JP6252319B2 - Printing system, color adjustment chart creation method and creation control program - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing system, a color adjustment chart creation method, and a creation control program. The present invention relates to a method for creating a color adjustment chart to be used and a creation control program.

  In recent years, the use of seal-like labels having adhesiveness on the back surface (hereinafter referred to as “seal labels”) has expanded and label printing has been actively performed. Under such circumstances, not only mass printing on a printing press but also use of digital printers for small lots, high-mix, and short delivery products is increasing. In label printing by a digital printer, colorful and vivid label printing is also demanded, and color reproduction of a printer used for label printing has become important.

  As a color adjustment method of a printer, a color chart (hereinafter referred to as a color adjustment chart) in which color patches in which the density of each color is gradually changed is arrayed using a printer to be subjected to color adjustment is printed. A method of measuring the color of the adjustment chart with a colorimeter and creating a color profile using the colorimetric data is used.

  As a technique related to the color adjustment of such a printer, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, storage means for storing pattern image data representing a pattern image of a predetermined size having a plurality of patch regions having different colors, An input unit that receives an instruction to form pattern image data stored in the storage unit on a recording material of a predetermined size; a recording material that stores a plurality of sizes of recording material; and a recording material of a size according to the instruction in the input unit When the size of the recording material on which the pattern image is formed is smaller than the size indicated by the pattern image data stored in the storage means in the paper feeding means to be supplied and the instruction input to the input means, the pattern image is Image forming comprising: a plurality of image forming units that form a plurality of recording materials of the predetermined size as divided images of the predetermined size or less Location is disclosed.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-259259 discloses a printing machine that outputs a color bar having a density management patch for managing density and a profile management patch for managing a profile of an output means to a predetermined position of a margin portion of a sheet. Output means, etc., ink amount control means for controlling the ink amount of the output means based on the density measurement result of the output color bar, and the profile of the output means is corrected based on the color measurement result of the output color bar There is disclosed a color management device that includes a profile correction unit that performs color matching processing on image data input to an output unit based on a profile corrected by the profile correction unit.

JP 2007-025492 A JP 2003-266642 A

  By causing the printer to print such a color adjustment chart, it is possible to perform color adjustment at the time of printing on the printer. However, the method of Patent Document 1 requires color printing only for color adjustment. When this method is applied to a label printer, there is a problem in that expensive sticker label paper is wasted. In Patent Document 2, the color bar is output at a predetermined position in the margin portion of the paper. However, when this method is applied to a label printer, the color bar is output dispersed in the margin. There arises a problem that the control on the colorimeter side becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object of the present invention is to create a printing system and a color adjustment chart that can easily create a color adjustment chart using seal label paper efficiently. A method and a creation control program are provided.

  One aspect of the present invention is a printing system including at least a first printer that performs printing on a roll-shaped sticker label sheet, a second printer that performs printing on a sheet, and a control device. Specifies a margin in which a job image on the label sheet is not printed when processing a job for the first printer, and prints an image of a color adjustment chart corresponding to the selected colorimeter on the margin A color adjustment chart dividing unit that divides the patch into a plurality of patches of a possible size, adds the position information associated with the color adjustment chart to each patch, and arranges the patch in the margin, and clearly indicates the position information. A color measurement mount image generation unit for generating a color measurement mount image; and causing the first printer to print the job image and the plurality of patches arranged in the margin. A printing instruction unit that causes the second printer to print the colorimetric mount, and the plurality of seal-like patches removed from the sticker label paper are applied to the colorimetric mount based on the position information. The color adjustment chart can be created by pasting.

  One aspect of the present invention is a color adjustment chart in a printing system including at least a first printer that performs printing on a roll-shaped sticker label sheet, a second printer that performs printing on a sheet, and a control device. In the creation method, when the first printer or the control device processes a job for the first printer, it specifies a margin in which a job image on the sticker label paper is not printed and also selects a selected measurement. A color adjustment chart image corresponding to a color device is divided into a plurality of patches of a size that can be printed in the margin, and positional information associated with the color adjustment chart is added to each patch, and the margin is added to the margin. A first process to be arranged; a second process in which the first printer or the control device generates an image of a colorimetric mount specifying the position information; and the first printer Printing the job image and the plurality of patches arranged in the margin, and a second process in which the second printer prints the color measurement mount, and is removed from the sticker label paper. The color adjustment chart can be created by pasting the plurality of seal-like patches on the color measurement board based on the position information.

  One aspect of the present invention is a color adjustment chart creation control that operates in a printing system that includes at least a first printer that performs printing on a roll-shaped sticker label sheet and a second printer that performs printing on a sheet. A program that specifies a margin in which a job image on the label sheet is not printed when a job for the first printer is processed by the first printer or a control device that controls the first printer. In addition, the image of the color adjustment chart corresponding to the selected colorimeter is divided into a plurality of patches of a size that can be printed in the margin, and the position information associated with the color adjustment chart is assigned to each patch. In addition, a first process for placing in the margin, a second process for generating an image of a colorimetric mount specifying the position information, and the job image and the previous image on the first printer. A plurality of patches arranged in a margin are printed, and a third process is executed to cause the second printer to print the colorimetric mount, and the seal-like sheet removed from the seal label sheet is executed. The color adjustment chart can be created by pasting a plurality of patches on the colorimetric mount based on the position information.

  According to the printing system, the color adjustment chart creation method, and the creation control program of the present invention, when a job is processed by the label printer, the color adjustment is performed on the margin of the roll-shaped sticker label paper (the portion where the job image is not printed) Place a plurality of patches obtained by dividing the chart image according to the size and shape of the margins, and use a sheet-fed printer to print a base sheet for creating a color adjustment chart according to the colorimeter, and sticker label paper By attaching a plurality of patches printed on the cardboard as instructed, a color adjustment chart corresponding to the colorimeter can be created.

  This eliminates the need for printing only for creating a color adjustment chart, and can suppress wasteful consumption of expensive sticker label paper. In addition, since the colorimeter only needs to measure the color adjustment chart in which a plurality of patches are arranged according to the original layout or the divided order, it is possible to prevent inconvenience that the control of the colorimeter is complicated. .

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a label printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a sheet-fed printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the colorimeter which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the control apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the operation | movement (patch division | segmentation process) of the control apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement (operation | movement after sticker label printing) of the printing system which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (printer profile creation process) of the control device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the margin of the sticker label paper which the label printer which concerns on 1st Example of this invention uses. It is a patch classification example of the color adjustment chart which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is an example of the patch which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color measurement board (for line color measurement) printed by the sheet-fed printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the mount for colorimetry (for line colorimetry) which the sheet-fed printer which concerns on 1st Example of this invention prints. It is a figure which shows the other example of the mount for colorimetry (for line colorimetry) which the sheet-fed printer which concerns on 1st Example of this invention prints. It is a figure which shows an example of the design drawing of the mount for colorimetry (for line colorimetry) which the sheet-fed printer which concerns on 1st Example of this invention prints. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color measurement mount (for automatic color measurement) printed by the sheet-fed printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the sticker label (The state where the job image and the patch group were printed) which the label printer which concerns on 1st Example of this invention prints. It is a figure which shows an example of the color adjustment chart (The state which stuck the patch group on the mount for colorimetry) concerning the 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the control apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement (patch division | segmentation process) of the control apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement (operation | movement after sticker label printing) of the printing system which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the base sheet for colorimetry (for line colorimetry) which the sheet-fed printer which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention prints. It is a figure which shows an example of the color adjustment chart (The state which stuck the patch group on the mount for colorimetry) based on 2nd Example of this invention.

  As shown in the background art, as a method for adjusting the color of a printer, a color adjustment chart in which color patches with gradually changing the density of each color is printed using a printer that is the target of color adjustment is printed. A method of measuring the color of the chart with a colorimeter is used. However, if the color adjustment chart is printed using expensive label paper as compared with general paper, the label paper is wasted. Even when patches are distributed in the margin and output, the method in which the colorimeter performs color measurement in that state complicates the control on the colorimeter side.

  On the other hand, since the label and the size of the label printed by the label printer are various, it is difficult to print the job image on the label paper with no gaps. Since the paper is used after being cut out, a margin is inevitably generated at least between a predetermined range at the front end (front end corresponding to each job) of the sticker label paper and the job image. Further, since the seal label has adhesiveness on the back surface, it can be easily removed and can be easily attached to another sheet.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the margin of the seal label paper that is inevitably generated in the label printing is effectively used, and printing is performed by arranging a plurality of patches obtained by dividing the color adjustment chart image in the margin. At the same time, the mount is printed using another sheet-fed printer, and a seal-like patch is attached to the mount to create a color adjustment chart.

  Specifically, when processing a job with a label printer that uses roll-shaped sticker label paper, a margin that does not print the job image on the sticker label paper is specified, and a color adjustment chart corresponding to the selected colorimeter The image is divided into a plurality of patches according to the margins, and pasting position information is added to each patch, which is arranged in the margins and output. Further, using a sheet printer different from the label printer, a mount on which the pasting position information for pasting a plurality of patches is specified is output. Based on the pasting position information, a sticker-like patch is pasted at a predetermined position on the mount to create a color adjustment chart that can be used for line color measurement and automatic color measurement with a colorimeter. A printer profile is created using the data measured by the colorimeter. Accordingly, it is possible to create a color adjustment chart by efficiently using expensive sticker label paper, thereby reducing costs and facilitating color measurement with a colorimeter.

  Further, when the color adjustment chart image is divided into a plurality of patches, the color adjustment chart image is largely classified (for example, classified for each color) according to a predetermined rule, and each of the roughly classified parts is the size of the margin. The patch is divided in accordance with the shape and the patches belonging to the same major classification are arranged as close as possible on the sticker label paper. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a decrease in color accuracy caused by dividing and arranging a plurality of patches, and it is possible to facilitate the pasting operation on the mount.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, a color adjustment chart creation method and creation control program according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a printing system according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 2 to 5 are block diagrams illustrating configurations of a control device, a label printer, a sheet printer, and a colorimeter, respectively. is there. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the control device, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the operation of the entire printing system after the sticker label printing. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the margin of the sticker label paper. FIG. 11 is a classification example of the color adjustment chart according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a patch obtained by dividing the color adjustment chart. is there. FIG. 13 to FIG. 15 and FIG. 17 are diagrams showing an example of a colorimetric mount of this embodiment, and FIG. 16 is an example of a design diagram of the colorimetric mount. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of sticker label paper (a state in which a job image and a patch group are printed), and FIG. 19 is a color adjustment chart (a state in which the patch group is pasted on a colorimetric mount). It is a figure which shows an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 10 of this embodiment includes a control device (controller) 20, a label printer 30 that prints on a sticker label paper 60, and a sheet-fed printer 40 that prints a colorimetric mount 70. The colorimeter 50 includes a colorimeter 50 that measures a color adjustment chart in which patches are pasted on a colorimetric mount 70, and these are connected to be able to perform data communication via a communication network such as an intranet. Hereinafter, each device will be described in detail.

[Control device]
The control device 20 is a computer device, and includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 25, a communication unit 26, a display unit 27, an operation unit 28, and the like, as shown in FIG.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 22 and a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 24. The ROM 23 stores a control program and data necessary for control. The RAM 24 stores data necessary for control by the CPU 22 and data that needs to be temporarily stored during the control operation. The CPU 22 controls the overall operation of the control device 20 in cooperation with the ROM 23 and the RAM 24, and instructs the label printer 30 to print a sticker label, the sheet-fed printer 40 to print a colorimetric mount, and a colorimeter. A color measurement instruction for 50 is performed.

  The storage unit 25 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like, and includes job image data, color adjustment chart image data and color measurement mount image data corresponding to each colorimeter 50, and color adjustment chart classification information. Printer profile, calibration table, colorimetric data acquired from the colorimeter 50, and the like are stored.

  The communication unit 26 includes a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, and the like, and performs data communication with the label printer 30 and the sheet-fed printer 40 (colorimeter 50 as necessary).

  The display unit 27 is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays a print instruction screen for the label printer 30 and the sheet-fed printer 40, a selection screen for the colorimeter 50, a color measurement instruction screen, and the like. The operation unit 28 is a mouse, a keyboard, or the like, and enables various operations on a print instruction screen, a selection screen, and a color measurement instruction screen.

  FIG. 2B is an example of a control program that runs on the CPU 22 of the control unit 21, and includes a color adjustment chart division program 21a, a color measurement mount image generation program 21b, a print instruction program 21c, and a color adjustment chart color measurement program. 21d, a color adjustment program 21e, and the like. By these programs, the control unit 21 functions as a color adjustment chart dividing unit, a color measurement mount image generation unit, a print instruction unit, a color adjustment chart color measurement unit, a color adjustment unit, and the like.

  The color adjustment chart division program 21a (color adjustment chart division unit) analyzes the seal label job, identifies the position of each job image on the sticker label paper, and prints the roll-like sticker label paper in the label printer 30. The area (margin) where the job image is not printed is specified. Further, the color adjustment chart corresponding to the selected color measuring device 50 is specified, and the image of the color adjustment chart is divided into a plurality of pieces (referred to as patches) according to the size and shape of the margin (that is, the margin). The patch is divided into patches of a size that can be printed on), and the position information on the color measurement board (that is, the coordinates specifying the position on the color adjustment chart) is added to each patch.

  The color measurement mount image generation program 21b (color measurement mount image generation unit) performs measurement that clearly indicates pasting position information to which a plurality of patches obtained by dividing the color adjustment chart image corresponding to the selected color measuring device 50 are pasted. A color mount image is generated.

  The print instruction program 21c (print instruction unit) is a printer driver or the like, and cuts print data and job images and patches for printing a sticker label in which patches are arranged in the margin of the job image (completely cut from the sticker label). Cut data for full extraction or half cut to cut halfway through the thickness of the seal label is created, and a print instruction is given to the label printer 30. Also, print data for printing a colorimetric mount specifying the positions where a plurality of patches are pasted is created, and a print instruction is given to the sheet-fed printer 40.

  The color adjustment chart color measurement program 21d (color adjustment chart color measurement unit) creates instruction data for measuring the color adjustment chart in which a patch is attached to a predetermined position of the color measurement mount, and the colorimeter 50. Instruct the colorimetry. Further, the color measurement data of the color adjustment chart measured by the colorimeter 50 is acquired.

  The color adjustment program 21e (color adjustment unit) includes at least a calibration program and a printer profile creation program. The calibration program is used to calibrate the printer and register the calibration table in the storage and storage unit. A printer profile for color adjustment of the label printer 30 is created by using the colorimetric data that is saved and obtained by measuring the output profile creation chart with the colorimeter 50 using the printer profile creation program. . It becomes possible to obtain an output image color-adjusted using the source profile stored in the storage unit and the printer profile created above.

[Label printer]
The label printer 30 is a printer that prints an image on a roll-shaped sticker label sheet. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 31, the storage unit 35, the communication unit 36, the display operation unit 37, the image processing unit 38, and the print It comprises a processing unit 39 and the like.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU 32 and a memory such as a ROM 33 and a RAM 34. The ROM 33 stores a control program, data necessary for control, and the like. The RAM 34 stores data necessary for control by the CPU 32 and data that needs to be temporarily stored during the control operation. The CPU 32 controls the overall operation of the label printer 30 in cooperation with the ROM 33 and the RAM 34.

  The storage unit 35 is an HDD or the like, and stores print data received from the control device 20. The communication unit 36 is a NIC or a modem and performs data communication with the control device 20. The display operation unit 37 is a touch panel or the like in which an operation unit such as a touch sensor is arranged on a display unit such as an LCD, and enables various displays and operations related to sticker label printing.

  The image processing unit 38 performs processing such as color conversion processing, rasterization processing, and screening processing on the received print data, generates raster data, and sends it to the print processing unit 39 (label printing unit 39b).

  The print processing unit 39 includes a sticker label paper supply unit 39a, a label print unit 39b, a laser cut unit 39c, a sticker label paper take-up unit 39d, and the like. The seal label paper supply unit 39a supplies a roll-shaped seal label to the label print unit 39b. The label print unit 39b forms job images and patch group images on sticker label paper based on the raster data received from the image processing unit 38. The laser cut unit 39c cuts the job image and the patch group based on the cut data received from the control device 20. The sticker label paper take-up unit 39d takes up the cut sticker label paper.

[Sheet-fed printer]
The sheet printer 40 is a printer that forms an image on a sheet, and as shown in FIG. 4, a control unit 41, a storage unit 45, a communication unit 46, a display operation unit 47, an image processing unit 48, and a print processing unit. 49 or the like.

  The control unit 41 includes a CPU 42 and a memory such as a ROM 43 and a RAM 44 and controls the operation of the entire sheet-fed printer 40. The storage unit 45 is an HDD or the like, and stores print data transmitted from the control device 20. The communication unit 46 is a NIC or a modem and performs data communication with the control device 20. The display operation unit 47 is a touch panel in which an operation unit such as a touch sensor is arranged on a display unit such as an LCD, and enables various displays and operations related to printing.

  The image processing unit 48 performs processing such as color conversion processing, rasterization processing, and screening processing on the received print data, generates raster data, and sends the raster data to the print processing unit 49. The print processing unit 49 includes a paper supply unit 49a, a mount print unit 49b, a paper discharge unit 49c, and the like. The paper feed unit 49a sends a sheet of a size suitable for the colorimeter 50 to the mount print unit 49b. Based on the raster data received from the image processing unit 48, the mount printing unit 49b forms an image of the colorimetric mount on the paper according to the electrophotographic process. The paper discharge unit 49c discharges the paper after image formation.

[Colorimeter]
The colorimeter 50 is a device that measures the color value of each part of the color adjustment chart. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 51, the storage unit 55, the communication unit 56, the display operation unit 57, and the colorimetry unit 58. Etc.

  The control unit 51 includes a CPU 52 and a memory such as a ROM 53 and a RAM 54, and controls the operation of the entire colorimeter 50. The storage unit 55 is an HDD or the like, and stores instruction data transmitted from the control device 20. The communication unit 56 is a NIC or a modem, and performs data communication with the control device 20. The display operation unit 57 is a touch panel or the like in which an operation unit such as a touch sensor is disposed on a display unit such as an LCD, and enables various displays and operations relating to colorimetry. The colorimetric unit 58 performs colorimetry using, for example, a spectrum method (spectrophotometer) that can be measured for each wavelength of light, and outputs colorimetric data.

  1 to 5 show an example of the printing system 10 of the present embodiment, and the configuration thereof can be changed as appropriate. For example, in FIG. 2, the color adjustment chart division program 21 a, the color measurement mount image generation program 21 b, the print instruction program 21 c, the color adjustment chart color measurement program 21 d, and the color adjustment program 21 e are operated on the control unit 21 of the control device 20. However, the programs may be stored in the ROM 33 or the storage unit 35 of the label printer 30 and operated on the control unit 31 of the label printer 30.

  In that case, the control device 20 transmits the print data of the job instructing the printing of the sticker label and the image data of the color adjustment chart corresponding to the selected colorimeter 50 to the label printer 30, and the label printer 30 prints. Based on the data, the margin where the job image on the sticker label paper is not printed is specified, and based on the image data of the color adjustment chart, the image of the color adjustment chart is divided into a plurality of patches, arranged in the margin, and attached to each patch In addition to printing by adding position information, an image of the colorimetric mount 70 associated with the pasting position information may be formed to instruct the sheet printer 40 to print.

  Alternatively, when the image data of the color adjustment chart corresponding to each color measuring device 50 is stored in the storage unit 35 of the label printer 30 in advance, the control device 20 transmits the print data instructing printing of the label to the label printer. 30, the label printer 30 specifies a margin in which the job image on the sticker label paper is not printed based on the print data, and the image data of the color adjustment chart corresponding to the colorimeter 50 selected by the display operation unit 37. Is extracted from the storage unit 35, and the image of the color adjustment chart is divided into a plurality of patches and arranged in the margin, and the patch position information is added to each patch for printing, and the measurement corresponding to the patch position information is associated. It is only necessary to form an image of the color mount 70 and instruct the sheet-fed printer 40 to print.

  Further, when print data of a job instructing printing of a sticker label is stored in advance in the storage unit 35 of the label printer 30, the label printer 30 prints on the sticker label paper based on the print data stored in the storage unit 35. A margin where no job image is printed is specified, image data of the color adjustment chart corresponding to the colorimeter 50 selected by the display operation unit 37 is extracted from the storage unit 35, and the image of the color adjustment chart is used as a plurality of patches. Divided and placed in the margins, printing is performed by adding paste position information to each patch, and an image of the colorimetric mount 70 corresponding to the paste position information is formed and printing is instructed to the sheet-fed printer 40 do it. That is, in this case, the color adjustment chart 80 can be created under the control of the control unit 31 of the label printer 30 without using the control device 20.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the printing system 10 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[Operation of control device]
As shown in FIG. 6, when the output instruction of the color adjustment chart and the selection of the colorimeter 50 are performed by the user (S101, S102), the control unit 21 (color adjustment chart division program 21a) A color adjustment chart (color adjustment chart for line color measurement or color adjustment chart for automatic color measurement) corresponding to the selected colorimeter 50 is extracted (S103).

  Next, the control unit 21 (color adjustment chart division program 21a) analyzes the label label job, and based on the print position of the job image to be printed, the margin position of the label sheet (position where the job image is not printed). Is specified (S104). For example, in a roll-shaped sticker label paper 60 as shown in FIG. 10, the print area is a portion excluding the front end portion (left end portion in the drawing) and both side portions (upper end portion and lower end portion in the drawing). A job image 61 is printed inside. At this time, since the seal label paper 60 is in a roll shape, a large amount of blanks 62 (dot hatched portions in the figure) are inevitably formed at the leading end portion due to the structure of the conveying means. Further, since the job images 61 have various sizes and shapes, margins 62 are inevitably formed between the job images 61. Therefore, in this embodiment, the blank 62 that is wasteful of the sticker label paper 60 that is more expensive than the sheet is effectively used.

  Next, the control unit 21 (the color adjustment chart division program 21a) divides the image of the color adjustment chart corresponding to the selected colorimeter 50 into a plurality of patches according to the size and shape of the margin of the sticker label paper 60. (S105).

  FIG. 7 shows details of S105. First, the image of the color adjustment chart is roughly classified according to a predetermined rule (S105a). For example, as shown in FIG. 11, (a) a portion where the density of each primary color (C (Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow)) changes from 0% to 100%, (b) K The portion where the density of (Black) changes from 0% to 100%, and K100% + 1 color 100%, K100% + secondary color (R (Red), G (Green), B (Blue)) 100%, Parts such as K100% + tertiary color (CMY) 100%, tertiary color (CMY) 100%, etc. (c) The density of one color changes in stages, and the density of the other colors for each stage It can be classified into a portion that varies between 0% and 100% (in the figure, the case where the one color is C and the other color is M is illustrated). In FIG. 7, the color type and density are expressed by changing the type of hatching.

  Next, each roughly classified part is divided according to the size and shape of the margin between job images to form individual patches (S105b). For example, the patch is divided into patches having a predetermined length as shown in FIG. Next, in order for the user to know the pasting position of each divided batch, the pasting position information of the color measurement mount is added for each patch (S203). For example, as shown in FIG. 12, affixed with vertical and horizontal coordinates (for example, a combination of numbers and alphabets) of the color adjustment chart on the top and bottom (down in (a)) and left and right (left in (b)) of each patch. Add location information.

  Next, the control unit 21 (color measurement mount image generation program 21b) generates a color measurement mount image for applying a seal-like patch group (S105d), and print data for instructing printing of the image. The information is transmitted to the sheet printer 40 (S105e). The sheet printer 40 prints a color measurement board based on the received image data. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the sheet printer 40 has a frame for defining a region to which a seal-like patch group is applied and a symbol corresponding to the application position information added to the patch group formed on a sheet. The color mount 70 is printed. At that time, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, it is possible to make the arrangement position of each patch easy to understand by thickening a frame corresponding to the size and shape of each patch. In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, a colorimetric board design diagram 71 showing the arrangement position of each patch (here, the upper left coordinates of each patch) may be output to the sheet printer 40 together with the colorimetric board 70. Good. 13 to 15 show an example of the colorimetric mount 70 for line colorimetry, but when the colorimeter 50 performs automatic colorimetry, the automatic measurement of the layout as shown in FIG. A color measurement mount 70 may be output.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the control unit 21 (color adjustment chart division program 21a) arranges the divided patch group at the margin position of the sticker label paper 60 (S106). At this time, by arranging patches that are divided from the same major classification close to each other, printing can be performed without impairing color accuracy. Then, the control unit 21 (color adjustment chart division program 21a) determines whether all the patch groups can be arranged at the margin position (S107). If any patch cannot be arranged at the margin position, it cannot be arranged. The remaining patch group is arranged at the rear end of the job image (the rear side in the conveyance direction of the sticker label paper 60) (S108). When the patch group is arranged at the rear end of the job image, the sticker label paper 60 is used more than when only the job image is printed. However, as described above, the leading end portion of the sticker label paper 60 is used. Because there is a predetermined margin in the image, and there is necessarily a margin between irregular job images, there are few patches to be placed at the rear end, and the waste of sticker label paper can be sufficiently suppressed It is. Thereafter, the control unit 21 (print instruction program 21c) prints the print data for instructing the printing of the seal label image on which the job image and the patch group are arranged, and the cut data for defining the cut position of the job image and the patch group to the label printer 30. (S109).

  In the above flow, when the color adjustment chart is divided, image generation of the colorimetric mount 70 (S105d) and a print instruction to the sheet-fed printer 40 (S105e) are performed. In order to divide the chart, it is necessary to generate an image of a color adjustment chart (that is, RIP (Raster Image Processing) processing), and it is more efficient to generate an image of the color measurement mount 70 at the time of RIP. However, in the case of outputting the colorimetric mount 70 as shown in FIG. 13, printing can be performed after the color adjustment chart corresponding to the colorimeter 50 is extracted, so S105d and S105d at any timing after S103. The process of S105e can be performed.

[Operation of the entire printing system after label printing]
As shown in FIG. 7, when print data and cut data of a sticker label are transmitted from the control device 20, the label print unit 39b of the label printer 30 is supplied from the sticker label paper supply unit 39a based on the print data. A patch group obtained by dividing the job image and the color adjustment chart image is printed on the roll-shaped sticker label paper 60 (S201). FIG. 18 shows the sticker label paper 60 in this state. Next, the laser cutting unit 39c cuts the job image and the patch group so as to be detachable from the sticker label paper 60 based on the cut data (S202). In addition, each patch may be cut so that it can be removed individually, or each patch is cut and an area surrounding the plurality of patches is also cut so that the plurality of patches can be removed from the sticker label paper 60 together. May be. The cutting method is not limited to laser cutting.

  Next, the user attaches a seal-like patch group to the colorimetric mount 70 printed by the linked sheet-fed printer 40 according to the attaching position information (S203). FIG. 19 shows this state, and a color adjustment chart 80 having the same layout as before being divided into patch groups is created (restored) by applying a sticker-labeled patch 63 to the colorimetric mount 70. Can do.

  Next, the user sets a color adjustment chart 80 in which a patch group is pasted on the colorimetric mount 70 on the colorimeter 50, and the colorimeter 58 of the colorimeter 50 is connected to the control device 20 (color adjustment chart colorimetry). In accordance with the instruction of the program 21d) or the operation of the display operation unit 57, line color measurement or automatic color measurement is performed (S204), and the color measurement data of the color adjustment chart 80 is transmitted to the control device 20.

  Next, the control unit 21 (color adjustment program 21e) of the control device 20 uses the colorimetric data received from the colorimeter 50 to create a printer profile according to a known method (S205). FIG. 9 shows details of the printer profile creation processing in S205. The printer profile used for color conversion is a color conversion table that describes the correspondence between input CMYK values and values such as L * a * b * or XYZ, which are color values in a common color space independent of input / output devices. LUT). Also, in the target source profile, the correspondence between the input CMYK value or RGB value and the value such as L * a * b * or XYZ, which is the color value of the common color space independent of the input / output device, is described. It is composed of a color conversion table (LUT). Using this source profile and printer profile, color conversion from the target color space to the printer color space is performed.

  The printer profile creation process will be described by taking as an example the case where L * a * b * is used as the color value of the common color space. Using a calibration-adjusted (color-adjusted) printer (here, the label printer 30), a color adjustment chart for creating a printer profile (for example, a color chart of the ISO12642 standard) is output without color conversion processing. The color adjustment chart is colorimetrically measured by the colorimeter 50, and the color measurement data is used to calculate the first L * a * b * value for each of the input points where the CMYK values are taken in a four-dimensional grid. Is created (CMYK → L * a * b * LUT) (S205a). Next, by using the data of the first lookup table, a second lookup in which the output value of CMYK is described for each of the input points taking L * a * b * values in a three-dimensional grid. Create a table (L * a * b * → CMYK LUT).

  Then, the control unit 21 (color adjustment program 21e) registers the created printer profile in the storage unit 25 (S206). By registering this printer profile, the printer profile can be replaced with a printer profile suitable for the current label printer 30, and a sticker label with better color reproducibility can be printed.

  In the above flow, the case where a printer profile creation program (so-called profiler) in the color adjustment program is used to create and register a printer profile is shown. For example, profilers marketed as applications by various manufacturers are used. It is also possible to create a printer profile using, and perform only registration using the color adjustment program 21e.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the color adjustment chart 80 for color adjustment of the label printer 30 is output, the image of the color adjustment chart is divided into a plurality of patches, and the roll-shaped sticker label 60 is printed. Color measurement in which each patch is arranged and printed in a margin (a portion where a job image is not printed), and a plurality of patches are attached according to the layout of the color adjustment chart using a sheet-fed printer 40 different from the label printer 30. A color adjustment chart by effectively using the margins inevitably generated on the roll-shaped sticker label paper by printing the paper mount 70 and attaching a plurality of seal-like patches to the colorimetric mount 70 according to the attaching position information. 80 can be created.

  Next, a printing system, a color adjustment chart creation method, and a creation control program according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21 are flowcharts showing the operation of the control device, and FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the operation of the entire printing system after sticker label printing. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a colorimetric mount of the present embodiment, and FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color adjustment chart (a state in which a patch group is attached to the colorimetric mount). .

  In the first embodiment described above, the divided patch group is attached to the colorimetric mount 70 to create (restore) a color adjustment chart according to the original layout. If the patch application position can be recognized, it is not always necessary to create a color adjustment chart according to the original layout. In this case, if a plurality of patches belonging to the same major classification are scattered on the color adjustment chart, the control of the colorimeter 50 becomes complicated. In this embodiment, a plurality of patches belonging to the same major classification are colored. Do not leave on the adjustment chart.

  The configuration of the printing system 10 of the present embodiment is the same as that of FIGS. 1 to 5 of the first embodiment, but the control unit 21 (the color adjustment chart dividing program 21a) of the control device 20 generates an image of the color adjustment chart. Only the order, not the coordinate position, is added to each divided patch as paste position information to be pasted on the colorimetric mount. Further, the control unit 21 (color adjustment chart colorimetry program 21d) transmits to the colorimeter 50 the pasting position information indicating the order in which the patches are pasted on the color adjustment chart. The color device 50 performs color measurement with reference to the pasting position information.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the printing system 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 20 to 22.

[Operation of control device]
As shown in FIG. 20, when the output instruction of the color adjustment chart and the selection of the colorimeter 50 are performed by the user (S301, S302), the control unit 21 (color adjustment chart division program 21a) A color adjustment chart (color adjustment chart for line color measurement or color adjustment chart for automatic color measurement) corresponding to the selected colorimeter 50 is extracted (S303).

  Next, the control unit 21 (the color adjustment chart division program 21a) analyzes the sticker label job and, based on the print position of the job image to be printed, in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The margin position (position where the job image is not printed) is specified (S304), and the color adjustment chart corresponding to the selected colorimeter 50 is divided into patch groups that match the shape and size of the margin of the sticker label paper 60 ( S305).

  FIG. 21 shows details of S305. First, the image of the color adjustment chart is largely classified according to a predetermined rule (S305a). For example, as in the first embodiment, (a) a portion where the density of each primary color (C, M, Y) changes from 0% to 100%, and (b) the density of K is 0% to 100%. %, And K100% + 1 color 100%, K100% + secondary color (R, G, B) 100%, K100% + third color (CMY) 100%, tertiary color (CMY) 100% (C) A portion in which the density of one color changes stepwise, and a portion in which the density of another color changes from 0% to 100% for each step is classified.

  Next, each of the roughly classified parts is divided according to the size and shape of the margin between job images to form individual patches of a predetermined length (S305b). Then, the pasting position information (number in this embodiment) of the color measurement mount 70 is added to the top, bottom, left and right of each patch so that the pasting order of each divided batch can be understood (S305c).

  Next, the control unit 21 (the color measurement mount image generation program 21b) generates a standard color measurement mount image (S305d), and transmits print data instructing printing of the image to the sheet-fed printer 40 ( S305e). The sheet printer 40 prints a standard colorimetric mount based on the received image data. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the sheet-fed printer 40 prints a colorimetric mount 70 on which the number to which the patch group is attached is described.

  Returning to FIG. 20, the control unit 21 (color adjustment chart division program 21a) arranges the divided patch group at the margin position of the sticker label paper 60 (S306). At this time, by arranging patches that are divided from the same major classification close to each other, printing can be performed without impairing color accuracy. Then, the control unit 21 (color adjustment chart division program 21a) determines whether all the patch groups can be arranged at the margin position (S307), and if any of the patches cannot be arranged at the margin position, the control unit 21 (color adjustment chart division program 21a) cannot arrange them. The remaining patch group is arranged at the rear end of the job image (the rear side in the conveyance direction of the sticker label paper 60) (S308). After that, the control unit 21 (print instruction program 21c) transmits print data and cut data for instructing printing of a seal label image on which a job image and a patch group are arranged to the label printer 30 to instruct to print the seal label. (S309).

  In the above flow, when the color adjustment chart is divided, image generation of the colorimetric mount 70 (S305d) and a print instruction to the sheet-fed printer 40 (S305e) are performed. In this embodiment, As shown in FIG. 14, it is not necessary to provide a frame line for making it easy to understand the position where each patch is applied, and the color measurement mount itself can be a standard color measurement mount corresponding to the color adjustment chart. , S305d and S305e can be performed at an arbitrary timing after S303. In this case, if the color measurement mount image is stored in the storage unit 35, the RIP process for generating the color measurement mount image is not necessary, and therefore the process is not delayed.

[Operation of the entire printing system after label printing]
As shown in FIG. 22, when print data and cut data of a sticker label are transmitted from the control device 20, the label print unit 39b of the label printer 30 is supplied from the sticker label paper supply unit 39a based on the print data. A group of patches obtained by dividing the job image and the color adjustment chart image is printed on the rolled sticker label paper (S401). Next, the laser cutting unit 39c cuts the job image and the patch group so as to be detachable from the sticker label paper 60 based on the cut data (S402).

  Next, the user attaches a seal-like patch group to the colorimetric mount printed by the linked sheet-fed printer 40 according to the attaching position information (S403). FIG. 24 shows this state, and in the present embodiment, seal-like patches 63 are affixed to the colorimetric mount 70 in order.

  Next, the user sets the color adjustment chart 80 in which the patch group is pasted on the color measurement mount 70 to the colorimeter 50 and performs color measurement. In this embodiment, the color adjustment chart is not the original layout. Therefore, the control unit 21 (color adjustment chart colorimetry program 21d) of the control device 20 transmits the patch group paste position information to the colorimeter 50 (S404). Then, the color measurement unit 58 of the color measuring device 50 performs line color measurement or automatic color measurement in accordance with an instruction from the control device 20 (color adjustment chart color measurement program 21d) (S405), and color measurement of the color adjustment chart 80. Data is transmitted to the control device 20.

  After that, as in the first embodiment, the control device 20 (color adjustment program 21e) uses the colorimetric data received from the colorimeter 50 to create a printer profile according to a known method (S406). The printer profile is registered in the storage unit 25 (S407). By registering this printer profile, the printer profile can be replaced with a printer profile suitable for the current label printer 30, and a label print with better color reproducibility can be printed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the color adjustment chart 80 for color adjustment of the label printer 30 is output, the image of the color adjustment chart is divided into a plurality of patches, and the roll-shaped sticker label paper 60 is used. In addition, each patch is arranged and printed in a margin (a portion where a job image is not printed), and a color measurement mount 70 on which a plurality of patches are pasted is printed using a sheet-fed printer 40 different from the label printer 30. By applying a plurality of seal-like patches to the color measurement mount 70 in accordance with the order in which the image of the color adjustment chart is divided, the margins inevitably generated on the roll-like seal label paper 60 are effectively used. An adjustment chart 80 can be created.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, The structure and control method can be changed suitably, unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

  For example, in the second embodiment, the color adjustment chart corresponding to the colorimeter 50 is extracted and then the sheet-fed printer 40 prints the colorimetric mount 70. However, the color corresponding to the colorimeter 50 is used. When the types of adjustment charts are limited, the color measurement mount 70 may be printed by the sheet printer 40 in advance.

  The present invention relates to a printing system including a label printer that prints on a roll-shaped sticker label paper and a sheet printer that prints on a sheet, a color adjustment chart creation method in the system, a color adjustment chart creation control program, and It can be used for a recording medium on which a creation control program is recorded.

10 Printing System 20 Controller (Controller)
21 control unit 21a color adjustment chart division program 21b color measurement mount image generation program 21c print instruction program 21d color adjustment chart color measurement program 21e color adjustment program 22 CPU
23 ROM
24 RAM
25 Storage Unit 26 Communication Unit 27 Display Unit 28 Operation Unit 30 Label Printer 31 Control Unit 32 CPU
33 ROM
34 RAM
35 Storage Unit 36 Communication Unit 37 Display Operation Unit 38 Image Processing Unit 39 Print Processing Unit 39a Sticker Label Paper Supply Unit 39b Label Print Unit 39c Laser Cut Unit 39d Sticker Label Paper Winding Unit 40 Sheet-fed Printer 41 Control Unit 42 CPU
43 ROM
44 RAM
45 storage unit 46 communication unit 47 display operation unit 48 image processing unit 49 print processing unit 49a paper supply unit 49b mount printing unit 49c paper discharge unit 50 colorimeter 51 control unit 52 CPU
53 ROM
54 RAM
55 Storage Unit 56 Communication Unit 57 Display Operation Unit 58 Color Measurement Unit 60 Sticker Label Paper 61 Job Image 62 Margin 63 Patch 70 Color Measurement Mount 71 Color Measurement Mount Blueprint 80 Color Adjustment Chart

Claims (24)

In a printing system comprising at least a first printer for printing on a roll-shaped sticker label paper, a second printer for printing on a sheet, and a control device,
The controller is
When processing a job for the first printer, a margin where a job image on the sticker label paper is not printed is specified, and an image of a color adjustment chart corresponding to the selected colorimeter can be printed on the margin A color adjustment chart dividing unit that divides the patch into a plurality of size patches, adds position information associated with the color adjustment chart to each patch, and arranges the patches in the margin;
A colorimetric mount image generation unit that generates an image of a colorimetric mount specifying the position information;
A print instructing unit that causes the first printer to print the job image and the plurality of patches arranged in the margin, and causes the second printer to print the colorimetric mount.
The color adjustment chart can be created by pasting the plurality of seal-like patches removed from the sticker label paper on the mount for colorimetry based on the position information.
A printing system characterized by that. The controller is
A color adjustment chart colorimetric unit that causes the colorimeter to measure the color adjustment chart in which the plurality of patches are attached to the colorimetric mount;
A color adjustment unit that creates a printer profile of the first printer based on data obtained by the colorimeter measuring the color adjustment chart;
The printing system according to claim 1. The color adjustment chart dividing unit classifies the image of the color adjustment chart into a plurality of parts according to a predetermined rule, and divides each of the parts into one or a plurality of patches that can be printed on the margin.
The printing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. The plurality of portions include a portion in which the density of each color of C (Cyan), M (Magenta), and Y (Yellow) changes, a portion in which the density of K (Black) changes, and a density of a predetermined color changes stepwise. And any of the portions where the density of other colors changes for each stage,
The printing system according to claim 3. The color adjustment chart dividing unit arranges one or a plurality of patches belonging to the same part in the vicinity of each other,
The printing system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the above. The color adjustment chart dividing unit adds coordinates defining a position on the color adjustment chart to each patch,
The colorimetric mount image generation unit generates an image of the colorimetric mount specifying the coordinates;
The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The color adjustment chart dividing unit adds, to each patch, a number that defines the order of pasting on the color measurement mount,
The color measurement mount image generation unit generates an image of the color measurement mount specifying the number,
The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The color adjustment chart dividing unit arranges one or a plurality of patches that could not be arranged in an area to be printed after the job image when all the divided patches cannot be arranged in the margin.
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system is a printing system. A method for creating a color adjustment chart in a printing system including at least a first printer that prints on a roll-shaped sticker label paper, a second printer that prints on a sheet, and a control device,
When the first printer or the control device processes a job for the first printer, it specifies a margin in which a job image on the sticker label paper is not printed, and a color corresponding to the selected colorimeter A first process of dividing an image of the adjustment chart into a plurality of patches of a size that can be printed in the margin, adding positional information associated with the color adjustment chart to each of the patches, and arranging the patch in the margin When,
A second process in which the first printer or the control device generates an image of a colorimetric mount specifying the position information;
A first process in which the first printer prints the job image and the plurality of patches arranged in the margin, and a second process in which the second printer prints the colorimetric mount.
The color adjustment chart can be created by pasting the plurality of seal-like patches removed from the sticker label paper on the mount for colorimetry based on the position information.
A method of creating a color adjustment chart characterized by the above. A fourth process in which the colorimeter performs colorimetry on the color adjustment chart in which the plurality of patches are attached to the colorimetric mount;
The first printer or the control device further includes a fifth process of creating a printer profile of the first printer based on data obtained by the colorimeter measuring the color adjustment chart.
The method of creating a color adjustment chart according to claim 9. In the first process, the image of the color adjustment chart is classified into a plurality of parts according to a predetermined rule, and each of the parts is divided into one or a plurality of patches that can be printed in the margin.
The method of creating a color adjustment chart according to claim 9 or 10. The plurality of portions include a portion in which the density of each color of C (Cyan), M (Magenta), and Y (Yellow) changes, a portion in which the density of K (Black) changes, and a density of a predetermined color changes stepwise. And any of the portions where the density of other colors changes for each stage,
The method of creating a color adjustment chart according to claim 11. In the first process, one or a plurality of patches belonging to the same part are arranged in the vicinity of each other,
13. The method for creating a color adjustment chart according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: In the first process, a coordinate defining a position on the color adjustment chart is added to each of the patches,
In the second process, an image of the colorimetric mount specifying the coordinates is generated.
14. The method of creating a color adjustment chart according to claim 9, wherein the color adjustment chart is any one of claims 9 to 13. In the first process, each patch is assigned a number that defines the order in which the patches are pasted on the color measurement mount,
In the second process, an image of the color measurement mount specifying the number is generated.
14. The method of creating a color adjustment chart according to claim 9, wherein the color adjustment chart is any one of claims 9 to 13. In the first process, when all the divided patches cannot be arranged in the margin, one or a plurality of patches that could not be arranged are arranged in an area to be printed after the job image.
16. The method of creating a color adjustment chart according to claim 9, wherein the color adjustment chart is any one of claims 9 to 15. A color adjustment chart creation control program that operates in a printing system including at least a first printer that performs printing on a roll-shaped sticker label paper and a second printer that performs printing on a sheet,
In the first printer or a control device that controls the first printer,
When processing a job for the first printer, a margin where a job image on the sticker label paper is not printed is specified, and an image of a color adjustment chart corresponding to the selected colorimeter can be printed on the margin A first process of dividing the patch into a plurality of patches of size, adding positional information associated with the color adjustment chart to each patch, and arranging the patch in the margin;
A second process for generating an image of a colorimetric mount specifying the position information;
Causing the first printer to print the job image and the plurality of patches arranged in the margin, and causing the second printer to print the colorimetric mount,
The color adjustment chart can be created by pasting the plurality of seal-like patches removed from the sticker label paper on the mount for colorimetry based on the position information.
A color adjustment chart creation control program. In the first printer or the control device,
A fourth process for causing the colorimeter to perform color measurement on the color adjustment chart in which the plurality of patches are attached to the colorimetric mount;
Causing the colorimeter to execute a fifth process of creating a printer profile of the first printer based on data obtained by measuring the color adjustment chart.
The color adjustment chart creation control program according to claim 17. In the first process, the image of the color adjustment chart is classified into a plurality of parts according to a predetermined rule, and each of the parts is divided into one or a plurality of patches that can be printed in the margin.
The color adjustment chart creation control program according to claim 17 or 18. The plurality of portions include a portion where the density of each color of C (Cyan), M (Magenta), and Y (Yellow) changes, a portion where the density of K (Black) changes, and a density of a predetermined color changes stepwise. And any of the portions where the density of other colors changes for each stage,
20. The color adjustment chart creation control program according to claim 19. In the first process, one or a plurality of patches belonging to the same part are arranged in the vicinity of each other,
21. The color adjustment chart creation control program according to claim 19 or 20. In the first process, a coordinate defining a position on the color adjustment chart is added to each of the patches,
In the second process, an image of the colorimetric mount specifying the coordinates is generated.
The color adjustment chart creation control program according to any one of claims 17 to 21. In the first process, each patch is assigned a number that defines the order in which the patches are pasted on the color measurement mount,
In the second process, an image of the color measurement mount specifying the number is generated.
The color adjustment chart creation control program according to any one of claims 17 to 21. In the first process, when all the divided patches cannot be arranged in the margin, one or a plurality of patches that could not be arranged are arranged in an area to be printed after the job image.
The color adjustment chart creation control program according to any one of claims 17 to 23.

Images