JP2005175823A - Hue adjusting device, image processor, hue adjusting method, and information recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To widen a color adjustment range, and to realize the hue adjustment of a user designated color without losing the continuity of the color. <P>SOLUTION: This hue adjusting device of color image data is provided with a means which displays hue characteristics as a graph on a hue ring, a means which designates a hue position where desired characteristics can be acquired for each hue for the displayed hue characteristics and a means which changes the hue characteristics on the basis of the designated hue position (HAJ of a PC). The PC displays the YCbCr hue ring of an image represented by RGB data (s5, s6), and a user designates a change object hue and a target hue on the hue ring, and the PC executes the interpolation adjustment of each hue in a hue region on the basis of the change object hue, target hue and the boundary hue of the hue range to which the change object hue belongs (s5, s14/s5a, s14a). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to hue adjustment of a color image, and in particular, but not intended to be limited thereto, relates to hue adjustment by an image processing application on a computer or a printer driver on a computer, for example, CG (Computer Graphics), electronic photographed image It can be used for editing (hue processing), hue adjustment or processing of an image read by an original scanner, and hue adjustment or processing during print output.

  Regarding the hue adjustment function of image adjustment performed by a conventional color printer, the following adjustment function is mainly proposed and realized.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-270926 discloses an image processing apparatus that changes image data from RGB space to HLS (H: Hue, L: Lightness, S: Saturation) space and individually adjusts the hues of the following six colors. Presents: red, yellow, green, cyan, blue, magenta.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-82281 presents an image processing method in which eight typical colors for hue adjustment are determined, and the hues of these colors are individually adjusted by editing grid point data of the color profile. ing. The points other than the grid points are adjusted by memory map interpolation calculation (0038). The device profile of the image input apparatus can be easily corrected, and high-precision color reproduction can be realized.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-36757 keeps the color reproduction area smooth and maintains the color appearance and gradation when performing color matching performed when the shape and size of the color reproduction space are different. There is provided a compression / decompression method for a color reproduction space that can be associated with image input / output means having different color reproduction spaces and that can be adjusted according to preference. The hues of the following six primary colors are individually adjusted, and hues other than the primary colors are calculated by interpolation using the hue values of the primary colors: red, yellow, green, cyan, blue, magenta.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-140705 discloses a hue circle on Cb and Cr coordinates as shown in FIG. 8A and 8B, and “0090” and below, Y, Cb, and Cr color definitions are described.

  In general, the common hue adjustment function is not the hue adjustment of the entire color space, but instead of the primary colors such as red and yellow or the primary colors, representative colors are added to adjust the hue of each color individually. That's it. These adjustment methods must be meaningful by realizing the function of individually adjusting the hues of primary colors and representative colors, but it is difficult to say that the functions desired by the user are completely realized. For example, when the user wants to adjust a hue other than the primary color, these functions that can only adjust the primary color or the representative color can obtain a desired result only by adjusting the primary color or the representative color several times.

  Furthermore, the user wants to change only the color other than the primary color, and the hue of the primary color or the representative color itself may not be changed, but these methods change the hue of the primary color or the representative color. It will be. Further, regarding the color continuity, in the method of Patent Document 3, the color continuity is maintained by performing interpolation for hues other than the primary color to be adjusted, but in the methods of Patent Documents 1 and 2, It is hard to say that color continuity is maintained because only the primary colors to be adjusted are changed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art, and the first object is to widen the hue adjustment range, and the adjustment of the hue of the color specified by the user is lost in color continuity. It is a second object to realize without.

(1) In a hue adjustment device for color image data,
Means for displaying the hue characteristics as a graph on the hue ring;
Means for designating a hue position for each hue to obtain a desired characteristic with respect to the displayed hue characteristic;
Means for changing the hue characteristic based on a designated hue position;
Hue adjustment device (PC HAJ), characterized by comprising:

  In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, the code | symbol of the corresponding element of the Example which is shown in drawing and it mentions later, a corresponding | compatible matter, or an equivalent matter was attached for reference to the inside for a reference. The same applies to the following.

  Hue adjustment, which has been possible only for primary colors and representative colors, can be performed for each arbitrary hue.

  (2) The hue adjusting apparatus according to (1), wherein the means for changing the hue characteristic changes a hue of an arbitrary color instead of a hue of a predetermined color. According to this, various adjustment functions can be provided for the user.

  (3) The hue adjusting apparatus according to (1), wherein the means for changing the hue characteristic changes not only the hue of an arbitrary color but also the hue of surrounding colors so as to maintain gradation. . According to this, more effective adjustment can be executed without losing the gradation of color.

  (4) The hue adjusting apparatus according to (1), wherein the means for changing the hue characteristic changes an arbitrary hue within the same hue so as to maintain gradation. According to this, effective adjustment can be executed in response to a user request that cannot be handled only by adjusting the entire same hue.

  (5) The hue adjusting apparatus according to (1), wherein the means for changing the hue characteristic changes a parameter indicating the hue, and changes the hue according to the changed parameter. According to this, it is possible to execute hue adjustment that can cope with a variety of adjustments with a simple configuration.

  (6) The hue adjustment apparatus according to (1), wherein the display unit is provided with a reset display for setting cancellation of hue adjustment by the designation unit. According to this, the comparison with the default can be easily performed before and after the hue change.

  (7) The hue adjusting apparatus according to (1), wherein the means for changing the hue characteristic is set in a printer driver installed in a computer. According to this, each effect can be easily obtained only by installing the printer driver in the computer.

  (8) The hue adjustment device (HAJ of PC) according to any one of (1) to (7) above; and an image represented by the color image data based on the color image data output by the hue adjustment device An image processing apparatus comprising a color printer (PTR) formed on a sheet. According to this, in the printout of a color image, each said effect can be acquired easily.

  (9) Further, an image scanner (210) for reading a document image is provided, and the hue adjustment device adjusts the hue of the color image data obtained by the image scanner, and the hue adjustment device uses the printer. The image processing apparatus according to (8), wherein an image represented by the color image data is formed on a sheet based on the color image data to be output.

(10) In a hue adjustment device for color image data,
Display a hue characteristic graph on the display screen of the computer;
Specify the hue position where the desired characteristics can be obtained for the displayed hue characteristics,
A hue adjustment method, wherein the printer driver of the computer changes the hue characteristic based on a designated hue position, and adjusts the hue with reference to the characteristic.

  According to this, the user can freely and intuitively perform the optimum hue adjustment, and can obtain an output result with high user satisfaction.

(11) An information recording medium installed in a computer and recorded with a program for adjusting the hue of printing by a printer driver.
A first procedure for converting to YCbCr image data when there is RGB image data input;
A second procedure for displaying a hue characteristic graph of the converted Cb, Cr image data;
A third procedure for changing a hue characteristic based on the designated hue position when a hue position capable of obtaining a desired characteristic is designated for the displayed hue characteristic;
A fourth procedure for changing the Cb, Cr data of the YCbCr image data based on the changed hue characteristics;
An information recording medium, wherein a fifth procedure for converting YCbCr image data into RGB image data based on the changed Cb, Cr data is written as a program.

  If a printer driver is installed in a computer using this information recording medium, any user can freely and intuitively perform optimum hue adjustment, and an output result with high user satisfaction can be obtained.

(12) Means (s5, s6) for displaying the hue circle of the image represented by the image data to be adjusted in hue;
Means (s7-s11) for designating a change target hue and a target hue on the displayed hue circle; and
Conversion means (s5, s14) for applying to the image data a hue rotation for adjusting each hue of the hue area based on the designated hue to be changed, the target hue, and the boundary hue of the hue area to which the change target hue belongs. / S5a, s14a);
A hue adjusting device (FIGS. 9 and 17).

(13) The means (s5, s6) for displaying the hue circle converts the color component color image data subject to hue adjustment into YCbCr, calculates the hue angle (H), and determines which hue region it belongs to. , Storing the judgment data together with the YCbCr data and displaying the hue circle of the YCbCr data;
The conversion means (s5, s14) calculates a hue angle (x) between the designated target hue change target hue and the target hue, and each YCbCr of the hue region to which the change target hue belongs based on the determination data. The hue adjustment apparatus according to (12) above (FIG. 9), in which the data is specified, the hue angle thereof is adjusted by interpolation, and each YCbCr data that has been adjusted is converted back into color component color image data.

  (14) The hue area is divided into 12 with the quasi-primary colors (RY, GC, BM, CB, MR, YG) in the middle of the primary colors adjacent to the primary colors (R, G, B, C, M, Y) as area boundaries. Each of the divided sections; the hue adjusting device according to (13) above (FIG. 10).

(15) The means (s5, s6) for displaying the hue circle converts the color component color image data subject to hue adjustment into YCbCr, calculates the hue angle (H), stores the YCbCr data, and stores the YCbCr data. Display a color wheel;
The conversion means (s5a, s14a) calculates a hue angle (x) between the designated target hue change target hue and the target hue, and whether the hue angle of the YCbCr data is in the hue region to which the change target hue belongs. If it is in the hue region, the hue angle is adjusted by interpolation, and the YCbCr data that has been adjusted is converted back to color component color image data; the hue adjustment device described in (12) above (FIG. 17) .

(16)
Means for displaying a standard hue circle (s6a);
Means (s7-s11) for designating a change target hue and a target hue on the displayed hue circle; and
Conversion means for adding hue rotation for adjusting each hue of the hue area based on the designated hue to be changed, target hue, and boundary hue of the hue area to which the change target hue belongs to image data to be adjusted (S5a, s14 / s15, s5b, s14b);
A hue adjusting device (FIGS. 18 and 19).

  (17) The conversion means (s5a, s14) calculates a hue angle difference (x) between the designated target hue change target hue and the target hue, and converts the color component color image data to be adjusted in hue into YCbCr. The hue angle (H) is calculated to determine which hue region belongs, and based on the determination, each YCbCr data of the hue region to which the change target hue belongs is specified, and the hue angle is adjusted by interpolation, The YCbCr data that has been adjusted is inversely converted into color component color image data; the hue adjusting device according to (12) above (FIG. 18).

  (18) The conversion means (s15, s5b, s14b) generates a conversion table for converting YCbCr data of each hue in the hue region to which the hue to be changed belongs into YCbCr data of the adjusted hue (s15). The hue adjustment device according to any one of (12) to (17), wherein the hue adjustment device converts the YCbCr data of the hue region to which the hue to be changed belongs, using a conversion table (FIG. 19).

  (19) The conversion means (s15, s5b, s14b) generates a conversion table for converting YCbCr data of each hue in the hue region to which the hue to be changed belongs into YCbCr data of the adjusted hue (s15). The color component color image data to be adjusted is converted into YCbCr, the hue angle (H) is calculated, and the YCbCr data belonging to the hue area to which the change target hue belongs is converted based on the conversion table; (16) or ( 17) The hue adjusting device according to (17).

  (20) The hue adjustment device according to any one of (12) to (19) above, wherein the hue region has a primary color (R, G, B, C, M, Y) as a region boundary. 14).

  (21) The hue adjustment device according to any one of (12) to (19) above, wherein the hue region has a quasi-primary color (RY, GC, BM, CB, MR, YG) as a region boundary. FIG. 15).

  Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

-1st Example-
FIG. 1 shows a multi-function full color digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This full-color copying machine is roughly constituted by units of an automatic document feeder (ADF) 230, an operation board 220, a color scanner 210, a color printer PTR and a finisher 100. The operation board 220, the color scanner 210 with the ADF 230, and the finisher 100 are units that are separable from the printer PTR. The color scanner 210 includes a control board having a power device driver, sensor input, and controller, and a printer. The image data processing device ACP (FIG. 3) on the control board in the PTR is directly or indirectly communicated to read the document image under timing control.

  A LAN (Local Area Network) connected to a personal computer PC is connected to the image data processing apparatus ACP (FIG. 3), and a telephone line PN (facsimile communication line) is connected to the facsimile control unit FCU (FIG. 3). The exchange PBX is connected. The printed paper of the color printer PTR is discharged to the finisher 100.

  FIG. 2 shows the mechanism of the color printer PTR. The color printer PTR of this embodiment is a laser printer. An assembly (image forming unit) of a photosensitive member 15 and a developing device 27 and a charger, a cleaning device, and a transfer device (illustration unit) (not shown) that forms a one-color toner image is Bk (black), C (cyan), M ( There are four sets in total, one for each image formation of magenta) and Y (yellow), arranged in tandem along the conveyor belt 16, and each color toner image formed by them is sequentially one sheet. Are transferred onto the transfer paper.

  The transfer sheets stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first paper feeding device 11, the second paper feeding device 12, and the third paper feeding device 13, respectively, and are conveyed vertically. The unit 14 is transported to a position where it abuts on the photoreceptor 15. The image data read by the scanner 50 is written to the uniformly charged photoreceptor 15 by a charger (not shown) by laser exposure from the writing unit 60, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. As the electrostatic latent image passes through the developing unit 27, a toner image appears on the photoreceptor 15. The toner image on the photoconductor 15 is transferred while the transfer paper is conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17 and discharged to the finisher 100 of the post-processing apparatus by the paper discharge unit 18.

  The finisher 100 of the post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 can guide the transfer paper conveyed by the paper discharge unit 18 of the main body in the normal paper discharge roller 103 direction and the staple processing unit direction. By switching the switching plate 101 upward, the sheet can be discharged to the normal discharge tray 104 side via the transport roller 103. Further, by switching the switching plate 101 downward, the switching plate 101 can be conveyed to the staple table 108 via the conveying rollers 105 and 107. The transfer paper loaded on the staple table 108 is aligned by the paper jogger 109 every time one sheet is discharged, and is bound by the stapler 106 upon completion of partial copying. The group of transfer sheets bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the staple completion discharge tray 110 by its own weight.

  On the other hand, the normal paper discharge tray 104 is a paper discharge tray that can move back and forth (in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2). The paper discharge tray section 104 that can be moved back and forth moves forward and backward for each original or each copy section sorted by the image memory, and sorts copy paper that is simply discharged.

  When images are formed on both sides of the transfer paper, the transfer paper fed from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 is not guided to the discharge tray 104 side, and the branch claw 19 for switching the path is provided. By turning it downward, it is once guided to the reversing unit 112 and then stocked in the duplex feeding unit 111.

  Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked on the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 is re-fed from the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 15 again, and the branching claw 112 for switching the path. Is returned to the horizontal in the figure and guided to the paper discharge tray 104. In this way, when creating images on both sides of the transfer paper, the reversing unit 112 and the duplex feeding unit 111 are used.

  The photoreceptor 15, the conveyance belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharge unit 18, and the development unit 27 are driven by a main motor (not shown), and each of the paper feeding devices 11 to 13 does not drive the main motor. It is driven by being transmitted by each sheet feeding clutch. The vertical conveyance unit 14 is driven by transmitting the drive of the main motor by an intermediate clutch (not shown).

  FIG. 3 shows a system configuration of the image processing system of the copying machine shown in FIG. In this system, a color document scanner 210 including a reading unit 211 and an image data output I / F (Interface) 212 is connected to an image data interface control CDIC (hereinafter simply referred to as CDIC) of the image data processing apparatus ACP. Yes. A color printer PTR is also connected to the image data processing apparatus ACP. The color printer PTR receives YMCK recording image data from the image data processor IPP (Image Processing Processor; hereinafter simply referred to as IPP) of the image data processing apparatus ACP to the writing I / F 134 and prints it out at the image forming unit 135. To do. The image forming unit 135 is shown in FIG.

  The image data processing device ACP (hereinafter simply referred to as ACP) includes a parallel bus Pb, an image memory access control IMAC (hereinafter simply referred to as IMAC), an image memory MEM (memory module; hereinafter simply referred to as MEM), and a hard disk device. An HDD (hereinafter simply referred to as HDD), a system controller 31a, a RAM 34, a nonvolatile memory 35, a font ROM 36, a CDIC, an IPP, and the like are provided. A facsimile control unit FCU (hereinafter simply referred to as FCU) is connected to the parallel bus Pb. The operation board 220 is connected to the system controller 31a.

  The RGB image signals generated by the CCD 207 of the reading unit 211 and the image pickup device 208 of the image pickup device 208 of the color original scanner 210 for optically reading the original are processed on the sensor board unit SBU and converted into RGB image data. In addition, shading correction is performed and the data is sent to the CDIC via the output I / F 212.

  The CDIC performs communication between the output I / F 212, the parallel bus Pb, and the IPP, and the process controller 131 and the system controller 31a that controls the entire ACP with respect to the image data. The RAM 132 is used as a work area for the process controller 131, and the nonvolatile memory 133 stores an operation program for the process controller 131.

  In addition to the semiconductor memory MEM, there is an HDD for storing a lot of image data. By using the HDD, there is a feature that an external power source is unnecessary and an image can be held permanently. Many original images can be read by a scanner and held in an HDD, and many document images provided by a PC, digital camera, FD, and CD can be held.

  Image memory access control IMAC (hereinafter simply referred to as IMAC) controls writing / reading of image data and control data to / from MEM and HDD. The system controller 31a controls the operation of each component connected to the parallel bus Pb. The RAM 34 is used as a work area for the system controller 31a, and the nonvolatile memory 35 stores an operation program for the system controller 31a.

  The operation board 220 inputs processing to be performed by the ACP. For example, the type of processing (copying, facsimile transmission, image reading, printing, etc.), the number of processings, etc. are input. Thereby, the image data control information can be input.

  The RGB image data read by the scanner 210 and the CCD 207 of the ADF and the imaging device 208 for back side reading is subjected to image processing for correcting reading distortion such as scanner gamma correction and filter processing by the IPP, and then stored in the MEM. When printing out MEM image data, IPP performs color conversion of RGB signals to YMCK signals, and performs image quality processing such as printer gamma conversion, gradation conversion, and gradation processing such as dither processing or error diffusion processing. The image data after the image quality processing is transferred from the IPP to the writing I / F 134. The writing I / F 134 performs laser control on the gradation processed signal by pulse width and power modulation. Thereafter, the image data is sent to the image forming unit 135, and the image forming unit 135 forms a reproduced image on the transfer paper.

  Based on the control of the system controller 31a, the IMAC controls the access of image data, MEM, and HDD, develops data for printing on a personal computer PC (hereinafter simply referred to as PC) connected to the LAN, and effectively uses the MEM and HDD. Compress / decompress image data for

  The image data sent to the IMAC is stored in the MEM or HDD after data compression, and the stored image data is read out as necessary. The read image data is decompressed, returned to the original image data, and returned from the IMAC to the CDIC via the parallel bus Pb. After transfer from the CDIC to the IPP, the image quality processing is performed and the image is output to the writing I / F 134, and a reproduced image is formed on the transfer paper (paper) in the image forming unit 135.

  In the flow of image data, the functions of the digital multi-function peripheral are realized by the bus control by the parallel bus Pb and the CDIC. Facsimile transmission is performed by performing image processing on the image data read by the scanner 210 and the ADF 230 with the IPP and transferring the image data to the FCU via the CDIC and the parallel bus Pb. The FCU performs data conversion to the communication network and transmits it as facsimile data to the public line PN. Facsimile reception is performed by converting line data from the public line PN into image data by the FCU and transferring it to the IPP via the parallel bus Pb and CDIC. In this case, no special image quality processing is performed, and the image is output from the writing I / F 134 and a reproduced image is formed on the transfer paper in the image forming unit 135.

  In a situation where a plurality of jobs, for example, a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a printer output function operate in parallel, the usage rights of the reading unit 211, the image forming unit 135, and the parallel bus Pb are allocated to the system controller 31a and the process. Control is performed by the controller 131. The process controller 131 controls the flow of image data, and the system controller 31a controls the entire system and manages the activation of each resource (job). The function selection of the digital multi-function peripheral is performed on the operation board 220, and processing contents such as an image reading function, an image data registration function, a copy function, a print function, a facsimile function, and a connection transfer function are selected by the operation board 220. Set.

  The system controller 31a and the process controller 131 communicate with each other via the parallel bus Pb, CDIC, and serial bus Sb. Specifically, communication between the system controller 31a and the process controller 131 is performed by performing data format conversion for data and interface between the parallel bus Pb and the serial bus Sb in the CDIC.

  Various bus interfaces such as a parallel bus I / F 37, a serial bus I / F 39, a local bus I / F 33a, and a network I / F 38 are connected to the IMAC. The system controller 31a is connected to related units via a plurality of types of buses in order to maintain independence in the entire ACP.

  The system controller 31a controls other functional units via the parallel bus Pb. The parallel bus Pb is used for transferring image data. The system controller 31a issues to the IMAC an operation control command for storing image data in the MEM and HDD. This operation control command is sent via IMAC, parallel bus I / F 37, and parallel bus Pb.

  In response to this operation control command, the image data is sent from the CDIC to the IMAC via the parallel bus Pb and the parallel bus I / F 37. The image data is stored in the MEM or HDD under the control of the IMAC.

  On the other hand, the ACP system controller 31a functions as a printer controller, network control, and serial bus control in the case of a call from the personal computer PC as a printer function. In the case of via the network, the IMAC receives print output request data via the network I / F 38.

  In the case of a general-purpose serial bus connection, the IMAC receives print output request data via the serial bus I / F 39. The general-purpose serial bus I / F 39 corresponds to a plurality of types of standards.

  Print output request data from the PC is developed into image data by the system controller 31a. The development destination is an area in MEM. Font data necessary for expansion is obtained by referring to the font ROM 36a via the local bus I / F 33a and the local bus Rb. The local bus Rb connects the controller 31a to the nonvolatile memory 35a and the RAM 34a.

  Regarding the serial bus Sb, in addition to the external serial port 32a for connection with the PC, there is also an interface for transfer with the operation board 220 which is an operation unit of the ACP. This is not print development data, but communicates with the system controller 31a via the IMAC, accepts processing procedures, displays the system status, and the like.

  Data transmission / reception between the system controller 31a and the MEM, HDD, and various buses is performed via the IMAC. Jobs that use MEM and HDD are centrally managed in the entire ACP.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the liquid crystal touch panel 79, the operation board 220 includes a numeric keypad 80a, a clear / stop key 80b, a start key 80c, an initial setting key 80d, a mode clear key 80e, and a test print key 80f. The test print key 80f is a key for printing only one copy regardless of the set number of print copies and confirming the print result. By pressing the initial setting key 80d, the initial state of the machine can be arbitrarily customized. The paper size stored in the machine can be set or the state set when the copy function reset key is pressed can be arbitrarily set. When the initial setting key 80d is operated, an “initial value setting” function for setting various initial values, an “ID setting” function, a “copyright registration / setting” function, an “usage record output” function, etc. A selection button to specify is displayed. Also, select applications that are preferentially selected when there is no operation for a certain period of time, set the transition time to low power according to the International Energy Star Plan, and set the transition time to auto-off / sleep mode. It is possible to set.

  On the liquid crystal touch panel 79, various function keys and a message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus are displayed. The LCD touch panel 79 has a “copy” function, a “scanner” function, a “print” function, a “facsimile” function, an “accumulate” function, an “edit” function, a “register” function, a “link” function, and other functions. A function selection key 80g for selection and execution is displayed. An input / output screen determined for the function designated by the function selection key 80g is displayed. For example, when the “copy” function is designated, as shown in FIG. 4, the function keys 79a and 79b and the number of copies and the image forming apparatus A message indicating the status is displayed. When the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 79, the key indicating the selected function is inverted in gray. When the details of the function must be specified (for example, the type of page printing), the detailed function setting screen is displayed by touching the key. Thus, since the liquid crystal touch panel uses a dot display device, it is possible to graphically perform an optimal display at that time.

  The personal computer PC connected to the LAN stores a multi-function application (program) that uses the multi-function copier (FIGS. 1 to 3). The application is started and copied from the operation input screen. , Reading, printing and facsimile can be instructed, and image storage, editing and registration can be performed. In summary, the input / output function of the operation input screen displayed on the display of the PC is equivalent to the input / output function of the operation board 220, and the same input / output operation as when operating the operation board 220 is performed on the PC. It can be carried out.

  FIG. 5 shows an outline of the functional configuration of the CDIC. The image data input / output control 161 receives the image data output from the color document scanner 210 (SBU) and outputs it to the IPP. The IPP performs “scanner image processing” 190 (FIGS. 7 and 8) and sends it to the CDIC image data input control 162. The data received by the image data input control 162 is subjected to primary compression of the image data in the data compression unit 163 in order to increase the transfer efficiency on the parallel bus Pb. The compressed image data is converted into parallel data by the data converter 164 and sent to the parallel bus Pb via the parallel data I / F 165. Image data input from the parallel data bus Pb via the parallel data I / F 165 is serially converted by the data converter 164. This data is primarily compressed for bus transfer and is decompressed by the data decompression unit 166. The expanded image data is transferred to the IPP by the image data output control 167. In the IPP, RGB image data is converted into YMCK image data by “image quality processing” 300 (FIGS. 7 and 8), and is converted into image data Yp, Mp, Cp, Kp for image output of the printer 100, and the color printer 100. Output to.

  The CDIC has a conversion function of parallel data transferred by the parallel bus Pb and serial data transferred by the serial bus Sb. The system controller 31a transfers data to the parallel bus Pb, and the process controller 131 transfers data to the serial bus Sb. For communication between the two controllers 1 and 131, the data conversion unit 164 and the serial data I / F 169 perform parallel / serial data conversion. The serial data I / F 168 is for IPP, and serial data transfer is performed with IPP.

  FIG. 6 shows an outline of the configuration of the IMAC. The IMAC includes an access control 172, a memory control 173, a secondary compression / decompression module 176, an image editing module 177, a system I / F 179, a local bus control 180, a parallel bus control 171, a serial port control 175, a serial port 174, and a network. A control 178 is provided. The secondary compression / decompression module 176, the image editing module 177, the parallel bus control 171, the serial port control 175, and the network control 178 are each connected to the access control 172 via a DMAC (direct memory access control).

  The system I / F 179 transmits / receives commands or data to / from the system controller 31a. Basically, the system controller 31a controls the entire ACP. The system controller 31a manages the resource allocation of the MEM and HDD, and controls other units through the system I / F 179, the parallel bus control 171 and the parallel bus Pb.

  Each unit of ACP is basically connected to the parallel bus Pb. Therefore, the parallel bus control 171 manages the transmission / reception of data to / from the system controller 31a, the MEM, and the HDD by controlling the bus occupation.

  The network control 178 controls connection with the LAN. The network control 178 manages transmission / reception of data to / from an external expansion device connected to the network. Here, the system controller 31a is not involved in the operation management of the connected devices on the network, but controls the interface in the IMAC.

  The serial port 174 connected to the serial bus has a plurality of ports. The serial port control 175 includes a number of port control mechanisms corresponding to the types of buses prepared. Separately from the external serial port, it controls the command reception with the operation unit or the transmission and reception of data related to display.

  The local bus control 180 interfaces with a local serial bus Rb to which a RAM 34a necessary for starting the system controller 31a, a nonvolatile memory 35a, and a font ROM 36a for expanding printer code data are connected.

  In the operation control, command control is performed by the system controller 31a from the system I / F 179. Data control manages MEM and HDD access from external units, with MEM and HDD as the center. Image data is transferred from the CDIC to the IMAC via the parallel bus Pb. Then, the image data is taken into the IMAC by the parallel bus control 171.

  Memory access of the captured image data leaves the management of the system controller 31a. That is, the memory access is performed by direct memory access control (DMAC) independently of the system control. For access to the MEM and HDD, the access control 172 arbitrates access requests from a plurality of units. The memory control 173 controls the access operation of the MEM and HDD or the data read / write.

  When accessing the MEM and HDD from the network, data taken into the IMAC from the network via the network control 178 is transferred to the MEM and HDD by the direct memory access control DMAC. The access control 172 arbitrates access to the MEM and HDD in a plurality of jobs. The memory control 173 reads / writes data to / from the MEM and HDD.

  When accessing the MEM and HDD from the serial bus, the data taken into the IMAC via the serial port 174 by the serial port control 175 is transferred to the MEM and HDD by the direct memory access control DMAC. The access control 172 arbitrates access to the MEM and HDD in a plurality of jobs. The memory control 173 reads / writes data to / from the MEM and HDD.

  Print output data from a PC connected to the network or serial bus is developed by the system controller 31a in the memory area in the MEM and HDD using the font data on the local bus.

  The system controller 31a manages the interface with each external unit. For data transfer after being taken into the IMAC, each DMAC shown in FIG. 6 manages memory access. In this case, since each DMAC performs data transfer independently of each other, the access control 172 gives priority to job collisions or access requests regarding access to the MEM and HDD.

  Here, the access to the MEM and the HDD includes an access from the system controller 31a via the system I / F 179 for developing a bitmap of stored data in addition to the access by each DMAC. The DMAC data permitted to access the MEM and HDD in the access control 172 or the data from the system I / F 179 is directly transferred to the MEM and HDD by the memory control 173.

  The IMAC has a secondary compression / decompression module 176 and an image editing module 177 for data processing therein. The secondary compression / decompression module 176 compresses and decompresses data so that image data or code data can be effectively stored in the MEM and HDD. The secondary compression / decompression module 176 controls the interface with the MEM and HDD by DMAC.

  The image data once stored in the MEM and HDD is called from the MEM and HDD to the secondary compression / decompression module 176 via the memory control 173 and the access control 172 by the direct memory access control DMAC. The image data thus converted is returned to the MEM and HDD by the direct memory access control DMAC or output to the external bus.

  The image editing module 177 controls the MEM and HDD by the DMAC, and performs data processing in the MEM and HDD. Specifically, the image editing module 177 performs rotation processing of image data, synthesis of different images, and the like as data processing in addition to clearing the memory area. The image editing module 177 reads the secondary compressed data from the MEM and HDD, decompresses the secondary compressed data to the primary compressed data by the secondary compression / decompression module 176, and uses the same decoding logic as the CDIC data decompression 163 in the module 177. The next compressed data is decompressed into image data, expanded in the memory in the module 177, and processed. The processed image data is subjected to primary compression with the same encoding logic as the CDIC primary compression logic, and further subjected to secondary compression with the secondary compression / decompression module 176, and written to the MEM and HDD.

  FIG. 7 shows an outline of IPP image processing. The read image is transmitted from the IPP input I / F (interface) to the “scanner image processing” 190 via the SBU and CDIC. This “scanner image processing” 190 is for the purpose of correcting the reading deterioration of the read image signal. After performing the shading correction, after performing the scanner gamma conversion, the data is transferred to the CDIC and stored in the MEM and HDD. Is called. Image data stored in the MEM and HDD and read out is transferred to the IPP again via the CDIC. Here, “background removal correction processing” is performed. Then, “image quality processing” 300 is performed.

  FIG. 8 shows an outline of the image processing function of IPP. IPP is separated and generated (determination of whether an image is a character area or a photographic area: image area separation) 192, background removal 193, scanner gamma conversion 194, filter 195, color correction 302, magnification change 303, image processing 304, printer gamma conversion 305 And gradation processing 606 is performed. IPP is a programmable arithmetic processing means for performing image processing. Image data input to the CDIC from the output I / F 12 of the scanner 210 is transferred to the IPP via the CDIC, and the signal deterioration accompanying the quantization to the optical system and the digital signal by the IPP (scanner signal deterioration). Is corrected and output (transmitted) to the CDIC again. In the IPP, “image quality processing” 300 is performed on the image data returned from the CDIC to the IPP. In “image quality processing” 300, RGB signals are converted into YMCK signals by color correction 302, and scaling processing such as scaling 303, image processing 304, printer gamma conversion 305, gradation conversion, dither processing, or error diffusion processing is performed. 306 etc. are performed.

  The personal computer PC shown in FIG. 1 stores a “multifunctional application” (program) that uses a multifunction copying machine (FIGS. 1 to 3). Reading, printing, and facsimile can be instructed, and image storage, editing, and registration can be performed.

  FIG. 9 shows an outline of the “hue adjustment” HAJ function included in the composite function application stored in the personal computer PC. When the user activates the “multifunction application” on the personal computer PC, it displays the “multifunction application” menu screen on the display connected to the personal computer PC (step s1). In the following, the word “step” is omitted, and only the step number symbol is written in parentheses.

  On the menu screen, the user can use the keyboard or mouse to input, open, copy, read, print, and facsimile instructions for the file, and specify image storage, editing, and registration. Here, when some instruction is given to display the processing target image on the display, the “multifunction application” displays a “hue adjustment” button on a part of the task bar of the display screen (s2, s3). When this “hue adjustment” button is clicked, the “multifunction application” proceeds to “hue adjustment” (s4-s5).

  In “hue adjustment”, RGB data of an image being displayed is converted into YCbCr data, a hue angle H is calculated, a region to which the hue angle H belongs is determined, region data is generated, and YCbCr data (S5). In this embodiment, it is possible to designate a maximum of six colors for which hue adjustment is desired, and the hue adjustment is individually performed for those designated colors. In step s5, first, the image data (RGB data) is converted into YCbCr data using the conversion matrix table of equation (1) shown in Equation 1 (Y: brightness, Cb, Cr: saturation). By converting RGB data into YCbCr data, the color space can be understood as three types of parameters such as brightness, saturation, and hue as shown in FIG.

  In the hue circle shown in FIG. 11 obtained by plotting the Cb-Cr relationship of the YCbCr data, the colors are distributed in a circular shape with the center of the hue circle being an achromatic color as the origin, and the higher the distance from the center, the higher the saturation. Represents color. Each color is always distributed at a certain angle of the 360 degree hue circle, and the angle of the line connecting the center of the hue circle and the highest saturation point of each color is called the hue. FIG. 11 shows the positions of hues of six colors R (red), G (green), B (blue), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow), which are generally called primary colors. .

In step s5, subsequently, the hue H is calculated from the Cb and Cr values of the converted YCbCr data using the following conversion formula:
H = tan ⁻¹ (Cb / Cr) (2) equation.

A problem in individually adjusting the hues of colors designated by the user is how to maintain continuity with respect to surrounding colors by performing the adjustment. In order to maintain this continuity, it is necessary to make some adjustments. In this embodiment, as this adjustment method, first, as shown in FIG. 10, in addition to the six primary colors, six quasi-primary colors between the primary colors are defined, The YCbCr space is divided into 12 regions using a total of 12 primary colors and quasi-primary colors, and the region data representing the region to which the hue of the YCbCr data belongs is determined and generated (s5). Other hues (positions) in the same area as the hue (position) for which change has been specified maintain the continuity of hue transition within the area by adjusting the hue by interpolation. However, the area to which the interpolation is applied is the 6 areas 1A to 6A having the primary color shown in FIG. 13A as a boundary, or 6 areas having the quasi-primary color shown in FIG. 13B as a boundary. Within each area of 1B to 6B. The relationship between the areas 1A to 6A and 1B to 6B to which the interpolation is applied and the determination areas (circled 1 to 12 in FIG. 10) is as follows:
Interpolation application area ((a), (b) in FIG. 13) Determined area (FIG. 10)
1A with circle 1,2
2A Circled 3, 4
3A Circled 5,6
4A Circled 7,8
5A Circled 9,10
6A Circled 11,12
1B Circled 12,1
2B Circled 2,3
3B with circle 4,5
4B with circle 6,7
5B Circled 8,9
6B Rounded 10, 11
The six quasi-primary colors are the middle colors in the RGB space of the six primary colors. Table 1 summarizes the RGB values, YCbCr values, and hues of a total of twelve primary colors and quasi-primary colors.

  In this embodiment, the divided portions indicated by circles 1 to 12 in FIG. 10 having these 12 colors as boundaries are defined as hue region units for region determination, and the conversion matrix table of the expression (1) is used. The calculated Cb and Cr are given to the calculation table of equation (2) to derive H, and it is determined by determining which of the 12 regions (circled 1 to 12) shown in FIG. The area data representing the area is added to the YCbCr data calculated using the conversion matrix table of equation (1) and stored (s5).

  Next, the “multifunction application” displays Cb and Cr calculated using the conversion matrix table of the equation (1) on the display. That is, the hue circle of the processing target image is displayed, and a GUI (Graphical User Interface) shown in FIG. 12 is displayed in a part of the display area (s6).

  Here, the user determines whether or not to perform hue adjustment for the six primary colors when adjusting the hue of the designated color. Depending on the user, it may be considered that the six primary colors do not need to be adjusted, so the GUI is displayed as a setting means for determining whether or not to adjust the six primary colors. When the user clicks the check box of the GUI shown in FIG. 12 to turn it off (blank) and clicks the input key, the “multifunction application” displays the adjustment input screen shown in FIG. 14 on the display (s7 to s9). The hue circle displayed there is divided into regions 1A to 6A of the interpolation processing unit shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the hue circle of the processing target image is displayed, and not all colors are included in the processing target image in a well-balanced manner. Therefore, the hue circle is a standard hue shown in FIGS. 14 and 13A. It is not always a ring display. The same applies to the drawings referred to below in this embodiment. When the user clicks the check box of the GUI shown in FIG. 12 to turn it on (black dot display) and clicks the input key, the “multifunction application” displays the adjustment input screen shown in FIG. 15 on the display (s7, s8, s10). The hue circle displayed there is divided into regions 1B to 6B of the interpolation processing unit shown in FIG.

  If the setting is made so that the six primary colors are not adjusted (FIGS. 13A and 14), it is impossible to designate the six primary colors as the colors (hues) for adjusting the hue. If the setting is made so that the six quasi-primary colors are not adjusted (FIG. 13B, FIG. 15), it is impossible to designate the six quasi-primary colors as the colors for adjusting the hue. The maximum number of hues that can be specified by the user is six, and the primary colors or quasi-primary colors shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 13 are used regardless of whether or not the six primary colors are adjusted. The hue on the region boundary cannot be adjusted in the divided regions (1A) to (6A) or (1B) to (6B).

In the hue circle on the adjustment input screen shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a bar (region boundary line) representing the hues of primary colors or quasi-primary colors is displayed, and the user can arbitrarily set the color between the bars. You can select a color and adjust its hue, but there is a check box for whether or not to adjust the hue, and it is possible to make adjustments only when the check box is enabled (displays a black dot by clicking). . The user can specify the hue to be adjusted individually. For example, manually input the RGB value of the hue you want to adjust, specify and drag the adjustment point on the hue ring with the mouse pointer, or open the color palette window. The hue angle value H is acquired by opening and specifying the adjustment target color and the adjustment target color (expected color after adjustment) in the palette. That is, the following three kinds of methods can be selected as the color selection method for adjusting the hue:
(1) RGB value direct input,
(2) Hue angle value automatic capture by mouse click on the hue circle, or
(3) Open the color palette window and select on that window.

  In the case of the RGB value direct input of (1) above, the RGB value of the color to be changed is input with the keyboard in the “adjustment color” box shown in FIG. In the automatic capture by mouse click in (2) above, if the hue to be adjusted is specified with the mouse on the hue circle shown in FIG. 14 or 15, a radius line passing through the specified point is displayed, and dragging it displays the original radius line. The drag radius line rotates as a dotted line. Gets the hue angle of the drag radius line automatically. In the method using the color palette window of (3), a color palette window for displaying colors that can be handled on the computer is displayed by pressing the “palette” button in FIG. 14 or FIG. The user selects an adjustment target color and an adjustment target color. The hue angle value is automatically acquired from the color palette (s11).

  In the case of RGB input of (1) above, the “multifunction application” calculates the hue angle value, and as shown in FIG. 14 or FIG. 15, a bar (dotted radius line) indicating the hue of the selected color on the hue circle. : From) and a bar (solid line radius line: to) indicating the hue of the adjustment target color. Also in the case of (3) above, a bar (dotted radius line) indicating the hue of the selected color and a bar (solid line) indicating the hue of the adjustment target color are displayed on the hue circle.

  The above bar and the values of the adjustment color and adjustment angle of the square block reflect each other, and when the bar is moved, the numerical value is also changed. Conversely, when the numerical value is changed, the bar is moved. Note that the hue adjustment range does not exceed adjacent primary colors or quasi-primary colors. That is, it is within one area of the interpolation processing unit, and limits are imposed on numerical input and bar movement beyond that range. The area | region of the interpolation process unit here is 1A-6A or 1B-6B shown in FIG.

  When the user clicks the “setting” button on the adjustment input screen shown in FIG. 14 or FIG. 15, the “multifunction application” confirms the adjustment input value so far, and performs hue rotation and inverse conversion to RGB data (s14). ) Is performed (s12-s14). When the user clicks on the “Reset” button, the hue adjustment input performed by the user is invalidated, and all the adjustment values operated so far are reset to 0 (s13-s2).

  In the hue rotation and the inverse conversion to RGB data (s14) when the user clicks the “set” button, the hue rotation by interpolation is performed in order to maintain the continuity of the colors in the region. Interpolation is a separate calculation formula for the case where the adjustment of the six primary colors described above is performed and the case where it is not performed.

(A) When the six primary colors are not adjusted (when adjustment is input on the screen of FIG. 14)
Hue for which adjustment is specified, Horg for hues of primary colors 1 and 2 (for example, M and R) adjacent to the hue for which adjustment is specified, Ha1 and Ha2 for which adjustment is specified (target hue angle-adjustment target) Hue angle; solid line bar angle in FIGS. 14 and 15−dotted line bar angle) is x, and hues H ′ after adjustment of hues other than the designated hue are as follows. It can be obtained by an equation (H is a hue before adjustment):
(1) An interpolation formula for the color H between the adjacent primary color 1 and the hue Horg designated for adjustment
H ′ = H + x × (Ha1−H) / (Ha1−Horg) (3) Equation (2) Interpolation equation for the color H between the adjacent primary color 2 and the hue Horg designated for adjustment
H ′ = H + xx × (H−Ha2) / (Horg−Ha2) (4) equation.

(B) When adjusting the six primary colors (when adjusting input on the screen of FIG. 15)
If the hue specified for adjustment is Horg, the hues of quasi-primary colors 1 and 2 (for example, MR and RY) adjacent to the hue specified for adjustment are Hb1 and Hb2, and the hue adjustment angle is x, the distance between quasi-primary colors 1 and 2 The hues H ′ after adjustment of hues other than the designated hue can be obtained by the following formula (H is the hue before adjustment):
(3) Interpolation formula for the color H between the adjacent quasi-primary color 1 and the hue Horg designated for adjustment
H ′ = H + x × (Hb1−H) / (Hb1−Horg) (5) Equation (4) Interpolation equation for the color H between the adjacent quasi primary color 2 and the hue Horg designated for adjustment
H ′ = H + xx × (H−Hb2) / (Horg−Hb2) (6)

  By performing the hue adjustment in each of the cases (A) and (B) using the above interpolation calculation formula, the color near the color for which the adjustment is designated is greatly affected by the adjustment, and as the color approaches the primary color or quasi-primary color. It has the characteristic that it is not affected by the adjustment value, and the continuity of colors other than the designated color can be maintained. Furthermore, in this interpolation formula, not only the color for which adjustment is specified, but also the color from low saturation to high saturation with the same hue value as that color changes at the same rate, so the continuity in the saturation direction is also impaired. There is nothing.

  Subsequently, the CbCr value is changed using the hue H ′ calculated by the above procedure. Assuming that the data before hue adjustment is Cb, Cr and the data after adjustment is Cb ′, Cr ′, Cb ′, Cr ′ uses the hues H, H ′ before and after the adjustment, as shown in Equation (7). Calculation is performed using a conversion matrix table.

  The hue rotation by the interpolation described above is performed on CbCr of YCbCr data to which area data (area data calculated in step s5) representing an area to which the hue designated for adjustment belongs is added. Then, all the YCbCr data of the processing target image is changed to RGB values using the conversion matrix table of the equation (8) shown in Equation 8 (the above is s14).

  By the hue rotation by interpolation of each hue in the same area as described above, the original hue on the dotted line shown in FIG. 16, for example, is moved to the position of the solid line to widen the fan, and from MR to the dotted line The color distribution of the region up to MR is expanded from the solid line radius line, and the color distribution of the region from RY to the dotted line is compressed by compressing the region from RY to the solid line radius line. Become. Note that other interpolation methods such as spline interpolation may be used instead of the above-described linear interpolation.

  Next, the “multifunction application” updates and displays the image represented by the RGB data after the above-described hue rotation (s14-s3). The display screen has a task bar with buttons to close, save as, print, send, store image, edit and register, and the user can click on a specific button to view the displayed image. Instruct treatment. For example, when “print” is clicked, the “multifunction application” displays a print condition input screen, so that an instruction can be input and the displayed image can be printed out by the multifunction device shown in FIG.

  In each step of s1, s3, s6, s9, and s10, an operation bar is displayed on the display screen. By operating buttons such as “return”, “cancel”, and “end”, It is possible to return to the upstream processing, and to terminate (stop) the processing.

-First modification-
The hardware of the first modification is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, but the contents of “hue adjustment” HAJ in the “multifunction application” stored in the personal computer PC are slightly different.
FIG. 17 shows an outline of the processing function of the “hue adjustment” HAJ used in the first modification. In this first modification, the RGB data of the image displayed on the display in step s3 is converted into YCbCr data and the hue angle H is calculated, but no region determination is performed in step s5a. Instead, after the hue adjustment input is completed, the area of each YCbCr data is determined, and only the YCbCr data belonging to the area for which the adjustment input has been performed is rotated by the above-described interpolation (s14a). Other functions are the same as in the first embodiment.

-Second modification-
The hardware of the second modification is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the contents of “hue adjustment” HAJ in the “multifunction application” stored in the personal computer PC are slightly different.
FIG. 18 shows an outline of the processing function of “hue adjustment” HAJ used in the second modification. In this second modification, when there is an instruction for color adjustment (s4), an adjustment input screen displaying the standard hue circle shown in FIG. 14 or 15 is first displayed on the display (s6a). The standard hue circle does not indicate only the colors included in the processing target image, but displays all colors that can be represented by RGB data. However, since there are restrictions on the number of display pixels, the amount of processing data, and the processing speed, all colors that can be represented by RGB data are regularly sampled (thinned out). When the hue adjustment input is completed, the RGB data of the image that is the processing target and displayed on the display is converted into YCbCr data, the hue angle H is calculated, and the region of the hue angle H is determined (s5a). Then, after the hue rotation by the above-described interpolation is applied to the YCbCr data belonging to the area where the adjustment input has been made, all the YCbCr data is inversely converted to RGB data (s14). Other processing functions are the same as those in the first embodiment.

-Third modification-
The hardware of the third modification is also the same as that of the first embodiment described above, but the contents of “hue adjustment” HAJ in the “multifunction application” stored in the personal computer PC are slightly different.
FIG. 19 shows an outline of the processing function of the “hue adjustment” HAJ used in the third modification. In the third modified example, a standard hue ring is displayed on the adjustment input screen (s6a), as in the second modified example. However, when the adjustment input is completed, in the third modified example, the entire area in which the adjustment input has been made is interpolated, and interpolation is performed using the original Cb and Cr as access addresses and the interpolation calculation values Cb ′ and Cr ′ as storage data. A table is generated on the memory (s15). Then, the RGB data of the image to be processed and displayed on the display is converted into YCbCr data, the hue angle H is calculated, and the area of the hue angle H is determined (s5b). Then, YCb′Cr ′ data belonging to the area where the adjustment input has been made is replaced with the read-out YCbCr data. Then, all YCbCr data is inversely converted to RGB data (s14b). Other processing functions are the same as those in the first embodiment.

-Second Example-
The hardware of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but in the second embodiment, the “hue adjustment” HAJ (FIG. 9, FIG. 17, FIG. 18 or FIG. 19) is installed on the personal computer PC. Included in the printer driver.

  FIG. 20 shows an outline of the flow of image data in the second embodiment. In this second embodiment, when a user instructs to print an image on a personal computer PC from an application APpc, when the user opens the printer properties and clicks the “Hue adjustment” button on the task bar on the property screen, The RGB data of the image is transferred from the application APpc to the printer driver PDpc installed in the personal computer PC. The printer driver PDPc performs the hue adjustment described above with reference to FIG. 9, FIG. 17, FIG. 18, or FIG. Further, color matching processing is performed as necessary. When execution of printing is instructed, the printer driver PDpc transfers the RGB data subjected to the adjustment and color matching processing to the image data processing apparatus ACP. ACP converts RGB data to be transferred into CMYK data, which is a printing color space, using known techniques such as BG / UCR (Black Generation / Under Color Removal) and GCR (Gray Component Replacement). The CMYK data is subjected to γ (gamma) conversion processing for adjusting the color balance, and then subjected to gradation conversion using a known technique such as a dither method or an error diffusion method, as necessary. The CMYK data after gradation conversion is sent to the printer engine.

1 is an enlarged front view showing an appearance of a full-color copying machine having a composite image processing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the color printer PTR shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system in the copying machine illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a part of an operation board 220 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image data interface control CDIC shown in FIG. 3. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image memory access control IMAC shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the processing function of the image data processor IPP shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the content of the processing function shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of a function of “hue adjustment” HAJ in a “multifunctional application” installed in the personal computer PC shown in FIG. 1. It is a top view of a hue circle, and shows a region division of a hue circle used in an example. The primary color of this drawing is a vivid color, but it has been converted to monochrome. This is the same for the color circles on the other drawings. It is a top view of a general hue circle. It is a top view of GUI used in the embodiment to instruct hue adjustment. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a region of a hue circle in an embodiment, where (a) shows a region that cannot be designated for primary color adjustment, and (b) shows a region that can be designated for primary color adjustment. It is a top view which shows the hue adjustment input screen of the area division which cannot use adjustment designation | designated used in the Example. It is a top view which shows the hue adjustment input screen of the area division which can be used for the adjustment used in the Example. It is a top view which shows the position (dotted line: from) which designated the hue adjustment object on a hue ring, and its target position (solid line: to). FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a first modification of “hue adjustment” HAJ shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a second modification of the “hue adjustment” HAJ shown in FIG. 9. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a third modification of the “hue adjustment” HAJ illustrated in FIG. 9. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the flow of the image data from the personal computer PC to the printer PTR, and the process in the middle in 2nd Example. A solid graph of YCbCr color space when RGB data is converted to YCbCr data is shown.

Explanation of symbols

8: 1st tray 9: 2nd tray 10: 3rd tray 11: 1st paper feeder 12: 2nd paper feeder 13: 3rd paper feeder 14: Vertical conveyance unit 15: Photoconductor 16: Conveyor belt 17 : Fixing unit 18: paper discharge unit 19: branch claw 26: transport motor 27: developing device 100: finisher 101: switching plate 103: paper discharge roller 104: paper discharge tray 105: transport roller 106: stapler 107: transport roller 108: Staple table 109: Jogger 110: Paper discharge tray 111: Duplex paper feeding unit 112: Reversing unit

Claims (11)

In the hue adjustment device for color image data,
Means for displaying the hue characteristics as a graph on the hue ring;
Means for designating a hue position for each hue to obtain a desired characteristic with respect to the displayed hue characteristic;
Means for changing the hue characteristic based on a designated hue position;
A hue adjusting device comprising:   2. The hue adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for changing the hue characteristic changes a hue of an arbitrary color instead of a hue of a predetermined color.   2. The hue adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for changing the hue characteristic changes not only the hue of an arbitrary color but also the hue of surrounding colors so as to maintain gradation.   2. The hue adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for changing the hue characteristic changes an arbitrary hue within the same hue so as to maintain gradation.   2. The hue adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for changing the hue characteristic changes a parameter indicating the hue, and changes the hue in accordance with the changed parameter.   2. The hue adjustment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means is provided with a reset display for setting cancellation of hue adjustment by the designation means.   2. The hue adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for changing the hue characteristic is set in a printer driver installed in a computer.   An image comprising: the hue adjusting device according to claim 1; and a color printer that forms an image represented by the color image data on a sheet based on the color image data output by the hue adjusting device. Processing equipment.   An image scanner for reading an original image; color image data obtained by reading by the image scanner is subjected to the hue adjustment by the hue adjustment device, and color image data output from the hue adjustment device by the printer is converted to color image data. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein an image represented by the color image data is formed on a sheet based on the image data. In the hue adjustment of color image data,
Display a hue characteristic graph on the display screen of the computer;
Specify the hue position where the desired characteristics can be obtained for the displayed hue characteristics,
A hue adjustment method, wherein the printer driver of the computer changes the hue characteristic based on a designated hue position, and adjusts the hue with reference to the characteristic. In an information recording medium installed in a computer and recorded with a program for adjusting the hue of color image data,
When there is RGB image data input, a first step of converting the _YC b _{C r} image data,
A second procedure for displaying a hue characteristic graph of the converted Cb, Cr image data;
A third procedure for changing a hue characteristic based on the designated hue position when a hue position capable of obtaining a desired characteristic is designated for the displayed hue characteristic;
A fourth procedure for changing Cb, Cr data of Y, Cb, Cr image data based on the changed hue characteristics;
An information recording medium, wherein a fifth procedure for converting Y, Cb, Cr image data into R, G, B image data based on the changed Cb, Cr data is written as a program.

Images