JP2008283375A - Color profile creation apparatus, color profile creation method, color profile creation program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color profile creation apparatus which enables a user to easily perform color adjustment during the creation of a color profile even when the user is not practiced in the properties of a plurality of color spaces. <P>SOLUTION: The color profile creation apparatus comprises: a color patch output control means in a first color space; a color patch colormetry control means in a second color space; a color space transformation means for transforming a target value from the second color space which is non-linear to a fourth color space which is linear; a target value adjustment means for adjusting the target value expressed in the forth color space according to an adjustment request from a user; a color space reverse transformation means for transforming the target value from the forth color space to the second color space; and a color profile creation means for comparing a colormetric value in the second color space with the target value and mapping an input value in the third color space and an output value in the first color space on the basis of a compared result to create a color profile. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a color profile creation device, a color profile creation method, a color profile creation program, and a recording medium, and more particularly to a color profile creation device, a color profile creation method, and a color profile creation program for creating a color profile for a device that handles color images. And a recording medium.

  The color profile is data for correcting a color output difference due to a device such as a monitor or a printer. A color profile is a data file that mathematically describes a color reproduction method on a specific device. A color profile standardized by ICC (International Color Consortium) is generally well known. The color profile plays a role of correctly transmitting color information such as which rules are followed. The device can output an appropriate color by using the corresponding color profile.

A printer, which is an example of a device, expresses all colors by device colors including four colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), or combinations of other colors. The printer color profile holds a color mapping table for converting a device-independent color space such as XYZ or L ^* a ^* b ^{* to} a device-dependent color space such as CMYK. The color space is a method for expressing a color by a combination of numerical values.

The printer uses the color mapping table to perform color matching for converting a device-independent color space such as XYZ or L ^* a ^* b ^{* into} a device-dependent color space such as CMYK. The color mapping table correlates device colors with device-independent color spaces such as XYZ and L ^* a ^* b ^* .

  Conventionally, a color profile has been created as follows, for example. First, a color profile creation device that creates a color profile creates and prints a color patch that combines CMYK color output. A color patch is obtained by printing a plurality of slightly different colors on a paper surface.

The color profile creation device measures the color of the printed color patch with a colorimeter. A colorimetric value, which is the result of colorimetry, is expressed as L ^* a ^* b ^* . By measuring the color patch with a colorimeter, the color profile creation apparatus can combine the output value by CMYK and the L ^* value as a combination of the CMYK output value realized by the printer and the L ^* a ^* b ^* colorimetric value ^. Correlate colorimetric values by a ^* b ^* .

Further, the color profile creation device associates the input value by CMYK and the target value by L ^* a ^* b ^* as a combination of the input value by RGB and the target value (target) by L ^* a ^* b ^*. Storing.

The combination of the color profile creating apparatus includes a color measurement values by L ^* a ^* b ^*, compared with the target value by L ^* a ^* b ^*, the color value and the target value measurement that based on the comparison result, the most approximate By determining the above, an output value by CMYK that can realize an input value by RGB can be obtained. The color mapping table described above maps the combinations of input values and output values.

The color profile creation apparatus gathers all combinations of mapped input values and output values to create a color profile. Note that Patent Document 1 describes contents for creating a color profile.
JP 2006-21579 A

By the way, when the user who uses the color profile creating apparatus tries to finely adjust the color, the target value based on L ^* a ^* b ^* may be directly manipulated. However, in order to obtain the L ^* a ^* b ^* a desired color by operating the target value directly by, as follows, it is necessary to be familiar to the L ^* a ^* b ^* nature.

For example, L ^* a ^* b ^* represents a color in an orthogonal space with L ^* , a ^* and b ^* as axes. As a result, the hue is expressed by a curved surface composed of L ^* , a ^*, and b ^* values. Since L ^* a ^* b ^* is nonlinear, for example, even if the combination of a ^* and b ^* values is the same, the hue may change if the L ^* value is different.

In the conventional color profile creation apparatus, as described above, it is necessary to consider the three values of L ^* , a ^*, and b ^* , and creating a color profile is difficult even for an experienced user. The user has a problem that it takes a lot of time to create a color profile.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a color profile creation apparatus and a color profile creation method capable of easily adjusting a color when creating a color profile without learning the properties of a plurality of color spaces. An object of the present invention is to provide a color profile creation program and a recording medium.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is a color profile creation device that creates a color profile of a device that handles color images, and creates a color patch that combines color outputs in a first color space to be used as a printing unit. Color patch output control means for outputting, color patch measurement for causing the color measurement means to measure the color patch in the second color space, and associating the output value by the first color space with the color measurement value by the second color space Color control means, target value storage means for storing input values in the third color space, and target values in the second color space associated with the input values, and the target value storage means Color space conversion means for converting the stored target value from the non-linear second color space to a linear fourth color space, and an adjustment request for the target value expressed by the user in the fourth color space. Accepted, said Target value adjusting means for adjusting the target value expressed in the fourth color space in response to an adjustment request from a user; and the target value expressed in the fourth color space from the fourth color space. Color space reverse conversion means for converting to the second color space, the colorimetric value expressed in the second color space and the target value are compared, and the colorimetric value and target that are most approximated based on the comparison result Mapping means for determining a combination of values and mapping an input value by the third color space and an output value by the first color space; and a color profile creation means for creating a color profile based on the mapped data; It is characterized by having.

  In addition, what applied the component, expression, or arbitrary combination of the component of this invention to a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a recording medium, a data structure, etc. is also effective as an aspect of this invention.

  According to the present invention, a color profile creation apparatus, a color profile creation method, a color profile creation program, and a recording medium that can easily perform color adjustment when creating a color profile without learning the properties of a plurality of color spaces Can be provided.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described based on the following embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a color profile creation environment according to the present invention. In the system of FIG. 1, a PC 1, a printer 2, and a colorimeter 3 are connected via a network 4 such as a LAN. The system of FIG. 1 may be connected directly without going through the network 4. PC1 is an example of a color profile creation apparatus.

The printer 2 is a color profile creation target. The printer 2 includes a printer engine and a printer controller, and is controlled by a later-described printer driver installed in the PC 1. The printer 2 prints the color patch on the paper surface. The colorimeter 3 measures the color patch printed by the printer 2 and obtains a colorimetric value by L ^* a ^* b ^* .

  The PC 1 performs control of the printer 2 by the printer driver, control of the colorimeter 3, creation of a color profile, and the like. The PC 1 is configured by a general computer system as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer system. The computer system of FIG. 2 includes an input device 21, an output device 22, a drive device 23, an auxiliary storage device 24, a main storage device 25, an arithmetic processing device 26, and an interface device 27 connected to each other via a bus B. Composed.

  The input device 21 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and is used for inputting various operation instructions. The output device 22 includes a display device and is used to display various windows, data, and the like. The interface device 27 includes a modem, a LAN card, and the like, and is used for connecting to the network 4.

  The color profile creation program according to the present invention is at least a part of various programs for controlling the PC 1. The color profile creation program is provided by, for example, distribution of the recording medium 28 or downloading from the network 4. The recording medium 28 on which the color profile creation program is recorded is a recording medium on which information is optically, electrically or magnetically recorded, such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, ROM, flash memory, etc. Various types of recording media such as a semiconductor memory for electrically recording information can be used.

  When the recording medium 28 on which the color profile creation program is recorded is set in the drive device 23, the color profile creation program is installed from the recording medium 28 into the auxiliary storage device 24 via the drive device 23. The color profile creation program downloaded from the network 4 is installed in the auxiliary storage device 24 via the interface device 27.

  The auxiliary storage device 24 stores the installed color profile creation program and also stores necessary files, data, and the like. The main storage device 25 reads and stores the color profile creation program from the auxiliary storage device 24 at the time of activation. The arithmetic processing unit 26 implements various processes as will be described later in accordance with a color profile creation program stored in the main storage device 25.

  FIG. 3 is a software configuration diagram of an example of a computer system. The computer system of FIG. 3 is configured to include a color profile creation program 31, an OS 32, a printer driver 33, and other drivers 34. The OS 32 uses the printer driver 33 and other drivers 34 to control the printer 2 and other peripheral devices.

  The color profile creation program 31 performs processing related to creation of a color profile as will be described later. The color profile is used by the printer driver 33.

  FIG. 4 is an image diagram showing the position of the color profile in the printer driver. The printer driver 33 includes a color conversion unit 41, a density correction unit 42, and a halftone processing unit 43. The color profile is used by the color conversion unit 41. Note that the color conversion unit 41, the density correction unit 42, and the halftone processing unit 43 in the printer driver 33 may be included in the printer 2 instead of the PC 1.

(Create color profile)
First, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, creation of a color profile will be described here, including conventional techniques. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a color profile creation procedure.

In step S1, the color profile creation program 31 creates and prints a color patch that combines CMYK color output. In step S2, the color profile creation program 31 controls the colorimeter 3 to measure the color patch. A colorimetric value, which is the result of colorimetry, is expressed as L ^* a ^* b ^* .

By measuring the color patch with the colorimeter 3, the color profile creation program 31 outputs the output value according to CMYK as a combination of the output value according to CMYK realized by the printer 2 and the colorimetric value according to L ^* a ^* b ^*. Is associated with the colorimetric value by L ^* a ^* b ^* .

Further, the color profile creation program 31 associates the input value based on CMYK with the target value based on L ^* a ^* b ^* as a combination of the input value based on RGB and the target value (target) based on L ^* a ^* b ^*. Storing.

The process proceeds to step S3, the color profile creating program 31 and colorimetric values according to ^L * ^a * ^{b *,} compared with the target value by L ^* a * ^{b *,} based on the comparison result, the colorimetric values most similar Select a combination with the target value.

  In step S4, the color profile creation program 31 determines whether or not fine color adjustment is necessary based on whether or not an instruction for fine color adjustment is received from the user. If it is determined that fine color adjustment is not necessary, the color profile creation program 31 proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the color profile creation program 31 realizes an input value in RGB by determining the combination of the colorimetric value and the target value that are closest (highest matching accuracy) based on the comparison result in step S3. An output value by CMYK can be obtained. The color profile creation program 31 maps RGB input values and CMYK output values based on the determined combination of the colorimetric value and the target value.

  In step S7, the color profile creation program 31 determines whether all mapping has been completed. If all the mappings have not been completed, the color profile creation program 31 returns to step S3 and continues processing. If all the mappings are completed, the color profile creation program 31 proceeds to step S8, and creates a color profile by collecting all combinations of the mapped RGB input values and CMYK output values.

  On the other hand, if the color profile creation program 31 determines in step S4 that fine color adjustment is necessary, the process proceeds to step S5, where the target value is manipulated based on the color fine adjustment operation instruction received from the user. After the target value is manipulated, the color profile creation program 31 returns to step S3 and continues processing.

Conventionally, in the process of step S5, the user has directly attempted to obtain a desired color by directly operating a target value based on L ^* a ^* b ^* . However, in order to obtain the L ^* a ^* b ^* a desired color by operating the target value directly by, as follows, it is necessary to be familiar to the L ^* a ^* b ^* nature.

FIG. 6 is an image diagram showing hue expression in L ^* a ^* b ^* . The image diagram of FIG. 6 represents 12 hues (R, G, B, C, M, Y and intermediate hues thereof). The L ^* axis is represented by a value from 0 to 100. The larger the value is, the brighter the light is, and the smaller the value is, the darker it is.

a ^* Axis represents magenta to red (depending on lightness) in the + direction and green (depending on lightness) in the-direction. The b ^* axis represents yellow in the + direction (depending on lightness) and blue in the-direction (depending on lightness).

As shown in FIG. 6, L ^* a ^* b ^* represents a color in an orthogonal space with L ^* , a ^* and b ^* as axes. As a result, the hue is expressed by a curved surface composed of L ^* , a ^*, and b ^* values. Thus, since L ^* a ^* b ^* is non-linear, for example, even if the combination of the values of a ^* and b ^* is the same, the hue may change if the value of L ^* is different.

Specifically, with respect to certain input values (RGB), if you desire thinner than red was aimed originally, as shown in FIG. 7, insufficient alone changing the value of L ^*, L ^*, It was necessary to consider the three values of a ^* and b ^* . FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how the target value and the output value change due to the conventional color adjustment. For this reason, the creation of a color profile is a difficult task even for a skilled user, and takes a lot of time.

Therefore, the color profile creation program 31 according to the present invention facilitates color adjustment when creating a color profile without learning the nature of L ^* a ^* b ^* . Specifically, the color profile creation program 31 according to the present invention converts a non-linear L ^* a ^* b ^* whose hue is expressed by a curved surface into a linear orthogonal space whose axes are hue, brightness and saturation. This makes it easier to adjust the color.

  The linear orthogonal space with hue, lightness, and saturation as axes includes HSV (HSB), HLS (HSL, HSI), and the like. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing HLS in a cylindrical shape. H represents a hue, and the hue is represented by an angle. L represents lightness, and the lightness is expressed by a value of 0 to 1. S represents saturation, and the saturation is expressed by a value of 0 to 1.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the H plane when the HLS is represented by a cylindrical shape. As shown in the H plane of FIG. 9, the angle H and the color are associated with each other. When the hue is to be changed, the HLS only needs to be moved by H as shown in FIG. If it is desired to change the brightness, it is only necessary to move by L as shown in FIG. Further, when it is desired to change the vividness, in HLS, it is sufficient to move only S as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, in the HLS, the hue, brightness, and saturation can be individually adjusted. Specifically, for a certain input value (RGB), when a lighter value than the originally aimed red is desired, the desired red can be obtained by moving by L as shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how the measured value and the output value are changed by adjusting the color according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, in the color adjustment according to the present invention, a desired red can be obtained by moving L by +0.1.

After the color adjustment is completed, the color profile creation program 31 reversely converts HLS to L ^* a ^* b ^* and restores the original. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, combinations of input values and output values can be mapped with the target value based on L ^* a ^* b ^* after adjustment as a target.

The color profile creation program 31 according to the present invention converts L ^* a ^* b ^* into HLS as follows. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of linking L ^* a ^* b ^* and HLS (color space conversion formula). In FIG. 14, sRGB (standard RGB) is used as an example, but scRGB (relative scene RGB color space) may be used. L ^* a ^* b ^* , XYZ, sRGB, and HLS each represent a color space.

As shown in FIG. 14, L ^* a ^* b ^* is linked to HLS via XYZ and sRGB. Since L ^* a ^* b ^* , XYZ, sRGB, and HLS color space conversion formulas are well known, they will be briefly described. The conversion of L ^* a ^* b ^* , XYZ, sRGB and HLS is as follows.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing color space conversion equations of L ^* a ^* b ^* and XYZ. Xn, Yn and Zn designate values representing white in the light source at the time of conversion. The conversion of L ^* a ^* b ^* and XYZ is reversible.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a color space conversion formula from XYZ to sRGB. The conversion from sRGB to XYZ is the inverse conversion of the color space conversion formula shown in FIG. In addition, when scRGB is used as a color space to be converted, γ correction is not performed. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a color space conversion formula from sRGB to HLS. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a color space conversion formula from HLS to sRGB.

15 to 18, the color profile creation program 31 according to the present invention can convert L ^* a ^* b ^* into HLS and reversely convert HLS into L ^* a ^* b ^*. it can.

  The color profile creation program 31 according to the present invention provides a user with a user interface (UI) as shown in FIG. FIG. 19 is an image diagram showing a UI of the color profile creation program.

  The UI 190 in FIG. 19 is configured to include various operation units 191, an actual adjustment unit 192, and an adjustment result display unit 193. The various operation units 191 include a monitor profile selection button, a printer model selection button, a printer profile selection button, a print measurement value acquisition button, a printer profile creation button, and an evaluation chart print button.

  The monitor profile selection button is used to select a color profile of the output device 22 such as a display device that displays the UI 190. The printer model selection button is used to select the model of the printer 2 on which the color profile to be adjusted is mounted. The printer profile selection button is used to select a color profile to be adjusted. The print measurement value acquisition button is used to acquire a measurement value (colorimetric value) when output in a color profile to be adjusted.

  The printer profile creation button is used to create a color profile reflecting an adjustment result stored in a work memory described later. The evaluation chart print button is used to select and print the evaluation chart based on the color profile reflecting the adjustment result. The various operation units 191 can display the models of the output device 22 and the printer 2 selected by the user on the UI 190.

The actual adjustment unit 192 includes an adjustment color selection button, an input value field, an output value field, HLS → L ^* a ^* b ^* radio button, L ^* a ^* b ^* → HLS radio button, HLS field, L ^* a ^* b ^*. It includes a field, an adjustment value save button, an adjustment list confirmation button, an undo button, and a redo button.

  The adjustment color selection button is used to select the color to be adjusted from the color profile to be adjusted. The input value column is used to display the RGB value (input value) of the color to be adjusted (input color) selected by the adjustment color selection button. The user may input RGB values directly in the input value column.

  The output value column is used to display a CMYK value (output value) that is a color profile setting value of the color to be adjusted (input color) selected by the adjustment color selection button. The user may input the CMYK value directly in the output value column. Further, s1 to s3 included in the output value column are used for displaying spot colors (R, G, B, L, C, LM...) Other than CMYK. The display of S1, S2, etc. may be arbitrarily changed.

The HLS → L ^* a ^* b ^* radio button is used to change the HLS value in the HLS column and reflect it in the L ^* a ^* b ^* value displayed in the L ^* a ^* b ^* column. L ^* a ^* b ^* → HLS radio ^button, change the L ^* a * ^{b *} column of the ^L * ^a * ^{b *} value, is used in order to be reflected in the HLS values that are displayed in the HLS column.

In the HLS column, the measured value (colorimetric value) when CMYK value (output value) is printed and measured (colorimetric) is converted from the L ^* a ^* b ^* value to the HLS value and displayed. The user can change the HLS value to a desired characteristic with a slider provided below the HLS field. The user may input the HLS value directly in the HLS column.

In the L ^* a ^* b ^* column, measured values (colorimetric values) when CMYK values (output values) are printed and measured (colorimetric) are displayed. The user can change the L ^* a ^* b ^* value to a desired characteristic using a slider provided below the L ^* a ^* b ^* column. Further, the user may directly input the L ^* a ^* b ^* value in the L ^* a ^* b ^* column.

The adjustment value save button is used to save the CMYK value (output value) obtained by adjusting the RGB value (input value) based on the HLS value or the L ^* a ^* b ^* value in a work memory described later. Is done. The adjustment list confirmation button is used to display a list of adjustment results stored in the work memory on the output device 22. The undo button is used for an undo operation for returning the HLS value or L ^* a ^* b ^* value to the state before adjustment. The redo button is used for the reverse operation of the undo operation.

  The adjustment result display unit 193 includes a pre-adjustment color sample display field, an after-adjustment color sample display field, and an adjustment image display field.

  The pre-adjustment color sample display field displays on the output device 22 a simulation of the color on the paper before adjustment of the CMYK values (output values) obtained for the RGB values (input values). The post-adjustment color sample display field displays, on the output device 22, a simulation display of the color on the paper after the adjustment of the CMYK values (output values) obtained for the RGB values (input values). The colors displayed in the pre-adjustment color sample display column and the post-adjustment color sample display column are correct depending on the color profile of the output device 22.

  The adjustment image display column represents an adjustment image in the actual adjustment unit 192 in a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. For example, when the H slider provided below the HLS field in the actual adjustment unit 192 is moved, the cylindrical point displayed in the adjustment image display field moves along the arc.

The adjustment image display column can correspond to both HLS and L ^* a ^* b ^* color spaces. It is also possible to feed back to the HLS value, L ^* a ^* b ^*, and CMYK value (output value) of the actual adjustment unit 192 by moving the cylindrical point displayed in the adjustment image display field. .

  The color profile creation program 31 according to the present invention includes a main module as shown in FIG. 20 in order to realize a UI as shown in FIG. FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of an example of a main module included in the color profile creation program.

  The main module includes an adjustment result display control unit 201, an actual adjustment control unit 202, various operation control units 203, and a work memory 204. The relationship between the adjustment result display control unit 201, the actual adjustment control unit 202, the various operation control units 203, and the work memory 204 will be briefly described.

  Various operation control units 203 write the color profile selected by the user in the work memory 204. The various operation control units 203 write measurement values (colorimetric values) when output in the color profile to be adjusted to the work memory 204. The various operation control units 203 read the color profile adjustment result written in the work memory 204 and create a color profile.

The actual adjustment control unit 202 writes the adjustment result obtained by operating the HLS value or the L ^* a ^* b ^* value in the work memory 204. That is, the actual adjustment control unit 202 stores the adjustment value in the work memory 204. The actual adjustment control unit 202 reads RGB values (input values), CMYK values (output values), and measured values (colorimetric values) from the work memory 204.

The actual adjustment control unit 202 notifies the adjustment result display control unit 201 of the adjustment result obtained by operating the HLS value or the L ^* a ^* b ^* value, and causes the adjustment result display unit 193 of the UI 190 to display the adjustment result. The adjustment result display control unit 201 notifies the actual adjustment control unit 202 of the adjustment contents operated by the actual adjustment unit 192 of the UI 190.

  As described above, by using the UI 190 according to the present invention, a non-linear color space in which the hue is expressed by a curved surface is converted into a linear orthogonal space with the hue, brightness, and saturation as axes, and the hue, brightness, and saturation are converted. Can be adjusted individually. Therefore, the user can easily adjust the color when creating the color profile without becoming familiar with the properties of the plurality of color spaces.

  The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, the color profile creation program 31 of the present invention may be installed in an image processing apparatus such as a multifunction machine.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing an environment for creating a color profile according to the present invention. It is a hardware block diagram of an example of a computer system. It is a software block diagram of an example of a computer system. FIG. 6 is an image diagram showing the position of a color profile in a printer driver. It is a flowchart which shows the preparation procedure of a color profile. It is an image figure showing the hue expression in L ^* a ^* b ^* . It is explanatory drawing of an example showing a mode that a target value and an output value change by the adjustment of the conventional color. It is the schematic diagram which represented HLS with the column shape. It is a schematic diagram of the H plane when HLS is represented by a cylindrical shape. It is an image figure showing a mode that hue is changed in HLS. It is an image figure showing a mode that brightness is changed in HLS. It is an image figure showing a mode that saturation is changed in HLS. It is explanatory drawing of an example showing a mode that a measured value and an output value change by color adjustment by this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the linking method (color space conversion type | formula) of L ^* a ^* b ^* and HLS. It is explanatory drawing showing the color space conversion type | formula of L ^* a ^* b ^* and XYZ. It is explanatory drawing showing the color space conversion formula from XYZ to sRGB. It is explanatory drawing showing the color space conversion formula from sRGB to HLS. It is explanatory drawing showing the color space conversion formula from HLS to sRGB. It is an image figure which shows UI of a color profile creation program. It is a block diagram of an example of the main module contained in a color profile creation program.

Explanation of symbols

1 PC
2 Printer 3 Colorimeter 4 Network 21 Input Device 22 Output Device 23 Drive Device 24 Auxiliary Storage Device 25 Main Storage Device 26 Arithmetic Processing Device 27 Interface Device 31 Color Profile Creation Program 32 OS
33 Printer Driver 34 Other Driver 41 Color Conversion Unit 42 Density Correction Unit 43 Halftone Processing Unit 190 UI
191 Various operation units 192 Actual adjustment unit 193 Adjustment result display unit 201 Adjustment result display control unit 202 Actual adjustment control unit 203 Various operation control units 204 Work memory B bus

Claims (10)

A color profile creation device for creating a color profile for a device that handles color images,
Color patch output control means for creating a color patch that combines the output of the colors in the first color space and outputting it to the printing means;
Color patch colorimetric control means for causing the colorimetric means to measure the color patch in a second color space and associating the output value of the first color space with the colorimetric value of the second color space;
Target value storage means for storing an input value in a third color space and a target value in the second color space associated with each input value;
Color space conversion means for converting the target value stored in the target value storage means from the non-linear second color space to a linear fourth color space;
Target value adjusting means for receiving an adjustment request for the target value expressed in the fourth color space from a user and adjusting the target value expressed in the fourth color space in response to the adjustment request from the user When,
Color space reverse conversion means for converting the target value expressed in the fourth color space from the fourth color space to the second color space;
The colorimetric value expressed in the second color space is compared with a target value, and a combination of the colorimetric value and the target value that is most approximated is determined based on the comparison result, and the third color space is determined. Mapping means for mapping the input value by the output value by the first color space;
A color profile creation device comprising color profile creation means for creating a color profile based on the mapped data. The target value adjusting means includes
Various operation units for receiving various operation instructions from the user;
An actual adjustment unit that receives an adjustment request for the target value expressed in the fourth color space from the user;
A user interface having an adjustment result display unit that displays an adjustment result of the target value expressed in the fourth color space adjusted in response to an adjustment request from the user is displayed on a display unit. The color profile creation device according to claim 1. The color profile creation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the various operation units include an evaluation chart print accepting unit that accepts an evaluation chart print request based on the color profile.   The color profile creation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the actual adjustment unit further receives an adjustment request for the target value expressed in the second color space.   The adjustment result display unit divides the color of the output value obtained on the paper according to the input value by the mapping into before and after adjustment, and displays the simulation on the display means. Item 3. A color profile creation device according to item 2.   The color profile creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hue of the second color space is expressed by a curved surface.   The color profile creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fourth color space is expressed by an orthogonal space having hue, brightness, and saturation as axes. A color profile creation method in a color profile creation device for creating a color profile of a device that handles color images,
A color patch output control step of creating a color patch that combines the output of colors in the first color space and outputting the patch to the printing means;
A color patch colorimetry control step of causing the colorimetric means to measure the color patch in a second color space and associating the output value of the first color space with the colorimetric value of the second color space;
The target value stored in the target value storage means in which the input value in the third color space and the target value in the second color space associated with each input value are stored from the nonlinear second color space. A color space conversion step for converting to a linear fourth color space;
A target value adjustment step of receiving an adjustment request for the target value expressed in the fourth color space from a user and adjusting the target value expressed in the fourth color space in response to the adjustment request from the user When,
A color space reverse conversion step of converting the target value expressed in the fourth color space from the fourth color space to the second color space;
The colorimetric value expressed in the second color space is compared with a target value, and a combination of the colorimetric value and the target value that is most approximated is determined based on the comparison result, and the third color space is determined. A mapping step for mapping the input value by the output value by the first color space;
A color profile creation method comprising: a color profile creation step of creating a color profile based on the mapped data. A computer including a storage device and an arithmetic processing unit for creating a color profile of a device that handles color images,
Color patch output control means for creating a color patch that combines the output of the colors in the first color space and outputting it to the printing means;
Color patch colorimetric control means for causing the colorimetric means to measure the color patch in a second color space and associating the output value of the first color space with the colorimetric value of the second color space;
Target value storage means for storing an input value in a third color space and a target value in the second color space associated with each input value;
Color space conversion means for converting the target value stored in the target value storage means from the non-linear second color space to a linear fourth color space;
Target value adjusting means for receiving an adjustment request for the target value expressed in the fourth color space from a user and adjusting the target value expressed in the fourth color space in response to the adjustment request from the user When,
Color space reverse conversion means for converting the target value expressed in the fourth color space from the fourth color space to the second color space;
The colorimetric value expressed in the second color space is compared with a target value, and a combination of the colorimetric value and the target value that is most approximated is determined based on the comparison result, and the third color space is determined. Mapping means for mapping the input value by the output value by the first color space;
A color profile creation program for functioning as color profile creation means for creating a color profile based on mapped data.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the color profile creation program according to claim 9 is recorded.