JP7404867B2 - printing system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a printing system in which a printing company prints on print media based on a customer's request.

Conventionally, in printing companies that have a printing factory and a business office located in a different location from the printing factory, color images printed by the printer at the business office are exchanged with the printing requester as a result. There is a technology for performing mass production printing using an agreed upon color image as an original image using a mass production printer at a printing factory (Patent Document 1).

In the technology of Patent Document 1, a printing factory of a printing company creates a profile for printing an image that is color-matched to the original image printed by a printer at a business office using a mass-production printer in the printing factory. request. The profile creation company sends the chart data to the printing company's office by email. The printing company's office uses the office's printer to print color chart samples based on the chart data.

The printing company's office mails the color chart sample to the profile creation company. The profile creation company creates a profile based on the received color chart sample. The profile creation company sends the profile via email to the printing factory of the printing company. The printing factory of the printing company uses the received profile to create a composite profile to simulate the printer at the office, and sets it in the printer driver of the mass-produced printer at the printing factory. A printing company's printing plant can use a composite profile to print an image that is color matched to the original image using a mass production printer.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-345576

However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the color chart sample printed at the printing company's office needs to be mailed to the profile creation company. Therefore, it takes several days from the time the printing factory requests the creation of a profile to the time the printing factory receives the profile.

(1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a first information terminal owned by a first provider that provides a printer, a second information terminal owned by a second provider that provides a print medium, and a second information terminal that is owned by a second provider that provides a print medium; A printing system is provided in which client information terminals each of one or more clients that print on a print medium and to which the printer is connected and a management unit that processes and stores information are connected via a network. Ru. The management unit includes a tool reception unit that receives a profile creation tool as software from the first information terminal, a tool storage unit that stores the profile creation tool, and a tool reception unit that receives a profile creation tool as software from the first information terminal, and a tool storage unit that stores the profile creation tool. a tool transmitting unit that transmits the profile creation tool stored in the tool storage unit to the second information terminal when received from a terminal; and using the profile creation tool received by the second information terminal. a settings reception unit that receives print setting information including a profile created according to a combination of a printer model and a print medium type from the second information terminal; and a setting that stores one or more pieces of the print setting information. When a storage unit receives a request to obtain the print setting information specified by a combination of a printer model and a print medium type from the client information terminal, the one or more information stored in the setting storage unit and a settings transmitter that selects the identified print settings information from among the print settings information and sends the selected print settings information to the client information terminal. When the management unit satisfies predetermined conditions, including that the print setting information received from the second information terminal is created by the profile creation tool transmitted by the tool transmission unit. Then, the print setting information received from the second information terminal is stored in the setting storage section. The client printer, which is connected to the client information terminal and is of the same model as the printer used to specify the print setting information, uses the print settings received by the client information terminal. The information is used to perform the printing on the same type of print media as the type of print media used to specify the print settings information.

(2) According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a client information terminal owned by a client that prints on a print medium using a printer and to which the printer is connected, and a management unit that processes and stores information. , a printing system connected via a network is provided. The management section includes a setting storage section that stores one or more pieces of print setting information each including a profile corresponding to a combination of a printer model and a print medium type. The client information terminal transmits a request to obtain the print setting information specified by a combination of a printer model and a print medium type to the management unit, and sends the one or more print settings information stored in the setting storage unit. The specified print setting information in the print setting information is received from the management unit. The client printer, which is connected to the client information terminal and is of the same model as the printer used to specify the print setting information, uses the print settings received by the client information terminal. using the information to perform the printing on the same type of print media as the type of print media used to identify the print settings information, and the print settings information satisfies a predetermined condition. When the quality assurance conditions are satisfied, in the printing, a predetermined quality assurance label can be printed in an area on the print medium that is different from the image to be printed.

(3) According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a first information terminal owned by a first provider that provides a printer, a second information terminal owned by a second provider that provides a print medium, and a second information terminal that uses the printer. A printing system is provided in which client information terminals, each of which is owned by one or more clients that prints on the print medium, and to which the printer is connected, and a management unit that processes and stores information are connected via a network. provided. The management unit includes a tool reception unit that receives a profile creation tool as software from the first information terminal, a tool storage unit that stores the profile creation tool, and a tool reception unit that receives a profile creation tool as software from the first information terminal, and a tool storage unit that stores the profile creation tool. a tool transmitting unit that transmits the profile creation tool stored in the tool storage unit to the second information terminal when received from a terminal; and using the profile creation tool received by the second information terminal. a settings reception unit that receives print setting information including a profile created according to a combination of a printer model and a print medium type from the second information terminal; and a setting that stores one or more pieces of the print setting information. When a storage unit receives a request to obtain the print setting information specified by a combination of a printer model and a print medium type from the client information terminal, the one or more information stored in the setting storage unit and a settings transmitter that selects the identified print settings information from among the print settings information and sends the selected print settings information to the client information terminal. When the management unit satisfies predetermined conditions, including that the print setting information received from the second information terminal is created by the profile creation tool transmitted by the tool transmission unit. Then, the print setting information received from the second information terminal is stored in the setting storage section. The client printer, which is connected to the client information terminal and is of the same model as the printer used to specify the print setting information, uses the print settings received by the client information terminal. The information is used to perform the printing on the same type of print media as the type of print media used to specify the print settings information. The client information terminal transmits information representing the performance of the printing performed by the client printer using the print setting information to the management unit. The first information terminal receives information representing the performance of the printing from the management unit, and transmits information representing a remuneration determined based on the performance of the printing and the print setting information to the management unit. The information is transmitted to the second information terminal that transmitted the information.

(4) According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, a first information terminal owned by a first provider that provides a printer, a second information terminal owned by a second provider that provides a print medium, a printer model, and a printer. a third information terminal owned by a third provider that provides a profile according to the combination with the type of media; and a printer owned by one or more clients that prints on the print medium using the printer and the profile. A printing system is provided in which a client information terminal connected to a client information terminal and a management unit that processes and stores information are connected via a network. The management unit includes a tool reception unit that receives a profile creation tool as software from the first information terminal, a tool storage unit that stores the profile creation tool, and a tool reception unit that receives a profile creation tool as software from the first information terminal, and a tool storage unit that stores the profile creation tool. a tool transmitting unit that transmits the profile creation tool stored in the tool storage unit to the third information terminal when received from a terminal; and using the profile creation tool received by the third information terminal. a settings reception unit that receives print setting information including a profile created according to a combination of a printer model and a print medium type from the third information terminal; and a setting that stores one or more pieces of the print setting information. When a storage unit receives a request to obtain the print setting information specified by a combination of a printer model and a print medium type from the client information terminal, the one or more information stored in the setting storage unit and a settings transmitter that selects the identified print settings information from among the print settings information and sends the selected print settings information to the client information terminal. The client printer, which is connected to the client information terminal and is of the same model as the printer used to specify the print setting information, uses the print settings received by the client information terminal. The information is used to perform the printing on the same type of print media as the type of print media used to specify the print settings information. The client information terminal transmits information representing the performance of the printing performed by the client printer using the print setting information to the management unit. Either or both of the first information terminal and the second information terminal receive information representing the performance of the printing from the management unit, and perform printing by the client printer using the print setting information. information representing a remuneration determined based on the performance of the printing performed is transmitted to the third information terminal that has transmitted the print setting information to the management unit.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a printing system PS according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the relationship among a computer 100pp of a printer provider PP, a computer 100v of a media vendor MV, a computer 100a of a printer PCa, a computer 100b of a printer PCb, and a computer 100s of a management server Sv. It is a block diagram showing the functional blocks of the computer 100s of the management server Sv. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of print setting information Ips stored in the management server Sv. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the process of confirming and storing print setting information Ips in the management server Sv. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by application software that controls the printer 200a at the printing vendor PCa after reading print setting information Ips. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing printed matter PM generated as a result of printing executed in step S350 of FIG. 6. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a printing system PS3 according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the functional blocks of computer 100s of management server Sv in a 3rd embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a printing system PS4 according to the present embodiment. This is a block diagram showing the relationship among a computer 100psv of a print setting vendor PSV, a computer 100pp of a printer provider PP, a computer 100v of a media vendor MV, a computer 100a of a printer PCa, a computer 100b of a printer PCb, and a computer 100s of a management server Sv. be. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a color management system used in the printing systems PS and PS2 of FIG. 1, the printing system PS3 of FIG. 8, and the printing system PS4 of FIG. 10. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of an ICC profile 500. FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen 800 displayed on a computer screen when a profile is adjusted. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a process of adjusting the print results of a product printer whose print results are the print results of a target printer. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of adjusting print results between product printers. 7 is a flowchart showing a process for creating a B2A table 621 and a color separation table 750 as a color conversion table.

(1) Conventionally, in a printing company that has a printing factory and a business office located in a location different from the printing factory, color images printed by the printer at the business office, which are shared between the printer and the printing client. There is a technology for performing mass production printing using a mass production printer at a printing factory using a color image that has been agreed upon as a result as an original image (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-345576).

In the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-345576, a printing factory of a printing company creates a profile for printing an image that is color-matched to the original image printed by a printer at a business office using a mass-production printer in the printing factory. , ask a profile creation company. The profile creation company sends the chart data to the printing company's office by email. The printing company's office uses the office's printer to print color chart samples based on the chart data.

The printing company's office mails the color chart sample to the profile creation company. The profile creation company creates a profile based on the received color chart sample. The profile creation company sends the profile via email to the printing factory of the printing company. The printing factory of the printing company uses the received profile to create a composite profile to simulate the printer at the office, and sets it in the printer driver of the mass-produced printer at the printing factory. A printing company's printing plant can use a composite profile to print an image that is color matched to the original image using a mass production printer.

However, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-345576, the color chart sample printed at the printing company's office needs to be mailed to the profile creation company. Therefore, it takes several days from the time the printing factory requests the creation of a profile to the time the printing factory receives the profile.

(2) Conventionally, it was determined whether each installed consumable was a genuine product or a non-genuine product, and the operation mode was "genuine product mode" and all consumables were non-genuine products. There is a multifunction printer that prohibits printing when specific conditions are met (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-300694). In the technology disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-300694, when the operation mode is "non-genuine product permission mode" and some of the consumables are non-genuine products, a history log of the use of non-genuine products is saved. Print on the top.

However, with the technology disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-300694, even if the person who requested the printing receives a printed matter printed using a non-genuine product from a printing company, the person who requested the printing will be able to receive the printed matter using a non-genuine product. You cannot notice that the quality of the printed material has deteriorated. Until now, there has been no system that guarantees the quality of color reproduction in printed matter.

(3) Conventionally, there is a system that provides printing profiles and charges users (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-108323). In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-108323, a copy of the print profile is transferred to a personal computer at a design and production company. At design and production companies, the print profile is set on a personal computer and used for color conversion. In the profile management server, when transferring the print profile, the usage log of the profile information is updated, and a predetermined fee is charged based on the usage log. That is, payment is made from the design/production company to the profile management center depending on the extent to which the design/production company uses the print profile.

However, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-108323, no consideration is given to measures for improving the quality of the prepared print profile.

(4) Conventionally, there is a system that provides printing profiles and charges users (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-108323). In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-108323, a copy of the print profile is transferred to a personal computer at a design and production company. At design and production companies, the print profile is set on a personal computer and used for color conversion. In the profile management server, when transferring the print profile, the usage log of the profile information is updated, and a predetermined fee is charged based on the usage log. That is, payment is made from the design/production company to the profile management center depending on the extent to which the design/production company uses the print profile.

However, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-108323, no consideration is given to measures for improving the quality of the prepared print profile.

A. First embodiment:
A1. Printing system configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the printing system PS of this embodiment. The printing system PS consists of a printer provider PP, a media vendor MV, printing companies PCa and PCb, a business office PCao of the printing company PCa, a subsidiary PCas of the printing company PCa, a management server Sv, and an orderer. Including OP. PCas, a subsidiary of printing company PCa, is also referred to as printing company PCas.

The printer provider PP is a company that manufactures printers and supplies them to outside parties (see the lower right part of FIG. 1). Specifically, printer provider PP provides printers 200 and 300 used by media vendor MV, printing companies PCa and PCb, printing company PCa's office PCao, and printing company PCa's subsidiary PCas. Printers 200 and 300 are inkjet printers.

The printer 200 manufactured by printer provider PP is used by printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas to mass-produce printed matter. The printers 200 used by printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas are referred to as printers 200a, 200b, and 200as, respectively (see the lower left part of FIG. 1).

The printer 200 manufactured by the printer provider PP is used to generate print setting information Ips at the media vendor MV, printer provider PP, and management server Sv. The printer 200 used in the media vendor MV is referred to as a "printer 200v." The printer 200 used by the printer provider PP will be referred to as a "printer 200pp." The printer 200 used in the management server Sv is referred to as a "printer 200s" (see the upper right, upper center, and lower right of FIG. 1).

The printers 200a, 200b, 200as, 200v, 200pp, and 200s are of the same model. In this specification, when printers 200a, 200b, 200as, 200v, 200pp, and 200s are referred to without distinction, they are referred to as printer 200. The printer 200 includes a sensor for measuring the printing state of the printed matter produced by the printer 200. Specifically, the printer 200 includes a spectrophotometer for measuring colors applied to a printed matter, and a digital still camera for photographing an image formed on the printed matter.

The printer 300 manufactured by the printer provider PP is used to generate print samples at the business office PCao of the printer PCa (see the middle left part of FIG. 1).

The printer provider PP has a computer 100pp, a display device 115pp, an input device 116pp, and a printer 200pp (see the lower right part of FIG. 1). Printer 200pp is connected to computer 100pp. The computer 100pp controls the printer 200pp. The computer 100pp includes a CPU 111pp, which is a processor, a ROM 112pp, and a RAM 113pp. As used herein, "RAM" includes semiconductor memory and fixed disks.

A program for controlling the printer 200pp is installed on the computer 100pp. In the computer 100pp, a CPU 111pp, a RAM 113pp, and a ROM 112pp as hardware resources cooperate with a control program. Specifically, the CPU 111pp loads a computer program stored in the ROM 112pp or the RAM 113pp, which is a fixed disk, into the RAM 113pp, which is a semiconductor memory, and executes it, thereby realizing various functions. Information acquired or generated by the CPU 111pp is stored in the RAM 113pp.

Media vendor MV is a company that manufactures various types of print media MD and supplies them to outside parties (see the upper right part of FIG. 1). In FIG. 1, the media vendor MV is depicted as one component. However, in reality, media vendors MV are multiple companies that perform similar functions and are in competition with each other.

The print medium MD includes a rolled elongated medium and a sheet-like medium. The media vendor MV provides print media MD used at printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas as well as printing company PCa's office PCao. The print medium MD manufactured by the media vendor MV is used by printers PCa, PCb, and PCas to mass-produce printed matter (see the center of FIG. 1). The print medium MD manufactured by the media vendor MV is used to generate a print sample at the business office PCao of the printer PCa (see the middle left part of FIG. 1).

Even if printing is performed based on the same image data, the image expressed on the print medium will depend on the combination of the printer model used, the print medium MD used, the print mode used in the printer, etc. The appearance of the printed results will be different. Note that "print medium MD" is a generic term that includes different types of print media.

The media vendor MV includes a computer 100v, a display device 115v, an input device 116v, and a printer 200v (see the upper right part of FIG. 1). Printer 200v is connected to computer 100v. Computer 100v controls printer 200v. The computer 100v includes a CPU 111v, which is a processor, a ROM 112v, and a RAM 113v.

A program for controlling the printer 200v is installed on the computer 100v. In the computer 100v, a CPU 111v, a RAM 113v, and a ROM 112v as hardware resources cooperate with a control program. Specifically, the CPU 111v loads a computer program stored in the ROM 112v or the RAM 113v, which is a fixed disk, into the RAM 113v, which is a semiconductor memory, and executes it, thereby realizing various functions. Information acquired or generated by the CPU 111v is stored in the RAM 113v.

Printing companies PCa and PCb are companies that produce printed matter (see the center of FIG. 10). Printers PCa and PCb receive a request from orderer OP for job Jb to manufacture printed matter PM (see the lower center part of FIG. 10), and use printers 200a and 200b and profiles to print on print media MD. conduct. In addition to printing with the printer 200a owned by the printer 200a, the printer PCa can generate the printed matter PM requested by the orderer OP by printing with the printer 200as owned by the printer 200as, which is a subsidiary of the printer PCa. can.

Printing company PCa has a computer 100a, a display device 115a, an input device 116a, and a printer 200a. Printer 200a is connected to computer 100a. Computer 100a controls printer 200a. The computer 100a includes a CPU 111a, which is a processor, a ROM 112a, and a RAM 113a.

A program for controlling the printer 200a is installed in the computer 100a. In the computer 100a, a CPU 111a, a RAM 113a, and a ROM 112a as hardware resources cooperate with a control program. Specifically, the CPU 111a implements various functions by loading a computer program stored in the ROM 112a or the RAM 113a, which is a fixed disk, into the RAM 113a, which is a semiconductor memory, and executing it. Information acquired or generated by the CPU 111a is stored in the RAM 113a.

Printer PCb has a computer 100b, a display device 115b, an input device 116b, and a printer 200b. Printer 200b is connected to computer 100b. The functions performed by the computer 100b, the display device 115b, the input device 116b, and the printer 200b in the printer PCb are the same as the functions performed by the computer 100a, the display device 115a, the input device 116a, and the printer 200a in the printer PCa. In the configurations owned by printers PCb, PCas, and office PCao, the configurations corresponding to those owned by printer PCa have "b", "as", and "ao" added instead of "a" at the end. and show.

Printer PCas is a company that produces printed matter. Printing company PCas receives a request for job Jb to manufacture printed matter from printing company PCa, which is a parent company, and prints on print medium MD using printer 200as (see the lower left part of FIG. 1). Printer PCas has a computer 100as, a display device 115as, an input device 116as, and a printer 200as. The printer 200as is connected to the computer 100as. The functions performed by the computer 100as, the display device 115as, the input device 116as, and the printer 200as in the printing company PCas are the same as the functions performed by the computer 100a, the display device 115a, the input device 116a, and the printer 200a in the printing company PCa.

The business office PCao is a business office of a printing company PCa (see the middle left part of FIG. 1). At the business office PCao, a meeting is held between the person in charge of the printing company PCa and the orderer OP, and the details of the job Jb to be requested from the printing company PCa are specified. Specifically, in a meeting between the person in charge of the printing company PCa and the orderer OP, the content of the job Jb requested to the printing company PCa is specified based on the print sample generated by the printer 300.

Business office PCao includes a computer 100ao, a display device 115ao, an input device 116ao, and a printer 300. Printer 300 is connected to computer 100ao. The functions performed by the computer 100ao, the display device 115ao, the input device 116ao, and the printer 300 at the business office PCao are the same as the functions performed by the computer 100a, the display device 115a, the input device 116a, and the printer 200a at the printing business PCa.

The model of printer 300 used at business office PCao is different from the model of printers 200a and 200as used for mass production of printed matter at printing companies PCa and PCas. In this embodiment, the print medium MD used at the business office PCao and the print medium MD used at the printing companies PCa and PCas are the same. The business office PCao is supplied with a printer 300 and a print medium MD from a printing company PCa.

The management server Sv is a computer system that can send and receive information between the printer provider PP, the media vendor MV, the printing companies PCa and PCb, the printing company PCa's office PCao, and the printing company PCa's subsidiary PCas. (See the upper middle part of Figure 1). The management server Sv is connected via a network to a printer provider PP, a media vendor MV, printing companies PCa and PCb, a business office PCao of the printing company PCa, and a subsidiary PCas of the printing company PCa. The management server Sv processes and stores information obtained from the printer provider PP, the media vendor MV, the printer PCa, PCb, the printer PCa's office PCao, and the printer PCa's subsidiary PCas.

The management server Sv includes a computer 100s, a display device 115s, an input device 116s, and a printer 200s. The functions performed by the display device 115s, input device 116s, and printer 200s in the management server Sv are the same as the functions performed by the display device 115a, input device 116a, and printer 200a in the printer PCa. In addition to the printer 200s, the management server Sv includes various types of printers provided by the printer provider PP.

In addition to the functions performed by the computer 100a at the printer PCa, the computer 100s also functions between the computer 100v of the media vendor MV, the computers 100, 100b, and 100as of the printers PCa, PCb, and PCas, and the computer 100ao of the office PCao. It performs the function of transmitting and receiving information.

The computer 100s includes a CPU 111s, which is a processor, a ROM 112s, and a RAM 113s. A program for transmitting and receiving the above information and a program for controlling the printer 200s are installed in the computer 100s. In the computer 100s, a CPU 111s, a RAM 113s, and a ROM 112s as hardware resources cooperate with a control program. Specifically, the CPU 111s loads a computer program stored in the ROM 112s or the RAM 113s, which is a fixed disk, into the RAM 113s, which is a semiconductor memory, and executes it, thereby realizing various functions. Information acquired or generated by the CPU 111s is stored in the RAM 113s.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the relationship among the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP, the computer 100v of the media vendor MV, the computer 100a of the printer PCa, the computer 100b of the printer PCb, and the computer 100s of the management server Sv. Note that the computer 100as of the printer PCas and the computer 100ao of the office PCao have substantially the same configuration and functions as the computer 100a of the printer PCa or the computer 100b of the printer PCb, so they are not shown in FIG. are doing.

The computer 100pp of the printer provider PP includes an interface 117pp for communicating with the outside (see the upper right part of FIG. 2). The interface 117pp functions as a transmitter 117pps that transmits information to the outside, and a receiver 117ppr that receives information from the outside.

Similarly, the computer 100v of the media vendor MV, the computer 100a of the printer PCa, the computer 100b of the printer PCb, and the computer 100s of the management server Sv have interfaces 117v, 117a, 117b, 117s that function as a transmitter and a receiver. , respectively. When the interfaces 117pp, 117v, 117a, 117b, and 117s are expressed without distinction, they are expressed as interface 117. In each computer, a configuration with an "s" added to the end of the code indicating an interface is shown as a transmitter. In each computer, a configuration with an "r" added to the end of the code indicating an interface is shown as a receiving section.

In the printing system PS, a computer 100pp owned by a printer provider PP, a computer 100v owned by a media vendor MV, computers 100a and 100b owned by printing companies PCa and PCb to which a printer 200 is connected, and a management server Sv. are connected via their respective interfaces 117 and the Internet INT.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional blocks of the computer 100s of the management server Sv. The management server Sv includes, as functional units, a tool reception unit 111srT, a tool storage unit 113sT, a tool transmission unit 111ssT, a setting reception unit 111srS, a setting storage unit 113sS, and a setting transmission unit 111ssS. Specifically, the tool reception unit 111srT, tool transmission unit 111ssT, setting reception unit 111srS, and setting transmission unit 111ssS as functional units are realized by the CPU 111s (see the left part of FIG. 3). Specifically, the tool storage unit 113sT and the setting storage unit 113sS as functional units are realized by the RAM 113s (see the upper right part of FIG. 3).

The tool reception unit 111srT receives the profile creation tool PMT as software from the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP. The tool storage unit 113sT stores the profile creation tool PMT. The profile creation tool PMT will be explained later.

When the tool sending unit 111ssT receives an acquisition request for the profile creation tool PMT from the computer 100v of the media vendor MV, the tool sending unit 111ssT transmits the profile creation tool PMT stored in the tool storage unit 113sT to the computer 100v of the media vendor MV. .

The setting reception unit 111srS receives print setting information Ips including the profile 1060 from the computer 100v of the media vendor MV (see the upper center of FIG. 1). The profile 1060 of the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV is created according to the combination of the model of the printer 200 and the type of print medium MD using the profile creation tool PMT received by the computer 100v of the media vendor MV. has been done. Details of the print setting information Ips and the profile 1060 will be explained later. Of the setting reception unit 111srS, a functional unit that receives print setting information Ips from the computer 100v of the media vendor MV is shown in FIG. 3 as a “second setting reception unit 111srS2”.

The setting reception unit 111srS receives print setting information Ips including the profile 1060 from the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP (see the middle right part of FIG. 1). The profile 1060 of the print setting information Ips received from the printer provider PP is created by the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP using the profile creation tool PMT according to the combination of the model of the printer 200 and the type of print medium MD. ing. Of the settings receiving unit 111srS, a functional unit that receives print setting information Ips from the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP is shown as a “first settings receiving unit 111srS1” in FIG. 3.

The setting storage unit 113sS stores one or more pieces of print setting information Ips (see the upper center of FIG. 1).

When the setting sending unit 111ssS receives an acquisition request for print setting information Ips from the computer 100a or 100b, the setting sending unit 111ssS selects the print setting information Ips specified in the acquisition request from among the one or more pieces of print setting information Ips stored in the setting storage unit 113sS. The selected print setting information Ips is sent to the computers 100a and 100b (see the center of FIG. 1). The print setting information Ips is specified in the acquisition request by a combination of the model of the printer 200 and the type 1020 of the print medium MD.

A2. Processing in the printing system:
(1) Generating and uploading print setting information:
The printer provider PP prepares the printer 200v and the profile creation tool PMT, and provides the printer 200v and the profile creation tool PMT to the media vendor MV (see the middle right part of FIG. 1). The profile creation tool PMT is software for creating a profile used when printing by the printers 200, 300. Specifically, the profile creation tool PMT is executed on the CPU 111v of the computer 100v. The profile will be explained later.

In the middle right part of FIG. 1, each configuration is shown so that the profile creation tool PMT is sent from the printer provider PP to the media vendor MV in order to facilitate understanding of the technology. However, in reality, as described above, the profile creation tool PMT is provided to the media vendor MV via the management server Sv.

The media vendor MV uses the printer 200v and the profile creation tool PMT to create a profile according to the combination of the printer 200v model and the various types of print media MD manufactured by the media vendor MV. The profile includes color conversion information for the printer 200 of the model to perform the most desirable color reproduction when printing on the print medium MD based on the print data. The media vendor MV transmits the print setting information Ips including the profile to the management server Sv in order to have the print setting information Ips stored in the management server Sv (see the upper center part of FIG. 1).

Such processing is performed for each type of print medium MD provided by the media vendor MV. As a result, the management server Sv stores one or more print setting information Ips each including a profile corresponding to a combination of a printer and a print medium MD. The media vendor MV pays the printer provider PP a consideration Pcv corresponding to the number of print setting information Ips to be stored in the management server Sv (see the middle right part of FIG. 1).

The specific payment process for consideration Pcv is performed via the management server Sv. As processing by hardware, the following processing is performed. That is, the computer 100v of the media vendor MV sends information Pcv representing the price to be paid according to the number of print setting information Ips that the computer 100v stores in the management server Sv to the printer provider PP via the computer 100s of the management server Sv. Send to computer 100pp.

By performing such processing, the printer provider PP can obtain compensation Pcv corresponding to the extent to which the media vendor MV utilizes the printing system PS. The media vendor MV can utilize the printing system PS to further promote the use of the printing medium MD by the printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas, in accordance with the increase in the consideration Pcv paid to the printer provider PP. Therefore, an increase in the consideration Pcv in response to an increase in the number of print setting information Ips is unlikely to be perceived as a large burden on the media vendor MV.

In the process of transmitting the print setting information Ips to the management server Sv, the computer 100v of the media vendor MV selects one or more of the printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas that can download the print setting information Ips from the management server Sv. It is possible to specify a printing vendor and execute a process of transmitting print setting information Ips. The management server Sv downloads the stored print setting information Ips sent from the media vendor MV by specifying a printing company that can download it only to the specified printing company. (See the middle left part of Figure 1).

For example, a media vendor MV that is requested by a printing company PCa to generate print setting information Ips for using a special ink generates print setting information Ips according to the special ink and becomes a printing company that can download it. Print setting information Ips is sent to the management server Sv by specifying only the printing vendor PCa and the subsidiary PCas of the printing vendor PCa. Then, the management server Sv allows only the printing company PCa and the subsidiary PCas of the printing company PCa to download the print setting information Ips. Even when the media vendor MV is requested by the printer PCa to manufacture a special print medium, the media vendor MV and the management server Sv can perform similar processing.

By performing such processing, the media vendor MV can provide print setting information Ips only to one or more printing companies that have a specific relationship with the media vendor MV. One or more designated printing companies can use print setting information Ips that cannot be used by other printing companies.

Note that the processing performed by the media vendor MV described above may be performed by the media vendor MV itself, which is a company that manufactures the print medium MD, or may be performed by an agent of the media vendor MV. That is, the agent of the media vendor MV may receive the printer 200v and the profile creation tool PMT from the printer provider PP and generate the print setting information Ips (see the middle right part of FIG. 1). In the description of this embodiment, the term "media vendor MV" includes not only the media vendor MV itself but also the agency of the media vendor MV.

Furthermore, the processing performed by the media vendor MV described above is also performed by the printer provider PP. The printer provider PP uses the printer 200pp and the profile creation tool PMT to create a profile according to the combination of the printer 200pp and various types of print media MD provided by the media vendor MV or the printer provider PP. . The computer 100pp of the printer provider PP creates print setting information Ips including the profile, and transmits the print setting information Ips to the management server Sv in order to store it in the management server Sv (see the middle right part of FIG. 1). Such processing is performed for each type of print medium MD provided by the media vendor MV or printer provider PP.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of print setting information Ips stored in the management server Sv. The print setting information Ips includes information 1010 on the model of the target printer, information 1020 on the type of print medium to be used, information 1030 on the type of ink to be used in the target printer, and information 1030 on the type of ink to be used in the target printer. The target printer includes information 1040 on the print mode to be used, information 1050 on printer operation setting parameters including the media feed speed of the target printer, and information 1060 on the profile of the target printer.

The print setting information Ips further includes a creator ID 1110 representing the creator who created the print setting information Ips, information 1120 about the creation method when the print setting information Ips was created, and printing using the print setting information Ips. includes quality level information 1130 representing the quality of the print result when Specifically, the creator ID 1110, creation method information 1120, and quality level information 1130 are included in the print setting information Ips as tags included in the profile 1060.

The print mode specified by the print mode information 1040 is the operation mode of the printer. For each print mode, (i) the nozzle used for printing out of all the nozzles of the printer, (ii) the sub-scanning feed amount, (iii) the number of printing passes during printing, and (iv) the ink dots formed on the print medium. resolution, etc. are set. The "number of printing passes" is the number of main scans performed when forming one raster line on the print medium. The "resolution" of an ink dot is the number of ink dots that can be formed per unit length, eg, one inch.

"Main scanning" is the repeated relative feeding between the print medium and print head during printing, and is performed along a direction perpendicular to the feed direction when the print medium is conveyed to a position facing the print head. This is a relative feed. Some printers do not perform main scanning when printing. "Sub-scanning" is the repeated relative feeding between the printing medium and the print head during printing, and is carried out in a direction parallel to the feeding direction when the printing medium is conveyed to a position facing the print head. , relative feed. In some print modes, the sub-scan feed amount is a constant value, and in other print modes, the sub-scan feed amount is a combination of a plurality of amounts whose execution order is determined. Main scanning and sub-scanning cause the nozzles of the print head to be placed at various positions relative to the print medium, and ink droplets are ejected to various positions on the print medium.

The printer operation setting parameter information 1050 includes, in addition to the transport speed of the medium in the printer, the upper limit of the temperature of the expected usage environment of the printer, the slipperiness of the print medium supplied to the printer, and the printer's This includes the amount of force that presses the print medium during printing and the amount of tension that is applied to the print medium by the printer during printing.

The creator ID 1110 represents the creator of the print setting information Ips. The creator of the print setting information Ips is the licensee of the profile creation tool PMT used to create the print setting information Ips (see the middle right part of FIG. 1). The creator ID 1110 is automatically stored in the print setting information Ips by the profile creation tool PMT when the profile creation tool PMT generates the print setting information Ips. The creator ID is stored in advance in the profile creation tool PMT when the profile creation tool PMT is provided to the media vendor MV.

The creator ID is different for each media vendor MV provided by the profile creation tool PMT. That is, the creator ID can be associated on a one-to-one basis with the media vendor MV and the agency of the media vendor MV who are licensed to use the profile creation tool PMT. A creator ID can also be assigned to each individual worker who is an employee of the media vendor MV. The printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas that have downloaded the print setting information Ips from the management server Sv can know the creator of the print setting information Ips based on the creator ID 1110 in the print setting information Ips (see the lower part of Figure 1). (See left).

The quality level information 1130 includes evaluation values of color reproduction accuracy, color reproduction range, gradation characteristics, graininess, and ink bleeding regarding the print result. In order to create quality level information 1130, media vendor MV performs the following processing.

The media vendor MV uses the printer 200v to print a color chart on the print medium MD. Print data for the color chart is stored in advance in application software that controls the printer 200.

The media vendor MV measures the print result of the color chart with a sensor of the printer 200v, and determines an evaluation value for the print result based on the output of the sensor. Specifically, color reproduction accuracy, color reproduction range, and gradation characteristics are evaluated based on the output of the spectrophotometer. Graininess and ink bleed are evaluated based on the output of a digital still camera. The evaluation value of each item determined based on the output of the sensor is stored as quality level information 1130 in the print setting information Ips.

"Color reproduction accuracy" is evaluated based on the color difference between the color measurement value of the color actually reproduced on printed matter and that color value when printing is instructed based on target color value data. be done.

"Tone characteristics" is the reproducibility of gradation. For example, if printing is performed according to the data of a color chart containing a series of patches whose color data is created such that the density decreases by a constant amount, the "tone characteristics" of the profile used for printing will be , is evaluated as follows. In a series of patches as a print result, there is one or more combinations of patches whose brightness does not decrease in the color data, even though the brightness should decrease in the color data. In this case, the evaluation of the "gradation characteristics" of the profile decreases depending on the number of such patch combinations.

That is, for a plurality of colors whose brightness decreases in the color data, if the brightness does not monotonically decrease in the print result, the evaluation of the "gradation characteristics" of the profile decreases. For a plurality of colors whose brightness increases in the color data, if the brightness does not monotonically increase in the print result, the evaluation of the "gradation characteristics" of the profile decreases. In this evaluation, the curve of monotonically decreasing or monotonically increasing brightness in the print result may be an upwardly convex curve, a downwardly convex curve, or may be linear. Note that the "gradation characteristics" can be similarly evaluated for the gradation of transition from one color to another, for example, from yellow to red.

The "gradation characteristics" include linearity. "Linearness" is an indicator that the change in color expressed on the print medium is close to linear with respect to the change in input ink amount data.

The print setting information Ips is configured so that it cannot be modified without using application software for managing the print setting information Ips installed in the management server Sv. For example, at least part of the information stored in the print setting information Ips including information 1110, 1120, and 1130 is stored in the print setting information Ips in a state that cannot be distinguished from other information without using dedicated application software. Stored. As a result, falsification of information in the print setting information Ips by a third party is prevented.

The print setting information Ips is encrypted. For this reason, the print setting information Ips can be set to the printer by using application software for managing the print setting information Ips installed on the management server Sv, or by using the print setting information Ips provided to the printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas. It cannot be used without using application software for printing at 200.

When the media vendor MV uploads the print setting information Ips to the management server Sv, or before uploading the print setting information Ips, the media vendor MV uploads the sample of the print medium MD used by the printer 200v when generating the print setting information Ips. , and send it to the management server Sv.

Note that the processing performed by the media vendor MV described above is also performed by the printer provider PP.

(2) Checking and storing print setting information:
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the process of confirming and storing the print setting information Ips in the management server Sv. When the management server Sv receives the print setting information Ips from the media vendor MV, it performs a process of confirming the contents of the print setting information Ips (see the upper center of FIG. 1).

In step S110 of FIG. 5, the management server Sv determines whether the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV satisfies predetermined conditions regarding the method of creating the print setting information Ips.

If the print setting information Ips does not meet the conditions regarding the creation method, for example, (i) the print setting information Ips was not created with the official profile creation tool PMT licensed to the media vendor MV, (ii) the printing This includes a case where the setting information Ips has been created using a regular profile creation tool PMT, but has not been created through a predetermined procedure. The determination in step S110 can be made based on the history information stored in the tag of the profile 1060, such as the creation method information 1120 included in the print setting information Ips (see FIG. 4).

If the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV satisfies the conditions regarding the method of generating the print setting information Ips, the process proceeds to step S120. If the print setting information Ips does not satisfy the conditions regarding the creation method, the process advances to step S170.

In step S170, the management server Sv does not store the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV, and sends a notification to the media that sent the print setting information Ips to the effect that the print setting information Ips was not stored in the management server Sv. This is done for the vendor MV. At this time, the reason why the print setting information Ips was not stored in the management server Sv is also notified to the media vendor MV.

That is, if the print setting information Ips received from the computer 100v does not satisfy the predetermined conditions regarding the method of creating the print setting information Ips (see S110), the computer 100s of the management server Sv uses the computer 100s of the media vendor MV. The print setting information Ips received from 100v is not stored in the setting storage unit 113sS.

In step S120, the management server Sv determines whether the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV satisfies predetermined conditions regarding print results. Note that the conditions regarding the method of generating the print setting information Ips determined in step S110 and the conditions regarding the print result determined in step S120 are collectively referred to as "registration conditions."

In step S120, the management server Sv prints the color chart using the printer 200s according to the print setting information Ips transmitted from the media vendor MV. Print data for the color chart is stored in advance in application software that controls the printer 200.

For printing, among the various printer models held by the management server Sv, a printer of a model matching the printer model information 1010 stored in the print setting information Ips is used. Among the various print medium MD samples received from the media vendor MV, the print medium MD corresponding to the print medium type information 1020 in the print setting information Ips is used. The type of ink that matches the ink type information 1030 in the print setting information Ips is used. The print mode that matches the print mode information 1040 in the print setting information Ips is used. The printer operation settings are performed based on the operation setting parameter information 1050 in the print setting information Ips. Color conversion is performed according to the profile information 1060 in the print setting information Ips.

The management server Sv measures the print result of the color chart with a sensor of the printer 200s, and determines an evaluation value regarding the quality of the print result based on the output of the sensor. The method for determining the evaluation value is the same as the method used by media vendor MV to determine the evaluation value of the print result.

If all of the evaluation values match the content of the quality level information 1130 stored in the print setting information Ips and are within the predetermined standard range, the management server Sv It is determined that the received print setting information Ips satisfies predetermined conditions regarding print results. If not, the management server Sv determines that the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV does not satisfy the predetermined conditions regarding the print result.

Note that even if the above evaluation value differs from the content of the quality level information 1130 stored in the print setting information Ips, if the amount of deviation is within a predetermined tolerance range, the evaluation value is , is treated as matching the content of the quality level information 1130 stored in the print setting information Ips.

If the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV satisfies the conditions regarding the print result, the process proceeds to step S150. If the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV does not satisfy the predetermined conditions regarding the print result, the process proceeds to step S130.

In step S130, the management server Sv determines whether it is possible to modify the print setting information Ips to generate print setting information Ips that satisfies the conditions regarding the print result. For example, although the evaluation value regarding the quality of the print result determined in step S120 does not match the content of the quality level information 1130 stored in the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV, If it is within the range, the management server Sv determines that it is possible to generate print setting information Ips that satisfies the conditions regarding the print result. If any of the evaluation values regarding the quality of the print results determined in step S120 are not within the predetermined reference range, the management server Sv determines that it is not possible to generate the print setting information Ips that satisfies the conditions regarding the print results. .

If the print setting information Ips cannot be modified to generate print setting information Ips that satisfies the conditions regarding the print result, the process proceeds to step S170. That is, if the print setting information Ips received from the computer 100v of the media vendor MV does not satisfy the predetermined conditions regarding print results (see steps S120 and S130), the computer 100s of the management server Sv receives the print settings from the computer 100v. The received print setting information Ips is not stored in the setting storage unit 113sS.

On the other hand, if the print setting information Ips can be modified to generate print setting information Ips that satisfies the conditions regarding the print result, the process proceeds to step S140.

In step S140, the management server Sv modifies the print setting information Ips to generate print setting information Ips that satisfies the conditions regarding the print result. For example, although the evaluation value regarding the quality of the print result determined in step S120 does not match the content of the quality level information 1130 stored in the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV, If it is within the range, the management server Sv performs the following processing. That is, the management server Sv rewrites each evaluation value of the quality level information 1130 in the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV to the evaluation value regarding the quality of the print result determined in step S120, and prints a new print. Setting information Ips is generated (see FIG. 4).

The processes in steps S120, S130, and S140 may be performed by the management server Sv, or may be performed by another institution or organization to which the print setting information Ips is transferred from the management server Sv. The other institution or organization that performs the processes of steps S120, S130, and S140 may be the printer provider PP (see the middle right part of FIG. 1), or may be an institution or organization other than the printer provider PP. However, the institution or organization other than the printer provider PP that performs the processes in steps S120, S130, and S140 is an institution or organization whose qualification to perform the processes in steps S120, S130, and S140 has been certified by the printer provider PP. When an institution or organization other than the management server Sv performs the processing of steps S120, S130, and S140, the institution or organization receives information from the media vendor MV about the print media MD used by the printer 200v when generating the print setting information Ips. Samples will be sent to you.

In step S150, the management server Sv stores the print setting information Ips in the RAM 113s. If the process reaches step S150 without going through the process of step S140, the management server Sv stores the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV in the RAM 113s. When the process of step S150 is reached after the process of step S140, the management server Sv stores the print setting information Ips generated in step S140 in the RAM 113s.

That is, when the print setting information Ips received from the computer 100v of the media vendor MV satisfies the registration conditions including the condition regarding the method of creating the print setting information Ips and the condition regarding the print result (see S110 and S120), The computer 100s of the management server Sv stores the print setting information Ips received from the computer 100v in the setting storage unit 113sS. The process then ends.

By performing such processing, it is possible to control the quality of the print setting information Ips provided from the management server Sv to the printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas.

(3) Downloading and printing print setting information:
The printing business PCa downloads print setting information Ips corresponding to the combination of the printer 200a and the print medium MD used for printing at the printing business PCa from the management server Sv (see the middle left part of FIG. 1). The printing business PCa performs settings based on the print setting information Ips in the software that controls the printer 200a, and performs printing.

As processing by hardware, the following processing is performed. That is, the computer 100a of the printer PCa transmits a request to obtain the print setting information Ips specified by the combination of the model of the printer 200a and the type of print medium MD to the computer 100s of the management server Sv. The computer 100a of the printing business PCa receives, from the computer 100s of the management server Sv, the print setting information Ips specified from among the one or more pieces of print setting information Ips stored in the setting storage unit 113sS of the management server Sv (see FIG. (See the top right part of 3).

More specifically, print setting information Ips corresponding to (i) the model of the printer 200a, (ii) the type of print medium MD, and (iii) the type of ink used for printing at the printing company PCa is sent to the printing company PCa. PCa is downloaded from the management server Sv. On the other hand, the print medium to be used for printing may be selected at the print trader PCa according to the print medium type information 1020 included in the downloaded print setting information Ips. The ink used for printing may be selected according to the ink type information 1030 included in the print setting information Ips (see FIG. 4).

The printer 200a used for printing at the printing business PCa is the same model of the printer 200 used to specify the print setting information Ips in the print setting information Ips acquisition request. The printer 200a performs printing using the print setting information Ips received by the computer 100a of the printer PCa. At this time, the printer 200a prints on the same type of print medium MD as the print medium MD type 1020 used to specify the print setting information Ips in the print setting information Ips acquisition request.

In the printing business PCa, a print mode to be used during printing is selected according to the print mode information 1040 included in the print setting information Ips (see FIG. 4). Setting parameters used during printing are set according to the operation setting parameter information 1050 included in the print setting information Ips. Using profile information 1060 included in the print setting information Ips, color conversion of image data used for printing is performed. Each process is executed by the computer 100a in which a program for controlling the printer 200a is installed.

Regarding (i) creator ID 1110 of the creator of the print setting information Ips, (ii) creation method information 1120, and (iii) quality level information 1130 representing the quality of the print result stored in the print setting information Ips, see (Fig. 4), the application software for controlling the printer 200a owned by the printer PCa can be read and displayed on the display device 115a. Therefore, the printing business PCa can confirm the contents of the information prior to color conversion.

The printed matter PM generated by the printing company PCa is delivered to the orderer OP (see the lower center part of FIG. 1). The orderer OP pays the price Pcp0 for the printed material PM to the printing company PCa.

Printer PCb and printer PCas can also perform similar processing and print with printers 200b and 200as. Note that instead of downloading the print setting information Ips from the management server Sv, the print shop PCas may receive the print setting information Ips from the print shop PCa (see the lower left part of FIG. 1).

Printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas can obtain the following benefits by making settings based on the print setting information Ips in the software that controls the printers 200a, 200b, and 200as, and performing printing. That is, the printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas are aware that the media vendor MV is aware of (i) the model of the printer 200a, 200b, and 200as, (ii) the type of print medium MD, (iii) the type of ink, (iv) the print mode, and (v) It is possible to determine the setting parameters and generate printed matter having the high quality achieved when creating the print setting information Ips. Further, the printers PCa, PCb, and PCas can configure the printers 200a, 200b, and 200as in a shorter time than if they had to configure the printers 200a, 200b, and 200as by themselves through trial and error.

The management server Sv stores a plurality of pieces of print setting information Ips (see the upper center of FIG. 1). The management server Sv can permit downloading of some of the print setting information Ips among the plurality of print setting information Ips only to computers of printing companies that satisfy predetermined conditions.

For example, in the printing system PS, printing companies can enter into contracts with the system administrator at different levels of fees, and some print setting information Ips can only be provided to printing companies with contracts at a certain level or higher. , the management server Sv may permit downloading. The management server Sv may also permit printing companies with which it does not have a paid contract to download some of the other print setting information Ips.

Regarding certain print setting information Ips, the management server Sv may permit downloading only for printing companies whose printers 200 are connected to the network.

The management server Sv may permit downloading depending on the type of process after printing by the printer 200 at each printing company. For example, for printing companies that print on print media and then affix a transparent or translucent resin sheet to the printed surface and laminate it, Media Vendor MV provides a Print setting information Ips different from print setting information Ips can be prepared. The management server Sv may permit downloading of such print setting information Ips that assumes lamination processing only for printing companies that have previously registered in the management server Sv that they will perform lamination processing after printing. good.

On the other hand, the recording medium for lamination processing is equipped with an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentifier) and a QR code (registered trademark), and the printing company sends the information read from the RFID and QR code to the management server Sv, and the lamination processing It may also be possible to download print setting information Ips for processing. Lamination processing is performed for the purpose of improving light resistance and abrasion resistance.

By performing such processing, it is possible to operate the printing system so that a printing company can download only print setting information suitable for that printing company.

The plurality of print setting information Ips stored in the management server Sv includes a plurality of types of print setting information Ips having different download fees. Further, the plurality of print setting information Ips stored in the management server Sv include a plurality of types of print setting information Ips having different print result quality (see 1130 in FIG. 4). Printing companies PCa and PCb provide (i) compensation for downloading individual print setting information Ips, (ii) quality of the print result of print setting information Ips (see 1130 in FIG. 4), and (iii) the printing company's management server. A consideration Pcp1 is paid to the printer provider PP according to the number of print setting information Ips downloaded from Sv and (iv) the usage period of each downloaded print setting information Ips (see the center part of FIG. 1).

More specifically, the computers 100a and 100b of the printers PCa and PCb transmit information Pcp1 representing consideration to the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP via the computer 100s of the management server Sv.

The price for downloading individual print setting information Ips can be different for each print setting information Ips. Furthermore, print setting information Ips for which no consideration is required for downloading individual print setting information Ips may be prepared.

As a form of payment according to the quality of the print result of the print setting information Ips, it is possible to adopt a form in which the higher the quality, the higher the fee is paid. It is also possible to provide a quality classification for the print result of the downloadable print setting information Ips, and to set the quality classification for the print result of the downloadable print setting information Ips according to the consideration paid in advance.

As a form of payment according to the number of downloaded print setting information Ips, a form can be adopted in which the larger the number of downloads, the higher the fee is paid. It is also possible to provide a category for the number of print setting information Ips that can be downloaded, and to set an upper limit on the number of print setting information Ips that can be downloaded according to the consideration paid in advance.

In terms of setting compensation according to the period of use, after downloading, the print setting information Ips is allowed to be used free of charge for a certain trial period, and after a certain trial period has passed, compensation for use is required. settings can be made. Further, it is possible to set the print setting information Ips to be paid each time the print setting information Ips is used for a certain period of time, for example, one month.

By performing such processing, the printer provider PP can obtain compensation Pcp1 that corresponds to the usage of the printing system PS by the printers PCa and PCb. Printing companies PCa and PCb can print by making more use of the printing system PS in accordance with an increase in the consideration Pcp1 paid to the printer provider PP. Therefore, the fluctuation of the consideration Pcp1 according to (i) the download price, (ii) the quality of the print result, (iii) the number of downloaded print setting information Ips, and (iv) the period of use of the print setting information Ips is It is hard to feel that it is a big burden for the vendors PCa and PCb.

The printing companies PCa and PCb pay the printer provider PP a fee Pcp2 according to the amount of printing using the downloaded print setting information Ips (see the center part of FIG. 1).

More specifically, the computers 100a and 100b of the printers PCa and PCb transmit information Pcp2 representing the price paid according to the amount of printing to the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP via the computer 100s of the management server Sv. Send.

The amount of printing can be counted by the number of times ink droplets are ejected in the printers 200a and 200b. Software controlling printer 200 can count the number of ink droplets ejected. Further, the amount of printing can be counted by the amount of ink consumed during printing. However, since ink is also consumed when cleaning the nozzles of the printer 200, the number of ink droplet ejections more accurately reflects the amount of printed matter obtained by printing companies PCa and PCb than the amount of ink consumed. do.

The amount of printing may be counted by the amount of print medium MD used for printing. When the print medium MD is a rolled long medium, the amount of the print medium MD can be evaluated based on the length of the print medium MD used. When the print medium MD is a sheet-like medium, the amount of the print medium MD can be evaluated by the number of sheets of the print medium MD used.

By performing such processing, the printer provider PP can obtain compensation Pcp2 corresponding to the extent to which the printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas utilize the printing system PS. Printing companies PCa and PCb can print by making more use of printing system PS in accordance with an increase in consideration Pcp2 paid to printer provider PP. For this reason, the increase in the consideration Pcp2 in response to the increase in the amount of printing is unlikely to be perceived as a large burden on the printers PCa and PCb.

(4) Effect:
According to this embodiment, the following advantages are brought about compared to a mode in which the process up to setting the print setting information Ips in the software that controls the printers 200a, 200b, and 200as includes mailing of color chart samples. . That is, the printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas can obtain print setting information Ips corresponding to the combination of the printers 200a, 200b, and 200as used for printing and the print medium MD used for printing in a short time.

According to the present embodiment, the media vendor MV provides print setting information Ips that enables optimal printing for the print media MD that it manufactures to the printing companies PCa and PCb who are purchasers of the print media MD. can be prepared. For this reason, media vendors MVs have the advantage of using the print media MD they manufacture, compared to media vendors that do not provide print setting information Ips that can perform optimal printing on print media. , can be strengthened.

According to the present embodiment, the printer provider PP provides print setting information Ips that enables appropriate printing using the printer 200 provided by the printer provider PP to the printer users PCa and PCb. be able to. For this reason, the printer provider PP strengthens the advantage of using the printer it provides compared to a provider that does not provide print setting information Ips that allows proper printing using the printer. be able to.

According to the present embodiment, printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas, which can obtain high-quality printed matter in a short time using the printer 200 of the printer provider PP, continuously use the printer 200, and There is a high possibility that they will purchase a printer from printer provider PP again when they update their printer provider PP. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the printer provider PP can continuously earn profits through the sale of printers and ink.

The printer provider PP in this embodiment is also referred to as a "first provider." The media vendor MV is also called a "second provider." Printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas are also called "clients." The management server Sv is also called a "storage unit". The printer 200v is also called a "provider printer." The printers 200a, 200b, and 200as are also called "client printers." The printer operation setting parameters 1050 are also referred to as "setting parameters."

In this specification, the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP is also referred to as a "first information terminal." Media vendor MV's computer 100v is also called a "second information terminal." The computer 100a of the printer PCa and the computer 100b of the printer PCb are also referred to as "client information terminals." The management server Sv is also referred to as a "management department."

B. Second embodiment:
In the second embodiment, some of the processing at printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas is different from the first embodiment. Below, points of the second embodiment that are different from the first embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the points described below.

B1. Printing system configuration:
The configuration of the printing system PS2 in the second embodiment is the same as the printing system PS in the first embodiment.

However, in the second embodiment, printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas periodically calibrate the printers 200a, 200b, and 200as. Specifically, application software that controls the printer 200 is used to discover and resolve defects in the printers 200a, 200b, and 200as, and to fix each part of the printers 200a, 200b, and 200as regardless of whether or not there is a defect. Readjustment takes place. This work includes, for example, eliminating misalignment of dot formation positions in the main scanning direction in the printers 200a, 200b, and 200as, adjusting the distance between the platen that supports the print medium and the nozzles that eject ink, and eliminating clogging of the nozzles. etc. are included. When the printer 200 is calibrated, the application software that controls the printer 200 stores the date and time when the calibration was performed in the RAM 113a (see the lower left part of FIG. 1). Information on the date and time when proofreading was performed is stored in the RAM 113a in a state that cannot be rewritten by anyone other than the printer provider PP, such as printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas.

Printers PCa, PCb, and PCas undergo regular quality audits regarding printing by the printer provider PP or an institution or organization certified by the printer provider PP. The content of the quality audit is determined in advance. The quality audit includes, for example, an audit of the operational status of the printer, an audit of the management status of ink and print media, and an audit of whether the print result according to given print data satisfies a predetermined quality. As a result of the quality audit, if predetermined conditions are met, the person who conducted the audit inputs information to that effect into the application software for controlling the printer 200a. As a result of the quality audit, information indicating that it has been confirmed that predetermined conditions are met is stored in the RAM 113a by the application software. As a result of the quality audit, the information that it has been confirmed that the predetermined conditions are met is stored in the RAM 113a in a state that cannot be rewritten by anyone other than the printer provider PP, such as the printer PCa, PCb, or PCas. is stored in

Operators and supervisors of printers PCa, PCb, PCas attend regular educational courses on printing held by the printer provider PP or an institution or organization certified by the printer provider PP. The content of the course is determined in advance. The course includes, for example, imparting knowledge of what should be observed in the operation of printers and what should be observed in the storage of ink and print media. When a course is taken, a course completion certificate containing a code consisting of letters or numbers that differs for each course and participant is issued. When that code is input to the application software for controlling the printer 200a, the application software verifies that the student is the licensee of the application software and then indicates that the licensee has taken the course. is stored in the RAM 113a. Information indicating that a certain course has been attended by a certain student is stored in the RAM 113a in a state that cannot be rewritten by anyone other than the printer provider PP, such as printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas.

B2. Processing in the printing system:
(1) Generating and uploading print setting information:
The process of generating and uploading print setting information Ips in the second embodiment is the same as the process of generating and uploading print setting information in the first embodiment.

(2) Checking and storing print setting information:
The process of checking and storing the print setting information Ips in the second embodiment is the same as the process of checking and storing the print setting information Ips in the first embodiment.

(3) Downloading and printing print setting information:
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the application software that controls the printer 200a at the printing vendor PCa after reading the print setting information Ips. Specifically, the process in FIG. 6 is executed by the CPU 111a of the computer 100a (see the middle left part of FIG. 1).

In step S305 of FIG. 6, the CPU 111a determines whether or not the addition of the quality assurance label Mqa to the printed matter PM has been instructed via the input device 116a.

The operator of the printer PCa can use the input device 116a on the interface screen of the application software displayed on the display device 115a to select whether or not to add the quality assurance label Mqa to the printed material PM (see FIG. (See middle left part of 1). That is, in the computer 100a and printer 200a of the printer PCa, even if the quality assurance conditions described below are satisfied, the quality assurance label Mqa may not be formed in the area on the printed material PM during printing. I can do it. By performing such processing, if the orderer OP who requested printing from the printing company PCa does not wish to display the quality assurance label Mqa, the request can be complied with.

If the instruction is to add the quality assurance label Mqa to the printed material PM, the process advances to step S310. If the addition of the quality assurance label Mqa to the printed matter PM is not instructed, the process ends.

In step S310, the CPU 111a determines whether the print setting information Ips read by the application software satisfies predetermined conditions regarding a method of creating the print setting information Ips. Note that the conditions regarding the method of creating the print setting information Ips used in step S310 may be the same as the conditions used in step S110 in FIG. The conditions may be severe.

If the print setting information Ips read by the application software satisfies the conditions regarding the method of generating the print setting information Ips, the process proceeds to step S320. If the print setting information Ips does not satisfy the conditions regarding the creation method, the process advances to step S370.

In step S370, the CPU 111a does not perform the settings and printing according to the print setting information Ips read by the application software, and displays an output on the display device 115a indicating that the settings and printing according to the print setting information Ips have not been performed. Do it through. At this time, the setting according to the print setting information Ips and the reason why printing was not performed are also displayed.

In step S320, the CPU 111a determines whether the print setting information Ips read by the application software satisfies predetermined conditions regarding print results. Specifically, the CPU 111a determines whether the contents of the quality level information 1130 stored in the print setting information Ips are within predetermined reference ranges. Note that the reference range used in step S320 may be the same as the reference range used in step S120 in FIG. You can.

More specifically, in step S320, the CPU 111a makes the following determination. The CPU 111a determines whether the accuracy condition that the color reproduction accuracy in the quality level information 1130 is higher than a predetermined standard is satisfied. The CPU 111a determines whether the evaluation of the gradation characteristics in the quality level information 1130 satisfies a gradation characteristic condition that is higher than a predetermined standard.

Furthermore, the CPU 111a determines whether the color difference between the color value representing the target color and the colorimetric value resulting from printing the target color with the printer 200a is within a certain standard. Specifically, the CPU 111a prints the print data of the job Jb using the printer 200a according to the print setting information Ips read by the application software. This printing is performed for the determination in step S320. This printing may be performed on a part of the image included in the print data of job Jb instead of all of it.

In printing, the print medium MD used in executing job Jb is used. The type of ink that matches the ink type information 1030 in the print setting information Ips is used. The print mode that matches the print mode information 1040 in the print setting information Ips is used. The printer operation settings are performed based on the operation setting parameter information 1050 in the print setting information Ips. Color conversion is performed according to the profile information 1060 in the print setting information Ips.

The CPU 111a measures one or more points of the printed material PM obtained according to the print data of the job Jb using a sensor of the printer 200a, and determines an evaluation value regarding the quality of the print result based on the output of the sensor. More specifically, the CPU 111a calculates the colorimetric values of colors included in one or more points of the print sample generated by the printer 300 of the office PCao and the color included in the corresponding points of the printed matter PM obtained by the printer 200a. Determine the color difference ΔE between the color measurement value of the color and the color difference ΔE. Then, it is determined whether all the color differences ΔE of each point are within a predetermined standard. For example, it is determined whether the color difference ΔE of each point is less than 2.0. Note that the colorimetry of the print sample is performed in advance, and the colorimetric values of colors included in one or more points of the print sample are prepared in advance.

Note that the printer 200a is controlled in step S320 to determine whether the color difference between the color value representing the target color and the colorimetric value as a result of printing the target color is within a certain standard. After the application software reads the print setting information Ips, the determination may be made in advance, separately from the other determinations in step S320. In such a case, the results of the color difference determination made in advance are stored in the RAM 113a and read out from the RAM 113a in the process of step S320.

Further, in step S320, it is determined whether the color difference between the color value representing the target color and the colorimetric value as a result of printing the target color is within a certain standard. Alternatively, the printing may be performed according to print data of a color chart including a plurality of patches of different colors. Print data for the color chart is stored in advance in application software that controls the printer 200.

In step S320, if all the conditions are satisfied, the CPU 111a determines that the print setting information Ips read by the application software satisfies predetermined conditions regarding the print result. If not, the CPU 111a determines that the print setting information Ips read by the application software does not satisfy the predetermined conditions regarding the print result.

By performing such processing prior to printing the quality assurance label Mqa (see the lower center of FIG. 1), which will be described later, the orderer OP who requested printing from the printer PCa can print the quality assurance label Mqa on the printed matter PM. With this, it is possible to guarantee that the quality of the printed matter PM is high.

If the print setting information Ips read by the application software satisfies the conditions regarding the print result, the process advances to step S330. If the print setting information Ips read by the application software does not satisfy the predetermined conditions regarding the print result, the process proceeds to step S370.

In step S330, the CPU 111a determines whether the user and the printer 200a satisfy predetermined operating conditions. Note that the conditions regarding the generation method of the print setting information Ips determined in step S310, the conditions regarding the print result determined in step S320, and the operating conditions regarding the user and printer determined in step S330 are collectively referred to as " "Quality Assurance Conditions".

Specifically, in step S330, the CPU 111a makes the following determination. The CPU 111a determines whether or not the printing business PCa satisfies the condition that a predetermined periodic quality audit regarding printing is performed. Information indicating that regular quality audits regarding printing are being performed is stored in advance in the RAM 113a by application software that controls the printer 200a. The CPU 111a makes the above determination using information stored in the RAM 113a.

The CPU 111a determines whether or not the printing business PCa satisfies the condition that the printer PCa attends a predetermined regular course on printing. Information indicating that the user is taking a regular course on printing is stored in advance in the RAM 113a by application software that controls the printer 200a. The CPU 111a makes the above determination using information stored in the RAM 113a.

The CPU 111a determines whether the date and time when the printer 200a was calibrated satisfies conditions regarding a predetermined period. Information on the date and time when the calibration was performed is stored in advance in the RAM 113a by application software that controls the printer 200a. The CPU 111a makes the above determination using information stored in the RAM 113a.

The CPU 111a determines whether the ink used in the printer 200a satisfies conditions regarding the ink manufacturer. The condition regarding the ink manufacturer is that the ink used in the printer 200a is an ink manufactured by the printer provider PP or an institution or organization certified by the printer provider PP.

Genuine ink containers containing genuine ink are equipped with a control circuit. The control circuit for the ink container sends information about the manufacturer of the ink container to the printer 200 when the ink container is attached to the printer 200. The CPU 111a can obtain, from the printer 200a, information on the manufacturer of each ink container installed in the printer 200a. If the ink in the plurality of ink containers attached to the printer 200a contains ink other than ink manufactured by the printer provider PP or an institution or organization certified by the printer provider PP, the CPU 111a controls the ink used in the printer 200a. It is determined that the ink currently being used does not meet the conditions regarding the ink manufacturer.

The CPU 111a determines whether the printer 200a satisfies the condition of using ink within a predetermined expiration date. Ink has an expiration date. The ink container control circuit transmits the expiration date of the ink container to the printer 200 when the ink container is attached to the printer 200. The CPU 111a can obtain the expiration date of each ink container attached to the printer 200a from the printer 200a. If the expiration date of one or more ink containers among the plurality of ink containers attached to the printer 200a has passed, the CPU 111a determines that the printer 200a is using ink within the predetermined expiration date. It is determined that the condition is not met.

In step S330 of FIG. 6, the CPU 111a of the computer 100a of the printer PCa performs the above-described determination process to determine whether the user and the printer 200a satisfy predetermined operating conditions.

By performing such processing prior to printing the quality assurance label Mqa (see the lower center of FIG. 1), which will be described later, the orderer OP who requested printing from the printer PCa can print the quality assurance label Mqa on the printed matter PM. With this, it is possible to guarantee that the quality of the printed matter PM is high.

If the user and the printer 200a satisfy the predetermined operating conditions, the process proceeds to step S340. If the user and the printer 200a do not satisfy the predetermined operating conditions, the process proceeds to step S370.

In step S340, the CPU 111a adds data of a predetermined quality assurance label Mqa to print data including data to be printed on the print medium MD. More specifically, the print data is printed so that the quality assurance label Mqa is printed in an area Af on the print medium MD between the image Img to be printed and the outer edge MDe of the print medium MD. be modified.

The data of the quality assurance label Mqa is stored in advance in the application software that controls the printer 200. The data of the quality assurance label Mqa is stored in the RAM 113a in a state that cannot be rewritten by anyone other than the printer provider PP, such as printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas.

In step S350, the CPU 111a uses the printer 200a set according to the print setting information Ips to perform printing according to the print data modified in step S340.

That is, the printers 200a and 200b perform printing on the print medium MD when the quality assurance conditions (see steps S310, S320, and S330) including that the print setting information Ips satisfies predetermined conditions are satisfied. A predetermined quality assurance label Mqa can be printed in an area Af that is different from the image to be printed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing printed matter PM generated as a result of the printing performed in step S350 of FIG. In step S350 of FIG. 6, a quality assurance label Mqa is printed in an area on the print medium MD between the image Img to be printed and the outer edge MDe of the print medium MD. More specifically, the quality assurance label Mqa is printed on the footer Af of the printed material PM.

By performing such processing, if the settings of the printer 200a are performed based on the print setting information Ips that does not meet the predetermined conditions and printing is performed, or if there is a possibility that printing will occur, printing will be disabled. The orderer OP who requested printing from the vendor PCa can know this fact because the printed matter PM does not have the quality assurance label Mqa. That is, the quality of the printed matter is guaranteed by the quality assurance label Mqa attached to the printed matter PM.

When printing according to the print data modified in step S340 is completed, the CPU 111a prints the printed matter of job Jb by printing that satisfies the quality assurance conditions together with information that can identify job Jb and the image to be printed of job Jb. Information indicating that the PM has been generated is uploaded to the management server Sv. The process then ends.

The orderer OP accesses the management server Sv using a web browser on the computer or dedicated application software, enters information that can identify the job Jb, and prints the job Jb that meets the quality assurance conditions. It can be confirmed that the printed matter PM has been generated.

Printing business PCa can also print job Jb without going through the process shown in FIG. In such a case, the quality assurance label Mqa is not added to the printed matter PM.

The printer provider PP in this embodiment is also referred to as a "first provider." The media vendor MV is also called a "second provider." Printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas are also called "clients." The management server Sv is also called a "storage unit". The printer 200pp is also referred to as a "first provider printer." The printer 200v is also referred to as a "second provider printer." The printers 200a, 200b, and 200as are also called "client printers." The printer operation setting parameters 1050 are also referred to as "setting parameters."

C. Third embodiment:
In the third embodiment, a method for determining consideration will be explained in detail. The third embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the points specifically described below.

C1. Printing system configuration:
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the printing system PS3 of this embodiment. The configuration of the printing system PS3 in the third embodiment is the same as the printing system PS in the first embodiment. In FIG. 8, components common to those in FIG. 1 are designated by common reference numerals.

C2. Processing in the printing system:
(1) Generating and uploading print setting information:
The process of generating and uploading print setting information Ips in the third embodiment is the same as the process of generating and uploading print setting information in the first embodiment.

(2) Checking and storing print setting information:
The process of confirming and storing print setting information in the third embodiment is the same as the process of confirming and storing print setting information Ips in the first embodiment.

(3) Downloading and printing print setting information:
In the third embodiment, the management server Sv measures the number of times each print setting information Ips has been downloaded by the printing companies PCa and PCb, and stores it in the RAM 113s of the computer 100s. Each time the management server Sv transmits the print setting information Ips to the print shops PCa and PCb in accordance with a request from the print shops PCa and PCb, the management server Sv increases the number of downloads stored for each piece of print setting information Ips by one. Information on the number of downloads measured for each print setting information Ips is collectively shown in FIG. 8 as Ni. The number of downloads Ni is cleared every fixed period, for example every month, and is counted again from the beginning. In the CPU 111s of the management server Sv, a functional unit that measures the number of times each print setting information Ips is acquired by the computers 100a and 100b is shown in FIG. 9 as a "number of times measurement unit 111sc." The functional unit that stores the number of downloads Ni is shown in FIG. 9 as a download totaling unit 113sD.

The printing business PCa pays the printer provider PP a fee Pcp2 corresponding to the amount of printing using the downloaded print setting information Ips (see the center part of FIG. 8). The amount of printing can be evaluated by the amount Vm of print media MD used in printing by the client printer 200a that has been configured based on the print setting information Ips. The amount Vm of print media MD used in printing by the client printer 200a configured based on the print setting information Ips is expressed as "medium consumption amount Vm." The method for calculating consideration Pcp2 will be explained below.

By performing such processing, the printer provider PP can obtain compensation Pcp2 corresponding to the extent to which the printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas utilize the printing system PS3. Printing companies PCa and PCb can print by making more use of printing system PS3 in accordance with an increase in consideration Pcp2 paid to printer provider PP. For this reason, the increase in the consideration Pcp2 in response to the increase in the amount of printing is unlikely to be perceived as a large burden on the printers PCa and PCb.

The printing business PCa measures the amount of ink Vi used in printing by the client printer 200a configured based on the print setting information Ips. Hereinafter, the amount Vi of ink used in printing by the client printer 200a configured based on the print setting information Ips will be referred to as "ink consumption Vi." The ink consumption amount Vi can be counted by the number of times ink droplets are ejected in the printers 200a and 200b. Software controlling printer 200 can count the number of ink droplets ejected.

The ink consumption amount Vi can also be counted by the amount of ink that has decreased in the ink tank of the printer 200. However, since ink is also consumed when cleaning the nozzles of the printer 200, the number of ejections of ink droplets more accurately reflects the amount of printed matter obtained by printing companies PCa and PCb than the amount of ink reduction. do.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of the computer 100s of the management server Sv in the third embodiment. The ink consumption amount Vi is stored in the RAM 113a of the computer 100a in association with the print setting information Ips used in the printing. The ink consumption amount Vi associated with the print setting information Ips is transmitted from the printer PCa to the management server Sv (see the middle left part of FIG. 8). Specifically, the computer 100a of the printer PCa measures the amount of ink used in printing by the printer 200a using the print setting information Ips, and obtains information Vi on the amount of ink used. is sent to the computer 100s of the management server Sv. As a result, the ink consumption amount Vi, which is information representing the performance of printing performed by the printer 200a using the print setting information Ips, is transmitted to the management server Sv.

The management server Sv totals the ink consumption amount Vi for each printing company PCa, PCb, and PCas, and stores it in the RAM 113s of the computer 100s as the total ink amount Via. The total ink amount Via is used to calculate the consideration Pcp2 paid from the printing companies PCa and PCb to the printer provider PP. The total ink amount Via is cleared every fixed period, for example, every month, and is counted again from the beginning.

The management server Sv totals the ink consumption amount Vi for each print setting information Ips and stores it in the RAM 113s of the computer 100s as the total ink amount Vib. The total ink amount Vib is cleared every fixed period, for example, every month, and is counted again from the beginning. A functional unit that totals the total ink amounts Via and Vib is shown in FIG. 9 as an ink totaling unit 113sI. Specifically, the ink totaling unit 113sI as a functional unit is realized by the RAM 113s (see the middle right part of FIG. 9).

The printing business PCa pays the media vendor MV a consideration Pcp3 corresponding to the amount of print media used Vma (see the center part of FIG. 8). The specific payment process of consideration Pcp3 is performed via the management server Sv. By performing such processing, the media vendor MV can obtain compensation Pcp3 corresponding to the amount of print media MD used by the printing vendor PCa. The method for calculating consideration Pcp3 will be explained below.

The printing business PCa measures the amount Vm of the print medium MD used in printing by the client printer 200a configured based on the print setting information Ips. When the print medium MD is a rolled long medium, the amount of the print medium MD can be evaluated based on the length of the print medium MD used. When the print medium MD is a sheet-like medium, the amount of the print medium MD can be evaluated by the number of sheets of the print medium MD used.

The amount Vm of the print medium MD used is stored in the RAM 113a of the computer 100a in association with the print setting information Ips used in the printing. The media consumption amount Vm associated with the print setting information Ips is transmitted from the printing company PCa to the management server Sv (see the middle left part of FIG. 8).

The management server Sv totals the media consumption amount Vm for each printing company PCa, PCb, and PCas, and stores it in the RAM 113s of the computer 100s as the media total amount Vma. The total media amount Vma is used to calculate the consideration Pcp3 paid from the printing companies PCa and PCb to the media vendor MV. The media aggregate amount Vma is cleared every fixed period, for example, every month, and is aggregated again from the beginning.

The management server Sv totals the media consumption amount Vm for each print setting information Ips and stores it in the RAM 113s of the computer 100s as the media total amount Vmb. The media aggregate amount Vmb is cleared every fixed period, for example, every month, and is aggregated again from the beginning. A functional unit that aggregates the media aggregate amounts Vma and Vmb is shown in FIG. 9 as a media aggregate unit 113sM. The medium aggregation unit 113sM as a functional unit is specifically realized by the RAM 113s (see the lower right part of FIG. 9).

The media aggregate amount Vmb can be used to calculate the remuneration Pcr paid from the printer provider PP to the media vendor MV. However, in this embodiment, the media aggregate amount Vmb is not used for calculating the reward Pcr. The reward Pcr is a reward paid for generating the highly valuable print setting information Ips. Note that, in this specification, the remuneration Pcr may be collectively referred to as "consideration Pcr" together with other consideration.

The printer provider PP acquires the total media amount Vmb from the management server Sv at regular intervals, for example, every month. The total media amount Vmb represents the results of printing by the client printers 200a, 200b, and 200as that have been configured based on the print setting information Ips at the printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas.

The printer provider PP determines the remuneration Pcr based on the total ink amount Vib for each print setting information Ips. The printer provider PP pays a remuneration Pcr to the media vendor MV that created each print setting information Ips (see the middle right part of FIG. 8).

Specifically, the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP receives information Vib about the amount of ink for each print setting information Ips used in printing by the client printers 200a and 200b using the print setting information Ips. Received from management server Sv. As a result, the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP receives the total ink amount Vib for each print setting information Ips, which represents the printing performance. The computer 100pp of the printer provider PP sent information Pcr representing a reward determined based on the amount of ink used in printing, and print setting information Ips used in printing by the printers 200a and 200b to the management server Sv. Send to media vendor MV's computer 100v. As a result, information Pcr representing remuneration determined based on printing performance is received by the computer 100v of the media vendor MV that has transmitted the print setting information Ips to the management server Sv. Note that the information Pcr representing the reward is transmitted to the computer 100v of the media vendor MV via the management server Sv.

Similar processing is performed for the printing vendor PCb and the printing vendor PCas, and payments of consideration Pcp1 to Pcp3 and Pcr are made.

By performing such processing, it is possible to give the media vendor MV an incentive to create print setting information Ips that is frequently used by the printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas and has useful value for the printing companies PCa and PCb. . As a result, the media vendor MV generates print setting information Ips that is useful for the printing companies PCa and PCb and is capable of realizing high-quality printing. As a result, high-quality printing is performed by the printer 200 manufactured by the printer provider PP using the high-quality print setting information Ips. Brand value is increased.

In this embodiment, the remuneration Pcr to be paid to the media vendor MV for the print setting information Ips is determined based on the total amount of ink used in printing Vib for each print setting information Ips. For this reason, compared to a mode in which the remuneration Pcr is determined based on the number of times Ni that the print setting information Ips is downloaded from the management server Sv, the remuneration Pcr reflects the actual usage history at the printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas. easy to decide.

For example, even though the print setting information Ips has been downloaded from the management server Sv, there may be a case where the print setting information Ips is not used for actual printing. If media vendor MV and printer provider PCa or printer PCb collude to download a large number of print setting information Ips that are not used for printing, media vendor MV may receive unfair compensation Pcr from printer provider PP. become. However, in this embodiment, the remuneration Pcr to be paid to the media vendor MV is determined based on the media aggregate amount Vmb. Therefore, such fraud can be prevented.

The printer provider PP in this embodiment is also referred to as a "first provider." The media vendor MV is also called a "second provider." Printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas are also called "clients." The management server Sv is also called a "storage unit". The printer 200v is also called a "provider printer." The printer operation setting parameters 1050 are also referred to as "setting parameters."

D. Fourth embodiment:
D1. Printing system configuration:
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the printing system PS4 of this embodiment. The printing system PS4 includes a print setting vendor PSV as a component. Other aspects of the configuration of the printing system PS4 are the same as the printing system PS of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, description of the configuration of components having the same configuration as those of the first embodiment will be omitted. In this embodiment, descriptions of the functions of components that perform the same functions as those of the first embodiment will be omitted. In FIG. 10, components common to those in FIG. 1 are designated by common reference numerals.

In this embodiment, the printer provider PP provides printers 200 and 300 used by a print setting vendor PSV, a media vendor MV, printing companies PCa and PCb, a business office PCao of the printing company PCa, and a subsidiary PCas of the printing company PCa. do.

The printer 200 manufactured by the printer provider PP is used to generate print setting information Ips at the print setting vendor PSV, media vendor MV, printer provider PP, and management server Sv. The printer 200 used in the print setting vendor PSV is referred to as "printer 200psv" (see the middle right part of FIG. 10).

The printers 200a, 200b, 200as, 200psv, 200v, 200pp, and 200s are of the same model. In this specification, when the printers 200a, 200b, 200as, 200psv, 200v, 200pp, and 200s are expressed without distinction, they are expressed as "printer 200." The configuration of the printer 200 in this embodiment is the same as the configuration of the printer 200 in the first embodiment.

The print setting vendor PSV provides a profile according to the combination of the printer 200 model and the print medium MD type. Specifically, the print setting vendor PSV is a company that generates print setting information Ips including profiles corresponding to combinations of various types of printers 200 and various types of print media MD, and supplies it to external parties ( (See middle right part of Figure 10). In FIG. 10, the print setting vendor PSV is depicted as one component. However, in reality, the print setting vendors PSV are multiple companies that perform similar functions and are in competition with each other.

The print setting vendor PSV provides print setting information Ips used during printing by the media vendor MV, the printing companies PCa, PCb, PCas, and the office PCao of the printing company PCa. The print setting information Ips generated by the print setting vendor PSV is used by printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas to mass-produce printed matter (see the center of FIG. 10). The print setting information Ips generated by the print setting vendor PSV is used to generate a print sample at the printing company PCa's office PCao (see the middle left part of FIG. 10).

The print setting vendor PSV has a computer 100 psv, a display device 115 psv, an input device 116 psv, and a printer 200 psv (see the middle right part of FIG. 10). Printer 200psv is connected to computer 100psv. Computer 100psv controls printer 200psv. The computer 100psv includes a CPU 111psv, which is a processor, a ROM 112psv, and a RAM 113psv.

A program for controlling the printer 200psv is installed on the computer 100psv. In the computer 100psv, a CPU 111psv, a RAM 113psv, and a ROM 112psv as hardware resources cooperate with a control program. Specifically, the CPU 111psv loads a computer program stored in the ROM 112psv or the RAM 113psv, which is a fixed disk, into the RAM 113psv, which is a semiconductor memory, and executes it, thereby realizing various functions. Information acquired or generated by the CPU 111psv is stored in the RAM 113psv.

The management server Sv manages information among printer provider PP, media vendor MV, print setting vendor PSV, printing companies PCa and PCb, printing company PCa's office PCao, and printing company PCa's subsidiary PCas. Transmission and reception are possible (see the upper center of FIG. 10). The management server Sv is connected via a network to the printer provider PP, media vendor MV, print setting vendor PSV, printing companies PCa and PCb, printing company PCa's office PCao, and printing company PCa's subsidiary PCas. . The management server Sv processes and stores information obtained from the printer provider PP, the media vendor MV, the print settings vendor PSV, the printing companies PCa and PCb, the printing company PCa's office PCao, and the subsidiary PCas of the printing company PCa. .

In addition to the functions performed by the computer 100a at the printer PCa, the computer 100s also functions as a computer 100psv of a print settings vendor PSV, a computer 100v of a media vendor MV, and computers 100, 100b, 100as of the printers PCa, PCb, PCas, It has the function of transmitting and receiving information with the computer 100ao of the business office PCao.

FIG. 11 shows the relationship among the computer 100psv of the print settings vendor PSV, the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP, the computer 100v of the media vendor MV, the computer 100a of the printer PCa, the computer 100b of the printer PCb, and the computer 100s of the management server Sv. FIG. Note that the computer 100as of the printer PCas and the computer 100ao of the business office PCao have substantially the same configuration and functions as the computer 100a of the printer PCa or the computer 100b of the printer PCb, so they are not shown in FIG. are doing.

The computer 100psv of the print setting vendor PSV includes an interface 117psv for communicating with the outside (see the upper center of FIG. 11). The interface 117psv functions as a transmitter 117psvss that transmits information to the outside, and a receiver 117psvsr that receives information from the outside.

In the printing system PS4, (i) a computer 100psv owned by a print setting vendor PSV, (ii) a computer 100pp owned by a printer provider PP, (iii) a computer 100v owned by a media vendor MV, (iv) a printing vendor PCa, Computers 100a and 100b, which each PCb has and to which the printer 200 is connected, and (v) management server Sv are connected via their respective interfaces 117 and the Internet INT.

D2. Processing in the printing system:
(1) Generating and uploading print setting information:
The printer provider PP prepares the printer 200 psv and the profile creation tool PMT, and provides the printer 200 psv and the profile creation tool PMT to the print setting vendor PSV (see the lower right part of FIG. 10). Specifically, the profile creation tool PMT is executed by the CPU 111psv of the computer 100psv. The profile will be explained later.

The print setting vendor PSV uses the printer 200psv and the profile creation tool PMT to create profiles corresponding to the combinations of the printer 200psv and various types of print media MD manufactured by the media vendor MV. The print setting vendor PSV creates print setting information Ips including the profile, and transmits the print setting information Ips to the management server Sv in order to store it in the management server Sv (see the upper center of FIG. 10).

Such processing is performed for each type of print medium MD provided by the media vendor MV. As a result, the management server Sv stores one or more print setting information Ips each including a profile corresponding to a combination of a printer and a print medium MD. The print setting vendor PSV pays the printer provider PP a consideration Pcv according to the number of print setting information Ips to be stored in the management server Sv (see the lower right part of FIG. 10). The specific payment process for consideration Pcv is performed via the management server Sv.

By performing such processing, the printer provider PP can obtain consideration Pcv according to the extent to which the print setting vendor PSV utilizes the printing system PS4. The print setting vendor PSV can utilize the printing system PS4 to further promote the use of the print media MD by the printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas in accordance with the increase in the consideration Pcv to be paid to the printer provider PP. As a result, the remuneration Pcr obtained from the printer provider PP increases. Therefore, an increase in the consideration Pcv in response to an increase in the number of print setting information Ips is unlikely to be felt as a large burden on the print setting vendor PSV.

In the process of transmitting the print setting information Ips to the management server Sv, the print settings vendor PSV selects one or more printing vendors PCa, PCb, and PCas that can download the print settings information Ips from the management server Sv. The process of transmitting the print setting information Ips can be executed by specifying the print setting information Ips. The management server Sv stores the print setting information Ips that can be downloaded only to the specified print shop, with respect to the print setting information Ips sent from the print setting vendor PSV with a specified print shop. Allow downloading (see middle left part of Figure 10).

By performing such processing, the print setting vendor PSV can provide the print setting information Ips only to one or more printing companies that have a specific relationship with the print setting vendor PSV. One or more designated printing companies can use print setting information Ips that cannot be used by other printing companies.

In this embodiment, the creator ID 1110 of the print setting information Ips is stored in advance in the profile creation tool PMT when the profile creation tool PMT is provided to the print settings vendor PSV (see the lower part of FIG. 4).

The creator ID is different for each print setting vendor PSV that receives the profile creation tool PMT. That is, the creator ID can be associated one-to-one with the print setting vendor PSV that is licensed to use the profile creation tool PMT. A creator ID can also be assigned to each individual worker who is an employee of the print setting vendor PSV. The printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas that have downloaded the print setting information Ips from the management server Sv can know the creator of the print setting information Ips based on the creator ID 1110 in the print setting information Ips (see the bottom row of FIG. 10). (See left).

The quality level information 1130 includes evaluation values of color reproduction accuracy, color reproduction range, gradation characteristics, graininess, and ink bleeding regarding the print result. In order to create quality level information 1130, print setting vendor PSV performs the following processing.

The print setting vendor PSV uses the printer 200psv to print the color chart on the print medium MD. Print data for the color chart is stored in advance in application software that controls the printer 200.

The print setting vendor PSV measures the print result of the color chart with a sensor of the printer 200 psv, and determines an evaluation value for the print result based on the output of the sensor. Specifically, color reproduction accuracy, color reproduction range, and gradation characteristics are evaluated based on the output of the spectrophotometer. Graininess and ink bleed are evaluated based on the output of a digital still camera. The evaluation value of each item determined based on the output of the sensor is stored as quality level information 1130 in the print setting information Ips.

When the print setting vendor PSV uploads the print setting information Ips to the management server Sv, or prior to uploading the print setting information Ips, the print setting vendor PSV uploads a sample of the print medium MD used by the printer 200psv when generating the print setting information Ips. is sent to the management server Sv.

(2) Checking and storing print setting information:
When the management server Sv receives the print setting information Ips from the print setting vendor PSV, it performs a process of confirming the contents of the print setting information Ips (see the upper center of FIG. 10).

The process of confirming the contents of the print setting information Ips performed in the management server Sv requires that the creator and sender of the print setting information Ips to be processed are not the media vendor MV but the print setting vendor PSV, and step S160; This is the same as the first embodiment except that the notification destination in S170 is the print setting vendor PSV instead of the media vendor MV (see FIG. 5).

In the fourth embodiment, if an institution or organization other than the management server Sv performs the processes of steps S120, S130, and S140 in FIG. A sample of the print media MD used in the printer 200 psv was sent to us when generating the .

(3) Downloading and printing print setting information:
The process of downloading and printing the print setting information Ips in the fourth embodiment is the same as the process of downloading and printing the print setting information Ips in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas obtain the following benefits by performing printing by setting the software that controls the printers 200a, 200b, and 200as based on the print setting information Ips. be able to. In other words, the printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas are aware that the print settings vendor PSV and the printer provider PP are aware of (i) the model of the printer 200a, 200b, and 200as, (ii) the type of print medium MD, (iii) the type of ink, and (iv ) print mode, and (v) configuration parameters to produce printed matter with the high quality achieved when creating the print configuration information Ips. Further, the printers PCa, PCb, and PCas can configure the printers 200a, 200b, and 200as in a shorter time than if they had to configure the printers 200a, 200b, and 200as by themselves through trial and error.

In the present embodiment, the printer provider PP determines the remuneration Pcr based on the total media amount Vmb for each print setting information Ips. The printer provider PP pays a remuneration Pcr to the print setting vendor PSV that created each print setting information Ips (see the middle right part of FIG. 10).

Specifically, the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP receives information Vm of the amount of print media MD for each print setting information Ips used in printing by the client printers 200a and 200b performed using the print setting information Ips. is received from the management server Sv. As a result, the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP receives information Vm about the amount of print medium MD for each print setting information Ips representing the printing performance. The computer 100pp of the printer provider PP sends information Pcr representing a remuneration determined based on the amount of print media MD used in printing, and print setting information Ips used in printing by the printers 200a and 200b to the management server Sv. Send it to the computer 100psv of the print setting vendor PSV that sent it. As a result, information Pcr representing remuneration determined based on printing performance is received by the computer 100psv of the print setting vendor PSV that has transmitted the print setting information Ips to the management server Sv. Information Pcr representing the reward is transmitted to the computer 100psv of the print setting vendor PSV via the management server Sv.

Similar processing is performed for the printing vendor PCb and the printing vendor PCas, and payments of consideration Pcp1 to Pcp3 and Pcr are made.

By performing such processing, it is possible to give the print setting vendor PSV an incentive to create print setting information Ips that is frequently used by the printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas and has useful value for the printing companies PCa and PCb. can. As a result, the print setting vendor PSV generates print setting information Ips that is useful for the printing companies PCa and PCb and is capable of realizing high-quality printing. As a result, high-quality printing is performed by the printer 200 manufactured by the printer provider PP using the high-quality print setting information Ips. Brand value is increased.

In this embodiment, the remuneration Pcr to be paid to the print settings vendor PSV for the print settings information Ips is determined based on the total media amount Vmb, which is the amount of print media MD used in printing. For this reason, compared to a mode in which the remuneration Pcr is determined based on the number of times Ni that the print setting information Ips is downloaded from the management server Sv, the remuneration Pcr reflects the actual usage history at the printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas. easy to decide.

For example, even though the print setting information Ips has been downloaded from the management server Sv, there may be a case where the print setting information Ips is not used for actual printing. If the print settings vendor PSV and the printer PCa or PCb collude to download a large number of print settings information Ips that are not used for printing, the print settings vendor PSV will receive unfair compensation Pcr from the printer provider PP. You will get it. However, in this embodiment, the remuneration Pcr to be paid to the print setting vendor PSV is determined based on the total media amount Vmb. Therefore, such fraud can be prevented.

The printer provider PP in this embodiment is also referred to as a "first provider." The media vendor MV is also called a "second provider." The print setting vendor PSV is also called a "third provider." Printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas are also called "clients." The management server Sv is also called a "storage unit". The printer 200psv is also called a "provider printer." The printer operation setting parameters 1050 are also referred to as "setting parameters."

In this specification, the computer 100psv of the print setting vendor PSV is also referred to as a "third information terminal."

E. Elemental technologies in printing systems:
(1) How the color management system works:
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a color management system used in the printing systems PS and PS2 of FIG. 1, the printing system PS3 of FIG. 8, and the printing system PS4 of FIG. 10. This color management system is realized by a product printer 200, a target printer 300, and a RIP (Raster Image Processor) 400.

The target printer 300 is a target device that forms a printed matter expressing a target color _CT , which is a target color. In the printing system PS, the printer 300 is used to generate print samples at the business office PCao of the printing company PCa (see the middle left part of FIG. 1).

The target printer 300 receives color data CMYK including a combination of gradation values of each ink used by the target printer 300, and performs printing to reproduce a specific color according to the color data CMYK. The inks used by the target printer 300 are cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) inks for the target printer 300. The color data CMYK represents coordinates in a CMYK color space whose coordinate axes are the gradation values of each CMYK ink used in the target printer 300.

In the present embodiment, the color represented by the printed matter formed as a result of printing according to color data CMYK by the target printer 300 becomes the target color C _T in color matching (see the upper center of FIG. 12). reference). The target color C _T is a set of multiple colors reproduced at different locations on one sheet. However, in order to facilitate understanding of the technology, the following description focuses on one of the target colors _CT . The target color C _T can be specified by the coordinate values (L*a*b* values) in the CIE L*a*b* color space obtained by measuring the printed matter formed by the target printer 300 with a colorimeter. . The coordinate values of the target color _CT in the CIE L*a*b* color space are shown as Lab _T in FIG. 12 (see the upper right part of FIG. 12). In this specification, the L*a*b* color space is also referred to as the Lab color space. L*a*b* values are also expressed as Lab values.

The target color C _T can also be specified by color data CMYK representing coordinates in a CMYK color space whose coordinate axes are the gradation values of each CMYK ink used in the target printer 300. However, the color data CMYK depends on the colors of each CMYK ink used in the target printer 300. The color data CMYK when the target color C _T is expressed on a printed matter is called color data CMYKin (see the middle left part of FIG. 12).

The product printer 200 is an inkjet printer used to reproduce the colors of printed matter formed by the target printer 300. In the printing system PS, the printer 200 is used for mass producing printed matter at printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas (see the lower left part of FIG. 1).

The product printer 200 receives color data cmyk including a combination of gradation values of each ink used by the product printer 200, and performs printing to reproduce a specific color according to the color data cmyk. The inks used by the product printer 200 are cyan (c), magenta (m), yellow (y), and black (k) inks for the product printer 200. The color data cmyk represents coordinates in a cmyk color space whose coordinate axes are the gradation values of each cmyk ink used in the product printer 200.

A RIP (Raster Image Processor) 400 receives color data CMYKin for the target printer 300, converts the color data CMYKin into color data CMYK for the product printer 200, and can supply the color data CMYK to the product printer 200 (Fig. 12, middle left). The color data cmyk for the product printer 200 generated by converting the color data CMYKin for the target printer 300 is called color data cmyk _p (see the middle right part of FIG. 12).

The RIP 400 can receive the color name in the Pantone (registered trademark) color library, generate color data cmyk for the product printer 200 based on the color name, and supply it to the product printer 200 (Fig. (See bottom left part of 12). That is, the RIP 400 can receive the color name representing the target color _CT , generate color data cmyk _p for the product printer 200 based on the color name, and supply it to the product printer 200.

Data that includes color data CMYKin representing the target color C _T or color name information representing the target color C _T and is input to the RIP 400 is called print original data D0 (see the middle left part of FIG. 12).

RIP 400 has an input profile 610, an output profile 620, and a color library 640. Color library 640 is a Pantone(R) color library.

The input profile 610 is a file that describes the color characteristics of ink used in the target printer 300. Specifically, the input profile 610 maintains a correspondence relationship between the coordinates in the color space of the ink colors CMYK of the target printer 300 and the coordinates in the Lab color space as a PCS (Profile Connection Space). There is.

The output profile 620 is a file that describes the color characteristics of ink used in the product printer 200. Specifically, the output profile 620 holds a correspondence relationship between coordinates in the Lab color space as a PCS (profile connection space) and coordinates in the color space of the ink color cmyk of the product printer 200. The input profile 610 and the output profile 620 are created according to the data format of the ICC profile.

In the print document data D0, when the target color C _T is specified by the color data CMYKin, the RIP 400 performs the following processing. The RIP 400 refers to the input profile 610 and converts the color data CMYKin of the print document data D0 into color data Lab _S , which is color data specified in the Lab color space as PCS (Profile Connection Space) (see FIG. (See middle left part of 12).

In the print document data D0, when the target color C _T is specified by a color name in the Pantone (registered trademark) color library, the RIP 400 performs the following processing. The RIP 400 refers to the color library 640 and generates color data Labs, which is color data specified in the Lab color space, based on the color name (see the middle left part of FIG. 12).

The RIP 400 converts the color data Labs into color data cmyk _p with reference to the output profile 620 (see the middle right part of FIG. 12).

Through the above processing, the product printer 200 prints colors close to the target color C _T printed by the target printer 300 for cyan (c), magenta (m), yellow (y), and black (k). ) can be used to reproduce the image.

Note that in the example of FIG. 12, the RIP 400 has an input profile 610 and an output profile 620. However, RIP 400 may maintain device link profile 630 instead of or in addition to input profile 610 and output profile 620. The device link profile 630 holds the correspondence between the coordinates in the color space of the ink colors CMYK of the target printer 300 and the coordinates in the color space of the ink colors CMYK of the product printer 200. The RIP 400 can refer to the device link profile 630 and convert the color data CMYKin of the print document data D0 into color data _cmykp .

In the RIP 400, even when the device link profile 630 is referred to instead of the input profile 610 and the output profile 620, the product printer 200 prints a color close to the target color C _T printed by the target printer 300. It can be reproduced with cyan (c), magenta (m), yellow (y), and black (k) inks for 200.

Note that the output profile 620 and the device link profile 630 may be created assuming standard print media. However, in the printing system PS of this embodiment, a profile 1060 as the output profile 620 is prepared for each print medium MD (see the upper right part of FIG. 1 and 1060 in FIG. 4).

(2) Profile structure:
FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of the ICC profile 500. The ICC profile is a series of data that characterizes color-related input/output devices and color spaces in accordance with standards published by the International Color Consortium in color management. The input profile 610 and output profile 620 shown in FIG. 12 are created according to the data format of the ICC profile. ICC profile 500 includes a profile header 510, a tag table 520, and element data 530.

Tag table 520 includes one or more tags 521. Each tag 521 is associated with data within element data 530. One or more tags 521 can include private tags 523 for customizing ICC profile 500. Element data 530 stores a color conversion table for converting color data between PCS (Profile Connection Space) and device dependent color space.

Among the one or more tags 521, the A2Bx tag (x is 0, 1, or 2) is a Lab It is associated with a color conversion table for converting to color data in a color space. The B2Ax tag (x is 0, 1, or 2) includes a color conversion table for converting color data in the Lab color space to color data in the device-dependent color space.

The A2B0 tag and the B2A0 tag are associated with a color conversion table for perceptual color conversion. Perceptual color conversion is color conversion that emphasizes reproduction of color gradation. Perceptual color conversion is primarily used to convert photographic images with a wide color gamut.

The A2B1 tag and the B2A1 tag are associated with a color conversion table for media-relative colorimetric or absolute colorimetric color conversion. There is. Colorimetric color conversion is conversion that is faithful to colorimetric values. Colorimetric color conversion is primarily used for conversion for color proofing output of digital proofs where accurate color matching is required.

The A2B2 tag and the B2A2 tag are associated with a color conversion table for performing color conversion that emphasizes saturation. Color conversion that emphasizes saturation is a conversion that emphasizes color vividness rather than color accuracy. Color conversion that emphasizes saturation is mainly used for conversion such as graph display in business graphics.

(3) Profile adjustment:
In the RIP 400, whether the input profile 610 and the output profile 620 are referenced or the device link profile 630 is referenced, the product printer 200 may In some cases, a color sufficiently close to the target color C _T cannot be reproduced. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the product printer 200 as an output device to reproduce appropriate colors for all of the color spaces that the target printer 300 as an input device can reproduce; In some cases, it may be sufficient for the product printer 200 to be able to reproduce appropriate colors only for those parts. In such a case, by adjusting the input profile 610, output profile 620, and/or device link profile 630, the reproduced colors of the product printer 200 can be brought closer to the target color _CT .

When adjusting a profile, specify one or more profiles to be adjusted among the input profile 610, output profile 620, and device link profile 630, and data representing the color to be adjusted in the color space of the profile to be adjusted. and data representing a target color to which the color to be adjusted should be brought closer to that color through adjustment are input via an input interface on a computer. The input interface on the computer will be explained later.

When the output profile 620 is adjusted, the following processing is performed. The printed matter produced by the product printer 200 is colorimetrically measured according to the color data cmyk _p to generate color data Lab _p (see the lower right part of FIG. 12). The color difference between the color data Labs (see the center of FIG. 12) specified in the Lab color space as PCS and the color data Lab _p obtained by colorimetrically measuring the printed matter of the product printer 200 is calculated. Output profile 620 is adjusted so that this color difference is reduced.

When input profile 610 is adjusted, the following processing is performed. The printed matter produced by the product printer 200 is colorimetrically measured according to the color data cmyk _p to generate color data Lab _p (see the lower right part of FIG. 12). Color data Lab _T (see the upper right part of FIG. 12) obtained by measuring the printed matter of the target printer 300 and representing the target color _CT (see the upper right part of FIG. 12), and color data obtained by measuring the printed matter of the product printer 200. The color difference between Lab _p is calculated. Input profile 610 is adjusted so that this color difference is reduced.

When the device link profile 630 is adjusted, similarly to when the input profile 610 is adjusted, the color data Lab _T (see the upper right part of FIG. 12) and the color obtained by measuring the printed matter of the product printer 200 are used. The device link profile 630 is adjusted so that the color difference between the color data Lab _p and the obtained color data Lab p is reduced.

For example, if an error included in a profile is to be adjusted, one of the input profile 610, output profile 620, or device link profile 630 is specified on the input interface on the computer, and the adjustment process is performed on the computer. obtain.

When color calibration is performed to bring the color of printed matter produced by the product printer 200 closer to the target color C _T , the input profile 610 and the output profile 620 may be specified, and adjustment processing may be performed on the computer. If the RIP 400 holds a device link profile 630 together with an input profile 610 and an output profile 620 for the same combination of input device and output device, the output profile 620 and device link profile will be used when color calibration is performed. 630 may be specified and the adjustment process may be performed on the computer.

In addition, when color calibration is performed to bring the color of printed matter produced by the product printer 200 closer to the target color _CT , the following coordinate values may be specified on the input interface on the computer as adjustment targets. Possible: Coordinate values in the color space of ink colors CMYK of the target printer 300 as an input device, coordinate values in the color space of ink colors CMYK of the product printer 200 as an output device, and/or coordinates in the Lab color space as a PCS. value. The specified coordinate values in the profile are adjusted via the computer.

If an output value in the input profile 610, output profile 620, and/or device link profile 630 is changed to a different value, the output value corresponding to the input value in the vicinity of the input value corresponding to the adjusted output value is also changed. , are adjusted at the same time. This is to prevent a situation in which the gradation of reproduced colors deteriorates due to a certain output value being changed to a different value. An adjustment range, which is a range of input values within which an output value is simultaneously adjusted when one output value is changed to a different value, can be specified by an input interface on the computer. By specifying the range of input values within which the output value is adjusted when an output value is changed to a different value, the range that is affected when an output value is changed to a different value is controlled. .

When the input profile 610, output profile 620, and/or device link profile 630 is adjusted, if the target color is not specified in PCS (Profile Connection Space), it is converted to color data Lab expressed in PCS. to adjust the target file.

When input profile 610, output profile 620, and/or device link profile 630 are adjusted, receiving a designation of a rendering intent via an input interface on the computer and adjusting the profile according to the specified rendering intent. may be performed. Rendering intents include "Perceptual," "Media-Relative Colorimetric," "Absolute Colorimetric," and "Saturation." .

(4) User interface screen for adjusting profiles:
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen 800 displayed on a computer screen when a profile is adjusted. The user interface screen 800 (hereinafter referred to as "UI screen 800") includes an input profile selection field 811, an output profile selection field 812, a device link profile selection field 813, an adjustment target profile designation field 820, and an adjustment target color space selection field. 830, a target reception area 840, an adjustment data selection field 845, an adjustment range designation field 850, an intent designation field 860, and an adjustment execution button 870.

Selection columns 811 to 813 are columns for specifying a profile to be used for color conversion. In the input profile selection field 811, when the input profile 610 is used for color conversion, the user selects the input profile 610 to be used for color conversion from among the input profiles 610 stored in the RAM 113v (see the upper right part of FIG. 1). This is a field for selecting and specifying an input profile. If the input profile 610 is not used for color conversion, the input profile selection field 811 will be blank.

The output profile selection field 812 is used for the user to select and specify an output profile to be used for color conversion from among the output profiles 620 stored in the RAM 113v when the output profile 620 is used for color conversion. This is the column. If the output profile 620 is not used for color conversion, the output profile selection field 812 will be blank.

The device link profile selection field 813 allows the user to select a device link profile to be used for color conversion from among the device link profiles 630 stored in the RAM 113v when the device link profile 630 is used for color conversion. , is a field for specifying. If the device link profile 630 is not used for color conversion, the device link profile selection field 813 is blank.

One or more profiles specified via the selection fields 811 to 813 and used for color conversion are candidates for profiles to be adjusted.

The adjustment target profile specification column 820 is a column for specifying a profile to be adjusted. In the adjustment target profile designation field 820, one profile is selected from among the profiles designated as profiles to be used for color conversion in the selection fields 811 to 813. In the example of FIG. 14, an input profile is specified in the input profile selection field 811, an output profile is specified in the output profile selection field 812, and no device link profile is specified in the device link profile selection field 813. Therefore, in the adjustment target profile specification field 820, only the input profile or the output profile can be selected. In the example of FIG. 14, the input profile is selected as the profile to be adjusted.

The adjustment target color space selection field 830 is a field for specifying a color space to be adjusted among two color spaces associated with a profile to be adjusted. In the example of FIG. 14, the input profile is selected as the profile to be adjusted in the adjustment target profile specification field 820. Therefore, in the adjustment target color space selection field 830, "input data" for specifying the CMYK color space of the target printer 300, and "PCS value" for specifying the Lab color space as the PCS (profile connection space). ” and can be selected. In the example of FIG. 14, the Lab color space is selected as the color space to be adjusted.

Note that when the output profile is selected as the adjustment target in the adjustment target profile specification field 820, the adjustment target color space selection field 830 includes a "PCS value" for specifying the Lab color space as PCS, It is possible to select either "output data" for specifying the cmyk color space of the product printer 200. When a device link profile is selected as an adjustment target, in the adjustment target color space selection field 830, it is possible to select one of "input data", "PCS value", and "output data". .

The adjustment data selection column 845 is a column for specifying whether the content of the adjustment is specified by a value in the coordinates of the color space, that is, a target value, or by a relative value, that is, the amount of change from the current value. In the adjustment data selection field 845, "absolute value" or "relative value" can be selected. In the example of FIG. 14, relative values are selected. In accordance with the selection in the adjustment data selection field 845, the display for specifying the modification content in the target acceptance area 840 is changed.

The target reception area 840 is a column for specifying the color P0 to be adjusted and the modification content T0 of the color P0 to be adjusted. In the target acceptance area 840, the color P0 to be adjusted is specified by a coordinate value in the color space of the ink colors CMYK of the target printer 300 or a coordinate value in the Lab color space as PCS. In the target reception area 840, the modification content T0 of the color P0 to be adjusted is specified by the target value in the coordinates of the Lab color space or the amount of modification from the value of the color P0 to be adjusted in the coordinates of the Lab color space. In the example of FIG. 14, since "relative value" is selected in the adjustment data selection column 845, the modification content T0 of the color P0 to be adjusted is based on the value of the color P0 to be adjusted at the coordinates of the Lab color space. Specified by the amount of modification.

The adjustment range designation field 850 is a field for designating the adjustment range of the profile to be adjusted. In the adjustment range specification field 850, the user selects whether to specify the entire color space as the adjustment range that is adjusted according to the specified modification content T0, or specify a part of the entire color space as the adjustment range. Selectable. More specifically, in the adjustment range specification field 850, "entire input space" and "radius" can be selected. In the example of FIG. 14, in the adjustment range specification column 850, "entire input space" is selected, which sets the adjustment range to the entire color space.

Note that in the adjustment range specification column 850, when "radius" is selected to specify a part of the entire color space, a column for inputting the radius in the Lab color space as PCS is displayed in the target reception area 840. In the Lab color space, the gradation value of the color space inside a sphere with the specified radius centered around the color P0 to be adjusted is adjusted according to the modification content T0 specified for the color P0 to be adjusted. .

The intent specification field 860 is a field for specifying a rendering intent. In the intent specification field 860, it is possible to select “Perceptual,” “Relative Colorimetric,” or “Saturation.” When "Perceptual" is selected in the intent specification field 860, a color conversion table for perceptual color conversion is generated as the adjusted color conversion table (A2B0 in FIG. 13). tag and B2A0 tag). If “Relative Colorimetric” is selected in the intent specification field 860, a color conversion table for performing relative colorimetric color conversion is generated as the adjusted color conversion table. (See A2B1 tag and B2A1 tag in FIG. 13). When “Saturation” (emphasis on saturation) is selected in the intent specification field 860, a color conversion table for performing color conversion with emphasis on saturation is generated as a color conversion table after adjustment (Fig. 13 (see A2B2 tag and B2A2 tag). In FIG. 14, "Perceptual" is designated as the designated intent.

(5) Adjusting the print results of the product printer to match the print results of the target printer:
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a process of adjusting the print results of a product printer whose print results are the print results of a target printer. In the example of FIG. 15, the output profile 620 includes a B2A table 621 and an A2B table 622 (see the center of FIG. 15).

The B2A table 621 is a table for converting coordinates in the Lab color space as a PCS (profile connection space) to coordinates in the color space of the ink color cmyk of the product printer 200.

The A2B table 622 is a table for converting coordinates in the color space of the ink color cmyk of the product printer 200 into coordinates in the Lab color space as PCS. Conversion using the A2B table 622 converts the printed matter that the product printer 200 forms when the product printer 200 prints according to color data specified in the CMYK color space of the product printer 200. This corresponds to simulating the color of .

The input profile 610 (see the middle left part of FIG. 15) includes an A2B table 611. The A2B table 611 included in the input profile 610 is a table for converting coordinates in the color space of the ink colors CMYK of the target printer 300 into coordinates in the Lab color space as PCS. In FIG. 15, illustration of the A2B table 611 is omitted to facilitate understanding of the technology.

In the example of FIG. 15, the output of the B2A table 621 of the output profile 620 is set such that the color of the printed matter produced by the product printer 200 approaches the target color _CT , which is the color of the printed matter produced by the target printer 300. The gradation value is adjusted (see the center of FIG. 15).

First, the color data cmyk _p for the product printer 200, which is generated by converting the color data CMYKin for the target printer 300, is modified with the initial value of the color adjustment vector Δcmyk. The color data cmyk _p for the product printer 200 after being modified by the initial value of the color adjustment vector Δcmyk is referred to as color data cmyk _pp (see the lower left part of FIG. 15).

Note that a plurality of initial values of the color adjustment vector Δcmyk are prepared. Then, among the initial values of the plurality of color adjustment vectors Δcmyk, the color adjustment vector Δcmyk that minimizes the objective function regarding the print result is selected. Thereafter, a color adjustment vector Δcmyk to be used in the next process is determined based on the selected color adjustment vector Δcmyk. By repeating such processing, the optimal color adjustment vector Δcmyk _b is determined.

By converting the color data cmyk _pp modified by the color adjustment vector Δcmyk using the A2B table 622 of the output profile 620, color data Lab _S3 in the Lab color space is obtained (see the lower right part of FIG. 15). The color data Lab _S3 in the Lab color space represents the color of printed matter formed by the product printer 200 when printing is performed according to the color data _cmykpp .

On the other hand, by converting the color data cmyk _p for the product printer 200 generated by converting the color data CMYKin for the target printer 300 using the A2B table 622 of the output profile 620, the color data Lab _S2 in the Lab color space is converted. is obtained (see the lower right part of FIG. 15). The color data Lab _S2 in the Lab color space represents the color of printed matter formed by the product printer 200 when printing is performed according to the color data cmyk _p . By adding the color adjustment vector ΔLab _Tp representing the modification content T0 of the color P0 to be adjusted specified by the user to the color data Lab _S2 , the color data Lab _ST representing the target color is obtained (see FIG. 15). (See middle right, and P0, T0 in FIG. 14).

Color data Lab _S3 of the color of printed matter formed by the product printer 200 when printing is performed according to the color data cmyk _pp modified by the initial value of the color adjustment vector Δcmyk (see the lower right part of FIG. 15); The color difference ΔE ₀₀ between the color data Lab _ST (see the middle right part of FIG. 15) representing the target color is calculated for the initial value of each color adjustment vector Δcmyk. The color difference ΔE ₀₀ obtained for each initial value of the color adjustment vector Δcmyk is the difference between the printing result produced by each initial value of the color adjustment vector Δcmyk and the printing result produced by the ideal color adjustment vector Δcmyki.

Among the plurality of color adjustment vectors Δcmyk, the initial value of the color adjustment vector Δcmyk with the smallest value of the objective function including the square of the color difference ΔE ₀₀ as a component is selected from among the plurality of initial values of the color adjustment vector Δcmyk. be done. Then, a plurality of color adjustment vectors Δcmyk to be used in the next process are generated based on the initial value of the selected color adjustment vector Δcmyk. Thereafter, similar processing is repeated to determine the optimal color adjustment vector Δcmyk _b .

The color data CMYKin for the target printer 300 is converted by the B2A table 621 of the input profile 610 and the output profile 620, and the color data cmyk _p (see the middle right part of FIG. 15) for the product printer 200 is generated by converting it into the optimal By adjusting with the color adjustment vector Δcmyk _b , the following effects can be obtained. In other words, the color of the printed matter produced by the product printer 200 can be made closer to the target color _CT , which is the color of the printed matter produced by the target printer 300. The output tone value of the B2A table 621 of the output profile 620 is adjusted by the optimal color adjustment vector Δcmyk _b (see the center part of FIG. 15).

(6) Adjustment of print results between product printers:
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of adjusting print results between product printers. Although omitted in the explanation so far, when ink of other colors is used in the product printer 200 in addition to cyan (c), magenta (m), yellow (y), and black (k), The following processing is performed. In other words, the color separation table 750 is used for color data _cmykp in which colors are expressed by combinations of gradation values of four colors: cyan (c), magenta (m), yellow (y), and black (k). Then, it is converted into color data INK in which a color is expressed by a combination of gradation values of five or more ink colors used in the product printer 200 (see the middle right part of FIG. 16). The product printer 200 performs printing according to the color data INK. In FIG. 16, color data in which a color is expressed by a combination of gradation values of four colors, cyan (c), magenta (m), yellow (y), and black (k), is represented by color data cmyk _p0 . Color data in which a color is expressed by a combination of gradation values of five or more ink colors used in the product printers 200 and 201 is represented by color data INK ₀ and INK ₁ .

Even if printing is performed using the product printers 200 and 201 of the same model according to the same color data cmyk _p0 , the colors reproduced in the print results of the product printer 200 and the colors reproduced in the print results of the product printer 201 may differ. The displayed color may be different. In such a case, the colors reproduced in the print result are unified by the following process.

One product printer 200 is defined as a reference printer 200. Other product printers 201 are defined as target printers 201 to be adjusted. The color reproduced in the print result PA1 of the target printer 201 and specified by the color data Lab _p is the color reproduced in the print result PA0 of the reference printer 200 and specified by the color data Lab _T. The color data input to the target printer 201 is adjusted so that the color approaches the target printer 201.

Specifically, the color data cmyk _p0 output from the RIP 400 is converted into color data cmyk _p1 by the device link table 701 included in the device link profile 700 for calibration (see the center part of FIG. 16). The color data cmyk _p1 is color data that is reproduced by the target printer 201 in a color that is closer to the color reproduced in the print result PA0 of the reference printer 200 than the color data cmyk _p0 . Note that the color reproduced in the print result PA0 of the reference printer 200 is specified by the color data Lab _T. The color reproduced in the print result PA1 of the target printer 201 is specified by the color data Lab _p .

The device link table 701 uses combinations of gradation values of four colors, cyan (c), magenta (m), yellow (y), and black (k) as input values. This is a table in which output values are combinations of gradation values of four colors (y) and black (k). The device link table 701 is generated as follows.

First, a source table 711 is prepared. The source table 711 uses combinations of gradation values of four colors, cyan (c), magenta (m), yellow (y), and black (k) as input values. This is a table in which output values are combinations of gradation values of four colors: y) and black (k). In the original table 711, the combination of each gradation value of the output value is the same as the combination of each gradation value of the input value. That is, the transformation using the source table 711 is an identity transformation.

The device link table 701 is generated by modifying the output value of the original table 711. The amount of modification Δcmyk of the output gradation values of the original table 711 is determined so that the color of the printed matter produced by the target printer 201 approaches the target color _CT , which is the color of the printed matter produced by the reference printer 200.

An A2B table 641 is prepared. The A2B table 641 is a table for converting coordinates in the color space of the ink color cmyk of the target printer 201 into coordinates in the Lab color space as a PCS (profile connection space). Conversion using the A2B table 641 changes the color of printed matter produced by the target printer 201 when the target printer 201 performs printing according to color data specified in the CMYK color space of the target printer 201. , corresponds to simulating.

A2B table 641 is generated as follows. Color data in the cmyk color space for printing a color chart is input to the target printer 201, and the color chart CH1 is printed. Colorimetry is performed for each color patch PA1 of the color chart CH1 to obtain a colorimetric value Lab _p (see the lower right part of FIG. 16). _A2B A table 641 is generated.

Difference data 650 is prepared. The difference data 650 is data representing the difference between the color reproduced by the reference printer 200 and the color reproduced by the target printer 201 in the Lab color space. Difference data 650 is generated as follows. The same color data in the cmyk color space for printing color charts is input to the reference printer 200 and the target printer 201, and the color charts CH0 and CH1 are respectively printed. Then, colorimetry is performed on the corresponding patches PA0 and PA1 of the color charts CH0 and CH1 to obtain colorimetric values Lab _T and Lab _p (see the upper right and lower right parts of FIG. 16).

The difference (ΔL, Δa, Δb) between the colorimetric values Lab _T and Lab _p is calculated using the four colors cyan (c), magenta (m), yellow (y), and black (k) in the cmyk color space of patch PA0 or PA1. Difference data 650 is generated by performing the process of associating each patch of color charts CH0 and CH1 with a combination of tone values. As a result, the generated difference data 650 is a table that takes as input the combination of gradation values of basic colors in the CMYK color space and outputs the color difference in the Lab color space. The difference between the color expressed by the reference printer 200 and the color expressed by the target printer 201 is expressed as ΔLab _Tp .

Thereafter, the optimum value Δcmyk _b of the amount of modification of the output gradation value of the original table 711 is determined using a method similar to that described with reference to FIG. 15 . However, instead of the A2B table 622 (see the lower center of FIG. 15) of the output profile 620, an A2B table 641 (see the lower center of FIG. 16) that functions as a simulator of the target printer 201 is used.

More specifically, the following processing is performed. The output color data cmyk _p of the B2A table 621 of the output profile 620 is converted by the provisional device link table 701 obtained by modifying the original table 711 by the provisional modification amount Δcmyk (center of FIG. 15). (see section) and is input into the A2B table 641. The A2B table 641 functions as a simulator of the target printer 201.

As an evaluation of the modification amount Δcmyk obtained by modifying the original table 711, the output of the A2B table 641 is evaluated (see Lab _S3 and ΔE ₀₀ in the lower right part of FIG. 15). Such processing is performed for a plurality of provisional modification amounts Δcmyk. Then, the modification amount Δcmyk that minimizes the objective function regarding the print result is selected. Based on the selected modification amount Δcmyk, a plurality of modification amounts Δcmyk to be used in the next process are generated. By repeating such processing, the optimum value Δcmyk _b of the amount of modification of the output gradation value of the original table 711 is determined.

The output gradation value of the original table 711 is modified using the optimum value Δcmyk _b of the amount of modification of the output gradation value of the original table 711, and the device link table 701 is generated (see the center part of FIG. 16).

In this aspect, instead of adjusting the B2A table 621 for converting coordinates in the Lab color space to coordinates in the color space of the ink color CMYK of the product printer 200, the device modifies the output value of the B2A table 621. By providing the link table 701, the colors reproduced by the target printer 201 are brought closer to the colors reproduced by the reference printer 200. That is, the adjustment processing is performed in the cmyk color space. Therefore, when converting between the Lab color space as PCS (Profile Connection Space) and the CMYK color space for printers, color adjustment can be performed without being affected by gamut mapping between the two spaces. . As a result, the colors reproduced by the target printer 201, which receives the same color data specified in the cmyk color space and reproduces the colors, and the reference printer 200 can be made close to each other with high accuracy.

Note that in the RIP 400, the device link table 701 may be held independently of the B2A table 621, or the B2A table 621 with output values modified based on the device link table 701 may be held.

(7) Color conversion table creation process:
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a process for creating a B2A table 621 and a color separation table 750 as a color conversion table (see the center part of FIG. 15 and 621 and 750 of FIG. 16). The process shown in FIG. 17 is executed by the computer 100v of the media vendor MV or the computer 100psv of the print settings vendor PSV when generating the printer profile information 1060 in the print settings information Ips (upper row of FIG. right, middle right of FIG. 10, and 620 of FIG. 4). Note that although the printer profile information 1060 in the print setting information Ips in FIG. 4 only describes the output profile 620, the color separation table 750 may also be included.

In the process of creating the B2A table 621 and the color separation table 750 (see the center part of FIG. 15 and 621 and 750 in FIG. A combination of tone values is determined. In this specification, a combination of tone values in the Lab color space as PCS is also referred to as a "lattice point." The gradation value in the cmyk color space is also called the "ink amount."

In step S11, as an initial setting, an ink amount usage limit is set according to a user's operation.

In step S12, the amount of ink at a specific grid point is set according to the user's operation.

In step S13, a target lattice point, which is one lattice point for which the amount of ink is to be determined, is selected. As a method for selecting the target grid point, a known technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-223345 can be used. An overview of the processing will be explained below.

It is assumed that there are N lattice points (N is an integer represented by 2 ⁿ , where n is a positive integer) along a certain coordinate axis direction of the color conversion table. It is assumed that these N grid points have grid point numbers (1 to N) in the order of arrangement along the direction of the coordinate axis. Process numbers are assigned to these grid points according to the following process.

First, 1 is assigned to the No. 1 lattice point as the processing order, and 2 is assigned to the N-th lattice point as the processing order. Then, among the combinations of adjacent grid points for which the processing order has been determined, one set of grid points with the largest difference in grid point numbers is selected, and the next grid point is placed at the midpoint of that set of grid points. A processing order is assigned. Note that if there are multiple combinations of lattice points with the largest difference in lattice point numbers, the combination including the lattice point with the smallest lattice point number is selected. Through such processing, a processing number is assigned to each grid point.

In step S13, among the grid points lined up along the coordinate axis direction and for which the amount of ink has not been determined, the grid point with the lowest processing order is selected as the target grid point.

In step S20, a virtual color value is determined for the target grid point. Specifically, the virtual color value is a gradation value of each ink color in the cmyk color space. For some grid points, including the grid points at the vertices of the color conversion table, virtual color values are determined in advance by a method different from the method described below. The lattice point at the apex of the color conversion table is a lattice point whose coordinates are specified by a combination of the maximum value or minimum value of the gradation value for each coordinate axis in the color space of the color conversion table.

Virtual color values have already been determined for the two grid points closest to the target grid point on both sides of the target grid point in the color conversion table according to the processing order. The virtual color values of the grid points on either side of them are used to determine the virtual color value of the target grid point. Specifically, it is a cubic spline function that outputs a virtual color value, more specifically, any tone value of cmyk, and has two grid points whose virtual color values are known, and a virtual A cubic spline function is created that connects the target grid points whose color values are undetermined. The virtual color value of the target grid point is determined so that the sum of squares of the second-order differential values of the cubic spline function is minimized.

In step S30, the virtual color values of some of the target grid points are modified so that the color reproduction range is maximized within the ink amount usage limit specified by the user.

In step S40, processing is performed to maximize the total amount of ink corresponding to the target grid point. Through this process, for example, part of the black ink amount is replaced with a combination of cyan, magenta, and yellow ink amounts. As a result, the graininess of the printed result is improved.

In step S50, the ink amount corresponding to the target grid point is determined so that the ink amount gradation is the best. For some grid points, including the grid points at the vertices of the color conversion table, ink amounts are determined in advance by a method different from the method described below (see S12).

The amount of ink has already been determined for the two grid points closest to the target grid point on both sides of the target grid point, according to the processing order. The ink amount of the target grid point is determined using the ink amounts of the grid points on both sides. Specifically, it is a cubic spline function that outputs the amount of ink, and connects two grid points whose ink amounts are known and a target grid point whose ink amount is undetermined. Created. The amount of ink at the target grid point is determined so that the sum of squares of the second-order differential values of the cubic spline function is minimized. As a result, the ink amount corresponding to the target grid point is determined so that the ink amount gradation is the best.

In step S14, it is determined whether ink amounts have been determined for all grid points in the color conversion table. If there is a grid point for which the amount of ink has not been determined, the process returns to step S13. When the amount of ink has been determined for all grid points, the process ends.

Through the above processing, the B2A table 621 and the color separation table 750 as a color conversion table can be generated (see the center part of FIG. 15 and 621 and 750 of FIG. 16).

In the method for creating a color conversion table shown in FIG. 17, virtual color values are determined using a cubic spline function connecting a plurality of lattice points so that the sum of squares of the quadratic differential values thereof is minimized. Further, by using a cubic spline function that connects a plurality of lattice points, a combination of ink amounts at each lattice point is determined so as to minimize the sum of squares of the second-order differential values. Therefore, it is possible to realize printing that improves both the gradation of the color values of the print result and the gradation of the amount of ink.

Furthermore, by using the color conversion table creation method of this embodiment, it is possible not only to create a color conversion table in advance, but also to re-create the color conversion table each time printing conditions change.

F. Other embodiment 1:
F1. Other form 1:
(1) In the above embodiment, the printer provider PP provides the media vendor MV with the printer 200v and the profile creation tool PMT (see the middle right part of FIG. 1). This provision aspect may be a sale or loan (including the granting of a license) from the printer provider PP to the media vendor MV, either directly or through an agent. Further, this provision may be made through sale or rental through the market.

In the embodiment described above, the printer provider PP provides the media vendor MV with the printer 200v and the profile creation tool PMT (see the middle right part of FIG. 1). However, the entity that provides the printer 200v to the media vendor MV and the entity that provides the profile creation tool PMT to the media vendor MV may be different. That is, the printer provider PP may provide the printer 200v to the media vendor MV, and a tool vendor different from the printer provider PP may provide the profile creation tool PMT to the media vendor MV.

(2) In the above embodiment, the printer 200 includes a spectrophotometer for measuring the colors applied to the printed matter, and a digital still camera for photographing the image formed on the printed matter. . However, the printer used to generate print setting information may not include at least one of a spectrophotometer and a digital still camera. For example, the media vendor MV may separately prepare a sensor for determining the quality of the print result. Such a sensor may be loaned by the printer provider PP to the media vendor MV.

(3) In the above embodiment, the quality level information 1130 includes evaluation values of color reproduction accuracy, color reproduction range, gradation, linearity, granularity, and ink bleeding for the print result (see FIG. 4). . However, the quality level information may not include at least some of the evaluation values of color reproduction accuracy, color reproduction range, gradation, linearity, granularity, and ink bleeding. The quality level information can also include other evaluation values regarding the print result.

(4) In the above embodiment, the recording medium for lamination includes an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentifier) and a QR code (registered trademark). Then, by transmitting the information read from the RFID or QR code to the management server Sv, the printing companies PCa and PCb can download the print setting information Ips for lamination processing. However, such processing can be applied not only to print setting information Ips for a recording medium for lamination processing but also to print setting information Ips created for various recording media. In such an embodiment, the designation of the print medium type when selecting the print setting information Ips can be automatically performed.

(5) In the embodiment described above, the printing business makes settings based on the print setting information Ips in the software that controls the printer 200, and performs printing. However, the settings based on the print setting information Ips may be performed directly on the printer. Furthermore, settings based on the print setting information Ips may be performed on both the printer and the software that controls the printer.

F2. Other form 2:
In the above embodiment, the print setting information Ips includes the following information (see FIG. 4): information 1010 on the model of the target printer, information 1020 on the type of print medium used in the target printer. information 1030 on the type of ink to be used in the target printer, information 1040 on the print mode to be used in the target printer, information 1050 on printer operation setting parameters including the media feed speed in the target printer, Profile information 1060.

However, the print setting information Ips may not include at least some of these items. However, the print setting information Ips preferably includes information 1010 on the model of the target printer, information 1020 on the type of print medium 1020 on the target printer, and information 1030 on the type of ink to be used in the target printer. .

F3. Other form 3:
In the embodiment described above, the media vendor MV pays the printer provider PP a consideration Pcv corresponding to the number of print setting information Ips to be stored in the management server Sv (see the middle right part of FIG. 1). However, the media vendor MV may pay the printer provider PP a consideration Pcv that does not depend on the number of print setting information Ips to be stored in the management server Sv.

In addition, the number of print setting information Ips that can be uploaded is divided into categories, and the number of print setting information Ips that can be uploaded by the media vendor MV is determined according to the consideration paid in advance by the media vendor MV. You can also do that.

Furthermore, it is also possible to adopt a mode in which the printing companies PCa and PCb pay the price to the printer provider PP, but the media vendor MV does not pay the price to the printer provider PP.

F4. Other form 4:
In the above embodiment, the management server Sv stores the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV if the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV does not satisfy predetermined conditions regarding the print result. No (see S120 to S140 and S170 in FIG. 5). However, it is also possible for the management server Sv to store the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV without performing such a check.

F5. Other form 5:
In the embodiment described above, if the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV satisfies the conditions regarding the method of generating the print setting information Ips, the management server Sv stores the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV. Instead, the media vendor MV that sent the print setting information Ips is notified that the print setting information Ips has not been stored in the management server Sv. However, if the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV satisfies the conditions regarding the method of generating the print setting information Ips, the management server Sv may not notify such a proposal. Alternatively, the management server Sv may store the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV without performing such a check.

Further, in the embodiment described above, when the print setting information Ips received from the media vendor MV satisfies the conditions regarding the generation method and the conditions regarding the print result, the management server Sv stores the print setting information Ips in the RAM 113s. However, other conditions may be added as registration conditions for the management server Sv to store the print setting information Ips in the RAM 113s.

F6. Other form 6:
In the embodiment described above, the print setting information Ips uses the creator ID 1110 representing the creator who created the print setting information Ips, the information 1120 about the creation method when the print setting information Ips was created, and the print setting information Ips. It includes quality level information 1130 indicating the quality of the print result when printing is performed. However, the print setting information Ips may not include one or more of these.

F7. Other form 7:
In the embodiment described above, in the process of transmitting the print setting information Ips to the management server Sv, the media vendor MV can download the print setting information Ips from the management server Sv among the printers PCa, PCb, and PCas. It is possible to specify one or more printing vendors and execute a process of transmitting print setting information Ips. The management server Sv downloads the stored print setting information Ips sent from the media vendor MV by specifying a printing company that can download it only to the specified printing company. (See the middle left part of Figure 1).

However, the management server Sv may permit downloading of the print setting information Ips other than the designated printing companies. Furthermore, the management server Sv does not have to permit the designated printing company to download the print setting information Ips.

Furthermore, the printing system PS may be configured in such a manner that it is not possible to specify one or more printing companies from which the print setting information Ips can be downloaded.

F8. Other form 8:
In the embodiment described above, the management server Sv can permit downloading of some of the print setting information Ips among the plurality of print setting information Ips only to printing companies that meet predetermined conditions. However, it is also possible to adopt a mode in which no such restrictions are placed on printing companies that can download the print setting information Ips.

F9. Other form 9:
In the above embodiment, the printing companies PCa and PCb provide (i) compensation for downloading the individual print setting information Ips, (ii) quality of the print result of the print setting information Ips (see 1130 in FIG. 4), (iii) The printing company pays the printer provider PP a fee Pcp1 corresponding to the number of print setting information Ips downloaded from the management server Sv and (iv) the period of use of each downloaded print setting information Ips (see the center part of Figure 1). ). However, the consideration Pcp1 to be paid from the printers PCa and PCb to the printer provider PP may be determined without considering at least some of these. Further, the consideration Pcp1 paid to the printer provider PP by the printers PCa and PCb may be determined in consideration of other factors.

For example, an arrangement may be made in which a consideration Pcp2 corresponding to the amount of printing is paid to the printer provider PP, and a consideration Pcp1 corresponding to the use of the print setting information Ips is not paid to the printer provider PP.

Furthermore, it is also possible to adopt a mode in which the media vendor MV pays the price to the printer provider PP, but the printing companies PCa and PCb do not pay the price to the printer provider PP.

F10. Other forms 10:
In the embodiment described above, the printing companies PCa and PCb pay the printer provider PP a fee Pcp2 corresponding to the amount of printing using the downloaded print setting information Ips (see the center part of FIG. 1). However, the printing companies PCa and PCb can decide not to pay the compensation Pcp2 corresponding to the amount of printing using the downloaded print setting information Ips to the printer provider PP. For example, an arrangement may be made in which a consideration Pcp1 corresponding to the use of the print setting information Ips is paid to the printer provider PP, and a consideration Pcp2 corresponding to the amount of printing is not paid to the printer provider PP.

F11. Still other forms:
The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the present disclosure can also be realized in the following form. The technical features in the above embodiments that correspond to the technical features in each form described below are used to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure, or to achieve some or all of the effects of the present disclosure. In order to achieve this, it is possible to replace or combine them as appropriate. Further, unless the technical feature is described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

(1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a first provider that provides a printer, a second provider that provides a print medium, and one or more clients that use the printer to print on the print medium; A printing system is provided in which a storage unit that processes and stores information is connected via a network. The first provider provides the second provider with a provider printer and a profile creation tool as software, and the second provider uses the provider printer and the profile creation tool to The second provider performs a process of creating a profile according to the combination of a printer and a print medium, and transmitting the print setting information to the storage unit in order to store the print setting information including the profile in the storage unit. The client stores the print setting information in the storage unit according to the combination of the client printer used for printing and the print medium used for printing in the client. The client printer is downloaded from the computer, and the software that controls the client printer or the client printer is configured to perform the printing based on the print setting information.
In this case, compared to a case in which the software that controls the client printer or the processing up to setting print setting information on the client printer includes mailing a color chart sample, the client can control the client printer used for printing. It is possible to obtain print setting information in a short time according to the combination of the print media and the print medium used for printing.

(2) In the printing system of the above configuration, the print setting information includes the model of the target printer, the type of target print medium, the type of ink used in the target printer, and the type of ink used in the target printer. Embodiments may also include configuration parameters of the printer, including the print mode used, media feed rate in the target printer, and the profile of the target printer.
In such an embodiment, the client configures the software that controls the client printer or the client printer based on the print setting information and prints, so that the second provider can determine (i) the model of the client printer, ( By specifying ii) the type of print medium, (iii) the type of ink, (iv) the print mode, and (v) the setting parameters, it is possible to obtain printed matter having the quality assumed when the profile was created.

(3) In the printing system of the above embodiment, the second provider may pay the first provider a fee corresponding to the number of the print setting information to be stored in the storage unit.
With such an aspect, the first provider can receive compensation according to the extent to which the second provider utilizes the printing system. The second provider can utilize the printing system to further promote the use of print media by clients in accordance with the increase in the consideration paid to the first provider.

(4) In the printing system according to the above aspect, if the print setting information received from the second provider does not satisfy a predetermined condition regarding the print result, the storage unit stores the print setting information received from the second provider. If the print setting information received from the second provider satisfies registration conditions including conditions regarding the print result without storing the print setting information, the print setting information received from the second provider is stored. It can also be an aspect.
With this configuration, the quality of print setting information provided from the storage unit to the client can be controlled.

(5) In the printing system according to the above aspect, if the print setting information received from the second provider does not satisfy a predetermined condition regarding a method of creating the print setting information, If the print setting information received from the second provider does not store the print setting information received from the second provider and the print setting information received from the second provider satisfies registration conditions including conditions regarding the method of creating the print setting information, the second provider It is also possible to store the print setting information received from the printer.
With this configuration, the quality of print setting information provided from the storage unit to the client can be controlled.

(6) In the printing system of the above embodiment, the print setting information may further include information representing a creator of the print setting information.
With this configuration, a client using the print setting information can know the creator of the downloaded print setting information.

(7) In the printing system according to the above aspect, in the process of transmitting the print setting information to the storage unit, the second provider specifies one or more of the clients that can download the print setting information. , the process of transmitting the print setting information may be executed.
With this aspect, the second provider can provide print setting information only to one or more of the clients that have a specific relationship with the second provider. One or more designated clients can use print setting information that other clients cannot use.

(8) In the printing system according to the above aspect, the storage unit stores a plurality of the print setting information, and some of the print setting information among the plurality of print setting information are stored in the one or more clients. It is also possible to permit downloading only to clients that meet predetermined conditions.
With this configuration, the printing system can be operated so that only print setting information suitable for the client can be downloaded to the client.

(9) In the printing system according to the above aspect, the storage unit stores a plurality of pieces of the print setting information, and the plurality of pieces of print setting information include a plurality of types of the print setting information with different download fees; a plurality of types of print setting information having different levels representing the quality of print results, and the client receives (i) compensation for downloading the print setting information; and (ii) compensation for the print results of the print setting information. The first provider receives compensation according to the level representing the quality, (iii) the number of the print setting information downloaded from the storage unit, and (iv) the period of use of the print setting information downloaded from the storage unit. It can also be in the form of payment.
With such an aspect, the first provider can obtain compensation according to how the client utilizes the printing system. The client can print by making more use of the printing system as the price paid to the first provider increases.

(10) In the printing system of the above embodiment, the client may pay a fee to the first provider according to the amount of printing using the downloaded print setting information.
With such an aspect, the first provider can obtain compensation according to the extent to which the client utilizes the printing system. The client can print by making more use of the printing system as the price paid to the first provider increases.

G. Other embodiment 2:
G1. Other form 1:
(1) In the above embodiment, the CPU 111a does not perform printing if the "quality assurance conditions" are not satisfied (see S310 to S330 and S370 in FIG. 6). However, if the "quality assurance conditions" are not satisfied, printing may be performed without the quality assurance label Mqa attached.

(2) In the above embodiment, the quality assurance label Mqa is composed of the letters "QA" and an oval surrounding the letters "QA" (see FIG. 7). However, the mark attached to the printed matter when the "quality assurance conditions" are satisfied may be represented only by figures or only by letters. The mark attached to the printed matter when the "quality assurance conditions" are satisfied may be, for example, a sentence such as "All colors were reproduced within the mat."

(3) In the above embodiment, the quality assurance label Mqa is printed on the footer Af. However, the quality assurance label Mqa may be attached to the header Ah of the printed matter PM, or to the right area Ar or left area Al of the image Img to be printed in the printed matter PM.

(4) In the above embodiment, only a mark consisting of the letters "QA" and an oval surrounding the letters "QA" is printed as the quality assurance label Mqa on the footer Af (see FIG. 7). However, the quality assurance label Mqa can also include information that can identify the job Jb. The quality assurance label Mqa can include information that can identify the job Jb, for example, in the form of a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode. The user accesses the management server Sv and uses information that can identify the job Jb printed on the printed matter to confirm that the printed matter PM of the job Jb has been generated by printing that satisfies the quality assurance conditions. It can be confirmed.

(5) In the above embodiment, when printing is completed according to the print data modified in step S340 of FIG. Information indicating that the print material PM of job Jb has been generated by printing that satisfies the conditions is uploaded to the management server Sv (see S350 in FIG. 7). Printer PCa's computer 100a can also upload other information to management server Sv.

The computer 100a of the printer PCa can upload the operating rates and operating hours of the printers owned by the printer PCa to the management server Sv. The computer 100a of the printer PCa can upload the scheduled operating hours of printers owned by the printer PCa to the management server Sv. In such an embodiment, the orderer OP can access the management server Sv, check the scheduled operating time, operating rate, etc. of each printing vendor's printer, and allocate the job Jb to each printing vendor.

The computer 100a of the printer PCa can upload the installation rate of each type of print media MD to the printer 200a to the management server Sv. The computer 100a of the printing business PCa can, for example, upload the consumption rate of each type of print medium MD per unit time such as one month or half a year to the management server Sv. The computer 100a of the printer PCa can upload to the management server Sv data on variations in the quality of print results between lots and data on the evaluation results of the job Jb obtained from the orderer OP.

In such an aspect, the management server Sv can provide these data to the media vendor MV. The media vendor MV can create a production plan for each type of print medium MD based on the installation rate and consumption rate of each type of print medium MD in the printer 200a. The media vendor MV can perform quality control of the print medium MD based on the data on the variation in quality of print results between lots and the data on the evaluation result of the job Jb obtained from the orderer OP.

The computer 100a of the printer PCa can upload sensor data obtained by measuring printed matter PM with the sensor of the printer 200a and the usage amount of each ink in printing to the management server Sv. By obtaining information from the printer 200a about the number of times each nozzle of the printer 200a is driven and the type of droplet ejected by each drive, the computer 100a can calculate the usage amount of each ink in printing.

In such an embodiment, the management server Sv can provide these data to the printer provider PP. The printer provider PP can calculate the consideration Pcp2 (see the lower right part of FIG. 1) based on the usage amount of each ink in printing. By performing such processing, ink consumption that does not directly benefit the printer PCa, such as nozzle cleaning and ink consumption for preliminary ink ejection before printing starts, is excluded. Consideration Pcp2 can be determined.

The printer provider PP can provide maintenance services for the printer 200a of the printer PCa at an appropriate time based on the sensor data and the usage amount of each ink in printing. The printer provider PP can take the sensor data into account when producing printers and designing new printers.

The management server Sv can provide the printer provider PP with the download amount for each print setting information Ips. The printer provider PP can calculate the consideration Pcv (see the middle right part of FIG. 1) based on the download amount for each print setting information Ips. By performing such processing, consideration Pcv can be appropriately set based on actual performance.

(6) In the embodiment described above, the quality level information 1130 includes evaluation values of color reproduction accuracy, color reproduction range, gradation characteristics, graininess, and ink bleeding regarding the print result (see FIG. 4). However, the quality level information may not include at least some of the evaluation values of color reproduction accuracy, color reproduction range, gradation characteristics, graininess, and ink bleeding. The quality level information can also include other evaluation values regarding the print result.

(7) In the above embodiment, in step S320 of FIG. 6, the CPU 111a performs evaluation of the gradation characteristics in the quality level information 1130 (see the lower part of FIG. 4) included in the print setting information Ips based on a predetermined standard. It is determined whether the gradation characteristic condition of higher gradation is satisfied. However, the determination as to whether or not the gradation characteristic conditions are satisfied, which is performed prior to printing the quality assurance label Mqa, may be performed using other methods. That is, as in the evaluation of color difference, a color chart is actually printed by the printer 200a, and the printed result is measured by the sensor of the printer 200a, and it is determined whether the gradation characteristic conditions are satisfied. Good too. With such an embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the gradation characteristic condition is satisfied based on the gradation characteristic of the actual printed matter.

(8) In the above embodiment, the information that the printer PCa undergoes regular quality audits regarding printing is stored in advance in the RAM 113a by the application software that controls the printer 200a (see FIG. 1). (See middle left). The printer provider PP stores information indicating whether or not each printing company undergoes periodic quality audits regarding printing in the RAM 113pp in association with each printing company. , the information may be obtained through application software that controls the printer 200 of each printing vendor.

In the embodiment described above, the information that the printing business PCa takes regular courses regarding printing is stored in advance in the RAM 113a by the application software that controls the printer 200a. Information on the date and time when proofreading was performed at the printer PCa is stored in advance in the RAM 113a by application software that controls the printer 200a. This information is also stored in the RAM 113pp by the printer provider PP in association with each printing company, as well as the information indicating whether or not regular quality audits have been conducted. In some cases, the information may be obtained through application software that controls the printer 200.

(9) In the above embodiment, in step S340 in FIG. 6, the quality assurance label Mqa is attached to the area Af on the print medium MD between the image Img to be printed and the outer edge MDe of the print medium MD. The print data is modified so that . However, the print data may be modified so that the quality assurance label Mqa is printed in another area. For example, in a rolled long medium, the print data may be modified so that the quality assurance label Mqa is printed in the area between the images Img to be printed in the longitudinal direction. .

Further, in the case where a plurality of images Img are printed along a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction on the print medium MD, the first direction and the second direction are printed. The print data may be modified so that the quality assurance label Mqa is printed in the area between the images Img in at least one of the directions.

In other words, printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas as clients are able to determine whether or not an area on the print medium MD is available during printing when the quality assurance conditions, including that the print setting information Ips satisfies predetermined conditions, are satisfied. It is only necessary that a predetermined quality assurance label Mqa can be printed in an area different from the image Img to be printed.

G2. Other form 2:
(1) In the embodiment described above, the management server Sv is connected to the printer provider PP via the network (see the lower right part of FIG. 1). However, the management server Sv may not be connected to the printer provider PP via the network, but may be connected to the printing companies PCa and PCb via the network.

(2) In the above embodiment, the processing performed by the media vendor MV, including creating and uploading the print setting information Ips, is also performed by the printer provider PP (see the lower right part of FIG. 1). However, it is also possible for the printer provider PP to not perform the processing performed by the media vendor MV.

G3. Other form 3:
(1) The management server Sv is connected to the media vendor MV network via the media vendor MV network (see the upper right part of FIG. 1). However, the management server Sv may not be connected to the media vendor MV via the network, but may be connected to the printing companies PCa and PCb via the network. The management server Sv may also receive information from the media vendor MV via a physical recording medium.

(2) In the above embodiment, the process including creation and uploading of the print setting information Ips is performed by the media vendor MV and the printer provider PP (see the right part of FIG. 1). However, it is also possible for the media vendor MV to not perform processing including creating and uploading the print setting information Ips.

G4. Other form 4:
In the embodiments described above, a mode has been described in which the recording medium for lamination includes an RFID or a QR code (registered trademark). However, even recording media that are not expected to be laminated can be equipped with RFID or QR code (registered trademark). Even in such an aspect, by sending the information read from the RFID or QR code to the management server Sv by the printing business, it is possible to download the print setting information Ips provided for the recording medium. .

G5. Other form 5:
In the above embodiment, the quality assurance conditions include that the color reproduction accuracy included in the print setting information Ips satisfies a predetermined accuracy condition, and that the print setting information Ips satisfies a predetermined creation method condition. (See S310 and S320 in FIG. 6 and 1130 in FIG. 4). However, the quality assurance conditions may not include one or the other of these. The quality assurance conditions may include any conditions for ensuring the quality of printed matter, such as color reproduction range and gradation.

G6. Other form 6:
In the above embodiment, the quality assurance conditions are (i) that the printing company undergoes periodic quality audits regarding predetermined printing, and (ii) that the printing company undergoes periodic quality audits regarding predetermined printing. (iii) The printing company's printer uses genuine ink; (iv) The printing company's printer uses ink that is within the predetermined expiration date. and (v) that the date and time when the printer of the printer was calibrated satisfies a condition regarding a predetermined period (see S330 in FIG. 6).

However, the quality assurance conditions may not include one or more of these conditions. The quality assurance conditions may include any conditions for ensuring the quality of printed matter, such as linearity and graininess.

G7. Other form 7:
In the embodiment described above, the quality assurance condition includes that the gradation evaluation included in the print setting information Ips satisfies predetermined gradation characteristic conditions. However, the quality assurance conditions may not include the gradation characteristic conditions. The quality assurance conditions may include any conditions for ensuring the quality of printed matter, such as color reproduction range.

G8. Other form 8:
In the above embodiment, the quality assurance condition includes that the color difference between the color value representing the target color and the colorimetric value as a result of printing the target color is within a certain standard (see FIG. 6). (See S320). However, the quality assurance conditions may not include this color difference condition. The quality assurance conditions may include any conditions for ensuring the quality of some printed matter, such as an evaluation value regarding ink bleeding.

G9. Other form 9:
In the above embodiment, printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas can choose not to form quality assurance labels Mqa in areas such as footers and headers during printing if quality assurance conditions are met ( (See S305 in FIG. 6). However, the quality assurance label Mqa may be printed without fail if the quality assurance conditions are met.

G10. Still other forms:
The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the present disclosure can also be realized in the following form. The technical features in the above embodiments that correspond to the technical features in each form described below are used to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure, or to achieve some or all of the effects of the present disclosure. In order to achieve this, it is possible to replace or combine them as appropriate. Further, unless the technical feature is described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

(1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a printing system is provided in which a client that uses a printer to print on a print medium and a storage unit that processes and stores information are connected via a network. Ru. The storage unit stores one or more pieces of print setting information each including a profile corresponding to a combination of a printer and a print medium. The client downloads the print setting information from the storage unit according to the combination of the client printer used for printing and the print medium used for printing in the client, and includes software or software that controls the client printer. When a quality assurance condition including that the client printer is configured to perform the printing based on the print setting information and that the print setting information satisfies a predetermined condition is satisfied, in the printing, A predetermined quality assurance label can be printed in an area on the print medium that is different from the image to be printed.
In this case, if printer settings are made and printing is performed based on print setting information that does not meet predetermined conditions, the person who requested printing from the client will be responsible for the quality of the printed matter. You can tell this fact by the fact that there is no warranty label. That is, the quality of the printed matter is guaranteed by the quality assurance label attached to the printed matter.

(2) In the printing system of the above configuration, a first provider that provides a printer is connected to the storage unit via a network, and the first provider has a first provider printer and a profile creation tool as software. and to create print setting information including a profile according to the combination of the first provider printer and print medium, and store the print setting information in the storage unit. The process of transmitting the print setting information can be executed for one or more print media.
In this case, compared to a case in which the software that controls the client printer or the processing up to setting print setting information on the client printer includes mailing a color chart sample, the client can control the client printer used for printing. It is possible to obtain print setting information in a short time according to the combination of the print media and the print medium used for printing.
In addition, with such an embodiment, the first provider can provide the client, who is the printer user, with print setting information that allows the first provider to perform appropriate printing using the printer provided by the first provider. . Therefore, the first provider may want to enhance the benefits of using the printer it provides, compared to providers that do not provide print setting information that allows proper printing using the printer. I can do it.

(3) In the printing system of the above configuration, a second provider that provides print media is connected to the storage unit via a network, and the first provider provides the second provider with a second provider printer. , and a profile creation tool as software, wherein the second provider uses the second provider printer and the profile creation tool to create a profile according to the combination of the second provider printer and print medium. for one or more print media provided by the second provider; and transmitting the print setting information to the storage unit in order to create print setting information including the print setting information and store the print setting information in the storage unit. It can be a mode of execution.
In this mode, compared to a mode in which the software that controls the client printer or the processing up to setting print setting information on the client printer includes mailing a color chart sample, the client can It is possible to obtain print setting information in a short time according to the combination of the print media and the print medium used for printing.
In addition, in this case, the second provider can provide the client, who is the purchaser of the print medium, with print setting information that allows the second provider to perform appropriate printing using the print medium provided by the second provider. I can do it. Therefore, the second provider enhances the advantages of using the print media it provides, compared to providers that do not provide print setting information that allows appropriate printing to be performed on the print media. be able to.

(4) In the printing system of the above configuration, the print setting information includes the model of the target printer, the type of target print medium, the type of ink used in the target printer, and the type of ink used in the target printer. In an embodiment, the method includes setting parameters of the printer including a resolution to be achieved, a number of printing passes in printing by the target printer, a feeding speed of a medium in the target printer, and the profile of the target printer. be able to.
In such an embodiment, the client configures the software that controls the client printer or the client printer based on the print setting information and prints, thereby determining (i) the model of the client printer, (ii) the print medium. (iii) the type of ink, (iv) the print mode, and (v) the setting parameters to obtain printed matter having the quality envisioned when the profile was created.

In the printing system of the above embodiment, the quality assurance condition is that the color reproduction accuracy included in the print setting information satisfies a predetermined accuracy condition, and that the print setting information is based on the predetermined print setting information. The embodiment may include one or more of the following conditions:
With such an embodiment, a person who requests printing from a client can obtain a guarantee that the quality of the printed matter is high because the printed matter has a quality guarantee label.

In the above-described printing system, the quality assurance conditions include that the client undergoes regular quality audits regarding predetermined printing, and that the client attends regular predetermined courses regarding printing. that the client printer is using genuine ink; that the client printer is using ink that is within a predetermined expiration date; and that the client printer has been calibrated. The mode may include one or more of the following: the date and time satisfy a condition regarding a predetermined period.
With such an embodiment, a person who requests printing from a client can obtain a guarantee that the quality of the printed matter is high because the printed matter has a quality guarantee label.

(5) In the printing system of the above embodiment, the quality assurance condition may include that the evaluation of the gradation characteristics included in the print setting information satisfies predetermined gradation characteristics conditions. can.
With such an embodiment, a person who requests printing from a client can obtain a guarantee that the quality of the printed matter is high because the printed matter has a quality guarantee label.

In the printing system of the above embodiment, the quality assurance condition includes that a color difference between a color value representing a target color and a colorimetric value as a result of printing the target color is within a certain standard. It can be a mode.
With such an embodiment, a person who requests printing from a client can obtain a guarantee that the quality of the printed matter is high because the printed matter has a quality guarantee label.

(6) In the printing system according to the above aspect, the client may choose not to form the quality assurance label in the area during the printing if the quality assurance condition is satisfied. be able to.
With this configuration, if the person who requested printing from the client does not wish to display a quality assurance label, that request can be complied with.

H. Other embodiment 3:
H1. Other form 1:
In the embodiment described above, the number of downloads Ni, the total amount of ink Vib, Via, and the total amount of media Vma, Vmb are cleared every fixed period, for example, every month, and are counted again from the beginning. The total ink amounts Vib, Via and the total media amounts Vma, Vmb are used to calculate consideration or remuneration every month. However, these measurements may be taken at other time periods, such as one week, three months, six months, etc. Further, these measurement values may be measured at different institutions.

H2. Other form 2:
In the embodiment described above, various fees are paid via the computer 100s of the management server Sv. However, each price may be paid via another server or may be paid directly between the information terminals.

H3. Other form 3:
In the embodiment described above, the printer provider PP pays the remuneration Pcr determined based on the total media amount Vmb (see the upper center and upper right parts of FIG. 8). The total media amount Vmb is the amount of print media MD used in printing by the client printers 200a and 200b for which settings based on the print setting information Ips have been made in the media vendor MV that created the print setting information Ips. However, the reward Pcr may be determined in other ways.

(1) The total amount of media Vmb (see the upper center of FIG. 8) calculated for each print setting information Ips is also calculated by the client printers 200a and 200b whose settings based on each print setting information Ips have been made at the printing companies PCa and PCb. Represents printing results. For this reason, the following aspects can also be adopted.

The printer provider PP acquires the total media amount Vmb from the management server Sv at regular intervals, for example, every month. The printer provider PP determines the remuneration Pcr based on the total media amount Vmb for each print setting information Ips. Then, the printer provider PP pays the remuneration Pcr to the media vendor MV that created the print setting information Ips.

More specifically, the computers 100a and 100b of the printers PCa and PCb measure the amount of print media MD used in printing by the printers 200a and 200b using the print setting information Ips, and Information Vm on the amount of print media MD used is transmitted to the computer 100s of the management server Sv. As a result, the media consumption amount Vm, which is information representing the results of printing performed by the printers 200a and 200b using the print setting information Ips, is transmitted to the management server Sv.

The computer 100pp of the printer provider PP stores information Vmb on the amount of print media MD for each print setting information Ips used in printing by the client printers 200a and 200b performed using the print setting information Ips on the management server Sv. Receive from. As a result, the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP receives information Vmb about the amount of print medium MD for each print setting information Ips, which represents the printing performance. The computer 100pp of the printer provider PP transmits information Pcr representing remuneration determined based on the amount of print media MD for each print setting information Ips used in printing, to the information Pcr used in printing by client printers 200a and 200b. The setting information Ips is sent to the computer 100v of the media vendor MV that sent it to the management server Sv. Information Pcr representing the reward is transmitted to the computer 100v of the media vendor MV via the management server Sv.

Also in this aspect, compared to the aspect in which the remuneration Pcr paid to the media vendor MV is determined based on the number of downloads Ni from the management server Sv, the remuneration Pcr reflects the actual usage results at the printing companies PCa and PCb. It is easy to decide.

(2) The number of downloads Ni, which is measured for each print setting information Ips, also represents the printing results of the client printers 200a and 200b that have been configured based on the print setting information Ips at the printing companies PCa and PCb. For this reason, the following aspects can also be adopted.

The printer provider PP acquires the number of downloads Ni measured for each print setting information Ips from the management server Sv at regular intervals, for example, every month. The printer provider PP determines the remuneration Pcr based on the number of times Ni that the print setting information Ips has been downloaded. Then, the printer provider PP may pay the remuneration Pcr to the media vendor MV that created the print setting information Ips.

More specifically, the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP receives information Ni indicating the number of times the print setting information Ips has been acquired from the computer 100s of the management server Sv. Then, the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP transmits information Pcr representing the remuneration determined based on the number of times the print setting information Ips has been acquired to the computer of the media vendor MV that has sent the corresponding print setting information Ips to the management server Sv. Send to 100v. Information Pcr representing the reward is transmitted to the computer 100v of the media vendor MV via the management server Sv.

The number of times Ni that the print setting information Ips has been downloaded is measured by the management server Sv. For this reason, the management server Sv receives the amount Vm of print media MD and the amount Vi of ink used by printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas, and calculates the total amount of media Vmb and total amount of ink Vib obtained by totaling them. It is easy to understand by comparison. Therefore, the process of determining the consideration Pcr is easy.

H4. Still other forms:
The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the present disclosure can also be realized in the following form. The technical features in the above embodiments that correspond to the technical features in each form described below are used to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure, or to achieve some or all of the effects of the present disclosure. In order to achieve this, it is possible to replace or combine them as appropriate. Further, unless the technical feature is described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

(1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a first provider that provides a printer, a second provider that provides a print medium, and one or more clients that use the printer to print on the print medium; A printing system is provided in which a storage unit that processes and stores information is connected via a network. The first provider provides the second provider with a provider printer and a profile creation tool as software, and the second provider uses the provider printer and the profile creation tool to In order to create print setting information including a profile corresponding to a combination of a printer and a print medium, and to store the print setting information in the storage unit, the process of transmitting the print setting information to the storage unit is performed. 2, the client sets the print setting information according to the combination of the client printer used for printing in the client and the print medium used for printing. downloaded from a storage unit and performs the printing by setting software for controlling the client printer or the client printer based on the print setting information, and the first provider performs the printing based on the print setting information in the client A remuneration determined based on the performance of the printing performed by the client printer for which the settings have been made is paid to the second provider that created the print setting information.
By adopting such an aspect, it is possible to give the second provider an incentive to create print setting information that is frequently used by the client and is useful for the client. As a result, the second provider generates print setting information that is useful for the client and is capable of realizing high-quality printing. Furthermore, since remuneration is determined based on printing performance, remuneration can be determined fairly.

(2) In the printing system of the above configuration, the print setting information includes the model of the target printer, the type of target print medium, the type of ink used in the target printer, and the type of ink used in the target printer. Embodiments may also include configuration parameters of the printer, including the print mode used, media feed rate in the target printer, and the profile of the target printer.
In such an embodiment, the client configures the software that controls the client printer or the client printer based on the print setting information and prints, so that the second provider can determine (i) the model of the client printer, ( By specifying ii) the type of print medium, (iii) the type of ink, (iv) the print mode, and (v) the setting parameters, it is possible to obtain printed matter having the quality assumed when the profile was created.

(3) In the printing system of the above aspect, the client measures the amount of the print medium used in the printing by the client printer configured based on the print setting information, and the first provider , to the second provider who created the print setting information, the remuneration determined based on the amount of the print medium used in the printing by the client printer whose settings were made based on the print setting information; It can also be in the form of paying.
In such embodiments, the remuneration paid to the second provider is determined based on the amount of print media used in printing. Therefore, compared to a mode in which the remuneration paid to the second provider is determined based on the number of downloads from the storage unit, the remuneration is more likely to be determined by reflecting the actual usage history of the client.

(4) In the printing system of the above aspect, the client measures the amount of ink used in the printing by the client printer configured based on the print setting information, and the first provider measures the amount of ink used in the printing by the client printer configured based on the print setting information; The second provider who created the print setting information is paid the remuneration determined based on the amount of ink used in the printing by the client printer whose settings are based on the print setting information. You can also.
In such embodiments, the remuneration paid to the second provider is determined based on the amount of ink used in printing. Therefore, compared to a mode in which the remuneration paid to the second provider is determined based on the number of downloads from the storage unit, the remuneration is more likely to be determined by reflecting the actual usage history of the client.

(5) In the printing system of the above aspect, the storage unit measures the number of downloads by the client for each piece of print setting information, and the first provider measures the number of downloads by the client for each piece of print setting information, and the first provider An aspect may also be adopted in which the remuneration determined based on the number of times the print setting information is downloaded is paid to the provider.
In such an aspect, the reward is determined based on the number of times the print setting information is downloaded. By using the storage unit, the number of times print setting information has been downloaded can be easily grasped compared to the amount of print media used at the client. For this reason, the process of determining remuneration is easier than in the case where remuneration is determined based on the amount of print media.

I. Other embodiment 4:
I1. Other form 1:
(1) In FIG. 10, computers 100a, 100b, 100as, 100ao, 100pp, 100s owned by media vendor MV, printing companies PCa, PCb, PCas, office PCao, print setting vendor PSV, printer provider PP, and management server Sv , 100v, and 100psv are each depicted as computers with one housing. However, each of these computers may be realized by multiple computers connected via a network. Moreover, one computer may realize the functions of a plurality of computers among the computers 100a, 100b, 100as, 100ao, 100pp, 100s, 100v, and 100psv.

(2) In the above embodiment, the processing performed by the print setting vendor PSV, including creating and uploading the print setting information Ips, is also performed by the media vendor MV and the printer provider PP (see the lower right part of FIG. 10). However, one or both of the media vendor MV and printer provider PP may not perform the processing performed by the print setting vendor PSV.

(3) In the above embodiment, the process including creation and upload of the print setting information Ips is performed by the print setting vendor PSV, media vendor MV, and printer provider PP (see the right part of FIG. 10). However, the print setting vendor PSV can also be configured not to perform processing including creating and uploading the print setting information Ips.

(4) In the above embodiment, the printer provider PP provides the print setting vendor PSV with the printer 200 psv and the profile creation tool PMT (see the middle right part of FIG. 10). This aspect of provision may be a sale or loan (including the granting of a license) from the printer provider PP to the print settings vendor PSV, either directly or through an agent. Further, this provision may be made through a market, such as sale or lending.

In the embodiment described above, the printer provider PP provides the print setting vendor PSV with the printer 200 psv and the profile creation tool PMT (see the middle right part of FIG. 10). However, the entity that provides the printer 200 psv to the print setting vendor PSV and the entity that provides the profile creation tool PMT to the media vendor MV may be different. That is, the printer provider PP may provide the printer 200psv to the print settings vendor PSV, and a tool vendor different from the printer provider PP may provide the profile creation tool PMT to the print settings vendor PSV.

(5) In the above embodiment, in step S120 of FIG. 5, the management server Sv prints a color chart using the printer 200s. The management server Sv measures the print result of the color chart with a sensor of the printer 200s, and determines an evaluation value regarding the quality of the print result based on the output of the sensor. However, the management server Sv may also be configured so that it does not print or measure color charts.

In such an embodiment, the media vendor MV prints the color chart on the printer 200v in accordance with the print setting information Ips to be sent to the management server Sv, before sending the print setting information Ips to the management server Sv. It can be carried out. The printing method is the same as the method in step S120 of FIG.

The media vendor MV measures the print result of the color chart with a sensor of the printer 200v, and determines an evaluation value regarding the quality of the print result based on the output of the sensor. The method for determining the evaluation value is the same as the method used by media vendor MV to determine the evaluation value of the print result. The media vendor MV includes the evaluation value of the print result in the print setting information Ips to be sent to the management server Sv.

In addition, in such an aspect, the print setting vendor PSV, prior to sending the print setting information Ips to the management server Sv, prints a color chart on the printer 200 psv according to the print setting information Ips to be sent to the management server Sv. can be printed. The printing method is the same as the method in step S120 of FIG.

The print setting vendor PSV measures the print result of the color chart with a sensor of the printer 200 psv, and determines an evaluation value regarding the quality of the print result based on the output of the sensor. The method for determining the evaluation value is the same as the method used when determining the evaluation value of the print result in the management server Sv. The print setting vendor PSV includes the evaluation value of the print result in the print setting information Ips to be sent to the management server Sv.

In step S120 of FIG. 5, the management server Sv determines whether or not the print setting information Ips satisfies predetermined conditions regarding the print result, based on the evaluation value of the print result included in the print setting information Ips. to decide. In such an embodiment, there is no need to provide an operator for printing in the management server Sv. Further, the media vendor MV and the print setting vendor PSV do not need to send the sample of the print medium MD used by the printer 200psv when generating the print setting information Ips to the management server Sv.

(6) In the above embodiment, the printer provider PP creates the print setting information Ips for the remuneration Pcr that is determined based on the performance of printing performed at the printers PCa and PCb based on the print setting information Ips. payment to the print setting vendor PSV (see bottom right of Figure 10). However, the remuneration determined based on the printing performance may be paid by the media vendor MV to the print setting vendor PSV. That is, the media vendor MV pays the remuneration Pcr2, which is determined based on the performance of printing performed based on the print setting information Ips at the printing vendors PCa and PCb, to the print setting vendor PSV that created the print setting information Ips. (See the upper right part of FIG. 10). Further, the remuneration Pcr and Pcr2 determined based on the printing performance may be paid to the print setting vendor PSV from both the printer provider PP and the media vendor MV.

The calculation of the remuneration Pcr2 paid by the media vendor MV can be performed by the media vendor MV, or can be performed by the printer provider PP or the management server Sv. Further, the calculation of the remuneration Pcr to be paid by the printer provider PP can be performed by the management server Sv instead of the printer provider PP.

(7) In the above embodiment, the printer provider PP provides the print setting vendor PSV with the printer 200 psv and the profile creation tool PMT (see the middle right part of FIG. 10). Then, the print setting vendor PSV creates a profile according to the combination of the printer 200 psv and various types of print media MD manufactured by the media vendor MV. However, the printer provider PP is equipped with the printer 200pp, and uses the printer 200pp and the profile creation tool PMT to create profiles according to the combination of the printer 200pp and various types of print media MD manufactured by the media vendor MV. It is also possible to adopt an embodiment in which

In this aspect, the media vendor MV transfers the remuneration Pcr2 determined based on the performance of printing performed based on the print setting information Ips at the printing companies PCa and PCb to the printer provider PP who created the print setting information Ips. (See the upper right part of Figure 10).

I2. Other form 2:
In the embodiment described above, the print setting vendor PSV provides a profile according to the combination of the model of the printer 200 and the type of print medium MD (see the middle right part of FIG. 10). However, the entity providing the profile may also manufacture and supply printers to external parties as a printer provider PP, provide print media as a media vendor MV, or generate printed matter as a printer. You can.

I3. Other form 3:
In the above embodiment, the printer provider PP pays the print setting vendor PSV that created the print setting information Ips a remuneration Pcr determined based on the total media amount Vmb (see the upper center and upper right portions of FIG. 10). reference). The total amount of media Vmb is the amount of print media MD used in printing by the client printers 200a and 200b configured based on the print setting information Ips. However, the remuneration Pcr and Pcr2 paid to the print setting vendor PSV may be determined using other methods.

(1) The total ink amount Vib (see the upper center of FIG. 10) compiled for each print setting information Ips is also calculated by the client printers 200a and 200b whose settings based on each print setting information Ips have been made at printing companies PCa and PCb. Represents printing results. For this reason, the following aspects can also be adopted.

Both the printer provider PP and the media vendor MV obtain the total ink amount Vib from the management server Sv at regular intervals, for example, every month. The printer provider PP determines the remuneration Pcr and Pcr2 based on the total ink amount Vib for each print setting information Ips. Then, the printer provider PP pays the remuneration Pcr and Pcr2 to the print setting vendor PSV that created the print setting information Ips.

For example, the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP receives from the management server Sv the total ink amount Vib for each print setting information Ips used in printing by the client printers 200a and 200b using the print setting information Ips. . The computer 100pp of the printer provider PP is a print setting vendor that has sent the information Pcr representing the remuneration determined based on the total ink amount Vib and the print setting information Ips used in printing by the client printers 200a and 200b to the management server Sv. Send to PSV computer 100psv. Information Pcr representing the reward is transmitted to the computer 100v of the media vendor MV via the management server Sv.

Also in this aspect, compared to the aspect in which the remuneration Pcr, Pcr2 paid to the print setting vendor PSV is determined based on the number of downloads Ni from the management server Sv, the remuneration Pcr, Pcr2 is It is likely to be decided based on the usage history of Note that the rewards Pcr and Pcr2 can also be determined based on both the total media amount Vmb and the total ink amount Vib, respectively.

(2) The number of downloads Ni, which is measured for each print setting information Ips, also represents the printing results of the client printers 200a and 200b that have been configured based on the print setting information Ips at the printing companies PCa and PCb. For this reason, the following aspects can also be adopted.

Both the printer provider PP and the media vendor MV obtain the number of downloads Ni measured for each print setting information Ips from the management server Sv at regular intervals, for example, every month. The printer provider PP determines the rewards Pcr and Pcr2 based on the number of times Ni that the print setting information Ips has been downloaded. Then, the printer provider PP may pay the remuneration Pcr and Pcr2 to the print setting vendor PSV that created the print setting information Ips.

For example, the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP receives information Ni indicating the number of times the print setting information Ips has been acquired from the computer 100s of the management server Sv. Then, the computer 100pp of the printer provider PP transmits information Pcr representing a reward determined based on the number of times the print setting information Ips has been obtained to the print setting vendor PSV that has sent the corresponding print setting information Ips to the management server Sv. Send to computer 100psv. Information Pcr representing the reward is transmitted to the computer 100v of the media vendor MV via the management server Sv.

The number of times Ni that the print setting information Ips has been downloaded is measured by the management server Sv. For this reason, the management server Sv receives the amount Vm of print media MD and the amount Vi of ink used by printing companies PCa, PCb, and PCas, and calculates the total amount of media Vmb and total amount of ink Vib obtained by totaling them. It is easy to understand by comparison. Therefore, the process of determining the consideration Pcr is easy.

I4. Still other forms:
The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the present disclosure can also be realized in the following form. The technical features in the above embodiments that correspond to the technical features in each form described below are used to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure, or to achieve some or all of the effects of the present disclosure. In order to achieve this, it is possible to replace or combine them as appropriate. Further, unless the technical feature is described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

(1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a first provider that provides a printer, a second provider that provides a print medium, and a third provider that provides a profile depending on the combination of the printer and the print medium; A printing system is provided in which one or more clients that print on the print medium using the printer and the profile, and a storage unit that processes and stores information are connected via a network. The first provider provides the third provider with a provider printer and a profile creation tool as software. The third provider uses the provider printer and the profile creation tool to create print setting information including a profile according to the combination of the provider printer and print medium, and stores the print setting information in the storage unit. A process of transmitting the print setting information to the storage unit is executed for one or more print media provided by the second provider in order to store the print setting information in the storage unit. The client downloads the print setting information from the storage unit according to the combination of the client printer used for printing and the print medium used for printing in the client, and includes software or software that controls the client printer. Settings are made to the client printer based on the print setting information, and the printing is performed. Either or both of the first provider and the second provider receive remuneration determined based on the performance of the printing performed by the client printer whose settings based on the print setting information have been made in the client. , pay the third provider who created the print setting information.
By adopting such an aspect, it is possible to give the third provider an incentive to create print setting information that is frequently used by the client and has useful value for the client. As a result, the third provider generates print setting information that is useful for the client and is capable of realizing high-quality printing. Furthermore, since the remuneration is determined based on the printing performance, the remuneration can be determined fairly.

(2) In the printing system of the above configuration, the print setting information includes the model of the target printer, the type of target print medium, the type of ink used in the target printer, and the type of ink used in the target printer. Embodiments may also include configuration parameters of the printer, including the print mode used, media feed rate in the target printer, and the profile of the target printer.
In such an embodiment, the client configures the software that controls the client printer or the client printer based on the print setting information and prints, so that the third provider can determine (i) the model of the client printer, ( By specifying ii) the type of print medium, (iii) the type of ink, (iv) the print mode, and (v) the setting parameters, it is possible to obtain printed matter having the quality assumed when the profile was created.

(3) In the printing system of the above embodiment, the client measures the amount of the print medium used in the printing by the client printer that has been configured based on the print setting information, and communicates with the first provider. One or both of the second providers may request the third provider, which created the print setting information, to provide the print medium used in the printing by the client printer that has been configured based on the print setting information. The remuneration determined based on the amount of the remuneration may also be paid.
In such embodiments, the remuneration paid to the third provider is determined based on the amount of print media used in printing. Therefore, compared to a mode in which the remuneration paid to the third provider is determined based on the number of downloads from the storage unit, the remuneration is more likely to be determined by reflecting the actual usage record of the client.

(4) In the printing system of the above aspect, the client measures the amount of ink used in the printing by the client printer that has been configured based on the print setting information, and One or both of the two providers may request the third provider that created the print setting information to provide information based on the amount of ink used in the printing by the client printer that has been configured based on the print setting information. The remuneration determined by the above-mentioned remuneration may also be paid.
In such embodiments, the remuneration paid to the third provider is determined based on the amount of ink used in printing. Therefore, compared to a mode in which the remuneration paid to the third provider is determined based on the number of downloads from the storage unit, the remuneration is more likely to be determined by reflecting the actual usage history of the client.

(5) In the printing system of the above aspect, the storage unit measures the number of downloads by the client for each piece of print setting information, and measures the number of times the print setting information is downloaded by the client, and Alternatively, the remuneration determined based on the number of times the print setting information has been downloaded may be paid to the third provider who created the print setting information.
In such an aspect, the reward is determined based on the number of times the print setting information is downloaded. By using the storage unit, the number of times print setting information has been downloaded can be easily grasped compared to the amount of print media used at the client. For this reason, the process of determining remuneration is easier than in the case where remuneration is determined based on the amount of print media.

J. Other embodiment 5:
(1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a first information terminal owned by a first provider that provides a printer, a second information terminal owned by a second provider that provides a print medium, and a second information terminal that is owned by a second provider that provides a print medium; A printing system is provided in which client information terminals each of one or more clients that print on a print medium and to which the printer is connected and a management unit that processes and stores information are connected via a network. Ru. The management unit includes a tool reception unit that receives a profile creation tool as software from the first information terminal, a tool storage unit that stores the profile creation tool, and a tool reception unit that receives a profile creation tool as software from the first information terminal, and a tool storage unit that stores the profile creation tool. a tool transmitting unit that transmits the profile creation tool stored in the tool storage unit to the second information terminal when received from a terminal; and using the profile creation tool received by the second information terminal. a settings reception unit that receives print setting information including a profile created according to a combination of a printer model and a print medium type from the second information terminal; and a setting that stores one or more pieces of the print setting information. When a storage unit receives a request to obtain the print setting information specified by a combination of a printer model and a print medium type from the client information terminal, the one or more information stored in the setting storage unit and a settings transmitter that selects the identified print settings information from among the print settings information and sends the selected print settings information to the client information terminal. The client printer, which is connected to the client information terminal and is of the same model as the printer used to specify the print setting information, uses the print settings received by the client information terminal. The information is used to perform the printing on the same type of print media as the type of print media used to specify the print settings information.

(2) In the printing system of the above configuration, the print setting information includes the model of the target printer, the type of target print medium, the type of ink used in the target printer, and the type of ink used in the target printer. Embodiments may include configuration parameters of the printer, including the print mode used, media feed speed in the target printer, and the profile of the target printer.

(3) In the printing system of the above embodiment, the second information terminal transmits information representing a price to be paid according to the number of the print setting information that the second information terminal stores in the management unit to the first information. The information may be transmitted to the terminal.

(4) In the printing system of the above embodiment, if the print setting information received from the second information terminal does not satisfy a predetermined condition regarding the print result, the management section If the received print setting information is not stored in the setting storage unit and the print setting information received from the second information terminal satisfies the registration conditions including the conditions regarding the print result, the second information terminal The print setting information received from the printer may be stored in the setting storage unit.

(5) In the printing system of the above aspect, if the print setting information received from the second information terminal does not satisfy a predetermined condition regarding a method of creating the print setting information, the management unit The print setting information received from the second information terminal is not stored in the setting storage unit, and the print setting information received from the second information terminal satisfies registration conditions including conditions regarding a method of creating the print setting information. In this case, the print setting information received from the second information terminal may be stored in the setting storage unit.

(6) In the printing system of the above embodiment, the print setting information may further include information representing a creator of the print setting information.

(7) In the printing system of the above aspect, in the process of transmitting the print setting information to the management unit, the second information terminal specifies one or more of the clients that can receive the print setting information, and The present invention may be configured such that the process of transmitting print setting information can be executed.

(8) In the printing system of the above embodiment, the management section stores a plurality of the print setting information in the setting storage section, and among the plurality of print setting information, some of the print setting information It may be possible to permit reception only to the client information terminal of a client that satisfies predetermined conditions among the one or more clients.

(9) In the printing system of the above embodiment, the management unit stores a plurality of pieces of the print setting information, and the plurality of pieces of print setting information include a plurality of types of the print setting information for which acquisition prices are different from each other; the client information terminal includes: (i) consideration for acquiring the print setting information; and (ii) printing of the print setting information. represents the consideration paid according to the level representing the quality of the result, (iii) the number of the print setting information obtained from the management section, and (iv) the period of use of the print setting information obtained from the management section. Information may be transmitted to the first information terminal.

(10) In the printing system of the above embodiment, the client information terminal uses the received print setting information to send information representing a price to be paid according to the amount of printing by the printer connected to the client information terminal. The information may be transmitted to the first information terminal.

(11) According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a client information terminal owned by a client that prints on a print medium using a printer and to which the printer is connected, and a management unit that processes and stores information. , a printing system connected via a network is provided. The management section includes a setting storage section that stores one or more pieces of print setting information each including a profile corresponding to a combination of a printer model and a print medium type. The client information terminal transmits a request to obtain the print setting information specified by a combination of a printer model and a print medium type to the management unit, and sends the one or more print settings information stored in the setting storage unit. The specified print setting information in the print setting information is received from the management unit. The client printer, which is connected to the client information terminal and is of the same model as the printer used to specify the print setting information, uses the print settings received by the client information terminal. using the information to perform the printing on the same type of print media as the type of print media used to identify the print settings information, and the print settings information satisfies a predetermined condition. When the quality assurance conditions are satisfied, in the printing, a predetermined quality assurance label can be printed in an area on the print medium that is different from the image to be printed.

(12) In the printing system of the above configuration, a first information terminal owned by a first provider that provides printers is connected to the management unit via a network, and the management unit runs a profile creation tool as software. The first information terminal may include a first setting reception unit that receives print setting information including a profile created in accordance with a combination of a printer model and a print medium type in use, from the first information terminal.

(13) In the printing system of the above embodiment, a second information terminal owned by a second provider that provides print media is connected to the management unit via a network, and the management unit uses the profile creation tool to a tool reception unit that receives the profile creation tool from the first information terminal; a tool storage unit that stores the profile creation tool; and a tool storage unit that stores the profile creation tool acquisition request in the tool storage unit when the profile creation tool acquisition request is received from the second information terminal. a tool sending unit that transmits the profile creation tool received by the second information terminal to the second information terminal; and a combination of a printer model and a print medium type using the profile creation tool received by the second information terminal. and a second setting reception unit that receives print setting information including a profile created in accordance with the second information terminal from the second information terminal.

(14) In the printing system of the above configuration, the print setting information includes the model of the target printer, the type of target print medium, the type of ink used in the target printer, and the type of ink used in the target printer. In an embodiment, the method includes setting parameters of the printer including a resolution to be achieved, a number of printing passes in printing by the target printer, a feeding speed of a medium in the target printer, and the profile of the target printer. be able to.

(15) In the printing system of the above aspect, the quality assurance condition may include that the evaluation of the gradation characteristics included in the print setting information satisfies predetermined gradation characteristics conditions. can.

(16) In the printing system of the above aspect, the client printer may select not to form the quality assurance label in the area during the printing if the quality assurance condition is satisfied. can do.

(17) According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a first information terminal owned by a first provider that provides a printer, a second information terminal owned by a second provider that provides a print medium, and a second information terminal that uses the printer. A printing system is provided in which client information terminals, each of which is owned by one or more clients that prints on the print medium, and to which the printer is connected, and a management unit that processes and stores information are connected via a network. provided. The management unit includes a tool reception unit that receives a profile creation tool as software from the first information terminal, a tool storage unit that stores the profile creation tool, and a tool reception unit that receives a profile creation tool as software from the first information terminal, and a tool storage unit that stores the profile creation tool. a tool transmitting unit that transmits the profile creation tool stored in the tool storage unit to the second information terminal when received from a terminal; and using the profile creation tool received by the second information terminal. a settings reception unit that receives print setting information including a profile created according to a combination of a printer model and a print medium type from the second information terminal; and a setting that stores one or more pieces of the print setting information. When a storage unit receives a request to obtain the print setting information specified by a combination of a printer model and a print medium type from the client information terminal, the one or more information stored in the setting storage unit and a settings transmitter that selects the identified print settings information from among the print settings information and sends the selected print settings information to the client information terminal. The client printer, which is connected to the client information terminal and is of the same model as the printer used to specify the print setting information, uses the print settings received by the client information terminal. The information is used to perform the printing on the same type of print media as the type of print media used to specify the print settings information. The client information terminal transmits information representing the performance of the printing performed by the client printer using the print setting information to the management unit. The first information terminal receives information representing the performance of the printing from the management unit, and transmits information representing a remuneration determined based on the performance of the printing and the print setting information to the management unit. The information is transmitted to the second information terminal that transmitted the information.

(18) In the printing system of the above embodiment, the print setting information includes the model of the target printer, the type of target print medium, the type of ink used in the target printer, and the type of ink used in the target printer. Embodiments may include configuration parameters of the printer, including the print mode used, media feed speed in the target printer, and the profile of the target printer.

(19) In the printing system of the above embodiment, the client information terminal measures the amount of the print medium used in the printing performed by the client printer using the print setting information, and The first information terminal transmits information on the amount of the print medium used in the printing by the client printer using the print setting information, and the first information terminal transmits information on the amount of the print medium used in the printing performed by the client printer using the print setting information. information representing the remuneration determined based on the amount of the print medium used in the printing, and information representing the print setting information used in the printing by the client printer. The information may be transmitted to the second information terminal that has been transmitted to the management unit.

(20) In the printing system of the above embodiment, the client information terminal measures the amount of ink used in the printing performed by the client printer using the print setting information, and measures the amount of ink used in the printing performed by the client printer using the print setting information. The first information terminal transmits information on the amount of ink to the management unit, and the first information terminal transmits information on the amount of ink used in the printing by the client printer using the print setting information. information representing the remuneration received from the management unit and determined based on the amount of ink used in the printing, and transmitting the print setting information used in the printing by the client printer to the management unit; The information may be transmitted to the second information terminal that has received the information.

(21) In the printing system according to the above aspect, the management unit includes a number measuring unit that measures the number of times each print setting information is acquired by the client information terminal, and the first information terminal Information about the number of times information has been acquired is received from the management unit, information representing the remuneration determined based on the number of times the print setting information has been acquired, and the corresponding print setting information is sent to the management unit. The information may be sent to the second information terminal that sent the information to the department.

(22) According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a first information terminal owned by a first provider providing a printer, a second information terminal owned by a second provider providing a print medium, and a printer model and printing a third information terminal owned by a third provider that provides a profile according to the combination with the type of media; and a printer owned by one or more clients that prints on the print medium using the printer and the profile. A printing system is provided in which a client information terminal connected to a client information terminal and a management unit that processes and stores information are connected via a network. The management unit includes a tool reception unit that receives a profile creation tool as software from the first information terminal, a tool storage unit that stores the profile creation tool, and a tool reception unit that receives a profile creation tool as software from the first information terminal, and a tool storage unit that stores the profile creation tool. a tool transmitting unit that transmits the profile creation tool stored in the tool storage unit to the third information terminal when received from a terminal; and using the profile creation tool received by the third information terminal. a settings reception unit that receives print setting information including a profile created according to a combination of a printer model and a print medium type from the third information terminal; and a setting that stores one or more pieces of the print setting information. When a storage unit receives a request to obtain the print setting information specified by a combination of a printer model and a print medium type from the client information terminal, the one or more information stored in the setting storage unit and a settings transmitter that selects the identified print settings information from among the print settings information and sends the selected print settings information to the client information terminal. The client printer, which is connected to the client information terminal and is of the same model as the printer used to specify the print setting information, uses the print settings received by the client information terminal. The information is used to perform the printing on the same type of print media as the type of print media used to specify the print settings information. The client information terminal transmits information representing the performance of the printing performed by the client printer using the print setting information to the management unit. Either or both of the first information terminal and the second information terminal receive information representing the performance of the printing from the management unit, and perform printing by the client printer using the print setting information. information representing a remuneration determined based on the performance of the printing performed is transmitted to the third information terminal that has transmitted the print setting information to the management unit.

(23) In the printing system of the above form, the print setting information includes the model of the target printer, the type of target print medium, the type of ink used in the target printer, and the type of ink used in the target printer. Embodiments may include configuration parameters of the printer, including the print mode used, media feed speed in the target printer, and the profile of the target printer.

(24) In the printing system of the above aspect, the client information terminal measures the amount of the print medium used in the printing performed by the client printer using the print setting information, and information on the amount of the print media that has been printed to the management unit, and one or both of the first information terminal and the second information terminal transmits information about the amount of print media that has been printed to the client using the print setting information. The client receives information on the amount of the print medium used in the printing by the printer from the management unit, and receives information representing the remuneration determined based on the amount of the print medium used in the print. The print setting information used in the printing by the printer may be sent to the third information terminal that sent it to the management unit.

(25) In the printing system of the above embodiment, the client information terminal measures the amount of ink used in the printing performed by the client printer using the print setting information, and measures the amount of ink used in the printing performed by the client printer using the print setting information. The information on the amount of ink is transmitted to the management unit, and either or both of the first information terminal and the second information terminal is configured to print the print information by the client printer using the print setting information. Information about the amount of ink used in printing is received from the management unit, and information representing the remuneration determined based on the amount of ink used in printing is sent to the information about the amount of ink used in the printing by the client printer. The print setting information may be transmitted to the third information terminal that has transmitted the print setting information to the management section.

(26) In the printing system of the above aspect, the management unit includes a number measurement unit that measures the number of times the client information terminal has acquired the print setting information for each piece of print setting information, Either or both of the information terminals receive information about the number of times the print setting information has been acquired from the management unit, and receive the remuneration determined based on the number of times the print setting information has been acquired. Information representing the print setting information may be transmitted to the third information terminal that has transmitted the corresponding print setting information to the management unit.

The present disclosure can also be implemented in various forms other than a printing system. For example, realization in the form of a print processing method, a method of providing print media, a method of providing consideration, a method of providing remuneration, a computer program that realizes these methods, a non-temporary recording medium that records the computer program, etc. I can do it.

All of the plurality of constituent elements of each form of the present disclosure described above are not essential, and may be used to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems or to achieve some or all of the effects described in this specification. In order to achieve this, it is possible to change or delete some of the plurality of components, replace them with other new components, or delete part of the limited content as appropriate. In addition, in order to solve some or all of the above problems or achieve some or all of the effects described in this specification, technical features included in one embodiment of the present disclosure described above may be implemented. It is also possible to combine some or all of the technical features included in the other forms of the present disclosure described above to form an independent form of the present disclosure.

100...Computer, 100a...Computer, 100ao...Computer, 100as...Computer, 100b...Computer, 100pp...Computer, 100ps...Computer, 100s...Computer, 100v...Computer, 111a...CPU, 111pp...CPU, 111ps...CPU, 111psv... CPU, 111s...CPU, 111sc...Number of times measurement section, 111srS...Setting reception section, 111srS1...First setting reception section, 111srS2...Second setting reception section, 111srT...Tool reception section, 111ssS...Setting transmission section, 111ssT...Tool transmission part, 111v...CPU, 112a...ROM, 112pp...ROM, 112ps...ROM, 112s...ROM, 112v...ROM, 112psv...ROM, 113a...RAM, 113pp...RAM, 113ps...RAM, 113psv...RAM, 113s...RAM, 113sD...Download aggregation unit, 113sI...Ink aggregation unit, 113sM...Media aggregation unit, 113sS...Setting storage unit, 113sT...Tool storage unit, 113v...RAM, 115a...Display device, 115ao...Display device, 115as...Display device, 115b ...Display device, 115pp...Display device, 115ps...Display device, 115psv...Display device, 115s...Display device, 115v...Display device, 116a...Input device, 116ao...Input device, 116as...Input device, 116b...Input device, 116pp ...input device, 116ps...input device, 116psv...input device, 116s...input device, 116v...input device, 117a...interface, 117ar...reception section, 117as...transmission section, 117b...interface, 117br...reception section, 117bs...transmission section, 117pp...interface, 117ppr...receiving section, 117pps...transmitting section, 117psv...interface, 117psvsr...receiving section, 117psvss...transmitting section, 117s...interface, 117sr...receiving section, 117ss...transmitting section, 117v...interface, 117vr... Receiving unit, 117vs...Transmitting unit, 200...Printer, 200a...Printer, 200as...Printer, 200b...Printer, 200pp...Printer, 200ps...Printer, 200s...Printer, 200v...Printer, 200psv...Printer, 201...Product printer, 300... Printer, 500... ICC profile, 510... Profile header, 520... Tag table, 521... Tag, 523... Private tag, 530... Element data, 610... Input profile, 611... A2B table, 620... Output profile, 621... B2A table, 622...A2B table, 630...device link profile, 640...color library, 641...A2B table, 650...difference data, 700...device link profile, 701...device link table, 711...original table, 750...color Separation table, 800... User interface screen, 811... Input profile selection field, 812... Output profile selection field, 813... Device link profile selection field, 820... Adjustment target profile designation field, 830... Adjustment target color space selection field, 840 ...Target acceptance area, 845...Adjustment data selection field, 850...Adjustment range specification field, 860...Intent specification field, 870...Adjustment execution button, 1010...Printer model information, 1020...Print medium type information, 1030 ...Ink type information, 1040...Print mode information, 1050...Printer operation setting parameter information, 1060...Profile, 1110...Creator ID, 1120...Creation method information, 1130...Quality level information, Af...Footer Area, Ah...header area, Al...area on the left side of the image to be printed, Ar...area on the right side of the image to be printed, CH0...color chart, CH1...color chart, CMYK...color data, CMYKi...color data , CT...Target color, D0...Print original data, INK...Color data expressed by the ink color of the ink used, INK0...Color data expressed by the ink color of the ink used, INT...Internet, Img... Image, Ips...print setting information, Jb...job, Lab...color data specified in Lab color space, LabS...color data specified in Lab color space, LabS2...color data specified in Lab color space, LabS3... Color data specified in Lab color space, LabST...color data specified in Lab color space, LabT...color data specified in Lab color space, Labp...color data specified in Lab color space, Labs...Lab color Color data specified in space, MD...print medium, MDe...outer edge of print medium, MV...media vendor, Mqa...quality assurance label, Ni...number of downloads, OP...orderer, P0...color to be adjusted, PA0... Print result, PA1... Print result, PCa... Printer, PCao... Office of printer PCa, PCas... Subsidiary of printer, PCb... Printer, PM... Printed matter, PMT... Profile creation tool, PP... Printer provider, PS ...Printing system, PS2...Printing system, PS3...Printing system, PS4...Printing system, PSV...Print setting vendor, Pcp0...Consideration, Pcp1...Consideration, Pcp2...Consideration, Pcp3...Consideration, Pcr...Consideration, Pcr2...Remuneration, Pcv ...Consideration, Sv...Management server, T0...Modification content, Vi...Ink consumption amount, Via...Ink total amount, Vib...Ink total amount, Vm...Media consumption amount, Vma...Media total amount, Vmb...Media total amount, cmyk …color data, cmykp…output color data, ΔE…color difference, ΔE00…color difference, ΔLabT-p…color adjustment vector, Δcmyk…color adjustment vector, Δcmykb…optimal color adjustment vector, Δcmyki…color adjustment vector

Claims (20)

A first information terminal owned by a first provider that provides a printer, a second information terminal owned by a second provider that provides a print medium, and one or more clients that print on the print medium using the printer, respectively. A printing system in which a client information terminal having a printer connected thereto and a management unit processing and storing information are connected via a network,
The management department is
a tool reception unit that receives a profile creation tool as software from the first information terminal;
a tool storage unit that stores the profile creation tool;
a tool transmitting unit that transmits the profile creation tool stored in the tool storage unit to the second information terminal when the profile creation tool acquisition request is received from the second information terminal;
Settings for receiving print setting information from the second information terminal, including a profile created according to a combination of a printer model and a print medium type using the profile creation tool received by the second information terminal. reception department and
a settings storage unit that stores one or more of the print settings information;
the one or more pieces of print setting information stored in the setting storage unit when a request to obtain the print setting information specified by a combination of a printer model and a print medium type is received from the client information terminal; a settings transmitter that selects the specified print setting information from among the print settings and transmits it to the client information terminal;
When the management unit satisfies predetermined conditions, including that the print setting information received from the second information terminal is created by the profile creation tool transmitted by the tool transmission unit. storing Seki printing setting information received from the second information terminal in the setting storage unit;
The client printer, which is connected to the client information terminal and is of the same model as the printer used to specify the print setting information, uses the print settings received by the client information terminal. A printing system that uses information to perform the printing on the same type of print media as the type of print media used to identify the print settings information. The printing system according to claim 1,
The print setting information is
Target printer model,
Types of print media targeted;
the type of ink used in the target printer;
a print mode used in the target printer;
A printing system comprising: configuration parameters of the printer including a media feed rate in the target printer; and the profile of the target printer. The printing system according to claim 1 or 2,
The second information terminal is a printing system in which the second information terminal transmits, to the first information terminal, information representing a price to be paid according to the number of pieces of print setting information that the second information terminal stores in the management unit. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The management department is
If the print setting information received from the second information terminal does not satisfy predetermined conditions regarding print results, the print setting information received from the second information terminal is not stored in the setting storage unit. ,
If the print setting information received from the second information terminal satisfies registration conditions including conditions regarding the print result, storing the print setting information received from the second information terminal in the setting storage unit; printing system. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The management department is
If the print setting information received from the second information terminal does not satisfy a predetermined condition regarding the method of creating the print setting information, the print setting information received from the second information terminal is stored in the setting storage. without memorizing it in the
When the print setting information received from the second information terminal satisfies the registration conditions including conditions regarding the method of creating the print setting information, the print setting information received from the second information terminal is stored in the setting storage unit. printing system. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The print setting information further includes information representing a creator of the print setting information. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
In the process of transmitting the print setting information to the management unit, the second information terminal specifies one or more of the clients that can receive the print setting information, and executes the process of transmitting the print setting information. A printing system that can. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The management department is
a plurality of pieces of print setting information are stored in the setting storage unit;
The printing system allows only the client information terminal of a client that satisfies a predetermined condition among the one or more clients to receive some of the print setting information among the plurality of pieces of print setting information. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The management unit stores a plurality of pieces of the print setting information, and
The plural pieces of print setting information include:
a plurality of types of print setting information for which acquisition prices are different;
a plurality of types of the print setting information each having a different level representing the quality of the print result;
The client information terminal is
(i) Consideration for acquiring the print setting information;
(ii) the level representing the quality of the print result of the print setting information;
(iii) the number of the print setting information acquired from the management unit; and (iv) the usage period of the print setting information acquired from the management unit;
A printing system that transmits information representing a consideration to be paid in accordance with the first information terminal to the first information terminal. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The client information terminal transmits, to the first information terminal, information representing a price to be paid according to the amount of printing by the printer connected to the client information terminal, using the received print setting information. system. A first information terminal owned by a first provider that provides a printer, a second information terminal owned by a second provider that provides a print medium, and one or more clients that print on the print medium using the printer, respectively. A printing system in which a client information terminal having a printer connected thereto and a management unit processing and storing information are connected via a network,
The management department is
a tool reception unit that receives a profile creation tool as software from the first information terminal;
a tool storage unit that stores the profile creation tool;
a tool transmitting unit that transmits the profile creation tool stored in the tool storage unit to the second information terminal when the profile creation tool acquisition request is received from the second information terminal;
Settings for receiving, from the second information terminal, print setting information including a profile created according to a combination of a printer model and a print medium type using the profile creation tool received by the second information terminal. reception department and
a settings storage unit that stores one or more of the print settings information;
the one or more pieces of print setting information stored in the setting storage unit when a request to obtain the print setting information specified by a combination of a printer model and a print medium type is received from the client information terminal; a settings transmission unit that selects the specified print setting information from among the print settings and sends it to the client information terminal;
When the management unit satisfies predetermined conditions, including that the print setting information received from the second information terminal is created by the profile creation tool transmitted by the tool transmission unit. storing Seki printing setting information received from the second information terminal in the setting storage unit;
The client printer, which is connected to the client information terminal and is of the same model as the printer used to specify the print setting information, uses the print settings received by the client information terminal. using the information to perform the printing on the same type of print media as the type of print media used to identify the print settings information;
The client information terminal transmits information representing the performance of the printing performed by the client printer using the print setting information to the management unit,
The first information terminal is
receiving information representing the performance of the printing from the management unit;
A printing system that transmits information representing a remuneration determined based on the performance of the printing to the second information terminal that transmitted the print setting information to the management unit. 12. The printing system according to claim 11,
The print setting information is
Target printer model,
Types of print media targeted;
the type of ink used in the target printer;
a print mode used in the target printer;
A printing system comprising: configuration parameters of the printer including a media feed rate in the target printer; and the profile of the target printer. 13. The printing system according to claim 11 or 12,
The client information terminal measures the amount of the print medium used in the printing by the client printer using the print setting information, and provides information on the amount of the print medium used. Send it to the management department,
The first information terminal is
receiving from the management unit information about the amount of the print medium used in the printing by the client printer using the print setting information;
the second information terminal that has transmitted the print setting information used in the print by the client printer to the management unit, and information representing the remuneration determined based on the amount of the print medium used in the print; to the printing system. 13. The printing system according to claim 11 or 12,
The client information terminal measures the amount of ink used in the printing performed by the client printer using the print setting information, and transmits information on the amount of ink used to the management unit. and send it to
The first information terminal is
receiving from the management unit information about the amount of ink used in the printing by the client printer using the print setting information;
information representing the remuneration determined based on the amount of ink used in the printing to the second information terminal that transmitted the print setting information used in the printing by the client printer to the management unit; Sending, printing system. 13. The printing system according to claim 11 or 12,
The management unit includes a number measurement unit that measures the number of times each print setting information is acquired by the client information terminal,
The first information terminal is
receiving information about the number of times the print setting information has been acquired from the management unit;
A printing system that transmits information representing the remuneration determined based on the number of times the print setting information is acquired to the second information terminal that has transmitted the corresponding print setting information to the management unit. A first information terminal owned by a first provider that provides printers, a second information terminal owned by a second provider that provides print media, and a second information terminal that provides a profile according to the combination of printer model and print media type. A third information terminal owned by three providers, and a client information terminal owned by one or more clients that prints on the print medium using the printer and the profile, to which the printer is connected, process information. A printing system in which a storage management unit is connected via a network,
The management department is
a tool reception unit that receives a profile creation tool as software from the first information terminal;
a tool storage unit that stores the profile creation tool;
a tool transmitting unit that transmits the profile creation tool stored in the tool storage unit to the third information terminal when the profile creation tool acquisition request is received from the third information terminal;
Settings for receiving from the third information terminal print setting information including a profile created according to the combination of printer model and print medium type using the profile creation tool received by the third information terminal. reception department and
a settings storage unit that stores one or more of the print settings information;
the one or more pieces of print setting information stored in the setting storage unit when a request to obtain the print setting information specified by a combination of a printer model and a print medium type is received from the client information terminal; a settings transmitter that selects the specified print setting information from among the print settings and transmits it to the client information terminal;
The client printer, which is connected to the client information terminal and is of the same model as the printer used to specify the print setting information, uses the print settings received by the client information terminal. using the information to perform the printing on the same type of print media as the type of print media used to identify the print settings information;
The client information terminal transmits information representing the performance of the printing performed by the client printer using the print setting information to the management unit,
Either or both of the first information terminal and the second information terminal,
receiving information representing the performance of the printing from the management unit;
transmitting information representing a reward determined based on the performance of the printing performed by the client printer using the print setting information to the third information terminal that has transmitted the print setting information to the management unit; , printing system. 17. The printing system according to claim 16,
The print setting information is
Target printer model,
Types of print media targeted;
the type of ink used in the target printer;
a print mode used in the target printer;
A printing system comprising: configuration parameters of the printer including a media feed rate in the target printer; and the profile of the target printer. 18. The printing system according to claim 16 or 17,
The client information terminal measures the amount of the print medium used in the printing by the client printer using the print setting information, and provides information on the amount of the print medium used. Send it to the management department,
Either or both of the first information terminal and the second information terminal,
receiving from the management unit information about the amount of the print medium used in the printing by the client printer using the print setting information;
The third information terminal transmits information representing the remuneration determined based on the amount of the print medium used in the printing and the print setting information used in the printing by the client printer to the management unit. to the printing system. 18. The printing system according to claim 16 or 17,
The client information terminal measures the amount of ink used in the printing performed by the client printer using the print setting information, and transmits information on the amount of ink used to the management unit. and send it to
Either or both of the first information terminal and the second information terminal,
receiving from the management unit information about the amount of ink used in the printing by the client printer using the print setting information;
transmitting information representing the remuneration determined based on the amount of ink used in the printing to the third information terminal that has transmitted the print setting information used in the printing by the client printer to the management unit; , printing system. 18. The printing system according to claim 16 or 17,
The management unit includes a number measurement unit that measures the number of times each print setting information is acquired by the client information terminal,
Either or both of the first information terminal and the second information terminal,
receiving information about the number of times the print setting information has been acquired from the management unit;
A printing system that transmits information representing the remuneration determined based on the number of times the print setting information is acquired to the third information terminal that has transmitted the corresponding print setting information to the management unit.

Images