JP2006094296A - Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image processing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system that realizes suitable specific color reproduction. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing system 1 includes a server 4, a client PC 3 and a printer 10. A color designation program 5 installed in the server 4 performs conversion into color values (more specifically, RGB values or CMYK values), corresponding to the color gamut of a printer 10 depending on a color (e.g. color chart number) designated by a designer and displays them on a client PC. Consequently, suitable specific color reproduction is realized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that specifies a color using a color chart or the like and reproduces a color substantially equivalent to the color chart.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a standard color data file group corresponding to the color reproduction characteristics of an output device is provided, and the spot color designation unit can be replaced with any spot color.
Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for obtaining a desired color reproduction by designating a color palette by outputting a color sample book with a color image forming apparatus, allowing a user to select a color, and storing the color in a color palette. Has been.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique for displaying a user-specified image on a color display and indicating which color chart output separately by a pixel specified by a pointing device.
JP-A-6-103381 JP-A-6-105131 JP-A-7-104672

  The present invention has been made from the above-described background, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing system that realizes suitable spot color reproduction.

[Image processing device]
In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an input unit that receives input of color designation information that designates a color, and an output that is applied by the image output apparatus according to the input color designation information. Output data generating means for generating color data expressed in a color space; and color value output means for outputting a color value corresponding to the color data of the output color space generated by the output data generating means.

  Preferably, the input means includes color designation information for designating a color, device identification information for identifying an output device that outputs the color, and an output indicating an output condition when the color is output by the output device. In response to the input of the condition information, the output data generation means generates color data of the output color space according to the input color designation information, device identification information, and output condition information.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes data conversion means for converting the color data of the output color space into color data of another color space, and the color value output means includes another color space converted by the data conversion means. Color data is output as the color value.

  Preferably, the image output device is a printing device, the output data generation unit generates color data of a printing color space applied by the printing device, and the data conversion unit converts the color data of the printing color space. Is converted into color data of a color space of another image output device or a color space independent of the device.

  Preferably, the output data generation unit generates a plurality of color data corresponding to a designated color, and the color value output unit outputs a color value corresponding to the generated plurality of color output data.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes data transmission means for transmitting a plurality of color data generated by the output data generation means to an image output device, wherein the color value output means is a plurality of colors transmitted by the data transmission means. A plurality of color values corresponding to these color data are output in a manner to be associated with each of the plurality of color images output based on the data.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a color measurement unit that measures a color image formed on a recording medium, and an image output device based on a color measurement value of the color image measured by the color measurement unit. Output data generating means for generating color data expressed in the output color space applied in (1).

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes color value output means for outputting a color value corresponding to the color data of the output color space generated by the output data generation means.

[Image forming apparatus]
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: an output data generating unit configured to generate color output data for outputting a specified color in response to an input of color specifying information for specifying a color; and the output data generating unit On the basis of the color output data, a color image including a designated color and an image forming unit that forms a color value image indicating the color output data are included.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: an output data generating unit configured to generate color output data for outputting a specified color in response to an input of color specifying information for specifying a color; and the output data generating unit An image forming unit that forms a color image including a designated color based on the color output data, and a color value output unit that outputs a color value indicating the color output data generated by the output data generation unit. Have.

[Image processing method]
The image processing method according to the present invention accepts input of color designation information for designating a color, and outputs color data expressed in an output color space applied by the image output device according to the input color designation information. Generate color values corresponding to the color data of the generated output color space.

[program]
The program according to the present invention includes a step of receiving input of color designation information for designating a color in an image processing apparatus including a computer, and an output color applied by the image output apparatus according to the input color designation information. The image processing apparatus executes a step of generating color data expressed in space and a step of outputting a color value corresponding to the color data of the generated output color space.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, suitable spot color reproduction can be realized.

[System configuration]
First, the overall configuration of the image processing system 1 to which the present invention is applied will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the image processing system 1.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image processing system 1 includes a printer device 10, a client PC 3, and a server device 4. The printer device 10, the plurality of client PCs 3 and the server device 4 are connected to each other via a network configured by a LAN or a WAN.
The client PC 3 is a general-purpose computer used for image processing and the like by a user such as a designer, and has an image generation / editing program installed therein.
The server device 4 is a computer terminal in which a color designation program 5 to be described later is installed, and performs a print request or a color designation process for the printer device 10 in response to a request from the client PC 3.

[Printer]
Next, the printer apparatus 10 to which the present invention is applied will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the tandem type printer apparatus 10.
As shown in FIG. 2, the printer device 10 includes an image reading unit 12, an image forming unit 14, an intermediate transfer belt 16, a paper tray 17, a paper conveyance path 18, a fixing device 19, and an image processing device 20. In addition to a printer function for printing image data received from the client PC 3 (FIG. 1) via the server apparatus 4, the printer apparatus 10 functions as a full-color copier using the image reading apparatus 12, and as a facsimile. It may be a multifunction machine having the above functions.

First, the outline of the printer apparatus 10 will be described. An image reading apparatus 12 and an image processing apparatus 20 are disposed above the printer apparatus 10 and function as image data input means. The image reading device 12 reads an image displayed on the document and outputs it to the image processing device 20. The image processing apparatus 20 performs color conversion, gradation correction, and image conversion on image data input from the image reading apparatus 12 or image data input from the client PC 3 or the like via a network such as a LAN (FIG. 1). Image processing such as resolution correction is performed and output to the image forming unit 14.
Below the image reading device 12, a plurality of image forming units 14 are arranged corresponding to the colors constituting the color image. In this example, the first image forming unit 14K, the second image forming unit 14Y, and the third image forming corresponding to each color of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). The unit 14M and the fourth image forming unit 14C are arranged horizontally along the intermediate transfer belt 16 with a certain interval. The intermediate transfer belt 16 rotates as an intermediate transfer member in the direction of an arrow A in the figure, and these four image forming units 14K, 14Y, 14M, and 14C are configured based on the image data input from the image processing apparatus 20. The toner images are sequentially formed, and transferred (primary transfer) to the intermediate transfer belt 16 at a timing at which the plurality of toner images are superimposed on each other. The order of the colors of the image forming units 14K, 14Y, 14M, and 14C is not limited to the order of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). ), Magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K), and the like.

  The sheet conveyance path 18 is disposed below the intermediate transfer belt 16. The recording paper 32 supplied from the paper tray 17 is transported on the paper transport path 18, and the toner images of each color transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 16 are collectively transferred (secondary transfer). The transferred toner image is fixed by the fixing device 19 and discharged to the outside along the arrow B.

Next, each configuration of the printer device 10 will be described in more detail.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading unit 12 reads a platen glass 124 on which a document is placed, a platen cover 122 that presses the document onto the platen glass 124, and an image of the document placed on the platen glass 124. And an image reading device 130. The image reading apparatus 130 illuminates a document placed on the platen glass 124 with a light source 132, and reflects a reflected light image from the document into a full-rate mirror 134, a first half-rate mirror 135, and a second half-rate mirror. Scanning exposure is performed on an image reading element 138 made of a CCD or the like via a reduction optical system consisting of 136 and an imaging lens 137, and the color material reflected light image of the original 30 is given a predetermined dot density (by this image reading element 138. For example, it is configured to read at 16 dots / mm).

  The image processing apparatus 20 performs predetermined image processing such as shading correction, document position shift correction, brightness / color space conversion, gamma correction, frame deletion, color / moving editing, and the like on the image data read by the image reading unit 12. Apply processing. The color material reflected light image of the original read by the image reading unit 12 is, for example, original reflectance data of three colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) (each 8 bits), By the image processing by the image processing apparatus 20, it is converted into original color material gradation data of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) (each 8 bits).

The first image forming unit 14K, the second image forming unit 14Y, the third image forming unit 14M, and the fourth image forming unit 14C (image forming means) are arranged in parallel at regular intervals in the horizontal direction. The arrangement is almost the same except that the color of the image to be formed is different. Accordingly, the first image forming unit 14K will be described below. The configuration of each image forming unit 14 is distinguished by adding K, Y, M, or C.
The image forming unit 14K forms an electrostatic latent image by an optical scanning device 140K that scans a laser beam in accordance with image data input from the image processing device 20, and a laser beam scanned by the optical scanning device 140K. And an image forming apparatus 150K.

The optical scanning device 140K modulates the semiconductor laser 142K according to the black (K) image data, and emits the laser light LB (K) from the semiconductor laser 142K according to the image data. The laser beam LB (K) emitted from the semiconductor laser 142K is applied to the rotary polygon mirror 146K via the first reflection mirror 143K and the second reflection mirror 144K, and is deflected and scanned by the rotation polygon mirror 146K. The light is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 152K of the image forming apparatus 150K through the second reflecting mirror 144K, the third reflecting mirror 148K, and the fourth reflecting mirror 149K.
The image forming apparatus 150K includes a photosensitive drum 152K as an image carrier that rotates at a predetermined rotational speed in the direction of arrow A, and primary charging as a charging unit that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 152K. And a developing device 156K for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 154K, and a cleaning device 158K. The photosensitive drum 152K is uniformly charged by the scorotron 154K, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by the laser beam LB (K) irradiated by the optical scanning device 140K. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 152K is developed with black (K) toner by the developing device 156K and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16. Residual toner, paper dust, and the like adhering to the photosensitive drum 152K after the toner image transfer process are removed by the cleaning device 158K.
The other image forming units 14Y, 14M, and 14C also form yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) toner images in the same manner as described above, and intermediately transfer the formed toner images of the respective colors. Transfer to belt 16.

The intermediate transfer belt 16 has a constant tension between the drive roll 164, the first idle roll 165, the steering roll 166, the second idle roll 167, the backup roll 168, and the third idle roll 169. The drive roll 164 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown), and is circulated at a predetermined speed in the direction of arrow A. The intermediate transfer belt 16 is formed into an endless belt by, for example, forming a flexible synthetic resin film such as polyimide in a belt shape and connecting both ends of the synthetic resin film formed in a belt shape by welding or the like. It has been done.
Further, the intermediate transfer belt 16 includes a first primary transfer roll 162K, a second primary transfer roll 162Y, a third primary transfer roll 162M, and a position facing the image forming units 14K, 14Y, 14M, and 14C, respectively. A fourth primary transfer roll 162C is provided, and the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 152K, 152Y, 152M, and 152C are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 16 in a multiple manner by these primary transfer rolls 162. The The residual toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 16 is removed by a cleaning blade or brush of a belt cleaning device 189 provided downstream of the secondary transfer position.

In the paper transport path 18, a paper feed roller 181 for taking out the recording paper 32 from the paper tray 17, a first roller pair 182, a second roller pair 183 and a third roller pair 184 for paper transport, and a recording paper A registration roll 185 is provided which conveys 32 to the secondary transfer position at a predetermined timing.
In addition, a secondary transfer roll 185 that is in pressure contact with the backup roll 168 is disposed at the secondary transfer position on the paper transport path 18, and each color toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 16 is Secondary transfer is performed on the recording paper 32 by the pressing force and electrostatic force of the secondary transfer roll 185. The recording paper 32 onto which the toner image of each color is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 19 by the first conveyance belt 186 and the second conveyance belt 187.
The fixing device 19 melts and fixes the toner to the recording paper 32 by performing heat treatment and pressure treatment on the recording paper 32 to which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred.

[Server device]
Next, the server device 4 to which the present invention is applied will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the server apparatus 4 to which the image processing method according to the present invention is applied, centering on the control apparatus 20.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the server device 4 includes a control device 40 including a CPU 402 and a memory 404, a communication device 42, a recording device 44 such as an HDD / CD device, an LCD display device or a CRT display device, a keyboard, A user interface device (UI device) 46 including a touch panel and the like is included.

[background]
In recent years, image data for printing is generated and edited using a computer in the prepress field. A designer in this field sometimes designates a printed color of image data for printing by a commercially available color chart or a color chart number.
Recently, the printer device 10 calibrates the printing result, or the output from the printer device 10 may be the final printed matter, which is called on-demand publishing. Such a workflow is digitized, and when generating or editing image data for printing, the color chart name or color chart number is embedded in the image data, and the image data is interpreted when outputting the image data. A configuration for outputting a color equivalent to a color chart is known.

  In this case, the format of the image data is limited to a format that can embed a color chart number or the like. Naturally, a program for generating and editing an image must be able to handle such a format of image data. There are several page description languages (Page Description Language). In addition, a color image output device such as a printing device, a printer device, or a display device that receives and visualizes such image data naturally needs an image processing device that can interpret such image data. And Hereinafter, this form is referred to as a specific color corresponding image format mediating type. This specific color corresponding image format mediation type is probably the most widely used method.

  In the above, as exemplified by commercially available color charts, it may be required to reflect the designer's intention of “I want to make this part in this color” when outputting a color image. In this sense, it is not limited to color charts, and it is only necessary that the color intended by the designer can be defined. For example, the coordinate value of the color space defined by CIE (International Lighting Commission) may be used, and the color intended by the designer will be referred to as a specific color.

  There are a wide variety of color image data generation / editing software, and many of them are not designed for cooperation with color image output devices. On the contrary, it can be said that the versatility is high because the cooperation with the color image output apparatus is not considered. When a specific color is designated by many color image data generation / editing software, an RGB value or a CMYK value is designated.

  The above-mentioned specific color corresponding image format mediation type has a drawback that the image data generation / editing program must support the image format. In general, an interpretation program for a page description language is complicated and cannot be easily created. Therefore, the image data generation / editing program is practically limited in the specific color corresponding image format mediated type. The same applies to the color image output apparatus.

Further, the methods disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 6-103381 and 6-105131 require tight coupling with a color image output device when image data is generated / edited.
In addition, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-104672 associates the color displayed on the color display with the color image output device. However, as described above, the color chart is designated. Requires a work such as finding the color chart created by the color chart and the color image output device by visual observation, and there is a case where there is no one close to the target color chart.
As described above, the above prior art approximates the color intended by the designer and the output color, but is based on the premise of a system that is linked to or integrated with the color image output apparatus.

  Therefore, the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment aims to perform desired color reproduction without any cooperation between the client PC 3 that generates and edits image data and the printer device 10 at all.

The above-described prior art allows a color image output apparatus to specify a specific color intended by a designer with a number or name on the image data generation / editing software, or to specify a color chart on a display with a pointing device. This was based on the idea of making the color of the output image the same as the specific color.
In the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, color values (specifically, RGB values or CMYK values) used in the image data generation / editing program used by the designer are used as the server device 4 or the printer. The apparatus 10 teaches the designer to perform suitable specific color reproduction without providing any additional function in the image data generation / editing program.

[Color specification program]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the color designation program 5 which is executed by the server device 4 (FIG. 1) and implements the image processing method according to the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the color designation program 5 includes a color designation input unit 500, a color data calculation unit 510, a communication unit 550, and an elementary data generation unit 560. The color data calculation unit 510 includes a color name / color value conversion unit 520, a color specification value / RGB conversion unit 530, and a color specification value / CMYK conversion unit 540. The communication unit 550 includes a color chart image output unit. 552 and a color value output unit 554.
In the present embodiment, the color designation program 5 is installed in the server apparatus 4 and the server apparatus 4 performs color designation processing in response to a request from the client PC 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the color designation program 5 may be installed in the client PC 3 and the client PC 3 may perform the color designation processing. Alternatively, the color designation program 5 may be installed in the printer apparatus 10 and the printer apparatus 10 itself. May perform color designation processing.

  In the color designation program 5, the color designation input unit 500 outputs color designation information for designating a color such as a color chart number, device identification information for identifying an output device that outputs a color, and this color is output from this output device. When the output condition information indicating the output condition is received from the client PC 3 (FIG. 1), the received color designation information, device identification information, output condition information, and the like are output to the color data calculation unit 510.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display screen 700 displayed on the client PC 3 (FIG. 1). The display screen 700 illustrated in this figure is displayed on the client PC 3 based on the HTML file created by the server device 4.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the display screen 700 includes a color designation area 710, an output device designation area 720, an output condition designation area 730, a color space designation area 740, a color chart interval designation area 750, a color value display area 760, and A reproduction accuracy display area 770 is displayed.
In the color designation area 710, two radio buttons 712 are provided. The first radio button 712a is a button for selecting color designation based on a color chart series, and the second radio button is a button for selecting color designation based on a Lab value. When one of the radio buttons 712 is selected by the pointing device, the selected one becomes active.
That is, when the first radio button 712a is selected, the color chart series selection box 714 and the color designation box 716 are activated. This color chart series selection box 714 accepts selection of a color chart series (a group of commercially available major color charts). The color designation box 716 accepts selection of a specific color from the selected color chart series. For example, the color designation box 716 has a relatively small number, and for those defined by color names such as “Asagi” and “Amber”, the selection of the color name is accepted from a pull-down menu, and a number of color charts are selected. For those defined with a different number, input of the number is accepted.
The color designation input unit 500 identifies the color of the designated color chart by detecting this color chart designation operation.

When the second radio button 712b is selected, the color value input box 719 is activated. This color value input box 719 accepts input of a desired Lab value by keyboard input or the like. In this embodiment, only Lab values can be input, but color values in other color spaces may be input values. For example, the color of the color chart can be defined using a color space that does not depend on a device such as Luv, XYZ, or sYCbCr, in addition to the color space Lab defined by the CIE.
In addition, the Lab color space can be defined only after the light source is specified. However, in this embodiment, since the main object is the printing-related business, the description is based on the D50 light source unless otherwise specified. Other light sources may be used, and a configuration in which a light source is selected is also possible.
The color designation input unit 500 identifies the color of the designated color chart by detecting this color value input operation.

  When a color chart is specified or a Lab value is input, the specified color is displayed in the color display window 718 so that it can be confirmed whether there is an obvious mistake in the specification.

  In the output device designation area 720, an output device designation box 722 is provided. This output device designation box 722 accepts designation of an output device for outputting a color chart image (color chart image). In the present embodiment, a case where the printer device 10 is designated as an output device will be described as a specific example.

In the output condition designation area 730, a color intent selection box 732, a user adjustment box 734, and a color gamut compression method selection box 736 are provided. The color intent selection box 732 accepts selection of a color intent as the color chart image output condition. The color intent is a parameter that can be specified at the time of printing such as a photo mode, a web mode, and a map mode. The user adjustment box 734 receives input of user adjustment parameters. This corresponds to a printer apparatus provided with a user adjustment mechanism that allows a user to adjust gradation reproduction or the like depending on the model. Such a printer apparatus can store user adjustment parameters input by the user. It has become. If user adjustment parameters are used during actual output, correct color data output cannot be obtained without considering the user adjustment parameters.
In the image processing system 1 of the present embodiment, the output device model, color intent, and user adjustment can be specified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an assumed color image output device (printer device, monitor) Etc.) may be configured to input output conditions relating to color reproduction. The color designation program 5 of the present embodiment is software for a network printer, and is connected to the printer apparatus 10 via a network, and is registered in the printer apparatus 10 on the server apparatus 4 (color designation program 5) side. It is also possible to acquire user adjustment parameters and the like.
The color gamut compression method selection box 736 becomes active when the output color space is CMYK or when the device link format is used for RGB input described later. The specific colors called spot colors that are generally used in printing include those that are brighter than colors reproduced by a combination of CMYK (process colors). Accordingly, since the printer device 10 is a process color, if the designated color chart is out of the color gamut that can be reproduced by the printer device, it is necessary to compress the color gamut. There are a plurality of methods for compressing the color gamut, and color reproduction differs depending on these methods. Therefore, the color gamut compression method selection box 736 accepts a parameter that specifies the color gamut compression method. Acceptable parameters are, for example, color difference priority, saturation priority, hue priority, and the like.

The color space designation area 740 is provided with a plurality of radio buttons 742 for selecting a color space for color data output. In this example, the CMYK color space is designated by the selection of the second radio button 742. In the present embodiment, RGB, CMYK, and Lab can be selected. In order to distinguish from other color spaces, the color space for color data output is hereinafter referred to as an output color space.
Note that the color designation input unit 500 prohibits selection of a color intent when CMYK is selected as the output color space. That is, when CMYK is selected as the output color space, the color intent cannot be selected. When the RGB image data is output, color conversion is performed into the color space CMYK of the printer device 10 when the RGB image data is output. At that time, a color conversion coefficient based on the color intent is selected. On the other hand, when CMYK image data is output, it is a general usage form that it is directly output without undergoing such color conversion. A designer (user) who edits image data edits RGB image data, or an output color space is selected according to CMYK image data. At this time, if it is RGB image data, it is edited before the printer device 10 performs color conversion of RGB to CMYK, and it is necessary to consider the color conversion in the printer device 10. In the case of CMYK image data, the color conversion of the printer apparatus 10 is basically to output in a through state, and therefore the color intent of the printer apparatus 10 is not required. From the above, the color designation input unit 500 prohibits selection of a color intent when CMYK is selected as the output color space.

  In the color chart interval designation area 750, a color difference interval selection box 752 is provided. The color difference interval selection box 752 accepts input of color differences of a plurality of color charts to be output. In accordance with the input color difference, the printer device 10 prints a plurality of color chart images on a recording sheet with the designated color as the center.

When the user inputs color designation information, apparatus identification information, output condition information, etc. in the color designation area 710, output device designation area 720, output condition designation area 730, color space designation area 740, and color chart interval designation area 750, The color designation input unit 500 acquires the input color designation information, device identification information, and output condition information. When a click operation is detected with the OK button 702, the color designation information, device, and the like are triggered. The identification information and the output condition information are output to the color data calculation unit 510. That is, an operation on the OK button 702 triggers calculation execution by the color data calculation unit 510.
In the color value display area 760 and the reproduction accuracy display area 770, the calculation results calculated by the color data calculation unit 510 are displayed. Details will be described later.

  The color data calculation unit 510 calculates a color value for outputting the designated color by the printer device 10 based on the color designation information, device identification information, and output condition information input from the color designation input unit 500.

The communication unit 550 includes a color chart image output unit 552 and a color value output unit 554.
The color chart image output unit 552 creates color chart print data (image data including CMYK values) using the color values (CMYK values) calculated by the color data calculation unit 510, and uses the created print data. Transmit to the printer device 10.
The color value output unit 554 transmits the color value calculated by the color data calculation unit 510 (the color value in the color space designated by the user) to the client PC 3. Further, the color value output unit 554 may transmit the color value calculated by the color data calculation unit 510 to the printer device 10 as font data and print it on the same recording paper as the color chart image. In this case, together with the designated color chart image, the calculated color value is printed as a number on the recording paper.

  The elementary data generation unit 560 generates elementary data of the printer device 10 based on the colorimetric values received from the printer device 10 and outputs the generated elementary data to the color data calculation unit 510. The elementary data is a pair of a device-dependent color space coordinate value (for example, CMYK or RGB) and a colorimetric value (for example, Lab), for example, a device-dependent color space coordinate value (color) known to the printer. Signal), a color chart is output, and colorimetry is performed. In the present embodiment, hereinafter, a plurality of pairs of Lab values corresponding to the CMYK values of the printer apparatus 10 are referred to as raw data of the printer apparatus 10.

[Details of color data calculation unit]
Next, the color data calculation unit 510 will be described in more detail.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a color value table 512 stored in the color data calculation unit 510.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the color data calculation unit 510 includes color values in which color chart numbers (color chart numbers) and color values including Lab color values, RGB values, and CMYK values are associated with each other. A table 512 is stored in advance. A color name may be registered in the color value table 512 instead of the color chart number. In this case, a number may be assigned to the color name.
One color value table 512 corresponds to one color chart series. When there are a plurality of color chart series, the color data calculation unit 510 has a color value table 512 for each of the plurality of color chart series. It will be.
In addition, the color data calculation unit 510 can cope with the characteristics of the printer device 10 by having the color value table 512 for each model of the output device (printer device 10 and the like) and for each color intent. Parameters determined by the other color designation input unit 500 are generally compatible.
That is, the color data calculation unit 510 refers to a color value table 512 stored in advance, and detects Lab values, RGB values, or CMYK values corresponding to color chart numbers or color names.

  However, the color value table 512 cannot cope with an arbitrary Lab value specified. Therefore, the color data calculation unit 510 is designated using a color name / color value conversion unit 520, a color value / RGB conversion unit 530, and a color value / CMYK conversion unit 540 as described below. RGB values or CMYK values corresponding to the selected colors (Lab value, color chart number, color name, etc.) are calculated.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the color data calculation unit 510 includes a color name / color value conversion unit 520, a color specification value / RGB conversion unit 530, and a color specification value / CMYK conversion unit 540. The color designation information (color chart series, color number, and color name) input from the color designation input unit 500 is converted into a color value such as Lab by the color name / color value conversion unit 520. The color specification value may be any color space coordinate value independent of the output device (printer device, monitor, etc.). The color name / color value conversion unit 520 stores a color name conversion table in which color names or the like and color values are associated with each other, and corresponds to the color name or the like by subtracting the color name conversion table. The Lab value to be obtained is obtained. When the Lab name is directly input from the color designation input unit 500, the color name / color value conversion unit 520 uses the Lab value as it is as the color specification value / RGB conversion unit 530 or the color specification value / CMYK conversion unit. Output to 540.

  When the output color space is RGB, the color values are converted into RGB values by the color value / RGB conversion unit 530. When the output color space is CMYK, the color values are the color values. / CMYK conversion unit 540 converts the value into a CMYK value. Since this method calculates a color data output value each time, it is also suitable for inputting a Lab value.

Next, the color value / RGB conversion unit 520 will be described in more detail. There are the following two cases regarding the color conversion format inside the printer 10.
When RGB image data is input, the printer device 10 performs color conversion, converts the image into CMYK image data, and outputs an image. In this case, the color conversion is performed by performing a first color conversion from RGB to a device-independent color space such as Lab, and then performing a second color conversion from the device-independent color space such as Lab to the color space of the printer 10. This is a method in which there are two first and second color conversion parameters when converting to a certain CMYK (hereinafter referred to as a DI color conversion method). Furthermore, even if the printer apparatus 10 performs color conversion with the first color conversion parameter, performs color gamut compression, and performs color conversion with the second color conversion parameter, the color gamut compression is performed. If considered as a part of the second conversion parameter, it can be handled in the same manner as this method, and the user adjustment parameter is also the same.
The other is a method of directly converting from RGB to the color space of the printer 10, and there is only one color conversion parameter (hereinafter referred to as a device link color conversion method). Even when the user adjustment parameter is designated, D.E. The same idea as the I color conversion method may be used.

FIG. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the color specification value / RGB conversion unit 520 corresponding to the I color conversion method, and FIG. 7A illustrates the functional configuration of the first color specification value / RGB conversion unit 520; FIG. 7B illustrates the functional configuration of the second color specification value / RGB conversion unit 520.
As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the first color specification value / RGB conversion unit 520 includes a color conversion parameter inverse operation unit 532 and a first color conversion parameter acquisition unit 534. The first color conversion parameter acquisition unit 534 acquires, for example, the first color conversion parameter (parameter for converting from RGB to Lab) applied in the printer device 10 from the printer device 10, and acquires the acquired first color conversion parameter. The color conversion parameter is output to the color conversion parameter inverse operation unit 532.
The first color conversion parameter may be anything as long as it is suitable for color conversion, such as a linear format, an affine transformation formula, a high-order polynomial, a neural network, or a multidimensional table. Since the color conversion direction is from RGB to Lab, this may be reversed. When the color conversion equation is a linear format or an affine transformation equation, the color conversion parameter inverse operation unit 532 may calculate these inverse functions arithmetically. For high-order polynomials, neural networks, multidimensional tables, etc., inverse functions cannot be obtained arithmetically. Computer color matching (CCM) is known as a function of differential continuous functions such as higher-order polynomials and neural networks. Also, a method of generating a plurality of RGB patterns, applying a first color conversion parameter to create a plurality of RGB and Lab pairs, and generating a neural network for predicting RGB from Lab, or using a regression method may be used. Good. These are collectively referred to as an inverse function of the first color conversion parameter. The first color conversion parameter inverse operation unit 532 determines and applies the inverse function of the first color conversion parameter in this way. Further, if the inverse function of the first color conversion parameter is stored in advance corresponding to the first color conversion parameter, the mechanism for obtaining the inverse function of the first color conversion parameter can be omitted. . An RGB value (color data output) is obtained by substituting the color value into the inverse function of the first color conversion parameter. In the method illustrated in FIG. 7A, since the second color conversion parameter is not taken into consideration, when the colorimetric value is out of the color gamut of the printer device, the color reproduction accuracy decreases, and the color difference accuracy is obtained. D. There is the simplest feature for the I color conversion method.

On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the second color value / RGB value conversion unit 520 includes the second color conversion parameter inverse calculation unit 532 and the first color conversion parameter acquisition unit 534 in addition to the second color conversion parameter inverse calculation unit 532 and the first color conversion parameter acquisition unit 534. Color conversion parameter calculation unit 536, second color conversion parameter acquisition unit 537, output device color space / color value color conversion unit 538, and output device color characteristic storage unit 539; In the I color conversion method, the color values are converted into RGB values in consideration of the second color conversion parameter.
The second color conversion parameter acquisition unit 537 acquires, for example, the second color conversion parameter applied by the printer device 10 from the printer device 10, and the second color conversion parameter calculation unit 536 acquires the second color conversion parameter calculation unit 536. By applying the second color conversion parameter, the color values are converted into CMYK values that are the color space of the printer 10. The second color conversion parameter is determined by the output condition information input from the color designation input unit 500. At this time, conversion depending on the second color conversion parameter, such as color gamut compression, is performed.
Next, the output device characteristic storage unit 539 holds a plurality of pairs of Lab values corresponding to the CMYK values of the printer device 10. That is, the output device characteristic storage unit 539 holds the raw data input from the raw data generation unit 560. If there is raw data of the printer device 10, it is possible to predict Lab values for arbitrary CMYK values by various known methods. In other words, the output device color space / color value conversion unit 538 predicts Lab values for arbitrary CMYK values using the raw data of the printer device 10. Specifically, the output device color space / color value color conversion unit 538 returns the CMYK value calculated by the second color conversion parameter calculation unit 536 to the color value (Lab) again. Note that the Lab value input to the color name / color value color conversion unit 520 and the Lab calculated by the output device color space / color value color conversion unit 538 depending on conditions such as out of the color gamut of the printer device 10. The value may be different from each other.
Next, the first color conversion parameter acquisition unit 534 acquires the first color conversion parameter from the printer device 10, and the first color conversion parameter inverse calculation unit 532 uses the acquired first color conversion parameter. The Lab value input from the output device color space / color value conversion unit 538 is converted to RGB values. Note that the first color conversion parameter acquisition unit 534 and the first color conversion parameter inverse calculation unit 532 in FIG. 7B are substantially the same as those illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the color value / CMYK conversion unit 540.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, the color value / CMYK conversion unit 540 includes a UCR rate calculation unit 542, an output device color characteristic storage unit 544, and a CMYK value generation unit 546.
CMYK cannot be obtained directly from the color values Lab. For this reason, it is known that the K value is determined by UCR (Under Color Removal).
The UCR rate calculation unit 542 calculates the UCR rate based on the color specification value.
The output device characteristic storage unit 544 is substantially the same as the output device characteristic storage unit 539 illustrated in FIG. 7B, and stores raw data of the printer device 10.
The CMYK value generation unit 546 determines CMYK based on the raw data of the printer device 10 stored in the output device characteristic storage unit 544. At that time, the Lab outside the color gamut needs some color gamut compression. This color gamut compression is performed based on output condition information (a processing method outside the color gamut designated in the color gamut compression method selection box 736 in FIG. 5) input from the color designation input unit 500.

[Color specification operation]
Next, the operation of the color designation program 5 will be described.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining color designation processing (S10) by the server apparatus 4 (color designation program 5).
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a print image printed by the printer device 10.

As shown in FIG. 9, in step 100 (S100), the color designation input unit 500 (FIG. 4) displays the display screen illustrated in FIG. 5 on the client PC 3, and color designation information (color chart number etc.), The user is prompted to input device identification information (printer device 10 identification information) and output condition information (color intent, etc.).
The color designation input unit 500 receives color designation information (color chart number, etc.), device identification information (printer device 10 identification information), and output condition information (color intent, etc.) from the user (designer). When 702 (FIG. 5) is clicked, the input color designation information, device identification information, and output condition information are output to the color data calculation unit 510.

  In step 110 (S110), the color data calculation unit 510 (FIG. 4) determines whether the information for specifying a color is a color chart number, a color name, or a Lab value based on the input color specification information. judge. The color designation program 5 proceeds to the processing of S130 when the color designation is made by the Lab value (that is, when the second radio button 712b is selected in the color designation area 710 (FIG. 5)), and the color designation program 5 When the designation is made with a color chart number or a color name (that is, when the first radio button 712a is selected in the color designation area 710 (FIG. 5)), the process proceeds to S120.

  In step 120 (S120), the color name / color value conversion unit 520 of the color data calculation unit 510 converts the designated color chart number or color name into a Lab value.

  In step 130 (S130), the color data calculation unit 510 determines a color space for outputting color values based on the input color designation information and the like. The color designation program 5 is used when the output color space is RGB or Lab (that is, when the first radio button 742a or the third radio button 742c is selected in the color space designation area 740 (FIG. 5)). When the output color space is CMYK (that is, when the second radio button 742b is selected in the color space designation area 740 (FIG. 5)), the process proceeds to S150. .

In step 140 (S140), the color specification value / RGB conversion unit 530 applies the input Lab value (or the Lab value converted by the color name color specification value conversion unit 520) to the second applied by the printer device 10. Are converted into CMYK values that are the color space of the printer apparatus 10, and the converted CMYK values are converted into Lab values based on the raw data of the printer apparatus 10.
Further, the color value / RGB value conversion unit 530 applies the first color conversion parameter applied by the printer device 10 to convert the Lab value converted based on the raw data into an RGB value. When the output color space is Lab, Lab converted based on the raw data is output as it is.

  In step 150 (S150), the color specification value / CMYK conversion unit 540 calculates the UCR rate based on the input Lab value (or the Lab value converted by the color name color specification value conversion unit 520). The CMYK value is determined based on the UCR value, the input Lab value, and the raw data of the printer 10.

In step 160 (S160), the color chart image output unit 552 creates color chart print data using the color values (RGB value, Lab value, or CMYK value) calculated by the color data calculation unit 510, and creates the color chart print data. The color data output unit 554 converts the numerical value of the color value calculated by the color data calculation unit 510 into font data and transmits the font data to the printer device 10.
Based on the image data received from the server device 4 (the color chart print data and the color value font data are combined), the printer device 10, as illustrated in FIG. The value display image 326 is printed on the recording paper 32. A plurality of color chart images 324 are printed at designated color difference intervals around the designated color, and are associated with each color chart image 324 (arranged in the vicinity in this example). A color value display image 326 showing values (coordinate values of the output color space) is printed. In the header area 322, color designation information (A company special color chart, # 138), device identification information (identification information “printer A” of the printer 10), and output condition information (presence / absence of color intent, etc.) ) Is printed.

The color value output unit 554 transmits the color value calculated by the color data calculation unit 510 (the color value in the color space designated by the user) to the client PC 3.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the client PC 3 displays the calculated color value in the color value display area 760. In this color value display area 760, coordinate values (color values) of the output color space are displayed.
In the reproduction accuracy display area 770, an accuracy information box 772 is provided. The accuracy information box 772 displays the color difference ΔE outside the color gamut. That is, the color data calculation unit 510 calculates a color difference ΔE associated with color gamut compression, and the calculated color difference ΔE is displayed on the client PC 3 via the color value output unit 554. This color difference ΔE is an approximation, but helps the designer to make a decision when selecting a color chart.

  As described above, the server device 4 according to the present embodiment has the color chart or color value when the color chart or color value is reproduced by the printer device 10 (color image output device) or with the reference color. Color data output (color value) that would be suitably reproduced can be calculated and presented.

[Modification]
Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.
First, the color value / RGB conversion unit 570 corresponding to the device link format will be described.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the color value / RGB conversion unit 570 in the device link format.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, the color value / RGB conversion unit 570 in this modification is substantially the same as the output device color space / color value color conversion unit 538 described in FIG. 7B. In addition to the output device color characteristic storage unit 539, an RGB sample point generation unit 572, a device link conversion parameter acquisition unit 574, a device link color conversion unit 576, a color specification value / RGB conversion model generation unit 578, a color specification value / RGB A conversion model storage unit 580 and a colorimetric value / RGB conversion model application unit 582 are included.
The colorimetric value / RGB conversion unit 570 of this example starts the following calculation using a click operation of the OK button 702 as a trigger.
The RGB sample point generation unit 572 generates a combination of a plurality of RGB values. In this example, RGB equal 10 axis divisions (11 grid points) are orthogonal. The total number is 11 × 11 × 11 = 1331 grid points (referred to as RGB grid point data).
Next, the device link color conversion parameter acquisition unit 574 acquires a device link color conversion parameter determined by the input parameter.
The device link color conversion unit 576 applies all the device link color conversion parameters acquired by the device link color conversion parameter acquisition unit 574 to convert all RGB grid point data into CMYK values of the printer device 10.
Next, the output device color space / color value conversion unit 538 generates CMYK converted by the device link color conversion unit 576 based on the raw data of the printer 10 stored in the output device color characteristic storage unit 539. Convert the value to Lab.
Next, the color specification value / RGB color conversion model generation unit 578 generates Lab based on the RGB grid points and the corresponding Lab values (Lab values generated by the output device color space / color specification color conversion unit 538). A prediction model for predicting RGB values from the values is generated. For example, since there are a plurality of pairs of Lab values and RGB values, the color specification value / RGB color conversion model generation unit 578 generates a prediction model using a method such as a regression method or a neural network. However, since the color gamut at this time is that of the printer apparatus 10, color gamut compression is required for Lab values outside the color gamut. For example, color gamut compression may be performed based on a processing method outside the color gamut designated by the user (input in the output condition designation area 730 (FIG. 5)).
Since the color value converted by the color name / color value conversion unit 520 (FIG. 4) is determined by an arbitrary designation by the user, it is inefficient if it is calculated each time. Therefore, the colorimetric value / RGB color conversion model generation unit 578 generates Lab grid points in the same manner as the RGB sample point generation unit 572, and all the RGB values corresponding to the Lab values of the generated grid points are obtained. Ask. That is, a multi-dimensional table for finally converting Lab values to RGB values is generated by the color specification value / RGB color conversion model generation unit 578. When it takes time to generate the multidimensional table, the multidimensional table generated by the color value / RGB color conversion model generation unit 578 is associated with the input parameters (output condition information, etc.). The color value / RGB color conversion model storage unit 580 can store the color values.
The color value / RGB color conversion model application unit 582 applies the multidimensional table generated by the color value / RGB color conversion model generation unit 578 and applies the table input from the color name / color value conversion unit 520. Convert color values to RGB values. In the second and subsequent times, without generating a multidimensional table, the color specification value / RGB color conversion model application unit 582 calls the multidimensional table from the color specification value / RGB color conversion model storage unit 580 to obtain the color name. / The color value input from the color value conversion unit 520 is converted into an RGB value.

  In the above embodiment, the output color space of the printer apparatus 10 is CMYK. However, a color space of five or more colors called CMY or HiFi color is also possible. In addition, color image output devices such as the printer device 10 may change in color reproducibility due to aging. In that case, if the raw data of the printer 10 stored in the output device color characteristic storage unit 539 is updated, the color reproduction accuracy can be maintained.

Next, a method for updating raw data will be described.
The raw data is a CMYK value defined in advance printed by the printer device 10 as a color patch (visualized), and the color patch is measured by a colorimeter (not shown) to measure a colorimetric value such as Lab. And the original CMYK value are generated by associating each other. Hereinafter, an example of a method for updating raw data centering on color values of a color chart will be described.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a color chart patch 326 corresponding to the raw data.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a color chart colorimetric value table 614 generated based on the colorimetric values of the color chart patch 326.
As illustrated in FIG. 12A, the raw data generation unit 560 has a color chart definition table 562, and based on the color values (CMYK values) stored in the color chart definition table 562, the color chart patch 326 Image data is generated and transmitted to the printer 10. The printer apparatus 10 prints a plurality of color chart patches 326 on the recording paper 32 as illustrated in FIG. 12B based on the image data of the color chart patches 326 input from the raw data generation unit 560.
Further, the printer device 10 measures the color chart patch 326 printed on the recording paper 32 using a colorimeter (not shown) provided on the paper conveyance path 18 or the image reading unit 12, The colorimetric value (Lab) of the color chart patch 326 is returned to the elementary data generation unit 560.
The elementary data generation unit 560 associates a plurality of color chart numbers (or color names) and colorimetric values (Lab values) as illustrated in FIG. 13 based on the colorimetric values received from the printer device 10. The generated color chart colorimetric value table 564 is generated.
The elementary data generation unit 560 outputs the color chart definition table 562 illustrated in FIG. 12A and the color chart colorimetric value table 614 illustrated in FIG. 13 to the output device color characteristic storage section 539 as raw data.
As described above, the elementary data generation unit 560 generates color chart patch image data at a predetermined timing, causes the printer apparatus 10 to print the color chart patch, and acquires the color measurement values of the printed color chart patch from the printer apparatus 10. Thus, the raw data stored in the output device color characteristic storage unit 539 is updated.

  As another modification, it is also possible to configure the program as an independent program that cannot acquire information such as necessary color conversion parameters from the printer device 10. In that case, the program may store necessary parameters, output device color characteristics, etc. in some form.

  In the above embodiment, when a color chart or color value and a color image output device such as a specific printer apparatus 10 are specified, a configuration suitable for reproducing the color of the color chart by the printer apparatus 10 is shown. . On the other hand, in the printing industry, a reference color assuming standard printing is defined. Representative examples include Japan Color, SWOP, Euro Scale, and magazine advertisement standard colors. It can be considered that these are equivalent to a color image output apparatus. Therefore, if the reference color (color space) is specified instead of specifying the color image output device and its output condition, the output color data when reproducing the specified specific color with the specified reference color is obtained. I want.

In the above embodiment, the user (designer) specifies the color by inputting the color chart number or Lab value, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the color measurement connected to the client PC 3 The color may be specified by causing the color chart to be read by a device such as a scanner.
In this case, the colorimeter connected to the client PC 3 measures the color chart set by the user and transmits the color measurement value (Lab value) to the server device 4 via the client PC 3. In this case, the color name / color value conversion unit 520 provided in the color data calculation unit 510 (FIG. 4) can be omitted. That is, the colorimetric value / RGB conversion unit 530 or the colorimetric value / CMYK conversion unit 540 illustrated in FIG. 4 converts the colorimetric value (Lab value) received from the colorimeter of the client PC 3 into an RGB value or a CMYK value. Convert.
In this way, by providing the colorimeter in the client PC 3, it is possible to directly read the color chart and specify the color.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image processing system 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a tandem type printer device 10. FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the hardware constitutions of the server apparatus 4 with which the image processing method concerning this invention is applied centering on the control apparatus 20. FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the functional structure of the color designation | designated program 5 which is performed by the server apparatus 4 (FIG. 1) and implement | achieves the image processing method concerning this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the display screen 700 displayed on client PC3 (FIG. 1). 5 is a diagram illustrating a color value table 512 stored in a color data calculation unit 510. FIG. D. It is a figure which illustrates the function structure of the color specification value / RGB conversion part 520 corresponding to an I color conversion system. 5 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a color value / CMYK conversion unit 540. FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the color designation | designated process (S10) by the server apparatus 4 (color designation program 5). FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a print image printed by the printer device. It is a figure which illustrates the function structure of the color value / RGB conversion part 570 of a device link format. It is a figure which illustrates the color chart patch 326 corresponding to elementary data. 6 is a diagram illustrating a color chart colorimetric value table 614 generated based on colorimetric values of a color chart patch 326. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Server apparatus 5 ... Color designation program 500 ... Color designation input part 510 ... Color data calculation part 520 ... Color name / color value conversion part 530 ... Color value / RGB Conversion unit 540 ... Color value / CMYK conversion unit 550 ... Communication unit 552 ... Color chart image output unit 554 ... Color value output unit 560 ... Elementary data generation unit 3 ... Client PC
10: Printer device

Claims (12)

An input means for receiving input of color designation information for designating a color;
Output data generation means for generating color data expressed in an output color space applied in the image output device in accordance with the input color designation information;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a color value output unit that outputs a color value corresponding to the color data of the output color space generated by the output data generation unit. The input means includes color designation information that designates a color, device identification information that identifies an output device that outputs the color, and output condition information that indicates an output condition when the color is output by the output device. Accept input,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output data generation unit generates color data of an output color space according to input color designation information, apparatus identification information, and output condition information. Data conversion means for converting color data of the output color space into color data of another color space;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color value output unit outputs color data of another color space converted by the data conversion unit as the color value. The image output device is a printing device,
The output data generation means generates color data of a print color space applied in the printing apparatus,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the data conversion unit converts the color data of the printing color space into color data of a color space of another image output apparatus or a color space independent of the apparatus. The output data generation means generates a plurality of color data corresponding to the designated color,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color value output unit outputs color values corresponding to the plurality of generated color output data. Data transmission means for transmitting a plurality of color data generated by the output data generation means to an image output device;
The color value output means outputs a plurality of color values corresponding to these color data in a manner associated with each of a plurality of color images output based on the plurality of color data transmitted by the data transmission means. Item 6. The image processing apparatus according to Item 5. Colorimetric means for measuring the color image formed on the recording medium;
An image processing apparatus comprising: output data generation means for generating color data expressed in an output color space applied by the image output apparatus based on colorimetric values of the color image measured by the color measurement means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a color value output unit that outputs a color value corresponding to the color data of the output color space generated by the output data generation unit. Output data generation means for generating color output data for outputting a specified color in response to input of color specification information for specifying a color;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a color image including a designated color based on the color output data generated by the output data generating means; and an image forming means for forming a color value image indicating the color output data. Output data generation means for generating color output data for outputting a specified color in response to input of color specification information for specifying a color;
Image forming means for forming a color image including a designated color based on the color output data generated by the output data generating means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a color value output unit that outputs a color value indicating the color output data generated by the output data generation unit. Accept input of color specification information to specify the color,
In accordance with the input color designation information, color data expressed in an output color space applied by the image output device is generated,
An image processing method for outputting a color value corresponding to color data in a generated output color space. In an image processing apparatus including a computer,
A step of accepting input of color designation information for designating a color;
Generating color data expressed in an output color space applied by the image output device in accordance with the input color designation information;
Outputting the color value corresponding to the color data of the generated output color space to the image processing apparatus.

Images