JPH089179A - Image processing unit and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a preview to form an image of a preferred color. CONSTITUTION:A CPU 3 applies color space compression to a received image and applies masking processing relating to image forming thereto. Then plural images subject to different color space compression are fed to a monitor 1 via a video interface 2 and plural images are displayed on one screen of the monitor 1. The user selects an image of the preferred color among plural images displayed on the monitor 1. The CPU 3 changes a color reproduction range of the received image into a color reproduction range of the selected image and sends the image to any of printers 7-9 via a printer interface 6.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a method thereof, for example, an image processing apparatus and a method thereof capable of previewing an image formed before forming the image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a so-called previewable image forming apparatus which displays a color image on a monitor before outputting it. This preview is to display on the monitor an RGB signal that is the inverted YMC signal that forms the image.From the outline of the output image, for example, to confirm whether it is a flower image or a person image, For example, there are those in which an image portion exceeding the color reproduction range of the image forming apparatus is shown by painting the portion in a specific color (for example, gray), and further, the color of the formed image can be confirmed.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned technique has the following problems. In other words, the user wants the preview to be a means for forming an image having a tint that is preferable to him, but because of the difference in the color reproduction range between the monitor and the image forming apparatus, for example, computer graphics, illustrations, etc. In the case of artificially colored images, even the colors that can be displayed on the monitor often exceed the color reproduction range of the image forming apparatus, and it is not possible to faithfully reproduce the colors and the tint changes. There is.

Further, as in the prior art, a user can be warned but an image with a preferable tint can be obtained only by confirming the type of the image and painting the portion deviating from the color reproduction range. Therefore, the above problem cannot be solved.

In the conventional preview, it is possible to confirm what kind of color image is formed, but if it is not satisfied, the user does not know what kind of image processing should be performed, and further image There is a problem that the forming device alone cannot deal with.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a preview for forming an image having a desired tint.

Specifically, for example, by outputting images obtained by subjecting the same input image data to different color space processing as image data that can be visually recognized at the same time, an image having a tint preferable for the user can be formed. It is intended to provide a preview.

Further, for example, an image obtained by subjecting the same input image data to a preview process targeting different image forming apparatuses is output as image data which can be visually recognized at the same time, so that an image having a tint preferable for a user is obtained. The purpose is to provide a preview that can be formed.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] and

The present invention has the following structure as one means for achieving the above object.

In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, color space processing means for performing color space processing on input image data and different color space processing for the same input image data by the color space processing means. And a first output unit that outputs the image as image data that can be visually recognized substantially at the same time.

Further, the preview processing means for performing the preview processing on the input image data and the image subjected to the preview processing on the same input image data for different image forming apparatuses by the preview processing means are omitted. And a first output means for outputting image data that can be visually recognized at the same time.

In the image processing method according to the present invention, a color space processing step for performing color space processing on input image data, and a different color space processing for the same input image data by the color space processing step. A first output step for outputting images as image data that can be visually recognized at substantially the same time.

Further, a preview processing step for performing a preview processing on the input image data and an image subjected to a preview processing for different image forming apparatuses for the same input image data by the preview processing step are substantially simultaneously performed. And an output step of outputting the image data as visible image data.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

An example in which the present invention is applied to an image processing apparatus independent of a color printer or an image scanner will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The present invention can also be applied to an image processing unit included in a color printer or a color copying machine.

[0016]

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming system including an image processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example. An example of the image processing apparatus 11 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B.

In the system of this embodiment, a monitor 1 and printers 7 to 9 are connected to an image processing device 11 as shown in FIG. 1A.

A CPU 3 controls other blocks, which will be described later, via the bus 3a in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 5, etc., and executes processing, which will be described later, using the RAM 4 as a work memory. An operation unit 12 includes a display such as an LCD for displaying the operation state and operation (processing) conditions of the image processing apparatus 11, a keyboard and a touch panel for the user to select a desired process.

A video interface 2 interfaces with the monitor 1. A printer interface 6 interfaces with the printers 7-9. Note that the three printers have different color reproduction ranges. Also,
Each printer performs predetermined processing such as logarithmic conversion, masking correction, UCR, and gamma correction on the RGB image signal sent from the image processing apparatus 11, and then forms a color image on recording paper or the like. . In the present embodiment, the image processing device 11 may perform these image processes to output a CMYK image signal. In that case, the printers 7 to 9 form an image based on the input image signal. . Furthermore, FIGS. 1A and 1B show an example of one monitor and three printers, but the present embodiment is not limited to this, and any number of monitors, printers, scanners, etc. can be connected. You can

Reference numeral 10 is a hard disk, which is used in advance for the printer 7
Stores color gamut data of ~ 9 and monitor 1, profiles including programs including color space compression algorithms, and the like. Note that these data and programs may be stored in the ROM 5 and are used by the CPU 3 via the bus 3a. Hard disk
10 may be incorporated in this embodiment, or may be connected to this embodiment as an external storage device. In addition, the image forming apparatus holds the profile, and when necessary, the image processing apparatus 11 via the printer interface 6.
You may transfer the profile to.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the color space compression. The color reproduction range 21 of the monitor and the color reproduction range 22 of the printer are shown.
Are represented in the L * a * b * color space. The figure (a) shows the L * a * plane, and the figure (b) shows the a * b * plane. Note that L * represents lightness, and a * and b * represent color difference. On the a * b * plane, the saturation increases as the distance from the origin increases, and the hue changes when rotated around the origin.

The color reproduction range of the monitor is generally wider than the color reproduction range of the printer, and when the colors outside the color reproduction range 22 are printed out, the gradation is lost, and all the outlines of the color reproduction range 22 are lost. That is, it sticks properly on the outer edge. Therefore, colors outside the color reproduction range are colored
It may be printed out in different colors of e).

Therefore, all the input colors, including the colors outside the color reproduction range, should have colors close to each other within the color reproduction range.
By performing the desired color space compression on the input image data, the tint of the image actually formed can be expressed as accurately as possible. The color reproduction range is unique to each model, and is different for the printers 7, 8 and 9.

Since the color reproduction range of a printer or the like has a distorted dice shape as shown in FIG. 3, an example of using the eight data points at the vertices as color reproduction range data will be described below. Of course, more data could be used and the invention is not limited to this. Here, the data of the eight vertices are the outermost colors of R, G, B, C, M, Y, W and K,
That is, it corresponds to the most vivid color corresponding to each color.

Although various color space compression algorithms are conceivable, in the following, an example in which color space compression is performed on the outer edge of the color reproduction range with constant lightness, an example of which is shown in FIG. An example shown in b) is one in which the color space is compressed to the outer edge of the color reproduction range with a constant hue and is called algorithm B. Other than that, there is an algorithm for compressing a color space within the color reproduction range, and each color space compression algorithm has different characteristics, and the processing result has a tint according to the characteristics of each algorithm.

The CPU 3 is the hard disk 10 (or ROM 5)
The color space compression is executed by the three-dimensional lookup table, an example of which is shown in FIG. Figure
6 is a flow chart showing an example of the preview procedure,
Is performed by.

In FIG. 1, when RGB image data is input from an image scanner, an image memory or the like (not shown) in step S1, the monitor 1 is sent via the video interface 2.
Output the image data input to
Whether to preview in S2 is determined. If you do not want to preview, end the process
The input image data is sent to any of the printers 7 to 9 via 6. It should be noted that the user can set in advance via the operation unit 12 whether or not to preview, to which printer the image data is to be sent, and further what kind of preview is to be performed. It can also be set by the operation unit 12 each time image data is input.

When previewing, step S3
In step S7, if it is not compressed, the color space of the image data input in step S4 is converted, and in the printer selected in step S5. Accordingly, the above-mentioned color space compression is performed, and the color space of the image data is restored in step S6.

Subsequently, in step S7, in order to emulate the image processing performed by the printer, the image data is masked based on the data regarding the characteristics of the printer and the monitor read from the hard disk 10,
In S8, the preview data is output to the monitor 1 via the video interface 2, and then the process ends. In addition,
The printer data read from the hard disk 10 belongs to the output destination printer set by the user.

The CPU 3 is a color space conversion unit 1 including a DSP or the like provided outside (or inside) the image processing apparatus 11.
By passing the image data and the profile for the color space compression to the color space compression unit 14, the step S
The color space conversion processing of 4, S6 and the color space compression processing of step S5 can be executed at higher speed.

In this way, the preview image is displayed on the monitor 1. In this embodiment, the input image data is
An image shown as it is, an image that is not color space compressed, for example, four images that are color space compressed by algorithm A and color space compressed by algorithm B from a plurality of algorithms are output, and as shown in FIG. Two images are reduced and combined (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "multi-composition")
And are displayed side by side on monitor 1. That is, first, uncompressed image data is output in step S8, and then step S4
Then, step S8 is repeated twice to output the image data that has been subjected to the color space compression and the masking processing according to the set printer. These four image data are stored in a predetermined position of the video interface 2 or the video memory built in the monitor 1 and displayed as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 71 is the input image as it is, 72 is an image which is not color space compressed, 73 is an image which is color space compressed by algorithm A, and 74 is an image which is color space compressed by algorithm B. That is, 71 indicates the original image, and 72
Shows the image when it is output by the printer by the conventional method that does not process the input image data outside the color reproduction range, and 73 and 74 show the color reproduction of the input image data according to an algorithm by the color space compression processing. An image when it is output by a printer based on the image data converted into the range is shown.

Here, a plurality of color space compression processing algorithms are prepared because the color space compression processing is intended for an ambiguous thing such as a tint in the first place, so that one optimum color space compression processing is always used. Because it cannot be specified.
That is, the color space compression process that provides the optimum result varies depending on the type and use of the input image such as characters and photographs. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by displaying the images 71 and 72 for comparison and the images 73 and 74 that have been subjected to different color space compression, it is easy for the user to select the optimum image according to the application. I have to.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing an example of a procedure for selecting a preview image, performing processing based on the selection, and outputting the result to the printer. The same steps as those in the process in FIG. 6 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step S30, the user selects a desired one from the multi-composited preview images with the operation unit 12. Then, when the RGB data is input in step S1, the CPU 3 determines in step S31 whether to perform color space compression processing based on the preview image selected in step S30.

When color space compression is performed, RGB is used in step S4.
The data is converted into L * a * b * data, and in step S32, the color space compression processing based on the preview image selected in step S30 is performed, and in step S6, the L * a * b * data is converted to RG.
The data is converted into B data, and the RGB data is output to any printer in step S33.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S31 that the color space compression processing is not performed, the RGB data is output to any printer in step S33 without performing the color space compression processing.

Specifically, the user operates the operation unit 12 to notify the CPU 3 of the selected image. CPU3 that received this notification, to the RGB image data read again,
Processing according to the color space compression algorithm of the selected image is performed and output to the set printer via the printer interface 6. Therefore, the image formed by the printer has the tint selected by the user.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
The user can compare a plurality of preview images subjected to different color space compression processing for the same printer to the image to be formed, and execute the color space compression so that an image with a preferable tint is formed. When the non-execution is further subjected to color space compression, the algorithm can be selected.

[0040]

[Modification] Based on the color space compression algorithm selected in the above-described first embodiment, it is possible to display the one with further changed parameters.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of color space compression when this parameter is changed, and shows how the compression level is changed in four steps by changing the parameter. The image subjected to the four-stage color space compression is displayed on the monitor 1 as shown in FIG. Reference numerals 91 to 94 in the same figure respectively indicate images subjected to four-stage color space compression, and the user selects a preferable one from the images thus displayed.

By doing so, the user can obtain an image having a more preferable color tone. Further, a plurality of images having the same color space compression characteristics but different compression rates can be displayed, and the compression rate desired by the user can be selected.

Furthermore, since the color reproduction range of the image forming apparatus changes due to changes over time and the environment, the color reproduction range differs from the set color reproduction range, and the effect of the color space compression processing is halved, and the desired image is output. If you can't
The user can output a desired image by changing the compression level to a desired level.

Further, in steps S3 to S8 of FIG.
It is also possible to output image data for preview according to the characteristics of the three printers connected to this embodiment and display it as shown in an example in FIGS. 10 and 17.

FIG. 10 shows an example in which an image subjected to color space compression processing corresponding to each printer based on the same algorithm is displayed. That is, 95 is the input image as it is (original image), 96 is an image that is color space compressed according to the printer 7, 97 is an image that is color space compressed according to the printer 8, and 9 is an image.
Reference numeral 8 is an image that is color space compressed according to the printer 9.

FIG. 17 shows a modified example of FIG. 10, in which 95 is an original image, 99 is an image not subjected to color space compression corresponding to the printer 7, 100 is an image not subjected to color space compression corresponding to the printer 8, Reference numeral 101 is an image corresponding to the printer 9 and not subjected to color space compression.

According to the example of FIG. 10, the user can easily select the printer suitable for the purpose from the plurality of printers. Further, according to the example of FIG. 17, since the image that is not color space compressed corresponding to each printer is displayed, the output characteristic of each printer can be recognized based on the display of the monitor 1.

In this way, the user can determine which printer should be used for the image to be formed and which printer cannot be used. Therefore, the user can easily select the printer having the output characteristics suitable for the image to be formed, without knowledge of the characteristics of each printer.

As described above, this embodiment is similar to FIG.
It has various preview modes shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 17 according to the user's purpose. In the following, the flow of operations for performing preview processing corresponding to various modes will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

The CPU 3 determines whether or not to perform the preview process in step S40 based on the instruction from the operation unit 12.

When it is determined to preview, the mode of preview processing is set based on the instruction from the operation unit 12 in step S41. Image data is input in step S42, and color space compression processing (S43) corresponding to steps S4 and S5 shown in FIG. 6 is performed based on the set mode. Then, the preview process (S45) corresponding to steps S6 and S7 shown in FIG. 6 is performed, and the image data is output to the monitor 1 (S45).

Next, by determining whether or not all the processing related to the mode set in step S36 is completed, the processing of steps S32 to S36 is repeated until all the processing related to the set mode is completed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S30 that the preview is not to be performed, the process related to the preview is ended.

FIG. 19 is a view showing an example of a display when the preview processing mode is instructed on the operation unit 12.

That is, the user, for each of the images 1 to 4, "type" and "color space compression process" of the image to be displayed.
And the type of "target printer". Here, for the "type" of the image to be displayed, either the original image or the preview image showing the image output from the printer is set. The type of "target printer" is set to which printer the preview image is displayed. In the "color space compression" type, whether or not to perform color space compression and which algorithm the color space compression is to be performed are set. As shown in FIG. 9, when changing the compression rate of the color space compression process, a screen for setting conditions regarding color space compression in detail is used.

Further, based on the color reproduction range data of each printer stored in the hard disk 10 shown in FIG. 1, the color reproduction range of each printer can be displayed as shown in FIG.

Specifically, when the color reproduction range is defined by eight points as in this embodiment, by interpolating the eight points,
The color reproduction range as shown in Fig. 3 is obtained. Then, for example, with L * = 50, a *, b * = 0 as the origin, the vertex closest to the origin is selected and displayed. That is, the isoluminance plane at L * = 50 is displayed.

From the color reproduction range of each printer, an example of which is shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to select the one having the narrowest color reproduction range and set the color space compression to the color reproduction range.

As described above, the images output by the printers 7 to 9 can be made identical based on the selected color space-compressed image data. That is, it is possible to set the color space compression so that the same color tone can be produced by any printer.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example in which the processing shown in FIG. 6 is implemented by hardware. The color space conversion and the color section compression processing are pipelined to increase the speed. is there.

A color space conversion unit 101 converts the color space of the image data input from the bus 3a from RGB to L * a * b *. A color space compression unit 102 performs color space compression set by the CPU 3 on the L * a * b * image data directly input from the color space conversion unit 101. Reference numeral 103 denotes a color space conversion unit that sets the color space of the image data directly input from the color space compression unit 101 to L *.
Convert a * b * to RGB and output to bus 3a. These conversion unit and compression unit execute processing by a three-dimensional lookup table or matrix operation, respectively. It should be noted that the color space compression and the color space conversion can be performed by one three-dimensional lookup table.

Further, the printers 7 to 9 are sublimation type, thermal transfer type, electrophotographic type or ink jet type printers, but the present invention is not limited to this and, for example, film boiling due to thermal energy is caused to discharge the liquid suitable. Any type of head and a recording method using the same may be used. It is also possible to output a grayscale image. In this case, color space compression (brightness compression) is performed on the L * axis.

The monitor 1 may be a CRT, LCD, FLCD, plasma display, or any other device capable of displaying a color image. Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which four images are displayed on the monitor 1 has been described, but the number may be larger or smaller than this, and the images subjected to the above-described processing may be arbitrarily combined and displayed side by side. You can also

Further, the color space of the image data when performing the color space compression is not limited to L * a * b *, but L * u * v * and
It may be a color space such as XYZ.

Further, in the preview display image,
The mode of each image may be displayed as shown in FIG.

As described above, by outputting the images obtained by subjecting the same input image data to different color space processing as image data which can be visually recognized at the same time, a preview capable of forming an image having a tint preferable for the user. Can be provided.

Further, an image obtained by subjecting the same input image data to a preview process for different image forming apparatuses is output as image data which can be visually recognized at the same time, thereby forming an image having a tint preferable for the user. A preview can be provided.

[0068]

Second Embodiment An image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. It should be noted that in the second embodiment, substantially the same configurations as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus including an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 2201 denotes an image scanner, which is a portion for reading an original image and performing digital signal processing. Further, 2202 is a printer, which is an image scanner 22.
An image corresponding to the original image read by 01 is printed on the recording paper in full color.

In the image scanner 2201, a mirror surface pressure plate
The original 2204 sandwiched between the 2200 and the platen glass 2203
Illuminated at 2205. Light reflected from the original 2204 is reflected by the mirror 22.
06-2208, three line sensor by lens 2209
Form an image on 2210. The three-line sensor 2210 is composed of a color separation filter and a CCD, decomposes the reflected light that has been input into RGB components of full color information, and expresses the light intensity of each component R
The GB signal is sent to the signal processing unit 2211. The lamp 2205 and the mirror 2206 are at a speed V, the mirrors 2207 and 2208 are at a speed V / 2, and by mechanically moving in a direction perpendicular to the electric scanning (main scanning) direction of the three-line sensor 2210, The entire surface of the original 2204 is scanned (sub-scanned), and the read original image data is sent to the signal processing unit 2211.

The image signal input to the signal processing unit 2211 is
Electrically processed to produce any component of MCYBk,
It is sent to the printer 2202. In other words, image scanner 22
By the document scanning of total four times of 01, each component of CMYBk is generated and sent to the printer 2202, and one printout is completed.

The image signal input to the printer 2202 is sent to the laser driver 2212. The laser driver 2212 modulates and drives the semiconductor laser 2213 according to the sent image signal. The laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 2213 is
The photosensitive drum 2217 is scanned through a polygon mirror 2214, an f-θ lens 2215, and a mirror 2216 to form a latent image.

Reference numeral 2218 denotes a rotary developing device, which is a magenta developing portion 221.
9, a cyan developing unit 2220, a yellow developing unit 2221, and a black developing unit 2222, and four developing units contact the photosensitive drum 2217 in a predetermined order to develop the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2217 with toner.

A transfer drum 2223 is a recording paper cassette 2224.
Or wrap the recording paper supplied from the 2225 to the photosensitive drum.
The image developed on the 2217 is transferred to recording paper.

In this way, the recording paper to which the four colors of MCYBk are sequentially transferred passes through the fixing unit 2226 and the toner is fixed and then discharged.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the signal processing unit 2211.

In the figure, the CPU 216 controls other blocks, which will be described later, via the bus 216a in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 217, and executes the processes described later using the RAM 218 as a work memory. Further, the ROM 217 stores output characteristics such as color reproduction range data of the printer 2202 and the monitor 215 in advance.

The image signal output from the CCD 201 that constitutes the three-line sensor 2210 is converted into, for example, an 8-bit digital signal for each color by the A / D converter 202, and the shading unit 203 unevenly illuminates the lamp 2205 and the uneven sensitivity of the CCD 201. Is corrected. The RGB image signal output from the shading unit 203 is converted by the color conversion unit 204 and the saturation hue adjustment unit 205 into a tint according to the user's designation, and then converted into an MCY image signal by the logarithmic conversion unit 206. , Masking UCR
In the unit 207, masking processing and UCR are performed and converted into a YMCBk image signal. Further, after being converted into a color balance in accordance with a user's designation by the color balance unit 208, it is sent to the printer 2202 via the switch 209 in a normal copying operation.

Further, in the preview operation, the output of the color balance unit 208 passes through the switch 209 and the thinning unit 21.
The image data sent to 0 and reduced by the predetermined thinning process is stored in the memory 219. The YMCBk image data stored in the memory 219 by the four reading operations is converted into an RGB signal corresponding to the read image signal (output of the shading unit 203) by the four-dimensional lookup table (hereinafter referred to as “LUT”) 211. .

The image signal output from the four-dimensional LUT 211 is
The image is converted into a monitor image signal by the 3 × 3 matrix calculation unit 212, further gamma-corrected by the three-dimensional RGB LUT 213, stored in the video RAM 214, and displayed on the color monitor 215. The matrix coefficient of the matrix calculation unit 212 is set from the data of the chromaticity and the color temperature of the phosphor of the color monitor 215 that are obtained in advance and the data obtained by reading the document of which the chromaticity is known with the image scanner 2201.

The user can set, for example, the processing conditions and parameters of the color balance unit 208 so that an image with a preferable tint is formed based on the image displayed on the color monitor 215.

The table of the four-dimensional LUT 211 is set by the CPU 216, and its procedure will be described.

First, the patch shown in FIG.
CPU 216 reads the patch data from ROM 217 for printing at 2202. Solids of different colors are formed on the squares in FIG. Figure 16 shows YMCBk for forming the different colors
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data combination. In this example, a total of 6,561 colors of patches are formed with 9 levels for each color component.

As described above, the YMCBk signal input to the four-dimensional LUT 211 is obtained by processing the RGB signal read by the image scanner 2201 and corrected by the shading unit 203. Therefore, the patch formed by the printer 2202 is used. The table of the four-dimensional LUT 211 may be set based on the output of the shading unit 203 (corresponding to the input signal of the four-dimensional LUT 211) (corresponding to the output signal of the four-dimensional LUT 211). So if the patch shown in Figure 15 is printed,
This is read by the image scanner 2201, and the CPU 216
The output of the shading unit 203 is stored in the memory 223, and the table of the four-dimensional LUT 211 is set based on the RGB value of each patch.

Note that the CPU 216 uses, for example, RGB values obtained from a patch of 9 levels for each color component, based on RGB values of other levels.
Values are obtained by interpolation and table data is set. In addition, the table calculation data obtained from the patch
The matrix operation performed by 212 is performed and this is calculated by the four-dimensional LUT21.
If set to 1, the four-dimensional LUT 211 and the matrix calculation unit 212 can be integrated. Further, if the interval of the thinning processing by the thinning unit 210 is made small (the thinning data is reduced), the four-dimensional LUT 211 and the one-dimensional LUT 213 can be integrated.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
By converting the image forming signal into a signal corresponding to the image reading signal and previewing it, the tint of the formed image can be faithfully reproduced.

In the above embodiment, the memory 22
3 can also be used as an image memory. That is,
The shading unit 203 converts the image data of the original image.
And form the M component data, and then
By reading the image data stored in the shading unit 203 and sequentially forming the CYBk color component data, it is possible to scan the original once.

In FIG. 14, the memory 219 and the memory 223 are shown separately, but it is also possible to use both as one memory or divide one memory and allocate it to both. Nor.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the color space compression process for narrowing the color reproduction range is shown as the color space compression algorithm, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, image formation of a printer or the like. When an image is displayed on an image display device such as a monitor based on the image data of the device, color space expansion processing for expanding the color reproduction range may be performed.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device.

Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a preview for forming an image having a preferable tint.

Specifically, for example, images obtained by subjecting the same input image data to different color space processing are output as image data that can be visually recognized at the same time, so that an image having a tint preferable for the user can be formed. A preview can be provided.

Further, for example, an image obtained by subjecting the same input image data to a preview process targeting different image forming apparatuses is output as image data which can be visually recognized at the same time, so that an image having a tint preferable for the user can be obtained. It is possible to provide a preview that can form the.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming system including an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of color space compression of the present embodiment,

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a color reproduction range of a printer,

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a color space compression algorithm,

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a three-dimensional lookup table,

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a preview procedure according to this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a preview state of the present embodiment,

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of color space compression when the parameters of the color space compression algorithm are changed,

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a preview state of the present embodiment,

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a preview state of the present embodiment,

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a difference in color reproduction range of a printer,

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example in which the processing shown in FIG. 6 is implemented as hardware;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus including an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

14 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of a signal processing unit in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of patches printed to set a table of a four-dimensional LUT,

FIG. 16 is a YM for forming the different color patches of FIG.
Diagram showing example combinations of CBk data,

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a preview state of the first embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart regarding preview mode setting;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when a preview mode is set,

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a preview screen,

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart regarding selection and printer output based on a preview image.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Image processing apparatus of this embodiment 1 monitor 2 video interface 3 CPU 4 RAM 5 ROM 6 printer interface 7 to 9 printer 10 hard disk 12 operation unit

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Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. A color space processing unit that performs color space processing on input image data, and images that have been subjected to different color space processing on the same input image data by the color space processing unit can be viewed substantially at the same time. Image output device, which has a first output means for outputting as various image data. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying a plurality of images output from the first output means on one screen. 3. The selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of images output from the first output means, and the color space processing performed on the image selected by the selecting means, the color space The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second output unit that processes the input image data and outputs the input image data to an image output device. 4. The first output means further outputs a plurality of images including an original image based on the input image data as image data representing one image. Image processing device. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a forming unit that forms an image output from the second output unit. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the color space processing unit changes the color reproduction range of the input image so that the color reproduction range is within the color reproduction range of the forming unit. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the color space processing unit changes a color reproduction range by color space compression. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the color space processing unit obtains images of different color reproduction ranges by different color space compression algorithms. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color space processing unit obtains images of different color reproduction ranges by changing the parameters of the color space processing stepwise. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the color space processing unit changes not only the color reproduction range but also the color signal within the color reproduction range. 11. A preview processing unit for performing a preview process on input image data, and an image subjected to a preview process for the same input image data by different image forming apparatuses by the preview processing unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: a first output unit that simultaneously outputs visible image data. 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising display means for displaying a plurality of images output from the first output means on one screen. 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the preview processing includes color space processing. 14. A unit for selecting a desired image from the image subjected to the preview process, and a color space process performed on the image subjected to the selected preview process on the input image data. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: a color space processing unit that performs the color space processing; and a second output unit that outputs the image data subjected to the color space processing to an image output device. 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first output unit further outputs a plurality of images including an original image based on the input image data as image data representing one image. Image processing device. 16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a forming unit that forms an image output from the second output unit. 17. The image processing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the color space processing unit changes the color reproduction range of the input image so that the color space is within the color reproduction range of the forming unit. 18. A color space processing step of performing color space processing on input image data, and an image obtained by performing different color space processing on the same input image data by the color space processing step can be viewed substantially simultaneously. A first output step of outputting as image data, the image processing method. 19. The image processing method according to claim 18, further comprising a display step of displaying a plurality of images output in the first output step on a single screen. 20. A selection step of selecting one of the plurality of images output in the first output step, and a color space processing performed on the image selected in the selection step, the color space processing step 19. The image processing method according to claim 18, further comprising a second output step of applying the input image data to output the image data to an image output device. 21. The first output step further comprises:
19. The image processing method according to claim 18, wherein a plurality of images including an original image based on the input image data are output as image data representing one image. 22. The image processing method according to claim 20, further comprising a forming step of forming an image output in the second output step by an image forming means. 23. The image processing method according to claim 22, wherein the color space processing step changes the color reproduction range of the input image so that the color reproduction range of the image forming unit falls within the color reproduction range. . 24. The color space processing step changes the color reproduction range by color space compression.
Image processing method described in. 25. The image processing method according to claim 24, wherein the color space processing step obtains images of different color reproduction ranges by different color space compression algorithms. 26. The image processing method according to claim 18, wherein in the color space processing step, images of different color reproduction ranges are obtained by stepwise changing parameters of the color space processing. 27. The image processing method according to claim 24, wherein the color space processing step changes not only a color reproduction range but also a color signal within the color reproduction range. 28. A preview processing step of performing preview processing on input image data, and an image subjected to preview processing of different image forming apparatuses for the same input image data by the preview processing step are substantially simultaneously performed. And an output step of outputting the image data as visible image data. 29. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the color space processing unit obtains images of different color reproduction ranges by changing the parameters of the color space algorithm stepwise. 30. The color space processing step obtains images of different color reproduction ranges by gradually changing the parameters of the color space algorithm.
Image processing method described in.