Patent Description:
In related art, an image forming apparatus has a technique called color profile conversion that calculates distribution of process colors appropriate for a medium to be printed, from color device values of document data to improve color reproducibility. Although high color reproducibility is ensured on various media by the color profile conversion, density characteristics of the respective process colors change due to a variation in the state of a printer engine caused by a factor, such as a change in environment (temperature, humidity, or the like), continuous printing, or elapse of time, and hence the image forming apparatus does not provide high color reproducibility merely by the color profile conversion. To address this, there is known a technique called a calibration process that measures the density or the like of each color actually printed on a medium and corrects the density to an appropriate density or the like to accommodate a change in density characteristic due to the above-described factor.

Although the density characteristic of a single color of each of the process colors are appropriately corrected by the known calibration process, for example, when the density characteristics of the printer markedly change, the density characteristic of a mixed color of the printer changes due to the correction by the calibration process, and hence the color reproducibility using the color profile decreases. In this case, it is recommended to use an optimized profile in the current state of the printer engine; however, there is a disadvantage that it is not determined whether the density characteristic of the mixed color is appropriate after the calibration process unless printing is actually performed and a user directly checks the print.

This is because the amount of the actual color material to be printed on the medium markedly changes as the density before the correction and the target density are farther from each other due to the correction by the calibration process. This change does not affect a single color; however, when two or more colors are superposed, the way of superposition of the colors changes, and the density characteristic of the mixed color changes. Thus, the calibration process of measuring the single color printed on the medium and correcting the single color cannot respond to a change in density characteristic of the mixed color due to a variation in the state of the printer engine.

As a technique relating to such a calibration process, to enable a calibration process for a special color material, there is disclosed a technique that a chart including six patches for each of colors obtained by equally dividing a hue ring into six parts (<NUM> patches in total) is output, and a user selects a patch of a color visually closest to a target color sample for each divided hue to adjust a color profile (for example, <CIT>).

However, with the technique described in <CIT>, there is a disadvantage that it is not possible to determine whether to change the profile in response to a change in the density characteristic of a color other than a single color of a process color unless printing is actually performed using the profile and the user directly checks the print.

<CIT> teaches a method and device for matching color. <CIT> teaches a color management system. <CIT> teaches an image forming system.

The present disclosure is made in light of the above-described situations, and an object of the disclosure is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and carrier means that can determine whether to automatically and appropriately change a profile in response to a change in density characteristic of a color other than a single color of a process color.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an information processing apparatus includes a first acquisition unit that acquires a first state parameter indicative of a state of a printer engine of an image forming apparatus; and a search unit that performs comparison between the first state parameter acquired by the first acquisition unit and each of second state parameters registered in a storage unit in advance and indicative of states of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus at creation of a plurality of color profiles, and searches for a color profile corresponding to a second state parameter closest to the first state parameter from among the second state parameters. The information processing apparatus further comprises a second acquisition unit configured to acquire, in response to new creation of a color profile, the color profile and information on a medium type corresponding to the color profile; a third acquisition unit configured to acquire the second state parameter indicative of a state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus at a time at which the second acquisition unit has acquired the color profile; and a registration unit configured to register correspondence information in which the color profile and the information on the medium type acquired by the second acquisition unit is associated with the second state parameter acquired by the third acquisition unit, in the storage unit. The search unit is configured to compare the first state parameter with each of the second state parameters indicated by the correspondence information corresponding to a medium type corresponding to the first state parameter.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an information processing system includes the image forming apparatus; and the information processing apparatus.

According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, an information processing method includes acquiring, by a first acquisition unit, a first state parameter indicative of a state of a printer engine of an image forming apparatus; comparing, by a search unit, the acquired first state parameter with each of second state parameters registered in a storage unit in advance and indicative of states of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus at creation of a plurality of color profiles; and searching, by the search unit, for a color profile corresponding to a second state parameter closest to the first state parameter from among the second state parameters. The method further comprises: acquiring, by a second acquisition unit, in response to new creation of a color profile, the color profile and information on a medium type corresponding to the color profile; acquiring, by a third acquisition unit, the second state parameter indicative of a state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus at a time at which the second acquisition unit has acquired the color profile; and registering, by a registration unit, correspondence information in which the color profile and the information on the medium type acquired by the second acquisition unit is associated with the second state parameter acquired by the third acquisition unit, in the storage unit. The comparing comprises comparing the first state parameter with each of the second state parameters indicated by the correspondence information corresponding to a medium type corresponding to the first state parameter.

According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a carrier means carries a computer readable code for controlling a computer system to carry out the information processing method.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to determine whether to automatically and appropriately change a profile in response to a change in density characteristic of a color other than a single color of a process color.

However, the disclosure of this specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have a similar function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result, within the scope of the appended claims.

An information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and carrier means according to embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to the following one or more embodiments, and components of the following one or more embodiments include components that may be easily conceived by those skilled in the art, those being substantially the same ones, and those being within equivalent ranges. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, changes, and combinations of the components can be made without departing from the gist of the following one or more embodiments, within the scope of the appended claims.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a general arrangement of an information processing system <NUM> according to an embodiment. The general arrangement of the information processing system <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the information processing system <NUM> includes an image forming apparatus <NUM>, a digital front end (DFE) <NUM>, and a management personal computer (PC) <NUM>.

The image forming apparatus <NUM> is an apparatus that outputs a print based on a print image output from the DFE <NUM>. For example, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may be a multifunction peripheral (MFP) or a commercial printer. Note that the MFP is a multifunction peripheral having at least two functions of a copying function, a printing function, a scanning function, and a facsimile function. In <FIG>, the one image forming apparatus <NUM> is illustrated; however, it is not limited thereto, and the information processing system <NUM> may include a plurality of image forming apparatuses <NUM>.

The DFE <NUM> is an information processing apparatus that executes image processing with color profile conversion using a color profile on image data received from the management PC <NUM> (or another external PC) to generate a print image printable by the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The color profile mainly indicates an output profile (printer profile) corresponding to each image forming apparatus and to each medium type. The DFE <NUM> can perform data communication with the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the DFE <NUM> via a network such as a local area network (LAN).

The management PC <NUM> is an information processing apparatus that transmits a color profile for each image forming apparatus <NUM> and for each medium type for registration in the DFE <NUM>, and that transmits image data for allowing the image forming apparatus <NUM> to output a print, to the DFE <NUM>.

The information processing system <NUM> may include a colorimeter, such as a spectral colorimeter, that obtains the spectral reflectance of a print having a color chart printed thereon and that is to be used for a calibration process.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment. The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes a controller <NUM>, an operation display <NUM>, a facsimile control unit (FCU) <NUM>, a plotter <NUM> (printer), and a scanner <NUM> that are coupled to one another via a peripheral component interface (PCI) bus.

The controller <NUM> is a device for overall control of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, and the device also controls drawing and communication of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, and input from the operation display <NUM>.

The operation display <NUM> is, for example, a touch panel, is a device that receives input to the controller <NUM> (input function), and displays the state or the like of the image forming apparatus <NUM> (display function). The operation display <NUM> is directly coupled to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) <NUM> (described later).

The FCU <NUM> is a device that implements a facsimile function, and is coupled to the ASIC <NUM> via, for example, the PCI bus.

The plotter <NUM> is a device that implements a printing function, and is coupled to the ASIC <NUM> via, for example, the PCI bus. The scanner <NUM> is a device that implements a scanning function, and is coupled to the ASIC <NUM> via, for example, the PCI bus.

The controller <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM>, a system memory (MEM-P) <NUM>, a northbridge (NB) <NUM>, a southbridge (SB) 504a, a network interface (I/F) 504b, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) I/F 504c, a Centronics I/F 504d, the ASIC <NUM>, a local memory (MEM-C) <NUM>, and an auxiliary storage device <NUM>.

The CPU <NUM> performs overall control of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, and is coupled to a chip set including the MEM-P <NUM>, the NB <NUM>, and the SB 504a, and is coupled to other devices via the chip set.

The MEM-P <NUM> is a memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for loading programs and data, and a memory for storing drawing data of a printer. The MEM-P <NUM> includes a read-only memory (ROM) and a random-access memory (RAM). The ROM is a read-only memory for storing programs and data. The RAM is a writable and readable memory used as a memory for loading programs and data, and a memory for storing drawing data of the printer.

The NB <NUM> is a bridge for coupling the CPU <NUM> to the MEM-P <NUM>, the SB 504a, and an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) bus <NUM>. The NB <NUM> includes a memory controller that controls reading from and writing to the MEM-P <NUM>, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) master, and an AGP target.

The SB 504a is a bridge for coupling the NB <NUM> to PCI devices and peripheral devices. The SB 504a is coupled to the NB <NUM> via the PCI bus, and the network I/F 504b, the USB I/F 504c, and the Centronics I/F 504d are coupled to the PCI bus.

The network I/F 504b is an interface for data communication with an external device, such as the DFE <NUM>, through the network. The network I/F 504b supports, for example, Ethernet® and can make communication conforming to, for example, transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP).

The USB I/F 504c is an interface that can communicate with a device conforming to the USB standard.

The Centronics I/F 504d is an interface having a specification of a parallel port that can transmit a plurality of bits.

The AGP bus <NUM> is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card suggested to accelerate graphics processing. The AGP bus <NUM> can speed up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P <NUM> with high throughput.

The ASIC <NUM> is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing. The ASIC <NUM> serves as a bridge for coupling the AGP bus <NUM>, the PCI bus, the auxiliary storage device <NUM>, and the MEM-C <NUM> to one another. The ASIC <NUM> includes a PCI target, an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) as a core of the ASIC <NUM>, a memory controller for controlling the MEM-C <NUM>, a plurality of direct memory access controllers (DMACs) that rotate image data with a hardware logic or the like, and a PCI unit that transfers data between the plotter <NUM> and the scanner <NUM> via the PCI bus. For example, the FCU <NUM>, the plotter <NUM>, and the scanner <NUM> are coupled to the ASIC <NUM> via the PCI bus. The ASIC <NUM> is also connected to a host personal computer (PC) and a network.

The MEM-C <NUM> is used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer.

The auxiliary storage device <NUM> is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a Secure Digital (SD) card, or a flash memory, and is a storage for storing image data, programs, font data, and forms.

The programs of the above-described image forming apparatus <NUM> may be stored in any computer-readable recording medium (the auxiliary storage device <NUM> or the like) in a file format installable or executable by the computer, for distribution.

The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is an example, and does not have to include all the component devices, and may include other component devices.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the DFE <NUM> according to the embodiment. The hardware configuration of the DFE <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the DFE <NUM> includes a CPU <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, a RAM <NUM>, an auxiliary storage device <NUM>, an I/F <NUM>, a display <NUM>, an operation device <NUM>, and a network I/F <NUM>.

The CPU <NUM> is an arithmetic device that controls the overall operation of the DFE <NUM>. The ROM <NUM> is a non-volatile storage device that stores a program for the DFE <NUM>. The RAM <NUM> is a volatile storage device that is used as a work area of the DFE <NUM>.

The auxiliary storage device <NUM> is a storage device, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), that stores color profile correspondence information, which is described later, and various data and programs.

The I/F <NUM> is an interface for performing data communication between an input/output device and a bus line <NUM>.

The display <NUM> is a display device, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display that displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, characters, or an image.

The operation device <NUM> is an input device that allows a user to select characters, numerals, or various instructions and to move a cursor.

The network I/F <NUM> is an interface for data communication with external apparatuses, such as the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the management PC <NUM>, through the network. The network I/F <NUM> is, for example, a network interface card (NIC) that supports Ethernet® and that can make communication conforming to, for example, TCP/IP.

The above-described CPU <NUM>, ROM <NUM>, RAM <NUM>, auxiliary storage device <NUM>, I/F <NUM>, and network I/F <NUM> are communicably coupled to one another via the bus line <NUM>, such as an address bus or a data bus.

The hardware configuration of the DFE <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is an example, and does not have to include all the components illustrated in <FIG> or may include other components. The hardware configuration of the management PC <NUM> also conforms to the hardware configuration illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of configurations of functional blocks of the DFE <NUM> according to the embodiment. <FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of configurations of functional blocks of a color profile registration unit <NUM> of the DFE <NUM> according to the embodiment. <FIG> is a graph presenting an example of density characteristics. <FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of configurations of functional blocks of a color profile determination unit <NUM> of the DFE <NUM> according to the embodiment. The configurations and operations of the functional blocks of the DFE <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the DFE <NUM> includes the color profile registration unit <NUM>, the color profile determination unit <NUM>, a print image generation unit <NUM>, a display controller <NUM>, and a storage unit <NUM>.

The color profile registration unit <NUM> is a functional unit that receives a color profile corresponding to each image forming apparatus <NUM> and to each medium type received from the management PC <NUM>, associates an engine state parameter indicative of a state of a printer engine received from the image forming apparatus <NUM> with the color profile, and registers (stores) the engine state parameter and the color profile in the storage unit <NUM>. The color profile registration unit <NUM> is implemented by, for example, the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program. As illustrated in <FIG>, the color profile registration unit <NUM> includes a profile acquisition unit <NUM> (second acquisition unit), an engine state acquisition unit <NUM> (third acquisition unit), and a registration processing unit <NUM> (registration unit).

The profile acquisition unit <NUM> is a functional unit that acquires a color profile from the management PC <NUM> via the network I/F <NUM>. For example, the profile acquisition unit <NUM> acquires a color profile newly created through the calibration process. When acquiring the color profile, the profile acquisition unit <NUM> also acquires information on a medium type corresponding to the color profile together with the color profile to associate the color profile with the medium type. Then, the profile acquisition unit <NUM> transmits the acquired color profile and information on the medium type to the registration processing unit <NUM>.

The engine state acquisition unit <NUM> is a functional unit that acquires an engine state parameter (second state parameter) indicative of a state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus <NUM> at a time at which the profile acquisition unit <NUM> has acquired the color profile, via the network I/F <NUM>. That is, the engine state acquisition unit <NUM> acquires the engine state parameter from the image forming apparatus <NUM> at a timing at which the profile acquisition unit <NUM> has acquired the color profile, via the network I/F <NUM>. Then, the engine state acquisition unit <NUM> transmits the acquired engine state parameter to the registration processing unit <NUM>. That is, the engine state parameter acquired by the engine state acquisition unit <NUM> indicates a state of the printer engine as a result of applying the color profile acquired by the profile acquisition unit <NUM>.

The engine state parameter indicates a printing characteristic of each color recognized by the printer engine using an internal sensor or the like, although various parameters may be expected depending on the image forming apparatus <NUM>. For example, regarding "density with respect to input" read by the internal sensor as a parameter indicative of a state of the printer engine, the relationship between the input and the density can be approximated to a gamma value expressed by a one-dimensional numeral based on Expression (<NUM>) below, and hence a state (characteristic) of a printer engine of a single color can be expressed by a single numeral.

In Expression (<NUM>), Y is an output density normalized to <NUM> to <NUM>, X is an input value such as a color device value normalized to <NUM> to <NUM>, and A is a gamma value serving as an engine state parameter. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the gamma value A (an example of a value based on density) is handled as an engine state parameter. <FIG> is a graph illustrating the relationship between the input value X and the output density Y when the gamma value A = <NUM>. When the relationship between the input value X and the output density Y is expressed by a curve of such a graph, the engine state parameter is <NUM>. That is, the image forming apparatus <NUM>, for example, may periodically perform color measurement on a print using an internal sensor or the like (an example of a reading device), obtain a gamma value from the relationship between the density (colorimetric value) obtained by the color measurement and the input such as a color device value, and store the gamma value in the auxiliary storage device <NUM> in association with the medium type of the print and the used profile.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the registration processing unit <NUM> is a functional unit that associates the color profile and the information on the medium type acquired by the profile acquisition unit <NUM> with the engine state parameter acquired by the engine state acquisition unit <NUM> and registers (stores) the color profile, the information on the medium type, and the engine state parameter in the storage unit <NUM> as color profile correspondence information (correspondence information). Table <NUM> below presents color profile correspondence information in which a profile is associated with an engine state parameter of each color. The color profile correspondence information is registered in the storage unit <NUM> in association with each image forming apparatus <NUM> and with each medium type.

The color profile determination unit <NUM> is a functional unit that determines a color profile optimal for a current image forming apparatus <NUM> from color profiles stored in the storage unit <NUM> based on an engine state parameter indicative of a current state of the printer engine received from the image forming apparatus <NUM>. In a case where an optimum color profile is present, the color profile determination unit <NUM> transmits the color profile to the print image generation unit <NUM> to be used in the color profile conversion when the print image generation unit <NUM> generates a print image. In contrast, in a case where an optimal color profile is not present, the color profile determination unit <NUM> performs a process of prompting the user to newly create a color profile in the current state of the printer engine and register the color profile. The color profile determination unit <NUM> is implemented by, for example, the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program. As illustrated in <FIG>, the color profile determination unit <NUM> includes an engine state acquisition unit <NUM> (first acquisition unit) and a profile search unit <NUM> (search unit).

The engine state acquisition unit <NUM> is a functional unit that acquires an engine state parameter (first state parameter) indicative of a state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus <NUM> at a current time (that is, at the acquisition) via the network I/F <NUM>. Then, the engine state acquisition unit <NUM> transmits the acquired engine state parameter to the profile search unit <NUM>.

The profile search unit <NUM> is a functional unit that compares the current engine state parameter acquired by the engine state acquisition unit <NUM> with each engine state parameter of the color profile correspondence information corresponding to the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the medium type corresponding to the engine state parameter stored in the storage unit <NUM>, and searches for an optimal color profile having a numerical value closest to the numerical value of the current engine state parameter. Specifically, the profile search unit <NUM> adds up the absolute values of the differences of the respective colors between the current engine state parameter and the engine state parameter of the color profile correspondence information on the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the medium type corresponding to the engine state parameter to calculate a search value. The search value is an example of a difference between the current engine state parameter and the engine state parameter of the color profile correspondence information on the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the medium type corresponding to the engine state parameter. Alternatively, for example, a value obtained by directly adding up the differences of the respective colors or an average value of the absolute values of the differences of the respective colors may be used as the difference between the parameters. The profile search unit <NUM> calculates a search value for all color profiles included in the color profile correspondence information. Table <NUM> below presents a calculation result of a search value corresponding to each color profile in the color profile correspondence information presented in Table <NUM> when the current engine state parameter includes C = <NUM>, M = <NUM>, Y = <NUM>, and K = <NUM>.

In the case of Table <NUM>, since the search value of the "profile <NUM>" is the smallest, the profile search unit <NUM> determines that the "profile <NUM>" is a color profile registered at the timing in the state closest to the current state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. However, for example, when the number of registered color profiles is small or when the current state of the printer engine is markedly different from the previous state, although the color profile having the smallest search value is used, the hue may markedly vary and the print quality may be unsatisfactory. Thus, a threshold value serving as a reference for determining whether to employ the searched color profile is provided, the search value of the color profile determined to have the smallest search value is compared with the threshold value, and validity of the color profile is determined.

When the search value is the threshold value or smaller, it is determined that the state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus <NUM> at registration of the color profile is very close to the current state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. Thus, even when the color profile selected by the profile search unit <NUM> as the one having the smallest search value is applied to the current image forming apparatus <NUM>, the influence of a variation in color is small, and hence the color profile is transmitted to the print image generation unit <NUM> to be set as a color profile used for the color profile conversion at generation of a print image and to be used in actual printing.

In contrast, when the search value is larger than the threshold value, it is determined that all the color profiles corresponding to the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the medium type registered in the storage unit <NUM> are not appropriate for application to the current image forming apparatus <NUM>. Thus, the profile search unit <NUM> performs a process of prompting the user to newly create a color profile in the current state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus <NUM> and register the color profile. Specifically, the profile search unit <NUM> transmits information indicative of prompting the user to newly create a color profile in the current state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus <NUM> and register the color profile, to the display controller <NUM>.

The print image generation unit <NUM> is a functional unit that performs image processing involving the color profile conversion using the color profile searched by the profile search unit <NUM> on image data received from the management PC <NUM> (or another external PC) to generate a print image printable by the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The print image generation unit <NUM> transmits the generated print image to the image forming apparatus <NUM> via the network I/F <NUM>. The print image generation unit <NUM> is implemented by, for example, the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program.

The display controller <NUM> is a functional unit that controls a display operation of the display <NUM>. For example, when the display controller <NUM> receives the information indicative of prompting the user to newly create the color profile in the current state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus <NUM> and register the color profile, from the profile search unit <NUM>, the display controller <NUM> controls the display <NUM> to display the information. The display controller <NUM> is implemented by the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program. The control of the display controller <NUM> is not limited to controlling the display <NUM> of the DFE <NUM> to display the information, and the display controller <NUM> may transmit the information to the management PC <NUM> and cause the management PC <NUM> to display the information.

The storage unit <NUM> is a functional unit that stores the color profile correspondence information registered by the registration processing unit <NUM>, and various types of data and programs. The storage unit <NUM> is implemented by the auxiliary storage device <NUM> or the RAM <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

At least part of functional units that are implemented by executing software (program) among the functional units of the DFE <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may be implemented by a hardware circuit such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an ASIC.

Each functional unit of the DFE <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> conceptually indicates a function, and is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a plurality of functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the DFE <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may be provided as one functional unit. In contrast, a function of one functional unit in the DFE <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may be divided into a plurality of functions to provide a plurality of functional units. The same applies to the functional units of the color profile registration unit <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and the functional units of the color profile determination unit <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flowchart presenting an example of a flow of a color profile registration process of the DFE <NUM> according to the embodiment. The flow of the color profile registration process of the DFE <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

The profile acquisition unit <NUM> of the color profile registration unit <NUM> acquires a color profile from the management PC <NUM> via the network I/F <NUM>. When acquiring the color profile, the profile acquisition unit <NUM> also acquires information on a medium type corresponding to the color profile together with the color profile to associate the color profile with the medium type. Then, the profile acquisition unit <NUM> transmits the acquired color profile and information on the medium type to the registration processing unit <NUM>. Then, the process proceeds to step S12.

The engine state acquisition unit <NUM> of the color profile registration unit <NUM> is a functional unit that acquires an engine state parameter indicative of a state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus <NUM> at a time at which the profile acquisition unit <NUM> has acquired the color profile, via the network I/F <NUM>. That is, the engine state acquisition unit <NUM> acquires the engine state parameter from the image forming apparatus <NUM> at a timing at which the profile acquisition unit <NUM> has acquired the color profile, via the network I/F <NUM>. Then, the engine state acquisition unit <NUM> transmits the acquired engine state parameter to the registration processing unit <NUM>. Then, the process proceeds to step S13.

The registration processing unit <NUM> of the color profile registration unit <NUM> associates the color profile and the information on the medium type acquired by the profile acquisition unit <NUM> with the engine state parameter acquired by the engine state acquisition unit <NUM> and registers (stores), as color profile correspondence information, the color profile, the information on the medium type, and the engine state parameter in the storage unit <NUM>. Then, the color profile registration process is ended.

Through the above-described flow from step S11 to step S13, the color profile registration process of the DFE <NUM> is executed.

<FIG> is a flowchart presenting an example of a flow of a color profile determination process of the DFE <NUM> according to the embodiment. The flow of the color profile determination process of the DFE <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

The engine state acquisition unit <NUM> of the color profile determination unit <NUM> acquires an engine state parameter indicative of a state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus <NUM> at a current time (that is, at the acquisition) via the network I/F <NUM>. Then, the engine state acquisition unit <NUM> transmits the acquired engine state parameter to the profile search unit <NUM>. Then, the process proceeds to step S22.

The profile search unit <NUM> of the color profile determination unit <NUM> acquires color profile correspondence information corresponding to the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the medium type corresponding to the current engine state parameter acquired by the engine state acquisition unit <NUM>, from the storage unit <NUM>. Then, the process proceeds to step S23.

The profile search unit <NUM> adds up the absolute values of the differences of the respective colors between the current engine state parameter and the engine state parameter of the color profile correspondence information on the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the medium type corresponding to the engine state parameter to calculate a search value. The profile search unit <NUM> calculates a search value for all color profiles included in the color profile correspondence information. Then, the process proceeds to step S24.

The profile search unit <NUM> selects a color profile having the smallest search value among the calculated search values. Then, the process proceeds to step S25.

The profile search unit <NUM> determines whether the search value of the selected color profile is a predetermined threshold value or smaller. The predetermined threshold value may be set by, for example, a user, or a designer. When the search value is the threshold value or smaller (step S25: Yes), the process proceeds to step S26. When the search value is larger than the threshold value (step S25: No), the process proceeds to step S27.

Thus, the profile search unit <NUM> determines the selected color profile as to be applied to the current image forming apparatus <NUM>, transmits the color profile to the print image generation unit <NUM>, so as to be set as a color profile used for the color profile conversion at generation of a print image and to be used in actual printing. Then, the color profile determination process is ended.

The profile search unit <NUM> performs a process of prompting the user to newly create a color profile in the current state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus <NUM> and register the color profile in the DFE <NUM>. Specifically, the profile search unit <NUM> transmits information indicative of prompting the user to newly create a color profile in the current state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus <NUM> and register the color profile, to the display controller <NUM>. When the display controller <NUM> receives the information indicative of prompting the user to newly create the color profile in the current state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus <NUM> and register the color profile, from the profile search unit <NUM>, the display controller <NUM> controls the display <NUM> to display the information.

Then, the color profile determination process is ended.

Through the above-described flow from step S21 to step S27, the color profile determination process of the DFE <NUM> is executed.

As described above, in the DFE <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the engine state acquisition unit <NUM> acquires an engine state parameter (first state parameter) indicative of a current state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, and the profile search unit <NUM> compares the engine state parameter acquired by the engine state acquisition unit <NUM> with each of engine state parameters (second state parameters) registered in the storage unit <NUM> in advance and indicative of states of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus <NUM> at creation of a plurality of color profiles, and searches for a color profile corresponding to an engine state parameter closest to the engine state parameter indicative of the current printer state from among the engine state parameters. Accordingly, it is possible to determine whether to automatically and appropriately change a profile in response to a change in density characteristic of a color other than a single color of a process color.

In the DFE <NUM>, when a color profile is newly created, the profile acquisition unit <NUM> acquires the color profile and information on a medium type corresponding to the color profile, the engine state acquisition unit <NUM> acquires an engine state parameter (second state parameter) indicative of a state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus <NUM> at a time at which the profile acquisition unit <NUM> has acquired the color profile, the registration processing unit <NUM> registers color profile correspondence information in which the color profile and the information on the medium type acquired by the profile acquisition unit <NUM> are associated with the engine state parameter acquired by the engine state acquisition unit <NUM> in the storage unit <NUM>, and the profile search unit <NUM> compares the engine state parameter acquired by the engine state acquisition unit <NUM> with each of engine state parameters indicated by the color profile correspondence information corresponding to the medium type corresponding to the engine state parameter. Accordingly, the color profile correspondence information can be managed for each medium type, and it is possible to determine whether to automatically and appropriately change a profile in response to a change in density characteristic for each medium type.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a general arrangement of an information processing system 1a according to a modification. The information processing system 1a according to the modification will be described with reference to <FIG>.

In the information processing system <NUM> according to the above-described embodiment, the DFE <NUM> has the registration function and the determination function (search function) of a color profile. In the modification, as illustrated in <FIG>, the information processing system 1a includes an image forming apparatus 10a (an example of an information processing apparatus) and a management PC <NUM>. The image forming apparatus 10a has, in addition to an expected image forming function, the functions of the DFE <NUM> according to the above-described embodiment (the functions of the color profile registration unit <NUM>, the color profile determination unit <NUM>, the print image generation unit <NUM>, the display controller <NUM>, and the storage unit <NUM>). Then, the image forming apparatus 10a executes processes such as the above-described image processing that has been executed by the DFE <NUM>, on image data received from the management PC <NUM> (or another external PC).

Even with the above-described configuration, advantageous effects similar to those of the DFE <NUM> according to the above-described embodiment are attained.

Each of the functions of the above-described embodiment and modification can be implemented by one or more processing circuits or circuitry. Examples of the "processing circuits or circuitry" include a programmed processor, as a processor that is mounted on an electronic circuit and that performs the functions through software. Examples of the "processing circuits or circuitry" also include devices such as an ASIC, a digital signal processor (DSP), a FPGA, and circuit components of related art designed to execute the recited functions.

The program to be executed by the DFE <NUM> and the image forming apparatus 10a according to the above-described embodiment and modification may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

The program to be executed by the DFE <NUM> and the image forming apparatus 10a according to the above-described embodiment and modification may be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable storage medium (carrier means) such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a flexible disk (FD), a compact disk-recordable (CD-R), or a digital versatile disk (DVD) in a file of an installable format or an executable format to be provided as a computer program product.

The program to be executed by the DFE <NUM> and the image forming apparatus 10a according to the above-described embodiment and modification may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and may be provided by being downloaded via the network. Furthermore, the program executed by the DFE <NUM> and the image forming apparatus 10a according to the above-described embodiment and modification may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

The program to be executed by the DFE <NUM> and the image forming apparatus 10a according to the above-described embodiment and modification has a module configuration including the above-described functional units, and as actual hardware, a CPU (processor) reads the program from a ROM and executes the program to load the above-described functional units onto a main storage device and generate the functional units on the main storage device.

Claim 1:
An information processing apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a first acquisition unit (<NUM>) configured to acquire a first state parameter indicative of a state of a printer engine of an image forming apparatus; and
a search unit (<NUM>) configured to perform comparison between the first state parameter acquired by the first acquisition unit (<NUM>) and each of second state parameters registered in a storage unit in advance and indicative of states of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus at creation of a plurality of color profiles, and search for a color profile corresponding to a second state parameter closest to the first state parameter from among the second state parameters,
wherein the apparatus further comprises:
a second acquisition unit (<NUM>) configured to acquire, in response to new creation of a color profile, the color profile and information on a medium type corresponding to the color profile;
a third acquisition unit (<NUM>) configured to acquire the second state parameter indicative of a state of the printer engine of the image forming apparatus at a time at which the second acquisition unit (<NUM>) has acquired the color profile; and
a registration unit (<NUM>) configured to register correspondence information in which the color profile and the information on the medium type acquired by the second acquisition unit (<NUM>) is associated with the second state parameter acquired by the third acquisition unit (<NUM>), in the storage unit, and
wherein the search unit (<NUM>) is configured to compare the first state parameter with each of the second state parameters indicated by the correspondence information corresponding to a medium type corresponding to the first state parameter.