JP2626540B2 - Color correction method and color image output system using the same - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color correction method and a color image output system using the color correction method.
In particular, the present invention relates to a color correction method using a concept of color and a color image output system using the color correction method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when performing color correction, correction has been performed so that a color to be changed is changed to a designated color. When a specific area in the color image is specified (clip) and this area is separately stored or color correction is performed on this area, these specified areas are rectangular (square).
The mainstream is to specify the area (see, for example,
224569).

[0003]

In the case of performing color correction, since each color to be corrected is specified, the color correction operation requires skill, and the color correction is performed with a simple and easy-to-understand specification. There was an inconvenience that they could not do it.

[0004] Further, there is a disadvantage that the correction to the color to be imagined or the color to be intuitively sought cannot be performed as desired even by a skilled person.

Further, in the conventional specification of a color correction area using a rectangular area, for example, when it is desired to correct only the color of a portion having a complicated shape such as a petal, it is not possible to specify a fine area. was there.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art, and in particular, a color correction method capable of performing color correction with simple and easy-to-understand designation and a color correction method using the same. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image output system.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first step of creating a color image, a second step of receiving an area designation for the color image, and a concept of color (color concept). A third step of receiving the color correction command of
A fourth step of performing color correction on the area received by the second step based on a color correction curve for each color generated from a color concept table showing the correspondence between the color concept and each color is adopted. This is a color correction method. This aims to achieve the above-mentioned object.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the color correction method according to the first aspect, the second step includes a second step of receiving an area designation for a color image with a concept of color, and a color concept table. A second step of selecting only an area including a color that can recall the concept based on the second step. This aims to achieve the above-mentioned object.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a color image creating unit for reading a color image from a storage unit and outputting the color image to a display unit, and an area designation unit for receiving an area designation for the color image and storing the designation in the storage unit Unit, a color correction accepting unit that receives a color correction command based on a concept of color (color concept), and outputs a color correction designation based on the color concept to the color correcting unit, and a color concept table indicating the correspondence between the color concept and each color. And a color idea part storing color correction curve information for each color generated from the color idea table, and a color to be subjected to color correction for a designated area of the color image based on the color correction curve information of the color idea part. This is a color image output system having a configuration including a correction unit and a printing unit that prints out a color image subjected to the color correction. This aims to achieve the above-mentioned object.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the color image output system according to the third aspect, the area designating section receives a color idea designation receiving function for accepting designation of a specific area with a color idea, and a color idea section. A color idea output area selecting function for selecting only an area including a color indicated by the idea based on the color idea table of the above. This aims to achieve the above-mentioned object.

In claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, the concept of color (color concept) refers to the concept (image) that a human usually has for an individual color. One of the ideas (images) is the idea of being flashy.

The idea-specific color idea table is a list in which the idea of the above-mentioned colors and the correspondence between the colors are described. For example, it is a list in which individual colors such as light red and dark red and correspondence between the various color concepts described above are described. In this table, light red is described as a color concept with a low relationship between color and color concept, such as low passion and high mood, and this relativity is quantified.

The concept-specific color correction curve is a curve for correcting the color of each dot of the color image to the color tone indicated by the designated color concept based on the concept-specific color concept table. . For example, in the case of a single color, it is a curve that guides a correction output according to the density of the single color.
In the case of mixing with YK, it is a curve which leads the concentration and ratio. For example, if light red has strong cheerfulness as a color concept, but has little passion, dark red has strong cheerfulness and passion. It is not necessary to increase the density, but when performing color correction to “passionate color”, it is necessary to increase the density. As described above, the color correction curve based on the color concept table is a color correction curve for correcting each color to a color tone indicated by the color concept.

According to the first, second, third or fourth aspect of the present invention, the inventions having the same industrial field of application and the problem to be solved are intended to achieve the above-mentioned object by the above-mentioned means for solving the problems provided respectively. It is assumed that.

[0015]

According to the present invention, first, a color image is created in the first step. Creation of a color image is performed, for example, by reading an image with a scanner or the like, or by using an application that creates an image.

Next, in a second step, an area designation of a portion of the color image that requires color correction is accepted. This region designation is accepted, for example, by clicking on a color image output to a CRT by a pointing device. Alternatively, an area may be designated by a color concept described later.

Further, in a third step, color correction for the designated area is accepted by a color concept. For example, it is a correction specification to “flashy color” or a correction specification to “cheerful color”. The correction designation based on the color idea may be accompanied by strength. For example, the correction to “flashy color” is “light” or “strong”.

Next, in a fourth step, color correction based on the color concept received in the third step is performed on the area received in the second step. Here, color correction is performed based on a color correction curve for each color generated from a color idea table for each color for a given color in advance. If the color correction curve is, for example, a single color, it is an output curve for each density. Therefore, based on this color correction curve, the color of each dot of the color image is corrected to the color tone indicated by the designated color concept. For example, if a color image containing various densities of red is to be corrected to a "passionate color", the correction is performed so that the density is high overall and there are no low density parts. If the color is corrected to a "cheerful color", the correction is made so as to increase the overall density while keeping the density difference substantially constant. In this example, it is assumed that light red is a cheerful but not passionate color concept.

In the color image, first, in a step 2a, first, a designation of a specific area is accepted based on a concept of color. Next, in the step 2b, an area designation may be received by selecting only an area including the color indicated by the idea based on an idea-specific color idea table for the given color. In this case, for example, when an area is designated only for "flashy colors", the color image output to the CRT is based on the color idea table, and the density area of the color set to "flashy colors" or the area of the combination of each color. Select the part that matches. Again, here, the designation of strength may be accompanied with the idea of color.

In the color image output system according to the third or fourth aspect, first, the color image creation section reads out the externally created color image from the interface section or various storage devices, and makes it editable. In addition, a color image is created by reading an image with a scanner or the like or by using an application for creating an image.

When the color image creating section creates a color image as described above, the area designating section receives designation of an area of the color image that requires color correction. This region designation is accepted, for example, by clicking on a color image output to a CRT by a pointing device. Also,
The area may be designated by a color concept described later.

Next, the color correction receiving unit receives a color correction command based on the idea of color. The received color correction command based on the color concept is transferred to the color correction unit. The color correction unit performs the process on the part of the color image in which the area is specified, based on the color correction curve information in the color idea unit corresponding to the color idea specification passed from the color correction reception unit. This color correction is repeated as necessary. Further, the color image after the color correction is stored in a frame buffer provided in the printing unit, and is output by the printing unit.

Further, as in the color correction method according to the second aspect,
For area designation, an area selection method based on color ideas may be employed.

[0024]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a conceptual configuration of the invention described in claim 1.

In the color correction method according to the first or second aspect,
First, a color image is created in the first step (step S
1). Creation of a color image is performed, for example, by reading an image with a scanner or the like, or by using an application that creates an image.

Next, in a second step, an area designation of a portion of the color image that requires color correction is received (step S).
2). This region designation is accepted, for example, by clicking on a color image output to a CRT by a pointing device. Alternatively, an area may be designated by a color concept described later.

Further, in a third step, color correction for the designated area is received by a color idea (step S).
3). For example, it is a correction specification to “flashy color” or a correction specification to “cheerful color”. The correction designation based on the color idea may be accompanied by strength. For example, the correction to “flashy color” is “light” or “strong”.

Next, in a fourth step, color correction based on the color concept received in the third step is performed on the area received in the second step (step S3). Here, color correction is performed based on a color correction curve for each color generated from a color idea table for each color for a given color in advance. If the color correction curve is, for example, a single color, it is an output curve for each density. Therefore, based on this color correction curve, the color of each dot of the color image is corrected to the color tone indicated by the designated color concept. For example, if a color image containing various densities of red is to be corrected to a "passionate color", the correction is performed so that the density is high overall and there are no low density parts. If the color is corrected to a "cheerful color", the correction is made so as to increase the overall density while keeping the density difference substantially constant. In this example, it is assumed that light red is a cheerful but not passionate color concept.

According to the color correction method of the present invention, in the color image, first, in the step (2a), a designation of a specific area is accepted based on a concept of color. Next, in the step 2b, an area designation may be received by selecting only an area including the color indicated by the idea based on an idea-specific color idea table for the given color. In this case, for example, when an area is designated only for "flashy colors", the color image output to the CRT is based on the color idea table, and the density area of the color set to "flashy colors" or the area of the combination of each color. Select the part that matches. Again, here, the designation of strength may be accompanied with the idea of color.

As a device for carrying out the above-described color correction method, a color image output system according to claim 3 is desirable. A color image output device according to claim 3, as shown in FIG.
6, a color image creation unit 20 that outputs the color image 20a to a display unit 27 such as a CRT, and an area designation unit 21 that receives an area designation 21a for the color image 20a and stores the designation 21a in the storage unit 26.
And a color correction accepting unit 22 that receives a color correction command 22a based on the concept of a color and outputs it to the color correcting unit 23, a color idea table 3c for each idea corresponding to a predetermined color, and the color idea table 3c. A color image section 24 storing color correction curve information 24B for each color, and a color image 20 based on the color correction curve information 24B of the color idea section 24.
A color correction unit 23 that performs color correction on the area designated by A in the area A and a printing unit 25 that prints out the color image that has been subjected to the color correction are provided.

Further, in the color image output system according to the fourth aspect, the area designating section 21 has a color idea designation receiving function 21B for accepting designation of a specific area with an idea for color, and a color correction curve information of the color idea section. Color idea-based area designating function 21 for selecting only an area including the color indicated by the idea based on the idea 21
C.

FIG. 3 shows an outline of an image when an area is designated. Reference numeral 21 denotes an outline of a face of a person in front, and reference numeral 22 denotes an outline of a face of a person behind. Reference numerals 21a to 21d denote the outline 21 with the mouse 18 starting from 21a.
Indicates the trace of click (pointing). In this way, the contours 21 are pointed one after another,
The area of the entire contour 21 is designated.

The smaller the interval between the pointings, that is, the larger the number of pointings, the finer the area can be specified.

The coordinate (x, y) group of these pointed images is stored in the storage unit 26. By storing these coordinate groups as a named file,
When the same area is specified again later, by specifying and reading out the file name, many pointing operations are not required.

Next, color correction using the color concept will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a graph excerpted from the Japan Color Research Institute: Color Image (Color Ideas) Single Color Edition (1976).

As can be seen from the color idea table 24A, humans do not have the idea of being red, intellectual, or sober, but have the idea of cheerful, passionate, or flashy. (Survey target: about 1,000 subjects) What we want to pay attention to here is the strong color concept of “cheerful”, “passionate”, and “flashy” for vivid red, and the degree of that feeling. There is not much difference, but the color of light red is "cheerful" and the color concept of "passionate" is weak. The "flashy" feeling is something in between. In other words, the difference between bright red and light red is small for cheerful feelings, large for passionate feelings, and flashy for the middle.
The color correction curve 24B for red (red) is determined based on how to feel such a color.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a color correction curve. In the figure, reference numeral 4a is a straight line indicating input = output, and 4d is
In order to perform color correction on the color tone that recalls the color concept of passion, minimize the difference between the output of the color image to be corrected when the density of the color to be corrected is low and that when the density is high, as small as possible. And a function for performing color correction so that the entire image becomes dark. This is a color correction that reduces light red and increases dark red, because light red does not recall the color concept of passionate color, so it is color-corrected to a color tone that recalls the color concept of passion. ing. Reference numeral 4b denotes a curve for performing correction so that the color is slightly darkened as a whole while maintaining a large difference in density in order to correct the color tone to a cheerful color tone. In this case, even if the color is light red, the concept of "cheerful" is recalled, so that the correction is performed so that the density is uniformly increased as a whole without reducing the difference in density. 4c
Is a function for performing a flashy correction.

A similar curve is created for yellow, and these color idea tables and their color correction curves are stored in the color idea section 3.
For example, when a color with a cheerful feeling is desired to be stored, the curve is selected, and, for example, color correction is performed on each color within the contour 21 designated in the work area 4d. The color-corrected outline 21 is stored in the color correction unit 4c, and is used later when necessary, for example, when the color of the outline 21 is changed by mistake during another correction in the work area 4d.

When the user wants to change the curve stored in the color conception section 3c, the curve is stored in the work area 4.
d, and is changed using the CRT 13 and the mouse 18, and stored in the HD 7 if necessary.

The print data color-corrected in the work area 4e is stored in the frame buffer 4f, sent to the printer engine 9, and printed.

Next, hardware resources of the color image output system according to the third or fourth embodiment for implementing the color correction method according to the first or second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. I do.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a communication line for connecting to a system different from the present printing system, and the connection is controlled by an interface of reference numeral 2.

The ROM 3 has a program section 3a storing a program for controlling the entire system, a font section 3b storing character fonts, and a color idea table defining the relationship between colors and ideas of colors. And a color idea part 3c that stores

The RAM 4 includes an input / output buffer 4a for storing data transmitted to and received from the interface unit 2, a color correction area storage unit 4b for storing color correction areas, and a color correction storage unit for storing color correction results. 4c, a work area 4d used in each process, and a frame buffer 4e for storing image data to be printed.

The CPU 5 performs various controls, comparisons, calculations, and the like according to a program stored in the program section 3a. Reference numeral 6 denotes a SCSI driver, which controls a hard disk or the like as a storage unit. Hard disk (HD) 7
Functions together with the RAM 4 as a storage unit. The scanner 9 controlled by the scanner controller 8 reads a color image and functions as a color image input unit 20.
Reference numeral 10 denotes a printer engine controller that controls the printer engine, and reference numeral 11 denotes a printer engine that actually prints out to a medium, and functions as a printing unit 25. Reference numeral 12 denotes a CRT controller.
The CRT 13 controlled by the T controller functions as the display unit 27 by displaying a color image in the color correction storage unit 4c and the work area 4d. Reference numeral 14 denotes a floppy disk (FD) controller, and the operation of the FD 15 is controlled by the FD controller 15. Reference numeral 16 denotes an operation unit controller. The operation unit controller 16 controls a keyboard 17 and a mouse 18. The above components are connected by a bus 19 (address, data and control buses).

The input of the color image 20a in the color image creation unit 20 is performed by storing data created by another system in the HD 7 serving as the storage unit 26 via the communication line 1 and the interface unit 2; Alternatively, it is performed by reading from the FD 15 and storing it in the HD 7. When a color image is created in the color image output system, the data read by the scanner 9 is stored in the HD 7 or the keyboard 17 or the mouse 18 is operated to
HD created in work area 4d while watching RT
7 is stored. The color image data thus created is added with the character read from the font section 3b if necessary, stored in the frame buffer 4e, sent to the printer engine 11, and printed.

To specify a color correction area, the HD7
The print data for one page is transferred to the work area 4d, and the print data is observed using the mouse 18 while being observed by the CRT 13.

[0048]

Since the present invention is constructed and functions as described above, according to the present invention, according to the first aspect of the present invention, color correction based on a color concept is accepted, and a color image is colored based on a color correction curve. Since the correction is performed, the color can be corrected with an easy-to-understand and easy-to-understand designation, and the color correction curve is a color that is a concept (image) that a human usually has for an individual color. Since it is created based on the correspondence between the idea and each color, it is possible to accurately perform the color correction to the required color tone while giving an intuitive and ambiguous color correction instruction. You can also specify color correction for "cheerful colors"
It accepts the designation of color correction to "flashy colors" and calls out the corresponding color correction curve from this color concept to correct the color, so even if you are a beginner of color correction or an expert, Since the image of the color change to be corrected can be specified as it is, the thinking about the desired image is not interrupted by the thinking about the means for obtaining the desired image. Is dramatically improved. As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an unprecedented superior color correction method that can perform color correction with simple operation and easy-to-understand designation.

The present invention described in claim 2 has the following effects in addition to the effects of the invention described in claim 1 without any loss. In the present invention,
In order to receive the specification of a specific area based on the color idea and select only the area including the color that evokes the color idea based on the color idea table, the conventional area specification using a rectangle or the embodiment has been disclosed. Unlike an area specification by an indefinite click, a complicated area can be specified, and it is not necessary to click all of the area to be specified, thereby greatly improving operability. In addition, the region designation based on the color idea is, for example, a “cheerful part” in the color image.
Is selected, and only colors included in the color density region or each color combination region that can cause the image of "cheerful" are selected from the color image, so that similar colors are used. However, it is possible to select only an area to be subjected to color correction. This claim 2
In the present invention described, for example, it is possible to select only “strong” or “flashy color” as the color correction area, and to perform color correction to “weak” or “plain color”, so that the operation is simple. , Color correction can be done with easy-to-understand specifications,
It is possible to provide an excellent color correction method that has never been provided before.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, an apparatus directly used for implementing the above-described color correction method according to the first or second aspect exhibits the effects of the above-described color correction method. Has the effect of According to the present invention, since the color image creation unit reads out a color image or the like created externally and makes it ready for correction, the versatility of the color correction method can be maintained. In order to store the specified area once, when the specified area is specified again, it can be realized by reading out the stored area specification instead of repeating the click again. It is easy to perform trial and error, and it is possible to easily correct the color tone required due to the difference between the color displayed on the screen and the printed color with a simple operation. By receiving the supply of the color curve from the color idea section in accordance with the above, color correction based on the color idea is realized, so that this color correction can be performed quickly and accurately. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an excellent color image output system which has not been achieved conventionally.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an apparatus directly used for implementing the above-described color correction method according to the first or second aspect has the effects of the above-described color correction method and has the same effect as the third aspect. The following effects can be obtained while providing the effects of the described invention without any loss. According to the present invention, when the area designating unit receives the designation of the correction area by the color idea, the area designating unit receives the color density area or the area of each color combination based on the color idea table of the color idea from the color idea unit. Because only the colors included in this density area or the combination area are selected from the color image, only the part different from the other color tones is selected by a simple operation and easily specified regardless of the single color or the mixed color. be able to. Since the selected area can be color-corrected and printed out, it is possible to provide an unprecedented excellent color output device in which operability regarding color correction is dramatically improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a conceptual configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing one method of specifying an area.

FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of a color idea table.

FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of a color correction curve.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the present exemplary embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 color image creation unit 21 area designation unit 22 color correction reception unit 23 color correction unit 24 color idea unit 24A color idea table 24B fenF correction curve 25 printing unit 26 storage unit 27 display means

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A first step of creating a color image; a second step of receiving an area designation for the color image; a third step of receiving a color correction command based on a concept of color; A fourth step of performing a color correction on the area received by the second step based on a color correction curve for each color generated from a color idea table indicating a correspondence with each color. . 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second step is a step of receiving an area designation for the color image based on a concept of a color, and only a region including a color capable of recalling the concept based on the color concept table. A color correction method comprising the step of selecting 2b. 3. A color image creation unit for reading a color image from a storage unit and outputting the color image to a display unit, an area designation unit for receiving an area designation for the color image and storing the designation in the storage unit, A color correction accepting unit that receives the color correction command in step S1 and outputs a color correction designation based on the color idea to the color correcting unit, an idea table showing correspondence between the given color idea and each color, and a color idea table generated from the color idea table. A color idea section storing color correction curve information for each color, and a color correction section for performing color correction on a designated area of the color image based on the color correction curve information of the color idea section; A printing unit for printing and outputting the corrected color image. 4. A color concept designation receiving function for accepting designation of a specific region by a concept of a color by the region designating unit, and only a region including a color indicated by the concept based on a color concept table of the color concept unit. 4. The color image output system according to claim 3, further comprising a color idea-specific area designation function for selecting a color image.