JP4958933B2 - Image processing apparatus, chart generation method, test chart, and chart generation program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that performs input / output correction for color image processing, a chart generation method, a test chart, and a chart generation program.

Conventionally, in the field of image forming technology such as color printers, in order to respond to changes in output density due to the performance, aging, and environment of the device, calibration is performed to bring the output density closer to the design value after measuring the current input / output characteristics. Is being processed.
For example, in Patent Document 1, after a patch image having a plurality of color values is printed on paper in advance, the toner density of the patch image is measured by a scanner or the like, and the designed input / output characteristics and the actually measured input / output characteristics are disclosed. The output value is corrected based on the difference.
However, patch images printed on the same sheet have in-plane unevenness with slightly different colors reproduced depending on the location even within the same plane, so that the correction accuracy is lacking.
For this reason, chart images are output to a plurality of locations in the same plane when a patch group is output, and correction is normalized by obtaining a representative value such as an average value of these measured values.

FIG. 34 is an example of a chart image used in such a conventional calibration process.
Specifically, for a certain ink color, after preparing a plurality of values of a plurality of color values obtained by dividing the input value (0) corresponding to paper white to the maximum ink density (1) into 64 equal parts, By arranging each patch corresponding to the color value at random within the output range of the image forming apparatus, a chart image as shown in the figure can be obtained.
Then, the density of such a chart image is measured, and the representative value is used for calibration.

However, in such a conventional method, it is necessary to prepare a large number of patches for accurate calibration processing, and the chart image tends to have a plurality of pages.
In addition, when there are multiple chart image pages, noise steadiness and periodicity may differ from page to page, so more accurate input / output characteristics require more chart image pages. It was.
For this reason, the user cannot easily recognize the difference between the charts, resulting in an operation error or an inappropriate calibration process.
Further, in order to prevent such a mistake from occurring, an extra caution load is imposed, which is troublesome for the user.

Therefore, for such a problem, Patent Document 2 proposes a technique capable of identifying each chart at the time of color measurement.
According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, the color measurement device reads a color patch in which metadata is embedded, so that identification information such as a page number can be recognized together with the color measurement.
For this reason, it was expected that the outline and index information of each chart could be easily recognized even when there were a large number of target charts.

JP 2007-279357 A JP 2006-333471 A

However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a configuration in which the color measurement device can recognize the content of the metadata, and no contrivance or configuration that allows a human to grasp the content of the metadata is disclosed at all. Neither is it suggested.
For this reason, in such a conventional technique, the user cannot identify the purpose of each chart as well as the difference of each chart, and has not yet solved the above problem. .

  The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the problems of the conventional techniques as described above, and optimizes the arrangement of each patch in order to obtain desired input / output characteristics, as well as visibility and information properties. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus, a chart generation method, and a chart generation program that generate a test chart excellent in the above-mentioned and that performs smooth input / output correction using such a test chart.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus of the present invention is an image processing apparatus that generates a test chart including a plurality of patch images and corrects input / output characteristics based on an actual measurement value of the test chart. A feature amount setting means for setting a feature amount consisting of a shape, a feature amount position setting means for setting position information of the feature amount, and extracting a color value of the feature amount from a predetermined color value group. Feature value color value setting means that is randomly assigned to the position information, non-feature quantity position setting means for setting position information of non-feature quantities excluding the feature quantity based on the position information of the feature quantities, Non-characteristic color value setting means for extracting a color value from the color value group excluding the color value assigned to the position information of the feature value and randomly assigning the color value to the position information; the feature value and the non-value value The feature amount And based on the position information of the synthesis, a configuration equipped with a synthesizing means for generating a patch image of a color corresponding to the color value assigned to each location.

  The chart generation method of the present invention is a chart generation method for forming a test chart composed of a plurality of patch images in order to correct input / output characteristics based on an actual measurement value of a test chart, and is characterized by a predetermined shape A step of setting an amount; a step of setting position information of the feature amount; a step of extracting a color value of the feature amount from a predetermined color value group and randomly assigning the color value to the position information; A step of setting non-feature amount position information excluding the feature amount based on the position information of the amount; and the color value group obtained by removing the color value of the non-feature amount from the color value assigned to the position information of the feature amount A step of extracting from the image and randomly assigning to the position information, and combining the feature quantity and the non-feature quantity based on the position information, and assigning the color assigned to each position information There as a method having a synthesizing means generating a patch image of a color corresponding to the.

  Further, the test chart of the present invention is a test chart for correcting the input / output characteristics based on the actual measurement value of the test chart output from the image processing apparatus, and is a color of the feature amount composed of a character string or a figure A patch image of the feature amount portion formed by extracting a value from a predetermined color value group and randomly assigned to the position information, and a color value of a non-feature amount excluding the feature amount, Generating by combining the patch image of the non-feature part extracted from the color value group excluding the color value assigned to the position information and randomly assigned to the position information. It is a test chart to do.

  Further, the chart generation program of the present invention allows a computer constituting an image processing apparatus that forms a test chart composed of a plurality of patch images to correct an input / output characteristic based on an actual measurement value of a test chart from a predetermined shape. Means for setting the feature amount, means for setting the position information of the feature amount, means for extracting the color value of the feature amount from a predetermined color value group and randomly assigning the color value to the position information, the feature amount Means for setting the position information of the non-feature amount excluding the feature amount based on the position information of the color value, the color value of the non-feature amount in the color value group excluding the color value assigned to the position information of the feature amount Means for randomly assigning the position information to the extracted position information, combining the feature quantity and the non-feature quantity based on the position information, and corresponding to the color value assigned to each position information. Means for generating a patch image, are to function as.

  According to the image processing device, the chart generation method, the test chart, and the chart generation program of the present invention, it is possible to generate a test chart having additional information that is easy to visually recognize, and to use an appropriate calibration process. Become.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the basic composition setting part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic diagram which showed the patch arrangement | positioning in each page set in this embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the character string formation part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is the two-dimensional matrix figure which showed the example of the feature-value (single character) set in this embodiment. It is the two-dimensional matrix figure which showed the example of the feature-value (character string) set in this embodiment. It is a graph which shows a mode that the pseudorandom numbers were generated with respect to the index of the color value of the multiple gradations prepared for every ink color. FIG. 10 is a two-dimensional matrix diagram showing a state in which color values of a plurality of gradations belonging to Cyan are randomly assigned to the main part of the character string “ABC”. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a figure forming unit of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the two-dimensional matrix figure which showed the feature-value (example of a figure) set in this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a two-dimensional matrix diagram showing a state in which color values of a plurality of gradations belonging to Magenta are randomly assigned to the main part of the figure “→”. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a non-feature data forming unit of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a chart which shows a mode that the pseudorandom numbers were generated with respect to the color value index of the residual color value group assigned to the non-feature amount portion. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure of the production | generation method of the test chart performed in the image processing apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a test chart figure generated by the image processing device concerning a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the basic composition setting part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the character formation part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the figure formation part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure of the production | generation method of the test chart performed in the image processing apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is the test chart figure produced | generated by the image processing apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the basic composition setting part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure of the production | generation method of the test chart performed in the image processing apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a test chart figure produced | generated by the image processing apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the basic composition setting part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 4th embodiment of this invention. It is the CIE-Lab space figure which showed the measured value of the input-output characteristic for every ink of CMYK ink. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure of the production | generation method of the test chart performed in the image processing apparatus which concerns on 4th embodiment of this invention. It is the test chart figure produced | generated by the image processing apparatus which concerns on 4th embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the basic composition setting part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 5th embodiment of this invention. It is a test chart figure produced | generated by the image processing apparatus which concerns on 5th embodiment of this invention. It is a test chart figure produced | generated by the image processing apparatus which concerns on 5th embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the basic composition setting part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 6th embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure of the production | generation method of the test chart performed in the image processing apparatus which concerns on 6th embodiment of this invention. It is a test chart figure produced | generated by the image processing apparatus which concerns on 6th embodiment of this invention. It is a chart figure used in the conventional calibration process.

[First embodiment]
First, the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a basic configuration setting unit 10, a feature amount data forming unit 20, a non-feature amount data forming unit 30, and a feature amount / non-feature amount data synthesizing unit 40. The
Hereinafter, each part which comprises the image processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated in detail.

[Basic configuration setting unit 10]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the basic configuration setting unit 10.
The gradation number setting unit 101 sets the gradation number for each predetermined interval from paper white to maximum density in order to grasp the input / output characteristics (so-called gamma curve) for each ink in the image processing apparatus 1.
For example, if the ink to be used is CMYK, for one of these colors, paper white is set to a color value of 0, the maximum density is set to a color value of 1, and 0 to 1 are equally divided into 2 ^M (hereinafter, M is a gradation coefficient) Called).

Specifically, if the measured color value of the input / output characteristics of Cyan ink,
{Cy [i], 0, 0, 0} (where 0 ≦ i ≦ 1, interval is 1/2 ^Mc )
If the measured color value of the input / output characteristics of the Magenta ink,
{0, Mg [i], 0, 0} (however, 0 ≦ i ≦ 1, interval is 1/2 ^Mm )
If the measured color value of the input / output characteristics of Yellow ink,
{0, 0, Ye [i], 0} (where 0 ≦ i ≦ 1, interval is 1/2 ^My )
If the measured color value of black ink input / output characteristics,
{0, 0, 0, Mg [i]} (where 0 ≦ i ≦ 1, interval is 1/2 ^Mk )
It can be expressed as.

Then, assuming that the gradation coefficient for each ink color {Mc, Mm, My, Mk} = {6, 6, 6, 6}, the gradation number {Sc, Sm, Sy, Sk} of each ink is
Sc = (2 ^Mc +1) = 65
Sm = (2 ^Mm + 1) = 65
Sy = (2 ^My +1) = 65
Sk = (2 ^Mk + 1) = 65
It becomes.
Note that the number of gradations for each ink may be the same or different. That is, these values can be freely set according to the usage mode.

The single patch measurement number setting means 102 sets the number of measurements per patch. In other words, the single patch measurement number setting means 102 sets how many patches of the same gradation for each color value are created for each ink.
For example, when measuring the input / output characteristics of Cyan, if it is determined that Nc measurement values of CMYK values {Cy [i], 0, 0, 0} are required, Nc is input by a predetermined operation by the user. Then, a patch having the number of color values corresponding to this is prepared.
Similarly, in Magenta, Yellow, and Black, arbitrary Nm, Ny, and Nk are input to prepare a patch having an appropriate number of color values. That is, Nc, Nm, Ny, and Nk may be the same value or different values, and can be freely set according to the usage mode.
The number of times of measurement is preferably set to the number of times necessary and sufficient to calculate the representative value in consideration of the required measurement accuracy, the amount of noise components included in the output, the calculation load, and the like. It is more preferable to consider the size and the number of sheets.

The usable patch number counting / storing means 103 is used for each ink based on the number of gradations for each ink set by the gradation number setting means 101 and the number of single patch measurements set by the single patch measurement number setting means 102. The number of possible patches is calculated and temporarily stored in a predetermined storage medium (not shown).
For example, the gradation coefficient for each ink {Mc, Mm, My, Mk} = {6, 6, 6, 6}, and the single patch measurement count {Nc, Nm, Ny, Nk} for each ink = {10, 10, 10, 14}, the number of patches Σc, Σm, Σy, Σk for each ink is
Σc = (2 ^Mc + 1) · Nc = 650 Σm = (2 ^Mm + 1) · Nm = 650 Σy = (2 ^My +1) · Ny = 650 Σk = (2 ^Mk + 1) · Nk = 910 .

  The usable color value group generation / storage unit 104 generates usable color values for each ink color based on the number of patches calculated by the usable patch number counting / storage unit 103, and a predetermined storage medium (not shown). ).

The total patch number calculating means 105 calculates the total number of patches forming the test chart.
For example, in the case of the above-described example, the total number of patches Σall constituting the test chart is 2860 by Σc + Σm + Σy + Σk.

The single patch shape / size setting means 106 sets the shape and size of the single patch. For example, “a square with one side of Lmm” or “a circle with a diameter of Lmm” is set.
In this embodiment, all patches are drawn in the same shape.

The media size input means 107 is used to input the size of the medium (paper or the like) for measuring the input / output characteristics of the image processing apparatus 1, the length and width, and the like.
For example, by storing paper size names such as A4, A3, B4, B5, and letter in advance in association with each other, the image processing apparatus 1 automatically enters the paper size name when the user inputs the paper size name. Get paper size information.
In addition, when there is no special name for the paper size, the user can directly input the paper size.

The margin margin setting means 108 sets the length of the paper edge portion where no patch is drawn.
It should be noted that when the margin margin is automatically set due to the unique function of the image processing apparatus 1 or the printer description language to be used, it is preferable to clear the margin, and thus the exact margin is set. Margin can be set.

The vertical / horizontal number setting means 109 for each in-page patch sets the number of patches in the horizontal direction and the number of vertical directions to be drawn in a single page, taking into account the setting value of the media size used for outputting the patch.
For example, if a single patch is a square with a side of 6 mm and the medium is A4 (210 mm × 297 mm), the number of patches in one page in the horizontal direction is set to 45 and the number in the vertical direction is set to 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the number of display patches per page is 1440.

The character string setting means 110 sets a character string to be displayed on the chart.
For example, an arbitrary character string such as the model name of the image processing apparatus 1, the number of pages, the type of chart, the number of test trials, the number of vertical and horizontal matrices of the patch, the media size, and the like are set.

The character string ink color setting unit 111 sets the ink color of the character string to be displayed on the chart.
For example, when a character string is to be displayed by Cyan when outputting using CMYK ink, “Cyan” may be input by a predetermined operation of the user.
It is also possible to set a desired ink color by inputting an ID number associated in advance.

The character spacing / line spacing setting means 112 sets the front / rear / left / right width of each character constituting the character string portion, thereby improving the legibility of the character string.
For example, when N character strings are targeted, a single patch is set for the first (N−1) characters from the beginning to provide a certain width at the top and bottom and the left, and the last one character is set. A single patch is set in order to provide a certain width at the top, bottom, and right.
The user can arbitrarily change the width between characters or lines for each single character.

The figure setting means 113 is for setting a figure to be displayed on the chart.
For example, a symbol mark such as an arrow, a rectangle, and a corporate mark, and a figure indicating a surrounding or underline of a character string are set manually or automatically.
Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a graphic name and graphic information are stored in association with each other, and the graphic information is read and set according to the input of the graphic name by the user.
Note that it is not necessary to set a graphic when only a character string is displayed on the test chart, and a character string is not necessary when only a graphic is displayed.

The graphic ink color setting means 114 sets the ink color of the graphic to be displayed on the chart.
For example, in the case of outputting with CMYK ink, when it is desired to display a figure with Magenta, “Magenta” may be input by a predetermined operation of the user.
It is also possible to set a desired ink color by inputting an ID number associated in advance.

  The character string ink color setting unit 111 and the graphic ink color setting unit 114 are collectively referred to as the feature amount color value setting unit 100.

[Feature data generation unit 20]
As shown in FIG. 1, the feature data forming unit 20 includes a character string forming unit 21 and a figure forming unit 22.
Hereinafter, the character string forming unit 21 and the graphic forming unit 22 will be described in detail.

[Character string forming unit 21]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the character string forming unit 21.
As shown in the figure, the character string forming unit 21 includes a character string reading unit 2101, a character spacing / line spacing patch setting unit 2102, a character string part origin setting unit 2103, a character string part coordinate extracting unit 2104, a character string part absolute coordinate. Setting means 2105, character string part patch number counting means 2106, pseudo random number generating means 2107, patch number suitability determining means 2108, notification means 2109, character string part color value selecting means 2110, usable color value rewriting means 2111 and character string part The image forming unit 2112 is configured.

The character string reading means 2101 reads the character shape data of each character of the character string set in the basic configuration setting unit 10 in order.
Here, “character string shape data” refers to data with information that separates the shape part of each character (defined as “main part”) in a two-dimensional matrix of character string parts consisting of v rows × h columns. I mean.
FIG. 5 shows an example in which single characters “A”, “B”, and “C” are constituted by character string shape data in a two-dimensional matrix of 5 rows × 4 columns.
As shown in the figure, in the read character string, binary data is set with “1” as the main part and “0” as the other background part (defined as “non-main part”). Thus, the portion “1” can be recognized as a portion to be displayed with a specific ink color.

The character spacing / line spacing patch setting unit 2102 sets a non-main part of the entire character string portion in accordance with the set value of the character spacing / line spacing set by the basic configuration setting unit 10 for the read character string.
FIG. 6 shows an example of a two-dimensional matrix in which binary data of “0” is set between and around a single character with respect to a character string composed of “ABC”.

The character string part origin setting means 2103 sets the arrangement reference of the character string part on the two-dimensional matrix.
For example, in the case of the character string “ABC” shown in FIG. 6, the coordinates of the entire character string portion including the character string ABC can be obtained by setting the lower left end of the character string portion as the origin.
However, the origin is not limited to the above position, and an arbitrary feature point such as another vertex of the character string part or a center point of the character string part (including a point near the center point) may be set as the origin. Is possible.

The character string part coordinate extracting unit 2104 extracts the coordinates of the character string part, and specifically extracts the relative coordinates of the main part and the non-main part constituting the character string part. .
For example, when the lower left end of the matrix matrix shown in FIG. 6 is the character string part origin, the character string part coordinate extracting means 2104 uses {1, 1}, as the patch coordinates of the main part (that is, the part “1”). {1,4}, {1,6}, {1,7}, {1,8}, {1,9}, {1,12}, {1,13}, {1,14}, {2 , 1}, {2, 2}, {2, 3}, {2, 4}, {2, 6}, {2, 9}, {2, 11}, {3, 1}, {3,4 }, {3, 6}, {3, 7}, {3, 8}, {3, 11}, {4, 1}, {4, 4}, {4, 6}, {4, 9}, {4,11}, {5,2}, {5,3}, {5,6}, {5,7}, {5,8}, {5,12}, {5,13}, {5 , 14}.

  Similarly, the character string part coordinate extracting means 2104 uses {0, 0}, {0, 1}, {0, 2}, {0, as the patch coordinates of the non-main part (that is, the part of “0”). 0,3}, {0,4}, {0,5}, {0,6}, {0,7}, {0,8}, {0,9}, {0,10}, {0, 11}, {0, 12}, {0, 13}, {0, 14}, {0, 15}, {1, 0}, {1, 2}, {1, 3}, {1, 5} , {1, 10}, {1, 11}, {1, 15}, {2, 0}, {2, 5}, {2, 7}, {2, 8}, {2, 10}, { 2,12}, {2,13}, {2,14}, {2,15}, {3,0}, {3,2}, {3,3}, {3,5}, {3, 9}, {3, 10}, {3, 12}, {3, 13}, {3, 14}, {3, 15}, {4, 0}, {4, 2}, 4,3}, {4,5}, {4,7}, {4,8}, {4,10}, {4,12}, {4,13}, {4,14}, {4 15}, {5,0}, {5,1}, {5,4}, {5,5}, {5,9}, {5,10}, {5,11}, {5,15} , {6,0}, {6,1}, {6,2}, {6,3}, {6,4}, {6,5}, {6,5}, {6,6}, { 6,7}, {6,8}, {6,9}, {6,10}, {6,11}, {6,12}, {6,13}, {6,14}, {6, 15} is extracted.

The character string portion absolute coordinate setting means 2105 sets the arrangement of the character string portion in the page by setting the absolute coordinate value in the page with respect to the character string portion origin.
Specifically, the arrangement of the character string portion in the page is determined by adding the set absolute coordinate value to the relative coordinates viewed from the character string portion origin.
In addition, since the arrangement of the character string portion may be converted into the length per single patch, it is also possible to specify the arrangement of the character string portion by setting the distance.

The character string part patch number counting means 2106 counts the number of patches of the main part and the number of patches of the non-main part constituting the character string part.
For example, the number of “1” s in the matrix matrix of FIG. 6 is counted as 35, and the number of patches necessary for the main part of the character string portion can be recognized as 35.

The pseudo-random number generator 2107 generates a random number sequence by shuffling {1, 2, 3,... (N-2), (n-1), n} when the target integer is n. It is.
For example, by setting the number of patches in the main part of a character string as a target integer, it can be used to generate a chart of a character string based on a random pseudo-random number sequence without duplication.
The pseudo-random number is usually obtained by an arithmetic process such as a pseudo-random number generation program. However, the random number obtained by such a program may be stored in a RAM (not shown) and read when necessary.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when 65 color values are prepared as patch images for each ink color, the pseudo-random number generating means 2107 is used, as shown in FIG. 7B. Color values for each gradation are randomly arranged.

The patch number suitability determining unit 2108 compares the number of patches in the character string portion obtained by the character string portion patch number counting unit 2106 with the number of patches (color value number) that can be used for the ink color set in the character string portion. Then, it is numerically determined whether or not the color value of the ink color can be selected for the character string portion.
For example, in the example of FIG. 6, when the main part of the character string part is to be displayed in Yellow, 65 gradation color values are prepared for Yellow, and patches necessary for the configuration of the main part of the character string are provided. Since the number is 35, it is determined as “selectable”.
That is, if the number of patches necessary for the configuration of the portion is smaller than the number of color values that can be used for the ink color, it is determined as “selectable”, and vice versa.

When the determination unit 2108 determines that the selection is impossible, the notification unit 2109 warns the user to that effect.
This can prompt the user to change parameters such as the number of gradations, ink color, and character string configuration.
As a result of the determination, if it is determined that selection is possible, color value selection by the character string portion color value selection unit 2110 is performed.

The character string portion color value selection means 2110 selects the color value of the patch assigned to the character string portion.
Specifically, the patch assigned to the main part or the non-main part from the color value group of the ink color set by the character string ink color setting unit 111 by using the pseudo random number sequence obtained by the pseudo random number generation unit 2107 as an index. Select a color value at random.
Note that, as in the present embodiment, all the parts other than the main part may be regarded as non-feature amount parts, and the color values of the parts may be set by the non-feature quantity data forming unit 30 described later.
Further, the pseudo-random number sequence obtained by the pseudo-random number generating means 2107 and the color values constituting the color value group of the patch assigned to the character string portion are sequentially extracted and combined one by one, and these combination data are sorted in ascending or descending order. You may make it select.
For example, FIG. 8 shows a state in which color values of a plurality of gradations belonging to Cyan are randomly assigned to the main part of the character string “ABC”.
As shown in the figure, since the color values of a plurality of gradations belonging to Cyan are randomly arranged in the main part of the character string part, both visibility and randomness of the character string can be realized.

The usable color value rewriting means 2111 rewrites the usable color value group and the number of usable patches stored in a predetermined storage medium based on the unused color value not selected in the character string portion.
Further, the non-overlapping pseudo-random number sequence obtained from the pseudo-random number generation means 2107 is managed separately for the used part already used for the patch and the unused part, and the used part and the unused part are updated. It may be a configuration.
Since unused color values are used for graphic parts and non-feature parts described later, the color values and numbers are obtained in advance.

  The character string portion image forming means 2112 forms patch image data of the character string portion based on the single patch shape information, the coordinate information, and the color value information.

[Figure forming unit 22]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the graphic forming unit 22.
As shown in the figure, the graphic forming unit 22 includes a graphic reading unit 2201, a graphic unit origin setting unit 2202, a graphic unit coordinate extracting unit 2203, a graphic unit absolute coordinate setting unit 2204, a graphic unit patch number counting unit 2205, a pseudo random number. The generating unit 2206, the patch number suitability determining unit 2207, the notifying unit 2208, the graphic part color value selecting unit 2209, the usable color value rewriting unit 2210, and the graphic part image forming unit 2211 are configured.

The figure reading means 2201 reads the figure shape data of the figures set in the basic configuration setting unit 10 in order.
For example, “graphic shape data” refers to data attached with information for coloring the shape portion (main part) of the figure in a two-dimensional matrix of figures composed of v rows × h columns.
FIG. 10 shows an example in which a figure “→” is constituted by figure shape data in a two-dimensional matrix of 11 rows × 12 columns.
As shown in the figure, the read figure is set to “1” by setting binary data with “1” as the main part and “0” as the other background part (non-main part). Can be recognized as a portion to be displayed by a specific ink color.

The graphic part origin setting means 2202 sets the arrangement reference of the graphic part on the two-dimensional matrix.
For example, in the case of the graphic “→” shown in FIG. 10, the coordinates of the entire graphic part including the graphic “→” can be obtained by setting the lower left end of the graphic part as the origin.
However, the origin is not limited to the above position, and any feature point such as one vertex or center point (including a point near the center point) of the maximum rectangular area of the graphic part can be set as the origin. .

The graphic part coordinate extraction means 2203 extracts the coordinates of the graphic part, and specifically extracts the relative coordinates of the main part and the non-main part constituting the graphic part separately.
For example, when the lower left end of the two-dimensional matrix shown in FIG. 10 is the graphic part origin, the graphic part coordinate extracting means 2203 uses {1, 5}, { 1,6}, {2,5}, {2,7}, {3,1}, {3,2}, {3,3}, {3,4}, {3,5}, {3, 8}, {4,1}, {4,9}, {5,1}, {5,10}, {6,1}, {6,9}, {7,1}, {7,2} , {7,3}, {7,4}, {7,5}, {7,8}, {8,5}, {8,7}, {9,5}, {9,6} To do.

  Similarly, the graphic part coordinate extracting unit 2203 uses {0, 0}, {0, 1}, {0, 2}, {0 as the patch coordinates of the non-main part (that is, the part “0”). , 3}, {0, 4}, {0, 5}, {0, 6}, {0, 7}, {0, 8}, {0, 9}, {0, 10}, {0, 11 }, {1, 0}, {1, 1}, {1, 2}, {1, 3}, {1, 4}, {1, 7}, {1, 8}, {1, 9}, {1,10}, {1,11}, {2,0}, {2,1}, {2,2}, {2,3}, {2,4}, {2,6}, {2 , 8}, {2, 9}, {2, 10}, {2, 11}, {3, 0}, {3, 6}, {3, 7}, {3, 9}, {3, 10 }, {3,11}, {4,0}, {4,2}, {4,3}, {4,4}, {4,5}, {4,6}, {4,7}, {4,8} {4,10}, {4,11}, {5,0}, {5,2}, {5,3}, {5,4}, {5,5}, {5,6}, {5 , 7}, {5, 8}, {5, 9}, {5, 11}, {6, 0}, {6, 2}, {6, 3}, {6, 4}, {6, 5 }, {6, 6}, {6, 7}, {6, 8}, {6, 10}, {6, 11}, {7, 0}, {7, 6}, {7, 7}, {7,9}, {7,10}, {7,11}, {8,0}, {8,1}, {8,2}, {8,3}, {8,4}, {8 , 6}, {8, 8}, {8, 9}, {8, 10}, {8, 11}, {9, 0}, {9, 0}, {9, 1}, {9, 2 }, {9,3}, {9,4}, {9,7}, {9,8}, {9,9}, {9,10}, {9,11}, {10,0}, {10,1}, {10,3}, {10,4} {10,5}, to extract {10,6}, {10,7}, {10,8}, {10,9}, {10, 10}, {10, 11}.

The graphic part absolute coordinate setting means 2204 sets the arrangement of the graphic part in the page by setting the absolute coordinate value in the page corresponding to the graphic part origin.
Specifically, the arrangement of the graphic part in the page is determined by adding the set absolute coordinate value to the relative coordinates viewed from the graphic part origin.
In addition, since the arrangement of the graphic part may be converted into a length per single patch, the arrangement of the graphic part can be specified by setting the distance.

The graphic part patch number counting means 2205 counts the number of patches in the main part and the number of patches in the non-main part constituting the graphic part.
For example, the number of “1” s in the matrix matrix of FIG. 10 is counted as 26, and the number of patches necessary for the main part of the graphic part can be recognized as 26.

The pseudo-random number generator 2206 generates a random number sequence by shuffling {1, 2, 3,... (N-2), (n-1), n} when the target integer is n. It is.
For example, by setting the number of patches in the main part of the graphic as an object integer, it can be used to generate a graphic chart based on a random pseudo-random number sequence without duplication.
The pseudo-random number is usually obtained by an arithmetic process such as a pseudo-random number generation program. However, the random number obtained by such a program may be stored in a RAM (not shown) and read when necessary.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when preparing a color value of 65 gradations for each ink color as a patch image, as shown in FIG. Color values for each gradation are randomly arranged.

The patch number suitability determining means 2207 compares the number of patches of the graphic part obtained by the graphic part patch number counting means 2205 with the number of patches (color value number) that can be used for the ink color set in the graphic part. It is numerically determined whether or not the color value of the ink color can be selected in the graphic part.
For example, in the example of FIG. 10, when the main part of the graphic part is to be displayed in Magenta, 65 gradation color values are prepared for Magenta, and the number of patches necessary for the configuration of the main part of the graphic part Therefore, it is determined that “selectable”.
That is, if the number of patches necessary for the configuration of the portion is smaller than the number of color values that can be used for the ink color, it is determined as “selectable”, and vice versa.

When the determination unit 2207 determines that the selection is impossible, the notification unit 2208 warns the user to that effect.
Thereby, it is possible to prompt the user to change parameters such as the number of gradations, ink color, and graphic configuration.
As a result of the determination, if it is determined that selection is possible, the color value selection unit 2209 performs color value selection.

The graphic part color value selection means 2209 selects the color value of the patch assigned to the graphic part.
Specifically, by using the pseudo-random number sequence obtained by the pseudo-random number generating means 2206 as an index, the patch assigned to the main part or the non-main part from the color value group of the ink color set by the graphic ink color setting means 114 is indexed. Select color values randomly.
Note that, as in the present embodiment, all the parts other than the main part may be regarded as non-feature quantity parts, and the color values may be set by the non-feature quantity data forming unit 30 described later.
Further, the pseudo random number sequence obtained by the pseudo random number generating means 2206 and the color values constituting the color value group of the ink color assigned to the graphic part are sequentially extracted and combined one by one, and the combination data is sorted in ascending or descending order. You may make it select.
For example, FIG. 11 shows a state in which color values of a plurality of gradations belonging to Magenta are randomly assigned to the main part of the figure “→”.
As shown in the figure, since the color values of a plurality of gradations belonging to Magenta are randomly arranged in the main part of the graphic part, both visibility and randomness of the graphic can be realized.

The usable color value rewriting means 2210 rewrites the usable color value group and the number of usable patches stored in a predetermined storage medium based on the unused color value not selected in the graphic part.
Further, the non-overlapping pseudo-random number sequence obtained from the pseudo-random number generating means 2206 is managed separately for the used part already used for the patch and the unused part, and the used part and the unused part are updated. It may be a configuration.
In addition, since unused color values are used in a non-feature amount portion to be described later, the color values and numbers are obtained in advance.

  The graphic part image forming unit 2211 forms patch image data of the graphic part based on the single patch shape information, the coordinate information, and the color value information.

[Non-feature data forming unit 30]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the non-feature data forming unit 30.
As shown in the figure, the non-feature quantity data forming unit 30 includes usable color value group calculating means 301, residual color value group summing means 302, pseudo-random number generating means 303, non-feature quantity coordinate calculating means 304, non-feature quantity. A color value setting unit 305, a non-feature amount image forming unit 306, a fractional part patch number calculating unit 307, a fractional part patch color value setting unit 308, and a fractional part patch image forming unit 309 are provided.

The usable color value group calculation unit 301 calculates a color value group that is not used for the character string portion and the graphic portion, that is, the feature amount portion, for each ink color.
Further, as in the present embodiment, a color value group that is not used in the main part may be calculated for each ink.
Specifically, the usable data from the usable color value rewriting unit 2111 in the character string forming unit 21 and the usable color value rewriting unit 2210 in the graphic forming unit 22 are obtained by quoting.
The residual color value group adding means 302 calculates all the color values (residual color value group) that can be set in the non-principal part regardless of the ink color by adding up the usable color value groups for each ink color. It is.

The pseudo-random number generator 303 generates a random number sequence by shuffling {1, 2, 3,... (N-2), (n-1), n} when the target integer is n. It is.
Here, by setting the number of color value patches to be assigned to the non-feature part as a target integer, it can be used to create a chart of a non-main part based on a random pseudo-random number sequence without duplication.
The pseudo-random number is usually obtained by an arithmetic process such as a pseudo-random number generation program. However, the random number obtained by such a program may be stored in a RAM or the like and read when necessary.

The non-feature amount coordinate calculation unit 304 obtains coordinates of the non-feature amount portion.
Specifically, the absolute coordinates of the non-feature amount portion can be obtained based on the absolute coordinate information of the feature amount portion and the vertical and horizontal sizes of the number of patches in the chart.

The non-feature quantity color value setting unit 305 sets the color value of each patch assigned to the non-feature quantity portion.
Specifically, by using the pseudo random number sequence obtained by the pseudo random number generation means 303 as an index, the color value of the patch to be assigned to the non-feature amount portion is set randomly from the residual color value group.
For example, when both the character string shown in FIG. 8 and the character string shown in FIG. 11 are used as feature amounts, the residual color value group is a shaded portion in FIG.
By performing pseudo-random processing on all the indexes in this portion, the residual color values are arranged in the order of the arrows in FIG. 13B, and by assigning these to the non-feature amount portions in order, the color values can be randomly assigned.
In FIG. 4B, c ** represents Cyan, m ** represents Magenta, y ** represents Yellow, and k ** represents a gradation value belonging to each ink color.
The non-feature amount image forming unit 306 forms patch image data of the non-feature amount portion based on single patch shape information, coordinate information, and color value information.

The fractional part patch number calculation means 307 calculates the difference between the number of patches that can be arranged on each page determined by the vertical and horizontal sizes of the patches on each page and the number of patches that are actually arranged on each page.
The fraction part patch color value setting means 308 sets the color value of the patch to be assigned to the fraction part. Specifically, the fraction part patch color value setting means 308 uses the residual color value group after setting the color value of the non-feature amount part. Sets the color value of the patch assigned to the copy.
The fraction part patch image forming unit 309 forms fraction part patch image data based on the single patch shape information, the coordinate information, and the color value information.

For example, if the number of patches on each page is 45 in the horizontal direction and 32 in the vertical direction, 45 × 32 = 1440 patches can be displayed on each page.
Then, assuming that the number of patches arranged per page is 65 for gradations of Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow and 7 for gradations of 65 for Black, the total number of patches is 65 × 5 × 3 + 65 × 7 = Since 1430, 1440-1430 = 10 fractions are generated.
Therefore, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can embed patch image data including meta information in an area corresponding to this fractional part. Thereby, the information property of a chart can further be improved.
Of course, white display may be performed by setting CMYK values {0, 0, 0, 0} to the fractional part, or setting arbitrary CMYK values and setting color values other than white. it can.
It is also possible to display the patch of the next page packed on the previous page and adjust the fraction on the last page.
Note that it is desirable to adjust various setting values depending on the aperture size of the measuring instrument, the output range of the image processing apparatus, the margin, the output media size, and the like.

[Feature amount / non-feature amount data synthesis unit 40]
As shown in FIG. 1, the feature quantity / non-feature quantity data combining unit 40 includes the patch image data of the feature quantity portion formed by the feature quantity data forming unit 20 and the non-feature quantity data forming unit 30. The patch image data of the feature amount portion (including the patch image data of the fractional portion) is synthesized, and a test chart is output based on the image data formed by the synthesis.
In addition, by displaying the synthesized image on a display or the like, it is also possible to confirm the discriminability of a character string or a figure in advance before output.

Next, a chart generation method by the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the chart generation method according to this embodiment.
As shown in the figure, first, the basic configuration setting unit 10 prepares a color value group to be used, sets a chart configuration, and the like as pre-processing for generating a test chart (S1).
Specifically, the gradation number setting unit 101 sets the gradation number for each ink, and the usable color value group generation / storage unit 104 generates usable color value groups for each ink based on the gradation number. And remember.
In order to set the configuration of the test chart, the size / shape, number, arrangement, etc. of the single patch are set.

Subsequently, the basic configuration setting unit 10 sets character strings and figures to be displayed on the test chart (S2).
Specifically, the character string setting unit 110 and the graphic setting unit 113 set the configuration of the character string and the graphic, and the character string ink color setting unit 111 and the graphic ink color setting unit 114 are assigned to the character string and the graphic. Set the ink color.

Next, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment forms a patch image of the feature amount portion (S3).
Specifically, for the character string / graphic set by the basic configuration setting unit 10, the character string portion color value selection means 2110 or the graphic portion color value selection means 2209 has a plurality of gradations belonging to the designated ink color and having different gradations. The character string portion absolute coordinate setting means 2105 or the figure portion absolute coordinate setting means 2204 performs arrangement setting of the feature amount portion on the page, and the character string portion image forming means 2112 or the figure is selected. The partial image forming unit 2211 forms patch image data of the feature amount portion.
The feature amount portion may be only the character string portion, only the graphic portion, a combination of the character string portion and the graphic portion, or may be a plurality of character strings or a plurality of graphics.

Next, the non-feature quantity data forming unit 30 forms a patch image of the non-feature quantity portion (S4).
Specifically, the non-feature amount color value setting unit 305 randomly extracts color values from the color value group other than the color values assigned to the feature amount portion with respect to the non-feature amount portion, and assigns them to corresponding patches. The non-feature amount image forming unit 306 generates patch image data of the non-feature amount portion.

Next, the feature quantity / non-feature quantity data synthesis unit 40 synthesizes the patch image of the feature quantity portion and the patch image of the non-feature quantity portion (S5).
Specifically, the feature quantity / non-feature quantity data combining unit 40 theoretically combines the patch image data of the feature quantity portion and the patch image data of the non-feature quantity portion based on the absolute coordinates on the two-dimensional matrix. The test chart data is formed.
Then, the image processing apparatus 1 outputs an actual test chart to a medium such as paper based on the test chart data synthesized in step S5 (S6).
As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, a color test chart with visually recognizable information (in this case, a character string) can be obtained.
FIG. 11A is a chart showing an example in which the feature quantity related to the character string “012” is set, and FIG. 10B is a chart showing an example in which the feature quantity related to the character string “123” is set.

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a test chart necessary for analysis of input / output characteristics can be generated with constant randomness and regularity.
In particular, since the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured to set a visually recognizable feature amount portion made up of a character string or a graphic on the test chart, a test chart with excellent discrimination and information is generated. be able to.
Therefore, it is possible to obtain a test chart that is easy to handle for the user, and it is possible to improve convenience and maintain reliability with respect to input / output characteristic analysis and calibration processing.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment uses a patch ink color assigned to a character string or figure (main part) and a patch ink color assigned to a character string or figure base (non-main part) in a test chart generation process. Is set to a different color to improve the visibility of character strings and figures displayed on the test chart.
In order to obtain such a characteristic action and effect, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment devises a configuration in the basic configuration setting unit, the character string forming unit, and the graphic forming unit.

[Basic configuration setting unit 10a]
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the basic configuration setting unit 10a according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the basic configuration setting unit 10a of the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of FIG. 2, but the configuration of the feature amount color value setting means 100a is different from that of FIG.
That is, the feature amount color value setting unit 100a according to the present embodiment includes a character string (main part) ink color setting unit 115, a character string (non-main part) ink color setting unit 116, and a graphic (main part) ink color. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a setting unit 117 and a graphic (non-main part) ink color setting unit 118 are provided.
Accordingly, here, the feature color value setting unit 100a will be mainly described in detail, and the same components as those in FIG. 2 will be assigned the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The character string (main part) ink color setting means 115 sets the ink color of the patch assigned to the main part of the character string part.
Further, the character string (non-major part) ink color setting means 116 sets the ink color of the patch assigned to the non-major part (background or peripheral part) of the character string part.
In particular, the present embodiment is characterized in that an ink color different from the ink color set in the main part is set.
For example, when the ink color of the main part is set to Yellow by the character string (main part) ink color setting unit 115, the character string (non-main part) ink color setting unit 116 sets the ink color of the non-main part to Black. I am going to set it.

The graphic (main part) ink color setting means 117 sets the ink color assigned to the main part of the graphic part.
The graphic (non-major part) ink color setting means 118 is for setting the ink color of the patch to be assigned to the non-major part (background or peripheral part) of the graphic part.
In particular, the present embodiment is characterized in that an ink color different from the ink color set in the main part is set.
For example, when the ink color of the main part is set to Magenta by the graphic (main part) ink color setting unit 117, the graphic (non-main part) ink color setting unit 118 automatically sets the ink color of the non-main part to Cyan. Set to.

[Character string forming unit 21a]
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the character string forming unit according to this embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the character string forming unit 21a of the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of FIG. It differs from the first embodiment in that it includes means 2114.
Therefore, regarding the character string forming portion, these different components will be described in detail, and the same components as those in FIG.

The character string (main part) color value selection means 2113 randomly selects the color value of the main part of the character string part from the color values of different gradations belonging to the designated ink color.
Further, the character string (non-major part) color value selection unit 2114 uses the color values of the non-principal part of the character string part for different gradations belonging to other ink colors different from the ink color designated as the main part color. The color value is selected at random.
Specifically, a color value obtained by extracting a pseudo-random number sequence as an index from a plurality of color values of different gradations belonging to the specified ink color is selected as the color value of the main part, and the ink color specified for the character string Similarly, a process is performed in which a color value extracted by using a pseudo-random number sequence as an index from among color values of different gradations belonging to other different ink colors is selected as a color value of a non-main part.
For example, a multi-tone color value belonging to Yellow is selected for the main part, and a multi-tone color value belonging to Black is selected for the non-main part.

[Figure forming part 22a]
FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the graphic forming unit according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the graphic forming unit 22a of the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of FIG. 9, but includes a graphic (main part) color value selection unit 2212 and a graphic (non-main part) color value selection unit 2213. It differs from the first embodiment in the point provided.
Therefore, regarding the graphic forming unit, these different components will be described in detail, and the same components as those in FIG.

The figure (main part) color value selection means 2212 randomly selects the color value of the main part of the figure from the color values of different gradations belonging to the designated ink color.
Further, the graphic (non-major part) color value selection unit 2213 uses the color value of the non-major part of the graphic part as a color value of a different gradation belonging to another ink color different from the ink color designated as the color of the main part. This is a random selection.
Specifically, a color value obtained by extracting a pseudo-random number sequence as an index from color values of different gradations belonging to the specified ink color is selected as the color value of the main part, and is different from the ink color specified for the main part. A process of selecting a color value extracted using a pseudo-random number sequence as an index from among color values of different gradations belonging to other ink colors is performed as a color value of a non-main part.
For example, a multi-tone color value belonging to Magenta is randomly selected for the main part, and a multi-tone color value belonging to Cyan is randomly selected for the non-main part.

  That is, according to the image processing apparatus configured as described above, the color value of the patch assigned to the main part and the color value of the patch assigned to the non-main part are generated by color values belonging to different ink colors. ing.

Next, a chart generation method by the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the chart generation method according to this embodiment.
As shown in the figure, first, the basic configuration setting unit 10a prepares a color value group to be used, sets a chart configuration, and the like as pre-processing for generating a test chart (S11).
Specifically, the gradation number setting unit 101 sets the gradation number for each ink color, and the usable color value group generation / storage unit 104 sets the usable color value group based on the gradation number to the ink. Generate and store separately.
In order to set the configuration of the test chart, the size / shape, number, arrangement, etc. of the single patch are set.

Subsequently, the basic configuration setting unit 10a sets character strings and figures to be displayed on the test chart (S12).
Specifically, the character string setting unit 110 and the graphic setting unit 113 set the configuration of the character string and the graphic, and the character string ink color setting unit 111 and the graphic ink color setting unit 114 are assigned to the character string and the graphic. Set the ink color.

Next, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment forms a patch image of the feature amount portion (S13).
In particular, in the present embodiment, a predetermined ink color is set for the patch assigned to the main part, and an ink color different from the ink color of the main part is set for the patch assigned to the non-main part. Yes.

Specifically, based on the ink color of the main part designated by the character string (main part) ink color setting means 115 or the graphic (main part) ink color setting means 117, the character string (main part) color value selection means 2113 or The graphic (main part) color value selection means 2212 randomly extracts the color values belonging to the designated ink color from the available color values of a plurality of gradations and assigns them to the main part. Do.
After that, the character string (non-main part) is based on an ink color different from the ink color set in the main part designated by the character string (non-main part) ink color setting means 116 or the graphic (non-main part) ink color setting means 118. The main part) color value selection means 2114 or the figure (non-main part) color value selection means 2213 randomly selects a color value belonging to the ink color from among color values of a plurality of gradations that are prepared in advance. Extract and assign to non-major parts.

Next, the non-feature quantity data forming unit 30 forms a patch image of the non-feature quantity portion (S14).
Specifically, the non-feature amount color value setting unit 305 randomly extracts color values from the color value group other than the color value assigned to the feature amount portion for the non-feature amount portion, and uses the color value as a corresponding patch. The non-feature quantity image forming unit 306 generates patch image data of the non-feature quantity portion.

Next, the feature quantity / non-feature quantity data synthesis unit 40 synthesizes the patch image of the feature quantity portion and the patch image of the non-feature quantity portion (S15).
Specifically, the feature quantity / non-feature quantity data combining unit 40 theoretically combines the patch image data of the feature quantity portion and the patch image data of the non-feature quantity portion based on the absolute coordinates on the two-dimensional matrix. The test chart data is formed.
Then, the image processing apparatus 1 outputs an actual test chart to a medium such as paper based on the test chart data synthesized in step S15 (S16).
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 20, a color test chart with visually recognizable information (in this case, a character string) can be obtained.
FIG. 5A is a color chart showing a test chart including a feature amount related to the character string “TEST-1”, and FIG. 5B is a test chart including a feature amount related to the character string “TEST-2”. is there.

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the color value of the main part and the color value of the non-main part are set by the color values belonging to different ink colors. To generate a test chart.
For this reason, it is possible to generate a test chart with excellent visibility as well as excellent discrimination and information.
Therefore, convenience and reliability can be further improved in input / output characteristic analysis and calibration processing.

[Third embodiment]
Next, an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment uses the ink color of the patch assigned to the character string or figure base (non-principal part) and the patch ink color assigned to the character string or figure principal part in the test chart generation process. In the point which sets to a different color, it is the same as that of above-mentioned 2nd embodiment.
However, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment generates a test chart by assigning a patch having a color value equal to or higher than a certain density to a feature amount part, that is, a main part and / or a non-main part. The visibility of the feature quantity to be displayed is improved.
In order to obtain such a characteristic operation effect, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is mainly configured in a feature amount color value setting unit of the basic configuration setting unit.

[Basic configuration setting unit 10b]
FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the basic configuration setting unit 10b according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the basic configuration setting unit 10b of the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of FIG. 16, but the configuration of the feature color value setting unit 100b is different.
That is, the feature amount color value setting unit 100b according to this embodiment includes a feature amount color value range setting unit 119, a feature amount usable color value group generation / storage unit 120, and a feature amount usable patch total number counting / storage unit 121. This is different from the second embodiment.
Therefore, here, a detailed description will be mainly given of the feature color value setting unit 100b, and the same components as those in FIG.

The feature value color value range setting means 119 sets the color value range of the patch assigned to the feature value portion.
For example, the density setting value T for each ink color is set as {Tc, Tm, Ty, Tk} = {15, 15, 15, 15}.
In this case, assuming that the number of gradations for each ink color is {Sc, Sm, Sy, Sk} = {65, 65, 65, 65}, each of the color values except the lowest one of the density values is 15 50 color value groups are set as usable color value ranges.

The feature quantity usable color value group generation / storage means 120 generates a usable color value group for each ink color related to the feature quantity portion, and stores it in a predetermined storage medium (not shown).
For example, when the number of gradations for each ink color is {Sc, Sm, Sy, Sk} = {65, 65, 65, 65}, the density setting value T is {Tc, Tm, Ty, Tk} = { When set to 15, 15, 15, 15}, each of 50 color value groups excluding 15 from the lowest color value density value is generated as a usable color value group.

The feature quantity usable patch total count / storage means 121 obtains the number of patches usable for the feature quantity portion based on the color value group usable for the feature quantity portion, and stores it in a predetermined storage medium (not shown). Is.
For example, the gradation coefficient for each ink color is {Mc, Mm, My, Mk} = {6, 6, 6, 6}, and the threshold value of the color value range that can be used for the feature amount portion is {Tc, Tm, Ty, Tk. } = {15, 15, 15, 15}, and the number of patch measurements {Nc, Nm, Ny, Nk} = {10, 10, 10, 14}, the total number of patches Σc for each ink relating to the feature amount portion Σm, Σy, and Σk are
Σc = (2 ^Mc + 1−Tc) · Nc = 500 Σm = (2 ^Mm + 1−Tm) · Nm = 500 Σy = (2 ^My + 1−Ty) · Ny = 500 Σk = (2 ^Mk + 1−Tk) ) · Nk = 700.
Therefore, the total number of patches Σall that can be used for the feature amount portion is Σall = Σc + Σm + Σy + Σk = 2200.

The character string (main part) ink color setting means 115, the character string (non-main part) ink color setting means 116, the figure (main part) ink color setting means 117, and the figure (non-main part) ink color setting means 118 The processing content is the same as in the second embodiment described above.
That is, the character string (main part) ink color setting means 115 and the graphic (main part) ink color setting means 117 set a predetermined ink color in the main part, while the character string (non-main part) ink color setting means 116. And the graphic (non-major part) ink color setting means 118 sets an ink color different from the ink color of the main part for the non-major part.

In the character string forming unit 21, the patch number suitability determination unit 2108 compares the number of patches in the main part of the character string part with the number of color value groups that can be used for the ink color set in the main part. Then, it is numerically determined whether or not the color value of the ink color can be selected for the main part of the character string.
Similarly, the number of patches in the non-major part of the character string part is compared with the number of color value groups that can be used for the ink color set in the non-principal part, and the ink in the non-major part of the character string part. It is determined whether a color can be selected.
If it is determined that selection is possible, the character string portion color value selection unit 2110 randomly extracts and selects color values from the usable color value group for the main portion of the character string portion, and A color value is randomly extracted from the usable color value group for the non-main part and selected.

On the other hand, in the graphic forming unit 22, the patch number suitability determining unit 2207 compares the number of patches in the main part of the graphic part with the number of usable color value groups for the ink color set in the main part. It is numerically determined whether or not the color value of the ink color can be selected for the main part of the graphic part.
Similarly, the number of patches in the non-major part of the graphic part is compared with the number of color value groups that can be used for the ink color set in the non-major part. It is determined numerically whether or not it can be selected.
If it is determined that the graphic part color value selection unit 2209 is selectable, the graphic part color value selection unit 2209 randomly extracts and selects a color value from the usable color value group for the main part of the graphic part and For the main part, color values are randomly extracted from the usable color value group and selected.

  That is, according to the image processing apparatus 1 configured as described above, the color value of the patch assigned to the main part and the color value of the patch assigned to the non-main part are color values belonging to different ink colors, and It is generated from a color value group having a certain density or higher.

Next, a chart generation method by the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the chart generation method according to this embodiment.
As shown in the figure, first, the basic configuration setting unit 10b prepares a color value group having a predetermined density or more and sets a chart configuration as pre-processing for test chart generation (S21).
Specifically, the gradation number setting unit 101 sets a desired number of gradations, and the feature value usable color value group generation / storage unit 120 uses colors that can be used for the feature amount portion based on the number of gradations. A value group is generated for each ink.
In particular, according to the feature value usable color value group generation / storage means 120 of the present embodiment, the color value group for the feature amount part is generated and stored only in a dark color of a certain density or more. .
In order to set the configuration of the test chart, the size / shape, number, arrangement, etc. of the single patch are set.

Subsequently, the basic configuration setting unit 10b sets character strings and figures to be displayed on the test chart (S22).
Specifically, the character string setting unit 110 and the graphic setting unit 113 set the configuration of the character string and the graphic, and the character string ink color setting unit 111 and the graphic ink color setting unit 114 are assigned to the character string and the graphic. Set the ink color.

Next, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment forms a patch image of the feature amount portion (S23).
Specifically, based on the ink color of the main part designated by the character string (main part) ink color setting means 115 or the graphic (main part) ink color setting means 117, the character string (main part) color value selection means 2113 or The graphic (principal part) color value selection means 2212 performs a process of randomly extracting the color values belonging to the designated ink color from the color value group having the predetermined density or more prepared in step S21 and assigning it to the principal part.
After that, the character string (non-main part) is based on an ink color different from the ink color set in the main part designated by the character string (non-main part) ink color setting means 116 or the graphic (non-main part) ink color setting means 118. The main part) color value selection means 2114 or the figure (non-main part) color value selection means 2213 randomly extracts the color values belonging to the ink color from the color value group having the predetermined density or more prepared in step S21. , Process to assign to non-main part.

Next, the non-feature quantity data forming unit 30 forms a patch image of the non-feature quantity portion (S24).
Specifically, the non-feature amount color value setting unit 305 randomly extracts color values from the color value group other than the color value assigned to the feature amount portion for the non-feature amount portion, and uses the color value as a corresponding patch. The non-feature quantity image forming unit 306 generates patch image data of the non-feature quantity portion.

Next, the feature quantity / non-feature quantity data synthesis unit 40 synthesizes the patch image of the feature quantity portion and the patch image of the non-feature quantity portion (S25).
Specifically, the feature quantity / non-feature quantity data combining unit 40 theoretically combines the patch image data of the feature quantity portion and the patch image data of the non-feature quantity portion based on the absolute coordinates on the two-dimensional matrix. The test chart data is formed.
Then, the image processing apparatus 1 outputs an actual test chart to a medium such as paper based on the test chart data synthesized in step S25 (S26).
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 23, a color test chart with visually recognizable information (in this case, a character string) can be obtained.
FIG. 6A shows the feature amount related to the character string “ABC-01”, FIG. 5B shows the feature amount related to the character string “DEF-02”, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a color chart showing a test chart including a feature amount related to “DEF-02”.

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus of the third embodiment of the present invention, the color value of the main part and the color value of the non-main part belong to mutually different ink colors and have a constant density. The test chart is generated by the color value of the value.
For this reason, it is possible to generate a test chart having excellent visibility as well as excellent discrimination and information.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, an image processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment uses the ink color of the patch assigned to the character string or figure base (non-principal part) and the patch ink color assigned to the character string or figure principal part in the test chart generation process. In the point which sets to a different color, it is the same as that of above-mentioned 2nd embodiment.
However, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment generates a test chart by assigning a patch having a color value corresponding to a predetermined color difference or more from paper white to a feature amount portion, that is, a main portion and / or a non-main portion. Thus, the visibility of the feature amount displayed on the test chart is improved.
In order to obtain such characteristic operational effects, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment devises structural features in the feature amount color value setting unit of the basic configuration setting unit.

[Basic configuration setting unit 10c]
FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the basic configuration setting unit 10c according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the basic configuration setting unit 10c of the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that in FIG. 16, but the configuration of the feature amount color value setting means is different from that in FIG.
That is, the feature color value setting unit 100c according to the present embodiment includes a color difference area setting unit 122 close to paper white, an input / output characteristic provisional measurement unit 123, and a color difference area calculation unit 124 for paper white. Different from the second embodiment.
Therefore, here, the feature amount color value setting unit 100c is mainly described in detail, and the same components as those in FIG. 16 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

The color difference area setting means 122 close to paper white sets color values close to paper white.
This is to avoid the use of a color value close to paper white because it is highly likely that it is difficult to distinguish characters and graphics.
For this reason, in this embodiment, based on provisional measurement values of input / output characteristics described later, for example, the color difference ΔEp = 0 is set in the distance calculation defined by the color difference calculation formula in the CIE-Lab space, and Ep <10. Do not use a color value of a color difference of .0.

The input / output characteristic provisional measurement means 123 outputs a simple chart for temporary measurement of the input / output characteristics while referring to the number of gradations for each ink, and obtains this from the CIE-Lab value and the CIE-XYZ value.
Alternatively, an existing provisional measurement value measured in this way is read in advance.
FIG. 25 is a CIE-Lab space diagram showing measured values of input / output characteristics of each CMYK ink.
As shown in the figure, when the input / output characteristics of the primary colors of each ink are plotted in the CIE-Lab space, the intersection point becomes paper white. Therefore, the color values of the two patches are selected near the intersection point. Can understand that it is difficult to distinguish.

The paper white color difference area calculation means 124 calculates the color difference between the chromaticity value obtained by the temporary measurement of the input / output characteristics and the paper white chromaticity value.
For example, after the measured value is converted into a CIE-Lab value, a color space distance is obtained and used as the color difference ΔEp. Specifically, the color difference ΔEp can be obtained by the following equation.
ΔEp = ({(L [i] −Lp) ² + (A [i] −Ap) ² + (B [i] −Bp) ² }) ^0.5
(However, L [i], A [i], and B [i] indicate L value, b value, and c value at arbitrary points on the Lab color space, and Lp, Ap, and Bp are papers on the Lab color space. (Indicates L value, a value, and b value in white.)

The feature color value range setting unit 119 sets a color value range that can be used for the feature amount based on the calculation result of the color difference range with paper white and the set value of the color difference range close to paper white. .
For example, when the number of gradations for each ink color is {Sc, Sm, Sy, Sk} = {65, 65, 65, 65}, the set value of the color difference area close to paper white is {Tc, Tm, Ty , Tk} = {8, 5, 7, 3}, the first eight color values for Cyan when the color values that can be used in the feature amount portion are arranged in ascending order from paper white are displayed. Not used, does not use the first five of the Magenta color value group, does not use the first seven of the Yellow color value group, does not use the first three of the Black color value group, The remaining 57 color value groups, 60 for Magenta, 58 for Yellow, and 62 color values for Black are used.
That is, the color value gamut usable for the feature amount portion is from (Tc + 1) th and later to the final value when arranged in ascending order for Cyan, and from (Tm + 1) th and later when arranged in ascending order for Magenta. To the ground, Yellow is set from the (Ty + 1) th or later to the final value when arranged in ascending order, and Black is set from the (Tk + 1) th or later to the final value when arranged in ascending order.

The feature quantity usable color value group generation / storage means 120 generates a usable color value group for each ink color related to the feature quantity portion, and stores it in a predetermined storage medium.
For example, the number of gradations {Sc, Sm, Sy, Sk} for each ink color = {65, 65, 65, 65}, and the set value {Tc, Tm, Ty, Tk} = {8 , 5, 7, 3} and assuming that the color values are arranged in ascending order from paper white, 57 for Cyan excluding up to 8 from the color value of paper white, and for Magenta There are 60 color values except 5 from the paper white color value, 58 from the paper white color value for the yellow, 58 for the black, and 62 color values from the paper white color value to 3 from the black. Each is generated and stored as a usable color value group.

The feature quantity usable patch total count / storage unit 121 obtains the number of patches usable for the feature quantity portion based on the color value group usable for the feature quantity portion, and stores it in a predetermined storage medium. .
For example, the gradation coefficient for each ink color {Mc, Mm, My, Mk} = {6, 6, 6, 6}, and the threshold value of the color value range that can be used for the feature amount portion is {Tc, Tm, Ty, Tk}. = {15, 15, 15, 15}, {Nc, Nm, Ny, Nk} = {10, 10, 10, 14}, the total number of patches of each ink relating to the feature amount portion Σc, Σm, Σy, Σk Is
Σc = (2 ^Mc + 1−Tc) · Nc = 500 Σm = (2 ^Mm + 1−Tm) · Nm = 500 Σy = (2 ^My + 1−Ty) · Ny = 500 Σk = (2 ^Mk + 1−Tk) ) · Nk = 700.
Therefore, the total number of patches Σall that can be used for the feature amount portion is Σall = Σc + Σm + Σy + Σk = 2200.

The character string (main part) ink color setting means 115, the character string (non-main part) ink color setting means 116, the figure (main part) ink color setting means 117, and the figure (non-main part) ink color setting means 118 The processing content is the same as in the second embodiment described above.
That is, the character string (main part) ink color setting means 115 and the graphic (main part) ink color setting means 117 set a predetermined ink color in the main part, while the character string (non-main part) ink color setting means 116. And the graphic (non-major part) ink color setting means 118 sets an ink color different from the ink color of the main part for the non-major part.

In the character string forming unit 21, the patch number suitability determination unit 2108 compares the number of patches in the main part of the character string part with the number of color value groups that can be used for the ink color set in the main part. Then, it is numerically determined whether or not the color value of the ink color can be selected for the main part of the character string.
Similarly, the number of patches in the non-major part of the character string part is compared with the number of color value groups that can be used for the ink color set in the non-principal part, and the ink in the non-major part of the character string part. It is determined whether a color can be selected.
If it is determined that selection is possible, the character string portion color value selection unit 2110 randomly extracts and selects color values from the usable color value group for the main portion of the character string portion, and A color value is randomly extracted from the usable color value group for the non-main part and selected.

On the other hand, in the graphic forming unit 22, the patch number suitability determining unit 2207 compares the number of patches in the main part of the graphic part with the number of usable color value groups for the ink color set in the main part. It is numerically determined whether or not the color value of the ink color can be selected for the main part of the graphic part.
Similarly, the number of patches in the non-major part of the graphic part is compared with the number of color value groups that can be used for the ink color set in the non-major part. It is determined numerically whether or not it can be selected.
If it is determined that the graphic part color value selection unit 2209 is selectable, the graphic part color value selection unit 2209 randomly extracts and selects a color value from the usable color value group for the main part of the graphic part and For the main part, color values are randomly extracted from the usable color value group and selected.

  That is, according to the image processing apparatus 1 configured as described above, the color value of the patch assigned to the main part and the color value of the patch assigned to the non-main part are color values belonging to different ink colors, and It is generated by a color value that is more than a predetermined color difference from the paper white.

Next, a chart generation method by the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the chart generation method according to this embodiment.
As shown in the figure, first, the basic configuration setting unit 10c prepares a color value group greater than a predetermined color difference from paper white and sets a chart configuration as pre-processing for test chart generation (S31).
Specifically, the gradation number setting unit 101 sets a desired number of gradations, and the feature value usable color value group generation / storage unit 120 uses colors that can be used for the feature amount portion based on the number of gradations. A value group is generated for each ink.
In particular, according to the feature value usable color value group generation / storage unit 120 of the present embodiment, the color value group for the feature amount part is generated and stored by limiting the color value from the paper white to a color value equal to or greater than a predetermined color difference. I have to.
In order to set the configuration of the test chart, the size / shape, number, arrangement, etc. of the single patch are set.

Subsequently, the basic configuration setting unit 10c sets character strings and figures to be displayed on the test chart (S32).
Specifically, the character string setting unit 110 and the graphic setting unit 113 set the configuration of the character string and the graphic, and the character string ink color setting unit 111 and the graphic ink color setting unit 114 are assigned to the character string and the graphic. Set the ink color.

Next, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment forms a patch image of the feature amount portion (S33).
Specifically, based on the ink color of the main part designated by the character string (main part) ink color setting means 115 or the graphic (main part) ink color setting means 117, the character string (main part) color value selection means 2113 or The figure (main part) color value selection means 2212 randomly extracts the color values belonging to the designated ink color from the “color value group greater than or equal to the predetermined color difference from the paper white” prepared in step S31, and stores it in the main part. Perform the allocation process.
In addition, the character string (non-major part) is based on an ink color different from the ink color of the main part designated by the character string (non-principal part) ink color setting means 116 or the graphic (non-principal part) ink color setting means 118. ) The color value selection unit 2114 or the figure (non-major part) color value selection unit 2213 randomly selects a color value belonging to the ink color from the “color value group greater than or equal to a predetermined color difference from paper white” prepared in step S31. To extract and assign to non-main parts.

Next, the non-feature quantity data forming unit 30 forms a patch image of the non-feature quantity portion (S34).
Specifically, the non-feature amount color value setting unit 305 randomly extracts color values from the color value group other than the color value assigned to the feature amount portion for the non-feature amount portion, and uses the color value as a corresponding patch. The non-feature quantity image forming unit 306 generates patch image data of the non-feature quantity portion.

Next, the feature quantity / non-feature quantity data synthesis unit 40 synthesizes the patch image of the feature quantity portion and the patch image of the non-feature quantity portion (S35).
Specifically, the feature quantity / non-feature quantity data combining unit 40 theoretically combines the patch image data of the feature quantity portion and the patch image data of the non-feature quantity portion based on the absolute coordinates on the two-dimensional matrix. The test chart data is formed.
Then, the image processing apparatus 1 outputs an actual test chart to a medium such as paper based on the test chart data synthesized in step S35 (S36).
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 27, a color test chart with visually recognizable information (in this case, a character string) can be obtained.
FIG. 27 (upper diagram) is a color chart diagram showing a test chart including a feature amount related to the character string “ABC-12”.
(Note that since the test chart is a color image, the character string “ABC-12” can be clearly recognized in the image as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 27.)

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the color value of the main part and the color value of the non-main part belong to mutually different ink colors, and from the paper white A test chart is generated with color values having a predetermined color difference.
For this reason, it is possible to generate a test chart having excellent visibility as well as excellent discrimination and information.

[Fifth embodiment]
Next, an image processing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment uses the ink color of the patch assigned to the character string or figure base (non-principal part) and the patch ink color assigned to the character string or figure principal part in the test chart generation process. In the point which sets to a different color, it is the same as that of above-mentioned 2nd embodiment.
However, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment selects two groups that are not continuous from among the three or more color value groups divided in terms of color values or brightness, and sets the color values belonging to each color value group as the main part. The test chart is generated after being set separately for the patch and the non-main part patch, thereby improving the visibility of the feature amount displayed on the test chart.
In order to obtain such characteristic operational effects, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment devises structural features in the feature amount color value setting unit of the basic configuration setting unit.

[Basic configuration setting unit 10d]
FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the basic configuration setting unit 10d according to this embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the basic configuration setting unit 10d of the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of FIG. 16, but the configuration of the feature amount color value setting means is different.
That is, the feature amount color value setting unit 100d according to this embodiment includes a color difference value setting unit 125 for ensuring legibility, a division number / division point setting unit 126 for each ink color value group, and a feature amount ink color / color value division area. The second embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the setting means 127 is provided.
Therefore, here, the feature color value setting unit 100d will be mainly described in detail, and the detailed description of the same configuration and operation as those in FIG. 16 will be omitted.

The legibility ensuring color difference value setting means 125 is for setting a color difference value that can ensure legibility.
Specifically, first, after converting the provisional measurement value of the input / output characteristic measured by the provisional measurement means 123 of the input / output characteristic into a CIE-Lab value, the color space distance, that is, the color difference ΔE is expressed by the following equation. Ask.
ΔE = ({(L [j] −L [i]) ² + (A [j] −A [i]) ² + (B [j] −B [i]) ² }) ^0.5
(However, L [i], A [i], B [i] and L [j], A [j], b [j] are the L value and a value at any two points on the Lab color space, respectively. , B values are shown.)
For example, ΔE = 10.0 is set so as to eliminate the color difference of ΔE <10.

The division number / division point setting means 126 of each ink color value group sets the division number of the color value group of each ink based on the number of gradations set for each ink, and sets a division point corresponding to this division number. It is to set.
Specifically, an approximate chromaticity value corresponding to the “first division point” is obtained from a temporary measurement value of input / output characteristics, and corresponds to a color value that is more than the color difference value for ensuring legibility set from this value. The “second division point” is obtained by back-calculating the color value to be calculated from the provisional measurement value of the input / output characteristics.

For example, the number of gradations for each ink color {Sc, Sm, Sy, Sk} = {65, 65, 65, 65}, the number of divisions of the color value group of each ink {Rc, Rm, Ry, Rk} = {3 , 3, 3, 3}, “first division point” {Tc [1], Tm [1], Ty [1], Tk [1]} = {6, 5, 7, 10} Will be explained.
In this case, for Cyan, the chromaticity value of the output when the sixth color value (CMYK value) = {6, 0, 0, 0} is input is roughly based on the result of the temporary measurement value of the input / output characteristics. The color value corresponding to at least the set color difference value for ensuring legibility is separated as a “second division point” (= {Tc [2], Tm [2], Ty [2] , Tk [2]}).

That is, the “nth division point” is necessary from the chromaticity values corresponding to the color values of {Tc [n−1], Tm [n−1], Ty [n−1], Tk [n−1]}. Any color value may be used as long as it corresponds to a color value obtained by sufficiently distinguishing the color difference.
For example, 65 color values for a certain ink color can be divided into color value groups of three density ranges as follows.
First concentration range (low concentration range): {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
Second concentration range (medium concentration range): {7, 8, 9, 10}
Third concentration range (high concentration range): {11, 12, ..., 64, 65}

The characteristic amount ink color / color value division area setting unit 127 assigns color values to main parts and non-main parts from among the color value division areas set by the division number / division point setting unit 126 of each ink color value group. This is to set the division area.
Specifically, the main part and the non-main part are selected from two groups that are not continuous when the obtained color value division areas are arranged in order of density or brightness.
For example, the main part is set as Cyan / third concentration range, and the non-main part is set as Magenta / first concentration range, which is sufficient to distinguish the main part from the non-main part. Color difference can be secured.
In addition, when both a character string portion and a graphic portion are provided as the feature amount portion, it is also possible to specify an ink color and a divided area for each of the character, the graphic, and the non-main portion.

The feature quantity usable color value group generation / storage means 120 generates a color value group that can be used for the feature quantity portion for each ink color and color value division area, and stores the color value group in a storage medium (not shown).
For example, when the number of gradations of Cyan is 65 gradations and the division points are set to Tc [1] = 6 and Tc [2] = 10, the respective divided areas are as follows.
First concentration range (low concentration range): {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
Second concentration range (medium concentration range): {7, 8, 9, 10}
Third concentration range (high concentration range): {11, 12, ..., 65}
Further, assuming that the number Nc of repeated measurements per single patch is Nc = 5, the indexes of the color value division areas are as follows.
First concentration region (low concentration region): {1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, ..., 5, 5, 5, 5, 5}
Second concentration range (medium concentration range): {7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, ..., 10, 10, 10, 10, 10}
Third concentration range (high concentration range): {11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, ..., 65, 65, 65, 65, 65}
Accordingly, for Cyan, a color value corresponding to the gradation of each index is generated and stored in a storage medium (not shown).
The stored color value group is used when color values are selected in the character string forming unit 21 or the graphic forming unit 22.

The feature quantity usable patch total count / storage unit 121 obtains the number of patches usable for the feature quantity portion based on the color value group usable for the feature quantity portion for each ink color and color value division area, Find the total number of
For example, the gradation coefficient for each ink color {Mc, Mm, My, Mk} = {6, 6, 6, 6}, “first division point” {Tc [1], Tm [1], Ty [1] , Tk [1]} = {6, 5, 7, 10}, and the “second division point” is {Tc [2], Tm [2], Ty [2], Tk [2]} = {10,9 , 12, 14} and the number of patch measurements for each ink color {Nc, Nm, Ny, Nk} = {10, 10, 10, 14}, the total number of patches Σc for each ink color and color value division area, Σm, Σy, and Σk are
Σc [1] = (Tc [1] -0) · Nc = 60 Σc [2] = (Tc [2] −Tc [1]) · Nc = 40 Σc [3] = (Tc [3] − Tc [2]) · Nc = 550 Σm [1] = (Tm [1] -0) · Nm = 50 Σm [2] = (Tm [2] −Tm [1]) · Nm = 40 Σm [3] = (Tm [3] −Tm [2]) · Nm = 560 Σy [1] = (Ty [1] −0) · Ny = 70 Σy [2] = (Ty [2] −Ty [1]) Ny = 50 Σy [3] = (Ty [3] −Ty [2]) Ny = 530 Σk [1] = (Tk [1] −0) Nk = 100 Σk [ 2] = (Tk [2] −Tk [1]) · Nk = 40 Σk [3] = (Tk [3] −Tk [2]) · Nk = 510
The obtained number of patches is used for determining whether or not the number of patches is appropriate in the character string forming unit 21 or the graphic forming unit 22.

The character string (main part) ink color setting means 115, the character string (non-main part) ink color setting means 116, the figure (main part) ink color setting means 117, and the figure (non-main part) ink color setting means 118 The processing content is the same as in the second embodiment described above.
That is, the character string (main part) ink color setting means 115 and the graphic (main part) ink color setting means 117 set a predetermined ink color in the main part, while the character string (non-main part) ink color setting means 116. And the graphic (non-major part) ink color setting means 118 sets an ink color different from the ink color of the main part for the non-major part.

In the character string forming unit 21, the patch number suitability determination unit 2108 compares the number of patches in the main part of the character string part with the number of color value groups that can be used for the ink color set in the main part. Then, it is numerically determined whether or not the color value of the ink color can be selected for the main part of the character string.
Similarly, the number of patches in the non-major part of the character string part is compared with the number of color value groups that can be used for the ink color set in the non-principal part, and the ink in the non-major part of the character string part. It is determined whether a color can be selected.
If it is determined that selection is possible, the character string portion color value selection means 2110 randomly selects from among color value groups belonging to one color value division area of the ink color designated for the main portion of the character string portion. Other color that is selected by extracting color values and is a color value group belonging to an ink color different from the ink color with respect to the non-major part and is not continuous in density or brightness with the one color value division area Color values are extracted at random from the color value group belonging to the value range division area and selected.

On the other hand, in the graphic forming unit 22, the patch number suitability determining unit 2207 compares the number of patches in the main part of the graphic part with the number of usable color value groups for the ink color set in the main part. It is numerically determined whether or not the color value of the ink color can be selected for the main part of the graphic part.
Similarly, the number of patches in the non-major part of the graphic part is compared with the number of color value groups that can be used for the ink color set in the non-major part. It is determined numerically whether or not it can be selected.
When it is determined that the graphic part color value is selected, the graphic part color value selecting unit 2209 randomly selects a color from a color value group belonging to one color value division area of the ink color designated for the main part of the graphic part. A color value group belonging to an ink color different from the ink color with respect to a non-major part, and a color value group other than the color value division area that is not contiguous in terms of density or lightness A color value is randomly extracted from the color value group belonging to the divided area and selected.

  That is, according to the image processing apparatus having the above configuration, the color value of the patch assigned to the main part and the color value of the patch assigned to the non-main part are color values belonging to different ink colors, and the density. 2 groups which are not continuous are selected from among 3 or more color value groups which are divided in terms of brightness or brightness, and color values belonging to each color value group are divided into main patches and non-main patches. The test chart is generated above.

Next, a chart generation method by the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the chart generation method according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, first, the basic configuration setting unit 10d prepares three or more color value groups based on density or brightness as pre-processing for test chart generation, and sets the chart configuration (S41). .
Specifically, the gradation number setting unit 101 sets a desired number of gradations, and the feature value usable color value group generation / storage unit 120 uses colors that can be used for the feature amount portion based on the number of gradations. A value group is generated and stored for each ink.
In particular, according to the feature value usable color value group generation / storage unit 120 of this embodiment, the color values arranged in order of density or brightness are divided to provide three or more color value division areas, and each color value division area A color value group is generated for each.
In order to set the configuration of the test chart, the size / shape, number, arrangement, etc. of the single patch are set.

Subsequently, the basic configuration setting unit 10d sets character strings and figures to be displayed on the test chart (S42).
Specifically, the character string setting unit 110 and the graphic setting unit 113 set the configuration of the character string and the graphic, and the character string ink color setting unit 111 and the graphic ink color setting unit 114 are assigned to the character string and the graphic. Set the ink color.

Next, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment forms a patch image of the feature amount portion (S43).
Specifically, based on the ink color of the main part designated by the character string (main part) ink color setting means 115 or the graphic (main part) ink color setting means 117, the character string (main part) color value selection means 2113 or The figure (principal part) color value selection means 2212 has two color values that belong to the designated ink color and are not consecutive from the “three or more color value groups based on density or lightness” prepared in step S41. A process of randomly extracting from one value group and assigning it to the main part is performed.
In addition, the character string (non-major part) is based on an ink color different from the ink color of the main part designated by the character string (non-principal part) ink color setting means 116 or the graphic (non-principal part) ink color setting means 118. ) The color value selection means 2114 or the figure (non-major part) color value selection means 2213 is a color value belonging to the ink color, and the “three or more color value groups based on density or lightness” prepared in step S41. A process of randomly extracting from the other one of the two color value groups that are not continuous from the inside and assigning them to the non-main part is performed.

Next, the non-feature quantity data forming unit 30 forms a patch image of the non-feature quantity portion (S44).
Specifically, the non-feature amount color value setting unit 305 randomly extracts color values from the color value group other than the color value assigned to the feature amount portion for the non-feature amount portion, and uses the color value as a corresponding patch. The non-feature quantity image forming unit 306 generates patch image data of the non-feature quantity portion.

Next, the feature quantity / non-feature quantity data synthesis unit 40 synthesizes the patch image of the feature quantity portion and the patch image of the non-feature quantity portion (S45).
Specifically, the feature quantity / non-feature quantity data combining unit 40 theoretically combines the patch image data of the feature quantity portion and the patch image data of the non-feature quantity portion based on the absolute coordinates on the two-dimensional matrix. The test chart data is formed.
Then, the image processing apparatus 1 outputs an actual test chart to a medium such as paper based on the test chart data synthesized in step S45 (S46).
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 30, a color test chart with visually recognizable information (in this case, a character string) can be obtained.
FIG. 4A is a color chart showing a test chart including a feature amount relating to the character string “DEF-34”, and FIG. It is.

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus 1 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the color value of the main part and the color value of the non-main part are color values belonging to mutually different ink colors, A test chart is generated by dividing the color values of the color value group belonging to the two color value division areas that are not continuous in terms of color value or lightness into a main part patch and a non-main part patch.
For this reason, it is possible to generate a test chart having excellent visibility as well as excellent discrimination and information.

[Sixth embodiment]
Next, an image processing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment uses the ink color of the patch assigned to the character string or figure base (non-principal part) and the patch ink color assigned to the character string or figure principal part in the test chart generation process. In the point which sets to a different color, it is the same as that of above-mentioned 2nd embodiment.
In addition, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment selects two groups that are not continuous from among three or more groups of color values divided in terms of color values or brightness, and assigns the color values belonging to each color value group to the main part. This is the same as the fifth embodiment described above in that the test chart is generated after setting the patch separately and the non-main part patch.
Furthermore, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment selects two groups that are not continuous from among three or more groups of color values divided in terms of color value or brightness, and sets the color values belonging to each color value group in units of characters. The test chart is generated after the setting, thereby improving the visibility of the feature amount displayed on the test chart.
In order to obtain such characteristic operational effects, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment devises structural features in the feature amount color value setting unit of the basic configuration setting unit.

[Basic configuration setting unit 10e]
FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the basic configuration setting unit 10e according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the basic configuration setting unit 10e of the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of FIG. 28, but the configuration of the feature amount color value setting means is different.
That is, the feature amount color value setting unit 100e according to the present embodiment is different from the fifth embodiment in that the feature amount color value setting unit 100e includes a feature amount ink color / color value division area character unit setting unit 128.
Therefore, here, the feature amount color value setting unit 100e is mainly described in detail, and the detailed description of the same configuration and operation as those in FIG. 28 is omitted.

The feature amount ink color / color value division area character unit setting means 128 selects a color value division area to be assigned to each character from the color value division areas set by the division number / division point setting means 126 of each ink color value group. It is to set.
Specifically, for two adjacent characters, the color value division areas obtained in advance are selected from two groups that are not continuous when arranged in order of density or brightness.
For example, Cyan and the third density area are set for the first character, and Magenta and the first density area are set for the second character.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is also possible to select from the two groups that are not continuous as described above for the main part and the non-main part in character units.
For example, the main part of the first character is set to Cyan / first concentration area, the non-main part is set to Magenta / third concentration area, and the main part of the second character is set to Yellow / third concentration area, It is also possible to set the non-main part as Magenta / first concentration range.

For this reason, in the character string formation part 21 in this embodiment, the following processes are performed.
First, the character string part origin setting means 2103 sets the origin for each character, and the character string part coordinate extracting means 2104 separates and extracts the coordinates of the main part and the non-main part for each character.
For example, in the two-dimensional matrix of characters “A”, “B”, and “C” of “ABC” shown in FIG. 6, assuming that the lower left end of each character is the origin, the main part of each character (ie, the portion “1”) The patch coordinates of “A” are {1, 1}, {1, 4}, {2, 1}, {2, 2}, {2, 3}, {2, 4}, {3, 1}, {3, 4}, {4, 1}, {4, 4}, {5, 2}, {5, 3}, and “B”, {1, 1}, {1, 2} , {1,3}, {1,4}, {2,1}, {2,4}, {3,1}, {3,2}, {3,3}, {4,1}, { 4,4}, {5,1}, {5,2}, {5,3}, “C”, {1,2}, {1,3}, {1,4}, {2, 1}, {3, 1}, {4, 1}, {5, 2}, {5, 3}, {5, 4} are extracted.

  The patch coordinates of the non-major part of each character (namely, the part “0”) are {1, 2}, {1, 3}, {3, 2}, {3, 3} for “A”. , {4,2}, {4,3}, {5,1}, {5,4}, “B”, {2,2}, {2,3}, {3,4}, { 4,2}, {4,3}, {5,4}, “C”, {1,1}, {2,2}, {2,3}, {2,4}, {3, 2}, {3, 3}, {3, 4}, {4, 2}, {4, 3}, {4, 4}, {5, 1} are extracted.

The character spacing / line spacing patch setting unit 2102 sets the width between characters in units of character strings in the above-described embodiment, but is set as a value belonging to each character in this embodiment. .
For this reason, the character spacing and line spacing are assigned as part of the background of each character, and the ink color and color value division area are set in the background portion of each character.
That is, the space between characters and the line space are handled as non-main parts and “0” is set.
In this way, the coordinates of the main part and the non-main part can be obtained for each character, and different color values can be set by distinguishing the main part and the non-main part in a single character. .

The feature quantity usable color value group generation / storage means 120 generates a color value group that can be used for the feature quantity portion for each ink color and color value division area, and stores the color value group in a storage medium (not shown).
For example, when the number of gradations of Cyan is 65 gradations and the division points are set to Tc [1] = 6 and Tc [2] = 10, the respective divided areas are as follows.
First concentration range (low concentration range): {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
Second concentration range (medium concentration range): {7, 8, 9, 10}
Third concentration range (high concentration range): {11, 12, ..., 65}
Further, assuming that the number Nc of repeated measurements per single patch is Nc = 5, the indexes of the color value division areas are as follows.
First concentration region (low concentration region): {1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, ..., 5, 5, 5, 5, 5}
Second concentration range (medium concentration range): {7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, ..., 10, 10, 10, 10, 10}
Third concentration range (high concentration range): {11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, ..., 65, 65, 65, 65, 65}
Accordingly, for Cyan, a color value corresponding to the gradation of each index is generated and stored in a storage medium (not shown).
The stored color value group is used when color values are selected in the character string forming unit 21 or the graphic forming unit 22.

The feature quantity usable patch total count / storage unit 121 obtains the number of patches usable for the feature quantity portion based on the color value group usable for the feature quantity portion for each ink color and color value division area, Find the total number of
For example, the gradation coefficient for each ink color {Mc, Mm, My, Mk} = {6, 6, 6, 6}, “first division point” {Tc [1], Tm [1], Ty [1] , Tk [1]} = {6, 5, 7, 10}, and the “second division point” is {Tc [2], Tm [2], Ty [2], Tk [2]} = {10,9 , 12, 14} and the number of patch measurements for each ink color {Nc, Nm, Ny, Nk} = {10, 10, 10, 14}, the total number of patches Σc for each ink color and color value division area, Σm, Σy, and Σk are
Σc [1] = (Tc [1] -0) · Nc = 60 Σc [2] = (Tc [2] −Tc [1]) · Nc = 40 Σc [3] = (Tc [3] − Tc [2]) · Nc = 550 Σm [1] = (Tm [1] -0) · Nm = 50 Σm [2] = (Tm [2] −Tm [1]) · Nm = 40 Σm [3] = (Tm [3] −Tm [2]) · Nm = 560 Σy [1] = (Ty [1] −0) · Ny = 70 Σy [2] = (Ty [2] −Ty [1]) Ny = 50 Σy [3] = (Ty [3] −Ty [2]) Ny = 530 Σk [1] = (Tk [1] −0) Nk = 100 Σk [ 2] = (Tk [2] −Tk [1]) · Nk = 40 Σk [3] = (Tk [3] −Tk [2]) · Nk = 510
The obtained number of patches is used for determining whether or not the number of patches is appropriate in the character string forming unit 21 or the graphic forming unit 22.

The processing contents of the character string (main part) ink color setting unit 115 and the character string (non-main part) ink color setting unit 116 are the same as those in the second embodiment.
That is, the character string (main part) ink color setting means 115 sets a predetermined ink color for the main part of the first character, while setting an ink color different from the ink color for the main part of the second character.
The character string (main part) ink color setting means 115 sets a predetermined ink color in the main part of the first character, while the character string (non-main part) ink color setting means 116 sets the non-main character of the first character. An ink color different from the ink color of the main part is set for the part.

In the character string forming unit 21, the patch number suitability determining unit 2108 compares the number of patches of the main part of the first character with the number of usable color value groups for the ink color set in the main part, It is numerically determined whether or not the color value of the ink color can be selected for the main part of the first character.
Similarly, the patch number suitability determination unit 2108 compares the number of patches of the main part of the second character with the number of color value groups that can be used for the ink color set in the main part, and determines the main number of the second character. It is numerically determined whether or not the color value of the ink color can be selected.
If it is determined that selection is possible, the character string portion color value selection unit 2110 randomly selects a color from the color value group belonging to one color value division area of the ink color designated for the main portion of the first character. In addition to extracting and selecting a value, a color value group belonging to an ink color different from the ink color with respect to the main part of the second character and not continuous in density or lightness with the one color value division area Color values are extracted at random from the color value group belonging to the color value area division area.

In the character string forming unit 21, the patch number suitability determining unit 2108 compares the number of patches of the main part of the first character with the number of usable color value groups for the ink color set in the main part, It is numerically determined whether or not the color value of the ink color can be selected for the main part of the first character.
Similarly, the patch number suitability determination unit 2108 compares the number of patches of the non-major part of the first character with the number of color value groups that can be used for the ink color set in the non-principal part. It is numerically determined whether or not the color value of the ink color can be selected for the main part.
If it is determined that selection is possible, the character string portion color value selection unit 2110 randomly selects a color from the color value group belonging to one color value division area of the ink color designated for the main portion of the first character. In addition to extracting and selecting a value, a color value group belonging to an ink color different from the ink color with respect to the non-major part of the first character and not continuous in density or lightness with the one color value division area Color values are extracted at random from the color value group belonging to the color value area division area.
Each color value can be selected and set from a group of color values that are not continuous from among a group of three or more color values formed from the viewpoint of density or brightness.

Next, a chart generation method by the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the chart generation method according to this embodiment.
As shown in the figure, first, the basic configuration setting unit 10e prepares three or more color value groups based on density or brightness as pre-processing for test chart generation, and also sets the chart configuration (S51). .
Specifically, the gradation number setting unit 101 sets a desired number of gradations, and the feature value usable color value group generation / storage unit 120 uses colors that can be used for the feature amount portion based on the number of gradations. A value group is generated for each ink.
In particular, according to the feature value usable color value group generation / storage unit 120 of this embodiment, the color values arranged in order of density or brightness are divided to provide three or more color value division areas, and each color value division area A color value group is generated and stored.
In order to set the configuration of the test chart, the size / shape, number, arrangement, etc. of the single patch are set.

Subsequently, the basic configuration setting unit 10e sets a character string to be displayed on the test chart (S52).
Specifically, the character string setting unit 110 sets the configuration of the character string, and the character string ink color setting unit 111 sets the ink color of the patch assigned to a single character of the character string.

Next, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment forms a patch image in units of characters (S53).
For example, based on the ink color of the first character designated by the character string (main part) ink color setting means 115, the character string (main part) color value selection means 2113 has color values belonging to the designated ink color, From the “three or more color value groups based on density or lightness” prepared in step S51, a process of randomly extracting from one of the two non-consecutive color value groups and assigning it to the main part of the first character is performed. .
Then, based on an ink color different from the ink color of the main part of the first character, the character string (non-main part) color value selection means 2114 is a color value belonging to that ink color and prepared in step S51. A process of randomly extracting from the other one of the two non-consecutive color value groups from the “three or more color value groups based on density or brightness” and assigning them to the non-main part of the first character is performed.

Next, the non-feature quantity data forming unit 30 forms a patch image of the non-feature quantity portion (S54).
Specifically, the non-feature amount color value setting unit 305 randomly extracts color values from the color value group other than the color value assigned to the feature amount portion for the non-feature amount portion, and uses the color value as a corresponding patch. The non-feature quantity image forming unit 306 generates patch image data of the non-feature quantity portion.

Next, the feature quantity / non-feature quantity data synthesis unit 40 synthesizes the patch image of the feature quantity portion and the patch image of the non-feature quantity portion (S55).
Specifically, the feature quantity / non-feature quantity data combining unit 40 theoretically combines the patch image data of the feature quantity portion and the patch image data of the non-feature quantity portion based on the absolute coordinates on the two-dimensional matrix. The test chart data is formed.
Then, the image processing apparatus 1 outputs an actual test chart to a medium such as paper based on the test chart data synthesized in step S55 (S56).
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 33, a color test chart with visually recognizable information (in this case, a character string) can be obtained.
FIG. 8A shows the feature amount related to the character string “ABC-123”, FIG. 10B shows the feature amount related to the character string “DEF-456”, and FIG. It is the color chart figure which showed the test chart containing the feature-value which concerns on column "GHI-789".

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus 1 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the color value of the main part of the single character and the color value of the non-main part or the color value of the adjacent character are different from each other. The test chart is generated by dividing the color values belonging to the ink color into the color values of the color value group belonging to the two color value division areas that are not continuous in color value or brightness.
For this reason, it is possible to generate a test chart having excellent visibility as well as excellent discrimination and information.

Here, the above-described image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is realized by processing, means, and functions executed by a computer in accordance with instructions of a program (software). The program sends a command to each component of the computer to perform predetermined processing and functions as shown below. That is, each process / means in the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment is realized by specific means in which a program and a computer cooperate.
Note that all or part of the program is provided by, for example, a magnetic disk, optical disk, semiconductor memory, or any other computer-readable recording medium, and the program read from the recording medium is installed in the computer and executed. The The program can also be loaded and executed directly on a computer through a communication line without using a recording medium.

The image processing apparatus of the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. However, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that implementation is possible.
For example, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is assumed to be a color-compatible image forming apparatus or the like, but the present invention can also be applied to a monochromatic image processing apparatus, and in particular, the fifth embodiment described above. In addition, even if the chart generated by the image processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment is monochrome, it functions effectively because it has excellent feature value discrimination.

  The present invention can be suitably used for an image processing apparatus that performs calibration by measuring a color chart.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 100 Feature value color value setting means 110 Character string setting means 113 Graphic setting means 2105 Character string part absolute coordinate setting means 2204 Graphic part absolute coordinate setting means 304 Non-feature quantity coordinate calculation means 305 Non-feature quantity color value setting means 40 Feature / non-feature data synthesis unit

Claims (12)

An image processing apparatus that generates a test chart composed of a plurality of patch images and corrects input / output characteristics based on an actual measurement value of the test chart,
A feature amount setting means for setting a feature amount having a predetermined shape;
Feature amount position setting means for setting position information of the feature amount;
A feature value color value setting means for extracting the color value of the feature value from a predetermined color value group and randomly assigning it to the position information;
Non-feature amount position setting means for setting non-feature amount position information excluding the feature amount based on the position information of the feature amount;
Non-feature color value setting means for extracting the color value of the non-feature value from the color value group excluding the color value assigned to the position information of the feature quantity and randomly assigning the color value to the position information;
An image comprising: combining means for combining the feature quantity and the non-feature quantity based on respective position information, and generating a patch image of a color corresponding to a color value assigned to each position information. Processing equipment. The feature amount includes a main part having a predetermined shape and a non-main part excluding the main part.
The feature value color value setting means extracts the color value of the main part from a designated color value group included in the color value group and randomly assigns it to the position information, and also sets the color value of the non-main part. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a color value is extracted from other than the color value assigned to the position information of the main part and is randomly assigned to the position information.   The feature amount color value setting means extracts the color value of the main part from a color value group belonging to a predetermined ink color and randomly assigns the position information to the color value of the non-main part. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image processing apparatus is extracted from color value groups belonging to another ink color different from the ink color and is randomly assigned to the position information.   The feature value color value setting means extracts the color values of the main part and / or the non-main part from color value groups having a specified density or higher belonging to the color value group, and randomly assigns them to the position information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3.   The feature value color value setting means extracts the color values of the main part and the non-main part from a color value group that belongs to the color value group and excludes a color value whose color difference from white is a predetermined value or less. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, which is randomly assigned to the position information.   The feature amount color value setting unit is configured to select one of two color value groups that are not continuous among three or more color value groups formed based on the color value of the main part based on the color value group in the order of density value or brightness value. The color value of the non-principal part is extracted from the other color value group of the two color value groups and is assigned to the position information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, which is randomly assigned.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feature amount includes one or more characters and / or figures as a main part thereof.   The feature value color value setting means includes two or more discontinuous color value groups among three or more color value groups formed based on the color value of a single character or a single figure and the color value group based on the order of density value or brightness value. And the color value of a single character or single figure adjacent to the single character or single figure is assigned to the other color of the two color value groups. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image processing apparatus is extracted from the value group and is randomly assigned to the position information. The feature value color value setting means includes two or more discontinuous color value groups among three or more color value groups formed based on the color value of a single character or a single figure and the color value group based on the order of density value or brightness value. Is extracted from one of the color value groups and randomly assigned to the position information,
The non-feature color value setting unit extracts a color value of a non-major part belonging to the single character or the single figure from the other color value group of the two color value groups, and randomly selects the position information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, which is assigned to the image processing apparatus. A chart generation method for forming a test chart composed of a plurality of patch images in order to correct input / output characteristics based on measured values of a test chart,
Setting a feature amount having a predetermined shape;
Setting position information of the feature amount;
Extracting the color value of the feature quantity from a predetermined color value group and randomly assigning it to the position information;
Setting non-feature amount position information excluding the feature amount based on the feature amount position information; and
Extracting the color value of the non-feature amount from the color value group excluding the color value assigned to the position information of the feature amount and randomly assigning the position value information;
Combining the feature quantity and the non-feature quantity based on the respective position information, and generating a patch image of a color corresponding to the color value assigned to each position information. Chart generation method. A test chart for correcting the input / output characteristics based on the actual measurement value of the test chart output by the image processing apparatus,
A patch image of the feature amount portion formed by extracting the color value of the feature amount consisting of a character string or figure shape from a predetermined color value group and randomly assigning it to the position information;
The non-feature value excluding the feature quantity is extracted from the color value group excluding the color value assigned to the position information of the feature quantity and is randomly assigned to the position information. A test chart generated by combining a patch image of a part. A computer constituting an image processing apparatus that forms a test chart composed of a plurality of patch images in order to correct input / output characteristics based on an actual measurement value of the test chart,
Means for setting a feature amount of a predetermined shape;
Means for setting position information of the feature quantity;
Means for extracting the color value of the feature quantity from a predetermined color value group and randomly assigning it to the position information;
Means for setting non-feature amount position information excluding the feature amount based on the feature amount position information;
Means for extracting the color value of the non-feature amount from the color value group excluding the color value assigned to the position information of the feature amount, and randomly assigning the color value to the position information;
Means for synthesizing the feature quantity and the non-feature quantity based on respective position information, and generating a patch image of a color corresponding to a color value assigned to each position information;
Chart generation program to function as