JP2001358959A - Image processing system, image conversion method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system that reproduces a color of an object with fidelity in the case of converting an image of a photo or the like photographing the object into a print image or the like and to provide an image conversion method and a recording medium that records a color reference chart and a program used for the conversion. SOLUTION: A computer 3 reads CMYK image data with a chart (step 201). Color arrangement information of the chart is given to the computer 3 (step 202) and the computer 3 uses the color arrangement information to recognize the chart part. Whether or not the chart exists in the image is decided (step 203), and when the chart exists in the image, the shape, the size and the position of the chart are recognized, and a replaced image 6 is modified in matching with the chart and the modified image 6 is replaced with the chart part (step 204).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image processing system and an image conversion method for converting an image into image data for printing, and a recording medium on which an image conversion program is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when printing and publishing a photograph in a magazine or the like, an image obtained by photographing a subject with a digital camera or an image obtained by reading a photograph with a scanner has been used.

[0003]

When an image taken by a digital camera or the like is used as described above, the color of the subject is not accurately reproduced due to the color cast at the time of photographing or the characteristics of the camera, and color correction is performed by an operator. Is converted to an image for printing. For this reason, the color correction in the conversion of image data is not performed quantitatively, and there is a problem that an individual difference occurs due to the dependence on the operator, and a long time is required for the conversion work. It is also possible to place a color chart for knowing the color reference on the subject, take a picture, and correct the color based on the color chart. However, since the color chart is finally unnecessary, it needs to be removed from the image, and there is a problem that the removal process is complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to convert the color of a subject when converting an image such as a photograph of the subject into a print image or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system, an image conversion method, and a recording medium on which a program can be faithfully reproduced.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a detecting means for detecting a color reference chart portion from an image including a color reference chart having known color information, Means for replacing the detected color reference chart portion with a replacement image.

A second invention is a means for converting an RGB image including a color reference chart having known color information into a CMYK image, a detection means for detecting the color reference chart portion of the CMYK image, and the detection means Means for replacing the color reference chart portion detected by the above with a replacement image.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detection step of detecting the color reference chart portion from an image including a color reference chart having known color information, and converting the color reference chart portion detected in the detection step into a replacement image. And a replacing step. A fourth invention relates to an RG including a color reference chart having known color information.
Converting the B image into a CMYK image;
A detection step of detecting the color reference chart portion of the image,
Replacing the color reference chart portion detected in the detection step with a replacement image.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detecting means for detecting the color reference chart portion from an image including a color reference chart having known color information, and converting the color reference chart portion detected by the detecting means into a replacement image. Means to replace,
Is a recording medium on which a program for operating a computer is recorded. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided means for converting an RGB image including a color reference chart having known color information into a CMYK image, detection means for detecting the color reference chart portion of the CMYK image, and detection by the detection means. And a program for operating a computer as means for replacing the color reference chart portion with a replacement image.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image processing system 1 includes a computer 3, a replacement image database 5, a scanner 7, a colorimeter 8, a digital camera 9, a subject 11 on which a chart 21-1 is installed, and a chart 21-2. Photo 1 with
5, a CD-ROM 13 and the like.

The digital camera 9 captures an image of the subject 11 on which the chart 21-1 is set, and outputs image data of the subject (for example, RGB images: Red, Green, and Blue).
(Image composed of colors) to the computer 3. The chart 21-1 is data indicating a color standard.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the chart 21. In the chart 21, each area a1, a2, a
3, a4, a5, a6, a7, a8, a9, a10, a
The color information at 11, a12 is known. This color information can be used as reference color information by directly measuring the actual color of the chart 21 by the colorimeter 8 shown in FIG.

For example, a1 is yellow, a2 is red, a3 is magenta, a4 is cyan, and a6 is blue. a7 to a
12 denotes an achromatic color, a7 is white, a12 is black, a
8 to a11 are gray, and blackness increases from a8 to a11.

The computer 3 converts the transmitted RGB image data into image data for printing (for example, CMYK image: C
yan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black). At the time of this conversion, the color of the converted CMYK image is adjusted using the chart 21-1 so as to approach the actual color of the subject 11.

The scanner 7 reads the photograph 15 having the chart 21-2 attached thereto, decomposes the photograph 15 into CMYK image data, and sends the data to the computer 3. The computer 3 combines the data and displays the data on a screen.
At this time, the operator may, for example, use the actual chart 21-2.
And a chart 21-2 on the image is compared numerically or visually to perform processing, and is converted into a CMYK image so as not to lose the original color of the photograph.

Thereafter, charts 21-1 and 21-1 of the image are displayed.
Recognize the part 2 and replace the part with the replacement image 6. The replacement image database 5 is a computer 3
And holds the replacement image 6. CD-ROM
Reference numeral 13 records an image conversion processing program by the computer 3.

As described above, the computer 3 converts the RGB image data sent from the digital camera 9 or the scanner 7 into CMYK image data. At this time, the operator compares the actual chart with the chart on the image, and
The color adjustment of the YK image data is performed. C after color adjustment
In the MYK image data, the chart portion is not required. Therefore, the chart portion is replaced with another image, that is, a replacement image.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process for inserting a replacement image into a chart portion. The computer 3 reads CMYK image data with a chart (step 201). Here, the color arrangement information of the chart is input to the computer 3 (step 202), and the computer 3 recognizes the chart portion using the color arrangement information. If the color arrangement information of the chart is stored in advance, step 202 can be omitted.

Thus, it is determined whether or not a chart exists in the image (step 203). If the chart does not exist or the chart cannot be recognized, the process ends without converting the image.

If a chart exists in the image, the shape, size, and position of the chart are recognized, the replacement image 6 is deformed according to the chart, and replaced with the chart portion (step 204).

Hereinafter, the conversion of an image of a subject photographed by a digital camera will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a car 33 as a subject. The chart 21 shown in FIG. 2 is installed on a car 33, and a photograph is taken using a digital camera or the like. In this case, the chart 21 is a plate made of paper, board, metal or the like.

The image data of the photograph is sent to the computer 3 and converted into CMYK image data. Figure 5 is CMYK
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image 51. CMYK image 51 is C version,
Color separation and separation into M, Y, and K plates. Among them, the C, M, and Y versions include color information.

Next, a method of determining a chart portion from the CMYK image 51 shown in FIG. 5 will be described. For each pixel in the C, M, and Y planes shown in FIG. 5, a threshold is provided, and a pixel exceeding the threshold is set to “1” and a pixel not exceeding the threshold is set to “0” to binarize the image. . Therefore, C
The charts in the plate, the M plate, and the Y plate are also binarized.

FIG. 6 shows charts 21C, 21M, and 21Y for the C, M, and Y planes. Chart 2
Since the color information of 1 is already known, the chart portion is binarized from the information and the threshold.

For example, when the C-version chart 21C is binarized, the pixel value in the area a1 above the chart 21C is “0”, the pixel value in the area a2 is “0”, the pixel value in the area a3 is “0”, The pixel value in the area a4 is “1”, the pixel value in the area a5 is “1”, and the pixel value in the area a6 is “1”.

That is, in the C-version chart 21C, the array of pixel values for each area, that is, the color array information is "00011".
1 ". Therefore, the C plate shown in FIG. 5 is scanned,
In the process of step 202 shown in FIG. 3, "000111" is input as the color array information of the pixel value for each area, and the portion where the color array matches is determined to be the upper region of the chart 21C.

Similarly, the color array information "011001" of the pixel value for each area of the M-plane chart 21M is input, and the M-plane is scanned to show the portion where the color array coincides with the chart 2M.
Recognize as 1M. Similarly, the color array information “110100” of the pixel value for each area of the Y-plane chart 21Y is input, and the Y-plane is scanned and a portion having the same color array is scanned.
Recognized as Y. Here, it has been described that a portion where the color arrangement information matches from all of the C, M, and Y planes is recognized.
If the chart portion is extracted from any of the C, M, and Y versions, the processing on the other versions can be omitted.

Next, a method for detecting the angle of the chart portion will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of detecting an angle. The boundary of the region r1 recognized as the region of the pixel of the same color by the above method is defined as an edge 73, an edge 75
And The angle between the edge 73 and the horizontal line 77 is determined, and the angle between the edge 75 and the vertical line 79 is determined. Thus, the region r
A tilt angle of 1 is determined, and then the tilt angle of the chart portion is determined.

By detecting the coincidence of the color arrangement and the angle as described above, the area of the chart portion is recognized from each plate of the CMYK image 51. Next, the recognized chart portion and the replacement image 6 are replaced. FIG. 8 shows an example 6-1 of the replacement image.
FIG. The replacement image 6-1 is transformed into the same size and the same shape as the chart portion, and the replacement image 6-1 is inserted into the chart portion of each plate shown in FIG. 5 to synthesize the image. FIG. 9 shows an image 6-1 replaced with a chart portion.
It is a figure which shows the image which replaced.

In this way, a meaningful design element can be added to the image by replacing the chart portion that is not necessary for the final image with characters, logos, and the like.

Next, another method for recognizing an area having the same color arrangement as the chart portion from an image will be described. FIG.
Is a diagram showing the chart 21 and its peripheral portion. As shown in FIG. 10, a white frame portion 83 and a black frame portion 85 having a predetermined width are provided around the chart 21.

The color information of the white frame 83 is “0”, and the color information of the black frame 85 is “1”. Therefore, the regions of the white frame portion 83 and the black frame portion 85 are regions of the same color that are wider than the chart 21, so that the image is easily scanned and recognized. The angle of the chart portion can also be determined by obtaining the angle between the boundary between the white frame portion 83 or the black frame portion 85 and the horizontal and vertical lines.

In the present embodiment, the CMYK image conversion of a photograph taken by a digital camera has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to image conversion of a photograph read by a scanner or the like. The chart 21 only needs to know the color information, and the shape, the configuration of the color area, and the like can be changed.

Further, by using a barcode or the like as the chart 21, information and data can be included in the image. In this barcode, the barcode itself is colored.

Further, if the design of the colored portion of the chart 21 is made to be a character, a logo, or the like so as to have the meaning of the design element, the replacement process of the chart portion can be omitted, and the picture can be used as it is.

The present embodiment is applicable not only to conversion to CMYK images but also to conversion to other two-color images, three-color images, and the like.

[0037]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the color of a subject can be faithfully reproduced when converting an image such as a photograph into an image for printing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing system 1 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a chart 21.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing replacement image insertion processing by the image processing system 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a car 33 as a subject.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a CMYK conversion image 51;

FIG. 6 is a chart 21C, 2 chart for the C, M, and Y versions.
Figure showing 1M, 21Y

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of detecting an angle of a chart portion;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a replacement image 6-1.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an image after conversion replaced with a replacement image 6-1.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another embodiment of a chart portion.

[Description of Signs] 1 ... Image processing system 3 ... Computer 5 ... Replacement image database 6 ... Replacement image 7 ... Scanner 8 ... Colorimeter 9 ... Digital camera 21 21-1, 21-2 ... Chart 11 ... Subject 15 ... Photo

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 9/64 H04N 1/46 Z

Claims (10)

[Claims] A detecting unit configured to detect the color reference chart portion from an image including a color reference chart having known color information; a unit configured to replace the color reference chart portion detected by the detecting unit with a replacement image; An image processing system comprising: 2. A means for converting an RGB image including a color reference chart having known color information into a CMYK image; a detection means for detecting the color reference chart portion of the CMYK image; Means for replacing a color reference chart portion with a replacement image. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the detecting unit is configured to output the image or the CM.
3. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the YK image is scanned, and an area that matches a color arrangement of the color reference chart is detected. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detecting unit detects the image or the CM.
3. The color reference chart portion is scanned by scanning a YK image and detecting a color reference chart portion using an angle between a horizontal line and a vertical line of a boundary of a region corresponding to a color arrangement of the color reference chart. Image processing system. 5. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the color reference chart is a barcode. 6. The color reference chart according to claim 1, wherein the color reference chart has a color arrangement having known color information, and has a frame of at least two different colors provided around the color arrangement. The image processing system according to claim 2. 7. A detection step of detecting the color reference chart portion from an image including a color reference chart having known color information; and a step of replacing the color reference chart portion detected in the detection step with a replacement image; An image conversion method comprising: 8. A step of converting an RGB image including a color reference chart having known color information into a CMYK image; a detection step of detecting the color reference chart portion of the CMYK image; Replacing the color reference chart portion with a replacement image. 9. A detection means for detecting the color reference chart portion from an image including a color reference chart having known color information, and a means for replacing the color reference chart portion detected by the detection means with a replacement image. A recording medium on which a program for operating a computer is recorded. 10. A means for converting an RGB image including a color reference chart having known color information into a CMYK image; a detection means for detecting the color reference chart portion of the CMYK image; A recording medium on which a program for operating a computer is recorded as means for replacing a color reference chart portion with a replacement image.