Patent Application
20250055953
The present disclosure relates to a color management system that reproduces a color in a color chart.
Reproduction of a color of a product printed in the past or a color chart can be achieved by a method for color matching in which the color quality of an image forming apparatus is adjusted and a color in data for print data itself is changed. There is also a method for scanning a color chart using a color measurement apparatus or a scanner that measures a color in a print product and scans the print product, and based on scanned data on the color chart and an output profile describing the characteristics of the print product, creating an input profile for color matching that defines a color that should be produced. A user can reproduce a color of the color chart by printing using the created input profile for color matching.
The color matching is generally often performed based on a user's subjective evaluation. In this case, under the influence of a white portion of the background of a printed image, the entire appearance of the image varies due to the characteristics of the human eye. Particularly, a highlighted portion having a light color in the printed image is influenced by paper white where nothing is printed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-157971 discusses a method for analyzing paper white in which a paper white portion is detected from scanned data, and the characteristics of the paper white portion is calculated.
If, as in a conventional technique, only paper white in a color chart is factored in in creation of an input profile for color matching, the color matching accuracy of a highlighted portion decreases in a case where characteristics of paper white in a sheet on which printing is to be actually performed differs from characteristics of paper white in the color chart.
The present disclosure is directed to providing a method for performing color matching with high accuracy even in a case where the characteristics of paper white differ.
According to some embodiments, a method for an information processing apparatus that communicates with an image forming apparatus, the method includes acquiring, as first acquiring, image data generated by the image forming apparatus scanning a document, identifying a paper white portion from the image data acquired by the first acquiring, acquiring, as second acquiring, one or more output profiles, displaying, as first displaying, the one or more output profiles acquired by the second acquiring, based on information regarding the paper white portion identified by the identifying, and creating, as first creating, an input profile based on an output profile selected from among the one or more output profiles displayed by the first displaying and the image data acquired by the first acquiring.
Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects for implementing the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.
The following exemplary embodiments do not limit the present disclosure according to the scope of claims, and all combinations of features described in the exemplary embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solving means of the present disclosure.
A client computer 0101 is connected to an image forming apparatus 0102 on the same network via a network 0110.
When the client computer 0101 creates an input profile for color matching, the client computer 0101 acquires profile information from the image forming apparatus 0102, requests the image forming apparatus 0102 to execute scanning, and requests the image forming apparatus 0102 to acquire scanned data via the network 0110, based on set information.
These processes are executed by control units described below with reference to
The image forming apparatus 0102 includes a user interface (UI) panel 0103, a sheet feeding deck 0104, a sheet feeding deck 0105, and a scanner 0106. To the image forming apparatus 0102, an optional deck 0107 including three sheet feeding stages is further connected. The image forming apparatus 0102 is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, for example. The UI panel 0103 is a user interface including a touch panel of a capacitive type, for example. The scanner 0106 includes a document platen on which a print product is to be placed. The scanner 0106 can scan a print product placed on the document platen by using a sensor and manage the scanned print product as data.
The image forming apparatus 0102 further includes a sheet discharge apparatus 0108. The sheet discharge apparatus 0108 is connected to the image forming apparatus 0102 via a cable 0109. The sheet discharge apparatus 0108 includes some sheet discharge trays and can stack a resulting product printed by the image forming apparatus 0102 on the sheet discharge trays.
A print job is generated by the client computer 0101 and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 0102 via the network 0110, and the image forming apparatus 0102 performs printing process on a sheet. A configuration in which not only a single image forming apparatus 0102 but also a plurality of image forming apparatuses 0102 is present on the network 0110 may also be employed.
The connection form between the client computer 0101 and the image forming apparatus 0102 illustrated in the present exemplary embodiment is merely an example, and a variety of other connection forms can be employed in addition to that illustrated in the present exemplary embodiment.
A central processing unit (CPU) 0201 performs control of components in the client computer 0101 via a system bus 0206 and controls calculations for the components. The CPU 0201 controls execution of a program stored in a storage unit 0203 and loaded into a random-access memory (RAM) 0202. The RAM 0202 is a type of general volatile storage device directly accessible by the CPU 0201 and is used as a work area for the CPU 0201 or another temporary data storage area. The storage unit 0203 functions as a temporary storage area and a work memory when the client computer 0101 operates. A network interface (hereinafter, “NW I/F”) 0204 is connected to an NW I/F 0210 of the image forming apparatus 0102 on the network 0110 via the network 0110 and controls communication between the client computer 0101 and the image forming apparatus 0102. A display unit 0205 is a hardware component and is a user interface that visually displays information in the client computer 0101. For example, the display unit 0205 is a monitor display.
A CPU 0207 performs control of components in the image forming apparatus 0102 via a system bus 0218 and controls calculations for the components. The CPU 0207 controls execution of a program stored in a storage unit 0209 and loaded into a RAM 0208. The RAM 0208 is a type of general volatile storage device directly accessible by the CPU 0207 and is used as a work area for the CPU 0207 or another temporary data storage area. The storage unit 0209 functions as a temporary storage area and a work memory when the image forming apparatus 0102 operates.
The NW I/F 0210 is connected to the NW I/F 0204 of the client computer 0101 via the network 0110 and controls communication between the client computer 0101 and the image forming apparatus 0102.
A scanner 0211 is a hardware component of the scanner 0106. The scanner 0211 scans a print product by using the sensor and enables the scanned print product to be handled as scanned data. Some scanner includes a mechanism termed an automatic document feeder (ADF) to automatically scan a print product or includes only a document platen for reading of a print product. A UI panel 0212 is a hardware component of the UI panel 0103 and is a user interface for performing the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 0102. In the present exemplary embodiment, the UI panel 0212 includes a touch panel of a capacitive type.
A sheet feeding deck I/F 0213 controls communication with a sheet feeding deck 0214 and controls the sheet feeding deck 0214. The sheet feeding deck 0214 is a collective term of the sheet feeding decks 0104 and 0105 and the optional deck 0107 as a hardware component. An engine I/F 0215 controls communication with a printer engine 0216 and controls the printer engine 0216.
An accessory I/F 0217 connects to an accessory I/F 0223 via the cable 0109. That is, the image forming apparatus 0102 communicates with the sheet discharge apparatus 0108 via the accessory I/Fs 0217 and 0223.
A CPU 0219 performs control of components in the sheet discharge apparatus 0108 via a system bus 0224, and controls calculations for the components and execution of a program stored in a storage unit 0221 and loaded into a RAM 0220. The RAM 0220 is a type of general volatile storage device directly accessible by the CPU 0219 and is used as a work area for the CPU 0219 or another temporary data storage area. The storage unit 0221 functions as a temporary storage area and a work memory when the sheet discharge apparatus 0108 operates. A sheet discharge unit 0222 controls an operation of discharging a sheet to any of the sheet discharge trays included in the sheet discharge apparatus 0108 and monitoring and controlling of the stacking state of each tray.
The accessory I/F 0223 connects to the accessory I/F 0217 via the cable 0109. That is, the sheet discharge apparatus 0108 communicates with the image forming apparatus 0102 via the accessory I/Fs 0223 and 0217.
The client computer 0101 includes a profile creation processing unit 0301, a data management unit 0302, a print data input unit 0303, a data request unit 0304, a color difference calculation unit 0305, and a paper white identifying unit 0306. These control units are present in the RAM 0202 or the storage unit 0203 of the client computer 0101 and executed by the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101.
The profile creation processing unit 0301 is called by the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 and creates an input profile for color matching and an output profile describing the characteristics of a print product. The data management unit 0302 is called by the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 and manages a profile, print data, and settings for creating a profile in the client computer 0101. The print data input unit 0303 is called by the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 and inputs print data to the image forming apparatus 0102. The data request unit 0304 is called by the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 and acquires a profile (described below with reference to
The image forming apparatus 0102 includes a printing processing unit 0307, a scanner control unit 0308, and a data management unit 0309. These units are present in the RAM 0208 or the storage unit 0209 of the image forming apparatus 0102 and executed by the CPU 0207 of the image forming apparatus 0102.
The printing processing unit 0307 is called by the CPU 0207 of the image forming apparatus 0102 and performs a printing process. The scanner control unit 0308 is called by the CPU 0207 of the image forming apparatus 0102 and scans a print product using the scanner 0211. The data management unit 0309 is called by the CPU 0207 of the image forming apparatus 0102 and manages information regarding the configuration and the ability of the image forming apparatus 0102, a print job, scanned data, and data on a profile.
The sheet discharge apparatus 0108 includes a post-processing control unit 0310. The post-processing control unit 0310 is present in the RAM 0220 or the storage unit 0221 of the sheet discharge apparatus 0108 and executed by the CPU 0219 of the sheet discharge apparatus 0108. The post-processing control unit 0310 is called by the CPU 0219 of the sheet discharge apparatus 0108 and discharges a sheet subjected to printing to any of the trays.
Print data name 0403 indicates the name of the print data. Data 0404 indicates what data the saved print data is. For example, image data is stored.
As a profile, for example, there is an International Color Consortium (ICC) profile for color adjustment. As the ICC profile, there are a source profile and a printer profile. The source profile is used to convert red, green, and blue (RGB) (or cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK)) data into a normalized L*a*b* (hereinafter, “Lab”) space once and convert this Lab data into a CMYK space suitable for a printer as a target again. The source profile includes an RGB profile and a CMYK profile. In a case where acquired image data is an RGB image, the RGB profile is selected. In a case where acquired image data is a CMYK image, the CMYK profile is selected. The printer profile is created according to the color characteristics of the image forming apparatus 0102.
While the image forming apparatus 0102 that uses the ICC profile is described in the present exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to this. In addition to the ICC profile, a color separation table in a color rendering dictionary (CRD) or Photoshop employed from PostScript Level 2 advocated by Adobe Inc. can be used.
The ICC profile contains a header, a tag, and data on the ICC profile. The tag also describes a (gamt) tag describing whether a color represented not only by the color conversion table but also by a white point (Wtpt) or a Lab value defined within the profile is inside or outside a reproduction range within which a hard copy of the color can be reproduced.
Image data input to the image forming apparatus 0102 does not necessarily employ the representation of colors in the Lab color space, and can be represented in a variety of data formats (color systems), such as the RGB, the CMYK, and the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) XYZ color spaces. Even between pieces of image data in a common data format, a perceived color in the original images that may be reproduced by the image forming apparatus 0102 can differ according to the characteristics of the input device (e.g., according to the setting of the gamma value or the color temperature of the monitor). Thus, the input image data is converted into Lab data represented by a device-independent color space once. Then, a command (a CMYK signal) to cause an image forming engine to form an image from L′a′b′ data obtained by certain corrections to the Lab data is generated. In this process, a profile that is used for the conversion from the color system of the input device into the Lab color space is an input ICC profile. A profile that is used for the conversion from the Lab color space into a color space handled by the image forming engine (a space of values that can be represented by the CMYK signal) is an output ICC profile. Although the CIELAB color space is employed as the device-independent color space in the present exemplary embodiment, another color space (e.g., the CIE 1931 XYZ color space) may be employed instead.
An information table 0405 indicates a type of information stored as the profile. Profile ID 0406 is ID information for identification of the saved profile. While a four-digit number is illustrated in this example, this is merely an example. Alternatively, a variety of methods such as the combination of random characters may be used. Type 0407 indicates a type of the profile. In a case where the type is “input”, the profile is a profile indicating values that are to be obtained by converting input signal values, such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) values, into the Lab color space, which is the common color space. In a case where the type is “output”, the profile is a profile indicating values that are to be obtained by converting the Lab color space into CMYK values. In a case where the type is “scanner”, the profile is a profile for scanning indicating values that are to be obtained by converting signal values of an image acquired using the scanner 0211 into the Lab color space, which is the common color space.
Profile name 0408 indicates a name of the profile. Sheet white point 0409 indicates sheet white point information regarding the profile. The profile is defined in the ICC format. In the definition of the ICC format, a definition of paper white represented by a value in the Lab color space or the XYZ color space, which is termed as a sheet white point, is essential in the profile. The sheet white point 0409 indicates a content of the sheet white point.
Paper white portions are identified from the scanned data, and paper white portions, each having a color difference between the value of the paper white and the sheet white point of the profile less than or equal to a tolerance value, are displayed as the selection candidates in ascending order of the color difference.
In step S0601, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 stores print data selected by a user on the screen for creation of an input profile for color matching as illustrated in
In step S0606, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 instructs the image forming apparatus 0102 to execute scanning via the network 0110.
In response to receipt of the instruction to execute scanning from the client computer 0101 via the network 0110, the CPU 0207 of the image forming apparatus 0102 uses the scanner 0211 to scan a print product and stores scanned data on the print product in the storage unit 0209. In step S0607, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 instructs the image forming apparatus 0102 to acquire the scanned data via the network 0110. In response to receipt of the instruction to acquire the scanned data from the client computer 0101 via the network 0110, the CPU 0207 of the image forming apparatus 0102 transmits the scanned data stored in the storage unit 0209 to the client computer 0101. The CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 temporarily stores the acquired scanned data in the RAM 0202.
In step S0608, based on the data 0404 on the print data acquired in step S0602 and the scanned data acquired in step S0607, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 identifies a portion corresponding to paper white in the scanned data. Alignment between the data pieces is performed to identify in which portion in the scanned data the data 0404 on the print data is present. For example, the print data is deformed using affine transformation, and identification of a portion in the scanned data corresponding to the deformed print data is performed. This method is merely an example, and the present disclosure is not limited to this method. After the identification of the position of the print data in the scanned data, checking of which pixel is present at which position is performed. In this process, paper white (data in which all the CMYK values are 0% or data in which all the RGB values are 255 (white)) in the print data is identified. Alternatively, after the identification of the position of the print data in the scanned data, a margin portion of the document other than the print data is identified, and the margin portion is identified as a portion corresponding to paper white in the scanned data.
In step S0609, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 determines whether paper white is identified in step S0608. In a case where the CPU 0201 determines in step S0609 that paper white is identified, i.e., in a case where paper white (data in which all the CMYK values are 0% or data in which all the RGB values are 255 (white)) in the print data or a margin portion of the document is identified (YES in step S0609), the processing proceeds to step S0610. In a case where the CPU 0201 determines in step S0609 that paper white is not identified, i.e., in a case where paper white (data in which all the CMYK values are 0% or data in which all the RGB values are 255 (white)) in the print data or a margin portion of the document is not identified (NO in step S0609), the processing proceeds to step S0616.
In step S0610, using the scanner profile selected in step S0604, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 obtains the Lab value, which is the value in the common color space, of the paper white portion in the scanned data identified in step S0608. In step S0611, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 extracts profiles having “output” in the type 0407 from the list of the profile information acquired in step S0603. In step S0612, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 obtains the color difference between the value of the sheet white point 0409 of each of the profiles having “output” in the type 0407 extracted in step S0611 and the Lab value of the paper white in the scanned data calculated in step S0610. In some cases, the sheet white point 0409 may be defined in the XYZ color space, but not the Lab color space. In a case where the sheet white point 0409 is defined in the XYZ color space, conversion of the XYZ color space into the Lab color space is performed, and then, the color difference is calculated. The calculation of the color difference and the conversion from the XYZ color space into the Lab color space are performed using generally used calculation methods. Then, in step S0613, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires the paper white color difference tolerance value in the information table 0410 stored in the storage unit 0203. Then, in step S0614, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 determines whether there is a profile with which the color difference between the paper white in the scanned data calculated in step S0612 and the sheet white point 0409 of the profile is less than or equal to the paper white color difference tolerance value acquired in step S0613. In a case where the CPU 0201 determines in step S0614 that there is a profile with which the color difference is less than or equal to the paper white color difference tolerance value (YES in step S0614), the processing proceeds to step S0615. In a case where the CPU 0201 determines in step S0614 that there is no profile with which the color difference is less than or equal to the paper white color difference tolerance value (NO in step S0614), the processing proceeds to step S0616.
In step S0615, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 displays the profiles determined in step S0614 to be the profiles having the color difference less than or equal to the paper white color difference tolerance value on the display unit 0205 as profiles of selection candidates in ascending order of the color difference. The profiles as the selection candidates are displayed as illustrated in the list 0514 in
In step S0616, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 displays on the display unit 0205 a message indicating that there is a possibility that sufficient color matching accuracy is not obtained even if an input profile for color matching is created. In step S0617, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 displays all the profiles having “output” in the type 0407 among the profiles acquired in step S0603 as profiles of selection candidates on the display unit 0205.
In step S0618, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 stores in the RAM 0202 a profile selected by the user on the screen for creation of an input profile for color matching as illustrated in
In step S0619, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 determines whether the create button 0512 is selected on the screen for creation of an input profile for color matching as illustrated in
In step S0621, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 determines whether the cancel button 0511 is selected on the screen for creation of an input profile for color matching as illustrated in
As described above, to reproduce a color in a color chart, when an input profile for color matching is created by scanning the color chart, a paper white portion is identified from scanned data of the color chart. From among existing profiles, profiles having information regarding a sheet white point in which the difference from the paper white in the scanned data is small are extracted and determined as candidates for creation of the input profile for color matching. This configuration leads to the achievement of creating an input profile for color matching with which a decrease in the color matching accuracy of a highlighted portion due to the difference from paper white in a color chart is prevented.
In the first exemplary embodiment, all the profiles each having “output” as its type among profiles stored in the image forming apparatus 0102 are determined as targets of candidates for creation of an input profile for color matching. A profile having “output” as its type, however, is also influenced by the state of the color quality of the image forming apparatus 0102 itself of when the profile has been created. Thus, if an input profile for color matching is created using a profile having date and time of when the profile has been created is old or a profile having date and time of when the profile has been used last is old, the accuracy of the input profile for color matching may decrease. In a second exemplary embodiment, a description will be given of a configuration in which not all the profiles, but profiles each selected by factoring in date and time of when the profile has been created and date and time of when the profile has been used last are determined as targets of candidates for creation of an input profile for color matching. The basic configuration of the present exemplary embodiment is similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment, and therefore, only the differences between the first and present exemplary embodiments are illustrated. With reference to
These pieces of information are stored in the storage unit 0203 of the client computer 0101 and the storage unit 0209 of the image forming apparatus 0102. Items 0405 to 0409 are similar to those in
In step S0801, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires the setting value of the profile validity period 0703 from the storage unit 0203. In step S0802, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 extracts profiles having the profile creation date and time 0701 or the last use date and time 0702 within the profile validity period 0703 acquired in step S0801 from among the profiles acquired in step S0611. In step S0803, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 determines whether there is a profile having the profile creation date and time 0701 or the last use date and time 0702 within the profile validity period 0703 acquired in step S0801 as a result of the extraction in step S0802. In a case where the CPU 0201 determines in step S0803 that there is a profile having the profile creation date and time 0701 or the last use date and time 0702 within the profile validity period 0703 (YES in step S0803), the processing proceeds to step S0804. In a case where the CPU 0201 determines in step S0803 that there is not a profile having the profile creation date and time 0701 or the last use date and time 0702 within the profile validity period 0703 (NO in step S0803), the processing proceeds to step S0616. From this point onward, processes similar to those in
In step S0804, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 obtains the color difference between the value of the sheet white point 0409 of each of the profiles extracted in step S0802 and the Lab value of the paper white in the scanned data calculated in step S0610.
From this point onward, as described above, processes similar to those in
The above-described configuration leads to the achievement of excluding a profile having date and time of when the profile has been created is old and a profile having date and time of when the profile has been used last is old among profiles stored in the image forming apparatus 0102 from targets for creation of an input profile for color matching. This prevents a decrease in the accuracy of an input profile for color matching due to a cause other than paper white.
In the first exemplary embodiment, in creation of an input profile for color matching, a profile with which the color difference between paper white in a color chart and the sheet white point 0409 of the profile is less than or equal to the paper white color difference tolerance value in the information table 0410 is determined as a profile of a candidate for creation of an input profile for color matching. In this process, in a case where there is no profile with which the color difference is less than or equal to the paper white color difference tolerance value in the information table 0410, a profile may be newly created and used to create an input profile for color matching. In newly creation of a profile, a sheet to be used to print a chart for creation of the profile to create the profile may be presented to the user with reference to the paper white in the color chart. In a third exemplary embodiment, such a configuration will be described. The basic configuration of the present exemplary embodiment is similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment, and therefore, only the differences between the first and resent exemplary embodiments are described. With reference to
The processes of steps S0601 to S0621 are similar to the processes in
In step S1001, based on the Lab value of the paper white in the scanned data calculated in step S0610, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 displays on the display unit 0205 a sheet that may be used when a chart for creation of an output profile is printed. In step S1002, the user selects a profile having “scanner” as its type from among the profiles acquired in step S0603 on the screen for creation of an output profile as illustrated in
In step S1004, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 instructs the image forming apparatus 0102 to execute scanning via the network 0110.
In response to receipt of the instruction to execute scanning from the client computer 0101 via the network 0110, the CPU 0207 of the image forming apparatus 0102 uses the scanner 0211 to scan a print product and stores scanned data on the print product in the storage unit 0209. In step S1005, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 instructs the image forming apparatus 0102 to acquire the scanned data via the network 0110. In response to the instruction to acquire the scanned data from the client computer 0101 via the network 0110, the CPU 0207 of the image forming apparatus 0102 transmits the scanned data stored in the storage unit 0209 to the client computer 0101. The CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 temporarily stores the acquired scanned data in the RAM 0202.
In step S1006, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 determines whether the create button 0909 is selected on the screen for creation of an output profile as illustrated in
In step S1007, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 determines whether the cancel button 0908 is selected on the screen for creation of an output profile as illustrated in
In step S1008, based on the information regarding the scanned data acquired in step S1005, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 creates an output profile. The CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 transmits the created output profile to the image forming apparatus 0102 via the network 0110. In response to receipt of the created output profile from the client computer 0101 via the network 0110, the CPU 0207 of the image forming apparatus 0102 stores the created output profile in the storage unit 0209.
In step S1009, based on the information regarding the scanned data acquired in step S0607 and the output profile created in step S1008, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 creates an input profile for color matching and stores the created input profile for color matching in the storage unit 0203. The CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 transmits the created input profile for color matching to the image forming apparatus 0102 via the network 0110. In response to receipt of the created input profile for color matching from the client computer 0101 via the network 0110, the CPU 0207 of the image forming apparatus 0102 stores the created input profile in the storage unit 0209.
With the above-described configuration, in creation of an input profile for color matching, in a case where there is no profile with which the color difference is less than or equal to the paper white color difference tolerance value in the information table 0410, a profile is newly created. The created profile is used to create an input profile for color matching, whereby, even in a case where there is a risk that the color matching accuracy decreases with a profile already held in the image forming apparatus 0102, the decrease in the color matching accuracy is prevented.
In the third exemplary embodiment, a sheet that may be used when a chart for creating an output profile is printed is presented based on the value of paper white in data obtained by scanning a color chart. There can be, however, a possibility that a chart for creating an output profile is printed using a sheet having paper white different from the intended sheet by an erroneous operation of the user. Then, an output profile different from the intention is created.
To prevent the above-described issue, in a fourth exemplary embodiment, a printed chart for creation of an output profile is scanned, and an output profile is created using data on the scanned printed chart. Meanwhile, in the scanning of the printed chart, a paper white portion is identified, and the difference between the value of the paper white portion and the value of paper white obtained in the scanning of a color chart is obtained. Then, determination of whether an appropriate output profile is to be created is performed. The basic configuration of the present exemplary embodiment is similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment, and therefore, only the differences between the first and present exemplary embodiments are illustrated. With reference to
In step S1101, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 identifies a portion corresponding to paper white in the scanned data acquired in step S1005. Alignment is performed to identify in which portion in the scanned data the data 0404 on the print data is present, and based on paper white (data in all the CMYK values are 0) in the print data or a margin portion of the document, a portion corresponding to paper white in the scanned data is identified. In step S1102, using the scanner profile selected in step S1002, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 obtains the Lab value, which is the value in the common color space, of the paper white portion in the scanned data identified in step S1101. Then, in step S1103, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 obtains the color difference between the Lab value of the paper white in the scanned data calculated in step S0610 and the Lab value of the paper white in the scanned data calculated in step S1102. In step S1104, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires the paper white color difference tolerance value in the information table 0410 stored in the storage unit 0203. In step S1105, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 determines whether the color difference calculated in step S1103 is less than or equal to the paper white color difference tolerance value in the information table 0410 acquired in step S1104. In a case where the CPU 0201 determines in step S1105 that the color difference is less than or equal to the paper white color difference tolerance value in the information table 0410 (YES in step S1105), the processing proceeds to step S1006. The processes of step S1006 and subsequent steps are similar to the processes in
In the above-described way, a printed chart for creation of a profile is scanned, and an output profile is created using data on the scanned printed chart. Meanwhile, in the scanning of the printed chart, a paper white portion is identified, and the difference between the value of the paper white portion and a value of paper white obtained in scanning of the color chart is obtained. This configuration leads to the achievement of reducing creation of an output profile using a sheet different from an intended value due to an erroneous operation of the user.
In the first to fourth exemplary embodiments, in creation of an input profile for color matching, a profile with which the color difference from the paper white in the color chart is less than or equal to the tolerance value is used, whereby a decrease in the color matching accuracy of a highlighted portion is prevented. If, however, a sheet different from the color chart is used as a sheet for printing using the created input profile for color matching due to an erroneous operation of the user, intended color matching accuracy is not obtained.
Accordingly, in a fifth exemplary embodiment, in printing using an input profile for color matching, a sheet that may be set is displayed in a sheet setting in the print settings, whereby the situation where intended color matching accuracy is not obtained is prevented. The basic configuration of the fifth exemplary embodiment is similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment, and therefore, only the differences between the first and fifth exemplary embodiments are illustrated. With reference to
An information table 1201 indicates a type of information stored as the profile. Profile ID 1202 is ID information for identification of the saved profile. Type 1203 indicates a type of the profile. In a case where the type is “input”, the profile is a profile indicating values that are to be obtained by converting input signal values, such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) values, into the Lab color space, which is the common color space. In a case where the type is “output”, the profile is a profile indicating values that are to be obtained by converting the Lab color space into CMYK values. In a case where the type is “scanner”, the profile is a profile indicating values that are to be obtained by converting signal values of an image acquired using the scanner 0211 into the Lab color space, which is the common color space. In a case where the type is “color matching”, the profile is a profile for use in color matching printing. Profile name 1204 indicates a name of the profile. Sheet white point 1205 indicates sheet white point information regarding the profile. The profile is defined in the ICC format.
In the definition of the ICC format, a definition of paper white represented by a value in the Lab color space or the XYZ color space, which is termed as a sheet white point, is essential in the profile. The sheet white point 1205 indicates a content of the sheet white point.
This screen is displayed on the display unit 0205 of the client computer 0101 by the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101.
A screen 1301 indicates the entire appearance of the print settings screen. An item 1302 indicates a name of a print job on which the user currently performs print settings. An item 1303 indicates that items displayed below the item 1303 are related to the print settings. An item 1304 indicates a setting item for an input profile in the print settings. A button 1305 is used to select an input profile, and a list of input profiles as selection candidates or input profiles for color matching is displayed in a drop-down list. An item 1306 indicates a setting item for an output profile in the print settings. A button 1307 is used to select an output profile, and a list of output profiles as selection candidates is displayed in a drop-down list.
An item 1308 indicates a setting item for a sheet in the print settings. A button 1309 is used to select a sheet, and a list of sheets as selection candidates is displayed in a drop-down list.
An item 1310 indicates a sheet that may be set in the item 1308 for the sheet setting. The item 1310 is displayed only in a case where an input profile for color matching is set in the item 1304 for an input profile. In response to a cancel button 1311 being pressed, the currently displayed screen is closed without setting the print settings. In response to a print” button 1312 being pressed, the print job starts with the currently set print settings.
With reference to
In step S1401, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 stores print data selected by the user on the print settings screen as illustrated in
In step S1406, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 acquires the sheet white point 1205 of the profile selected in step S1404. In step S1407, based on the value of the sheet white point 1205 acquired in step S1406, the CPU 0201 of the client computer 0101 displays the feature of a sheet that may be set in the sheet setting in the print settings as a message on the display unit 0205. Examples of the feature of the sheet that may be set include pale paper, although this is merely an example.
With the above-described configuration, in print settings using an input profile for color matching, the feature of a sheet that may be set is displayed based on sheet white point information regarding the input profile for color matching. This prevents the situation where intended color matching accuracy is not obtained due to an erroneous operation of the user.
A configuration may be obtained by combining one or more of the first to fifth exemplary embodiments.
A storage medium in which program codes of software for realizing the above-described functions are recorded may be provided to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus may read and execute the program codes stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described exemplary embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the above-described apparatus.
Examples of the storage medium that is used to supply the program code include a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, a DVD.
Furthermore, the functions described above may be implemented not only by executing the program code read by the computer but also by causing an operating system (OS) running on the computer to perform part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code.
Furthermore, the program code read out from the storage medium is written in a memory disposed in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer.
Based on the instructions of the program code, a CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit may perform a part or all of the actual processing to realize the above-described functions.
Embodiment(s) of the present disclosure can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™, a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
This application claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-129010. filed Aug. 8, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-129010 | Aug 2023 | JP | national |
