JP4345621B2 - Image calibration system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention also relates to the image calibration system to perform the calibration instructions by using the calibration manuscript written calibration instructions by redlining, such as on the original.

  As digitalization in the field of print processing, DTP (Desktop Publishing) has become popular. DTP creates a page layout by creating, processing, and editing images on a processing device such as a personal computer or workstation, and creates a film for exposing the printing plate based on the page layout. Or printing directly on the printing plate to create a printing plate for printing (CTP: Computer to Plate).

  When proofreading is performed prior to printing using an actual printing plate, a color proof is created by printing out the page layout displayed on the monitor using a print output device such as a page printer using the WYSIWYG function. (Comp output)

  On the other hand, before obtaining a final printed matter, the color proof created for proofreading is handed over from the printing company to the orderer (client) of the printed matter, and proofreading by the orderer or the like is performed. That is, using the color proof as the original document, a correction instruction is written in the correction portion by red insertion or the like (hereinafter referred to as red insertion), and a corrected document (red-added document) is created.

  The orderer gives the corrected manuscript to the printing company to instruct correction of the original manuscript, and the image data for printing is obtained by performing the correction based on the correction instruction.

  Thus, the proof (color proof) is created by the printing company, and the printing company gives the color proof to a proofreader such as an orderer. In addition, when the printing company receives a corrected manuscript in red from a proofreader, it performs a correction based on a correction instruction written on the correction manuscript.

  With the recent spread of networks and the improvement of color reproducibility of general-purpose printers, remote color proof using network transmission may be used. In this remote color proof, image data is transmitted from the printing company side to the orderer, and the color proof is output using the printer on the orderer side, so that the color proof is delivered to the orderer. The orderer creates a corrected manuscript by putting red in the color proof, reads the created amended manuscript with an image reading device (for example, a scanner), creates image data corresponding to the amended manuscript, and this image data Is transmitted to the printing company by network transmission.

  As a result, the printing company can correct the original image data based on the image data of the corrected document transmitted from the orderer.

  By the way, when a large amount of data is transmitted through a network, the transmission time becomes long. Some networks employ a pay-as-you-go system that charges users according to the amount of data. If a large amount of data is transmitted while using such a network, the transmission cost increases.

  From here, a remote color proofing system is proposed in which the redline information is extracted from a corrected original that has been corrected, such as redline, and only the extracted redline information is transmitted without transmitting the original original image. For example, see Patent Document 1.)

  In this proposal, the redline information is extracted from the revised manuscript, and only the data (image data) of the redline information is transmitted to reduce the amount of transmission data, thereby shortening the transmission time and the transmission cost. It is possible. Further, by reducing the data (image) of the redline information to a single color or reducing the resolution, it is possible to achieve a further reduction in the amount of transmission data when using the network color proof.

  However, there is a case where one original is sent to a plurality of proofreaders (orderers), and each proofreader gives a correction instruction by red insertion or the like, and the original is corrected based on each correction instruction. In addition, the proofreader may transmit a correction instruction not only to the printing company but also to other proofreaders.

  In such a case, after the original original document has been corrected based on other correction instructions, only the redline information may be newly transmitted. In such a case, the original original document Since it has been corrected, it may be difficult to accurately determine a new correction instruction.

In addition, when transmitting correction instructions to multiple locations, if there is no original image at the transmission destination, the correction contents cannot be grasped in detail only by the correction instruction. Therefore, not only the correction instruction but also the image data of the original document are combined. The amount of data cannot always be reduced.
JP 2003-143394 A

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and when using a remote color proof or the like, while suppressing an increase in the amount of information to be transmitted, calibration instructions input from a plurality of transmission sources and calibration when transmitting instructions to the plurality of locations is also an object to provide an image calibration system that enables the accurate understanding of the calibration instructions.

The present invention for achieving the above object, by transmitting the image data to calibrate instruction for the original image is in accordance with the write Mareta calibration document with the original image is formed on the recording paper, the calibration with respect to the original image An image proofing system in which an instruction is performed , wherein an image reading unit that reads an image from the proofreading document to generate image data, and is used for writing the calibration instruction from the image data read by the image reading unit From the image data read by the image reading means , the extracted color setting means for extracting the color of the mark written at a predetermined position of the proofreading document with a writing instrument and setting the extracted color for extracting the calibration instruction , extraction means for extracting an image of the extracted color separated as image data of the calibration instruction image, wherein the calibration instruction image by said extraction means Conversion means for converting the image data of the monochrome image to the image data which the image data has been separated, along with the image data of the calibration instruction image extracted by said extraction means, said which is more converted into the conversion unit Transmitting means for transmitting and outputting image data as calibration instruction data.

According to the present invention, writing calibration instructs the recording paper the original image has been formed, images that by the calibration instruction calibration document added (calibration instruction image), is loaded into the image reading means, the calibration document When the image data of the image recorded in is generated, the image data of the calibration instruction image is extracted from this image data.
At this time, the color of the mark on the proofreading document is detected, and the detected color is used as the extracted color, and the image data of the extracted color is extracted as the image data of the proofreading instruction image, thereby being separated from the image data of the proofreading document. To do. Further, image data obtained by converting the image of the proofreading document separated by extracting the image data of the proofreading instruction image into a single color image is generated.

  As a result, the data amount of the image data of the original can be reduced, so that the amount of data when the calibration instruction image and the image data corresponding to the original image are transmitted together can be suppressed. Even if these images are transmitted together, the transmission time can be shortened and transmitted reliably.

In addition, since the data to be transmitted includes image data corresponding to the original image, it is possible to accurately transmit the calibration content.

  As such a conversion means, it is more preferable to convert it into a black single-color image (grayscale image), whereby, for example, when a calibration instruction is written using a red writing instrument (red pen or red colored pencil). In addition, the content of the calibration instruction can be highlighted, and the calibration instruction can be transmitted more accurately.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the conversion unit includes a resolution conversion unit that lowers the resolution of the single-color image , whereby the data amount of the image data of the original image can be further reduced .

Further, the present invention can include the image data of the calibration instruction image extracted by the extraction means, a combining means for combining the converted the image data by said converting means.

Furthermore, the present invention, the transmission means, rather it may also be one that transmitted individually compressed image data converted by the image data and the conversion means of the calibration instruction image extracted by said extraction means The transmission unit may transmit the image data converted by the conversion unit and the image data of the calibration instruction image as an attached file of an e-mail.

By separately data compression and image data based on the image data and the original image of the calibration instruction image, it is possible to further reduce the data amount of the image data based while suppressing image degradation of the calibration instruction image to the original image .

  That is, according to the present invention, the original image is converted into an image that can identify the content of the original, thereby reducing the amount of data at the time of transmission, thereby reducing the total amount of data when transmitting the calibration instruction. Include the image of the original while suppressing

  This makes it possible to clarify the contents of the transmitted calibration instructions even when there is no original or image data of the original or some corrections have already been made, enabling accurate transmission of the calibration instructions. Like to do.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, the extraction color setting means, extracts the color of the preset number may be one in which each color is set to the extracted color, also said extracted color setting means The mark indicating the color of the calibration instruction image may be extracted by searching the peripheral edge of the recording paper on which the original image is formed from the image data read by the image reading means .

  As described above, according to the present invention, conversion is performed so that the amount of image data corresponding to the original image is suppressed by the conversion means, so even if the original image is included in the calibration instruction, it is ensured in a short time. Data transmission can be performed, and an excellent effect that a calibration instruction can be accurately transmitted is obtained.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a calibration system 10 applied to the present embodiment. In the calibration system 10, a plurality of network users 12 are connected to a network.

  In the calibration system 10, a network such as a local area network (LAN) may be formed for each network user 12, and the network connecting the network users 12 may be a public network (Internet). Not limited to this, a dedicated network can also be applied. At this time, a pay-as-you-go network that charges in accordance with the amount of data to be transmitted or the like can be applied.

  The network user 12 (hereinafter simply referred to as the user 12), for example, creates a document and performs a printing process based on the created document (hereinafter referred to as the user 12A when distinguished) and the printing company. An orderer who requests creation / correction and print processing (hereinafter referred to as users 12B and 12C) can be applied.

  Connected to the user 12A is at least an image processing terminal 14 capable of forming an image (document) for printing such as a page layout using various applications, and a printer 16 that performs print processing based on various image data. The print server 18 is included.

  It should be noted that the user 12A has a plate setter that directly exposes a photosensitive lithographic printing plate or the like to create a printing plate for printing based on image data created by the image processing terminal 14, or a photosensitive lithographic printing plate. An exposure device or the like for exposing a document film used for image printing (exposure) may be provided.

  The users 12B, 12C, and the like include at least a printer 20 that performs a printing process according to image data transmitted from the user 12A, and an image reading device (scanner 22) that reads an image recorded on an original and generates image data. ), And these are connected to the server 24. The users 12B and 12C may include an image processing terminal 26 that performs various types of image processing.

  It should be noted that the users 12B and 12C may be provided with a multifunction device in which the printer 20 and the scanner 22 are integrated, and the operation of the printer 20 and the scanner 22 is controlled by the image processing terminal 26 instead of the server 24. May be. In the calibration system 10, conventionally known image processing terminals such as personal computers and workstations can be used as the image processing terminals 14 and 26.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the server 24 provided in the networks 12B and 12C. The server 24 includes a CPU 28, a chipset 30, and a main memory 32, and has a general configuration in which the CPU 28 controls various processes including image processing and the operation of the server 24.

  The server 24 has a plurality of buses 34A, 34B, and 34C connected via a bridge 36. The bus 34A has a communication interface (communication I / F 40) such as an HDD 38 and a network card together with the chipset 30. Connected.

  Further, the server 24 is provided with a monitor such as a CRT or LCD as a display device 42, and a keyboard and a mouse as input devices 44. The display device 42 is connected to the bus 34A via the video card 46, and the input device 44 is connected to the bus 34B via the input device interface (input device I / F) 48. It is possible to display various information and images, and input operations such as processing instructions for the display information and images.

  The server 24 is provided with a CD-ROM drive 50 and an FD drive 52, and can read data from a CD-ROM or FD. The server 24 may include a drive capable of inputting / outputting data to / from various storage media such as a CD and a DVD.

  On the other hand, the server 24 is provided with an image processing unit 54, an image memory 56, and a peripheral device interface (peripheral device I / F 58), which are connected to the bus 34.

  The peripheral device I / F 58 is connected to the printer 20 and the scanner 22. The server 24 outputs print data to the printer 20 and reads image data from the scanner 22 via the peripheral device I / F 58. It is possible.

  That is, in the server 24, when a print job (image data) is input from the image processing terminal 26 or the like, the image processing unit 54 performs image processing based on the print job to generate print data. Is output to the printer 20 so that the printing process corresponding to the print job is executed.

  In the server 24, when image data generated by reading an image recorded on a document by the scanner 22 is input, the image processing unit 34 performs predetermined processing on the image data and stores it in the HDD 38. Or output to the image processing terminal 26 or the like. Further, the server 24 generates print data based on the image data read by the scanner 22 and outputs the print data to the printer 20 so that the image recorded on the document can be copied.

  The server 24 can be configured by adding a conventionally known general configuration, for example, by adding a PCI board having a predetermined function to a personal computer (PC).

  On the other hand, the server 24 not only exchanges data with the image processing terminal 26 in the same user 12 but also data between the image processing terminals 14 and 26 of other users 12, the print server 18, the server 24, and the like. Exchange is possible.

  In the calibration system 10 configured as described above, when performing calibration processing on image data such as page layout created by the image processing terminal 14 of the user 12A, the image data is transferred to the printer 20 (server 24) of the user 12B to the user 12C. ) And printed out by the printer 20, it can be handed over to the user 12B or the user 12C proofreader as a proofreading document (color proof).

  In the calibration system 10, when returning a calibration document formed by writing a calibration instruction to the calibration document (original document) by red marking or the like as a calibration instruction to the user 12 A, the calibration document is used as a scanner. 22, the image data for calibration instruction is generated, and the image data for calibration instruction is transmitted to the print server 18 or the image processing terminal 14 of the user 12A.

  By the way, in the server 24 provided for the users 12B and 12C, when the image of the calibration document is read by the scanner 22, the red insertion region is extracted from the read image (image data), and the extracted red insertion region is used as the calibration instruction data. To do. In the server 24, when the red-filled area is separated from the image (image data) read from the proof document and data corresponding to the original document image is generated, the image data is subjected to monochromatic processing or resolution conversion processing. As a result, image data corresponding to the original image with the data amount reduced (hereinafter referred to as original data) is generated.

  The server 24 transmits the calibration instruction data and the original data together as a calibration instruction.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the server 24 includes an image composition unit 64 together with a red-filled image extraction unit 60 and an image conversion unit 62, and when the image 76 of the calibration document 74 is read by the scanner 22, An image in the red-filled area (red-filled image 72) is extracted from the image data, and the image 78 of the original document 70 is separated from the red-filled image 72 by extracting the red-filled area. Thus, the amount of data for the original document 70 is reduced by performing an image conversion process for converting a color image into a single color image. Further, when this image conversion process is performed, the resolution can be lowered, thereby making it possible to further reduce the data amount.

  Thereafter, the converted data and the red-filled image 72 are combined to form a calibration instruction image, and this calibration instruction image is transmitted. It should be noted that image compression may be performed on the calibration instruction image, which makes it possible to reduce the amount of data to be transmitted.

  On the other hand, a mark detection unit 66 is formed in the server 24. The mark detection unit 66 extracts and sets the color of the writing tool used when the red-filled image 72 is extracted from the image 76 of the calibration document 74 read by the scanner 22.

  When performing red insertion on the document 70, a writing instrument of a predetermined color such as a colored pencil, a marker or a sign pen is used.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the calibration system 10 outputs from the printer 20 a document 70 (color proof) in which an image is formed on the recording paper 68. The original 70 is red-filled to form a red-filled image 72, thereby creating a calibration original 74.

  That is, the image 76 of the calibration document 74 is obtained by combining the original image 78 recorded on the document 70 with the red-filled image 72.

  At this time, in the proofreading system 10, the mark 80 is written on the proofreading document 74 with the writing tool used for red insertion. The position of the mark 80 is a position set in advance in a blank portion that becomes a non-image area of the recording paper 68 such as at least one of the four corners of the recording paper 68.

  At this time, the writing instrument used for red insertion has a predetermined thickness so that the red insertion image 72 can be clearly identified, and thus the marker 80 also has an area that is easily visible.

Further, the calibration system 10, by previously setting the number of colors used in the calibration can also be performed calibrated (redline) by using a plurality of color writing instrument. At this time, the mark 80 of each color is formed on the recording paper 68. For example, if the mark 80 is set so as to be formed at any one of the four corners of the recording paper 68, red writing is performed using writing tools of four colors or less, and the recording paper 68 is changed by each of the used writing tools. Marks 80 may be formed at different corners.

  Further, the mark 80 is not limited to the four corners of the recording paper 68, and does not overlap the original image 78 of the original 70 such as the peripheral edge of the recording paper 68, as long as the mark 80 is clearly identified from the red-filled image 72. Can be written at any position.

  In the mark detection unit 66 shown in FIG. 3, the mark 80 is extracted from the image data obtained by reading the image of the calibration document 74 by the scanner 22, and the color used for red insertion is determined.

  To determine the color used for red insertion, pixels of a color different from the recording paper 68 are extracted from the image data of the calibration document 74 read by the scanner 22 at the peripheral edge of the recording paper 68 that is a non-image area. . That is, since the mark 80 has an area larger than a predetermined area, when the image formed by the pixels extracted from the peripheral portion of the recording paper 68 is larger than the predetermined area, the image formed by the pixels is marked with the mark 80. Is determined.

  When the mark 80 is extracted, the color of the mark 80 is determined as the color of the red-filled image 72. Note that arbitrary image processing can be applied to such color extraction.

  On the other hand, the color (color of the writing instrument) used for red insertion may be a single color or a plurality of colors, but is preferably set in advance. In addition, when a plurality of colors are used for red insertion, the number of colors to be used may be set in advance.

  Further, as described above, at least one of the four corners of the recording paper 68 may be used as the position where the mark 80 is written, or the mark 80 may be written at an arbitrary position on the peripheral edge of the recording paper 68. At this time, it is preferable to determine in advance.

  For example, when red marking is performed in a single color and the mark 80 is set to be recorded in any one of the four corners of the recording paper 68, the image data on the calibration paper 74 read by the scanner 22 is used on the recording paper 68. An image that becomes the mark 80 may be extracted from the four corners.

  Further, when red marking is performed with a plurality of colors and the mark 80 is set to be recorded at the four corners of the recording paper 68, the four corners on the recording paper 68 are determined from the image data of the calibration document 74 read by the scanner 22. An image to be the mark 80 may be extracted from.

  At this time, by marking one color mark 80 at each of the four corners of the recording paper 68, it is possible to use up to four colors used for red insertion.

  Further, when the mark 80 is set to be recorded on the peripheral edge of the recording paper 68, an image that can be determined as the mark 80 from the peripheral edge on the recording paper 68 from the image data of the calibration document 74 read by the scanner 22. Search should be done.

Such a search of the mark 80 can search the image data of the recording paper 68 (image data of the calibration document 74) in a spiral shape from the outside of the recording paper 68, and thereby, at the four corners of the recording paper 68. Even if the mark 80 of two or more colors is written, the mark 80 can be accurately extracted.

  Further, when the number of colors to be red-filled is set, the mark 80 having the set number of colors is extracted by searching from the image data of the calibration document 74 in a spiral shape from the peripheral edge of the recording paper 68. At this time, if the number of extracted marks 80 is less than the set number of colors, the search may be repeated until the set number of marks 80 has been extracted, and even if a plurality of trials are repeated, When the set number of colors cannot be extracted, the fact may be displayed on a display (not shown) to prompt confirmation.

  Further, when the peripheral edge of the recording paper 68 is searched in a spiral shape, the same mark 80 may be extracted as the mark 80 of an approximate color. In order to prevent this, it is preferable that the approximate color is determined as a mark 80 of one color.

  Further, when extracting the color used for red insertion, a preview (preview image) of the calibration image 74 is displayed from the image data of the calibration image 74 read by the scanner 22, and the mark 80 is designated on the display. The color of the designated mark 80 may be extracted, and the extracted color may be set to the color used for red insertion. An arbitrary image processing method can be applied to the extraction of the mark 80.

  On the other hand, the red-filled image extraction unit 60 determines the red-filled image 72 on the calibration document 74 from the color of the mark 80 detected by the mark detection unit 66, and extracts the image data corresponding to the red-filled image 72. ing. Note that the red-filled image 72 may be extracted by extracting only the red-filled image 72, or the red-filled image 72 may be extracted as a red-filled region 72A with a predetermined margin (see FIG. 4).

  Here, the calibration process in the calibration system 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 shows a flow of the calibration processing work in the calibration system 10, and the calibration system 10 requests the printing process from the user 12B, 12C side to the user 12A side. When the user 12A receives a print processing request, the image processing terminal 14 creates a document for printing.

Thereafter, in the calibration system 10, the original document for printing created on the user 12A side is calibrated from the users 12B and 12C who requested the printing process. At this time, the image data of the original document is transmitted as a print job from the image processing terminal 14 on the user 12A side to the server 24 on the user 12B side or the user 12C side (step 100).

  Upon receiving the print job, the server 24 executes a printing process and forms an image corresponding to the image data on the recording paper 68 using the printer 20 (step 102). As a result, a document 70 (original document) used for calibration is obtained on the user 12B or user 12C side.

  When the user 12B or the user 12C obtains the original 70 used for the calibration, the original 70 is calibrated and a calibration original 74 is created (step 104).

  When the calibration process is performed on the user 12B, 12C side, a correction instruction (calibration instruction) is written on the document 70 using a writing instrument of a predetermined color (red insertion). As a result, a calibration document 74 in which a calibration image 76 in which a red-filled image 72 serving as a calibration instruction is recorded is obtained on a document 70 on which the original image 78 is formed.

  On the other hand, in the calibration system 10, when performing red insertion, a mark 80 is formed at a predetermined position of the recording paper 68 using a writing instrument used for red insertion. As a result, the calibration system 10 can accurately determine the color of the red-filled image 72.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the calibration system 10, when red insertion is completed, a calibration original 74 formed by red insertion is attached to the scanner 22, and an image 76 formed on the calibration original 74 is read by the scanner 22. After reading into the server 24 (step 106), the calibration system 10 creates calibration instruction data on the server 24 (step 108).

  FIG. 6 shows an outline of processing for creating calibration instruction data in the server 12. The calibration instruction data creation process is executed by reading the image 76 of the calibration document 74 by the scanner 22 and inputting image data corresponding to the image 76. In the first step 120, when red insertion is performed. Then, the mark 80 formed on the recording paper 68 is detected.

  In the next step 122, the color of the red-filled image is determined from the detected color of the mark 80, and the color of the image extracted as the red-filled image 72 from the image 76 is set. That is, the color of the red-filled image 72 recorded as the calibration instruction on the calibration document 74 is set as the extraction color.

  At this time, for example, when the mark 80 is set to be recorded at any of the four corners of the recording paper 68, the presence or absence of the mark 80 is detected at each of the four corners of the recording paper 68. In addition, when the recording paper 68 is set to record a plurality of marks 80 at the four corners or at the four corners and the peripheral edge, the peripheral edge of the recording paper 68 is searched in a spiral shape to extract the mark 80.

  Accordingly, even when calibration is performed using writing tools of a plurality of colors, the red-filled image 72 of each color can be recognized and extracted, and a plurality of people can red-fill using different writing tools. Even when it is performed, it is possible to accurately recognize each of the red-filled images, and it is also possible to identify the contents of the red-filled by each person.

  Thereafter, in step 124, the image data of the original image 70 is separated from the image data of the image 76 by extracting the image data of the red-filled image 72 from the image data of the image 76 read by the scanner 22. To do.

  When setting the extraction color (the color used for red placement), it is possible to use arbitrary parameters that specify colors such as L * a * b * values, CMYK values, and XYZ values as well as RGB values. Further, image extraction using the set color, that is, the extracted color has a preset range with respect to the set color to prevent the image from being missing from the extracted image. It is preferable.

  At this time, for example, when the RGB values of the set colors are Rp, Gp, and Bp, respectively, and the extraction range is ± 10, the color (RGB) of the extracted image is (Rp-10) ≦ R ≦ ( Rp + 10), (Gp−10) ≦ G ≦ (Gp + 10), and (Bp−10) ≦ B ≦ (Bp + 10). The extracted color may be one in which a density range is set with respect to the set color.

  Next, in step 126, the image data of the extracted red-filled image 72 is stored in the memory, and in step 128, the image 78 recorded on the original document 70 obtained by separating the red-filled image 72 is stored. Predetermined image conversion is performed on the image data.

  In this image conversion process, a color image is converted into a single color image such as a black and white (grayscale) image. Thereby, the data amount of image data is reduced.

  In this image conversion process, in addition to the conversion to a single color image, the resolution conversion may be performed so as to lower the resolution, thereby further reducing the data amount.

  That is, the image conversion executed by the server 24 may be any one that performs color conversion or resolution conversion to such an extent that at least the outline of the original image 78 can be accurately recognized. The amount of data is reduced.

  When image conversion is performed on the original image 78, in step 130, the converted original image 78 (image data) and the red-filled image 72 (image data) are combined, and image data corresponding to the calibration document 74 is instructed to be calibrated. Create as data.

  When the calibration instruction data is created in this way, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the process proceeds to step 110, and the created calibration instruction data is transmitted to the user 12A side. When the calibration instruction data created by the server 24 is transmitted, data compression processing used as a conventional means for reducing the data amount is performed. As a result, the data amount can be further reduced. At this time, higher loss of data can be achieved by performing lossy compression.

  When transmitting the calibration instruction data from the server 24, it may be transmitted to the print server 18 on the user 12 A side, and the print processing may be executed by using the printer 16 in the print server 18, or transmitted to the image processing terminal 14. Then, printing processing using the printer 16 may be executed from the image processing terminal 14 or may be displayed on a monitor (not shown) on the image processing terminal 14.

  In addition, when the calibration instruction data is created by one of the servers 24 of the users 12B and 12C, it is transmitted to the other server 24 or the image processing terminal 26 of the users 12B and 12C, so that the calibration instruction can be printed out or confirmed. You may do it.

  When the user 12A receives the calibration instruction data, the user 12A performs a calibration process based on the red-filled image 72 included in the calibration instruction data (step 112).

  As described above, the calibration system 10 includes not only the red-filled image 72 but also the image data corresponding to the original image 78 when creating the calibration instruction data. The content of the calibration instruction can be accurately grasped without using the image (original image).

  At this time, in the calibration system 10, the image data corresponding to the original image 78 is converted into a single color image or the resolution is converted to reduce the data amount. Since the data is transmitted together with the image data of the red-filled image 72, the amount of data transmitted from the server 24 can be prevented from increasing.

  Thereby, the transmission time for transmitting the calibration instruction data including the image data corresponding to the original image 78 can be shortened, and the calibration instruction data can be reliably transmitted via the network.

  In addition, when red writing is performed using a red writing instrument or the like, the original image 78 is converted into a black single-color image (grayscale image), so that the calibration instruction data is printed out. In addition, since the red-filled image can be made to stand out, the calibration instruction becomes clearer, and the calibration instruction can be accurately transmitted even when the network is used.

  Further, the image data corresponding to the original image 78 is included in the calibration instruction data so that at least the outline of the original image 78 can be recognized. For example, the calibration instruction data calibrated on the user 12B side is transmitted to the user 12C side. In this case, it is possible to grasp the contents of the calibration instruction even if the original image 78 or the image data of the original image 78 is not present on the user 12C side.

  The above description shows the flow of basic processing in the calibration system 10, and the present invention can be added in various ways.

  For example, in the above description, the image data of the red-filled image and the image data obtained by performing image conversion on the original image 78 are combined and transmitted as calibration instruction data. It is also possible to create an image data file and an image data file obtained by performing image conversion on the original image 78 and transmit the two files.

  At this time, position information may be included in the image data of the red-filled image 72 so that the position of the red-filled image 72 with respect to the original image 78 can be accurately specified and image synthesis can be performed.

  As a result, if there is the original image 78 or this image data, it is possible to open only the image data file of the red-filled image and confirm the calibration instruction without opening the two files.

  At this time, in place of the image composition executed in step 130 of FIG. 6, a file creation process is performed to create a file of an image obtained by converting the red-filled image 72 file and the original image 78, and each file is also converted. Data compression is performed at a predetermined compression rate.

  When data compression is performed, data compression may be performed by changing the compression rate between the red-filled image 72 file and the original image-converted file. The amount can be further reduced.

  On the other hand, in the above description, the mark 80 is formed on the recording paper 68 when the calibration work is performed. However, when the writing tool used for the calibration work is determined in advance, the color of the writing tool is registered in advance. Alternatively, the image extraction may be performed based on the registered color, whereby steps 120 and 122 in FIG. 6 can be omitted.

  At this time, it suffices to set the peripheral color that is the extraction range together with the color setting. The color setting specifies colors such as RGB value, CMYK value, L * a * b * value, and XYZ value. Any peripheral numerical value can be applied, and the peripheral color only needs to set a numerical range or a density range for the set color.

  In addition, various methods can be applied as a method for extracting a red-filled image. For example, even if a preview image of the image 76 of the calibration document 74 read by the scanner 22 is created, this preview image is displayed on the monitor of the image processing terminal 26, and the color of the red-filled image is designated on the preview image. good.

  Further, image extraction may be performed by designating the red-filled image 72 or the red-filled region 72A on the preview image, and in this case, an extraction range may be designated for each coordinate designation or extraction location.

  As described above, the red-filled image 72 can be extracted using various methods.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, it has been described that image data of a document is mainly transmitted to the server 24 as a print job, and calibration instruction data is transmitted from the server 24 to the print server 18 as a print job. Data transmission may be performed as an attached file, whereby not only data transmission from the image processing terminal 14 to the server 24 and the server 24 to the print server 18 but also data from the image processing terminal 14 to the image processing terminal 26. Since transmission and data transmission from the image processing terminal 26 to the image processing terminal 14 or another image processing terminal 26 are possible, more efficient calibration work is possible.

  The present embodiment described above shows an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and can be applied to any configuration to which remote color proof is applicable.

It is a schematic calibration figure of the calibration system applied to this Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the server used for transmission of a calibration instruction | indication. It is a functional block diagram of the principal part of the server used for creation of calibration instruction data. It is the schematic which shows an example of a proofreading original. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the process in a calibration system. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of preparation of calibration instruction data.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Calibration system 12 (12A, 12B, 12C) Network user 14 Image processing terminal 16 Printer 18 Print server 20 Printer 22 Scanner ('Image reading means)
24 server 26 image processing terminal 60 red-filled image extraction unit (extraction means)
62 Image conversion unit (conversion means)
64 Image composition unit (composition means)
66 Mark detector 68 Recording paper 70 Original 72 Red-filled image 74 Calibration original 80 Mark

Claims (7)

By transmitting the image data corresponding to the calibration instruction write Mareta calibration document against the original image with the original image is formed on the recording paper, said an image calibration system calibration instruction for the original image is performed,
Image reading means for reading the image from the calibration document and generating image data;
The color of the mark written at a predetermined position of the proofreading document is extracted from the image data read by the image reading means by the writing tool used for writing the proofreading instruction, and set to the extraction color for extracting the proofreading instruction. Extracting color setting means to
Extraction means for separating and extracting the image of the extracted color as image data of the calibration instruction image from the image data read by the image reading means;
Conversion means for converting the image data from which the image data of the calibration instruction image has been separated by the extraction means into image data of a single color image;
Together with the image data of the calibration instruction image extracted by said extraction means, and transmitting means for transmitting output the image data that has been more converted into the conversion unit as calibration instruction data,
Including image proofing system. The image calibration system according to claim 1 , wherein the conversion unit includes a resolution conversion unit that lowers the resolution of the monochrome image . Image calibration system according the image data of the extracted the calibration instruction image, including combining means for combining the converted the image data by said converting means, to claim 1 or claim 2 by the extracting means. Said transmission means, according to 請 Motomeko 1 or claim 2 you transmitted individually compressing the image data converted by the image data and the conversion means extracted the calibration instruction image by said extraction means Image proofing system. 5. The image calibration system according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission unit transmits the image data converted by the conversion unit and the image data of the calibration instruction image as an attached file of an e-mail. 6. . 6. The image calibration system according to claim 1, wherein the extraction color setting unit extracts a preset number of colors and sets each color as the extraction color . 7. Wherein said extracting color setting means, said image reading searching for the peripheral portion of the recording paper the original image is formed from the image data read by the means to extract the mark indicating the color of the calibration instruction image Item 7. The image calibration system according to Item 6 .

Images