JP7117863B2 - COLOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a color management system, an information processing device and its control method, and a program.

In recent years, a wide variety of printing devices have been marketed for the commercial printing market. Since output materials printed and output by these printing apparatuses are commercial materials for customers, there is a high demand for color accuracy of images printed on the output materials. However, the colors of images printed by printing devices vary due to a variety of factors. For example, it varies depending on the degree of deterioration of the parts that make up the printing apparatus, the environment (temperature and humidity) in which the printing apparatus is installed, and consumables such as toner and paper used when the printing apparatus prints.

Therefore, at commercial printing sites, a person in charge, generally called a color expert, is assigned, and the person in charge performs color management work in order to keep the colors of images printed by the printing apparatus at desired colors. This color management work consists of multiple steps. One of these processes is a color confirmation operation for confirming the colors of images printed by a printing apparatus subject to color management. In this color confirmation work, a predetermined chart is printed using a printing device subject to color management, and the color of this chart is measured by a colorimetry device. This colorimetric value is compared with a predefined target value (reference) to determine whether the color of an image printed by the printing device subject to color management satisfies a predetermined color quality standard (colorimetric value and reference). whether the color difference from the target value is equal to or less than the threshold value). Here, if the predetermined color quality standard is satisfied (the color difference is equal to or less than the threshold value), the printer is approved as a printing apparatus capable of executing subsequent printing processes.

On the other hand, if the predetermined color quality standard is not met (the color difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value), a color expert performs color adjustment work for the printing device. Color adjustment work is execution work of various calibration functions represented by density tone correction. Then, after performing the color adjustment work, the color expert performs the color confirmation work again to check whether the colors of the image printed by the printing device have reached a predetermined color quality standard. If the printer does not meet the required color quality standards even after performing color adjustment here, the color expert performs more difficult color adjustment work, such as recreating the color profile and fine-tuning the image forming conditions. . Furthermore, the color expert accumulates the data of the result of the color confirmation work, and uses it for subsequent purposes such as grasping the characteristics of the printing apparatus and checking changes over time.

Color experts have a very heavy workload because they sometimes perform the above-described color management work for a plurality of printing apparatuses installed at printing bases under their jurisdiction. Color experts are not the only users of the color management system. For example, an operator, who actually operates the printing apparatus, may perform error recovery processing such as paper replenishment and paper jam during color confirmation work, and color adjustment work. Operators generally have a lower level of skill than color experts, so it is difficult for them to unilaterally complete highly difficult color management tasks. Therefore, in the color management work, there is a demand for a system that can perform the color management work with easy work that does not depend on the skill level of the user. In addition, there is a demand for work efficiency so as to reduce the load of color management work on a plurality of printing apparatuses.

In recent years, various color management systems have been proposed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200000 describes an image forming apparatus that compares the result after calibration with a target value and determines the color of an image printed by the printing apparatus after calibration. is described. Then, it is also described that the determination result is used to determine whether or not to continue printing as a subsequent operation of the printing apparatus.

Further, Patent Literature 2 describes that when the output result after the execution of calibration exceeds a preset threshold value, it is determined that the calibration has failed, and control is performed so that the calibration result is not applied. ing.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-201901 JP 2005-165464 A

When executing color confirmation work in color management work, it is necessary to set various operational information. The operation information includes, for example, the allowable range of color difference between the target value and the colorimetric value, print settings for printing the chart image, and the like. These operational information are set depending on the product model, application, image output characteristics, etc. of each printing apparatus. In the commercial printing market, various types of printing are performed depending on the application. For example, it is common practice to use different print targets for each printing machine, such as printing photo books with emphasis on photographs, and printing textbooks and manuals with emphasis on text. From the point of view of color management operation, for example, a printing device that emphasizes photo output uses specific coated paper and sets a strict threshold value, but a printing device that emphasizes text output uses different plain paper for comparison. A determination is made that it is sufficient to set a loose threshold. Therefore, when managing a plurality of printing apparatuses at the same time, the color expert must set operation information according to each individual apparatus.

On the other hand, the color expert must always grasp the state of the tints of all the printing devices under his control so as not to cause problems related to tints in the output products of all the printing devices that he manages. For example, in order to output a print job that requires strict color quality, it is desired to select a printing apparatus that can reproduce colors most accurately among all the printing apparatuses under management. Another purpose is to know how much the color tone of the printing device at the time of printing a specific print job output in the past is likely to differ from the current state. . In order to compare the relative status between such printing devices and past printing devices, color confirmation work is performed based on common operational information for all printing devices to be managed, and the results are should be accumulated.

By the way, the operations applied to achieve the above two purposes do not necessarily match. This is because, as described above, the paper used for color confirmation processing and the target to be set are managed differently depending on the printing apparatus. In order to achieve their respective purposes, color experts generally set a plurality of color management processes with different operating information for the printing apparatus and have them executed in parallel.

For example, in the method described in the above-mentioned patent document, when the result of color confirmation processing is determined to be NG for all set color confirmation processing, control is performed so that subsequent printing is not continued. become. At that time, if the determination result is applied to all the color confirmation processes that are in operation, even the color confirmation process that is used by the color expert to grasp the state of the printing device will be judged as NG. If you do so, subsequent printing will be stopped. If NG is determined in the color confirmation process, which is set to operate according to the actual printing application, subsequent printing should be stopped and recovery processing (color adjustment processing) should be performed. In the color confirmation process performed, there are cases where it is not always necessary to stop printing. For example, in a printing device that prints textbooks and manuals, color management is controlled so that printing is performed if the judgment result of color checking processing in operation settings that emphasizes text is acceptable. There are cases where it is set as an operation that uses . In such a case, there is no need to stop printing for operation settings that place emphasis on text even if the common color confirmation process yields an NG determination. However, even in such a case, there is a possibility that printing cannot be executed due to color adjustment, resulting in unnecessary downtime and reduced productivity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique capable of setting whether or not to perform subsequent color adjustment processing when the result of color confirmation processing does not satisfy the color quality standard.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. Namely
An information processing device for managing a printing device at a printing site having at least one printing device,
receiving means for receiving color confirmation setting information and information indicating whether or not to perform color adjustment processing when color quality standards are not satisfied as a result of executing color confirmation processing;
The color confirmation setting information received by the receiving means is transmitted to a target printing apparatus included in the printing base to execute color confirmation processing based on the color confirmation setting information , and as a result of executing the color confirmation processing, color quality is determined. Control means for controlling the target printing device not to perform the color adjustment process if the criteria are not met and the information received by the receiving means is information indicating that the color adjustment process is not to be performed. and.

According to the present invention, it is possible to set whether or not to perform subsequent color adjustment processing when the result of color confirmation processing does not satisfy the color quality standard, thereby eliminating unnecessary color adjustment processing and lowering productivity. has the effect of preventing

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a printing system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration centering on a printing base of the printing system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a hardware configuration including a centralized management server and a centralized management terminal of the centralized management system according to the first embodiment; 2 is a block diagram for explaining a hardware configuration including a site management server and site management terminals of the centralized management system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4A is a block diagram explaining the software configuration of the centralized control server according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a block diagram explaining the software configuration of the centralized control terminal; FIG. 2A is a block diagram explaining the software configuration of the site management server according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a block diagram explaining the software configuration of the site management terminal; 2 is a block diagram for explaining the software configuration of a printer controller of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a sequence regarding functions provided by the color management system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a sequence regarding functions provided by the color management system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining an example of color confirmation processing provided by the color management system according to the first embodiment and a sequence automatically executed by the system according to the color confirmation result; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a database of the color management system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a database of the color management system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a database of the color management system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the TOP screen of the site management application according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an environment setting screen of a color management application; FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a color confirmation setting edit screen in environment setting of the site management application according to the first embodiment; FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a patch chart edit screen in environment setting of the site management application according to the first embodiment; 4 is a view showing an example of a reference edit screen in environment setting of the site management application according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a judgment criteria edit screen in environment setting of the site management application according to the first embodiment; FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a job property editing screen in environment setting of the site management application according to the first embodiment; FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a color confirmation execution condition edit screen in environment setting of the site management application according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a color adjustment setting edit screen in environment setting of the site management application according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a color confirmation result screen of the site management application according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a color confirmation result screen of the site management application according to the first embodiment; FIG. The figure which shows an example of the color confirmation result screen of a location management application. FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a printing device registration screen of the site management application according to the first embodiment; 4 is a flow chart showing processing of the site management server according to the first embodiment; 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing by the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment; 4 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed by the site management terminal 211 according to the first embodiment, which indicates that the color state of the image printed by the printing device 203 is inappropriate; FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining processing of a base management server according to the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a warning message notified to the user in S2907 of FIG. 29; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining part of a database of a color management system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; 13 is a flowchart for explaining processing by a site management server according to the third embodiment; FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a screen for setting conditions for forced execution of color adjustment of the site management application according to the third embodiment;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution of the present invention. .

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a printing system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Here, there are a print base 105 and a print base 106 under the control of a centralized management base that manages all bases existing in different locations. In the first embodiment, an example is used in which at least one printing device is in operation at each printing site, but this is not the only option. The system configuration may be made up of a larger number of printing bases under the control of the centralized management base.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration centering on the printing base 105 of the printing system according to the first embodiment.

The cloud environment 100 has cloud servers such as a base management server 102 and a centralized management server 101, which will be described later, and provides various services to terminal devices connected via the Internet. In the first embodiment, the site management server 102 and the centralized management server 101 are described as cloud servers, but the present invention is not limited to this. The centralized management server 101 and the location management server 102 may be installed at the location where the centralized management work is performed and the printing location 105, respectively, and used on-premises.

The site management server 102 is a server that manages the printing apparatuses 203 and 205 operating at the printing site 105 . The site management server 102 acquires information on the printing apparatuses 203 and 205 to be managed. The site management server 102 also transmits various control instructions to the printing devices 203 and 205 within the sites to be managed. Furthermore, the site management server 102 transmits information about the printing apparatus operating at the managed site to the centralized management server 101, which will be described later.

The site management server 102 is a cloud server installed in the cloud environment 100, and is connected to a site management terminal 211 and the centralized management server 101, which will be described later, via the Internet. The centralized management server 101 is a server that comprehensively manages information on at least one printing base 105 . The centralized management server 101 acquires information on each printing base from the base management server 102 . This information is, for example, the operation rate of the printing apparatuses 203 and 205 to be managed, the usage amount and remaining amount of various consumables, life prediction information of parts of the printing apparatuses 203 and 205, and the like. The centralized control server 101 also transmits the above-mentioned print base information (information about the printing apparatus operating at the print base) to the centralized control terminal 111 .

The centralized management server 101 is a cloud server installed in the cloud environment 100, and is connected to the base management server 102 and the centralized management terminal 111 via the Internet. The centralized control terminal 111 is a terminal used by a centralized manager who is registered at the centralized control base. The centralized control terminal 111 displays the print base information received from the centralized control server 101 on a display unit (not shown). The centralized manager refers to the printing site information displayed on the display unit, and confirms the operation rate of the printing apparatuses 203 and 205 at each printing site and the cost of consumables.

A site management terminal 211 is a terminal (information processing device) used by a color expert who manages the printing site 105 . The site management terminal 211 communicates with the site management server 102 and displays information on the printing devices 203 and 205 in the site on a display unit (not shown). The color expert refers to the displayed information of the printing devices 203 and 205 and uses it for color management work. Color management operations are operations performed to maintain the colors of images printed by a printing device to a desired color quality standard, and include multiple steps. For example, there is work for confirming the color values of an image printed by a printing device (color confirmation work), and color adjustment work for adjusting the color values of an image to be printed so that they meet color quality standards. The site management terminal 211 also receives instructions from the color expert and transmits various execution instructions to the printing apparatuses 203 and 205 in the printing site 105 .

Printing apparatuses 203 and 205 are printing apparatuses that operate at the printing base 105 . The printing devices 203 and 205 are, for example, electrophotographic printers or inkjet printers. The printing devices 203 and 205 may have a configuration in which other devices are connected to printers. For example, a paper feeding device for expanding the paper feeding capacity or a post-processing device for performing various post-processing on paper output by the printer is connected. A print server (not shown) may also be connected to extend printing functions.

Operator terminals 204 and 206 are devices for performing various operations when the operators of the respective printing devices use the printing devices 203 and 205 . The various operations are, for example, settings of paper information stored in the paper feeding device, execution instructions of adjustment functions of the printing device, and the like. In the first embodiment, the operator terminals 204 and 206 are used as the operating units of the printing apparatuses 203 and 205, but this is not the only option. If the print server described above is connected, the input/output device of the print server may be the operator terminal. The intra-site network 200 connects each device within the printing site 105 and connects each device with an external network.

Next, hardware configurations of various devices related to the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration including the centralized management server 101 and the centralized management terminal 111 of the centralized management system according to the first embodiment.

First, the hardware configuration of the centralized management server 101 will be described.

The CPU 301 expands the control program stored in the ROM 302 or hard disk (HDD) 304 into the RAM 303 and executes the expanded program to comprehensively control access to various devices connected to the system bus 300 . The ROM 302 stores control programs and the like executable by the CPU 301 . The RAM 303 mainly functions as a main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 301, and is configured such that the memory capacity can be expanded by an option RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). A hard disk (HDD) 304 stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like. Although the HDD 304 is used in the first embodiment, an SD card, a flash memory, or the like may be used as an external storage device in addition to the HDD 304 . The network I/F 305 performs data communication with the centralized control terminal 111 and the base management server 102 (the base management servers 102 and 103 in FIG. 3) via the network.

Next, the hardware configuration of the centralized control terminal 111 will be described.

The CPU 351 expands the control program stored in the ROM 352 or hard disk (HDD) 354 into the RAM 353 and executes the expanded program to comprehensively control access to various devices connected to the system bus 350 . The ROM 352 stores control programs and the like executable by the CPU 351 . The RAM 353 mainly functions as a main memory, work area, etc. for the CPU 351, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). A hard disk (HDD) 354 stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like. Although the HDD 354 is used in the first embodiment, an SD card, flash memory, or the like may be used as an external storage device in addition to the HDD 354 . A network I/F 355 performs data communication with the centralized management server 101 via a network.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration including the base management server 102 and the base management terminal 211 of the centralized management system according to the first embodiment.

First, the hardware configuration of the site management server 102 will be described.

The CPU 401 expands control programs stored in the ROM 402 or hard disk (HDD) 404 into the RAM 403 and executes the expanded programs to comprehensively control access to various devices connected to the system bus 400 . The ROM 402 stores control programs and the like executable by the CPU 401 . The RAM 403 mainly functions as a main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 401, and is configured such that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). A hard disk (HDD) 404 stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like. Although the HDD 404 is used in the first embodiment, an SD card, a flash memory, or the like may be used as an external storage device in addition to the HDD 404 . A network I/F 405 performs data communication with the centralized management server 101, the base management terminal 211, and the printers 203 and 205 via the network.

Next, the hardware configuration of the site management terminal 211 will be described.

The CPU 451 expands control programs stored in the ROM 452 or hard disk (HDD) 454 into the RAM 453 and executes the expanded programs to comprehensively control access to various devices connected to the system bus 450 . The ROM 452 stores control programs and the like executable by the CPU 451 . The RAM 453 mainly functions as a main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 451, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). A hard disk (HDD) 454 stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like. Although the HDD 454 is used in the first embodiment, an SD card, a flash memory, or the like may be used as an external storage device in addition to the HDD 454 . The network I/F 455 performs data communication with the site management server 102 via the network.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 203 according to the first embodiment. Since the configuration of the printing apparatus 205 is the same, the description thereof will be omitted. In the following description, the printing apparatus 203 will be described as an example, but the same applies to the printing apparatus 205 as well.

A printer controller 500 is a controller of the printing apparatus 203, and performs processing necessary for execution of print processing, such as analysis of an input print job and development processing to image data. In the following description, an example in which the printer controller 500 of the printing apparatus 203 is responsible for these processes required for printing will be used, but the present invention is not limited to this. A print server (not shown) connected to the printing apparatus 203 may be in charge of processing such as reception of print jobs, analysis, and expansion to image data. In this case, the print server transmits the expanded image data and various data necessary for print processing to the printing apparatus 203 . Then, the printing device 203 uses the data received from the print server to execute print processing by the printer 508 . The CPU 501 expands the control program stored in the ROM 502 or hard disk (HDD) 504 into the RAM 503 and executes the expanded program to comprehensively control access to various devices connected to the system bus 506 . The ROM 502 stores control programs and the like executable by the CPU 501 . A RAM 503 mainly functions as a main memory, a work area, etc. for the CPU 501, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). A hard disk (HDD) 504 stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like. Although the HDD 504 is used in the first embodiment, an SD card, a flash memory, or the like may be used as an external storage device in addition to the HDD 504 . A network I/F 505 performs data communication with the site management server 102 and the site management terminal 211 via the network. A printer I/F 507 controls image output to a printer 508 . The printer I/F 507 also controls the color sensor 510 provided inside the printer 508 and receives the colorimetric results. The printer 508 has at least an image forming unit (printing unit) 509 responsible for printing operation, and a color sensor 510 for measuring the color of printed matter. In addition, a configuration in which a sheet feeding device and a post-processing device (not shown) are connected may be used.

In the first embodiment, the color sensor 510 is installed on the paper transport path of the printing device 203, and at least one color sensor is arranged between the fixing section of the printing section 509 and the paper exit. The color sensor 510 can measure the color of the image transferred and fixed on the paper. Data obtained by colorimetry by the color sensor 510 are, for example, spectral values, chromaticity values, and densities. Using the color sensor 510, the chart image printed by the printing unit 509 is measured, and the difference between the measured result and the target value can be used to generate a correction table. Therefore, the user can save the trouble of setting the chart image on the sensor for colorimetry of the chart image, so that the use of the color sensor 510 enables automatic calibration. An operation unit I/F 511 controls the display of a display unit 514 included in the operation unit 512 and the input of various information received from an operator through an input unit 513 . As described above, in the first embodiment, the operating unit 512 is synonymous with the operator terminals 204 and 206 .

Next, software configurations of various devices according to the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6A is a block diagram illustrating the software configuration of the centralized management server 101 according to the first embodiment. These software modules are stored in the HDD 304 as programs, and are implemented by the CPU 301 developing the programs in the RAM 303 and executing them.

A centralized control terminal communication unit 601 performs data communication with the centralized control terminal 111 . For example, it generates data for a centralized control application running on the centralized control terminal 111 and transmits it to the centralized control terminal 111 . The centralized control terminal communication unit 601 also receives various instructions received from the centralized manager by the centralized control application.

A base management server communication unit 602 executes data communication with another device and acquires information on the printing base 105 subject to color management. For example, the color state information of the printing apparatuses 203 and 205 at the printing base 105 is acquired. The color state information includes the colorimetric value of the image printed by the printing device, the color difference between the colorimetric value and the target value, the pass/fail judgment result of whether or not the color difference is within the threshold value, and colorimetry. Includes colorimetric conditions (profile), etc. In addition, the site management server communication unit 602 transmits various control instructions to the site management server 102 according to instructions received from the centralized manager by the centralized management application. For example, the site management server 102 instructs the centralized management server 101 to change the notification interval for periodic notification of color state information for each printing apparatus. A data management unit 603 stores and manages various data related to centralized management processing. For example, data such as color state information of the printing site 105 acquired by the site management server communication unit 602 is stored. It also stores various content data to be distributed to the centralized control terminal 111 for execution of the centralized control application.

FIG. 6B is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the centralized control terminal 111 according to the first embodiment. These software modules are stored in the HDD 354 as programs, and are implemented by the CPU 351 developing the programs in the RAM 353 and executing them.

A data transmission/reception unit 621 performs data communication with the central control server 101 . For example, various content data to be displayed by a centralized management application are received from the centralized management server 101 . Also, various instruction information received from the centralized administrator on the centralized management application is transmitted to the centralized management server 101 . For example, an instruction to acquire color state information of each printing apparatus within the printing site 105 under management is transmitted. A centralized management application execution unit 622 executes an application for a centralized manager to manage information about the printing base 105 to be managed. The UI control unit 623 mainly executes processing related to displaying the UI screen of the centralized management application and accepting user input operations.

FIG. 7A is a block diagram illustrating the software configuration of the site management server 102 according to the first embodiment. These software modules are stored in the HDD 404 as programs, and are implemented by the CPU 401 developing the programs in the RAM 403 and executing them.

A centralized management server communication unit 701 performs data communication with the centralized management server 101 . For example, various information about the printing base 105 is transmitted to the central control server 101 . Alternatively, it receives instructions from the centralized management server 101 and executes various controls. A base management terminal communication unit 702 performs data communication with the base management terminal 211 . For example, it generates data for a site management application that operates on the site management terminal 211 and transmits it to the site management terminal 211 . The site management terminal communication unit 702 also receives various instructions received from the color expert by the site management application. For example, it receives an instruction to perform additional processing for the printing apparatus 203 to be managed, or an instruction to execute color confirmation processing for a specific printing apparatus 203 .

A printer communication unit 703 performs data communication with the printer 203 . For example, the site management application transmits an execution instruction for color confirmation processing and color adjustment processing to the printing apparatus 203 in accordance with an instruction received from a color expert. When instructing color adjustment processing, the printing device communication unit 703 acquires result information of the color adjustment processing executed by the printing device 203 from the printing device 203 . When a color confirmation process is instructed, the printing apparatus communication unit 703 acquires data obtained by measuring the color of the chart image by the color sensor 510 of the printing apparatus 203, and uses it for determination control of the color confirmation process. A target value preset in the data management unit 704 (to be described later) is compared with the received colorimetric value to calculate a difference (color difference). If it is determined that this calculated difference is within a predefined threshold, then it is determined that the colors of the image printed from printing device 203 meet the required color quality standards. Satisfying the required color quality standard means that the difference between the colorimetric value of the color of the image to be printed and the preset target value (reference) is small. Therefore, the printing device communication unit 703 currently assumes that the color values of the image printed from the printing device satisfy the color quality standard, and instructs the data management unit 704 to record the result of color confirmation processing, and performs UI control (to be described later). It instructs the unit 723 to display the result. On the other hand, if it is determined that the difference is greater than or equal to the threshold, it is determined that the colors of the image printed by the printing device 203 do not meet the color quality standard. In this case, the printing apparatus communication unit 703 transmits recovery processing settings for color confirmation processing to the printing apparatus 203 . For example, as recovery processing, the printing apparatus 203 automatically executes color adjustment processing (calibration). Furthermore, after completing the color adjustment process, the printing apparatus communication unit 703 re-executes the color confirmation process.

A data management unit 704 saves and manages various data related to site management processing. For example, the data of the printing device 203 acquired by the printing device communication unit 703 is stored. It also stores various content data to be delivered to the site management terminal 211 for executing the site management application. Further, it saves and manages setting information, target value information, etc. for color confirmation processing and color adjustment processing.

FIG. 7B is a block diagram illustrating the software configuration of the site management terminal 211 according to the first embodiment. These software modules are stored in the HDD 454 as programs, and are implemented by the CPU 451 developing the programs in the RAM 453 and executing them.

The data transmission/reception unit 721 performs data communication with the site management server 102 . For example, various content data to be displayed on the site management application are received from the site management server 102 . Also, various instruction information received from the color expert on the site management application is transmitted to the site management server 102 . For example, it is an instruction to perform additional processing of the printing apparatus 203 to be managed, or an instruction to execute color confirmation processing to a specific printing apparatus 203 .

A site management application execution unit 722 causes a color expert to execute an application for managing the printing apparatus 203 to be managed. The site management application execution unit 722 acquires information on the printing device 203 in the printing site 105 from the site management server 102 . Also, various control instructions for the printing apparatus 203 received from the color expert via the UI control unit 723 are transmitted to the site management server 102 . The UI control unit 723 mainly executes processing related to UI screen display of the site management application and acceptance of user input operations.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the software configuration of the printer controller 500 of the printing apparatus 203 according to the first embodiment. These software modules are stored in the HDD 504 as programs, and are implemented by the CPU 501 developing the programs in the RAM 503 and executing them. Since it is the same as in the case of the printing apparatus 205, the description thereof is omitted.

A UI control unit 801 controls the display of the display unit 514 of the printing apparatus 203 and the input from the input unit 513 . A print control unit 802 generates and manages print job data based on a print job execution instruction. For example, it performs processing necessary for execution of print processing, such as analysis of a print job, expansion into image data, image compression/decompression, and the like. It also performs processing such as writing to and reading from the HDD 504 regarding generated print jobs, and history management of printed jobs. A sensor control unit 803 controls the color sensor 510 described above. A sensor control unit 803 receives an instruction from the print control unit 802 and executes colorimetry processing on a printed matter such as a chart image used for calibration. This colorimetry result is transmitted to an external device via the color management unit 805 , a data management unit 806 described later, or the data transmission/reception unit 804 . A data transmission/reception unit 804 manages data transmission/reception with the site management server 102 . For example, it transmits to the base management server 102 the results of chart colorimetry and execution results of various functions of the printing apparatus 203 , which will be described later. It also transmits/receives data related to the output of normal print jobs other than data related to color management to/from an external device. A color management unit 805 controls processing for executing various functions for managing the color quality of an image printed by the printing apparatus 203 . Specifically, if the difference between the colorimetric value of the colorimetric chart data printed by the printing apparatus 203 and the target value (reference) is equal to or less than a threshold, it is determined that the color quality is satisfied. This color quality is managed.

An example of processing controlled by the color management unit 805 will be described below.

Color confirmation processing is processing for confirming the color quality of an image printed by the printing apparatus 203 at the timing of executing the processing. When the condition for starting color confirmation processing (color confirmation execution condition) is satisfied, the color management unit 805 of the printer controller 500 acquires chart data from the data management unit 806 . The color confirmation execution condition is defined as, for example, when printing of a predetermined value or more is executed, or when a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the previous color confirmation processing, the color confirmation execution condition is satisfied. Then, the print control unit 802 is instructed to print this chart data. If the color sensor 510 is instructed to perform colorimetry on the chart image printed based on the chart data, the colorimetry instruction to the color sensor 510 is also sent to the print control unit 802 at the same time. However, this is not the only option, and an embodiment in which the color management unit 805 directly transmits a colorimetry instruction to the sensor control unit 803 is also possible. After obtaining the colorimetry result of the printed chart image, the color management unit 805 transmits the colorimetry result to the base management server 102 via the data transmission/reception unit 804 . After this transmission, the determination result using the colorimetry result is received from the site management server 102 . If the determination result is NG (indicating that the required color quality standard is not satisfied), a recovery control instruction is received from the site management server 102 together with the determination result. The printer controller 500 controls each software module according to the contents of the received instruction.

In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the site management server 102 executes the determination process using the colorimetric results, but the printing apparatus 203 may execute the determination process. In that case, the color management unit 805 calculates the difference between the target value preset in the data management unit 806 and the colorimetric value, and determines whether this difference is within a predefined threshold value (desired color quality (whether or not the criteria are met). If the determination result is NG (if the difference is greater than or equal to the threshold value), follow the recovery control instruction subsequently received from the base management server 102 .

Next, color adjustment processing will be described. The color adjustment process is a so-called well-known calibration function, and various types of functions are provided to optimize multiple factors affecting color quality. In the following, color adjustment processing when executing the density gradation correction function will be described. In the color adjustment process, chart data is first printed, and colorimetric results of the printed chart image are obtained. The details of the control for printing the chart data and the colorimetry of the chart image are the same as in the above-described color confirmation processing, so detailed description thereof will be omitted. Then, a correction parameter for eliminating the difference between the acquired colorimetric result and the target value preset in the data management unit 806 is calculated and recorded in the data management unit 806 . This correction parameter is applied when outputting subsequent print jobs and printing images.

Next, color profile generation processing will be described. The color profile generation process is to generate a known color profile under conditions desired by the user of the printing apparatus. A color management unit 805 prints chart data and generates a color profile using the colorimetric results of the chart image. The details of the control for printing the chart data and the colorimetry of the chart image are the same as in the above-described color confirmation processing, so detailed description thereof will be omitted. The generated color profile is saved by the data management unit 806 . Thereafter, the print control unit 802 applies the color profile when executing the print job to be applied.

A data management unit 806 stores and manages data related to management (color management) of color measurement results of colors of images printed by the printing apparatus 203 . Data related to color management, such as setting information for color confirmation processing and color adjustment processing, preset target values, colorimetry values, execution logs for each process, color profiles, adjustment tables, etc., can be applied to print jobs. and parameter data related to color management. The data management unit 806 also stores and manages data other than data related to color management. For example, it handles information such as the device configuration and consumables of the printing apparatus 203 .

Functions provided by the color management system according to the first embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence regarding functions provided by the color management system according to the first embodiment.

<Function to acquire color status information of printing sites according to instructions from centralized administrator>
In response to the operation of the centralized manager, the centralized control terminal 111 requests the centralized control server 101 to acquire the color state information of the printers to be managed installed at all printing bases (HQT_S01). Upon receiving this request, the centralized management server 101 transmits to one or more site management servers 102 and 103 to be managed, a request to acquire the color state information of the printers 203 and 205 to be managed set at each site. (HQS_S01). The site management servers 102, 103 acquire the color state information of all the printing apparatuses 203, 205 installed at the printing sites to be managed from the data management unit 704 of the site management server 102 (S901), and centralize the information. Notify the management server 101 (FS_S01). The centralized management server 101 stores the color state information of each site notified from the site management server 102 in the data management unit 603 (S902). The centralized control server 101 also transmits the color state information of each site to the centralized control terminal 111 and displays it on the UI of the centralized control terminal 111 (HQS_S02).

<Notification of color status information at printing base>
In response to the operation of the centralized manager, the centralized control terminal 111 transmits to the centralized control server 101 an instruction for setting an interval for notifying the color state information of the printing apparatus in operation from the printing base to each printing base. (HQT_S02). In response to this, the centralized management server 101 transmits an instruction to one or more site management servers 102 and 103 to be managed to set an interval for notifying the color state information of the printing apparatus operating at each site. (HQS_S03). The base management server 102 stores the setting information of the notification interval of the color state information received from the central management server 101 in the data management unit 704 of the base management server 102 (S903). After that, the site management server 102 reaches the timing for notifying the centralized management server 101 of the color state information of the printing apparatus operating at each site based on the notification interval setting information (the color state information notification condition is met). ) is detected (S904). Then, each time the site management server 102 detects that the color state notification condition of the printing device is satisfied, the site management server 102 notifies the central management server 101 of the color state information of the printing device operating at the site (FS_S02 ).

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence regarding functions provided by the color management system according to the first embodiment.

<Manual execution of color confirmation processing>
In response to the operation of the color expert, the base management terminal 211 transmits a request to the base management server 102 to perform color confirmation processing of the specific printing devices 203 and 205 (FT_S01). Here, it is assumed that a request to execute color confirmation processing of the printing apparatus 203 has been received. The detailed processing contents of the color confirmation processing are as described above. In response to this, the site management server 102 transmits a request for executing color confirmation processing to the printing device 203 (FS_S03). Upon receiving the execution request, the printing apparatus 203 executes color confirmation processing (S1001). Then, data (read data) indicating the result of reading the chart image by the color sensor 510 is transmitted to the site management server 102 (P_S01). The base management server 102 analyzes the read data received from the printing device 203, and saves the analysis result in the data management unit 704 of the base management server 102 (S1002).

<Display of color confirmation processing result>
In response to the operation of the color expert, the site management terminal 211 transmits a request for acquiring color state information of the printing apparatus installed in the site to the site management server 102 (FT_S02). In response to this, the site management server 102 acquires the color state information of the printing apparatuses 203 and 205 installed in the site held in the data management unit 704 (S1003), and transmits it to the site management terminal 211. Display it on the UI (FS_S04).

<Automatic execution of color confirmation processing>
One or more printing apparatuses 203 installed in the site detect that a color confirmation execution condition (described later) is established (S1004) and execute color confirmation processing (S1005). In this color confirmation process, the printed chart image is read by the color sensor 510, and the read data (read data) is transmitted to the site management server 102 (P_S02). When the site management server 102 receives the read data from the printers 203 and 205, it analyzes the data and saves it in the data management unit 704 of the site management server 102 (S1006).

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of color confirmation processing provided by the color management system according to the first embodiment and a sequence automatically executed by the system according to the color confirmation result.

<Automatic execution of color confirmation processing and recovery processing>
The site management server 102 and one or more printing devices 203 and 205 in the site perform control as shown in S1101 to S1103, similar to control of automatic execution of color confirmation processing in FIG. The site management server 102 analyzes the data read by the color sensor 510 from the chart image printed when the color confirmation is executed, and stores the data in the data management unit 704 . As a result of the analysis of the read data, for example, if it is determined that the color value (color state) of the image to be printed by the printing apparatus 203 is not appropriate (does not satisfy the required color quality standard), the base management server 102 performs printing. A color adjustment execution request is issued to the device 203 (FS_S05). In response to this, the printing apparatus 203 executes color adjustment processing (S1104). Further, the printing apparatus 203 executes color confirmation processing again after completing the color adjustment processing (S1105), and transmits data of the chart image read by the color sensor 510 to the base management server 102 (P_S04). The site management server 102 analyzes the received read data again and stores it in the data management unit 704 (S1106). Further, when it is determined that the color state of the printing device 203 is not appropriate as a result of the analysis of the read data, the base management server 102 issues a warning display request to the base management terminal 211 and the printing device 203. Send (FS_S06, FS_S07). The printing device 203 displays a warning on the operator terminal 204 of the printing device 203 in response to the warning display request (S1108). The control flow of the site management server 102 and the printing device 203 in this sequence will be described later in detail.

<Automatic update of color confirmation profile>
The site management server 102 and one or more printing apparatuses 203 and 205 installed in the site perform control in steps S1109 to S1111, similar to the control of automatic execution of color confirmation processing in FIG. Also, the site management server 102 analyzes the data read by the color sensor 510 from the chart image printed when the color confirmation is executed, and stores the data in the data management unit 704 . Here, as a result of analysis of the read data, if the conditions for updating the color confirmation profile are met, the update contents are saved in the data management unit 704 (S1112), and a request for updating the color confirmation profile is transmitted to the printing apparatus 203. (FS_S08). The printing apparatus 203 updates the color confirmation profile settings held by the printing apparatus 203 in accordance with the contents of the received color confirmation profile update request, and stores the settings in the data management unit 806 (S1113).

Functions other than those shown in the above sequence diagram will be described below.

<Setting operation information for color management control for the printing device>
The base management server 102 distributes operation information of color management control to the printing apparatuses 203 and 205 installed at the printing base 105 to be managed. Operational information for color management control is, specifically, information necessary for executing color confirmation processing and color adjustment processing. The operation information of the color confirmation process includes, for example, execution conditions of the color confirmation process in the printing apparatuses 203 and 205, pass/fail judgment criteria for the result of the color confirmation process (threshold of color difference between the colorimetric value and the target value), and the like. . It also includes information on the recovery process of the printing apparatus when the color confirmation result is an error (the pass/fail judgment result for the confirmation result is negative). The operation information of the color adjustment process includes the patch configuration of the adjustment chart, the colorimetry device, the chart printing conditions, and the like.

<Confirmation/Adjustment Processing in Printing Device>
When the conditions for executing the color confirmation process using the operation information are satisfied, the color confirmation process is executed. In addition, recovery processing such as color adjustment processing is executed according to the result of the color confirmation processing. The details of this processing will be described later. Execution of the color confirmation processing and color adjustment processing is not limited to the case where the execution conditions of the operation information distributed by the base management server 102 are satisfied. When an instruction to execute these processes is received from the color expert on the UI screen of the site management terminal 211 , the site management terminal 211 transmits the execution instruction to the printing device 203 via the site management server 102 . Upon receiving this execution instruction, the printing apparatus 203 executes various processes. When the operator terminal 204 receives an instruction to execute these processes from the operator, the printing apparatus 203 executes various processes according to the execution instruction.

<Information Collection of Printing Devices 203 and 205 in Site Management Server 102>
The base management server 102 collects various information from the printing apparatuses 203 and 205 installed at the printing base 105 to be managed. The information of the printing apparatuses 203 and 205 is, for example, color state information, and information of execution history and execution result of color confirmation processing is acquired. Also, execution history information of color adjustment processing is acquired as color adjustment processing information. In addition, information on parts consumption and device status is also acquired.

<Information collection and analysis in base management server 102>
The site management server 102 processes information acquired from the printing devices 203 and 205 and generates data that can be displayed on the UI screen of the site management terminal 211 . The color expert accesses the site management server 102 from the site management terminal 211 and confirms the information of the printing apparatuses 203 and 205 on the UI screen of the site management application. By referring to the information displayed on the UI screen of the site management application, the color expert can centrally grasp the color management status of the multiple printing apparatuses 203 and 205 operating at the printing site 105 .

<Information Collection in Central Control Server 101>
The base management server 102 transmits information on the printing base 105 to the centralized management server 101 . The printing site information includes color state information obtained from information collected from the printing apparatuses 203 and 205 in the printing site 105, operating rate information of the printing apparatuses 203 and 205, and the like. The centralized administrator accesses the centralized management server 101 from the centralized management terminal 111 and confirms the above-described print base information on the UI screen of the centralized management application. By referring to the information displayed on the UI screen of the site management application, the central manager confirms whether the color management work being operated at each printing site 105 is appropriate. Also, the centralized manager centrally confirms the information of the printing apparatuses 203 and 205 of each printing base 105 .

<Information database>
Next, details of the information database of the color management system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A to 12C.

12A to 12C are diagrams for explaining the database of the color management system according to the first embodiment.

This database is realized by reading a program stored in the ROM 402 or HDD 404 of the site management server 102 into the RAM 403 and executing it by the CPU 401 . This database is stored in the data management unit 704 of the base management server 102, and each control unit transmits/receives information to/from the central management server 101, the base management terminal 211, and the printers 203 and 205 and updates the data as necessary. etc. However, the storage location of the database is not limited to this.

The color confirmation profile 3110 is a color confirmation profile DB (database) that collects information that should be set when operating color management work. The color confirmation profile 3110 consists of a color confirmation profile ID 1201 for identifying saved information, a setting name 1202 for displaying on a UI (to be described later), and the following information. Validity 1203 is information as to whether or not the color management work set in the color confirmation profile is valid. A color confirmation setting 1204 is link information to a color confirmation setting DB 1210 described later. A color confirmation execution condition 1205 is link information to a color confirmation execution condition DB 1220 described later. A color adjustment setting 1206 is link information to a color adjustment setting DB 1230 described later. The colorimetry result 1207 is link information to a colorimetry result DB 1280 (FIG. 12C), which will be described later. The color adjustment skip 1208 is setting information as to whether or not to execute the color adjustment setting set in the color confirmation profile when the color confirmation result is NG.

The color confirmation setting DB 1210 is a color confirmation setting DB that collects information that should be set when operating color confirmation work. The color confirmation setting DB 1210 includes a color confirmation setting ID 1211 for identifying saved information, a setting name 1212 for displaying on a UI (to be described later), and the following information. The patch chart 1213 is link information to a patch chart DB 1240 (FIG. 12B), which will be described later. A reference 1214 is link information to a reference DB 1250 (FIG. 12B), which will be described later. The criterion 1215 is link information to a criterion (threshold value) DB 1260 (FIG. 12B), which will be described later. Paper 1216 is paper information used when executing color confirmation processing. A job property 1217 is link information to a job property DB 1270, which will be described later.

The color confirmation execution condition DB 1220 is a color confirmation execution condition DB that collects execution condition information that should be set when operating color confirmation work. The ID 1221 includes a color confirmation execution condition ID for identifying saved information, a setting name 1222 for displaying on a UI (to be described later), and the following information. The day of the week and time 1223 is information on the day of the week and time that is one of the conditions for executing the color confirmation work set in the color confirmation setting 1210 . The number-of-prints interval 1224 is information on the number-of-prints interval, which is also one of the conditions for executing the color confirmation work.

The color adjustment setting DB 1230 is a color adjustment setting DB that collects information that should be set when operating color adjustment work. The color adjustment setting DB 1230 includes a color adjustment setting ID 1231 for identifying saved information, a setting name 1232 for displaying on a UI (to be described later), and the following information. Adjustment 1233 is information on color adjustment work. As a result of the color confirmation work, it is saved as information indicating the recovery process to be executed when it is determined that the color adjustment work is necessary. Recovery processing is, for example, calibration processing or profile creation processing. The number of color adjustment jobs to be stored in the color adjustment setting DB 1230 is not limited to one, and may be a plurality of adjustment jobs. Along with this, information regarding the order in which a plurality of adjustment operations are to be executed may also be stored.

The patch chart DB 1240 in FIG. 12B is a patch chart DB that collects information that should be set when operating color confirmation work, and stores information on patch data used for printing chart images used in color confirmation work. Stored. The patch chart DB 1240 has a patch chart ID 1241 for identifying saved information, a setting name 1242 for displaying on a UI (to be described later), and the following information. The number of patches 1243 is the number of patches to be printed on the patch chart. 1244 to 1246 are link information to a patch DB 12900 which will be described later. Patch DBs are created and stored as many as the number of patches specified by the number of patches 1243 .

The reference DB 1250 is a reference DB that collects information that should be set when operating color confirmation work. This is information about the target value for each patch, which is saved in a form corresponding to the patch chart information specified by the reference DB 1240 . The reference DB 1250 has a reference ID 1251 for identifying saved information, a setting name 1252 for displaying on a UI (to be described later), and the following information. The number of patches 1253 is the number of patches to be printed on the patch chart. 1254 to 1256 are link information to a patch DB 12900 which will be described later. Patch DBs are created and stored as many as the number of patches specified by the number of patches 1253 .

The determination criteria DB 1260 is a determination criteria DB that collects information that should be set when operating color confirmation work. This is information about determination items and their thresholds used when comparing the amount of difference between the calculated colorimetric result and the target value in order to determine whether or not the color quality is satisfied in the color confirmation work. The criterion DB 1260 has a criterion ID 1261 for identifying stored information, a setting name 1262 for displaying on a UI (to be described later), and the following information. The average 1263 is the average value of the difference amount of the whole patch, the maximum 1264 is the maximum value of the difference amount of the whole patch, 1265 is the patch value indicating paper white, 1266 to 1269 are cyan, magenta, yellow, respectively. This is the value of a solid black patch. As for the judgment criteria, the items indicated by 1263 to 1269 are listed in the first embodiment, but the criteria are not limited to these items. A part of these items or a combination of items with different indices may be used.

The job property DB 1270 is a job property DB that collects information that should be set when operating color confirmation work, and is information related to print settings for patch charts that are printed in color confirmation work. The job property DB 1270 includes a job property ID 1271 for identifying saved information, a setting name 1272 for displaying on a UI (to be described later), and the following information. Items described in the job property DB 1270 and subsequent ones include setting items necessary for a print job for printing a patch chart by the printing apparatuses 203 and 205 . These include input profile 1273 the input color profile, output profile 1274 the output color profile and halftone 1275 . Of course, the items are not limited to only these items, but are items set by the print control unit 802 in the printing apparatus 203 , and they are variable according to the printing apparatus 203 .

The colorimetry result DB 1280 in FIG. 12C is a colorimetry result DB that collects information on the colorimetry results of the color confirmation work. This is information about colorimetric values of patches printed and colorimetrically measured by the printing devices 203 and 205 . The colorimetry result DB 1280 has a colorimetry result ID 1281 for identifying stored information and the following information. The date and time of execution 1282 is information on the date and time when the color confirmation work was performed. The number of patches 1283 is information on the number of patches to be printed on the patch chart. 1284 to 1286 are link information to a patch DB 12900 which will be described later. As many patch DBs as the number of patches designated by the number of patches 1283 are created and stored.

The patch DB 12900 is a patch DB that collects information that should be set when operating color confirmation work, and is information related to patches that form a chart. The patch DB 12900 has a patch ID 12901 for identifying saved information, a setting name 12902 for displaying on a UI (to be described later), and the following information. 12903 to 12906 are patch input signal information, which correspond to cyan, magenta, yellow and black, respectively. 12907 to 12909 are information on the target values, which are references described in the reference DB 1250 . In the first embodiment, the color state information as the target value is described as information in the generally used CIE_L*a*b* color space. Any format is fine. For example, information on the CIE_XYZ color space or density information may be used.

12910 to 12912 are information related to the colorimetric results described in the colorimetric result DB 1280 . In the first embodiment, the same CIE_L*a*b* format as 12907 to 12909 is used, but information in other formats may be used. However, in order to calculate the difference, it is desirable to hold the colorimetry result information in the same format as the target value.

The printing device DB 12920 is a printing device DB that collects information on the printing devices 203 that the color expert wishes to use for color management and operation using the site management application. The printing device DB 12920 has a printing device ID 12921 for identifying saved information, a setting name 12922 for displaying on a UI (to be described later), and the following information. A color confirmation profile 12923 is link information to the color confirmation profile 3110 . The IP address 12924 is IP address information of the printing apparatus 203 . Of course, the items are not limited to these items, and any information for identifying the printing apparatus 203 may be used.

<Base management application UI>
Next, details of the site management application executed by the site management terminal 211 of the color management system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 25. FIG. As described above, the site management application handles the information necessary for the color expert to manage the printing device, but only the functions particularly related to color management will be described here. All of the UI screens described here are generated and controlled by the site management application execution unit 722 of the site management terminal 211 and displayed on a display unit (not shown) via the UI control unit 723 . Furthermore, instructions from the color expert are accepted through the UI and an operation unit (not shown). FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the TOP screen of the site management application according to the first embodiment.

Through this screen, the color expert presses various environment setting buttons 1301 for color management operation, a color management result confirmation button 1302, and a color management target device registration/deletion button 1303 to proceed to the next screen. can be executed by Also, the color expert can know from the message 1304 whether a problem is occurring in any of the managed printers. This message 1304 indicates that, for example, among the latest color confirmation results of the color confirmation profiles whose operation is valid in all of the printing apparatuses 203 and 205 managed by the color expert, the judgment result is an error. If so, display that information. The information to be displayed is not limited to the information in this figure, and may be other information useful for the color expert saved in the data management unit 704 of the site management server 102 .

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the environment setting screen of the color management application.

When the configuration button 1301 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 13, the site management application execution unit 722 generates the screen of FIG. be.

Reference numeral 1401 denotes a selected printing apparatus 203 for which environment setting is to be performed. The site management application execution unit 722 inquires of the data management unit 704, acquires the printing device DB 12920 of the printing device 203 registered by the color expert, and displays it. 1402, setting information for setting the color confirmation profile is selectively displayed. When the printing device 203 is selected, the site management application execution unit 722 inquires of the data management unit 704 . Information of the same color confirmation profile 3110 as that of the selected printing apparatus 203 is obtained from the printing apparatus DB 12920 and displayed as the color confirmation profile setting 1402 .

A color confirmation valid 1403 corresponds to the valid 1203 of the color confirmation profile 3110, and if this color confirmation profile is valid, it is displayed in a state in which it can be understood. When the column of color confirmation valid 1403 of the color confirmation profile whose setting is to be changed is pressed, the base management application execution unit 722 switches the setting from valid to invalid and vice versa, and changes the information to the valid color confirmation profile 3110 . Save to 1203. Items 1403 to 1406 and 1412 correspond to the color confirmation settings 1204 to color adjustment skip 1208 of the color confirmation profile 3110, respectively, and display setting names saved in each setting. A color adjustment skip 1412 represents a color adjustment skip setting that is one of the features of the first embodiment. A detailed description of this setting will be given later, but if the color adjustment skip setting is valid, it is displayed in a state in which it can be understood. When the color adjustment skip 1412 column of the color confirmation profile 1402 to be set is pressed, the site management application execution unit 722 switches the setting from valid to invalid and vice versa. The information is then saved in the color adjustment skip 1208 of the color confirmation profile 3110 . The color expert selects any valid color confirmation profile line, and changes the settings of the selected color confirmation profile. An edit button 1407 is a button for shifting to a screen for performing color confirmation settings, which will be described later. An edit button 1408 is a button for shifting to a screen for setting color confirmation execution conditions, which will be described later. An edit button 1409 is a button for shifting to a screen for performing color adjustment settings, which will be described later.

A new addition button 1410 is a button for newly adding a color confirmation profile setting. When the new addition button 1410 is pressed, the site management application execution unit 722 creates a new color confirmation profile 3110 and displays it in the color confirmation profile settings 1402 . More precisely, the site management application execution unit 722 transmits the information of the newly created color confirmation profile 3110 to the site management server 102 and stores it in the data management unit 704 . A delete button 1411 is a button for deleting the color confirmation profile setting. When the delete button 1411 is pressed while an arbitrary color confirmation profile is selected, the base management application execution unit 722 transmits to the base management server 102 that the selected color confirmation profile 3110 is to be deleted. As a result, the selected color confirmation profile 3110 is deleted from the data management unit 704 and deleted from the list.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a color confirmation setting edit screen in environment setting of the site management application according to the first embodiment.

This screen is the screen of FIG. 14. When the edit button 1407 for color confirmation settings is pressed, the base management application execution unit 722 generates this UI and sends it to the display unit (not shown) via the UI control unit 723. Is displayed.

A color confirmation setting 1501 selectively displays a list of color confirmation settings linked to the printing apparatus 203 selected on the screen in FIG. The site management application execution unit 722 inquires of the data management unit 704 to acquire the color confirmation setting information and displays it. The setting name list 1502 corresponds to the setting name 1212 of the acquired color confirmation setting DB 1210 . When an arbitrary color confirmation setting is selected by the color expert from the setting name list 1502, the base management application execution unit 722 inquires of the data management unit 704 and acquires detailed information on the color management setting. Then, the item 1503 and the setting name 1504 display the detailed information of the acquired color management setting. The items and setting names displayed here are the information of the patch chart 1213 to the job provider 1217 saved in the color confirmation setting DB 1210 . The setting name displayed in the patch chart column corresponds to the setting name 1242 of the patch chart DB 1240 . The setting name displayed in the reference column corresponds to the setting name 1252 of the reference DB 1250 . Also, the setting name displayed in the determination criteria column corresponds to the setting name 1262 of the determination criteria DB 1260 .

An edit button 1505 is a button for editing color confirmation settings. When an edit button 1505 is pressed, the content of each item can be edited. The details of editing each item will be described later. When the color expert edits the desired settings and presses the save button 1506 , the base management application execution unit 722 transmits the edited information to the base management server 102 and updates the registration information in the data management unit 704 . A delete button 1507 is a button for deleting the color confirmation setting. When the delete button 1507 is pressed by the color expert, the base management application execution unit 722 transmits to the base management server 102 that the information of the color confirmation setting selected in the setting name list 1502 is to be deleted. As a result, the selected color confirmation setting information is deleted from the data management unit 704 and also deleted from the setting name list 1502 . A new creation button 1508 is a button for creating new color confirmation settings. When the new creation button 1508 is pressed by the color expert, the base management application execution unit 722 creates a new color confirmation setting DB 1210 and displays it on this screen. More precisely, the base management application execution unit 722 transmits the newly created information of the color confirmation setting DB 1210 to the base management server 102 and stores it in the data management unit 704 .

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a patch chart edit screen in environment setting of the site management application according to the first embodiment.

This screen is the screen of FIG. It is displayed on a display unit (not shown).

A patch chart setting list 1601 selectively displays a list of patch chart settings linked to the printing apparatus 203 selected on the screen in FIG. The site management application execution unit 722 inquires of the data management unit 704 and acquires the patch chart setting information. Then, the acquired patch chart setting information is displayed. The setting name 1602 corresponds to the setting name 1242 of the acquired patch chart DB 1240 . When an arbitrary patch chart setting is selected by the color expert with this setting name 1602, the base management application execution unit 722 inquires of the data management unit 704 and acquires detailed information on the patch chart setting. Then, the patch number 1603 and the list 1604 display the detailed information of the acquired patch chart settings. The items and setting names displayed here are information corresponding to the number of patches 1243 to 1246 saved in the patch chart DB 1240 . A patch number 1603 is the number of patches stored in the patch number 1243 , and a list 1604 is input signal value information of patches stored in 1244 to 1246 of the patch chart DB 1240 . Items displayed in this list 1604 are created in the same number of columns as the number of patches displayed in the number of patches 1603 . For example, the information of patch 001 (1244) has detailed information in the patch DB 12900 at the link destination specified by patch 001 (1244), and the information of the input signal values (12903 to 12906) saved there is displayed. be done. Buttons 1605 to 1608 are buttons for editing, deleting, newly creating, and saving patch chart settings, respectively. The same operations as the buttons 1505 to 1508 on the color confirmation setting screen in FIG. 15 described above are performed on the patch chart database 1240, so the description is omitted here.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a reference editing screen in environment setting of the site management application according to the first embodiment.

When the edit button 1505 in the column of reference items for color confirmation settings is pressed on the screen of FIG. is displayed on the display of

A reference 1701 selectively displays a list of reference settings linked to the printing apparatus 203 selected on the screen in FIG. The site management application execution unit 722 inquires of the data management unit 704 to acquire the reference setting information and displays it. The setting name 1702 corresponds to the setting name 1252 of the acquired reference DB 1250 . When an arbitrary reference setting is selected by the color expert in the setting name 1702, the base management application execution unit 722 inquires of the data management unit 704 and acquires detailed information of the reference setting. Then, the detailed information of the acquired reference setting is displayed by the number of patches 1703 and the list 1704 . The items and setting names displayed here correspond to the number of patches 1253 to 1256 saved in the reference DB 1250 . The number of patches 1703 is the number of patches stored in the number of patches 1253 , and the list 1704 corresponds to input signal value information and target value information of patches stored in 1254 to 1256 of the reference DB 1250 . Items displayed in this list 1704 are created in the same number of columns as the number of patches displayed in the number of patches 1703 . For example, information on patch 001 (1254) has detailed information in patch DB 12900 at the link destination specified by 1254 in reference DB 1250 . Input signal value information (12903 to 12906) and target value information (12907 to 12909) stored in the patch DB 12900 are displayed. Buttons 1705 to 1708 are buttons for editing, deleting, newly creating, and saving reference settings, respectively. The same operations as the buttons 1505 to 1508 for editing, deleting, newly creating, and saving on the color confirmation setting screen in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a judgment criteria edit screen in environment setting of the site management application according to the first embodiment.

In this screen, when the edit button 1505 in the column of determination criteria items for color confirmation settings is pressed in the screen of FIG. It is displayed on a display unit (not shown).

A determination criterion 1801 selectively displays a list of determination criterion settings linked to the printing apparatus 203 selected on the screen in FIG. The site management application execution unit 722 acquires the determination criterion setting information by inquiring the data management unit 704 and displays it. The setting name 1802 corresponds to the setting name 1262 of the acquired criterion DB 1260 . When an arbitrary criterion setting is selected by the color expert in the setting name 1262 , the site management application execution unit 722 inquires the data management unit 704 to acquire detailed information on the criterion setting, and stores it in the list 1803 . display. The items and setting names displayed here correspond to the information of averages 1263 to 1269 saved in the criteria DB 1260 . Buttons 1804 to 1807 are buttons for editing, deleting, newly creating, and saving determination criteria settings, respectively. Since the same operations as the buttons 1505 to 1508 for editing, deleting, newly creating, and saving on the color confirmation setting screen of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a job property editing screen in environment setting of the site management application according to the first embodiment.

In this screen, when the edit button 1505 in the job property item column of the color confirmation setting is pressed in the screen of FIG. It is displayed on a display unit (not shown). A job property 1901 selectively displays a list of job property settings associated with the printing apparatus 203 selected on the UI 2101 of the printing apparatus. The site management application execution unit 722 obtains the job property setting information by inquiring the data management unit 704 and displays it. The setting name list 1902 corresponds to the setting name 1272 of the acquired job property DB 1270 . When an arbitrary job property setting is selected by the color expert in the setting name list 1902 , the site management application execution unit 722 inquires of the data management unit 704 to acquire detailed information on the job property setting, and transfers to list 1903 . display it. Items and setting names displayed in this list 1903 correspond to input profiles 1273 to 1275 saved in the job property DB 1270 . Buttons 1904 to 1908 are buttons for editing, deleting, newly creating, and saving job property settings, respectively. Since the buttons 1505 to 1508 for editing, deleting, newly creating, and saving on the job property DB 1270 are performed in the same manner as the buttons 1505 to 1508 on the color confirmation setting screen shown in FIG. 15, description thereof is omitted here.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a color confirmation execution condition edit screen in environment setting of the site management application according to the first embodiment.

14, when the edit button 1408 for color confirmation execution conditions is pressed, the site management application execution unit 722 generates this UI, and displays it on the display unit (not shown) via the UI control unit 723 displayed to. A color confirmation execution condition 2001 selectively displays a list of color confirmation execution conditions. The base management application execution unit 722 inquires of the data management unit 704 to acquire the color confirmation execution condition information and displays it. The setting name list 2002 corresponds to the setting name 1222 of the acquired color confirmation execution condition DB 1220 . When an arbitrary color confirmation execution condition is selected by the color expert in the setting name list 2002, the base management application execution unit 722 inquires of the data management unit 704 to acquire detailed information on the color confirmation execution condition, and displays items 2003 and 2003. Display it in setting name 2004 . The items and setting names displayed here correspond to the setting name 1223 to sheet interval 1224 saved in the color confirmation execution condition DB 1220 . Buttons 2005 to 2008 are buttons for editing, deleting, newly creating, and saving color confirmation execution conditions, respectively. For the color confirmation execution condition DB 1220, the operation is the same as that of the buttons for editing, deleting, newly creating, and saving on the color confirmation setting screen of FIG.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a color adjustment setting editing screen in environment setting of the site management application according to the first embodiment.

On this screen, when the edit button 1409 for color adjustment settings on the screen in FIG. be done. A color adjustment setting 2101 selects and displays a color adjustment setting list 2102 . The site management application execution unit 722 inquires of the data management unit 704 to acquire the color adjustment setting information and displays it. The list 2102 corresponds to the setting name 1232 of the acquired color adjustment setting DB 1230 . When an arbitrary color adjustment setting is selected by the color expert in the list 2102, the site management application execution unit 722 inquires of the data management unit 704 to acquire detailed information on the color adjustment setting, and the item 2103 and setting name 2104 are obtained. , to display it. The items and setting names displayed here correspond to setting names 1232 and adjustments 1233 saved in the color adjustment setting DB 1230 . Buttons 2105 to 2108 are buttons for editing, deleting, newly creating, and saving color adjustment settings, respectively. Since the same operations as the buttons for editing, deleting, newly creating, and saving on the color confirmation setting screen of FIG. 15 are performed for the color adjustment setting DB 1230, description thereof is omitted here.

14 to 21, the color expert executes environment settings necessary for color management. It should be noted that the UI screens for the environment settings described here and the setting items and formats displayed on them are just examples. Other UI screen configurations may be used.

The environment setting information regarding color management instructed by the site management application execution unit 722 and stored in the data management unit 704 is then transmitted from the printing apparatus communication unit 703 to the printing apparatus 203 . The printer controller 500 of the printing apparatus 203 saves the environment setting information received via the data transmission/reception unit 804 in the data management unit 806 . The color management unit 805 executes color confirmation processing when the color confirmation execution condition is satisfied according to the environment setting information. When the color confirmation process is executed, the color management unit 805 saves the colorimetry result information in the data management unit 806 , transmits it to the site management server 102 , and saves it in the data management unit 704 . The data management unit 704 saves the colorimetry result information transmitted from the color management unit 805 in 12901 to 12912 of the corresponding patch DB 12900 .

<Results of confirming the color of the printing device>
Next, an example of a UI screen that displays the result of color confirmation processing executed according to designated environment settings will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 to 24. FIG.

22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color confirmation result screen of the site management application according to the first embodiment; FIG.

In this screen, when the color confirmation result button 1302 is pressed in the screen of FIG. be. 2201 selects and displays the target printing apparatus 203 for which the color confirmation result is to be displayed. The base management application execution unit 722 inquires of the data management unit 704, acquires the information of the printing apparatus 203 registered by the color expert, and displays it. A color confirmation profile 2202 selectively displays a color confirmation profile associated with the selected printing apparatus 203 . When the printing device 203 is selected, the site management application execution unit 722 inquires of the data management unit 704 . Then, the same color management profile DB information as that of the selected printing apparatus 203 is acquired and displayed in the color confirmation profile 2202 . When an arbitrary color confirmation profile is selected by the color expert from the color confirmation profile 2202, the site management application execution unit 722 inquires of the data management unit 704 to acquire detailed information on the target color confirmation result. Then, the acquired detailed information is displayed in the determination result 2203 and execution date/time 2204 . The determination result 2203 displays determination result information of the executed color confirmation work. The base management application execution unit 722 acquires the target color confirmation profile 3110 information from the data management unit 704 . Based on the acquired information, the difference between the colorimetric value and the target value is calculated for each patch, and the result is compared with the determination criteria to determine the determination result.

Examples will be described below. Information about a certain patch is saved in the patch DB 12900 . In that case, patch colorimetric values are stored in 12910-12912 (L*_dev, a*_dev, b*_dev) and target values are stored in 12007-12009 (L*_ref, a *_ref, b*_ref). The difference Delta_E for use in determination in that patch can be expressed, for example, by the following equation.

Delta_E=((L*_ref-L*_dev) ² +(a*_ref-a*_dev) ² +(b*_ref-b*_dev) ² ) ^(1/2)
Here, the colorimetric values and the target values are in the CIE_L*a*b* space, and a general color difference (Delta_E) calculation is performed, but the calculation of the difference amount is not limited to this formula. . The calculated Delta_E is compared with the threshold for each setting item in the criteria DB 1260 . For the average, for example, the threshold stored in the average 1263 is used to compare with the average Delta_E value of all patches specified in the patch chart DB 1240 . Similarly, for all the items set in the criteria DB 1260, the measured values stored in 12910-12912 of the patch DB 12900 are compared with the thresholds stored in 1263-1269 of the criteria DB 1260. regular,
(Actual value) <= (threshold of criterion item)
If the relationship is , the determination result is OK, and if the relationship is the opposite, the determination result is NG.

The site management application execution unit 722 displays the determination result of all or part of the previously executed color confirmation processing saved in the data management unit 704 in the determination result 2203 . Execution date and time 2204 displays information on the execution date and time when each color confirmation process was executed. The location management application execution unit 722 acquires the colorimetry result DB 1280 information from the data management unit 704 and displays the execution date/time information stored in the execution date/time 1282 . When the detail button 2205 is pressed by the color expert when he/she wants to know more detailed information of the determination result, the management application execution unit 722 displays the screen of FIG. 23, for example.

23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color confirmation result screen of the site management application according to the first embodiment; FIG.

When the details button 2205 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 22, the site management application execution unit 722 generates this UI and displays it on the display unit (not shown) via the UI control unit 723. FIG. 2301 displays detailed information on the result of the selected color confirmation process. The site management application execution unit 722 collects necessary information from the data management unit 704 and displays it. Although the information of the printing device DB 12920, the color confirmation profile 3110, the determination result, and the date and time of execution 1282 are displayed here, the present invention is not limited to these, and other information may be displayed.

A determination result 2302 and a colorimetric value 2303 display detailed information based on the determination criteria for the result of the selected color confirmation process. The management application execution unit 722 collects necessary information from the data management unit 704 and displays it. Here, the information calculated by the above-described determination process for each of the determination criteria 1263 to 1269 included in the determination criteria DB 1260 is displayed. Since the determination result is displayed for each determination item, the color expert uses it as information for analyzing specifically which item was the cause of the NG when the printing device 203 is determined to be NG. can. A button 2304 is a detailed patch colorimetry result button, and when pressed by the color expert to know the detailed colorimetry result of each patch, the management application execution unit 722 displays the screen shown in FIG. .

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a color confirmation result screen of the site management application.

23, when the patch colorimetry result details button 2304 is pressed, the base management application execution unit 722 generates this UI, and sends it to the display unit (not shown) via the UI control unit 723. Is displayed. 2401 displays detailed information on the result of the selected color confirmation process, which is the same information as 2301 in FIG. 23, so description thereof will be omitted. A patch colorimetry result 2402 displays detailed information based on the patch information for the result of the selected color confirmation process. The management application execution unit 722 collects necessary information from the data management unit 704 and displays it. Here, the following values are displayed for each patch saved in the patch chart DB used for determination. That is, input signal value information (12903 to 12906), colorimetric values (12910 to 12912), target reference values (12907 to 12909), and the values of dE_L*a*b* obtained by the above formula are displayed. Based on this information, the color expert can use it as information for grasping the color characteristics of the printing apparatus 203 and performing more detailed analysis when the determination result is NG.

<Registration/deletion of printing device>
Next, an example of a UI screen for registering/deleting a printing device managed by a color management application will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing device registration screen of the site management application according to the first embodiment.

13, when the printing device registration deletion button 1303 is pressed, the base management application execution unit 722 generates this UI and displays it on the display unit (not shown) via the UI control unit 723. be. A printer list 2501 displays information about registered printers. The management application execution unit 722 collects necessary information from the data management unit 704 and displays it. Although the setting name 12922 and IP address information 12924 are displayed here, the present invention is not limited to these, and other information regarding the printing apparatus may be displayed.

When the registration button 2503 is pressed by the color expert, the site management application execution unit 722 creates a new printer DB 12920 and displays it in the printer list 2501 . Furthermore, the site management application execution unit 722 transmits the information to the site management server 102 and stores it in the data management unit 704 . When the delete button 2504 is pressed by the color expert, the site management application execution unit 722 transmits to the site management server 102 that information on the printing device selected in the printing device list 2501 is to be deleted. As a result, information on the selected printing device is deleted from the data management unit 704 and also deleted from the printing device list 2501 .

Based on the functions and operations of each server, terminal, and printing apparatus described above, an example of processing controlled by the site management server 102 will be described below. In the first embodiment, color confirmation processing is executed. 26 and 27 are flow charts for the control flow regarding the result of analysis of the result of this color confirmation processing, the color adjustment processing performed according to the adjustment skip setting, and the notification to the color expert and operator (hereafter referred to as the user). to explain.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing processing of the site management server 102 according to the first embodiment. The processing shown in this flow chart is achieved by the CPU 401 expanding the program stored in the HDD 404 into the RAM 403 and executing the expanded program.

First, in step S2601, the CPU 401 determines whether color confirmation colorimetric data has been received from the printing apparatus 203. If it is determined that color confirmation colorimetric data has been received, the process advances to step S2602. The color confirmation colorimetric data is data including the colorimetric results of the chart image printed by the printing apparatus 203 . In S2602, the CPU 401 analyzes the received color confirmation colorimetry data and advances to S2603. This analysis means, for example, that the difference (ΔE) between the L, a, and b colorimetric data of each patch and the L, a, and b data of the target values as shown in the patch DB 12900 is calculated in advance for each determination criterion. It is calculated by a determined formula. Next, in step S2603, the CPU 401 acquires from the data management unit 704 the determination reference threshold set in the printing apparatus 203, which is the source of the color confirmation colorimetry data, and compares it with the data calculated in step S2602. Then, it is determined whether or not the comparison result is within the determination criteria, and the process proceeds to S2604. In this determination, not only are all items of each determination criterion determined, but also whether or not the color state of the printing apparatus 203 is finally in an appropriate state is determined. At this time, when it is determined that even one determination result of each determination criterion is out of the determination criterion range, it is determined that the color state of the printing apparatus is an inappropriate state (NG). In step S2604, the CPU 401 stores the read data received in step S2601, the analysis data analyzed in step S2602, and the determination result determined in step S2603 as color confirmation results in the data management unit 704 in association with the date and time and printer information. Proceed to S2605. Here, this color confirmation result is transmitted to the site management terminal 211 via the site management terminal communication unit 702 if there is an acquisition request from the site management terminal 211 . Further, when the user requests to display the color confirmation result, the base management terminal 211 acquires the color confirmation result from the base management server 102 via the data transmission/reception unit 721, and displays the results as illustrated in FIGS. display correct color confirmation results. In other words, the color confirmation results held here are stored so as to be displayable in response to a display request from the user, and the site management server 102 does not actively notify the color confirmation results.

Next, the CPU 401 advances to S2605 to determine whether the determination result in S2603 is OK or NG. If the determination result is NG, the process proceeds to S2606. In S2606, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the setting for skipping the color adjustment process is valid as the operation information for the color confirmation process. As described above, information regarding this setting is set in the color adjustment skip 1208 of the color confirmation profile 3110 . The CPU 401 confirms the setting information of this color adjustment skip 1208, and proceeds to S2610 if the color adjustment skip is set to be valid, and proceeds to S2607 if it is set to be invalid. In S2607, the CPU 401 determines whether or not all the color adjustment processes set as recovery processes when the determination result is NG have been executed. If some of the color adjustment processes set as recovery processes have not been executed, the process advances to S2609, and if all have been executed, the process advances to S2608. In step S<b>2608 , the CPU 401 determines that the inappropriate color state of the image printed by the printing apparatus 203 has not been improved even though all the preset color adjustment processes have been executed. The user is notified that the color state of the image to be printed by the printing apparatus 203 as shown in FIG. 28 is inappropriate, and the process advances to step S2610.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by the site management terminal 211 according to the first embodiment, which indicates that the color state of the image printed by the printing device 203 is inappropriate.

FIG. 28 displays that the color status of the printer 203 (printer_001) is not normal, and that printing by the printer 203 is stopped.

Information on this screen is generated by the site management application execution unit 722 of the site management terminal 211 and displayed on a display unit (not shown) via the UI control unit 723 . In the first embodiment, as a method of notifying the user of this fact, a message is displayed on the site management terminal 211 used by the user to check the color state of the image printed by the printing apparatus 203. is not. For example, this message may be sent to the printing device 203 to display a warning on the display unit of the printing device 203, or the display of a lamp such as tally blinking may be controlled. Also, if there is a separate mobile terminal device carried by the color expert, it may be controlled to notify the warning to that device. On the other hand, if there is unexecuted color adjustment processing, the process advances to step S2609. Send and return to S2601.

In step S2610, the CPU 401 transmits to the printing apparatus 203 via the printing apparatus communication unit 703 the determination result of the color confirmation data in step S2603 and the fact that additional color adjustment is unnecessary, and ends this process. If the color adjustment skip is enabled in S2606, information indicating that the determination result is NG and that additional color adjustment is unnecessary are transmitted.

Next, a characteristic control flow of the printing apparatus 203 that communicates various data and commands with the site management server 102 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the printing apparatus 203 according to the first embodiment. The processing shown in this flow chart is achieved by the CPU 501 expanding the program stored in the HDD 504 into the RAM 503 and executing the expanded program.

First, in S2701, the CPU 501 determines whether or not the conditions for executing the color confirmation process are satisfied based on the color confirmation execution conditions exemplified in the color confirmation execution condition DB 1220, and determines whether the color confirmation execution conditions are satisfied. If so, the process advances to S2702. In step S2702, the CPU 501 refers to the patch chart 1213, paper 1216, and job property 1217 of the color confirmation setting DB 1210, acquires the settings necessary for executing color confirmation processing from the data management unit 806 of the printer controller 500, and executes the settings in step S2703. proceed to In step S2703, the CPU 501 arranges the patch data on paper according to the settings based on the settings obtained in step S2702, causes the printing unit 509 to print the chart image, and proceeds to step S2704. In step S<b>2704 , the CPU 501 reads the sheet on which the chart image is printed with the color sensor 510 built into the printer 508 . Then, the read data read by the color sensor 510 is stored in association with the patch on each chart image, and the process advances to S2705. In S2705, the CPU 501 transmits the read data held in S2704 to the site management server 102 via the data transmission/reception unit 804, and proceeds to S2706.

In step S2706, the CPU 501 determines whether or not the determination result of the read data at the time of color confirmation has been received from the site management server 102 via the data transmission/reception unit 804. If it is determined that the determination result has been received, step S2707 is performed. proceed to In S2707, the CPU 501 ends the process if the determination result received in S2706 is OK (color state is appropriate), and advances to S2708 if NG (color state is inappropriate). In S<b>2708 , the CPU 501 determines whether or not a color adjustment execution instruction has been received from the site management server 102 via the data transmission/reception unit 804 . If it is determined that a color adjustment execution instruction has been received, the process advances to step S2709, and if it is determined that a notification that color adjustment is unnecessary has been received, the process ends. Here, if the color adjustment skip is valid in S2606 described above, even if the determination result in S2707 is NG, an instruction that color adjustment processing is unnecessary is received in S2708, and the process ends as it is. In step S2709, the CPU 501 controls the color management unit 805 to execute color adjustment processing according to the color adjustment instruction received in step S2708, and upon completion of the color adjustment processing, confirms whether or not an appropriate color state has been achieved. Therefore, the process returns to S2702 to start the color confirmation process again.

In the first embodiment, the case where the printing apparatus 203 executes the color confirmation process when the condition for executing the color confirmation process is satisfied has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be configured such that a user's execution request for color confirmation processing can be received from the operation unit 512 of the printing apparatus 203, and the control flow from step S2702 onwards is executed. Alternatively, it may be configured such that a request for execution of color confirmation processing can be received from the user via the site management terminal 211 . Alternatively, the base management server 102 may check whether the color confirmation execution condition is satisfied and the color adjustment skip setting, and may be configured to notify the execution instruction of the color confirmation processing.

In the first embodiment, analysis of read data for color confirmation and determination of the color confirmation state are performed by the base management server 102, but this is not the only option. For example, the determination criteria are stored in advance in the data management unit 806 of the printing apparatus 203, and when the printing apparatus 203 executes color confirmation processing, the printing apparatus 203 determines whether or not the determination criteria are met. You can

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, when it is determined that the color state of the image to be printed by the printing apparatus 203 is not appropriate as a result of the determination after color confirmation, the color state of the image to be printed by the printing apparatus 203 is improved. The base management server 102 instructs execution of color adjustment processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the data management unit 806 of the printing apparatus 203 holds the color adjustment processing and execution order in advance, and when the printing apparatus 203 determines that the color state of the image to be printed is inappropriate, the printing apparatus 203 However, the color adjustment process may be automatically executed. At this time, the printing apparatus 203 also notifies the site management server 102 that the color adjustment process has been executed.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to automatically perform control so that an image printed by a printing device has appropriate colors according to the result of color confirmation processing executed by the printing device. becomes. As a result, the work efficiency of the operator or color expert can be improved.

Furthermore, it is possible to set whether or not to perform a predetermined recovery process (image adjustment process) when the determination of the color confirmation process is NG. This makes it possible to achieve both control that requires appropriate color management and control that does not require color management but only wants to perform color confirmation processing, thereby preventing the occurrence of unnecessary downtime.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment described above, there is an example in which both the control of performing the color adjustment process when the determination of the color confirmation process is NG and the control of not performing the color adjustment process even when the determination is NG. explained. As a result, for example, if the judgment result of the color confirmation process using the paper that is actually output after the color confirmation process is NG, the color adjustment skip setting is disabled so that the color adjustment process is continuously performed. do. On the other hand, if the judgment result of the color confirmation process, which is operated for the purpose of color confirmation under common conditions for the entire printing device managed by the color expert, is NG, flexible control such as validating the color adjustment skip setting. enable

However, if such a color adjustment skip can be freely set, in all color management controls that are operated with the color adjustment skip setting enabled in all processes, it is determined that the color confirmation process is NG. You can set it so that no color adjustment is performed at all. This is not an operation for providing the desired color state for the color management of the printing apparatus, resulting in a state in which appropriate color management cannot be performed.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, an example in which a warning is given to the user when the color adjustment skip setting is enabled in all of the color confirmation profiles for which the operation setting is enabled will be described. do. Note that the hardware configuration of the color management system according to the second embodiment, the hardware configuration of each server and each device, and the like are the same as those of the above-described embodiments, so the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart illustrating processing of the site management server 102 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The processing shown in this flow chart is achieved by the CPU 401 expanding the program stored in the HDD 404 into the RAM 403 and executing the expanded program.

First, in S2901, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the color confirmation profile 3110 has been updated, and advances to S2902 if it is determined that it has been updated. In S2902, the CPU 401 selects the first color confirmation profile and proceeds to S2903. In S2903, the CPU 401 determines whether the color confirmation setting of the selected color confirmation profile is valid. Specifically, the setting information of the valid 1203 is referred to, and if it is valid, the process proceeds to S2904; otherwise, the process proceeds to S2905. In S2904, the CPU 401 determines whether the setting of the color adjustment skip 1208 is valid. If the color adjustment skip is valid, the process proceeds to S2905; otherwise, the process ends. When the color adjustment skip is disabled, the presence of one or more color confirmation profiles for which the color confirmation is enabled and the color adjustment skip is disabled indicates that the color management operation desired by the user is appropriately set. judge. Then, this processing ends without checking the setting contents of other color confirmation profiles.

If the color confirmation setting is not valid in S2903, or if it is determined that the color adjustment skip is valid in S2904, the CPU 401 determines in S2905 that this color confirmation profile is not subject to color management operation, and performs all color confirmation. Determine if you have selected a profile. If it is determined here that all color confirmation profiles have not been selected, the process advances to S2906, the CPU 401 selects the next color confirmation profile, and returns to S2903. If the CPU 401 determines in S2905 that all color confirmation profiles have been selected, the process advances to S2907 to notify the user of a warning message, which will be described later, and terminate this process.

By executing the processing described above, the CPU 401 outputs the warning message only when there is no color confirmation profile in which color confirmation is valid and color adjustment skip is invalid among all the color confirmation profiles. to be notified.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a warning message notified to the user in S2907 of FIG.

This screen is generated and controlled by the site management application execution unit 722 and displayed on the display unit (not shown) via the UI control unit B23. This screen warns the user that none of the color confirmation profiles in operation with valid color confirmation settings are set to perform color adjustment processing when it is determined to be NG. displaying a message. That is, since color adjustment skip is enabled in all valid color management profiles, it warns that color adjustment processing will not be executed if it is determined to be NG.

The site management application execution unit 722 of the site management terminal 211 presents this warning message to the user, thereby making the user aware that the color management operation is inappropriate. Further, on this screen, the site management application execution unit 722 may have a button 3001 for moving the display to the environment setting screen of FIG. 14, for example, for setting the color confirmation profile. Furthermore, a button 3002 may be provided for allowing the user to select whether to register this setting as it is.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the color adjustment skip setting is enabled for all color checking profiles among the color checking profiles whose operational settings are enabled, a warning is issued to the user. can be notified. As a result, even if the color determination result is determined to be NG without the user's recognition, it is possible to prevent the operation from being set to not perform color adjustment.

<Embodiment 3>
In the first embodiment described above, an example has been described in which unnecessary downtime is prevented by providing the color adjustment skip setting. According to this, as long as the color adjustment skip is set, the color adjustment process will not be executed even if the color confirmation determination result is NG. If such a state continues for a long time, it is expected that it will become difficult to grasp the normal color state of the printing apparatus. For example, when a color expert manages colors using a common color confirmation profile for a plurality of printing devices, disables color adjustment skipping for one printing device and disables color adjustment skipping for another printing device. It is conceivable that it is set to valid. This is because the types of print jobs normally output by each printing device are different. However, if such a situation occurs, there is a risk that the effectiveness of comparing the color states of printing apparatuses under the same conditions will be reduced.

Therefore, in the third embodiment, in addition to being able to set color adjustment skipping, specific condition settings are provided. That is, when the color adjustment skip setting is valid and the color confirmation determination result is NG, when the specific condition is satisfied, the color adjustment is not skipped and the set color adjustment processing is executed. An example is given. Note that the hardware configuration of the color management system according to the third embodiment, the hardware configuration of each server and each device, and the like are the same as those of the above-described embodiments, so the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 31 is a diagram explaining part of the database of the color management system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This database is a DB whose settings are extended from the DB of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C. This database is stored in the data management unit 704 of the base management server 102, and each control unit performs information transmission/reception and data update with the central management server 101, the base management terminal 211, and the printer 203 as necessary. .

A color confirmation profile 3100 is a color confirmation profile DB that collects information to be set when operating color management work. 3101 to 3108 are the same as 1201 to 1208 in the first embodiment, so description thereof will be omitted. The forced color adjustment execution condition 3109 is link information to the information DB 3110 of the forced color adjustment execution condition, which is a feature of the third embodiment. The forced color adjustment execution condition DB 3110 is a setting information DB of forced color adjustment execution conditions, and stores conditions for forcibly executing color adjustment processing when skipping of color adjustment is set. The forced color adjustment execution condition DB 3110 has a forced color adjustment execution condition setting ID 3111 for identifying saved information and the following information. The consecutive NG count 3112 is information on the number of consecutive NG determination results in the color confirmation process. The day of the week and time 3113 is information on the day of the week and time for forcibly executing the color adjustment process. The sheet interval 3114 is information on the sheet interval for forcibly executing the color adjustment process.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the site management server 102 according to the third embodiment. The processing shown in this flow chart is achieved by the CPU 401 expanding the program stored in the HDD 404 into the RAM 403 and executing the expanded program. Further, in FIG. 32, the same reference numerals are given to the processes that are common to the processes described in FIG. 26 according to the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted, and only the difference will be described here.

If it is determined in S2605 that the determination result is NG, and if it is determined in S2606 that the setting for skipping color adjustment processing is enabled, the process advances to S3201. In S3201, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the color adjustment forced execution condition is satisfied. Here, the CPU 401 reads the execution conditions set in the color adjustment forced execution condition DB 3110 and determines whether any one of the conditions is satisfied. If at least one of the conditions is satisfied here, it is considered that the conditions are satisfied, and the process proceeds to S2607. If not, the process proceeds to S2610. Condition satisfaction means, for example, when the number of times set in the number of consecutive NGs 3112 is reached, or when color adjustment is performed past the day and time set in the day and time 3113, or when the number of sheets is set in the sheet interval 3114. This refers to the case where color adjustment is performed beyond the specified number of sheets interval. However, this execution condition is not limited to all or part of the items listed here. For example, another condition such as creating a new color confirmation profile and forcibly executing it for the first time may be set.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting conditions for forced execution of color adjustment of the site management application according to the third embodiment.

This screen is generated and controlled by the site management application execution unit 722 . When the edit button (not shown) of the color adjustment skip setting item 1412 is pressed on the screen of FIG. display to the department. A color adjustment setting 3301 displays a color confirmation profile for setting color adjustment skipping. A radio button 3302 is a button for switching enable/disable of the color adjustment skip setting. Settings similar to those of 1412 described in the first embodiment can be performed here. When the radio button 3302 is pressed, the setting is changed from valid to invalid and vice versa, and the current setting is displayed in a clear state.

An item 3303 and a setting name 3304 display a list of information on settings for forced execution of color adjustment. The base management application execution unit 722 obtains information by inquiring the data management unit 704 and displays it. Further, when the user presses the column of each item, the setting contents are changed. When the save button 3305 is pressed, the site management application execution unit 722 saves the information set on this screen in the color adjustment forced execution condition DB 3110 .

As described above, according to the third embodiment, a specific condition setting is provided in addition to the color adjustment skip setting. When the condition is satisfied, the set color adjustment processing is performed without skipping the color adjustment even if the color adjustment skip is set when the judgment result of the color confirmation is NG. to run. As a result, it is possible to maintain the effectiveness of comparing the color states of a plurality of printing devices under the same conditions.
(Other embodiments)
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, the software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads the program. This is the process to be executed.

101... Centralized control server 102, 103... Location management server 203, 205... Printing device 510... Color sensor 722... Location management application execution unit

Claims (11)

An information processing device for managing a printing device at a printing site having at least one printing device,
receiving means for receiving color confirmation setting information and information indicating whether or not to perform color adjustment processing when color quality standards are not satisfied as a result of executing color confirmation processing;
The color confirmation setting information received by the receiving means is transmitted to a target printing apparatus included in the printing base to execute color confirmation processing based on the color confirmation setting information , and as a result of executing the color confirmation processing, color quality is determined. Control means for controlling the target printing device not to perform the color adjustment process if the criteria are not met and the information received by the receiving means is information indicating that the color adjustment process is not to be performed. When,
An information processing device comprising: If the control means does not satisfy the color quality standard as a result of executing the color confirmation process and the information received by the receiving means is information indicating that the color adjustment process is to be performed, the target printing 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is controlled to perform the color adjustment processing. further comprising changing means for changing information indicating that the color adjustment processing is not performed when the color quality standard is not satisfied as a result of the color confirmation processing to information indicating that the color adjustment processing is performed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by: 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color quality standard is a standard of color values. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color confirmation process is a process of printing a color chart, reading the printed color chart, and transmitting the read data to the information processing device. The information processing device described. A control method for controlling an information processing device that manages a printing device at a printing site having at least one printing device, comprising:
a receiving step of receiving color confirmation setting information and information indicating whether or not to perform color adjustment processing when color quality standards are not satisfied as a result of executing color confirmation processing;
The color confirmation setting information received in the receiving step is transmitted to a target printing apparatus included in the printing base to execute color confirmation processing based on the color confirmation setting information , and as a result of executing the color confirmation processing, the color quality is determined. a control step of controlling the target printing device not to perform the color adjustment processing when the criteria are not met and the information received in the receiving step is information indicating that the color adjustment processing is not performed; ,
A control method characterized by having In the control step, when the color quality standard is not satisfied as a result of executing the color confirmation processing and the information received in the receiving step is information indicating that the color adjustment processing is to be performed, the printing of the target is performed. 7. The control method according to claim 6 , further comprising controlling a device to perform said color adjustment processing. further comprising a changing step of changing information indicating that the color adjustment processing is not performed when the color quality standard is not satisfied as a result of executing the color confirmation processing, to information indicating that the color adjustment processing is performed. 7. The control method according to claim 6, characterized by: 9. A control method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the color quality criterion is a criterion of color values. 10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the color confirmation process is a process of printing a color chart, reading the printed color chart, and transmitting the read data to the information processing device. Described control method. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .

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