JP2014229064A - Information processor, information processing method, information processing program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor capable of preventing a print job adjusted for a certain printer from being a different output result when the print job is printed by a different printer.SOLUTION: An information processor 2 comprises: detection means for detecting a transfer of a print job set for a certain printer 3 to a different printer 3; determination means for determining, when the detection means detects the transfer, whether or not the print job includes color adjustment specifically set for a user; and warning means for issuing a warning when the determination means determines that the print job includes the color adjustment specifically set for the user.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a recording medium.

  In recent years, there has been proposed a technique for adjusting colors in order to obtain the same output result when a single print job is printed by a plurality of printing apparatuses. For example, a technique for reproducing standardized standard colors between different types of printing apparatuses using a color profile such as Japan Color, FOGRA39, or GRACOL is known. The color profile is information for managing device-dependent colors that are reproduced differently for each device in association with device-independent colors that are ideal colors that do not depend on the device. The color profile for reproducing the standardized color as described above is particularly called a standard color profile.

  Even in the same type of printing apparatus using the same standard color profile, there are individual differences in output characteristics between the printing apparatuses, and the reproduced output results may differ slightly. Therefore, a technique is also known in which color adjustment is performed by adjusting a standard color profile registered for each printing device in consideration of individual differences between printing devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP2007-137013

  On the other hand, there is a case where a user's own color profile is generated separately from the purpose of common color reproducibility between different printing apparatuses. For example, the user generates a user-specific color profile for a specific print job for the purpose of changing the hue, emphasizing a specific color, or the like. As a result, a user-specific output result different from the standard color profile can be reproduced by the printing apparatus.

  Alternatively, the user may independently adjust the tone of the color expressed in the printing apparatus by adjusting a so-called tone curve for a specific print job. In this case as well, a user-specific output result different from the standard color profile can be reproduced by the printing apparatus.

  The color adjustment using the color profile and tone curve as described above is set in the print job as the color adjustment setting. The output result of the print job can be confirmed to some extent by displaying it on a display or the like. However, the actual printed material does not always match the display result on the display or the like. Therefore, it is necessary to actually print on the printing apparatus and confirm the printed matter. As described above, since it is necessary to actually print in order to judge whether the color adjustment is good or bad, it is generally common to repeat the color adjustment and printing until a print result as the user's image is obtained. . By repeating color adjustment and printing, user-specific color adjustment settings are created.

  Such user-specific color adjustment settings are created in consideration of the output characteristics of the specific printing apparatus actually used for printing. Therefore, even if a specific print job including this color adjustment setting is processed by a printing apparatus different from the specific printing apparatus, an output result desired by the user cannot be obtained. This is because another printing apparatus has different output characteristics. As a result, reprinting and color adjustment again are required. When a large amount of printing is performed in production printing or the like, waste of paper and toner due to re-printing becomes more significant.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is an information processing apparatus and information that prevent a print job adjusted for a specific printing apparatus from being output differently by printing on another printing apparatus. It is an object to provide a processing method, an information processing program, and a recording medium.

  The above object is achieved by the following means.

  (1) With respect to a print job for a specific printing device, a detection unit that detects transfer to another printing device, and when the transfer is detected by the detection unit, user-specific color adjustment settings for the print job An information processing apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not a color adjustment setting is included; and a warning unit that issues a warning when the determination unit determines that the color adjustment setting unique to the user is included.

  (2) The information processing apparatus according to (1), wherein the user-specific color adjustment setting includes a color conversion setting uniquely created by the user in consideration of output characteristics of the specific printing apparatus.

  (3) The color adjustment setting unique to the user includes a setting of a color density uniquely created by the user in consideration of output characteristics of the specific printing apparatus, according to the above (1) or (2) Information processing device.

  (4) When the determination unit determines that the user's unique color adjustment setting is not included, the determination unit further includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a color adjustment setting registered in the other printing apparatus; The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the unit issues the warning when the color adjustment setting set in the print job is not registered in the other printing apparatus. apparatus.

  (5) The print job includes change history information related to a change history of color adjustment settings, and the warning unit is a case where the determination unit determines that the user's unique color adjustment setting is included. The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein no warning is issued when the number of changes is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold.

  (6) A detection step for detecting transfer to another printing device for a print job for a specific printing device, and when the transfer is detected in the detection step, user-specific color adjustment settings for the print job An information processing method comprising: a determination step for determining whether or not a color adjustment setting is included; and a warning step for issuing a warning when it is determined in the determination step that the user's unique color adjustment setting is included.

  (7) The information processing method according to (6), wherein the color adjustment setting unique to the user includes a color conversion setting uniquely created by the user in consideration of output characteristics of the specific printing apparatus.

  (8) The color adjustment setting unique to the user includes a setting of a color density uniquely created by the user in consideration of output characteristics of the specific printing apparatus, according to the above (6) or (7) Information processing method.

  (9) A detection step of detecting transfer to another printing device for a print job for a specific printing device, and when the transfer is detected in the detection step, user-specific color adjustment settings for the print job Information for causing the computer to execute a determination step for determining whether or not a color adjustment setting is included, and a warning step for giving a warning when it is determined that the user's unique color adjustment setting is included in the determination step Processing program.

  (10) The information processing program according to (9), wherein the color adjustment setting unique to the user includes a color conversion setting uniquely created by the user in consideration of output characteristics of the specific printing apparatus.

  (11) The user-specific color adjustment setting includes a setting of a color density uniquely created by the user in consideration of output characteristics of the specific printing apparatus, according to (9) or (10) above Information processing program.

  (12) A computer-readable recording medium on which the information processing program according to any one of (9) to (10) is recorded.

  According to the present invention, when a print job is transferred to another printing apparatus and printed, it is determined whether or not the print job includes user-specific color adjustment settings. If included, warn the user. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the output result of the printed matter from being different by printing a print job, in which a user's unique color adjustment is performed in a specific printing apparatus, using another printing apparatus.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system to which an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a user terminal. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of an information processing apparatus. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a print job. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job list. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing executed by the printing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of printing processing executed by the information processing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of printing processing executed by the information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of a warning message screen.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and may be different from the actual ratios.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system to which an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system includes a user terminal 1, an information processing device 2, and a plurality of printing devices 3, which are connected to each other via a network N so as to communicate with each other. The network N includes a LAN (Local Area Network) in which computers and network devices are connected according to standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface), and Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), and a dedicated line between LANs. WAN (Wide Area Network) etc. connected by The type and number of devices connected to the network N are not limited to the example shown in FIG.

  The user terminal 1 is a terminal usable by a user, such as a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, or a tablet PC. The user terminal 1 transmits a print job or a print job editing instruction via the network N, or displays a screen showing a list, a message, or the like transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2.

  The information processing apparatus 2 performs management of print jobs and management of the printing apparatus 3. For example, the information processing apparatus 2 receives a print job transmitted from the user terminal 1 and transmits the print job to an appropriate printing apparatus 3. In addition, the information processing apparatus 2 divides a print job and transmits it to a plurality of printing apparatuses 3 to perform distributed printing. Alternatively, the information processing apparatus 2 receives a print job editing instruction transmitted from the user terminal 1 and transmits it to the appropriate printing apparatus 3. The information processing apparatus 2 is, for example, a server having a print job management function.

  The printing apparatus 3 prints an output image based on a print job received from another apparatus on the network N on paper using an electrophotographic printing technique. The printing apparatus 3 includes a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, a multi-function peripheral (MFP), and the like. The printing method employed by the printing apparatus 3 is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and may be other printing methods such as an impact method, a thermal transfer method, and an ink jet method. The printing apparatus 3 registers the received print job in the print job list, and sequentially executes each print job in the order registered in the list. The printing apparatus 3 changes the color conversion setting such as the color profile to be applied to the print job registered in the print job list or sets the color density such as the tone curve based on the instruction received from the other apparatus. Make color adjustments such as change. The printing apparatus 3 can output a color-adjusted printed matter. The printing apparatus 3 can also store a print job that has been printed for the next printing.

  Next, details of each component will be described.

(User terminal 1)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the user terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a hard disk 104, a network interface 105, an operation unit 106, and a display unit 107. These are connected to each other via a bus 108 for exchanging signals.

  The CPU 101 performs control of each unit and various arithmetic processes according to programs recorded in the ROM 102 and the hard disk 104. For example, a print job or a print job editing instruction is transmitted to a device on the network N via the network interface 105, or a screen showing a list or message transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 is displayed on the display unit 107. To do.

  The ROM 102 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 103 temporarily stores programs and data as a work area. The hard disk 104 stores various programs including an operating system (OS) and various data.

  The network interface 105 is an interface for communicating with other devices via the network N, and standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, and Wi-Fi are used.

  The operation unit 106 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and is used for performing various inputs. The display unit 107 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various types of information.

(Information processing apparatus 2)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the information processing apparatus. In addition, about the part which has the structure similar to the user terminal 1 among the structures of the information processing apparatus 2, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing apparatus 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a hard disk 204, a network interface 205, an operation unit 206, and a display unit. 207. Each component is connected to be communicable with each other via a bus 208.

  The CPU 201 performs control of the above components and various arithmetic processes according to programs recorded in the ROM 202 and the hard disk 204. The CPU 201 functions as a detection unit, a determination unit, a warning unit, and an acquisition unit by executing a program.

  The hard disk 204 stores various programs including an operating system and various data. An application for managing print jobs is installed in the hard disk 204.

(Printer 3)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printing apparatus. Note that a description of the configuration of the printing apparatus 3 is omitted for parts having the same configuration as the user terminal 1 or the information processing apparatus 2.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the printing apparatus 3 includes a CPU 301, ROM 302, RAM 303, hard disk 304, network interface 305, operation unit 306, display unit 307, image control unit 308, reading unit 309, and printing unit 310. Each component is connected to be communicable with each other via a bus 311.

  The CPU 301 performs control of the above components and various arithmetic processes according to programs recorded in the ROM 302 and the hard disk 304. For example, the CPU 301 stores a print job received via the network N in the hard disk 304. The CPU 301 reads the stored print job into the RAM 303 and prints it using the printing unit 310. Further, the CPU 301 edits the print job stored in the hard disk 304 based on the print job editing instruction received via the network N. The CPU 301 causes the printing unit 310 to print a printed material based on the edited print job.

  The hard disk 304 stores various programs including an operating system (OS) and various data as internal storage of the printing apparatus. The hard disk 304 is installed with an application for registering a print job in a print job list and sequentially executing the job, and an application for performing color adjustment on the print job.

  In addition, a color profile is registered in the hard disk 304. The color profile is information for managing device-dependent colors that are reproduced differently for each device in association with device-independent colors that are ideal colors that do not depend on the device. The registered color profiles include standard color profiles and user-specific color profiles. The standard color profile is used to reproduce standardized standard colors such as Japan Color, FOGRA39, GRACOL, etc., between different printing apparatuses 3. The user's own color profile is created by the user for the purpose of changing the hue or emphasizing a specific color. However, even a color profile created independently by the user may be handled as a standard color profile when registered and used in a plurality of printing apparatuses 3.

  The hard disk 304 stores a print job and a print job list. The print job and the print job list will be described later.

  The operation unit 306 includes a touch panel, a numeric keypad, a start button, a stop button, and the like, and is used for displaying various information and inputting various instructions.

  A display unit 307 displays various types of information or a touch panel for inputting various settings, a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies, a start key for instructing start of operation, a stop key for instructing stop of operation, and various setting conditions at an initial stage. It consists of various fixed keys such as reset keys, display lamps and the like. Note that as for the function overlapping between the operation unit 306 and the display unit 307, either the operation unit 306 or the display unit 307 may have the function.

  The image control unit 308 performs rasterization processing and color adjustment processing of image data included in the print job. The color adjustment includes, for example, a color profile change process and a tone curve change process.

  The reading unit 309 irradiates a document set at a predetermined reading position or a document conveyed to a predetermined reading position by an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) with a light source such as a fluorescent lamp, and reflects the reflected light to a CCD (Charge Coupled). Device) Photoelectric conversion is performed by an imaging device such as an image sensor, and image data is generated from the electrical signal.

  The printing unit 310 forms an image based on various data on a sheet using a known image forming process such as an electrophotographic process including charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing processes. The printing unit 310 forms an image on a sheet according to print setting information included in the print job.

  Note that the printing apparatus 3, the user terminal 1, and the information processing apparatus 2 may each include a component other than the above-described components, or may not include some of the above-described components. Good.

  The hard disk 304 of the printing apparatus 3 stores a print job and a print job list. Details of the print job and the print job list will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job list.

  The print job is stored in the hard disk 304 of the printing apparatus 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the print job includes a job number, a job name, a user name, a print setting, a color adjustment setting, and a color adjustment history.

  The job number is a number assigned to a print job and indicates, for example, the order in which the print job is registered. The job name indicates the name of the print job, for example, a name arbitrarily set by the user. The user name indicates the name of the user who transmitted the print job, for example, the name of the user terminal 1 or the name of the user who uses the user terminal 1. The print setting is setting information related to a printing method and a printing format. For example, a setting relating to a printing apparatus to be used, a paper size, a printing layout, the number of copies, or post-processing such as stapling, punching, and folding is set. Information. The color adjustment setting is setting information related to color adjustment of a printed material, and is information indicating, for example, setting contents of a color profile applied to a print job and setting contents of a tone curve. The color adjustment history is change history information that records the change contents each time a color profile applied to a print job or a tone curve is changed.

  The print job list is data representing a list of print jobs (stored jobs) stored in the hard disk 304 and is stored in the hard disk 304 of the printing apparatus 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the print job list includes a job number, a job name, a user name, and the number of sheets. The job number, job name, and user name are the same as the corresponding saved job. The number of prints indicates the number of prints set in the print setting of the corresponding saved job. The print job list can be displayed on the display unit 307. Alternatively, the print job list may be read from the information processing apparatus 2 and transferred to the user terminal 1 and displayed on the display unit 107 of the user terminal 1.

  Next, the flow of processing in the printing system will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing executed when the printing apparatus receives a print job and a print job editing instruction. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is stored as a program in the ROM 302 or the hard disk 304 of the printing apparatus 3 and executed by the CPU 301.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the printing apparatus 3 determines whether a new print job has been received from the information processing apparatus 2 (step S101).

  When a new print job is received (step S101: YES), the printing apparatus 3 registers the received new print job in the print job list and saves it in the hard disk 304 (step S102), and ends the process.

  On the other hand, if a new print job has not been received (step S101: NO), the printing apparatus 3 determines whether a print job editing instruction has been received from the information processing apparatus 2 (step S103).

  When the print job editing instruction has not been received (step S103: NO), the printing apparatus 3 returns to the process of step S101.

  On the other hand, when a print job editing instruction is received (step S103: YES), the printing apparatus 3 determines whether the received print job editing instruction includes a color adjustment instruction such as a color profile change or a tone curve change. Is determined (step S104).

  If a color adjustment instruction is not included (step S104: NO), the printing apparatus 3 edits the print job based on the print job edit instruction (step S106), and ends the process.

  On the other hand, if a color adjustment instruction is included (step S104: YES), the printing apparatus 3 performs color adjustment on the print job based on the content of the instruction, and changes the color adjustment setting of the print job ( Step S106). Furthermore, the printing apparatus 3 adds the color adjustment change content to the color adjustment history (step S107), and ends the process.

  8A and 8B are flowcharts showing a procedure of processing executed by the information processing apparatus when executing the printing processing, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a warning message screen. 8A and 8B is stored as a program in the ROM 202 or the hard disk 204 of the information processing apparatus 2, and is executed by the CPU 201.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, when the execution of the printing process is instructed, the information processing apparatus 2 displays the print settings, color adjustment settings, and color adjustment history of the print job from the printing apparatus 3 in which the print job is stored. Obtain (step S201).

  Subsequently, the information processing apparatus 2 determines from the print settings of the print job whether the printing apparatus 3 designated as the printing destination is the original printing apparatus 3 in which the print job is stored ( Step S202).

  When printing on another printing apparatus 3 other than the original printing apparatus 3 is designated (step S202: NO), the information processing apparatus 2 confirms that the print job is transferred to another apparatus as a detection unit. Detect and proceed to the process shown in step S206.

  On the other hand, when printing on the original printing apparatus 3 is designated (step S202: YES), the information processing apparatus 2 can print the print job on the original printing apparatus 3 based on the print settings of the print job. It is determined whether or not there is (step S203). For example, the information processing apparatus 2 acquires setting information such as the paper size designated for the print job and the type of post-processing from the print settings of the print job. Further, the paper supply status of the original printing apparatus 3 and the preparation status of the post-processing apparatus are confirmed. Then, the information processing apparatus 2 determines whether or not the original printing apparatus 3 can perform the printing process of the printing job based on the setting information of the printing job and the status of the original printing apparatus 3.

  If printing is not possible with the original printing apparatus 3 (step S203: NO), the information processing apparatus 2 detects that the print job is transferred to another apparatus as a detection unit, and proceeds to the process shown in step S206. .

  On the other hand, if printing is possible with the original printing apparatus 3 (step S203: YES), the information processing apparatus 2 determines whether or not it is necessary to perform distributed printing based on the print settings of the print job (step S203). S204). For example, the information processing apparatus 2 calculates the number of printed sheets from the print settings of the print job, and compares the calculated number of printed sheets with a threshold set in advance in the information processing apparatus 2 or the printing apparatus 3 as a condition for performing distributed printing. Thus, it is determined whether or not distributed printing is necessary.

  When it is necessary to perform distributed printing (step S204: YES), the information processing apparatus 2 detects that the print job is transferred to another apparatus as a detection unit, and performs the process of step S212 illustrated in FIG. move on.

  On the other hand, if there is no need to perform distributed printing (step S204: NO), the information processing apparatus 2 performs printing on the original printing apparatus 3, and therefore executes the print job on the original printing apparatus 3. An instruction is transmitted (step S205), and the process ends.

  Next, in the processing shown in step S206, the information processing apparatus 2 determines, as a determination unit, whether or not the print job includes user-specific color adjustment settings from the contents of the color adjustment settings of the print job. (Step S206). Here, when the user's own color adjustment setting is included, the color profile created by the user is applied to the print job, or the tone curve is changed for the print job. This includes cases where

  When the user's own color adjustment setting is included (step S206: YES), the information processing apparatus 2 serves as a warning unit, and the color of the print result is different when the user prints with another printing apparatus 3 as a warning unit. A warning is given that there is a possibility (step S208). The reason for the warning is that the user's original color adjustment settings were created for the original printing device 3, and even if the print job is transferred to another printing device 3 and printed, the color of the print result is This is because they may be different. For example, the information processing apparatus 2 transmits an instruction for warning to the user terminal 1 and causes the display unit 107 of the user terminal 1 to display a warning message as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the information processing apparatus 2 may issue a warning by sounding a warning sound or blinking a lamp.

  If the user's unique color adjustment setting is not included (step S206: NO), the information processing apparatus 2 acquires setting information of another printing apparatus 3 that is a transfer destination of the print job as an acquisition unit. The information processing apparatus 2 determines whether the standard color profile applied to the print job is registered in another printing apparatus 3 (step S207).

  If the standard color profile applied to the print job is registered (step S207: YES), the information processing apparatus 2 transfers the print job from the original printing apparatus 3 to another printing apparatus 3 and prints it. An instruction is transmitted (step S210), and the process ends. Specifically, the information processing apparatus 2 instructs the original printing apparatus 3 to transfer the print job to another printing apparatus 3. The original printing apparatus 3 transfers the print job to another printing apparatus 3 via the network N. The other printing apparatus 3 executes the received print job.

  On the other hand, when the standard color profile applied to the print job is not registered in the other printing apparatus 3 (step S207: NO), the information processing apparatus 2 provides the user with the color of the print result as a warning unit. Are warned that there is a possibility that they may be different (step S208). The reason for warning is that the color of the print result may be different because a common standard color profile is not registered between the original printing device 3 and the other printing devices 3.

  Subsequently, the information processing apparatus 2 receives an instruction from the user terminal 1 as to whether or not to continue printing by transferring the print job to another printing apparatus 3 (step S209).

  When an instruction to continue printing is received (step S209: YES), the information processing apparatus 2 transfers each print job from the original printing apparatus 3 to the other printing apparatus 3 to print it. 3 is transmitted (step S210), and the process is terminated.

  When an instruction to cancel printing is received (step S209: NO), the information processing apparatus 2 transmits an instruction to cancel execution of printing to the original printing apparatus 3 (step S211). The process ends.

  Next, when it is determined that it is necessary to perform distributed printing in the process of step S204 (step S204: YES), the information processing apparatus 2 proceeds to the process of step S212 illustrated in FIG. The information processing apparatus 2 determines, as determination means, whether or not the user's own color adjustment setting is included in the print job from the contents of the color adjustment setting of the print job (step S212).

  When the user's unique color adjustment setting is included (step S212: YES), the information processing apparatus 2 may use different colors as a warning when the user performs distributed printing as a warning unit. A warning is given (step S214). The reason for the warning is that the user's own color adjustment setting is created for the original printing apparatus 3, and even if distributed printing is performed on other printing apparatuses 3, the color of the printing result may be different. It is.

  When the user's unique color adjustment setting is not included (step S212: NO), the information processing apparatus 2 registers the standard color profile applied to the print job in the other printing apparatus 3 used in the distributed printing. It is determined whether or not (step S213).

  If the standard color profile applied to the print job is registered in another printing apparatus 3 (step S213: YES), the information processing apparatus 2 instructs the original printing apparatus 3 to perform distributed printing. Is transmitted (step S217), and the process ends. Specifically, the information processing apparatus 2 transmits an instruction to the original printing apparatus 3 to transmit a print job to the information processing apparatus 2. In response to the instruction from the information processing apparatus 2, the original printing apparatus 3 transmits a print job to the information processing apparatus 2. The information processing apparatus 2 performs distributed printing by dividing the print job received from the original printing apparatus 3, assigning it to each printing apparatus 3, and transmitting it. The original print device 3 may execute the division of the print job and the transmission to each print device 3 instead of the information processing device 2.

  On the other hand, when the standard color profile applied to the print job is not registered in the other printing apparatus 3 used in the distributed printing (step S213: NO), the information processing apparatus 2 may have different print result colors. The user is warned of the possibility (step S214). The reason for warning is that the color of the print result may be different because a common standard color profile is not registered between the original printing device 3 and the other printing devices 3.

  Subsequently, the information processing apparatus 2 receives an instruction from the user terminal 1 as to whether or not to continue distributed printing (step S215).

  When an instruction to continue distributed printing is received (step S215: YES), the information processing apparatus 2 transmits an instruction to perform distributed printing to the original printing apparatus 3 (step S217), and performs processing. finish.

  When receiving an instruction not to continue distributed printing (step S215: NO), the information processing apparatus 2 transmits to the original printing apparatus 3 an instruction to execute the print job and perform printing ( Step S216), the process ends.

  As described above, according to the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention, when a print job is transferred to another printing apparatus 3, whether or not the print job includes user-specific color adjustment settings. If a user-specific color adjustment setting is included, a warning is issued. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the output result of the printed matter from being different by printing the print job, in which the user's unique color adjustment is performed in the specific printing apparatus 3, by using another printing apparatus 3.

  The user's unique color adjustment settings include color conversion settings created uniquely by the user in consideration of the output characteristics of the printing apparatus 3. As a result, even when a user creates or changes a color profile that is uniquely applied to a print job, a warning is issued when the print job is transferred to another printing apparatus 3. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the output results from being different.

  Further, the user's unique color adjustment setting includes a setting of color density uniquely created by the user in consideration of the characteristics of the printing apparatus 3. Thus, even when the user changes the tone curve applied to the print job independently, a warning is issued when the print job is transferred to another printing apparatus 3. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the output results from being different.

  Even if it is determined that the user's own color adjustment setting is not included in the print job, the color adjustment setting set in the print job is the other printing apparatus 3 that is the transmission destination of the print job. If not registered, a warning is issued. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the output results from being different.

  In step S206 of the above-described embodiment, it is described that a warning is issued when it is determined that the user's own color adjustment setting is included in the print job. However, even if the user's own color adjustment settings are included, if the number of color adjustments performed and the amount of changed parameters are within a predetermined range, it is determined that the printing result will not change significantly, Printing may be performed by transferring to another printing apparatus 3 without warning.

  Therefore, no warning is given when minor color adjustments are made, and a warning can be given only when a certain level or more of color adjustments are made. Thereby, it is possible to prevent unnecessary warnings from occurring frequently and to perform more effective warnings.

  In the above-described embodiment, the information processing apparatus 2 has been described as an apparatus provided separately from the printing apparatus 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. The functions and processes of the information processing apparatus 2 may be achieved by the printing apparatus 3.

  Further, although the print job has been described as being stored in the hard disk 304 of the printing apparatus 3, the present invention is not limited to this. The print job may be stored in the hard disk 204 of the information processing apparatus 2. In this case, the color adjustment of the print job may be performed by the information processing apparatus 2.

  The processing by the information processing apparatus 2 according to the present invention can be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit for executing each procedure described above or by a CPU executing a program describing each procedure described above. When the present invention is realized by the latter, the program for operating the information processing apparatus 2 may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a CD-ROM, or a network such as the Internet. May be provided online via. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred and stored in a ROM, a hard disk or the like. Further, this program may be provided as, for example, a single application software, or may be incorporated in the software of the apparatus as one function of the information processing apparatus 2.

1 user terminal,
2 Information processing device,
3 printing device,
201 CPU,
202 ROM,
203 RAM,
204 hard disk,
205 network interface,
206 operation unit,
207 display,
208 Bus.

Claims (12)

Detection means for detecting transfer to another printing device for a print job for a specific printing device;
A determination unit that determines whether the print job includes a user-specific color adjustment setting when the transfer is detected by the detection unit;
Warning means for giving a warning when it is determined by the determination means that the user's unique color adjustment setting is included;
An information processing apparatus.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user-specific color adjustment setting includes a color conversion setting created uniquely by the user in consideration of output characteristics of the specific printing apparatus.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user-specific color adjustment setting includes a setting of a color density uniquely created by the user in consideration of output characteristics of the specific printing apparatus. When the determination unit determines that the user's unique color adjustment setting is not included, the image acquisition unit further includes an acquisition unit that acquires a color adjustment setting registered in the other printing apparatus;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning unit performs the warning when the color adjustment setting set for the print job is not registered in the other printing apparatus. . The print job includes change history information regarding a change history of color adjustment settings,
2. The warning unit does not issue a warning when the number of changes is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold even when the determination unit determines that the color adjustment setting unique to the user is included. Information processing apparatus as described in any one of -4. A detection step of detecting a transfer to another printing device for a print job for a specific printing device;
A determination step of determining whether or not the print job includes a user-specific color adjustment setting when the transfer is detected in the detection step;
A warning step for giving a warning when it is determined that the user-specific color adjustment setting is included in the determination step;
An information processing method comprising:   The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein the user-specific color adjustment setting includes a color conversion setting uniquely created by the user in consideration of output characteristics of the specific printing apparatus.   The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein the user-specific color adjustment setting includes a color density setting created uniquely by the user in consideration of output characteristics of the specific printing apparatus. A detection step of detecting a transfer to another printing device for a print job for a specific printing device;
A determination step of determining whether or not the print job includes a user-specific color adjustment setting when the transfer is detected in the detection step;
A warning step for giving a warning when it is determined that the user-specific color adjustment setting is included in the determination step;
An information processing program that makes a computer execute.   The information processing program according to claim 9, wherein the user-specific color adjustment setting includes a color conversion setting uniquely created by the user in consideration of output characteristics of the specific printing apparatus.   The information processing program according to claim 9, wherein the user-specific color adjustment setting includes a color density setting created uniquely by the user in consideration of output characteristics of the specific printing apparatus.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the information processing program as described in any one of Claims 9-11.