JP2002125243A - Image processor and control method for the image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor that can uniformize the color reproducibility of image data recorded on a recording medium independently of the color reproducibility of a printer that prints out the image data recorded on the recording medium. SOLUTION: On the recording medium 1, an image data file, a control information file that applies print control to the image data file, and an image data correction information file that acts like attribute information for the image data file and corrects the image data are recorded. The image processor is characterized in that in the case of printing out the image file stored in the recording medium, a control section 11 controls a color adjustment section 4 to optimally correct the image data according to the attribute information file stored in the recording medium 11 for the printout of the image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for reading out image data and the like stored in a recording medium of a digital camera, performing predetermined image processing and printing, and a method of controlling the image processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a video printer which prints image information of a photographed image by an image pickup apparatus such as a digital camera and a video camera is known. In these devices, image information captured by a camera is stored in a memory card, and the memory card in which the image information is stored is connected to a personal computer. It is known to read out image information and output it to a printer connected to a personal computer to obtain a print image.

Further, an image pickup apparatus and a personal computer are connected by a cable, and an image is connected to the personal computer via a cable from a memory card connected to the image pickup apparatus or a storage unit of image information provided inside the image pickup apparatus. A device that captures information and prints it out from a personal computer by outputting it to a printer.
Alternatively, a method is known in which a video printer obtains a print output of image information stored in an imaging device by connecting the imaging device to a video printer via a cable without using a personal computer.

[0004]

However, since image information captured by a digital camera or the like is the result of capturing various objects under various conditions, the output result of printing these is not necessarily satisfactory to the operator. Could not be obtained.

Another problem is that output results differ depending on the printer used due to differences in the gradation characteristics or color reproduction range of the printer used.

If the printed output result is not the desired one, the operator uses the desired application software on the personal computer to convert the image information captured by the personal computer into the desired one. After performing image quality adjustment such as color adjustment and gradation adjustment, printing must be executed again, resulting in extremely poor operability.

Further, in a system for obtaining a print output without mediation of a personal computer, it has been pointed out that it is impossible for an operator to perform desired image quality adjustment, and that printing is wasted. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image data file on a recording medium, a control information file for controlling printing of the image data file, and an image data file. As attribute information,
An image data correction information file for correcting image data is recorded, and when the image file recorded on the recording medium is printed, the image data is corrected according to the attribute information file stored on the recording medium. Since the image data recorded on the recording medium is corrected and printed, the color reproduction of the image data recorded on the recording medium is made uniform without being affected by the color reproducibility of the printer that prints the image data recorded on the recording medium. This eliminates the need for an operation burden for adjusting the color reproducibility of image data recorded on a recording medium as in the related art, and allows a print result of a color tone intended by the user to be promptly obtained. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and a control method of the image processing apparatus, which can improve the quality of an image output in color.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium (corresponding to a recording medium 1 shown in FIG. 1) in which image data and the contents of a print job are stored. An image processing apparatus having means for reading the contents of a job and printing image data in accordance with the read print job, and means for reading attribute information of image data recorded in the recording medium (see FIG. 1). An adjusting unit (equivalent to the control unit 11 and the color adjusting unit 4 shown in FIG. 1) that adjusts the image characteristics of the image data using the attribute information read by the reading unit. And printing means (printing unit 9 shown in FIG. 1) for printing image data image-adjusted by the image adjusting means.

In a second invention according to the present invention, the data relating to the attribute information is recorded in a file instructing a print job.

In a third aspect of the present invention, the attribute information and the data relating to the attribute information are managed in a rewritable manner.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the attribute information is a color adjustment process, an output masking process, or γ.
It adjusts image processing characteristics in the conversion process.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the attribute information is created based on characteristics of a printer that outputs the attribute information.

[0014] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the attribute information is created based on characteristics of an imaging device that has captured an image or an imaging environment.

In a seventh aspect according to the present invention, the attribute information is created based on characteristics of a printer to be output and an imaging device that has captured an image.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the recording medium is a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk medium, a magneto-optical disk medium, or a magnetic tape medium.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing image data and print job contents (FIG. 1).
And a means for reading the image data and the contents of the print job, and printing the image data in accordance with the read print job. Step of reading attribute information of image data recorded in the medium (FIG. 3)
(3) to (6)), and an adjusting step of adjusting the image characteristics of the image data using the attribute information read in the reading step (steps (7) and (7) shown in FIG. 3). 11)) and a printing step (step (9) shown in FIG. 3) for printing the image data image-adjusted in the adjusting step.

In a tenth aspect according to the present invention, the data relating to the attribute information is recorded in a file instructing a print job.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the attribute information and the data relating to the attribute information are managed in a rewritable manner.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the attribute information adjusts image processing characteristics in a color adjustment process, an output masking process, or a γ conversion process.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the attribute information is created based on characteristics of a printer that outputs the attribute information.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the attribute information is created based on characteristics of an imaging device that has captured an image or an imaging environment.

[0023] In a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the attribute information is created based on characteristics of a printer to be output and an imaging device that has captured an image.

In a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the recording medium is a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk medium, a magneto-optical disk medium, or a magnetic tape medium.

[0025]

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

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a print system to which an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording medium that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus, and a digital recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, and an optical disk is detachably configured. Reference numeral 2 denotes a data reading unit for reading recording data from the recording medium 1, and a data signal output from the data reading unit 2 is connected to an image data restoring unit 3 and a control unit 11 for controlling the entire system described later. .

At this time, the signal output from the image data restoration unit 3 is input to a color adjustment unit 4, and the output of the color adjustment unit 4 is input to a spatial filter unit 5. Spatial filter unit 5
Is output to the output masking unit 6 and the display unit 10.

The output signal of the output masking section 6 is input to the γ conversion section 7, and the output signal of the γ conversion section 7 is
It is input to the pseudo halftone processing unit 8. Pseudo halftone processing unit 8
Is input to the printing unit 9 and the printing unit 9
, A print process based on the input output signal is executed and printed out.

Next, the configuration of a data file recorded on the recording medium 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

The recording medium 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an image data file captured by a digital camera, a video camera, a scanner, or an image data file created by a personal computer, and control information in which control information is described. The file has been saved.

The control information data file can be created and updated in association with the image data when the image data file is recorded on the recording medium, and the control information data file can also be used to store the data on the recording medium. A writable personal computer, a digital camera, a video camera, and a scanner main body are configured to allow editing such as additional writing, change, and deletion.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the control information file stored in the recording medium 1 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control information file in the present embodiment is composed of file management information and print job information.
B information, and the file management information includes information such as a file creation date and time and a user ID (user information).

The print job information includes color or black and white, a print type designating the print size, the number of prints, an image file format designating the format of the image file to be printed, and an area where the image file is recorded. Path specification data indicating
Also, a format relating to attribute information used for correcting image data when printing the image file, and path designation data indicating an area where the attribute information file is recorded are included.

The data relating to the attribute information file is not always necessary, and can be omitted. However, if omitted, the automatic correction of the recorded image data will not be performed.
Also, the same control information file is configured to include a plurality of print job information.

Hereinafter, the operation of the present apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. In addition, (1) to (12) indicate each step.

First, in step (1), when an automatic control switch (not shown) provided in the control unit 11 of the present apparatus is turned on, the recording medium 1 is turned on in step (2). It is determined whether or not it is mounted, and if it is determined that it is not mounted, the process proceeds to step (12) and ends the flow.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the recording medium 1 is loaded, the process proceeds to step (3), where the control unit 11 controls the data reading unit 2 to The control information file is searched to determine whether or not the control information file exists. If it is determined that the control information file has not been detected from the recording medium 1, the process proceeds to step 12 and ends the flow.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the control information file has been detected, the process proceeds to step (4), where the control unit 11 sends the data from the recording medium 1 via the data reading unit 2 to the control information file. The file management information and the print job information are read, and it is determined whether the print job information has been detected. If it is determined that the print job information has not been detected, that is, it is determined that the automatic print job has not been set. If so, proceed to step (12) and end the operation.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that print job information has been detected in the control information file, the process proceeds to step (5), where
It is determined whether the path of the attribute information file is specified,
If it is determined that there is a path designation, the process proceeds to step (6), and the control unit 11 reads the attribute information file via the data reading unit 2 according to the file format of the attribute information. Thereafter, the flow proceeds to step (7), where image correction data is set according to the contents of the attribute information file.

In step (5), when it is determined that the path of the attribute information file is designated, for example, when a gain correction value for an RGB signal is used as an example of the attribute information file, step (6) is performed. )
The content of the attribute information file recorded as the print job information is determined by the control unit 11 from the file format data of the attribute information.

In this case, it is determined that the information indicating the gain correction value for the RGB signal is recorded as the attribute information file. Then, the control unit 11 reads the path designation information in which the attribute information file is recorded, reads the attribute information file from the recording medium 1 in accordance with the path designation information,
Since the content of the read attribute information file is interpreted as a gain correction value for the RGB signal by the file format data of the attribute information, the gain adjustment parameter for the RGB signal is read from the read attribute information file. Is calculated.

The gain adjustment parameter calculated in step (7) is transmitted to the color adjustment unit 4 by the control unit 11.
Is set in the gain adjustment block 4A (see FIG. 4).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the gain adjustment block of the color adjustment section 4 shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the input RGB signals are corrected to R'G'B 'signals by the gain correction values set in the gain adjustment block 4A. In this case, if it is determined in step (5) that the path of the attribute information file has not been designated, the process proceeds to step (11), where the initial value (gain = 1) is set as the gain adjustment parameter in FIG. Is set.

Next, in step (8), the control unit 11 controls the data reading unit 2 and the image data restoring unit 3 according to the image file format in the print JOB information and the relative path designation of the image file to record. The reading of the image file from the medium 1 is controlled.

The image file data read from the recording medium 1 is input to the image data restoring unit 3 via the data reading unit 2. Then, the image data restoring unit 3 restores the image according to the image file format in the print JOB information.

In this embodiment, as the image file format, formats such as JPEG, TIFF, and bitmap can be used. The image data is restored according to each image format, and the color adjustment unit 4 converts the image data into RGB signals. Is output to And the color adjustment unit 4
Then, the R ′ in which the RGB gain adjustment shown in FIG.
The G′B ′ signal is output to the spatial filter unit 5. Then, in the spatial filter unit 5, the spatial frequency characteristic of the input image signal is adjusted according to the input signal from the control unit 11, and the output signal of the spatial filter unit 5 is input to the output masking unit 6 and the display unit 10. The output masking unit 6 converts input image data into signal levels of four color inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) used in the printing unit 9. Done.

Here, table conversion is used as the conversion processing, but conversion processing by a known matrix operation may be used.

Further, on the display unit 10, the input image data is displayed on the monitor, and the image data of the image file read from the recording medium 1 can be confirmed. The output signal of the output masking unit 6 is input to the γ conversion unit 7. The γ conversion unit 7 is a block that converts γ characteristics of an input signal, and has a characteristic switched by an input signal from the control unit 11.

In step (9), the pseudo halftone processing section 8 performs an error diffusion process on the input signals corresponding to each of the colors C, M, Y, and K, and outputs it to the printing section 9. The image data inputted by the printing unit 9 is printed.

Here, an ink jet printer using four color inks of C, M, Y, and K is used, and a print image corresponding to the input image data signal is output.

Next, in step (10), it is determined whether or not the printing has been completed. If it is determined that printing has not been completed, the process returns to step (8), and the process returns to step (8). Reading is performed and the following flow is repeated until printing is completed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (10) that printing has been completed, the flow returns to step (4), it is determined whether or not there is new print JOB information, and new print JOB information has been detected. In this case, the above flow is repeated to continue the printing operation. If no new print job information is detected in step (4), the flow proceeds to step (12), and the control ends.

As described above with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
According to the present apparatus, when the automatic control switch is turned on, the image file recorded on the recording medium 1 is automatically printed according to the print JOB information in the control information file recorded on the recording medium 1 in advance. .

In the first embodiment, gain correction data for RGB signals is shown as an example of the attribute information file.

Here, the gain correction data for the RGB signals is used to correct a white balance that changes depending on the color temperature conditions under the photographing conditions when an image signal photographed using a digital camera or the like is to be printed. It is an effective correction means.Especially, even when sufficient correction cannot be performed at the time of photographing, the correction data is recorded on a recording medium as an attribute information file so that it can be printed or displayed on a monitor. Can further correct, and a print image with good white balance can be obtained.

The content of the attribute information file is not limited to this, but can be specified by the attribute information file format in the print job information described above.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining a main part configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. I have.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 4B denotes a look-up table, which has RG as a file format of attribute information.
It functions as a conversion table for the B signal.

The present embodiment is an example in which the color space of a color image signal recorded on a recording medium is corrected, and a conversion table for RGB signals is specified as a file format of attribute information.

Specifically, step (6) shown in FIG.
Then, the read attribute information file is converted into data of the three-dimensional lookup table 4B in the color adjustment unit 4 by the control unit 11 and set. That is, the color adjustment unit 4
Then, a process of converting an input RGB signal into an R′G′B ′ signal using a lookup table is performed. When the data width of the input RGB signals is 8 bits, the capacity of the lookup table 4B needs to be 224 × 8 bits × 3 colors. As table 4B,
A configuration may be employed in which 29 × 8 bits × 3 colors are prepared in which the upper 3 bits of each of the input RGB signals are input, and the data value read from the table is interpolated by the lower bits of the input RGB signal.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the main part of an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. I have.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 4C denotes a matrix calculation unit which performs calculation on image data as input RGB signals to generate a corrected R ′ G ′ B ′ signal. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the RGB signal is converted into the R′G′B ′ signal by the matrix operation of the matrix operation unit 4C. In this case, according to the attribute information file format in the print job information described above,
A matrix coefficient is specified, and the control section 11 sets each coefficient read from the read attribute information file in the matrix calculation section 4C of the color adjustment section 4 so that the image data is corrected.

If the color adjustment section 4 does not have the matrix calculation section 4C and has only a lookup table, the control section 11 uses the matrix coefficients read from the attribute information file to store the lookup table in the lookup table. The value to be set may be calculated, and the lookup table may be controlled to perform processing equivalent to a matrix operation.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the above embodiment, the input and output signals of the color adjustment unit are RGB signals.
The present invention is not limited to this, and signals in the X, Y, Z or Y, U, V space may be used. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining a main configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 4D denotes a look-up table, which converts input Y, U, V signals into R'G'B 'signals.

Further, the correction performed by the attribute information file is not limited to the above-described color adjustment unit 4, but the spatial frequency characteristics of the spatial filter unit 5, the output masking unit 6, the γ conversion unit 7, and the characteristics of the pseudo halftone processing unit 8. Obviously, it can be used to correct and adjust.

In the above embodiment, the data indicating the attribute information file format is used in the print JOB information. However, this data can be included in the attribute information file, and can be included in the attribute information file. To
Information corresponding to the attribute information file format may be set.

[Fifth Embodiment] Next, an embodiment for correcting the gradation characteristics of a printer will be described as an example of the correction performed by the attribute information file.

In FIG. 1, when an input for instructing a printer gradation correction operation is performed by an operation unit (not shown), a printing operation of predetermined image data set in advance by the control unit 11 is started. The predetermined image data set in advance may be recorded in the recording medium 1 in advance, or the control unit 11 may control the image restoration unit 3 to generate the predetermined image data. FIG. 8 shows a printout output of preset image data.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of gradation correction image data output from the printing unit 9 shown in FIG.
C, M, Y, K as color materials used in the print unit 9
It consists of gradation patterns of each color. The range of the image data corresponding to each gradation pattern is 0 to 255 when the image data is composed of 8 bits.
Becomes

FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of a gradation characteristic table created by the control unit 11 shown in FIG.
The vertical axis indicates the print output density level, and the horizontal axis indicates the output level.

FIG. 10 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of the tone characteristic table created by the control unit 11 shown in FIG. 1. The tone characteristic is idealized from the tone characteristic table created by the control unit 11. A γ correction table for correcting characteristics is created. The vertical axis indicates the γ-conversion output, and the horizontal axis indicates the γ-conversion input.

The print image output from the print section 9 as described above is photographed by an image input device such as a digital camera, and is recorded on the recording medium 1 as image data.

Next, when the recording medium 1 is set on the main body and an image reading instruction is given from an operation unit (not shown), an image obtained by photographing the print output image shown in FIG. Read data.

Then, the control unit 11 reads out the read C,
A gradation characteristic table shown in FIG. 9 is created from the image data of each gradation pattern of M, Y, and K.

Next, the control unit 11 uses the created gradation characteristic table to correct γ for correcting gradation characteristics to ideal characteristics.
A correction table (see FIG. 10) is created and recorded on the recording medium 1 as an attribute information file. A data read / write control unit 12 controls memory access to the recording medium 1.

Then, the control section 11 sets the created γ correction table in the conversion table of the γ conversion section 7 shown in FIG. As described above, even when the gradation characteristics of the printer used do not match the ideal characteristics, it is possible to obtain a print output with excellent gradation reproducibility by correcting the γ characteristic of the output signal to the printer. Become.

The gamma correction table created as described above and recorded as an attribute information file on the recording medium 1 is as follows.
By specifying the format of the attribute file in the print job information and specifying the path of the attribute information file, the image correction data is read from the recording medium in step (7) in the flow of FIG. Read out,
By setting the γ conversion unit 7, a good print output in which the characteristics of the printer are corrected can be obtained.

[Sixth Embodiment] In the fifth embodiment,
Although the case where the recording medium 1 has the data recording function has been described, if the recording medium 1 does not have the data recording function, a scanner is connected as described later, and the print output shown in FIG. It is good also as a structure which performs. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of an image processing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 11, reference numeral 15 denotes a scanner which is connected to the personal computer 14 and is controlled by the personal computer 14 to scan an original placed on an original platen and to transmit the photoelectrically converted image data signal to the personal computer 14. It is configured to allow input. Reference numeral 13 denotes an external interface, which is connected to the personal computer 14 via a predetermined interface and communicably connected to the control unit 11.
3, the control unit 11 and the personal computer 14 of the apparatus can input and output data.

The scanner 15 is not limited to the flatbed type, but can be applied to the present invention even if the scanner 15 is of a type that conveys a document and reads an image.

In the image processing apparatus configured as described above, the print output shown in FIG. Next, the captured image data signal is input to the control unit 11 via the external interface 13. The control unit 11 creates a γ table (see FIG. 9) of each of the gradation patterns of C, M, Y, and K from the image data input from the external interface 13, and corrects γ characteristics to ideal characteristics. A correction table (see FIG. 10) is created. This is recorded on the recording medium 1 as an attribute information file.

The image data taken into the personal computer as image data by the scanner 15 is processed in the personal computer 14, a gamma correction table is created in the personal computer 14, and the created gamma correction table is stored in an external device. The information may be input to the control unit 11 via the interface 13 and recorded on the recording medium 1 as an attribute information file.

In this case, the amount of communication data can be reduced in this case, as compared with the case where the γ correction data is input as image data via the external interface 13.
The speed of the system can be increased.

[Seventh Embodiment] Next, as an example of the correction performed by the attribute information file, an embodiment for correcting the output masking characteristic will be described.

In FIG. 1, when an input for instructing print color adjustment is performed by an operation unit (not shown), the control unit 11 starts a printing operation of predetermined image data set in advance.

The predetermined image data set in advance may be recorded in the recording medium 1 in advance, or the control unit 11 may control the image data restoration unit 3 to generate predetermined image data. It may be.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of color patch output from the printing unit 9 shown in FIG. 1, and includes predetermined image data and image data previously recorded on the recording medium 1 shown in FIG.
Alternatively, this corresponds to a printout example of predetermined image data generated by the control unit 11 controlling the image data restoration unit 3.

In FIG. 12, a print pattern is a plurality of color patches formed by a predetermined combination of data signal values corresponding to the respective colors C, M, Y, and K, which are color materials used in the print unit 9. It is composed and includes a reproducible color space. The output print image is photographed by an image input device such as a digital camera and recorded on the recording medium 1 as image data.

Next, the recording medium 1 is set in the main body,
An instruction to read an image is given to the control unit 11 from an operation unit (not shown), and image data of the print output image shown in FIG.

Then, the control unit 11 creates color correction data from the image data of the color patches that have been photographed and stored in the recording medium 1.

The color correction data is obtained by processing the image data signal of each patch when the print output shown in FIG. 12 is photographed by the input device such as the digital camera, and converted by the output masking section 6 into CMYK. Figure 1
The conversion table is created by the control unit 11 so as to be substantially equal to the CMYK data signal value at the time of creating the corresponding color patch shown in FIG.

Next, the control section 11 records the created conversion table on the recording medium 1 as an attribute information file. Further, the created conversion table is set as a table of the output masking unit 6.

As described above, by correcting the correspondence between the color reproduction characteristics of the printer used and the reproduction characteristics of the photographing apparatus, it is possible to obtain a print output having excellent color reproduction characteristics. The conversion table created as described above and recorded on the recording medium as the attribute information file specifies the format of the attribute file and specifies the path of the attribute information file in the print job information described above. As a result, in step (7) of the flowchart of FIG. 3, the attribute information file is read from the recording medium,
By setting the read conversion table as image correction data in the output masking section 6, a good print output with corrected color reproduction characteristics can be obtained.

Generally, the color space of a color image signal photographed by the color sensor of the image pickup apparatus
Does not always match the color space reproduced by
The color space reproducible by the printer is often narrower than the color space of the color image signal captured by the imaging device, but as described above, the color space of the input color image signal is determined according to the attribute information file. Is converted into the color reproduction range of the printer, thereby making it possible to obtain a print output having a good gradation characteristic without a false contour.

In another embodiment, a chart serving as a reference for color reproduction is photographed under a condition in which a photographing device such as a digital camera photographs a subject, and the chart is recorded on a recording medium. The control unit 11 can also create color correction data based on the photographing data signal.

Further, using this as an attribute information file,
By recording on a recording medium, it is possible to perform color correction of a subject photographed under the same conditions.

Further, the image correction data created based on the color profile characteristics of the image pickup system of the digital camera and the color profile characteristics of the printer created by the other devices are transferred to the external interface 1 shown in FIG.
By inputting the information to the apparatus via the computer 3 and recording it as attribute file information on the recording medium 1, it is possible to perform more advanced image correction.

In the above embodiment, print output has been described. However, it is possible to improve the quality of a display image by correcting the image to be displayed on the display unit 10 with image correction data in the same manner. Become.

In particular, by adjusting the color of the image data to be displayed by using the image correction data created based on the color profile characteristics of the display unit, it is possible to display a color reproduction image with good color reproducibility. It becomes possible.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by an image processing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by an image processing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator and the like are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is stored in the storage medium. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIG. 3 in this embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applicable even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of a storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, and C
D-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, etc. can be used.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program codes, and the OS (Operating System) running on the computer is executed based on the instructions of the program codes. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

[0117]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the sixteenth aspect, an image data file and a control information file for controlling the printing of the image data file on a recording medium,
And as attribute information of the image data file, an image data correction information file for correcting the image data is recorded, and when the image file recorded on the recording medium is printed, the image data correction information file is stored on the recording medium. In accordance with the attribute information file, the image data is corrected and printed to the optimum value, so that the image data recorded on the recording medium is not affected by the color reproducibility of the printer that prints the image data recorded on the recording medium. It is possible to make the color reproducibility of data uniform, eliminating the burden of operation for adjusting the color reproducibility of image data recorded on a recording medium as in the past, and the print result of the color tone intended by the user. Can be obtained quickly, and the quality of an image output in color can be improved.

Further, it is possible to correct the gradation characteristics of the printer, and it is possible to obtain a good print output without a false contour.

Further, it is possible to perform a color correction process in consideration of the color space of the photographing device and the printer, and it is possible to obtain excellent effects such as improvement of color reproducibility of print image quality.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print system to which an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a control information file stored on a recording medium shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a gain adjustment block of the color adjustment unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of image data for gradation correction output from the printing unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram illustrating an example of a gradation characteristic table created by the control unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a characteristic diagram illustrating an example of a gradation characteristic table created by the control unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of color patch output from the printing unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by an image processing system to which the image processing device according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 recording medium 2 data readout unit 3 image data restoration unit 4 color adjustment unit 5 spatial filter unit 6 output masking unit 7 γ conversion unit 8 pseudo halftone processing unit 9 printing unit 10 display unit 11 control unit

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04N 1/46 H04N 1/40 101E 5/76 1/46 Z F term (reference) 5B057 BA02 CA01 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB01 CB08 CB12 CB16 CC01 CE11 CE17 CH01 CH07 5C052 AA01 AA17 FA02 FA03 FA06 FB01 FC06 FC08 FD02 FD13 5C055 AA04 AA05 AA06 AA14 BA06 BA08 EA05 EA06 HA16 HA37 5C077 LL19 LL20 MM27 MP08 PP15 PP32 PP33B01 H08 NA02 NA03 NA11 NA17 PA00 PA03

Claims (16)

[Claims] An image processing apparatus for reading image data and print job contents from a recording medium storing image data and print job contents, and printing the image data according to the read print jobs. A device for reading attribute information of image data recorded in the recording medium; and an adjusting unit for adjusting an image characteristic of the image data using the attribute information read by the reading unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints the image data whose image has been adjusted by the adjusting unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data relating to the attribute information is recorded in a file instructing a print job. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information and data relating to the attribute information are managed in a rewritable manner. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information adjusts an image processing characteristic in a color adjustment process, an output masking process, or a γ conversion process. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information is created based on characteristics of a printer that outputs the attribute information. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information is created based on characteristics of an imaging apparatus that has captured an image or an imaging environment. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information is created based on characteristics of a printer that outputs the image and an image capturing apparatus that captures an image. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk medium, a magneto-optical disk medium, or a magnetic tape medium. 9. Image processing for reading image data and print job contents from a recording medium storing image data and print job contents, and printing image data in accordance with the read print jobs. A method for controlling an apparatus, comprising: reading attribute information of image data recorded in the recording medium; and adjusting image characteristics of the image data using the attribute information read in the reading step. A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: an adjusting step; and a printing step of printing image data whose image has been adjusted by the adjusting step. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the data relating to the attribute information is recorded in a file instructing a print job. 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the attribute information and data relating to the attribute information are managed in a rewritable manner. 12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the attribute information adjusts an image processing characteristic in a color adjustment process, an output masking process, or a γ conversion process. 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the attribute information is created based on characteristics of a printer that outputs the attribute information. 14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the attribute information is created based on characteristics of an imaging device that has captured an image or an imaging environment. 15. The method according to claim 9, wherein the attribute information is created based on characteristics of a printer to be output and an imaging device that has captured an image. 16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said recording medium is a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk medium, a magneto-optical disk medium, or a magnetic tape medium.