JP2004072168A - Color tone correction in image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus that can apply color tone correction to image data with a simple operation of moving a hue adjustment control along an outer circumference of a hue ring. <P>SOLUTION: An HS control to adjust a hue and a saturation comprises a rotation ring RR, a saturation increase / decrease button SB, a ring button RB, a cursor CUR, and the hue ring HR. A user uses a mouse to drag the rotation ring RR and to rotate it for the adjustment of the hue. Further, the user depresses the saturation increase / decrease button SB provided on the rotation ring RR to adjust the saturation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a color tone correction method for image data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to perform color tone correction of image data, image processing software installed in a computer has been used. The image processing software is provided with controls such as a slide bar, a tone curve, and numerical input, and the user has corrected the color tone using these controls.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, it is difficult to intuitively operate the conventional control, and to perform an effective correction, it is necessary to have some knowledge of image processing software.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and has as its object to facilitate color tone correction for image data.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects]
In order to solve the above problems, the image processing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
An image processing device for correcting a color tone of image data,
A presentation unit that presents a hue circle in which colors having different hues are arranged in a ring,
A second presentation unit that presents a hue adjustment control that can move along the outer circumference of the hue circle according to a user operation;
A correction value input unit for inputting a hue correction value based on the position of the hue adjustment control;
The gist is to provide
[0006]
With such an image processing apparatus, the hue of the image data can be corrected only by a simple operation of moving the hue adjustment control along the outer circumference of the hue circle. The hue adjustment control can be moved by, for example, a drag operation with a mouse.
[0007]
If the shape of the hue circle is circular, the hue adjustment control can be smoothly moved. However, the shape is not limited to a circle, and may be, for example, a polygon such as a square or a star. That is, the “ring” means the shape of a closed figure.
[0008]
Further, in order to enable the hue adjustment to be performed in more detail, it is desirable that a color in which the hue is continuously changed is arranged in the hue circle.
[0009]
Here, in the image processing apparatus having the above configuration,
The presenting unit, in the circumferential direction from a representative point inside the hue circle, presents a color having the same hue and a different saturation,
The second presenting unit presents a saturation adjustment marker that is movable along a change in the saturation in a hue where the hue adjustment control is located,
The correction value input unit may input a saturation correction value based on a position of the saturation adjustment marker.
[0010]
With such a configuration, a color corresponding to a change in saturation is presented in the hue circle, so that the user can intuitively adjust the saturation. Further, by using the saturation adjustment marker, the saturation can be adjusted while keeping the hue constant. If a button is provided in the hue adjustment control and the saturation adjustment marker can be moved by operating the button, the operation place can be shared, so that the convenience can be improved.
[0011]
The representative point inside the hue circle may be the center point of the hue circle or an arbitrary point. Further, the change in saturation may be simply increased or decreased in the circumferential direction, or may be such that the rate of increase changes in the middle.
[0012]
Further, in the image processing apparatuses having various configurations described above,
The presenting unit, in the circumferential direction from a representative point inside the hue circle, presents a color having the same hue and a different saturation,
A second correction value input unit for inputting a correction value for correcting at least one of brightness and contrast;
The presentation unit may correct a color arranged in the hue circle based on a brightness or contrast correction value input to the second correction value input unit.
[0013]
By doing so, the color in the hue circle can be changed according to the input of the correction values of the brightness and the contrast. Therefore, the correction value can be specified more intuitively.
[0014]
The present invention can also be configured as the following image processing device. That is,
An image processing device for correcting a color tone of image data,
A color arrangement area presenting unit that arranges colors in a certain direction in accordance with a change in hue, and presents an area in which colors in which the saturation of each color is changed in an axial direction different from the direction are arranged.
A marker presenting unit that presents a marker for selecting one of the colors arranged in the region,
A control presenting unit that presents a control for moving the marker according to a user operation,
A correction value input unit that inputs a correction value of hue and saturation based on the position of the marker,
The control is an image processing apparatus capable of independently designating a moving direction of the marker in a hue direction or a saturation direction by different operations from a user.
[0015]
With such a configuration, the hue and saturation correction values can be independently specified by performing different operations on one control. That is, since the operation part can be shared, the convenience can be improved.
[0016]
The present invention can be configured as a computer program for performing color tone correction of image data, in addition to the aspects of the image processing apparatus having the various configurations described above. The computer program may be recorded on various computer-readable recording media. Various media such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, and a hard disk can be used as the recording medium.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Image processing system:
B. Software configuration of image processing device:
C. Structure of GUI:
D. Correction value determination processing:
E. FIG. Modification:
[0018]
A. Image processing system:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system 10 that performs image processing and image output. The image processing system 10 is a system for professionals who lays out and prints wedding photographs, portraits, and the like taken using a digital camera on predetermined exclusive paper. The image processing system 10 is configured by connecting client PCs 1 and 2 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “client PC”) and a printer server PS to each other via a LAN. Although two clients are shown in the figure, the number is not limited. The client PC and the printer server PS are constituted by a so-called PC / AT compatible computer, and include a CPU, a RAM, a hard disk, a monitor, and the like. Two printers PT1 and PT2 are connected to the printer server PS. The printers PT1 and PT2 may be the same type of printer or may have different characteristics.
[0019]
Image processing software for performing image processing on image data input from a digital camera DC, a hard disk, or the like is installed in the client PC. Using this image processing software, the user sets a correction value for performing color tone correction and a layout on printing paper. The client PC executes printing by transferring image data, layout data, correction values, an ICC profile for printing, print instruction data for specifying the number of copies to be printed, and pages to the printer server PS.
[0020]
Upon receiving these data from the client PC, the printer server PS generates print data by applying the specified color tone correction and layout to the image. The print data is spooled as a print job, and printing is performed using the printers PT1 and PT2 as appropriate. If the printers PT1 and PT2 are of the same type, printing can be performed in a distributed manner. If the printers have different characteristics, a printer suitable for an image to be printed can be selected. The printer server PS has a built-in Web server function, and can provide the status of a spooled print job to a client PC via a Web browser. The client PC can perform job operations such as changing the printing order and canceling printing by using a Web-based interface provided by the printer server PS.
[0021]
The image processing system 10 is connected to a charging server SV on the Internet via a router RT. The printer server PS transmits a record of the number of printed sheets to the accounting server SV. The business operator that operates the charging server SV charges the user a fee corresponding to the number of prints. Such a billing system is suitable for a business that leases the image processing system 10 to a user. The lease company can cover the costs required for system maintenance and supply of consumables (printing paper, ink, etc.) with the charged fee.
[0022]
B. Image processing software configuration:
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the configuration of the image processing software installed on the client PC. Hereinafter, the illustrated functional blocks will be described.
[0023]
The main control unit 100 performs overall control of each functional block. The image data input unit 110 inputs image data from a hard disk, a digital camera, or the like.
[0024]
The correction value input unit 130 provides a GUI (Graphical User Interface) on the screen, and inputs a correction value for correcting brightness, contrast, hue, and saturation of image data from a user. The color tone correction unit 120 performs color tone correction on the image based on the input correction value, and displays the image on the GUI as a preview. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the color tone correction unit 120 only performs color tone correction on an image for preview, and does not alter the image data itself input by the image data input unit 110.
[0025]
The layout setting unit 140 sets a layout of an image and generates layout data by a predetermined operation from a user. The layout data includes information such as which image is to be printed on which position on the printing paper. An example of the layout is shown in the lower part of FIG. As shown in the figure, in the present system, a plurality of images can be arranged on one sheet in various layouts. A typical layout diagram is stored in the printer server PS in advance, and the client PC can download and use it. Also, the layout diagram set by the user can be registered in the printer server PS.
[0026]
The print processing unit 150 transfers image data, correction values, layout data, and the like to the printer server PS in order to print an image on which color tone correction and layout have been performed.
[0027]
C. Structure of GUI:
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a GUI provided by the correction value input unit 130. In this embodiment, the information is displayed in the form of a dialog box. A preview area PA is provided on the left side of the GUI, and a preview of the image data input by the image data input unit 110 is displayed. Various controls for adjusting the correction value are provided on the right side of the GUI. The result of the adjustment made by the user using these controls is reflected in real time on the image displayed in the preview area.
[0028]
The slide bar SL1 is a control for adjusting the brightness. The brightness increases when the slide bar SL1 is slid to the right, and decreases when the slide bar SL1 is slid to the left. A numerical value input box and plus / minus buttons are provided on the right side of the slide bar SL1, and the brightness can be adjusted by these operations. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the brightness can be adjusted in the range of −60% to + 60% with respect to the input image by using these controls.
[0029]
The slide bar SL2 is a control for adjusting the contrast. The contrast increases when the slide bar SL2 is slid to the right, and decreases when the slide bar SL2 is slid to the left. A numerical value input box and plus / minus buttons are also provided on the right side of the slide bar SL2, and the contrast can be adjusted by these operations. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the contrast can be adjusted in the range of −40% to + 40% with respect to the input image by using these controls.
[0030]
A numerical value input box for adjusting hue and saturation and plus / minus buttons are further provided at the lower right of the slide bar SL2. A possible range of the hue is 0 ° to 360 °, and a hue (see FIG. 4A) corresponding to the angle is input. By adjusting the hue, the user can correct the image to, for example, a reddish color tone or a bluish color tone. Further, by adjusting the saturation, the vividness can be increased in the range of 0% to 100% with respect to the input image.
[0031]
Underneath these controls are circular controls for more intuitive adjustment of hue and saturation. In the following description, this control is called HS control. The HS control includes a rotation ring RR, a saturation increase / decrease button SB, a ring button RB, a cursor CUR, and a hue circle HR. Details of the HS control will be described later.
[0032]
A “Previous Setting” button provided under the HS control is a button for returning a correction value to a state one step before. The “Reset” button is used to return the correction values adjusted by the various controls described above to the initial state. The “Save” button is used when saving the adjusted correction value. The stored correction value can be reused when another image data is input by a predetermined operation.
[0033]
The user presses the "OK" button after completing the adjustment by the various controls described above. By pressing the “OK” button, a correction value for performing color tone correction on the image data is determined. If the user wants to cancel the color tone correction, he / she only has to press the “Cancel” button.
[0034]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing colors displayed in the HS control. As shown in FIG. 4A, a hue circle HR in which colors having different hues are arranged in a ring is displayed inside the HS control. The hue is arranged so that each color is continuously and smoothly connected in the order of red → yellow → green → cyan → blue → magenta → red counterclockwise from the position indicated by “0 °” in the drawing. .
[0035]
The hue circle HR is displayed such that the saturation increases from the center point of the circle to the circumferential direction. FIG. 4B is a graph showing the change in the saturation. The horizontal axis indicates the distance Axr (0% to 100%) from the center point of the hue circle, and the vertical axis indicates the saturation (0% to 100%).
[0036]
This change in saturation may be simply increasing at a constant rate as shown by a solid line in the graph, or may be changing in the middle as shown by a dotted line. . The dotted line shows an example in which the rate of increase is high up to a distance Axr of 20% and decreases when the distance Axr exceeds 20%. With such a change in saturation, more detailed adjustment is possible in a high saturation range.
[0037]
The color displayed in the hue circle HR changes in real time by adjusting the brightness and the contrast by the slide bars SL1 and SL2 described above. That is, the hue circle becomes brighter when the brightness is increased by the slide bar SL1, and the hue circle becomes darker when the brightness is decreased. Similarly, when the contrast is increased by the slide bar SL2, the contrast of the hue circle is increased, and when the contrast is decreased, the contrast in the hue circle is decreased.
[0038]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation method of the HS control. The cursor CUR displayed in the HS control is displayed on a straight line from the center point of the hue circle HR to the center of the saturation increase / decrease button SB, and is initially displayed at the center of the hue circle HR. In the HS control, hue and saturation correction values are designated based on the position of the cursor CUR.
[0039]
The user can adjust the hue by dragging and rotating the rotation ring RR with a mouse. At this time, the saturation increase / decrease button SB and the cursor CUR also rotate in real time in conjunction with the rotation. The rotation ring RR allows the user to adjust the hue while maintaining the saturation at a constant value.
[0040]
The saturation increase / decrease button SB is provided on the rotating ring RR and is used for adjusting the saturation. The user can increase the saturation by clicking the side indicated by a white circle on the saturation increase / decrease button SB with a mouse. At this time, the cursor CUR moves to the saturation increase / decrease button SB. Similarly, the saturation can be reduced by pressing the side indicated by a black circle with a mouse. At this time, the cursor CUR moves to the center point side of the hue circle. With this saturation increase / decrease button, the user can adjust the saturation while keeping the hue constant.
[0041]
The ring button RB is composed of six buttons of R, Y, G, C, B, and M. By pressing these buttons, the user can instantaneously specify the hue as the hue corresponding to the button. Further, by continuing to press the ring button RB, the saturation can be increased. The lower part of FIG. 5 shows an example in which the “B” button is pressed from the state of the upper part of FIG. As shown, when the user presses the ring button, the cursor CUR and the saturation increase / decrease button SB move on a straight line connecting the center of the hue circle HR and the center of the ring button. If the "B" button is kept pressed in this state, the cursor CUR moves in the direction shown in the figure and the saturation increases.
[0042]
In this control, the user can simultaneously adjust both the saturation and the hue by dragging the cursor CUR with the mouse. At this time, the saturation increase / decrease button SB rotates in conjunction with the movement of the cursor CUR.
[0043]
D. Correction value determination processing:
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a correction value determination process for determining a correction value using the above-described GUI. This is a process executed by the CPU of the client PC. In this flowchart, only the operation of a representative control among the above controls is shown.
[0044]
First, the CPU determines whether the user has performed a GUI operation. If there is no operation, the process waits until there is an operation (step S10: No). If an operation has been performed (step S10: Yes), the following processing is performed according to the operated control.
[0045]
When the user operates the rotation ring RR, a hue value is input (step S11), and the cursor CUR and the saturation increase / decrease button SB are moved (step S12). Further, redisplay is performed by changing the hue of the preview (step S13), and the process returns to step S10.
[0046]
When the user operates the saturation increase / decrease button SB, the saturation is input (step S14), and the cursor CUR is moved (step S12). Further, the preview is re-displayed with the saturation changed, and the process returns to step S10.
[0047]
When the user performs an operation for brightness or contrast, a value of brightness or contrast is input (step S15), and the color of the hue circle HR is changed according to the input value and displayed again (step S16). Then, redisplay is performed by changing the brightness or contrast of the preview (step S13), and the process returns to step S10.
[0048]
When the user inputs the OK button, the correction value is determined (step S17), and the process ends. If the cancel button is pressed, the process ends without determining a correction value.
[0049]
According to the embodiment described above, the correction value can be easily set using the HS control or the like. In the embodiment, the actual color tone correction is performed on the printer server PS side, but may be performed on the client PC side.
[0050]
The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. . For example, the functions realized by software in the embodiments may be realized by hardware. In addition, the following modified examples are also possible.
[0051]
E. FIG. Modification:
(Modification 1):
In the embodiment, the hue circle is arranged so that red, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and magenta colors are continuously and smoothly connected. However, the hue circle may not be continuous. This is because, if continuous, the hue can be adjusted in detail, but, for example, only the above six colors can be adjusted roughly. Needless to say, the number of colors is not limited to six, but may be three or twelve.
[0052]
(Modification 2):
In the embodiment, the HS control is circular, but may be a closed figure, for example, a square, a pentagon, a hexagon, or the like. FIG. 7 shows HS controls in the case of a square and a hexagon. In the illustrated HS control, a knob T is provided above the saturation increase / decrease button SB instead of the rotary ring RR. The user can move the saturation increase / decrease button along the outer periphery of the HS control by dragging the knob T with a mouse. The knob T may be applied to the HS control of the embodiment.
[0053]
(Modification 3):
In the embodiment, the operation unit for adjusting the hue and the saturation is provided around the hue circle HR. However, the operation unit may be arranged at another place. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the operation unit is separated from the hue circle HR. In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the saturation can be increased or decreased by pressing the A and B portions of the cross button X. By pressing the C and D parts, the hue can be increased or decreased. In the example shown in FIG. 8B, the hue is adjusted by rotating the dial Y, and the saturation can be increased or decreased according to the type of mouse button pressed at the center of the dial. As shown in these examples, since the hue and the saturation can be independently adjusted by the same operation unit, the controls can be unified, so that the convenience can be improved.
[0054]
(Modification 4):
In the embodiment, the HS control and the slide bar are used to correct the color tone of the image data. However, various software such as paint software and document generation software may be used as a control for the user to select a color. Can be used. This is because the color can be designated by three parameters of hue, saturation, and lightness, so that the HS control and the slide bar SL1 can be easily applied.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system 10 that performs image processing and image output.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a part of a configuration of image processing software installed in a client PC.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a GUI provided by a correction value input unit 130.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing colors displayed in the HS control.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation method of an HS control.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a correction value determination process for determining a correction value.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a modification of the HS control.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which an operation unit is separated from a hue circle.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Image processing system 100 Main control unit 110 Image data input unit 120 Color tone correction unit 130 Correction value input unit 140 Layout setting unit 150 Print processing unit

Claims (10)

An image processing device for correcting a color tone of image data,
A presentation unit that presents a hue circle in which colors having different hues are arranged in a ring,
A second presentation unit that presents a hue adjustment control that can move along the outer circumference of the hue circle according to a user operation;
A correction value input unit for inputting a hue correction value based on the position of the hue adjustment control;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The image processing device according to claim 1,
The presenting unit, in the circumferential direction from a representative point inside the hue circle, presents a color having the same hue and a different saturation,
The second presentation unit presents a saturation adjustment marker that can move along with the change in the saturation in the hue where the hue adjustment control is located,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the correction value input unit inputs a saturation correction value based on a position of the saturation adjustment marker. The image processing device according to claim 2,
The image processing device, wherein the saturation adjustment marker is moved by operating a button provided on the hue adjustment control. The image processing device according to claim 1,
The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the hue circle includes colors in which hues are continuously changed. The image processing device according to claim 1,
An image processing apparatus wherein the hue circle is circular. The image processing device according to claim 1,
The presenting unit, in the circumferential direction from a representative point inside the hue circle, presents a color having the same hue and a different saturation,
A second correction value input unit for inputting a correction value for correcting at least one of brightness and contrast;
The image processing device, wherein the presentation unit corrects a color arranged in the hue circle based on a brightness or contrast correction value input to the second correction value input unit. An image processing device for correcting a color tone of image data,
A presentation unit that arranges colors in a certain direction according to a change in hue, and presents an area in which colors in which the saturation of each color is changed in an axial direction different from the direction are arranged,
A marker presenting unit that presents a marker for selecting one of the colors arranged in the region,
A control presenting unit that presents a control for moving the marker according to a user operation,
A correction value input unit that inputs a correction value of hue and saturation based on the position of the marker,
An image processing apparatus wherein the control is capable of independently designating a moving direction of the marker in either a hue direction or a saturation direction by a different operation from a user. A computer program for performing color tone correction of image data,
(A) a function of presenting a hue circle in which colors having different hues are arranged in a ring,
(B) a function of presenting a hue adjustment control movable along the outer periphery of the hue circle according to a user operation;
(C) a function of inputting a hue correction value based on the position of the hue adjustment control;
Computer program to make a computer realize. A computer program according to claim 8, wherein
The function (a) presents, in a circumferential direction from a representative point inside the hue circle, colors having the same hue and a different saturation,
The function (b) presents a saturation adjustment marker that can move along with the change in the saturation in the hue where the hue adjustment control is located,
The function (c) is a computer program for inputting a saturation correction value based on the position of the saturation adjustment marker. A computer-readable recording medium recording the computer program according to claim 8.

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