JP2012070174A - Image processing device, image processing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

Data processing speed is improved in color matching processing using WCS for input digital image data.
An image processing apparatus that performs color matching by WCS processing acquires color space information of an input device, observation condition information of the input device, and color conversion algorithm information, and performs color matching using the acquired information. Color conversion table creating means for creating a color conversion table, density stabilization control means for correcting the gradation of the output device connected to the input device and executing density stabilization control, color conversion table creating means, and density There is a color matching unit that executes color matching using the color conversion table created by the color conversion table creation unit that executes the processing by the stabilization control unit in parallel, and the density stabilization by the density stabilization control unit The result processed by the color matching means is transmitted to the controlled output device.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program for executing color matching processing on input digital image data.

  Currently, when color data created on a computer is output by a color printer or a color multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as “color MFP”), a technology that matches the color characteristics of the input device and the output device is used. Yes.

  As this technique, color matching processing using an ICC (International Color Consortium) profile is widely applied.

  Since this method is realized by interpolation processing using LUT information described in the ICC profile, the processing can be performed at high speed, but the color characteristics between input / output devices differ depending on the color interpolation accuracy. There is a problem.

  Therefore, a high-precision color matching processing technique using WCS (Windows Color System) has been proposed and implemented as a technique for improving the color interpolation accuracy. The WCS creates and uses a color profile for each device, observation environment, and color gamut mapping module by XML (extensible Markup Language) description.

  The color profile created for each module is realized by CITE (Color Infrastructure & Translation Engine). CITE processing uses CDMP (Color Device Model Profile), CAMP (Color Appearance Model Profile), and GMMP (Gamut Map Model Profile).

  CDMP is a profile that describes measured values of input / output devices. The measured value of the input device means the color value obtained by photographing the color patch by the input device, the displayed color value (L * a * b * value, etc.), and the colorimetric value of the color patch (L which is output by the colorimeter). * A * b * value, etc.) data (input color characteristics). The measured value of the output device is data indicating the correspondence (output color characteristics) between the color value when the color patch is printed on the output device and the colorimetric value of the color patch.

  CAMP is a profile defined based on the human visual system. In general, a color appearance model such as CIECAM02 (see Non-Patent Document 1) recommended by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) is used. The color appearance model is a model that predicts color appearance in an observation environment having different characteristics in consideration of chromatic adaptation. CIECAM02 uses an equal energy white color (X = Y = X = 100) in the color prediction process and performs correction in consideration of incomplete adaptation. Equivalent energy white is theoretically considered to be perceived as white by humans. When the display image of the monitor and the output image (printed material) of the printer are observed side by side, the visual system tends to adapt to both the white color of the monitor and the white color of the observation light reflected from the printed material. Therefore, the use of an adaptive white point considering partial adaptation can improve the color matching accuracy.

  GMMP is a color gamut mapping model corresponding to a rendering intent of ICC, and implements a mapping model for performing color conversion. The GMMP is divided into a baseline that is a common process and a plug-in that is uniquely set by the vendor, and a mapping algorithm for each intent is implemented. For example, in the case of Colorimetric, it is determined whether to perform lightness clip processing.

  WCS can perform color matching processing by CITE processing using the profile.

  By implementing this WCS processing, high-precision color matching processing can be realized. However, since color matching processing is performed dynamically by interpreting CDMP, CAMP, and GMMP, the processing load is large and processing can be performed at high speed. There is a problem that it is difficult.

  In order to realize high-precision color matching processing such as WCS processing, stabilization of the output device such as density stabilization control is indispensable. Density stabilization control generally corrects changes in the tone characteristics of the engine with respect to output color values, and a technique realized by a one-dimensional or multi-dimensional LUT is known. However, when density stabilization control is performed, there is a problem that adjustment time is required and further processing time is required.

  In order to reduce such processing load and perform color matching processing at high speed and with high accuracy, Patent Document 1 describes that a method for density stabilization control is selected according to the type of profile. .

JP 2008-035270 A

N. Moroney, 5 others, “The CIECAM02 Color Appearance Model” Proc. IS & T / SID 10th IS & T / SID Color Imaging Conference, 2002

  The prior art described in Patent Document 1 determines whether the profile type is a device link profile and uses density stabilization control by a multidimensional LUT or uses density stabilization control by a one-dimensional LUT. Is controlling.

  In the case of LUT conversion that has already been created as in the device link profile, even if profile conversion is performed after density stabilization control, no significant problem with respect to processing speed occurs.

  However, when the setting of the observation environment, the input color space, and the color gamut mapping is arbitrary as in the case of WCS, the color conversion LUT creation time is required in accordance with the processing time of density stabilization control. As a result, there is a problem that it is difficult to achieve both the data processing speed improvement and the high-precision color matching processing.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program capable of improving the data processing speed in high-precision color matching processing using WCS for input digital image data.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention acquires color space information of an input device, observation condition information of the input device, and color conversion algorithm information, and a color conversion table for performing color matching using the acquired information. Color conversion table creation means to be created, density stabilization control means for correcting the gradation of the output device connected to the input device and executing density stabilization control, the color conversion table creation means, and the density stabilization A color matching unit that executes the color matching using the color conversion table created by the color conversion table creating unit, and performs the density matching by the density stabilization control unit. The result processed by the color matching means is transmitted to an output device whose stabilization is controlled.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program capable of realizing an improvement in data processing speed in high-precision color matching processing using WCS for input digital image data.

It is a block block diagram which shows the controller structure of an image process. It is a block block diagram which shows the internal structure of a RIP part. FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a printer image processing unit. It is a flowchart explaining the outline of the operation | movement which implements the process mode setting of a color matching process. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of color matching processing according to the second exemplary embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of color matching processing according to a third exemplary embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of color matching processing according to a fourth exemplary embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the method of setting a color matching process mode by an operation part. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for setting a job input delay using the operation unit according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for setting a job input delay using the operation unit according to the fourth embodiment.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, an image processing apparatus having a color scanner will be described.

<Detailed explanation of controller>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a controller configuration of the image processing apparatus. The controller 10 is electrically connected to the scanner unit 11 and the printer unit 12, and on the other hand, is connected to an external device or the like via a network such as a LAN 21. As a result, the controller 10 can input and output image data and device information.

  The CPU 101 comprehensively controls access to various connected devices based on a control program stored in the ROM 103, and also performs overall control of various processes performed in the controller.

  The RAM 102 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 101 and also a memory for temporarily storing image data. The RAM 102 includes an SRAM that retains the stored contents even after the power is turned off, and a DRAM that erases the stored contents after the power is turned off.

  The ROM 103 stores a boot program for the apparatus. The HDD 104 is a hard disk drive and can store system software and image data.

  The operation unit I / F 105 is an interface unit for connecting the system bus 110 and the operation unit 13. The operation unit I / F 105 receives image data to be displayed on the operation unit 13 from the system bus 110 and outputs the data input from the operation unit 13 to the system bus 110.

  A network I / F 106 is connected to the LAN 21 and the system bus 110 to input / output information. The image bus 115 is a transmission path for transmitting and receiving image data, and is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394.

  The scanner image processing unit 108 corrects, processes, and edits image data received from the scanner unit 11 via the scanner I / F 107. The scanner image processing unit 108 determines whether the received image data is a color document or a black and white document, a character document, or a photo document. Then, the determination result is attached to the image data. Such accompanying information is referred to as attribute data.

  The compression unit 109 receives the image data and divides the image data into blocks of 32 pixels × 32 pixels. The 32 × 32 pixel image data is referred to as tile data. In a document (paper medium before reading), an area corresponding to the tile data is referred to as a tile image. The tile data is added with the average luminance information in the 32 × 32 pixel block and the coordinate position of the tile image on the document as header information. Further, the compression unit 109 compresses image data including a plurality of tile data.

  The decompression unit 112 decompresses image data composed of a plurality of tile data, rasterizes the data, and sends the raster data to the printer image processing unit 111. The printer image processing unit 111 receives the image data sent from the decompression unit 112, and applies image processing to the image data while referring to attribute data attached to the image data. The image data after the image processing is output to the printer unit 12 via the printer I / F 116. Details of processing performed by the printer image processing unit 111 will be described later.

  The RIP unit 113 receives intermediate data generated based on PDL code data transmitted from a PC or the like, and generates bitmap data (multi-value). Details of processing performed by the RIP unit 113 will be described later. The bitmap data generated by the RIP unit 113 is sent to the compression unit 114.

<Detailed Description of RIP Unit 113>
FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration of a RIP (Raster Image Processor) unit 113.

  RIP implements processing to simultaneously reproduce vector information such as characters, line drawings, and figures described in PDL (Page Description Language) or image scanning line information such as colors, patterns, and photographs on a page. To do. That is, it is a processor that develops each object information into a bitmap (raster image) on the memory. Originally, it was mounted on the output device side as hardware, but now it is realized by software by increasing the CPU speed.

  The RIP unit 113 generally includes two parts, an interpreter unit 201 and a rendering unit 202. The interpreter unit 201 includes a PDL interpretation unit 203 that translates PDL, and a DL (Display List) generation unit 204 that generates an intermediate file called a display list from the interpreted PDL data.

  On the other hand, the rendering unit 202 includes a CMM (Color Matching Module) unit 205 that performs color matching on the display list, and a DL development unit 206 that develops the display list into a bitmap (raster image).

  The PDL interpretation unit 203 is a part that analyzes various types of input PDL data. As the input format, the PostScript (registered trademark) language of Adobe, the PCL (Printer Control Language) language of HP (Hewlett-Packard), and the like are well known. These are described as printer control codes for creating an image in units of pages, and include not only simple character codes but also graphic drawing codes and photographic image codes. A document display file format developed by Adobe called PDF (Portable Document Format) is also widely used in various industries, and this format directly thrown into the MFP without using a driver is also targeted. In addition, it also supports a format for VDP (Variable Data Print) called PPML (Personalized Print Markup Language). Furthermore, it also supports a color image compression format called JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or TIFF (Tagged Image File Format).

  The CMM unit 205 can input various image data such as gray scale, RGB, and CMYK, and performs color matching processing using an ICC profile or WCS. The high-accuracy color matching processing by WCS in this embodiment uses CDMP, CAMP, and GMMP, and the color characteristics of the input data input from the input device are changed to the color characteristics of the output data output from the output device. I do. CDMP is a profile that describes input color characteristics of an input device and output color characteristics of an output device. CAMP is a profile describing observation environment characteristics. GMMP is a profile describing a color conversion algorithm.

  Note that the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment can select the processing mode of the color matching process using the operation unit 13 that has received a predetermined operation from the user. Details of the processing mode of the color matching process will be described later.

<Detailed Description of Printer Image Processing Unit 111>
FIG. 3 shows an internal configuration of the printer image processing unit 111.

  The background removal processing unit 301 uses the histogram generated by the scanner image processing unit 108 to remove (remove) the background color of the image data.

  The monochrome generation unit 302 converts color data into monochrome data. The Log conversion unit 303 performs luminance density conversion. For example, the Log conversion unit 303 converts RGB input image data into CMY image data.

  The output color correction unit 304 performs output color correction. For example, image data input as CMY is converted into CMYK image data using a table or matrix.

  The output-side gamma correction unit 305 performs correction so that the signal value input to the output-side gamma correction unit 305 is proportional to the reflected density value after output.

  A halftone correction unit 306 performs halftone processing according to the number of gradations of the printer unit to be output. For example, the received high gradation image data is binarized or binarized.

  Each processing unit in the scanner image processing unit 108 and the printer image processing unit 111 can output received image data without performing each processing. Such passing of data without performing processing in a certain processing unit will be expressed as “through the processing unit” below.

<Processing mode setting for color matching processing>
The processing mode setting for color matching processing, which is one of the features of the present invention, will be described in detail below. In the present embodiment, WCS processing is performed as high-precision color matching processing. Further, as described above, CDMP, CAMP, and GMMP are required as WCS processing. In the present embodiment, a color conversion table is created by performing WCS processing using a combination of sRGB and AdobeRGB as input CDMP, D50 and D65 as standard observation environments as CAMP, and monitor matching conversion as GMMP. CDMP, CAMP, and GMMP are stored in the HDD 104.

  Further, the correction table created by the density stabilization control is stored in the HDD 104 and used in the processing by the output side gamma correction unit 305 of the printer image processing unit 111. SRGB used as CDMP is an international standard established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and is used in conformity with this standard in general monitors, printers, digital cameras, and the like.

  In addition, AdobeRGB is a color space definition proposed by Adobe System, has a RGB color reproduction region that is far wider than sRGB (especially green), has high compatibility in printing and color proofing, and is suitable for DTP, etc. Used in the field as standard.

  In the present embodiment, the sRGB and AdobeRGB color spaces are interpreted as standard color spaces. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and another color space is applied as the standard color space. Is possible.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a process for performing high-precision color matching between the color characteristics of input data input from the input device and the color characteristics of output data output from the output device. The control program for realizing the processing shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the ROM 103 as described above, and is executed by the CPU 101.

  In this process, steps S403 to S410, which are color conversion table creation processes, and steps S413 to S415, which are density stabilization control processes, are executed in parallel with different tasks.

  First, in step S401, the matching mode set by the operation unit 13 is acquired, and it is determined whether it is a high-precision color matching process (step S402).

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a processing mode of the color matching process shown on the operation unit 13 (user interface). A screen 501 is an example of a matching mode setting screen set in step S401. It is an example of a setting screen that is displayed when the screen 502 is determined to be high-precision color matching processing in step S402.

  If it is determined in step S402 that the color matching process is high-accuracy, the monitor color space setting (color space information) designated by the user is acquired via the operation unit 13 (user interface) (step S403). . An input CDMP corresponding to the acquired color space setting is acquired from the HDD 104 (step S404).

  Next, the ambient light setting (observation condition information) set by the operation unit 13 is acquired (step S405), and the CAMP, which is a profile describing the corresponding observation environment characteristics, is acquired from the HDD 104 (step S406).

  Next, the matching method (color conversion algorithm information) set by the operation unit 13 is acquired (step S407), and GMMP, which is a profile describing the corresponding matching algorithm, is acquired from the HDD 104 (step S408).

  Thereafter, the printer CDMP is acquired from the HDD 104, a high-accuracy color conversion table is created by WCS processing (step S409), and the CPU 101 is notified that the creation of the high-accuracy color conversion table has been completed (step S410).

  Next, it is determined whether the density stabilization control process (from step S413 to step S415) has been completed (step S411). If it is determined that the processing has been completed, high-precision color matching processing is performed using the high-precision color conversion table created in step S409 (step S412), and the processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S411 that the density stabilization control has not ended, the process waits for a state transition (step S416) and returns to step S411.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S402 that the color matching process is a high-precision color matching process, the density stabilization control process (from step S413 to step S413) is performed separately from the task for executing the color conversion table creation process (step S403 to step S410). S415) is executed. That is, in the present embodiment, when executing the high-precision color matching process, it is determined that the density stabilization control process is executed.

  First, a density stabilization control execution command is transmitted to the printer unit 12 (step S413), and the printer unit 12 executes density stabilization control and creates an output tone correction table for correcting the tone characteristics of the output device. (Step S414). The created output tone correction table is stored in the HDD 104. Then, the CPU 101 is notified that the density stabilization control has ended (step S415), and the process proceeds to step S411.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S402 that the process is not a high-precision color matching process, the process ends without performing the process from step S403 to step S416.

  As described above, according to the processing shown in FIG. 4, the color conversion table creation processing (step S403 to step S410) and the density stabilization control processing (step S413 to step S415) are executed in parallel in different tasks. In this way, the CPU 101 controls. Note that these tasks are executed using separate memories. When it is determined that the color conversion table creation process and the density stabilization control process have been completed (step S411: Yes), the CPU 101 controls the high-precision color matching process (step S412) to be executed. As described above, by executing the high-accuracy color conversion table creation process and the density stabilization control process that require processing time in parallel, the entire processing time can be shortened.

  Therefore, after executing the color conversion table creation process, the density stabilization control process is executed, and the two processes are processed in parallel as described above, rather than performing the two processes in series. It is possible to speed up the processing time (when using CPUs having the same capability). In addition, the density stabilization control process includes not only a process using a CPU but also a process executed by a user (a process for causing a scanner unit to read a patched output sheet). Therefore, when this time is included, the overall processing time can be shortened if the above two processes are performed in parallel.

  That is, by performing high-precision color conversion table creation processing in conjunction with density stabilization control processing, the processing time required for high-precision color processing for image data used by the user himself and high-precision color correction are improved. It becomes possible to make it compatible.

  In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which it is determined that the density stabilization control process is to be performed in a separate task when the high-precision color matching process is performed. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in detail where whether or not to execute density stabilization control processing is determined according to the elapsed time from the previously performed density stabilization control and the number of color prints.

  In addition, about the process similar to Example 1, the same symbol is shown and schematic description is abbreviate | omitted. Further, the controller 10 counts the elapsed time T and the number of color printed sheets C, which are values necessary for determination in a density stabilization control process described later. In the following description, it is assumed that the elapsed time T, the number of color prints C, and determination threshold values ThTime and Cpage described later are stored in the HDD 104.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the operation for performing the color matching process mode setting process. A control program for realizing the processing shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the ROM 103 as described above, and is executed by the CPU 101.

  In FIG. 5, the processing from step S401 to step S416 is the same as that in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S402 that the color matching process is a high-precision color matching process, the HDD 104 determines the elapsed time T from the previously performed density stabilization control and the number of sheets C on which color printing has been performed from the previously performed density stabilization control. (Steps S417 and S418).

  Next, an elapsed time determination threshold value ThTime for the elapsed time T is acquired from the HDD 104 and compared (step S419). If it is determined in step S419 that the elapsed time T is equal to or less than the elapsed time determination threshold ThTime, the sheet determination threshold Cpage for the color print number C is acquired from the HDD 104 and compared (step S420).

  If it is determined in step S420 that the number C of color prints is larger than the sheet number determination threshold Cpage, the processes after step S413 are performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S419 that the elapsed time T is greater than the elapsed time determination threshold ThTime, the processing after step S413 is performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S420 that the number C of color prints is equal to or smaller than the sheet number determination threshold Cpage, the processing from step S411 is performed.

  According to the above processing, when the elapsed time T from the previous execution of the density stabilization control or the number C of the color prints performed from the previous execution of the density stabilization control exceeds a predetermined threshold, the density stabilization is performed. It is determined to execute control. If it is not determined that the density stabilization control is to be executed, the high-precision color matching process is executed without executing the density stabilization control.

  As a result, even when high-precision color matching processing is performed, unnecessary (or less effective) density stabilization control is not executed, so the overall processing speed for high-precision color matching processing is improved. Can be made. Even when density stabilization control is executed, the overall processing speed can be reduced because the color conversion table creation process and the density stabilization control process are executed in parallel in separate tasks. . That is, the high-precision color conversion table creation process is performed in cooperation with the density stabilization control process according to the elapsed time from the previous density stabilization control and the number of color prints. As a result, it is possible to improve the processing time required for high-precision color processing for the image data used by the user and to improve the accuracy of color correction.

  In this embodiment, the time for performing the density stabilization control process next time is predetermined. In this embodiment, whether or not to execute density stabilization control processing is determined based on a standby time until density stabilization control to be executed next time, and the print job is controlled. Hereinafter, only the points of the present embodiment will be described.

  In addition, about the process similar to Example 1, the same symbol is shown and schematic description is abbreviate | omitted. Further, the next concentration stabilization control execution time Tn and the current time Tc, which are values necessary for determination in the concentration stabilization control process described later, are counted by the controller 10. In the following description, it is assumed that the next density stabilization control execution time Tn, the current time Tc, and an elapsed time determination threshold ThTime described later are stored in the HDD 104.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the operation for performing the color matching process mode setting process. The control program for realizing the processing shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the ROM 103 as described above, and is executed by the CPU 101.

  In FIG. 6, the processing from step S401 to step S416 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  If it is determined in step S402 that the color matching process is high-accuracy, in another task, the next density stabilization control execution time Tn and the current time Tc are acquired from the HDD 104 (steps S421 and S422).

  Next, the standby time Tn-Tc until the next concentration stabilization control is compared with the elapsed time determination threshold ThTime acquired from the HDD 104 (step S423).

  If it is determined in step S423 that the standby time Tn-Tc is equal to or less than the elapsed time determination threshold ThTime, the processing after step S413 is performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S423 that the standby time Tn-Tc is greater than the elapsed time determination threshold ThTime, it is determined whether or not to delay the input of the corresponding job (current processing target job) to the printer. (Step S424). When delaying the input, the input is temporarily stored in the RAM 102 or the like. If the input of the job is delayed, the process returns to step S422.

  On the other hand, if the input of the corresponding job is not delayed in step S424, the processing after step S411 is realized.

  Whether or not to delay the job input is determined according to an instruction received from the user via the operation unit 13.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a job input delay determination performed by operating the operation unit 13 (user interface). A screen 601 is the setting screen in step S424 in FIG. A screen 602 is a confirmation screen when the job input is delayed in step S424 in FIG. A screen 603 is a confirmation screen when the job input is not delayed in step S424 in FIG.

  According to the above processing, when high-precision color matching is executed, density stabilization control is executed in the following case. That is, (1) When the waiting time until a predetermined time for executing the density stabilization control next time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. (2) When the standby time is longer than a predetermined threshold and an instruction to delay job input is received from the user. In the case of (2), concentration stabilization control is executed after the standby time has elapsed. When it is determined not to execute the density stabilization control, the high-precision color matching process is executed without executing the density stabilization control.

  This makes it possible to improve the processing time required for high-precision color processing stably for image data used by the user by judging the job input time according to the waiting time until the next density stabilization control to be performed. And high accuracy of color correction. Even when a user different from the user who performs color matching inputs a job, the user can determine the job input timing by looking at the display on the operation unit.

  In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the conditions for executing the density stabilization control process are determined by the standby time until the next density stabilization control and the number of pages of the print job to control the print job.

  In addition, about the process similar to the above-mentioned Example, the same symbol is shown and schematic description is abbreviate | omitted. Further, the controller 10 counts the number of pages waiting for processing P, which is a value necessary for the determination conditions for density stabilization control processing described later. In the following description, it is assumed that the next execution time Tn, the current time Tc, the number of pages waiting to be processed P, the determination thresholds ThTime, and ThPage are stored in the HDD 104.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the operation for performing the color matching process mode setting process. A control program for realizing the processing shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the ROM 103 as described above, and is executed by the CPU 101.

  In FIG. 7, the processing from step S401 to step S416 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  If it is determined in step S402 that the color matching processing is high-accuracy, in another task, the next density stabilization control execution time Tn, the current time Tc, and the number of pages waiting for processing P are acquired from the HDD 104 (steps S421, S422, S425). ). Next, the standby time Tn-Tc until the next concentration stabilization control is compared with the elapsed time determination threshold ThTime acquired from the HDD 104 (step S423).

  If it is determined in step S423 that the standby time Tn-Tc is equal to or less than the elapsed time determination threshold ThTime, the processing after step S413 is performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S423 that the standby time Tn-Tc is greater than the elapsed time determination threshold ThTime, it is determined whether or not to delay the input of the corresponding job (currently processed job) (step S424). . When the input of the job is delayed, the job page number Pc of the job is acquired (step S426). Next, the total number of pages to be processed (total number of pages of jobs waiting to be processed) P + Pc is compared with the page number determination threshold ThPage acquired from the HDD 104 (step S427).

  If it is determined in step S427 that the total page number P + Pc is larger than the page number determination threshold ThPage, the processes in and after step S413 are performed. That is, density stabilization control is executed when the total number of pages of jobs waiting to be processed is larger than a predetermined threshold.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S427 that the total page number P + Pc is equal to or less than the determination threshold ThPage, the number of pages waiting for processing is updated (step S428), and the process returns to step S422.

  On the other hand, if the input of the corresponding job is not delayed in step S424, the processing after step S411 is realized.

  Whether or not to delay the job input is determined according to an instruction received from the user via the operation unit 13.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of job input on the operation unit 13. A screen 701 is the setting screen in step S424 in FIG. A screen 702 is a confirmation screen when the job input is delayed in step S424 in FIG. A screen 703 is a confirmation screen when the total page number reaches the determination threshold after the job input delay in step S427 of FIG. 7 and the density stabilization control is performed. Further, the screen 704 is a confirmation screen when the job input is not delayed in step S424 in FIG.

  Through the above processing, the job input timing is determined according to the waiting time until the next density stabilization control to be performed and the number of print jobs. The processing time required for the processing can be improved and the accuracy of color correction can be improved.

[Other Examples]
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (13)

Color conversion table creating means for obtaining color space information of the input device, observation condition information of the input device, and color conversion algorithm information, and creating a color conversion table for performing color matching using the acquired information;
Density stabilization control means for correcting the gradation of the output device connected to the input device and executing density stabilization control;
A color matching means for executing the color matching using the color conversion table created by the color conversion table creating means, performing the processing by the color conversion table creating means and the density stabilization control means in parallel; Have
An image processing apparatus that transmits a result processed by the color matching unit to an output device that has been subjected to density stabilization control by the density stabilization control unit. A determining unit that counts the number of printed sheets from the time when the processing is performed by the density stabilization control unit or the time when the processing is performed, and determines whether the count exceeds a preset threshold value. Have
If the determination means determines that the count exceeds the threshold value, the processing by the color conversion table creation means and the density stabilization control means is executed in parallel, and the processing by the color matching means is executed. And
If the determination means determines that the count does not exceed the threshold value, the processing by the color conversion table creation means is executed without executing the processing by the density stabilization control means, and the color matching means The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process is executed. If the waiting time until the next execution time of the process by the density stabilization control unit is equal to or less than a preset threshold value, the process by the color conversion table creating unit and the density stabilization control unit are executed in parallel, Processing by the color matching means;
If the waiting time is longer than the threshold value, the processing is performed by the color conversion table creation unit without performing the processing by the density stabilization control unit, the processing by the color matching unit is performed,
Even when the standby time is longer than the threshold, when the user receives an instruction to delay job input, the color conversion table creation unit and the density stabilization control unit perform after the standby time has elapsed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein processing is executed in parallel and processing by the color matching unit is executed.   Even when the standby time is longer than a preset threshold value, when an instruction to delay job input is received from a user and the number of pages constituting the job is greater than a preset threshold value, The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the processing by the density stabilization control unit and the processing by the color conversion table creation unit are executed in parallel.   2. The color space information of the input device, the observation condition information of the input device, and the color conversion algorithm information used for the color conversion table creation means are information designated by the user through a user interface. 5. The image processing device according to any one of items 1 to 4.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an instruction to delay the input of the job is designated by a user via a user interface. A color conversion table creation step of obtaining color space information of the input device, observation condition information of the input device, and color conversion algorithm information, and creating a color conversion table for performing color matching using the acquired information;
A density stabilization control step of correcting the gradation of the output device connected to the input device and executing density stabilization control;
A color matching step for executing the color matching using the color conversion table created by the color conversion table creation step, performing the processing by the color conversion table creation step and the density stabilization control step in parallel; Have
A method for controlling an image processing apparatus, comprising: transmitting a result processed in the color matching step to an output device that has been subjected to density stabilization control by the density stabilization control step. A determination step of counting an elapsed time from the time when the processing is performed in the density stabilization control step or counting the number of printed sheets from the time when the processing is performed, and determining whether the count exceeds a preset threshold value. Have
If it is determined by the determination step that the count exceeds the threshold value, the processing by the color conversion table creation step and the density stabilization control step are executed in parallel, and the processing by the color matching step is executed. And
If it is determined by the determination step that the count does not exceed the threshold value, the processing by the color conversion table creation step is performed without performing the processing by the density stabilization control step, and by the color matching step. The method according to claim 7, wherein the process is executed. When the waiting time until the next time to execute the process by the density stabilization control step is equal to or less than a preset threshold value, the process by the color conversion table creation step and the density stabilization control step are executed in parallel. Performing the color matching step;
When the waiting time is longer than the threshold, the processing is performed by the color conversion table creation step without performing the processing by the density stabilization control step, the processing by the color matching step is performed,
Even when the standby time is longer than the threshold, when a user receives an instruction to delay job input, the color conversion table creation step and the density stabilization control step are performed after the standby time has elapsed. The method of controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein processing is executed in parallel and processing by the color matching step is executed.   Even when the standby time is longer than a preset threshold value, when an instruction to delay job input is received from a user and the number of pages constituting the job is greater than a preset threshold value, The method according to claim 9, wherein the processing by the density stabilization control step and the processing by the color conversion table creation step are executed in parallel.   8. The color space information of the input device, the observation condition information of the input device, and the color conversion algorithm information used in the color conversion table creation step are information designated by a user through a user interface. The control method of the image processing apparatus as described in any one of 1 to 10.   The method for controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein an instruction to delay input of the job is designated by a user via a user interface.   A program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the image processing apparatus according to claim 7.

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