JP2003145842A - Color proof forming system, image processor, output unit, color proof forming method, program for executing that method, and information recording medium recording program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color proof forming system in which output with cloudy color is prevented even when the feature of solid is outputted and color proximity can be attained without causing color change even when other color overlaps the feature. SOLUTION: The color proof forming system 1 comprises a color separated dot image data generating section 12, an image processor 10, and one or more unit 20 for exposing a sensitive material with a light spot consisting of a combination of a plurality of lights of different wavelength based on outputted dot image data and outputting a color proof by developing color of each of a plurality of colors of dots. The image processor 10 comprises means for calculating an optimal combination of the quantity of a plurality of lights based on the combination of gray level of respective components of a feature corresponding to the dot of the dot image data of the feature among respective dot image data, and the output unit 20 comprises a section 22 for controlling the exposure of the plurality of exposing lights based on the combination of the quantity of respective lights thus calculated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color proof making system, an image processing device, an output device, a color proof making method, a program for executing the method, and an information recording medium recording the program, and more particularly to R
The present invention relates to a color proof that a silver salt color light-sensitive material is exposed by a plurality of light sources having different wavelengths based on halftone image data processed by an IP (raster image processor) or a halftone conversion processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, DTP (Desk Top Pu)
The image input from the scanner is edited by computer software,
Page imposition work has become commonplace, and full-digital editing is becoming commonplace.

In such a process, for the purpose of further improving the efficiency, an image setter output for directly outputting the page-edited image data to the film or a CTP (Computer to Plat) for directly recording the image on a printing plate.
e) Output, and further, CTC (Computer) for recording an image directly on the printing plate wound on the cylinder of the printing machine.
to Cylinder) is performed.

In this case, if the film output or the printing plate output is performed only for the purpose of confirming the calibration, and the printing proof and the proofreading with other proofing materials are performed, the waste of the film and the printing plate and unnecessary work are increased. There's a problem.

Therefore, especially in the process of creating and editing a full digital image by such a computer, D
DCP or DCP (Digital Color)
There is a demand for a system called Proof) that directly outputs a color image.

Such a DDCP records the digital image data processed on a computer on a plate-making film by an image setter or the like, performs a final printing work for directly making a printing plate by CTP, and a CTC. Create a color proof that reproduces the output target indicated by the digital image processed on the computer before recording the image directly on the printing plate wound on the cylinder of the printing machine with the image, the color tone, The text characters are checked.

Further, in the process of proofreading in such a printing process, (1) confirmation of internal mistakes at the work site, that is, internal school, (2) submitted school for confirmation of finish to the orderer and designer, ( 3) Mainly 3 of the print samples provided to the captain of the printing machine as a sample of the final printed matter.
Proofs are created and used for two purposes.

As described above, when a color print is made, the color calibration is performed at the stage of the original film, so that Y
(Yellow) plate, M (Magenta) plate, C (Cyan) plate,
And make a proof (color proof) using each color separation halftone original film that has been separated into BK (black) plates, and make sure that the layout of the original film is correct or correct before creating the production printing plate. In addition, the finished product is inspected in advance by inspecting whether there is an error in the characters.

[0009] At this time, for internal confirmation and for some out-of-school use, due to needs such as shortening of delivery time and cost reduction,
There are cases where proofreading materials that cannot reproduce halftone images, that is, proofreading by sublimation transfer method, and output materials such as inkjet and electrophotography are mainly used as proofreadings for appearance confirmation. In order to confirm details and to confirm improper interference fringes of a halftone image called a moire at the time of printing, it is a strong situation that a proof that faithfully reproduces a halftone dot is strongly desired.

In order to meet such needs, a sublimation transfer recording material or a high power heat mode laser has recently been used.
Although DDCP of a type in which a thermal recording material is subjected to image exposure and transferred to a printing magazine is becoming popular, these systems have high laser head costs, expensive equipment,
In addition, the material is expensive because it uses a large number of color image forming sheets, and the process of image exposure and transfer requires only a number of colors and takes a long time, which is a problem.
There is a problem in that it is difficult to apply it to all jobs or to make a large number of copies like the conventional printing proof from the viewpoint of cost and time.

Therefore, as one method for performing color proof by DDCP, a silver salt color light-sensitive material, for example, R, based on halftone dot image data of each color separation halftone original is used.
A method of exposing a light spot formed of a combination of a plurality of lights having different wavelengths such as G and B to color each dot of Y, M, C, and BK is used.

[0012]

By the way, by using a high power heat mode laser, a sublimation transfer recording material,
In a type of DDCP or ink jet in which a thermal recording material is subjected to image exposure and transferred onto a printing paper, when a special color is expressed in an electrophotographic process, the color development of ink or toner is a limited combination, so the special color is expressed. In this case, it is necessary to select and represent a color that is similar to the area gradation.

For example, in the case of expressing with a combination of CMYK colors, the data is created by allocating to the CMYK components of the specified spot color. In this case, the special color solid (net 1
(00%) is expressed by the area gradation of a plurality of colors, and is therefore a muddy color.

Further, when a portion where a spot color and another color overlap with each other is color-converted and output by a proofreading color proofing device, a tone jump or a color change occurs in which the continuity of lightness or saturation changes. There were cases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. An object of the present invention is to prevent the output of a muddy color even when a solid spot color is output, and Proof making system, image processing apparatus, output apparatus, color proof making method, and program for executing the method, which can obtain color approximation without causing color change even when colors of the same overlap It is to provide an information recording medium in which is recorded.

[0016]

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 creates color-separated halftone dot image data based on image data composed of a plurality of colors. Based on the image processing apparatus and each of the halftone image data transferred and output from the image processing apparatus, a light spot composed of a combination of a plurality of lights having different wavelengths is exposed on the light-sensitive material. A color proof creating system comprising: one or more output devices for outputting a color proof, wherein the image processing device has at least each density of each component of a spot color corresponding to a halftone dot of the halftone dot image data of the spot color. Based on the value, a calculating unit that calculates an optimum combination of the respective light amount values to be emitted by the plurality of lights, and the light amount values and the halftone image data calculated by the calculating unit are transferred to the output device. Transfer control means, and the output device includes control means for controlling the exposure amount of the plurality of light beams to be exposed based on the combination of the respective light amount values calculated by the calculation means. I am trying.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the calculating means calculates an optimum combination of respective light amount values expressing an overlapping color of the spot color and another color.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, the calculating means is such that, when the other color is a basic color, the density value of the basic color, the density value of the special color, and the ink of the special color. And a density value calculating means for calculating the density value of the overlapping portion of the basic color and the spot color based on the transmission coefficient of.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, when the other color is a spot color, the calculating means is configured to have a density value of one of the spot colors and an ink transmission coefficient and a density of the other spot color. It is characterized by including density value calculating means for calculating the density value of the overlapping portion of the one and the other special colors based on the value and the ink transmission coefficient.

According to the invention of claim 5, the calculating means calculates the density value of each component of the spot color corresponding to at least 100% of the halftone dots of the halftone image data. It is characterized in that a combination of the respective light amount values to be emitted by the plurality of lights is calculated based on the combination.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the control means is based on a table which defines a correspondence relationship between a reference color of printing for the spot color and a light intensity composition of a light source which exposes the light-sensitive material. It is characterized in that the exposure amount is controlled and the color density of the light-sensitive material is changed to adjust the density.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the control means uses n types (n is a natural number of 2 or more) of the spot colors, printing corresponding to each of the first to nth spot colors is performed. N tables defining the correspondence relationship between the standard color and the intensity composition of the light of the light source for exposing the photosensitive material, and _n C ₂ + _n C ₃ + ... + _n C _n- It is characterized in that the exposure amount is controlled based on ₁ + _n C _n tables and the color density of the photosensitive material is changed to adjust the density.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the special color yellow component, the magenta component,
And a storage unit that stores a table that defines a correspondence relationship between three filter density values of the cyan component and the respective light amounts of the plurality of lights, and the calculation unit includes the table based on the halftone image data. It is characterized in that each light quantity of the plurality of lights is calculated with reference to.

Further, in the invention according to claim 9, the table of the storing means defines only each light quantity value corresponding to the specifying step of the density value, and the calculating means sets the light quantity value between each specifying step. In the case of a density value, the feature is that a combination of corresponding light amount values is calculated by interpolation calculation.

Further, in the invention according to claim 10, the calculating means calculates a combination of respective light amount values to be emitted by the plurality of lights, based on a combination of component values of the color system of the spot color. Is characterized by.

The invention according to claim 11 is characterized in that the component value of the color system is a colorimetric value defined by a standard color space L * a * b *.

Further, the invention according to claim 12 is characterized in that the component values of the color system are colorimetric values defined by a standard color space XYZ.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus is based on a calibration LUT that defines variation in color of the halftone dots according to the model of the output device, and based on the calibration LUT. Adjustment calculation means for performing the adjustment by calculating the combination of the light amount values while performing the color correction of the spot color and the basic color.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the dot gain LUT which defines the area ratio of the halftone dot image data to the area ratio of the printed halftone dots.
And an adjustment calculation unit that calculates the combination of the light amount values and adjusts the spot color and the basic color based on the dot gain LUT while correcting the variation of the halftone dot area ratio according to the type of printed matter. It is characterized by including and.

Further, in the invention as claimed in claim 15, the calculating means sets the color of a specific printing device to the basic color,
Color adjustment is performed based on a profile of a color management system that converts to a standard color space, and for the spot color, the combination of the light amount values is calculated while performing dot gain correction on the spot color based on the dot gain LUT. It is characterized by making adjustments.

In the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the calculation means is a target of color matching so that the output device can obtain an output suitable for the printing machine for the basic color. Regarding the printing machine, one first profile in which a value of a color system is defined as an output value with respect to an input value of a combination of four or three basic colors, and a color system of the output device that reproduces the target color In the printing machine created based on the other first profile defining four or three basic color values as output values with respect to input values of the combination of values of Color adjustment is performed based on the device link profile that defines the value of the combination of 4 or 3 basic colors as the output value for the input value of the combination of 4 or 3 basic colors for output. It is characterized in that.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus first exposes one or a plurality of the halftone dot image data of the spot color and a plurality of each halftone dot image data of the basic color. Whether or not to control, based on the selection result, control is performed to transfer only one of them, and the output device performs exposure based on each of the transferred halftone dot image data. , And the exposure is performed based on the other halftone dot image data, and the image receiving sheets are rearranged in a predetermined order to control to create a color proof.

Further, the invention according to claim 18 has halftone dot image data creating means for creating halftone dot image data separated into respective colors based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, and the halftone dot image data is created. An image processing device for transferring image data to an output device in a frame-sequential manner and exposing a plurality of lights having different wavelengths to obtain a color proof, which has three basic color components of special colors yellow, magenta, and cyan. A storage unit that stores a table that defines the correspondence relationship between the filter density value and the light amounts of the plurality of lights, and the light amounts of the plurality of lights with reference to the table based on the halftone image data. It is characterized by including a calculating means for calculating, and a transfer control means for transferring each light quantity value calculated by the calculating means to the output device and promoting exposure based on each light quantity value.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the invention, the light-sensitive material is exposed to a light spot formed of a combination of a plurality of lights having different wavelengths based on each halftone dot image data of each color separation halftone original, thereby forming a halftone dot. An output device for outputting a color proof of point output, wherein, based on each density value of each component of a basic color corresponding to a halftone dot of special color halftone dot image data among the halftone dot image data, Calculating means for calculating a combination of the respective light amount values to be emitted by the light, based on the combination of the respective light amount values calculated by the calculating means, control means for controlling the exposure amount of the plurality of light to be exposed, It is characterized by including.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output device which adjusts each exposure amount of a plurality of lights of an exposure section based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, which are special colors yellow and magenta. , And cyan, the storage means storing a table that defines the correspondence relationship between the filter density values of the three basic color components and the light amounts of the plurality of lights, and refers to the table based on the halftone image data. However, a control unit that calculates each light amount of the plurality of lights and adjusts and controls the exposure amount from the exposure unit is included.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the invention, the light-sensitive material is exposed to a light spot formed of a combination of a plurality of lights having different wavelengths based on the halftone dot image data of each color separation halftone original. A color proof creating method for creating a color proof by developing dots of a plurality of colors, wherein each density of each component of a basic color corresponding to a halftone dot image data of a special color in each halftone image data The method is characterized by including an adjusting step of adjusting the light amount by changing the combination of the respective light amount values to be emitted by the plurality of lights according to the value.

Further, the invention according to claim 22 is characterized in that, in the adjusting step, there is included a step of calculating an optimum combination of the light amount values which expresses an overlapping color of a spot color and another color. .

Further, in the invention of claim 23, when the other color is a basic color, the density value of the basic color, the density value of the spot color, and the transmission coefficient of the ink of the spot color are set. The density value of the overlapping portion of the basic color and the spot color is calculated based on the above.

According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, when the other color is a spot color, the density value of one of the spot colors and the ink transmission coefficient, and the density value of the other spot color and the ink transmission of the other spot color. The density value of the overlapping portion of the one and the other spot colors is extracted based on the coefficient.

The invention according to claim 25 is characterized by further comprising a step of performing color adjustment of the spot color and the basic color by a calibration LUT.

The invention according to claim 26 is characterized by further comprising a step of performing color adjustment of the spot color and the basic color by a dot gain LUT.

Further, in the invention described in Item 27, for the basic color, ICC (International)
In the color management system standardized by Color Consortium), color adjustment is performed using a profile that stores colorimetric system values corresponding to the combinations of basic colors of the output device, and for special colors,
It is characterized by further including a step of color adjustment with a dot gain LUT.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, for the basic colors, four colors are selected for the printing machine that is the target of color matching so that an output device suitable for the printing machine can be obtained. Alternatively, one of the first profiles in which the values of the color system are defined as the output values for the input values of the combinations of the three basic colors, and the combination of the values of the color system of the output device that reproduces the target color The other first profile that defines the values of four or three basic colors as output values with respect to the input values, or four colors for output in the printing machine created based on the two first profiles Alternatively, it is characterized in that color adjustment is performed by using a device link profile that defines a value of a combination of four or three basic colors as an output value with respect to an input value of a combination of three basic colors. There.

Further, the invention according to claim 29 is characterized in that, in the adjusting step, a combination of respective light amount values is adjusted based on a component value of the color system of the spot color.

In the thirty-third aspect of the invention, in the adjusting step, the combination of the respective light amount values is adjusted based on the colorimetric value values defined by the L * a * b * color space of the spot color. It is characterized by that.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, in the adjusting step, a combination of light amount values is adjusted based on colorimetric value values defined by the X, Y, and Z color spaces of the spot color. Is characterized by.

According to a thirty-second aspect of the invention, one of a plurality of the halftone dot image data of the spot color and a plurality of halftone dot image data of the basic color is selected first to be exposed, Based on this selection result, control is performed so that only one of the halftone dot image data is transferred, and after exposure is performed based on each halftone dot image data that has been transferred, based on the other halftone dot image data. It is characterized by separately exposing and controlling the special color and the basic color so that each image receiving sheet is rearranged in a predetermined order and rearranged on a printing paper to form a color proof.

A thirty-third aspect of the present invention defines a program for causing a computer to execute any one of the above-described color proof making methods, and a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable information recording medium having the program recorded therein. Is defined.

According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, halftone dot image data separated into respective colors is created based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, and the halftone dot image data is output to an output device in a frame sequential manner. It is an information recording medium which records a program for transferring and exposing a plurality of lights having different wavelengths to obtain a color proof, and a filter density value of three basic color components of special colors yellow, magenta, and cyan. Table information defining a correspondence relationship with each light quantity of the plurality of lights, and information for performing a process of calculating each light quantity of the plurality of lights while referring to the table based on the halftone image data, and Information for transferring each of the obtained light amount values to the output device and performing a process for promoting exposure based on each of the light amount values.

According to a thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention, halftone dot image data separated into respective colors is created based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, and the halftone dot image data is output to an output device in a frame sequential manner. It is an information recording medium in which a program for transferring and exposing a plurality of lights having different wavelengths to obtain a color proof is recorded, and is L * which is a color space of a color coordinate of a special color.
a: based on the table information defining the correspondence between the b * value and the light amounts of the plurality of lights and the halftone dot image data,
Information for performing a process for calculating each light amount of the plurality of lights while referring to the table, and each calculated light amount value is transferred to the output device, and a process for promoting exposure based on each light amount value is performed. It is characterized by including information and.

According to a thirty-seventh aspect of the invention, on the basis of image data composed of a plurality of colors, halftone image data separated into respective colors is created, and the halftone image data is output to an output device in a frame sequential manner. An XY, which is an information recording medium in which a program for transferring and exposing a plurality of lights having different wavelengths to obtain a color proof is recorded, and which is a color space of a color coordinate of a spot color
Information for performing a process of calculating each light quantity of the plurality of lights with reference to the table based on the table information defining the correspondence between the Z value and each light quantity of the plurality of lights and the halftone image data. And information for transferring the calculated light amount values to the output device and performing a process for promoting exposure based on the light amount values.

According to a thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, the light-sensitive material is exposed to light spots consisting of a combination of a plurality of lights having different wavelengths based on each halftone image data of each color-separated halftone original, whereby An information recording medium for performing processing for outputting a color proof of point output, wherein the plurality of lights are emitted based on at least density values of respective components of basic colors corresponding to halftone dots of spot color image data of a spot color. Information for performing a process of calculating a combination of each light amount value to be, and information for performing a process of controlling the exposure amount of the plurality of light to be exposed, based on the combination of each calculated light amount value, It has a feature.

[0053]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] (Overall Configuration of System) First, the feature of the present invention is that the light quantity value and the density (V,
C, M, Y), light intensity value and L * a * b * colorimetric value, or light intensity value and X, Y, Z value, etc. spot color database is created, and the solid color suitable for the colorimetric value of the specified spot color is created. The point is to calculate the combination of light amounts. Also, special colors and other colors (CMYK, etc.)
The point is that the color of the overlapping portion is calculated by calculation.

Prior to the description of the configuration of the table and the like for calculating the combination of the respective light quantity values, which is the feature of the present invention, the overall schematic configuration of the color proof making system in the field of desktop publishing will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of a color proof creating system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, the color proof making system 1 of the present embodiment has an image editing function for generating image data of a plurality of, for example, three units connected to a network 3 constituted by a LAN or the like. Upstream terminal devices 2A, 2B, and 2C having the same, a plurality of image processing devices 10 (10A, 10B) having an image output control function, which are also connected to the network 3, and each image processing device 10.
A plurality of output devices 20 (20A, 20B) each connected to (10A, 10B) are included. The image processing device 10 is preferably formed by a computer such as a server, and the output device 20 (20A, 20A,
20B) uses a DCP (Digital Color Proof) making device.

The density value-light quantity value conversion table, which is a feature of the present invention, is premised on the image processing apparatus 10. However, even if the output apparatus 20 is provided alone, the image processing is performed. It may be provided in each of the device 10 and the output device 20 (the contents of the table will be described later). At that time, although not shown in this example, for example,
In the case where a plurality of output devices 20 of different types (models) are connected to one image processing device 10,
1 for each table corresponding to each output device 20
It goes without saying that the image processing apparatus 10 of one table may be provided.

The upstream terminal devices 2A, 2B, 2C each operate as a computer terminal device, and the upstream terminal devices 2A, 2B, 2C can have various hardware configurations depending on the system configuration. Although not shown in the figure because it is complicated in this example, a computer main body having a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., a display such as a CRT connected thereto, a mouse, a keyboard, a digitizer, an FDD device, and An input device for image generation such as a hard disk or an image scanner is provided.

The image processing apparatus 10, as shown in FIG.
The image data of the image edit file edited by the upstream terminal 2 is transmitted through the network 3 or an external input / output device such as an FDD to the RIP (Raster Image).
The image data is output to the output device 20 by transferring each halftone image data to the output device 20 while developing the raster data by an image processor or the like, and performing color separation to generate each color data (halftone image data). It has become.

The image processing apparatus 10 (10A, 10A,
B) is also provided with an input device such as a computer main body, a display unit, and a keyboard, and receives image data and outputs the output device 20 (20
A, 20B), the operation program for outputting the job to the A, 20B) and processing the job at the time of failure is incorporated. Although not shown because it is complicated to understand the present invention, the image processing apparatus 10 includes a color scanner for reading an image original, a mount input device for reading the mount information, and a comparison, if necessary. A galley printer or the like for performing galley printing with extremely low image quality may be connected.

The output device 20 forms an image on a printing paper by the halftone image data transferred from the image processing device 10 to create a color proof. The output device 20 can be composed of an image forming device such as a color proofer using a laser exposure method.

As a result, the image data is transferred from the image processing device 10 to the output device 20 through the network 3,
A color proof can be formed by drawing image data of each color on a base material which is a recording material (output medium: output paper or the like).

Here, the image processing apparatus 10 is equipped with software including various tables for controlling solid density adjustment of the special color or the basic color, and the light quantity values of the respective wavelengths which differ according to the change of the target. It is possible to create a color proof with a correct color tone by automatically setting the combination of.

(Regarding image processing device and output device) FIG.
Discloses an example of a specific configuration of the image processing device 10 and the output device 20.

The image processing device 10 functions as a controller for controlling the output device 20, and as shown in FIG. 2, an input unit 11 which is an input interface to which image data of an image edit file edited from the outside is input. , A halftone dot image data creating unit 12 for performing a process of expanding the image data input by the input unit 11 into raster image data and performing color separation to generate halftone dot image data that is each color plate data; And a storage unit 17 such as a hard disk for storing parameter setting conditions, the halftone image data from the halftone image data creation unit 12, and the storage unit 17
Spot color measurement table (density-light intensity correlation table) 17a
And an adjustment calculation processing unit 1 that calculates a combination of light amount values and performs solid adjustment based on
3 is an output interface for outputting the light quantity value in 3 and the halftone dot image data from the halftone dot image data creating section 12 in the plane order of, for example, special 1, C, M, Y, K, etc. and controlling the transfer to the output device 20. A CR that displays a transfer control unit 14, an operation unit 16 that inputs setting operations such as various information and setting conditions, and a screen that sets various setting parameters such as various LUTs.
A display unit 15 including a T or a liquid crystal panel, an external input / output device 18 such as an FDD, a halftone image data creation unit 12, an adjustment calculation processing unit 13, an output unit 14, an operation unit 16, and a storage unit 1.
7, a display unit 15, and a control unit 19 including a CPU for controlling the external input / output device 18, respectively.

The "control unit 19" and the "adjustment calculation processing unit" of the present embodiment are used as the "calculating means" in the present invention.
Can be configured. The calculating means calculates an optimum combination of light amount values to be emitted by a plurality of lights, based on at least density values of respective components of the spot color corresponding to the halftone dots of the spot image data of the spot color.

The "transfer control section" of this embodiment corresponds to the "transfer control means" of the present invention, and the "halftone image data creation section" of this embodiment is the "halftone dot" of the present invention. Image data creating means ". Further, the "storage unit 17" of the present embodiment corresponds to the "storing unit" according to the present invention.

The image processing apparatus 10 as described above develops the edited image file transferred from the upstream terminal 2 into image data such as raster data, and based on the image data if it has not been separated yet. Predetermined color Y,
A color separation process for color separation of M, C, K, and the special color is performed, and the transfer control operation is performed for each of the color-separated data toward the output device 20.

The input unit 11 includes an image such as a page description language (PDL) containing color information of an image edit file from the upstream terminal 2 for editing for comprehensively integrating and editing images such as characters and pictures. Data is entered. As the image data, for example, in addition to the data described in the page description language such as PS / EPS / PDF, the TIF
It also includes general-purpose format data such as F and TIFF / IT, data handled by major manufacturers as proprietary formats, and various other types of data.

The halftone image data creating unit 12 uses the storage unit 17 including a spool buffer and the like to convert input data such as PDL data into a predetermined image output condition (eg, halftone dot shape, halftone angle, The raster image data, which is binary image data, is developed in accordance with the number of screen lines, the gamma characteristic of the photosensitive material, the characteristic of the developing device, etc., and at the same time, color separation is performed to generate halftone image data.

The transfer control unit 14 controls the output device 20 such as transfer control of the developed and separated image data. As a result, the raster image format Y, M,
The C and K image data are generated in order (plane sequential) for each color.

Then, the image data for electronic platemaking is reproduced by a set of halftone dots having the same screen frequency as the printed matter, and the pixel gain amount is approximated to that of the printed matter and reproduced. As a result, the printed dot image is faithfully reproduced. Here, halftone dots are fine dots made by plate making with a screen for reproducing photographs and illustrations with continuous gradation as printed matter, and it is possible to visually perceive dark and light by the collection of fine dots. It was used.

The storage unit 17 measures the density of a specific color paper, a specific ink, a specific color patch using a specific output device 20, which is necessary for the process of adjusting the solid density of the specific color. Each basic color component obtained, Dc
A special color measurement table (density-light quantity correlation table) 17a that defines the correlation and correlation of the density values of (special), Dm (special), and Dy (special), and the respective RGB light quantity values corresponding to the respective density values. A processing program for calculating the corresponding light amount from the extracted density value using the measurement table 17a is stored as a file in a specific directory.

In the spot color measurement table 17a, a person having a specific authority can update or set the contents of conditions (version upgrade etc.) newly.

Further, in an environment where only one spot color is used, one spot color measurement table is used, but in an environment where a plurality of spot colors are used, such as (spot color 1, spot color 2), In addition to the spot color measurement table for spot color 1, the spot color measurement table for two spot colors, it is preferable to have a spot color measurement table expressing the overlap between spot color 1 and spot color 2. Furthermore, it is preferable to prepare a plurality of spot color measurement tables according to the specific paper type, the ink type, and the difference in printing conditions. Further, it is needless to say that the measurement table for the basic color and the processing program for calculating the light amount value may be prepared like the measurement table for the spot color.

It should be noted that, although detailed description will not be given in the present embodiment for the sake of detailed description in the later-described embodiments, in order to calculate the density of the overlapping portion where the spot color and other colors overlap, a separate table, A processing program is required (described in detail in a modified embodiment described later). That is, in the present embodiment, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that it is not necessary to particularly consider the density of the overlapping portion of the spot color and another color (in the case of consideration). (See another embodiment for an example).

In addition to the above, the storage unit 17 is a work for temporarily storing the entire control program and font data, a control program for color separation processing (spot color separation), the progress of processing, and the like. Memory, page description language (PDL data) such as Postscript (PS)
PS file memory that stores graphic file data including the color data described in 1., color table memory that extracts and stores data of all colors from the files of the PS file memory, separation of each color that has been special color separated It includes various memory areas, such as a color separation file memory for storing each file.

The operation section 16 is also used as the display section 15, and can be set by inputting it with an input key or the like as an operation input means. For example, the parameter set by pressing a save button or the like is stored in the storage section 17. Can be stored in.

The display section 15 is a display means for displaying the status of the output device 20 and various information, and also a display operation means for inputting information for various settings and operations. The parameters set on the operation unit 16 and the display unit 15 include, for example, various LUTs.

As the output setting information, in the case of the image processing apparatus 10, the output resolution, halftone dot information, positive / negative setting,
Rotation necessity, various table information for various color adjustments, etc.
In the case of the output device 20, it is exposure table information, an error log, and the like.

The control unit 19 controls the output unit 2 from the storage unit 17.
Various kinds of information set and stored for 0 are read out and set in the halftone image data creation section 12, and are displayed on the display section 15, and the halftone image data creation section 12 is controlled based on the various information.

In the above-described structure, control information (transfer instruction of color photosensitive material, exposure start / exposure) is performed in addition to the transfer of halftone image data between the image processing apparatus 10 and the output apparatus 20.
Communication such as cancellation instructions and responses to them may be performed. In this case, the control information is communicated via the transfer control unit 14. In addition, it is preferable that a plurality of transfer control functions in the transfer control unit 14 independently transfer control such as relay of control information and transfer of halftone image data.

As shown in FIG. 2, the output device 20 receives from the image processing device 10, for example, special 1 (special color 1), C, M, Y, and so on.
Based on the halftone image data transferred in the order of K, it is converted into an exposure format for each number of scanning lines (one main scanning),
Converted halftone dot image data to special 1, Y, M, C, BK
An exposure unit 23 that performs laser exposure by reading out pixel data consisting of all data for one sheet of all colors in an exposure format for each number of scanning lines and outputting all color data simultaneously (dot-sequentially), Develop the sheet from the exposure unit 23,
An output unit 24 that outputs a printing paper on which a color image is formed as a color proof, an information temporary storage unit 21 that is a data buffer, a storage unit 25, a setting unit 26, and an exposure unit 2.
3 and the control unit 22 that controls the output unit 24.

The "control section 22" of this embodiment corresponds to the "control means" of the present invention. This control means
Based on a table that defines the correspondence between the printing reference color for the spot color and the light intensity composition of the light source that exposes the light-sensitive material, the exposure amount is controlled, the color density of the light-sensitive material is changed, and the density is adjusted and controlled. To do.

The information temporary storage unit 21 is used for the image processing apparatus 10.
The halftone dot image data generated in step S1 and transferred frame by frame for each color is temporarily stored in a predetermined area. Further, the control unit 22 converts the halftone dot image data converted into the exposure format for each scanning line number (one main scanning) into Y, M, C, and
One BK color is temporarily stored in another predetermined area.

The control section 22 reads out the pixel data consisting of all the data of Y, M, C and BK in the exposure format for each number of scanning lines and outputs the data of all colors simultaneously (dot-sequentially). The exposure unit 23 is controlled to expose an image on the photosensitive material.

In the output device 10 of the present embodiment, a roll-shaped silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material is set as a light-sensitive material, cut into a sheet, and then a laser is generated according to the rearranged halftone image data. Expose with light.

The output section 24 carries out development processing in the development processing section included in the output section 24 to create a color proof.

In the optical system (not shown) in the exposure section 23, a red laser light source and a green laser light source (HeN) are used.
e), it is preferable to configure an infrared laser light source or the like.
At this time, the green laser light source generates a green laser beam to expose the magenta coloring layer (M layer) of the photosensitive material, and the red laser light source generates a red laser beam to generate a cyan coloring layer (C layer) of the photosensitive material. ) And the infrared laser light source
An infrared laser beam is generated to expose the yellow color forming layer (Y layer) of the photosensitive material. This light-sensitive material is composed of a normal color photographic paper having a blue light-sensitive yellow color developing layer (Y layer), a green light sensitive magenta color developing layer (M layer), and a red light sensitive cyan color developing layer (C).
Layer), the blue-sensitive yellow color-developing layer (Y layer) in which the blue-sensitivity is shifted to infrared-sensitivity to form an infrared-sensitive yellow color-developing layer.

Further, the number of colors in the optical system is not limited to 3, and for example, a blue laser diode, a red laser diode, a first infrared laser diode (oscillation wavelengths 760 to 760).
880 nm) and a second far-infrared laser diode (oscillation wavelength of 900 nm or more) in four colors.

The green laser light source, the red laser light source, and the infrared laser light source are adapted to be light quantity modulated in accordance with the modulation signal, and respectively generate laser beams of three wavelengths of green G, red R, and infrared IR. Then, the CMY layer of the photosensitive material is exposed.

The LUT section in the storage section 25 stores the reference colors for printing, that is, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) and BK (black), and the light of the light source that exposes these reference colors to the photosensitive material. That is, LU that defines the correspondence with the intensity composition of B (blue), R (red), and IR (infrared)
It stores T (look-up table) data (which is a color channel table) 25a. This color channel table will be described in detail later, but the LUT corresponding to the basic color,
Includes a LUT for special colors.

As the reference colors, four colors of Y, M, C, and BK, which are the primary colors for printing a normal color image, and three primary colors of Y, M, and C, which are the additive primary colors, are used. Examples thereof include, but are not limited to, five or more colors obtained by adding one or a plurality of special colors to four colors of Y, M, C, and BK which are primary colors of printing. In addition, Y is yellow (yellow),
M is magenta, C is cyan, BK is black (black), B is blue (blue), G is green (green), and R is red (red).

Further, depending on the printed matter, in order to improve the color reproducibility, a special color ink other than YMCK, a so-called "special color" ink may be used. This special color ink plate is called a "special color plate". As special color ink,
In addition to green and orange inks, various inks such as gold, silver and other metallic color inks are used. Further, the special color ink may not have a uniform density, and a glitter or a mixture of gold powder may be used. The special color plate is often used in the case of reproducing an image part such as a logo that is designated to be a special color in advance, or in the case where the color reproducibility of a color image is desired to be improved by printing with a special color ink.

The LUT described above may be provided in the storage unit 17 on the image processing apparatus 10 side, and whether the LUT is provided on the output apparatus 20 side or the image processing apparatus 10 side, the setting is preferably formed so that the setting can be updated. . Then, the Y, M, and M of the exposure format sent by the LUT on the output device 20 side are transmitted.
The C, K digital halftone image data is converted into B, R, G exposure intensity data.

At this time, for each pixel, Y, M, C, and
The BK halftone image data is converted into a combination of B, R, and G laser intensities.

The halftone dot image data of each color (Y, M, C, BK) created by the halftone dot image data generating unit 12 is temporarily stored in the information temporary storage unit 21.
While accumulating fluctuations in transfer rate in the information temporary storage unit 21, data is read out simultaneously for all colors by a dot clock or the like and sent to the storage unit 25 including the LUT.

On the other hand, when the solid adjustment or the like is performed, the adjustment calculation processing unit 13 performs the adjustment processing, and the control information such as each exposure value extracted at this time is stored in the storage unit 25 also including the LUT. Then, the exposure value and the like are updated. Then, the color channel table 25a in which solid adjustment and the like are reflected
Based on the above, simultaneous exposure for all colors is performed.

At this time, the green laser light source, the red laser light source, and the infrared laser light source are the LUT of the set channel.
The light is emitted based on the data of (1) to expose an image having a color corresponding to the color of the ink at the time of printing and / or the color of the printing paper.

Further, the CPU of the control unit 22 controls the optical unit based on the information on the tip position of the photosensitive material from the sensors and the count of the pulse signal from the rotary encoder (not shown) for detecting the position of the drum. The control unit 22 determines whether or not the image recording area of the photosensitive material exists at the irradiation position of the emitted laser light, and the control unit 22 determines based on this determination.
During the period when the image recording area of the photosensitive material exists at the irradiation position of the laser light, the exposure intensity data input to the driver that drives each laser light source of each laser diode is always an exposure intensity data value sufficient to cause the laser diode to emit light. The LUT data to be converted into the above exposure intensity data values is controlled so as to be set.

As a result, the laser diode of the laser light source always emits light while the image recording area of the photosensitive material is present at the laser light irradiation position, resulting in good responsiveness. In this way, a halftone image is output on the photosensitive material held on the drum. The configuration and operation of the other output device 20B are similar to those of the output device 20A.

The image recording density of the image recorded on the photosensitive material is 600 dpi or more (particularly 1000 dpi or more, further 1200 dpi or more) in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction from the viewpoint of gradation reproducibility by halftone image. From the viewpoint of saturation of gradation reproducibility by halftone image, image recording speed, device cost, etc., 10,000 dpi or less (particularly 5000 dpi or less) is preferable in both the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction. The image recording densities in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are dp indicating how many pixels are image-recorded in the length of 1 inch in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction.
It is shown in units of i.

Further, it is preferable that one halftone dot is recorded from 100 or more (particularly 200 or more) pixels so as to reproduce a halftone dot in actual printing. Further, it is preferable that one halftone dot is recorded from pixels of 5000 or less (particularly 2000 or less) so that the image data can be easily handled and the image data can be processed at high speed.

The number of recorded pixels of each color of exposure light per second is 3 million pixels / second or more (particularly 10 million pixels / second).
Seconds or more) is preferable. This makes it possible to achieve both high-speed image recording and high-definition image recording. The number of recorded pixels of each color of exposure light per second is preferably 4 billion pixels or less (particularly 500 million pixels or less). As a result, the drive circuit is stable, image recording is stable, the exposure intensity and the exposure position are stable, the cost is low, and the adjustment is easy.

Further, the control unit 22 of the output device 20 detects, for example, the exposure amount information set in the output device 20. The control unit 19 of the image processing apparatus 10 detects the exposure amount information by the signal from the control unit 22, and based on these detections, the transfer control unit 1 of the image processing apparatus 10.
It is also possible to change the exposure amount information and the like from 4.

As described above, in producing a color printed matter, the halftone dot image data producing section 12 is used before producing the image data in the raster image format from the digital image data described in various formats and producing the printing plate. Raster image format image data is generated from the digital image data, and the storage unit 17 is used to rearrange the image data into a format compatible with the output device 20,
By storing an image based on this rearranged image data, a color proof that simulates an image obtained by printing with a printing plate created from digital image data described in various formats is created, and a digital proof is created. It is possible to check in advance whether or not there is an error in the image indicated by the image data, such as whether there is an error in the layout, color, characters, etc., and to confirm the finish of the printed matter in advance.

The PDL data including color information output from the upstream terminal 2 for editing is C, M, Y, K,
In the case of the already separated data of 4 (5) pages (or special 1) (hereinafter, also referred to as already separated data, if necessary), the halftone image data creation unit 12
Then, the mode that does not separate the processing mode (non-separation mode)
It is also possible to perform raster image processing and output the raster image data for the 5th edition of CMYK special 1.

On the other hand, the PDL data or the like including the color information output from the upstream terminal 2 for editing is the description of one page, and the data that has not been separated yet (hereinafter also referred to as unseparated data if necessary). .), The halftone image data creating unit 12 performs raster image processing as a mode for separating the processing mode (separation mode) and outputs raster image data.

As described above, even if the color separation processing for separating (decomposing) the image data in which YMCK is mixed into each data is executed by the upstream terminal 2 for editing, the halftone image data generation unit 12 may be performed. That is, the image data is generally one data file in which process colors (CMYK) and spot colors are mixed, but in some cases, each color plate is passed as separate data, or only spot color data is sent. It may be delivered as a separate data file, and when each color plate is delivered as separate data, the plate separation process in the halftone image data creation unit 12 is omitted.

The image processing apparatus 1 having the above-mentioned configuration.
At 0, when the user makes various designations on the display unit 15 using means such as a mouse and a keyboard for the image processing apparatus 10, the designation input information is stored in the storage unit 17.

Next, with the above preparation, the input unit 1
The page description language (PDL data) including color information is started to be fetched from the upstream terminal 2 via 1 and it is determined whether or not the supply of PDL data is completed.

The image data, which is multi-value gradation data described in various page description languages and the like, which has been edited and transferred by the external upstream terminal 2 and transferred by the halftone image data generation unit 12 or the like. Development separation is performed to generate a color separation file (halftone dot image data) necessary for creating one color proof, and generate pixels of binary halftone dot image data.

That is, since the image data is data that can be reproduced by printing, the information about the color is naturally described by the color used for printing. Therefore, when the print colors are the process colors Y, M, C, and K and the special colors 1 and 2, the description about the color of the image data is described only with these 6 colors, and the raster image data obtained from this Has color information of these 6 colors.

In the normal RIP processing, monochromatic raster format gradation data for each color plate is output for the number of colors, but data of a format in which each color gradation value is arranged for each pixel may be used. In any of the formats, the color value of a pixel in the input raster image data is a vector value and the gradation value =
It is preferable to express as (C, M, Y, K, special 1, special 2). Each vector component is a numerical value (halftone dot%) of 0 to 100 with solid being 100 and white being 0.

At this time, if there is no other instruction, the control section 19 defaults to the halftone image data creation section 1
2 is set to the color separation processing mode.

If the transferred PDL data including color information is data that has undergone color separation, the halftone image data creation unit 12 is set in advance in the color separation mode and raster image processing is started to perform color separation. If the data is not processed, the halftone image data creation unit 12 is set to the non-separation mode, and the PDL data including color information is processed by the halftone image data creation unit 12 as a raster image in the color separation process. I am trying to process it.

By controlling in this way, if the transferred PDL data is not color-separated, the halftone image data creation unit 12 is set to the color-separation mode,
By continuing the processing as it is, as a result, the desired 4
The raster image data for the plate is obtained.

Consequently, as a result, the color separation / non-color separation processing mode in the upstream terminal 2 for editing and the color separation / non-color separation processing mode in the halftone image data processing unit are appropriately selected, and the color separation processing is performed. Is executed by either the editing PC 2 or the halftone image data creation unit 12.

A file written in a page description language (hereinafter, also referred to as a PS file) can handle data including a mixture of characters, photographs, figures, etc. in a unified manner, and is written in such a page description language. When printing graphic data and the like in multicolor printing, a color separation file (including spot color separation) is generated for each color. Specifically, from the PS file containing figure data written in the page description language, data of all the colors used are analyzed, and based on this color data, the color of each color separation file is analyzed. Generate version data.

Then, the transfer control section 14 transfers the data to the output device 20, and the output device 20 receives the color plate data from the image processing device 10 in the frame order in a predetermined order.

The halftone image data generated by the image processing apparatus 10 and transferred in the frame-sequential manner for each color is output by the output apparatus 2.
0, the information is converted into an exposure format for each number of scanning lines (one main scanning), and the information temporary storage unit 2 of the output device 20 is converted.
1 is stored in a predetermined area.

At this time, the frame-sequential halftone dot image data (data separated into Y, M, C, and BK corresponding to the printing plate) is arranged in the data of one scanning of the plurality of beams of the exposure unit 23. Sorted and converted.

Then, the halftone image data converted into the exposure format for each number of scanning lines (for one main scanning) is converted into Y,
After accumulating one M, C, BK all screens (one dot of halftone image data required to create one color proof), Y, M, C, BK Read out the pixel data in the exposure format for each number of scanning lines,
Output all color data simultaneously (dot-sequentially).

The control section 22 receives the input Y, M, C, B
The number of pixels of halftone dots is counted based on the image data obtained by converting the pixel data consisting of all the data of K into the exposure format for each number of scanning lines, and this count is, for example, one halftone dot image for one line or one page. This is continuously performed for data pixels.

Then, regarding the halftone image data, the number of dots in the main scanning direction and the number of dots (the number of lines) in the sub scanning direction.
Is calculated and the image size is calculated with reference to the counted value, and the control unit 22 controls the exposure unit 23 to expose the image on the photosensitive material.

In the output device 20, a roll-shaped silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material is set as a light-sensitive material, cut into a sheet, and the laser is applied to the laser in the exposure section 23 according to the rearranged halftone image data. It is exposed to light and then developed in a developing section included in the output section 24 to create a color proof.

(Characteristic Configuration of the Present Embodiment) Here, the characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a part of the details of the image processing apparatus.

In the storage unit 17, the density (Dc, Dm, Dy) and the light quantity (R, obtained by measuring the density value of the solid density of the basic color of the printing paper, which is output in advance, by a densitometer.
G, B) measurement table (density (Dc, Dm, Dy) -light intensity (R, G, B) correlation table) that defines the correlation with G, B) (not shown), and the solid color of the special color of the printing paper output in advance. The filter density (Dc) of each of the C, M, and Y components of the spot color obtained by measuring the density value of the density with a densitometer.
(Special), Dm (special), Dy (special) and light intensity (R, G,
Measurement table (concentration (Dc
(Special), Dm (special), Dy (special) -light intensity (R, G,
B) correlation table) 17a.

Furthermore, when the storage unit 17 has a plurality of spot colors (for example, spot color 1, spot color 2, etc.), the exposure amount of each light solidly adjusted for spot color 1 is defined for each printing reference color. Color channel color correction LUT 17b (special color 1)
And a color channel color correction LUT1 in which the exposure amount of each light solid-adjusted for the spot color 2 is defined for each printing reference color.
7c (spot color 2) and the color channel color correction LUT 17d that defines the exposure amount of each light solid-adjusted for the overlap (combination) of the spot color 1 and the spot color 2 for each reference color of printing.
(Spot color 1 + spot color 2) and (if there is one spot color, only 17b of spot color 1 is required), dot gain correction LUT 17f for performing dot gain correction for the spot color, and each basic color (process color: C, M, Y, K) dot gain correction LUT1 for performing dot gain correction
7g, a calibration correction LUT 17h for performing the calibration correction for the special color, each calibration correction LUT 17i for performing the calibration correction for each basic color (process color: C, M, Y, K), and ICC ( International
I that stores color correction information related to the ICC profile standardized by the Color Consortium).
CC profile color correction information storage means 17j and ICC
And an ICC device link profile color correction information storage means 17k that stores color correction information relating to the device link profile.

The adjustment calculation processing section 13 is a light quantity value calculation processing means which is a calculation means for calculating a combination of light quantity values for solid adjustment based on a measurement table (not shown) of the basic color or the spot color measurement table 17a. 13a and the dot gain correction LUTs 17f and 17g, the dot gain correction calculation processing means 13b that performs the calculation process of the dot gain correction of the dot image data, and the calibration correction LUTs 17h and 17i. A calibration correction calculation processing means 13c for performing calculation processing for calibration correction, and an ICC profile color correction calculation processing means 13d for performing calculation processing for ICC profile color correction based on information in the ICC profile color correction information storage means 17j, ICC device link profile color correction Based on the information in the information storage means 17k, the ICC device link profile color correction calculation processing means 13e which performs the calculation processing of the ICC device link profile color correction, and the calculation order of these correction calculations and only necessary correction calculations are performed. And an arithmetic procedure control means 13f for controlling the above.

In addition, the adjustment calculation processing unit 13 may, for example, be based on the combination of the light amount values calculated by the light amount value calculation processing means 13a, for example, a solid color of a spot color (100% mesh).
In the case of, the information about the color channel color correction LUT 17b that defines the combination of the light amount values for each reference color is transferred to the output device 20, and the LUT set by the output device 20 by default is the information of the LUT 17b. It may also include processing means for urging the processing to replace with.

At this time, the processing means is the LU of the output device 20.
A determination unit that acquires the T information and determines whether or not the image processing apparatus 10 side needs to replace the information may be provided.

Here, the "dot gain correction calculation processing means" and the "calculation procedure control means" of the present embodiment can constitute the "adjustment calculation means" of the present invention. The adjustment calculation means determines the spot color and the basic color based on a dot gain LUT that defines the area ratio of the halftone dots of the halftone dot image data to the area ratio of the printed halftone dots. The correction is performed by correcting the variation of the area ratio and calculating the combination of the light amount values.

Further, the "calibration correction calculation processing means" and the "calculation procedure control means" of the present embodiment can constitute "adjustment calculation means" according to another aspect of the present invention. This adjustment calculation means is the calibration L
Based on the UT, the combination of the light amount values is calculated and adjusted while the spot color and the basic color are color-corrected.

On the display unit 15, for example, first setting means 15a for setting and inputting information about the spot color measuring table 17a, and the color channel color correction LUT1 for spot color 1 are set.
Second setting means 15b for setting and inputting information regarding 7b, and color channel color correction LUT 17 for spot color 2
Third setting means 1 for setting and inputting information about c
5c and the fourth for setting and inputting information about the color channel color correction LUT 17d by the spot color 1 and the spot color 2.
Setting means 15d, a fifth setting means 15e for setting and inputting information about the color channel color correction LUT 17e by the basic color (process color), and a sixth setting means 15d for setting and inputting information about the dot gain correction LUT 17f for the special color. Setting means 15f and a seventh setting means 15g for setting and inputting information about the dot gain correction LUT 17g of the basic color (process color).

Further, the display unit 15 is provided with an eighth setting means 15h for setting and inputting information about the spot color calibration correction LUT 17h and a ninth setting means for setting and inputting information about the basic color calibration correction LUT 17i. Setting means 15i, tenth setting means 15j for setting and inputting information about ICC profile color correction, eleventh setting means 15k for setting and inputting information about ICC device link profile,
It is configured to include.

Specifically, the spot color measuring table 17a has the structure shown in FIG. 4, and defines, for example, the relationship between the light intensity values 0 to 255 and the measured density value (CMY). Is. The measured density value is the C filter density value Dc which is the basic color component (each component of C, Y, M) of the spot color.
(Toku), M filter density value Dm (Toku), Y filter density value Dy (Toku) as the density value through 5 steps of light intensity value in one step of 52 steps, for example (R, G,
Go to (255, 0, 0) in B), then (0, 5,
0) to (255, 5, 0) and (25
5, 255, 255), 52 × 5
It is a value obtained by measuring all 2 × 52 = 140608 patterns.

That is, the table is prepared in advance by measuring the concentration of the target with a measuring means such as a densitometer. Examples of the measuring means for measuring the concentration include a densitometer. The densitometer detects the value of V (omitted), the value of DC, the value of DM, and the value of DY. Data is input to this densitometer by connecting it to a PC or the like via RS232C. These are formed in advance and mounted in the storage unit 17.

Thus, the combination of measured values (R, G, B) that most approximates the density values (Dc, Dm, Dy) is searched for and selected using the spot color table, and the corresponding light quantity value is calculated. Adjust by doing.

In the present embodiment, the main purpose is to perform processing for solid adjustment of special colors, but of course, a measurement table (not shown) for basic colors (process colors) is also included. It goes without saying that you can prepare. At that time, the measurement table for the basic color may be constructed by a method substantially similar to that of the measurement table for the spot color.

In addition, it is preferable to prepare various measurement tables according to the type of printing paper or ink, the printing conditions, etc. for each of the spot color and the basic color.

In the present embodiment, only 5 steps are given as an example, but it is possible to make the steps even finer. When the measurement value of the minimum resolution of the densitometer is used,
R becomes 0, 1, 2, ..., 256 × 256
A pattern of × 256 can be formed.

(Color Channel) Next, FIG. 5 discloses an example of the structure of the color channel color correction LUT (color channel table).

When only one spot color is used, the color channel color correction LUT 17 for spot color 1 as shown in FIG.
b may be used.

Similarly, the color channel color correction LUT 17e for the basic color also becomes as shown in FIG.

Here, the colors of the reference colors are combinations of Y, M, C, B, (Y + M) R, (M + C) B, ...
・ Has 16 patterns. That is, in the arrangement of halftone dots, there are 16 possible combinations when another halftone dot having a different angle overlaps a certain halftone dot.

Then, the image processing apparatus 10 refers to the table, calculates the standard value of each table from the above calculation, and sets it.

On the other hand, when a plurality of spot colors are used, for example, when a spot color 1 and a spot color 2 are used, FIG.
Color channel color correction L for spot color 1 as shown in (A)
In addition to the UT 17b and the color channel color correction LUT 17c for the spot color 2 as shown in FIG. 6B, the color channel color correction LUT 17d for the spot color 1 and the spot color 2 as shown in FIG. 6C is provided. This is because the spot color 1 and the spot color 2 may overlap.

Generally, there are n kinds of the above-mentioned spot colors (n is 2
When using the above natural numbers)
The corresponding printing standard color and the light from the light source that exposes the photosensitive material
N tables that define the correspondence with strength composition, and
Established the same relationship_nC _Two+_nC_Three+ ..._nC
_n-1+_nC_nYou will need tables and tables. On this occasion,
The “calculating means” referred to in the present invention is the n number of tables.
When,_nC_Two+_nC_Three+ ..._nC_n-1+_nC_nTe
The amount of exposure is controlled based on
Adjust the concentration by changing the concentration.

Here, the color channels, which are these color correction LUTs, are a table of information regarding how strong the exposure is, for example, 0 to 255 for each color, and a plurality of types of tables are changed. This will change the way colors are reproduced.

Although the exposure amount of the LUT is automatically set, for example, the contents of the LUT can be displayed on the display unit 15 and the contents of the LUT can be arbitrarily changed as necessary. I don't care.

The LUT is, for example, a reference color for printing, that is, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), B (blue), G (green), R (red),
BK (black), GY (gray) and W (white)
And light of a light source that exposes the reference color to the photosensitive material, that is, R (red), G (green), B (or IR).
It stores data that defines the correspondence with the intensity composition of (infrared).

Further, since the color tones of the Y, M, C, and K inks of the printed matter differ depending on the brand of the ink used for printing, etc., the intensity composition of the lasers R, G, and IR corresponding to the reference colors Y to W is set to the ink. Alternatively, it can be set according to the user's preference (color correction), but particularly in this example, it is preferable that the color proof is automatically set according to the characteristics of the output device. . This eliminates the need for detailed settings.

Further, printing ink reference colors Y, M, C, K
In the case of a special color such as pink, which is difficult to accurately produce due to the combination of halftone dots, the ink may be specially mixed and printed with a special plate. In such a case, the corresponding R, G, IR using the LUT of the spot color S is used.
It is preferable that the laser intensity composition is set.

When the color correction is manually set, one channel, for example, channel 1 is displayed on the display unit 17 on the color correction setting screen, for example.
It is preferable to display a screen including the LUT data and the ten keys. The numerical value of the LUT data is a standard value in the default state. On this screen, specific printing conditions, whether solid adjustment is possible, etc. are selected and a desired LUT is displayed. Furthermore, in the LUT, a desired reference color or another reference color may be selected and the intensity composition value of the laser corresponding thereto may be adjusted and changed. Thereby, the output device 20
It is possible to obtain a color tone faithful to the characteristics of the ink, for example, the color of the ink.

When the background color of the printing medium, that is, the background color of the printing paper is different from the background color of the photosensitive material, it is preferable to automatically change the reference color to match it. In this way, it is possible to create a color proof that is adapted to the background color of the printing paper in addition to the hue of the ink.

When creating a color proof, a color correction LUT corresponding to the ink and the paper used for printing is used.
Therefore, a color correction LUT used for creating a color proof
It is preferable that the channel of (1) is automatically determined.

Further, in the printing machine, so-called dot gain occurs in which printed dots are larger than halftone dots. Dot gain also depends on the ink and printing paper. Therefore, it is preferable that the halftone image data is modified according to the paper of the output device 10 and the setting for applying the dot gain corresponding to the dot gain at the time of printing is automatically performed.

Further, there is provided a table in which numbers having different values are sequentially assigned based on the dot% of each color, and the dot% is automatically set by correlating the information in this table with the setting parameters. Preferably. According to the color code and halftone dot information of this table, a color proof in which desired halftone dots are formed for each corresponding color separation plate is created. By easily changing the angle of halftone dots, the number of halftone dots, or the shape of halftone dots generated in the colored area of this proof, the tone of the original can be reproduced well, or the tone of the original may be different. And make some changes,
It can be partially emphasized.

(Regarding Processing Procedure) Next, processing of the image processing apparatus included in the color proof creating system having the above-mentioned configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The image processing apparatus 1 having the above configuration
At 0, the calculation procedure control unit 13f, for example, in the adjustment calculation processing unit 13 follows a procedure for performing corrections such as calculation of light intensity value, dot gain correction, calibration correction, color correction by ICC profile or ICC device link profile. Control each part. Of course, when which correction is to be performed is set by the setting means, control is performed so that only the set correction is performed.

For example, the light quantity value calculation processing means 13a calculates the light quantity corresponding to the density with reference to the spot color measurement table 17a. As described above, the spot color measurement table 17a has the same solid (100% mesh) depending on the form of the printing paper of the final printed matter (whether it is art paper, coated paper, or fine paper), the type of ink, the printing conditions, and the like. In view of the fact that the densities of halftone dots on the paper are different, the densities of the color patches output according to the change of the light amount were measured in advance for one target of these final prints, and the measurement results were tabulated. Therefore, the density adjustment inevitably reflects the shape of the target of the final printed matter. In other words, by exposing with the light amount using this table, it becomes possible to output in the state where the shift of the halftone dot density is corrected.

Since this special color measurement table is a solid adjustment table for a certain target (for example, art paper), other types of coated paper or high-quality paper may also use a certain type of ink. It is preferable to prepare each measurement table for solid adjustment in each case such as when the ink is used, when another type of ink is used, or when the printing condition is held. With such a configuration, for example, by setting the printing environment condition setting unit (not shown) on the display screen, for example, by setting the coated paper, the ink A, or the like, the corresponding spot color measurement table is selected and selected. By performing the exposure using the special color measurement table, the halftone dots suitable for the target are output.

Returning to FIG. 3, the light quantity value calculation processing means 13a stores the combination of the exposure amounts corresponding to the halftone dots of the halftone dot image data of the special color plate in the special color measurement table 17a. The color channel LUT 17b for the special color is generated based on this exposure amount, and the exposure amount in consideration of the solid adjustment is calculated for the halftone image data.

The state of these color channel LUTs 17 can be confirmed, for example, from the display section 15, or can be set by the second setting means 15b if necessary.

Then, according to a predetermined operation instruction, the control information relating to the exposure amount is transferred to the output device 20 via the transfer control unit 14, and the exposure amount information of the color channel table 25a of the storage unit 25 is updated. .

Although omitted here, the process for the normal basic color measurement table is the same as that for the spot color.

In addition to solid adjustment, for example, when performing dot gain correction, the dot gain correction calculation processing means 13b performs dot gain correction for halftone image data or light quantity values. This is to correct the variation of the halftone dot area ratio according to the type of printed matter by the dot gain LUT which defines the area ratio of the halftone dots to the area ratio of the printed dots.

As a result, since the color of each color material of CMYK is close to the printing ink color in the halftone dot type color proof printer, the correction of the difference in halftone dot thickness (dot gain curve correction) is performed for each color of CMYK. By performing the measurement based on the measurement result of the rate, it is possible to match the color with the printing machine.

When performing the calibration correction, the calibration correction calculation processing means 13c performs the calibration correction on the halftone image data or the light amount value. This is a calibration L that regulates the variation of the color of the halftone dots according to the model of the output device.
Color correction is performed by the UT.

Further, in the case of performing the color correction by the ICC profile, the ICC profile color correction calculation processing means 13d performs the color correction for the halftone dot image data or the light quantity value.

On the other hand, when performing color correction using the ICC device link profile included in the CMS, the ICC
Device link profile color correction calculation processing means 13d
Thus, color correction is performed on the halftone image data or the light amount value.

The profile is a conversion parameter for converting the color of a specific device (for example, a printing machine or a printer) into the standard color space (L * a * b *) described above. For the profile format, see ICC (Inter
national Color Consortium
It is being standardized internationally by an organization called m).
The color space (L * a * b *) is C recommended by CIE.
It is a chromaticity diagram called IELAB, where L * represents lightness, a * represents the degree of red or green, and b * represents the degree of yellow or blue.

Color management system (hereinafter referred to as "C
Also called "MS". ) Means that when there are multiple printing devices (collectively referred to as “devices”) such as scanners, printing machines, and digital printers, among these devices,
This is a function to achieve output color matching. Normally, when the same image data (for example, CMYK color data) is output by different devices (for example, printing and electrostatic copying), the colors of the actually obtained output products are different. This is because the color description CMYK does not directly describe the color represented by human senses but only the output signal of the device, and CMYK and RGB are, so to speak, “device dependent. It can be called "color". On the other hand, the absolute “color expressed as a human sense” is C
Standard color space defined by IE (International Commission on Illumination) (XY
It can be described by Z or L * a * b *). The function of the CMS is to describe in advance which color in the standard color space the colors such as CMYK and RGB of each device correspond to, descriptive data called a profile (conversion parameter used when performing color conversion. It is possible to obtain an output product of the same color on different devices by performing color conversion on the image while referring to the profile.

In a color management system composed of a scanner, a printer, a personal computer, a display device, etc., a basic ICC profile in which individual characteristics possessed by the scanner, printer and display device at the time of factory shipment are included in the data processing. (Information data containing the characteristics of the device) is housed in the image processing apparatus, and the color matching processing of the entire system is performed.

At this time, the "calculating means" in the present invention is I
CC (International Color Con
The color of a specific printing device is set to a standard color space by a profile that stores colorimetric system values corresponding to the combination of basic colors of the output device in a color management system standardized by While converting and performing color adjustment, a combination of the light amount values is calculated and adjustment is performed.

Further, the device link profile has four colors or three colors for the printing machine which is the target of color matching so that the output device can obtain the output suitable for the printing machine.
One first profile in which a color system value is defined as an output value with respect to an input value of a combination of basic colors of colors, and an input value of a color system value combination for the output device that reproduces the target color To the other first profile that defines the values of four or three basic colors as output values, or four colors or three for output on the printing machine created based on the two first profiles. The value of a combination of four or three basic colors is defined as an output value with respect to an input value of a combination of basic colors.

The "calculating means" according to the present invention adjusts the color based on the device link profile, and calculates and adjusts the combination of the light amount values.

When these various corrections are performed or the solid adjustment is performed by the light amount calculation processing means 13a, the information regarding the combination of the light amount values is sent to the storage unit 25 of the output device 20 via the transfer control unit 14. Transferred. Then, a color channel color correction LUT, which is a new color channel, is generated based on the information on (the combination of) the light intensity values, and a process for replacing the color channel table (LUT) set by default is performed. Then, based on this new color channel table, the exposure section 23 performs an exposure process and then a development process and the like to output a color proof.

Alternatively, when the solid adjustment is performed by the light amount calculation processing means 13a, it is a color channel table corresponding to the reference color based on the information on the combination of the light amounts, and the color channel color correction LUT1 in consideration of the solid adjustment.
7b is generated.

Here, this color channel color correction LU
Dot gain correction, calibration correction, or the like may be performed on T17b.

Then, color channel color correction LUT1
Information regarding 7b is output to the output device 2 via the transfer control unit 14.
0 is transferred to the storage unit 25 and is replaced with the LUT set by default.

Then, based on this replaced new color channel color correction LUT 17b, the exposure unit 23
A color proof is output by performing exposure and development processing.

On the other hand, various LUTs and the like for performing various corrections can be changed by the first to eleventh setting means 15a to 15k. For example, dot gain correction LUT
With regard to, regarding the dot gain curve or the like is displayed on the display unit 15, if there are a plurality of such curves, one of the curves is selected, or a change operation setting such as picking the curve with a mouse or the like and freely changing the curve is performed. Is preferable. The same applies to other corrections. At this time, the display mode does not matter.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in expressing the solid of the special color (mesh 100%), the solid adjustment control can be performed by changing the combination of the light amounts, and the solid adjustment can be performed. It is possible to adjust the solid color that is closest to the color reproduction range of the proof system, and the color matching accuracy is dramatically improved.

Further, even if the target changes, only by selecting the optimum setting of the solid color, the halftone dot% becomes close to the target, so that a more accurate proof output can be obtained.

As described above, in the past, the solid color of the special color (net 100
%) Could not be controlled, but the solid color was changed by changing the combination of the three wavelengths.
Special color exposure can also be performed.

Further, the color can be controlled by the image processing apparatus, and color correction processing using, for example, a CMS (color management system) and various LUTs such as dot gain and calibration can be additionally performed. When reproducing with the color printer for proofreading the color of, the color with the printing machine matches, there is no turbidity in each single color part of CMY,
In addition, each CMY solid color can be output as a solid and reproduced, and errors in the calibration work can be prevented.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that, in the following, description of substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

In the above-described first embodiment, an example in which a conversion table of density value (C, M, Y) -light quantity value (R, G, B) is used as the spot color measurement table is disclosed. In the present embodiment, a colorimetric value (L * a * b *)-light amount value (R, G, B) conversion table, which is an example of a color system, is used.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, in the image processing apparatus 10a included in the color proof making system of the present embodiment, the storage unit has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. 17, the colorimetric value (L * a * b *)-
Measurement table 17 which is a light quantity (R, G, B) correlation table
It is equipped with l.

The measurement table 17l has the structure shown in FIG. 9, and for example, the light quantity values MIN0 to MAX1.
00 is a table defining the relationship between 00 and measurement colorimetric values (L *, a *, b *). For the measurement colorimetric value, the light intensity value is 20 steps in 1 step and 6 steps, for example (Kr, Kb, K
Go to (0, 0, 100) in g), then (0, 2
0,0) to (0,20,100) and so on until (100,100,100)
× 6 × 6 = 216 ways are measured.

That is, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100
The color measurement of 6 × 6 × 6 = 216 patches is performed for each combination of wavelengths.

Then, the light source amounts Kr, Kb, Kg of three wavelengths corresponding to the colorimetric values L *, a *, b * are calculated.

As a result, using the above-mentioned table, the measured value (R, R *, a *, b *) most approximated to the measured value (R,
The combination of G and B) is searched for and selected, and adjustment is performed by calculating the corresponding light amount value.

As described above, unlike the first embodiment,
By using the colorimetric value instead of the density value, in the case where the medium is different, there is an advantage in that the colorimetric value is more accurate than the density-only control.

On the other hand, when the density value is used, the cost of the densitometer is lower, so that the cost for creating the table can be reduced.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that, in the following, description of substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

The present embodiment discloses an example in which the light amount of a portion where the spot color and another color overlap is calculated.

Specifically, in the image processing apparatus 10b included in the color proof making system of the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration similar to that of the first embodiment, the storage section 1 is also provided.
7, measuring table 17m for solid density adjustment of basic color,
It has a first transmission coefficient table 17n defining a transmission coefficient according to the type of special color ink, and the adjustment calculation processing unit 13 has
An overlapping portion calculation means 13g for calculating a combination of light amount values to be output in the exposure unit (special color basic color) is provided from the density of the overlapping portion of the spot color and another color.

Further, the display unit 15 has a twelfth setting means 151 for setting and inputting information regarding the basic color measurement table 17m, and a first transmission coefficient table defining a transmission coefficient according to the kind of the special color ink. 13n setting means 15m for setting and inputting information about 17n.

Here, the overlapping portion calculation means 13g included in the adjustment calculation processing portion 13 corresponds to the "density value calculation means" in the present invention. The density value calculating means is for calculating an optimum combination of respective light amount values expressing an overlapping color of a spot color and another color, and when the other color is a basic color, Based on the density value, the density value of the spot color, and the transmission coefficient of the ink of the spot color, it includes a function of calculating the density value of the overlapping portion of the basic color and the spot color, and the other color is the spot color. In the case of, the density value of the one special color and the transmission coefficient of the ink, based on the density value of the other special color and the transmission coefficient of the ink, the density value of the overlapping portion of the one and the other special colors, Including the function to calculate.

(Combination of spot color and other color)
The "other colors" include not only so-called basic colors but also special colors. Since the ink has a role of producing various coloring effects by superposition, in a printing state, for example, when the special color ink is overlaid on the Y ink, the Y below can be seen through. Therefore, the density of the Y ink is different from the density when the density of the special color ink is added, and it is necessary to multiply the density of the special color ink by the transparency coefficient (transparency) of the special color ink.

To calculate the density of the overlapping portion of the spot color and another color, the solid density (V, C, M, Y) value of C, M, Y, K and the combination thereof is set to the solid color of the spot color. It is calculated by adding the values obtained by multiplying the density (V, C, M, Y) values by the transmission coefficient value of the special color ink.

For example, assume that the density of a portion where the basic color Y and the spot color overlap is calculated. In this case, first, a spot color chart is measured with a densitometer, and a spot Dc component (Dc (spot color)), a spot Dm component (Dm (spot color)),
The Dy component (Dy (special color)) of the special color is detected. In addition, measure the color chart of the basic colors with a densitometer and
(C), Dm (M) and Dy (Y) are respectively detected.

On the other hand, in the special color ink, the transmission coefficient (transparency) for a certain type of ink is calculated. The transparency of the ink may change depending on the refractive index and the size of the pigment particles.

These Dc (spot color), Dm (spot color), Dy (spot color), Dc (C), Dm (M), Dy
(Y), the transmission coefficient of the special color ink, and the density of the overlapping portion of the special color and the basic color (Y), for example, Dc of the C component
(Y + spot color) can be calculated by Dc (C) + (transmission coefficient of spot color ink) * Dc (spot color).

Similarly, Mm Dm (Y + special color)
Can be calculated by Dm (M) + (transmission coefficient of special color ink) * Dm (special color), and Dy of the Y component (Y + special color) is D
It can be calculated by y (Y) + (transmission coefficient of special color ink) * Dy (special color).

Next, using the calculated Dc, Dm, and Dy, the corresponding light amount value can be calculated by using the density value-light amount value table.

As described above, the reason why the calculation is performed in the overlapping portion when the spot color and another color overlap is that there are many targets for the spot color alone, but there are cases where a target in which the spot color and another color overlap can be measured. This is because there are few cases in which overlapping colors can be detected by a measuring instrument, and it is necessary to calculate them in advance because it is extremely rare.

At this time, it is basically necessary to prepare a table for all combinations of overlapping colors.

For example, when Y is overlapped on the spot color, the transmission coefficient of the Y ink is multiplied by D (Y), and the transmission coefficient of the spot color ink is multiplied by D (spot color). It is preferable to perform a calculation that does not occur. With Y, it is possible to avoid the situation where the feature is transparent.

(Regarding Processing Procedure) Next, with respect to the image processing apparatus included in the color proof making system having the above-described configuration, the processing procedure for obtaining the light amount value at the portion where the spot color and another color overlap each other will be described. , Will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the type of another color that overlaps the spot color is identified (step: hereinafter sometimes referred to as S: 101).
That is, it is identified whether the other color is the reference color or the spot color.

Then, it is judged whether or not the other colors are spot colors (S102). In this determination process, if another color is a spot color, the process proceeds to S108. On the other hand, when the other color is not the spot color in the determination processing, the other color is regarded as the reference color and the following processing is performed.

That is, first, the process of calculating the transmission coefficient according to the type of the special color ink is performed (S103). next,
Filter density values Dc (spot color), Dm (spot color), and Dy (spot color), which are C, M, and Y components of the spot color, are extracted (S).
104).

Solid density values Dc (C), Dm (m) and Dy (Y) of other colors combined with the spot color are extracted (S105).

Then, as shown in S106, for example, in the case of the C component, Dc (basic color + spot color) is obtained by multiplying Dc (spot color) by the transmission coefficient of the special color ink, Dc.
Calculation can be performed by adding (C). other,
The same applies to the M component and the Y component.

In this way, in S106, Dc (basic color + spot color), Dm (basic color + spot color), Dy (basic color + spot color)
When the spot color) is calculated, the light amount value of the combination of Dc, Dm, and Dy is calculated with reference to the density-light amount correlation table (S107). As described above, it is possible to obtain the combination of the light amount values of the overlapping portion when the basic color overlaps the spot color.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S102 that the one spot color overlaps with the other spot color, the transmission coefficient is calculated according to the type of the one spot color ink (S108).

Next, the filter density values D1c (special color), D1m (special color) and D1 which are the C, M and Y components of one special color
Each y (spot color) is extracted (S109).

In addition, the filter density value Dc2 which is the C, M and Y components of the other spot color combined with the one spot color.
(Spot color), Dm2 (spot color), and Dy2 (spot color) are extracted (S111).

Then, as shown in the formula of S112, for example, in the case of the C component, Dc (spot color + spot color) is obtained by multiplying Dc1 (spot color) by the transmission coefficient of one of the spot color inks and Dc2 (spot color). Calculation can be performed by adding. The same applies to the other M and Y components.

In this way, in S113, Dc (spot color + spot color), Dm (spot color + spot color), Dy (spot color + spot color)
When is calculated, the light amount value of the combination of Dc, Dm, and Dy is calculated with reference to the density-light amount correlation table (S113). As described above, when the spot color overlaps the spot color, the combination of the light amount values of the overlapping portions can be obtained.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if a halftone dot in which a spot color and another color overlap is generated, the solid density after printing is output by using the density-light quantity correlation table. However, it is possible to perform exposure with an optimum amount of light that does not differ depending on paper or the like, and it is possible to improve color approximation.

In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the spot color overlaps with another color, but the way of overlapping is not limited to this, and another color may overlap with the spot color. The light quantity value can be calculated by the same procedure. At this time, the transmission coefficient may be multiplied by the ink positioned above. For example, when the basic color is above and the spot color is below,
It can be calculated by Dc (spot color + basic color) = Dc (spot color) + (transmission coefficient of C) * Dc (C). At this time, it is preferable to prepare a transmission coefficient table according to the type of each basic color.

If the spot color 2 is above and the spot color 1 is below, it can be calculated by Dc (spot color + spot color) = Dc (spot color 1) + (transmission coefficient of spot color 2) * Dc (spot color 2). it can.

In addition, the basic color is lower, the spot color 1 is middle, and the spot color 2 is
In the above case, Dc (basic color + spot color 1 + spot color 2) = Dc (C) + (spot coefficient of spot color 1) * Dc (spot color 1) + (spot coefficient of spot color 2) * Dc (spot color It can be calculated in 2).

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that, in the following, description of substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

The present embodiment discloses an example applicable to the case where the transmission coefficient of the spot color ink varies depending on the output order of the spot color and other colors. That is, in general,
If the output order of the spot color and other colors is different, the transmission coefficient of the spot color may change depending on whether the spot color is output before the other color or other colors are output before the spot color. Even in such a case, the light amount can be appropriately derived by adopting the present embodiment.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the image processing apparatus 10c included in the color proof making system according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and also has a storage unit 17. In addition, the measurement table 17m for adjusting the solid density of the basic color, the first transmission coefficient table 17n that defines the transmission coefficient according to the kind of the special color ink, the upper and lower sides of the overlap between the special color and the basic color, in other words, depending on the output order. Features 1,
Second transmission coefficient table 1 that defines the transmission coefficient of spot color 2
7o, and the adjustment calculation processing unit 13 calculates a combination of light amount values to be output in the exposure unit from the density of the overlapping portion of the spot color and another color (spot color basic color) overlapping portion calculation means 13
g.

Further, the display unit 15 has a twelfth setting means 15l for setting and inputting information on the basic color measurement table 17m, and a first transmission coefficient table defining a transmission coefficient corresponding to the kind of the special color ink. Thirteenth setting means 15m for setting and inputting information about 17n, and fourteenth setting means 15n for setting and inputting information about the second transmission coefficient table 17o defining the transmission coefficient according to the output order. It is configured to include.

(Regarding Processing Procedure) Next, with respect to the image processing apparatus included in the color proof making system having the above-described configuration, the processing procedure for obtaining the light quantity value at the portion where the spot color and another color overlap each other will be described. , Will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the type of another color that overlaps the spot color is identified (S202). That is, it is identified whether the other color is the reference color or the spot color.

Then, it is determined whether or not the other colors are spot colors (S202). In this determination process, if another color is a spot color, the process proceeds to S209. On the other hand, when the other color is not the spot color in the determination processing, the other color is regarded as the reference color and the following processing is performed.

That is, in the present embodiment, since it is assumed that the spot color is overlaid on another color, first, the process of calculating the transmission coefficient a1 according to the type of the spot color ink is performed (S203). Next, the transmission coefficient a2 is calculated by correcting the transmission coefficient a1 according to the output order (S204). As a result, the transmission coefficient that changes according to the output order is corrected.

Further, the filter density values Dc (special color), Dm (special color) and Dy (special color) which are the C, M and Y components of the special color.
Are extracted (S205). Also, solid density values Dc (C), Dm (m), Dy of other colors combined with the spot color.
(Y) is extracted (S206).

Then, as shown in S207, in the case of the C component, for example, Dc (basic color + spot color) is obtained by multiplying Dc (spot color) by the corrected transmission coefficient a2 of the spot color ink, and Dc (C ) Can be added to calculate. The same applies to the other M and Y components.

In this way, in S207, Dc (basic color + spot color), Dm (basic color + spot color), Dy (basic color + spot color)
When the spot color) is calculated, the light amount value of the combination of Dc, Dm, and Dy is calculated with reference to the density-light amount correlation table (S208). As described above, it is possible to obtain the combination of the light amount values of the overlapping portion when the basic color overlaps the spot color.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S202 that one spot color overlaps the other spot color, the transmission coefficient a1 is calculated according to the type of the one spot color ink (S209). Then, according to the output order, the transmission coefficient a
A transmission coefficient a2 in which 1 is corrected is calculated (S210). As a result, the transmission coefficient that changes according to the output order is corrected.

Next, the filter density values D1c (special color), D1m (special color) and D1 which are the C, M and Y components of one special color.
Each y (spot color) is extracted (S211).

In addition, the filter density value Dc2 which is the C, M and Y components of the other spot color combined with the one spot color.
(Spot color), Dm2 (spot color), and Dy2 (spot color) are extracted (S214).

Then, as shown in the equation at S215, for example, in the case of the C component, Dc (spot color + spot color) is obtained by multiplying Dc1 (spot color) by the corrected transmission coefficient a2 of one of the spot color inks and Dc2. Calculation can be performed by adding (special color). The same applies to the other M and Y components.

In this way, in S215, Dc (spot color + spot color), Dm (spot color + spot color), Dy (spot color + spot color)
When is calculated, the light amount value of the combination of Dc, Dm, and Dy is calculated with reference to the density-light amount correlation table (S216). As described above, when the spot color overlaps the spot color, the combination of the light amount values of the overlapping portions can be obtained.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if a halftone dot having an overlapping manner in which the spot color and the other colors are reversed in the order of output, the density-light quantity correlation table is By utilizing this, it is possible to perform the exposure with an optimum light amount such that the solid density after printout does not differ depending on the paper or the like, and it is possible to improve the color approximation.

Furthermore, two transmission coefficients are prepared depending on the printing order, first or second, and one calculation formula is used in the latter case, and the other calculation formula is used in the former case. Good.

Further, it is preferable to prepare a plurality of tables defining the relationship between the density of the overlapping portion of the spot color and the other color and the light amount value according to the type and characteristics of the spot color ink.

[Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that, in the following, description of substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

The present embodiment discloses the case of performing solid color adjustment by performing spot color, basic color, calibration correction, dot gain correction.

Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, in the case of the spot color, the spot color calibration correction is performed based on the spot color calibration LUT (S301). Next, the spot color dot gain LUT
The dot gain correction of the spot color is performed based on
2).

Then, the solid adjustment of the spot color as disclosed in each of the above embodiments is performed (S303).

On the other hand, for the basic color, each calibration correction of the basic color is performed based on each calibration LUT of the basic color (S304). Next, each dot gain correction of the basic color is performed based on each dot gain LUT of the basic color (S305).

Then, the solid adjustment of the basic color as disclosed in each of the above embodiments is performed (S306).

In this way, the spot color and the basic color are output according to the output order (S307).

As described above, according to this embodiment, in addition to the solid color adjustment of the special color, various other color corrections such as calibration correction and dot gain correction can be performed.

[Sixth Embodiment] Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that, in the following, description of substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

This embodiment discloses the case where only the spot color is color-corrected by the LUT and the process color is color-corrected by the CMS (color management system).

Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15, first, in the case of a spot color, the spot gain dot gain correction is performed based on the spot color dot gain LUT (S401). Next, the solid adjustment of the spot color as disclosed in each of the above-described embodiments is performed (S402).

On the other hand, with respect to the basic color, correction is performed by CMS (color management system), for example, ICC device link profile (S403). Next, the solid adjustment of the basic color as disclosed in each of the above embodiments is performed (S404).

In this way, the spot color and the basic color are output according to the output order (S307).

As described above, according to this embodiment, the area ratio of the dot of the special color is adjusted by the dot gain LUT of the special color, for example, the basic color is hit and the special color is exposed in the next stage. You can also In this case, the transparency coefficient of the special color ink may be ignored.

[Seventh Embodiment] Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, description of the substantially same configuration as that of the seventh embodiment will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

The present embodiment discloses an example in which the spot color and the basic color are separately exposed twice.

Specifically, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 16, first, the exposure order is determined according to a predetermined exposure procedure (S501).

Next, an exposure process is performed on the portion (plate) related to the spot color (S502). At this time, when there are a plurality of spot colors, they are respectively performed.
In addition, for example, the case of performing special color exposure by multiple exposure is included.

Then, a judgment process is performed as to whether or not all the exposure for the spot color has been completed (S50).
3). In this determination process, when it is determined that the exposure for all the spot colors has not been completed, the above-mentioned S502
Repeat the above to expose the spot color.

On the other hand, if it is judged in the judgment processing that the exposure for all the spot colors has been completed, the portion (plate) related to the basic color is exposed (S504). At this time, for example, multiple exposure of basic colors,
Includes simultaneous exposure of all colors.

Then, a judgment process is performed as to whether or not the exposure for all the basic colors has been completed (S50).
5). If it is determined in this determination process that all the exposures for the basic colors have not been completed, the above-described S5 is performed.
04 is repeated to expose the basic colors.

On the other hand, when it is judged in the judgment processing that the exposure for all the basic colors has been completed,
Output processing will be performed (S506).

In the present embodiment, the procedure of first performing exposure for all the special colors and then performing exposure for all the basic colors has been described, but the order is reversed.
The procedure may be such that first, exposure is performed for all basic colors, and then exposure is performed for all spot colors.

As described above, by performing the exposure for one of the colors and performing the exposure for the other color after the exposure is completed, it is not necessary to calculate the overlapping portion when the one and the other colors overlap. In addition, high color approximation can be obtained.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the spot color and the basic color are separately exposed twice, it is not necessary to calculate the overlapping portion of the spot color and other colors.

[Eighth Embodiment] Next, an eighth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that, in the following, description of substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

In the conversion table of the first embodiment described above, the R, G, B light quantity values corresponding to Dc, Dm, Dy are prepared in 52 × 52 × 52 steps.
In the present embodiment, instead of preparing a large number of R, G, B light intensity values, R, G, B light intensity values corresponding to only specific steps divided into a certain block are prepared. The values between and are calculated by interpolation processing to reduce the amount of data to be prepared. In this example, the case of the colorimetric values of L * a * b * instead of the Dc, Dm, and Dy density values will be described as an example.

Specifically, the spot color L * a * b * -light amount R
The GB LUT is a look-up table for converting the L * a * b * values of the color system into the respective RGB light amount values.
7 is a three-dimensional input / three-dimensional output LUT as shown in FIG.
The points between the 33 × 33 × 33 grid points are interpolated and converted. Then, in the color gamut obtained by colorimetry, interpolation calculation is performed using light amount values near the value of the spot color using a grid-shaped three-dimensional lookup table, and the optimum exposure amount of the spot color is obtained.

As shown in FIG. 17, the above three-dimensional input / 3
A method of obtaining the dimension output LUT will be described. For simplicity,
The description will be made assuming that the basic colors are R and G. In addition, R, G,
Each of B has a value of 0 to 255.

First, the measured RGB-L * a * b * L
The R * G * B: 9 * 9 * 9 three-dimensional data of the UT is used to calculate the L * a * b * -RGB LUT. FIG.
Is a two-dimensional 9 × 9 combination of R and G in RGB (B =
0) is a plot of L * on the vertical axis and a * on the horizontal axis. Although it is actually three-dimensional, it is shown in two dimensions for simplicity.

For this RGB distribution, the target point [L * (0-100) a * (-127-
128) b * (-127 to 128): 33 × 33 × 33
= 35937 each LUT input point], L * a * b * is given as a target value T ′. When the target value T'is in the area surrounded by the grid points a'to d'as shown in FIG. 18, the RG combination (target value T) in the coordinate system of the RG is the grid points a to d'as shown in FIG. It is presumed to be within the area surrounded by d. The position of the target value T in the area formed by the grid points a to d is determined by using the color system of FIG.
Convergence calculation processing is performed while associating with the coordinate system of. Although the conversion from the coordinate system of FIG. 19 to the color system of FIG. 18 is known, the reverse conversion is very complicated and a good conversion formula is known. This is because it has not been done.

Next, the area S0 formed by the grid points a to d in FIG. 20 is equally divided into four areas S1 to S4. 5
The individual division points e to i are calculated by weighted averaging using the already obtained surrounding grid points. Then, the values obtained by converting the values corresponding to the division points e to i into the L * a * b * color system are plotted in the color system of FIG. 21, and are plotted according to the plotted division points e ′ to i ′. Four areas S formed
Which region of 1'-S4 'has the target value T'is determined. When in the area S2 ′ as shown in FIG. 21, the target value T is S2 corresponding to the area S2 ′ as shown in FIG.
Presumed to be in.

Next, the estimated area S2 is equally divided into S5 to S8. The five division points j to n are calculated by weighted averaging using the already obtained surrounding grid points or division points. Then, the value corresponding to the division points j to n is set to L * a.
Values converted to the * b * color system are plotted in the color system of FIG. 21, and in which of the four regions S5 ′ to S8 ′ formed by the plotted dividing points j ′ to n ′. Determine if there is a target value T '. When in the area S8 'as shown in FIG. 21, the target value T is in the area S8 as shown in FIG.
It is presumed to be in the area S8 corresponding to 8 '.

Next, the estimated area S8 is equally divided into four areas S9 to S12. The five division points o to s are calculated by weighted averaging using the already obtained surrounding grid points or division points. Then, the values obtained by converting the values corresponding to the division points o to s into the L * a * b * color system are plotted in the color system of FIG. 21, and the plotted division points o ′
Which region among the four regions S9 ′ to S12 ′ formed by ˜s ′ has the target value T ′ is obtained. When it is in the region S10 'as shown in FIG. 21, it is estimated that the target value T is in the region S10 corresponding to the region S10' as shown in FIG.

By repeating the above-described division of the region, the lattice becomes gradually smaller and finally converges. Then, the target value T is obtained by averaging the four lattice points or the division points forming the converged area, and thus the combination of the basic colors indicating the output colors to be obtained can be obtained.

Further, in the present embodiment, the method based on the convergence calculation as described above is described.
An interpolation method as described in the specification of 895086 may be used.

Here, when the target value T'is outside the color reproduction range formed by the vertices W ', R, G and B'of the L * a * b * color system as shown in FIG. It is necessary to move this target value T'to the color reproduction range. In this case, the target value T '
Is moved in the achromatic color direction, the coordinates of the intersection with the boundary of the color reproduction range in the achromatic color direction are set as target values, and a target value T corresponding to T ′ is calculated as shown in FIG. .

The target value T ′ does not necessarily have to be moved to the boundary, but may be moved within the color reproduction range. Also, here, for the sake of explanation, an example of the two dimensions of R × G is shown, but in reality, the three dimensions of R × G × B are
It is necessary to calculate the values of R, G, and B one by one with the target value T ′ being each LUT input point of 33 × 33 × 33 points of L * a * b *.

In order to perform the above-mentioned calculation, for example, the light quantity value calculation processing means in FIG. 8 includes a coordinate system conversion processing unit (not shown) for converting the coordinate system and a convergence calculation processing unit for performing the convergence calculation. It is preferable to provide a target value calculation unit (not shown) and the like (not shown).

As described above, according to this embodiment, L *
a * b * -light intensity RGB LUT, R, G, and B light intensity values corresponding to L * a * b * are prepared only for specific steps, and values between them are calculated by interpolation processing. Therefore, the amount of data to be prepared can be reduced.

[Ninth Embodiment] Next, a ninth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that, in the following, description of substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

In this embodiment, the case where the device link color profile included in the CMS, which is one of the color correction processes performed in addition to the solid adjustment process, is used, and the concrete contents of the profile are shown. Is a form,
The present invention can be applied to any of the above embodiments. Various profiles such as the device link color profile and processing programs can be provided in the above-described image processing apparatus or output apparatus. The details will be described below.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing each step of the color adjusting method using the device link color profile according to this embodiment. This color adjustment method is executed so that the printing machine (first color image output apparatus) is the target of color matching, and the colors of the printing machine are reproduced by the proof color printer (second color image output apparatus). It is something.

First, each step of the color adjusting method according to the present embodiment will be schematically described with reference to FIG.

First, the color chart of the printed matter output by the printing machine is measured (S601), and the device color profile (first color profile) is created based on this (S602). On the other hand, the color chart of the proof output product output by the proof color printer is measured (S
603), and based on this, a device color profile (first color profile) is created (S60).
4).

Next, the device color profile of the printing press and the device color profile of the proof color printer are read (S605) to remove turbidity.
Select either one of the processing of removing turbidity and reproducing solid, or neither of them (S606). In the case of, while performing correction by the processing of step S607 or step S608 (in the case of correction (Without doing so), a lookup table that is a device link color profile (second color profile) is created (S60).
9).

Then, the image data is subjected to color correction pixel by pixel according to the device link color profile to obtain the CMYK values to be output to the proof color printer and output from the proof color printer (S61).
0).

Next, the contents of the device color profile and the method of creating the device color profile will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 38 and 49.

The device color profile of each of the above-mentioned printing press and proof color printer is composed of the following two lookup tables (hereinafter referred to as "LUT"). CMYK-L * a * b * LUT L * a * b * -CMYK LUT The CMYK-L * a * b * LUT converts CMYK color values into color system values L * a * b *. L * a * b *-
The CMYK LUT uses the color system values L * a * b * as CMY
Convert to K color value.

L * a * b * -CMYK LUT is L * a
Since the color reproducible range of CMYK mixed colors by the device is limited in the * b * full color space, how to map the L * a * b * full color space within the color reproducible range? It is general to change several types, to have a plurality of types, and to select and use according to the type of input device.

The CMYK-L * a * b * LUT is, for example, as shown in FIG. 27, and is a four-dimensional input / 3-dimensional output in which L * a * b * values are input to the CMYK LUT input points. Specifically, color patches are measured with a colorimeter for a large number of combinations of all color spaces of CMYK, and L * a * b * values of each color patch are obtained to be an LUT. For example, the following method is used. I can decide.

That is, the minimum value 0 of each of C, M, Y and K
To 255 are divided into four, 0, 64, 128, 19
There are 5 stages of 1, 255, and C × M × Y × K: 5 × 5 ×
A color chart as shown in FIG. 28 in which color patches are arranged for a combination of 5 × 5 = 625 points is printed by a printer or a proofreading color printer, and 5 × 5 × 5 × 5 = 625.
Determine each L * a * b * value by measuring each patch of points in turn.

Further, the 4-dimensional input / 3-dimensional output LUT is
LUT for 9 × 9 × 9 × 9 grid points, 5 ×
Interpolation is performed to obtain each L * a * b * value of 5 × 5 × 5 = 625 points.

As shown in FIG. 29, when black circles are grid points (sample points) and triangle marks and X marks are points to be interpolated, respectively, there are two grid points before and after like triangle marks. Different interpolation formulas are used in the case where there are one point and three points before and after, as in the case of x.

Here, the color system of the points to be interpolated is Lm * a
m * bm *, and the color system of each sample point is Li * ai *
When bi * (i = 1 to 4), the former case (triangle mark) is interpolated by the following interpolation formula. Lm * =-(1/16) L1 ** + (9/16) L2 **
(9/16) L3 *-(1/16) L4 * am * =-(1/16) a1 * + (9/16) a2 **
(9/16) a3 *-(1/16) a4 * bm * =-(1/16) b1 * + (9/16) b2 ** +
(9/16) b3 *-(1/16) b4 *

In the latter case (marked with X), the following interpolation formula is used. Lm * = (5/16) L1 * + (15/16) L2 *-
(5/16) L3 *-(1/16) L4 * am * = (5/16) a1 ** + (15/16) a2 *-
(5/16) a3 *-(1/16) a4 * bm * = (5/16) b1 ** + (15/16) b2 *-
(95/16) b3 *-(1/16) b4 *

FIG. 30 shows an example of the order of interpolation processing for three-dimensional CMY. Numbers I, II, II shown in FIG.
By performing interpolation processing in the order of I, CMY5 × 5
Interpolate x5 to 9x9x9. Furthermore, CMY5 × 5 × 5
29 is performed on all 5 K levels, and then, for each point of CMY9 × 9 × 9, the calculation for interpolating 5 points of K into 9 points is performed by the method shown in FIG. Do the same. As a result, even though only 5 × 5 × 5 = 625 patch points are actually measured, 9 × 9 × 9
The L * a * b * value can be obtained for the combination of CMYK by expanding to × 9 = 6561 points.

On the other hand, L * a * b * -CMYK LUT
Is a three-dimensional input / four-dimensional output LUT as shown in FIG.
Therefore, interpolation is performed with respect to points between 33 × 33 × 33 grid points for conversion.

As shown in FIG. 35, the above three-dimensional input / 4
The method of obtaining the dimension output LUT is performed in the following steps S01-
It is composed of S04. For the sake of simplicity, the description will be made assuming that the two basic colors are C and M. Note that C, M, Y, and K all take values from 0 to 255.

(Step S01) The aforementioned CMYK-L *
a * b * LUT (1) C × M × Y × K: 9 × 9 × 9
The four-dimensional data, which is the L * a * b * value for x9, is converted into the three-dimensional data, which is the L * a * b * value for CxMxY: 9x9x9. For this purpose, it is possible to use, for example, the method described in the specification of the applicant's patent No. 2898030. For example, CM
K is added based on the minimum value of CMY such that K is added to emphasize the gray component obtained from the minimum value of Y.
L * a for the case in which K is added to CMY
This is done by finding the * b * value.

K can be obtained by the following equation.
Assuming that the minimum value of CMY is min [C, M, Y], K = 1.6 (min [C, M, Y] -128) However, if K <0, then K = 0.

Further, the L * a * b * value when this K is added to CMY can be obtained as follows, for example. Taking the case of C = M = Y = 191 as an example, K =
1.6 * (191-128) = 101, and this 10
1 is C × M × Y × K: 9 points of 9 × 9 × 9 × 9 K (0,
32, 64, 96, 128, 159, 191, 223,
255) between the fourth 96 and the fifth 128, C = M = Y = 191 in the 9 × 9 × 9 × 9 points.
(7th point), L = a * b * value of K = 96 (4th point), C = M = Y = 191 (7th point), C = M = Y = 19
L * a * b of 1 (7th point) and K = 128 (5th point)
* Calculate by interpolating from two values. C = M = Y = 19
The weight w1 for L1 * a1 * b1 *, which is the L * a * b * value of 1 (7th point) and K = 96 (4th point), is w1 =
C as 1.0- (101-96) / (128-96)
= M = Y = 191 (7th point), K = 128 (5th point) L * a * b * L2 * a2 * b2 * weight w2, w2 = (101-96) / (128-96)
Then, L * a * b * value after interpolation, Lm * am * bm
* Can be obtained by Lm * = w1 * L1 * + w2 * L2 * am * = w1 * a1 * + w2 * a2 * bm * = w1 * b1 * + w2 * b2 *.

This is the case of C = M = Y = 191, but by performing this for C × M × Y: 9 × 9 × 9 = 729 points, C × M × Y × K: 9 × 9 x 9 x 9 of 4
Three-dimensional data of C × M × Y: 9 × 9 × 9 can be created from the dimensional data.

(Step S02) Next, step S01.
C × M × Y: using 9 × 9 × 9 three-dimensional data, L
* A * b * -CMYK LUT (2) is calculated. Figure 3
2 is a two-dimensional 9 × 9 combination of M and C in CMY (Y
= 0), L * is plotted on the vertical axis and a * is plotted on the horizontal axis. Although it is actually three-dimensional, it is shown in two dimensions for simplicity.

For this CMY distribution, the target point [L * (0-100) a * (-127-
128) b * (-127 to 128): 33 × 33 × 33
= 35937 each LUT input point], L * a * b * is given as a target value T ′. When the target value T ′ is in the area surrounded by the grid points a ′ to d ′ as shown in FIG. 32, the MC combination (target value T) in the MC coordinate system is as shown in FIG. It is presumed to be within the area surrounded by d. The position of the target value T in the area formed by the grid points a to d is determined by the color system of FIG.
Convergence calculation processing is performed while associating with the coordinate system of. Although the conversion from the coordinate system in FIG. 33 to the color system in FIG. 32 is known, the reverse conversion is very complicated and a good conversion formula is known. This is because it has not been done.

Next, the area S0 formed by the grid points a to d in FIG. 34 is equally divided into four areas S1 to S4. 5
The individual division points e to i are calculated by weighted averaging using the already obtained surrounding grid points. Then, the values obtained by converting the values corresponding to the division points e to i into the L * a * b * color system are plotted in the color system of FIG. 35, and are plotted by the plotted division points e ′ to i ′. Four areas S formed
Which region of 1'-S4 'has the target value T'is determined. When in the area S2 'as shown in FIG. 35, the target value T is S2 corresponding to the area S2' as shown in FIG.
Presumed to be in.

Next, the estimated area S2 is set to S5 to S8.
Divide into two equal parts. The five division points j to n are calculated by weighted averaging using the already obtained surrounding grid points or division points. Then, the value corresponding to the division points j to n is set to L *.
A value when converted to the a * b * color system is plotted in the color system of FIG. 35, and which one of the four areas S5 ′ to S8 ′ formed by the plotted division points j ′ to n ′ The target value T'is determined. As shown in FIG. 34, the area S8 '
, The target value T is in the region S as shown in FIG.
It is presumed to be in the area S8 corresponding to 8 '.

Next, the estimated area S8 is equally divided into four areas S9 to S12. The five division points o to s are calculated by weighted averaging using the already obtained surrounding grid points or division points. Then, the values obtained by converting the values corresponding to the division points o to s into the L * a * b * color system are plotted in the color system of FIG. 35, and the plotted division points o ′
Which region among the four regions S9 ′ to S12 ′ formed by ˜s ′ has the target value T ′ is obtained. When it is in the region S10 'as shown in FIG. 35, it is estimated that the target value T is in the region S10 corresponding to the region S10' as shown in FIG.

By repeating the division of the region as described above, the lattice gradually becomes smaller and finally converges. Then, the target value T is obtained by averaging the four lattice points or the division points forming the converged area, and thus the combination of the basic colors indicating the output colors to be obtained can be obtained.

Further, in the present embodiment, the method based on the convergence calculation as described above is described.
An interpolation method as described in the specification of 895086 may be used.

By the way, when the target value T'is outside the color reproduction range formed by the vertices W ', C', M ', B'of the L * a * b * color system as shown in FIG. , This target value T '
Need to be moved to the color reproduction range. In this case, the target value T ′ is moved in the achromatic color direction, and the coordinates of the intersection with the boundary of the color reproduction range in the achromatic color direction is set as the target value as shown in FIG. 37 and corresponds to T ′ as shown in FIG. 38. A target value T to be calculated is calculated.

The target value T ′ does not necessarily have to be moved to the boundary but may be moved within the color reproduction range. Also, here, for the sake of explanation, the example of the two-dimensional C × M is shown, but actually, the three-dimensional C × M × Y is used.
It is necessary to calculate the values of C, M, and Y one by one with each LUT input point of 33 * 3 * 33 points of L * a * b * as a target value T '.

(Step S03) C for L * a * b * 33 × 33 × 33 points obtained in step S02,
M and Y are C × M × Y obtained in the first step: 9 × 9 ×
CMY corresponding to the three-dimensional data of 9, and K is obtained from CMY by the same method as in the first step. K = 1.6 (min [C, M, Y] -128) However, if K <0, then K = 0.

(Step S04) The CMYK values for the 33 * 33 * 33 LUT input points of L * a * b * obtained as described above are converted into LUTs.

Next, the contents of the device link color profile and the method of creating the device link color profile will be described with reference to FIGS.

The device link color profile is, for example, C × M × Y × K: 21 × 21 × as shown in FIG.
CM for 21 × 21 = 194481 LUT input points
A four-dimensional input / four-dimensional output LUT in which YK values are entered, and can be created as follows, for example.

By using the CMYK-L * a * b * LUT in the device color profile of the printing machine and the L * a * b * -CMYK LUT in the proof color printer, C, M, Y and K respectively , 0-255 divided into 20 equal parts, 21 points of combination C × M × Y × K: 21 × 21 × 21
With the input value of x21 = 194481 points, a four-dimensional input / four-dimensional output LUT in which CMYK values to be output to the proof color printer for each point are input as output values is calculated.

C × M × Y × K: 21 × 21 × 21 × 21
= 194481 points are calculated as follows for each one of the input points. The following steps S11 to S13 in FIG.
Described in.

(Step S11) First, CMYK-L * a * b * L in the device color profile of the printing machine.
Determine L * a * b * using UT. C = 25.5 (0
~ 20 2), M = 51 (0-20 4), Y = 19
Taking the points of 1.25 (4 from 0 to 20) and K = 76.5 (6 from 0 to 20) as an example, CMYK: 9 × 9 × 9 × 9-L
* A * b * CMYK of LUT: The distance between the input points within 9x9x9x9 and the input points of CMYK is C: 2
5.5 / 255 × 8 = 0.8, so the first point C of C
The distance DC1 to 1 and C1 and the second point C2 and C2 of C
The distance DC2 to C1 = 0, DC1 = 0, C2 = 1,
DC1 = 0.2M: 51/255 × 8 = 1.6, so
The distance DM1 to the first points M1 and M1 of M and the distance DM2 to the second points M2 and M2 of M are M1 = 1 and DM1.
= 0.6, M2 = 1, DM1 = 0.4Y: 191.5 /
Since 255 × 8 = 6, the first point Y1 of Y and the distance DY1 to Y1 and the second point Y2 of Y and DY to Y2
2 is Y1 = 6, DY1 = 0, Y2 = 7, DY1 = 1.
0K: 76.5 / 255 × 8 = 2.4, so the first point K1 of K and the distance DK1 to K1 and the second point K of K
2 and K2, the distance DK2 is K1 = 2, DK1 = 0.
4, K2 = 3, and DK2 = 0.6.

Also, C2 points (C1, C2) × M2 points (M1, M2) × Y from the CMYK-L * a * b * LUT
The value of the L * a * b * color system for 2 points (Y1, Y2) × K2 points (K1, K2) = 16 points is Lc1m1y1k
1 *, Lc1m1y1k2 *, Lc1m1y2k1 *,
Lc1m1y2k2 *, Lc1m2y1k1 *, Lc1
m2y1k2 *, Lc1m2y2k1 *, Lc1m2y
2k2 *, Lc2m1y1k1 *, Lc2m1y1k2
*, Lc2m1y2k1 *, Lc2m1y2k2 *, L
c2m2y1k1 *, Lc2m2y1k2 *, Lc2m
2y2k1 *, Lc2m2y2k2 *, ac1m1y1
k1 *, ac1m1y1k2 *, ac1m1y2k1
*, Ac1m1y2k2 *, ac1m2y1k1 *, a
c1m2y1k2 *, ac1m2y2k1 *, ac1m
2y2k2 *, ac2m1y1k1 *, ac2m1y1
k2 *, ac2m1y2k1 *, ac2m1y2k2
*, Ac2m2y1k1 *, ac2m2y1k2 *, a
c2m2y2k1 *, ac2m2y2k2 *, bc1m
1y1k1 *, bc1m1y1k2 *, bc1m1y2
k1 *, bc1m1y2k2 *, bc1m2y1k1
*, Bc1m2y1k2 *, bc1m2y2k1 *, b
c1m2y2k2 *, bc2m1y1k1 *, bc2m
1y1k2 *, bc2m1y2k1 *, bc2m1y2
k2 *, bc2m2y1k1 *, bc2m2y1k2
*, Bc2m2y2k1 *, bc2m2y2k2 *, C = 25.5 (2 from 0 to 20), M = 51 (0
~ 20 4), Y = 191.25 (0-20 4), K
The value of the L * a * b * color system for = 76.5 (6 from 0 to 20) is obtained by the following equation.

L * = DC2 × DM2 × DY2 × DK2 ×
Lc1m1y1k1 * + DC2 × DM2 × DY2 × DK
1 x Lc1m1y1k2 * + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x
DK2 x Lc1m1y2k1 * + DC2 x DM2 x DY
1 x DK1 x Lc1m1y2k2 * + DC2 x DM1 x
DY2 × DK2 × Lc1m2y1k1 * + DC2 × DM
1 x DY2 x DK1 x Lc1m2y1k2 * + DC2 x
DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x Lc1m2y2k1 * + DC
2 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x Lc1m2y2k2 **
DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK2 x Lc2m1y1k1
* + DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK1 x Lc2m1y1
k2 * + DC1 × DM2 × DY1 × DK2 × Lc2m1
y2k1 * + DC1 × DM2 × DY1 × DK1 × Lc2
m1y2k2 * + DC1 × DM1 × DY2 × DK2 × L
c2m2y1k1 * + DC1 × DM1 × DY2 × DK1
XLc2m2y1k2 * + DC1 xDM1 xDY1 xD
K2 × Lc2m2y2k1 * + DC1 × DM1 × DY1
XDK1xLc2m2y2k2 *.

A * = DC2 × DM2 × DY2 × DK2 ×
ac1m1y1k1 * + DC2 × DM2 × DY2 × DK
1 x ac1m1y1k2 * + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x
DK2 x ac1m1y2k1 * + DC2 x DM2 x DY
1 x DK1 x ac1m1y2k2 * + DC2 x DM1 x
DY2 × DK2 × ac1m2y1k1 * + DC2 × DM
1 x DY2 x DK1 x ac1m2y1k2 * + DC2 x
DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x ac1m2y2k1 * + DC
2 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x ac1m2y2k2 **
DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK2 x ac2m1y1k1
* + DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK1 x ac2m1y1
k2 * + DC1 × DM2 × DY1 × DK2 × ac2m1
y2k1 * + DC1 × DM2 × DY1 × DK1 × ac2
m1y2k2 * + DC1 × DM1 × DY2 × DK2 × a
c2m2y1k1 * + DC1 × DM1 × DY2 × DK1
Xac2m2y1k2 * + DC1xDM1xDY1xD
K2 × ac2m2y2k1 * + DC1 × DM1 × DY1
XDK1xac2m2y2k2 *.

B * = DC2 × DM2 × DY2 × DK2 ×
bc1m1y1k1 * + DC2 × DM2 × DY2 × DK
1 × bc1m1y1k2 * + DC2 × DM2 × DY1 ×
DK2 x bc1m1y2k1 * + DC2 x DM2 x DY
1 × DK1 × bc1m1y2k2 * + DC2 × DM1 ×
DY2 × DK2 × bc1m2y1k1 * + DC2 × DM
1 x DY2 x DK1 x bc1m2y1k2 * + DC2 x
DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x bc1m2y2k1 * + DC
2 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x bc1m2y2k2 **
DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK2 x bc2m1y1k1
* + DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK1 x bc2m1y1
k2 * + DC1 × DM2 × DY1 × DK2 × bc2m1
y2k1 * + DC1 × DM2 × DY1 × DK1 × bc2
m1y2k2 * + DC1 × DM1 × DY2 × DK2 × b
c2m2y1k1 * + DC1 × DM1 × DY2 × DK1
Xbc2m2y1k2 * + DC1xDM1xDY1xD
K2 × bc2m2y2k1 * + DC1 × DM1 × DY1
XDK1xbc2m2y2k2 *.

(Step S12) Next, step S11
Hue and saturation are calculated from the values of the L * a * b * color system obtained in step 1, and the turbidity is removed by moving the hue of each CMY single color part as necessary according to the selection for each of the C, M, and Y single colors. Processing, processing for removing turbidity due to movement of hue and saturation, and processing for reproducing solid will be described.

First, the processing for removing turbidity due to the movement of the hue of each CMY single color portion will be described with reference to FIGS. 39 to 43.

Taking the monochromatic portion of C as an example, the CMYK-L * a * b * LUT of the device color profile of the printing machine is shown.
From C single color (32, 64, 96, 128, 159, 1
91, 223, 255), L * a * b * value is obtained, and a * b * is converted into C * and hab by the following formula.

C * = (a * ² + b * ² ) ^0.5 hab = Arctan (a * / b *) / π × 180 If hab <0, then hab = hab + 360.

Here, there are 9 stages of C monochrome (32, 64, 96,
128, 159, 191, 223, 255) a *, b
39 is plotted when * is plotted, and FIG. 40 is plotted when L * and C * are plotted.

As shown in FIG. 41, a device created by moving the hue so that the hue of the locus of 9 steps of C single color of the printing machine matches the hue of the locus of 9 steps of C monochrome of the proof color printer. The C single color portion of the output result from the link color profile is reproduced in the C single color.

That is, turbidity due to other color components of M, Y, and K is prevented. It is necessary to move the hue not only on the locus of the C single color in the color space but also continuously in the peripheral range.

That is, L * C for the locus of C single color 9 steps of the printing machine and the locus of C single color 9 steps of the proof color printer.
Using the value of * hab, a hue range (upper limit to lower limit) as shown in FIG. 42 is obtained for each saturation C *, and a lightness range (center to lower limit) as shown in FIG. 43 is obtained for each saturation. In the calculation of the device link color profile, the CM is calculated for each CMYK input point as described above.
When performing conversion calculation of YK-L * a * b * -CMYK,
The hue is moved only when C * and hab obtained from L * and a * b * fall within the range.

This movement amount is largest on the locus of 9 steps of C single color of the printing machine (“center” in FIGS. 42 and 43), and becomes smaller as the distance increases, and the end of the area shown in FIGS. 42 and 43. At (upper limit and lower limit), the movement amount becomes zero. The method of setting the range and the method of changing the movement amount do not have to be the same as those in this embodiment, and may be determined so as not to cause tone jump and gradation loss.

Then, after the movement, a * b * is obtained from the saturation C * and the hue hab after the movement.

A * = cos (hab / 180 × π) × C * b * = sin (hab / 180 × π) × C * By the obtained a * b *, step S1
Replace a * b * in the values of the L * a * b * color system obtained in 1.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 44 to 46, processing for removing turbidity and reproducing solid images due to movement of hue and saturation of each CMY single color portion will be described.

Taking the monochromatic portion of C as an example, CMYK-L * a * b of the device color profile of the printed matter of the printing press.
* From LUT, C single color (32, 64, 96, 128, 1
59, 191, 223, 255), L * a * b
* The value is calculated and a * b * is converted into C * and hab by the following formula.

C * = (a * ² + b * ² ) ^0.5 hab = Arctan (a * / b *) / π × 180 If hab <0, then hab = hab + 360.

Here, there are 9 stages of C monochrome (32, 64, 96,
128, 159, 191, 223, 255) a *, b
39 is plotted when * is plotted, and FIG. 40 is plotted when L * and C * are plotted.

As shown in FIG. 44, the hue is moved so that the hue of the locus of 9 steps of C single color of the printing press matches the hue of the locus of 9 steps of C single color of the proof color printer, and the hue of C of the printing machine is further changed. By moving the saturation so that the saturation of solid (255) of the same as the saturation of solid (255) of the proof color printer, the C single color part of the output result from the created device link color profile is Reproduced in C single color. In other words, it is possible to prevent muddyness due to other color portions of M, Y, and K from entering and to reproduce solid C solid color solidly. Further, the movement of the hue / saturation needs to be performed not only on the locus of the C single color in the color space but also continuously in the peripheral range.

That is, the L * C for the locus of 9 steps of C single color of the printing press and the locus of 9 steps of C single color of the calibration color printer
Using the value of * hab, the range of hue (upper limit to lower limit) as shown in FIG. 45 is obtained for each saturation C *, and the range of lightness (center to lower limit) as shown in FIG. 46 is obtained for each saturation C. * Is calculated and calculated from L * and a * b * when the conversion calculation of CMYK-L * a * b * -CMYK is performed for each CMYK input point in the device link color profile calculation. C * and hab shift the hue only when they enter the range.

In the present embodiment, for the halftone of C single color, in order to maintain the saturation, the hue is moved without changing the saturation, and when the saturation C * becomes 60 or more, the hue is simultaneously calculated. Although the saturation is moved, the saturation may be moved from a lower saturation C * when it is desired to increase the saturation of the entire C gradation.

The amount of movement decreases as the distance on the locus of 9 steps of C single color of the printing machine (“center” in FIGS. 45 and 46) increases the farthest, and the amount of movement of the area shown in FIGS. At the lower limit), the movement amount becomes zero. Further, the method of setting the range and the method of changing the movement amount do not have to be the same as those in this embodiment, and may be determined so as not to cause the tone jump and the gradation collapse.

Next, the after-movement a * b * is obtained from the saturation C * and the after-movement hue hab by the following formula.

A * = cos (hab / 180 × π) × C * b * = sin (hab / 180 × π) × C * By the obtained a * b *, step S1
Replace a * b * in the values of the L * a * b * color system obtained in 1.

(Step S13) Next, step S12
The value of the L * a * b * color system obtained in step 2 is used as the L * a * b *-of the device color profile of the proof color printer
CMYK is obtained using the CMYK LUT. For example, if the values of the L * a * b * color system obtained in step S12 are L * = 57.0, a * = 5.3, b * = 35.6, L * a * b *: 33 × 33 × 33-CMYK LU
L * a * b * of T: 33 × 33 × 33 input points and L *
The distance to each input point of a * b * is L *: 57,0
/100×32=18.2, so the first point L of L *
The distance DL1 to 1 and L1 and the second point L2 and L of L *
The distance DL2 to 2 is L1 = 18, DL1 = 0.2, L
2 = 19, DL2 = 0.8 a *: (5.3 + 127) /255×32=16.6, so the first point a1 of a * and the distance DL1 to a1 are:
The distance Da2 between the second point a2 of a * and a2 is a1 =
16, Da1 = 0.6, a2 = 17, Da2 = 0.4 b *: (35.6 + 127) /255×32=20.4
Therefore, the distance DL1 to the first point b1 of b * and b1
And the distance Db2 to the second point b2 of b * and b2 is b
1 = 20, Db1 = 0.4, b2 = 21, Db2 = 0.
It becomes 6.

L * a * b *: 33 × 33 × 33-CMY
The CMYK values for L * 2 points (L1, L2) × a * 2 points (a1, a2) × b * 2 points (b1, b2) = 8 points from the K LUT are CL1a1b1, CL1a1b2,
CL1a2b1, CL1a2b2, CL2a1b1, C
L2a1b2, CL2a2b1, CL2a2b2, ML
1a1b1, ML1a1b2, ML1a2b1, ML1
a2b2, ML2a1b1, ML2a1b2, ML2a
2b1, ML2a2b2, YL1a1b1, YL1a1
b2, YL1a2b1, YL1a2b2, YL2a1b
1, YL2a1b2, YL2a2b1, YL2a2b
2, KL1a1b1, KL1a1b2, KL1a2b
1, KL1a2b2, KL2a1b1, KL2a1b
2, KL2a2b1, KL2a2b2, L *
= 57,0, a * = 5.3, b * = 35.6, the value of CMYK is calculated by the following equation.

C = DL2 × Da2 × Db2 × CL1a1
b1 + DL2 × Da2 × Db1 × CL1a1b2 + DL
2 x Da1 x Db2 x CL1a2b1 + DL2 x Da1
X Db1 x CL1a2b2 + DL1 x Da2 x Db2 x
CL2a1b1 + DL1 × Da2 × Db1 × CL2a1
b2 + DL1 × Da1 × Db2 × CL2a2b1 + DL
It becomes 1 × Da1 × Db1 × CL2a2b2.

M = DL2 × Da2 × Db2 × ML1a1
b1 + DL2 × Da2 × Db1 × ML1a1b2 + DL
2 x Da1 x Db2 x ML1a2b1 + DL2 x Da1
× Db1 × ML1a2b2 + DL1 × Da2 × Db2 ×
ML2a1b1 + DL1 × Da2 × Db1 × ML2a1
b2 + DL1 × Da1 × Db2 × ML2a2b1 + DL
It becomes 1 × Da1 × Db1 × ML2a2b2.

Y = DL2 × Da2 × Db2 × YL1a1
b1 + DL2 × Da2 × Db1 × YL1a1b2 + DL
2 x Da1 x Db2 x YL1a2b1 + DL2 x Da1
X Db1 x YL1a2b2 + DL1 x Da2 x Db2 x
YL2a1b1 + DL1 × Da2 × Db1 × YL2a1
b2 + DL1 × Da1 × Db2 × YL2a2b1 + DL
It becomes 1 × Da1 × Db1 × YL2a2b2.

K = DL2 × Da2 × Db2 × KL1a1
b1 + DL2 × Da2 × Db1 × KL1a1b2 + DL
2 x Da1 x Db2 x KL1a2b1 + DL2 x Da1
X Db1 x KL1a2b2 + DL1 x Da2 x Db2 x
KL2a1b1 + DL1 × Da2 × Db1 × KL2a1
b2 + DL1 × Da1 × Db2 × KL2a2b1 + DL
It becomes 1 × Da1 × Db1 × KL2a2b2.

(Step S14) As described above, steps S11 to S13 are C × M × Y ×.
K: 21 × 21 × 21 × 21 = 1947481 repeated input points and the result is CMYK four-dimensional input C
As a LUT for MYK four-dimensional output, let it be a device link color profile.

(Step S15) Next, turbidity removal correction of the LUT value of the device link color profile, turbidity removal and solid reproduction correction will be described.

FIG. 25 shows the contents of the LUT of the device link color profile in the case where the turbidity removal processing by the hue shift of the C single color portion is performed. When the device link color profile is created using the method of step S12, for example, from the LUT calculation result of the C single color portion, the result becomes “LUT content (before correction)” in FIG. It turns out that there are many points with a small amount of K.
This indicates that the turbid component was not completely removed by the calculation error even when the hue was shifted.

When this condition is checked with a magnifying glass, other halftone dots will result in the C monochromatic portion. Therefore, in order to completely remove the turbid component, these C monochromatic LUT points are M, Y , K is changed to 0 and is changed to “LUT contents (after correction)” in FIG. 25. As a result, the turbid component is completely removed.

Next, FIG. 26 shows the contents of the LUT of the device link color profile in the case where the processing for removing the turbidity and reproducing the solid by moving the hue and saturation of the C single color portion is performed. When a device link color profile is created using the method of S12 and the LUT calculation result of, for example, a single color portion is viewed, the result is as shown in “LUT content (before correction)” in FIG. It can be seen that solid K (255) is not solid because it contains a small amount of K.

This indicates that the turbid component was not completely removed due to a calculation error even by the above hue shift, and the solid image was not solid.

When this condition is checked with a magnifying glass, other halftone dots will be included in the C monochromatic portion, and the result will be that the C monochromatic solid will not be solid. Therefore, in order to completely remove the turbid component and reproduce the solid. , For these C monochromatic LUT points,
Change M, Y, and K to 0, and C solid color (255)
Is set to 255, and is changed to “LUT contents (after correction)” in FIG. As a result, the turbid component is completely removed and the solid becomes solid.

Next, with reference to FIG. 47, the turbidity removal processing of each of the above-mentioned CMY, the turbidity removal and solid reproduction processing, or selection without any processing will be described.

FIG. 47 is a diagram showing a setting screen by software for creating a device link profile from a device color profile.

47. In the columns 40a and 40b on the left side of the screen of FIG. 47, select each device color profile of the color printer for proofreading printed matter, and select sections 40c, 40d and 4 on the right side of the screen.
At 0e, for each of C, M, and Y, it is possible to select whether to perform the turbidity removal processing (hue transfer) or not to perform anything.

By selecting the above-mentioned C, M and Y respectively by the difference in the color tone of the CMY single colors of the printed matter and the proof color printer and the difference in the solid density, for example, the color tone is greatly different but the turbidity is turbid. If you remove it, the color tone will remain different even if you apply color correction using the DeviceLink color profile.If you keep the solid even though the solid density is significantly different, you will get a solid color even if you apply the color correction using the DeviceLink color profile. It is possible to prevent the concentrations from remaining different.

Next, an example of image conversion using a device link color profile as shown in FIG. 48 will be described. The device link color profile shown in FIG. 48 is C × M × Y × K: 21 × 21 × 21 × 21 = 194.
It is a four-dimensional input / four-dimensional output LUT in which CMYK values are entered for the 481 LUT input points.

CMYK Distance to each input point CMY
48 is performed by performing the following calculation for each pixel for the image data consisting of the numerical values 0 to 255 for each K.
CMYK that performs color correction with a device-link color profile like the one shown above and outputs it to a proofing color printer
You can get the value.

C = 25, M = 51, Y = 191, K = 1
Taking 0 pixels as an example, CMYK: 21 × 21 × 21 ×
21-CMYK LUT CMYK: 21 × 21 × 21
Since the distance between the input point in × 21 and each input point of CMYK is C: 25/255 × 20 = 1.96, the distance C1 to the first point C1 of C and the distance DC1 to C1 The distance DC2 between the second point C2 and C2 is C1 = 1, DC1 =
0.96, C2 = 2, DC1 = 0.04 M: 5 1/255 × 20 = 4.0, so the first point M1 of M and the distance DM1 to M1 and the second point M2 of M And the distance DM2 to M2 is M1 = 4, DM1 = 0.0, M
2 = 5, DM1 = 1.0 Y: 191/255 × 20 = 14.89, so 1 of Y
The distance DY1 to the second point Y1 and Y1 and the distance DY2 to the second point Y2 and Y2 of Y are Y1 = 14 and DY1 =
0.98, Y2 = 15, DY2 = 0.02 K: 10/10/255 × 20 = 0.78, so the first point K1 of K and the distance DK1 to K1 and the second point K2 of K
And the distance DK2 to K2 is K1 = 0, DK1 = 0.7
8, K2 = 3 and DK2 = 0.22.

Further, CMYK output values for C2 points (C1, C2) × M2 points (M1, M2) × Y2 points (Y1, Y2) × K2 points (K1, K2) = 16 points from the CMYK-CMYK LUT To Cc1m1y1k1, Cc1m
1y1k2, Cc1m1y2k1, Cc1m1y2k
2, Cc1m2y1k1, Cc1m2y1k2, Cc1
m2y2k1, Cc1m2y2k2, Cc2m1y1k
1, Cc2m1y1k2, Cc2m1y2k1, Cc2
m1y2k2, Cc2m2y1k1, Cc2m2y1k
2, Cc2m2y2k1, Cc2m2y2k2, Mc1
m1y1k1, Mc1m1y1k2, Mc1m1y2k
1, Mc1m1y2k2, Mc1m2y1k1, Mc1
m2y1k2, Mc1m2y2k1, Mc1m2y2k
2, Mc2m1y1k1, Mc2m1y1k2, Mc2
m1y2k1, Mc2m1y2k2, Mc2m2y1k
1, Mc2m2y1k2, Mc2m2y2k1, Mc2
m2y2k2, Yc1m1y1k1, Yc1m1y1k
2, Yc1m1y2k1, Yc1m1y2k2, Yc1
m2y1k1, Yc1m2y1k2, Yc1m2y2k
1, Yc1m2y2k2, Yc2m1y1k1, Yc2
m1y1k2, Yc2m1y2k1, Yc2m1y2k
2, Yc2m2y1k1, Yc2m2y1k2, Yc2
m2y2k1, Yc2m2y2k2, Kc1m1y1k
1, Kc1m1y1k2, Kc1m1y2k1, Kc1
m1y2k2, Kc1m2y1k1, Kc1m2y1k
2, Kc1m2y2k1, Kc1m2y2k2, Kc2
m1y1k1, Kc2m1y1k2, Kc2m1y2k
1, Kc2m1y2k2, Kc2m2y1k1, Kc2
m2y1k2, Kc2m2y2k1, Kc2m2y2k
2, C = 25, M = 51, Y = 191, K =
CMYK output values CoutMou for 10 pixels
tYoutKout can be calculated by the following equations.

Cout = DC2 × DM2 × DY2 × DK
2 x Cc1m1y1k1 + DC2 x DM2 x DY2 x D
K1 x Cc1m1y1k2 + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x
DK2 x Cc1m1y2k1 + DC2 x DM2 x DY1
× DK1 × Cc1m1y2k2 + DC2 × DM1 × DY
2 x DK2 x Cc1m2y1k1 + DC2 x DM1 x D
Y2 x DK1 x Cc1m2 y1k2 + DC2 x DM1 x
DY1 x DK2 x Cc1m2y2k1 + DC2 x DM1
X DY1 x DK1 x Cc1m2y2k2 + DC1 x DM
2 x DY2 x DK2 x Cc2m1y1k1 + DC1 x D
M2 x DY2 x DK1 x Cc2m1y1k2 + DC1 x
DM2 x DY1 x DK2 x Cc2m1y2k1 + DC1
X DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x Cc2m1y2k2 + DC
1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x Cc2m2y1k1 + D
C1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x Cc2m2y1k2 +
DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x Cc2m2y2k1
+ DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x Cc2m2y2k
It becomes 2.

Mout = DC2 × DM2 × DY2 × DK
2 x Mc1m1y1k1 + DC2 x DM2 x DY2 x D
K1 x Mc1m1y1k2 + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x
DK2 x Mc1m1y2k1 + DC2 x DM2 x DY1
× DK1 × Mc1m1y2k2 + DC2 × DM1 × DY
2 x DK2 x Mc1m2y1k1 + DC2 x DM1 x D
Y2 x DK1 x Mc1m2y1k2 + DC2 x DM1 x
DY1 x DK2 x Mc1m2y2k1 + DC2 x DM1
X DY1 x DK1 x Mc1m2y2k2 + DC1 x DM
2 x DY2 x DK2 x Mc2m1y1k1 + DC1 x D
M2 x DY2 x DK1 x Mc2m1y1k2 + DC1 x
DM2 x DY1 x DK2 x Mc2m1y2k1 + DC1
X DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x Mc2m1y2k2 + DC
1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x Mc2m2y1k1 + D
C1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x Mc2m2y1k2 +
DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x Mc2m2y2k1
+ DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x Mc2m2y2k
It becomes 2.

Yout = DC2 × DM2 × DY2 × DK
2 x Yc1m1y1k1 + DC2 x DM2 x DY2 x D
K1 x Yc1m1y1k2 + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x
DK2 x Yc1m1y2k1 + DC2 x DM2 x DY1
× DK1 × Yc1m1y2k2 + DC2 × DM1 × DY
2 x DK2 x Yc1m2y1k1 + DC2 x DM1 x D
Y2 x DK1 x Yc1m2y1k2 + DC2 x DM1 x
DY1 x DK2 x Yc1m2y2k1 + DC2 x DM1
X DY1 x DK1 x Yc1m2y2k2 + DC1 x DM
2 x DY2 x DK2 x Yc2m1y1k1 + DC1 x D
M2 x DY2 x DK1 x Yc2m1y1k2 + DC1 x
DM2 x DY1 x DK2 x Yc2m1y2k1 + DC1
X DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x Yc2m1y2k2 + DC
1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x Yc2m2y1k1 + D
C1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x Yc2m2y1k2 +
DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x Yc2m2y2k1
+ DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x Yc2m2y2k
It becomes 2.

Kout = DC2 × DM2 × DY2 × DK
2 x Kc1m1y1k1 + DC2 x DM2 x DY2 x D
K1 x Kc1m1y1k2 + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x
DK2 x Kc1m1y2k1 + DC2 x DM2 x DY1
XDK1 xKc1m1y2k2 + DC2 xDM1 xDY
2 x DK2 x Kc1m2y1k1 + DC2 x DM1 x D
Y2 x DK1 x Kc1m2y1k2 + DC2 x DM1 x
DY1 x DK2 x Kc1m2y2k1 + DC2 x DM1
X DY1 x DK1 x Kc1m2y2k2 + DC1 x DM
2 x DY2 x DK2 x Kc2m1y1k1 + DC1 x D
M2 x DY2 x DK1 x Kc2m1y1k2 + DC1 x
DM2 x DY1 x DK2 x Kc2m1y2k1 + DC1
X DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x Kc2m1y2k2 + DC
1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x Kc2m2y1k1 + D
C1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x Kc2m2y1k2 +
DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x Kc2m2y2k1
+ DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x Kc2m2y2k
It becomes 2.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the solid adjustment processing for the basic color, spot color, etc. in each of the above-described embodiments, processing such as removal of single-color turbidity and solid reproduction is performed by the device link color profile. By performing the above and outputting with a proof color printer, there is no turbidity in each CMY single color part, and each CMY single color solid can be reproduced as a solid, and an output suitable for the color of the printing machine can be obtained with the proof color printer. be able to.

As described above, the color management system based on the device link color profile can accurately match the color of the proof color printer to the color of the printing machine. For example, the secondary colors of red R, green G, and blue B With respect to colors, black with three CMY colors, black with four CMYK colors, and colors in the vicinity thereof, it is possible to perform color correction capable of performing strict color matching when the appearance of colors differs from that of the printing machine.

As a result, since the CMS has the function of retaining the solid, the color of the solid halftone dot is forcibly pulled to the color of the pigment by the CMS, and the solid halftone dot is removed from the non-solid halftone dot. The color at the halftone dots is removed,
It is possible to remove dust and turbidity generated when halftone dots overlap.

[Tenth Embodiment] Although the apparatus and method according to the present invention have been described according to some specific embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art should depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Instead, various modifications can be made to the embodiments described in the text of the present invention.

For example, a program software is created so that the computer executes each step of the color adjusting method according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 49 to 51, and the program software records the computer readable record. It can be stored on the medium.

That is, the color proof creating system of each of the above-described embodiments, the image processing apparatus used for the system, the upstream terminal, the processing program processed in the output apparatus, the described processing, the entire data (for example, various tables, etc.) or The configuration may be such that each unit is recorded on an information recording medium. Further, it also includes a program in which the above-mentioned processing program is incorporated into an electronic mail software which can be operated by a general personal computer or a mobile terminal, or an information recording medium in which the incorporated electronic mail software is recorded.

As this information recording medium, for example, RO
Semiconductor memory such as M, RAM, flash memory and the like, integrated circuits, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, magnetic recording media and the like may be used, and further, CD-ROM, hard disk, CD, FD, DVDRAM, DVDROM, MO,
It may be recorded on a ZIP, a magnetic card, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, an IC card, or the like to be configured and used.

Furthermore, examples of the medium include a wireless or infrared transmission channel between a computer and another device, a computer readable card such as PCMC.
IA cards, network connections to other computers or devices on a network, and those that record information used on the Internet and intranet, including information recorded on email transmissions and websites and the like.

By using this information recording medium in a system or apparatus other than the system according to each of the above-described embodiments and causing the system or computer to read out and execute the program code stored in this storage medium, the above-mentioned respective The function equivalent to that of the embodiment can be realized, and the same effect can be obtained.

[0386] Also, O running on the computer
S, the RTOS on the output device or the like performs a part or all of the processing, or the program code read from the storage medium is inserted into the computer, the image processing device, or the output device, the extended function board, the computer, or the image. After the data is written in the memory provided in the extended function unit connected to the processing device, and the CPU provided in the extended function board or the extended function unit performs some or all of the processing based on the instruction of the program code. Also, it is possible to realize the same function as that of each of the above-described embodiments and obtain the same effect.

Specifically, the information recording medium creates halftone dot image data separated into respective colors based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, and transfers the halftone dot image data to the output device in a frame sequential manner. Then, a program for exposing a plurality of lights having different wavelengths to obtain a color proof is recorded. This information recording medium includes table information defining a correspondence relationship between filter density values of three basic color components of special colors yellow, magenta, and cyan and the respective light amounts of the plurality of lights, and a color of a special color table. Table information that defines the correspondence between the L * a: b * value that is a space and the light amounts of the plurality of lights, the XYZ values that are the color space of the color space of the spot color, and the light amounts of the plurality of lights. Of the table information defining the correspondence relationship between the halftone dot image data and the information for performing the process of calculating each light quantity of the plurality of lights while referring to the table based on the halftone image data, and the calculated light quantity values are output. Information that is transferred to the apparatus and performs processing for urging exposure based on each of the light amount values.

Further, an information recording medium of another aspect is such that at least light amount values to be emitted by the plurality of lights are based on each density value of each component of the basic color corresponding to the halftone dot of the spot color image data. And information for performing processing for controlling the exposure amount of the plurality of light beams to be exposed based on the calculated combination of the respective light amount values.

The measured values (measured density values) are lightness,
Any color can be specified as long as it can specify a color, such as expressing saturation or hue, or calculating, for example, XYZ color system (X, Y,
Z), L * a * b * color system (L *, a *, b * values), as well as Hunter Lab color system (L, a, b values), CIE
(1994) L * C * h color system (L *, C
*, H value), Munsell color system (H, V, C) and the like may be used if a conversion means capable of finally converting is provided.

The page description language is not limited to the Postscript type, but a page description language such as Interpress can be similarly applied.

Further, the function of the image processing apparatus may be incorporated in the output device to constitute one "output device". In this case, the above-described spot color measurement table 17a or measurement table is provided in the storage unit 25. At this time, the “storage unit 25” corresponds to the “storing unit” in the present invention.

From the image forming apparatus, special features C, M,
The output order of each of the Y and K color plane data can be set arbitrarily. However, by preparing in advance a table that provides a preferable output order according to the characteristics of the output device 20, the characteristics of the output device 20 ( It is preferable to set the output order in advance according to the type and the type of ink indicating the degree of bleeding).

Further, the above-described embodiment includes various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. That is,
It goes without saying that the embodiments include the embodiments described above or a combination of any of them with any of the modifications. In this case, even if it is not particularly described in the present embodiment, as for the action and effect apparent from each configuration disclosed in each of the embodiments and the modifications, it is of course possible to obtain the action and effect in this example as well. . Further, it may be a configuration in which some of the constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment.

The above description discloses only one example of the embodiment of the present invention and can be appropriately modified and / or changed within a predetermined range, but each embodiment is illustrated. It is a thing, not a limitation.

[0395]

As described above, according to the present invention, in expressing the solid of the special color (100% of the net), the solid adjustment control can be performed by changing the combination of the light amounts, and the solid adjustment can be performed. , It is possible to adjust the solid color with the closest color from the color reproduction range of the proof system, and the color matching accuracy is dramatically improved.

Further, even if the target changes, only by selecting the optimum setting of the solid color, the halftone dot% becomes close to the target, so that a more accurate proof output can be obtained.

As described above, conventionally, the solid color of the special color (net 100
%) Could not be controlled, but the solid color was changed by changing the combination of the three wavelengths.
Special color exposure can also be performed.

Further, the color can be controlled by the image processing apparatus, and color correction processing using various LUTs such as CMS (color management system) and dot gain and calibration can be additionally performed. When reproducing with the color printer for proofreading the color of, the color with the printing machine matches, there is no turbidity in each single color part of CMY,
In addition, each CMY solid color can be output as a solid and reproduced, and errors in the calibration work can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall schematic configuration of a color proof making system of the present invention.

2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing device and an output device in the color proof making system of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a spot color measurement table.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a structure of a color channel table of a spot color when there is one spot color.

6A to 6C are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a structure of a color channel table of a spot color when there are two spot colors.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a color channel table of basic colors.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing an example of another embodiment of the color proof making system of the present invention, and particularly showing a part of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a measurement table.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing an example of another embodiment of the color proof making system of the present invention, and particularly showing a part of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in the color proof making system of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing an example of another embodiment of the color proof making system of the present invention, and particularly showing a part of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in the color proof making system of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in the color proof making system of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in the color proof making system of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in the color proof making system of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a value L * of a color system in the embodiment of the present invention.
It is explanatory drawing of LUT which converts a * b * into the color value of RGB.

FIG. 18 is a coordinate diagram showing a target value T ′ in coordinates of R and G color systems in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a coordinate diagram showing a target value T in coordinates of a combination of R and G colors in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a coordinate diagram of a convergence calculation process for estimating a target value T at coordinates of a combination of R and G colors in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a coordinate diagram of a convergence calculation process for estimating a target value T ′ in the coordinates of the R, G color system in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the target value T ′ in the coordinates of the R and G color system when the target value T ′ is outside the color reproduction range in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a coordinate diagram showing the target value T ′ in the coordinates of the color system of R and G when the target value T ′ is outside the color reproduction range in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a coordinate diagram showing that the image is moved within the color reproduction range.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a target value T at coordinates of a combination of R and G colors when a target value T ′ outside the color reproduction range is moved into the color reproduction range in the embodiment of the present invention. Is.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the LUT of the device link color profile when the processing for removing turbidity due to the movement of the hue of the C single color portion is performed in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the LUT of the device link color profile when processing for removing turbidity and reproducing solid by moving the hue and saturation of the C monochromatic portion in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of an LUT for converting CMYK color values into color system values L * a * b * in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a color patch image for measuring the color values of CMYK in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a distribution of points to be interpolated with sample points on a locus based on CMY color values and color system values in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the order of interpolation processing when converting CMY color combinations into color system values in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a value L * of the color system in the embodiment of the present invention.
It is explanatory drawing of the LUT which converts a * b * into the value of the color of CMYK.

FIG. 32 is a coordinate diagram showing a target value T ′ in the coordinates of C and M color systems in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a coordinate diagram showing a target value T at coordinates of a combination of C and M colors in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a coordinate diagram of a convergence calculation process for estimating a target value T at coordinates of a combination of C and M colors in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a coordinate diagram of a convergence calculation process for estimating a target value T ′ in the coordinates of the C and M color systems in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing the target value T ′ in the coordinates of the color systems of C and M when the target value T ′ is outside the color reproduction range in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a coordinate diagram showing the target value T ′ in the coordinates of the color systems of C and M when the target value T ′ is outside the color reproduction range in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a coordinate diagram showing that the image is moved within the color reproduction range.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing the target value T in the coordinates of the color combination of C and M when the target value T ′ outside the color reproduction range is moved into the color reproduction range in the embodiment of the present invention. Is.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a locus of the hue of C single color of the printing machine and a locus of the hue of C single color of the proofreading color proof making apparatus in the coordinates of the color system of the values a * b * of the color system.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a locus of a C monochromatic hue of the printing press and a locus of a C monochromatic hue of the proof color proof making apparatus in the coordinates of the color system of the value L * C * of the color system.

FIG. 41 shows the movement to the locus of the C monochromatic hue of the printing press and the locus of the C monochromatic hue of the proof color proof making apparatus at the coordinates of the color system of the color system values a * b *. It is a figure.

FIG. 42 shows the range of movement to the locus of the C monochromatic hue of the printing press and the locus of the C monochromatic hue of the proof color proof making apparatus, in the coordinates of the color system of the value a * b * of the color system. It is a figure.

FIG. 43 shows the range of movement to the locus of the C monochromatic hue of the printing press and the locus of the C monochromatic hue of the proof color proof making apparatus in the coordinates of the color system of the color system value L * C *. It is a figure.

FIG. 44 shows the locus of the C monochromatic hue of the printing press and the saturation of the solid C of the monochromatic color of the C color of the printing machine at the coordinate of the color a system of the value a * b * of the color system. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the movement of the locus of C and the solid saturation of C single color.

FIG. 45 is a graph showing the locus of the C monochromatic hue of the printing machine and the solid saturation of the C monochromatic color at the coordinates of the color gamut of the value a * b * of the colorimetric system, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a locus of C and a range to be moved to a solid saturation of C single color.

FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating the locus of the C monochromatic hue of the printing machine and the solid saturation of the C monochromatic color of the C monochromatic hue of the proofreading color proofing apparatus at the coordinates of the color system of the color system value L * C *. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the movement of the locus of C and the solid saturation of C single color.

[Fig. 47] Fig. 47 shows an example of a screen for selecting a process of removing turbidity of CMY single colors, performing turbidity removal and solid retention, or neither of them with software for creating a device link profile. It is a figure.

FIG. 48 is an explanatory diagram of an LUT that converts CMYK color values into CMYK color values of a calibration color printer using a device link color profile for image data.

FIG. 49 shows L * a * b *-in the embodiment of the present invention.
It is a flowchart of the procedure which calculates | requires the 3-dimensional input / 4-dimensional output LUT of a CMYK LUT.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart schematically showing the procedure of a color adjusting method for a printing machine and a proof color printer using the device link color profile according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating a device link color profile according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Color proof making system 10 Image processing device 12 Halftone image data creation unit 13 Adjustment calculation processing unit 14 Transfer control unit 17 Memory 17a measurement table 19 Control unit 20 Output device 21 Temporary information storage 22 Control unit 23 Exposure Department 24 Output section 25 memory

Front page continued (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 1/60 H04N 1/46 Z 5C079 F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 AQ05 AQ06 AR01 HJ06 HK11 HN15 2C262 AA04 AA24 AA29 AB13 BA11 BB03 BC01 BC10 BC17 BC19 DA06 EA11 GA36 GA47 5B057 AA11 CA01 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB01 CB08 CB12 CB16 CE17 CE18 CH07 5C074 BB06 DD22 DD24 DD27 FF07 FF15 5C077 LL19 MM19 MP08 PP32 PP33 PP36 HQB01B02B02B02B02B02B02B02B02 MA05 MA10 MA11 NA03 PA03

Claims (38)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for producing color-separated halftone image data based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, and each halftone image data transferred and output from the image processing apparatus. Based on the above, a color proof creation system equipped with one or more output devices that output a color proof of halftone dot output by exposing a light spot consisting of a combination of multiple lights of different wavelengths to a light-sensitive material. The image processing device calculates an optimum combination of light amount values to be emitted by the plurality of lights, based on at least density values of respective components of the spot color corresponding to the halftone dots of the halftone dot image data of the spot color. And a transfer control unit that controls transfer of the light amount values and the halftone image data calculated by the calculating unit to the output device, wherein the output device calculates by the calculating unit. Based on the combination of the light intensity values, color proof producing system characterized in that it comprises a control means for controlling an exposure amount of said plurality of light exposure. 2. The color proof making system according to claim 1, wherein the calculating means calculates an optimum combination of light amount values that represent an overlapping color of the spot color and another color. 3. The calculating means, based on a density value of the basic color, a density value of the spot color, and a transmission coefficient of the ink of the spot color, when the other color is a base color. The color proof system according to claim 2, further comprising density value calculation means for calculating a density value of an overlapping portion of the basic color and the spot color. 4. The calculating means, based on a density value of one of the special colors and a transmission coefficient of ink, and a density value of the other special color and a transmission coefficient of ink when the other color is a special color. 3. The color proof making system according to claim 2, further comprising density value calculating means for calculating a density value of an overlapping portion between the one and the other spot colors. 5. The plurality of light beams are calculated based on a combination of density values of respective components of the spot color corresponding to at least 100% of the halftone dots of the halftone image data of the halftone dot image data. The color proof making system according to claim 1, wherein a combination of respective light amount values to be emitted by the is calculated. 6. The photosensitive material is controlled based on a table that defines a correspondence relationship between a printing reference color for the spot color and a light intensity composition of a light source that exposes the photosensitive material. The color proof making system according to claim 1, wherein the color development density is changed to adjust the density. 7. The control means includes n types of the spot colors (n
Is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), n tables that define the correspondence relationship between the printing reference color corresponding to each of the first to n-th special colors and the intensity composition of the light from the light source that exposes the photosensitive material. And _n C ₂ + _n C ₃ + ...
The color proof according to claim 1, wherein the exposure amount is controlled on the basis of the _n C _n-1 + _n C _n tables and the color density of the photosensitive material is changed to adjust the density. Creation system. 8. The image forming apparatus stores a table that defines a correspondence relationship between three filter density values of the yellow component, the magenta component, and the cyan component of the special color and the light amounts of the plurality of lights. The color proof making system according to claim 1, wherein the calculating means calculates each light quantity of the plurality of lights while referring to the table based on the halftone image data. 9. The table of the storage means defines only each light quantity value corresponding to the specified step of the density value, and the calculation means interpolates when the density value is between the specified steps. 9. The color proof making system according to claim 8, wherein a combination of corresponding light quantity values is calculated by calculation. 10. The calculation unit calculates a combination of light amount values to be emitted by the plurality of lights, based on a combination of component values of a color system of the spot color. Color proof making system. 11. The color proof making system according to claim 10, wherein the component value of the color system is a colorimetric value defined by a standard color space L * a * b *. 12. The color proof making system according to claim 10, wherein the component value of the color system is a colorimetric value defined by a standard color space XYZ. 13. The image forming apparatus corrects the spot color and the basic color on the basis of a calibration LUT that defines the variation of the color of the halftone dots according to the model of the output apparatus, and the calibration LUT. The color proof production system according to claim 1, further comprising: an adjustment calculation unit that calculates and adjusts the combination of the light amount values. 14. The image forming apparatus comprises: a dot gain LUT defining an area ratio of halftone dots of halftone dot image data to an area ratio of printed halftone dots; and based on the dot gain LUT, the spot color and the basic color. The adjustment calculation means for adjusting the color by calculating the combination of the light amount values while correcting the variation of the halftone dot area ratio according to the type of printed matter, and the adjustment calculation means according to claim 1. Color proof making system. 15. The calculating means calculates, for a basic color,
The color of a specific printing device is adjusted based on a profile of a color management system that converts it into a standard color space, and with respect to the spot color, the spot gain is corrected while the spot color is corrected based on the dot gain LUT. The color proof making system according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment is performed by calculating a combination of light amount values. 16. The calculating means selects, with respect to the basic color, four or three colors for a printing machine as a color matching target so that an output device can obtain an output suitable for the printing machine. One first profile in which a color system value is defined as an output value for an input value of a combination of basic colors, and an output for an input value of a color system value combination for the output device that reproduces the target color The other first profile that defines the values of four or three basic colors as values, or four or three colors for output on the printing machine created based on the two first profiles 4 colors or 3 as the output value for the input value of the combination of basic colors
The color proof making system according to claim 15, wherein color adjustment is performed based on a device link profile that defines a value of a combination of basic colors. 17. The image forming apparatus selects which one or more of the halftone dot image data of the spot color or each of the plurality of halftone dot image data of the basic color is to be exposed first, and the selection result is selected. Based on the above, control is performed so that only one of the halftone dot image data is transferred, the output device performs exposure based on each halftone dot image data of the one transferred, and then the other halftone dot image data is exposed. 2. The color proof making system according to claim 1, wherein each of the image receiving sheets is exposed on the basis of the predetermined exposure order, and the image receiving sheets are rearranged in a predetermined order so as to make a color proof. 18. A halftone dot image data creating means for creating halftone dot image data separated into respective colors based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, and the halftone dot image data is output to an output device in a frame sequential manner. An image processing apparatus for transferring and exposing a plurality of lights having different wavelengths to obtain a color proof, wherein filter density values of three basic color components of special colors yellow, magenta, and cyan and the plurality of lights are provided. A storage unit that stores a table that defines a correspondence relationship with each light amount; a calculation unit that calculates each light amount of the plurality of lights based on the halftone image data while referring to the table; An image processing apparatus, comprising: a transfer control unit that transfers each light amount value calculated in step 1) to the output device and promotes exposure based on each light amount value. 19. An output which outputs a color proof of a halftone dot output by exposing a light spot consisting of a combination of a plurality of lights having different wavelengths to a light-sensitive material based on each halftone dot image data of each color separation halftone original. In the device, based on each density value of each component of the basic color corresponding to the halftone dot of the halftone dot image data of each of the halftone dot image data, a combination of each light quantity value to be emitted by the plurality of lights An output device comprising: a calculating unit for calculating the exposure amount; and a control unit for controlling the exposure amount of the plurality of light beams to be exposed based on the combination of the respective light amount values calculated by the calculating unit. . 20. An output device for adjusting each exposure amount of a plurality of lights of an exposure unit based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, wherein three basic color components of special colors yellow, magenta, and cyan are provided. A storage unit that stores a table that defines the correspondence relationship between the filter density value and the light amounts of the plurality of lights, and the light amounts of the plurality of lights with reference to the table based on the halftone image data. An output device comprising: a control unit that calculates and adjusts and controls the exposure amount from the exposure unit. 21. Based on each halftone dot image data of each color separation half original, a light spot consisting of a combination of a plurality of lights having different wavelengths is exposed on a light-sensitive material to develop each dot of the plurality of colors. A color proof creating method for creating a color proof, wherein a plurality of light beams are generated in accordance with each density value of each component of a basic color corresponding to a halftone dot of special color halftone dot image data of each halftone dot image data. A method for producing a color proof, comprising an adjusting step of adjusting a light amount by changing a combination of respective light amount values to be emitted by. 22. The adjusting step includes a step of calculating an optimum combination of the light amount values that expresses an overlapping color of a spot color and another color.
The method for producing a color proof according to 1. 23. When the other color is a basic color, the basic color and the special color are based on a density value of the basic color, a density value of the special color, and a transmission coefficient of ink of the special color. 23. The method for producing a color proof according to claim 22, wherein the density value of the overlapping portion with is calculated. 24. If the other color is a spot color, the one of the one of the spot color and the ink transmission coefficient based on the other spot color density value and the ink transmission coefficient is used. The color proof making method according to claim 22, wherein the density value of the overlapping portion of the other spot colors is extracted. 25. The color proof making method according to claim 21, further comprising the step of adjusting the color of the spot color and the basic color with a calibration LUT. 26. The color proof making method according to claim 21 or 25, further comprising a step of performing color adjustment of the spot color and the basic color by a dot gain LUT. 27. ICC (In
international Color Consort
um), color adjustment is performed by the profile that stores the values of the color system corresponding to the combination of basic colors of the output device in the color management system standardized by 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising a step of adjusting color.
27. The method for producing a color proof according to any one of 1, 25 and 26. 28. With respect to the basic colors, a combination of four or three basic colors is selected for a printing machine that is a target of color matching so that an output device can obtain an output suitable for the printing machine. One first profile that defines color system values as output values for input values, four colors as output values for input values of a combination of color system values for the output device that reproduces the target color, or Of the other first profile that defines the values of the three basic colors, or a combination of four or three basic colors for output in the printing machine created based on the two first profiles. 4 colors or 3 as output value for input value
28. The color proof making method according to claim 27, wherein the color adjustment is performed by using a device link profile that defines a value of a combination of basic colors. 29. The color proof making method according to claim 21, wherein in the adjusting step, a combination of light amount values is adjusted based on a component value of the color system of the spot color. 30. The adjusting step comprises L * of the spot color.
3. The combination of light amount values is adjusted based on colorimetric value values defined in the a * b * color space.
The method for producing a color proof according to 1. 31. The adjusting step comprises:
19. The combination of light amount values is adjusted based on colorimetric value values defined in the Y and Z color spaces.
How to make a color proof as described in. 32. Which one of a plurality of halftone dot image data of the spot color and each of a plurality of halftone dot image data of the basic color is to be exposed first is selected, and one of them is selected based on the selection result. Control so that only one is transferred, after each exposure based on the transferred one halftone dot image data, then perform each exposure based on the other halftone dot image data, each image receiving sheet 22. The color proof making method according to claim 21, wherein the spot color and the basic color are separately exposed and controlled so that the color proof is created by arranging them in a predetermined order and arranging them on a printing paper. 33. A program for causing a computer to execute the method for creating a color proof according to any one of claims 21 to 32. 34. Computer readable
An information recording medium recording the program according to claim 33. 35. Based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, halftone dot image data separated into respective colors is created, and the halftone dot image data is transferred to an output device in a frame sequential manner to obtain a plurality of different wavelengths. An information recording medium in which a program for exposing light to obtain a color proof is recorded, wherein a filter density value of three basic color components of special colors yellow, magenta, and cyan and respective light amounts of the plurality of lights are provided. Table information defining a correspondence relationship, information for performing a process of calculating each light amount of the plurality of lights while referring to the table based on the halftone image data, and each calculated light amount value in the output device An information recording medium having a program recorded thereon, the information being transferred to, and performing processing for promoting exposure based on each of the light intensity values. 36. Halftone dot image data separated into respective colors is created based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, and the halftone dot image data is transferred to an output device in a frame-sequential manner to obtain a plurality of different wavelengths. An information recording medium in which a program for exposing light to obtain a color proof is recorded. Correspondence between L * a * b * values, which is a color space of a color system of a spot color, and respective light amounts of the plurality of lights. Table information defining a relationship, based on the halftone image data, information for performing a process of calculating each light amount of the plurality of lights while referring to the table, and each calculated light amount value to the output device An information recording medium having a program recorded thereon, characterized in that the information is transferred to the information processing device and processing for urging the exposure based on the respective light intensity values is recorded. 37. Halftone dot image data separated into respective colors is created based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, the halftone dot image data is transferred to an output device in a frame sequential manner, and a plurality of different wavelengths are used. An information recording medium in which a program for exposing light to obtain a color proof is recorded, and a table defining a correspondence relationship between an XYZ value which is a color space of a color coordinate of a spot color and each light amount of the plurality of lights. Information, based on the halftone image data, information for performing a process of calculating each light amount of the plurality of lights while referring to the table, and transfer each calculated light amount value to the output device, An information recording medium having a program recorded thereon, the information recording medium including information for performing a process of promoting exposure based on each light amount value. 38. A process for outputting a color proof of a halftone dot output by exposing a light-sensitive material, which is a combination of a plurality of lights having different wavelengths, to a light-sensitive material based on each halftone image data of each color separation halftone original. An information recording medium for performing at least the combination of light amount values to be emitted by the plurality of lights, based on each density value of each component of the basic color corresponding to the halftone dot of the spot color image data. Information recording a program characterized by including information for performing processing and information for performing processing for controlling the exposure amount of the plurality of light beams to be exposed based on a combination of each calculated light amount value. Medium.