JPH09231353A - Color picture processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device independent color realizing method capable of corresponding to color reproduction inhibition factors and a color reproducing method. SOLUTION: An input environment judging means 19, an input environment correcting means 12 and an input environment profile storing part 10 are prepared in each input environment factor. Prescribed input environment profile data are selectively outputted from the storing part 10 and supplied to the means 12. The correcting means 12 can correct color data distorted due to the influence, of an input environment by referring to the supplied input environment profile.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, a display as an output device read by a color scanner as an input device, and a color image processing system for performing image processing when outputting to a color printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a color image processing system mainly comprises an input device, a processing unit, a storage unit and an output device. A color scanner, a video camera, a digital still camera or the like is used as the input device, and a display, a color printer or the like is used as the output device. Further, the processing unit performs various types of processing and analysis of color images.

As a problem in handling a color image, there has been a problem that color reproduction is not faithfully performed. For example, the colors displayed on the display and the printed colors may be different, or the printed colors may be different if the printer is different. This is a phenomenon that occurs because the characteristics differ for each input / output device (device). The characteristics of the input device include the spectral sensitivity of the sensor, and the characteristics of the output device include parameters such as the amount of ink corresponding to certain color data.

In order to solve such a problem of color reproduction, the following two points need to be realized. (1) When the same subject image is input in the same environment, the same color data can be obtained even if the input device is different. (2) When the same color data is output in the same environment, the same color is reproduced even if the output device is different (the color difference is within the allowable range).

(1) is realized by absorbing the difference in the characteristics of each input device and converting it into a color expression based on human visual characteristics. This is shown in FIG. A certain colored light α
Is input to the input device A, the color data obtained from the device A becomes color data [RαA, GαA, BαA] which is distorted due to the characteristic peculiar to the device A.

Similarly, when the input device is replaced with the device B, the color data [Rα which is distorted by the characteristic peculiar to the device B is obtained.
B, GαB, BαB] is obtained. Both of these color data have different values even though the environment and the subject are the same, and the original color data [R
[α, Gα, Bα] or [Xα, Yα, Zα] needs to be obtained. Here, [Rα, Gα, Bα] is CIE · R
It is a tristimulus value of color light α in the GB color system, and [Xα,
[Yα, Zα] are tristimulus values of the color light α in the CIE / XYZ color system. These are called device dependent colors because they are color data that do not depend on the characteristics of the device. Hereinafter, this specification will be described as using the CIE / XYZ color system.

In order to obtain [Xα, Yα, Zα] from the color data unique to the device for the color light α, data describing the characteristics of the device are required. Data that describes the characteristics of a device is called a device profile. For example, when the device A is used, [Xα, Yα, Zα] is obtained from [RαA, GαA, BαA], and the device profile of the device A (to be referred to as profile A) is used. Become.

(2) is the color data [X] obtained in (1).
α, Yα, Zα] is to reproduce the color light α. This is shown in FIG. For example, when printing is performed using the printer C, data [CαC, MαC, YαC, [CαC, MαC, YαC,
K α C]. Similarly, when the printer D is used, it must be converted into [CαD, MαD, YαD, KαD]. At the time of conversion, the profile C for the printer C or the profile D for the printer D is used.

As described above, inside the system, the color data is handled in the device independent color, and at the time of input / output, the color data unique to the device is converted through the device profile describing the property unique to the device. Discloses a method for achieving consistent color handling and good color reproduction.

[0010]

According to the prior art, it is possible to prevent deterioration of color reproduction due to a difference in device (difference in mold) to some extent. However, in addition to differences in devices, the color data is greatly affected by factors such as the shooting environment, that is, the spectral distribution of the illumination light source, the print quality and aging of photo originals read by a color scanner, and the quality of the printing paper. There is a problem that the independent color cannot be obtained correctly or the color reproducibility at the time of output is deteriorated.

Further, the characteristics of the device itself may change significantly with time and individual differences between the same model numbers may have a great influence, and this cannot be absorbed by the device profile of each model number alone. An object of the present invention is to provide a device-independent color realization method and a color reproduction method capable of coping with these obstacles to color reproduction.

[0012]

A means for solving the problems according to claim 1.
The image processing system includes an input environment determination unit, an input environment correction unit, and an input environment profile storage unit for each input environment factor, and the image processing system determines a predetermined value from the input environment profile storage unit according to the environment determination information output from the input environment determination unit. Input environment profile data is selectively output and supplied to the input environment correction means, and the input environment correction means refers to the supplied input environment profile to correct the color data distorted by the influence of the input environment. It is characterized by

A color image processing system according to a second aspect is provided with an output environment determining means, an output environment correcting means, and an output environment profile storing section for each output environment factor, and the environment determining information output from the output environment determining means is included in the environment determining information. Accordingly, the predetermined output environment profile data is selectively output from the output environment profile storage unit and supplied to the output environment correction unit, and the output environment correction unit refers to the supplied output environment profile to output the output environment profile data. The feature is that the distorted color data is corrected by the influence of.

In the color image processing system according to the third aspect, the input environment correction means uses the conversion matrix M having the numerical data supplied from the input environment profile storage unit as a component for the input color data A. B = MA
Is performed and the operation result B is output.

In the color image processing system according to the fourth aspect, the input environment profile storage unit supplies the input environment correction means with numerical data corresponding to the spectral characteristic of the illumination light source at the time of direct photographing as a component of the conversion matrix. It is characterized by doing.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the input environment profile storage section according to the first aspect supplies numerical data corresponding to the color characteristics of the read original at the time of indirect photographing to the input environment correction means as a component of the conversion matrix. Is characterized by.

In the color image processing system according to a sixth aspect, the output environment correcting means according to the second aspect has, as a component, the numerical data supplied from the output environment profile storage unit for the input color data A. The conversion matrix M is used to perform an operation of B = MA, and the operation result B is output.

In a color image processing system according to a seventh aspect, the output environment profile storage section according to the second aspect outputs numerical data corresponding to the spectral characteristic of the illumination light source at the time of display output as an output environment as a component of the conversion matrix. It is characterized in that it is supplied to the correction means.

In the color image processing system according to the eighth aspect, the output environment profile storage section according to the second aspect uses the output environment correction means as numerical data corresponding to the characteristics of the ink at the time of printer output as a component of the conversion matrix. It is characterized by supplying to.

According to a ninth aspect of the color image processing system, the output environment profile storage section according to the second aspect stores numerical data according to the characteristics of the printing paper at the time of printer output.
It is characterized in that it is supplied to the output environment correcting means as a component of the conversion matrix.

A color image processing system according to a tenth aspect of the present invention uses the data output from the input device and the data supplied to the main image processing section to detect variations in characteristics and changes with time due to individual differences in the input device. The present invention is characterized by comprising input profile generation means for extracting matrix data for correction by calculation and supplying it to the input environment profile storage unit.

The color image processing system according to the eleventh aspect uses the data output from the main image processing unit or the processing result thereof and the data supplied to the output device to determine the characteristics depending on the individual difference of the output device. It is characterized by further comprising output profile generation means for extracting matrix data for correcting variations and changes with time by calculation and supplying the extracted matrix data to the output environment profile storage unit.

The color image processing system according to claim 12 is the image processing system according to claim 1 or 2.
When the appropriate environment profile data corresponding to the environment determination information does not exist in the environment profile storage (unknown), the environment profile data that is close to the determined environment condition and exists in the environment profile storage is used.
It is characterized by comprising profile interpolation / estimation means for interpolating or estimating the unknown environment profile data.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A color image processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, 11 is an input device. Color image data captured by the input device 11 is input to the input environment correction unit 12. The input environment correction unit 12 corrects the color image data according to the input environment based on the input environment profile output from the profile interpolation / estimation unit 13.

The corrected color image data output from the input environment correction unit 12 is input to the input color conversion unit 14
Is input to The input color conversion unit 14 refers to the input device profile stored in the input device profile storage unit 15, converts the color image data into the device-independent color, and then converts the main image. It is supplied to the processing unit 16. In the main image processing unit, various processes such as editing and analysis are performed on the image data represented by the device independent color.

By the way, reference numeral 17 is a memory for storing known device-independent color data of the object. The known device independent color data output from the memory 17 is input to the input profile generation unit 18. This input profile generator 18
Generates an input environment profile based on the known device-independent color data and color image data output from the input device 11 and stores the input environment profile in the input environment profile storage unit 20. The input device profile is stored in the input device profile storage unit 15.

Further, reference numeral 19 is an input environment judging section for judging the input environment. The environment determination information output from the input environment determination unit 19 is output to the profile interpolation / estimation unit 13. The profile interpolation / estimation unit 13 selectively reads the input environment profile data from the input environment profile storage unit 20 according to the environment determination information, and transfers this to the input environment correction unit 12 where the conversion is performed.

The main image processing unit 16 performs various processes such as editing and analysis on the image data represented by the device-independent color. Then, the device-independent color output from the main image processing unit 16 is output to the output color conversion unit 21 and the output profile generation unit 22.

In the output color converter 21, the device-independent color is converted from the output device profile stored in the output device profile storage 23 into image data.

The device-independent color output from the main image processing unit 16 is output to the output profile generation unit 22. The color image data output from the output color conversion unit 21 is output to the output profile generation unit 2
2 and the output environment correction unit 24.

Reference numeral 25 is an output environment judging section. The output environment determination unit 25 inputs various sensor information and manual operation, and outputs environment determination information to the profile interpolation / estimation unit 26.
Output to The profile interpolation / estimation unit 26 selectively reads the output environment profile data from the output environment profile storage unit 27 according to the environment determination information, and transfers this to the output environment correction unit 24 where the conversion is performed. As the conversion method, linear conversion using a matrix, table reference / interpolation, or the like can be used.

An external adjustment input signal is input to the output environment correction unit 24. Then, the color image data output from the output environment correction unit 24 is sent to the output profile generation unit 22 and the output device 28. Then, for example, print output is performed from the output device 28.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention configured as above will be described. First, the case of inputting an image with a camera will be described with reference to FIG.
When a color image is input by a camera (device A), color data [RβA, GβA, B corresponding to color light β is obtained.
βA] is distorted by the characteristics of the camera,
The device profile A must be referred to and converted into color data (device-independent color) based on visual characteristics.

However, in reality, [RβA, GβA, Bβ
[A] is data that is influenced by the shooting environment, that is, the light source, and it is not sufficient to correct only the characteristics of the device. Therefore, in the present invention, the process described below with reference to FIG. 2 is performed to correct the disturbance caused by the light source.

Now, consider a subject α which reflects the color light α under standard light. The system converts the color data of the colored light α to [X
α, Yα, Zα], and it is desirable that the color light α can be reproduced from any output device.

If the subject α is irradiated with a light different from the standard light, a color light β different from the color light α is reflected from the subject α and input to the system, and as an output from the camera [RβA, GβA, BβA] is obtained.

Therefore, in the present system, the input environment correction unit refers to the input environment profile [RβA, Gβ
A, BβA] is converted to [RαA, GαA, BαA]. The input environment profile in this case is composed of conversion parameters based on the spectral distribution of the light source used.

The input environment determination unit 19 obtains information (in this case, the characteristics of the light source) relating to the photographing conditions directly or indirectly, and outputs environment determination information for selecting appropriate profile information from the input environment profile storage unit 20. Output.
This environment determination information is supplied to the profile interpolation / estimation unit 13. The profile interpolation / estimation unit 13 selectively reads the input environment profile data from the input environment profile storage unit 20 according to the environment determination information, and transfers this to the input environment correction unit 12 where the conversion is performed. As a conversion method, linear conversion using a matrix or table reference / interpolation can be used.

Here, when performing linear transformation, the input environment profile is represented by a transformation matrix. When this conversion matrix is MEI, the input environment correction unit 12 multiplies the matrix represented by the following equation. Number 1

[0040]

[Equation 1] (MEI is a 3 × 3 conversion matrix) When performing table reference / interpolation, the input environment profile changes from [RβA, GβA, BβA] to [RαA,
[GαA, BαA] is a known correspondence table, and the input environment correction unit 12 performs a process for finding correspondence by unknown table with respect to an unknown input.

Thus obtained [RαA, Gα
A, BαA] is converted into a device independent color [Xα, Yα, Zα] by referring to the device profile A in the input color conversion unit 14 and supplied to the main image processing unit 16.

Hereinafter, various image processes are performed in the main image processing section 16. Next, the case of inputting an image with a scanner will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When a color image is input by the scanner device B, the color data of the captured image is affected by the characteristics of the scanner. However, since the built-in light source is used in a state where the external light is blocked when the image is captured by the scanner, the spectral distribution of the light source can be included in the characteristics of the scanner B and not as a disturbance.

Therefore, assuming that the device profile B indicating the overall characteristics of the scanner is represented by the conversion matrix MB, when a color original that reflects the color light α under standard light is input, the device index is expressed by the following conversion formula. A pendant color is obtained. Number 2

[0044]

[Equation 2] (MB is a 3 × 3 conversion matrix) Here, for the purpose of creating a face image database for authentication,
Consider a case where an existing color ID photo is captured by a scanner instead of shooting a person with an electronic still camera. (The former will be referred to as direct photography, and the latter will be referred to as indirect photography.) In indirect photography, a photograph of the person α is required to obtain image data of the person α. If there are multiple photographs β, γ, and δ of a person α, the colors of these are generally different from each other depending on the photographing conditions of the photograph, various conditions at the time of printing, and changes over time after printing. ing. Also, the colors of the three photographs are different from the colors of the person α seen under standard light. That is, the colors obtained by scanning the three photographs β, γ, and δ of the person α with the scanner B (for the sake of simplicity, the color of the representative point will be described) are [RβB, GβB, BβB] and [RγB, respectively. , GγB,
BγB], [RδB, GδB, BδB].

If the color of the original is to be obtained, it can be obtained by the above conversion formula using the scanner profile B. However, in such an application, it is desirable to obtain the color of the person α, not the color of the original, no matter which photograph is used for the original.

Therefore, in the present invention, these three types of color data are referred to by the profile data for each original in the input environment correction section 12, and the color when the person α is seen under the standard light appears as it is. The virtual image α present is read and converted into color data [RαB, GαB αB] obtained. Then, the input color conversion unit 14 refers to the device profile B and converts it into a device-independent color [Xα, Yα, Zα] (FIG. 3).

The input environment determination unit 19 obtains the information (in this case, the characteristics of the photo original) relating to the photographing conditions directly or indirectly, and selects the appropriate profile information from the input environment profile storage unit 20. Is output.

This environment judgment information is profile interpolation /
It is supplied to the estimation unit 13. Profile interpolation / estimation unit 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes input environment correction units 12a to 12 that selectively read the input environment profile data from the input environment profile storage unit 20 according to the environment determination information and convert the data.
transfer to c. Here, according to the characteristics of printing or deterioration of the photo originals β, γ, δ, the original profile β,
γ and δ are selected respectively.

[RαB, GαB, BαB] is input to the device profile B in the input color conversion unit 14.
Device independent color [Xα,
Yα, Zα] and is supplied to the main image processing unit 16. Hereinafter, various image processes are performed in the main image processing unit 16.

Next, the operation for outputting an image on the display C will be described with reference to FIG. When reproducing the color light α on the display (device C) based on the color data [Xα, Yα, Zα] in the system, it is necessary to consider the environment in which the display is placed.

When the display C is placed in a dark room and the color light α is reproduced only by the light emission of the display C, the output color converter 19 refers to the device profile C and emits the color light α from [Xα, Yα, Zα]. Conversion to color data [RαC, GαC, BαC] for

However, in order to reproduce the colored light α when the display is viewed in the environment where the certain light source β is illuminated, the display must emit colored light different from the colored light α. If this is color light β, it is necessary to supply color data [RβC, GβC, BβC] to the display.

Therefore, in the present invention, the output environment correction unit 24 refers to the environment profile β to obtain [RαC, GαC
, BαC] to [RβC, GβC, BβC] (FIG. 4).

The output environment determining unit 25 directly or indirectly obtains information regarding the observation conditions of the display (in this case, the characteristics of the illumination light) and selects an environment for selecting appropriate profile information from the output environment profile storage unit 27. Output judgment information.

This environment determination information is profile interpolation /
It is supplied to the estimation unit 26. Profile interpolation / estimation unit 2
Reference numeral 6 selectively reads the output environment profile data from the output environment profile storage unit 27 according to the environment determination information and transfers it to the output environment correction unit 24 where the conversion is performed.

Here, the output environment profile data when observing under reddish illumination light is A, the output environment profile data when observing under bluish illumination light is B, and A and B are already output environments. Assuming that the profile storage unit 24 exists in the profile storage unit 24, when the output environment profile data C when observing under purpleish illumination light is unknown, the profile interpolation / estimation unit 26 stores A and B from the profile storage unit 27. The profile C is read out, the profile C is calculated by the following interpolation / estimation function C = f (A, B), and the output environment correction unit 24
To supply. That is, when the profile data in question can be inferred from known profile data, the profile interpolation / estimation unit 26 generates appropriate profile data by calculation instead of transferring the profile data read from the storage unit. To do. This function is applicable not only to the case of the display but also to the profile corresponding to all the input / output environment factors.

Next, the case of outputting an image to the printer will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, consider a case where the printer (device D) reproduces the color light α based on the color data [Xα, Yα, Zα] in the system. This is that the printed matter by the printer D reflects the color light α under standard light.

If only one type of defined ink is used to print on only one type of defined paper, the device profile of the printer D including the defined ink and the characteristics of the paper is used. Refer to [Xα, Y
The conversion from [α, Zα] to [CαD, MαD, YαD, KαD] may be performed.

However, in general, a plurality of types of inks and papers having different characteristics are used, and even when only one type is used, substantially different inks are used especially when there is a change over time in the ink. As it is, the color reproducibility is deteriorated.

Therefore, in the present invention, in order to maintain good color reproducibility, the color data is corrected based on the ink characteristics and the paper characteristics. The flow of processing color data will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, the color data (device independent color) [Xα, Yα, Zα] inside the system is converted into color data [CαD, MαD, YαD, KαD] by referring to the device profile D in the output color conversion unit. To be done. As described above, this is color data for the object printed by the printer D using the specified ink and paper to reflect the color light α under the standard light.

Next, [CαD, MαD, YαD, KαD
] Is corrected in the output environment correction unit based on the non-specified ink characteristics. That is, the non-specified ink β
When using the ink profile β, the SWS [CβD, MβD, YβD, KβD] is used. When the non-specified ink γ is used, the ink profile γ is referred to [CγD, MγD, YγD, KγD].
] Are output as correction data.

Further, the output environment correction unit performs correction based on the characteristics of the non-specified paper. That is, when the ink β is used and the non-regular paper δ is printed, [Cβ
[CδβD, MδβD, Yδ by referring to the paper profile δ for D, MβD, YβD, KβD]
βD, KδβD] is printed on the paper ε which is out of the specification, by referring to the paper profile ε [CεβD,
MεβD, YεβD, KεβD] are output as correction data. Similarly, when the ink γ is used, [C
[γD, MγD, YγD, KγD]
When printing on paper δ [CδγD, MδγD, Yδγ
[C εγD] when printing D, KδγD] on paper ε
, MεγD, YεγD, KεγD] are respectively output as correction data.

In this way, it is possible to obtain a print result with good color reproducibility under standard light using non-standard ink or paper. The output environment determination unit 25 directly or indirectly obtains information (characteristics of ink and characteristics of paper) regarding printing conditions, and outputs environment determination information for selecting appropriate profile information from the output environment profile storage unit 27. . The environment determination information is supplied to the profile interpolation / estimation unit 26. The profile interpolation / estimation unit 26 selectively reads the output environment profile data from the output environment profile storage unit 27 according to the environment determination information, and transfers this to the output environment correction unit 24 where the conversion is performed. Here, the profile β or the profile γ is selected according to the characteristics of the ink, and the profile δ or the profile ε is selected according to the characteristics of the paper.

Next, a method of acquiring the environment profile will be described. As described above, the distortion of the color data due to the characteristics of the input / output device causes the input / output color conversion unit 14 (2).
In 1), correction is performed by referring to the device profile corresponding to the device and performing conversion.

On the other hand, the distortion of the color data due to environmental factors such as the light source during direct photography, the state of the original during indirect photography, the illumination conditions during display observation, and the characteristics of ink and paper during printer output are (Out) force environment correction unit 12
In (24), the environmental profile is referenced and corrected. The environment profile may be represented by a conversion matrix or a correspondence table.

When the environment profile represented by the transformation matrix is unknown, the present invention obtains it as follows. Here, a case of obtaining a paper profile in the printer output will be described. Ink γ and paper δ are used as conditions. However, it is assumed that the ink profile γ is known and the paper profile δ is unknown.

If ink γ and a specified sheet are used, [CγD, MγD, YγD, KγD] is obtained by converting the following equation for [CαD, MαD, YαD, KαD].
Is obtained and supplied to the printer D. Number 3

[0069]

(Equation 3)

However, when the paper δ is used instead of the prescribed paper, Mγ is a 4 × 4 conversion matrix. First, [CαD, MαD, YαD, KαD] to [CδγD, MδγD, YδγD, KδγD]. Find the transformation matrix to. That is, using a plurality of colors as samples (that is, for a plurality of kinds of color light α), [CαD, MαD, YαD, KαD] → [CδγD, M
[Delta] [gamma] D, Y [delta] [gamma] D, K [delta] [gamma] D], and a transformation matrix M [gamma] [delta] that approximately satisfies the following equation is obtained by a statistical method.

[0071]

(Equation 4) Formula 4 (Mγδ is a 4 × 4 conversion matrix) Mγδ is a combination of profile γ and profile δ, but it is necessary to obtain a matrix Mδ representing only profile δ in case of ink replacement. . In the present invention, the matrix Mδ is calculated by the following equation.

[0072]

(Equation 5) When this is transformed, Mγδ = MδMγ. On the contrary, if the ink profile γ is unknown and the paper profile δ is known,

[0073]

(Equation 6) The transformation matrix Mγ is obtained by

This method can be applied to all unknown environment profiles represented by a matrix. Variations in characteristics due to individual differences in devices and changes in device characteristics over time
The input / output force environment correction unit refers to the individual difference profile and the time-dependent change profile based on the tendency of the time-dependent change to perform correction. The acquisition of the profile is performed by the input (output) force profile generation unit using the method described above.

A procedure for obtaining the secular change profile of the input device will be described. For simplicity, the individual difference profile is included in the environment profile as known information. Now, the color data obtained by photographing the subject emitting the color light α with the input device A in a state that does not change with time is [R
αA, GαA, BαA], the device-independent color is [Xα, Yα, Zα], and the matrix representing the total profile in which the environment profile and the device profile are combined is M, then Equation 7 is obtained.

[0076]

(Equation 7) However, the matrix N represents a change profile with time.
On the other hand, when the image is taken with the device A that has changed over time, the result is Equation 8.

[0077]

(Equation 8) Becomes However, the matrix N represents a change profile with time.

When data is collected for objects of several colors for which the device independent color is known, the input profile generator receives data [R'αA, G'αA] obtained from the input device. , B′αA] and [Xα, Yα, Z
Since several sets of [α] are obtained, the matrix L of the composite profile of M and N is obtained in the input profile generation unit from the statistical method as described above. Therefore,
The matrix N is also obtained by the input profile generation unit. Therefore, the matrix N is also calculated by the following equation in the input profile generator 9

[0079]

[Equation 9] Required by

The correction of the change over time by the matrix N is shown in FIG.
In, a new input environment correction unit and input environment profile storage unit pair (software or hardware) is added before the existing input environment correction unit and input environment profile storage unit pair. To be realized. But,
Considering that the existing environment profile is updated, the matrix M in the above formula may be calculated as the device profile and the matrix N as the environment profile to be updated.

Similarly, a procedure for obtaining a time-dependent change profile of an output device will be described. When a printer D that expresses colors in CMYK is used, [Xα, Yα, Zα] is [CαD, MαD, YαD, KαD] = f ([Xα, Y
α, Zα]) is converted into CMYK data. In the above equation, f () represents conversion means such as table interpolation. Now, if only the environmental factors represented by the known matrix Mβ exist and there is no change over time, the printer drive data for obtaining the printing result that reflects the color light α under the standard light is several in number. 10

[0082]

(Equation 10) Becomes On the other hand, if you want to get the same print result with the change over time,

[0083]

[Equation 11] Becomes However, the matrix N represents a change profile with time.

[C'βD,
M'βD, Y'βD, K'βD] and [CαD, MαD,
Y [alpha] D, K [alpha] D], and the matrix N is obtained by the above-described method in the output profile generator of FIG. In this case, the output environment correction unit and the output environment profile storage unit corresponding to the matrix N are installed in the subsequent stage of the existing correction unit / storage unit.

[C'βD, M'βD, Y'βD,
K′βD] is collected by adjusting the color data for driving the output device using the external adjustment signal in the output environment correction unit and supplying the result to the output profile generation unit.

[0086]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a device-independent color realizing method and a color reproducing method capable of coping with these obstacles to color reproduction.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration in which a camera A according to a second embodiment of the present invention is used as an input device.

FIG. 3 is a scanner B according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
The figure which shows the system configuration which made the input equipment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a system configuration for displaying on a display according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a system configuration for performing printing according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a conventional system configuration.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a conventional system configuration.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Input device, 12 ... Input environment correction unit, 13 ... Profile interpolation / estimation unit, 14 ... Input color conversion unit, 15 ...
Input device profile storage unit, 16 ... Main image processing unit, 17 ... Memory, 18 ... Input profile generation unit, 1
9 ... Input environment determination unit, 20 ... Input environment profile storage unit, 21 ... Output color conversion unit, 22 ... Output profile generation unit.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An input environment determination means, an input environment correction means, and an input environment profile storage unit are provided for each input environment factor, and the input environment profile storage unit determines a predetermined value according to the environment determination information output from the input environment determination unit. Input environment profile data is selectively output and supplied to the input environment correction means, and the input environment correction means refers to the supplied input environment profile to correct the color data distorted by the influence of the input environment. A color image processing system characterized by the above. 2. An output environment determining unit, an output environment correcting unit, and an output environment profile storage unit are provided for each output environment factor, and the output environment profile storage unit determines a predetermined value according to the environment determination information output from the output environment determining unit. Output environment profile data is selectively output and supplied to the output environment correction means, and the output environment correction means refers to the supplied output environment profile to correct the color data distorted by the influence of the output environment. A color image processing system characterized by the above. 3. The input environment correction means performs a calculation of B = MA on the input color data A by using a conversion matrix M having numerical data supplied from the input environment profile storage as a component. The color image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the calculation result B is output. 4. The input environment profile storage unit stores numerical data according to spectral characteristics of an illumination light source during direct shooting,
The color image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the color image processing system is supplied as a component of a conversion matrix to the input environment correcting means. 5. The input environment profile storage section supplies numerical data corresponding to the color characteristics of a read document at the time of indirect photography to the input environment correction means as a component of a conversion matrix. The described color image processing system. 6. The output environment correcting means performs an operation of B = MA on the input color data A by using a conversion matrix M having numerical data supplied from the output environment profile storage as a component. The color image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the calculation result B is output. 7. The output environment profile storage unit supplies numerical data corresponding to the spectral characteristic of the illumination light source at the time of display output to the output environment correction means as a component of a conversion matrix. Color image processing system. 8. The color image according to claim 2, wherein the output environment profile storage section supplies numerical data corresponding to ink characteristics at the time of printer output to the output environment correction means as a component of a conversion matrix. Processing system. 9. The output environment profile storage unit stores numerical data according to the characteristics of printing paper at the time of printer output,
3. The color image processing system according to claim 2, which is supplied to the output environment correction means as a component of a conversion matrix. 10. Matrix data is calculated by using data output from the input device and data supplied to the main image processing unit to correct characteristic variations and temporal changes due to individual differences in the input device. In addition, the color image processing system is provided with an input profile generation unit that supplies the input environment profile storage unit. 11. A matrix for correcting characteristic variations and aging due to individual differences in output devices by using data output from the main image processing unit or processing results thereof and data supplied to output devices. A color image processing system comprising an output profile generation means for extracting data by calculation and supplying it to an output environment profile storage section. 12. An environment profile that is close to the determined environmental condition and exists in the environment profile storage when appropriate environment profile data corresponding to the environment determination information does not exist (is unknown) in the environment profile storage. 3. The color image processing system according to claim 1, further comprising profile interpolation / estimation means for interpolating or estimating the unknown environment profile data by using data.