Patent Description:
Adjusting color reproducibility of a printer to be used for a print job to reproduce color of a printed matter printed by a particular printer (a same printer in a past state or an ideal printer) or color of a print sample such as a book already existing as a printed matter is highly specialized and requires complex work. For example, in order to reproduce color of a printed matter specified by a customer, a person having a color management skill checks each operation one by one and adjusts color reproducibility of a printer to print out a printed matter whose color is approximated to the color of the printed matter specified by the customer. However, a printing company that lacks sufficient personnel having such a color management skill is unable to receive such kind of business order from the customer. In addition, in order to achieve such color reproducibility of the printer to reproduce the color of the printed matter printed by the particular printer or the color of the print sample such as the book already existing as a printed matter, it is necessary to adjust a color profile.

As a technique for adjusting the color reproducibility of a printer, <CIT> discloses an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes a feature value conversion unit, a past history storage unit, a calculation unit, and a profile update unit. The feature value conversion unit performs color conversion of input data. The past history storage unit stores past history information on measurement of a color chart including a conversion value of a measured value of the color chart. The calculation unit compares the past history information stored in the past history storage unit with information on newly input measurement of another color chart to determine the number of color patches based on a result of the comparison. The profile update unit updates a printer profile based on data obtained by reading a determined color chart and stores the printer profile in the past history storage unit.

However, the technique according to <CIT> is for updating the printer profile by printing a specific color chart and measuring the color of the color chart.

<CIT> discloses a color conversion apparatus for increasing color matching accuracy.

<CIT> discloses an image processing apparatus for comparing a color sample image and a document image and performing color adjustment at a time of output of the document image.

In a related art, achieving such color reproducibility described above largely depends on levels of the color management skill of skilled persons. In the first place, such color reproducibility is not achieved without a skilled person. Even if such a skilled person exists, there is an issue that a result of color reproduction varies depending on the level of the color management skill of the skilled person.

Aspect of the present invention provide for an information processing apparatus, an image forming system, a method for controlling a display, and a carrier medium, as set out in the appended set of claims. An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing apparatus, an image forming system, a method for controlling a display, and a carrier medium for enabling stable color reproducibility of a printer to reproduce the color of a print sample.

According to the present disclosure, stable color reproducibility of a printer to reproduce the color of the print sample is achieved.

Hereinafter, descriptions are given in detail of an information processing apparatus, an image forming system, a method for controlling a display, and a carrier medium according to embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to the following one or more embodiments, and the constituent elements of the following one or more embodiments include elements that may be easily conceived by those skilled in the art.

Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, changes, and combinations of the constituent elements may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an image forming system according to the present embodiment. A description is given of an overall configuration of an image forming system <NUM> according to the present embodiment with reference to <FIG>.

The image forming system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is an information processing system that enables efficient color matching for an image forming apparatus by using a print sample. As illustrated in <FIG>, the image forming system <NUM> includes an image forming apparatus <NUM>, an information processing apparatus <NUM>, and an image reading device <NUM>. Each apparatus or device included in the image forming system <NUM> performs data communication with one another via a network (for example, a network N illustrated in <FIG> to be described later).

The image forming apparatus <NUM> is an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral (MFP) for which color matching processing is executed. Note that the MFP is a multifunction peripheral having at least two of a copying function, a printing function, a scanning function, and a facsimile communication function. The image forming apparatus <NUM> executes printing processing using an international color consortium (ICC) profile (hereinafter simply referred to as a profile) generated as a result of the color matching processing executed by the information processing apparatus <NUM>.

Note that the image forming apparatus <NUM> is not limited to the MFP, and may be, for example, an ordinary electrophotographic printing apparatus or an inkjet printing apparatus having a printing function as a main function, or a commercial printing apparatus controlled by a digital front end (DFE). In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus <NUM> is described as an MFP.

The information processing apparatus <NUM> is an information processing apparatus, such as a personal computer (PC) or a workstation, which holds document data to be printed out by the image forming apparatus <NUM> and transmits the document data to the image forming apparatus <NUM> when the color matching processing is executed for the image forming apparatus <NUM>. In addition, the information processing apparatus <NUM> displays a screen that presents an image of the document data, an image of the print sample, an image of a printed matter printed out by the image forming apparatus <NUM> based on the document data (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a reproduced image printed matter) (e.g., a reproduced image printed matter RIP illustrated in <FIG>), and an image after color matching, in order to execute color matching by using read data of the reproduced image printed matter and the print sample read by the image reading device <NUM>. The information processing apparatus <NUM> generates a profile by executing the color matching for the image forming apparatus <NUM> and transmits the profile to the image forming apparatus <NUM>. Then, the image forming apparatus <NUM> performs print output using the profile received from the information processing apparatus <NUM>.

A program for controlling display operation of the screen that presents each image displayed by the information processing apparatus <NUM> for executing the above-described color matching may be a native application executed on the information processing apparatus <NUM>, or may be a web application whose functionality is provided by a web server or a cloud server.

The image reading device <NUM> executes reading processing on the reproduced image printed matter printed out by the image forming apparatus <NUM> to generate the read data including colorimetric values such as L*a*b* values, XYZ values, or RGB values. The image reading device <NUM> transmits the read data to the information processing apparatus <NUM>. Examples of the image reading device <NUM> include, but are not limited to, devices such as an image scanner and a colorimeter, and include any device having a function of acquiring the read data of the print sample and the reproduced image printed matter. In the present embodiment, the colorimetric values of the read data obtained by the reading processing executed by the image reading device <NUM> are described as L*a*b* values of the L*a*b* colorimetric system (hereinafter simply referred to as "Lab values"). The read data obtained by the reading processing executed by the image reading device <NUM> are not limited to colorimetric values such as Lab values. The image reading device <NUM> may transmit the read data as raw data to the information processing apparatus <NUM> so that the information processing apparatus <NUM> converts the raw data into the colorimetric values.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. A description is given of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment with reference to <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes a controller <NUM>, a control panel <NUM>, a facsimile control unit (FCU) <NUM>, a plotter <NUM> (printing device), and a scanner <NUM>, which are connected one another via a peripheral component interface (PCI) bus.

The controller <NUM> is a device that controls entire operation, drawing, and communication performed by the image forming apparatus <NUM> and controls input from the control panel <NUM>.

The control panel <NUM> is, for example, a touch panel. The control panel <NUM> is a device that receives an input to the controller <NUM> (input function) and displays the status of the image forming apparatus <NUM> (display function). The control panel <NUM> is directly connected to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) <NUM> to be described later.

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

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

The controller <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM>, a system memory <NUM>, a north bridge (NB) <NUM>, a south bridge (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 <NUM>, and an auxiliary memory <NUM>.

The CPU <NUM> controls entire operation of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> is connected to a chipset including the system memory <NUM>, the NB <NUM>, and the SB 504a, and is connected to other devices via the chipset.

The system memory <NUM> is a memory for storing programs and data, loading programs and data, and loading drawing data. The system memory <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 for loading programs and data, and loading drawing data.

The NB <NUM> is a bridge for connecting the CPU <NUM> to the system memory <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 system memory <NUM>, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) master, and an AGP target.

The SB 504a connects the NB <NUM> with PCI devices and peripheral devices. The SB 504a is connected 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 connected to the PCI bus.

The network I/F 504b is an interface for communicating data with an external apparatus such as the information processing apparatus <NUM> using the network N. The network I/F 504b is, for example, an interface compliant with ETHERNET and can establish communications in compliance with transmission control protocol (TCP)/internet protocol (IP).

The USB I/F 504c is an interface that can communicate with devices compliant with a 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, which has been proposed to accelerate graphics processing. Through directly accessing the system memory <NUM> by high-throughput, speed of the graphics accelerator card is improved.

The ASIC <NUM> is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing applications including hardware elements for image processing and has a role of a bridge connecting the.

AGP bus <NUM>, the PCI bus, the auxiliary memory <NUM>, and the local memory <NUM> one another. The ASIC <NUM> includes a PCI target, an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) as a central processing unit of the ASIC <NUM>, a memory controller for controlling the local memory <NUM>, a plurality of direct memory access controllers (DMACs) capable of rotating image data with a hardware logic, 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 connected to the ASIC <NUM> via the PCI bus. The ASIC <NUM> is also connected to a host PC and a network.

The local memory <NUM> is a memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer.

The auxiliary memory <NUM> is a storage area such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a secure digital (SD) card, or a flash memory, and stores image data, programs, font data, and forms.

The program designed for the image forming apparatus <NUM> may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, such as the auxiliary memory <NUM>, for distribution in an installable or an executable file format.

The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is an example. The image forming apparatus <NUM> does not necessarily include all the components illustrated in <FIG>, or may include some other components.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. A description is given of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment with reference to <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the information processing apparatus <NUM> includes a CPU <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, a RAM <NUM>, an auxiliary memory <NUM>, a medium drive <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a network I/F <NUM>, a keyboard <NUM>, a mouse <NUM>, and a digital versatile disc (DVD) drive <NUM>.

The CPU <NUM> is a processor that controls entire operation of the information processing apparatus <NUM>. The ROM <NUM> is a nonvolatile storage device that stores programs for the information processing apparatus <NUM>. The RAM <NUM> is a volatile storage device used as a work area for the CPU <NUM>.

The auxiliary memory <NUM> is a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD that stores various data and programs. The medium drive <NUM> is a device that controls reading and writing of data to and from a recording medium <NUM> such as a flash memory under control of the CPU <NUM>.

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

The network I/F <NUM> is an interface for communicating data with an external apparatus such as the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the image reading device <NUM> using the network N. The network I/F <NUM> is, for example, a network interface card (NIC) compliant with ETHERNET and can establish communications in compliance with TCP/IP.

The keyboard <NUM> is an input device for selecting characters, numbers, or various instructions, and for moving a cursor, for example. The mouse <NUM> is an input device for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing object, and moving a cursor, for example.

The DVD drive <NUM> is a device that controls reading and writing of various data from and to a DVD <NUM> that is an example of a removable storage medium such as a digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM) or a digital versatile disc recordable (DVD-R).

The CPU <NUM>, the ROM <NUM>, the RAM <NUM>, the auxiliary memory <NUM>, the medium drive <NUM>, the display <NUM>, the network I/F <NUM>, the keyboard <NUM>, the mouse <NUM>, and the DVD drive <NUM> are communicably connected to one another via a bus line <NUM> such as an address bus or a data bus.

Note that the configuration of the information processing apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is an example. The information processing apparatus <NUM> does not necessarily include all the components illustrated in <FIG>, or may include some other components.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. A description is given of the functional configuration and operation of the image forming system <NUM> according to the present embodiment with reference to <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> includes a communication unit <NUM>, a job acquisition unit <NUM>, a print control unit <NUM>, a profile acquisition unit <NUM>, and a storage unit <NUM>.

The communication unit <NUM> is a functional unit that performs data communication with the information processing apparatus <NUM> via the network N. The communication unit <NUM> is implemented by the network I/F 504b and the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program.

The job acquisition unit <NUM> is a functional unit that acquires a print job of the document data from the information processing apparatus <NUM>. In addition, the job acquisition unit <NUM> acquires normal print jobs from external devices via the network N. The job acquisition unit <NUM> is implemented by, for example, the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program.

The print control unit <NUM> is a functional unit that causes the plotter <NUM> to perform print output of a reproduced image printed matter based on the print job of the document data acquired by the job acquisition unit <NUM> by applying a profile selected in advance. The print control unit <NUM> is implemented by, for example, the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program.

The profile acquisition unit <NUM> is a functional unit that acquires, via the communication unit <NUM>, a profile generated by the information processing apparatus <NUM> executing the color matching. The profile acquisition unit <NUM> stores (registers) the acquired profile in the storage unit <NUM>. The profile stored in the storage unit <NUM> is applied to the control of the print output to a sheet performed by the print control unit <NUM>. The profile acquisition unit <NUM> is implemented by, for example, the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program.

The storage unit <NUM> is a functional unit that stores the profile acquired by the profile acquisition unit <NUM>, various data, programs, and the like. The storage unit <NUM> is implemented by the auxiliary memory <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Of the functional units of the image forming apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, at least a part of the functional units implemented by software (program) may be implemented by a hardware circuit such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an ASIC.

Further, each functional unit of the image forming apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a conceptual representation of a function, and the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus <NUM> is not limited thereto. For example, two or more of the functional units of the image forming apparatus <NUM> illustrated as independent units in <FIG> may be integrated into a single functional unit. By contrast, a plurality of functions provided by one functional unit of the image forming apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may be divided and allocated to a plurality of functional units.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the information processing apparatus <NUM> includes a communication unit <NUM> (read instruction unit), a job acquisition unit <NUM>, a setting unit <NUM>, a colorimetric value acquisition unit <NUM>, an area designation unit <NUM>, an alignment unit <NUM>, a color matching unit <NUM>, a color difference calculation unit <NUM>, a profile transmission unit <NUM>, an input unit <NUM>, a display control unit <NUM>, a display unit <NUM>, and a storage unit <NUM>.

The communication unit <NUM> is a functional unit that performs data communication with the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the image reading device <NUM> via the network N. The communication unit <NUM> is implemented by the network I/F <NUM> and the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program.

The job acquisition unit <NUM> is a functional unit that transmits, to the image forming apparatus <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM>, the print job of the document data to be printed out by the image forming apparatus <NUM> as the reproduced image printed matter. The job acquisition unit <NUM> is implemented by, for example, the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program.

The setting unit <NUM> is a functional unit that performs, in accordance with an input to the input unit <NUM> operated by a user, setting a size of a document, selecting a profile, selecting an intent, and the like on a color sample matching screen <NUM> to be described later. The setting unit <NUM> is implemented by, for example, the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program.

The colorimetric value acquisition unit <NUM> is a functional unit that acquires, from the image reading device <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM>, the read data including the colorimetric values obtained by the image reading device <NUM> executing the reading processing on the reproduced image printed matter printed out by the image forming apparatus <NUM>, a printed matter printed by a particular printer (the image forming apparatus <NUM> in a past state or an ideal printer), or a print sample such as a book already existing as a printed matter. The colorimetric value acquisition unit <NUM> is implemented by, for example, the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program.

The area designation unit <NUM> is a functional unit that designates, in accordance with an input to the input unit <NUM> operated by the user, an area in each image of the print sample and the reproduced image printed matter to align both the images. The image of the print sample (hereinafter also referred to as a "sample image") is an image displayed based on the read data of the print sample (first read data), and the image of the reproduced image printed matter (hereinafter also referred to as a "reproduced image") is an image displayed based on the read data of the reproduced image printed matter (second read data). The area designation unit <NUM> is implemented by, for example, the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program.

The alignment unit <NUM> is a functional unit that aligns the sample image and the reproduced image so that the color matching can be executed for the color of the reproduced image to be matched with the color of the sample image. The alignment unit <NUM> is implemented by, for example, the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program.

The color matching unit <NUM> is a functional unit that executes the color matching for the color of the reproduced image to be matched with the color of the sample image based on the document data. Specifically, the color matching unit <NUM> generates a profile to be applied to the control of the print output of the document data by adjusting the color of the reproduced image to be matched with the color of the sample image. The color matching unit <NUM> is implemented by, for example, the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program.

The color difference calculation unit <NUM> is a functional unit that calculates a color difference between the sample image and the reproduced image after color matching to generate a color difference map (second color difference image). For example, the color difference calculation unit <NUM> calculates, for each pixel of the sample image, a color difference (difference in pixel value) from a corresponding pixel of the reproduced image. In addition, the color difference calculation unit <NUM> calculates a color difference between the sample image and the reproduced image (that is, the reproduced image before color matching) to generate a color difference map (first color difference image). The color difference map is, for example, a map representing the color difference in each pixel in monochrome gradation. Further, the color difference calculation unit <NUM> calculates an average color difference that is an average value of the color difference. The color difference calculation unit <NUM> is implemented by, for example, the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program.

The profile transmission unit <NUM> is a functional unit that transmits the profile generated by the color matching unit <NUM> to the image forming apparatus <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM>. Then, the profile transmission unit <NUM> receives a notification indicating registration of the profile from the image forming apparatus <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM>. The profile transmission unit <NUM> is implemented by, for example, the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program.

The input unit <NUM> is a functional unit that receives an input operated by the user. The input unit <NUM> is implemented by the keyboard <NUM> and the mouse <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

The display control unit <NUM> is a functional unit that controls the display unit <NUM> (the display <NUM>) to display various screens (such as the color sample matching screen <NUM> to be described later) and information. The display control unit <NUM> is implemented by, for example, the CPU <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> executing a program.

The display unit <NUM> is a functional unit that displays the various screens and the information under the control of the display control unit <NUM>. The display unit <NUM> is implemented by the display <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

The storage unit <NUM> is a functional unit that stores the document data, the profile generated by the color matching unit <NUM>, and the like. The storage unit <NUM> is implemented by the auxiliary memory <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Of the functional units of the information processing apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, at least a part of the functional units implemented by software (program) may be implemented by a hardware circuit such as an FPGA or an ASIC.

Further, each functional unit of the information processing apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a conceptual representation of a function, and the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus <NUM> is not limited thereto. For example, two or more of the functional units of the information processing apparatus <NUM> illustrated as independent units in <FIG> may be integrated into a single functional unit. By contrast, a plurality of functions provided by one functional unit of the information processing apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may be divided and allocated to a plurality of functional units.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a color sample matching screen in an initial state according to the present embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the color sample matching screen in a state when color matching is executed according to the present embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of an area designation screen for designating an area according to the present embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the color sample matching screen that presents a color difference map according to the present embodiment. A description is given of the color sample matching screen <NUM> displayed in the information processing apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment with reference to <FIG>.

The color sample matching screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a screen displayed on the display unit <NUM> (i.e., the display <NUM>) under the control of the display control unit <NUM> in accordance with an input to the input unit <NUM> operated by the user. The color sample matching screen <NUM> is a screen for executing color matching processing in the image forming system <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the color sample matching screen <NUM> includes a save button <NUM>, an exit button <NUM>, a document data operation field <NUM>, a sample image operation field <NUM>, a reproduced image operation field <NUM>, a color matching operation field <NUM>, and a color difference map display button <NUM> (an example of a third operation element).

The save button <NUM> is a button for saving the profile generated by the color matching unit <NUM> executing the color matching. The exit button <NUM> is a button for ending the operation of the color matching on the color sample matching screen <NUM> to transition to a top screen <NUM> to be described later.

The document data operation field <NUM> is a field for selecting the document data subjected to color matching to display an image of the document data (a first image). As illustrated in <FIG>, the document data operation field <NUM> includes a document data display field <NUM> (a first display field), a file selection button <NUM>, an area designation button <NUM>, a page back button <NUM>, and a page forward button <NUM>.

The document data display field <NUM> is a field for displaying an image of document data selected according to an operation of the file selection button <NUM>.

The file selection button <NUM> is a button for selecting document data to be displayed as an image in the document data display field <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the display control unit <NUM> displays, on the display <NUM>, the image of the document data selected according to the operation of the file selection button <NUM> in the document data display field <NUM>.

The area designation button <NUM> is a button for designating an area in the image of the document data displayed in the document data display field <NUM>. When the area designation button <NUM> is pressed, the display control unit <NUM> displays an area designation screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

The page back button <NUM> is a button for switching an image displayed in the document data display field <NUM> to a previous image in a case where the document data includes a plurality of images. The page forward button <NUM> is a button for switching the image displayed in the document data display field <NUM> to the next image in the case where the document data includes the plurality of images.

The sample image operation field <NUM> is a field for displaying the sample image (a second image) based on the read data of the print sample read by the image reading device <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the sample image operation field <NUM> includes a print sample display field <NUM> (a second display field), a read button <NUM> (an example of a first operation element), an area designation button <NUM>, a size selection field <NUM>, a sub-scanning length input field <NUM>, and a delete button <NUM>.

The print sample display field <NUM> is a field for displaying the sample image based on the read data of the print sample.

The read button <NUM> is a button for causing the image reading device <NUM> to execute reading processing on the print sample. As illustrated in <FIG>, the display control unit <NUM> displays the sample image in the print sample display field <NUM> based on the read data of the print sample read by the image reading device <NUM> in response to the operation of the read button <NUM>.

The area designation button <NUM> is a button for designating an area in the sample image displayed in the print sample display field <NUM>. When the area designation button <NUM> is pressed, the display control unit <NUM> displays the area designation screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

A description is now given of the area designation screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The area designation screen <NUM> is a screen for designating an area in each of the sample image and the reproduced image to align both the images. When the area designation screen <NUM> is displayed in response to an operation of the area designation button <NUM>, area designation in the sample image can be performed. As illustrated in <FIG>, the area designation screen <NUM> includes an image display field <NUM>, a left rotation button <NUM>, a right rotation button <NUM>, an "OK" button <NUM>, and a cancel button <NUM>.

The image display field <NUM> is a field for displaying an image (in this example, the sample image). The area designation unit <NUM> designates an area (a designated area <NUM>) in the sample image according to a drag operation or the like performed by the user using the input unit <NUM>.

The left rotation button <NUM> is a button for rotating the image displayed in the image display field <NUM> to the left. The right rotation button <NUM> is a button for rotating the image displayed in the image display field <NUM> to the right.

The "OK" button <NUM> is a button for confirming the area designated by the area designation unit <NUM>. The cancel button <NUM> is a button for canceling the area designation by the area designation unit <NUM>. When the "OK" button <NUM> or the cancel button <NUM> is pressed, the display control unit <NUM> hides the area designation screen <NUM> and displays the color sample matching screen <NUM>.

The size selection field <NUM> is a field for selecting a size of the print sample when the image reading device <NUM> executes reading processing on the print sample. The sub-scanning length input field <NUM> is a field for inputting the length of the print sample in the sub-scanning direction when the size of the print sample selected in the size selection field <NUM> is not a standard size.

The delete button <NUM> is a button for deleting (hiding) the sample image displayed in the print sample display field <NUM>.

The reproduced image operation field <NUM> is a field for displaying the reproduced image (a third image) based on the read data of the reproduced image printed matter read by the image reading device <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the reproduced image operation field <NUM> includes a reproduced image display field <NUM> (a third display field), a read button <NUM> (an example of a second operation element), an area designation button <NUM>, a size selection field <NUM>, a sub-scanning length input field <NUM>, a delete button <NUM>, and a color difference before color matching display field <NUM>.

The reproduced image display field <NUM> is a field for displaying the reproduced image based on the read data of the reproduced image printed matter.

The read button <NUM> is a button for causing the image reading device <NUM> to execute reading processing on the reproduced image printed matter. As illustrated in <FIG>, the display control unit <NUM> displays the reproduced image in the reproduced image display field <NUM> based on the read data of the reproduced image printed matter read by the image reading device <NUM> in response to the operation of the read button <NUM>.

The area designation button <NUM> is a button for designating an area in the reproduced image displayed in the reproduced image display field <NUM>. When the area designation button <NUM> is pressed, the display control unit <NUM> displays the area designation screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The operation of designating the area in the reproduced image on the area designation screen <NUM> is the same as the operation of designating the area in the sample image described above.

The size selection field <NUM> is a field for selecting a size of the reproduced image printed matter when the image reading device <NUM> executes reading processing on the reproduced image printed matter. The sub-scanning length input field <NUM> is a field for inputting the length of the reproduced image printed matter in the sub-scanning direction when the size of the reproduced image printed matter selected in the size selection field <NUM> is not a standard size.

The delete button <NUM> is a button for deleting (hiding) the reproduced image displayed in the reproduced image display field <NUM>.

The color difference before color matching display field <NUM> is a field for displaying an average color difference between the sample image and the reproduced image before color matching calculated by the color difference calculation unit <NUM> when color matching is executed by the color matching unit <NUM> in response to pressing of a color matching execution button <NUM> to be described later.

The color matching operation field <NUM> is a field for displaying an image after execution of color matching for the color of the reproduced image (a reproduced image after color matching) (a fourth image) displayed in the reproduced image display field <NUM> to be matched with the color of the sample image displayed in the print sample display field <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the color matching operation field <NUM> includes a reproduced image after color matching display field <NUM> (a fourth display field), a profile selection field <NUM>, a rendering intent selection field <NUM>, the color matching execution button <NUM>, a profile addition button <NUM>, a profile deletion button <NUM>, and a color difference after color matching display field <NUM>.

The reproduced image after color matching display field <NUM> is a field for displaying an image after the color matching is executed by the color matching unit <NUM> for the color of the reproduced image displayed in the reproduced image display field <NUM> (the reproduced image after color matching) to be matched with the color of the sample image displayed in the print sample display field <NUM>.

The profile selection field <NUM> is a field for selecting a profile to be applied to the control of the print output of the reproduced image printed matter, which the print control unit <NUM> causes the plotter <NUM> to perform based on the print job of the document data. In addition, for example, when the color matching is executed by the color matching unit <NUM> in response to pressing of the color matching execution button <NUM>, the profile selected in the profile selection field <NUM> is updated to the profile lastly generated by the color matching unit <NUM>.

The rendering intent selection field <NUM> is a field for selecting a rendering intent to be applied to the control of the print output of the reproduced image printed matter based on the print job of the document data, which the print control unit <NUM> causes the plotter <NUM> to perform.

The color matching execution button <NUM> is a button for causing the color matching unit <NUM> to execute color matching for the color of the reproduced image displayed in the reproduced image display field <NUM> to be matched with the color of the sample image displayed in the print sample display field <NUM>. The operation of the color matching execution button <NUM> is enabled when the image of the document data is displayed in the document data display field <NUM> (i.e., selection of the document data), the sample image is displayed in the print sample display field <NUM> (i.e., acquisition of the read data of the print sample), and the reproduced image is displayed in the reproduced image display field <NUM> (i.e., acquisition of the read data of the reproduced image printed matter).

The profile addition button <NUM> is a button for adding a profile to the selection in the profile selection field <NUM>. The profile delete button <NUM> is a button for deleting a profile included in the selection of the profile selection field <NUM>.

The color difference after color matching display field <NUM> is a field for displaying an average color difference between the sample image and the reproduced image after color matching calculated by the color difference calculation unit <NUM> when color matching is executed by the color matching unit <NUM> in response to pressing of the color matching execution button <NUM> to be described later.

The color difference map display button <NUM> is a button for switching display of the reproduced image (before color matching) in the reproduced image display field <NUM> and display of the reproduced image (after color matching) in the reproduced image after color matching display field <NUM> to displays of the respective color difference maps generated by the color difference calculation unit <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> after the color matching is executed in response to the operation of the color matching execution button <NUM>. In other words, when the color difference map display button <NUM> is pressed, the display control unit <NUM> switches the display of the reproduced image (before color matching) in the reproduced image display field <NUM> to the display of the color difference map between the sample image and the reproduced image (before color matching), and switches the display of the reproduce image after color matching in the reproduced image after color matching display field <NUM> to the display of the color difference map between the sample image and the reproduced image after color matching. In addition, when the color difference map display button <NUM> is pressed again, the display control unit <NUM> returns the display of the reproduced image display field <NUM> and the reproduced image after color matching display field <NUM> to the displays of the reproduced image and the reproduced image after color matching, respectively.

As described above, since the reproduced image display field <NUM> and the reproduced image after color matching display field <NUM> are arranged adjacent to each other on the color sample matching screen <NUM>, the reproduce images before and after color matching can be easily compared.

<FIG> is a sequence chart illustrating an example of overall processing to be executed by the image forming system according to the present embodiment. A description is given of the overall processing to be executed by the image forming system <NUM> according to the present embodiment with reference to <FIG>.

The user performs, via the control panel <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, an operation for printing out the document data subjected to color matching. Accordingly, the job acquisition unit <NUM> acquires a print job of the document data from the information processing apparatus <NUM>. Alternatively, the job acquisition unit <NUM> may generate the print job by acquiring the document data stored in the image forming apparatus <NUM>. Then, the print control unit <NUM> causes the plotter <NUM> to perform print output of a reproduced image printed matter based on the print job of the document data acquired by the job acquisition unit <NUM> by applying a profile selected in advance. The profile selected in advance is a profile selected in the profile selection field <NUM> on the color sample matching screen <NUM> displayed by the display control unit <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM>.

The user sets the print sample and the reproduced image printed matter printed out by the image forming apparatus <NUM> on the image reading device <NUM>. In this case, it is preferable that the reproduced image printed matter is set on the image reading device <NUM> after the print sample is read, or the operation is performed in the reverse order. Note that the print sample and the reproduced image printed matter can be set on the image reading device <NUM> at the same time in a case where it is possible to identify whether the print sample or the reproduced image printed matter by reading a code (e.g., a color code) or the like for identifying each of the print sample and the reproduced image printed matter printed on each of the print sample and the reproduced image printed matter.

The user selects the document data subjected to color matching by operating the file selection button <NUM> in the document data operation field <NUM> on the color sample matching screen <NUM>. The display control unit <NUM> reads the document data selected in response to the operation of the file selection button <NUM> from the storage unit <NUM> to display the image of the document data in the document data display field <NUM>.

The user selects a size of the print sample in the size selection field <NUM> of the sample image operation field <NUM> on the color sample matching screen <NUM> and presses the read button <NUM>. The setting unit <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM> sets the size according to the user operation. Further, the user selects a size of the reproduced image printed matter in the size selection field <NUM> of the reproduced image operation field <NUM> on the color sample matching screen <NUM> and presses the read button <NUM>. The setting unit <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM> sets the size according to the user operation.

When the user presses the read button <NUM> in the sample image operation field <NUM>, the communication unit <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM> transmits an instruction to read the print sample and the size of the print sample selected in the size selection field <NUM> to the image reading device <NUM>. Further, when the user presses the read button <NUM> in the reproduced image operation field <NUM>, the communication unit <NUM> transmits an instruction to read the reproduced image printed matter and the size of the reproduced image printed matter selected in the size selection field <NUM> to the image reading device <NUM>.

In response to receiving the instruction to read the print sample and the size of the print sample from the information processing apparatus <NUM>, the image reading device <NUM> executes reading processing on the print sample set on the image reading device <NUM> according to the selected size of the print sample. Further, in response to receiving the instruction to read the reproduced image printed matter and the size of the reproduced image printed matter from the information processing apparatus <NUM>, the image reading device <NUM> executes reading processing on the reproduced image printed matter set on the image reading device <NUM> according to the selected size of the reproduced image printed matter.

The image reading device <NUM> transmits the read data of the print sample to the information processing apparatus <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM> receives the read data of the print sample. Further, the image reading device <NUM> transmits the read data of the reproduced image printed matter to the information processing apparatus <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM> receives the read data of the reproduced image printed matter.

Although the above processing S14 to S17 is collectively described for the print sample and the reproduced image printed matter, the above processing S14 to S17 is actually executed individually for the print sample and the reproduced image printed matter.

The display control unit <NUM> displays the sample image in the print sample display field <NUM> based on the read data of the print sample received by the communication unit <NUM>. Further, the display control unit <NUM> displays the reproduced image in the reproduced image display field <NUM> based on the read data of the reproduced image printed matter received by the communication unit <NUM>. Then, the alignment unit <NUM> aligns both the sample image and the reproduced image so that color matching can be executed for the color of the reproduced image to be matched with the color of the sample image. The user confirms whether the sample image displayed in the print sample display field <NUM> and the reproduced image displayed in the reproduced image display field <NUM> are properly aligned with each other.

The area designation unit <NUM> designates an area in each of the sample image and the reproduced image to align the sample image with the reproduced image in accordance with an input to the input unit <NUM> operated by the user as necessary. Then, the alignment unit <NUM> aligns the sample image with the reproduced image based on the area designated by the area designation unit <NUM> in each of the sample image and the reproduced image.

The color matching unit <NUM> executes color matching for the color of the reproduced image to be matched with the color of the sample image based on the document data. Specifically, the color matching unit <NUM> generates a profile to be applied to the control of the print output of the document data by adjusting the color of the reproduced image to be matched with the color of the sample image.

When the user presses the color difference map display button <NUM>, the color difference calculation unit <NUM> calculates the color difference between the sample image and the reproduced image after color matching to generate a color difference map. The display control unit <NUM> switches the display of the reproduced image after color matching in the reproduced image after color matching display field <NUM> to the display of the color difference map between the sample image and the reproduced image after color matching. In addition, the color difference calculation unit <NUM> calculates the color difference between the sample image and the reproduced image (i.e., the reproduced image before color matching) to generate the color difference map. The display control unit <NUM> switches the display of the reproduced image in the reproduced image display field <NUM> to the display of the color difference map between the sample image and the reproduced image before color matching.

Further, the color difference calculation unit <NUM> calculates an average color difference between the sample image and the reproduced image after color matching. The display control unit <NUM> displays the average color difference between the sample image and the reproduced image after color matching in the color difference after color matching display field <NUM> of the color matching operation field <NUM>. Furthermore, the color difference calculation unit <NUM> calculates an average color difference between the sample image and the reproduced image before color matching. The display control unit <NUM> displays the average color difference between the sample image and the reproduced image before color matching in the color difference before color matching display field <NUM> of the reproduced image operation field <NUM>.

The user checks the color difference maps displayed in the reproduced image display field <NUM> and the reproduced image after color matching display field <NUM>, and the average color differences displayed in the color difference before color matching display field <NUM> and the color difference after color matching display field <NUM> to determine whether to end or retry the color matching. The information processing apparatus <NUM> ends or retries the color matching according to a user operation based on the determination.

When the user determines to end the color matching (operation of the exit button <NUM> is received), the profile transmission unit <NUM> transmits the profile generated by the color matching unit <NUM> to the image forming apparatus <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM> in accordance with a user operation. Then, the information processing apparatus <NUM> ends the color matching. The communication unit <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM> receives the profile.

The profile acquisition unit <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM> acquires the profile received by the communication unit <NUM> from the information processing apparatus <NUM>. The profile acquisition unit <NUM> stores (registers) the acquired profile in the storage unit <NUM>. Then, the profile acquisition unit <NUM> transmits a notification indicating registration of the profile to the information processing apparatus <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating examples of a normal screen transition performed by the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. A description is given of the normal screen transition displayed on the display unit <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

When a program is activated by the CPU <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM>, first, the display control unit <NUM> displays the top screen <NUM> illustrated in part (a) of <FIG> on the display unit <NUM>. The top screen <NUM> is a screen for selecting to start either simple color adjustment processing or color matching processing with the color of the sample image (color matching processing). The top screen <NUM> includes a simple color adjustment button <NUM> and a color matching processing button <NUM>.

The simple color adjustment button <NUM> is a button for executing the simple color adjustment processing. The color matching processing button <NUM> is a button for executing the color matching processing.

When the user presses the color matching processing button <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM> displays the color sample matching screen <NUM> in an initial state illustrated in part (b) of <FIG>. Since the color sample matching screen <NUM> illustrated in part (b) of <FIG> is a screen in the initial state before execution of the color matching processing, no image is displayed on the color sample matching screen <NUM>. When the user presses the exit button <NUM> on the color sample matching screen <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM> displays the top screen <NUM> illustrated in part (a) of <FIG>.

When the document data is selected according to an operation of the file selection button <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM> displays the image of the selected document data in the document data display field <NUM> as illustrated in part (c) of <FIG>.

When the user presses the read button <NUM>, the image reading device <NUM> acquires read data of the print sample by executing reading processing on the print sample. The display control unit <NUM> displays the sample image in the print sample display field <NUM> based on the read data of the print sample as illustrated in part (a) of <FIG>.

When the user presses the read button <NUM>, the image reading device <NUM> acquires read data of the reproduced image printed matter by executing reading processing on the reproduced image printed matter. The display control unit <NUM> displays the reproduced image in the reproduced image display field <NUM> based on the read data of the reproduced image printed matter as illustrated in part (b) of <FIG>.

When the user presses the color matching execution button <NUM>, the color matching unit <NUM> executes color matching for the color of the reproduced image displayed in the reproduced image display field <NUM> to be matched with the color of the sample image displayed in the print sample display field <NUM>. Then, as illustrated in part (c) of <FIG>, the display control unit <NUM> displays an image after the color matching is executed by the color matching unit <NUM> (a reproduced image after color matching) in the reproduced image after color matching display field <NUM>.

In the state of the color sample matching screen <NUM> illustrated in part (c) of <FIG>, when the user presses the save button <NUM>, the profile generated by the color matching unit <NUM> executing the color matching is stored in the auxiliary memory <NUM>. Alternatively, at the timing when the user presses the save button <NUM>, the profile transmission unit <NUM> may transmit the profile generated by the color matching unit <NUM> executing the color matching to the image forming apparatus <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM>. When the user presses the exit button <NUM> after the profile is stored, the display control unit <NUM> displays the top screen <NUM> illustrated in part (a) of <FIG>. On the other hand, when the user presses the exit button <NUM> without the profile being stored, the display control unit <NUM> displays a data discard confirmation dialog box <NUM> as illustrated in part (d) of <FIG>.

The data discard confirmation dialog box <NUM> illustrated in part (d) of <FIG> is a dialog box for confirming whether to discard the generated profile without being stored. The data discard confirmation dialog box <NUM> includes an "OK" button <NUM> and a cancel button <NUM>. The "OK" button <NUM> is a button for transitioning to the top screen <NUM> without the generated profile being stored. The cancel button <NUM> is a button for canceling the transition to the top screen <NUM> to return to the color sample matching screen <NUM> illustrated in part (c) of <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of display operation of a screen for deleting an image of a print sample (a sample image) and an image of a reproduced image printed matter (a reproduced image) in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. A description is given of the display operation for deleting the sample image and the reproduced image on the color sample matching screen <NUM> with reference to <FIG>.

The color sample matching screen <NUM> illustrated in part (a) of <FIG> is in a state in which the image of the document data is displayed in the document data display field <NUM>, the sample image is displayed in the print sample display field <NUM>, and the reproduced image is displayed in the reproduced image display field <NUM>. In this state, when the user presses the delete button <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM> displays a read image discard confirmation dialog box <NUM> as illustrated in part (b) of <FIG>.

The read image discard confirmation dialog box <NUM> illustrated in part (b) of <FIG> is a dialog box for confirming deletion of the sample image displayed in the print sample display field <NUM> (or the reproduced image displayed in the reproduced image display field <NUM>). The read image discard confirmation dialog box <NUM> includes an "OK" button <NUM> and a cancel button <NUM>. The "OK" button <NUM> is a button for deleting (hiding) the sample image displayed in the print sample display field <NUM> (or the reproduced image displayed in the reproduced image display field <NUM>). The cancel button <NUM> is a button for canceling the deletion of the sample image displayed in the print sample display field <NUM> (or the reproduced image displayed in the reproduced image display field <NUM>) to return to the color sample matching screen <NUM> illustrated in part (a) of <FIG>.

When the user presses the "OK" button <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM> deletes (hides) the sample image displayed in the print sample display field <NUM> as illustrated in part (c) of <FIG>. Accordingly, when the image reading device <NUM> fails in the reading processing, for example, the image reading device <NUM> executes the reading processing on the print sample upside down or face and back sides in reverse, an improper image of the sample print can be deleted. Then, another image obtained by newly reading the print sample with the image reading device <NUM> can be displayed.

Deletion (non-display) of the reproduced image displayed in the reproduced image display field <NUM> by using the delete button <NUM> is also performed in substantially the same manner as the operation performed by using the delete button <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of display operation of a screen for switching between display and non-display of a color difference map in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. A description is given of the display operation for switching between the display and the non-display of the color difference map on the color sample matching screen <NUM> with reference to <FIG>.

The color sample matching screen <NUM> illustrated in part (a) of <FIG> is in a state in which the image of the document data is displayed in the document data display field <NUM>, the sample image is displayed in the print sample display field <NUM>, the reproduced image is displayed in the reproduced image display field <NUM>, and the reproduced image after color matching is displayed in the reproduced image after color matching display field <NUM>. In this state, when the user presses the color difference map display button <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM> switches the display of the reproduced image in the reproduced image display field <NUM> to the display of the color difference map between the sample image and the reproduced image, and switches the display of the reproduce image after color matching in the reproduced image after color matching display field <NUM> to the display of the color difference map between the sample image and the reproduced image after color matching, as illustrated in part (b) of <FIG>.

When the user presses the color difference map display button <NUM> on the color sample matching screen <NUM> in the state illustrated in part (b) of <FIG>, the display control unit <NUM> switches the display of the color difference map between the sample image and the reproduced image in the reproduced image display field <NUM> to the display of the reproduced image, and switches the display of the color difference map between the sample image and the reproduced image after color matching in the reproduced image after color matching display field <NUM> to the display of the reproduce image after color matching, as illustrated in part (a) of <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are flowcharts illustrating examples of color matching processing to be executed by the image forming system according to the present embodiment. A description is given of the color matching processing to be executed by the image forming system <NUM> according to the present embodiment with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The user performs, via the control panel <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, an operation for printing out document data subjected to color matching. Accordingly, the job acquisition unit <NUM> acquires a print job of the document data from the information processing apparatus <NUM>. Alternatively, the job acquisition unit <NUM> may generate the print job by acquiring the document data stored in the image forming apparatus <NUM>. Then, the print control unit <NUM> causes the plotter <NUM> to perform print output of a reproduced image printed matter based on the print job of the document data acquired by the job acquisition unit <NUM> by applying a profile selected in advance. Then, the processing proceeds to step S32.

The user selects the document data subjected to color matching by operating the file selection button <NUM> in the document data operation field <NUM> on the color sample matching screen <NUM>. The display control unit <NUM> reads the document data selected according to the operation of the file selection button <NUM> from the storage unit <NUM> to display the image of the document data in the document data display field <NUM>. Then, the process proceeds to step S33.

When the read document data is determined to be proper document data according to a user operation (step S33: Yes), the process proceeds to step S35. When the read document data is determined not to be proper document data according to a user operation (step S33: No), the process proceeds to step S34.

The user again selects document data subjected to color matching by operating the file selection button <NUM> in the document data operation field <NUM> on the color sample matching screen <NUM>. The display control unit <NUM> reads the document data selected according to the operation of the file selection button <NUM> from the storage unit <NUM> to display the image of the document data in the document data display field <NUM>. Then, the process proceeds to step S35.

The user selects a size of the print sample in the size selection field <NUM> of the sample image operation field <NUM> on the color sample matching screen <NUM>. The setting unit <NUM> sets the size according to the user operation. Then, the process proceeds to step S36.

When the size of the print sample selected in step S35 is a standard size (step S36: Yes), the process proceeds to step S38. When the size of the print sample selected in step S35 is not a standard size (step S36: No), the process proceeds to step S37.

The user inputs the length of the print sample in the sub-scanning direction to the sub-scanning length input field <NUM>. The setting unit <NUM> sets the length according to the user operation. Then, the process proceeds to step S38.

When the user presses the read button <NUM> in the sample image operation field <NUM>, the communication unit <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM> transmits an instruction to read the print sample and the size of the print sample selected in the size selection field <NUM> to the image reading device <NUM>. In response to receiving the instruction to read the print sample and the size of the print sample from the information processing apparatus <NUM>, the image reading device <NUM> executes reading processing on the print sample set on the image reading device <NUM> according to the selected size of the print sample.

When the reading processing executed by the image reading device <NUM> is determined to be free from an error such as occurrence of a jam or a mistake of reversely reading front and back sides according to a user operation (step S39: Yes), the image reading device <NUM> transmits the read data of the print sample to the information processing apparatus <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM> receives the read data of the print sample. The display control unit <NUM> displays the sample image in the print sample display field <NUM> based on the read data of the print sample received by the communication unit <NUM>. Then, the alignment unit <NUM> performs alignment of the sample image. The process proceeds to step S41.

On the other hand, when the reading processing executed by the image reading device <NUM> is determined not to be free from an error such as occurrence of a jam or a mistake of reversely reading front and back sides according to a user operation (step S39: No), the process proceeds to step S40.

The user deals with the error occurred in the reading processing executed by the image reading device <NUM>. Then, the process returns to step S38.

When the information processing apparatus <NUM> receives a user operation indicating that the alignment of the sample image is appropriately performed by the alignment unit <NUM> (step S41: Yes), the process proceeds to step S43. When the information processing apparatus <NUM> receives a user operation indicating that the alignment of the sample image is not appropriately performed by the alignment unit <NUM> (step S41: No), the process proceeds to step S42.

The area designation unit <NUM> designates an area in the sample image on the area designation screen <NUM> for performing alignment of the sample image in accordance with an input to the input unit <NUM> operated by the user. Then, the alignment unit <NUM> performs the alignment of the sample image based on the area designated by the area designation unit <NUM> in the sample image. Then, the process proceeds to step S43.

The user selects a size of the reproduced image printed matter in the size selection field <NUM> of the reproduced image operation field <NUM> on the color sample matching screen <NUM>. The setting unit <NUM> sets the size according to the user operation. Then, the process proceeds to step S44.

When the size of the reproduced image printed matter selected in step S43 is a standard size (step S44: Yes), the process proceeds to step S46. When the size of reproduced image printed matter selected in step S43 is not a standard size (step S44: No), the process proceeds to step S45.

The user inputs the length of the reproduced image printed matter in the sub-scanning direction to the sub-scanning length input field <NUM>. The setting unit <NUM> sets the length according to the user operation. Then, the process proceeds to step S46.

When the user presses the read button <NUM> in the reproduced image operation field <NUM>, the communication unit <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM> transmits an instruction to read the reproduced image printed matter and the size of the reproduced image printed matter selected in the size selection field <NUM> to the image reading device <NUM>. In response to receiving the instruction to read the reproduced image printed matter and the size of the reproduced image printed matter from the information processing apparatus <NUM>, the image reading device <NUM> executes reading processing on the reproduced image printed matter set on the image reading device <NUM> according to the selected size of the reproduced image printed matter.

When the reading processing executed by the image reading device <NUM> is determined to be free from an error such as occurrence of a jam or a mistake of reversely reading front and back sides according to a user operation (step S47: Yes), the image reading device <NUM> transmits the read data of the reproduced image printed matter to the information processing apparatus <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM> receives the read data of the reproduced image printed matter. Then, the display control unit <NUM> displays the reproduced image in the reproduced image display field <NUM> based on the read data of the reproduced image printed matter received by the communication unit <NUM>. Then, the alignment unit <NUM> aligns both the sample image and the reproduced image so that the color matching can be executed for the color of the reproduced image to be matched with the color of the sample image. The process proceeds to step S49.

On the other hand, when the reading processing executed by the image reading device <NUM> is determined not to be free from an error such as occurrence of a jam or a mistake of reversely reading front and back sides according to a user operation (step S47: No), the process proceeds to step S48.

The user deals with the error occurred in the reading processing executed by the image reading device <NUM>. Then, the process returns to step S46.

When the information processing apparatus <NUM> receives user operation indicating that the alignment of the sample image is appropriately performed by the alignment unit <NUM> (step S49: Yes), the process proceeds to step S51. When the information processing apparatus <NUM> receives user operation indicating that the alignment of the reproduced image is not appropriately performed by the alignment unit <NUM> (step S49: No), the process proceeds to step S50.

The area designation unit <NUM> designates an area in the reproduced image on the area designation screen <NUM> for performing alignment of the sample image and the reproduced image in accordance with an input to the input unit <NUM> operated by the user. Then, the alignment unit <NUM> aligns both the sample image and the reproduced image based on the area designated by the area designation unit <NUM> in the reproduced image. Then, the process proceeds to step S51.

The setting unit <NUM> sets, according to a user's selecting operation, a profile to be applied to control of print output of as a reproduced image printed matter in the profile selection field <NUM>. Then, the process proceeds to step S52.

The setting unit <NUM> sets, according to a user's selecting operation, a rendering intent to be applied to the control of the print output of the reproduced image printed matter in the rendering intent selection field <NUM>. Then, the process proceeds to step S53.

The color matching unit <NUM> executes color matching for the color of the reproduced image to be matched with the color of the sample image based on the document data. Specifically, the color matching unit <NUM> generates a profile to be applied to the control of the print output of the document data by adjusting the color of the reproduced image to be matched with the color of the sample image. Then, the process proceeds to step S54.

When the user presses the color difference map display button <NUM>, the color difference calculation unit <NUM> calculates a color difference between the sample image and the reproduced image after color matching to generate a color difference map. The display control unit <NUM> switches display of the reproduced image after color matching in the reproduced image after color matching display field <NUM> to display of the color difference map between the sample image and the reproduced image after color matching. In addition, the color difference calculation unit <NUM> calculates a color difference between the sample image and the reproduced image (i.e., the reproduced image before color matching) to generate a color difference map. The display control unit <NUM> switches display of the reproduced image in the reproduced image display field <NUM> to display of the color difference map between the sample image and the reproduced image before color matching. Thus, the user compares the color difference maps before and after color matching. Then, the process proceeds to step S55.

Further, the color difference calculation unit <NUM> calculates an average color difference between the sample image and the reproduced image after color matching. The display control unit <NUM> displays an average color difference between the sample image and the reproduced image after color matching in the color difference after color matching display field <NUM> of the color matching operation field <NUM>. Furthermore, the color difference calculation unit <NUM> calculates an average color difference between the sample image and the reproduced image before color matching. The display control unit <NUM> displays an average color difference between the sample image and the reproduced image before color matching in the color difference before color matching display field <NUM> of the reproduced image operation field <NUM>.

Thus, the user confirms the average color differences before and after color matching. Then, the process proceeds to step S56.

When the information processing apparatus <NUM> receives a user's operation indicating that the result of the color matching is satisfactory (step S56: Yes), the process proceeds to step S58. When the information processing apparatus <NUM> receives a user's operation indicating that the result of the color matching is not satisfactory (step S56: No), the process proceeds to step S57.

The user again performs, via the control panel <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, an operation for printing out document data subjected to color matching. Accordingly, the job acquisition unit <NUM> acquires a print job of the document data from the information processing apparatus <NUM>. Then, the print control unit <NUM> again causes the plotter <NUM> to perform print output of a reproduced image printed matter based on the print job of the document data acquired by the job acquisition unit <NUM> by applying the profile generated in step <NUM>. Then, the process returns to step S46.

When the information processing apparatus <NUM> receives a user's operation indicating that the result of the color matching is satisfactory, the profile transmission unit <NUM> transmits the profile generated by the color matching unit <NUM> to the image forming apparatus <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM> in accordance with a user operation. The communication unit <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM> receives the profile.

The profile acquisition unit <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM> acquires the profile received by the communication unit <NUM> from the information processing apparatus <NUM>. The profile acquisition unit <NUM> stores (registers) the acquired profile in the storage unit <NUM>. Then, the profile acquisition unit <NUM> transmits a notification indicating registration of the profile to the information processing apparatus <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM>. Thereafter, the image forming apparatus <NUM> performs printing by applying the registered profile.

As described above, the display control unit <NUM> of the information processing apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment controls the display <NUM> to display the document data display field <NUM>, the print sample display field <NUM>, the reproduced image display field <NUM>, and the reproduced image after color matching display field <NUM>. The document data display field <NUM> is a field for displaying the image of the document data. The print sample display field <NUM> is a field for displaying the sample image based on the read data of the print sample read by the image reading device <NUM>. The reproduced image display field <NUM> is a field for displaying the reproduced image based on the read data generated by the image reading device <NUM> reading the reproduced image printed matter printed out by the image forming apparatus <NUM> based on the document data. The reproduced image after color matching display field <NUM> is a field for displaying the reproduced image after color matching. The reproduced image after color matching is an image of the reproduced image printed matter for which the color matching has been executed based on the document data so that the color of the reproduced image matches the color of the print sample. As described above, since the sample image, the reproduced image (before color matching), and the reproduced image after color matching are displayed on the same screen, color reproducibility is easily judged. Thus, stable color reproducibility to reproduce the color of the print sample is achieved. In particular, since the display control unit <NUM> displays the reproduced image display field <NUM> and the reproduced image after color matching display field <NUM> adjacent to each other, judgement of color reproducibility is facilitated.

Note that, in a case where at least a portion of the functional units of the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the information processing apparatus <NUM> according to the above-described embodiment is implemented by execution of a computer program, the program can be prestored in a ROM or the like. The programs to be executed by the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the information processing apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment described above may be configured to be recorded in any computer-readable recording medium, such as a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a flexible disk (FD), a compact disc recordable (CD-R), or a DVD, in an installable or executable file format and provided as computer program products. In addition, the programs to be executed by the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the information processing apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment described above may be configured to be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the programs to be executed by the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the information processing apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment described above may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. The programs to be executed by the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the information processing apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment described above have module structure including at least one of the above-described functional units. Regarding the actual hardware related to the programs, the CPU <NUM> (CPU <NUM>) reads and executes the programs from the memory (e.g., the system memory <NUM>, the auxiliary memory <NUM>, or the auxiliary memory <NUM>) to load the programs onto the main memory to implement the above-described functional units.

Claim 1:
An information processing apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a display (<NUM>);
a display control unit (<NUM>) configured to control the display (<NUM>) to display:
a first display field (<NUM>) for displaying a first image of document data;
a second display field (<NUM>) for displaying a second image based on a first data generated by an image reading device (<NUM>) reading a print sample;
a third display field (<NUM>) for displaying a third image based on a second data generated by the image reading device (<NUM>) reading a printed matter printed out by an image forming apparatus (<NUM>) based on the document data; and
a fourth display field (<NUM>) for displaying a fourth image after execution of color matching for color of the third image to be matched with color of the second image based on the document data,
wherein, the display control unit (<NUM>) displays an operation element (<NUM>) for switching display of the third image in the third display field (<NUM>) and display of the fourth image in the fourth display field (<NUM>); and
in response to an operation to the operation element (<NUM>), the display control unit (<NUM>) switches the third image displayed in the third display field (<NUM>) to a first color difference image representing a color difference between the second image and the third image and to switches the fourth image displayed in the fourth display field (<NUM>) to a second color difference image representing a color difference between the second image and the fourth image.