JP2011199874A - Image generating apparatus and image generating method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image generating apparatus for generating a color patch.SOLUTION: The image generating apparatus includes: an acquisition part for acquiring reference color patch data showing a combination of a plurality of amounts of color materials and a color material amount limit value showing a maximum amount of color material when the reference color patch data is printed; a controller for reducing the amount of color material in the reference color patch data according to the color material amount limit value when a sum of the amounts of color materials in the reference color patch data is larger than the color material amount limit value, and for not changing the color material when the sum is smaller than the color material amount limit value; a first generation part for generating color patch data different from the reference color patch data according to the color material amount limit value; and a second generation part for generating color patch image data using the color patch data generated from the amount of color material specified by the controller and the color patch data generated by the first generation part.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image generation apparatus and an image generation method for generating a color patch.

  In a device that performs color printing, the color of an input image to be printed is often different from the color of ink used in the printing device. For example, the input image has R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color components, and the color of the image is represented by C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow). ) Is used to represent the color of the image. Therefore, it is necessary to perform processing (color conversion processing) for converting the color components of the input image into the color material amount of the printing device.

  In the color conversion process, a color conversion table called an ICC profile is used. A color conversion table is created based on CIELAB values obtained by printing a plurality of color patches of a combination of CMYK with a target printing device and measuring the color patches printed.

JP 2008-193396 A

  In printing machines, the amount of color material that can be used per unit area is generally limited in order to prevent deterioration of image quality and the like. When the color material amount limit value changes, the color gamut that can be printed by the printing device changes. That is, when the color material amount limit value changes, the maximum saturation in the CIELAB color space changes.

  The image generation apparatus according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit, a restriction unit, a first generation unit, and a second generation unit. The acquisition unit acquires reference color patch data indicating a combination of a plurality of color material amounts and a color material amount limit value indicating a maximum color material amount when the reference color patch data is printed. The limiting unit reduces the color material amount in the reference color patch data according to the color material amount limit value when the sum of the color material amounts in the reference color patch data is larger than the color material amount limit value. When the sum is smaller than the color material amount limit value, the color material amount is not changed. The first generation unit generates color patch data different from the reference color patch data according to the color material amount limit value. The second generation unit generates color patch image data using the color patch data generated from the color material amount specified by the restriction unit and the color patch data generated by the first generation unit. .

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an image generation apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an image generation apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the color material amount restriction | limiting process in 1st Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing for generating additional color patch data in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the color gamut in the a * b * plane of CIELAB color space. It is a flowchart which shows the color material amount restriction | limiting process in 4th Embodiment.

(First embodiment)
The configuration of the image generation apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The image generation apparatus according to the present embodiment generates a color patch used when creating a color conversion table.

  The CPU 1 controls the operation of the image generation apparatus. The system bus 2 transfers data between the CPU 1 and a circuit constituting the image generating apparatus. The RAM 3 and ROM 5 store specific information. The external recording medium 4 is connected to the image generation device and stores specific information.

  The I / F 6 is used to transmit and receive data between the image generation apparatus and the external device. The console 7 is used for the user to input specific information. The image memory 8 stores image data.

  The operation of the image generation apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. The process shown in FIG. 2 is executed by the CPU 1.

  The CPU 1 reads a file of reference color patch data via the I / F 6 (ACT 101). The reference color patch data is color patch data that is a predetermined standard. The reference color patch data includes data relating to the amount of CMYK in each reference color patch. The CPU 1 stores the amount of CMYK in each reference color patch in the RAM 3 as inC, inM, inY, and inK as reference color patch data.

  The CPU 1 reads the color material amount limit value designated by the user from the console 7 and stores it in the RAM 3 as Limit (ACT 102). The color material amount limit value indicates the maximum color material amount (total amount of CMYK) used during printing.

  The CPU 1 performs a color material amount restriction process on the reference color patch data inC, inM, inY, and inK (ACT 103). The color material amount restriction process will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the CPU 1 calculates the sum Sum of the reference color patch data inC, inM, inY, and inK stored in the RAM 3 (ACT 201). The CPU 1 compares the color material amount limit value Limit stored in the RAM 3 with the total sum Sum of the reference color patch data, and determines whether the color material amount limit value Limit is smaller than the total sum (ACT 202).

  When the color material amount limit value Limit is smaller than the sum Sum (ACT202, Yes), the CPU 1 performs a process of limiting the color material amount. Specifically, the CPU 1 calculates the color patch data outC, outM, outY, outK, and stores the calculation results in the RAM 3 (ACT 203).

  The CPU 1 calculates the color patch data outC, outM, outY, outK based on the following formulas (1) to (4).

outC = inC- (Sum-Limit) / 4 (1)
outM = inM- (Sum-Limit) / 4 (2)
outY = inY- (Sum-Limit) / 4 (3)
outK = inK- (Sum-Limit) / 4 (4)

  In this embodiment, the color patch data outC, outM, outY, and outK are calculated based on the above formulas (1) to (4), but the general formulas represented by the following formulas (5) to (8) are calculated. Based on the color patch data outC, outM, outY, outK can be calculated.

outC = f1 (inC, inM, inY, inK, Limit) (5)
outM = f2 (inC, inM, inY, inK, Limit) (6)
outY = f3 (inC, inM, inY, inK, Limit) (7)
outK = f4 (inC, inM, inY, inK, Limit) (8)

  In Expressions (5) to (8), f1 to f4 are processing functions using inC, inM, inY, inK, and Limit as parameters. In addition to the above formulas (1) to (4), f1 to f4 can be represented by the following formulas (9) to (11), for example.

f1 = inC- (Sum-Limit) * inC / Sum (9)
f2 = inM- (Sum-Limit) * inM / Sum (10)
f3 = inY− (Sum−Limit) * inY / Sum (11)
f4 = inK− (Sum−Limit) * inK / Sum (12)

  On the other hand, when the color material amount limit value Limit is larger than the sum Sum (ACT202, No), the CPU 1 uses the reference color patch data inC, inM, inY, and inK stored in the RAM 3 as the color patch data outC, outM, outY. , OutK are stored in the RAM 3 (ACT 204).

  The CPU 1 determines whether or not the processes of ACT 201 to ACT 204 have been performed for all reference color patches (ACT 205). When the processes of ACT201 to ACT204 are performed for all the reference color patches, the CPU 1 ends the color material amount restriction process (ACT205, Yes). When the processing of ACT 201 to ACT 204 is not performed for some of the reference color patches (ACT 205, No), the CPU 1 returns to the processing of ACT 201 and performs the processing of ACT 201 to ACT 204 for some of the reference color patches.

  After performing the color material amount restriction process, the CPU 1 generates additional color patch data (ACT 104 in FIG. 2). The additional color patch data generation process will be described with reference to FIG.

  The CPU 1 determines whether or not the color material amount limit value Limit is included in the range of 200 to 300% (ACT 301). When the color material amount limit value Limit is included in the range of 200 to 300% (ACT 301, Yes), the CPU 1 performs a first color patch generation process (ACT 302).

  In the first color patch generation process, the CPU 1 generates nine additional color patch data represented by the following formulas (13) to (21) and stores them in the RAM 3.

CMYK = (100, 100, 0, (Limit−200)) (13)
CMYK = (0, 100, 100, (Limit−200)) (14)
CMYK = (100, 0, 100, (Limit−200)) (15)
CMYK = ((Limit−200), 100, 0, 100) (16)
CMYK = ((Limit−200), 0, 100, 100) (17)
CMYK = (100, (Limit−200), 0, 100) (18)
CMYK = (0, (Limit−200), 100, 100) (19)
CMYK = (100, 0, (Limit−200), 100) (20)
CMYK = (0, 100, (Limit−200), 100) (21)
The unit of numerical value and Limit shown in the above formulas (13) to (21) is%.

  When the color material amount limit value Limit is 200% or more and 300% or less, in the secondary color represented by two color materials of CMY, the color material amount is limited on the maximum color gamut boundary. Will not be affected. On the other hand, the two color materials of CMY and the tertiary color represented by K are affected by the restriction of the color material amount on the color gamut boundary.

  On the color gamut boundary composed of tertiary colors, one of CMY is 0%, the remaining two color materials are 100%, and a combination of these CMYs has an arbitrary numerical value (%) of K. Join. For example, consider the color transition from the brightest red to the red with the most black. Here, when M and Y are 100% and C is 0%, the color gamut is widest for any amount of K. Therefore, the CMYK data of the color gamut boundary when the color changes from the brightest red to the red containing the most black is expressed by the following equation (22).

(C, m, y, k) = (0, 100, 100, X1) (22)
In the formula (22), X1 is an arbitrary value (%) in K.

  If the color material amount limit value is 300% or more, a point corresponding to (c, m, y, k) = (0, 100, 100, 100) becomes the apex of the color gamut. Here, when the color material amount limit value Limit is 300% or less, the point corresponding to K = (color material amount limit value Limit−200%) changes the color gamut depending on the color material amount limit value Limit of 300% or less. It becomes the apex of the color gamut after.

  The numerical values described above are the CMYK data of the color gamut boundary when red changes, but when applied to other color combinations, they are as follows.

  The combination of the vertexes (c, m, y, k) of the color gamut after the color gamut has been changed by the color material amount limit value Limit satisfies the following conditions (a) to (c).

(A) Any one value of CMY is 0%.
(B) Of the remaining two colorants and black, two values are 100%.
(C) The value of the last one color material is “Limit-200”%.

  By generating additional color patch data (formulas (13) to (21)) that satisfy the above three conditions, CMYK corresponding to the vertex of the color gamut after the color gamut is changed by the color material amount limit value Limit is obtained. A combined color patch (new color patch) can be generated.

  When the color material amount limit value Limit is smaller than 200% (ACT 301, No), the CPU 1 determines whether or not the color material amount limit value Limit is larger than 100% (ACT 303). When the color material amount limit value Limit is smaller than 100% (ACT 303, No), the CPU 1 sets the color material amount limit value Limit to 100% (ACT 304). When the color material amount limit value Limit is larger than 100% (ACT 303, Yes), or when the color material amount limit value Limit is set to 100% (ACT 304), the CPU 1 performs the second color patch generation process ( ACT305).

  In the second color patch generation process, the CPU 1 generates twelve additional color patch data represented by the following formulas (23) to (34) and stores them in the RAM 3.

CMYK = (Limit / 2, Limit / 2, 0, 0) (23)
CMYK = (Limit / 2, 0, Limit / 2, 0) (24)
CMYK = (0, Limit / 2, Limit / 2, 0) (25)
CMYK = (100, (Limit-100), 0, 0) (26)
CMYK = (100, 0, (Limit-100), 0) (27)
CMYK = (0, (Limit-100), 100, 0) (28)
CMYK = (0, 100, (Limit−100), 0) (29)
CMYK = ((Limit-100), 0, 100, 0) (30)
CMYK = ((Limit-100), 100, 0, 0) (31)
CMYK = (100, 0, 0, (Limit−100)) (32)
CMYK = (0, 100, 0, (Limit-100)) (33)
CMYK = (0, 0, 100, (Limit−100)) (34)
The unit of numerical value and Limit shown in the above formulas (22) to (33) is%.

  When the color material amount limit value is 200% or less, the secondary color represented by two color materials of CMY is affected by the restriction of the color material amount on the color gamut boundary. On the color gamut boundary composed of secondary colors, one of CMY needs to be 0%, and the total value of the remaining two color materials needs to be less than or equal to the color material amount limit value Limit. 0% K is added to this combination of CMY.

  For example, consider the color transition from white to red. When M and Y are the same amount and C and K are 0%, the color gamut becomes the widest. Therefore, CMYK data at the color gamut boundary in the color transition from white to red is expressed by the following equation (35).

(C, m, y, k) = (0, X2, X3, 0) (35)
In the formula (35), X2 and X3 are arbitrary values (%) in M and Y.

  If the color material amount limit value is 200% or more, a point corresponding to (c, m, y, k) = (0, 100, 100, 0) becomes the apex of the color gamut. When the color material amount limit value Limit is 200% or less, the point that satisfies the following formulas (36) to (38) is the vertex of the color gamut after the color gamut is changed by the color material amount limit value Limit of 200% or less. become.

(M, y) = (Limit / 2, Limit / 2) (36)
(M, y) = (100, (Limit-100)) (37)
(M, y) = ((Limit-100), 100) (38)

  On the other hand, for example, consider the color transition from the brightest yellow to the yellow that contains the most black. At this time, when Y is 100% and C and M are 0%, the color gamut becomes the widest regardless of the amount of K. Accordingly, the CMYK data of the color gamut boundary is expressed by the following equation (39) in the color transition from the most vivid yellow to the yellow containing the most black.

(C, m, y, k) = (0, 0, 100, X4) (39)
In the formula (39), X4 is an arbitrary value (%) in K.

  If the color material amount limit value is 200% or more, a point corresponding to (c, m, y, k) = (0, 0, 100, 100) becomes the apex of the color gamut. When the color material amount limit value Limit is 200% or less, the point of k = (Limit−100) becomes the apex of the color gamut after the color gamut is changed by the color material amount limit value Limit of 200% or less. .

  The numerical values described above are the CMYK data of the color gamut boundary at the color transition from white to red and the color transition at yellow. When applied to other color combinations, the numerical values are as follows.

  The combination of the vertexes (c, m, y, k) of the color gamut after the color gamut is changed by the color material amount limit value Limit satisfies the following conditions (d) to (g).

(D) Any one value of CMY is 0%.
(E) One of the remaining two color materials and black is 0%.
(F) When K is included in the remaining color material after selecting the color materials of (d) and (e), the value of K is “Limit-100”%, and the remaining one value is 100%. .
(G) When K is not included in the remaining color material after selecting the color materials of (d) and (e), the remaining two values are (Limit / 2, Limit / 2), (100, (Limit-100)) or ((Limit-100), 100).

  By generating additional color patch data (formulas (23) to (34)) that satisfy the four conditions described above, CMYK corresponding to the vertex of the color gamut after the color gamut has been changed by the color material amount limit value Limit is obtained. A combined color patch (new color patch) can be generated.

  Next, the CPU 1 adds the color patch data obtained in the ACTs 103 and 104 and stores it in the RAM 3 (ACT 105 in FIG. 2). The CPU 1 generates image data corresponding to the added color patch data and stores it in the image memory 8 (ACT 105 in FIG. 2).

  The CPU 1 converts the image data stored in the image memory 8 into a predetermined format, and outputs the converted image data from the I / F 6 (ACT 106). An example of the predetermined format is a TIFF format.

  For example, if the color material amount limit value is within a range of 400% to 200%, the maximum saturation does not change in the CIELAB color space, and the maximum saturation shown on the a * b * plane in the CIELAB color space ( The shape of the (gamut boundary) ideally remains a hexagon as shown by the dotted line in FIG. In FIG. 5, the amount of K is 0%. However, when the color material amount limit value Limit is 200% or less, the maximum saturation changes, and particularly, the maximum saturation of red, green, and blue decreases, and the color gamut becomes narrow.

  The solid line in FIG. 5 is the shape of the color gamut boundary when the maximum saturation changes. As indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5, each vertex of the secondary color (R, G, B) is scraped off, and two new vertices are formed in the area corresponding to each vertex. As a result, the shape of the color gamut boundary changes from a hexagon to a hexagon. The newly generated vertex means a place where the upper limit of the color material amount is reached, and the inclination of the surface of the color gamut changes greatly with this vertex as a boundary. When the color material amount limit value is 100% or less, the shape of the color gamut boundary is a triangle.

  In order to accurately represent the color gamut, data at the peak of the maximum saturation is required. Since the reference color patch data is predetermined data, even if the color material amount limit value Limit changes, the combination of CMYK in the reference color patch does not change. For this reason, even if the color measurement is performed by printing the reference color patch data, for example, a color measurement result such as a black dot shown in FIG. Colorimetric data at (vertex indicated by an arrow) cannot be acquired. Therefore, an error occurs in the color gamut shape including the vertex.

  According to the present embodiment, the color material amount of C, M, Y, and K is reduced according to the color material amount limit value Limit, and the additional color patch data is generated, so that an accurate color can be obtained in the CIELAB color space. Color patch data capable of reproducing the area can be generated. In FIG. 5, color patch data corresponding to the vertexes indicated by arrows can be generated.

(Second Embodiment)
An operation of the image generation apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. The operation of the present embodiment is the same as the operation described in the first embodiment, and differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  In the first embodiment, the CPU 1 reads a reference color patch data file via the I / F 6. In the present embodiment, the CPU 1 selects and reads a designated reference color patch data file from the external storage medium 4 (ACT 101 in FIG. 2). The reference color patch data file is designated by the user via the console 7.

  The CPU 1 performs the processes of ACTs 102 to 105 described in the first embodiment (FIG. 2).

  The CPU 1 converts the image data stored in the image memory 8 into a predetermined format and outputs it to the external storage medium 4 (ACT 106 in FIG. 2). The image data stored in the image memory 8 indicates a color patch in which CMYK corresponding to the vertex of the color gamut newly generated by the change in the color material amount limit value Limit is combined. The image data converted into the predetermined format is stored in the external storage medium 4. An example of the predetermined format is a TIFF format.

(Third embodiment)
An operation of the image generation apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. The operation of the present embodiment is the same as the operation described in the first embodiment, and differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 1 selects and reads a designated reference color patch data file from the external storage medium 4 (ACT 101 in FIG. 2). The reference color patch data file is designated by the user via the console 7.

  The reference color patch data file includes data relating to the amount of CMYK in each reference color patch. The ROM 5 stores in advance table data indicating the correspondence between CMYK amounts and ink amounts.

  The CPU 1 converts the amount of CMYK read from the external storage medium 4 into the amount of ink using the table data stored in the ROM 5 (ACT 101 in FIG. 2). The CPU 1 stores the converted ink amount in the RAM 3 as inC, inM, inY, and inK as reference color patch data (ACT 101 in FIG. 2).

  The CPU 1 performs the processes of ACTs 102 to 104 described in the first embodiment (FIG. 1). In the process of ACT 103 (see ACT 202 in FIG. 3), the color material amount limit value Limit is a value corresponding to the ink amount.

  The CPU 1 adds the color patch data obtained in the ACTs 103 and 104 and stores it in the RAM 3 (ACT 105 in FIG. 2). The CPU 1 uses the table data stored in the ROM 5 to convert the ink amount stored in the RAM 3 as the color patch data into the CMYK amount (ACT 105 in FIG. 2). The CPU 1 generates image data corresponding to the converted amount of CMYK and stores it in the image memory 8 (ACT 105 in FIG. 2). The image data stored in the image memory 8 indicates a color patch in which CMYK corresponding to the vertex of the color gamut newly generated by the change in the color material amount limit value Limit is combined.

  The CPU 1 converts the image data stored in the image memory 8 into a predetermined format and outputs the converted image data (ACT 106 in FIG. 2). An example of the predetermined format is a TIFF format. The CPU 1 can output the converted image data to the outside via the I / F 6 or to the external storage medium 4. The image data output to the external storage medium 4 is stored in the external storage medium 4. The CPU 1 can output the color patch data stored in the RAM 3 to the external storage medium 4 and save the color patch data in the external storage medium 4 as a text file.

(Fourth embodiment)
An operation of the image generation apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. The operation of the present embodiment is the same as the operation described in the first embodiment, and differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  In the color material amount restriction process in the first embodiment, the color patch data outC, outM, and outY are determined according to the magnitude relationship between the sum Sum of the CMYK amounts inC, inM, inY, and inK and the color material amount restriction value Limit. , OutK. In the color material amount restriction process in the present embodiment, color patch data outC, outM, outY, and outK are calculated according to the magnitude relationship between the sum of the physical color material amounts of CMYK and the color material amount restriction value Limit. ing.

  The color material amount restriction process in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The CPU 1 calculates the color material amounts tmpC, tmpM, tmpY, tmpK from the reference color patch data inC, inM, inY, inK stored in the RAM 3 (ACT 401). The color material amounts tmpC, tmpM, tmpY, and tmpK are physical amounts of CMYK, and for example, gram can be used as a unit of the color material amount.

  Specifically, as represented by the following formulas (40) to (43), the color is calculated from the reference color patch data inC, inM, inY, inK using predetermined processing functions f1, f2, f3, f4. The material amounts tmpC, tmpM, tmpY, and tmpK can be calculated, respectively. The CPU 1 stores the calculated color material amounts tmpC, tmpM, tmpY, tmpK in the RAM 3.

tmpC = f1 (inC) (40)
tmpM = f2 (inM) (41)
tmpY = f3 (inY) (42)
tmpK = f4 (inK) (43)

  The CPU 1 calculates the sum Sum of the color material amounts tmpC, tmpM, tmpY, tmpK, and stores the sum Sum in the RAM 3 (ACT 402).

  The CPU 1 determines whether or not the sum Sum of the color material amounts tmpC, tmpM, tmpY, and tmpK stored in the RAM 3 is larger than the color material amount limit value Limit (ACT403). The color material amount limit value Limit is a value corresponding to the color material amounts tmpC to tmpK.

  When the sum Sum is larger than the color material amount limit value Limit (ACT403, Yes), the CPU 1 performs a process of limiting the color material amount. Specifically, the CPU 1 calculates the color patch data outC, outM, outY, outK based on the following formulas (44) to (47), and stores the calculation results in the RAM 3 (ACT 404).

outC = f1inv (inC- (Sum-Limit) / 4) (44)
outM = f2inv (inM− (Sum−Limit) / 4) (45)
outY = f3inv (inY− (Sum−Limit) / 4) (46)
outK = f4inv (inK− (Sum−Limit) / 4) (47)

  In the equations (44) to (47), f1inv, f2inv, f3inv, and f4inv are inverse functions of f1, f2, f3, and f4.

  In the present embodiment, the color patch data outC, outM, outY, and outK are calculated based on the above formulas (44) to (47), but the general formulas represented by the following formulas (48) to (51) Based on the color patch data outC, outM, outY, outK can be calculated.

outC = f1inv (inC, inM, inY, inK, Limit) (48)
outM = f2inv (inC, inM, inY, inK, Limit) (49)
outY = f3inv (inC, inM, inY, inK, Limit) (50)
outK = f4inv (inC, inM, inY, inK, Limit) (51)

  In Expressions (48) to (51), f1inv to f4inv are processing functions using inC, inM, inY, inK, and Limit as parameters. In addition to the above formulas (44) to (47), f1inv to f4inv can be represented by the following formulas (52) to (55), for example.

f1inv = inC- (Sum-Limit) * inC / Sum (52)
f2inv = inM− (Sum−Limit) * inM / Sum (53)
f3inv = inY− (Sum−Limit) * inY / Sum (54)
f4inv = inK− (Sum−Limit) * inK / Sum (55)

  On the other hand, when the color material amount limit value Limit is larger than the sum Sum (ACT403, No), the CPU 1 uses the reference color patch data inC, inM, inY, and inK stored in the RAM 3 as the color patch data outC, outM, outY. , OutK are stored in the RAM 3 (ACT 405).

  The CPU 1 determines whether or not the processes of ACT 401 to ACT 405 have been performed for all reference color patches (ACT 406). When the processes of ACT 401 to ACT 405 have been performed for all reference color patches, the CPU 1 ends the color material amount restriction process (ACT 406, Yes). When the processing of ACT 401 to ACT 405 is not performed for some of the reference color patches (ACT 406, No), the CPU 1 returns to the processing of ACT 401 and performs the processing of ACT 401 to ACT 405 for some of the reference color patches.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, a program for causing a computer to execute the operation of the image generation apparatus can be stored in advance in a storage area such as the ROM 5.

  On the other hand, the program may be downloaded from the network to the image generation apparatus, or the program may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be installed from the recording medium to the image generation apparatus. The recording medium may be any recording medium that can store a program and can be read by a computer.

  The function obtained by installation or download may be realized in cooperation with an OS (Operating System) of the image generation apparatus. Some or all of the programs may be dynamically generated execution modules. In addition, at least a part of the processing described in the first to fourth embodiments can be executed in a circuit by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

1; CPU, 2; system bus, 3; RAM, 4; external recording medium, 5; ROM,
6; I / F, 7; Console, 8; Image memory

Claims (11)

An acquisition unit that acquires reference color patch data indicating a combination of a plurality of color material amounts, and a color material amount limit value indicating a maximum color material amount when printing the reference color patch data;
When the total color material amount in the reference color patch data is larger than the color material amount limit value, the color material amount in the reference color patch data is decreased according to the color material amount limit value, and the total Is smaller than the color material amount limit value, a limit unit that does not change the color material amount,
A first generator that generates color patch data different from the reference color patch data according to the color material amount limit value;
A second generation unit that generates color patch image data using the color patch data generated from the color material amount specified by the restriction unit and the color patch data generated by the first generation unit;
An image generation apparatus comprising: When the color material amount limit value is 100% or more and 200% or less, the first generation unit generates the following six color patch data.
CMYK = (100, (Limit-100), 0, 0)
CMYK = (100,0, (Limit-100), 0)
CMYK = (0, (Limit-100), 100, 0)
CMYK = (0, 100, (Limit-100), 0)
CMYK = ((Limit-100), 0, 100, 0)
CMYK = ((Limit-100), 100, 0, 0)
Here, Limit indicates the color material amount limit value.
The image generating apparatus according to claim 1. The first generation unit further generates the following three color patch data.
CMYK = (Limit / 2, Limit / 2, 0, 0)
CMYK = (Limit / 2, 0, Limit / 2, 0)
CMYK = (0, Limit / 2, Limit / 2, 0)
The image generating apparatus according to claim 2. The first generation unit further generates the following three color patch data.
CMYK = (100, 0, 0, (Limit-100))
CMYK = (0, 100, 0, (Limit-100))
CMYK = (0, 0, 100, (Limit-100))
The image generating apparatus according to claim 3. When the color material amount limit value is 200% or more and 300% or less, the first generation unit generates the following three color patch data.
CMYK = (100, 100, 0, (Limit-200))
CMYK = (0, 100, 100, (Limit-200))
CMYK = (100, 0, 100, (Limit-200))
Here, Limit indicates the color material amount limit value.
The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image generation apparatus is an image generation apparatus. The first generation unit further generates the following six color patch data.
CMYK = ((Limit−200), 100, 0, 100)
CMYK = ((Limit−200), 0, 100, 100)
CMYK = (100, (Limit-200), 0, 100)
CMYK = (0, (Limit-200), 100, 100)
CMYK = (100, 0, (Limit-200), 100)
CMYK = (0, 100, (Limit−200), 100)
The image generating apparatus according to claim 5.   The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit configured to output the color patch image data to an external device.   The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores the color patch image data. Obtaining a reference color patch data indicating a combination of a plurality of color material amounts, and a color material amount limit value indicating a maximum color material amount when printing the reference color patch data;
When the total color material amount in the reference color patch data is larger than the color material amount limit value, the color material amount in the reference color patch data is decreased according to the color material amount limit value, and the total Is smaller than the color material amount limit value, the color material amount is not changed,
In accordance with the color material amount limit value, color patch data different from the reference color patch data is generated,
Using the color patch data generated from the color material amount specified by the restriction unit and the color patch data generated by the first generation unit, color patch image data is generated,
An image generation method characterized by the above. When the color material amount limit value is 100% or more and 200% or less, the following six color patch data are generated.
CMYK = (100, (Limit-100), 0, 0)
CMYK = (100,0, (Limit-100), 0)
CMYK = (0, (Limit-100), 100, 0)
CMYK = (0, 100, (Limit-100), 0)
CMYK = ((Limit-100), 0, 100, 0)
CMYK = ((Limit-100), 100, 0, 0)
Here, Limit indicates the color material amount limit value.
The image generation method according to claim 9. When the color material amount limit value is 200% or more and 300% or less, the following three color patch data are generated.
CMYK = (100, 100, 0, (Limit-200))
CMYK = (0, 100, 100, (Limit-200))
CMYK = (100, 0, 100, (Limit-200))
Here, Limit indicates the color material amount limit value.
The image generation method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that

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