extracted base inks by the equation (3), converts them into the spectral reflectance by the equation (2), and converts the candidates into spectral reflectances. Write as a profile and memorize it.
The blending ratio adjusting unit 13 makes each of the converted spectral reflectance candidate profiles correspond to each combination, and writes and stores, for example, the base ink number and the blending ratio of the combined base ink in the storage unit 16.

The blending ratio adjusting unit 13 reads out the reference profile based on the conversion source information from the storage unit 16 and sequentially compares it with the candidate profile in the storage unit 16.
Then, the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 selects, for example, a candidate profile whose mean square error with the reference profile is within a preset range, and as a selection profile, the storage unit is associated with the base ink number in the combination and the blending ratio. Write in 16 and memorize it.

The blending ratio notification unit 14 refers to the selection profile in the storage unit 16 and reads out the base ink number and the blending ratio in the combination corresponding to the selection profile.
Then, the blending ratio notification unit 14 displays the input conversion destination information, the base ink number read out as the search result in the conversion destination ink series, and the blending ratio on the display screen of the image display unit 15.
The image display unit 15 is, for example, a display device using a liquid crystal display panel.
Each of the storage unit 16 and the color material series database 17 may be a storage medium such as a hard disk, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory using a semiconductor memory, or an SD (Secure Digital) card.

Hereinafter, the operation of the color material mixing ratio setting support system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a process of selecting a base color material and obtaining a selected base color material blending ratio in another color material series performed by the color material blending ratio setting support system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of a process for selecting a base color material in another color material series according to the present embodiment and obtaining a blending ratio of the selected base color material.
In the following description, the same as the spot color ink CA created by blending the base inks (inks # 1, # 2, # 3) of the ink series A1 when the ink series is converted from the ink series A1 to the ink series B1. An example will be described in which the type of the base ink of the ink series B1 and the blending ratio thereof, which can obtain the special color ink CB having the tint (chromaticity value) of the above, are obtained.

Step S101: The operator indicates the series number indicating the ink series A1, which is the series number indicating the conversion source ink series, and the ink number of the base ink (inks # 1, # 2, #) in the ink series A1 containing the spot color ink CA. 3), conversion source information including the blending ratios (50%, 30%, 20%) of these base inks and the print medium type are input to the color material blending ratio setting support system 1 from the input means (not shown). do.
Further, the operator inputs the conversion destination information including the ink series B1 which is the series number indicating the conversion destination ink series and the print medium type into the color material mixing ratio setting support system 1 from the input means.
Then, the data input unit 11 writes and stores each data of the conversion source information and the conversion destination information input from the input means in the storage unit 16.

Step S102: The color characteristic information generation unit 12 reads the ink series A1 of the ink series number in the conversion source information and the print medium type from the storage unit 16.
Then, the color characteristic information generation unit 12 extracts the ink table TA corresponding to the combination of the ink series A1 and the print medium type from the color material series database 17.

Step S103: The color characteristic information generation unit 12 stores each of the inks # 1, # 2, and # 3 as the base ink numbers in the conversion source information, and the respective blending ratios of 50%, 30%, and 20% in the storage unit 16. Read from.
Then, the color characteristic information generation unit 12 refers to the ink table TA, and has a profile of the optical density corresponding to the blending ratio of ink # 1 of 50% and a profile of the optical density corresponding to the blending ratio of ink # 2 of 30%. And the profile of the optical density corresponding to the mixing ratio of ink # 3 of 20% are read from the color material series database 17.
The color characteristic information generation unit 12 has an optical density profile corresponding to an ink # 1 blending ratio of 50%, an optical density profile corresponding to an ink # 2 blending ratio of 30%, and an ink # 3 blending ratio of 20%. The profile of the optical density corresponding to the above is added by the equation (3) to generate the profile of the compounded optical density of the spot color ink CA.

Step S104: The color characteristic information generation unit 12 converts the profile of the compounded optical density of the spot color ink CA into the spectral reflectance RA (Rc (λ)) of the spot color ink CA using the equation (2).
Then, the color characteristic information generation unit 12 writes and stores the calculated spectral reflectance RA as a reference profile in the storage unit 16 (calculation of the spectral reflectance in FIG. 8).

Step S105: The blending ratio adjusting unit 13 reads the ink series B1 of the ink series number in the conversion destination information and the print medium type from the storage unit 16.
Then, the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 extracts the ink table TB corresponding to the combination of the ink series B1 and the print medium type from the color material series database 17.

Step S106: The blending ratio adjusting unit 13 extracts each of the base ink numbers (or color numbers) that are not currently combined as a combination from the base ink in the ink table TB (combination of two or more base ink numbers). select).
The blending ratio adjusting unit 13 extracts, for example, inks #i, #j, and #k from the ink table TA as a combination of base inks.

Step S107: The blending ratio adjusting unit 13 combines the light distribution ratios of the inks #i, #j, and #k as the base ink numbers from the ink table TB as 10%, 20%, 70%, and the like at present. Extract and set the combination of the blending ratios that have not been set.
Then, the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 reads and adds the optical density profiles corresponding to the light distribution ratios of the inks # i, # j, and #k from the ink table TB, and adds the blending optical density of the spot color ink CB. Is calculated.

Step S108: The compounding ratio adjusting unit 13 converts the obtained compounding optical density into a spectral reflectance according to the equation (2), and uses it as a candidate profile for the spectral reflectance.

Step S109: The blending ratio adjusting unit 13 reads the reference profile from the storage unit 16, calculates the mean square error between the reference profile and the candidate profile, and the mean square error is a preset error threshold value (that is, the color value). It is determined whether or not the difference is less than or equal to a predetermined difference threshold value).
At this time, the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 proceeds to step S110 when the mean square error is equal to or less than the preset error threshold value, while processing when the mean square error exceeds the preset error threshold value. To step S111.

Step S110: The blending ratio adjusting unit 13 writes and stores a candidate profile as a selection profile in the storage unit 16 in correspondence with each of the combined base ink numbers and the respective blending ratios.

Step S111: The blending ratio adjusting unit 13 determines whether or not there is a combination of blending ratios that is not currently combined in the combination of base inks selected in step S106, that is, whether or not all the blending ratio combinations have been extracted. do.
At this time, the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 advances the process to step S112 when there is no uncombined blending ratio, while proceeding to the process to step S107 when there is an uncombined blending ratio.

Step S112: The blending ratio adjusting unit 13 detects the presence or absence of a set of base ink numbers of the base inks that are not extracted as a combination in the base inks in the ink table TB, that is, whether or not all the base inks are combined. Judgment is made.
At this time, the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 proceeds to step S113 when there is no set of base ink numbers of the base inks that have not been extracted as a combination, while the base ink numbers of the base inks that have not been extracted as a combination proceed to step S113. If the set exists, the process proceeds to step S106.
Here, steps S106 to S112 correspond to the CCM processing in FIG.

Step S113: The blending ratio notification unit 14 determines whether or not there is another special color ink CA according to the ink series A1 to be blended with the base ink in the ink series B1, that is, all the special color ink CAs blended in the ink series A1. It is determined whether or not the process for obtaining the base ink number of each base ink in the corresponding ink series B1 and the blending ratio of each base ink number is completed.
At this time, if there is another spot color ink CA according to the ink series A1 to be blended with the base ink in the ink series B1, the blending ratio notification unit 14 proceeds to the process to step S101. On the other hand, if there is no other spot color ink CA according to the ink series A1 to be blended with the base ink in the ink series B1, the blending ratio notification unit 14 proceeds to the process to step S114.

Step S114: The blending ratio notification unit 14 includes each of the base ink numbers (inks # 7, # 9, # 10 in FIG. 8) of the base ink used for blending the spot color ink CB corresponding to the spot color ink CA, and the base ink number. The respective blending ratios (49%, 28%, 23% in FIG. 8) are read from the storage unit 16.
Then, the blending ratio notification unit 14 displays the base ink number of the base ink used for blending the special color ink CB and the blending ratio of each of these base ink numbers on the display screen of the image display unit 15, and the user. Notify the processing result to.

Here, when there are a plurality of spot color ink CBs corresponding to the spot color ink CA, the blending ratio notification unit 14 has the base ink number of the base ink used for blending the spot color ink CB having the smallest difference, and each of these base ink numbers. Only the blending ratio is displayed.
Further, when there are a plurality of spot color inks CB corresponding to the spot color ink CA, the blending ratio notification unit 14 may be configured to display all of them on the display screen of the image display unit 15.

According to the above-described embodiment, the color material series database 17 stores the optical densities for each blending ratio of the base color materials in each color material series, and is the base of the conversion source ink series (color material series before conversion). A reference profile of the spectral reflectance of the spot color ink generated by each blending ratio of the ink is calculated, and the combination of the base ink and the blending ratio of the base ink in the conversion destination ink series having a spectral reflectance close to this reference profile. In order to obtain the candidate profile according to the above, the user converts the conversion source ink series, the information indicating the type of the base ink to which the spot color ink is blended, the conversion source information including each blending ratio of the base ink, and the printing medium type, and the conversion. By inputting the destination ink series and the conversion destination information including the print medium type, the base ink in the conversion destination ink series can obtain the same color as the spot color blended in the base ink in the conversion source ink series. And the blending ratio of each of the base inks can be easily obtained.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 is configured to calculate the mean square error with the reference profile and the candidate profile converted into the spectral reflectance.
However, as another configuration example, the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 calculates the mean square error of each of the reference profile and the candidate profile as the optical density profile, leaving the blended optical density as the optical density without converting it to the blended spectral reflectance. However, it may be configured to extract the selected profile from the candidate profile.

Further, the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 converts each of the reference profile and the candidate profile of the spectral reflectance into L ^* a ^* b ^* values of the coordinate values in the Lab coordinate system, and obtains them from the spectral reflectance of the reference profile. Candidates for L ^* a ^* b ^* values whose distance from the L ^* a ^* b ^* values of the coordinate values (color difference: including CIE (International Commission on Illumination) DE (delta) 97 and CIEDE2000) exists within a predetermined range. The profile may be configured to be selected as the selection profile.

Further, the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 may be configured to perform the following operations.
The blending ratio adjusting unit 13 uses two types of preset spectral radiance profiles, and is similar to the chromaticity value obtained by one of the spectral radiances (for example, a standard light source such as D50) and the reference profile. Select a candidate profile whose color difference from the chromaticity value obtained in the process is within a predetermined range.

Then, the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 determines the chromaticity value (L ^* a of the coordinate value in the Lab coordinate system) according to the spectral radiance of a predetermined light source different from the standard light source described above from each of the reference profile and the selected candidate profile. ^* B ^* Value) is calculated.
The blending ratio adjusting unit 13 obtains the difference between the metallism color differences between the reference profile and the candidate profile, and the candidate profile is used as the selection profile even though the difference is within the preset range.

Further, the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 may be configured to perform the following operations.
The blending ratio adjusting unit 13 weights each of the reference profile and the candidate profile obtained as the spectral reflectance by the profile of the luminous efficiency curve, and the weighted reference profile and the average square of each candidate profile. An error may be calculated and a candidate profile having a mean square error within a predetermined range may be extracted as a selection profile.

Further, the input data may be configured to add the attribute information necessary for the ink produced by blending, in addition to the conversion source information and the conversion destination information already described.
As a result, when light resistance and heat resistance are added as attribute information to the conversion source information, the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 uses the spot color ink from the ink table selected for each of the ink series number and the print medium type. When selecting the base ink of the combination to be blended, the inks having the respective functions of light resistance and heat resistance are sequentially selected, the candidate profile of this combination is compared with the reference profile, and the selection profile is obtained. .. Here, the reference profile and the candidate profile are compared in a unified manner in either optical density or spectral reflectance.
Similarly, when a price range is added to the conversion source information and conversion destination information already described as input data, the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 is used for each of the ink series number and the print medium type. From the selected ink table, the base ink corresponding to the specified price range is selected, and the process of extracting the combination of the base inks for generating the candidate profile is performed.

Further, the input data may be configured to add an ink number indicating a base ink in the conversion destination ink series in addition to the conversion source information and conversion destination information already described.
That is, when the conversion source ink series is discontinued and a new conversion destination ink series is provided, the same color may exist as the base ink.
However, even if the colors are the same, the color tones are slightly different between the conversion source ink series and the conversion destination ink series, so the mixing ratios of the base inks are not the same.
Therefore, it is necessary to recalculate the conversion ratio of each base ink in the same combination of base inks.
In the above-described embodiment, all combinations of the base inks in the ink table selected for each of the series number and the print medium type are extracted to generate each candidate profile, but in the case of this configuration, the base ink is Since it is specified, a candidate profile is generated by changing only the combination of the blending ratios. Here, the reference profile and the candidate profile are compared in a unified manner in either optical density or spectral reflectance.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the blending ratio notification unit 14 is configured to display the base ink number and the blending ratio read out as the search result in the conversion destination ink series on the display screen of the image display unit 15. The difference in chromaticity value between the spot color ink in the conversion source ink series and the spot color ink in the conversion destination ink series obtained as a search result may be displayed.
For example, the spectral reflectances of the spot color ink blended with the base ink of the conversion source ink series and the spot color ink blended with the base ink of the resulting conversion destination base ink are the coordinates of the Lab color space, respectively. It may be configured with a function of converting it into an L ^* a ^* b ^* value which is a coordinate value in the system, displaying it in the Lab color space, and visually displaying the color difference.

In this configuration, when multiple candidate profiles are selected, the distance between the coordinate values is the shortest (that is, the difference in color difference is small) with respect to the coordinate values of the spot color ink blended with the base ink of the conversion source ink series. ) The coordinate points of the special color ink mixed with the base ink of the conversion destination ink series are displayed on the display screen of the image display unit 15 in a color different from the coordinate points of the other special color inks.
When a plurality of candidate profiles are selected, the color difference between the L ^* a ^* b ^* value corresponding to the reference profile and the L ^* a ^* b ^* value corresponding to each of the plurality of candidate profiles is set. It may be configured to be displayed on the display screen of the image display unit 15.

The blending ratio notification unit 14 has a standard for each of the special color ink blended with the base ink of the conversion source ink series and the special color ink blended with the base ink of the conversion destination base ink obtained as a result. The color value is calculated based on the spectral emission brightness of the light source (for example, D50), and each of the images of the color value is adjacent to the image of the reference profile, for example, each of the images of the candidate profile is adjacent to the image of the reference profile. It may be configured to be displayed on the display screen of.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which one type of optical density is used for each of the base inks in the ink table has been described, but when the type of color material is paint or the like, observation is performed as in metallic paint or pearl paint. Since the film has a different color depending on the angle of the ink, a plurality of types of optical densities may be prepared. For these plurality of optical densities, for example, the metallic paint of the base color material is preliminarily spread on a predetermined print medium, the film of the metallic paint is measured by an angle deviation measuring device, and the spectral reflectance at each predetermined angle is measured. Then, obtain each optical density and write it in the ink table in advance.
In the case of this configuration, each of the color characteristic information generation unit 12 and the blending ratio adjusting unit 13 sets the optical density of the blending ratio of the base ink from the ink table selected for each of the series number and the print medium type for each corresponding angle. In addition to, the compounded optical density is obtained, the respective spectral reflectances are obtained, and a reference profile or a candidate profile is generated.

Further, a program for realizing the function of the color material mixing ratio setting support system in FIG. 1 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read and executed by the computer system. When producing a spot color having a color value similar to that of a spot color according to a predetermined ink series by blending base inks of different ink series, a process of obtaining the blended base ink and the blending ratio thereof may be performed. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

Further, the "computer system" includes the homepage providing environment (or display environment) if the WWW system is used.
Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. Further, a "computer-readable recording medium" is a communication line for transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and dynamically holds the program for a short period of time. In that case, it also includes those that hold the program for a certain period of time, such as the volatile memory inside the computer system that is the server or client. Further, the above-mentioned program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions, and may be further realized for realizing the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs and the like within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

1 ... Color material mixing ratio setting support system 11 ... Data input unit 12 ... Color characteristic information generation unit 13 ... Mixing ratio adjustment unit 14 ... Mixing ratio notification unit 15 ... Image display unit 16 ... Storage unit 17 ... Color material series database

Claims (8)

A color material series database in which multiple color material series containing color characteristic information of base color materials of a plurality of different base colors are pre-written and stored, and
When the first blending ratio of the first base color material belonging to the first color material series in the color material series database constituting the first spot color material which is a predetermined first spot color material is input, the first A color characteristic information generation unit that obtains the first color characteristic information of the first spot color by blending one base color material at the first blending ratio, and
The mixing ratio of the second base color material belonging to the second color material series in the color material series database is adjusted, and the first color characteristic information and the second color characteristic information become the second spot color within a predetermined difference range. A color material blending ratio setting support system including a blending ratio adjusting unit that outputs the blending ratio as a second blending ratio. When attribute information indicating the attributes required for the second spot color material is input in addition to each of the first color material series and the first blending ratio of the first base color material.
The claim is characterized in that the blending ratio adjusting unit selects a second base color material used for blending the second special color material from the second base color material having the attribute in the second color material series. The color material mixing ratio setting support system according to 1. The combination of the second base color material in the selected second spot color, the second blending ratio in the combination, and the blending ratio for notifying the difference information of the color between the first spot color and the plurality of the second spot colors. The color material blending ratio setting support system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a notification unit. The color material blending ratio according to claim 3, wherein the blending ratio notification unit outputs all of the second blending ratio, which is the second spot color having the second color characteristic information within the predetermined difference range. Setting support system. The blending ratio notification unit determines the second blending ratio of the second spot color having the smallest difference between the first color characteristic information and the second color characteristic information in the second color characteristic information within the predetermined difference range. The color material blending ratio setting support system according to claim 3, which is characterized by outputting. Each of the color characteristic information of the base color material in each of the color material series further includes a color material series database that is pre-written and stored corresponding to the blending ratio of the base color material. The color material blending ratio setting support system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. When the color characteristic information generation unit inputs the first blending ratio of the first base color material belonging to the first color material series constituting the special color material which is the predetermined first special color material, a plurality of different bases are input. Each of the first color characteristic information of each of the first base color materials is read out from the color material series database in which a plurality of color material series each having the color characteristic information of the color base color material are written and stored in advance. A color characteristic information generation process in which the first base color material is blended at the first blending ratio to obtain the first color characteristic information of the first special color, and
The blending ratio adjusting unit adjusts the blending ratio of the base color material belonging to the second color material series in the color material series database, and the first color characteristic information and the second color characteristic information are within a predetermined difference range. (2) A method for supporting the setting of a color material blending ratio, which comprises a blending ratio adjusting process in which the blending ratio, which is a special color, is output as a second blending ratio. Computer,
When the first blending ratio of the first base color material belonging to the first color material series constituting the special color material which is the predetermined first special color material is input, the colors of the base color materials of a plurality of different base colors are input. Each of the first color characteristic information of each of the first base color materials is read out from the color material series database in which a plurality of color material series each having characteristic information is written and stored in advance, and the first base color material is used as described above. Color characteristic information generation means for generating color characteristic information by blending at a first blending ratio to obtain first color characteristic information of the first special color.
The blending ratio of the base color material belonging to the second color material series in the color material series database is adjusted so that the first color characteristic information and the second color characteristic information become the second special color within a predetermined difference range. A program that functions as a compounding ratio adjusting means that outputs the ratio as the second compounding ratio.

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