JP2023068988A - Information processing apparatus and operation guide method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To give guidance so that a user can appropriately measure colors when the user manually actuates a colorimetric machine to measure the colors of a chart.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus stores color verification information including a colorimetric direction for every color chart and colorimetric speed information including a moving speed for every model of a colorimetric machine, and displays an animation indicating the movement of the colorimetric machine in the colorimetric direction according to the type of the color chart and the colorimetric speed according to the model of the colorimetric machine. The information processing apparatus receives, from the colorimetric machine, a result of color measurement performed by the colorimetric machine, and holds the result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for verifying the color quality of printed matter, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus, an operation guidance method, and a program.

As a method for verifying the color quality of printed matter printed by an image forming device, a chart printed with several color patches is read by a colorimeter, and the read information is used in accordance with the printing industry's color standards and criteria, and the printing company's own There is a method of comparing with the color standards and criteria specified in . As a colorimeter, there are a colorimeter that is manually operated by a user to perform colorimetry, and a colorimeter that automatically measures a chart. When using a colorimeter that is manually operated by the user, the user must operate the colorimeter according to the correct procedure to measure the color of the chart. Therefore, methods have been proposed to guide the user on how to properly operate the colorimeter.

First, there is a method of printing a chart indicating the direction of colorimetry (moving the colorimeter) so that the user can measure the color of the chart according to the correct procedure (Patent Document 1). Secondly, there is a method of photographing a user moving a colorimeter with a camera and displaying a warning on the screen if there is a problem in how to move the colorimeter (Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-035239 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-034460

However, even if the guidance methods described above are adopted, it is difficult to provide speed guidance with the first method, and with the second method, although a warning is given only after the problem is discovered, speed guidance is difficult. There is no change. For this reason, if the speed of moving the colorimeter is too fast or too slow, the color patches in the chart may not be read accurately, resulting in an error.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide guidance that allows a user to intuitively and easily grasp the position to start colorimetry and the movement direction and speed of the colorimeter when colorimetry is performed manually.

In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention has the following configurations. That is, according to one aspect of the present invention, holding means for holding color verification information including the colorimetry direction for each color chart and colorimetry speed information including the movement speed for each type of colorimeter;
display control means for displaying, on a display means, an animation showing movement of the colorimeter at a colorimetry direction corresponding to the type of color chart and a colorimetry speed corresponding to the model of the colorimeter;
and receiving means for receiving and holding a result of colorimetry by the colorimeter from the colorimeter.

According to the present invention, when performing colorimetry manually, it is possible to provide guidance that allows the user to intuitively and easily grasp the position at which colorimetry is to be started and the movement direction and speed of the colorimeter.

Schematic diagram showing configurations of a client computer, a colorimetric device, and a database in the first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a client computer, a colorimetric device, and a database in the first embodiment; FIG. Example of information used in color verification in the first embodiment Example of test information selection screen for color verification in the first embodiment Example of colorimetry screen displaying animation indicating colorimetry direction and speed in the first embodiment Example of colorimetry screen displaying animation indicating colorimetry direction and speed in the first embodiment 4 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of animation display processing showing the colorimetry direction and speed in the first embodiment; Example of information used for color verification in the second embodiment Example of a colorimetry screen displaying an animation indicating the colorimetry direction, speed, and scan mode in the second embodiment Flowchart for explaining the flow of animation display processing showing the colorimetry direction, speed, and scan mode in the second embodiment. Example of Information Associated with Patch Number Difference and Animation Display Speed Variation in the Third Embodiment Flowchart for explaining the flow of processing for changing the animation display speed indicating the colorimetry direction and speed when a colorimetry error occurs in the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(First embodiment)
●System Configuration FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a client computer, a colorimetry device, and a database included in a colorimetry system according to this embodiment.

A client computer 0101 is connected via a network 0105 to a database 0104 on the network. Furthermore, it is connected to a colorimetric device (colorimetric machine) 0102 via a cable 0103 . The client computer 0101 is simply called a client, and is implemented by an information processing device such as a general-purpose computer.

Information necessary for color verification (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 3) and color verification results are stored (or held) in a database 0104 on the network. sent to. Information necessary for color verification and color verification results may be stored and managed in the client computer 0101 instead of the database 0104 on the network.

Further, at the time of color verification, the client computer 0101 controls the colorimetric device 0102 via the cable 0103 based on the set information to measure the color patches (or the chart on which the color patches are printed). to perform color verification. This chart is also called a test chart or a color chart. The information stored in the memory or the like that is the basis of this chart is also called test chart information or color chart information.

The connection form of the client computer 0101, the colorimetric device 0102, and the database 0104 shown in this embodiment is an example, and it goes without saying that there are various connection forms other than those shown in this embodiment. For example, the configuration may be such that the database 0104 is implemented in the cloud.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the client computer 0101, colorimetric device 0102, and database 0104 of this embodiment.

A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 0201 of the client computer 0101 administers control and calculation in each part of the client computer 0101 via a system bus 0207 . The CPU 0201 executes a program stored in a storage unit 0204 and loaded into a RAM (Random Access Memory) 0203 . The RAM 0203 is a kind of general volatile storage device that can be accessed directly from the CPU 0201, and is used as a work area for the CPU 0201 or as a temporary data storage area. The storage unit 0204 functions as a temporary storage area and work memory during operation of the client computer. A network interface (hereinafter referred to as NW I/F) 0202 is connected to the NW I/F 0215 of the database 0104 on the network via the network 0105 and controls communication between the client computer 0101 and the database 0104 . A display unit 0205 is a hardware configuration and is a user interface for visually displaying information in the client computer 0101 . The display unit 0205 is, for example, a monitor display. A USB (Universal Serial Bus) I/F 0206 is connected to a USB I/F 0209 of the colorimetric device 0102 via a cable 0103 and controls communication between the client computer 0101 and the colorimetric device 102 .

A CPU 0208 of the colorimetry device 0102 controls and calculates each part of the colorimetry device 0102 via the system bus 0213 . The CPU 0208 executes programs stored in the storage unit 0211 and loaded into the RAM (0210). The storage unit 0211 functions as a temporary storage area and a work memory during operation of the colorimetric device.The USB I/F 0209 is connected to the USB I/F 0206 of the client computer 0101 via the cable 0103. and controls communication between the colorimetry apparatus 102 and the client computer 0101. The colorimetry unit 0212 performs colorimetry of color patches on paper and temporarily stores the colorimetry results in the RAM 0210 or the storage unit 0211. Temporarily stored The CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 receives the colorimetry result from the RAM 0210 or the storage unit 0211 of the colorimetry device 0102 via the cable 0103, acquires the colorimetry result, and holds the colorimetry result.

The CPU 0214 of the database 0104 manages control and calculation in each section of the database 0104 via the system bus 0218 . The CPU 0218 controls execution of programs stored in the storage unit 0217 and loaded into the RAM 0216 . The RAM 0216 is a type of general volatile memory that can be directly accessed by the CPU 0218 and is used as a work area for the CPU 0218 or other temporary data storage area. The storage unit 0217 functions as a temporary storage area and a work memory during database operation. The NW I/F 0215 is connected to the NW I/F 0202 of the client computer 0101 on the network via the network 0105 and controls communication between the database 0104 and the client computer 0101 .

●Color Verification Information FIG. 3 shows an example of information required for color verification stored in the database 0104. FIG. This information is also called color verification information in this embodiment, and is stored in the storage unit 0217 of the database 0104 .

FIG. 3A is an example of color verification information when performing color verification. The color verification information can also be referred to as patch arrangement information indicating the arrangement of patches on the chart, for example. The information table 0301 is an information table containing color verification information used when performing color verification. The test ID 0302 is ID information for distinguishing the saved color verifications. In this example, a four-digit number is shown, but this is only an example, and various other methods such as a combination of random characters may be used. The test name 0303 indicates the name of the saved color verification. The colorimetry direction 0304 is information indicating the colorimetry direction set for the test chart when performing colorimetry by moving the colorimeter in the stored color verification. In this example, the setting from the lower left to the upper right means that if there are multiple patch rows (described later), the color measurement starts from the lowest patch row in the chart, and each patch row is measured from left to right. It means to color. In addition, although only the lower left to upper right and upper right to lower left are shown in this example, there are various other colorimetric directions such as upper left to lower right. The directions of up, down, left, and right may be determined for each test chart, and may be displayed on the test chart, for example. The patch size 0305 is information indicating the printed size of the color patch in the chart in the saved color verification. The number of patches 0306 indicates the number of rows of color patches in the chart and the number of color patches in one row in the saved color verification.

FIG. 3B is an example of colorimetric speed information indicating the optimum movement speed for the type (model) of colorimetric device supported in color verification. The information table 0307 is a table that associates information on the types (models) of colorimeters supported by the color verification system with the optimum colorimetry speed values for the colorimeters. The colorimeter model 0308 is information indicating the type (model) of the supported colorimeter. This example shows that two colorimeters, colorimeter A and colorimeter B, are supported. The colorimetry speed 0309 is information indicating the optimum colorimetry speed when each colorimeter is used. The colorimetry speed is the speed at which each colorimeter is moved. In this example, it is shown that it is optimal to perform colorimetry while moving the colorimeter A at a speed of 10 cm/s. . This value may be, for example, a value provided by the manufacturer of the colorimeter.

Display processing Flow of processing for displaying a user interface including animation (moving image) for guiding the colorimetry direction, speed, etc. during color verification in this embodiment using FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 will be explained.

FIG. 4 shows a color verification setting screen for color verification. This screen is displayed on the display unit 0205 of the client computer 0101 by the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 . A screen 0401 shows the entire test selection screen when performing color verification. For example, it is displayed by starting execution of a color verification program on the client computer 0101 . The text 0402 indicates that the screen being displayed is the screen for selecting a test. A test ID column 0403 is an input area for inputting a test ID for color verification to be executed. By inputting a test ID in the test ID input area 0403 and pressing a confirmation button 0404, the test matching the test ID input in the test ID column 0403 can be selected. The target test can also be selected from a test list to be described later. A test name list 0405 is a list of color verification test IDs and test names held by the system. This information displays a list of the test ID 0302 and the test name 0303 in the information table of the color verification information described with reference to FIG. 3A. In this example, it is assumed that test ID "0001" and test name "Japan color 2011" have been selected as color verification information to be executed from now on. When the colorimetry start button 0406 is pressed, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 instructs the colorimetry device 0102 via the cable 0103 to start colorimetry based on the color verification information of the set test ID. . Also, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 changes the screen displayed on the display unit 0205 of the client computer 0101 to a colorimetric screen as shown in FIG. 5, which will be described later.

5A and 5B are colorimetry screens when performing color verification. This screen is displayed on the display unit 0205 of the client computer 0101 by the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 . Each of FIGS. 5A and 5B shows three representative frames of the animation, and the representative frames shown may contain frames interpolating states therebetween. The speed of movement may be changed depending on the colorimeter to be guided.

In (1), (2), and (3) of FIG. 5A, how the colorimetry direction and colorimetry speed are animated in the chart colorimetry screen for the setting of the colorimetry direction "from the lower left to the upper right". Describe what you are viewing. The guidance screen 0501 shows the entire chart colorimetry screen for performing colorimetry of the chart with settings based on the test settings selected when performing the color verification. A title 0502 indicates that the displayed screen is a screen for chart measurement. The test name 0503 indicates that the chart displayed on the current chart colorimetry screen is a test name for identifying which test it relates to. In this example, it means that a test with a test name of JapanColor2011 whose colorimetric direction is "bottom left to top right" is displayed. Preview 0504 shows a preview of chart information based on test settings. In this example, based on the patch size 0305 and patch number 0306 information set for the test JapanColor2011, a preview of a chart with 18 patches per row divided into 4 rows is displayed. ing.

An animation bar 0505 in FIG. 5A(1) indicates the colorimetry direction and the colorimetry speed. In this example, the black line moves from the left edge of the chart to the right. When a cancel button 0506 is pressed, the current chart colorimetry is stopped. The end button 0507 is activated when the colorimetry of all patches of the chart is finished, and when the end button 0507 is pressed after being activated, the colorimetry of the chart is terminated. The colorimeter name 0508 indicates what kind of colorimeter is used in color verification. In this example, FIG. 5A shows that colorimeter A is used as the colorimeter, and FIG. 5B shows that colorimeter B is used as the colorimeter.

An animation bar 0509 in FIG. 5A(2) indicates the colorimetry direction and the colorimetry speed, like the animation bar 0505 . An animation bar 0509 indicates a state after a certain period of time has passed from the animation bar 0505 . An animation bar 0510 in FIG. 5A(3) similarly shows an animation bar for indicating the colorimetry direction and the colorimetry speed. The animation bar 0510 shows the state when the time has passed from the animation bar 0509 . In the case of the colorimetry direction of "lower left to upper right" as in this case, the animation bars 0505, 0509, and 0510 indicating the scanning positions of the respective patch rows are displayed as animations transitioning from left to right. . The scanning speed represented by the animation at this time depends on the colorimetry speed 0309 . For example, the scale speed obtained by multiplying the colorimetry speed 0309 by the ratio of the size of the preview 0504 to the size of the printed test chart may be used as the displayed operation speed.

After FIG. 5A(3), for example, the scanned row (for example, the bottom row) is displayed in white, and the next row to be scanned (for example, the second row from the bottom) is displayed in FIG. 5A (1) is repeated. This also applies to the third and fourth lines.

In (1), (2), and (3) of FIG. 5B, how the colorimetry direction and the colorimetry speed are animated in the chart colorimetry screen for the setting of the colorimetry direction “from upper right to lower left”. Describe what you are viewing. In addition, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the part which is common in FIG. 5A, and description is abbreviate|omitted. A screen 0511 shows the entire chart colorimetry screen for performing chart colorimetry with settings based on the test settings selected when performing color verification. An animation bar 0512 in FIG. 5B(1) indicates the colorimetry direction and the colorimetry speed. In this example, the black line moves from the right edge of the chart to the left. An animation bar 0513 indicates a colorimetry direction and a colorimetry speed, like the animation bar 0512 . An animation bar 0513 indicates a state after a certain period of time has passed from the animation bar 0512 . An animation bar 0514 similarly indicates the colorimetry direction and the colorimetry speed. The animation bar 0514 shows the state when the time has passed from the animation bar 0513 . In the case of the colorimetry direction of "upper right to lower left" as in this case, the animation bars 0512, 0513, and 0514 indicating the scanning positions of the respective patch rows are displayed as if transitioning from right to left. be. The speed at this time depends on the colorimetric speed 0309 . As in FIG. 5A, the moving speed of the displayed animated scan position may be, for example, the scale speed.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the flow of animation display processing showing the colorimetry direction and speed during color verification. The following processing is executed by the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 .

In S0601, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires the color verification test name 0303 selected by the user on the color verification setting screen as shown in FIG. In S0602, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires the colorimetry direction 0304 associated with the test name 0303 selected in S0601 from the database 104 via the network 105, and stores it in the RAM 0203. In S0603, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires the patch size 0305 associated with the test name 0303 selected in S0601 from the database 104 via the network 105 and stores it in the RAM 0203. In S0604, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires the patch number 0306 associated with the test name 0303 selected in S0601 from the database 104 via the network 105 and stores it in the RAM 0203.

In S<b>0605 , the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 identifies the colorimetric device 0102 connected via the cable 0103 and stores the identified information in the RAM 0203 . The identification may be performed, for example, based on preset information regarding the colorimetric device 0102 . Next, in S0606, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires the colorimetric speed 0309 from the database 104 via the network 105 based on the information of the colorimetric device 0102 acquired in S0605, and stores it in the RAM 0203. In S<b>0607 , the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires information on the size and resolution of the display unit 0205 and stores it in the RAM 0203 .

Next, in S0608, using the patch size 0305 acquired in S0603, the number of patches 0306 acquired in S0604, and the size and resolution of the display unit 0205 acquired in S0607, the patch size for displaying the chart information preview 0504 is determined. calculate. This processing is executed by the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 and the calculated result is stored in the RAM 0203 . Then, in S0609, the animation speed indicating the colorimetry direction is calculated using the colorimetry speed 0309 acquired in S0606 and the patch size in the chart information preview 0504 calculated in S0608. From the size of the patch acquired in S0608, coordinate data of the colorimetry start position and the colorimetry end position are calculated for a plurality of patch rows in the chart. Then, based on the colorimetry speed 0309, the distance between them is calculated in how many seconds the colorimetry should be completed. Calculate the display speed so that the animation ends in that number of seconds. Specifically, the position of the tip of the animation bar in each frame is specified according to the display frame rate. This method is merely an example, and the animation display speed may be calculated by other methods.

In S0610, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 defines the number of patch lines for which colorimetry is to be performed first in order to perform colorimetry for the number of patch lines for color verification and animation display for colorimetry. Remember. Here, the number of patch lines is defined as i, and its initial value is 1 (first line). In S0611, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 causes the display unit 0205 to display an animation indicating the speed calculated in S0609 and the colorimetry direction obtained in S0602 in the i-th patch line. A specific screen displayed at this time has been described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. This step S611 (and corresponding steps in other embodiments) corresponds to a display control process for controlling display by the display unit 0205. FIG.

For example, let T(S) be the time required for scanning from end to end of the chart, and F(frame/S) be the frame rate. At this time, TF frames are drawn corresponding to scanning from end to end of the chart. Therefore, assuming that the distance between the ends of the patches on the chart is L, the position of the tip of the animation bar is moved in the scanning direction by L/(T F) every frame from the initial state where scanning is not started. To proceed, in S611 each frame is drawn. Also, once one row of patches has been scanned, the frames of the next row are drawn in the same way, and the animation is displayed. When actually scanning the color chart here, the operator must perform an operation to return from the end of the line where scanning by the colorimetry device 0102 is finished to the beginning of the next line. Therefore, the animation may be paused for that amount of time until the start of scanning of the next line, and the animation of scanning of the next line may be started after a predetermined time has elapsed. In addition to the animation, an audio signal indicating the start of scanning may be output to indicate to the operator the start of scanning one line. The above also applies to the second and third embodiments described later.

Then, in S0612, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 determines whether or not the i-th patch line has been successfully measured. At this time, the determination method is whether or not the expected number of patches is the same as the number of actually measured patches. However, this is only an example. If it is determined that the colorimetry of the i-th patch row has succeeded (S0612: Y), the process proceeds to S0613. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the colorimetry of the i-th patch line has succeeded (S0612: N), the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 generates an error notifying that the colorimetry has not succeeded. It is displayed on the display unit 0205 . After that, the process returns to S0611 to resume displaying the animation. What resumes may be an animation that guides the scanning of the lines that failed to read.

In S0613, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 confirms whether colorimetry for all color patches has been completed. If it is determined that the colorimetry of all color patches has been completed (S0613: Y), the process ends. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the colorimetry of all color patches has been completed (S0613: N), the process proceeds to S0615, and the value of the definition i indicating the patch row is used to perform the colorimetry of the remaining color patches. is incremented by 1. This means that the colorimetry of the next patch row is performed, and in S0611, an animation is displayed when the colorimetry of the next patch row is performed.

As described above, during color verification, animation is used to indicate from which position, in which direction, and at what speed the colorimeter should be moved. This allows the user to intuitively grasp how colorimetry should be performed. In addition, even if the type of colorimeter changes, the optimum movement speed (colorimetry speed) can be determined, so you can intuitively measure without depending on the type of colorimeter. You can understand how to move the color machine. In this way, it is possible to provide the user with more easily understandable operation guidance, which makes it easier for the user to grasp how to operate the colorimeter.

[Modification]
In the above procedure, it is determined whether reading failed or succeeded for each line of the test chart, but it may be determined more finely. For example, one line may be divided into sets of n patches, and it may be determined whether or not the indicated number of patches have been read for each set. In that case, for example, the animation bar may be displayed in a first color when the scanning speed is slower than the guidance (ie, the number of patches read is less than expected). On the other hand, if the scanning speed is faster than the guidance (ie, the number of patches read is higher than expected), the animation bar may be displayed in a second color. Also, if the scanning speed is appropriate as instructed, the animation bar may be displayed in another third color. Appropriate scanning speed should be within a predetermined range of error from a predetermined reference value. If it is faster than the predetermined error, it may be determined that the scanning speed is fast, and if it is slower than the predetermined error, it may be determined that the scanning speed is slow.

The display indicating whether this scanning is performed as instructed, slow, or fast may be indicated in other manners, not limited to color variations. For example, it may be voice, text or symbols, or a combination thereof. By comparing the number of patches actually read in this manner with the number of patches to be received and read multiple times during the operation of one row of patches, scanning is performed according to the comparison results as guided by the animation bar. You can see in real time whether things are working properly or not. As a result, it is possible to provide the user with an easy-to-understand operation guidance, and the user can easily understand how to operate the colorimeter.

Furthermore, if the client can obtain the reading result of each patch from the colorimetric device 0102, the number n of the n number of patches in the above description may be one. In this case, each time one patch is read, it is possible to compare the number of patches that should have been read and the number of patches that have actually been read. Therefore, the display of the above modified example can be realized more finely. In addition, since whether or not the operation speed is appropriate can be displayed according to the actual operation, the operator can more intuitively grasp how to move the colorimeter. The above also applies to the second and third embodiments described later.

(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment, animation was used to display the starting position, direction, and speed when moving the colorimeter in one direction for scanning one line. In colorimetry, in addition to a single scan mode in which a patch line is colorimetrically measured once in the short direction, there is also a scan mode setting called a dual scan mode in which colorimetry is performed twice in the reciprocating direction. Dual scan, in which colorimetry is performed twice, improves colorimetry accuracy, but it is necessary to explain the method in an easy-to-understand manner for users. Therefore, animation display corresponding to this scan mode will be described as a second embodiment. With reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, the flow of animation display processing showing the colorimetric direction, speed, and scan mode at the time of color verification in Keita in this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is an example of information required for color verification stored in the database 0104. As shown in FIG. This information is saved in the storage unit 0217 of the database 0104 .

FIG. 7A is an example of data of color verification information when performing color verification. The information table 0701 to the number of patches 0706 in FIG. 7A are the same as the information table 0301 to the number of patches 0306 in FIG. A scan mode 0707 indicates a scan mode that indicates how many times the patch line is colorimetrically measured. In this example, there are two scan modes: "single scan" in which patch rows are measured only once, and "dual scan" in which patch rows are measured twice.

FIG. 7B is an example of data indicating whether information about what kind of colorimetry speed is optimal for the type of colorimeter supported in color verification is held. The information table 0708, colorimeter model 0709, and colorimetry speed 0710 in FIG. 7B are the same as the information table 0307, colorimeter model 0308, and colorimetry speed 0309 in FIG. 3B, respectively. Therefore, the description is omitted.

FIG. 8 is a colorimetry screen for color verification. This screen is displayed on the display unit 0205 of the client computer 0101 by the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 .

In (1), (2), and (3) of FIG. 8, how to animate the colorimetry direction, colorimetry speed, and scan mode for the scan mode setting of "dual scan" on the chart colorimetry screen. Explain what you are displaying in . A colorimetry screen 0801 shows the entire chart colorimetry screen for performing chart colorimetry with settings based on the test settings selected when performing color verification. A title 0802 indicates that the displayed screen is a screen for chart measurement. The test name 0803 is a test name for identifying the test displayed on the current chart colorimetry screen. In this example, a test named "Company Original" with a scan mode of "Dual Scan" is displayed. Preview 0804 shows a preview of chart information based on test settings. In this example, based on the patch size 0705 and patch number 0706 information set for the company original test, a preview of a chart with 10 rows of 20 patches per row is displayed. It is An animation bar 0805 indicates the colorimetry direction, the colorimetry speed, and the scan mode. In this example, since the scan mode is "dual scan", a black line moving rightward from the left end of the chart and a black line moving leftward from the right end are displayed at the same time. When a cancel button 0806 is pressed, the current chart colorimetry is stopped. The end button 0807 is activated when the colorimetry of all patches of the chart is finished, and when this button is pressed after being activated, the colorimetry of the chart is terminated. The colorimeter name 0808 indicates the colorimeter used in color verification. In this example, the colorimeter A is used as the colorimeter. An animation bar 0809 in FIG. 8B indicates the colorimetric direction, the colorimetric speed, and the scan mode, like the animation bar 0805 . An animation bar 0809 indicates a state in which a certain period of time has elapsed since the time of the animation bar 0805 . An animation bar 0810 in FIG. 8(3) similarly indicates the colorimetric direction, the colorimetric speed, and the scan mode. The animation bar 0810 shows the state when the time has passed from the animation bar 0809 . In the case of the scan mode called "dual scan" as in this case, each patch row is simultaneously displayed moving from left to right and moving from right to left like animation bars 0805, 0809, and 0810. , and each transitions with the passage of time. The speed at this time depends on the colorimetric speed 0710 .

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the flow of animation display processing showing the colorimetry direction, speed, and scan mode during color verification. The following processing is executed by the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 .

In S0901, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires the color verification test name 0703 selected by the user on the color verification setting screen as shown in FIG. In S0902, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires the colorimetry direction 0704 associated with the test name 0703 selected in S0901 from the database 104 via the network 105 and stores it in the RAM 0203. In S0903, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires the patch size 0705 associated with the test name 0703 selected in S0901 from the database 104 via the network 105 and stores it in the RAM 0203. In S0904, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires the patch number 0706 associated with the test name 0703 selected in S0901 from the database 104 via the network 105 and stores it in the RAM 0203. In S0905, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires the scan mode 0707 associated with the test name 0703 selected in S0901 from the database 104 via the network 105 and stores it in the RAM 0203.

In S<b>0906 , the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 identifies the colorimetric device 0102 connected via the cable 0103 and stores the identified information in the RAM 0203 . The identification may be performed, for example, based on preset information regarding the colorimetric device 0102 . Next, in S0907, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires the colorimetric speed 0710 from the database 104 via the network 105 based on the information of the colorimetric device 0102 acquired in S0906, and stores it in the RAM 0203. In S<b>0908 , the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires information on the size and resolution of the display unit 0205 and stores it in the RAM 0203 .

Next, in S0909, using the patch size 0705 acquired in S0903, the number of patches 0706 acquired in S0904, and the size and resolution of the display unit 0205 acquired in S0908, the size of patches when displaying the chart information preview 0804 is determined. calculate. This processing is executed by the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 and the calculated result is stored in the RAM 0203 . Then, in S0910, the animation speed indicating the colorimetry direction is calculated using the colorimetry speed 0710 acquired in S0907 and the patch size in the chart information preview 0804 calculated in S0909. From the size of the patch acquired in S0909, the coordinate data of the colorimetry start position and the colorimetry end position in a plurality of patch rows in the chart are calculated. Then, based on the colorimetry speed 0710, the distance between them is calculated in how many seconds the colorimetry should be completed. Calculate the display speed so that the animation ends in that number of seconds. This method is merely an example, and the animation display speed may be calculated by other methods.

In S0911, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 defines the number of patch lines for which colorimetry is performed first in order to perform colorimetry for the number of patch lines for color verification and animation display for colorimetry, and Remember. Here, the number of patch lines is defined as i, and its initial value is 1 (first line). In S0912, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 confirms whether the scan mode acquired in S0905 is single scan. If the scan mode is determined to be single scan (S0912: Y), the process proceeds to S0913. On the other hand, if the scan mode is not determined to be single scan (S0912:N), the process proceeds to S0914.

In S0913, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 causes the display unit 0205 to display an animation indicating the speed calculated in S0910, the colorimetry direction obtained in S0902, and the single scan in the i-th patch line. A specific screen displayed at this time has been described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

In S0914, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 causes the display unit 0205 to display an animation showing the speed and dual scan calculated in S0910 in the i-th patch line. A specific screen displayed at this time has been described with reference to FIG.

Next, in S0915, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 confirms whether colorimetry of the i-th patch line has succeeded. At this time, the determination method is whether or not the expected number of patches is the same as the number of actually measured patches. However, this is only an example. If it is determined that the colorimetry of the i-th patch line has succeeded (S0915: Y), the process proceeds to S0916. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the colorimetry of the i-th patch line has succeeded (S0915: N), the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 generates an error notifying that the colorimetry has not succeeded. , is displayed on the display unit 0205 . After that, the process returns to S0912 to restart the animation display. What resumes may be an animation that guides the scanning of the lines that failed to read.

In S0916, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 confirms whether colorimetry for all color patches has been completed. If it is determined that the colorimetry of all color patches has been completed (S0916: Y), the process ends. On the other hand, if it is not determined that all the color patches have been measured (S0916: N), the process proceeds to S0918, and the value of the definition i indicating the patch row is used to measure the remaining color patches. is incremented by 1. This means that the colorimetry of the next patch line is performed, and in S0912, the process returns to the process of displaying the animation when the colorimetry of the next patch line is performed.

As described above, during color verification, not only the colorimetry direction and colorimetry speed, but also the scan mode is displayed in animation. This allows the user to intuitively understand how colorimetry should be performed even in colorimetry under complicated colorimetry conditions.

(Third Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the starting position, direction, and speed of movement of the colorimeter are displayed by animation, but how the speed is perceived by the animation may depend on the subjectivity of the user. Therefore, even if the optimum colorimetry speed is displayed as an animation, if the user perceives it differently, even if the colorimetry is performed, the number of patches measured is not set for the colorimeter. different from the current value, it may result in an error. Therefore, in order to correct this user's perception, if the number of patches measured by colorimetry is different from the value set for the colorimeter, the animation display speed will be reduced according to the difference. You have to deal with it by changing it. Therefore, changing the animation display speed when a colorimetry error occurs will be described as a third embodiment. With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the flow of processing for changing the animation display speed indicating the colorimetry direction and speed when a colorimetry error occurs in color verification in this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 10 shows the number of patches to be referred to when the number of colorimetric patches and the expected number of patches held in the color verification information are different from, for example, one row of patches stored in the database 0104. It is an example of information in which the difference and the amount of change in animation display speed are associated with each other. The expected number of patches is a predetermined number of patches that are expected to be scanned and measured in a given period of time. The number of colorimetric patches is the number of patches scanned and measured in that fixed time. This information is saved in the storage unit 0217 of the database 0104 . A difference 1001 indicates the difference between the number of colorimetric patches and the expected number of patches held in the color verification information. The amount of change in speed 1002 indicates the amount of change in animation speed corresponding to the difference. In this example, when the patch number difference 1001 is +1 (the number of colorimetric patches is greater), the speed change amount 1002 is x0.9. , indicates that the animation will be displayed faster than normal. Also, when the patch number difference 1001 is -2 (the number of colorimetric patches is smaller), the speed change amount 1002 is x1.2. Indicates that the animation display speed will be slower than normal. Since the frame rate is constant, it can be said that the amount of change in speed indicates the amount of change in the animation bar between frames. Assuming that the amount of change in the original animation bar is 1, the amount of speed change corresponds to the amount of change in the animation bar corresponding to the difference in the number of patches. For example, if the amount of change between original frames is n dots/S and the amount of speed change is v, the amount of change between frames of the newly set animation bar is vn dots/S.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for changing the animation display speed indicating the colorimetry direction and speed when a colorimetry error occurs in color verification. The following processes are executed by the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101, the CPU 0208 of the colorimetric device 0102, and the CPU 0214 of the database 0104. FIG.

Since steps S1101 to S1111 in FIG. 11 are the same as steps S0601 to S0611 in FIG. 6, description thereof will be omitted.

In S1112, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 determines whether colorimetry of the i-th patch line has succeeded. At this time, the determination method is whether or not the expected number of patches is the same as the number of actually measured patches. If it is determined that the colorimetry of the i-th patch line has succeeded (S1112: Y), the process proceeds to S1113. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the colorimetry of the i-th patch row has succeeded (S1112: N), the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 generates an error notifying that the colorimetry has not succeeded. It is displayed on the display unit 0205 . After that, the process proceeds to S1115.

In S1113, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 determines whether colorimetry for all color patches has been completed. If it is determined that the colorimetry of all color patches has been completed (S1113: Y), the process ends. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the colorimetry of all color patches has been completed (S1113: N), the process proceeds to S1120, in order to perform the colorimetry of the remaining color patches, the definition value i indicating the patch row is is incremented by 1. This means that the colorimetry of the next patch row is performed, and in S1111, an animation is displayed when the colorimetry of the next patch row is performed.

In S1115, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 calculates the difference between the number of patches colorimetrically measured using the colorimetric device 0102 and the number 0306 of patches acquired in S1103, and stores the difference in the RAM 0203. However, any number of patches may be the number of patches per line of the test chart. In S1116, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires the patch difference and speed change amount information as shown in FIG. 10 from the database 104 via the network 105, and calculates the speed change amount based on the patch difference in S1115. . The calculated speed change amount is stored in the RAM 0203 by the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 . In S1117, it is determined whether or not the speed change amount has been successfully calculated. If it is determined that the speed change amount has been successfully calculated (S1117: Y), the process proceeds to S1118. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the calculation of the speed change amount has succeeded (S1117: N), the process proceeds to S1119, displays an error indicating that a fatal error has occurred in the colorimetry itself, and performs processing. exit. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the velocity change amounts for patch differences from -3 to +3 are held. However, if the patch difference is greater than the above-mentioned range (-3 to +3), there is no corresponding speed change amount, and it is determined that a fatal error has occurred in the colorimetry itself, and that effect is reported. Display an error message.

In S1118, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 multiplies the speed calculated in S1109 by the speed change amount calculated in S1116 for the i-th patch line on the display unit 0205, and displays an animation indicating the colorimetry direction acquired in S1102. is displayed. Next, in S1112, it is checked whether the colorimetry was successful. Since the subsequent processing is as described above, the description is omitted.

As described above, the display speed of the animation indicating the direction of colorimetry and the speed of colorimetry is changed using the results of colorimetry. This makes it possible to correct the user's way of perceiving, display an animation that does not depend on each user's way of perceiving, and improve the accuracy of colorimetry. Also, this time, it is explained that the animation display speed is changed each time colorimetry fails. On the other hand, once the amount of change in the speed of the animation display is calculated, if colorimetry succeeds after that, the calculated amount of speed change is saved, and the amount of change in speed is always applied. good too. As a result, it is possible to improve the accuracy of colorimetry with fewer uses. Also, the change in display in this embodiment may be applied to the dual scan mode of the second embodiment.
[Other Examples]
The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by processing to It can also be implemented by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the claims are appended to make public the scope of the invention.

0101: client computer, 0102: colorimetric device, 0104: database

Claims (10)

holding means for holding color verification information including the colorimetry direction for each color chart and colorimetry speed information including the movement speed for each colorimeter model;
display control means for displaying, on a display means, an animation showing movement of the colorimeter at a colorimetry direction corresponding to the type of color chart and a colorimetry speed corresponding to the model of the colorimeter;
and receiving means for receiving and holding a result of colorimetry by said colorimeter from said colorimeter. The information processing device according to claim 1,
further comprising second holding means for holding color chart information corresponding to the color chart;
The display control means displays the color chart based on the color chart information, and displays an animation showing movement of the colorimeter on the color chart in a direction and at a speed according to the model of the colorimeter. An information processing device characterized by displaying. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2,
The display control means displays, on the display means, an animation showing the movement of the colorimeter in a direction and speed according to the model, according to the screen size and display resolution of the display means. and information processing equipment. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The color verification information includes a scan mode indicating either a single scan mode in which the color chart is measured by unidirectional movement or a dual scan mode in which the color chart is measured by movement in a reciprocating direction,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the display control means further displays an animation showing movement of the colorimeter according to the scan mode. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A color chart measured by the colorimeter includes a plurality of color patches,
If the number of color patches that can be measured by the colorimeter in a certain period of time based on the colorimetry result is larger than a predetermined number of patches corresponding to the model of the colorimeter, the display control means slows down the movement speed of the colorimeter indicated by the animation, and if the number of color patches that can be measured by the colorimeter in the predetermined time is less than the predetermined number of patches, the The information processing apparatus, wherein the display control means speeds up the movement of the colorimeter indicated by the animation. The information processing device according to claim 5,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the display control means controls the movement speed of the colorimeter indicated by the animation for each row of patches included in the color chart. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The receiving means receives from the colorimeter a plurality of colorimetry results for each row of patches included in the color chart,
The display control means compares the number of color patches that can be measured by the colorimeter for a predetermined time with a predetermined number of patches according to the model of the colorimeter each time the colorimetric result is received, An information processing apparatus, wherein the animation is displayed in a mode according to a comparison result. The information processing device according to claim 7,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the aspect according to the comparison result includes a color, text, symbol, or a combination thereof according to the comparison result. A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. An operation guidance method by an information processing device having holding means, display control means, and receiving means,
the holding means holds color verification information including the colorimetry direction for each color chart and colorimetry speed information including the movement speed for each model of colorimeter;
The display control means causes the display means to display an animation showing movement of the colorimeter at a colorimetry direction corresponding to the type of color chart and a colorimetry speed corresponding to the model of the colorimeter,
An operation guidance method, wherein the receiving means receives and holds a result of colorimetry by the colorimeter from the colorimeter.

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