JP2008131207A - Color processing apparatus and method, and information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate color conversion information in advance without reducing the processing speed of a print job.
[Solution]
The hot folder setting unit 203 instructs the color processing unit 205 to pre-build color conversion information. The color processing unit 205 pre-builds color conversion information and stores it in the memory 206. In addition, the color processing unit 205 performs color conversion processing using the color conversion information stored in the memory 206. At this time, when the color conversion information is pre-built in accordance with an instruction from the hot folder setting unit 203 Pauses the pre-build.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to color conversion processing of image data.

  In a printing system, it is necessary to process a large number of images at a time depending on the form or usage. For example, a printer server or a printer controller is connected to a large number of client apparatuses and receives print jobs from a plurality of client apparatuses at the same time. Further, even when printing is simply performed from a personal computer (PC) via a printer driver, it is the same if a large amount of data is transmitted to the printer at once.

  If it is necessary to process a large number of images at a time in a printing system, it is necessary to process a large number of images at a time in color processing, which is a process of the printing system. Color processing here refers to processing that converts color representations such as images input from digital cameras and scanners or graphics and text images created on a PC into color representations on the printer to make the color appearance the same ( This is so-called color matching. The color expression means RGB notation that is an additive color mixture or CMYK notation that is a subtractive color mixture.

  Color processing generally uses an ICC profile that describes device characteristics. The ICC profile includes an A2B tag that is a conversion table or matrix that converts device-dependent data into device-independent data. Furthermore, a B2A tag for converting device-independent data into device-dependent data is included. When an RGB image input by a scanner is printed by a CMYK printer, an ICC profile A2B tag conversion matrix that describes the characteristics of the scanner and an ICC profile B2A tag conversion table that describes the characteristics of the CMYK printer are used. . Color conversion is performed using the conversion matrix and the conversion table, and the RGB data input by the scanner is converted into CMYK data for a CMYK printer.

  The color processing module that performs the color processing generates and holds a table that converts input values of a system that has undergone color conversion (hereinafter referred to as “color conversion system”) into output values in order to improve processing speed. . That is, in the case of a scanner-printer system, the correspondence between RGB values input by the scanner and CMYK values printed by the printer is held as a table. An input device other than the scanner (such as a digital camera) may be used. This table shows the relationship between the device dependent value indicating the scanner characteristics and the device dependent value indicating the printer characteristics (hereinafter referred to as “color conversion information”) when color conversion from the scanner to the printer is performed. When the input / output device receives the same print job, the color conversion information is used to improve the speed of color processing and reduce the generation time of the color conversion information.

JP-A-10-276294

  In the printing system, color conversion information is managed, and not only the color conversion information of the color conversion system once converted by the printing system but also the color conversion information is generated immediately after the color conversion system is determined. A way to do this is conceivable. In this way, in the first color conversion of an arbitrary color conversion system, the generation time of the color conversion information can be shortened, and the speed of the color conversion process can be improved.

  However, as described above, when the color processing of the printing system needs to process a large number of images, they must be processed at a sufficiently high speed. If a color conversion system is determined and a print job is received while generating the color conversion information, the processing of the print job is delayed until the generation of the color conversion information is completed, which conflicts with the above request. In particular, in a raster image processing (RIP) system, since there are a large number of color conversion systems, there is a high possibility that the delay time of a print job will be great.

  Of course, when a print job is received during the generation of color conversion information, the generation of color conversion information may be interrupted and priority may be given to print job processing. However, if the color conversion information is generated without considering the generation order, there is a possibility that the color conversion information that is used less frequently is generated first. If a print job is received before the generation of all color conversion information for the color conversion system is completed, the print job processing is prioritized before the frequently used color conversion information is generated. The effect of generating in advance is reduced.

  Furthermore, in a printing system having a large number of color conversion systems, if color conversion information is generated even for a color conversion system whose use is unknown, it cannot be said that the memory is used efficiently.

  The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems. An object of the present invention is to generate color conversion information in advance without reducing the processing speed of a print job.

  Another object of the present invention is to suppress the reduction in the effect of generating color conversion information in advance as much as possible even when the generation of color conversion information is interrupted in order to prioritize print job processing.

  A color processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an instruction unit that instructs generation of color conversion information corresponding to the content of color conversion processing, a generation unit that generates the color conversion information and stores the color conversion information in a memory, and is stored in the memory. Color processing means for performing color conversion processing using the obtained color conversion information, and when the color processing means performs the color conversion processing, the color conversion information of the generating means according to an instruction of the instruction means Generation is temporarily stopped.

  Further, an instruction means for instructing generation of color conversion information corresponding to the content of the color conversion processing, a generation means for generating the color conversion information and storing it in a memory, and a color conversion information stored in the memory are used. Color processing means for performing color conversion processing, and when the color processing means performs color conversion processing, the instruction means temporarily generates color conversion information of the generation means according to an instruction from the instruction means. It is characterized by stopping.

  Preferably, the color conversion processing further includes setting means for setting a use frequency for each color conversion system, and the generation means generates the color conversion information in descending order of the use frequency. And

  The color processing method according to the present invention includes an instruction step for instructing generation of color conversion information corresponding to the content of color conversion processing, a generation step for generating the color conversion information and storing it in a memory, and a storage step stored in the memory. A color processing step for performing color conversion processing using the color conversion information, and when the color conversion processing is performed, the color processing step performs color conversion information of the generation step according to an instruction of the instruction step Generation is temporarily stopped.

  Further, an instruction step for instructing generation of color conversion information corresponding to the content of the color conversion processing, a generation step for generating the color conversion information and storing it in a memory, and the color conversion information stored in the memory are used. A color processing step for performing color conversion processing, and when the color processing step performs color conversion processing, the instruction step temporarily generates color conversion information in the generation step according to an instruction in the instruction step. It is characterized by stopping.

  Preferably, the color conversion processing further includes a setting step of setting a use frequency for each color conversion system, and the generation step generates the color conversion information in descending order of the use frequency. And

  According to the present invention, color conversion information can be generated in advance without reducing the processing speed of a print job.

  Further, even when the generation of color conversion information is interrupted in order to prioritize the processing of a print job, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the effect of generating color conversion information in advance as much as possible.

  Hereinafter, image processing according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Printing system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to the first embodiment.

  The client apparatuses 101 to 103 perform layout editing and retouching operations for images to be printed, generate a print job, and transmit the print job to the printer server 104 via the network 109. The printer server 104 performs processing for changing the received image data in various formats into a format that can be interpreted by the printer 105 and processing for adjusting the color at the time of printing. Data is transmitted to the printer 105. The printer 105 prints out an image based on the print data received from the printer server 104.

[Printer Server]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the printer server 104.

  The hot folder setting unit 203 generates hot folders 201 and 202 that are shared folders of the client apparatuses 101 to 103 and the printer server 104.

  The hot folders 201 and 202 are storage units that are constantly monitored by the printer server 104. When a print job is input to the hot folder 201 or 202, the printer server 104 immediately downloads the image data of the print job and passes the image data to the internal processing of the printer server 104.

  Information indicating image processing contents in the printer server 104 is associated with the hot folders 201 and 202 on a one-to-one basis. A print job submitted to a hot folder by a user of the client apparatus 101-103 is processed in the printer server 104 in accordance with the image processing contents associated with the hot folder. Note that the users of the client apparatuses 101 to 103 can determine the contents of image processing and create a hot folder before issuing a print job. The hot folders 201 and 202 may be assigned to storage devices accessible by the client apparatuses 101 to 103 and the printer server 104. Accordingly, the user of the client apparatus 101-103 or the administrator of the printing system creates a hot folder in the storage apparatus in the client apparatuses 101 to 103, the printer server 104, or the storage apparatus of the server apparatus connected to the network 109. be able to.

  The image processing unit 204 performs processing such as image data format interpretation, rendering, and color conversion. Note that the image processing unit 204 may have any configuration as long as image data to which a color ticket is added is input, color conversion processing is performed, and print data that can be interpreted by the printer 105 is output.

  The color processing unit 205 performs color processing on the image data based on the color conversion information set in the hot folders 201 and 202. The image processing unit 204 performs processing other than color processing on the image data subjected to color processing by the color processing unit 205, and finally processes the data into print data that can be interpreted by the printer 105. Then, the print data is transmitted to the printer 105.

  The memory 206 is a memory used for various processes in the printer server 104 including the above processes.

Hot Folder Setting Unit FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the hot folder setting unit 203.

  The hot folder setting unit 203 waits for a hot folder generation instruction issued from the client apparatuses 101 to 103 (S301).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface for instructing generation of a hot folder, which is displayed by the client apparatuses 101 to 103.

  When the user selects the hot folder menu, submenus such as hot folder generation 401, edit 402, and delete 403 are dropped down. When the user selects generation 401, the hot folder setting unit 203 performs hot folder generation processing. When the user selects edit 402, the hot folder setting unit 203 performs hot folder editing processing. This process is basically the same as the process for generating a hot folder, but is different in that when the user interface for color conversion setting is displayed, the preset color conversion setting is displayed in the hot folder. When the user selects the deletion 403, the hot folder setting unit 203 performs a hot folder deletion process. The deletion process is a process for deleting an existing hot folder and deleting the setting information from the printer server 104.

  When receiving the hot folder generation instruction, the hot folder setting unit 203 transmits the screen data of the user interface for color conversion setting to the client apparatus instructed to generate the hot folder (S302).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface for color conversion setting, which is displayed by the client apparatuses 101 to 103 that have instructed generation of a hot folder. The user can set the color conversion processing of the printer server 104 using a user interface for color conversion setting.

  The user interface shown in FIG. 5 sets different processing contents (color conversion setting information) depending on the type of input image (corresponding to a color conversion system). For example, the processing content indicated by reference numeral 501 indicates the color conversion content when an RGB graphics object is input. As indicated by reference numeral 502, a source profile (src), a rendering intent (gma), and a destination profile (dst) can be selected by a list box.

  Further, the usage frequency can be set as indicated by reference numeral 504. The usage frequency indicates how much an image of a certain color conversion system is actually input, and the user can select and set, for example, high, medium, small, or none as the usage frequency. Note that the color conversion system set to “none” does not generate color conversion information even when a pre-build instruction to be described later is issued. Further, when there are color conversion systems set to high, medium, and small, the generation order of the color conversion information is high, medium, and small.

  When a hot folder generation instruction is issued, the hot folder setting unit 203 generates screen data that displays default setting values of the printer server 104 regarding the profile, the rendering intent, and the usage frequency. Further, when a hot folder editing instruction is issued, screen data for displaying a setting value currently set in the hot folder is generated.

  The user presses the enter button 503 after completing the setting of the color conversion system (color path) of the user interface for color conversion setting in the client device. Thereby, the hot folder setting unit 203 determines that the color conversion setting by the user has been completed (S303), and advances the processing to step S304.

  Next, the hot folder setting unit 203 acquires user interface setting information for color conversion setting (hereinafter referred to as “color conversion setting information”), and generates hot folders 201 and 202 (S304).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen display example of the client apparatuses 101 to 103.

  Corresponding to the hot folders 201 and 202, information relating to color conversion (a device link profile corresponding to a combination of a source profile, a rendering intent, and a destination profile specified in the list box) is set in the printer server 104. The user instructs printing by submitting a print job to the hot folders 201 and 202. A print job including an image input to the hot folder is transferred to the printer server 104, and printing processing is performed. The hot folders 201 and 202 have the same appearance as the normal folder 207 in the screen display 601 of the client apparatuses 101 to 103. Of course, any number of hot folders can be created and shared with other users and client devices. When there are a plurality of hot folders, each hot folder is set independently and does not affect the processing of other hot folders.

  Next, the hot folder setting unit 203 instructs the color processing unit 205 to perform a pre-build (S305), and returns the process to step S301.

  The pre-build is to generate the color conversion information when the user sets the color conversion system before performing the color conversion process. For example, this is a process for creating in advance a device link profile corresponding to the combination of the source profile, rendering intent, and destination profile shown in FIG.

  By generating the color conversion information in advance, the processing speed during actual color conversion is improved. The hot folder setting unit 203 passes information indicating color conversion settings set by the user (hereinafter referred to as color conversion setting information) to the color processing unit 205 together with the pre-build instruction.

Color Processing Unit FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a pre-build of color conversion information in step S305 executed by the color processing unit 205.

  When the pre-build is instructed (S701), the color processing unit 205 uses the color conversion information (for example, the device link profile) corresponding to the color conversion system described in the color conversion setting information 702 passed simultaneously with the instruction. Are generated in this order (S702). Then, the generated color conversion information is stored in a predetermined area of the memory 206 (S703), and it is determined whether or not the generation of the color conversion information corresponding to all the color conversion systems described in the color conversion setting information 702 has been completed. (S704). Then, if not completed, the process returns to step S702, and if completed, the process returns to step S701. Of course, as described above, the color conversion information of the color conversion system whose use frequency is set to “none” is not generated.

  In steps S702 to S704, the color processing unit 205 monitors an interrupt to be described later. If there is an interrupt, the color processing unit 205 temporarily stops the pre-build of the color conversion information and gives priority to the execution of the color conversion process. At this time, pre-built color conversion information is stored in a predetermined area of the memory 206, but the color conversion information being pre-built is discarded or temporarily saved in a storage device in the printer server 104. To do. In addition, if there is an interrupt after the pre-build is paused, the pre-build is resumed.

  In the pre-build, a source profile and a destination profile prepared in advance may be used, or a pre-build may be performed including a step of creating a source profile and a destination profile. In this case, a source profile is created from the relationship between color chart data and measurement data obtained by photographing a chart corresponding to the color chart data with a digital camera, a scanner or the like under an arbitrary observation environment light.

  In addition, the color chart data is printed by a printer, and a destination profile is created from the relationship of measured values obtained by measuring the printed matter. Since the profile creation method is a known technique, a description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, when a source profile and a destination profile are created in a pre-build, and a device link profile is created using the created two profiles and a rendering intent, it takes a longer time for the pre-build.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the color conversion process executed by the color processing unit 205.

  When the image data is input (S711), the color processing unit 205 determines whether or not the pre-build is being executed (S712). If the pre-build is being executed, an interrupt is generated to pause the pre-build (S713). ). In response to this interrupt, the pre-build shown in FIG. 7 is temporarily stopped.

  Next, the color processing unit 205 recognizes the type of the input image (S714). Note that there are various types of input images, such as photographic images in RGB format, graphics in CMYK format, and combinations of color notation and objects. Color notation includes RGB notation, CMYK notation, gray notation, and name notation (Named), and objects include images, graphics, text, and the like.

  Next, the color processing unit 205 searches the memory 206 (S715) and determines whether or not color conversion information corresponding to the type of the input image exists in the memory 206 (S716). If color conversion information corresponding to the type of input image exists in the memory 206, the color conversion information is loaded from the memory 206 (S717). If the color conversion information does not exist in the memory 206, the color conversion information is generated (S718).

  Next, the color processing unit 205 performs color conversion processing of the input image using the loaded or generated color conversion information (S719), generates an interrupt to resume pre-build (S720), and performs the processing in step S711. Return to. In response to this interruption, the pre-build of the color processing unit 205 shown in FIG. 7 is resumed.

  As described above, when a hot folder is created, the time required for color conversion processing when an image is actually input can be significantly shortened by pre-building color conversion information. Therefore, in this case, the pre-build according to the priority order is effective for color conversion of the print job efficiently.

  When a print job is received during pre-build, the print job processing is prioritized, and color conversion information pre-build is performed in the order of frequency of use. Therefore, even when pre-build is interrupted to give priority to print job processing, there is a high possibility that color conversion information having a high use frequency has been generated. That is, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the effect of generating the color conversion information in advance.

  Furthermore, by adding an item indicating the use frequency of the color conversion system to the color conversion setting information, the user is allowed to set the use frequency “none”. As a result, color conversion information is not generated for a color conversion system whose use is unknown, and the memory can be used efficiently.

  The image processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that the same reference numerals in the second embodiment denote the same parts as in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  In the first embodiment, when the color processing unit 205 executes the color conversion process, it is determined whether or not the pre-build is being executed. If the pre-build is being executed, an example of generating an interrupt to pause the pre-build has been described. . In the second embodiment, when the start of a print job is instructed, the hot folder setting unit 203 determines whether or not a pre-build is being executed, and if it is being executed, an interrupt is generated to pause the pre-build Will be explained.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the hot folder setting unit 203.

  The hot folder setting unit 203 determines whether or not the start of the print job is instructed (S901), and when the start of the print job is instructed, the hot folder setting unit 203 determines whether or not the color processing unit is executing the pre-build (S902). . If the pre-build is not executed, the process returns to step S901.

  If the pre-build is being executed, the hot folder setting unit 203 generates an interrupt to suspend the pre-build (S903). In response to this interruption, the pre-build of the color processing unit 205 shown in FIG. 7 is temporarily stopped.

  Next, the hot folder setting unit 203 determines whether or not the processing of the color processing unit 205 for the print job is finished (S904), and when the processing of the color processing unit 205 is finished, an interrupt is issued to resume the pre-build. Occurs (S905), and the process returns to step S901. In response to this interruption, the pre-build of the color processing unit 205 shown in FIG. 7 is resumed.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, an example in which the print server and the client device exist in different locations in the network environment has been described. However, it goes without saying that the print server may be integrated with any client device.

A diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system of Example 1, Block diagram showing a configuration example of a printer server, A flowchart for explaining processing of the hot folder setting unit; The figure which shows an example of the user interface which instruct | indicates the production | generation of a hot folder, The figure which shows an example of the user interface for a color conversion setting, The figure which shows the example of a screen display of a client apparatus, The flowchart which shows an example of the pre-build of the color conversion information which a color processing part performs, A flowchart showing an example of color conversion processing executed by the color processing unit; 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by a hot folder setting unit according to the second embodiment.

Claims (12)

Instruction means for instructing generation of color conversion information corresponding to the content of the color conversion processing;
Generating means for generating the color conversion information and storing it in a memory;
Color processing means for performing color conversion processing using the color conversion information stored in the memory,
The color processing device, wherein when performing the color conversion processing, the color processing device suspends the generation of the color conversion information of the generation unit according to an instruction of the instruction unit. Instruction means for instructing generation of color conversion information corresponding to the content of the color conversion processing;
Generating means for generating the color conversion information and storing it in a memory;
Color processing means for performing color conversion processing using the color conversion information stored in the memory,
The color processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the color processing unit performs color conversion processing, the instruction unit temporarily stops generation of color conversion information of the generation unit according to an instruction from the instruction unit.   3. The color processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the color conversion process ends, the generation of the temporarily stopped color conversion information is resumed.   The content of the color conversion process further includes a setting unit that sets a use frequency for each color conversion system, and the generation unit generates the color conversion information in descending order of the use frequency. 4. The color processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The color processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a color conversion system that does not require generation of the color conversion information can be set by the setting means. An instruction step for instructing generation of color conversion information corresponding to the content of the color conversion processing;
Generating step for generating the color conversion information and storing it in a memory;
A color processing step for performing color conversion processing using the color conversion information stored in the memory,
In the color processing method, when the color conversion process is performed, the generation of the color conversion information in the generation step according to the instruction in the instruction step is temporarily stopped. An instruction step for instructing generation of color conversion information corresponding to the content of the color conversion processing;
Generating step for generating the color conversion information and storing it in a memory;
A color processing step for performing color conversion processing using the color conversion information stored in the memory,
In the color processing method, when the color processing step performs color conversion processing, the instruction step temporarily stops generation of color conversion information in the generation step according to the instruction in the instruction step.   The content of the color conversion process further includes a setting step for setting a use frequency for each color conversion system, and the generation step generates the color conversion information in descending order of the use frequency. Item 8. The color processing method according to Item 6 or Item 7.   9. A computer program for controlling the image processing apparatus to realize the color processing according to claim 6.   10. A computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to claim 9 is recorded. Set the content of the color conversion process and the generation order of the color conversion information according to the color conversion process,
An information processing method, wherein the color conversion information is generated in accordance with the set generation order.   12. The information processing method according to claim 11, wherein the setting is a source profile, a destination profile, and a rendering intent, and the color conversion information is a device link profile.

Images