JP2011041173A - Color adjustment device, image forming device, color adjustment program, and color adjustment method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color adjustment device, an image forming device, a color adjustment program, and a color adjustment method unifying a color when an image is formed, in the color required for exact color reproduction. <P>SOLUTION: The color adjustment device includes: an associating part 405 making specified color information showing a color contained in driver conversion image data expressed by an RGB color space associated with adjustment color information showing an adjustment color obtained by adjusting the color contained in the driver conversion image data in an RGB color space, making information on a color to be managed associated with the adjustment color information when the color contained in the driver conversion image data is shown by the information on the color to be managed different from the specified color information, and storing the association in a storage part; and a color adjustment part 406 for adjusting the specified color information contained in the received image data or the information on the color to be managed to the adjustment color information associated in the associating part 405. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a color adjustment apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a color adjustment program, and a color adjustment method.

  An image formed by the image forming apparatus may include a company logo, a product logo, a design mark, or the like. Corporate colors, etc. used for company logos, product logos, design marks, etc. are directly linked to the brand image, so accurate color reproduction is desired.

In Patent Document 1, a company logo is extracted from image data, and the extracted company logo is color-converted using predetermined color conversion information.
In Patent Document 2, when outputting image data using a spot color, the density correction for a single color and the density correction for a spot color are performed separately for each fixed time or for each fixed number of sheets output.

JP 2008-148007 A JP 2006-287708 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a color adjustment device, an image forming device, a color adjustment program, and a color adjustment method that unify colors when an image is formed for colors that require accurate color reproduction.

  The color adjustment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first color information indicating a color included in the first image information expressed in the first color space, and the first image information in the second color space. The color included in the first image information is indicated by third color information different from the first color information. The association means for associating the third color information with the second color information and storing the association in a storage unit, the first color information included in the received image information, or the first color information Color adjustment means for adjusting the third color information to the second color information associated by the association means.

  The color adjustment device according to claim 2 is the color adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the second image information expressed in a third color space is converted into the first image information. And calculating means for calculating color information of the color included in the second image information in the first color space, wherein the associating means has the calculated color information different from the first color information. In this case, the calculated color information is associated with the second color information as the third color information.

  A color adjustment device according to a third aspect is the color adjustment device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the first color space and the second color space are three-dimensional color spaces.

  A color adjustment device according to a fourth aspect is the color adjustment device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the first color space and the second color space are four-dimensional color spaces.

  The color adjustment device according to claim 5 is the color adjustment device according to claim 2, wherein the first color space is an RGB color space, and the third color space is RGB, CMYK, a special color, Includes YCC and Lab.

  The color adjustment device according to claim 6 is the color adjustment device according to claim 2, wherein the first color space is a CMYK color space, and the third color space is RGB, CMYK, a special color, or YCC. And Lab.

  The color adjustment device according to claim 7 is the color adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the color information around the portion adjusted by the color adjustment means to the second color information is corrected. It is characterized by comprising correcting means for performing.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first color information indicating a color included in the first image information expressed in the first color space, and the first image information in the second color space. The color included in the first image information is indicated by third color information different from the first color information. The association means for associating the third color information with the second color information and storing the association in a storage unit, the first color information included in the received image information, or the first color information Color adjustment means for adjusting the third color information to the second color information associated by the association means.

  An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, wherein second image information expressed in a third color space is converted into the first image information. And calculating means for calculating color information of the color included in the second image information in the first color space, wherein the associating means has the calculated color information different from the first color information. In this case, the calculated color information is associated with the second color information as the third color information.

  The color adjustment program according to claim 10, wherein the computer causes the first color information indicating the color included in the first image information expressed in the first color space, and the first color information in the second color space. Third color information different from the first color information is associated with the second color information indicating the adjusted color obtained by adjusting the color included in the image information. In the case where the third color information and the second color information are associated with each other, association means for storing the association in a storage unit, the first color information included in the received image information, or The third color information is caused to function as a color adjusting unit that adjusts the second color information associated in the associating step.

  The color adjustment method according to claim 11 includes: first color information indicating a color used for a target included in the first image information expressed in the first color space; and the second color space. The second color information indicating the adjustment color obtained by adjusting the color used for the object is associated with the color, and the color used for the object is third color information different from the first color information. An association step for associating the third color information with the second color information, and the first color information or the third color information included in the received image information. And a color adjustment step of adjusting to the second color information associated in the association step.

  According to the color adjustment device of the first aspect, compared with the color adjustment device that does not have this configuration, the first color information and the third color information for which accurate color reproduction is required are image-formed. The color of the case can be unified.

  According to the color adjustment device of the second aspect, the first color information and the third color information for which accurate color reproduction is required are formed as compared with the color adjustment device that does not have this configuration. The color of the case can be unified, and the color information in the third color space can be designated to associate the third color information with the second color information.

  According to the color adjustment device of the third aspect, compared with a color adjustment device that does not have this configuration, the first color information for which accurate color reproduction is required in image information expressed in a three-dimensional color space. As for the third color information, the colors when images are formed can be unified.

  According to the color adjustment device of the fourth aspect, compared with a color adjustment device that does not have this configuration, the first color information for which accurate color reproduction is required in image information expressed in a four-dimensional color space. As for the third color information, the colors when images are formed can be unified.

  According to the color adjustment device of the fifth aspect, the image information expressed in RGB, CMYK, special color, YCC, and Lab is converted into the RGB color space as compared with the color adjustment device that does not have this configuration. In the image information, the first color information and the third color information for which accurate color reproduction is required can be unified in color when an image is formed.

  According to the color adjustment device of the sixth aspect, the image information expressed in RGB, CMYK, special color, YCC, and Lab is converted into the CMYK color space as compared with the color adjustment device that does not have this configuration. In the image information, the first color information and the third color information for which accurate color reproduction is required can be unified in color when an image is formed.

  According to the color adjustment device of the seventh aspect, compared to the color adjustment device that does not have this configuration, the first color information and the third color information for which accurate color reproduction is required are image-formed. The color of the case can be unified and color adjustment considering the continuity with surrounding colors can be realized.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the eighth aspect, the first color information and the third color information for which accurate color reproduction is required are formed as compared with the color adjustment apparatus that does not have this configuration. The color of the case can be unified.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the ninth aspect, the first color information and the third color information for which accurate color reproduction is required are formed as compared with the color adjusting apparatus that does not have this configuration. The color of the case can be unified, and the color information in the third color space can be designated to associate the third color information with the second color information.

  According to the color adjustment program of claim 10, an image is formed for the first color information and the third color information for which accurate color reproduction is required compared to a color adjustment apparatus that does not have this configuration. The color of the case can be unified.

  According to the color adjustment method of the eleventh aspect, compared to a color adjustment apparatus that does not have this configuration, the first color information and the third color information that require accurate color reproduction are image-formed. The color of the case can be unified.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of an image process part. It is a functional block diagram of an image processing part. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which associates designated color information, management object color information, and adjustment color information. It is a figure which shows an example of the layout in the case of outputting a rectangular patch. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which memorize | stores association information in an association part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which a color adjustment part performs. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating changes in color information of image data in an image forming apparatus that does not have the configuration of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image output from an image forming apparatus that does not have the configuration of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of an image output from the image forming apparatus to which this invention is applied. It is the figure which illustrated the case where a color adjustment part adjusts the driver conversion image data expressed in CMYK space. 6 is a functional block diagram of an image processing unit of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an input / output unit 10, a control unit 20, an operation display unit 30, an image processing unit (color adjustment device) 40, and an image output unit 50. Examples of the image forming apparatus 100 include a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine (hereinafter referred to as FAX), and a multifunction machine. Here, the multifunction peripheral refers to an image forming apparatus that has any one of a print function, a scanner function, a FAX function, and a copy function.

  The input / output unit 10 receives image data output from a PC (personal computer) 200. The input / output unit 10 can also receive image data from an information processing apparatus, an image input apparatus, or the like connected to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). Further, the input / output unit 10 receives user instruction information for the image forming apparatus 100 via the PC 200. The input / output unit 10 outputs the received image data and instruction information to the control unit 20.

  The control unit 20 transmits and receives signals and data to and from the input / output unit 10, the operation display unit 30, the image processing unit 40, and the image output unit 50, and controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, the control unit 20 receives image data from the input / output unit 10. The control unit 20 controls the image processing unit 40 and the image output unit 50 to form an image based on the received image data on a sheet (recording medium) installed in the image forming apparatus 100.

  The operation display unit 30 receives an operation input related to image formation from a user. The operation display unit 30 outputs information related to the input operation to the control unit 20. The operation display unit 30 displays information related to image formation, for example.

  The image processing unit 40 receives image data (first image information) from the control unit 20 and converts the image data into a format that can be output by the image output unit 50. The image processing unit 40 outputs the converted image data to the image output unit 50.

  The image output unit 50 receives the image data converted from the image processing unit 40, and outputs an image on a sheet based on the control from the control unit 20.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the image processing unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image processing unit 40. The image processing unit 40 includes an input / output unit 401, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 402, a central processing unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 403, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 404.

  The input / output unit 401 inputs and outputs data and signals between the control unit 20 and the image output unit 50. The ROM 402 stores a program (details will be described later) and the like for associating designated color information, management target color information, and adjustment color information. The designated color information, the management target color information, and the adjustment color information will be described in detail later. The CPU 403 reads and executes a program stored in the ROM 402. The RAM 404 stores temporary data used when executing the program.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the image processing unit 40 that processes the image data input from the printer driver 201. The image processing unit 40 includes an association unit (association unit) 405, a color adjustment unit (color adjustment unit) 406, a color conversion processing unit 409, and a color conversion coefficient storage unit 408. The color adjustment unit 406, the association unit 405, and the color conversion processing unit 409 correspond to the CPU 403 that executes various processes according to the control program.

  First, the function of the printer driver 201 installed in the PC 200 will be described. The printer driver 201 accepts image data (hereinafter referred to as input image data) expressed in a color space such as CMYK, Lab, RGB, and YCC. The printer driver 201 converts input image data into image data (first image information; hereinafter referred to as driver converted image data) expressed in a predetermined color space (first color space). For example, the printer driver 201 converts input image data expressed in the CMYK color space into driver converted image data expressed in the RGB color space, and outputs the converted image data to the color adjustment unit 406.

The associating unit 405 includes, in the image data, color information (specified color information (first color information), management target color information (third color information)) of a portion where the user wants to unify the colors after image formation, It is associated with color information (adjusted color information (second color information)) to be output by adjusting image data during image formation and stored as association information. Then, the association unit 405 outputs the association information to the color adjustment unit 406. For example, the color of the part where the color after image formation is to be unified is represented by (R ₁ , G ₁ , B ₁ ), and the user represents the corresponding part by (R ′, G ′, B ′). Suppose you want to form an image with a certain color. Then, the associating unit 405 stores (R ₁ , G ₁ , B ₁ ) as designated color information or management target color information and (R ′, G ′, B ′) as adjustment color information in association with each other. To do.

  The color adjustment unit 406 receives driver converted image data from the printer driver 201. The color adjustment unit 406 matches the specified color information or the management target color information when the driver converted image data includes color information that matches the specified color information or the management target color information stored in the association unit 405. The color information to be adjusted is adjusted to the adjustment color information. The color adjustment unit 406 outputs the adjusted image data (hereinafter referred to as color adjustment image data) to the color conversion processing unit 409.

  The color conversion coefficient storage unit 408 stores color conversion coefficients used when one color space is converted to another color space. Specifically, the color conversion coefficient storage unit 408 stores color conversion coefficients used when image data expressed in the RGB color space is converted into image data expressed in the CMYK color space. Examples of the color conversion coefficient include an LUT table and a conversion formula.

  The color conversion processing unit 409, based on the conversion coefficient stored in the color conversion coefficient storage unit 408, the color space (for example, CMYK color) in which the image output unit 50 can output the color adjustment image data received from the color adjustment unit 406. Image data expressed in (space). The color conversion processing unit 409 outputs the converted image data to the image output unit 50.

  Next, an example of a screen that is used when the associating unit 405 stores specified color information, management target color information, and adjustment color information in association with each other will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for associating designated color information, management target color information, and adjustment color information. The screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the operation display unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 100 or the PC 200.

  On the screen 300 shown in FIG. 4, a designated color / management target color instruction unit 31, an output destination instruction unit 32, an adjustment color instruction unit 33, a list addition instruction unit 34, a list deletion instruction unit 35, and a save instruction unit 37 are arranged. Is done.

  The designated color / management target color instruction unit 31 is used when the user designates a color to be adjusted (designated color / management target color) among the colors constituting the image. The adjustment color instruction unit 33 is used when the user specifies an adjusted color (adjustment color) for the specified color and the management target color. The designated color / management target color instruction unit 31 and the adjustment color instruction unit 33 include a field for directly inputting RGB values, a field (dropper) for acquiring RGB values from patch display on the screen, and the image forming apparatus 100. Are provided with columns (palettes) for obtaining RGB values from palette colors prepared in advance. Further, the screen 300 displays the color expressed by the RGB value designated by the user below the designated color / management target color instruction unit 31 and the adjustment color instruction unit 33. In the screen 300 according to the first embodiment, RGB values are input. However, not only RGB values but also CMYK values, Lab values, and the like may be input.

  The output destination instruction unit 32 is a screen output (patch display) or a driver to be adjusted as an output destination of a rectangular patch that displays the color specified by the user in the designated color / management target color instruction unit 31 and the surrounding color. Used when instructing print output (patch printing) by a printer under the setting.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a layout when a rectangular patch is output.
The user visually confirms the patch printing (printed matter) of the designated color and its surrounding colors when using a printer driver preinstalled in the PC 200. The user selects a patch having a color reproduction desired by the user, and determines an adjustment color for the designated color. The determined adjustment color is designated by the user in the adjustment color instruction section 33.

  Returning to FIG. 4 again, the description will be continued. The list addition instruction unit 34 is used when the user gives an instruction to add to the list an instruction color by the designated color / management target color instruction unit 31 or a combination of the management color and the adjustment color by the adjustment color instruction unit 33. A combination of the designated color / management target color and the adjustment color instructed to be added to the list by the list addition instruction unit 34 is displayed on the list display unit 36.

  The list deletion instruction unit 35 is used when the user instructs the deletion of the combination of the designated color / management target color added to the list and the adjustment color.

  The save instructing unit 37 instructs the user to save the created combination of the designated color / management target color and the adjustment color as association information in which the designated color information, the management target color information, and the adjustment color information are associated with each other. Used when

  Input information to the designated color / management target color instruction unit 31, output destination instruction unit 32, adjustment color instruction unit 33, list addition instruction unit 34, and save instruction unit 37 is output to the control unit 20. The input information is processed by each unit of the image processing unit 40 and the image output unit 50 based on the control of the control unit 20.

  Next, an example of processing for storing designated color information, management target color information, and adjustment color information in the association unit 405 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for storing the designated color information, the management target color information, and the adjustment color information in the association unit 405.

  The operation display unit 30 receives a designated color to be adjusted from the user (step S11). Next, the image output unit 50 outputs the specified color and surrounding color patches under specific conditions (step S12). Here, the specific condition means an environment when the image forming apparatus 100 outputs an image. For example, the setting of the printer driver 201, the type of the image forming apparatus 100, the toner used in the image forming apparatus 100, and the like. Is mentioned.

  Next, the operation display unit 30 receives an adjustment color for the designated color (step S13). Then, the associating unit 405 adds the combination of the designated color and the adjustment color to the list (step S14).

  Next, the operation display unit 30 accepts designation of a management target color (step S15). Then, the associating unit 405 adds the combination of the adjustment color and the management target color input in step S13 to the list (step S16).

  The control unit 20 determines whether or not the association of all the management target colors with the adjustment color has been completed (step S17). For example, when the save instruction unit 37 is pressed by the user, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S18. On the other hand, when there is an input to the designated color / management target color instruction unit 31, the control unit 20 returns to step S15.

  When the association of all the management target colors to the adjustment color is completed (step S17 / YES), the association unit 405 stores the association between the designated color and the management color and the adjustment color listed as association information. (Step S18). On the other hand, when the association of all the management target colors to the adjustment color is not completed (step S17 / NO), the processing is continued from step S15.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the color adjustment unit 406. The color adjustment unit 406 determines whether designated color information or management color information is included in the driver converted image data (step S31). The color adjustment unit 406 adjusts the designated color information based on the association information stored in the association unit 405 when the driver conversion image data includes the designated color information or the management color information (step S31 / YES). The color information is adjusted (step S32) and output to the color conversion processing unit 409 (step S33). On the other hand, when the designated color information or the management color information is not included in the driver converted image data (step S31 / NO), the color adjustment unit 406 ends the process.

  Next, a difference between an image output from the image forming apparatus 100 ′ not having the configuration of the present invention and an image output from the image forming apparatus 100 to which the present invention is applied will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing changes in color information of image data in the image forming apparatus 100 ′ not having the configuration of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 ′ does not include the color adjustment unit 406 and the association unit 405.

As shown in FIG. 8, the input image data is expressed in RGB, CMYK, and Lab color spaces. The input image data is converted by the printer driver 201 into image data expressed in the RGB color space. Specifically, (R ₁ , G ₁ , B ₁ ), (R ₂ , G ₂ , B ₂ ), (C ₃ , M ₃ , Y ₃ , K ₃ ), (L ₄ , a ₄ , b _4). ) Are input by the printer driver 201 to (R ₁ , G ₁ , B ₁ ), (R ₂ , G ₂ , B ₂ ), (R ₃ , G ₃ , B ₃ ), It is converted into driver converted image data expressed by (R ₄ , G ₄ , B ₄ ).

The color conversion processing unit 409 ′ converts the driver converted image data into image data expressed in a color space that can be output by the image output unit 50 ′. That is, a driver represented by (R ₁ , G ₁ , B ₁ ), (R ₂ , G ₂ , B ₂ ), (R ₃ , G ₃ , B ₃ ), (R ₄ , G ₄ , B ₄ ). The converted image data is converted into (C ₁ ′, M ₁ ′, Y ₁ ′, K ₁ ′), (C ₃ ′, M ₃ ′, Y ₃ ′, K ₃ ′), (C ₃ ′, M ₃ ′, Y ₃ ′, K ₃ ′) and (C ₄ ′, M ₄ ′, Y ₄ ′, K ₄ ′).

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image output from the above-described image forming apparatus 100 ′. FIG. 9A is an image example in which the input image data expressed by (R ₁ , G ₁ , B ₁ ) is output. FIG. 9B is an image example in which the input image data expressed by (R ₂ , G ₂ , B ₂ ) is output. FIG. 9C is an image example in which the input image data expressed by (C ₃ , M ₃ , Y ₃ , K ₃ ) is output. FIG. 9D is an image example in which the input image data expressed by (L ₄ , a ₄ , b ₄ ) is output.

As shown in FIG. 9, (R ₁ , G ₁ , B ₁ ), (R ₂ , G ₂ , B ₂ ), (C ₃ , M ₃ , Y ₃ , K ₃ ), (L ₄ , a ₄ , B ₄ ), when the image forming apparatus 100 ′ forms the input image data, the colors of the images formed on the paper are different from each other. This is because the CMYK values are different in the image data received by the image output unit 50 ′. Therefore, depending on the color space in which the input image data is represented, the colors that make up the logo will be formed on the paper in various colors, and it may not be possible to give customers a uniform image as a corporate logo. There is.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of image data output from the image forming apparatus 100 to which the present invention has been applied. As shown in FIG. 10, the input image data is expressed in RGB, CMYK, and Lab color spaces. The input image data is converted by the printer driver 201 into image data expressed in the RGB color space. Specifically, (R ₁ , G ₁ , B ₁ ), (R ₂ , G ₂ , B ₂ ), (C ₃ , M ₃ , Y ₃ , K ₃ ), (L ₄ , a ₄ , b _4). ) Are input by the printer driver 201 to (R ₁ , G ₁ , B ₁ ), (R ₂ , G ₂ , B ₂ ), (R ₃ , G ₃ , B ₃ ), It is converted into driver converted image data expressed by (R ₄ , G ₄ , B ₄ ).

In the associating unit 405, (R ₁ , G ₁ , B ₁ ), (R ₂ , G ₂ , B ₂ ), (R ₃ , G ₃ , B ₃ ), (R ₄ , G ₄ , B ₄ ) are All are associated with (R ′, G ′, B ′). Accordingly, the color adjustment unit 406 is configured to have (R ₁ , G ₁ , B ₁ ), (R ₂ , G ₂ , B ₂ ), (R ₃ , G ₃ , B ₃ ), (R ₄ , G ₄ , B _4). ) To create adjusted image data in which the color represented by (R ′, G ′, B ′) is adjusted to the color represented by (R ′, G ′, B ′), and outputs the adjusted image data to the color conversion processing unit 409.

  The color conversion processing unit 409 converts image data expressed by (R ′, G ′, B ′) into image data expressed by a color space that can be output by the image output unit 50, that is, (C ′, M ′). , Y ′, K ′).

As shown in FIG. 10, since the RGB values of the adjustment image data input to the color conversion processing unit 409 are all the same, all the CMYK values converted by the color conversion processing unit 409 are also the same. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, (R ₁ , G ₁ , B ₁ ), (R ₂ , G ₂ , B ₂ ), (C ₃ , M ₃ , Y ₃ , K ₃ ), (L ₄ , The input image data expressed by a ₄ , b ₄ ) is formed on a sheet based on the same CMYK value. That is, since the image is formed with a unified color, it is possible to give the customer a sense of unity with respect to the color of the company logo mark or the like.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the first embodiment, the color adjustment unit 406 adjusts the designated color and the management target color to the same adjustment color, so that it is desired to realize accurate color reproduction such as a company logo. As for the colors, the colors when images are formed can be unified.

  In the first embodiment, the driver converted image data is expressed in the RGB color space, but may be image data expressed in the CMYK color space. In the first exemplary embodiment, the color adjustment unit 406 adjusts the driver converted image data expressed in the RGB space, but may adjust the driver converted image data expressed in the CMYK space. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a case where the color adjustment unit 406 adjusts the driver converted image data expressed in the CMYK space.

In FIG. 11, input image data is expressed in RGB, CMYK, and Lab color spaces. The input image data is converted by the printer driver 201 into driver converted image data expressed in the CMYK color space. Specifically, (R ₁ , G ₁ , B ₁ ), (R ₂ , G ₂ , B ₂ ), (C ₃ , M ₃ , Y ₃ , K ₃ ), (L ₄ , a ₄ , b _4). ) Are input by the printer driver 201 to (C ₁ , M ₁ , Y ₁ , K ₁ ), (C ₂ , M ₂ , Y ₂ , K ₂ ), (C ₃ , M ₃ , Y ₃ , K ₃ ), (C ₄ , M ₄ , Y ₄ , K ₄ ), and converted into image data.

In the associating unit 405, (C ₁ , M ₁ , Y ₁ , K ₁ ), (C ₂ , M ₂ , Y ₂ , K ₂ ), (C ₃ , M ₃ , Y ₃ , K ₃ ), (C ₄ , M ₄ , Y ₄ , K ₄ ) are all associated with (C ′, M ′, Y ′, K ′). Accordingly, the color adjustment unit 406 includes (C ₁ , M ₁ , Y ₁ , K ₁ ), (C ₂ , M ₂ , Y ₂ , K ₂ ), (C ₃ , M ₃ , Y ₃ , K ₃ ), Create adjusted image data in which the color expressed by (C ₄ , M ₄ , Y ₄ , K ₄ ) is adjusted to the color expressed by (C ′, M ′, Y ′, K ′), and perform color conversion The data is output to the processing unit 409.

  The color conversion processing unit 409 converts image data expressed by (C ′, M ′, Y ′, K ′) into image data expressed by a CMYK color space that can be output by the image output unit 50. In the case of FIG. 11, the adjustment image data received from the color adjustment unit 406 is expressed in the CMYK color space. Accordingly, the color conversion processing unit 409 outputs image data expressed by (C ′, M ′, Y ′, K ′) to the image output unit 50 without performing the conversion process. Thereby, even when the driver converted image data is expressed in a four-dimensional color space, an image with a unified color can be output.

  Next, Example 2 will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, only differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the image processing unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the image processing unit 40 further includes a calculation unit 407.

  The calculation unit 407 calculates color information when input image data (second image information) expressed in various color spaces (third color space) is converted by the printer driver. For example, RGB values are calculated when the printer driver 201 converts image data in which the image data is expressed by CMYK values. Then, the calculation unit 407 outputs the calculated color information to the association unit 405.

  The association unit 405 associates the color information calculated by the calculation unit 407 with the adjustment color as a management target color. When the calculated color information is the same as the specified color information, the association may not be performed.

  The color adjustment unit 406 adjusts the color information of the driver converted image data based on the association information of the association unit 405, and outputs the adjusted image data to the color conversion processing unit 409.

  According to the second embodiment, even if the input image data is not converted by the printer driver 201, the management target color and the adjustment color can be associated if the color information of the input image data is known. Therefore, the user can specify the color information of the input image data and associate it with the adjustment color. That is, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, the management target color and the adjustment color can be easily associated with each other, and the convenience of the user for associating the management target color with the adjustment color is enhanced. The user may specify the color information of the input image data using the screen 300 in FIG. 4 or may be performed from the operation display unit 30.

  The above-described embodiments are a part of the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, color adjustment and association processing may be performed by the printer driver 201 instead of the image processing unit 40.

  Further, the image processing unit 40 may further include a correction unit (correction unit) that corrects the color around the portion adjusted in the adjustment color information. In the driver conversion image data, if the specified color information or managed color information is included in the part that is not the company logo or product logo, the specified color information or managed color information of the part that is not the company logo or product logo is also included in the adjustment color information. Adjusted. Then, there is a possibility that the continuity between the color adjusted in the part that is not the company logo or the product logo and the surrounding color is lost. Accordingly, by correcting the surrounding color together with the adjustment color information for the part adjusted in the adjustment color information, it is possible to realize color adjustment in consideration of continuity while maintaining the adjustment color.

  Specifically, the correction unit determines where the correction object is to be corrected from the portion adjusted in the adjustment color information in order to correct surrounding colors. Next, the correction unit creates a color correction table necessary for correction based on the color information and the adjustment color information on the outer periphery of the range to be corrected. The correcting unit corrects the color information included in the correction target range based on the color adjustment table. Further, the correction unit may perform correction using a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-124526. In addition, the screen 300 in FIG. 4 shows a selection unit that allows the user to select whether or not to correct the surrounding color in accordance with the adjustment color information for the portion adjusted in the adjustment color information and the correction target range. It may be provided.

  The above-described implementation can also be realized by supplying a recording medium in which a software program for realizing the function of the image processing unit 40 is recorded to the image forming apparatus 100 and the CPU 403 reads and executes the program stored in the storage medium. The same effect as that of the embodiment is produced. Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program include a CD-ROM, a DVD, or an SD card.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 40 ... Image processing part 100 ... Image forming apparatus 405 ... Association part 406 ... Color adjustment part 407 ... Calculation part

Claims (11)

1st color information which shows the color contained in the 1st image information expressed in the 1st color space, and the adjustment color which adjusted the color contained in the 1st image information in the 2nd color space When the second color information is associated and the color included in the first image information is indicated by third color information different from the first color information, the third color information and the color information Association means for associating with the second color information and storing the association in a storage unit;
Color adjusting means for adjusting the first color information or the third color information included in the received image information to the second color information associated by the associating means;
A color adjustment device comprising: When the second image information expressed in the third color space is converted into the first image information, the color information in the first color space of the color included in the second image information is changed. A calculation means for calculating,
The association means associates the calculated color information with the second color information as the third color information when the calculated color information is different from the first color information. The color adjusting device described in 1.   The color adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first color space and the second color space are three-dimensional color spaces.   The color adjusting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first color space and the second color space are four-dimensional color spaces.   The color adjustment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first color space is an RGB color space, and the third color space includes RGB, CMYK, a special color, YCC, and Lab.   The color adjustment device according to claim 2, wherein the first color space is a CMYK color space, and the third color space includes RGB, CMYK, a special color, YCC, and Lab.   The said received image information is provided with the correction | amendment means which correct | amends the color information of the circumference | surroundings of the part which the said color adjustment means adjusted to said 2nd color information. Color adjustment device. 1st color information which shows the color contained in the 1st image information expressed in the 1st color space, and the adjustment color which adjusted the color contained in the 1st image information in the 2nd color space When the second color information is associated and the color included in the first image information is indicated by third color information different from the first color information, the third color information and the color information Association means for associating with the second color information and storing the association in a storage unit;
Color adjusting means for adjusting the first color information or the third color information included in the received image information to the second color information associated by the associating means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: When the second image information expressed in the third color space is converted into the first image information, the color information in the first color space of the color included in the second image information is changed. A calculation means for calculating,
The association means associates the calculated color information with the second color information as the third color information when the calculated color information is different from the first color information. The image forming apparatus described in 1. Computer
1st color information which shows the color contained in the 1st image information expressed in the 1st color space, and the adjustment color which adjusted the color contained in the 1st image information in the 2nd color space When the second color information is associated and the color included in the first image information is indicated by third color information different from the first color information, the third color information and the color information Association means for storing the second color information in the association storage unit;
Color adjusting means for adjusting the first color information or the third color information included in the received image information to the second color information associated in the associating step;
Color adjustment program to function as 1st color information which shows the color contained in the 1st image information expressed in the 1st color space, and the adjustment color which adjusted the color contained in the 1st image information in the 2nd color space When the second color information is associated and the color included in the first image information is indicated by third color information different from the first color information, the third color information and the color information An association step for storing the second color information in the association storage unit;
A color adjustment step of adjusting the first color information or the third color information included in the received image information to the second color information associated in the association step;
A color adjustment method.

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