Patent Description:
In the commercial printing field, there have been recently growing importance of and a demand for a color validation process of periodically validating the color quality of an image forming apparatus. This is because, if a print output result fails to meet expectations from an outsourcer strict about color and a job is rejected, cost increases and a profit declines.

The color validation process includes steps such as settings related to color measurement and printing in color validation, printing of a chart including a plurality of color patches, color measurement of the chart, color validation executed by comparison between a color measurement result and a color reference, and the confirmation of a color validation result (for example, refer to <CIT>).

In some cases, color measurement in color validation and a print setting instruction are performed via an application or a web browser, and a chart printing instruction is performed via a printer driver.

In this case, in a series of operations related to color validation, for example, the user needs to switch an application to be used, which is unfriendly for users and is to be solved. Further prior art documents are <CIT>, showing a color control system and color control method, <CIT> showing an information processing apparatus and information processing method and <CIT> showing an information processor and method for controlling same.

The present invention aims to enhance the convenience of the user in a series of operations related to color validation.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus as specified in claims <NUM> to <NUM>. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program as specified in claim <NUM>.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The following exemplary embodiments are not intended to limit the invention set forth in the appended claims, and not all the combinations of the features described in the exemplary embodiments are always essential to the solution of the invention.

A first exemplary embodiment will be described. The features of the present invention will be described by sequentially describing, using specific examples, a configuration of a color validation system for implementing a color validation process, printing of a chart, color measurement of a chart, and color validation. The configuration of the color validation system will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a color validation system according to the present exemplary embodiment. The color validation system is broadly divided into a web system <NUM> and a printing business operator system <NUM>. The web system <NUM> and the printing business operator system <NUM> are connected to each other via an internet <NUM>. The web system <NUM> may be constructed on a cloud, or may be constructed on a company's own server.

Hereinafter, an internal configuration of the printing business operator system <NUM> will be described in detail. As illustrated in <FIG>, an information processing apparatus <NUM> and an image forming apparatus <NUM> are connected to each other via a network <NUM>. A color measurement device <NUM> is connected to these apparatuses via a serial bus <NUM>. The image forming apparatus <NUM> is controlled under programs operating on the information processing apparatus <NUM>, and generates a product by processing a print setting and print data that have been received from the web system <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>). In <FIG>, a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM> executes a program of an operating system (OS) or a general-purpose application that is stored in a program read-only memory (ROM) of a ROM <NUM>, or loaded from a hard disk drive (HDD) <NUM> onto a random access memory (RAM) <NUM>. The ROM <NUM> includes a font ROM and a data ROM. The RAM <NUM> functions as a main memory and a work area of the CPU <NUM>. A keyboard controller (KBC) <NUM> controls entry from a keyboard (KB) <NUM> and a pointing device (not illustrated). A display controller (CRTC) <NUM> controls display onto a display unit (CRT) <NUM>. A disc controller (DKC) <NUM> controls access to the HDD <NUM> storing boot programs, various applications, and font data.

A network controller (NIC) <NUM> is connected to a network, and executes control processing of communication with another device connected to the network. A bus <NUM> connects the CPU <NUM>, the RAM <NUM>, the ROM <NUM>, and various controllers, and conveys data signals and control signals.

In a case where the information processing apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) is a mobile phone, a touch panel controller may be sometimes included in place of the KBC <NUM>. In some cases, a large-capacity storage device is also included in place of the HDD <NUM>. Furthermore, the NIC <NUM> has an internal configuration varying between a case where the information processing apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) is connected to a wired local area network (LAN), a case where the information processing apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) is connected to a wireless LAN, and a case where the information processing apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) is connected to both of a wired LAN and a wireless LAN. Nevertheless, such a difference in internal configuration is hidden inside the NIC <NUM>, and the information processing apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) is enabled to control the system assuming that other modules illustrated in <FIG> are equivalent in any case.

<FIG> is a functional block diagram illustrating functional blocks included in the web system <NUM> and the printing business operator system <NUM> included in the color validation system according to the present exemplary embodiment.

First of all, functional blocks included in the information processing apparatus <NUM> of the printing business operator system <NUM> will be described. A web browser <NUM> acquires content (screen information) by communicating with a web server <NUM>. Then, the web browser <NUM> construes the acquired content and performs format and display (web page <NUM>). The web browser <NUM> can also execute a programming language such as JavaScript.

An on-premise application <NUM> is an application having a role of a proxy that relays access between the web system <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM>, the color measurement device <NUM>, and the web browser <NUM>. For example, when a chart is to be printed, the web system <NUM> prints a chart using the image forming apparatus <NUM> via the on-premise application <NUM>.

In addition, When color measurement of the printed chart is performed, the color measurement device <NUM> is controlled via the on-premise application <NUM>. When a chart is to be printed, the web system <NUM> may directly transmit print data of the chart and a print setting to the image forming apparatus <NUM> not via the on-premise application <NUM>. Whether to use the on-premise application <NUM> is determined by a printing business operator depending on whether an image forming apparatus is to be connected to an external network. Whichever connection configuration may be employed in the present invention.

The web page <NUM> is content acquired by the web browser <NUM> from the web server <NUM>, and is displayed on the web browser <NUM>. While the web page <NUM> includes single piece of content as illustrated in <FIG> in some cases, guest content <NUM> is displayed in a nested structure as illustrated in <FIG> in other case.

A web component <NUM> is a program associated with the web page <NUM>, and is executed on the web browser <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, JavaScript is assumed as the web component <NUM>, but the web component <NUM> is only required to be a program operating on the web browser <NUM>. For example, the web component <NUM> may be an applet, Active X, or plug-in of the web browser <NUM>.

If the web browser <NUM> displays the web page <NUM> (for example, a chart color measurement screen to be described below with reference to <FIG>), the web component <NUM> accesses the color measurement control unit <NUM> and establishes communication. After that, the web component <NUM> transmits an instruction to the color measurement control unit <NUM> in accordance with a user operation performed on the web page <NUM>, and controls the color measurement device <NUM> in accordance with the user operation. The web component <NUM> also receives a response of the color measurement device <NUM> to the instruction from the color measurement control unit <NUM>, and reflects the response in the web page <NUM>.

In the present exemplary embodiment, WebSocket is used as a method of communication between the web component <NUM> and the color measurement control unit <NUM>. Thus, the web component <NUM> and the color measurement control unit <NUM> can constantly maintain connection via a specific port. With this configuration, it is possible to convey the entry made by a user operation, to the color measurement device <NUM> in real time, and further reflect a response of the color measurement device <NUM> in the web page <NUM> in real time.

The color measurement control unit <NUM> receives an instruction from the web component <NUM>, and controls the color measurement device <NUM> via a color measurement device cooperation unit <NUM>. If the color measurement device <NUM> has read a patch, the color measurement control unit <NUM> transmits the reading result to the web component <NUM>. If the reading of all patches included in the chart is completed, the color measurement control unit <NUM> stores the reading result into a color measurement result storage unit <NUM>. Furthermore, if the color measurement control unit <NUM> receives a color measurement completion instruction from the web component <NUM>, the color measurement control unit <NUM> acquires a color measurement result matching an ID included in the color measurement completion instruction, from the color measurement result storage unit <NUM>, and transmits the acquired color measurement result to the web server <NUM> via a color measurement communication unit <NUM>.

The color measurement communication unit <NUM> performs communication between the color measurement control unit <NUM> and the web server <NUM>. If the color measurement communication unit <NUM> receives a color measurement result from the color measurement control unit <NUM>, the color measurement communication unit <NUM> starts communication with the web server <NUM>, and transmits the color measurement result to the web server <NUM>. Although a communication method is not specified, a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) communication is used in the present exemplary embodiment. This is because there is no need to constantly connect the web server <NUM> and the on-premise application <NUM> in real time.

The color measurement device cooperation unit <NUM> is an interface to the color measurement device <NUM>, and mediates communication between the color measurement control unit <NUM> and the color measurement device <NUM>.

A printing communication unit <NUM> performs communication between a printing control unit <NUM> and the web server <NUM>. When a printing instruction is issued by the user, the printing communication unit <NUM> receives a print job including a print setting and print data, from the web server <NUM>, and further receives an internet protocol (IP) address of a transmission destination image forming apparatus, and delivers the IP address to the printing control unit <NUM>.

If the printing control unit <NUM> receives a print job from the printing communication unit <NUM>, the printing control unit <NUM> transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus <NUM> indicated by the IP address. In the present exemplary embodiment, HTTP communication is assumed as a transmission method of a print job. Nevertheless, another printing transmission method such as Hot Folder may be used because it is sufficient that a print job can be transmitted to the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

The color measurement result storage unit <NUM> is a location into which the color measurement control unit <NUM> stores a color measurement result of a chart when the color measurement of the chart is completed. The color measurement result storage unit <NUM> may be stored into an HDD of the information processing apparatus <NUM> as a file, or may be tabular database as shown below, for example.

The functional blocks included in the information processing apparatus <NUM> have been described above.

Next, functional blocks included in the information processing apparatus <NUM> of the web system <NUM> will be described. The web server <NUM> is a service program that performs HTTP communication with the web browser <NUM> and provides the display of a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) and an object (image, etc.) to the web browser <NUM>. The web server <NUM> also performs HTTP communication with the printing communication unit <NUM>, and transmits a print job to the on-premise application <NUM>. Furthermore, the web server <NUM> performs HTTP communication with the color measurement communication unit <NUM>, and receives a color measurement result of a chart from the color measurement control unit <NUM>.

A color validation management unit <NUM> is a functional block for controlling each piece of processing of a color validation process.

Based on a user instruction entered on the web page <NUM>, the color validation management unit <NUM> executes processing including printing of a chart, color measurement, up to color validation. The color validation management unit <NUM> also causes the web server <NUM> to perform transmission processing of a print job, and stores a color measurement result received by the web server <NUM> into the color measurement result storage unit <NUM>.

A colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM> is a location into which a colorimetric setting entered by the user is stored. If the user enters a colorimetric setting and issues a save instruction on the web page <NUM> (setting screen in <FIG>), the web component <NUM> delivers the colorimetric setting to the web server <NUM> via the web browser <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an example of a colorimetric setting <NUM> (to be described below). Then, the web server <NUM> delivers the colorimetric setting <NUM> to the color validation management unit <NUM>. The color validation management unit <NUM> that has received the colorimetric setting <NUM> stores the received colorimetric setting <NUM> into the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM>.

The colorimetric setting <NUM> stored in the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM> is used in a color validation system for various purposes. A conventional printing system is configured to prompt a user to enter a print setting, and upload print data to a web server. In the present invention, the user enters the colorimetric setting <NUM>, and a print setting and print data are generated based on the colorimetric setting <NUM>. Furthermore, the colorimetric setting <NUM> is also used as a determination reference of a color measurement result in color validation.

Furthermore, the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM> stores a color measurement result transmitted from the on-premise application <NUM> in association with a colorimetric setting having the same identifier. <FIG> illustrates an example of a color measurement result (to be described below). Then, based on the identifier, the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM> stores a color measurement result <NUM> for a color validation processing unit <NUM>, in association with the colorimetric setting <NUM>.

For example, based on an identifier (Test ID) "<NUM>", the colorimetric setting <NUM> and the color measurement result <NUM> are associated as shown in Table <NUM> provided below.

A print job generation unit <NUM> includes a function of generating a print setting and print data. Specifically, a printing instruction (press of a print button <NUM>) is issued by the user on the web page <NUM> (setting screen in <FIG>). If the printing instruction is issued, the web component <NUM> transmits the printing instruction to the web server <NUM> via the web browser <NUM>. A printing instruction <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is an example of a printing instruction, and the printing instruction includes a command ("print-request") and an identifier ("test-id"). If the web server <NUM> delivers the printing instruction <NUM> to the color validation management unit <NUM>, the color validation management unit <NUM> acquires the colorimetric setting <NUM> from the color measurement result storage unit <NUM> based on the identifier (<NUM>) designated in the printing instruction.

The color validation management unit <NUM> delivers the acquired colorimetric setting <NUM> to the print job generation unit <NUM>. The print job generation unit <NUM> generate a print job including a print setting of a chart and print data that satisfies the colorimetric setting <NUM>. Print data of charts <NUM> and <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are examples of print data, and a print setting <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is an example of a print setting.

In the generation of the print setting <NUM>, for example, as shown in Table <NUM> provided below, the print setting storage unit <NUM> preliminarily associates a color reference and a print parameter. Based on a color reference (FOGRA xxxx-yyyy) of the colorimetric setting <NUM>, the print job generation unit <NUM> acquires related print parameters from the print setting storage unit <NUM>, and generates the print setting <NUM>.

Then, the print job generation unit <NUM> returns the generated print job to the color validation management unit <NUM>. After that, the color validation management unit <NUM> transmits the print job to the on-premise application <NUM> via the web server <NUM>.

The color validation processing unit <NUM> performs pass or failure determination with respect to a designated color reference, by comparing a color measurement result obtained by reading a printed chart, with a color reference of a printing industry or a color reference uniquely defined by a printing firm.

Specifically, when a color measurement completion button is pressed by the user on the web page <NUM>, the web component <NUM> transmits a color measurement result transmission instruction to the color measurement control unit <NUM> to transmit the color measurement result <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an example of the color measurement result transmission instruction, and the instruction includes a command "measurement-upload-request" and an identifier "test-id". The color measurement control unit <NUM> that has received the instruction acquires the color measurement result <NUM> stored in the color measurement result storage unit <NUM>, based on an identifier (<NUM>) included in the instruction, and transmits the color measurement result <NUM> to the web server <NUM> via the color measurement communication unit <NUM>. After the color validation management unit <NUM> stores the color measurement result <NUM> into the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM>, the color validation management unit <NUM> acquires the colorimetric setting <NUM> related to the color measurement result <NUM>, from the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM>, and delivers the colorimetric setting <NUM> to the color validation processing unit <NUM>. The color validation processing unit <NUM> executes color validation based on the colorimetric setting <NUM> and the color measurement result <NUM>, and returns the obtained determination result to the color validation management unit <NUM>. Then, the color validation management unit <NUM> stores the determination result into the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a setting screen of the web page <NUM> to be displayed on the web browser <NUM>. The setting screen illustrated in <FIG> is a screen for making a setting to be used in three steps including printing, color measurement, and color validation.

In a colorimetric setting list <NUM>, created colorimetric settings are displayed. In the present exemplary embodiment, a color reference to be used in color validation, a color validation target image forming apparatus, a chart print condition, and an identifier are displayed in the colorimetric setting list <NUM>. A colorimetric setting add button <NUM> is a button for adding a new colorimetric setting to the colorimetric setting list <NUM>. If the colorimetric setting add button <NUM> is pressed, a colorimetric setting edit area <NUM> is displayed, and the user enters necessary information. For example, the user designates items necessary for each colorimetric setting. Specifically, the colorimetric setting edit area <NUM> includes a color reference selection portion <NUM>, an image forming apparatus selection portion <NUM>, a sheet type selection portion <NUM>, a sheet grammage selection portion <NUM>, a resolution selection portion <NUM>, an M factor selection portion <NUM>, an observation light source selection portion <NUM>, a view angle selection portion <NUM>, and a color measurement mode selection portion <NUM>.

A colorimetric setting edit button <NUM> is a button for editing one colorimetric setting selected in the colorimetric setting list <NUM>. If the colorimetric setting edit button <NUM> is pressed, the colorimetric setting edit area <NUM> is displayed, and the user enters necessary information.

A colorimetric setting deletion button <NUM> is a button for deleting a colorimetric setting selected in the colorimetric setting list <NUM>. If the colorimetric setting deletion button <NUM> is pressed, the web browser <NUM> transmits a deletion request of a colorimetric setting to the web server <NUM>, and the web server <NUM> delivers the deletion request to the color validation management unit <NUM>. Then, the color validation management unit <NUM> deletes the designated colorimetric setting from the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM>.

A print data download button <NUM> is a button for downloading print data of a chart to a designated local folder. For example, in a case where color validation of an image forming apparatus not supported by the color validation system is desired to be performed, the color validation system cannot perform printing using the image forming apparatus in some cases. Thus, by once downloading print data of a chart to a local folder, the print data can be printed using a printer driver.

A print button <NUM> is a button for directly printing a chart using the image forming apparatus <NUM> from the web system <NUM>. For example, if the print button <NUM> is pressed, the web browser <NUM> transmits the printing instruction <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG>) of the colorimetric setting <NUM> to the web server <NUM>, and the web server <NUM> delivers the printing instruction <NUM> to the color validation management unit <NUM>. If the web server <NUM> delivers the printing instruction <NUM> to the color validation management unit <NUM>, the color validation management unit <NUM> acquires the colorimetric setting <NUM> based on an identifier <NUM> (<NUM>) designated in the printing instruction <NUM>, from the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM>. The color validation management unit <NUM> delivers the acquired colorimetric setting <NUM> to the print job generation unit <NUM>. The print job generation unit <NUM> generates a print job including the print setting <NUM> of charts and the print data of the charts <NUM> and <NUM> that satisfies the colorimetric setting <NUM>. Then, the print job generation unit <NUM> returns the generated print job to the color validation management unit <NUM>. After that, the color validation management unit <NUM> transmits the print job and an IP address of the image forming apparatus <NUM> to the on-premise application <NUM> via the web server <NUM>. The on-premise application <NUM> transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

A colorimetric setting save button <NUM> is a button for storing a colorimetric setting edited in the colorimetric setting edit area <NUM>. If the colorimetric setting save button <NUM> is pressed, the color validation management unit <NUM> allocates an identifier (e.g., <NUM>) to a colorimetric setting, and stores the colorimetric setting into the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM> in a JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format (e.g., the colorimetric setting <NUM> in <FIG>) generally used in a web system.

The color reference selection portion <NUM> is a selection portion for selecting a standard printing color reference or a user-defined printing color reference. The standard printing color reference refers to a standard defined by an international standardization organization such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). For example, a color reference such as GRACOL of the United States, FOGRA of Europe, or Japan Color of Japan exists for each region. In addition, a user-defined printing color reference refers to a color reference uniquely defined by a printing firm. For example, a user-defined printing color reference is used in a case where a printing firm desires to perform an operation of colors more strictly than a standard printing color reference. A user-defined printing color reference may be created by a tool provided by the web system <NUM>, or may be created by another tool and imported into the web system <NUM>. An imported user-defined printing color reference is displayed in the color reference selection portion <NUM>. The detailed description of the creation of a user-defined printing color reference will be omitted.

Conventionally, the quality of printed materials has been determined based on the appearance, and printed materials have been created in the absence of clear standards. For this reason, a printing firm has often responded to requests for color reproduction from an orderer or a designer, by performing revision and reprinting a number of times. By providing a standard color reference for the creation of printed materials, such a situation can be improved.

A color reference selected in the color reference selection portion <NUM> is used in printing and generation of print data of a chart. For example, the number of patches is defined as ISO12642-<NUM> (<NUM>-color patches) in the case of Japan Color <NUM>, and print data of a chart is generated in such a manner as to satisfy the number of patches. The printed chart is subjected to color measurement using the color measurement device <NUM>, and a color measurement result is generated. Then, a color reference selected in the color reference selection portion <NUM> is used at the time of color validation as a comparison target to be compared with the color measurement result. As a result of the comparison, a determination result indicating that the color measurement result is "pass" or "failed" with respect to the color reference can be obtained.

The image forming apparatus selection portion <NUM> is a selection portion for selecting an image forming apparatus to be used for outputting print data of the chart. By obtaining a color measurement result by performing color measurement of a chart output from an image forming apparatus selected in the image forming apparatus selection portion <NUM>, a current color status of the image forming apparatus can be recognized. At the time of color validation, a color measurement result of a chart output from the image forming apparatus and a color reference selected in the color reference selection portion <NUM> are compared. A color state of the image forming apparatus selected in the image forming apparatus selection portion <NUM> can be thereby validated with respect to the color reference.

The sheet type selection portion <NUM> is a selection portion for selecting a sheet type to be used when print data of the chart is printed. At the time of printing, the chart is printed on an image forming apparatus using the designated sheet type. At the time of color measurement, a sheet type serves as one of print conditions affecting a color measurement result. For example, because hue (LAB value) of a chart varies depending on whether a sheet type is coated paper or uncoated paper, a system needs to store a print condition under which the chart has been printed. Then, when a color validation result is displayed, the user is notified that a color validation result is pass or failed in a case where a chart printed under a designated print condition as illustrated in a Test Condition in a color validation result list <NUM> in <FIG> is subjected to color measurement. With this configuration, when printing is performed using an image forming apparatus that has passed color validation, if a print condition similar to the print condition used in the color validation is used, the user can obtain a printed material complying with a color reference.

The sheet grammage selection portion <NUM> is a selection portion for selecting a grammage of a sheet to be used when print data of the chart is printed using an image forming apparatus. Because hue of a printed chart varies between a case where a sheet grammage is large and a case where a sheet grammage is small, a sheet grammage also serves as one of print conditions. Because the print conditions are similar to those of the sheet type, the description will be omitted.

The resolution selection portion <NUM> is a selection portion for selecting resolution to be used when print data of the chart is printed using an image forming apparatus. Because an image printed at insufficient resolution gives the impression that the image is roughly blurred, resolution designated when the chart is printed also serves as one of print conditions similarly to the sheet type and the sheet grammage. Because the print conditions are similar to those of the sheet type, the description will be omitted.

The M factor selection portion <NUM> is a selection portion for selecting the intensity of ultraviolet in the color measurement device <NUM>. The "M" of an M factor indicates a standard for illumination in a measurement device that is formulated by the ISO13655 <NUM>. In recent years, more and more sheets containing fluorescent brightener tend to be used. On such sheets, color hue varies depending on the intensity of ultraviolet components of a light source that illuminates a sample. Thus, the ISO has defined the intensity of ultraviolet in a measurement device as follows.

The observation light source selection portion <NUM> is a selection portion for selecting an observation light source to be used in color measurement. An observation light source is conveyed to the color measurement device <NUM> at the time of color measurement, and is to be used for controlling the color measurement device <NUM>, and is not used in printing. An observation light source used in the color measurement can also be conveyed using a color validation result (not illustrated).

An observation light source is also referred to as an illuminant. The illuminant is a mathematical representation of a virtual light source, and is to be used for the calculation of tristimulus values from spectrometry in the color measurement device <NUM>. In the color validation in the commercial printing field, D50 is generally used.

The view angle selection portion <NUM> is a selection portion for selecting a view angle to be used in color measurement. The view angle is conveyed to the color measurement device <NUM> at the time of color measurement, and is to be used for controlling a sensor of the color measurement device <NUM>, and is not used in printing. A view angle used in the color measurement can also be conveyed using a color validation result (not illustrated). Generally, in a case where a color is to be evaluated using a field of view at <NUM>° or less, a field of view at <NUM>° is used, and in a case where a color is to be evaluated using a field of view at <NUM>° or more, a field of view at <NUM>° is used. Because a uniform color region is relatively small in the case of the commercial printing field, the field of view at <NUM>° is generally used. On the other hand, in a case where a uniform color is used in a large region such as a body color of a vehicle (automotive paint), the field of view at <NUM>° is used.

The color measurement mode selection portion <NUM> is a selection portion for selecting a color measurement mode to be used in color measurement, between single scan for performing color measurement of a printed chart only once using the color measurement device <NUM> and dual scan for performing color measurement twice.

<FIG>, <FIG> each illustrate an example of a color measurement execution screen of the web page <NUM> to be displayed on the web browser <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a colorimetric setting selection screen. A color measurement step display region <NUM> visually displays a currently ongoing work among four steps of color measurement works. Because <FIG> illustrates a screen for a selection work of a colorimetric setting, step <NUM> is displayed in a highlighted manner.

An identifier entry box <NUM> is a box for entering an identifier of a colorimetric setting. If an identifier of a colorimetric setting is entered by the user and an OK button <NUM> is pressed, a colorimetric setting matching the identifier can be brought into a selectable state in a colorimetric setting list <NUM>.

A color measurement start button <NUM> is a button for starting a color measurement work with a colorimetric setting selected in the colorimetric setting list <NUM>. If the color measurement start button <NUM> is pressed, the web browser <NUM> transmits a color measurement start instruction for the selected colorimetric setting to the web server <NUM>, and the web server <NUM> delivers the color measurement start instruction to the color validation management unit <NUM>. The color validation management unit <NUM> acquires a colorimetric setting from the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM> based on an identifier designated in a printing instruction. Based on a colorimetric setting, the color validation management unit <NUM> creates a chart color measurement request to be described below with reference to <FIG>, and delivers the chart color measurement request to the web server <NUM>. When the web server <NUM> transmits a color measurement device preparation screen illustrated in <FIG>, to the web browser <NUM>, the web server <NUM> also transmits the chart color measurement request together.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a color measurement device preparation screen (color measurement device selection screen).

A color measurement device preparation operation preview <NUM> has a role of conveying an image of a preparation operation of the color measurement device <NUM> in an easy-to-understand manner. In the present exemplary embodiment, a stationary image is displayed.

A color measurement device selection portion <NUM> is a selection portion for prompting a user to select one color measurement device from among a list of color measurement devices connected to the information processing apparatus <NUM>.

Color measurement device preparation operation information <NUM> displays a preparation operation for a color measurement device selected in the color measurement device selection portion <NUM>. In a case where a preparation operation varies depending on the color measurement device, a text displayed in the color measurement device preparation operation information <NUM> is changed.

A color measurement cancel button <NUM> is a button for cancelling a currently ongoing color measurement work. If the color measurement cancel button <NUM> is pressed, the color measurement work is cancelled, and the color measurement device selection screen returns to the colorimetric setting selection screen illustrated in <FIG>. A previous button is a button for returning the screen to a previous screen displayed immediately before the currently-displayed screen. A next button <NUM> is a button for shifting the screen to a subsequent screen to be displayed immediately after the currently-displayed screen.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a chart color measurement screen. A color measurement completion button <NUM> is a button for completing a color measurement work. As illustrated in <FIG>, this button is enabled when color measurement of all patches of a chart ends. If the color measurement completion button <NUM> is pressed after the color measurement completion button <NUM> is enabled, color measurement of the chart is completed. Then, the web component <NUM> instructs the color measurement control unit <NUM> to transmit a color measurement result.

A chart preview <NUM> displays a preview of a chart that is based on the colorimetric setting selected on the screen illustrated in <FIG>. In the chart preview <NUM>, patches <NUM> on which color measurement is to be performed by the user are displayed in a highlighted manner. The chart preview <NUM> in <FIG> is an example in which a preview of a chart is displayed based on a patch layout <NUM> in the colorimetric setting <NUM>. The patch layout <NUM> in the colorimetric setting <NUM> includes two pages (pages <NUM> and <NUM>), and each page includes <NUM> x <NUM> patches. Thus, a preview of a chart including <NUM> x <NUM> patches is displayed in the chart preview <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> each illustrate an example of a color validation result display screen to be displayed after completion of color measurement.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a color validation result list screen. The color validation result list <NUM> is a list for displaying results of executed color validation. A color validation result (Pass or Failed) is displayed on a Result column. A color validation result display button <NUM> is a button for displaying a color validation report to be described below with reference to <FIG>.

A color validation result download button <NUM> is a button for downloading a color validation report onto a local folder. A color validation result deletion button <NUM> is a button for deleting a color validation result selected in the color validation result list <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a color validation report describing the details of a color validation result.

A region <NUM> is a region displaying an image forming apparatus used in color validation and date on which the color validation has been executed. A region <NUM> is a region in which information regarding a color reference designated by the user in a colorimetric setting and a value of a color measurement result are compared, and specific LAB values are displayed. A region <NUM> displays a pass or failure determination result of a color validation result.

A region <NUM> displays a pass or failure determination result for each check item of color validation. A region <NUM> graphically displays a color difference between a color reference selected by the user and a color measurement result obtained by performing color measurement of a chart.

The configuration of the color validation system according to the present exemplary embodiment has been described above. With this configuration, three steps (printing of a chart, color measurement of the chart, and color validation) of a color validation process are implemented.

Hereinafter, printing of a chart will be described using a specific example.

The colorimetric setting <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> illustrates an example of a colorimetric setting. The colorimetric setting <NUM> is generated by the color validation management unit <NUM> based on values entered by the user on the setting screen in <FIG>, and is stored in the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM>. The identifier <NUM> (<NUM>) in the colorimetric setting <NUM> is automatically set if the save button <NUM> is pressed by the user on the setting screen in <FIG>.

A color reference <NUM> is a color reference designated by the user in the color reference selection portion <NUM> in <FIG>.

A patch size <NUM> indicates a dimension in which patches in a chart are to be printed in the color reference <NUM> designated by the user.

The patch layout <NUM> is defined in the color reference <NUM> designated by the user, and determines the layout of patches in the chart. The patch layout <NUM> in the present exemplary embodiment is an array, and includes brackets for each page, each row, and each column. One column indicates one patch, and CMYK signal values are described in one example.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the patch layout <NUM> includes two pages corresponding to the pages <NUM> and <NUM>. The pages <NUM> and <NUM> each include four rows longitudinally. Each row include three columns. In other words, a chart includes two pages, and each page include <NUM> x <NUM> patches. Using values in the patch layout <NUM>, the color validation management unit <NUM> generates the chart preview <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> (chart including two pages each including <NUM> rows x <NUM> columns of patches).

A color measurement mode <NUM> indicates a color measurement mode in the colorimetric setting <NUM>. For example, the color measurement mode <NUM> includes an illumination condition, a color measurement direction, and a scan mode meaning the number of times color measurement of the patch is to be performed. There are two scan modes. One scan mode is "single scan" for performing color measurement of the patch only once, and another scan mode is "dual scan" for performing color measurement of the patch twice. The color measurement mode <NUM> indicates a value selected by the user in the color measurement mode selection portion <NUM> in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of print data of a chart according to the present exemplary embodiment.

Print data of a chart includes two pages. The pages <NUM> and <NUM> defined in the colorimetric setting <NUM> in <FIG> respectively correspond the charts <NUM> and <NUM>. The chart <NUM> is broadly divided into four blocks. A number of pages <NUM> indicates the number of pages of the print data of the chart <NUM>. Because the print data includes two pages in the print data example of the present exemplary embodiment, a number "<NUM>" is allocated.

An identifier <NUM> is an identifier automatically issued when the user creates a colorimetric setting on the setting screen in <FIG>. The identifier <NUM> is provided to facilitate the association between a printed chart and a colorimetric setting on a screen. When a chart printing instruction is issued, an identifier of a colorimetric setting selected by the user is allocated to the print data as the identifier <NUM>.

A print condition <NUM> is a print condition entered by the user when the user creates a colorimetric setting on the setting screen in <FIG>. When a chart printing instruction is issued, a print condition of a colorimetric setting selected by the user is allocated as the print condition <NUM>.

Chart information <NUM> is a chart itself on which the user conducts color measurement. The same chart is represented in the chart information <NUM> and the chart preview <NUM> displayed on the web page <NUM>.

When the chart information <NUM> and the number of pages <NUM> are determined, the following processing is performed. First, based on a color reference selected by the user, a sheet size is determined from the print setting storage unit <NUM>. Next, based on color information defined in a patch layout specification and a color reference readable by a color measurement device, the patch size <NUM> and the patch layout <NUM> are determined in such a manner as to fit a sheet size. Based on the color information, the patch size <NUM>, and the patch layout <NUM> defined in the color reference, the chart information <NUM> is created. Specifically, <FIG> illustrates a relationship between the colorimetric setting <NUM> and the charts <NUM> and <NUM>. First, based on <NUM> x <NUM> rows and columns and CMYK signal value on the page <NUM> of the colorimetric setting <NUM>, the chart information <NUM> is generated. Next, information such as the identifier <NUM> (<NUM>) of the colorimetric setting <NUM>, a test specification, and an image forming apparatus is added to the print condition <NUM>, and the chart <NUM> is generated. By similar processing, the chart <NUM> is generated based on the page <NUM>.

For the sake of explanatory convenience, the description in the present exemplary embodiment will be given using an example of <NUM> rows × <NUM> columns patches illustrated in <FIG>. Actually, a patch size is smaller and the number of patches is larger in many cases as illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a print setting according to the present exemplary embodiment. In the present exemplary embodiment, the description will be given using a job definition format (JDF) standard in the printing industry.

A number of pages <NUM> indicates the number of pages of print data designated in <NUM>. For example, because the number of pages of the print data of the chart <NUM> in <FIG> is two, "<NUM>" is set in the number of pages <NUM>.

Print parameters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are generated based on values stored in the print setting storage unit <NUM> in Table <NUM> in association with a color reference. Specifically, the print job generation unit <NUM> acquires information regarding the color reference <NUM>, from the colorimetric setting <NUM> delivered from the color validation management unit <NUM>. Based on the color reference <NUM>, the print job generation unit <NUM> identifies a test specification from a "Test Specification" column in the print setting storage unit <NUM>. For example, in the case of a test specification of the colorimetric setting <NUM>, a column of "FOGRA xxxx-yyyy" is identified in the print setting storage unit <NUM>. Then, the print job generation unit <NUM> acquires print parameters from the identified test specification column. For example, the print parameter <NUM> is "Rotate0" on an Orientation column in the print setting storage unit <NUM>, and the print parameter <NUM> is "AutoSelect" on an OutputBin column in the print setting storage unit <NUM>. In this manner, parameters in the JDF are generated based on print parameters in the print setting storage unit <NUM>.

<FIG> are flowcharts each illustrating a flow of processing of chart printing. The following processing is executed by the CPU <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM>.

<FIG> is a main flowchart of chart printing.

In step S1100, the color validation management unit <NUM> receives a colorimetric setting entered by the user, from the web component <NUM> (setting screen in <FIG>), and generates the colorimetric setting <NUM>. In step S1101, the color validation management unit <NUM> stores the colorimetric setting <NUM> into the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM>. In step S1102, the color validation management unit <NUM> determines whether the printing instruction <NUM> has been received from the web component <NUM>. In a case where the printing instruction <NUM> has been received (YES in step S1102), the color validation management unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S1103. In a case where the printing instruction <NUM> has not been received (NO in step S1102), the color validation management unit <NUM> ends the processing.

In step S1103, the color validation management unit <NUM> acquires the colorimetric setting <NUM> stored in the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM> based on an identifier (<NUM>) included in the printing instruction <NUM>. Then, the color validation management unit <NUM> delivers the colorimetric setting <NUM> to the print job generation unit <NUM>, and hands over print data generation processing and print setting generation processing.

In step S1104, the print job generation unit <NUM> performs processing to be described below with reference to <FIG>, generates print data (the charts <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>), and returns the print data to the color validation management unit <NUM>.

In step S1105, the print job generation unit <NUM> performs processing to be described below with reference to <FIG>, generates the print setting <NUM>, and returns the print setting <NUM> to the color validation management unit <NUM>.

In step S1106, the color validation management unit <NUM> transmits a print job including print data and the print setting <NUM>, to the printing communication unit <NUM> of the on-premise application <NUM> via the web server <NUM>. Then, the color validation management unit <NUM> starts printing using the image forming apparatus <NUM> ("AAA printer" in <FIG>) having an IP address designated in the colorimetric setting <NUM>. The printing communication unit <NUM> delivers the print job to the printing control unit <NUM>, and the printing control unit <NUM> transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus <NUM> having the designated IP address.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a flow of generating print data.

In step S1107, the print job generation unit <NUM> acquires information regarding the patch layout <NUM>, from the colorimetric setting <NUM> delivered from the color validation management unit <NUM>.

In step S1108, the print job generation unit <NUM> generates chart information (chart information <NUM> in <FIG>) based on the patch layout <NUM>. Specifically, in the present exemplary embodiment, the patch layout <NUM> includes two pages corresponding to the pages <NUM> and <NUM>. The pages <NUM> and <NUM> each include four rows longitudinally. Each row include three columns. In other words, a chart includes two pages, and each page include <NUM> x <NUM> patches. Using values in the patch layout <NUM>, the print job generation unit <NUM> generates the chart information <NUM> regarding a chart including two pages each including <NUM> rows x <NUM> columns of patches.

In step S1109, the print job generation unit <NUM> determines the number of pages based on the print data acquired in step S1108.

In step S1110, the print job generation unit <NUM> generates print data based on information determined in steps S1108 to S1109. Specifically, the print job generation unit <NUM> generates print data by allocating an identifier (the identifier <NUM> in <FIG>) and a print condition (print condition <NUM> in <FIG>) to print data based on the colorimetric setting, and allocating the number of pages (the number of pages <NUM> in <FIG>) and chart information (chart information <NUM> in <FIG>) to print data.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a flow of generating a print setting.

In step S1111, the print job generation unit <NUM> acquires the color reference <NUM> (FOGRA xxxx-yyyy) from the colorimetric setting <NUM>.

In step S1112, the print job generation unit <NUM> searches the print setting storage unit <NUM> for the color reference <NUM> and acquires related print parameters. Specifically, the print job generation unit <NUM> identifies a test specification from the "Test Specification" column in the print setting storage unit <NUM> based on the color reference <NUM> (FOGRA xxxx-yyyy). For example, in the case of a test specification of the colorimetric setting <NUM>, a column of "FOGRA xxxx-yyyy" is identified in the print setting storage unit <NUM>. Then, the print job generation unit <NUM> acquires print parameters from the identified test specification column.

In step S1113, the print job generation unit <NUM> generates the print setting <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG>, based on the print parameters. For example, the print parameter <NUM> is "Rotate0" on the Orientation column in the print setting storage unit <NUM>, and the parameter <NUM> is "AutoSelect" on the OutputBin column in the print setting storage unit <NUM>. In this manner, parameters in the JDF are generated based on print parameters in the print setting storage unit <NUM>.

An example of chart printing according to the present exemplary embodiment has been described above. As described using a specific example, in the chart printing according to the present exemplary embodiment, the user performs a colorimetric setting on the web browser <NUM> instead of a print setting. Then, a color validation system automatically generates print data and a print setting based on the colorimetric setting. The colorimetric setting is also used in chart preview display as illustrated in <FIG>, and is also used in color validation as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Hereinafter, color measurement processing of a printed chart will be described using a specific example.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a chart color measurement request. When a color measurement start instruction is received from the web browser <NUM> by the color measurement start button <NUM> being pressed, a chart color measurement request <NUM> is generated based on the colorimetric setting <NUM>. The chart color measurement request <NUM> is transmitted by the web server <NUM> together with the web page <NUM> of the color measurement device preparation screen illustrated in <FIG>. In the present exemplary embodiment, a JSON format generally used in a web system is used as a data format of the chart color measurement request.

Because the chart color measurement request <NUM> is generated based on the colorimetric setting <NUM>, colorimetric settings <NUM> to <NUM> are the same as those in the colorimetric setting <NUM>. On the other hand, in the chart color measurement request <NUM>, authentication information <NUM> is added to the colorimetric setting <NUM>. The authentication information <NUM> is generated when the user logs into a color validation system. In flowcharts to be described below, the colorimetric settings (<NUM> to <NUM>) included in the chart color measurement request <NUM> are used in processing such as determination of color measurement completion that is performed by the color measurement control unit <NUM>. The authentication information <NUM> is also used in user authentication executed when the color measurement control unit <NUM> uploads a color measurement result <NUM> onto the web server <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate an example of a patch color measurement request and a patch color measurement result that are communicated between the web component <NUM> and the color measurement control unit <NUM>.

A patch color measurement request <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes an identifier of a colorimetric setting and a patch row number of a color measurement target. In the present exemplary embodiment, an example in which color validation is performed with respect to the colorimetric setting <NUM> will be described. Thus, an identifier of the patch color measurement request <NUM> includes the same value (<NUM>) as the identifier <NUM> of the colorimetric setting <NUM>. A patch row number of a color measurement target indicates a row selected by the user in the chart preview <NUM> displayed on the chart color measurement screen in <FIG>.

Patch color measurement results <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG> include an identifier of a colorimetric setting, a color measurement result, values obtained by color measurement, and an error code of an error that has occurred in the color measurement device <NUM>. The color measurement result means a color measurement processing result in the color measurement device <NUM>. The patch color measurement result <NUM> in <FIG> indicates a color measurement result of the first row designated in the patch color measurement request <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a color measurement result generated when chart color measurement has been fully completed. In the present exemplary embodiment, the color measurement result <NUM> is represented in a CGAT format, which is an international standard, and includes metadata for identifying colorimetric values in the color measurement device <NUM> and the color measurement result <NUM> using programs.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a flow of color measurement processing according to the present exemplary embodiment. The following processing is executed by the CPU <NUM> of the information processing apparatuses <NUM> and <NUM>.

In step S1500, the color validation management unit <NUM> receives a color measurement start instruction issued by the user (press of the color measurement start button <NUM>), from the web component <NUM>.

In step S1501, the color validation management unit <NUM> determines whether a color measurement start instruction (color measurement instruction) has been received from the web component <NUM>. In a case where a color measurement start instruction has been received (YES in step S1501), the processing proceeds to step S1502. In a case where a color measurement start instruction has not been received (NO in step S1501), the color validation management unit <NUM> waits for the reception of a color measurement start instruction without performing processing.

In step S1502, the color validation management unit <NUM> acquires the colorimetric setting <NUM> based on the identifier (<NUM>) designated in the color measurement start instruction, from the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM>, and generates the chart color measurement request <NUM>. Then, the color validation management unit <NUM> delivers the chart color measurement request <NUM> to the web server <NUM> together with the web page <NUM> of the color measurement device preparation screen in <FIG>.

In step S1503, the web server <NUM> transmits the web page <NUM> to the web browser <NUM>, and the web browser <NUM> displays the web page <NUM>. Furthermore, the web server <NUM> transmits the chart color measurement request <NUM> in <FIG> to the web browser <NUM> together with the web page <NUM>. In this example, only host content as illustrated in <FIG> is displayed. Specifically, the color measurement device preparation screen in <FIG> is displayed. Because the color measurement device preparation screen does not dynamically change in accordance with an operation of the color measurement device <NUM>, only host content is displayed.

The web page <NUM> transmitted from the web server <NUM> also includes the web component <NUM>. The web component <NUM> establishes connection with the color measurement control unit <NUM> at a timing at which the web page <NUM> is displayed on the web browser <NUM>, and a state in which mutual communication is always enabled is caused. When the connection is established, the web component <NUM> delivers the chart color measurement request <NUM> to the color measurement control unit <NUM>.

In step S1504, the web component <NUM> acquires a list of color measurement devices managed by the color measurement control unit <NUM>. The list of color measurement devices is displayed in the color measurement device selection portion <NUM> on the color measurement device preparation screen in <FIG>.

In step S1505, the web component <NUM> receives the selection of a color measurement device from the user.

In step S1506, the web component <NUM> determines whether the next button <NUM> has been pressed on the web page <NUM>. In a case where the next button <NUM> has been pressed (YES in step S1506), the processing proceeds to step S1507.

In step S1507, the web component <NUM> communicates with the web server <NUM> and transmits a web page request for a chart color measurement screen to the web server <NUM>. The web server <NUM> that has received the request transmits a web page generation request to the color validation management unit <NUM>. The color validation management unit <NUM> generates a web page (chart color measurement screen in <FIG>) including host content displaying information necessary for a color measurement work of a printed chart, and guest content displaying the chart preview <NUM>. In generating the chart preview <NUM>, the color validation management unit <NUM> uses the number of patch rows, the number of patches, and color signal values that are defined in the patch layout <NUM> of the colorimetric setting <NUM>.

The web server <NUM> transmits the web page generated by the color validation management unit <NUM> to the web browser <NUM>. Similarly to step S1503, the web page <NUM> includes the web component <NUM>.

In step S1508, the web browser <NUM> displays the web page <NUM> received in step S1507. A portion on the chart color measurement screen that corresponds to the chart preview <NUM> is treated as guest content. Then, based on a message from the color measurement control unit <NUM>, the web component <NUM> updates display of the chart preview <NUM> and controls a user operation on the chart preview <NUM>.

In step S1509, the web component <NUM> receives a patch selection made by the user on the chart preview <NUM>. A patch selected by the user becomes a color measurement target patch. For example, by selecting patches on a row in which "<NUM>:<NUM>" is described in <FIG>, the patches <NUM> are selected as a color measurement target.

In step S1510, the web component <NUM> transmits a patch color measurement request corresponding to the selected patch to the color measurement control unit <NUM>. For example, the patch color measurement request <NUM> in <FIG> is transmitted.

In step S1511, patch color measurement is performed by the user using the color measurement device <NUM>, and the color measurement control unit <NUM> receives a colorimetric value from the color measurement device <NUM> via the color measurement device cooperation unit <NUM>.

Then, the color measurement control unit <NUM> creates a color measurement result of the patch (e.g., the patch color measurement result <NUM> in <FIG>), and transmits the color measurement result to the web component <NUM>.

In step S1512, the web component <NUM> receives a patch color measurement result from the color measurement control unit <NUM>.

In step S1513, the web component <NUM> performs determination processing of a color measurement result. Specifically, in a case where a color measurement result (Result) in the patch color measurement result <NUM> is "true", the web component <NUM> determines that patch color measurement has succeeded (YES in step S1513), and the processing proceeds to step S1514. In a case where the color measurement result is "false", the web component <NUM> determines that patch color measurement has failed (NO in step S1513), and the processing proceeds to step S1518.

In step S1514, the web component <NUM> displays a colorimetric value (lab-value) of a patch color measurement result in each cell of a patch selected on the chart preview <NUM> being guest content.

In step S1515, the web component <NUM> determines whether color measurement of all patches has been completed, based on the chart preview <NUM>. In a case where the web component <NUM> determines that color measurement of all patches has been completed (YES in step S1515), the processing proceeds to step S1516. In a case where the web component <NUM> determines that color measurement of all patches has not been completed (NO in step S1515), the processing returns to step S1509, and the selection of a next patch is received.

If color measurement of all patches corresponding to the number of patch rows described in the chart color measurement request <NUM> has been completed, the color measurement control unit <NUM> generates the color measurement result <NUM> in <FIG>, and stores the color measurement result <NUM> into the color measurement result storage unit <NUM>.

In step S1516, the web component <NUM> determines whether a color measurement completion button has been pressed by the user. In a case where a color measurement completion button has been pressed (YES in step S1516), the web component <NUM> transmits the color measurement result transmission instruction <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, to the color measurement control unit <NUM>.

In step S1517, the color measurement control unit <NUM> acquires the color measurement result <NUM> stored in the color measurement result storage unit <NUM>, based on an identifier (<NUM>) included in the color measurement result transmission instruction <NUM>, and transmits the color measurement result <NUM> to the web server <NUM> via the color measurement communication unit <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, the color measurement control unit <NUM> transmits the color measurement result <NUM> not via the web browser <NUM>. When the color measurement control unit <NUM> transmits the color measurement result <NUM> to the web server <NUM>, the color measurement control unit <NUM> performs authentication using the authentication information <NUM> in the chart color measurement request <NUM>, and after authentication has succeeded, the color measurement control unit <NUM> transmits the color measurement result <NUM>.

The web server <NUM> delivers the color measurement result <NUM> to the color validation management unit <NUM>. The color validation management unit <NUM> stores the color measurement result <NUM> into the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM> in association with the colorimetric setting <NUM> having the same identifier (<NUM>).

In step S1518, the web component <NUM> displays a warning message of a patch color measurement error on the chart preview <NUM>.

In step S1519, the web component <NUM> displays a patch remeasurement instruction on the chart preview <NUM>.

An example of chart color measurement processing according to the present exemplary embodiment has been described above. As described using a specific example, in the chart color measurement according to the present exemplary embodiment, the web page <NUM> displayed on the web browser <NUM> includes host content and guest content (chart preview <NUM>). The guest content is included in the host content. The host content is transmitted from the web server <NUM>, and a guest content portion is not stationary display, and the display of the guest content is dynamically updated with data transmitted from the on-premise application <NUM>.

Hereinafter, color validation processing according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described using a specific example.

After color measurement of a chart has been completed, color validation processing is started at a timing at which a color measurement result is stored into the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a flow of color validation processing according to the present exemplary embodiment.

In step S1600, the color validation management unit <NUM> acquires, from the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM>, the colorimetric setting <NUM> including the same identifier as the identifier (<NUM>) included in the color measurement result <NUM>, and delivers the color measurement result <NUM> and the colorimetric setting <NUM> to the color validation processing unit <NUM>.

In step S1601, the color validation processing unit <NUM> compares an expected value (CMYK signal value) of each patch that is defined in the patch layout <NUM> in the colorimetric setting <NUM>, and a colorimetric value in the color measurement result <NUM> obtained by performing color measurement of a printed chart using the color measurement device <NUM>.

In step S1602, the color validation processing unit <NUM> performs pass or failure determination of a comparison result. Specifically, if a color difference falls within a threshold value, the color validation processing unit <NUM> determines that the comparison result has passed, and if a color difference falls outside the threshold value, the color validation processing unit <NUM> determines that the comparison result has failed.

In step S1603, the color validation processing unit <NUM> delivers the determination result to the color validation management unit <NUM>, and the color validation management unit <NUM> stores the determination result into the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM> in association with the colorimetric setting <NUM>.

In step S1604, the color validation management unit <NUM> creates a color validation report based on the determination result, and stores the color validation report into the colorimetric setting storage unit <NUM>.

In step S1605, the color validation management unit <NUM> determines whether the color validation result display button <NUM> has been pressed by the user. In a case where the color validation management unit <NUM> determines that the color validation result display button <NUM> has been pressed (YES in step S1605), the processing proceeds to step S1606.

In step S1606, the color validation management unit <NUM> transmits the designated color validation report to the web browser <NUM> as a web page via the web server <NUM>. The web browser <NUM> displays the color validation report. This web page is displayed as illustrated in <FIG>.

As described above, by a program operating on a web browser and an on-premise application communicating, it becomes possible to control an image forming apparatus and a color measurement device by an operation of the web browser only.

Specifically, when a chart is printed in a color validation process, a web server directly transmits a print job of the chart to an on-premise application, and the on-premise application transfers the print job to an image forming apparatus. When color measurement of a chart is performed, a web browser acquires host content from the web server, and a program executed on the web browser updates the display of guest content by controlling a color measurement device via the on-premise application.

With this configuration, it is possible to provide the user with a color validation system operable by a web browser only, and enhance the convenience of the user on the web browser.

A second exemplary embodiment will be described. In the first exemplary embodiment, the description has been given of processing of receiving a patch color measurement result from an on-premise application by performing simple color measurement result determination processing in step S1513 at the time of chart color measurement. Nevertheless, for example, even if the web component <NUM> recognizes a row number of a patch selected by the user, the following problem might occur. More specifically, because a colorimetric value transmitted from the color measurement device <NUM> is a signal value obtained by scanning a patch on a printed chart, it is uncertain that the user has performed color measurement of a correct patch using the color measurement device <NUM>, and a wrong patch colorimetric value might be displayed on the chart preview <NUM>.

In view of the foregoing, when the preview of a chart to be displayed on guest content of the web page <NUM> is updated, it is desired that measurement result determination processing is performed on a selected color measurement target patch in more detail and a patch color measurement result is displayed at a correct position. In the second exemplary embodiment, characteristic processing to be performed when a patch color measurement result is displayed on chart preview of a web page will be described.

The description of items already described in the first exemplary embodiment will be omitted.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a flow of color measurement processing according to the second exemplary embodiment.

In step S1512, the web component <NUM> receives a patch color measurement result from the color measurement control unit <NUM>. As described with reference to <FIG>, the patch color measurement result includes a colorimetric value of a patch scanned using the color measurement device <NUM>. Utilizing the colorimetric value of the patch, the following processing is performed.

In step S1700, the web component <NUM> acquires a colorimetric value in the patch color measurement result <NUM>, and determines whether the number of patches agrees with an expected value. Specifically, the web component <NUM> counts the number of patches included in a colorimetric value in the patch color measurement result <NUM>. Then, based on a row number in a patch color measurement request transmitted in step S1510, the web component <NUM> identifies the number of patches (expected value) described in a patch layout of the chart color measurement request <NUM> in <FIG>, and compares the number of patches with the number of patches in the colorimetric value obtained this time.

In a case where the numbers of patches agree with each other as a result of comparison, the web component <NUM> determines that a correct number of patches have been scanned (YES in step S1700), and the processing proceeds to step S1701. In a case where the numbers of patches do not agree with each other, the web component <NUM> determines that a wrong patch has been scanned (NO in step S1700), and the processing proceeds to step S1518.

In step S1701, the web component <NUM> checks a colorimetric value in the patch color measurement result <NUM>, and determines whether the colorimetric value agrees with an expected value of a patch selected by the user. Specifically, based on a row number in the patch color measurement request transmitted in step S1510, the web component <NUM> identifies an expected value of a patch described as an expected value of the entire chart in the chart color measurement request <NUM> in <FIG>, and compares the expected value with a colorimetric value obtained this time.

In a case where the colorimetric value of the patch agrees with the expected value as a result of comparison (YES in step S1701), the web component <NUM> advances the processing to step S1514. In a case where the colorimetric value of the patch does not agree with the expected value (NO in step S1701), the web component <NUM> advances the processing to step S1702.

In step S1702, the web component <NUM> displays a warning message indicating that a colorimetric value does not agree with an expected value, on the chart preview <NUM>, which is guest content. In this step, a warning message is displayed, not an error message. A patch remeasurement instruction is not immediately displayed (S1519). This is because it is not necessarily appropriate to suggest that color measurement of a wrong patch has been performed, since an illumination environment in color measurement might have been bad, or a printed chart might have been stained. On the other hand, in a case where it is determined in step S1700 that the numbers of patches do not agree with each other, it can be surely determined that color measurement of a wrong patch has been performed.

Because the chart color measurement request <NUM> and the patch color measurement request <NUM> are delivered from the web component <NUM> to the color measurement control unit <NUM>, the above-described processing can also be executed by the color measurement control unit <NUM>. Even when the processing is performed by the color measurement control unit <NUM>, the characteristics of the present invention do not change. In a case where the above-described processing is performed by the color measurement control unit <NUM>, the web component <NUM> is required to make determination by viewing only a value described in the Result in the patch color measurement result.

As described above, by executing the processing in steps S1700, S1701, and S1702, it can be guaranteed that color measurement of a patch selected by the user has been surely performed.

In other words, based on a row number of a selected patch, success or failure of a color measurement operation of a patch selected by the user is determined through a two-step process using the number of patches and an expected value. With this configuration, the web component <NUM> can display a patch color measurement result of a color measurement target patch at a correct position.

In the first exemplary embodiment, an example of the single scan for performing patch color measurement only once has been described.

In a third exemplary embodiment, an example of dual scan for performing a patch color measurement operation twice will be described. In a case where dual scan is performed, by the color measurement control unit <NUM> simply transmitting a colorimetric value obtained from the color measurement device <NUM>, to the web component <NUM>, the web component <NUM> updates the chart preview <NUM> many times. Then, only a patch color measurement result transmitted last is displayed.

In view of the foregoing, in the third first exemplary embodiment, characteristic processing to be performed in dual scan will be described. <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating color measurement processing according to the third exemplary embodiment.

In step S1800, the color measurement control unit <NUM> checks a scan mode of the chart color measurement request <NUM>. In a case where a scan mode is dual scan (YES in step S1800), the color measurement control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S1801.

In step S1801, the color measurement control unit <NUM> receives a colorimetric value from the color measurement device <NUM>. Even if the color measurement control unit <NUM> receives a colorimetric value, the color measurement control unit <NUM> does not immediately transmit the colorimetric value to the web component <NUM>, and receives colorimetric values corresponding to two times, from the color measurement device <NUM>. Then, based on the colorimetric values corresponding to two times, the color measurement control unit <NUM> creates a value resultant from pseudo spectrometry with an M1 factor (illumination with UV power of D50). In the present exemplary embodiment, data corresponding to a light source with an M1 factor is created, but a light source may be created under another condition such as an M0 factor, for example, depending on the intended purpose of the system. Furthermore, a condition such as M1 and M0 may be made changeable by a setting.

As described above, a patch color measurement operation is performed twice in dual scan, but instead of transmitting scan data corresponding to two times, data corresponding to a light source with an M1 factor is created from two pieces of scan data and then the data is transmitted. With this configuration, the web component <NUM> can display a patch color measurement result once instead of displaying a patch color measurement result on the chart preview <NUM> twice.

According to the exemplary embodiment described above, at the time of chart color measurement, a web browser acquires host content from a web server. A program executed on the web browser updates the display of guest content by controlling a color measurement device via an on-premise application. On the other hand, at the time of chart printing, print data is not transmitted to an image forming apparatus via the web browser. With this configuration, in a color validation system that uses a web browser, the convenience of the user can be enhanced.

According to the exemplary embodiments described above, the convenience of the user can be enhanced in a series of operations related to color validation.

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.

Claim 1:
An information processing apparatus (<NUM>) that performs color validation by comparing a color measurement result of a chart and a color reference, the information processing apparatus comprising:
first providing means for providing an external apparatus with screen information about a screen for receiving an instruction to print a chart; generating means for generating a print job based on the instruction (<NUM>);
second providing means for providing an external apparatus with screen information about a screen for selecting a color reference to be used in color validation (<NUM>);
performing means for performing the color validation by comparing the color measurement result which is a result of color measurement of a chart corresponding to the print job and obtained from an external apparatus and the selected color reference (<NUM>); and
third providing means for providing an external apparatus with a screen for displaying a result of the color validation performed by the performing means.