JP2005088443A - Image conversion method, program to perform the method, information recording medium recording the computer program, image conversion device and image output system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image conversion method, a computer program to perform the method, an information recording medium recording the computer program, an image conversion method and an image output system that improve the reproducibility of the colors in a color proof and promotes the automation of output. <P>SOLUTION: The image conversion device sets output conditions/color information comparison table by using a setting means 301. The CPU 31 of the image conversion device 3 inputs output conditions by performing a condition input means 302 and stores special color names in a main memory 32 by performing a color information acquisition means 303, selects color information corresponding to the special color names as output conditions from a comparison table by performing a selection means 304 and forms color adjustment information by performing a formation means 305. Furthermore, the image conversion device generates an output control signal to control a color proof output device 4 by performing an output control means 306 and sends the signal to the color proof output device 4 together with image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image conversion method for outputting a digital color image, a computer program for executing the method, an information recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, an image conversion apparatus, and an image output system. The present invention relates to an image conversion method for outputting a color proof used for proofreading a printed material, a computer program for executing the method, an information recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, an image conversion apparatus, and an image output system.

  Conventionally, in the printing industry field, the final layout of color printed matter, characters, etc. by using a method of proof printing with a flat table proofing machine or a method of acquiring color images by closely exposing multiple films and silver halide paper. In general, it was confirmed and proofreaded before actually printing the finish and color tone.

  In recent years, with the rapid advancement of digital technology, DTP (Desk Top Publishing) that performs plate-making work by processing digital data on a computer has become widespread. In addition, image output systems have come to play a central role in image setters that directly form digital data on a film and CTP (Computer To Plate) that directly forms an image on a printing plate. The DCCP (Direct Digital Color Proof) method has become the mainstream for creating proofs of color prints, as prompted by this digital trend. As a specific method of the DCCP method, an ink sheet is exposed by laser to perform transfer and a color proof (multicolor printing sample) is output, or a silver salt paper is exposed to laser and a color proof is output. Widely used. Note that DCCP usually creates a color proof based on data separated into C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow) and K (black) plates, which are the basic colors of printing ink. Is done.

  Patent Document 1 below discloses an example of an apparatus that employs a technique of exposing and transferring an ink sheet with a laser. The apparatus described in this document exposes a donor sheet (ink sheet) loaded on a rotating drum with a laser beam modulated in accordance with image information of an output image, and superimposes the coloring material under the control of the control unit. An exposure unit for transferring to the receiver sheet. A color proof is output by such processing.

  Since this method can use the same paper as that used for printing, there is no need for processing related to the ground color of the paper, and color proofing of the color proof can be achieved by using an ink sheet made of a pigment that matches the color of the ink. While having the advantage of being able to match, it is necessary to prepare a set of ink sheets for each type of ink, which causes problems in storage and costs. In addition, since it cannot be accurately reproduced with the combination of basic colors C, M, Y, and K, it is a non-standard color created by specially blending ink (called a special color. For example, metallic or fluorescent color) .)), The special color is reproduced by expressing it with a combination of basic colors by RIP (Raster Image Processor).

  Patent Document 2 discloses an example of an apparatus that employs a technique of exposing silver salt paper with a laser. The apparatus described in the document includes an optical unit including a red laser light source, a green laser light source, and a blue laser light source, a main scanning unit including a drum configured to adsorb and rotate silver salt paper, A sub-scanning unit for scanning the optical unit in a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the drum, and exposing the silver salt paper adsorbed on the drum while adjusting the R, G, and B laser light amounts. Color proof is output.

  In color proofing with such silver salt paper, the color development of each dot of C, M, Y, and K is determined by the color development of the photosensitive layer. The color tone and density may not be the same. Therefore, the color impression of the color proof is reproduced by changing the halftone dot size and the ratio of multiplication of the basic colors C, M, Y, and K by RIP without changing the coloring component of the silver salt paper. It is designed to match the printed material. Such processing may be referred to as color management.

  Further, since silver salt paper is used, it is possible to approximate the spot color by adjusting and outputting R, G, and B laser light amounts.

  Further, in recent years, an actual printed matter is color-measured, and an expression by C, M, Y, K corresponding to the color-measured color is determined according to the result, and the laser light amount when the color is exposed and reproduced A technique for improving the color proof reproduction accuracy by controlling the above is used. An example of an apparatus that outputs a color proof by this method is disclosed in Patent Document 3. In this apparatus, each color patch constituting a color patch image printed based on halftone data is measured by a colorimeter, and the coordinate values in the C, M, Y, and K color spaces and L * a * are measured. b * Acquires the correspondence with the coordinate values in the color space and measures each color patch constituting the color patch image created based on the RGB three-color image data sequentially generated by the personal computer with a colorimeter. It is configured to obtain the correspondence between the coordinate values in the RGB color space and the coordinate values in the L * a * b * color space. The output of the color proof is controlled based on these correspondences.

  For the spot color, the correspondence between the spot color name and the L * a * b * color space coordinate value of the solid patch when the spot color of the spot color is 100% is acquired, and color proof output control is performed. To do.

  By the way, many kinds of special colors are used for the printed matter for reasons such as enhancing the visual effect. On the other hand, the number of spot colors that can be output at one time by a device for outputting a color proof (hereinafter referred to as a color proof output device) is usually limited to several types (for example, two colors). Therefore, it is necessary to select and set the spot color to be used and the color information related to the spot color in accordance with the color proof for output. It is very time-consuming to perform such an operation for each output. Further, this is one factor that hinders the automation of output processing by the color proof output device. Here, the color information is information relating to output control for expressing the color (especially a special color). For example, the density of the color, coordinate values in the L * a * b * color space, and numerical values in the basic color CMYK And numerical values in RGB.

  Even when the same spot color is output, the color information varies depending on the printing conditions of the proof target and the type of printing paper, and these settings must be taken into account. Information management for setting has been complicated.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-328752 (paragraphs [0028] and [0035], FIGS. 9 and 16) JP-A-11-205622 (paragraphs [0003]-[0007], [0024], [0025], [0036], [0056]) JP 2001-157074 A (paragraphs [0043]-[0054] in the specification)

  The present invention has been made in view of the background as described above, and by improving the color proof color reproducibility by outputting a color proof according to various conditions when outputting a printed matter or a color proof. An object of the present invention is to provide an image conversion method that can be achieved, a computer program that executes the method, an information recording medium that records the computer program, an image conversion apparatus, and an image output system. Also, an image conversion method capable of promoting automation of output by improving the efficiency of output processing of colors, particularly spot colors, by the color proof output device, a computer program for executing the method, and information recorded with the computer program It is an object to provide a recording medium, an image conversion apparatus, and an image output system.

  To achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is an image conversion method for converting image data of a printed material subjected to digital editing into image data for outputting a color proof of the printed material. A setting step for setting and storing in advance color information that determines color development that can be expressed by a color proof in association with an output condition when the printed material is printed out, and outputting a color proof of a desired printed material A condition input step for inputting the output condition of the desired printed material, and a color information acquiring step for acquiring information for specifying the type of color included in the color proof of the desired printed material, From the color information set in the setting step, the output condition input in the condition input step and the color information acquisition A selection step of selecting color information associated with the information specifying the color type acquired in step, and outputting the color proof based on the color information selected in the selection step And a forming step of forming the image data.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 2 is the image conversion method according to claim 1, wherein the output condition associated with the color information set in the setting step is The printing apparatus includes a type of paper on which the printed material is printed and / or a type of printing machine that performs printing output of the printed material.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 3 is an image conversion method for converting image data of a printed material subjected to digital editing into image data for outputting a color proof of the printed material. A setting step for presetting and storing color information for determining color development that can be expressed by the color proof in association with an output condition when the color proof is output, and a color proof for a desired printed matter. A condition input step for inputting the output condition of the color proof when outputting, and a color information acquisition step for acquiring information specifying the type of color included in the color proof of the desired printed matter; From the color information set in the setting step, the output condition input in the condition input step, and the previous A selection step of selecting color information associated with the information specifying the color type acquired in the color information acquisition step, and outputting the color proof based on the color information selected in the selection step Forming the image data to be performed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 4 is the image conversion method according to claim 3, wherein the output condition associated with the color information set in the setting step is The type of paper on which the color proof is output and / or the type of color proof output device that outputs the color proof are included.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 5 is the image conversion method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the color information set in the setting step is And color information of special colors that can be expressed by the color proof.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 6 is the image conversion method according to claim 5, wherein color information of a process color included in the color proof of the desired printed matter is input. Color of the spot color in the process color using the process color input step, the color information of the spot color selected in the selection step, and the color information of the process color input in the process color input step And a color separation step for obtaining separation information.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 7 is the image conversion method according to claim 6, wherein the forming step is based on the color separation information acquired in the color separation step. In addition, the image data for outputting the color proof is formed.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 8 is the image conversion method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the color information stored in the setting step is The color output density expressed by the color proof, the coordinate value of the color in the L * a * b * color space, the numerical value when the color is separated into process colors, and the color into RGB It contains any of the converted numbers.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 9 is the image conversion method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the color proof output device performs output of the color proof. Is configured to perform the output by performing an exposure process on a silver salt paper that is a photosensitive material, and in the exposure process of the color proof output device based on the image data formed in the forming step. The method further comprises an output control step of generating a signal for controlling the amount of exposure light and outputting the signal to the color proof output device.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 10 is the image conversion method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the forming step is expressed by a color proof. Color adjustment information for adjusting the color is added to the image data.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 11 is a computer program for converting image data of a printed matter subjected to digital editing into image data for outputting a color proof of the printed matter. A computer program for executing the image conversion method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

  In order to achieve the above object, a computer program for converting image data of a printed matter subjected to digital editing into image data for outputting a color proof of the printed matter. An information recording medium in which the computer program according to claim 11 is recorded.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 13 is an image conversion apparatus for converting image data of a printed matter subjected to digital editing into image data for outputting a color proof of the printed matter. Color information that determines the color development that can be expressed by the color proof is associated with output conditions when the printed material is printed out, setting means for setting and storing in advance, and color proofing of the desired printed material Condition output means for inputting the output condition of the desired printed material when outputting, and color information acquiring means for acquiring information specifying the type of color included in the color proof of the desired printed material And from the color information set by the setting means, the output condition input by the condition input means, and the color information acquisition means Selection means for selecting color information associated with the information specifying the color type obtained from the information, and the color proof for outputting the color proof based on the color information selected by the selection means An image conversion apparatus comprising: a forming unit that forms image data.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image conversion apparatus for converting image data of a printed matter subjected to digital editing into image data for outputting a color proof of the printed matter. Color information that determines the color development that can be expressed by the color proof is associated with output conditions for outputting the color proof, setting means for preliminarily setting and storing, and color proof for a desired printed matter Condition input means for inputting the output condition of the color proof when outputting, and color information acquisition means for acquiring information specifying the color type included in the color proof of the desired printed matter From the color information set by the setting means, the output condition input by the condition input means and the color information acquisition. Selecting means for selecting color information associated with the information specifying the color type acquired by the means, and outputting the color proof based on the color information selected by the selection means An image conversion apparatus comprising: a forming unit that forms the image data.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 15 is the image conversion apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the color information set by the setting means is the color information. It includes special color information that can be expressed in a proof.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image conversion device according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein color information of a process color included in the color proof of the desired printed matter is input. Process color input means, the color information of the spot color selected by the selection means, and the color information of the process color input by the process color input means, and the process color of the spot color And a color separation means for obtaining color separation information in (2).

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 17 is the image conversion apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the forming means is based on the color separation information acquired by the color separation means. In addition, the image data for outputting the color proof is formed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 18 is an image conversion for converting image data of a printed matter subjected to digital editing into image data for outputting a color proof of the printed matter. An image output system configured to output a color proof of the printed matter based on the image data converted by the image conversion device. Color information that determines the color development that can be expressed by the proof output device is associated with the output conditions when the printed material is printed out and is set in advance and stored, and the color proof of the desired printed material is output A condition input means for inputting the output condition of the desired printed material, and the capacity of the desired printed material. A color information acquisition unit for acquiring information specifying the type of color included in the proof, the output condition input by the condition input unit from the color information set by the setting unit, and the color information Selecting means for selecting color information associated with the information specifying the color type acquired by the acquiring means, and outputting the color proof based on the color information selected by the selecting means Forming means for forming the image data.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 19 is directed to image conversion for converting image data of a printed matter subjected to digital editing into image data for outputting a color proof of the printed matter. An image output system configured to output a color proof of the printed matter based on the image data converted by the image conversion device. Setting means for setting and saving in advance color information that determines color development that can be expressed by proof in association with the output condition when outputting the color proof, and when outputting a color proof of a desired printed matter A condition input means for inputting the output condition of the color proof, and the color pull of the desired printed matter. Color information acquisition means for acquiring information specifying the type of color included in the image; the output condition input by the condition input means from the color information set by the setting means; and the color information Selecting means for selecting color information associated with the information specifying the color type acquired by the acquiring means, and outputting the color proof based on the color information selected by the selecting means Forming means for forming the image data.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 20 is the image output system according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the color proof output device is a silver salt paper which is a photosensitive material. The image conversion device includes a signal for controlling the amount of exposure light on the silver salt paper by the optical unit based on the image data formed by the forming unit. It further comprises output control means for generating and outputting this signal to the color proof output device.

  According to the present invention having the configuration according to claim 1, claim 13, and claim 18, when reproducing a printed matter to be printed under a predetermined output condition, from various color information set in advance, Since color information corresponding to the output condition is selected and color development is adjusted using this color information, the color reproducibility of the color proof can be improved. Further, since color information corresponding to the output condition is automatically selected, the efficiency of the output process is improved, and the automation of the output is promoted.

  Further, according to the present invention having the configuration according to claim 3, claim 14 and claim 19, when the color proof is output under a predetermined output condition, the color proof is obtained from various preset color information. Since color information corresponding to the output condition is selected and color development is adjusted using this color information, the color reproducibility of the color proof can be improved. Further, since color information corresponding to the output condition is automatically selected, the efficiency of the output process is improved, and the automation of the output is promoted.

  Further, according to the present invention having the configurations described in claims 6 and 7 and claims 16 and 17, since the spot color can be separated into process colors for output, a color capable of expressing only the process color Even when a spot color is expressed by a proof output device, it is possible to improve color reproducibility and promote output automation.

  An image output system which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The image output system of the present invention is a system configured to check the layout and color tone of a printed matter before actually printing, and to output a color proof for performing a calibration operation.

[Definition of image output system features and terms]
In the image output system of the present invention, the color information for expressing the colors included in the color proof is set and registered in advance in association with the conditions for printing out the printed matter and the conditions for outputting the color proof. It has a function to keep. When the color proof of the printed matter is output, the color information corresponding to the condition is automatically selected, and the color proof on the color proof is expressed based on the selected color information. Yes.

  Hereinafter, various conditions for outputting a printed matter are collectively referred to as “print output conditions”, and various conditions for outputting a color proof are collectively referred to as “proof output conditions”. Further, the print output condition and the proof output condition are collectively referred to as “output condition”. Specific examples of print output conditions include the type of paper on which the printed material is printed (art paper, coated paper, high-quality paper, etc.), the type of printing machine that performs the printing process (manufacturer differences, model differences, even the same model) If there is a machine difference in output, that machine difference, etc.) is an example. In addition, specific examples of proof output conditions include the type of photosensitive material (matte type, gloss type, etc.) from which a color proof is output, and differences in the number of color proof output devices connected. Can be mentioned.

  Further, “color information” means data that determines the color development of a color that can be expressed by color proof as described above. The color density, L * in the L * a * b * color space, There are a *, b * coordinate values, CMYK numerical values, RGB numerical values, parameters for determining the exposure amount in the exposure apparatus, and the like.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the overall configuration of the image output system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the detailed configuration of each part, and the operation / action of the system will be described in this order.

[Overall configuration of image output system]
The image output system according to the present embodiment includes an image conversion apparatus according to the present invention. This image conversion apparatus is configured to execute the image conversion method of the present invention in accordance with a computer program recorded on an information recording medium according to the present invention.

  In cases where the color proof output device is installed at a location away from the image conversion device, an output control device for controlling the color proof output device is attached to the color proof output device, The image data converted by the image conversion device can be transmitted to the output control device. Later, this configuration will be briefly described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an image output system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image output system includes image editing terminals 1A to 1C, a RIP (Raster Image Processor) 2, an image conversion device 3, and a color proof output device 4. The image editing terminals 1A to 1C, the RIP 2, and the image conversion device 3 are connected to each other via a network N such as a LAN, a WAN, or the Internet.

  The system further includes a CTP (Computer To Plate) output device 5 that directly forms image data transmitted from the RIP 2 on a printing plate and outputs the image data. By mounting the printing plate P output from the CTP output device 5 on the printing machine 6 and performing printing processing, a (final) printed matter F is output. The image output system of the present embodiment performs a color proof for calibrating whether the printing plate P does not include editing errors or image data errors before creating the printing plate P for printing the printed matter F. It is for outputting suitably.

[Image editing terminal configuration]
Each of the image editing terminals 1A to 1C includes a computer terminal in which application software and the like for dividing and editing image data of a printed matter into a plurality of color plate information using a DTP technique is installed. In addition to a monitor or the like, an image input device such as an image scanner is provided. Such an image editing terminal is usually provided with a plurality of units (in this embodiment, three units 1A to 1C are provided, but of course, a configuration of only one unit or a configuration having a desired number may be used). . The image data edited by each of the image editing terminals 1A to 1C is normally transmitted to the RIP 2 through the network N, but may be transmitted to both the RIP 2 and the image conversion device 3. .

[RIP configuration]
The RIP 2 is a processor that receives image data as a basis for electronic plate making of printed matter edited using the image editing terminals 1A to 1C through the network N, and converts the data into a bitmap while scanning characters and image data. Halftone dot image data of basic colors C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) in a raster image format can be generated in frame order.

  The image data generated by RIP2 has a file format composed of C, M, Y, K, and special color plates, and the color plate name is assigned as a file name to each color plate file. . For example, “Cyan” for the C version file, “Magenta” for the M version file, “Yellow” for the Y version file, “Black” for the K version file, “SpotColor N” for the spot color file (here , N = 1, 2,... Indicate numbers assigned to the individual colors, for example, N = 1 is silver metallic, N = 2 is fluorescent pink, and the like. A file name is attached. Here, the file name is not limited to such a form. For example, a spot color name such as “silver metallic” or “fluorescent pink” may be used as the file name of the spot color plate.

  Note that the image data generated by RIP2 does not have to be in the file format formed in each color plate. As a modification, the position of data relating to each color plate in the image data is generated as one piece of image data by RIP2 and a predetermined character string (for example, a character string similar to the above file name can be adopted). The data structure can be specified.

[Configuration of image conversion apparatus]
The image conversion apparatus 3 is an information processing apparatus in which a predetermined operation program is incorporated, and includes a computer main body, a keyboard, a monitor, and the like. The image conversion device 3 has a configuration for acquiring image data generated by the RIP 2 via the network N and converting the dot image data in the RIP format into a format for exposure by the color proof output device 4. ing. The image conversion device 3 further generates an output control signal for controlling the exposure light amount of the laser of the color proof output device 4 so as to output a color proof based on the changed image data. The converted image data and output control signal are transmitted to the color proof output device 4 to output the color proof.

  As shown in FIG. 1 as an example of the configuration, the image conversion device 3 includes a CPU 31 for executing predetermined arithmetic processing and control processing, a program executed by the CPU 31, and data used for arithmetic and control. A main memory 32 such as a RAM in which the image data is developed, a buffer 33 for temporarily storing image data transmitted from the RIP 2 and adjusting the processing timing, and an output condition / color information comparison table to be described later are stored. A color information memory 34.

  The buffer 33 includes a memory area for storing image data of a C-version file, an M-version file, a Y-version file, a K-version file, and a spot color plane file. Each of these files is stored in a corresponding memory area.

  Further, the color information memory 34 is not particularly provided, and the output condition / color information comparison table may be stored in the HDD 35 described later.

  The image conversion apparatus 3 is further provided with a hard disk drive (HDD) 35, a user interface 36, and an interface (I / F) unit 37. The HDD 35 is a non-volatile storage device that stores an OS, an operation program, various data, application software, and the like. The user interface 36 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like on which the user performs various operations and input operations. The I / F unit 37 includes an interface circuit for performing input processing of image data transmitted from the RIP 2 and output processing of image data and output control signals transmitted to the color proof output device 4. Has been. Note that an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit may be provided separately.

  The image conversion apparatus 3 copies the computer program stored in the HDD 35 to the main memory 32, and the CPU 31 executes the copied computer program (which constitutes each means described later), thereby realizing the functions according to the present invention. It is supposed to be. The computer program is recorded in advance on an information recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD-ROM, or a DVD-ROM, and operates on the image conversion device 3 by installing the computer program in the image conversion device 3. It has come to be. The computer program may be used by downloading from a server on a network such as the Internet or a LAN.

  The main memory 32 stores setting means 301, condition input means 302, color information acquisition means 303, selection means 304, formation means 305, and output control means 306 that are copied from the HDD 35 under the control of the CPU 31.

  The setting unit 301 is a computer program that is executed to set and save color information that determines color development that can be expressed by color proof in advance in association with output conditions for printing a printed matter. More specifically, the coordinate values of L *, a *, b * in the L * a * b * color space of colors (particularly special colors) that can be expressed by the color proof output device 4 and the transmittance of this color (color information) ) Is set and registered in correspondence with the type (output condition) of the printing paper on which the printed matter is output, and for example, a computer program that realizes a function of saving in the color information memory 34 as a table format. Here, the above table stored in the color information memory 34 by the setting means 301 is referred to as an output condition / color information comparison table (sometimes simply referred to as a “contrast table”).

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an output condition / color information comparison table set and stored by the setting means. In the comparison table shown in the figure, spot color names SpotColor 1, SpotColor 2, SpotColor 3,... Are set and registered as the types of spot colors to be output. Note that these spot color names are the file names of the corresponding spot color version files. In addition, art paper, coated paper, and high-quality paper are set as the types of printing paper. Further, for each spot color, coordinate values and transmittances of L *, a *, and b * corresponding to the type of printing paper are set. For example, when the spot color of Spot Color 1 is expressed on art paper, the L * coordinate value is set to 70, the a * coordinate value is set to 40, the b * coordinate value is set to −30, and the transmittance is set to 60. Is set. The coordinate values in the L * a * b * color space can be obtained from an ink manufacturer or the like.

  By executing the setting unit 301, the CPU 31 displays an input screen for a user to input output conditions and color information in the output condition / color information comparison table on a monitor (not shown). The user uses the user interface 36 to input color information from the input screen. At this time, operations such as addition, deletion, and correction of output conditions and spot color types can also be performed. The input color information is reflected in the comparison table and stored in the color information memory 34.

  The condition input unit 302 is a computer program that realizes a function for inputting the type of paper on which the printed matter F to be actually printed is printed. The paper type is manually input using the user interface 36. The CPU 31 functions to display a screen for inputting an output condition by executing the condition input unit 302 and store the output condition input from this screen in the main memory 32.

  The color information acquisition unit 303 is executed by the CPU 31 to refer to the file name of each color plate file constituting the image data of the printed matter F transmitted from the RIP 2 and a predetermined character string in the data, thereby obtaining the printed matter F. This is a computer program that realizes the function of specifying the type of spot color included in (color proof) and storing the spot color name of the specified spot color in the main memory 32.

  The selection unit 304 is executed by the CPU 31 to output color information related to the paper type stored by the condition input unit 302 and the spot color (spot color name) stored by the color information acquisition unit 303. It is a computer program for realizing a function selected from a condition / color information comparison table.

  For example, when the comparison table shown in FIG. 2 is adopted, when “art paper” is stored by the condition input unit 302 and “SpotColor 1” is stored by the color information acquisition unit 303, the selection unit 304 selects both conditions. “L: 70, a: 40, b: −30, transmittance: 60” is selected as the color information corresponding to.

  The forming unit 305 functions to form image data (color adjustment information) for adjusting the color expression so that the spot color is expressed on the color proof reflecting the color information selected by the selecting unit 304. It is a computer program. That is, when the CPU 31 executes this program, the color adjustment information is formed by combining the color information of the special color expressed by the color proof and the color information (described later) of the process color input during the output process. .

  The color adjustment information obtained by combining the color information of each color included in the color proof is used to match the color expressed by the color proof with the color on the printed matter F. This color adjustment is intended to avoid a situation where the color reproducibility of the color proof is lowered due to the different color development depending on the type of printing paper.

  The output control unit 306 is executed by the CPU 31 to generate an output control signal for controlling the color proof output device 4 so as to output the color proof according to the color adjustment information formed by the forming unit 305. It is a computer program. Further, the function of outputting the output control signal and the image data to the color proof output device 4 by controlling the I / F unit 37 is realized.

[Configuration of color proof output device]
Next, details of the configuration of the color proof output device 4 will be described. The color proof output device 4 is a photosensitive material using R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue) lasers that are controlled based on an output control signal transmitted from the image conversion device 3. It is an apparatus that creates a color proof used for proofreading work of printed matter by exposing silver salt paper that is.

  FIG. 3 is a side view showing an outline of the internal configuration of the color proof output device 4. The color proof output device 4 includes an exposure unit 40 having a unit configuration for subjecting the silver salt paper to exposure processing, and a development unit 50 having a unit configuration for developing the silver salt paper subjected to the exposure processing by the exposure unit 40. It is divided roughly into.

(Configuration of exposure unit)
The exposure unit 40 includes a roll set unit 41, a photosensitive material supply unit 42, a main scanning unit 43, an optical unit 44, a sub-scanning mechanism 45, a paper discharge unit 46, a control unit 47, and an I / F ( Interface) section 48.

  The roll setting unit 41 is a part for loading a magazine 411 containing silver salt paper 100 wound in a roll shape with the photosensitive surface facing outward. The magazine 411 is loaded by opening a paper feed cover 412 provided to be openable and closable. Further, the silver salt paper 100 is supplied to the main scanning unit 43 through the outlet 413.

  The photosensitive material supply unit 42 includes a mechanism for transporting the silver salt paper 100 disposed in the roll setting unit 41 and supplying it to the main scanning unit 43. The photosensitive material supply unit 42 is disposed below the pull-out port 413 and is a roller pair 421 composed of a pair of rotationally driven rollers, and the silver salt paper 100 that is provided and conveyed below the roller pair 421. The cutter 422 includes a disc cutter for cutting the squeeze, and a squeeze roller 423 provided below the cutter 422. The squeeze roller 423 is provided so as to be able to contact and separate from a drum 431 described later of the main scanning unit 43. Further, the surface base of the squeeze roller 423 is made of an elastic member such as rubber, so that the adhesiveness when contacting the drum 431 is improved, and the situation where the silver salt paper 100 slips and slips is avoided.

  The main scanning unit 43 includes a cylindrical drum 431 that supports the silver salt paper 100 on which exposure processing is performed. The drum 431 is driven to rotate about a support shaft 431a by a motor (not shown). In addition, a large number of suction holes are opened on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 431. By sucking from the inner side of the drum 431 by an air suction device (not shown), the silver salt paper 100 is adsorbed on the outer peripheral surface and silver. The salt paper 100 is supported.

  The drum 431 is rotated by being driven by the squeeze roller 423 of the photosensitive material supply unit 42 at the stage when the silver salt paper 100 is provided. When the paper 100 is peeled off, it is controlled to be driven by the motor.

  The optical unit 44 is disposed so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the drum 431, and a red (R) laser unit that emits red light for performing exposure processing on the silver salt paper 100 supported by the drum 431. A green (G) laser unit that emits green light and a blue (B) laser unit that emits blue light are stored (not shown).

  The sub-scanning mechanism 45 has a configuration for moving and driving the optical unit 44 in a direction parallel to the support shaft 431 a of the drum 431.

  Here, the scanning direction (main scanning direction) by the main scanning unit 43 is the rotation direction of the drum 431 at the exposure position (position where the laser is irradiated from the optical unit 44), while the scanning direction (by the sub scanning mechanism 45) ( (Sub-scanning direction) is the direction of the support shaft 431a of the drum 431. The main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction are orthogonal to each other. The silver halide paper 100 is exposed while scanning in such two directions.

  The paper discharge unit 46 includes a peeling guide 461, a transport mechanism 462, and a storage unit (accumulator) 463. The peeling guide 461 is provided so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the outer peripheral surface of the drum 431. The peeling guide 461 contacts and separates from the outer peripheral surface of the drum 431 by rotating about the support shaft 461a. Further, the transport mechanism 462 is for guiding and transporting the silver salt paper 100 peeled from the drum 431 by the peeling guide 461 to the developing unit 50 side. The accumulation unit 463 is provided to temporarily accumulate (accumulate) the rear end portion of the silver salt paper 100 conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 462.

  Although detailed description is omitted, the control unit 47 includes an arithmetic control circuit for controlling each part of the color proof output device 4. In particular, the control unit 47 controls the amount of light of the R, G, and B laser units stored in the optical unit 44 and controls scanning during exposure by the main scanning unit 43 and the sub-scanning unit 45.

  The I / F unit 48 includes an interface circuit for inputting image data and output control signals transmitted from the image conversion device 3 to the color proof output device 4.

(Configuration of development unit)
The developing unit 50 includes a configuration for performing a developing process on the silver salt paper 100 that has been subjected to the exposing process by the exposing unit 40 to complete a color proof of the printed matter. As illustrated in FIG. The color development processing unit 52, the bleach-fixing processing unit 53, the stabilization processing unit 54, the drying unit 55, and the paper discharge tray 56 are included in this order.

  The second exposure unit 51 includes a processing basket for performing uniform exposure on the exposed silver salt paper 100 sent from the exposure unit 40 side by the paper discharge unit 46. The color development processing unit 52 includes a processing rod that performs color development processing after the exposure processing by the second exposure unit 51 is completed. The bleach-fixing processing unit 53 includes a processing unit that performs bleach-fixing processing after the color development processing by the color development processing unit 52 is completed. Further, the stabilization processing unit 54 includes a processing rod that performs stabilization processing after the color development processing by the color development processing unit 53 is completed. Further, the drying unit 55 performs a drying process of the silver salt paper 100 after the stabilization process by the stabilization processing unit 54 is completed. The paper discharge tray 56 is a tray for accumulating the silver salt paper 100 that has been dried by the drying unit 55 and discharged.

[Operation / action of image output system]
Hereinafter, the operation and action of the image output system having the above-described configuration will be described with further reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Before actually performing the color proof output process, the output condition / color information comparison table is set using the setting means 301 (S1). For this purpose, the user operates the user interface 36 to display on the monitor an input screen for inputting data to the comparison table, and inputs output conditions and color information from the input screen. The input data is registered in the output condition / color information comparison table and stored in the color information memory 34. Note that the output condition / color information comparison table may be acquired via a network or an information recording medium and stored in the color information memory 34. It is sufficient that the comparison table is set before the processing by the image conversion device 3 is started. For example, the comparison table is set while the printed material F is being edited by the image editing terminals 1A to 1C. Also good.

  Next, editing operations such as layout and color tone of the printed matter F are performed using the image editing terminals 1A to 1C (S2). The edited image data of the printed matter F is transmitted to the RIP 2 through the network N. The RIP 2 converts the received image data into halftone dot image data of each color, creates a C-version file, an M-version file, a Y-version file, a K-version file, and a spot color plane file, and transmits them to the image conversion apparatus 3 ( S3). When no special color is included in the printed matter F, a special color plate file is not created, and the following processing is executed according to a normal process (see “N” in S5 described later).

  Each file transmitted from the RIP 2 is input to the image conversion apparatus 3 via the I / F unit 37 and stored in the buffer 33. On the other hand, the CPU 31 executes the condition input unit 302 and inputs the type (output condition) of the print paper of the printed matter F (S4). At this time, color information of the process color is also input. These pieces of information are stored in the main memory 32. The process color information can be obtained from an ink manufacturer or the like.

  Next, the CPU 31 recognizes the file name of each file transmitted from the RIP 2 and determines whether or not a spot color file is included (S5). This determination can be easily made by referring to the above file name. When the spot color plate file is not included (S5; N), the following processing relating to the color information of the spot color is omitted, and the process skips to S9.

  When the special color plate file is included in the file transmitted from the RIP 2 (S5; Y), the CPU 31 executes the color information acquisition unit 303 to store the file name of the special color plate file, that is, the special color name, in the main memory 32. (S6).

  Next, the CPU 31 executes the selection unit 304 to select color information corresponding to the type of printing paper (output condition) and the spot color name stored in the main memory 32 from the output condition / color information comparison table. (S7). Then, the forming unit 305 is executed to synthesize the color information of the selected spot color and the input color information of the process color to form color adjustment information (S8).

  Subsequently, the CPU 31 executes the output control unit 306 to generate an output control signal for controlling the color proof output device 4 so as to perform color proof output processing according to the formed color adjustment information (S9). Then, the output control unit 306 controls the I / F unit 37 to transmit the generated output control signal and the image data of each color plane to the color proof output device 4 (S10).

  The color proof output device 4 that has received the image data and the output control signal from the image conversion device 3 performs exposure processing on the silver halide paper 100 by the exposure unit 40. At this time, the control unit 47 performs scanning by the main scanning unit 43 and the sub-scanning unit 45 based on the image data received through the I / F unit 48 and the output control signal, and the red laser unit of the optical unit 44, The exposure density by the green laser unit and the blue laser unit is controlled (S11).

  Then, the developing unit 50 develops the silver halide paper 100 that has been subjected to the exposure process (S12), and outputs a color proof (S13).

  According to the image output system of the present embodiment as described above, since the color (especially the special color) can be adjusted according to the type of printing paper of the printed matter F, the color proof color reproducibility is improved. To do. In addition, since it is not necessary to select and input appropriate color information for each output as in the prior art, it is possible to improve the efficiency of output and to promote automation of output.

[Various modifications]
In the present embodiment described above, the output condition / color information comparison table is set only for the color information of the special color, and the processing characteristic of the present invention is performed. Processing can be performed.

  First, it is easy to set an output condition / color information comparison table for process colors. In short, the color information of each process color C, M, Y, and K may be appropriately set corresponding to each type of paper on which the printed matter F is printed.

  The condition input means 302 inputs the output condition (paper type) of the printed matter F, and the color information acquisition means 303 refers to the file name of each basic color plate file and a predetermined character string in the image data. Then, information for specifying the color type is input. Further, the selection means 304 selects color information corresponding to the inputted contents from the output condition / color information comparison table, and based on the selected color information, the formation means 305 is used for color proof output. Form image data. As a result, with respect to the process color, it is possible to perform color proof output control in accordance with the type of paper on which the printed matter F is printed.

  Further, the image conversion apparatus 3 of the present embodiment is provided with an output control means 306 so that an output control signal for controlling the amount of exposure light by the optical unit 44 of the color proof output apparatus 4 is generated and transmitted. However, the image conversion apparatus 3 may not include the output control unit 306 in some cases.

  That is, the image conversion apparatus 3 is provided with only the setting unit 301, the condition input unit 302, the color information acquisition unit 303, the selection unit 304, and the formation unit 305, and an output control device including the output control unit 306 is separately provided. Then, the image conversion device 3 transmits the image data formed by the forming unit 305 to the output control device via the I / F unit 37, and the output control device receives this image data and generates an output control signal. Then, it is configured to output to the color proof output device 4.

  The image output system configured as described above can be applied, for example, when the image conversion device 3 and the color proof output device 4 are installed at a distance and connected by a network such as the Internet. is there.

  In addition to the above-described case configured to input output conditions and color information using an input screen, the setting unit 301 performs setting processing manually or automatically via a network or an information recording medium. It is also possible to configure to do so.

  Further, the data set and stored in relation to the output condition and the color information need not be in a table format like the output condition / color information comparison table. For example, a folder is provided for each output condition, and color information for each color is placed in this folder. Conversely, a folder is provided for each color, and color information for each output condition is placed in this folder. Can be configured. As an example of the former configuration, an “art paper” folder, a “coated paper” folder, and a “quality paper” folder are provided, and the color information corresponding to the spot color SpotColor 1, 2, 3,... Is stored in each folder. Good. As an example of the latter configuration, a “SpotColor 1” folder, a “SpotColor 2” folder, a “SpotColor 3” folder,... Are provided, and each folder corresponds to color information corresponding to art paper and coated paper. Color information and color information corresponding to high-quality paper may be stored.

  Further, as a modification of the condition input unit 302, the following configuration may be employed. First, at the time of editing by the image editing terminals 1A to 1C or at the time of data processing by the RIP2, print paper data indicating the type of print paper of the printed matter F is attached to the image data. The CPU 31 executes the condition input unit 302 to recognize the print sheet data attached to the image data transmitted from the RIP 2 to determine the sheet type, and stores the determination result in the main memory 32. To be configured. In this way, the manual input by the user can be saved, so that further automation can be achieved in the color proof output process.

  In addition, a means is provided for determining whether color information corresponding to the output special color or the type of printing paper is registered in the output condition / color information comparison table, and if it is registered, the color information is used. If not registered, a configuration that skips the color adjustment process can be added. More specifically, the file name (spot color name) and type of printing paper of the special color plate file for output are compared with the special color name and printing paper type registered in the output condition / color information comparison table. Thus, the above determination can be performed.

  As described above, various modifications, changes, additions, and the like can be appropriately applied to the image output system and the image conversion apparatus of the present embodiment.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, another embodiment of the image output system according to the present invention will be described. The image output system according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the image output system described as the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals. The description will be continued by using the output condition / color information comparison table shown in FIG.

  In the image output system of the present embodiment, the internal configuration of the image conversion apparatus 3, the form of the computer program recorded in the main memory 32, the configuration of the output condition / color information comparison table stored in the color information memory 34, and the image The data processing method is different from that of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the image conversion apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment. The image conversion apparatus 3 is provided with a process color memory 38 in addition to the constituent elements of the first embodiment. This process color memory 38 is a color information of a single color when the density of each process color of C, M, Y, and K is changed variously, or color information of a color expressed by mixing a plurality of colors (collecting them together). , Which is referred to as process color information, and also referred to as process color information for short). Note that the process color memory 38 is not particularly provided, and the above data may be stored in the HDD 35.

  Further, in the main memory 32 of the image conversion apparatus 3, in addition to the setting unit 301, the condition input unit 302, the color information acquisition unit 303, the selection unit 304, the forming unit 305, and the output control unit 306 similar to those in the first embodiment. The process color input unit 307 and the color separation unit 308 are stored.

  The process color input unit 307 is a computer program for setting and inputting various process color information to the process color memory 38, and is configured to display an input screen similar to that of the setting unit 301. The process color information may be set and input via a network or an information recording medium.

  The color separation unit 308 is a computer program for separating the color information of the spot color selected by the selection unit 304 into process colors. Specifically, the color separation unit 308 selects process color information having a value closest to the color information of the spot color selected by the selection unit 304 from the process color information stored in the process color memory 38. By assigning this process color information as the color information of the spot color, the color separation of the spot color is performed. The process color information assigned as the color information of the special color is the color separation information referred to in the present invention.

  Next, the operation / action of the image output system of this embodiment having such a configuration will be described. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart representing (part of) color proof output processing by the image output system of the embodiment. In the flowchart, processing up to the image conversion device 3 is shown, and output processing by the color proof output device 4 is omitted. The same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  First, before actually performing the color proof output process, the output condition / color information comparison table is set using the setting means 301 (S1). Furthermore, process color information is input using the process color input means 307 (S21). For this purpose, the user operates the user interface 36 to display an input screen for inputting process color information on the monitor, and performs input using this input screen. The input process color information is stored in the process color memory 34.

  Next, editing operations such as layout and color tone of the printed matter F are performed using the image editing terminals 1A to 1C (S2). The edited image data of the printed matter F is transmitted to the RIP 2 through the network N. The RIP 2 converts the received image data into halftone dot image data of each color, creates a C-version file, an M-version file, a Y-version file, a K-version file, and a spot color plane file, and transmits them to the image conversion apparatus 3 ( S3).

  Each file transmitted from the RIP 2 is input to the image conversion apparatus 3 via the I / F unit 37 and stored in the buffer 33. On the other hand, the CPU 31 executes the condition input unit 302 and inputs the type (output condition) of the print paper of the printed matter F (S4). The input output condition is stored in the main memory 32.

  Next, the CPU 31 recognizes the file name of each file transmitted from the RIP 2 and determines whether or not a spot color file is included (S5). When the spot color plate file is not included (S5; N), the following processing relating to the color information of the spot color is omitted, and the process skips to S9.

  When the special color plate file is included in the file transmitted from the RIP 2 (S5; Y), the CPU 31 executes the color information acquisition unit 303 to store the file name of the special color plate file, that is, the special color name, in the main memory 32. (S6).

  Next, the CPU 31 executes the selection unit 304 to select color information corresponding to the type of printing paper (output condition) and the spot color name stored in the main memory 32 from the output condition / color information comparison table. (S7). Further, the color separation means 308 is executed to select appropriate process color information from the process color memory 38, and color information of the selected spot color is separated (S22). Then, the forming unit 305 is executed to synthesize the color information of the separated color and the color information of the process color corresponding to the image data of the C, M, Y, and K plates, and perform color adjustment Information is formed (S8).

  Subsequently, the CPU 31 executes the output control unit 306 to generate an output control signal for controlling the color proof output device 4 so as to perform color proof output processing according to the formed color adjustment information (S9). Then, the output control unit 306 controls the I / F unit 37 to transmit the generated output control signal and the image data of each color plane to the color proof output device 4 (S10). The color proof output device 4 receives this output control signal and image data and outputs a color proof.

  According to the image output system of the present embodiment that executes the processing as described above, even if the color proof output device 4 can output only the process color, the color ( In particular, the color development of the special color can be adjusted and the color reproducibility of the color proof can be improved. It is also possible to promote automation of output.

  Note that in the image output systems of the first and second embodiments described above, only the type of print paper of the printed matter F is considered as an output condition, but it corresponds to the print output condition and the proof output condition described above. It is also possible to perform color adjustment processing.

  As the print output condition, the type of the printer 6 is exemplified. In this case, color information associated with the color type and the printing press type may be set and registered as the output condition / color information comparison table. Specifically, for example, when the printing presses 6A and 6B (not shown) are provided, printing is performed with the printing press 6A for each of the spot color names SpotColor 1, SpotColor 2, SpotColor 3,. Color information for reproducing the expression at the time and color information for reproducing the expression at the time of printing with the printer 6B may be set (see FIG. 7). In this way, it is possible to improve color reproducibility regardless of the types and machine differences of the printing presses 6A and 6B. Of course, any number of printing presses may be provided.

  Further, examples of the proof output condition include the type of photosensitive material from which a color proof is output. In this case, color information associated with the type of color and the type of photosensitive material may be set and registered as the output condition / color information comparison table. Specifically, for example, in the case where photosensitive materials 100A and 100B (not shown) are provided, printing is performed on the photosensitive material 100A for each of the special colors of spot color names SpotColor 1, SpotColor 2, SpotColor 3,. Color information for reproducing the expression at the time and color information for reproducing the expression at the time of printing on the photosensitive material 100B may be set (see FIG. 8). In this way, color reproducibility can be improved regardless of the type of the photosensitive materials 100A and 100B. Of course, the number of types of photosensitive material may be any number.

  Another example of the proof output condition is a difference in color proof output device. In this case, color information associated with the color type and the color proof output device type may be set and registered as the output condition / color information comparison table. Specifically, for example, when color proof output devices 4A and 4B (not shown) are provided, the color proof output device for each of the special colors named SpotColor 1, SpotColor 2, SpotColor 3,. Color information for reproducing the expression when printing with 4A and color information for reproducing the expression when printing with the color proof output device 4B may be set (see FIG. 9). In this way, color reproducibility can be improved regardless of the type and machine difference of the color proof output devices 4A and 4B. Of course, the number of color proof output devices 4 connected to the image conversion device 3 may be any number.

  In addition, color adjustment processing can be performed using a plurality of output conditions. For example, color information may be selected according to the type of printing press (first output condition) and the type of photosensitive material (second output condition). In this case, a plurality of pieces of color information are predetermined, such as obtaining an average value of each numerical value included in the color information selected according to the first output condition and the color information selected according to the second output condition. The final color information can be acquired by performing the above calculation.

  Further, a plurality of output conditions may be provided in advance, and these may be switched and used by a user operation or the like.

  The configuration described above is merely an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and modifications and additions can be made as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an embodiment of an image output system according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the output condition / color information comparison table set by embodiment of the image output system which concerns on this invention. It is a side view which shows an example of the outline of the internal structure of the color proof output apparatus 4 which comprises embodiment of the image output system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the color proof output process by embodiment of the image output system which concerns on this invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of the partial structure of embodiment of the image output system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the color proof output process by embodiment of the image output system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the output condition / color information comparison table set by the modification of embodiment of the image output system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the output condition / color information comparison table set by the modification of embodiment of the image output system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the output condition / color information comparison table set by the modification of embodiment of the image output system which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1A to 1C Image editing terminal 2 RIP (Raster Image Processor)
3 Image Converter 31 CPU
32 Main memory 301 Setting means 302 Condition input means 303 Color information acquisition means 304 Selection means 305 Forming means 306 Output control means 307 Process color input means 308 Color separation means 33 Buffer 34 Color information memory 35 Hard disk drive (HDD)
36 User Interface 37 Interface (I / F) Unit 38 Process Color Memory 4 Color Proof Output Device 44 Optical Unit 100 Silver Salt Paper 5 CTP (Computer To Plate) Output Device 6 Printing Machine

Claims (20)

In an image conversion method for converting image data of a printed material subjected to digital editing into image data for outputting a color proof of the printed material,
A setting step for preliminarily setting and storing color information that determines color development that can be expressed by the color proof, in association with an output condition when the printed matter is printed;
A condition input step for inputting the output condition of the desired printed matter when outputting a color proof of the desired printed matter;
A color information acquisition step for acquiring information for specifying the type of color included in the color proof of the desired printed matter;
Color information associated with the output condition input in the condition input step and the information specifying the color type acquired in the color information acquisition step from the color information set in the setting step A selection step to select,
Forming the image data for outputting the color proof based on the color information selected in the selection step; and
An image conversion method comprising:   The output condition associated with the color information set in the setting step includes a type of paper on which the printed matter is printed and / or a type of printing machine that performs printout of the printed matter. The image conversion method according to claim 1. In an image conversion method for converting image data of a printed material subjected to digital editing into image data for outputting a color proof of the printed material,
A setting step for preliminarily setting and storing color information for determining color development that can be expressed by the color proof, in association with an output condition when the color proof is output;
A condition input step for inputting the output condition of the color proof when outputting a color proof of a desired printed matter;
A color information acquisition step for acquiring information for specifying the type of color included in the color proof of the desired printed matter;
Color information associated with the output condition input in the condition input step and the information specifying the color type acquired in the color information acquisition step from the color information set in the setting step A selection step to select,
Forming the image data for outputting the color proof based on the color information selected in the selection step; and
An image conversion method comprising:   The output condition associated with the color information set in the setting step includes a type of paper on which the color proof is output and / or a type of color proof output device that outputs the color proof. The image conversion method according to claim 3.   5. The image conversion method according to claim 1, wherein the color information set in the setting step includes color information of a special color that can be expressed by the color proof. A process color input step of inputting color information of a process color included in the color proof of the desired printed matter;
A color for obtaining color separation information in the process color of the spot color using the color information of the spot color selected in the selection step and the color information of the process color input in the process color input step A decomposition step;
The image conversion method according to claim 5, further comprising:   The image conversion method according to claim 6, wherein the forming step forms the image data for outputting the color proof based on the color separation information acquired in the color separation step.   The color information stored in the setting step includes the output density of the color expressed by the color proof, the coordinate value of the color in the L * a * b * color space, and the color into the process colors. 8. The image conversion method according to claim 1, further comprising: a numerical value when the color is converted to RGB, and a numerical value when the color is converted into RGB. The color proof output device that performs the output of the color proof is configured to perform the output by performing an exposure process on a silver salt paper that is a photosensitive material,
An output control step of generating a signal for controlling the amount of exposure light in the exposure process of the color proof output device based on the image data formed in the forming step and outputting the signal to the color proof output device is further provided. The image conversion method according to claim 1, wherein the image conversion method is an image conversion method.   10. The image conversion method according to claim 1, wherein the forming step adds color adjustment information for adjusting a color expressed by color proof to the image data. A computer program for converting image data of a printed material subjected to digital editing into image data for outputting a color proof of the printed material,
A computer program for executing the image conversion method according to any one of claims 1 to 10. An information recording medium for recording a computer program for converting image data of a printed material subjected to digital editing into image data for outputting a color proof of the printed material,
12. An information recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 11 is recorded. In an image conversion apparatus that converts image data of a printed material subjected to digital editing into image data for outputting a color proof of the printed material,
Color information for determining color development that can be expressed by the color proof, in association with output conditions when printing the printed matter, setting means for setting and storing in advance,
Condition input means for inputting the output condition of the desired printed material when outputting a color proof of the desired printed material;
Color information acquisition means for acquiring information specifying the type of color included in the color proof of the desired printed matter;
Color information associated with the output condition input by the condition input means from the color information set by the setting means and the information specifying the color type acquired by the color information acquisition means A selection means for selecting
Forming means for forming the image data for outputting the color proof based on the color information selected by the selection means;
An image conversion apparatus comprising: In an image conversion apparatus that converts image data of a printed material subjected to digital editing into image data for outputting a color proof of the printed material,
Setting means for setting and storing in advance color information that determines color development that can be expressed by the color proof, in association with output conditions when the color proof is output;
Condition input means for inputting the output condition of the color proof when outputting a color proof of a desired printed matter;
Color information acquisition means for acquiring information specifying the type of color included in the color proof of the desired printed matter;
Color information associated with the output condition input by the condition input means from the color information set by the setting means and the information specifying the color type acquired by the color information acquisition means A selection means for selecting
Forming means for forming the image data for outputting the color proof based on the color information selected by the selection means;
An image conversion apparatus comprising:   15. The image conversion apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the color information set by the setting unit includes color information of a spot color that can be expressed by the color proof. Process color input means for inputting color information of a process color included in the color proof of the desired printed matter;
A color for obtaining color separation information in the process color of the spot color using the color information of the spot color selected by the selection unit and the color information of the process color input by the process color input unit The image conversion apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a decomposing unit.   The image conversion apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the forming unit forms the image data for outputting the color proof based on the color separation information acquired by the color separation unit. An image conversion device for converting image data of a printed material subjected to digital editing into image data for outputting a color proof of the printed material, and the printed material based on the image data converted by the image conversion device A color proof output device for outputting the color proof of the image output system,
The image conversion device includes:
Color information for determining color development that can be expressed by the color proof output device, setting means for setting and storing in advance in association with output conditions when printing the printed matter;
Condition input means for inputting the output condition of the desired printed material when outputting a color proof of the desired printed material;
Color information acquisition means for acquiring information specifying the type of color included in the color proof of the desired printed matter;
Color information associated with the output condition input by the condition input means from the color information set by the setting means and the information specifying the color type acquired by the color information acquisition means A selection means for selecting
Forming means for forming the image data for outputting the color proof based on the color information selected by the selection means;
An image output system comprising: An image conversion device for converting image data of a printed material subjected to digital editing into image data for outputting a color proof of the printed material, and the printed material based on the image data converted by the image conversion device A color proof output device for outputting the color proof of the image output system,
The image conversion device includes:
Setting means for setting and storing in advance color information that determines color development that can be expressed by the color proof, in association with output conditions when the color proof is output;
Condition input means for inputting the output condition of the color proof when outputting a color proof of a desired printed matter;
Color information acquisition means for acquiring information specifying the type of color included in the color proof of the desired printed matter;
Color information associated with the output condition input by the condition input means from the color information set by the setting means and the information specifying the color type acquired by the color information acquisition means A selection means for selecting
Forming means for forming the image data for outputting the color proof based on the color information selected by the selection means;
An image output system comprising: The color proof output device includes an optical unit for performing exposure processing on silver salt paper which is a photosensitive material,
The image conversion device generates a signal for controlling the amount of exposure light to the silver salt paper by the optical unit based on the image data formed by the forming unit, and this signal is sent to the color proof output device. 20. The image output system according to claim 18, further comprising output control means for outputting.

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