JP6569868B2 - Calibration system, density value determination device and density value determination program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a calibration system for adjusting a gamma correction table of an image forming apparatus, a density value determination apparatus, and a density value determination program.

  The image forming apparatus changes the amount of toner adhering to the recording medium in the electrophotographic method due to changes in the environment such as temperature and humidity. Therefore, the actual input / output characteristics are the designed input / output characteristics (hereinafter referred to as “ It is sometimes called “designed input / output characteristics”. In addition, when the image forming apparatus continuously performs printing for a relatively long time, the actual input / output characteristics may not be the designed input / output characteristics due to the temperature of each part of the apparatus changing.

  In addition, although the image forming apparatus depends on the frequency of use per unit period, when it is used for a relatively long period, the characteristics of each part of the apparatus such as the charging characteristics of the photosensitive drum change, so that the actual input is changed. The output characteristics may not be the design input / output characteristics.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus performs calibration for adjusting the gamma correction table for correcting the input / output characteristics so that the actual input / output characteristics become the design input / output characteristics.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a calibration system for performing calibration, an image forming apparatus that executes printing by correcting input / output characteristics using a gamma correction table, a color detection device that detects a color of a patch, and a portable device that includes a display device (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  The calibration system described in Patent Document 1 adjusts the gamma correction table of the image forming apparatus as follows. First, the image forming apparatus prints a patch drawn in a specific color. The portable device then displays the reference color and the color of the patch detected by the color detection device on the display device for visual density comparison by the adjuster of the gamma correction table. Then, the image forming apparatus adjusts the gamma correction table based on the density value set for the reference color determined by the adjuster as having the closest density to the patch in the visual density comparison by the adjuster.

JP 2014-068294 A

  However, in the calibration system described in Patent Document 1, when the gamma correction tables of a plurality of image forming apparatuses are shared and adjusted by a plurality of adjusters, the difference in color density recognition by visual adjustment is adjusted. The input / output characteristics may be non-uniform among a plurality of image forming apparatuses, that is, there is a calibration error between the plurality of image forming apparatuses. There is a problem that can occur.

  Therefore, the present invention can improve the uniformity of input / output characteristics among a plurality of image forming apparatuses when the gamma correction tables of a plurality of image forming apparatuses are shared and adjusted by a plurality of adjusters. An object of the present invention is to provide a calibration system, a density value determination device, and a density value determination program.

  The calibration system of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus including a print execution unit that corrects input / output characteristics using a gamma correction table and executes printing, a table adjustment unit that adjusts the gamma correction table, a display device, A color detection device that detects a target color, a reference color, and a comparison that displays the target color detected by the color detection device on the display device for density comparison by an adjuster of the gamma correction table A color setting means, a master set density value that is a density value set for the reference color determined by the master adjuster as the adjuster in the comparison as being closest to the object, and the object The reference color determined by the slave adjuster as the adjuster in the comparison that the density is closest to A correspondence relationship generating means for generating a correspondence relationship of slave set density values which are set density values, and the table adjusting means compares the comparison value when the density is closest to the target printed by the print execution means. The gamma correction table is adjusted based on the master set density value set for the reference color determined by the master adjuster in step S3, and the density is closest to the target printed by the print execution unit. Adjusting the gamma correction table based on the master set density value associated in the correspondence with the slave set density value set for the reference color determined by the slave adjuster in the comparison. Features.

  With this configuration, the calibration system of the present invention has a master set density value set to the reference color determined by the master adjuster as the density closest to the object in the visual density comparison by the master adjuster, In the comparison of the visual density by the slave adjuster, when the density is closest to the target, a correspondence relationship with the slave set density value set for the reference color determined by the slave adjuster is generated, and the master adjuster visually In the density comparison, the gamma correction table is adjusted based on the master setting density value set for the reference color determined by the master adjuster as the density closest to the object printed by the image forming apparatus, and slave adjustment is performed. In the comparison of the visual density by the user, the density is closest to the object printed by the image forming apparatus. The gamma correction table is adjusted based on the master setting density value that is associated with the slave setting density value that is set for the reference color determined by the slave adjuster. When the gamma correction table is divided and adjusted by the master adjuster and the slave adjuster, it is possible to suppress the influence of the difference in the color density recognition that exists between the master adjuster and the slave adjuster. Therefore, the calibration system of the present invention provides uniformity of input / output characteristics among a plurality of image forming apparatuses when the gamma correction tables of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are shared and adjusted by a plurality of adjusters. Can be improved.

  In the calibration system of the present invention, at least one of the display device and the color detection device may be separately provided for the master adjuster and for the slave adjuster.

  With this configuration, the calibration system of the present invention has a master set density value set to the reference color determined by the master adjuster as the density closest to the object in the visual density comparison by the master adjuster, In the visual density comparison by the slave adjuster, the difference between the display device and the color detection device is the difference between the density value set to the reference color determined by the slave adjuster and the density closest to the target. There may be an effect that at least one is separately provided for the master coordinator and the slave coordinator. However, the calibration system of the present invention is set to the reference color determined by the slave adjuster that the density is closest to the object printed by the image forming apparatus in the visual density comparison by the slave adjuster. Since the gamma correction table is adjusted based on the master setting density value associated with the slave setting density value in the correspondence relationship, at least one of the display device and the color detection device is for the master adjuster and for the slave adjuster. The influence provided separately can be suppressed. Therefore, the calibration system according to the present invention can adjust the gamma correction tables of a plurality of image forming apparatuses among a plurality of image forming apparatuses when the gamma correction tables are shared and adjusted by a plurality of adjusters using different devices. Uniformity of input / output characteristics can be improved.

  The calibration system of the present invention includes an operation device and density value display means for displaying a density value for display displayed on the display device as a density value of the reference color displayed on the display device. The value display means is provided separately for the master adjuster and for the slave adjuster, and the image forming apparatus determines that the density is closest to the target printed by the print execution means in the comparison. A density value receiving means for receiving the display density value of the reference color determined by the adjuster from the operation device; and the density value display means for the master adjuster is the reference displayed on the display device. The master set density value set in color is displayed on the display device as the display density value, and the slave adjuster's front The density value display means displays the master set density value associated in the correspondence relationship with the slave set density value set for the reference color displayed on the display device as the display density value. It may be displayed on the device.

  With this configuration, the calibration system of the present invention performs slave adjustment using the master set density value associated with the slave set density value set in the reference color displayed on the display device in the correspondence relationship as the display density value. Since the density value display means for the user displays on the display device, it is not necessary for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses to have a function of adjusting the density value used for adjusting the gamma correction table in the case of the slave adjuster. Therefore, the calibration system of the present invention can simplify the configuration for sharing and adjusting the gamma correction tables of a plurality of image forming apparatuses by a plurality of adjusters.

  In the calibration system of the present invention, the print execution unit may print the target used for generation of the correspondence by the correspondence generation unit.

  With this configuration, the calibration system of the present invention does not need to include a target display device that displays a target used for generating a correspondence relationship, so that gamma correction tables of a plurality of image forming apparatuses can be stored by a plurality of adjusters. A configuration for sharing and adjusting can be simplified.

  The calibration system of the present invention may include a target display device that displays the target used for generating the correspondence by the correspondence generation unit.

  With this configuration, the calibration system of the present invention does not need to print the object used for generating the correspondence relationship by the image forming apparatus, so that the consumption of consumables used for printing in the image forming apparatus can be suppressed. it can.

  The density value determination apparatus according to the present invention includes a display device, a color detection device that detects a target color, a reference color, and a gamma correction table of the target color detected by the color detection device. A comparison color display means for displaying on the display device for density comparison by the adjuster, and the reference color determined by the master adjuster as the adjuster in the comparison when the density is closest to the object. A master set density value, which is a set density value, and a density value set for the reference color determined by the slave adjuster as the adjuster in the comparison when the density is closest to the target. Correspondence generation means for generating a correspondence between slave setting density values, and a table displayed as the density value of the reference color displayed on the display device Density value display means for displaying a density value for display on the display device, the density value display means in the correspondence relationship with the slave set density value set for the reference color displayed on the display device. The associated master set density value is displayed on the display device as the display density value.

  With this configuration, the density value determination apparatus according to the present invention enables the master setting density value set to the reference color determined by the master adjuster to be closest to the target in the visual density comparison by the master adjuster. And the slave adjuster generates a correspondence relationship with the slave set density value set in the reference color determined by the slave adjuster when the density is closest to the target in the visual density comparison by the slave adjuster. In a visual density comparison, a master that is associated with a slave setting density value that is set as a reference color that is determined by the slave adjuster to be closest to the object printed by the image forming apparatus in a correspondence relationship. Since the gamma correction table is adjusted based on the set density value, the gamma correction tables of multiple image forming apparatuses are masked. When adjusting by sharing in over the coordinator and slave coordinator, exists between the master coordinator and slave coordinator, it is possible to suppress the influence of the difference in perception of color density by visual inspection. Therefore, the density value determination apparatus according to the present invention provides uniform input / output characteristics among a plurality of image forming apparatuses when the gamma correction tables of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are shared and adjusted by a plurality of adjusters. Can be improved.

  The density value determination program according to the present invention provides a computer having a display device and a color detection device for detecting a target color, and an image forming apparatus that displays a reference color and the target color detected by the color detection device. The comparison color display means for displaying on the display device for the density comparison by the adjuster of the gamma correction table of the gamma correction table, and that the density closest to the object is determined by the master adjuster as the adjuster in the comparison The master set density value, which is the density value set for the reference color, and the reference color determined by the slave adjuster as the adjuster in the comparison to be closest to the target. Correspondence generation means for generating a correspondence relationship of slave set density values, which are density values, and the base displayed on the display device A density value display means for displaying a display density value displayed as a color density value on the display device, wherein the density value display means is set to the reference color displayed on the display device. The master set density value associated with the slave set density value in the correspondence relationship is displayed on the display device as the display density value.

  With this configuration, the computer that executes the density value determination program of the present invention is set to the reference color determined by the master adjuster as the closest to the target in the visual density comparison by the master adjuster. A correspondence between the master set density value and the slave set density value set for the reference color determined by the slave adjuster when the density is closest to the target in the visual density comparison by the slave adjuster is generated. In the comparison of the visual density by the slave adjuster, the correspondence is associated with the slave set density value set for the reference color determined by the slave adjuster as the density closest to the target printed by the image forming apparatus. Since the gamma correction table is adjusted based on the master set density value, multiple images can be formed. When adjusting the gamma correction table between the master adjuster and the slave adjuster, it is possible to suppress the influence of the difference in color density recognition that exists between the master adjuster and the slave adjuster. it can. Therefore, a computer that executes the density value determination program of the present invention can input between a plurality of image forming apparatuses when the gamma correction tables of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are shared and adjusted by a plurality of adjusters. The uniformity of output characteristics can be improved.

  The calibration system, the density value determination device, and the density value determination program according to the present invention are used when a plurality of image forming apparatuses share and adjust gamma correction tables of a plurality of image forming apparatuses. The uniformity of input / output characteristics can be improved.

1 is a block diagram of a calibration system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the principle of the gamma correction table shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the chart for adjustment printed with the printer shown in FIG. 2 based on the chart image data for adjustment using a screen. It is a block diagram of the computer shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the computer shown in FIG. 1 different from the computer shown in FIG. 5. It is a figure which shows an example of the corresponding relationship information shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 2 when printing is performed based on print data. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 2 when printing an adjustment chart. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the computer shown in FIG. 5 in the case of acquiring master setting density value information. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen for setting density value information acquisition displayed on the display part shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the computer shown in FIG. 5 when displaying a set density value in a set density value display area. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting density value information acquisition screen shown in FIG. 11 when the reference color displayed in the reference color display area is changed. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the computer shown in FIG. 6 in the case of producing | generating correspondence information. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 2 when calibration is executed. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen for density determination displayed on the display part shown in FIG. It is a front view of the operation part and display part which are shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation of the computer shown in FIG. 6 when displaying a display density value in a density value display area. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the calibration system shown in FIG. 1 when a target display device is added.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of the calibration system according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a calibration system 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a calibration system 10 includes an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 20 as an image forming apparatus and a computer such as a smartphone or a tablet as a density value determination apparatus for determining a density value of a target color. 30 and 40.

  The calibration system 10 may execute calibration of input / output characteristics of the MFP for achromatic colors having different density values, and calibration of input / output characteristics of the MFP for chromatic colors having the same hue and different densities. it can.

  The computer 30 is a device used by the master adjuster of the present invention among the adjusters of the gamma correction table described later. The computer 40 is a device used by the slave adjuster of the present invention among the adjusters of the gamma correction table. The coordinator is, for example, an MFP user or a service person.

  In addition to the MFP 20, the calibration system 10 can include at least one MFP similar to the MFP 20. In addition to the computers 30 and 40, the calibration system 10 can include at least one computer similar to the computer 40.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP 20.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the MFP 20 includes an operation unit 21 that is an operation device such as buttons for inputting various operations, and a display unit 22 that is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information. A scanner 23 that reads an image from a document, a printer 24 that prints on a recording medium such as paper, and an external facsimile apparatus (not shown) and a communication line such as a public telephone line Communicates with a fax communication unit 25, which is a fax device for performing fax communications, and with an external device directly or via a wired or wireless network without going through a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. Communication that is a communication device 26, a semiconductor memory that stores various data, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) storage unit 27 is a nonvolatile storage device such as, and a control unit 28 which controls the entire MFP 20.

  The printer 24 may be a monochrome printer or a color printer.

  The storage unit 27 stores a screen 27a for reproducing halftones. The storage unit 27 can store a screen other than the screen 27a.

  The storage unit 27 stores a gamma correction table (LUT: Look Up Table) 27 b for correcting input / output characteristics of the MFP 20. The gamma correction table 27b is a gamma correction table corresponding to the screen 27a. In addition to the gamma correction table 27b, the storage unit 27 stores a gamma correction table corresponding to the screen for each screen stored in the storage unit 27.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the principle of the gamma correction table 27b.

  In FIG. 3, a curve passing through each point shown in the gamma correction table 27 b (see FIG. 2) is a gamma correction curve 51. Even if the actual input / output characteristic 52 of the printer 24 (see FIG. 2) deviates from the designed input / output characteristic, that is, the designed input / output characteristic 53, the gamma correction table is added to the actual input / output characteristic 52 of the printer 24. 27B, that is, by applying the gamma correction curve 51, the design input / output characteristic 53 can be realized.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 27 stores an initial value gamma correction table 27c that is an initial value of the gamma correction table 27b. In addition to the initial value gamma correction table 27 c, the storage unit 27 stores an initial value gamma correction table corresponding to the gamma correction table for each gamma correction table stored in the storage unit 27.

  The storage unit 27 stores a calibration program 27 d for correcting the input / output characteristics of the printer 24. The calibration program 27d may be installed in the MFP 20 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 20, or may be additionally installed in the MFP 20 from a storage medium such as an SD card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or from the network. It may be additionally installed in the MFP 20.

  The storage unit 27 stores adjustment chart image data 27e as adjustment chart image data for adjusting the gamma correction table.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the adjustment chart 60 printed by the printer 24 based on the adjustment chart image data 27e using the screen 27a.

  An adjustment chart 60 shown in FIG. 4 is obtained by printing a plurality of patches 61 on a recording medium 69. In the adjustment chart 60, a plurality of color patches 61 having different densities are arranged in the direction indicated by the arrow 60 a that is the conveyance direction of the recording medium 69 by the printer 24. Further, in the adjustment chart 60, three patches are arranged in the direction indicated by the arrow 60b orthogonal to the direction indicated by the arrow 60a. The uppermost line of the patch 61 in the figure is referred to as a line, and there are b line to i line in order from the a line to the lower side in the figure. The density of the patch 61 gradually increases from line a to line i. In addition, the leftmost column of patches 61 in the figure is referred to as a 0th column, and there are a first column and a second column in order from the 0th column to the right side in the diagram. Each of the patches 61 is identified by these rows and columns. For example, the patch 61 existing at the top leftmost in the drawing, that is, the patch 61 existing in the 0th column of the a row is the patch [a0]. Also, the patch 61 present at the bottom rightmost in the drawing, that is, the patch 61 present in the second column of the i row is the patch [i2]. In FIG. 4, characters such as [a0] existing on the left side in the drawing for each patch 61 are identification information for each patch 61.

  Note that the patches 61 in the same row are all drawn based on the same input value (density value). For example, when the photosensitive drum of the printer 24 extends in the direction indicated by the arrow 60b, the print density may vary depending on the printing position in the direction indicated by the arrow 60b. A patch 61 is drawn at the printing position.

  2 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing programs and various data, and a RAM (RAM) used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 28. Random Access Memory). The CPU of the control unit 28 executes a program stored in the ROM of the control unit 28 or the storage unit 27.

  The control unit 28 executes a calibration program 27d stored in the storage unit 27, thereby correcting the input / output characteristics using the gamma correction table and executing printing, and a gamma correction table adjuster. A density value accepting unit 28b that accepts the density value of the reference color determined by the adjuster as the closest to the patch in the visual density comparison by means of the operation unit 21, and a table adjusting unit 28c that adjusts the gamma correction table. Is realized.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the computer 30.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the computer 30 includes an operation unit 31 that is an operation device such as buttons to which various operations are input, a display unit 32 that is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information, and a target A camera 33 that is a color detection device that detects a color, and a communication unit 34 that is a communication device that communicates with an external apparatus directly or via a network without using a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or via a network. A storage unit 35 that is a nonvolatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory that stores various data, and a control unit 36 that controls the entire computer 30.

  At least a part of the operation unit 31 constitutes a touch panel together with the display unit 32.

  The storage unit 35 stores a density value determination program 35a for determining the density value of the target color. The density value determination program 35a may be installed in the computer 30 at the manufacturing stage of the computer 30, or may be additionally installed in the computer 30 from a storage medium such as an SD card or a USB memory, or from the network. It may be additionally installed on the computer 30.

  The storage unit 35 stores reference color information 35b in which the RGB value of the reference color serving as a reference for determining the density value of the target color and the set density value set for the reference color are associated with each reference color. ing. Note that the reference color information 35b is information obtained in advance by measurement using a colorimeter such as a spectral reflection densitometer, for example.

  The control unit 36 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores various data, and a RAM that is used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 36. The CPU of the control unit 36 executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 35 of the control unit 36.

  The control unit 36 executes the density value determination program 35a stored in the storage unit 35, thereby comparing the reference color and the target color detected by the camera 33 for density comparison by the master adjuster. The comparison color display unit 36 a displayed on the display unit 32 and the density value display unit 36 b that displays the display density value displayed as the density value of the reference color displayed on the display unit 32 are realized. .

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the computer 40.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the computer 40 includes an operation unit 41 that is an operation device such as a button to which various operations are input, a display unit 42 that is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information, and a target A camera 43 that is a color detection device that detects a color, and a communication unit 44 that is a communication device that communicates with an external device directly or via a network without using a network such as a LAN or the Internet. A storage unit 45 that is a nonvolatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory that stores various data, and a control unit 46 that controls the entire computer 40.

  At least a part of the operation unit 41 constitutes a touch panel together with the display unit 42.

  The storage unit 45 stores a density value determination program 45a for determining the density value of the target color. The density value determination program 45a may be installed in the computer 40 at the manufacturing stage of the computer 40, or may be additionally installed in the computer 40 from a storage medium such as an SD card or a USB memory, or from the network. It may be additionally installed on the computer 40.

  The storage unit 45 stores reference color information 45b in which the RGB value of the reference color serving as a reference for determining the density value of the target color and the set density value set for the reference color are associated with each reference color. ing. Note that the reference color information 45b is information obtained in advance by measurement using a colorimeter such as a spectral reflection densitometer, for example.

  The storage unit 45 includes a master set density value which is a density value set for the reference color determined by the master adjuster as the closest density to the target in the visual density comparison by the master adjuster, and a slave adjuster. It is possible to store correspondence information 45c indicating the correspondence with the slave set density value that is the density value set in the reference color determined by the slave adjuster when the density is closest to the target in the visual density comparison by It is.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the correspondence relationship information 45c.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the correspondence relationship information 45c indicates a correspondence relationship between the master set density value and the slave set density value. When the color is detected by the computer camera from the same patch and displayed on the computer display, the master set density value measured by the master adjuster and the slave set density value measured by the slave adjuster are: Ideally, they are equal to each other as shown by line 71. However, in actuality, the correspondence information 45c is the difference between the color density recognition visually present between the master adjuster and the slave adjuster, the computer used by the master adjuster, and the slave adjuster. It differs from line 71 due to the performance differences that exist between the computers used. For example, when a color is detected by a computer camera from a specific patch and displayed on the display unit of the computer, in the example shown in FIG. 7, when the slave set density value measured by the slave adjuster is 25, the master The master set density value measured by the adjuster is 30.

  The control unit 46 illustrated in FIG. 6 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores various data, and a RAM that is used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 46. The CPU of the control unit 46 executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 45 of the control unit 46.

  The control unit 46 executes the density value determination program 45a stored in the storage unit 45, thereby comparing the reference color and the target color detected by the camera 43 for density comparison by the slave adjuster. The comparison color display means 46a displayed on the display section 42, the density value display means 46b for displaying the display density value displayed as the density value of the reference color displayed on the display section 42, and the correspondence relationship Correspondence generation means 46c for generating the correspondence indicated by the information 45c is realized.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 20 when executing printing based on print data will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 20 when printing is performed based on the print data.

  The print execution means 28a executes the operation shown in FIG. 8 when print data is input.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the print execution unit 28a converts the color mode of the image data based on the print data into a color mode for printing by the printer 24 (S201). Here, the color mode of the image data based on the print data is, for example, RGB or CMYK. The color mode for printing by the printer 24 is, for example, CMYK when the printer 24 is a color printer, and K when the printer 24 is a monochrome printer.

  After the process of S201, the print execution unit 28a performs gamma correction on the image data color-converted in S201 using a gamma correction table corresponding to the screen corresponding to the print data (S202).

  Next, the print execution unit 28a screen-processes the image data that has been gamma corrected in S202 with a screen corresponding to the print data (S203).

  Finally, the print execution unit 28a executes printing by the printer 24 based on the image data screen-processed in S203 (S204), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

  The operation of the MFP 20 when printing is executed based on the print data has been described above, but the same applies to the operations of MFPs other than the MFP 20.

  Next, a method for generating the correspondence information 45c will be described.

  First, the operation of the MFP 20 when printing the adjustment chart 60 will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 20 when the adjustment chart 60 is printed.

  When an instruction to print the adjustment chart 60 on a specific screen (hereinafter referred to as “chart printing instruction”) is input to the operation unit 21, the print execution unit 28a executes the operation shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the print execution unit 28a converts the color mode of the adjustment chart image data 27e into a color mode for printing by the printer 24 (S231). Here, the color mode of the adjustment chart image data 27e is, for example, RGB or CMYK.

  After the process of S231, the print execution unit 28a performs gamma correction on the adjustment chart image data 27e color-converted in S231 using a gamma correction table corresponding to the screen specified in the chart print instruction (S232).

  Next, the print execution unit 28a screen-processes the adjustment chart image data 27e that has been gamma-corrected in S202 on the screen specified in the chart print instruction (S233).

  Finally, the printing execution unit 28a executes printing by the printer 24 based on the adjustment chart image data 27e screen-processed in S233 (S234), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the computer 30 when acquiring master set density value information indicating the master set density value for each of the plurality of patches in the adjustment chart 60 will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the computer 30 when acquiring master set density value information.

  When an instruction to acquire master set density value information is input to the operation unit 31, the control unit 36 performs the operation illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the comparison color display unit 36a obtains a set density value information acquisition screen 80 (FIG. 10) for acquiring set density value information indicating the set density values for each of the plurality of patches in the adjustment chart 60. 11) is displayed on the display unit 32 (S261).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the set density value information acquisition screen 80.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the set density value information acquisition screen 80 includes an identification information display area 81 for displaying identification information of a patch from which a set density value is to be acquired, and a set density value display area for displaying the set density value. 82, a reference color display area 83 for displaying the reference color, a detection color display area 84 for displaying the target color detected by the camera 33, and the identification information displayed in the identification information display area 81 are changed. Identification information change buttons 85a and 85b for setting, set density value change buttons 86a and 86b for changing the set density value displayed in the set density value display area 82, and a color displayed in the detection color display area 84 A scan button 87 for acquiring the density, a density value determination button 88 for determining the set density value determined for the target patch, and a plurality of patches in the adjustment chart 60 And a density value determined end button 89 for terminating the determination of the set density values for each.

  The identification information displayed in the identification information display area 81 is changed by the identification information change buttons 85a and 85b. That is, the identification information displayed in the identification information display area 81 is [i2] → [i1] → [i0] → [h2] → [h1] → [h0] every time the identification information change button 85a is pressed. ... [b2] → [b1] → [b0] → [a2] → [a1] → [a0]. On the other hand, the identification information displayed in the identification information display area 81 is [a0] → [a1] → [a2] → [b0] → [b1] → [b2] → every time the identification information change button 85b is pressed. ... → [h0] → [h1] → [h2] → [i0] → [i1] → [i2]

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the operation of the computer 30 when the set density value is displayed in the set density value display area 82.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the density value display means 36b acquires the set density value associated with the reference color in the reference color information 35b, that is, the master set density value (S301), and then this master set density value. Is displayed in the set density value display area 82 (S302), and the operation shown in FIG.

  The set density value displayed in the set density value display area 82 shown in FIG. 11 is changed by the set density value change buttons 86a and 86b. That is, the density value display means 36b displays the set density value displayed in the set density value display area 82 every time the set density value change button 86a is pressed, among the plurality of set density values included in the reference color information 35b. To change in descending order. On the other hand, the density value display means 36b displays the set density value displayed in the set density value display area 82 every time the set density value change button 86b is pressed, among the plurality of set density values included in the reference color information 35b. Change in ascending order with. The comparison color display unit 36 a displays the reference color associated with the set density value displayed in the set density value display area 82 in the reference color information 35 b in the reference color display area 83.

  The master adjuster changes the reference color displayed in the reference color display area 83 by operating the set density value change buttons 86a and 86b, so that the reference displayed in the reference color display area 83 is displayed as shown in FIG. The color is closest to the color displayed in the detected color display area 84.

  The comparison color display means 36a makes the master adjustment by bringing the reference color displayed in the reference color display area 83 closer to the color displayed in the detection color display area 84 by the judgment of the comparison color display means 36a itself. The number of operations of the set density value change buttons 86a and 86b by the user can be suppressed. For example, when the scan button 87 is pressed, the comparison color display unit 36a displays the reference color closest to the color detected by the camera 33 when the scan button 87 is pressed in the reference color display area 83. . Further, the comparison color display means 36a, when the change amount of the RGB value of the color detected by the camera 33 within a specific fixed period such as 2 to 3 seconds is within the specific change amount, within this period. The reference color closest to the average RGB value of the color detected by the camera 33 may be displayed in the reference color display area 83. The density value display unit 36 b displays the set density value associated with the reference color displayed in the reference color display area 83 in the reference color information 35 b in the set density value display area 82.

  The master adjuster can switch the identification information of the target patch by operating the identification information change buttons 85a and 85b, and determine the set density value for the target patch by operating the set density value change buttons 86a and 86b. Then, the master adjuster can determine the set density value for the target patch, that is, the master set density value by pressing the density value determination button 88.

  In the set density value information acquisition screen 80 shown in FIG. 11, the reference color display area 83 is arranged to surround the detection color display area 84. However, if the arrangement allows the color displayed in the reference color display area 83 and the color displayed in the detection color display area 84 to be easily visually compared by the adjuster, the reference color display area 83, Any arrangement with the detection color display area 84 can be adopted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the comparison color display means 36a determines whether or not the density value determination end button 89 has been pressed until it is determined that the density value determination end button 89 has been pressed after the processing of S261. (S262).

  When the comparison color display unit 36a determines in S262 that the density value determination end button 89 has been pressed, master setting density value information indicating the master setting density value determined for each of the plurality of patches in the adjustment chart 60 is displayed. (S263) and the operation shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the computer 40 when generating the correspondence information 45c will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the operation of the computer 40 when generating the correspondence information 45c.

  When an instruction to generate the correspondence information 45c is input to the operation unit 41, the control unit 46 performs the operation illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the comparison color display unit 46a displays a set density value information acquisition screen on the display unit 42, as in the process of S261 (S331). Here, in the operation shown in FIG. 14, the adjustment chart 60 used in the operation shown in FIG. 10 is used.

  The set density value information acquisition screen displayed in S331 is detected by the identification information display area, the set density value display area, the reference color display area, and the camera 43, like the set density value information acquisition screen 80. A detection color display area in which the target color is displayed, an identification information change button, a set density value change button, a scan button, a density value determination button, and a density value determination end button.

  The comparison color display means 46a and the density value display means 46b perform the same operation as the operation for the set density value information acquisition screen 80 by the comparison color display means 36a and the density value display means 36b, in the set density displayed in S331. Executes for the value information acquisition screen.

  In the set density value information acquisition screen displayed in S331, as in the set density value information acquisition screen 80 displayed in S261, the slave adjuster sets the target patch by pressing the density value determination button. The density value, that is, the slave set density value can be determined.

  The comparison color display means 46a determines whether or not the density value determination end button has been pressed until it is determined that the density value determination end button has been pressed after the processing of S331 (S332).

  If the comparison color display means 46a determines in S332 that the density value determination end button has been pressed, it generates slave setting density value information indicating the slave setting density values determined for each of the plurality of patches in the adjustment chart 60. (S333).

  Next, the correspondence generation unit 46c acquires master set density value information from the computer 30 via the communication unit 44 (S334).

  Next, the correspondence generation unit 46c generates correspondence information 45c based on the master set density value information acquired in S334 and the slave set density value information generated in S333 (S335). That is, the correspondence generation unit 46c obtains the correspondence between the master set density value and the slave set density value for the same patch, and uses the correspondence between the master set density value and the slave set density value for each of the plurality of patches as an approximate curve. Is obtained.

  Next, the correspondence generation unit 46c stores the correspondence relationship information 45c generated in S335 in the storage unit 45 (S336), and then ends the operation illustrated in FIG.

  Next, calibration of the MFP 20 by the master adjuster will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 20 when calibration is executed.

  When an instruction to execute calibration is input via the operation unit 21, the MFP 20 performs the operation illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the print execution unit 28a displays a screen for prompting the adjustment mode of the gamma correction table on the display unit 22 (S361). Here, the adjustment mode depends on whether the gamma correction table corresponding to any of the screens stored in the storage unit 27 is to be adjusted, and whether the gamma correction table is readjusted. It is distinguished.

  The print execution unit 28a determines whether or not the adjustment mode instruction is input via the operation unit 21 until it is determined that the adjustment mode instruction of the gamma correction table is input via the operation unit 21 (S362). .

  When the print execution unit 28a determines in S362 that an instruction for the adjustment mode of the gamma correction table has been input via the operation unit 21, the print execution unit 28a determines whether or not readjustment for the gamma correction table has been input in S362. Based on the determination (S363).

  If the print execution unit 28a determines that it is not readjustment in S363, the print execution unit 28a targets the initial value gamma correction table of the gamma correction table specified by the adjustment mode determined to have been input in S362 (S364).

  If the print execution unit 28a determines that the readjustment is made in S363, the print execution unit 28a targets the gamma correction table specified by the adjustment mode determined to have been input in S362 (S365).

  The print execution means 28a uses the initial value gamma correction table targeted in S364 after the processing of S364 or S365, or the same operation as that shown in FIG. 9 using the gamma correction table targeted in S365. The adjustment chart is printed (S366).

  Here, the master adjuster can instruct the operation unit 31 to acquire the density value for the patch in the printed adjustment chart. When the operation unit 31 instructs the comparison color display unit 36a to acquire the density value for the patch in the adjustment chart, the reference color and the target color detected by the camera 33 are compared by the master adjuster. For this purpose, a density determination screen 90 (see FIG. 16) is displayed on the display unit 32.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the density determination screen 90.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the density determination screen 90 includes a density value display area 91 that displays a display density value that is displayed as a density value of a reference color, and a reference color display area 92 that displays a reference color. , A detection color display area 93 in which the target color detected by the camera 33 is displayed, density value change buttons 94a and 94b for changing the display density value displayed in the density value display area 91, and a detection color And a scan button 95 for acquiring a color displayed in the display area 93.

  The comparison color display unit 36a and the density value display unit 36b execute the same operation on the density determination screen 90 as the operation on the set density value information acquisition screen 80 (see FIG. 11). For example, the density value display unit 36b displays the set density value associated with the reference color in the reference color information 35b as a display density value in the density value display area 91. Therefore, the master adjuster can determine the density value for the patch detected by the camera 33.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the density value accepting unit 28b accepts density values for each of the plurality of patches in the adjustment chart after the process of S366 (S367).

  FIG. 17 is a front view of the operation unit 21 and the display unit 22.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the screen displayed on the display unit 22 includes an identification information display area 22a for displaying identification information of a patch whose density value is to be acquired, and a density value display area 22b for displaying the density value. Contains.

  The operation unit 21 includes identification information change buttons 21a and 21b for changing the identification information displayed in the identification information display area 22a, and a density value change button for changing the density value displayed in the density value display area 22b. 21c and 21d, a cancel button 21e for ending the operation shown in FIG. 15, and a determination button 21f for ending the acceptance of density.

  The identification information displayed in the identification information display area 22a is changed by the identification information change buttons 21a and 21b. In other words, the identification information displayed in the identification information display area 22a is [i2] → [i1] → [i0] → [h2] → [h1] → [h0] → when the identification information change button 21a is pressed. ... [b2] → [b1] → [b0] → [a2] → [a1] → [a0]. On the other hand, the identification information displayed in the identification information display area 22a is [a0] → [a1] → [a2] → [b0] → [b1] → [b2] every time the identification information change button 21b is pressed. ... → [h0] → [h1] → [h2] → [i0] → [i1] → [i2]

  The density value displayed in the density value display area 22b is changed by density value change buttons 21c and 21d. That is, the density value displayed in the density value display area 22b is changed in descending order each time the density value change button 21c is pressed. On the other hand, the density value displayed in the density value display area 22b is changed in ascending order each time the density value change button 21d is pressed.

  The master adjuster switches the identification information of the target patch for setting the density value to the identification information of the patch detected by the camera 33 by operating the identification information change buttons 21a and 21b, and then the density value for the target patch. Can be set to the density value determined by the density determination screen 90 for the patch detected by the camera 33 by operating the density value change buttons 21c and 21d. The master adjuster sets the density value for each of the plurality of patches in the adjustment chart 60 and then determines the density value for each of the plurality of patches in the adjustment chart 60 by pressing the determination button 21f. Can do.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the table adjustment unit 28c determines whether or not the determination button 21f has been pressed until it is determined that the determination button 21f has been pressed after the process of S367 (S368).

  When determining in S368 that the determination button 21f has been pressed, the table adjustment unit 28c determines that the input has been made in S362 based on the density values for each of the plurality of patches in the adjustment chart 60 determined by the determination button 21f. The gamma correction table specified by the adjustment mode is adjusted (S369). That is, if the approximate curve determined from the density values for each of the plurality of patches in the adjustment chart 60 determined by the determination button 21f is, for example, the input / output characteristic 52 in FIG. The density value receiving unit 28b converts the gamma correction table specified by the adjustment mode determined to have been input in S362 into the gamma correction table indicated by the gamma correction curve 51 in FIG. adjust. An approximate curve obtained from density values for each of a plurality of patches in the adjustment chart 60 determined by the determination button 21f, where x is the input value and F (x) is the output value of the gamma correction table before adjustment. Assuming that the correction value for calibrating the input / output characteristics shown in FIG. 5 to the design input / output characteristics is G (x), the output value H (x) of the adjusted gamma correction table is F (G (x)) Become.

  The table adjustment unit 28c stores the gamma correction table adjusted in S369 in the storage unit 27 as the gamma correction table specified by the adjustment mode determined to have been input in S362 after the process of S369 (S370). The operation shown in FIG.

  Since the gamma correction table adjustment by the operation shown in FIG. 15 is executed based on the density value obtained by the master adjuster's eye measurement, the input / output of the printer 24 using the gamma correction table adjusted by the operation shown in FIG. The characteristics may deviate from the design input / output characteristics. However, the master adjuster gradually adjusts the input / output characteristics of the printer 24 using the gamma correction table to the design input / output characteristics by repeatedly adjusting the gamma correction table according to the operation shown in FIG. Can do.

  In the above, the calibration of the MFP 20 by the master adjuster has been described. However, the same applies to calibration of MFPs other than the MFP 20 by the master adjuster.

  Next, calibration of the MFP by the slave adjuster will be described.

  The calibration of the MFP by the slave adjuster is the same as the calibration of the MFP by the master adjuster. That is, the slave adjuster prints the adjustment chart by the target MFP, determines the density value for each of the plurality of patches in the adjustment chart using the computer 40, and determines the plurality of determination values determined using the computer 40. By inputting the density value for each of the patches to the target MFP, calibration of the target MFP is executed.

  However, when the MFP is calibrated by the slave adjuster, the density value display means 46b displays the set density value associated with the reference color in the reference color information 45b as a display density value in the density value display area. is not.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the operation of the computer 40 when displaying the density value for display in the density value display area.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the density value display means 46b acquires the set density value associated with the reference color in the reference color information 45b, that is, the slave set density value (S401), and then the slave set density value. A master set density value associated with the correspondence relationship information 45c is acquired (S402).

  Next, the density value display means 46b displays the master set density value acquired in S402 as a display density value in the density value display area (S403), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

  As described above, the calibration system 10 uses the master set density value set for the reference color determined by the master adjuster to determine that the density is closest to the patch in the visual density comparison by the master adjuster. Then, in the visual density comparison by the slave adjuster, correspondence information 45c with the slave set density value set to the reference color determined by the slave adjuster when the density is closest to the patch is generated (S335). In the visual density comparison by the master adjuster, the gamma correction table is adjusted based on the master set density value set for the reference color that is determined by the master adjuster to be closest to the patch printed by the MFP. (S369), in the comparison of the visual density by the slave adjuster, the MFP A gamma correction table is created based on the master set density value associated in the correspondence information 45c with the slave set density value set for the reference color determined by the slave adjuster as having the closest density to the printed patch. Since the adjustment is performed (S369), when the gamma correction tables of a plurality of MFPs are divided and adjusted by the master adjuster and the slave adjuster, the color density visually observed between the master adjuster and the slave adjuster The influence of the difference in recognition can be suppressed. Therefore, the calibration system 10 can improve the uniformity of input / output characteristics among a plurality of MFPs when the gamma correction tables of the plurality of MFPs are shared and adjusted by a plurality of adjusters.

  In the calibration system 10, the master adjustment density value set to the reference color determined by the master adjuster to determine that the density is closest to the patch in the visual density comparison by the master adjuster and the slave adjuster visually. When the density is the closest to the patch in the density comparison, the difference between the slave set density value set for the reference color determined by the slave adjuster and the display unit and the camera is the computer 30 for the master adjuster. And the slave adjuster computer 40 may be provided separately. However, the calibration system 10 determines the slave set density value set to the reference color determined by the slave adjuster to be the closest to the patch printed by the MFP in the visual density comparison by the slave adjuster. Since the gamma correction table is adjusted based on the master set density value associated with the correspondence relationship information 45c, the display unit and the camera are the computer 30 for the master adjuster and the computer 40 for the slave adjuster. The influence provided separately can be suppressed. Therefore, when the calibration system 10 adjusts the gamma correction tables of a plurality of MFPs shared by a plurality of coordinators using different devices, the input / output characteristics are uniform among the plurality of MFPs. Can be improved.

  The calibration system 10 may be the same device for the display unit for the master adjuster and the display unit for the slave adjuster, or the camera for the master adjuster and the camera for the slave adjuster. May be the same device. For example, in the calibration system 10, the computer for the master adjuster and the computer for the slave adjuster may be the same device. Even if the computer is the same device for the master coordinator and the slave coordinator, the computer has a function to identify whether the user is a master coordinator or a slave coordinator. When the user is a master coordinator, it can behave as a master coordinator device, and when the user is a slave coordinator, it can behave as a slave coordinator device.

  The MFP included in the calibration system 10 may include a part of the functions and configuration described in the present embodiment outside the MFP. Similarly, the computer included in the calibration system 10 may have a part of the functions and configuration described in the present embodiment outside the computer.

  The calibration system 10 uses the master set density value associated with the slave set density value set in the reference color displayed on the display unit 42 in the correspondence information 45c as the display density value for the slave adjuster. Since the density value display means 46b displays on the display unit 42, it is not necessary for each of the plurality of MFPs to have a function of adjusting the density value used for adjusting the gamma correction table in the case of a slave adjuster. Therefore, the calibration system 10 can simplify the configuration for sharing and adjusting the gamma correction tables of a plurality of MFPs by a plurality of adjusters.

  Note that the calibration system 10 includes a function of adjusting density values used for adjustment of the gamma correction table in the case of a slave adjuster in each of a plurality of MFPs, so that the configuration of the computer 40 is shown in FIG. The configuration can be the same as the configuration of the computer 30.

  The calibration system 10 has a configuration in which a computer 30 for a master adjuster and a computer 40 for a slave adjuster are different. However, the computer included in the calibration system 10 has a function of identifying whether the user is a master adjuster or a slave adjuster, so that when the user is a master adjuster, the master adjuster. If the user is a slave coordinator, it can be made common if it behaves as a slave coordinator device.

  The calibration system 10 needs to include a target display device such as an LCD for displaying the patches used for generating the correspondence information 45c because the print execution unit 28a prints the patches used for generating the correspondence information 45c. There is no. Therefore, the calibration system 10 can simplify the configuration for sharing and adjusting the gamma correction tables of a plurality of MFPs by a plurality of adjusters.

  In the calibration system 10, the patches used for generating the correspondence information 45c may be provided by a method other than printing by the MFP. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the calibration system 10 may include a target display device 100 such as an LCD that displays a patch used to generate the correspondence information 45c. When the calibration system 10 includes the target display device 100 that displays a patch used to generate the correspondence relationship information 45c, it is not necessary to print the patch used to generate the correspondence relationship information 45c by the MFP. The consumption of consumables used for printing can be suppressed.

  In this embodiment, the calibration system 10 has one slave adjuster for one master adjuster, but even if there are a plurality of slave adjusters for one master adjuster. good.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an MFP in the present embodiment, but may be an image forming apparatus other than the MFP, such as a printer dedicated machine, a copy dedicated machine, and a fax dedicated machine.

10 Calibration system 20 MFP (image forming apparatus)
21 Operation unit (operation device)
27b Gamma correction table 28a Print executing means 28b Density value receiving means 28c Table adjusting means 30 Computer (Density value judging device)
32 Display unit (display device)
33 Camera (color detection device)
35a Density value judgment program 36a Comparison color display means 36b Density value display means 40 Computer (Density value judgment device)
42 Display unit (display device)
43 Camera (color detection device)
45a Density value determination program 45c Correspondence relation information (information indicating correspondence relation)
46a Comparison color display means 46b Density value display means 46c Correspondence relation generation means 61 Patch (target)
100 Target display devices

Claims (7)

Print execution means for correcting the input / output characteristics using a gamma correction table and executing printing;
An image forming apparatus comprising: table adjusting means for adjusting the gamma correction table;
A display device;
A color detection device for detecting the target color;
The reference color which is a reference for determining the density value of the target color and the target color detected by the color detection device are displayed on the display device for comparison of density by the adjuster of the gamma correction table. Color display means for comparison,
When the density is closest to the target, a master set density value that is a density value set for the reference color determined by the master adjuster as the adjuster in the comparison, and when the density is closest to the target A correspondence relationship generating means for generating a correspondence relationship of slave setting density values that are density values set for the reference color determined by the slave adjuster as the adjuster in the comparison;
The table adjusting means includes
The gamma correction table is adjusted based on the master set density value set for the reference color determined by the master adjuster in the comparison when the density is closest to the target printed by the print execution unit. ,
When the density is closest to the target printed by the print execution unit, the density is associated with the slave setting density value set for the reference color determined by the slave adjuster in the comparison in the correspondence relationship. A calibration system, wherein the gamma correction table is adjusted based on the master set density value.   The calibration system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the display device and the color detection device is provided separately for the master adjuster and for the slave adjuster. An operating device;
Density value display means for displaying on the display device a display density value displayed as the density value of the reference color displayed on the display device,
The density value display means is provided separately for the master adjuster and for the slave adjuster,
The image forming apparatus receives the display density value of the reference color determined by the adjuster in the comparison as the density closest to the target printed by the print execution unit from the operation device. With means,
The density value display means for the master adjuster displays the master set density value set for the reference color displayed on the display device on the display device as the display density value,
The density value display means for the slave adjuster displays the master set density value associated with the slave set density value set in the reference color displayed on the display device in the correspondence relationship. The calibration system according to claim 1, wherein the calibration value is displayed on the display device as a display density value.   4. The calibration system according to claim 1, wherein the print execution unit prints the target used for generation of the correspondence relationship by the correspondence relationship generation unit. 5.   5. The calibration system according to claim 1, further comprising a target display device that displays the target used for generation of the correspondence relation by the correspondence relation generation unit. A display device;
A color detection device for detecting the target color;
The reference color used as a reference for determining the density value of the target color, and the target color detected by the color detection device are displayed for comparison by the adjuster of the gamma correction table of the image forming apparatus. Color display means for comparison to be displayed on the device;
When the density is closest to the target, a master set density value that is a density value set for the reference color determined by the master adjuster as the adjuster in the comparison, and when the density is closest to the target A correspondence relationship generating means for generating a correspondence relationship of slave setting density values that are density values set for the reference color determined by the slave adjuster as the adjuster in the comparison;
Density value display means for displaying on the display device a display density value displayed as the density value of the reference color displayed on the display device,
The density value display means uses the master set density value associated with the slave set density value set in the reference color displayed on the display device in the correspondence as the display density value. An apparatus for determining a density value, characterized by being displayed on a display device. A display device;
A computer equipped with a color detection device for detecting the target color,
The reference color used as a reference for determining the density value of the target color, and the target color detected by the color detection device are displayed for comparison by the adjuster of the gamma correction table of the image forming apparatus. Color display means for comparison to be displayed on the device;
When the density is closest to the target, a master set density value that is a density value set for the reference color determined by the master adjuster as the adjuster in the comparison, and when the density is closest to the target A correspondence relationship generating means for generating a correspondence relationship of slave setting density values that are density values set for the reference color determined by the slave adjuster as the adjuster in the comparison;
A density value display means for displaying on the display device a display density value displayed as the density value of the reference color displayed on the display device; and
The density value display means uses the master set density value associated with the slave set density value set in the reference color displayed on the display device in the correspondence as the display density value. A program for determining a density value, which is displayed on a display device.