Information processing apparatus and method

An information processing apparatus for causing an image forming apparatus to perform printing, the image forming apparatus being able to perform calibration in order to correct an output color to a target color indicated by target information, the information processing apparatus comprising:

• a storing unit configured to, when printing processing is executed for a print job by the image forming apparatus, store the target information in association with the print job;
• a determination unit configured to receive and store printing order information, and determine, based on an ID of the order information, whether or not an order related to the order information is a reorder related to previously-stored order information;
• a grouping unit configured to, if the determination unit determines that the order is the reorder, read out a print job related to the reorder and the target information associated with the print job from the storing unit, group print jobs by part constituting a printed matter related to the reorder, and generate, in each group, a sub-group whose members are print jobs associated with the target information having a color difference that is smaller than or equal to a threshold value;
• a first transmission unit configured to, before printing processing is executed again for a print job that is a member of the sub-group, transmit the target information associated with the print job that is a member of the sub-group to the image forming apparatus for the purpose of calibration;
• and
• a second transmission unit configured to transmit the print job in the sub-group to the image forming apparatus after the first transmission unit transmits the target information.

An information processing apparatus for causing an image forming apparatus to perform printing, the image forming apparatus being able to perform calibration in order to correct an output color to a target color indicated by target information, the information processing apparatus comprising:

• a storing unit configured to, when printing processing is executed for a print job by the image forming apparatus, store the target information in association with the print job;
• a determination unit configured to receive and store printing order information, and determine, based on an ID of the order information, whether or not an order related to the order information is a reorder related to previously-stored order information;
• a job generation unit configured to, if the determination unit determines that the order is not the reorder, generate a print job in accordance with the order information, and, if a part constituting the generated print job is defined as containing the same image as an image contained in a part constituting another print job, if the target information associated with the other print job is stored in the storing unit, associate the target information with the generated print job, and if the determination unit determines that the order is the reorder, read out the print job related to the reorder and the target information associated with the print job from the storing unit;
• a first transmission unit configured to, if there is the target information associated with the print job generated by the job generation unit, transmit the target information associated with the generated print job to the image forming apparatus before printing processing is executed for the print job;
• and
• a second transmission unit configured to transmit the print job associated with the target information to the image forming apparatus after the first transmission unit transmits the target information.

An information processing method to be performed by an information processing apparatus for causing an image forming apparatus to perform printing, the image forming apparatus being able to perform calibration in order to correct an output color to a target color indicated by target information, the method comprising:

• a storing step of, when printing processing is executed for a print job by the image forming apparatus, storing the target information in a storing unit in association with the print job;
• a determination step of receiving and storing printing order information, and determining, based on an ID of the order information, whether or not an order related to the order information is a reorder related to previously-stored order information;
• a grouping step of, if it is determined in the determination step that the order is the reorder, reading out a print job related to the reorder and the target information associated with the print job from the storing unit, grouping print jobs by part constituting a printed matter related to the reorder, and generating, in each group, a sub-group whose members are print jobs associated with the target information having a color difference that is smaller than or equal to a threshold value;
• a first transmission step of, before printing processing is executed again for a print job that is a member of the sub-group, transmitting the target information associated with the print job that is a member of the sub-group to the image forming apparatus for the purpose of calibration;
• and
• a second transmission step of transmitting the print job in the sub-group to the image forming apparatus after the target information is transmitted in the first transmission step.

An information processing method to be performed by an information processing apparatus for causing an image forming apparatus to perform printing, the image forming apparatus being able to perform calibration in order to correct an output color to a target color indicated by target information, the method comprising:

• a storing step of, when printing processing is executed for a print job by the image forming apparatus, storing the target information in a storing unit in association with the print job;
• a determination step of receiving and storing printing order information, and determining, based on an ID of the order information, whether or not an order related to the order information is a reorder related to previously-stored order information;
• a job generation step of, if it is determined in the determination step that the order is not the reorder, generating a print job in accordance with the order information, and, if a part constituting the generated print job is defined as containing the same image as an image contained in a part constituting another print job and the target information associated with the other print job is stored in the storing unit, associating the target information with the generated print job, and if it is determined in the determination step that the order is the reorder, reading out the print job related to the reorder and the target information associated with the print job from the storing unit;
• a first transmission step of, if there is the target information associated with the print job generated in the job generation step, transmitting the target information associated with the generated print job to the image forming apparatus before printing processing is executed for the print job;
• and
• a second transmission step of transmitting the print job associated with the target information to the image forming apparatus after the target information is transmitted in the first transmission step.