JP2003204440A - Color matching system of output device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize color matching by a method wherein a color of an image for reference and selected colors outputted by an output device are compared by visual observation and a color approximate to the image for reference is selected. <P>SOLUTION: This system is provided with a step wherein the image P<SB>0</SB>for reference is prepared on the basis of gray based photograph image data, a step wherein a reference color profile NF is described and a reference output device N is obtained, a step for inputting the image data in the device N, a step for outputting an image by using the device N, a step wherein the reference color profile NF is described in an output device S to be color-matched, a step for inputting the image data in the device S, a step for outputting an image by using the device S, a step wherein several kinds of images for selection which are different in hue are outputted on the basis of color correction data by using the device S, and a step wherein one image whose hue is approximate to that of the image for reference is selected out of the several kinds of images for selection, and color matching is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color matching system for realizing color matching (transmission of colors) between two or more devices (monitor, scanner, printer) connected to a computer, and more particularly, to a color matching system. The present invention relates to an output device color matching system for unifying output display colors among all output devices by visually matching the colors of printed matter for printing and the output display colors of output devices (monitors and printers).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, an output display color output from a color image output monitor screen of a computer-related device such as a personal computer, a monitor, a scanner, a printer, or a print output section indicates the output color characteristic of each device. It is determined based on the color profile and output and displayed as a predetermined color tone.

Further, in the case of a monitor whose profile is unknown, the color image displayed on the monitor screen of the device is directly measured by a colorimeter to measure the color image, so that the device of the monitor for outputting a color image whose profile is unknown. You are creating a profile.

Further, the color characteristics of the image output means such as a color printer connected to a computer such as a personal computer are the print output (output sheet) output from the image output means.
The image of an image output product is directly measured using a colorimeter to create a device profile of the image output means.

Here, the device profile is a file in which the color characteristics of each device are expressed and described (written) by a color value, and "device signal value → PCS value" conversion, "PCS value → device" are internally stored. It is equipped with color conversion information for performing "signal value" conversion. (Device signal value: CMYK value: C% (cyan), M color (magenta), Y color (yellow), K color (black) display color density% value, PCS value (profile (Connection space): color values in a device-independent color space, such as XYZ values and Lab values)

Generally, the above-mentioned color value is a Lab value [L
Axis: Brightness, a axis: Red hue (+ a) to Cyan hue (-a), b axis: Yellow hue (+ b) to B
lue hue (-b)], XYZ value [(x + y + z =
1)].

This color conversion information portion is composed of two primary curves (in: input value, out: output value) and a color conversion table. Fig. 6 shows "Device signal value → PCS
FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of “value” conversion. Note that the “PCS value → device signal value” conversion is a flow chart in the opposite direction.

Conventionally, in order to realize color matching, the output display color of each output device (personal computer, monitor, scanner, printer) is measured using a dedicated color measuring device, and the color measurement is performed. Convert so that the values are the same. The method using this colorimeter lacks versatility because the colorimeter is expensive, and a large amount of colorimetry is required, so that the workload of colorimetry is large.

Although a visual adjustment method still exists, since it is for comparing color patches (single color), it is difficult to find a difference, and it is difficult to find a difference, which is likely to cause an error.

Further, among the colors of the printed matter and the output color (or output display color) of the output device, the gray portion color is sensitive to the human eye, so that it is easy to distinguish the color difference, and conversely a little. Since the difference in color is also known, accurate color matching cannot be obtained in the conventional method unless a special method is adopted.

Generally, a color matching method is a method as shown in the system block diagram of FIG. 7, for example, as shown in FIG. 7A, a predetermined color recorded on an electronic data recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Based on the photographic image data, a predetermined color profile I _F (CMYK → L
Color printer I with stable color reproduction with ab)
A (printing machine for office) is used to print out a print image G _I on a predetermined printing paper to obtain a reference print P _O (color photo print: CMYK).

Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the printing machine
For reference printed out by I (or color printer)
Print P_O(Print image G_I) And print out in color tone
Specified printer N (printing machine for office)
The reference color profile N _F(Lab → CMYK)
Create and describe the printer I and printer N in color
Match and match that printer N as the reference printer
And

Then, the color photographic image data recorded on the same CD-ROM (electronic data recording medium) as that used for the print output of the printing machine I is transferred to the reference printer N.
Enter the, by printing out the color photographic prints P _N of the reference printed matter P _O (printed image G _I) and the same image based on the color photographic image data in a predetermined printing paper, the printed matter P _N Is printed out as a color-matched printed matter having the same color tone (color characteristic) as the reference printed matter P _O.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, a predetermined color monitor is provided so that the reference print P _O printed out by the printing machine I (or a color printer) and the monitor output are displayed in a tint color tone. A reference color profile M _F (Lab → CMYK) is created and described on M (monitor for personal computer), the printing machine I and the monitor M are color-matched, and the monitor M is used as a reference monitor.

Then, the color photographic image data recorded on the same CD-ROM (electronic data recording medium) as that used for the print output of the printing machine I is input to the reference monitor M, and the monitor screen displays By outputting and displaying the color photographic image G _M of the same image as the reference print P _O based on the color photographic image data, the output and displayed image G _M has the same color tone as the reference print P _O ( The image is output and displayed as a color-matched image having color characteristics).

Although it is possible to perform color matching of the output display color by the reference device such as the reference printer N and the reference monitor M color-matched to the printing machine I as described above, another color profile different from that of the reference device is mounted. Color matching cannot be established between devices because the color characteristics (color profile) differ from those described as the reference color profile due to differences in the model, presence of individual differences among devices, and changes over time.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to adopt a gray portion color of a print image of a reference printed matter, which has a relatively large color change and is therefore easy to compare shades. , A color matching that the color of the reference printed matter and the selected color (display color) output by the output device are visually compared, and a color close to the color of the reference printed matter is selected from the selected colors output by the output device. It is to provide a color matching system for realizing (color matching).

[0018]

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises: a) printing predetermined gray-based photographic image data recorded on a recording medium as a print image, and printing the gray-based photographic image. Preparing a reference printed matter prepared as described above, b) describing a reference color profile so as to obtain a reference output color having the same hue as that of the reference printed matter, and obtaining a reference output device; Inputting the gray-based photographic image data; d) outputting a gray-based photographic image based on the input gray-based photographic image data in the reference output device; and e) an output color according to a color profile description. Describing the reference color profile on an output device to be color-matched capable of adjusting the hue of, Inputting the gray-based photo image data to the described output device to be color-matched, and g) outputting a gray-based photo image based on the input gray-based photo image data to the output device to be color-matched. Outputting, and h) outputting several kinds of selection gray-based photographic images having different shades based on the gray-based photographic image data and the color correction data to which each color variation is added, in the output device for color matching And (i) visually comparing the print image of the reference print with the gray-based photographic image output by the output device to be color-matched to determine whether the hues match or do not match, and j) the hue. If they do not match, several types of gray-based photographs with different shades that have been output to the output device Selecting one gray-based photographic image for selection that is similar in color to the printed image of the reference printed matter from the image, and k) assigning the color correction data of the selected one grey-based photographic image for selection. A color matching system for an output device, comprising: acquiring a color profile of an output device to be color-matched.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention comprises: a) inputting a predetermined gray-based photographic image data recorded on a recording medium, and setting a reference color profile so as to obtain a reference output color having a required hue. Describing and obtaining a reference output device, b) inputting the gray-based photographic image data to the reference output device, and c) gray based on the input gray-based photographic image data in the reference output device. A step of outputting a system photographic image, d) a step of writing the reference color profile in an output device to be color-matched capable of adjusting the hue of the output color according to the description of the color profile, and e) a reference color profile Inputting the gray-based photographic image data to the output device to be color matched; f) the color Outputting a gray-based photographic image based on the input gray-based photographic image data at an output device to be matched; and g) outputting the gray-based photographic image data and each color variation at the output device to be color-matched. Outputting several types of selection gray-based photographic images having different shades based on the added color correction data, and h) using the gray-based photographic image output by the reference output device and the output device to be color-matched. Visual comparison with the output gray-based photographic image to determine whether the shades match or do not match, i) If the shades do not match, several types of gray-based photographs for selection that are output to the output device and have different shades From the image, the color shade is similar to the gray-based photographic image output by the reference output device 1 Selecting a gray-based photographic image for selection, and j) acquiring the color correction data of the selected one gray-based photographic image for selection as a color profile of the output device to be color-matched. A color matching system for an output device, which is characterized in that

[0020]

Color matching system of the output device according to claim 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the system block diagram of FIG. 1, the printing image G _I a predetermined color photographic images
Image data from an electronic data recording medium such as a CD-ROM to a predetermined printing profile I _F (CMYK
→ Input data to a predetermined printer with stable color reproduction equipped with (Lab), print out a print image G _I on a predetermined printing paper, and print a reference print (color photo print: CMYK).
To get

Then, the printing profile I _F (C
MYK → Lab) on the basis, on the printed image G _I and the color of the reference printed matter Ji tone as printed output, the reference profile in a predetermined printer (office printer) N _F (L
ab → CMYK or RGB is described as a reference printer (reference output device). In addition, a specified monitor (screen for image output display for personal computers: liquid crystal display screen, C
(RT screen) on the reference profile M _F (Lab → RGB)
Is described as a reference monitor (reference output device).

Next, the image data as the printing image G _I recorded on the electronic data recording medium and several kinds of color correction data (for example, a correction curve) are input to the output device to be color-matched. Based on the input data, the variation image data of each of several kinds of color for color matching is generated.

Next, several kinds of selection images G are output from the output device to be color-matched based on the variation image data, and the hue of the image output by the reference output device is selected from the selection images. Select one matching image.

Then, based on the color correction data assigned to the selected image, the color profile of the output device to be color-matched is corrected, so that the output device to be color-matched is color-matched to the reference output device. Then, the output device is color-matched.

An embodiment of a color matching system for an output device according to claim 1 of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the system block diagram of FIG. 2 and the system flowchart of FIG.

Step 1 (S1) of FIGS. 2A and 4
First, using a printing machine I having stable color reproducibility, the printing machine I records image data on an electronic data recording medium such as a CD-ROM and prepares reference image data (predetermined gray system). A printing plate that has been prepress (photoengraving or electronic prepressing) from color photo image data is mounted, and a reference gray color color photo print image G _I is printed out, and reference print P _O (gray color photo print is printed). : CMYK) is prepared.

The printing machine I used here means a predetermined color profile I _F (CMYK) by printing under predetermined printing conditions such as predetermined printing pressure, printing speed, printing plate, printing paper and printing ink. → It is a printing machine I (commercial printing machine) with stable color reproducibility set so that the reference print P _O is printed by color reproduction based on Lab), and the color profile I _F of the printing machine I is It may be known or the CMYK value or R of the printed output
The color value Lab value (or XYZ value) may be obtained from the GB value.

The printing plate mounted and used on this printing machine I is C
It is possible to use a printing plate which has been prepressed (photoengraving or electronic engraving) from reference image data (predetermined gray-based color photographic image data) recorded in an electronic data recording medium such as a D-ROM and prepared in advance. it can.

Further, step 1 in FIGS. 2A and 4
In (S1), a predetermined color profile I _F (C
Using a color printer I (MYK → Lab) with stable color reproduction (a plateless printing machine that prints based on electronic data such as a laser printer: an office printing machine),
To the color printer I, image data (predetermined gray-based color photographic image data), which is a reference prepared by being recorded in an electronic data recording medium such as a CD-ROM, is input,
A reference print P _O (gray-based color photographic print: CMYK) is prepared by printing out a gray-based color photographic print image G _I based on image data on a predetermined printing paper. In addition,
The color profile I _F of the color printer I may be a known one described in advance in the color printer I, or the color value Lab value (or XYZ value) is obtained from the CMYK value or RGB value of the printed output. May be.

Next, step 2 of FIG. 2 (b1) and FIG.
In (S2), the print image G of the reference print P _O printed out by the printing machine I (or color printer)
_So that it is printed out in the same hue (color tone) as I,
A reference color profile N _F (Lab → CMYK) is created and described in a predetermined printer N (output device: office printing machine), color matching is performed between the printing machine I and the printer N, and the printer N is used as a reference printer ( Reference output device).

Further, step 2 in FIG. 2 (b2) and FIG.
In (S2), the print image G of the reference print P _O printed out by the printing machine I (or color printer)
Create and describe a reference color profile M _F (Lab → CMYK) on a predetermined monitor M (output device: personal computer monitor) so that the same color tone (color tone) as _I can be output and displayed. M and M are color matched, and the monitor M is used as a reference monitor (reference output device).

Then, in step 3 (S3) of FIG. 4, the same CD-ROM as that used for the print output of the printing machine I.
Image data of a gray color photographic image recorded on (electronic data recording medium) is input to a reference printer N and a reference monitor M as the reference output devices.

Next, step 4 in FIG. 2 (b1) and FIG.
In (S4), the reference printer N (reference output device)
The gray-based color printed image G _N, which is the same as the print image G _I of the reference print P _O , is printed out on a predetermined printing paper based on the image data of the gray-based color photographic image. The photo print P _N is printed out. As a result, the printed matter P _N is printed out as a color-matched printed matter having the same color tone (color characteristic) as the reference printed matter P _O.

Further, step 4 in FIG. 2 (b2) and FIG.
In (S4), using the reference monitor M (reference output device), the same gray-based color photographic image G _M as the reference printed material P _O is used as the reference monitor M based on the image data of the gray-based color photographic image. The output is displayed on the screen. As a result, this photographic image G _M is output and displayed as a color-matched image having the same color tone (color characteristic) as the reference print P _O.

2 (c1) (c2) and step 5 (S5) in FIG. 4, the output devices to be color-matched (for example, one to a plurality of color-matching printers S and monitors W) are selected. The reference color profile (if the printer is the reference color profile I _F of the printer, if it is the monitor, the reference color profile M _{F of the} monitor) is described.

2 (c1) (c2) and step 6 (S6) in FIG. 4, the image of the gray color photographic image is output to each output device (printer S, monitor W) to be color-matched. Data and color correction data (color correction curve, color correction change) for adding each color variation to the image data in order to output several types of gray-based photographic images for selection having different shades based on the image data. Enter the amount.

2 (c1) (c2) and step 7 (S7) of FIG. 4, a gray-based photograph is generated on the basis of the image data of the gray-based color photograph image in each output device to be color-matched. Output the image. For example,
As shown in FIG. 2 (c1), the printer S to be color-matched prints out the print image G _S of the gray-based color photographic image based on the image data of the gray-based color photographic image to obtain the printed matter P _S. Further, as shown in FIG. 2C2, a gray-based photographic image G is displayed on the monitor W to be color-matched based on the image data of the gray-based color photographic image.
Output _W.

2 (c1) (c2) and step 8 (S8) in FIG. 4, next to the print image G _S of the printed matter P _S printed by the printer S or by the screen of the monitor W. Adjacent to the output image G _W , several types of selection gray-based photographic images having different shades assigned based on the color correction data are output.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the arrangement of several types of gray-based photographic images for selection having different shades assigned based on the color correction data. Image data of gray-based color photographic images from the output device to be color-matched is shown. Based on the gray correction photographic image (G _S or G _W : pre-matching image) before color correction (color matching or color error absorption) output based on C, in the direction of the arrow based on the color correction data, C color ( Gray-based photographic image (CG _S or CG _W ) with a large amount of cyan component, gray-based photographic image with a large amount of M-color (magenta) component (MG _S or MG _W ), gray-based photographic image with a large amount of Y-color (yellow) component ( YG _S or YG _W) on the corrected correction selected image (image for color matching) is gray photographic image distribution for selection composed respectively assigned It is.

Similarly, the image (CG _S or CG
_W ) and the image (YG _S or YG _W ) have a large amount of G color (green) component between the gray photographic images (GG _S or G).
G _W ), the image (YG _S or YG _W ) and the image (MG _S
Or MG _W ), a gray-based photographic image (RG _S or RG _W ), which has a large amount of R color (red) components, and the image (MG _S ).
Or between MG _W ) and the image (CG _S or CG _W ),
Gray-based photographic image with many BL (blue) components (BG _S
Alternatively, a selection gray-based photographic image configured by allocating the corrected correction selection images (color matching images) to B _{W G} is arranged.

[0041] Next in Figure 2 (c1) (c2) and step 9 (S9) in FIG. 4, and the first printed material for reference was prepared P _O (FIG. 2 (a)), is output by the S7 Printed matter P output from an output device to be color matched
_It is determined whether the hues of _S and the image G _W (FIGS. 2 (c1) and (c2)) are the same (YES) or not (NO).

If they match, the output device to be color-matched is the printed matter P _S (printed image G _S ), whose hue matches the hue of the printed image G _I of the reference printed matter P _O ,
An output device capable of outputting the screen display image G _W ,
Certified as an output device with color matching.

On the other hand, if they do not match, the output device to be color-matched is the output device that cannot output the printed matter P _S (printed image G _S ) and the screen display image G _W having the hue that matches the hue of the reference printed matter P _O. However, the output device is recognized as an output device that is not color-matched, and the process proceeds to step 10 (S10) of FIG. 4 for color matching of the output device.

In step 10 (S10) of FIG. 4, for example, several kinds of selection gray-based photographic images (CG _S or CG _W ) output from the output device in the state where color matching is not performed, (MG _S or M
G _W ), (YG _S or YG _W ), (GG _S or G
G _W ), (RG _S or RG _W ), (BG _S or BG _W )
From among the above, one image having a hue similar to that of the print image G _I of the reference print P _O is selected.

Next, in step 11 (s11) of FIG.
By selecting the image, the output device acquires the color correction data assigned to the selected image, the color profile of the output device is corrected based on the acquired color correction data, and the reference print P _{O is obtained.} Is an output device capable of outputting the printed matter P _S (printed image G _S ) and the screen display image G _W having a color tone that matches the color tone of the print image G _I , and is an output device in a color-matched state.

When the output device in the state where the above-mentioned color matching is not performed is the printer S, several kinds of selection gray-based photographic images output by printing are included in the color correction used for the image. An image code (numbers, symbols, etc.) for allocating data to the output device is attached and output, and an image selecting operation is performed by inputting the image code to the output device. The color correction data used for the image is assigned to the output device, the color profile of the output device is automatically corrected and input, and the output device is brought into the color matching state.

When the output device in the state where the color matching is not performed is the monitor W, the color correction data used for the image are included in several kinds of selection gray-based photographic images output on the screen. Is output with an address code (numbers, symbols, etc.) assigned to the output device, and the image selection operation can be performed by inputting the image code to the output device. The color correction data used for the image can be assigned to the output device.

As another selection operation method, a monitor is equipped with a click instruction function that allows selection by a click selection method for each of several types of gray-based photographic images to be output on the screen, By clicking on the area of the image to be selected displayed or the area of the key wort option displayed on the output, the color correction data used for the color correction of the selected image can be automatically assigned to the output device.

Next, an embodiment of a color matching system for an output device according to claim 2 of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the system block diagram of FIG. 2 and the system flowchart of FIG. This system is described in claim 1 above.
2 is a color matching system of an output device when the reference printed material P _O in FIG.

2 (b1) and step 1 (S in FIG. 5)
In 1), first, a predetermined printer N (output device: office printing machine) records an image on an electronic data recording medium such as a CD-ROM or the like to prepare reference image data (predetermined gray color photograph). Image data).

Next, step 2 of FIG. 2B1 and FIG.
In (S2), based on the reference image data input to the printer N and the color profile described in advance in the printer N, a print image G _N of a gray color photo image is printed out on a predetermined printing paper. do it,
Obtain the printed matter P _N.

Next, step 3 of FIG. 2 (b1) and FIG.
In (S3), so the printed image G _N of the printed material P _N to be printed out from the printer N is desired reference output color, reference color with data modify the color profile is previously described in that the printer N A profile N _F (Lab → CMYK or RGB) is created and described, and a reference print image G _N of a gray-based color photographic image is printed out on a predetermined printing paper to obtain a reference print P _N. The printer N is set as a reference printer (reference output device).

Further, step 1 in FIG. 2 (b2) and FIG.
In (S1), a predetermined monitor M (output device:
To a monitor for a personal computer), reference image data (predetermined gray-based color photographic image data) recorded in an electronic data recording medium such as a CD-ROM and prepared in advance is input.

Next, step 2 of FIG. 2 (b2) and FIG.
In (S2), based on the reference image data input to the monitor M and the color profile described in advance on the monitor M, a gray-based color photographic image G _M is output and displayed on the monitor screen.

Next, step 3 in FIG. 2 (b2) and FIG.
In (S3), the reference color profile M _F (Lab) is corrected while correcting the data of the color profile described in advance on the monitor M so that the image G _M output from the monitor M has the desired reference output color. →
RGB) is created and described, and a gray-based color photographic image G _M is output and displayed on the monitor screen. The monitor M is used as a reference monitor (reference output device).

2 (c1) (c2) and step 4 (S4) in FIG. 5, each output device to be color-matched (for example, one to a plurality of printers S to be color-matched, monitor W). The reference color profile (the reference color profile N _F of the reference printer N in the case of a printer, the reference color profile M _F of the reference monitor M in the case of a monitor) will be described.

Next, in steps 5 (S5) of FIGS. 2 (c1) and (c2) and FIG. 5, the images of the gray color photographic images are displayed on the output devices (printer S, monitor W) to be color-matched. Data and color correction data (color correction curve, color correction change) for adding each color variation to the image data in order to output several types of gray-based photographic images for selection having different shades based on the image data. Enter the amount.

2 (c1) (c2) and step 6 (S6) of FIG. 5, a gray-based photo based on the image data of the gray-based color photographic image is output by each output device to be color-matched. Output the image. For example,
As shown in FIG. 2 (c1), the printer S to be color-matched prints out the print image G _S of the gray-based photographic image on a predetermined printing paper based on the image data of the gray-based color photographic image to output the printed matter P _S. To get In addition, FIG.
Based on the image data of the gray color photographic image on the monitor W to be color matched as shown in 2),
The gray-based photographic image G _W is output.

2 (c1) (c2) and step 7 (S7) of FIG. 5, next to the print image G _S of the printed matter P _S printed by the printer S, or by the screen of the monitor W. Adjacent to the output image G _W, there are several types of selection gray-based photographic images with different shades assigned based on the color correction data (similar to the selection gray-based photographic image in the invention according to claim 1 described above. (See FIG. 3).

2 (c1) (c2) and step 8 (S8) of FIG. 5, the reference output device initially prepared (for example, the reference printer N shown in FIG. 2 (b1),
A gray-based photographic image (gray-based photographic images G _N , G _M ) serving as a reference output from the reference monitor M) shown in (b2)
And a gray-based photographic image output from each output device for color matching output in S6 (for example, an image G _S of the printed matter P _S printed out from the printer S shown in FIG. 2C1), 2 (c2), it is determined whether the color tone of the image G _W output and displayed from the monitor W is the same (YES) or not (NO).

If they match, the output device to be color-matched is the gray-based photographic image serving as the reference output from the reference output device (for example, the reference printer N shown in FIG. 2B1 and the reference shown in FIG. 2B2). An output device capable of outputting a print image G _S and a screen display image G _W having a color tone that matches the color tone of the reference gray-based photographic images G _N , G _M output from the monitor M, and outputs in a color-matched state. Certified as a device.

On the other hand, if they do not match, the output device to be color-matched outputs a print image G _S and a screen display image G _W having a color tone matching the color tone of the reference gray-based photographic image output from the reference output device. It is determined that the output device is an output device that cannot be output and is not in color matching, and the process proceeds to step 9 (S9) in FIG. 5 for color matching of the output device.

In step 9 (S9) of FIG. 5, for example, several kinds of gray-based photographic images for selection (CG _S or CG _W ) output from the output device in the state where color matching is not performed, as shown in FIG. , (MG _S or M
G _W ), (YG _S or YG _W ), (GG _S or G
G _W ), (RG _S or RG _W ), (BG _S or BG _W )
Reference output device (N, M) of each output image (G _N, G _M) shades and selects one image that approximates from the.

Next, in step 10 (s10) of FIG.
By selecting the image, the output device acquires the color correction data assigned to the selected image, the color profile of the output device is corrected based on the acquired color correction data, and the reference output device (N, M)
Output image (G _N, G _M) of the printed image G _S shades to match the shade of an output device that can output a screen display image G _W, a color matching state of the output device.

When the output device in the state where the color matching is not performed is the printer S, the several types of selection gray-based photographic images output by printing include the color correction used for the image. An image code (numbers, symbols, etc.) for allocating data to the output device is attached and output, and an image selecting operation is performed by inputting the image code to the output device. The color correction data used for the image is assigned to the output device, the color profile of the output device is automatically corrected and input, and the output device is brought into the color matching state.

When the output device in the state where the color matching is not performed is the monitor W, the color correction data used for the image are included in several kinds of selection gray-based photographic images output on the screen. Is output with an address code (numbers, symbols, etc.) assigned to the output device, and the image selection operation can be performed by inputting the image code to the output device. The color correction data used for the image can be assigned to the output device.

Further, as another selection operation method, a monitor is equipped with a click instruction function capable of being selected by a click selection method for each of several kinds of gray-based photographic images to be output on the screen, and the monitor is displayed on the screen. By clicking on the area of the image to be selected displayed or the area of the key wort option displayed on the output, the color correction data used for the color correction of the selected image can be automatically assigned to the output device.

[0068]

The color matching system for an output device according to the present invention has a color value (color characteristic) as a color characteristic as a reference color of an image output by a printer or a reference (or reference) color output and displayed on a monitor screen. Lab value or XYZ value)
In addition, the color change due to a slight change in the device signal value (density% value of each CMYK) is relatively large, and the color of the gray portion (hue) that makes it easy to compare the hue is adopted. It is possible to realize color matching (color matching) by visually comparing the selected color (display color) output in step 1) with the selected color output from the output device that is close to the reference color.

Therefore, it is more versatile than the conventional color matching method using an expensive dedicated colorimeter, and it does not require a lot of colorimetry, so the workload of colorimetry is reduced. Further, there is an effect that it is possible to eliminate the difficulty of finding a color difference by comparing a large number of color patches (single color) as in the past and the possibility of causing an error. Further, among the colors of the printed matter and the output colors (or output display colors) of the output device, the color of the gray portion is sensitive to the human eye, so that the difference between the colors is easy to distinguish.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram illustrating a color matching system of an output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram illustrating a color matching system of an output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an example of a gray-based photographic image for selection in the color matching system of the output device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a system flowchart illustrating an example of a color matching system for an output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a system flowchart illustrating another example of the color matching system for the output device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating color correction by a color correction curve and PCS value conversion by a color conversion table (color profile) in color matching of a general output device.

FIG. 7 is a system block diagram illustrating a color matching system of a conventional output device.

[Explanation of symbols]

I ... reference printed material printer N ... reference printer M ... reference monitor S ... profile N _F ... reference printer profile M _F ... criteria of color matching to be printer W ... printed material printer monitor I _F ... reference should color matching Profile of monitor P _O ... Reference printed matter G _I ... Printed image of reference printed matter P _N ... Reference printed matter output by standard printer P _S ... Printed matter output by color matching printer G _N ... Printed image of reference printed matter G _M : Image output on standard monitor G _S : Printed image of printed matter output by printer to be color matched G _W ... Image output on monitor to be color matched G ... Gray-based photographic image for selection

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C262 AB11 AB17 BA01 BA15 BA18                       BB03 EA02 EA12 FA13 FA14                       GA02                 5B057 AA11 CA01 CA08 CA12 CA16                       CB01 CB08 CB12 CB16 CC01                       CH08 CH11 CH12 DA03 DA04                       DA16 DB02 DB06 DB09 DC32                 5C077 LL19 MP08 NN04 PP33 PP36                       PP37 PP55 PP65 PQ12 PQ22                       PQ25 TT02 TT08                 5C079 HA18 HB01 HB03 HB05 HB08                       HB12 LA02 LA05 LB02 MA01                       MA04 MA10 MA11 NA03 PA03                       PA05 PA07

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A step of: a) printing out predetermined gray-based photographic image data recorded on a recording medium as a print image to prepare a reference printed matter on which a gray-based photographic image is printed; b) the reference Describing a reference color profile so as to obtain a reference output color having the same color tone as that of the printed matter, and obtaining a reference output device; c) inputting the gray-based photographic image data to the reference output device; A step of outputting a gray-based photographic image based on the input gray-based photographic image data with a reference output device, and e) an output device to be color-matched capable of adjusting the hue of the output color according to the description of a color profile, Describing a reference color profile, and f) the output device to be color matched describing the reference color profile. The step of inputting the gray-based photographic image data, g) the step of outputting a gray-based photographic image based on the input gray-based photographic image data by the output device to be color-matched, and h) the color Outputting several types of selection gray-based photographic images having different shades on the basis of the gray-based photographic image data and the color correction data to which each color variation is added, in an output device to be matched, i) the reference printed matter And comparing the printed image with the gray-based photographic image output from the output device to be color-matched with each other to determine whether the hues match or do not match. J) If the hues do not match, the output device Of the several types of gray-based photographic images for selection that have different hues that have been output, the print image of the reference print and the hue are Selecting one similar gray-based photographic image for selection, and k) acquiring color correction data of the selected one gray-based photographic image for selection as a color profile of the output device to be color-matched. A color matching system for an output device, comprising: 2. A step of inputting a predetermined gray-based photographic image data recorded on a recording medium and describing a reference color profile so as to obtain a reference output color having a required hue, thereby obtaining a reference output device. B) inputting the gray-based photographic image data to the reference output device, and c) outputting a gray-based photographic image based on the input gray-based photographic image data in the reference output device, d) describing the reference color profile on an output device to be color matched capable of adjusting the hue of the output color according to the description of the color profile, and e) describing the reference color profile on the output device to be color matched, Inputting the gray-based photographic image data, and f) the output device to be color matched. And outputting a gray-based photographic image based on the input gray-based photographic image data, and g) the gray-based photographic image data and color correction data for adding each color variation in the output device to be color-matched. Outputting several types of selection gray-based photographic images having different hues based on the above, and h) the gray-based photographic images output by the reference output device and the gray-based photographic images output by the output device to be color-matched. And a step of judging whether the hues are the same or not, and i) if the hues are not the same, from the several types of gray-based photographic images for selection having different hues output to the output device, Select one gray-based photo image for selection that has a similar color shade to the gray-based photo image output by the reference output device And j) acquiring the color correction data of the selected one gray-based photographic image for selection as a color profile of the output device to be subjected to the color matching, the color of the output device. Matching system.