JP2007067935A - Image processing apparatus and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that a color matching result obtained by plug in update cannot always be a desired update result. <P>SOLUTION: Prior to the plug in update, a result of applying the plug in update to a target image is confirmed in advance by previewing results of the color matching before and after the plug in update applied to a prescribed image, and when the update result is executed as desired, the plug in update is instructed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a process for updating a conversion process constituting a color matching process.

  Today, with the development of computers, the distribution of digital image data is very common. It is well known that when image data is distributed, so-called color matching is performed in which color signals are converted into a color signal suitable for a device in use in consideration of a difference in color expression between devices. A method for confirming the conversion result by color matching in advance is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Hereinafter, color matching generally used will be described with reference to the conceptual diagram of FIG. The input data that is RGB data is converted into XYZ data in a color space that does not depend on the device by the input profile. Since colors outside the color gamut of the output device cannot be represented by the output device, the input converted to device-independent color space data so that all the colors fall within the color gamut of the output device. Color space compression is applied to the data. After color space compression, the input data is converted from a device-independent color space to CMYK data in a color space that depends on the output device.

In color matching, the reference white point and the ambient light are fixed. For example, in a profile defined by International Color Consortium (ICC), Profile Connection Space (PCS) for linking profiles is the D50 standard XYZ value and Lab value. For this reason, correct color reproduction is guaranteed when the input document or print output is observed under a light source having D50 characteristics, and correct color reproduction is not guaranteed under a light source having other characteristics.
JP-A-9-326938

  Depending on the combination of the conversion processes constituting the color matching process, the result of the color matching process naturally changes, so that a conversion result that does not match the user's preference may be brought about.

  Conventionally, when updating the conversion process, it has been impossible to determine whether or not to update the conversion process after confirming the color matching result of the updated conversion process.

  In Patent Document 1, the printing result of the printer can be previewed, but cannot be previewed when the conversion process is updated.

  Further, it has been proposed to provide a conversion process used for color matching by a program file operable on a computer. Pre-registration is required to use this program file for color matching. Therefore, when a conversion result that does not match the user's preference is generated by upgrading the conversion processing program, the program must be returned to the previous version through a complicated procedure.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an image that makes it possible to obtain an update result according to a user's intention by a simple method when updating a conversion process that constitutes a color matching process. It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing apparatus and method.

  As a technique for achieving the above object, the image processing method of the present invention includes the following steps.

  In other words, an image processing method that makes it possible to update a conversion process that constitutes a color matching process, which includes an update instruction step that instructs a new conversion process to be updated, and a color matching process that includes the new conversion process in advance. A prior confirmation step for notifying the execution result, an update determination step for determining whether or not to update to the new conversion process based on the notification result in the prior confirmation step, and an update determination in the update determination step. And an update step for updating to the new conversion process in the case of the above.

  For example, in the preliminary confirmation step, the preliminary execution result of the color matching process including the new conversion process is displayed on the screen.

  For example, in the prior confirmation step, a result of executing a color matching process including the new conversion process on a predetermined image is notified.

  For example, in the prior confirmation step, a result of executing a color matching process including a conversion process before the update on the predetermined image is notified.

  For example, the new conversion process is provided as a plug-in module.

  According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, it is possible to obtain an update result according to the user's intention by a simple method by performing prior confirmation when updating the conversion process constituting the color matching process.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Color perception model>
First, a color perception model used for color matching according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  It is known that the color perceived by the human visual system looks different even when the light entering the eye is the same, depending on the conditions such as the difference in illumination light and the background on which the stimulus is placed. For example, white illuminated by an incandescent bulb does not feel as red as the characteristics of light entering the eye, and is perceived as white. In addition, white placed on a black background and white placed on a light background feel brighter on white placed on a black background. The former phenomenon is known as chromatic adaptation, and the latter is known as contrast. For this purpose, it is necessary to display colors in an amount corresponding to the physiological activity of photoreceptor cells distributed in retinal rather than XYZ. For this purpose, a color perception model has been developed. ing. CIE recommends using CIECAM02. This color perception model uses the physiological three primary colors of color vision, for example, H (hue), J (lightness), C (chroma), or H (hue), which is the correlation amount of color perception calculated by CIECAM02 , Q (brightness) and M (colorfulness) values are considered to be a color display method independent of viewing conditions. By reproducing the colors so that the values of H, J, C or H, Q, M match between the devices, the difference in the observation conditions of the input / output images can be solved.

  In the following, processing contents in the forward conversion of the color perception model CIECAM02 for performing correction processing (processing for converting XYZ into HJC or HQM) according to the observation conditions when observing the input image will be described.

  In FIG. 9, first, as observation condition information of the input image, in step S160, the luminance LA of the adaptation field, the relative tristimulus value XYZ of the sample under the light source condition, the relative tristimulus value XωYωZω of the white light under the light source condition, and the light source condition The background relative luminance Yb is set. The unit of the luminance LA of the adaptation field is cd / square meter, and 20% of the luminance of white in the adaptation field is usually selected. Based on the type of viewing condition specified in step S180, the ambient condition constant c, color induction coefficient Nc, brightness contrast coefficient FLL, and adaptation coefficient F are set as viewing condition information for the input image in step S170. Is done.

  Based on the input image observation condition information set in steps S160 and S170, the following processing is performed on XYZ indicating the input image.

  First, Bradford cone response RGB is obtained by converting XYZ based on Bradford's three primary colors considered as human's physiological three primary colors (S100). Since human vision is not always fully adapted to the observation light source, a variable D indicating the degree of adaptation is obtained based on the luminance level and ambient conditions (LA and F), and based on this variable D and XωYωZω, it is not suitable for RGB. A complete adaptation process is performed and converted to RcGcBc (S110).

  Next, RcGcBc is converted based on the three primary colors of Hunt-Pointer-Estevez, which are considered to be human physiological three primary colors, and a Hunt-Pointer-Estevez cone response R′G′B ′ is obtained (S120). An adaptation degree based on the stimulus intensity level is estimated for R′G′B ′, and a post-adaptation cone response R′aG′aB′a corresponding to both the sample and white is obtained (S130). In step S130, nonlinear response compression is performed using the variable FL obtained based on the luminance LA of the adaptation field of view.

  Subsequently, in order to obtain a correlation with appearance, the following processing is performed.

  Red-green and yellow-blue opposite color responses ab are determined from R'aG'aB'a (S140), and hue H is determined from the opposite color response ab and the eccentricity coefficient (S150).

  Further, the background induction coefficient n obtained from Yω and the relative luminance Yb of the background is obtained, and achromatic responses A and Aω for both the sample and white are obtained using this background induction coefficient n (S190). Then, the lightness J is obtained based on the coefficient z obtained from the background induction coefficient n and the lightness contrast coefficient FLL, and A, Aω, and c (S151). Further, the saturation S is obtained from the color induction coefficient Nc (S153), the chroma C is obtained from the saturation S and the lightness J (S152), and the luminance Q is obtained from the lightness J and the white achromatic response Aω (S154). ).

  Further, the colorfulness M is obtained from the variable FL and the ambient influence constant c (S155).

<Color matching process using color perception model>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the concept of color matching processing using the above-described color perception model in the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a conversion matrix or conversion look-up table (LUT) for converting color signals depending on the input device into device-independent color space data based on the white point criterion of the ambient light on the input side. . Reference numerals 104 and 105 denote color perception model forward conversion units that perform conversion into human perceptual signals JCH or QMH based on input observation conditions (white point of D50 light source, illuminance level, ambient light state, etc.). 106 and 107 are color perception models that convert human perception signals JCH or QMH into XYZ signals that are device-independent color signals based on the output observation conditions (white point of D65 light source, illumination level, ambient light condition, etc.) It is an inverse conversion unit. Reference numeral 108 denotes a conversion matrix or conversion look-up table (LUT) for converting device-independent color space data based on the white point criterion of ambient light on the output side into color signals dependent on the output device. Reference numerals 102 and 103 denote color space conversion units that convert input color space values into color space values according to the color reproducible region of the output device.

  The input color signal of RGB or CMYK is converted by the conversion LUT 101 from the color signal of the input device into an XYZ signal that is a color signal independent of the device under the input observation conditions. Next, the XYZ signal is converted into a human perception signal JCH or QMH by the color perception model forward conversion units 104 and 105 based on the observation condition 1 (white point of D50 light source, illuminance level, ambient light state, etc.) . The JCH space is selected for relative color matching, and the QMH space is selected for absolute color matching.

  The color perception signals JCH and QMH are compressed by the color space conversion unit 102 or 103 into the color reproduction range of the output device. The color space-compressed color perception signals JCH and QMH are output by the color perception model inverse transform units 106 and 107 based on the output observation conditions (D65 light source white point, illuminance level, ambient light condition, etc.) It is converted into an XYZ signal that is a color signal independent of. The XYZ signal is converted into a color signal depending on the output device by the conversion LUT 106.

  The RGB or CMYK signal obtained by the above processing is sent to an output device, and an image indicated by the color signal is output. When the printed matter or the screen display as an output result is observed under the output observation condition, it looks the same color as the original document observed under the input observation condition.

  In general, the white point of ambient light under viewing conditions is different from the white point of a standard light source when color charts such as color targets and color patches are measured. For example, the standard light source used for colorimetry is D50 or D65, but the ambient light when actually observing the image is not limited to D50 or D65 in the light booth, such as incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lights In many cases, light or a mixture of illumination light and sunlight is used. In the following description, for simplification, the light source characteristics of the ambient light under the observation conditions are set to D50, D65, and D93, but actually, the XYZ values of the white point on the medium are set as the white point.

  In the present embodiment, the conversion LUT 101 corresponding to the input device and the conversion LUT 108 corresponding to the output device are created from device characteristic data indicating the characteristics of the device. The device characteristic data is data indicating a correspondence relationship between device color signals for a plurality of colors and device-independent color space data. For example, as an example of printer device characteristic data, CMYK color data for a plurality of colors and colorimetric values (XYZ data) of colors printed based on the CMYK color signal are shown.

  In this embodiment, every time color matching processing is performed, the created conversion LUT is cached in the memory in order to prevent the conversion LUT from being created from the device characteristic data. This cached device characteristic data is called “device cache” in this embodiment. Similarly, the conversion LUTs of the color perception model forward conversion unit 104 (105) and the color perception model inverse conversion unit 106 (107) cached in the memory are referred to as “CAM cache”.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a plurality of conversion processes necessary for performing the color matching process (the conversion LUT 101 according to the input device, the color perception model order conversion unit 104 (105), the color space conversion unit 102 (103), the color A combined conversion LUT 109 is generated by combining the perceptual model inverse conversion unit 106 (107) and the conversion LUT 108 corresponding to the output device, and when performing color matching processing on the input image, the combined conversion LUT 109 is used to perform batch processing. This composite conversion LUT is also cached in the memory, and in this embodiment, the composite conversion LUT 109 is called a “system cache”.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a color matching module which is an example of the present embodiment. In the figure, the same reference numerals are used for components equivalent to those in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes an input conversion unit that converts color signals (RGB and CMYK) depending on the input device into color space data (XYZ) independent of the device using the conversion LUT 101. The input conversion unit 201 obtains colorimetric values from the device information that stores the side color values that store some of the corresponding values of the device color signal measured in advance and the device-independent color space data (XYZ) and the input observation conditions. And has a function of generating a conversion LUT. Furthermore, the input conversion unit 201 also has a function of providing input observation conditions to the color perception model order conversion unit 104 (105).

  An output conversion unit 202 converts the device-independent color space data (XYZ) into a color signal (RGB or CMYK) depending on the output device using the conversion LUT 108. The output conversion unit 202 obtains colorimetric values from the device information that stores the side color values that store some of the corresponding values of the device color signal measured in advance and the device-independent color space data (XYZ) and the output observation conditions. And has a function of generating a conversion LUT. Further, the output conversion unit 202 has a function of providing the output observation condition to the color perception model reverse conversion unit forward conversion unit 106 (107) and a function of providing the output device color reproduction region to the color space conversion unit 102 (103). .

  In the present embodiment, the input conversion unit 201 and the output conversion unit 202 are provided with plug-ins (device plug-ins) so as to be able to provide processing switching according to devices and extended functions other than the functions described above. ).

  In addition, the color space conversion unit 102 (103) in this embodiment is also a color space conversion plug-in so that it can respond to switching according to the color space compression method (equivalent to the ICC rendering intent). Provided.

  203 provides side color values and output observation conditions for storing some of the corresponding values of the device color signal (XYZ) that are not measured by the device color signal and the device-independent color space data for the input conversion unit 201 and the output conversion unit 202 This is device information.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes a device information management unit 204 that manages the storage location of the device information 203.

  An input / output / color space conversion management unit (plug-in management unit) 205 manages device plug-ins, color space conversion plug-in versions, and storage locations.

  A device / CAM cache management unit 206 includes conversion LUTs 101 and 108 generated by the input conversion unit 201 or the output conversion unit 202 and the color perception model forward conversion unit 104 (105) or the color perception model reverse conversion unit 106 (107). This is the storage location for the CAM table and CAM-1 table generated in step 1. It also manages the relationship between the device information and the device plug-ins that are the generation conditions of the conversion LUTs 101 and 108 and the generation conditions of the CAM table and CAM-1 table. Thereby, the generation of the conversion LUT in the input conversion unit 201 and the output conversion unit 202 can be omitted. In addition, the conversion table (CAM table, CAM-1 table) used to perform the conversion / inverse conversion to the color perception model in the color perception model forward conversion unit 104 (105) and the color perception model reverse conversion unit 106 (107) Generation can be omitted. Therefore, it is possible to increase the speed of color matching in this embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the association target is the device plug-in and device information as the generation conditions of the CAM table and the CAM-1 table. However, the correspondence between XYZ and JCh space only needs to correspond to the observation conditions (white point of light source, illuminance level, ambient light state, etc.), so the CAM table and CAM-1 table are managed in association with the observation conditions. It can be substituted.

  In a series of color matching processes in this embodiment, a case where a combination of a certain input device plug-in, output device plug-in, input / output device information, and color space conversion plug-in is frequently used is considered. At this time, the processing speed can be increased by generating a LUT (system cache) that directly associates the correspondence between the input signal and the output signal, which is the result of color matching. A system cache creation unit 207 creates such a system cache.

  A system cache management unit 208 manages the system cache created by the system cache creation unit 207.

  Reference numeral 209 denotes a sample image used for system cache generation and preview display.

  An input / output coupling processing unit 210 performs color matching processing using a system cache created by the system cache creation unit 207 and managed by the system cache management unit 208.

  A history management unit 211 manages a combination of input device plug-ins, output device plug-ins, input / output device information, and color space conversion plug-ins subjected to color matching as a color matching history.

  A control unit 212 in the present embodiment performs management of each of the above components, receives an external color matching instruction, controls the execution of the color matching process, and outputs a color matching result.

  An installation control unit 213 controls installation of device information, device plug-ins, and color space conversion plug-ins.

<Device configuration>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an apparatus that implements the functional configuration illustrated in FIG. Needless to say, the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is realized by supplying software that realizes the functions shown in FIG. 2 to a general-purpose computer apparatus such as a personal computer. In that case, the software that implements the functions of the present embodiment may be included in the OS (basic system) of the computer device, or may be included in the driver software of the input / output device, for example, separately from the OS. .

  In FIG. 3, the CPU 301 uses the RAM 303 as a work memory in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 302 and the hard disk (HD) 307, etc. to control the operation of the entire apparatus and to perform the above-described processing related to color matching. Various processes are executed. An input interface 304 is an interface for connecting an input device 305 such as a digital camera, and a hard disk interface 306 is an interface for connecting an HD 307. The video interface 308 is an interface for connecting a video device 309 such as a monitor, and the output interface 310 is an interface for connecting an output device 311 such as a printer.

  The input devices targeted by the present embodiment include various image input devices such as image readers such as image scanners such as image scanners and image scanners and film scanners, and digital still cameras and digital video cameras. Output devices include image output devices such as color monitors such as CRT and LCD, color printers, and film recorders.

  A general-purpose interface can be used as the interface. Depending on the application, for example, serial interfaces such as RS232C, RS422, USB and IEEE1394, and parallel interfaces such as SCSI and Centronics can be used.

  In this embodiment, device information and plug-in and other programs for performing color matching are stored in the HD 307. However, the present embodiment can be configured not only using a hard disk but also using other storage media.

<Data structure>
Next, main data structures used in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, only the characteristic items in the present embodiment are described, but items other than those described in this drawing may be included in each data.

<< Device information, plug-in information >>
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of device information, device plug-ins, and color space conversion plug-ins. In FIG. 4, 401 is a schematic diagram of device information. As the configuration items of the device information 401, the device signal for generating the conversion LUTs 101 and 108 and the corresponding data of the color space independent of the device, the CAM conversion table, the “observation condition” for generating the CAM-1 table, and Includes “colorimetric information”. Furthermore, a plug-in ID that uniquely identifies a plug-in for identifying a device plug-in to which the information can be applied is included as an “applied plug-in ID”. The reason why the “applied plug-in ID” is included as a configuration item is that the device plug-in is provided according to the input / output device, and therefore it is necessary to select the device plug-in according to the measurement device.

  402 is a schematic diagram of a device plug-in. The configuration items of the device plug-in 402 include a “plug-in ID” for uniquely identifying the plug-in used in the present embodiment, and whether the plug-in is a device plug-in or a color space conversion plug-in. “Type” to be shown, and “Name” thereof. Further, it includes information on “version” indicating version information for managing the revision history and “applied device” for specifying an applicable device. Further, a program for executing the conversion function in the input conversion unit 201 and the output conversion unit 202 is included in the “program unit”. Here, for example, UUID is used as the “plug-in ID”. As the “applicable device”, it is possible to specify an applicable range such as a general device classification such as a digital camera or a printer or a specific model.

  403 is a schematic diagram of a color space conversion plug-in. The configuration items of the color space conversion plug-in 403 include a “plug-in ID” for uniquely identifying the plug-in used in this embodiment, and whether the plug-in is a device plug-in or a color space conversion plug-in "Type" indicating "and" name ". Further, a “version” indicating version information for managing the revision history and a “matching method” indicating a color space conversion method corresponding to the rendering intent are included. Further, a program for executing the conversion function in the color space conversion unit 102 (103) is included in the “program unit”. Here, as the “plug-in ID”, for example, a UUID or the like is used as in the device plug-in 402.

<< Management information >>
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of management information in the device information management unit 204, the plug-in management unit 205, the device / CAM cache management unit 206, the system cache management unit 208, and the history management unit 211.

  Reference numeral 501 denotes device information management data in the device information management unit 204, which is used to manage device information. The device information management data stores a correspondence between an ID for specifying device information, an ID for specifying an applicable device plug-in, and a storage location of a device information file. The ID may be unique in the device information management data 501.

  Reference numeral 502 denotes device plug-in management data in the plug-in management unit 205. Device plug-ins are managed using this data. The device plug-in management data 502 stores the correspondence between the plug-in ID, name, version, application device, and plug-in storage location stored in the device plug-in.

  Reference numeral 503 denotes color space conversion plug-in management data in the plug-in management unit 205. The color space conversion plug-in is managed using this data. The color space conversion plug-in management data 503 stores the correspondence between the plug-in ID, name, version, conversion method, and plug-in storage location stored in the color space conversion plug-in.

  Reference numeral 504 denotes device cache management data for managing the conversion LUTs 101 and 108 in the plug-in management unit 205. Device cache management data 504 is a device cache ID unique to itself, conversion direction (device signal → / ← XYZ), plug-in ID that generated the conversion LUT 101, 108, device information ID, and cache data storage location Memorize the correspondence.

  Reference numeral 505 denotes CAM cache management data for managing the CAM cache in the plug-in management unit 205. The CAM cache management data 505 stores the correspondence between the CAM cache ID unique within itself, the plug-in ID that generated the CAM cache, the device information ID, and the cache data storage location.

  Reference numeral 506 denotes CAM-1 cache management data for managing the CAM-1 cache in the plug-in management unit 205. The CAM-1 cache management data 506 stores a correspondence among a unique CAM-1 cache ID, a plug-in ID that has generated the CAM-1 cache, a device information ID, and a cache data storage location.

  Reference numeral 507 denotes system cache management data for managing the system cache in the system cache management unit 208. The system cache management data 507 stores therein a system cache ID unique to itself, a plug-in ID that identifies an input device plug-in that has generated the system cache, and a device information ID that identifies input device information. Further, a correspondence between a plug-in ID for specifying an output device plug-in, a device information ID for specifying output device information, a color space conversion plug-in ID, and a cache data storage location is stored.

  Reference numeral 508 denotes history management data for managing the color matching processing history in the history management unit 211. The history management data 508 stores therein a history ID unique within itself, a time stamp for storing the date and time when color matching is performed, and a system cache ID when a system cache is used for color matching. When the system cache is used, the history ID is associated with the input device plug-in ID, input device information ID, output device plug-in ID, output device information ID, and color space conversion plug-in ID that have undergone color matching processing. Remember. Here, also when a system cache is created by the system cache creation unit 207, a color matching process is executed in order to obtain a correspondence between an input signal and an output signal.

<Plug-in update process>
Hereinafter, the details of the plug-in update processing in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the present embodiment, the description will be made assuming that the above plug-in IDs are regarded as the same plug-in when they are the same.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of installing a device plug-in or color space conversion plug-in in the color matching module of this embodiment by the installation control unit 213.

  The plug-in and device information used in the color matching module of this embodiment are installed by the installation control unit 213 and can be used.

  Hereinafter, device plug-ins or color space conversion plug-ins are simply referred to as “plug-ins” as generic names.

  First, the plug-in ID and version described in FIG. 4 are read from the plug-in to be installed. Next, in order to identify whether it is an update target or a new installation, a search request is made to the control unit 212 as to whether there is a plug-in having the same plug-in ID. The control unit 212 searches the plug-in management unit 205 for the presence of the plug-in ID that has received the search request in the device plug-in management data 502 and the color space conversion plug-in management data 503. The search result is returned to 212. The search result is returned to the installation control unit 213. If the same plug-in does not exist, the installation control unit 213 regards it as a new installation and proceeds to step S602.If the same plug-in ID exists, regards it as an update installation and proceeds to step S603 (step S603). S601).

  If the plug-in to be installed is a new plug-in, a new installation process is performed. In other words, the plug-in is installed and management data corresponding to the plug-in is created (step S602).

  If it is determined in step S601 that the plug-in has already been installed, update installation processing is started. In this embodiment, in order to compare the color matching results before and after the update, preview display before and after the update is performed on the video device 309.

  First, in step S603, the installation control unit 213 inquires of the control unit 212 whether the color matching process using the plug-in to be updated has been performed. The control unit 212 requests the history management unit 211 to search for a plug-in ID to be updated in the history management data 508, and receives the search result. Furthermore, a system cache ID having a usage history is acquired from the history management unit 211, and a search request is made to the system cache management unit 208 to determine whether the system cache having the usage history has been created using the plug-in to be updated. The system cache management unit 208 searches the system cache management data 507 for whether or not the system cache ID having the usage history is associated with the plug-in ID to be updated, and returns the search result to the control unit 212. If there is a usage history in the search result in the system cache management unit 208 or the search result in the history management unit 211, the control unit 212 notifies the installation control unit 213 that there is a usage history. If the installation control unit 213 confirms that there is a usage history, the process proceeds to step S604, and if there is no usage history, the process proceeds to step S605.

  In this embodiment, when there is a usage history, a preview target selection screen for selecting a color matching process to be a preview creation target is displayed based on the usage history. On the other hand, when there is no usage history, a preview target selection screen for specifying color matching processing in an arbitrary combination is displayed.

  That is, if there is a usage history, in step S604, the control unit 212 is requested to obtain a combination of input / output, color space conversion plug-in name, and input / output device information file name as the usage history of the plug-in to be updated. . The control unit 212 obtains the usage history including the plug-in ID to be updated from the history management unit 211, and obtains the combination when creating the system cache ID having the usage history from the system cache management unit 208. Since the usage history management data 508 and the system cache management data 507 store IDs, the plug-in name is acquired from the plug-in management unit 205, and the file name of device information is acquired from the device information management unit 204. The acquired plug-in name and device information file name are notified to the installation control unit 213 with a correspondence relationship with the usage history and the ID of the device cache creation combination.

  On the other hand, in step S605, since there is no usage history of the plug-in to be updated, all the names of the input / output plug-ins and color space conversion plug-ins managed by the plug-in management unit 205 and all the device information file names Is requested to the control unit 212. The control unit 212 acquires the plug-in name and device information file name from the plug-in management unit 205 and the device information management unit 204 and notifies the installation control unit 213 of them.

  In step S606, a preview target selection screen is generated and displayed on the video device 309.

<< Preview target selection screen >>
Here, the display mode of the preview object selection screen will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

  FIG. 7A shows a display example of a preview target selection screen when a usage history exists (hereinafter referred to as a history selection screen). The history selection screen is provided with alternative selection means for displaying the usage history acquired from the control unit 212 in step S604 as one line and one history, and selecting the preview target. The user selects one of the color matching combinations for which a preview is desired from the usage history, and notifies the installation control unit 213 of the selection end with a “end selection” button. If the installation is to be canceled, a stop instruction is notified to the installation control unit 213 using the “Update Cancel” button.

  FIG. 7B shows a display example of a preview target selection screen when there is no usage history (hereinafter referred to as a processing flow designation screen). The processing flow designation screen sets the device plug-in name, the color space conversion plug-in name, and the device information acquired in step S605 in each selection unit. Here, whether the plug-in to be updated is a device plug-in or a color space conversion plug-in is identified, and if it is a device plug-in, this is clearly indicated. For example, a display that can identify the update target is performed, such as reverse display of the update target plug-in name set in the input / output plug-in selection means. This is because, for example, in the case of a plug-in intended for a device applicable to both input and output, such as a monitor, the user can select whether to use the input side or the output side. On the other hand, in the case of a color space conversion plug-in, the name of the plug-in to be updated is fixedly displayed. In the processing flow designation screen shown in FIG. 7B, the case where the color space conversion plug-in is an update target is taken as an example.

  The user designates a combination of color matching processes for preview display using the process flow designation screen, and notifies the installation control unit 213 of the selection completion with the “end selection” button. In the case of canceling the installation, a stop instruction is notified to the installation control unit 213 using an “update cancel” button.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 6, when the preview target is selected in step S606 as described above, in step S607, the installation control unit 213 determines whether or not a preview instruction has been issued. That is, it is determined whether a preview selection end notification or a plug-in update stop instruction is notified. In the case of a plug-in update cancel instruction, the update installation process ends. In the case of the preview selection end notification, it is considered that a preview instruction has been given, and the process proceeds to step S608.

  In step S608, a combination of plug-in and device information for performing color matching processing to be a preview display target designated on the preview target selection screen is acquired. In step S609, the control unit 212 is requested to generate a preview image before updating the plug-in together with the combination of the plug-in and device information acquired in step S608. Based on the specified input plug-in ID, input device information ID, output plug-in ID, output device information ID, and color space conversion plug-in ID, the control unit 212 determines whether or not a system cache exists in the system cache management unit 208. Inquire.

  If the system cache exists as a result of the inquiry, the storage location is acquired from the system cache management unit 208, and a color matching instruction for the sample image 209 is sent to the input / output combination processing unit 210 using the system cache. Do.

  On the other hand, if the system cache does not exist, the device / CAM cache management unit determines whether the device cache, CAM cache, and CAM-1 cache exist based on the input plug-in ID, input / output device information ID, and output plug-in ID. Contact 206. If there is a device cache and CAM cache corresponding to the input plug-in ID and input device information ID, the storage location of the cache is acquired and the input conversion unit 201 and the color perception model order conversion unit 104 (105) Instruct to use cache. If there is a device cache and CAM-1 cache corresponding to the output plug-in ID and output device information ID, the storage location of the cache is acquired, and the output conversion unit 202 and the color perception model inverse conversion unit 106 (107) Instruct the use of the cache. On the other hand, if these caches do not exist, the storage location of the device plug-in and device information is acquired from the plug-in management unit 205 and the device information management unit 204, and the device plug-in and Instruct the use of device information.

  Next, the input conversion unit 201 or the output conversion unit 202 acquires the observation conditions in the device information, and notifies the color perception model forward conversion unit 104 (105) or the color perception model inverse conversion unit 106 (107) of the observation conditions. . Subsequently, the control unit 212 obtains the storage location of the color space conversion plug-in from the plug-in management unit 205, and instructs the color space conversion unit 102 (103) to use the plug-in. The control unit 212 performs an input conversion unit 201, a color perception model order conversion unit 104 (105), a color space conversion unit 102 (103), and a color perception model inverse conversion unit to perform color matching on the sample 209. 106 (107), the output conversion unit 202 is instructed to execute processing sequentially.

  With the above processing, the color matching process before plug-in update is completed. However, if the output device of the color matching process is not a video device, further color reproduction is possible so that the output device can be faithfully reproduced as a video device. Perform matching. The installation control unit 213 is notified of the storage location of the preview image for which the color matching process has been completed.

  In step S610, a preview image after updating the plug-in is generated. The installation control unit 213 specifies the input conversion unit 201, the output conversion unit 202, or the color space conversion unit 102 (103) as the application location of the plug-in to be updated, the plug-in storage location, the plug-in ID other than the update target, the device The control unit 212 is notified of the information ID. Further, the control 212 is requested to generate a preview image. The control unit 212 acquires the storage location of the plug-in ID and device information ID other than the update target from the plug-in management unit 205 and the device information management unit 204. Next, the plug-in storage location after the update to the input conversion unit 201, the output conversion unit 202, or the color space conversion unit 102 (103) based on the plug-in application location to be updated received from the installation control unit 213 And instructing the use of the plug-in.

  Next, the plug-in other than the update target and the storage location of the device information are notified to the input conversion unit 201, the output conversion unit 202, or the color space conversion unit 102 (103), respectively. The input conversion unit 201 and the output conversion unit 202 acquire the observation condition in the device information, and notify the color perception model forward conversion unit 104 (105) or the color perception model inverse conversion unit 106 (107). Subsequently, the control unit 212 performs an input conversion unit 201, a color perception model order conversion unit 104 (105), a color space conversion unit 102 (103), and a color perception model inverse conversion in order to perform color matching on the sample 209. The unit 106 (107) and the output conversion unit 202 are instructed to execute processing sequentially.

  With the above processing, the pre-update color matching processing is completed. However, when the output device of the color matching processing is not a video device, color matching is further performed so that the reproduction can be more faithful to the video device. The installation control unit 213 is notified of the storage location of the preview image for which the color matching process has been completed.

  In step S611, a preview screen is generated and displayed on the video device 309.

<< Preview screen >>
Here, the display mode of the preview screen in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an example of a preview screen generated by the installation control unit 213 and displayed on the video device 309. The preview screen includes a preview image display field in which preview images using the pre-update and post-update plug-ins generated in step S609 and step S610 can be compared as before and after update, respectively. Further, an “update execution” button for giving an update instruction to the installation control unit 213 when an update is desired by the user, and an “update” stop button for instructing an update stop are arranged. Furthermore, it has a cache update instruction means for determining whether or not to recreate the cache. The update instruction target here is the system cache in the case of updating the color space conversion plug-in, but in the case of the device plug-in, in addition to the system cache, the device cache, the CAM cache, and the CAM-1 cache.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 6, the user designates whether or not to update the cache on the preview screen displayed in step S611, and if an update is desired, issues an update instruction to the installation control unit 213 using the “Update” button. give. If the update is not desired, the update is instructed by the “Update Cancel” button.

  In step S612, the installation control unit 213 identifies whether an update instruction or an update stop instruction has been selected. If an update stop instruction is issued, the update process ends. If an update instruction is issued, the process proceeds to step S613. move on.

  In step S613, the installation control unit 213 requests the control unit 212 to update the device plug-in management data to be updated. The control unit 212 notifies the plug-in management unit 205 of the plug-in ID to be updated and the version information after the update, and instructs the update process. If the update target is a device plug-in, the plug-in management unit 205 searches for the update target plug-in ID existing in the device plug-in management data 502, and updates the version information associated with the plug-in ID. Go and issue an update completion notification. If the update target is a color space conversion plug-in, search for the update target plug-in ID existing in the color space conversion plug-in management data 503, and update the version information associated with the plug-in ID. An update completion notification is issued. The control unit 212 notifies the installation control unit 213 of a completion notification.

  Next, in step S614, the installation control unit 213 notifies the control unit 212 of the storage location of the plug-in main body and requests update of the plug-in main body. The control unit 212 notifies the plug-in management unit 205 of the file name of the plug-in body together with the plug-in ID, and issues an update instruction. The plug-in management unit 205 determines the storage location of the updated plug-in, updates the storage location related to the plug-in ID of the device plug-in management data 502 or the color space conversion plug-in management data 503, and updates The control unit 212 is notified of the stored location. The control unit 212 stores the plug-in in the storage location notified from the plug-in management unit 205.

  In step S615, it is determined whether or not a cache update instruction has been issued in the preview screen displayed in step S611. If the cache update is instructed, the process proceeds to step S616, and if not, the process proceeds to step S617.

  In step S616, the device cache, CAM cache, CAM-1 cache, and system cache created using the plug-in to be updated are updated.

  The control unit 212 requests the device / CAM cache management unit 206 to search for a cache created using the plug-in. If it exists, the creation instruction of the conversion LUTs 101 and 108 is issued to the input conversion unit 201 or the output conversion unit 202 according to the managed cache creation conditions. Further, it instructs the color perception model order conversion unit 104 (105) or the color perception model inverse conversion unit 106 (107) to create a CAM table or a CAM-1 table. When the creation is completed, storage in the storage location managed by the device / CAM cache management unit 206 is performed.

  Subsequently, the control unit 212 searches the system cache management unit 208 for a cache created using the plug-in. If it exists, the system cache creation unit 207 creates a system cache in accordance with the managed cache creation conditions. The created system cache is stored in a storage location managed by the system cache management unit 208.

  If the cache update is completed, the installation control unit 213 is notified of the end, and the process of the installation control unit 213 is terminated.

  In step S617, the device cache, CAM cache, CAM-1 cache, and system cache created using the plug-in to be updated are discarded.

  The control unit 212 requests the device / CAM cache management unit 206 to search for a cache created using the plug-in. If it exists, the data is deleted from the device cache management data 504, the CAM cache management data 505, and the CAM-1 cache management data 506, and the cache is deleted.

  Next, the control unit 212 searches the system cache management unit 208 for a cache created using the plug-in. If it exists, the data in the system cache management data 507 is deleted and the cache is deleted.

  When the cache discard is completed, the installation control unit 213 is notified of the end, and the process of the installation control unit 213 is terminated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform prior confirmation by preview when updating a plug-in.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the preview result is displayed on the monitor has been shown. However, the preview result can be printed out using a printer.

<Other embodiments>
Although the embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium (recording medium), or the like. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  Needless to say, the computer to which the present invention is applied may be of any form, such as a personal computer, a portable terminal including a cellular phone, an image forming apparatus, or the like.

  In the present invention, a software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied directly or remotely to a system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes the supplied program code. Is also achieved. The program in this case is a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the drawing in the embodiment.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card , ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R).

  As a program supply method, the following method is also possible. That is, the browser of the client computer is connected to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself (or a compressed file including an automatic installation function) of the present invention is downloaded to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to make it. That is, the user can execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install it on the computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. Furthermore, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then executed, so that the program of the above-described embodiment can be realized. Function is realized. That is, based on the instructions of the program, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit can perform part or all of the actual processing.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the color matching process using the color perception model in this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the color matching module in this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an apparatus that realizes the functional configuration of FIG. It is a schematic diagram of device information, a device plug-in, and a color space conversion plug-in. It is a schematic diagram of management information. It is a flowchart which shows the installation process with respect to the color matching module of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a preview object selection screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a preview object selection screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a preview screen. It is a figure which shows the color perception model for color matching applied to this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a general color matching process.

Claims (16)

An image processing method capable of updating a conversion process constituting a color matching process,
An update instruction step for instructing a new conversion process to be updated;
A prior confirmation step for informing a result of performing a color matching process including the new conversion process in advance;
An update determination step for determining whether or not an update to the new conversion process is possible based on a notification result in the prior confirmation step;
An update step for performing an update to the new conversion process when it is determined that the update is possible in the update determination step;
An image processing method comprising:   The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein in the preliminary confirmation step, a preliminary execution result of a color matching process including the new conversion process is displayed on a screen.   The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein in the preliminary confirmation step, a preliminary execution result of a color matching process including the new conversion process is printed out.   4. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein in the prior confirmation step, a result of executing color matching processing including the new conversion processing on a predetermined image is notified. .   5. The image processing method according to claim 4, wherein in the prior confirmation step, a result of executing a color matching process including a conversion process before the update on the predetermined image is notified. Furthermore, based on the notification result in the prior confirmation step, a data update determination step for determining whether to update data used in the conversion process before the update,
A data update step of updating data used in the conversion process before the update when it is determined that the update is possible in the data update determination step;
The image processing method according to claim 1, further comprising:   7. The image processing method according to claim 6, wherein in the data update step, data used in the conversion process before the update is discarded when it is determined that the update is impossible in the data update determination step.   8. The image processing method according to claim 6, wherein, in the data update step, cache data used in the conversion process before the update is updated.   9. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the new conversion process is provided as a plug-in module. The color matching process
A first data conversion step of converting input data indicated in a color space dependent on an input device into first data indicated in a color space independent of a device;
A second data conversion step for converting the first data to the second data shown in the color perception space by performing forward conversion of the color perception model according to the observation condition on the input side,
A third data conversion step for converting the second data into third data by performing color space compression processing according to the color reproduction region of the output device;
A fourth data conversion step for converting the third data into fourth data shown in a device-independent color space by performing an inverse conversion of a color perception model according to an output-side observation condition;
A fifth data conversion step for converting the fourth data into output data represented by a color space depending on the output device;
The image processing method according to claim 1, comprising:   11. The image processing method according to claim 10, wherein the first, third, and fifth data conversion steps can be updated to an arbitrary conversion process registered in advance. An image processing apparatus capable of updating a conversion process constituting a color matching process,
An update instruction means for instructing a new conversion process to be updated;
A prior confirmation means for informing a result of performing a color matching process including the new conversion process in advance;
Update determination means for determining whether or not to update to the new conversion process based on a notification result by the prior confirmation means;
An update means for performing an update to the new conversion process when the update determination means determines that the update is possible;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the prior confirmation unit displays a result of prior execution of a color matching process including the new conversion process on a screen.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the new conversion process is provided as a plug-in module.   A program that, when executed on an information processing apparatus, controls the information processing apparatus to execute the image processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 15 is recorded.

Images