JP2002057911A - Image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing method by which calibration results with different advantages are combined so as to stabilize a print characteristic while reducing the load of a user. SOLUTION: An image output device forms a patch on a recording medium, the method has soft calibration that generates an image processing condition on the basis of data obtained by reading the formed patch and device calibration that is automatically executed in the image output device on the basis of prescribed conditions. The image processing condition generated by the soft calibration is corrected on the basis of the device calibration.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image processing method, and more particularly to calibration.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, personal computers (PCs)
When color printing is performed by a color printer connected to the printer, the printing characteristics of the color printer change over time, and as a result, the printing result may change. This change in printing characteristics is generally called aging. The aging occurs according to the temperature and humidity as the printing environment, the remaining amount of the printing agent such as toner, the frequency of using the photosensitive drum, and the like.

As a result, when print data created based on printer characteristics at a certain time is printed at another time, a user cannot obtain a desired print result.

[0004] Even between printers of the same model,
Due to the above-described factors, for example, an individual difference occurs in the printing characteristics between the printer A and the printer B, and the printer A and the printer B
Are different.

In order to solve such a problem, calibration is performed in which the printing characteristics of a printer are measured and, for example, gradation correction conditions are corrected.

For example, as an example of the calibration that has been conventionally performed, there is a calibration between an engine constituting a printer and a controller.

[0007] This automatically operates in the printer irrespective of an instruction from a user using the printer or a host computer. This process is hereinafter referred to as “device calibration”. Device calibration forms latent images for the respective colors C, M, Y, and K on a photosensitive drum, and obtains printing characteristics by measuring, for example, the potential of the formed latent images, and corrects gradation correction conditions. It is. In this device calibration, printing characteristics may be obtained by measuring the density of a toner image obtained by attaching toner to the latent image instead of the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum.

According to the device calibration as described above, calibration can be performed periodically without bothering the user. However, device calibration generally has relatively uneven characteristics of a sensor used in the device calibration, and there is no accuracy in reliably obtaining an absolute density value excluding individual differences between printers. In other words, it is possible to stabilize the relative density characteristic, which is a density characteristic unique to the printer, by suppressing the change in characteristics due to factors such as temperature and humidity that can occur in each printer, but the absolute density characteristic can be reduced. Obtaining and stabilizing it is difficult.

On the other hand, the present applicant has proposed a so-called "soft calibration". This is calibration that operates between the computer and the color printer that make up the system, and is through user operation. That is, a patch is formed by a color printer, the patch is read using a scanner, calibration data is created on a computer based on the read patch data, and downloaded to a printer. This soft calibration can perform patch measurement with higher accuracy than device calibration. As a result, the absolute density characteristics can be stabilized, and variations in printing characteristics among a plurality of printers can be greatly reduced. In this soft calibration, a user's operation is required to make the scanner read the formed patch, and this puts a load on the user.

[0010]

However, the above-mentioned conventional calibration technique has the following problems.

That is, in the two types of calibration described above, it is possible to obtain stable relative density characteristics and absolute density characteristics, respectively, and each has different advantages and disadvantages. Conventionally, both calibrations are configured to function independently, and do not function with a correlation with each other. Therefore, for example, even if the soft calibration is performed at a certain timing, the print characteristics may change due to the device calibration occurring at a predetermined timing, and the absolute density characteristics due to the soft calibration may not be maintained. is there. Therefore, in order to always obtain a stable printing result, the user must frequently perform soft calibration that requires user operation.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and it is an object of the present invention to combine a plurality of calibration results having different merits to stabilize printing characteristics while reducing a load on a user.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, a first invention of the present application is an image processing method for creating image processing conditions according to output characteristics of an image output device, wherein the image output device comprises: A first step of forming a patch on a recording medium and creating an image processing condition based on data obtained by reading the formed patch, and automatically forming the patch based on a predetermined condition in an image output device. Having a second step of creating an image processing condition based on the result of the measured patch, the image processing condition created by the first step, and held when the first step is performed Storing the patch measurement result in the second step in the recording unit, and storing the image processing condition created in the first step in the storage unit when the second step is performed. If held The image processing created in the first step based on the measurement result of the patch held in association with the image processing condition and the measurement result of the patch obtained in the performed second step Modifying the condition.

The second invention of the present application is an image processing method for creating image processing conditions according to the output characteristics of an image output device and performing image processing on an input image using the created image processing conditions. Forming a patch on a recording medium in the image output device, creating an image processing condition based on the data obtained by reading the formed patch, and storing the created condition; Automatically, based on the measurement step of measuring the formed patch, and the held image processing conditions, having a correction step of correcting based on the result of measuring the patch by the measurement step, the image processing conditions Are stored in a non-volatile storage unit, and the image processing conditions corrected in the correction process are stored in the temporary storage unit.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In each of the embodiments described below, as an example of a printer constituting a system, a Color Laser Beam Pri
nter (color LBP) is used as an example, but Color Ink Jet P
It goes without saying that other printer devices such as rinter can be similarly implemented.

<First Embodiment> A printer correction system according to this embodiment is a system including a computer, a scanner, and an input / output device such as a color printer, which is configured on a network. This is a system for stabilizing, and realizes more accurate calibration by combining the following two types of calibration.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this system, two types of calibration for printer correction are operated.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a server PC (personal computer) on which software for realizing the present system is installed. Also, the server PC1
Are connected to the network 5.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a printer connected to the network 5, which is a device to be corrected in the present system. The printer 2 is configured to perform printing in accordance with an instruction from each PC (personal computer) connected to the network. Reference numeral 21 denotes a calibration data storage unit configured inside the printer 2, and is used to hold calibration data described later inside the printer 2. Reference numeral 22 denotes a printer controller similarly configured inside the printer 2, and executes various controls including a printing operation in the printer 2. Also, the printer controller 22
As described later, the calibration data is stored in the server P.
When downloaded from C1, it is stored in the calibration data storage unit 21 and processing for correcting the calibration data in the calibration data storage unit 21 based on engine information obtained from the printer engine, which will be described later, is also executed. .

Reference numeral 23 denotes a printer engine configured inside the printer 2, which basically performs a printing operation for outputting print data from the printer controller 22. It also sends engine information to the printer controller 22 and adjusts the maximum density in the engine characteristics.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a scanner connected to the server PC 1. The scanner 3 is used in the present system to measure the density of patches output by the printer 2, and is also used for original purposes such as reading an original. Reference numeral 4 denotes a client PC connected to the network, which performs creation, editing, printing instructions, and the like of desired print data.

In the above configuration, a process for performing correction (calibration) will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the first calibration of the two types of calibration, ie, the soft calibration process which operates between the PC 1 and the color printer 2 which constitute the present system.

In this process, first, in step S21, an instruction is issued to output patch data from the PC 1 to the printer 2 to print a patch, and the printer 2 prints out the patch in accordance with the instruction.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the patch data. As shown in FIG. 3, the patch data according to the present embodiment includes three vertical pages in one page of a sheet on which the patch is printed.
A patch composed of a total of 1024 sections of 2.times.32 is formed. One section is magenta corresponding to each toner color in the printer 2.
(M), cyan (C), yellow (Y) or black (K), and the number shown in each section indicates information on the arrangement position of each section in the patch. Things. At the same time, these numbers also indicate density data (gradation data) for printing each section, as shown in FIG. For example, the gradation value of the array position “0” is “0”,
The gradation value of the array position “32” is “128”, and the array position “6”
The tone value of “3” is “255”. Note that, as shown in FIG. 10, the gradation value of this embodiment takes any value from 0 to 255 as 8-bit data for each color.
When the data of each color is represented by another number of bits, FIG.
May be changed according to the number of bits. In the patch shown in the figure, sections indicated by the same numeral of each color are arranged continuously at the same position in the vertical direction of the patch and in the horizontal direction to form one block having the same gradation value.

In the patch of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 6, each block has a number indicating the arrangement position of 0 to 31.
(The gradation values are 0 to 124) and the relatively low-density highlight blocks, and the above numbers are 33, 35, 37,.
1, 63 (gradation values are 132, 140, 148... 236,
244, 255) are classified into relatively high density shadow blocks. The highlight block and the shadow block are all arranged in the entire vertical direction of the patch (32 blocks), and are alternately and repeatedly arranged in the horizontal direction. In this case, as is clear from the drawing, the shadow block has the same block pattern repeated twice in the vertical direction. The highlight block is a pattern in which the gradation value for each block arrangement periodically changes in the pattern repeated in the horizontal direction.

That is, in the patch of the present embodiment, each block corresponding to a 32-step gradation value is arranged at four positions as a highlight block, while each block corresponding to a 16-step gradation value is disposed as a shadow block. Are arranged in eight places. The difference in the number of tone values between the highlight block and the shadow block is because finer density change, that is, information on print characteristic change is required in the highlight portion on the lower density side. . The reason why the number of pattern arrangements of the shadow blocks is increased is that the variation in reading by the scanner tends to be larger in the shadow portion than in the highlight. According to such a patch configuration, highly accurate calibration can be performed with a small number of patches.

After printing a patch based on the above-described patches, in step S22, the scanner 3 scans the output patch and measures its density.
The scanner 3 obtains an RGB signal value which is a measurement value for each block for the patch based on the data shown in FIG.
Send that value to C1. Based on this value, the PC1 calculates the average of four places on the highlight side and the average of eight places on the shadow side based on the arrangement of the blocks of the patch. As a result, the PC1 calculates 48 averages for the C, M, Y, and K color patches. The R, G, B signal values of the gradation are obtained. Then, the R, G, B luminance signals from the scanner and the C, C,
Using the luminance density conversion table indicating the correspondence between the M, Y, and K density signals, a density signal of 48 gradations is obtained from the luminance signal of 48 gradations.

Although not described in detail here, the scan is usually executed via a scanner driver configured on the PC 1. The scanner driver sets a scan resolution, specifies an input area, and the like.

Next, in step S23, the PC1 creates a calibration table. This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4A shows the density characteristics based on the density values of 48 gradations for each color. Although only one color is shown here for the sake of simplicity, the same processing is actually performed for the four colors C, M, Y, and K. In the curve showing the relationship between the input and output in FIG. 4A, the relationship other than the relationship represented by the above-mentioned 48 gradation values is obtained by interpolation calculation based on the above 48 gradation values. With respect to the actual density characteristic shown in FIG. 4A, the ideal value of the density characteristic can be represented by a linear curve as shown in FIG. Therefore, in order to bring the current actual density characteristics (FIG. 4A) closer to the ideal density characteristics (FIG. 4C), the inverse function shown in FIG. 4B is used as the contents of the calibration table. . That is, the density characteristic
The calibration table (FIG.
By applying (b)), the output result corrected (FIG. 4)
(c)) can be obtained.

When the application is started, first, in step S81, it is determined whether necessary printer drivers and scanner drivers are installed in the PC1 system. If the necessary driver has not been installed, a driver check error is displayed in step S814, and the process ends. If it is determined in step S81 that a necessary driver has been installed, a main screen is displayed in step S82. FIG. 9 shows an example of this main screen. Basically, as shown in FIG. 9, the other screens are shifted to other related screens by pressing the “next”, “return”, “cancel”, and “help” buttons. On the main screen shown in FIG. 9, three types of selection menus, "new", "open existing measurement data", and "delete download data" are prepared. If “new” is selected and “next” is pressed, the process proceeds to step S84. Step S8
In step 4, patch data is output to the printer 2. Next, in step S87, the patch (chart) printed and output by the printer 2 based on the patch data in the scanner 3 is measured as described above. Next, in step S88, calibration is applied. This processing is performed in steps S23 and S23 in FIG.
In step 24, calibration data is created and the created data is downloaded to the printer 2. The display screen of step S88 includes step S8.
A button is provided for shifting to the processing of steps S9 and S810, and when the user presses the button, the processing shifts to the corresponding processing. Step S89 is a screen on which the measurement data can be saved, whereby the scan data measured in step S87 is saved. This storage file is used in processing using existing measurement data described later.
Step S810 is a screen for displaying detailed information, and displays detailed information such as measured density characteristics. Step S8
9. Upon completion of step S810, the process returns to step S88. Next, a process end screen is displayed in step S811. That is, if the end of the application is designated on this screen, the present process is terminated, and if it is designated to return to the main screen, the process returns to step S82.

When "open measurement data" is selected on the main screen of step S82 and "next" is pressed, the process proceeds to step S85, and a screen for instructing measurement data is displayed. Here, when the “reference” button is pressed, step S8 is performed.
The screen shifts to the measurement data reading screen of No. 12. This makes it possible to search the measurement data in detail. Note that the measurement data is the data file saved in step S89 described above. Next, calibration is applied in step S88. Subsequent processing is the same as the processing described above.

When "delete download data" is selected on the main screen in step S82 and "next" is pressed, the calibration data stored in the calibration data storage unit 21 of the printer 2 is deleted in step S86. . This is performed by a command from the PC 1 to the printer 2, but the command is not described. Next, the screen shifts to an end screen S811. The subsequent steps are the same as described above.

Hereinafter, the printer according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer correction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Elements similar to those shown in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a server PC on which software for realizing the present system is installed. The server PC1 is connected to the network 5.

Numeral 11 denotes a calibration data storage unit provided inside the server PC1, and is used to hold calibration data described later inside the server PC1. Reference numerals 111 and 112 denote a first engine characteristic and a first calibration table, which will be described later and are stored in the calibration data storage unit 11.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a printer connected to the network 5, which is a device to be corrected in the present system. The printer 2 is configured to perform printing in accordance with instructions from a plurality of PCs connected on a network. Reference numeral 21 denotes a calibration data storage unit configured inside the printer 2, and is used to hold calibration data described later inside the printer 2. 211 and 212 are first engine characteristics and a first calibration table stored in the calibration data storage unit 21 and downloaded from the server PC1. Reference numerals 213 and 214 denote second engine characteristics stored in the calibration data storage unit 21 which are the latest engine characteristics acquired from the engine described later, and second calibration which is the latest calibration table described later. It is a table.

A printer controller 22 is provided inside the printer 2 and controls various controls of the printer 2. The printer controller 22 stores the first engine characteristics and the first calibration table, which will be described later, in the calibration data storage unit 21 when the first engine characteristics and the first calibration table are downloaded from the server PC 1, or stores the calibration data storage unit It also plays a role of updating the second calibration table in 21.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a printer engine configured inside the printer 2, which basically outputs print data from the printer controller 22.
The engine characteristic information described below is transmitted to the printer controller.
It also plays a role of transmitting to 22 and a role of adjusting the maximum density in the engine characteristics described later.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a scanner connected to the server PC1, which is used in the present system to measure the density of patches output from the printer 2.
It can also be used as an original application such as inputting a document. 4 is a client P connected on the network
The user performs creation, editing, and printing instructions of desired printing data.

In the above configuration, a process for performing correction (calibration) will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a soft calibration process which operates between a computer and a color printer constituting the system.

First, in step S141, the server PC 1 instructs the printer 2 to output a patch, and the printer 2 prints out the patch. As an example of the patch data, the data described above with reference to FIG. 6 can be used, and the description is omitted here.

As described above, this patch is output from the printer 2 according to an instruction from the server PC 1. The printer 2 owns the information constituting the patch data in the above format in the printer 2. Then, the patch data may be generated based on the information, or the patch data may be generated by transmitting the patch data configuration information to the printer 2 on the server PC 1 side.

In step S141 in FIG. 14, immediately after output of patch data, engine characteristic information at the time of output of the patch is acquired. This engine characteristic acquisition is performed by the server PC1.
From the second engine characteristic, which is the latest engine characteristic stored in the calibration data storage unit 21 in the printer 2.

In step S142, the server PC 1 stores the acquired second engine characteristic as the first engine characteristic 111 in the calibration data storage unit 11. The first engine characteristic 111 is associated with a later-described first calibration table as the engine characteristic when the patch data is output. Details of the engine characteristics will be described later.

In step S143 of FIG. 14, the patch data output by the scanner 3 is measured. The scanner 3 inputs the R, G, and B signal values of each block of the above-described patch data, and returns the values to the server PC1. The server PC1 calculates the average of four places on the highlight side and the average of eight places on the shadow side based on the arrangement of the blocks of the patch data from the input values. Obtain the R, G, B signal values of the key. By using a brightness / density conversion table (not shown) indicating the correspondence between the R, G, and B brightness signals of the scanner 3 and the C, M, Y, and K density signals of the printer 2 prepared in advance.
A density characteristic value of 48 gradations is obtained from the luminance signal of 8 gradations.

Although not described in detail here, the scan is usually executed through a scanner driver configured on the server PC1. The scanner driver sets a scan resolution, specifies an input area, and the like.

Next, in step S144, the server P
A calibration table is created by C1. Since this state has been described above with reference to FIG. 4, the description thereof is omitted.

In step S144, the server PC
1 is stored in the calibration data storage unit 11 as the first calibration table 112.

Next, in step S145, the server PC 1 causes the calibration data storage 11
The first engine characteristic 111 and the first calibration table 112 are downloaded to the printer 2. The downloaded first engine characteristics 111 and first calibration table 112 are stored in the calibration data storage unit 21 via the printer controller 22 as the first engine characteristics 211 and the first calibration table 212. Is stored.

The process of the printer controller 22 when receiving the download data in the printer 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S171, it is determined whether data has been received. If not, step 171 is repeated. If received, step S1
At 72, data analysis is performed. The determination of the analysis result is performed in step S173. If the command is a calibration download command, in step S174,
It is determined whether or not the data is an engine characteristic. If the data is an engine characteristic, the engine characteristic 1 is registered as the first engine characteristic 211 in the calibration data storage unit 21 in step S175 as described above. . If it is not an engine characteristic in step S174, it is determined that it is a calibration table, and in step S176, the calibration table 1 is registered as the first calibration table 212 in the calibration data storage unit 21 as described above. If it is determined in step S173 that the command is not a calibration download command, a process corresponding to each determination is performed in step S177.

Normally, print data is passed from the application on the server PC 1 to the printer 2 via the printer driver on the server PC 1. In the printer controller 22 in the printer 2, the above-described step S1 of FIG.
At 73 and the like, analysis of print data, configuration of page layout, image processing, printing, and the like are performed.

Next, referring to FIG. 20, a description will be given of a process when the printer controller 22 performs image processing using the calibration data. Since this process is substantially the same as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the same step numbers will be described.

First, in step S110, color fine adjustment is performed on the input signals R, G, and B. The color fine adjustment is luminance correction and contrast correction. Next, a color matching process is performed in step S111. The color matching process is a process for matching the color of the monitor with the color of the printer print. Next, step S
At 112, a brightness / density conversion process is performed. This is a process for converting the luminance signals R, G, and B, which are input signals, into densities C, M, Y, and K, which are print signals of the printer. Next, a calibration process is performed in step S113. That is, an 8-bit multi-level signal for each of C, M, Y, and K is used as an input / output signal, and in this embodiment, the calibration table 2 that is the latest calibration table is used.
Is used to make the output characteristics linear. Next, step S11
In step 4, the C, M, Y, and K 8-bit signals are converted into signals conforming to the output system. Generally, each of C, M, Y, and K
Binarization as a bit signal is performed.

As described in the first embodiment, FIG.
Although the color printing characteristics can be relatively stabilized by the soft calibration shown in (1), the engine characteristics tend to change relatively easily when the drum temperature rises due to continuous printing, for example. In order to always obtain stable color printing only by calibration, the user needs to frequently perform soft calibration.

Therefore, also in this embodiment, in order to reduce the burden on the user and improve the accuracy of the calibration, the device calibration is combined with the soft calibration as described below.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a process of combining device calibration, soft calibration, and device calibration that operate between the printer controller 22 and the printer engine 23 of the color printer 2 according to the present embodiment. .

The device calibration includes, for example, a temperature (not shown) installed inside the printer engine 23,
The event is executed between the printer engine 23 and the printer controller 22 by using an event such as a change in the humidity sensor, the number of prints, or replacement of the drum or the toner cartridge, which is likely to change the engine characteristics as a trigger. Other considerations for the event are not mentioned here.

First, in step S151, the image forming conditions are optimized by the printer engine 23. In the present embodiment, the adjustment of the maximum density of each color of C, M, Y, and K is performed. Normally, a target maximum density at the time of design is determined in a printer engine, but the density fluctuates up and down due to aging.
In this step, the current maximum density value for each of the C, M, Y, and K colors is obtained by a developing system (not shown), for example, a sensor on a drum, and if the value fluctuates, image forming conditions such as a developing bias value are controlled. In this way, an appropriate maximum density adjustment is performed.

The movement of the density characteristic curve at this time will be described with reference to FIG.

A characteristic curve 2 in FIG. 19 is an example showing the density characteristic curve before the maximum density adjustment, while a characteristic curve 1 is an example showing the density characteristic curve after the maximum density adjustment. First, here, the maximum density of the characteristic curve 2 is max
2 is shown. When the maximum density adjustment is started by the trigger, first, the sensor on the drum detects that the current maximum density value is max2. Since the target value of the maximum density value is max1, the printer engine 23 controls the developing bias value and the like to adjust the maximum density to be max1.

Next, in step S152, the latest engine characteristic, ie, engine characteristic 2, is obtained. This process is performed by returning several intermediate density sensor values from the printer engine 23 to the printer controller 22 in response to a request from the printer controller 22. This will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 19, four intermediate density values are shown as an example for simplification of the description, but the number of points is not limited thereto. A, B, C, D on the horizontal axis
Is a predetermined input value, and a, b, c,
d is a density value measured by a developing system (not shown) corresponding to each input value, for example, a sensor on a drum. Printer engine
23 communicates with the printer controller 22, and a, b,
The four points c and d are passed to the printer controller 22.

Incidentally, the intermediate density sensor values before the maximum density adjustment are a ', b', c 'and d', and fluctuate to a, b, c and d by the maximum density adjustment. That is, since the intermediate density sensor value, that is, the engine characteristic is greatly affected by the maximum density adjustment, it is necessary to always perform the processing in the order of the maximum density adjustment and the engine characteristic acquisition as a series of flows.

In general, since the characteristics of the sensor of the developing system vary with the characteristics of the sensor itself, there is no accuracy in reliably obtaining an absolute density value. However, when the characteristics of the developing system change in the same sensor, the sensor value corresponding to the change is shown. That is, although the absolute accuracy is low, the relative accuracy can be expected.

Next, in step S153, it is determined whether or not the calibration table 1 has been downloaded into the calibration data storage unit 21.

If the calibration table 1 has not been downloaded, a calibration table 2 is created in step S154 by a method similar to the conventional device calibration. This processing will be described with reference to a characteristic curve 1 in FIG. In the conventional device calibration, first, a characteristic curve 1 is obtained from an intermediate density sensor value a, b, c, d which is an engine characteristic by an approximate expression.
The calibration table 2 is created by generating an inverse function for obtaining a target characteristic using the relationship shown in FIG.

If it is determined in step S153 that the calibration table 1 has been downloaded, the printer controller 22 creates calibration table correction data in step S155. The correction data is created as follows. First, a characteristic curve such as the characteristic curve 1 in FIG. 19 is obtained from the second engine characteristic 213 in the calibration data storage unit 21 which is the latest engine characteristic by an approximate expression. Next, a characteristic curve is similarly obtained from the first engine characteristic 211, which is the engine characteristic at the time of performing the soft calibration, by an approximate expression. Thereafter, a table is obtained from the inverse function curve as temporary calibration data so that the result becomes the linear shape shown in FIG. 4C as described above with reference to FIG. The calibration correction data is created by taking the difference between these two temporary calibration tables. The information is information indicating a characteristic change at the engine sensor level.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the result of the soft calibration can be corrected based on the result of the device calibration.

Further, since the calibration correction data is created based on the engine characteristics obtained by the sensors used in the device calibration, highly accurate data can be created without being affected by the difference in the sensor characteristics.

Next, in step S 156, the calibration table 2 stored in the calibration data storage unit 21 by the printer controller 22
Update. This process is performed by merging the calibration table correction data created in step S155 with the calibration table 1 stored in the calibration data storage unit 21.

In step S157, the created calibration table 2 is stored in the calibration data storage unit 21.

A series of these operations will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16A is a first calibration table generated by the server PC 1 by soft calibration, downloaded, and stored in the calibration data storage unit 21 of the printer 2. As shown in FIG. 16B, the maximum density adjustment of each of C, M, Y, and K occurs in the printer engine 23, and the printer controller 22
The engine characteristic 2 is exchanged between the printer engine 23 and the printer engine 23. Then, as shown in FIG. 16C, the printer controller 23 determines the engine characteristics 2 and the engine characteristics 1 at the time of soft calibration based on the engine characteristics 1.
The above-described calibration correction data is created, and the correction data and the calibration table 1 are merged. The latest calibration table 2 created in this way is stored in the calibration data storage unit 21 as the second calibration table 214. The printer controller 22 always uses the second calibration table stored in the calibration data storage unit 21 to execute the steps in FIG.
The density correction processing shown in S113 is performed.

Next, a flow of a user interface (UI) in the server PC 1 of the printer configuration system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The printer configuration system is configured on the server PC 1 as a kind of application.

When the application is started, first, in step S1801, the necessary printer driver
It is determined whether the scanner driver is installed in the system of the server PC1. If the necessary driver has not been installed, a driver check error is displayed in step S1812, and the process ends. If it is determined in step S1801 that the necessary driver has been installed,
At 1802, a main screen is displayed. An example of the main screen is the same as that described above with reference to FIG. If “new” is selected on the screen illustrated in FIG. 9 and “next” is pressed, the process advances to step S1803. In step S1803, patch data is output to the printer 2. Next, in step S1806, the patch data is measured by the scanner 3 as described above. Next, step S18
At 07, calibration is applied. In this step, the aforementioned steps S144 and S144 in FIG.
145, ie, create calibration data and download the data to the printer 2. Steps
In S1807, a button for shifting to steps S1808 and S1809 is prepared, and the shift is made when the user presses each button. Step S1808
Is a screen that allows you to save measurement data.
The scan data measured in step S1806 is stored. The storage file can be used in the flow of processing using existing measurement data described later. Steps
S1809 is a screen for displaying detailed information, and displays detailed information such as displaying the measured density characteristics. Steps
After exiting S1808 and S1809, step S1807
Return to Next, in step S1810, a processing end screen is displayed. When the end of the application is specified on the screen, the processing ends, and when the return to the main screen is specified,
It returns to step S1802.

When "open measurement data" is selected on the main screen of step S1802 and "next" is pressed, a screen for instructing measurement data is displayed in step S1804. Here, when the "reference" button is pressed, step S1 is performed.
The screen shifts to a measurement data reading screen 811. Here, it is possible to search the measurement data in detail. The measurement data is the data file stored in step S1808 described above. Next, step S18
At 07, calibration is applied. The subsequent steps are the same as those described above.

When "delete download data" is selected on the main screen in step S1802 and "next" is pressed, the calibration data stored in the calibration data storage unit 21 of the printer 2 is deleted in step S1805. . This is performed by a command from the server PC 1 to the printer 2, but the command is not described.

Next, the screen shifts to an end screen S1810. The subsequent steps are the same as described above.

The flow of the user interface (UI) of the printer correction system operating as an application on the server PC 1 has been described above with reference to FIG.

When it is determined in step S153 shown in FIG. 15 that the calibration table 1 is not inside the printer 2, the printer 2
Is inquired about whether the calibration table 1 is held, and when the server PC1 holds the information, the engine characteristic 1 and the calibration table 1 may be downloaded to the printer 2.

According to the present embodiment, the user performs a soft calibration at a frequency not so high as in the past, creates calibration data and downloads it to a color printer in accordance with an instruction via a computer constituting the system, and thereafter, the color printer is used. Basically, the printer automatically fine-tunes the change in the characteristics of the engine, so that the load on the user is light and the advantages of both the conventional soft calibration and the device calibration can be utilized in synergy. Therefore, stable color printing can always be obtained. FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a print system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment and is characterized in that a hard disk 24 is provided inside the printer 2 as shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, a configuration different from the second embodiment will be described. In addition, about the same structure as 2nd embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

In FIG. 21, reference numeral 2 denotes a printer connected to the network 5, and reference numeral 24 denotes a storage device such as a hard disk provided inside the printer 2. 2
Reference numeral 41 denotes a calibration data storage unit configured inside the hard disk 24, and is used to hold the calibration data inside the printer 2. 2
Reference numerals 411 and 2412 denote first engine characteristics and a first calibration table stored in the calibration data storage unit 241 and downloaded from the server PC 1. Reference numeral 21 denotes a temporary storage memory (RAM) configured inside the printer 2. 211
Is a calibration data storage unit configured inside the memory 21. Reference numerals 2111 and 2112 denote second engine characteristics, which are the latest engine characteristics acquired from the engine, stored in the calibration data storage unit 211, and a second calibration table, which is the latest calibration table described later. .

In this embodiment, the engine characteristic 2 and the calibration table 2 created by device calibration are stored in a temporary storage memory (RAM), and the engine characteristic 1 created by soft calibration and downloaded from the server PC 1. And the calibration table 1 is stored in a hard disk.

According to the present embodiment, the engine characteristics 1 and the calibration table 1 can be retained even when the power is turned off. Further, by storing the calibration data in a hard disk device or the like, it is possible to restore the calibration data without performing the soft calibration again when the power of the color printer is turned on again. In the third embodiment described above, the first
Is stored in the hard disk of the printer, and a second calibration table is created based on the information. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the first calibration table and the first engine characteristic information are stored in the memory of the printer, and at the same time, the information is duplicated and stored in the hard disk. Therefore, the processing relating to the calibration of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the above-described embodiment, but differs in that each data flow corresponds to copying to a hard disk and its control method.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a printing system according to this embodiment. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In the present embodiment, the hard disk is not particularly limited, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented as long as it is a nonvolatile memory that can be used for backup.

In FIG. 22, reference numeral 21 denotes a temporary storage memory (RAM) formed inside the printer 2. Reference numeral 211 denotes a calibration data storage unit that is corrected on the memory. Reference numerals 2113 and 2114 denote first engine characteristics and a first calibration table stored in the calibration data storage unit. Reference numeral 24 denotes a storage device such as a hard disk configured inside the printer 2. Reference numeral 241 denotes a calibration data storage unit that is corrected on the hard disk. 24
In 11 and 2412, the first engine characteristics and the first calibration table stored in the above 2113 and 2114 are duplicated and stored. The printer controller 22 plays a role of copying the calibration data in the hard disk into the memory when the calibration data does not exist in the memory as described later.

The flow of performing the correction (calibration) in the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S2303, the memory 21
If it is determined that the first calibration table 2114 in the calibration data storage unit 211 does not exist, the presence or absence of the hard disk device 24 is determined in step S2304. Hard disk drive 24
If does not exist, in step S2308, the calibration table 2 is created by the same method as the conventional device calibration. If it is determined in step S2304 that a hard disk device exists, it is determined in step S2305 whether the calibration table 2412 exists in the calibration table 2412 in the calibration data storage unit 241. If the calibration table 1 does not exist, in step S2308, the calibration table 2 is created by the same method as the conventional device calibration. If it is determined in step S2305 that the calibration table 1 exists, the process proceeds to step S2305.
In S2306, the first engine characteristic 2411 stored in the calibration data storage unit 241 in the hard disk drive 24 is copied to the first engine characteristic 2113 in the calibration data storage unit 211 in the memory 21. Next, in step S2307, the first calibration table 2412 stored in the calibration data storage unit 241 in the hard disk drive 24 is stored in the first calibration table in the calibration data storage unit 211 in the memory 21. Copy to table 2114.

Next, the process of the printer controller 22 when the printer 2 receives the download data will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S2406, the presence or absence of the hard disk drive 24 is determined. Hard disk drive 2
If there is, the first engine characteristic 2113 in the calibration data storage unit 211 in the memory 21 is stored in the hard disk drive 2 in step S2407.
4 is copied to the first engine characteristic 2411 stored in the calibration data storage unit 241.

If it is determined in step S2409 that the hard disk drive 24 is present, the first calibration table 2114 in the calibration data storage unit 211 is stored in the first calibration table stored in the calibration data storage unit 241 in step S2410. To the application table 2412.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing processing when the download data is deleted in the present embodiment. In step S2501 of FIG.
If a calibration table exists in the calibration data storage unit 2113 in the calibration data storage unit 211 in step S2502, it is deleted in step S2502. Next, in step S2503, the presence or absence of a hard disk is determined. If there is a hard disk, it is determined in step S2504 whether a calibration table in the hard disk exists. If it exists, it is deleted in the next step S2505.

According to the above-described embodiment, since the calibration table can be created using the calibration data in the memory, the calibration table can be created faster than in the third embodiment. be able to. The hard disk device can be used for backup, and the memory can be used for high-speed access.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices or an apparatus including a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, the storage medium storing the program according to the present invention constitutes the present invention. Then, by reading the program from the storage medium into a system or apparatus, the system or apparatus operates in a predetermined manner.

[0101]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, in the calibration in the printing system, a plurality of calibrations having different advantages are combined to stabilize the printing characteristics while reducing the load on the user. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer correction system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating printer correction processing according to the soft calibration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating calibration data correction based on device calibration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the concept of creating calibration data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of the calibration data correction.

FIG. 6 is an example of patch data used in the printer correction system.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating storage of calibration data downloaded in the printer of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a series of processing screens of a user interface related to the calibration processing of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI in the user interface.

10 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a value indicating an array position of the patch data illustrated in FIG. 6 and output data.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating image processing in a tap printer using corrected calibration data in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating engine characteristics of the printer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer correction system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of a first printer correction process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of a second printer correction process.

FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram showing a flow of creating calibration data.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when a calibration data download command is received in the printer device.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of a UI in an application.

FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram showing the concept of creating calibration data in the second calibration.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of image processing in the printer.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer correction system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer correction system according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a flow of a second printer correction process according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a conceptual diagram showing the concept of creating calibration data according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the flow of calibration data deletion according to the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Server PC 2 Printer 3 Scanner 4 Client PC 5 Network 11, 21 Calibration Data 22 Controller 23 Engine

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AQ06 AR01 KK04 KK18 KK25 5B021 AA01 LG07 5B057 AA11 BA19 CA01 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB01 CB08 CB12 CB16 CE17 CH18 DB02 DB06 5C077 MM27 MP08 PP15 PP33 PP37 TT02

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image processing method for creating image processing conditions according to output characteristics of an image output device, comprising: forming a patch on a recording medium by the image output device; and reading the formed patch. A first step of generating image processing conditions based on the obtained data, and a second step of automatically generating image processing conditions based on a result of measuring formed patches in an image output device based on predetermined conditions. A recording unit that associates the image processing conditions created in the first step with the measurement results of the patches in the second step that are held when the first step is performed. If the image processing conditions created by the first step are held in the storage unit when the second step is performed, the image processing conditions are held in association with the image processing conditions. Said patch Correcting the image processing conditions created in the first step based on the measurement results and the patch measurement results obtained in the second step. . 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the first step is performed based on a user's instruction. 3. The image processing method according to claim 2, wherein the first step is performed on a device different from the image output device, and the second step is performed in the image output device. 4. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein said second step corrects an image forming condition. 5. An image processing method for creating image processing conditions according to output characteristics of an image output device and performing image processing on an input image using the created image processing conditions, Forming a patch on a recording medium, creating an image processing condition based on the data obtained by reading the formed patch, and storing the created image processing condition. A measuring step of measuring the formed patch, and a correcting step of correcting the held image processing condition based on the result of measuring the patch by the measuring step, wherein the image processing condition is non-volatile An image processing method stored in a storage unit, wherein the image processing conditions corrected in the correction step are stored in a temporary storage unit. 6. The image processing condition is stored not only in the non-volatile memory but also in the temporary storage unit, and the image processing condition stored in the non-volatile storage unit is used as a backup. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein
The image processing method described in the above. 7. A recording medium for recording a program for realizing an image processing method for creating image processing conditions according to output characteristics of an image output device, wherein a patch is formed on the recording medium in the image output device. A first function of creating an image processing condition based on the data obtained by reading the formed patch, and a result of automatically measuring the formed patch based on predetermined conditions in the image output device. A second function for creating an image processing condition based on the first and second functions; an image processing condition created by the first function; and a second function held when the first function is executed.
A function of storing the measurement result of the patch in the function in the storage unit in association with the measurement result of the patch;
When the image processing condition created by the function is held, the measurement result of the patch held in association with the image processing condition and the measurement of the patch obtained by the second function are performed. A recording medium for recording a program for realizing a function of correcting the image processing condition created by the first function based on the result. 8. A program for realizing an image processing method for creating image processing conditions according to the output characteristics of an image output device and performing image processing on an input image using the created image processing conditions. A recording function for recording a patch on the recording medium in the image output device, creating an image processing condition based on data obtained by reading the formed patch, and storing the function A measurement function of automatically measuring a formed patch in the image output device based on predetermined conditions; and correcting the held image processing condition based on a result of measuring the patch by the measurement function. A program for storing the image processing conditions in the non-volatile storage unit, and storing the image processing conditions corrected by the correction function in the temporary storage unit. Recording medium.