JP2003087579A - Method and device for processing color image, storage medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain print results with appropriate brightness on the basis of a printing mode of a printing purpose, types of media, a quantizing method and print quality or the like. SOLUTION: Data for correction in gray scale conversion are generated from data for correction processing in color printing and corresponding to a set printing mode (diagram 4), and the generated correction data are used for gray scale conversion of color image data (diagram 3, 210).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color image processing device, a color image processing method, a storage medium, and a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, when an image to be combined on a personal computer is printed in gray scale by a printer, luminance signals R (red) and G as data of the image are printed.
It is necessary to convert (green) and B (blue) into color signals Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) used in the printer, and K (black) or K (black) only if necessary. is there. The process of this conversion is, for example, NTSC.
In the RGB space, the Gray data is calculated from the RGB data by the following formula. Gray = R * 0.3 + G * 0.6 + 0.1 * B After that, Gray was converted to CMYK or K, quantization was performed, and printing was performed by the printer. Alternatively, some of the processes include a process of making the image a little brighter by using a predetermined table at the time of this conversion.

Further, in an apparatus in which color correction ON / brightness correction can be selected in color printing, even when brightness correction printing is performed, color correction processing is not performed and color conversion processing is simply performed. Alternatively, some of the processes include a process of making the image a little brighter by using a predetermined table at the time of this conversion.

[0004]

However, in the grayscale / brightness correction printing described above, only the color conversion processing is performed, so that the print medium, the printing purpose (photo mode or graphics mode), the medium, the quantization Since the color correction processing suitable for the method and print quality is not performed, some print results may be printed too dark, which is a big difference from the output result in color printing. Further, even in the method of using a predetermined table at the time of color conversion in grayscale / brightness correction printing, the table is fixed without considering the print medium and print mode set at the time of printing,
The desired output was not obtained.

Therefore, the present invention realizes to obtain a print result of suitable brightness based on a print mode such as a print purpose, a kind of medium, a quantization method, and print quality.

Further, even in an image having a color portion and a gray portion, appropriate brightness correction according to the print mode is realized.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides data for correction processing in color printing, in which data for correction processing according to a set print mode is corrected in grayscale conversion. Data is generated, and color image data is converted into gray scale using the generated correction data.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows first to fourth embodiments.
2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing system showing an embodiment of a data conversion device used in the embodiment of FIG.
The output device 205 can be in the form of, for example, a color inkjet printer or a laser printer, and uses four color inks of yellow (Y), M (magenta), C (cyan), and black (K) to print on a printing paper. Print output is performed. However, the output of the color printer may be 6 or 7 colors, but in this embodiment, 4 colors will be described. Y, M, C, K used in this output device 205
The print data including the density data of the
01 is obtained by image processing,
The image processing includes color correction, color conversion, gradation correction, and quantization processing described below.

The control device 201 is a computer having a CPU, and executes data processing relating to the present system such as color conversion described later and initial processing therefor, and operation control of mechanical elements of each part. The storage device 203 is a ROM or RA
A memory such as M, a hard disk, and an external storage device such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk as a whole, which is readable by the computer described above, and a lookup table described later with respect to an embodiment of the present invention. The calculation category is stored. The above-mentioned computer executes the storage device 2 in order to execute the processing of each embodiment below.
The printer driver program stored in 03 is processed.

For example, the image read by the scanner is stored in the storage device 203, and the operator of this system is
An image displayed on a display device 204 such as a CRT or TFT is subjected to desired processing by an operation input from an input device 202 including a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and the output device 20
In step 5, an image to be printed out can be produced. In this way, the image produced by the present system is generally the gradation data of each of the luminance signals R, G, and B. In order to use this as the print data of the output device 205, color correction, color conversion, gradation correction are performed. And quantization processing is performed.

It is needless to say that the application of the processing of this embodiment described below is not limited to the above system. For example, it is well known that color conversion processing is performed in a color image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, and it is obvious that the processing of this embodiment can be applied to such an apparatus or system. .

The color correction processing here is 8 bits for each color of RGB.
To R'G'B 'each color is corrected to 8 bits. Further, the color conversion processing is performed from 8 bits of each color of R'G'B 'to CMY.
K Each color is converted to 8 bits. Further, the gradation correction processing is performed from 8 bits of each color of C′M′Y′K ′ to C ″ ″ M ″ ″.
Correction is performed for each color of 8 ″ of Y ″ ″ K ″ ″. Quantization processing is performed from 8 bits for each color of C ″ ″ M ″ Y ″ ″ K ″ ″ to cmy.
k Quantization to 1 bit for each color is performed. Such color correction, color conversion, gradation correction and quantization processing utilize a look-up table (hereinafter also referred to as LUT) in this embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a driver module 206 which constitutes a printer driver, and a color correction / color conversion module 20.
7 and the gradation correction / quantization module 208 are shown in the figure. Each module is independent, and the driver module calls the color correction / color conversion module and the gradation correction / quantization module. Has become.

In the following, the flowcharts in the respective embodiments are realized by sequentially executing the processing procedure by the printer driver described above. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the flow of this embodiment. Here, at the time of gray scale printing, it is assumed that output is made with one color of Black ink.

In the color correction / color conversion module, the printing purpose (photo mode, graphic mode, etc.), the type of media (plain paper, glossy paper, OHP, etc.), the quantization method (dither, error diffusion), and the printing quality ( High-quality, high-speed) LUTs for multiple color corrections for color printing
Holds the data. In this embodiment, the LUT for color correction for color printing corresponding to the print mode (medium type, quantization method, print quality described above) set by the printer driver by the operator is used, and FIG. 2nd L for obtaining the output Gray'-8bit data from the Gray-8bit signal which has been grayscale converted in
Create a UT. (209) The procedure will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, the color correction / color conversion module prepares a color correction LUT (a relationship table of output RGB values with respect to input RGB) corresponding to the above-mentioned set print mode, and input (R, G, B) = (I, i, i) Output R′G′B′−8 bit data (R ′) corresponding to values of i = 0 to 255
(I), G '(i), B' (i)) is calculated (21
4).

As a color correction LUT, a large number of LUTs are stored as described above, and in order to reduce the data amount of table data, RG which is an input color signal of the LUT.
Instead of holding the output values for all 256 levels of the color components of the B signal, the input color space is sampled at appropriate intervals and only the sampling points are held as input-to-output table data. Then, the output for the input other than the sampling points of the input color space is obtained by the linear interpolation processing using a plurality of sampling points.
Specifically, as the LUT, a three-dimensional lookup table (LUT) that stores conversion data (grid data) for each grid point of a three-dimensional solid grid (grid) for input RGB is used. Then, for an input corresponding to a position other than each grid point, a linear interpolation calculation is performed using an interpolation grid including the position and represented as a predetermined solid having each grid point as a vertex, and a corresponding output (conversion data) is obtained. .

The output result R'G'B'-8 bit data is converted into Gray data by the color correction / color conversion module using the following equation (1).

Gray (i) = R ′ (i) * 0.3 + G ′ (i) * 0.6 + B ′ (i) * 0.1 (i = 0 to 255) Equation (1) This is shown at 218 in FIG. 217 is the case where the input and the output are equal. As can be seen from FIG. 5, depending on the color correction LUT corresponding to the above-described set print mode, when the output value is the same for consecutive input values, or when two or more skips occur in the data. There is. This cause occurs, for example, in the above-described interpolation method, by using the grid data 300 described above to be used for interpolation at intervals of 32 as shown in FIG. When interpolation is actually performed using this grid data, it becomes as shown in FIG. The interpolated data becomes 301. At this time, Input0
In the case of 32, Outp
Since only ut0 to 20 exist, the output value may always be the same for consecutive input values. Also, Inp
In the case of ut32 to 64, since Output20 to 80 exist for the grid notch 32, a jump of output value of 2 or more always occurs for continuous input values. In particular, the output value is continuous before Input 20, and I
After nput20, there is a jump in the output value. In such a case, the gradation may be skipped, and a preferable printing result may not be obtained. An enlarged version of 219 of FIG. 5 is shown at 220 of FIG. Here, since the data has the same value continuously from the left and the next two data are skipped, the smoothing process 216 is performed to smooth the data like 221. The smoothing process can be performed in the cases of other patterns shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The interpolation method for performing interpolation using this grid data may be cubic interpolation, tetrahedral interpolation, or another interpolation method. The second LU so far
After the creation of T is completed, this LUT is held by the color correction / color conversion module. The above processing is executed immediately after the print mode is set in the printer driver.

The gray scale process 210 in FIG. 3 is performed by the driver module. When the print instruction is issued, the driver module receives the RGB-8 bit data from the application, and the driver module receives (210) in FIG.
Grayscale processing is performed in RGB-8bit
The data is converted to Gray-8 bit data. The conversion method in this case is Gray = R * 0.3 + G * 0.6 + B * 0.1 (2). Next, the driver module inputs the Gray-8
Call the color correction / color conversion module to process the bit data. In the first step, in the color correction / color conversion module, using the second LUT created above, the input Gray-8 bit is changed to the output Gray'-8b.
Convert to it (211). In the second step, the normal color conversion Gray'-8 bit to Black-8 bit is performed.
(212). Finally, the gradation correction / quantization module performs processing (213) and sends the data to the printer.

In this embodiment, the type of media (plain paper, glossy paper, OHP, etc.) set by the printer driver at the time of grayscale conversion, the quantization method (dither, error diffusion), and print quality (high quality, high speed) ) Selected from a large number of color correction LUT data according to the combination of
A second LUT is generated using the T data. The gray scale signal corresponding to the image to be printed is converted into a table by using the second LUT according to the print instruction (correction). As a result, it is possible to correct the brightness of the print image in consideration of the settings of the printer driver, and it is possible to perform grayscale printing that reflects the operator's intention.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that four colors of CMYK ink are output during color printing during brightness correction.

In the color correction / color conversion module, the printing purpose (photo mode, graphic mode, etc.), the type of media (plain paper, glossy paper, OHP, etc.), the quantization method (dither, error diffusion), and the printing quality ( High-quality, high-speed) LUTs for multiple color corrections for color printing
Holds the data. In this embodiment, the LUT for color correction for color printing corresponding to the print mode (the kind of medium, the quantization method, and the print quality described above) set by the printer driver by the operator is used, and FIG. Input RGB-8bit to output R'G'B'-8bi
Create a second LUT to obtain t data. The procedure will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, the color correction / color conversion module prepares a color correction LUT (a relation table of output RGB values with respect to input RGB) corresponding to the above-mentioned set print mode, and input (R, G, B) = (I, i, i) Output R′G′B′−8 bit data (R ′) corresponding to values of i = 0 to 255
(I), G '(i), B' (i)) is calculated (21
4).

As the LUT for color correction, a large number of LUTs are stored as described above, and in order to reduce the data amount of table data, RG which is an input color signal of the LUT.
Instead of holding the output values for all 256 levels of the color components of the B signal, the input color space is sampled at appropriate intervals and only the sampling points are held as input-to-output table data. Then, the output for the input other than the sampling points of the input color space is obtained by the linear interpolation processing using a plurality of sampling points.
Specifically, as the LUT, a three-dimensional lookup table (LUT) that stores conversion data (grid data) for each grid point of a three-dimensional solid grid (grid) for input RGB is used. Then, for an input corresponding to a position other than each grid point, a linear interpolation calculation is performed using an interpolation grid including the position and represented as a predetermined solid having each grid point as a vertex, and a corresponding output (conversion data) is obtained. .

The output result R'G'B'-8 bit data is converted into Gray-8 bit data by the color correction / color conversion module using the following equation (1). (215) Gray (i) = R ′ (i) * 0.3 + G ′ (i) * 0.6 + B ′ (i) * 0.1 (i = 0 to 255) Equation (1) This is shown at 218 in FIG. 217 is the case where the input and the output are equal. Further, as can be seen from FIG. 5, depending on the LUT for color correction corresponding to the above-described print mode, the output value may be the same for continuous input values, or two or more jumps may occur in the data. is there. The cause is, for example, in the interpolation method, as shown in FIG.
This occurs because of using the grid data 300 described above for use in interpolation in steps of two. When interpolation is actually performed using this grid data, it becomes as shown in FIG. The interpolated data becomes 301. At this time, in the case of Input 0 to 32, Output 0 to 2 are applied to the grid notch 32.
Since only 0 exists, the output value may always be the same for consecutive input values. Also, Input32-
In the case of 64, it is Outp for the grid step 32.
Since there are 20 to 80 ut, output values of 2 or more always occur for continuous input values. In particular, Inpu
Before t20, the output value is continuous, and Input20
After, there is a jump in the output value. In this case, the gradation may be excessively skipped, and a preferable printing result may not be obtained. An enlarged view of 219 of FIG. 5 is shown in FIG.
Shown in 20. Here, since the data has the same value continuously from the left and the next two data are skipped, the smoothing process 216 is performed and the data is smoothed like 221. The smoothing process can be performed in the cases of other patterns shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The interpolation method for performing interpolation using this grid data may be cubic interpolation, tetrahedral interpolation, or another interpolation method. The creation of the second LUT has been completed up to this point, this LUT is applied to RGB, and the color correction / color conversion module holds it. The above processing is executed immediately after the print mode is set in the printer driver.

When a print instruction is issued, the driver module calls the color correction / color conversion module in order to process the input RGB-8 bit data. In the first step, in the color correction / color conversion module, the input RGB-8 bit is converted to the output R'G'B'-8 bit using the second LUT created above (223). R '= Gray [R]; G' = Gray [G]; B '= Gray [B]; In the second step, normal color conversion R'G'B'-8bi
The conversion from t to CMYK-8 bit is performed (224). Finally, the tone correction / quantization module processes (22
5) is performed and the data is transmitted to the printer.

In this embodiment, media (plain paper, glossy paper, OH paper) set by the printer driver at the time of brightness correction are set.
P, etc., the quantization method (dither, error diffusion), and the print quality (high quality, high speed) in combination, and using the LUT data selected from a large number of LUT data for color correction, Generate the LUT of Then, the RGB signal corresponding to the image to be printed is converted (corrected) into a table by using the second LUT according to the print instruction. As a result, it is possible to correct the brightness of the print image in consideration of the setting of the printer driver, and it is possible to perform the brightness correction process that reflects the operator's intention.

(Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the flow of this embodiment. Here, when printing in grayscale, B
It is supposed to output with one color of black ink.

In the color correction / color conversion module, the printing purpose (photo mode, graphic mode, etc.), the type of media (plain paper, glossy paper, OHP, etc.), the quantization method (dither, error diffusion), and the printing quality ( High-quality, high-speed) LUTs for multiple color corrections for color printing
It holds data and color conversion LUT data. In the present embodiment, a color correction LUT and a color conversion LUT for color printing corresponding to the print mode (the above-mentioned type of medium, quantization method, print quality) set by the printer driver by the operator are used. 12: Output from Gray-8bit signal that has been grayscale converted in 303 (Blac)
Create a second LUT to obtain the k-8 bit data. (302) The procedure will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, the color correction / color conversion module prepares a color correction LUT (a relationship table of output RGB values with respect to input RGB) corresponding to the above-mentioned set print mode, and input (R, G, B) = (I, i, i) Output R′G′B′−8 bit data (R ′) corresponding to values of i = 0 to 255
(I), G '(i), B' (i)) is calculated (21
4).

As the LUT for color correction, a large number of LUTs are stored as described above, and in order to reduce the data amount of table data, RG which is an input color signal of the LUT.
Instead of holding the output values for all 256 levels of the color components of the B signal, the input color space is sampled at appropriate intervals and only the sampling points are held as input-to-output table data. Then, the output for the input other than the sampling points of the input color space is obtained by the linear interpolation processing using a plurality of sampling points.
Specifically, as the LUT, a three-dimensional lookup table (LUT) that stores conversion data (grid data) for each grid point of a three-dimensional solid grid (grid) for input RGB is used. Then, for an input corresponding to a position other than each grid point, a linear interpolation calculation is performed using an interpolation grid including the position and represented as a predetermined solid having each grid point as a vertex, and a corresponding output (conversion data) is obtained. .
The output result R'G'B'-8 bit data is color-corrected /
The color conversion module uses the following formula (1) to convert to Gray data.

Gray (i) = R ′ (i) * 0.3 + G ′ (i) * 0.6 + B ′ (i) * 0.1 (i = 0 to 255) Equation (1) In the color conversion process in the color correction / color conversion module, the conversion from Gray-8 bit to Black-8 bit is performed (308). The graph is shown at 218 in FIG. 217 is the case where the input and the output are equal. Further, as can be seen from FIG. 5, depending on the color correction LUT used,
The output value may be the same for consecutive input values, or two or more jumps may occur in the data. This cause is caused, for example, by using the grid data 300 for use in interpolation at intervals of 32 as shown in FIG. 10 in the interpolation method. When interpolation is actually performed using this grid data, it becomes as shown in FIG. Interpolated data is 301
become. At this time, in the case of Input 0 to 32, since only Output 0 to 20 exist for the grid notch 32, the output value may always be the same for continuous input values. In addition, in the case of Input 32 to 64, Output 20 to
Since there are 80, there are always two or more jumps in the output value for consecutive input values. In particular, the output value is continuous before Input 20, and the output value is skipped after Input 20. In such a case, the gradation may be skipped, and a preferable printing result may not be obtained.
An enlarged version of 219 of FIG. 5 is shown at 220 of FIG. Here, since the data has the same value continuously from the left and the next two data are skipped, the smoothing process 216 is performed to smooth the data like 221. The smoothing process can be performed in the cases of other patterns shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The interpolation method for performing interpolation using this grid data may be cubic interpolation, tetrahedral interpolation, or another interpolation method. The creation of the second LUT is completed up to this point, and this LUT is held by the color correction / color conversion module.
The above processing is executed immediately after the setting is made in the printer driver.

When a print instruction is issued, the number 30 in FIG.
The gray scale process 3 is performed by the driver module. The driver module receives the RGB-8 bit data from the application and outputs the Gray-8
Convert to bit data. The conversion method in this case is Gray = R * 0.3 + G * 0.6 + B * 0.1 (3). Next, the driver module inputs Gray-8b
Call the color correction / color conversion module to process the it data. Next, in the color correction / color conversion module, using the second LUT created above, the input Gra
The y-8 bit is converted to the output Black-8 bit (304). Finally, the tone correction / quantization module performs processing (305) and transmits the data to the printer.

In this embodiment, the printing purpose (photo mode, set in the printer driver at the time of gray scale conversion,
Graphic mode, media (plain paper, glossy paper,
OHP, etc.), quantization method (dither, error diffusion),
A second LUT is generated using LUT data selected from a large number of color correction LUT data according to a combination of print qualities (high quality, high speed). The gray scale signal corresponding to the image to be printed is converted into a table by using the second LUT according to the print instruction (correction). As a result, it is possible to correct the brightness of the print image in consideration of the settings of the printer driver, and it is possible to perform grayscale printing that reflects the operator's intention.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a flow chart of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Here, first, the printer driver classifies the data included in one page into a color image and a grayscale image (310). Next, it is determined whether the image is a color image or a grayscale image (311), and according to the determination result, image data classified as a color image is set by the printer driver (media, quantization method, (Print quality) Color correction processing is performed using a color correction LUT that matches the printing mode (317), and color conversion processing is performed using the color conversion processing LUT (318) Gradation correction / quantization processing is performed (319) .

On the other hand, for the grayscale image, first, in the color correction / color conversion module, input Gray data is used by using the color correction LUT that matches the print mode set by the printer driver (media, quantization method, print quality). Second to get output Gray data from 0-255
Is created by the processing of FIG. 4 described above (31
2).

First, the color correction / color conversion module prepares a color correction LUT (a relationship table of output RGB values with respect to input RGB) corresponding to the above-mentioned set print mode, and input (R, G, B) = (I, i, i) Output R′G′B′−8 bit data (R ′) corresponding to values of i = 0 to 255
(I), G '(i), B' (i)) is calculated (21
4).

As a LUT for color correction, a large number of LUTs are stored as described above, and in order to reduce the data amount of table data, RG which is an input color signal of the LUT.
Instead of holding the output values for all 256 levels of the color components of the B signal, the input color space is sampled at appropriate intervals and only the sampling points are held as input-to-output table data. Then, the output for the input other than the sampling points of the input color space is obtained by the linear interpolation processing using a plurality of sampling points.
Specifically, as the LUT, a three-dimensional lookup table (LUT) that stores conversion data (grid data) for each grid point of a three-dimensional solid grid (grid) for input RGB is used. Then, for an input corresponding to a position other than each grid point, a linear interpolation calculation is performed using an interpolation grid including the position and represented as a predetermined solid having each grid point as a vertex, and a corresponding output (conversion data) is obtained. .

The output result R'G'B'-8 bit data is converted into Gray data by the color correction / color conversion module using the following equation (1).

Gray (i) = R ′ (i) * 0.3 + G ′ (i) * 0.6 + B ′ (i) * 0.1 (i = 0 to 255) Equation (1) This is shown at 218 in FIG. 217 is the case where the input and the output are equal. Further, as can be seen from FIG. 5, depending on the color correction LUT used, the output value may be the same for successive input values, or two or more jumps may occur in the data. This cause is caused, for example, by using the grid data 300 for use in interpolation at intervals of 32 as shown in FIG. 10 in the interpolation method. When interpolation is actually performed using this grid data, it becomes as shown in FIG. The interpolated data becomes 301. At this time, Inp
In the case of ut0 to 32, O is applied to the grid step 32.
Since only output 0 to 20 exist, the output value may always be the same for continuous input values. Also,
In the case of Inputs 32 to 64, since Outputs 20 to 80 exist for the grid notches 32, output values of 2 or more always occur for continuous input values. In particular, the output value is continuous before Input 20, and the output value is skipped after Input 20. In such a case, the gradation may be skipped, and a preferable printing result may not be obtained. An enlarged version of 219 of FIG. 5 is shown at 220 of FIG. Here, since the data has the same value continuously from the left and the next two data are skipped, the smoothing process 216 is performed to smooth the data like 221. The smoothing process can be performed in the cases of other patterns shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The interpolation method for performing interpolation using this grid data may be cubic interpolation, tetrahedral interpolation, or another interpolation method. Second up to here
Of the LUT is completed, and this LUT is held by the color correction / color conversion module. The above processing is executed immediately after the setting is made in the printer driver.

When a print instruction is issued, 31 in FIG.
The gray scale process 3 is performed by the driver module. The driver module receives RGB-8 bit data, which is image data classified as a grayscale image, from the application, performs grayscale processing at 313 in FIG. 14, and converts the RGB-8 bit data into Gray-8 bit data. The conversion method in this case is Gray = R * 0.3 + G * 0.6 + B * 0.1 (4). Next, the driver module inputs the Gray-8
Call the color correction / color conversion module to process the bit data. In the first step, in the color correction / color conversion module, using the second LUT created above, the input Gray-8 bit is changed to the output Gray'-8b.
Convert to it (314). In the second step, the normal color conversion Gray'-8 bit to Black-8 bit is performed.
(315). Finally, the gradation correction / quantization module performs processing (316).

Finally, the color image quantization result and the grayscale quantization result are combined (320) and transmitted to the printer as one page of data.

In this embodiment, when processing an image in which a color image and a grayscale image are mixed, media (plain paper, glossy paper, OHP) set by the printer driver is processed.
, Etc., a quantization method (dither, error diffusion), and print quality (high quality, high speed), and a LU selected from a large number of color correction LUT data for color printing.
A second LUT is generated using the T data. The gray scale signal corresponding to the image to be printed is converted into a table by using the second LUT according to the print instruction (correction). As a result, it is possible to correct the brightness of the print image in consideration of the setting of the printer driver even for the image in which the color image and the grayscale image are mixed, and it is possible to print the grayscale portion in which the operator's intention is reflected.

(Other Embodiments) Further, in the above-described embodiment, the object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium (or a recording medium) recording a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment. It is needless to say that it is also achieved by supplying the system or device, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or device 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 function of the above-described embodiment, so that the storage medium storing the program code can execute the processing of the above-described embodiment.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the operating system (the operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code ( Needless to say, this includes a case where the OS) performs some 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 in the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted in the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, this also includes the case where the CPU or the like included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs some or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0049]

As described above, by creating and using the second LUT corresponding to the print mode in the color correction / color conversion module during grayscale printing, good grayscale printing can be performed in all print modes. It can be done, and the difference from the output result in color printing can be hardly felt. Even when the color correction ON / brightness correction can be switched, it is possible to obtain a print result with a good brightness correction.

In particular, when a grayscale image and a color image are mixed in one page, the printer driver automatically uses the grayscale LUT for the grayscale image and the color image uses the color LUT for the image. It is effective in the processing device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system showing an embodiment of a data conversion apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a relationship between a driver module and a color correction / color conversion module of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a concept of a flow regarding a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a second LUT for the first embodiment of the present invention.
Is a flow for creating.

FIG. 5 is a graphical representation of a second LUT.

FIG. 6 is an example 1 in which smoothing processing is performed on a second LUT.

FIG. 7 is an example 2 in which smoothing processing is performed on the second LUT.

FIG. 8 is an example 3 in which smoothing processing is performed on the second LUT.

FIG. 9 shows a concept of a flow regarding a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows interpolation grid data.

FIG. 11 shows data of an interpolation result.

FIG. 12 shows a concept of a flow regarding a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a second LU according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
This is a flow for creating T.

FIG. 14 shows a concept of a flow regarding a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C262 AA24 AB13 BA02 BA09 BA16                       BA20 BC01 BC15 BC19 EA02                       EA04                 5B057 AA11 CA01 CA08 CA12 CA16                       CB01 CB08 CB12 CB16 CC01                       CE17 CE18 CH07 CH08                 5C077 LL19 MP08 PP32 PP37 PP38                       PQ12 PQ23 SS02 TT02                 5C079 HA13 HB01 HB11 LA12 MA04                       MA11 NA05 PA03

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. Data for correction processing in color printing, correction data in grayscale conversion is generated from correction processing data according to a set print mode, and the generated correction data is used. A color image processing method, characterized in that the color image data is converted into grayscale. 2. Data for correction processing in color printing, wherein correction data at the time of brightness correction is generated from the correction processing data according to the set print mode, and the generated correction data is stored. A color image processing method characterized in that color image data is converted into gray scale by using the color image processing method. 3. Data for correction processing and color conversion in color printing, wherein correction data in grayscale conversion is generated from correction processing data and color conversion data according to a set print mode. Then, the color image processing method is characterized in that the color image data is converted into gray scale by using the generated correction data. 4. The print mode is determined according to at least one of a print purpose, a media type, a quantization method, and a print quality in a printer driver. Color image processing method. 5. The data for correction is table data, and the table data is used for the gray scale conversion after smoothing.
The color image processing method described in the item. 6. The color image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the generation is performed after setting the print mode in a printer driver. 7. The color image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the correction data is stored as grid data. 8. A unit for generating correction data in gray scale conversion from correction processing data in color printing, the correction processing data corresponding to a set print mode, and the generated correction data. A color image processing device comprising means for converting color image data into gray scale by using the color image processing device. 9. A means for generating correction data at the time of brightness correction from the correction processing data in color printing, the correction processing data corresponding to a set print mode, and the generated correction data. And a means for converting color image data into a gray scale by using the color image processing apparatus. 10. Data for correction processing and color conversion in color printing, wherein correction data in grayscale conversion is generated from correction processing data and color conversion data according to a set print mode. And a means for performing grayscale conversion of the color image data by using the generated correction data. 11. A procedure for generating correction data in grayscale conversion from correction processing data according to a set print mode, which is correction processing data in color printing, and the generated correction data. And a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a procedure for performing grayscale conversion of color image data using. 12. A procedure for generating correction data at the time of brightness correction from correction processing data in color printing, the correction processing data corresponding to a set print mode, and the generated correction. A storage medium having a procedure for performing grayscale conversion of color image data using the data. 13. Data for correction processing and color conversion in color printing, wherein correction data in grayscale conversion is generated from data for correction processing and color conversion data according to a set print mode. Steps to
A computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for executing a procedure for performing grayscale conversion of color image data using the generated correction data. 14. A procedure for generating correction data in grayscale conversion from correction processing data in color printing, the correction processing data corresponding to a set print mode, and the generated correction data. A program for executing a procedure for performing grayscale conversion of color image data using the program. 15. A procedure for generating correction data at the time of brightness correction from correction processing data in color printing, which data corresponds to a set print mode, and the generated correction data. And a program for executing the procedure for converting the color image data into gray scale by using. 16. Data for correction processing and color conversion in color printing, wherein correction data in grayscale conversion is generated from correction processing data and color conversion data according to a set print mode. And a procedure for performing grayscale conversion of color image data using the generated correction data. 17. An image is classified into a color portion and a grayscale portion, and is data for correction processing in color printing, from correction processing data according to a set print mode to correction data in grayscale conversion. Is generated and color image data is subjected to gray scale conversion using the generated correction data. 18. The image data corresponding to the color portion is
18. The conversion process is performed by using the correction process data according to the set print mode.
The color image processing method described in the item. 19. The color according to claim 17, wherein the print mode is determined according to at least one of a print purpose, a media type, a quantization method, and a print quality in a printer driver. Image processing method. 20. The correction data is table data, and the table data is used for the gray scale conversion after smoothing.
The color image processing method described in the item. 21. The color image processing method according to claim 17, wherein the generation is performed after setting the print mode in a printer driver. 22. The color image processing method according to claim 17, wherein the data for correction processing is held as grid data. 23. A means for classifying an image into a color portion and a grayscale portion, and data for correction processing in color printing, wherein data for correction processing in accordance with a set print mode is used for correction in grayscale conversion. A color image processing device characterized by means for generating data and performing grayscale conversion of color image data using the generated correction data. 24. A procedure for classifying an image into a color portion and a grayscale portion, data for correction processing in color printing, wherein data for correction processing according to a set print mode is used for correction in grayscale conversion. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a procedure for generating data and a procedure for performing grayscale conversion of color image data using the generated correction data. 25. A procedure for classifying an image into a color portion and a grayscale portion, and data for correction processing in color printing, wherein data for correction processing according to a set print mode is used for correction in grayscale conversion. A program for executing a procedure of generating data and a procedure of grayscale conversion of color image data using the generated correction data.