JPH10210316A - Color image-processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve color reproducibility with an inexpensive configuration without having to perform troublesome operations. SOLUTION: A transfer paper data storage means 11 stores a plurality of kinds of spectral reflection density characteristics, the kind of the transfer paper actually placed by the user on a paper feed tray of a color printer 2 is set to a transfer data selection means 12. When the kind is selected at print, the spectral reflection density characteristic of the transfer paper stored in the transfer paper data storage means 11 is read by a controller 14. A recording color image generating means 13 uses the controller 14 to apply color masking processing the input color image information (a), based on the spectral reflection density characteristic of the transfer paper which is read from the transfer paper data storage means 11 and generates recording color image information (b), which is outputted to the color printer 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color image processing apparatus for converting colors in a color printer, a digital color copying machine or the like in consideration of the color reproducibility of transfer paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When performing color printing, the spectral reflection density characteristics of transfer paper, such as color and luster, greatly affect the color reproducibility. By doing so, good color reproducibility can be realized. Conventionally, as this type of apparatus, there has been proposed a method of reading a spectral reflection density characteristic of a transfer paper with a reading device and performing a color masking process based on the read data as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-296669, for example. ing.

[0003]

However, there are few types of transfer papers generally used, and users rarely change the types of transfer papers frequently. Furthermore,
The quality of the transfer paper is also stable, and it can be considered that the characteristics of transfer paper of the same type are always the same. Therefore, it is not necessary to periodically read the characteristics of the transfer paper by the reading device, and it is sufficient to set the characteristics when the transfer paper is set on the paper feed tray. Even if the setting is made, there are at most several types. Further, a printer having no reading device cannot read the characteristics of the transfer paper.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described conventional problems, and has as its object to provide a color image processing apparatus capable of improving color reproducibility with a low-cost configuration without performing complicated operations.

[0005]

A first means for achieving the above object is a storage means in which spectral reflectance data for each of a plurality of types of transfer paper is stored in advance, and a transfer paper on which a color image is recorded. Selecting means for selecting the spectral reflectance data stored in the storage means in accordance with the type of the information, and means for color-masking the input color image information based on the spectral reflectance data selected by the selecting means. It is characterized by having.

The second means is characterized by further comprising means for storing in the storage means spectral reflectance data of a type of transfer paper not stored in the storage means in the first means.

The third means is characterized by further comprising means for editing the spectral reflectance data of the type of transfer paper stored in the storage means in the first or second means.

The fourth means includes a first storage means in which spectral reflectance data for each of a plurality of types of transfer paper are stored in advance, a second storage means in which the type of transfer paper is stored in advance, and a color image. The type of transfer paper stored in the second storage means is selected according to the paper feed tray of the transfer paper on which is recorded, and stored in the first storage means according to the type of transfer paper. And selecting means for selecting input spectral image data based on the spectral reflectance data selected by the selecting means.

The fifth means includes a first storage means in which spectral reflectance data for each of a plurality of types of transfer paper is stored in advance, a second storage means in which a type of transfer paper is stored in advance, and a transfer paper. And a paper feed tray that is selected according to the size and type of transfer paper on which a color image is to be recorded, and is stored in the second storage means. Means for selecting the type of transfer paper which is selected, and selecting the spectral reflectance data stored in the first storage means in accordance with the type of transfer paper; and the spectral reflectance selected by the selection means. Means for color-masking the input color image information based on the data.

The sixth means may further comprise means for storing in the first storage means spectral reflectance data of a type of transfer paper not stored in the first storage means in the fourth and fifth means. It is characterized by having.

The seventh means is characterized by further comprising means for editing the spectral reflectance data of the type of transfer paper stored in the first storage means in the fourth to sixth means. .

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a color image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a graph showing wavelength-spectral reflectance characteristics.

In FIG. 1, a color image processing apparatus 10 performs image processing of a color printer 2 or a digital color copier including the color printer 2, and a color printer 2 or a digital color copier built in the color printer 2 or a dedicated color copier. Also includes those that have been submitted. The color image processing apparatus 10 receives color image information (for example, RGB) input from the computer 1 when applied to the color printer 2 or from the color scanner 1 or an external computer 1 when applied to a digital color copying machine. Signal) a, and generates color image information for recording (for example, a CMYK signal) b corresponding to the characteristics of the color printer 2 based on the received signal.

The color image processing apparatus 10 includes a transfer paper data storage unit 11, a transfer paper data selection unit 12, a recording color image generation unit 13, and a control unit 14.
The transfer paper data storage means 11 stores a plurality of types of spectral reflection density characteristics such as general color recommended paper, art paper, high quality paper, and recycled paper as transfer paper. In the transfer paper data selection means 12, the type of the transfer paper actually set by the user in advance on the paper feed tray of the color printer 2 is set. Control device 1 for spectral reflection density characteristics of paper
4 is read.

The recording color image generating means 13 includes the control device 1
4, the color image information a input from the computer / color scanner 1 is subjected to color masking processing based on the spectral reflection density characteristics read out from the transfer paper data storage means 11 to generate recording color image information b. Is output to the color printer 2. The control device 14 exchanges control information necessary for input / output of a color image with the computer / color scanner 1 and the color printer 2, and transfers the transfer paper data storage unit 11, the transfer paper data selection unit 12, and the recording color image. It controls the generating means 13.

Next, the wavelength-spectral reflectance characteristic will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A shows the characteristics of yellowish paper as an example of transfer paper, and FIG. 2B shows the characteristics of recording color image information b expected from input color image information. FIG. 2C shows the characteristics of the recorded color image information b when the color masking process is not performed.
(D) shows the characteristics of the recorded color image information b when the color masking process is performed.

When printing on yellowish paper as shown in FIG. 2A, the color expected from the characteristic shown in FIG. 2B is a color close to blue-green. In this case, if the print is performed as shown in FIG. 2C without performing the color masking process, the color becomes almost green. On the other hand, by using the spectral reflection density characteristics read from the transfer paper data storage means 11 according to the type of the transfer paper, the characteristics of the transfer paper having a yellow tint as shown in FIG. To reduce the color material for yellow, apply color masking processing, and print,
Visually, the characteristics are close to the characteristics shown in FIG.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a transfer paper data input means 15 is added to the first embodiment shown in FIG. In the embodiments described below, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In the second embodiment, when the transfer paper actually used is not stored in the transfer paper data storage unit 11, the user measures the wavelength-spectral reflectance characteristic of the transfer paper, inquires the paper maker, and the like. Transfer paper input means 1
5 and the input data is stored in the transfer paper data storage unit 1.
1 is stored. Therefore, at first, the characteristics of the transfer paper not stored in the transfer paper data storage unit 11 are additionally stored, and the input color image information a is subjected to the color masking process based on the characteristics.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a transfer paper data editing means 16 is added to the second embodiment shown in FIG. If the characteristics of the transfer paper actually used are different from the characteristics stored in the transfer paper data storage unit 11, the user edits the transfer paper via the transfer paper data editing unit 16 so as to obtain the actual characteristics. For example, when the stored characteristics are slightly wrong, necessary corrections are made. When the characteristics of the transfer paper newly registered by the transfer paper input means 15 are similar to the stored characteristics, Use existing storage data for registration. Therefore, at first, the characteristics of the transfer paper stored in the transfer paper data storage means 11 are edited, and the input color image information a is subjected to color masking processing based on the characteristics.

The color image processing apparatus 10 according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 5 includes a transfer paper data storage unit 11, a recording color image generation unit 13, a control unit 14, a transfer paper type storage unit 21, and a transfer paper type storage unit. It has a type setting means 22.
The type of transfer paper set in the paper feed tray of the color printer 2 is stored in the transfer paper type storage unit 21. The transfer paper type setting means 22 is, for example, a control panel, a slide switch provided on a paper feed tray of the color printer 2, and the like. The type of the transfer paper stored is read, and the characteristics stored in the transfer paper data storage unit 11 are read based on the type.

In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the transfer paper data input means 15 of the second and third embodiments is added to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore,
As in the second and third embodiments, the characteristics of the transfer paper not initially stored in the transfer paper data storage unit 11 are additionally stored. Based on these characteristics, the input color image information a is subjected to the color masking process. Is done.

In the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a transfer paper data selecting means 12 and a transfer paper data editing means 16 are added to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. As in the third embodiment, initially, the transfer paper data storage unit 1
The characteristics of the transfer paper stored in 1 are edited, and the input color image information a is subjected to color masking processing based on the characteristics.

In the meantime, the type of transfer paper set in the paper feed tray of the color printer 2 is stored in the transfer paper type storage means 21 in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and the paper feed tray is selected. Then, the spectral reflection density characteristic according to the type of the transfer paper is selected. However, even if the two paper feed trays have the same size, the spectral reflection density characteristic is different from that of high quality paper and recycled paper. In some cases, a different type of transfer paper is set, and high-quality paper or recycled paper is set in another paper feed tray, and the size and type of the transfer paper are selected during printing.

Therefore, in a seventh embodiment shown in FIG.
The type of transfer paper actually set in the paper feed tray of the color printer 2 by the user in advance is set in the transfer paper type storage means 21 via the transfer paper type setting means 22 and stored in the transfer paper size storage means 23. Is transfer paper size setting means 23
The size of the transfer paper actually set in advance by the user on the paper feed tray of the color printer 2 is set. When the size and type of the transfer paper are selected by the user at the time of printing, the control device 14 selects a paper feed tray corresponding to the size and type of the transfer paper and transfers the spectral reflection density characteristics according to the type. It is read from the paper type storage means 21 and sent to the recording color image forming means 13.

Therefore, according to the seventh embodiment, even if the user sets the transfer papers having different spectral reflection density characteristics, such as high quality paper and recycled paper, even if the user has the same size in the two paper feed trays. Even in a configuration in which high-quality paper or recycled paper is set in another paper feed tray and the size and type of transfer paper are selected at the time of printing, color reproduction can be improved with a low-cost configuration without performing complicated operations. be able to.

In the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 9, transfer paper data input means 15 is added in correspondence with the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. The transfer paper characteristics that are not stored in the paper data storage means 11 can be additionally registered.

In the ninth embodiment shown in FIG.
Transfer paper data selecting means 12 and editing means 16 are added corresponding to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 7, and the characteristics of the transfer paper actually used by the user are When the characteristics are different from the characteristics stored in the data storage means 11, the data can be edited via the transfer paper data editing means 16 so as to become the actual characteristics.

[0028]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, spectral reflectance data for each of a plurality of types of transfer paper is stored in advance, and spectral reflectance data is stored in accordance with the type of transfer paper on which a color image is recorded. Since the input color image information is color-masked by selecting the reflectance data, it is not necessary to read the transfer paper in advance by the reading device, and therefore,
The color reproducibility can be improved with a low-cost configuration without performing a complicated operation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a means for storing spectral reflectance data of a type of transfer paper that is not stored, so that a complicated operation is performed for any type of transfer paper. The color reproducibility can be improved without using a cheap configuration.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since a means for editing the spectral reflectance data of the stored type of transfer paper is further provided, a complicated operation is performed for any type of transfer paper. The color reproducibility can be improved without using a cheap configuration.

According to the present invention, the spectral reflectance data and the type of transfer paper for each of a plurality of types of transfer paper are stored in advance, and the transfer is performed according to the paper feed tray of the transfer paper on which a color image is recorded. Since the type of paper is selected, the spectral reflectance data is selected in accordance with the type of the transfer paper, and the input color image information is subjected to color masking, the transfer paper does not need to be read in advance by a reading device. The color reproducibility can be improved with a low-cost configuration without performing a complicated operation.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the spectral reflectance data for each of a plurality of types of transfer paper and the type and size of the transfer paper are stored in advance, and the color image of the transfer paper is recorded on the transfer paper. The paper feed tray is selected according to the size and type of the paper, and the spectral reflectance data is selected according to the type of the transfer paper to color mask the input color image information. There is no need to read by a device, so that color reproducibility can be improved with a low-cost configuration without performing complicated operations.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since means for storing spectral reflectance data of a type of transfer paper that is not stored is further provided, a complicated operation is performed for any type of transfer paper. The color reproducibility can be improved without using a cheap configuration.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since a means for editing the spectral reflectance data of the stored type of transfer paper is further provided, a complicated operation is performed for any type of transfer paper. The color reproducibility can be improved without using a cheap configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a color image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing wavelength-spectral reflectance characteristics.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a color image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a color image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a color image processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a color image processing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a color image processing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a color image processing apparatus according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a color image processing apparatus according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a color image processing apparatus according to a ninth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Color image processing apparatus 11 Transfer paper data storage means 12 Transfer paper data selection means 13 Recording color image generation means 14 Controller 15 Transfer paper data input means 16 Transfer paper data editing means 21 Transfer paper type storage means 22 Transfer paper type setting means 23 transfer paper size storage means 24 transfer paper size setting means a input color image information b recording color image information

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit in which spectral reflectance data for each of a plurality of types of transfer paper is stored in advance, and spectral reflectance data stored in the storage unit in accordance with a type of transfer paper on which a color image is recorded. And a means for color-masking the input color image information based on the spectral reflectance data selected by the selection means. 2. The color image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for storing in the storage means spectral reflectance data of a type of transfer paper not stored in the storage means. 3. The color image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit that edits spectral reflectance data of the type of transfer paper stored in the storage unit. 4. A first storage unit in which spectral reflectance data for each of a plurality of types of transfer paper is stored in advance, a second storage unit in which a type of transfer paper is stored in advance, and a color image is recorded. The type of transfer paper stored in the second storage means is selected according to the paper feed tray of the transfer paper, and the spectral reflectance stored in the first storage means is selected according to the type of transfer paper. A color image processing apparatus comprising: a selection unit for selecting data; and a unit for color-masking input color image information based on the spectral reflectance data selected by the selection unit. 5. A first storage unit in which spectral reflectance data for each of a plurality of types of transfer paper is stored in advance, a second storage unit in which a type of transfer paper is stored in advance, and the size of the transfer paper is set in advance. A third storage unit for storing the paper feed tray according to the size and type of the transfer paper on which the color image is to be recorded, and a transfer paper stored in the second storage unit. And a selection unit that selects the spectral reflectance data stored in the first storage unit in accordance with the type of the transfer paper, based on the spectral reflectance data selected by the selection unit. Means for color masking input color image information. 6. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising means for storing spectral reflectance data of a type of transfer paper not stored in said first storage means in said first storage means. 6. The color image processing apparatus according to 5. 7. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising means for editing spectral reflectance data of a type of transfer paper stored in said first storage means. The color image processing apparatus as described in the above.