Image process method, image process apparatus and storage medium

What is claimed is:

1. An image processing apparatus connected to a network server through network, comprising:

a communication unit for communicating with said network server;

a reception unit for receiving from said network server a list of device profiles stored in said network server, by using said communication unit;

a selector for selecting from said list a desired destination device profile, based on user's instructions;

a transmitter for requesting the selected destination device profile to said network server and downloading the selected device profile and requesting to said network server a color management module according to information described in the downloaded destination device profile and downloading the color management module from said network server by using said communication unit; and

a processor for performing a color matching process by using a source device profile and the downloaded destination device profile on a basis of the downloaded color management module.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

both a source profile and a destination profile are used in the color matching process, and the downloaded device profile is set as the source profile,

said network server stores the plural different color management modules, and

the downloaded color management module is selected from among the plural color management modules stored in said network server, based on information of the destination profile.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device profile is calibrated by using a calibration program downloaded from said network server.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the calibrated device profile is transferred to said network server by said communication means.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the network server stores the device profile and the calibrated device profile independently of each other.

6. An image processing method for an image processing apparatus connected to a network server through a network, said method comprising:

a communication step of communication with the network server;

a reception step of receiving from the network server a list of device profiles stored in the network server, through said communication step;

a selection step of selecting from the list a desired destination device profile, based on user's instructions;

a transmission step of requesting the selected destination device profile to the network server and downloading the selected device profile, and requesting to said network server a color management module according to information described in the downloaded destination device profile and downloading the color management module from said network server by using said communication step; and

a color matching process step of performing a color matching process by using a source device profile and the downloaded device destination device profile on a basis of the downloaded color management module.

7. A storage medium which stores a computer readable program for realizing an image processing method for an image processing apparatus connected to a network server through a network, said method comprising:

a communication step of communicating with the network server;

a reception step of receiving from the network server a list of device profiles stored in the network server, through said communication step;

a selection step of selecting from the list a desired destination device profile, based on user's instruction;

a transmission step of requesting the selected destination device profile to the network server and downloading the selected device profile, and requesting to said network server a color management module according to information described in the downloaded destination device profile and downloading the color management module from said network server by using said communication step; and

a color matching process step of performing a color matching process by using a source device profile and the downloaded destination device profile on a basis of the downloaded color management module.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising input means for inputting an input image constituted by an image file and a text file,

wherein said color matching process means performs the color matching process on data of the image file but does not perform the color matching process on data of the text file.

9. A network server which is connected through a network to a client performing color matching, comprising:

communication means for communicating with said client;

storage means for storing device profiles and a color management module;

first transmission means for transmitting, to said client, a list of device profiles stored in said network server by using said communication means;

first reception means for receiving, from said client, information representing a desired device profile selected from said list of device profiles, by using said communication means;

second transmission means for transmitting, to said client, said selected device profile; and

second reception means for receiving, from said client, information representing a desired color management module, said color management module corresponding to information described in the transmitted device profile.

10. An image processing method for a network server connected through a network to a client performing color matching, said method comprising:

a communication step of communicating with said client;

a storage step of storing device profiles and a color management module;

a first transmission step of transmitting, to said client, a list of device profiles stored in the network server through said communication step;

a first reception step of receiving, from said client, information representing a desired device profile selected from the list of device profiles, through said communication step;

a second transmission step of transmitting, to said client, the selected device profile; and

a second reception step of receiving, from said client, information representing a desired color management module, said color management module corresponding to information described in the transmitted device profile.

11. A storage medium which store a computer readable program for realizing an image processing method for a network server connected through a network to a client performing color matching, said method comprising:

a communication step of communicating with said client;

a storage step of storing device profiles and a color management module;

a first transmissions step of transmitting, to said client, a list of device profiles stored in the network server through said communication step;

a first reception step of receiving, from said client, information representing a desired device profile selected from the list of device profiles, through said communication step;

a second transmission step of transmitting, to said client, the selected device profile; and

a second reception step of receiving, from said client, information representing a desired color management module, said color management module corresponding to information described in the transmitted device profile.

Description Submit all comments and votes

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image process apparatus and method for performing a color matching process.

2. Related Background Art

As described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/380,633 which was filed on Jan. 30, 1995, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 6-9565 filed in Japan on Jan. 31, 1994, a color management system composed of a CMM (color management module) and a device profile performs a color conversion process to perform color matching between input and output images by using a profile corresponding to a source device before conversion and a profile corresponding to a destination device after conversion.

The former profile is called as a source profile, and the latter profile is called as a destination profile.

For example, in the color conversion process shown in FIG. 1, a scanner color space (i.e., scanner RGB) or a monitor color space (i.e., monitor RGB) is converted into a printer color space (i.e., printer CMYK).

In this case, since the source device is a scanner or a monitor, the profile of the scanner or the monitor is handled as the source profile. On the other hand, since the destination device is a printer, the profile of the printer is handled as the destination profile.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of the structure of the device profile.

The profile is divided into a header portion and a data storage portion. In the header portion, information which is used to manage the profile is stored. For example, as such information, there are device information representing which device (e.g., monitor) the profile corresponds to, CMM information representing which CMM the profile is used for, and the like. On the other hand, in the data storage portion, profile description information for discriminating the profile is stored. As the profile description information, e.g., information representing a maker name and a product name is stored.

Conventionally, the above-described color management system has not been realized in a network system.

For this reason, there has been a drawback that it is difficult to perform color matching in the network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the first embodiment of the invention is to enable a color matching process in a network system.

In order to achieve the above object, the first embodiment of the invention provides an image process apparatus, comprising:

a communication means for communicating with a network server storing plural device profiles and color management modules;

a selection means for selecting the device profile, based on kinds of the plural device profiles inputted through the communication means;

a control means for downloading the selected device profile and the color management module from the network server; and

a color matching process means for performing a color matching process on input image data by using the downloaded color management module and the downloaded device profile.

An object of the second embodiment of the invention is to high-accurately realize color matching according to use.

In order to achieve the above object, the second embodiment of the invention provides an image process apparatus which performs a color matching process on an original containing an image portion and a portion other than image, the apparatus comprising:

an extraction means for extracting a profile added to an image file; and

a color matching process means for performing the color matching process on the original,

wherein the color matching process means performs the color matching process on the image portion by using the extracted profile as a source profile, and

the color matching process means performs the color matching process on the portion other than image by using a monitor profile as the source profile.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing a concept of a color management system;

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of the structure of a device profile;

FIG. 3 is a view showing the structure of a network system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process wherein, in case of displaying a text on a network terminal 1, if there is an image file in the text, a color matching process on image data in the image file is performed by a network terminal 1 in accordance with a characteristic of a monitor, and a processed result is displayed on the monitor;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the process wherein, in case of displaying the text on the network terminal 1, if there is the image file in the text, the color matching process on the image data in the image file is performed by the network terminal 1 in accordance with the characteristic of the monitor, and the processed result is displayed on the monitor;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a process wherein, in case of printing the text by using a network printer 4, the color matching process on the data in the text is performed by the network terminal 1 in accordance with a characteristic of the network printer 4, and the processed data is outputted to the network printer 4;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the process wherein, in case of printing the text by using the network printer 4, the color matching process on the data in the text is performed by the network terminal 1 in accordance with the characteristic of the network printer 4, and the processed data is outputted to the network printer 4;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the process wherein, in case of printing the text by using the network printer 4, the color matching process on the data in the text is performed by the network terminal 1 in accordance with the characteristic of the network printer 4, and the processed data is outputted to the network printer 4;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing detailed processes in a step S106 of FIG. 4 and a step S210 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the detailed processes in the step S106 of FIG. 4 and the step S210 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing detailed processes in a step S108 of FIG. 4 and a step S212 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing detailed processes in a step S109 of FIG. 5, a step S201 of FIG. 7, a step S209 of FIG. 6 and a step S219 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing detailed processes in steps S213 and S202 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing detailed processes in a step S111 of FIG. 5, steps S204 and S215 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the detailed processes in the step S111 of FIG. 5, the steps S204 and S215 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of a user interface in case of a step S105 of FIG. 4 or a step S208 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 17 is a view showing an example of a user interface in case of the step S106 of FIG. 4 or the step S210 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 18 is a view for explaining calibration of a printer;

FIG. 19 is a view showing a change in printing density;

FIG. 20 is a view showing a correction to cancel the change in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a view for explaining data which is stored in a data storage portion of a printer profile and used for color matching;

FIG. 22 is a view showing an example of a process 83 in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a view showing the structure of a network system according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a view showing an example of a user interface (i.e., dialog) to cause a user to select accuracy of calibration;

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing a process wherein calibration data of a network printer 50 is generated by a network terminal 10 and then the generated data is stored in a printer profile to form and store a calibration profile;

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing the process wherein the calibration data of the network printer 50 is generated by the network terminal 10 and then the generated data is stored in the printer profile to form and store the calibration profile;

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing a process wherein, in case of printing a text by using the network printer 50, a color matching process on data in the text is performed by the network terminal 10 by using the formed calibration profile and then the processed data is outputted to the network printer 50;

FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing the process wherein, in case of printing the text by using the network printer 50, the color matching process on the data in the text is performed by the network terminal 10 by using the formed calibration profile and then the processed data is outputted to the network printer 50;

FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing the process wherein, in case of printing the text by using the network printer 50, the color matching process on the data in the text is performed by the network terminal 10 by using the formed calibration profile and then the processed data is outputted to the network printer 50;

FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing a detailed process for demanding a network server 40 to download a monitor profile of a monitor of the network terminal 10 to a terminal side;

FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing a detailed process for demanding the network server 40 to download the printer profile in which the calibration data of the network printer 50 has been stored, to the terminal side;

FIG. 32 is a flow chart showing a detailed process for demanding the network server 40 to download a CMM (color management module) used for the color matching process, to the terminal side;

FIG. 33 is a view showing structure of a network system according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 34 is a flow chart showing a process wherein calibration data of a network printer 50 is generated by a network server 40 and then the generated data is stored in a printer profile to form and store a calibration profile;

FIG. 35 is a flow chart showing the process wherein the calibration data of the network printer 50 is generated by the network server 40 and then the generated data is stored in the printer profile to form and store the calibration profile;

FIG. 36 is a flow chart showing a process wherein, in case of printing a text by using the network printer 50, a color matching process on data in the text is performed by the network server 40 by using the formed calibration profile and then the processed data is outputted to the network printer 50;

FIG. 37 is a flow chart showing the process wherein, in case of printing the text by using the network printer 50, the color matching process on the data in the text is performed by the network server 40 by using the formed calibration profile and then the processed data is outputted to the network printer 50;

FIG. 38 is a flow chart showing the process wherein, in case of printing the text by using the network printer 50, the color matching process on the data in the text is performed by the network server 40 by using the formed calibration profile and then the processed data is outputted to the network printer 50;

FIG. 39 is a flow chart showing a detailed process wherein a monitor profile of a monitor of a network terminal 10 is obtained by the network server 40;

FIG. 40 is a flow chart showing a detailed process wherein a printer profile in which calibration data of the network printer 50 has been stored is obtained by the network server 40; and

FIG. 41 is a flow chart showing a process wherein a CMM used for the color matching process is obtained by the network server 40.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the structure of a network system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the network system according to the present embodiment is composed of a network terminal 1, a network server 3 and a network printer 4, and a network 2 to which these three devices are connected.

The network terminal 1 has a CPU, a VRAM and the like necessary for monitor displaying and image processing, and a communication function necessary for communication in the network. Further, the network terminal 1 has a monitor description information storage unit 11 for discriminating a monitor and a printer description information storage unit 12 for discriminating the network printer 4.

The network server 3 has a CPU, a RAM, a hard disk and the like necessary for image processing and printing processing, and a communication function necessary for the communication in the network. Further, the network server 3 has a CMM (color management module) storage unit 31 in which n (constant) CMMs have been stored or registered and a profile storage unit 32 in which m (constant) device profiles (monitor, scanner and printer) have been stored. Each CMM registered in the CMM storage unit 31 has registration information (e.g., four-byte English numerals) for discrimination.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flow charts showing a process wherein, in case of displaying a text on the network terminal 1, if an image file exists in the text, a color matching process on image data in the image file is performed by the network terminal 1 in accordance with a characteristic of the monitor, and the processed data is displayed on the monitor.

In a step S100, it is checked whether or not the image file exists in the text to be displayed. If the image file does not exist, the flow advances to a step S101 to display text data without performing any matching process, and then the process terminates. On the other hand, if the image file exists, the flow advances to a step S102 to check whether or not the profile is being added to the image file.

If it is found in the step S102 that the profile is being added, the flow advances to a step S103 to obtain (or fetch) the profile, and the flow further advances to a step S109.

If it is found in the step S102 that the profile is not added, the flow advances to a step S104 to display whether or not the scanner which read the image data is to be designated on the monitor.

In the step S105, a result of a user instruction indicating whether or not it designates the scanner is checked. If it is indicated that the user instruction does not designate the scanner, the flow advances to the step S101 to display the text data without performing any matching process, and then the process terminates. This is the case where a user can not specify or identify the scanner which read the image data.

On the other hand, if it is indicated in the step S105 that the user instruction designates the scanner, the flow advances to a step S106. This is the case where the user can specify or identify the scanner which read the image data.

In the step S106, a list of selectable scanner profiles in the profile storage unit 32 of the network server 3 is displayed on the monitor of the network terminal 1, and the flow advances to a step S107.

In the step S107, the user selects one scanner profile from the displayed list, and the flow advances to a step S108.

In the step S108, it demands the network server 3 to download the scanner profile selected in the step S107 to the terminal side, and the flow advances to the step S109.

In the step S109, it demands the network server 3 to download the monitor profile of the monitor of the network terminal 1 to the terminal side, and the flow advances to a step S110.

In the step S110, CMM information of the header portion of the downloaded monitor profile (i.e., destination profile) is obtained or fetched, and the flow advances to a step S111.

In the step S111, it demands the network server 3 to download the CMM coincident with the CMM information obtained in the step S110, and the flow advances to a step S112.

In the step S112, the image data is obtained from the image file in the text, and the flow advances to a step S113.

In the step S113, the source profile obtained in the step S103 or S108 and the monitor profile obtained in the step S109 are set to the CMM, and the flow advances to a step S114.

In the step S114, the color matching process is performed on the image data obtained in the step S112, by using the CMM obtained in the step S113, and the flow advances to a step S115.

In the step S115, the image is displayed on the monitor of the network terminal 1 based on the data subjected to the color matching process in the step S114, and then the process terminates.

According to such process, it becomes possible to download the necessary profile and CMM to the network terminal, perform the color matching process on the image data in the text on the side of the network terminal 1, and display the processed image data on the monitor of the network terminal 1.

FIGS. 6 to 8 are flow charts showing a process wherein, in case of printing the text by using the network printer 4, the color matching process on the data in the text is performed by the network terminal 1 in accordance with the characteristic of the network printer 4 and then the processed data is outputted to the network printer 4.

In a step S200, it is checked whether or not the image file exists in the text to be printed.

If the image file does not exist, it can be considered that all the data in the text were formed or generated on the monitor, whereby the color matching process is performed between the monitor of the network terminal 1 and the network printer 4. That is, a color in a printed image is matched with a color in a monitored image.

Thus, the flow advances to a step S201 to demand the network server 3 to download the monitor profile of the monitor of the network terminal 1 to the terminal side, and the flow advances to a step S202.

In the step S202, it demands the network server 3 to download the printer profile of the network printer 4 to the terminal side, and the flow advances to a step S203.

In the step S203, the CMM information of the header portion of the downloaded printer profile is obtained, and the flow advances to a step S204.

In the step S204, it demands the network server 3 to download the CMM coincident with the CMM information obtained in the step S203, to the terminal side. Then, the flow advances to a step S220.

If the image file exists in the step S200, the flow advances to a step S205 to check whether or not the profile is being added to the image file.

In this case, if the profile is being added, the flow advances to a step S206 to obtain the device profile, and the flow advances to a step S213. This profile is the profile for the scanner, the monitor or the like, and is handled as the source profile.

If the profile is not being added in the step S205, the flow advances to a step S207 to display on a monitor a screen for urging the user to instruct whether or not he designates the scanner which read the image data, and the flow advances to a step S208.

In the step S208, it is checked a result of the user's instruction indicating whether or not the user designates the scanner.

If the user does not designate the scanner in the step S208, the flow advances to a step S209 to demand the network server 3 to download the monitor profile of the monitor of the network terminal 1 to the terminal side, and the flow advances to the step S213.

This is the case where the user can not specify the scanner which read the image data, and it is represented that the source device in the color matching on the text is the monitor of the network terminal 1.

On the other hand, if it is instructed to designate the scanner in the step S208, the flow advances to a step S210. This is the case where the user can specify the scanner which read the image data.

In the step S210, the list of the selectable scanner profiles in the profile storage unit 32 of the network server 3 is displayed on the monitor of the network terminal 1, and the flow advances to a step S211.

In the step S211, the user's instruction to select one scanner profile from the list is received, and the flow advances to a step S212.

In the step S212, it demands the network server 3 to download the scanner profile instructed in the step S211 to the terminal side, and the flow advances to the step S213.

In the step S213, it demands the network server 3 to download the printer profile of the network printer 4 to the terminal side, and the flow advances to a step S214.

In the step S214, the CMM information of the header portion of the downloaded printer profile is obtained, and the flow advances to a step S215.

In the step S215, it demands the network server 3 to download the CMM coincident with the CMM information obtained in the step S214, to the terminal side. Then, the flow advances to a step S216.

In the step S216, the image data is obtained from the image file in the text, and the flow advances to a step S217.

In the step S217, the source profile obtained in the step S206, S209 or S212 and the printer profile obtained in the step S213 are set to the CMM, and the flow advances to a step S218.

In the step S218, the color matching process is performed on the image data obtained in the step S216, by using the CMM in the step S217. Then, the flow advances to a step S219.

By such process, it becomes possible to download the necessary profile and CMM to the network terminal, and perform the color matching process on the image data in the text on the side of the network terminal.

Further, the flow advances to the step S219 to demand the network server 3 to download the monitor profile of the network terminal 1 to the terminal side, and then the flow advances to the step S220.

In the step S220, data (character, graphics and the like) other than the image in the text is obtained, and the flow advances to a step S221.

In the step S221, the monitor profile (source profile) downloaded in the step S201 or S209 and the printer profile downloaded in the step S203 or S205 are set to the CMM, and the flow advances to a step S222.

In the step S222, the color matching process is performed on the data other than the image obtained in the step S220, by using the CMM in the step S221. Then, the flow advances to a step S223.

By such process, it becomes possible to download the necessary profile and CMM to the network terminal, and perform the color matching process on the data other than the image and the image data in the text in accordance with each source device.

In the step S223, the data color matching processed in the steps S218 and S222 are expanded into the bit map data in the network server 3 such that the color-matched data can be outputted by the network printer 4. Then, the flow advances to a step S224.

In the step S224, the bit map data expanded in the step S223 is transmitted from the network terminal 1 to the network printer 4 through the network 2, and the flow advances to a step S225.

In the step S225, the bit map data transmitted in the step S224 is received and printed by the network printer 4, and then the process terminates.

As above, it becomes possible to download the necessary profile and CMM to the network terminal, independently perform the color matching process on the image data and the data other than the image in the text on the side of the network terminal 1, synthesize and expand the processed data into bit map form, transmit the obtained bit map data to the network printer 4, and then print the transmitted data by the network printer 4.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are flow charts showing in detail the processes in the steps S106 and S210 wherein the list of the selectable scanner profiles in the profile storage unit 32 of the network server 3 is displayed on the monitor of the network terminal 1.

In a step S300, the profile storage unit 32 of the network server 3 is accessed, and the flow advances to a step S301.

In the step S301, information of a header portion (i.e., header information) of the leading profile in the profile storage unit 32 is read, and the flow is advances to a step S302.

In the step S302, device information is obtained or fetched from the header information read in the step S301, and the flow advances to a step S303.

In the step S303, it is checked whether or not the device information represents the scanner. If the device information does not represent the scanner, the flow advances to a step S304 to check whether or not the profile from which the header information is currently read is final. If final, the flow advances to a step S310. On the other hand, if not final, the flow advances to a step S305 to read the header information of the next profile, and then the flow returns to the step S302.

As a result of the checking in the step S303, if it is found that the read profile represents the scanner, the flow advances to a step S306 to obtain the profile description information in the data storage portion of the profile. Then, the flow advances to a step S307.

In the step S307, the profile description information obtained in the step S306 is temporarily stored in the RAM or the like of the network terminal 1, and the flow advances to a step S308.

In the step S308, it is checked whether or not the profile from which the header information is currently read is final. If not final, the flow advances to a step S309 to read the header information of the next profile, and the flow returns to the step S302. On the other hand, if final, the flow advances to the step S310 to display the profile description information temporarily stored in the step S307 on the monitor as the list, and the flow advances to a step S311 to display on the monitor a screen for urging the user which information to select. Then, the process terminates.

As above, it becomes possible to display the list of the selectable scanner profiles in the profile storage unit 32 of the network server 3, on the monitor of the network terminal 1.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing in detail the processes in the steps S108 and S212 to demand the network server 3 to download the scanner profile selected by the user, to the terminal side.

In a step S400, the profile description information of the data storage portion of the scanner profile selected in the step S107 is obtained, and the flow advances to a step S401.

In the step S401, the profile storage unit 32 of the network server 3 is accessed, and the flow advances to a step S402.

In the step S402, the profile description information of the data storage portion of the leading profile in the profile storage unit 32 is obtained, and the flow advances to a step S403.

In the step S403, it is checked whether or not the profile description information obtained in the step S402 is coincident with the profile description information obtained in the step S400. If not coincident, the flow advances to a step S404 to obtain the profile description information of the data storage portion of the next profile, and the flow returns to the step S403. On the other hand, if coincident in the step S403, the flow advances to a step S405 to obtain and download such the profile from the network server 3, and then the process terminates.

As above, it becomes possible to demand the network server 3 to download the scanner profile selected by the user, to the terminal side.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing in detail the processes in the steps S109, S201, S209 and S219 to demand the network server 3 to download the monitor profile of the monitor of the network terminal 1 to the terminal side.

In a step S500, the monitor description information of the monitor of the network terminal 1 is obtained from the monitor description information storage unit 11, and the flow advances to a step S501.

In the step S501, the profile storage unit 32 of the network server 3 is accessed, the flow advances to a step S502.

In the step S502, the profile description information of the data storage portion of the leading profile in the profile storage unit 32 is obtained, and the flow advances to a step S503.

In the step S503, it is checked whether or not the profile description information obtained in the step S502 is coincident with the monitor description information obtained in the step S500. If not coincident, the flow advances to a step S505 to check whether or not the profile from which the profile description information is currently read is final.

If final, the flow advances to a step S507 to obtain and download a default monitor profile of the network server 3 stored in the profile storage unit 32, and then the process terminates. On the other hand, if not final, the